Lot 129: PURCELL, HENRY.

Late seventeenth- or early eighteenth-century manuscript of seven songs from The Fairy Queen

Condition Note:

with the printed title page loosely inserted: "Some of the Airy Songs Which are Sung in the Fairy Queen. Set to Musick, By Mr. Henry Purcell. London, Printed, and are to be sold at most Musick-Shops in Town. 1692", the manuscript notated in dark brown ink on up to six systems per page, each of two staves, with singers' names ("Second Song in the 2nd Act sung by Mrs Dyer" etc.), with some other manuscript items and additions at the end, 16 pages in all, plus blanks, folio (c.30.5 x 19.5cm), 12-stave paper, rubricated margins, unbound, no place or date [c.1690s], cropped at the top edge

Purcell, Daniel (attributed to). Early eighteenth-century manuscript of "A Song on the Feast of St Cæcilia 1698 by Mr Dan. Purcell", for chorus and soloists, trumpets, oboes, drums and strings, the words beginning "Begin, begin the noble song", with the names of the singers entered by the scribe ("Mr Leveridge", "Mr Pate", "[Mr] ffreeman", "Mr Dan Williams", "Mr Church", "Dr Turner", "Mr Robart"), notated in dark brown ink on up to twelve staves per page, 76 pages, folio (c.31 x 20cms), 12-stave paper, contemporary calf-backed marbled boards, red-gilt label to cover ("St Cæcilia"), [c.1700], some singers names cropped at leading edges

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described in our catalogue. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

CATALOGUE NOTE

The Fairy Queen manuscript seems to be related to Heptinstall's 1692 publication "Some Select Songs As they are Sung in the Fairy Queen" (Day and Murrie 116). The numbers are: [no.1] "Sing, sing whilst we trip it upon the green"; [no.2] "I am come to lock all fast"; [no.3] "One charming night"; [no.4] "If love's a sweet passion"; [no.5] "Thus the ever grateful Spring"; [no.6] "Here's the summer sprightly gay" and [no.7] "Thus happy and free". We have not traced the present printed title-page to any published edition.