According to a statement printed on the back cover of the score pictured here, Mrs. M. C. Robinson was inspired to write “The Seattle Girl” when in Seattle from Tacoma to visit sculptor James Wehn. Mr. Wehn had recently completed a statue of his sweetheart (unnamed), whose portrait appears on the front cover of the score. He asked Mrs. Robinson to write “a few appropriate lines” to go with the sculpture. A small photograph of Mrs. Robinson also appears on the cover of the score (right).
In addition to “The Seattle Girl,” Mary Cleopatra Robinson (circa 1840-1922), a music teacher who was visually impaired, wrote about 25 other pieces under her own name, as well as under a pseudonym, Elya Croom.
Handwritten on front cover: Mrs. Robinson is related to me on my mother’s side. Lucile Wonn. Handwritten on front cover: James A. Wehn. Sc., 1947.
Caption information source: The Seattle Sunday Times, November 6, 1949, p. 65 Caption information source: The Seattle Daily Times, January 15, 1907, p. 5
Physical Description: 1 score (6 p.) + 1 part ; 10.75 x 14.75
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
