Antique English Songbook,“Songs of the Orient”, 1912 by Edward Frederick Teschemacher (1876-1940)

Edward Frederick Teschemacher (1876-1940) was an English song lyricist. A prolific and popular writer, by 1914 the vagaries of war led him to take his mother’s maiden name, and be known as Edward Frederick Lockton. This was undoubtedly a wise move with rising anti-German sentiment during World War I and II.

This particular songbook, “Songs of the Orient” is dated 1912 before such a change occurred and includes “Desert Morning, The Nautch girl, The Bells of Burmah, The Cypress Tree, The Great Bazaar.” A beautiful cover and interesting piece of history. 

Below from the Buckinghamshire Examiner - Friday 13 November 1914 "Mr Edward Teschemacher Takes Name of Lockton”:

"Mr. Edward Teschmacher begs to announce that he has changed his surname to Lockton. Mr. Lockton, as his friends and acquaintances know, is an Englishman. He was born in London as were his father and grandfather, the last named in 1791. He therefore thinks it undesirable, and perhaps misleading, to continue to bear a foreign name and desires all communication to be addressed to him in the future under the name of Lockton. It may be mentioned that the name Mr. Teschmacher has now taken is that of his mother. His father, who as is stated was born in London, went to school with the late Mr. Joseph Chamberlain at Highbury. Mr. Lockton has no relatives in Germany; nor had his father any German relatives."

Price marked at $30 AUD.

Overall in very good antique condition. Inscription in pencil by original owner to interior frontispiece. Light wear to covers, pages and corners as pictured.