PURCELL, Henry 1659-1695

Achilles brought by Thelis to his Tutor Chiron. The Music by Mr. Purcel[!]. Plate 89 from George Bickham's The Musical Entertainer

London: 1740. Unbound.

1 leaf, with a large elaborate vignette to head illustrating the song with music and text below set for voice and figured bass intended for the accompaniment of the flute. Signed in the plate by the engraver, G. Bickham. Ca 326 x 200 mm. (12.75" x 7.85") [plate mark].

Slightly worn; minor browning to edges; minor soiling and dampstaining.

Very Good.

From the second edition of Bickham's monumental work, first published in 1737-1739. BUC p. 107. RISM BII p. 245.

"[Purcell] was one of the most important 17th-century composers and one of the greatest of all English composers." Peter Holman and Robert Thompson in Grove Music Online.

"[Bickham ?1706-1771] was principally famous in music circles for his two illustrated folio volumes The Musical Entertainer, first issued in fortnightly parts, each containing four plates, from January 1737 to December 1739. The 200 plates are songs, headed and surrounded with pictorial embellishments illustrative of the song ..., and engraved in the style of and even copied directly from Gravelot and Watteau. This work was the first of its kind to be published in England and quickly produced imitators such as Lampe’s British Melody, engraved by Benjamin Cole." Frank Kidson et al. in Grove Music Online.

A charming engraving.

The Musical Entertainer is considered one of the finest 18th century illustrated books. Complete copies of this monumental work are exceptionally rare.

Item #36821

Price: $110.00  other currencies