By Thy Rivers Gently Flowing Illinois / "Illinois."
N.p. N.p., 1966. Small 4to. (2pp), single folded leaf. Fine. Item #18196
First edition of sheet music for the Illinois Sesquicentennial version of the official state song -- written pre-1893, designated official in 1925 and here arranged by Luboff and with some new lyrics by folk music legend Stracke. Fourth page consists of an essay, "Celebrating 150 Years of Statehood," by then-Governor Otto Kerner. Tight 'n' bright, clean 'n' pristine. Accompanied by a 45 rpm recording titled: "'Illinois' (By Thy Rivers Gently Flowing)." Chicago: The Illinois Sesquicentennial Commission, 45 rpm record in 7" x 7" white pasteboard sleeve. Fine. Special sesquicentennial jazz recording of Illinois' state song, a new arrangement recorded by Chicago jazz club owner Reinhardt; "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" on backside. Record sleeve verso reproduces then-Illinois governor Otto Kerner's letter to Bill Reinhardt endorsing this new recording and noting, "Ralph Newman tells me a record is going to be made of this arrangement...." -- and tipped below this endorsement is a bold full signature of Newman on a 3¼" X ½" slip. Newman (1912-98), founder of Chicago's noted Abraham Lincoln Book Shop, was also chairman of the Illinois Sesquicentennial Commission. A superb and uncommon pair.
Price: $50.00