About this Item
FIRST EDITION. 6 volumes, 8vo, 190 x 118 mms., pp. [xiv], 275 [280 blank]; [iv], 179 [180 blank]; [xiv], 200; [x], 204; [xiv], 208; [xiv], 208, engraved frontispiece for each volume, title-pages in red and black, engraved music throughout,bound in later 18th century calf, raised bands between gilt borders on spines, red leather labels; some joints worn but intact (thanks, perhaps, to some amateur repair work), but a fair to good set, from the library of the the Magalen College, Oxford, scholar, Dr. Richard Luckett (1945 - 2000) with his ticket in each volume. Eleven of the songs are attributed to Handel, and two are printed here for the first time. In the early part of his career as printer and publisher John Watts (1678 - 1763) worked with Jacob Tonson, and he was responsible for the first printings of The Beggar's Opera in 1728. He also issued music for the songs from early operas in this period, and as New Grove (1980) notes, "These editions print the airs for the songs, printed from engraved wood blocks, as an appendix, and especially valuable for giving the names of the tunes. Another important work is the six-volume The Musical Miscellany (1729 - 1731), also printed from woodblocks and considered the finest pocket songbook of the period." A large pocket, I should think. F. Kidson: British Music Publishers, Printers and Engravers (1900). C. Humphries and W. C. Smith: Music Publishing i the British Isles (1954). Seller Inventory # 10296
Contact seller
Report this item
