These two volumes are a catalog of the various instruments held by the University of Michigan's Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments. This collection grew out of a donation by private collector, Frederick Stearns. The Stearns collection includes instruments from around the world, including items from the Caribbean, West Africa, Brazil, India, Japan, Southeast Asia, and China, as well as folk instruments from Europe and instruments used by various Native American peoples from Alaska, the Southwest, and Hawai'i, among others. The collection also includes more familiar western instruments such as pianos, organs, harps, wind and brass instruments, etc., as well as music boxes, early Victrolas, and other related items. The catalog includes a bibliography, as well as information about Stearns and other donors to the collection.

These two volumes are a catalog of the various instruments held by the University of Michigan's Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments. This collection grew out of a donation by private collector, Frederick Stearns. The Stearns collection includes instruments from around the world, including items from the Caribbean, West Africa, Brazil, India, Japan, Southeast Asia, and China, as well as folk instruments from Europe and instruments used by various Native American peoples from Alaska, the Southwest, and Hawai'i, among others. The collection also includes more familiar western instruments such as pianos, organs, harps, wind and brass instruments, etc., as well as music boxes, early Victrolas, and other related items. The catalog includes a bibliography, as well as information about Stearns and other donors to the collection.