- 134
Byrd, William
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 USD
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Description
- Byrd, William
- Songs of Sundrie Natures, some of gravitie, and others of myrth, fit for all companies and voyces. Lately made and composed into Musicke of 3. 4. 5 and 6 parts: and published for the delight of all such as take pleasure in the exercise of that art, by William Byrd, one of the Gentlemen of the Queenes Maiesties honorable Chappell. [complete vocal parts], London: Imprinted...by Thomas East, the assigne of William Byrd, and are to be sold at the house of the said T. East, being in Aldersgate streete, at the sign of the blacke Horse, 1589
- paper, ink, vellum
Six part-books, 4to (213 x 163 mm), each with separate dated title page (titled "Superius.", "Medius.", "Contratenor.", "Tenor.", "Sextus." and "Bassus."), epistles to Sir Henry Carye and "To the curteous Reader" in each volume, type-set music throughout, some large historiated initials; lower corners of Tenor restored touching signed epistle (A2) and a few words, with staining in a few places (D1, D2v, F1v, G2v, H4), otherwise only affecting the empty staves, hole in G4 & H1 of Bassus. Contemporary Oxford panelled calf, gilt centerpieces (Ker, no.xxxiii, plate X), lettered WC, gilt-panels with lyre tools at corners; rebacked and recornered, lacking ties.
Provenance
"W.C." (initials on covers: possibly William Cavendish, Earl of Devonshire?) — Sir Frederick Gore Ouseley (1825–1889, Professor of Music at Oxford) — St. Michaels College, Tenbury Wells (Sotheby's, 21 November 1990, Lot 319). acquisition: Purchased at the above sale through Bernard Quaritch
Literature
STC 4256; ESTC S106995; RISM B 5212; Neil R. Ker, Pastedowns in Oxford Bindings with a Survey of Oxford Bindings, c.1515–1620 (2004); Steele 120
Condition
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
First edition. Rare: complete first or even contemporary editions of William Byrd (c.1543–1623), one of England's greatest composers, are of the greatest rarity at auction. An almost complete set of Songs of Sundrie Natures, lacking the "Sextus" part, was sold in 1947 and again in 1973; another was sold in 2008. Otherwise, apart from the present set of six part-books deriving from the sale of St. Michael's College Tenbury in 1990, only single Byrd part-books appear in auction records: in 1935, 1936, 1937, 1969, 1973 and 1987.
Byrd's Songs of Sundrie Natures comprises apparently newly-composed music, including three-part psalm-settings and songs in from three to six parts. The book also includes a "Dialogue between Two Shepherds" accompanied by four viols (no.41), two carols (nos.35 & 40) and a celebrated large-scale verse anthem, "Christ rising" (nos.46 & 47).