[GRAM, Hans; HOLDEN, Oliver; and HOLYOKE, Samuel] — THE MASSACHUSETTS COMPILER OF THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ELEMENTS OF SACRED VOCAL MUSIC. Together with a Musical Dictionary. And a variety of Psalm Tunes, Chorusses, &c. Chiefly selected from modern European publications First American printing of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

Boston. Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T Andrews. First Edition. Oblong quarto (10-3/4" x 8-3/4") in modern 3/4 deep navy blue morocco leather retaining early silk-finished blue boards; [v], vi - xxxvi, [1] - 71, [1 - index] pages. Divided into three parts, the first devoted to certain theories of music, the second giving observations on singing and a dictionary of musical terms, and the third comprising bits of sacred music. Among the 72 compositions present, 6 are composed by Americans and 55 are first American printings, including the popular Christmas carol “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”. New endpapers but retaining old endpapers as well. Light browning to text. Near Fine. The printer Isaiah Thomas was the first to import music types to America in 1784. Before that all music printed in America was printed from engraved plates.