Planters’ House assembly waltz : composed expressly for and most respectfully dedicated to Benjamin Stickney, Esqre. / by Frank Johnson. Philadelphia : Osbourn’s Music Saloon, 112 So. Third St., 1844.

This rare 1844 musical score by African American composer and virtuoso musician Francis Johnson is dedicated to the famous Planters’ House hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. The illustration shows the hotel with a brass band performing in front. This may be the only known image of Johnson’s band. Johnson and his band traveled the Eastern U.S. and Britain, using Philadelphia as home base. Missouri, a slave state, issued a fine to Johnson for violating its strict laws against free Blacks entering the state.

Johnson was the first African American composer to be published in the sheet music format and is considered to be America’s first band master. His numerous compositions straddled popular marches, dances, and instrumental styles. He was a virtuoso soloist on keyed bugle and violin.

$1000

Learn more and listen to recorded performances of Johnson’s music on the Clements Library Blog: “The First Published African-American Composer”