I’ve just ordered a second copy of a cheap, mid-twentieth century Scottish song-book, for what might seem like the flimsiest of reasons:-
It has the lowest original price I’ve yet seen on the cover, and the National Anthem shows it precedes Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne. So, it’s an early copy.
Does this make a difference?
- For a start, it is evidence of the latest possible publication date for this particular title. (I do have other, newspaper evidence, but here’s the tangible proof!)
- It forms a kind of pair with another contemporary title, which I’m giving a talk about!
- I want to see what other publications were being advertised at the time. Adverts did change over time.
- I’d love to find other unexpected details – an owner’s mark of some kind – but that would be an added extra!
One day, when I’m a happy memory, my family will doubtless ask, Why did she have two copies?! Hopefully someone will defend me with, ‘She must have had her reasons …’
Oh, and where is it coming from?
France!
Karen McAulay, Musicologist 