French airs and chansons.

comprising parts for voices and bass notated in dark brown ink on eight staves per page, including some 40 duos (many airs à boire), with the words (sometimes compressed in the lower margins), also including airs from operas and opéra-ballets (Hippolite et Aricie (3), Jephté, Armide, Amadis, L'Europe galante, Æglé), together with chansons, airs à boire and recitatives by Aubert, Destouches, Mouret, Renier, Collin de Blamont and others, second quarter of the eighteenth century, 126 pages, numbered by the scribe, plus his index (3 pages), oblong 4to (c.22 x 29 cms), plus 48 staved leaves (otherwise blank), contemporary mottled calf, spine gilt ("Recueil de chansons"), bookplate, binding worn but sound

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. 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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This is a comprehensive collection of French airs from the second quarter of the eighteenth century.  Whilst some pieces derive from operas and concordances have been found for others, there are still upwards of ninety chansons here that are untraced and may well be unpublished.  The composers are not generally identified (except Rameau, and possibly "Guillot" and "Cupis"), but the operas by Rameau ("Air Dhippolite et aricie") Montéclair, Campra, Lully, Rebel & Francoeur and Royer are.  Those chansons that have been traced appear in contemporary printed collections of 'airs à boire', Brunetes ou petits airs, i-ii (1703-1704), Tendresses Bacchiques en duo et trio (1712), Nouveau recueil de chansons choisies, iv & viii (1729-1743), Nouveau recueil de chansons, i & vii (1726-1736), Recueil d'airs d'un nouveau genre (1732), and Blavet's 1er recueil de pieces (c.1750-1755).  The last pieces are four numbers from Pierre de la Garde's opéra-ballet Æglé of 1748, right at the end of the manuscript, suggesting this as the possible date of its completion.