[ Herman Finck, composer and conductor. ] Material from his widow's papers relating to his death, including 73 signatures of individuals at his funeral service, including Tommy Handley and William Luff; obituaries; fumeral cards, order of service.

On his death Finck was described by the Daily Mirror as 'one of the world's greatest writers of light music'. His 'In the Shadows' was one of the last songs played on RMS Titanic before it went down. The collection is in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Items One and Two are in an envelope addressed to Mrs Finck at 122 Finchley Road, with note by her: 'Funeral Cards & names of people at Service'. ONE: Collection of 73 signatures of people attending Finck's funeral service. 5pp., folio. Mostly in pencil. With calling card of 'Mr. Stanley F. Galpin'. Including the signatures of comedian Tommy Handley, cartoonist Bert Thomas, conductor Charles Prentice, music publisher Ralph Hawkes, BBC presenter Rex Palmer, lyricist Percy Greenbank, actor and cinematographer William Luff. There are two extensive lists of those who attended the service in Four below, in cuttings from the Telegraph and the Hampstead & St John's Wood Advertiser. TWO: Green & Edwards Ltd, undertakers: Typed List of 'Floral Tributes at the Funeral of the late Herman Finck'. 5pp., 8vo. First leaf on letterhead of Green & Edwards, Funeral Furnishers, Monumental Masons, Finchley Road, London, N.W.3. Each entry with message transcribed and tribute described, beginning with 'To your dear memory, your loving daughter “Pip” | (Pillow of hydrangea & red roses)'. The numerous entries include: 'To Dear old Herman “God rest ye merry gentleman” | Yours Leslie Henson | (Wreath – daffodils & irises)' and 'With affection & sympathy from Cedric & Cissie Hardwicke | (Bunch of lilies & roses)'. THREE: Fifteen of the original cards accompanying the floral tributes sent to Finck's funeral service, transcribed in Two above. From: the bandleader 'Bill' Debroy Somers; Cedric and Cissie ('Piscie' according to the florist's card) Hardwicke; Francis, Day & Hunter; The British Broadcasting Corporation; the Directors of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane; The Members of the Savage Club; Committee and Members of the Eccentric Club; Mrs Winifred Nathan; Arthur, Dick & Ann Wimperis; the Chairman and Directors of the Performing Arts Society; E. Goodman of Chappell & Co; the Directors of Chappell & Co; Mrs. Louis J. Nathan; Herbert Smith of Keith Prowse; 'Flower Stall. Finchley. Rd. Station.'. FOUR: Sixteen obituaries and memorials, cut from newspapers including The Times, Sunday Graphic, Daily Mail, Daily Express, Daily Telegraph. Also present are three photocopies of other newspaper obituaries. FIVE: Copy of the printed funeral service 'In Memory of Herman Finck'. All Souls' Church, Loudoun Road, N.W. [ London ] 25 April 1939. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium.