SANDERSON, James — HAIL TO THE CHIEF

New York. Hewett. Contemporary leather-backed marbled boards with leather corners, neatly rebacked at some point (10-1/4" x 13-1/2"). Bound with a number of other pieces, some with pictorial covers. An early appearance of what is known as "The President's Anthem," a song written by James Sanderson around 1812 based on lyrics by Sir Walter Scott. Though not dated here, as often the case with sheet music, other songs in the volume are dated between 1828 and 1831. The music was first associated with the President in 1815, when it was played to honor George Washington and the end of the War of 1812. On 4 July 1828, the U. S. Marine Band performed the song at a ceremony for the formal opening of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, attended by President John Quincy Adams. Andrew Jackson was the first living President to have the song used to honor his position in 1829, and it was played at Martin Van Buren's inauguration in 1837. It wasn't until 1954 that the Department of Defense made it the official tribute to the President. Other pieces included in this volume are "Home Sweet Home," written by American lyricist John Howard Payne and English composer Sir Henry Bishop for an 1823 opera that became a favorite of both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, and a first printing of William Taylor's "Our Flag. A National Song, Dedicated with great respect and Esteem to Lieut. James Edward Calhoun of the United States Ship Boston, 1829 by a Messmate," which begins, "Our Flag is there! Our Flag is there! We'll hail it with three loud huzzahs!". Minor toning to paper; very light wear to boards. Near Fine