Forbush, Abijah. The Psalmodist's Assistant: containing An Original Composition of Psalm and Hymn Tunes; together with A Number of Favourite Pieces from different Authors. To which is prefixed, An Introduction to the Grounds of Music. Boston: Manning & Loring, 1806. Second Edition. [8983]
The original binding sometime covered in deer or calfskin, folded over the boards and sewn with twine, connecting the sides over the paste-downs. The original binding may be seen to be covered in blue paper over wooden boards. Text block now separated from binding. Oblong 14 cm (5 1/2 x 8 3/4 inches), lacks the front free end papers, text block shaken. (1)-iv.), [iv. misnumbered as v.], [5]-107, (1). Text is complete. Music is four parts with round notes. Fair. Hardcover.
The first edition was published in 1803, with 67 pp. This second edition has 100 selections. Most are composed by Forbush, with other compositions by William Eager, Samuel Babcock, Abraham Maxim, Jeremiah Ingalls, Abraham Wood, Daniel Belknap, Oliver Holden, Benjamin Holt, and Timothy Swan.
Abijah Forbush (1779-1845), a native of Massachusetts, and "a composer, [who] published only his own music in the first edition of his only tunebook, then added pieces by other composers to the second." - Britton, Lowens & Crawford, p. 275.
With a signed provenance card from the collection of A. Merril Smoak, Jr., DWS.