Ragtime Collection

HANDY: ST. LOUIS BLUES, 1914. The original sheet music cover for William Christopher Handys St. Louis Blues, 1914, the self-proclaimed first successful blues published

My Ann Elizer, 1898. Creator: Unknown
My Ann Elizer, 1898....The Rag-Time Girl. As Sung with Great Success in Mr Edward E. Rice's "Monte Carlo" by Miss Alice Atherton'. Words and music by Malcolm Williams

Rag time, 1899. Creator: Jay Campbell Phillips
Rag time, 1899

Rag-Time in the House, January 29, 1913 (etching)
867817 Rag-Time in the House, January 29, 1913 (etching) by Partridge, Bernard John (1861-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

Irving Berlin (1888 - 1889), American composer and musician, known as the King of Ragtime at the time this photograph was taken and he appeared in the revue

A band, most of whom are wearing disguise of heavy eyebrows and moustaches, presumably a gimmick during a performance, or just for the hell of it

Front cover of The Saint Louis Blues, by W. C. Handy (1873-1958
PNP248833 Front cover of The Saint Louis Blues, by W.C. Handy (1873-1958) 1941 (colour litho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Hullo Ragtime! at the London HIppodrome
The Beauty Chorus of the London Hippodrome, led by the star of their popular revue, Hullo Ragtime! walking along the gangplank from the stage, over the orchestra and through the stalls

Turkey Trot, The Agony of Terpsichore
Page from The Bystander showing Oscar and Suzette demonstrating various steps from the new ragtime dance, the Turkey Trot, which they were performing at the London Hippodrome in 1912

Music cover, Any Rags? by Thomas Allen, sung by Rachel Lowe. A ragtime schottische written in 1902. Date: circa 1900s

WW1 - Comic Postcard - K-Nut in a tuxedo
WW1 - Before conscription into the army was introduced, a certain class of young men existed, for whom everything was " too much bally trouble" or " too much fag." They were

Front cover for Oh that Navajo Rag by Williams and Van Alstyne, c
NBY259422 Front cover for Oh that Navajo Rag by Williams and Van Alstyne, c.1912 (colour litho) by American School, (20th century); Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois

That Aeroplane Rag, 1911. Creator: John Frew
That Aeroplane Rag, 1911. Lovers in a biplane with full moon. The man is piloting the plane while embracing his partner. Cover to sheet music for a song composed by Berte C Randall

Alexanders Ragtime Band, 1911. Creator: Unknown
Alexanders Ragtime Band, 1911. Bandstand with musicians. The circular portrait is of Sunshine James. Cover to sheet music for a song by Russian-born American composer Irving Berlin (1888-1989)

Le Vrai Cake Walk au Nouveau Cirque, c. 1901-1902. Artist: Laskowski (Laskoff), Francois (Franz) (1869-1918)
Le Vrai Cake Walk au Nouveau Cirque, c.1901-1902. From a private collection

Ragtime, Arab horse decorated with WW1 medals
Ragtime, also known as Raggie, was a grey Arab horse, pictured here with his five medals displayed on his brow band. Three were for service during World War One, one for the Arab Revolt

Music Cover, Cat on Hot Bricks
Music cover, Cat on Hot Bricks, a Rollicking Rag for Piano by Ezra Read. 1922

Group of people in ragtime fancy dress
A group of people in ragtime style fancy dress, including a cowboy on a mule, two policemen, men in drag, a pierrot, a chef, and a few blacked-up faces. Date: 1920s

JOPLIN: ENTERTAINER. Song sheet cover of The Entertainer, 1902, by Scott Joplin
JOPLIN: ENTERTAINER. Song sheet cover of " The Entertainer, " 1902, by Scott Joplin

Alexanders Ragtime Band
" ALEXANDERs RAGTIME BAND" A ragtime jazz band in a bandstand; music sheet for the famous song by Irving Berlin. Date: 1912

Music cover, Rag-Time Crazy sung by Florence Thurston
Music cover, Rag-Time Crazy, written by R M Marks, composed by John Neat, sung by Florence Thurston. 1910

Music cover, Postmans Holiday Ragtime (Le facteur en ballade), composed by Ezra Read. circa 1895

The Four Hundred Club by H. M. Bateman
By Our Untamed Artist: With The Four Hundred. Brought into being by Londons desire for later hours: The Four Hundred Club - some caricatures

Sheet Music That Ragtime Suffragette. The Ziegfeld Follies of 1913, at the New Amsterdam Theatre, New York, presented That Ragtime Suffragette, with music by Nat D. Ayer & lyrics by Harry Williams

BROADWAY POSTER, c1896. Lithograph poster for the Broadway play, At Gay Coney Island, with Mathews & Bulger, c1896

JOPLIN: ENTERTAINER, 1902. Original publication of The Entertainer, by Scott Joplin, 1902

SCOTT JOPLIN (1868-1917). American composer. Sheet music cover, 1899

Popular music - ragtime in the home in 1906
Incongruous glimpse of a stately home music room, with the upper class occupants enjoying the popular music of the day: ragtime

BERLIN: RAGTIME BAND, 1911. Sheet music cover of Irving Berlins Alexanders Ragtime Band, 1911

JOPLIN: SHEET MUSIC. Sheet music cover of Scott Joplins Fig Leaf Rag, 1908
JOPLIN: SHEET MUSIC. Sheet music cover of Scott Joplins " Fig Leaf Rag, " 1908

THEATER POSTER, c1898. American lithographic poster for the ragtime opera, By the Sad Sea Waves, presented by Mathews & Bulger, c1898

BERLIN: RAGTIME BAND. American sheet music cover for Alexanders Ragtime Band by Irving Berlin, from a republication accompanying the 1938 release of the motion picture of the same name

The Bioscope cinema
A scene inside the Bioscope cinema in Vauxhall Bridge Road, London with a pianist playing ragtime on the piano to accompany the silent movies

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"Ragtime: A Melodic Journey through Time" Step back into the early 20th century and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of ragtime. This genre, characterized by its syncopated rhythms and lively melodies, captivated audiences across America and beyond. One iconic composition that paved the way for ragtime's success was William Christopher Handy's "St. Louis Blues. " With its soulful notes and catchy tune, this self-proclaimed first successful blues published became a timeless classic. The sheet music covers of these ragtime compositions offer glimpses into the era's artistic flair. From Kerry Mills' whimsical "Whistling Rufus" to the striking image of an Arab horse adorned with WW1 medals on a cover titled "Ragtime, " each artwork showcases the creativity that surrounded this musical movement. Notably, Irving Berlin played a significant role in shaping ragtime's legacy. His contributions to this genre brought forth unforgettable tunes that still resonate today. Meanwhile, other musicians donned disguises - heavy eyebrows and mustaches - as they performed together in bands, adding an element of mystery to their performances. Beyond music itself, ragtime permeated various aspects of popular culture. The London Hippodrome hosted the lively production "Hullo Ragtime. " which transported audiences into a world filled with infectious energy. Moreover, Evelyn Nesbit and Mr Clifford mesmerized crowds with their captivating dance moves during Turkey Trot performances like "The Agony of Terpsichore. " As we explore these snapshots from history – be it through lithographs or etchings – we are reminded of how ragtime transcended mere entertainment; it became a cultural phenomenon that united people from all walks of life. So let us celebrate this enchanting chapter in musical history as we tap our feet to the rhythm of rag-time.