Bethune, Thomas 'Blind Tom." Extensive archive of material relative to the child prodigy pianist. Condition varies. Should Be Seen. Vp, vd E2000-3000 Thomas "Blind Tom' Bethune 1849-1915 was born a slave in Columbus, Georgia. At the age of 7, He

Bethune, Thomas 'Blind Tom." Extensive archive of material relative to the child prodigy pianist. Condition varies. Should Be Seen. Vp, vd E2000-3000 Thomas "Blind Tom' Bethune 1849-1915 was born a slave in Columbus, Georgia. At the age of 7, He astounded his owners by sitting down at the house piano and beginning to play, without error, some rather difficult excercises He had just heard. Tom had been born with an idelic, or photographic memory in addition to his musical talent. This ability led to his eventual repertoire of nearly a thousand pieces. Within a year, He was publicly presented by his owner Colonel Jamess Bethune throughout the state. Soon after, He was hired out to Perry Oliver, a tobacco planter, who promoted him in concerts around the country. In 1864, Bethune convinced Tom's natural parents to have him appointed Tom's legal guardian. Bethune and Oliver both made considerable fortunes exploiting the talents of "Blind Tom,' who, though well fed and clothed, never saw a fraction of his real earnings The archive includes: A fine copy of the booklet, Songs Sketch of the Life of Blind Tom the Marvelous Musical Prodigy. The Negro Boy Pianist 8vo, pictorial wrappers. New York: French and Wheat, 186?1, a carte-de-visite of Tom, standing, circa 1866 by W L. Germon, Philadelphia, a cabinet card photograph of Tom by Charles Eisenmann, New York, fan. 21 1888 on verso, and five pieces of music 1860-1888 by or arranged by Blind Tom, 4 of which have beautifully engraved covers. One of them, The Oliver Gallop, is a very early example depicting Tom at age 10