Accession Number

2013.004.001

Description

A black leather bound collection of 21 pieces of sheet music. Front is monogrammed "M.D." in small gold letters. The leather cover is in very poor condition.

Narrative

This leather-bound volume of sheet music contains 21 songs collected by Mary Jean Dunsmuir (b.1862-d.1928). The earliest dated piece was signed by her at Mills Seminary near Oakland, CA in 1879, where she was a student. Another piece was signed August 13, 1883 when Mary was travelling with her parents. Another was signed in Victoria while she resided in Fairview, the Dunsmuir residence at the corner of Quebec and Menzies Streets. Some of the music is stamped “Bagnell’s Music Store, Victoria, B.C.”

During the late 19th century, it was standard practice for people of financial means to pay bookbinders to bind their music into book form. The Castle Society owns a few such examples, including two once owned by Mrs. James Dunsmuir.

This volume was not likely ever permanently situated in Craigdarroch, though it might have been brought by Mary to Craigdarroch if she was visiting for an afternoon or incorporating music in the drawing room. Mary married before the Castle was completed and spent most of her adult life at Mt. Adelaide, her large house situated on Victoria’s inner harbour at West Bay. Following her death in 1928, Mt. Adelaide became the home of her financial advisor and friend, Sam Matson and his wife, Ada Matson. The contents of Mary’s house were also transferred to the Matsons.

After Mrs. Matson died in 1957, the contents of Mt. Adelaide were sold at auction. Before the sale took place, her descendants removed certain items from the house and kept them, such as this music album. The donor of this music book was a grandson of Sam and Ada Matson.

History of Use

This book of bound sheet music was used by Mary Jean Dunsmuir at her home Fairview, and later, at her house Mt. Adelaide where it stayed until 1957 wen it was inherited by the donor, a grandson of Sam and Ada Matson. 

Date

circa 1885

Dimensions

2.5 x 24.5 x 34.5 cm

Material

Leather; Paper

Inscription

recto: MD; Mary Dunsmuir, Victoria