Manuscript copies and early proofs of several music contributions to King Albert's Book.

Bookseller Notes

King Albert's Book was an extraordinary publication, produced in order to raise money for Belgian nationals, fleeing from the advancing Imperial German Armies. The list of contributors, a literary, artistic and musical who's-who of the era, including Thomas Hardy, Debussy, Elgar, Churchill, the Aga Khan, Sarah Bernhardt, Dulac, the Archbishop of Canterbury to name but a few, attests both to the persuasive powers of the book's editor, Hall Caine and the degree of empathy with which the refugees were regarded.Edward German (1862-1936) was well known for his incidental stage music and comic opera, particularly 'Merrie England', 1902, and the 'Just So Song Book', 1903 to Kipling's text (who also contributed to King Albert's Book). The rousing melody of German's Hymn caught the public imagination, and later became the popular hymn 'Father Omnipotent.'The most revealing lines from the letter/postcards (addressed 'Dear Lizzie') concern the composer's view of contemporary music: 'I agree that some of the music of today is dismal. Still it wouldn't do to have all music bright and gay: just an occasional splash of grey is good for us all'; his developing eye condition: 'The specialist tells me there is a faint hope that I may ultimately re.gain just a little of the lost sight in my right eye. However, my left eye is fairly good - so after all I have much to be grateful for' and his most popular work: 'I am sure "Merrie England" will be very successful. I have written Mr Duggan expressing my regret at not being present'.With a good copy of the book itself.