Milburn, Richard. Original Sheet Music to 'Listen to the Mocking Bird." 6 pages, folio; engraved pictorial front cover of a mocking bird with title, etc., in various fonts; 4 pages of music from engraved plates; small closed tear where once folded;

Milburn, Richard. Original Sheet Music to 'Listen to the Mocking Bird." 6 pages, folio; engraved pictorial front cover of a mocking bird with title, etc., in various fonts; 4 pages of music from engraved plates; small closed tear where once folded; removed from a large album. A very attractive Piece. Together with an Autograph Note Signed with quote of a stanza of the lyrics, signed by Septimus Winter and also as "Alice Hawthorne," the pseudonym used by him as transcriber and lyricist. Single 8vo leaf folded to form 4 pages, written on 2 Philadelphia: Winner and Schuster, 1855; 1900 E350-500 First Printing, and The Only Printing To Bear Milburn's Name. All subsequent editions omitted any reference to the actual composer of this classic slice of the American pie. Milburn, was a Philadelphia barber and guitarist as well as a renowned whistler. Listen to the Mocking Bird was composed by Milburn, as a whistled piece. Credit was given to Milburn, as the composer of the melody. The music had been transcribed by Septimus Winter, who took the pseudonym of Alice Hawthorne when published. After the song's immense popularity and demand grew for printed music, Winter claimed all credit for it and all subsequent editions omitted Milburn's name. Milburn, died destitute and entirely unrecognized sometime in the early part of the 20th century. See Illustration Overleaf