J. Playford. The Musical Companion, In Two Books, 1673

Playford, John

The Musical Companion, In Two Books. The First Book Containing Catches and Rounds for Three Voyces. The Second Book Containing Dialogues, Glees, Ayres and Songs for Two, Three and Four Voyces, London: W. Godbid for J. Playford, 1673

4 leaves, 223, [1] pages, oblong 4to (15.5 x 19.7cm), type-set music, woodcut initials, engraved device to title, printed epistle, verses, contents and note, and advertisements at end, part-title to book two on p.[59] ("The Musical Companion: containing Dialogues, Glees, Ballads & Ayres, in several Varieties...The Second Part, London, by W.G. for J. Playford, 1672"), ownership inscription ("...Wright") to title, early manuscript annotation to endpaper ("O lead me to some backward room / Where none by Jolly Drunkard Come"), Dolmetsch Library stamp and pencil shelfmark ("II B 40") to verso of title, conservator's label to lower pastedown (dated 5 November 2002), original detached contemporary calf covers in separate card folder, rebound in modern leather, black morocco label gilt, with Dolmetsch Library shelfmark, to foot of spine, modern folding cloth box, corners and edges of a number of leaves restored and repaired, a few tiny holes

This rare collection of 210 songs and catches published by John Playford, best known as the publisher of The English Dancing Master (1651), was first issued in 1672, this date being retained in the title-page of the second part here. Named composers in the volume include Banister, Brewer, Byrd, Campion, Child, Cobb, E. Colman, Cranford, Dering, Ellis, Flecknoe, Gibbons, Goodgroome, Hill, Hilton, Hodimonto, G. Holmes, Ives, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, H. Lawes, W. Lawes, Locke, Morley, Nelham, Purcell, Savile, Simpson, Stonard, J. Taylor, Tempest, Wallington, Webb, White, and Wilson.

LITERATURE:

RISM Recueils, p.554; Day & Murrie 36; ESTC R229182