Counting time : a content analysis of the covers of the popular sheet music published by Charles Begg & Co Ltd

Abstract

This research analyses the New Zealand imagery on the covers of the sheet music published by Charles Begg & Co Ltd from 1865 to 1970. The research problem was whether or not the imagery depicted on these covers reflected a growing sense of national identity within New Zealand. To assess this it was necessary to look at what New Zealand imagery was portrayed, whether the percentage of British imagery over the period declined, how the World Wars affected the imagery and finally whether the percentage of New Zealand imagery increased over the period in question. Seventy-six pieces of music were analysed, selected randomly from three collections. Content analysis methodology was used to record the images portrayed on the covers and additional information was also gathered to supplement the analysis of the iconography. The research found that the popular sheet music published by Beggs did reflect a growing sense of New Zealand national identity. The ratio of music with non-New Zealand images to that with New Zealand images was much greater before the First World War, but thereafter this was reversed. The amount of imagery depicting Britain declined, and was only evident during times of war. The music studied did reflect the perception of New Zealand as a nation, with its own culture and heritage and thereby reinforced a growing sense of national identity.