Castles in Europe. The Innovation Trot.
New York: Jos. W. Stern & Co., [c. 1914]. Folio sheet music, illustrated color pictorial cover. 5 pp. (including cover). Approximately 13 ½ x 10 ½ inches. Light edge wear and minor surface creasing; very good overall with strong color to the cover. Item #List3614
A dance-era publication composed by James Reese Europe (1881–1919) and introduced by the celebrated ballroom team Vernon and Irene Castle during the height of the early twentieth-century social dance craze. The cover features a photographic image of the Castles in mid-step against a vivid purple field. Europe was already emerging as one of the most important African American bandleaders of the period through his work directing the Castle House Orchestra, which accompanied the Castles’ dance demonstrations and performances in New York. As noted in Library of Congress program materials on the Castles:
“In 1914, the most famous exponents of modern social dance were Vernon and Irene Castle. Their revolutionary style did away with bulky moves associated with dances of the late nineteenth century and replaced them with elegant and streamlined athleticism. The Castles brought a new wave of popularity to dancing and much of their popularity was due to their daringness; the white Castles had hired an African-American orchestra to accompany them in a time when such public integration was nearly unknown. James Reese Europe (1881–1919) served as the Castle’s musical director.”
Publications such as Castles in Europe represent Europe’s commercial dance music output during the years immediately preceding his later national prominence as leader of the 369th Infantry “Hellfighters” Band during the First World War. One of several Castle-associated dance compositions issued under Europe’s name during the peak of the ragtime and tango dance craze.
Price: $200.00