historical vs traditional dances

Richard Goss

Jan. 9, 2004, 6:40 a.m. (Message 37486)

I am not sure that Miss M should be put in the same group as C# when
it comes to collectors. All of [R]SCD-I, and most of the dances
published by the Society until WWI were already in print. So it would
be more correct to say that Miss M was a publisher and recycler than a
researcher and collector.
 
If someone knows of a dance Miss M collected, I would appreciate a reference.

SallenNic

Jan. 10, 2004, 11:42 a.m. (Message 37505, in reply to message 37486)

Not sure, but the first edition of the  book containing Jessie's Hornpipe 
said of (J.H.) as a footnote "Collected in Banff and Aberdeenshire" (or words to 
that effect: I always assumed that implied that Miss M. had collected it - but 
maybe a minion or acolyte passed it to her?
    Broadly speaking, however, you are quite right: C. Sharp's collecting 
activities both here and in America set him way apart from Miss M. in that 
context.

Nicolas B., Lanark, Scotland
<A HREF="http://www.nicolasbroadbridge.com">http://www.nicolasbroadbridge.com
</A>

Richard Goss

Jan. 10, 2004, 8:16 p.m. (Message 37507, in reply to message 37505)

The word "collect" in Scotland is a handy catchall which can suggest
research in the field with out saying so.
 
One also collects ...
rubbish,
one´s date,
baseball cards
things to put in one´s collection (Barbie Dolls, Lladro, crystal, baseball cards, etc.).
 
Actually the expression "collected in ...shire" is a bit of an insult
as any professional field collector would list some very precise
stats. The entire provenance problem of RSCDS dances is very poor.
Even when our books give a source, this is questionable. The caveat
listed in some books "footnote  is oldest known reference" does not
specify music, choreography, or name.