^Lot 1804 Original Printing Press Plates for Song Sheet

Rare collection of four original copper printing press plates for the sheet music entitled ‘That Dear Dear Ship Titanic,’ by Edward Tassie. Each heavy plate measures 7.5 x 10 and is still attached to its wooden block. The plates include a majestic image of the Titanic at sea, used on the cover of the music, and all three pages of the music and lyrics. Still visible on each plate is dried black ink used to create the paper copies. Plates are accompanied by an original 1912 piece of sheet music to the song. In fine condition. Presumably the plates are still capable of being used to print the music. In the immediate aftermath of the Titanic disaster, publishers and composers were quick to introduce the information-starved public with books and music pertaining to the tragedy while the topic was fresh in their minds. Tassie was one such opportunistic composer.