THE FIFTH STRING with an AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS)

First published in 1902 when the publisher was called The Bowen-Merrill Company. Decorated green cloth, with illustrations by Howard Chandler Christy. INSCRIBED and SIGNED by the composer on the front endpaper: "To Geo. Arliss Esq/from/John Philip Sousa/1919." Laid in is a SIGNED handwritten letter with envelope by Sousa on Sousa and His Band letterhead presenting the volume to Arliss and briefly explaining its publishing history. Among his best-known marches are "The Stars and Stripes Forever" (National March of the United States of America), "Semper Fidelis" (Official March of the United States Marine Corps), and "The Liberty Bell" (used as the theme for Monty Python's Flying Circus). George Arliss (1868-1946) was an English actor, author, playwright, and filmmaker who found success in the United States primarily for his witty series of historical biopics, such as ALEXANDER HAMILTON (1931), VOLTAIRE (1933), THE HOUSE OF ROTHSCHILD (1934), and CARDINAL RICHELIEU (1935). Minor rubbing to front spine edge. Very Good to Near Fine.