1887 — The Improvement Association Song Book: A Collection of Original and Selected Songs and Hymns Set To Music… E. Beesley

The Improvement Association Song Book: A Collection of Original and Selected Songs and Hymns Set to Music, arranged by E. Beesley, Director of the Salt Lake City Tabernacle Choir. Salt Lake City, Utah: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1887. This is the scarce and only known edition of an early Latter-day Saint music publication prepared especially for Mutual Improvement and other association choirs. The book contains 54 songs, including early LDS musical settings and material associated with such figures as Evan Stephens, Orson F. Whitney, Emmeline B. Wells, and others. The volume is unfortunately incomplete and in poor condition, but is nevertheless a fascinating survivor of this extremely rare publication. It begins with page 7, lacking the first six pages, including the title page; additional missing pages are 19–20, 37–40, 49–52, and 67–70, and there are no pages present after page 74. Four loose, very worn leaves (8 pages) are tucked into the rear of the volume. The original softcover is present with a cloth spine, but the covers are heavily worn, stained, and rubbed, with substantial edge and surface damage. Despite its deficiencies, this represents an important early example of Latter-day Saint hymnody and a remarkable “poor-man’s copy” of a book that is exceedingly difficult to find in any condition. Flake-Draper 2050.