The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #113669   Message #2419644
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
21-Aug-08 - 03:12 PM
Thread Name: Online Songbook: The Universal Songster
Subject: RE: The Universal Songster
"The Universal Songster" or "Museum of Mirth" was issued in three volumes, an amazing compilation, I think issued c. 1825-1828.
Vol. 1-448 pp., vol. 2-448 pp., vol. 3-448 pp., rather fine print.
Thousands of songs!
I found a copy of v. 3 minus cover in a bookstore, and started a search for the rest. I found vol. 1 rebound (1828 date), and then vol. 2, in (late?) 19th c. cloth, a reprint I think. All at reasonable price, many sets must have been printed.

All three have humorous illustrations by Robert Cruikshank.

A good set to read on a sleepless night, or when the wife has politics on the TV.
The songs are put into categories, so one may select 'amatory,' 'naval,' 'military,' 'Yorkshire,' 'comic' or whatever.

I haven't checked out pavanne's link beyond a quick look, but if all three volumes are there, that is quite a bagful.