Research notes and other materials about the Root & Cady firm, other music publishers, and the publishing trade in the third quarter of the 19th century by Dena J. Polacheck Epstein. The materials were collected in support of Epstein’s master’s thesis at the University of Illinois Library School.

Includes mostly research notes from secondary sources such as newspapers, city directories, contemporary publications, and later publications about musicians and the music trade. Includes notes about pre-Fire publications in several large libraries, and also some correspondence by Epstein involving her attempts to find relevant detail and facts about the persons and business she was investigating, both for her thesis on the Root & Cady firm and her subsequent publications. Contains, in addition, directory listings, lists of Root & Cady music publications, programs, clippings, information on some songs and composers, drafts of Epstein’s publications, a publishing agreement and contract, and reviews of her book, as well as royalty statements.

Dates of publication rather than the dates noted by Epstein are used in the inventory, as much material is from secondary sources.