SIXTEEN YEAR OLD BLIND TOM
483
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(MUSIC.) BETHUNE, THOMAS “BLIND TOM.”
Un-recorded carte-de-
visite of the child prodigy.
Albumen carte-de-visite of a very young “Tom”, seated, his
eyes lidded.
London: R & E. Sand, Opposite Tower of London, circa 1866-1868
[1,500/2,500]
A RARE UNRECORDED IMAGE OF A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD
“
BLIND TOM
,”
taken while on
tour in England in 1866. In his mid-teens, Tom was taken on tour by his manager “Colonel”
Bethune.
484
●
(MUSIC.) BETHUNE, THOMAS “BLIND TOM.”
Songs, Sketch of the Life
of Blind Tom, the Marvelous Musical Prodigy, the Negro Boy Pianist.
29 pages.
8vo, original printed wrappers with an engraved portrait of the artist; vertical crease where
folded for mailing; some pencil doodlings from someone who attended a concert at the
edges of the wrappers.
Baltimore, circa 1867-1870
[400/600]
A SCARCE
“souvenir” sold at Blind Tom’s concerts. An interesting note at the rear of the pam-
phlet states that “Blind Tom can only play what he hears, and improvises. Until about two
years ago a list of pieces that Tom had heard was kept, numbering nearly 2000. Unfortunately
this catalogue was lost. Since that period he has heard perhaps 3000 pieces, and his repertoire
now numbers upwards of 5000, entirely at his memory’s disposal.
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