Buy this book on-line

Sir John Stevenson, Thomas Moore : A Selection of Popular National Airs : A Manuscript of Early American Secular Music, A Song from James Joyce, and one of the Earliest Collections of Non-Western Music Ex-libris First Governor of Kansas Charles Robinson

Folio - over 12" - 15" tall. On offer is an exceedingly rare manuscript being a collection of early American secular music, a song from James Joyce, and one of the earliest collections of non-Western Music. A fine and handsome collection. [1813 - 1818] with the bookplate of the first Governor of Kansas. The Book: A Selection of Popular National Airs : with Symphonies and Accompaniments by Sir John Stevenson ; the words by Thomas Moore. London : J. Power, 1818. 58 engraved plates, preceded by a manuscript copy of John Braham's The Beautiful Maid as sung by Mr. Braham (which finds a place in the Thomas Edison Collection of American Sheet Music as an early example of American secular music), bound with pages 3-8 Vocal Music, bound with Charles Edward Horns' Indian Melodies. London, J.Power, [1813]. Likely the first printed introduction of Indian Music ("Native Hindostanee tunes") to England. 53 engraved plates bound with 'A Catalogue of Vocal Music' by Thomas Moore. London, 1815. 3 pages. FOLIO, the whole bound in 19th century red morocco and gilt and marbled boards, with loss to spine, some pages slightly loose or loose and occasional browning, but otherwise well preserved and a handsome book with fine engraved plates. Ex-Libris Bookplate of Charles Robinson, 1818 - 94, American politician and first governor of the state of Kansas (1861 - 63). Perhaps the most interesting work in this assemblage is Horn's Indian Melodies. An extremely rare work, it preserves native tunes such as "Mutru be Khoosh nuwa nego" and "Munni bibbi nocharee." It is a truly fascinating and certainly one of the earliest printed collections of non-Western music for the English market. (Research did locate a 1794 manuscript in the University of Glasgow from Calcutta with similar melodies) "Thomas Moore remains one of Ireland's most beloved poets, but he was also a talented composer and accomplished musician." The work here contains the famous Scottish Air "Oft in the Stilly Night" which is of interest to fans of James Joyce as it makes its appearance when it is sung sung by Stephen's "poverty-stricken family as they sit in the dark awaiting their meager supper" in his Portrait.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good+

Bibliophile Bookbase for antiquarian books, maps and prints.