Superb and large AMQS on an off-white 6.25 x 5.25 sheet. Sousa pens four intricate bars of The Stars and Stripes Forever, signing under the quote, “John Philip Sousa, April 22nd, 1926, ‘Hurrah for the flag of the free.’” And a vintage 4.5 x 6 photo of a very young Sousa, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Bert Brown Esq from John Philip Sousa 1873-1915.” Both are archivally quadruple cloth matted and framed to an overall size of 21 x 14.5. In fine, bright condition.
In his autobiography, Marching Along, Sousa wrote that he composed the march on Christmas Day 1896. He had just learned of the recent death of David Blakely, then manager of the Sousa Band. Sousa was on a ferry in Europe at the time, and he composed the march in his head, committing the notes to paper upon his arrival in the United States. This scarce pairing of items is unique in that each is a pristine example—large and visually attractive and, to say the least, autographically desirable! Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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