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The Musical Entertainer
Engraved by: George Bickham Jr. (English, 1706?–1771)
Engraved by: George Bickham, Sr. (English, 1684–1769)
After: Hubert François Gravelot (French, 1699–1773)
After: Antoine Watteau (French, 1684–1721)
After: François Boucher (French, 1703–1770)
After: Claude Gillot (French, 1673–1722)
After: William Hogarth (English, 1697–1764)
Author: George Frideric Handel (German, 1685–1759)
Publisher: George Bickham Jr. (English, 1706?–1771)
Publisher: Charles Corbett (English, 1710–1752)
Engraved by: George Bickham, Sr. (English, 1684–1769)
After: Hubert François Gravelot (French, 1699–1773)
After: Antoine Watteau (French, 1684–1721)
After: François Boucher (French, 1703–1770)
After: Claude Gillot (French, 1673–1722)
After: William Hogarth (English, 1697–1764)
Author: George Frideric Handel (German, 1685–1759)
Publisher: George Bickham Jr. (English, 1706?–1771)
Publisher: Charles Corbett (English, 1710–1752)
1737–41
Place of Publication: London, England
Medium/Technique
Illustrated book with 207 engravings
Dimensions
Overall: 41.3 x 27.5 x 4 cm (16 1/4 x 10 13/16 x 1 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
William A. Sargent Collection—Bequest of William A. Sargent
Accession Number37.2401
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsIllustrated books
London: George Bickham [v.1] and Charles Corbett [v.2], 1737-1741
Catalogue Raisonné
Cohen-de Ricci 145-146; Ray, French Illustrated Book, 12
Description(London: George Bickham [v. 1] and Charles Corbett [v. 2], 1737-1741) Folio, two volumes in one; [v. 1] 107 leaves, [v. 2] 102 leaves; contemporary blind-stamped rough calf [suede], gilt-stamped red morocco label.
Engraved sheet music, most leaves with decorative pictorial vignettes above. First issue of the first collected edition. Published in parts, each volume containing 25 parts of four sheets each, from 1737 to 1741. Bickham published the first volume; Corbett the second. There appear to be three issues, or editions, of this publication: this first one; a second with both volumes published by Corbett [ca. 1741?]; and a third published by Ryall in 1765.
Each sheet of engraved sheet music (by such composers as Handel, Arne, et al.) includes a decorative engraved vignette at the top. Some eight are after the (perhaps specifically commissioned) drawings of Gravelot, but the majority are taken (unattributed) from designs by Watteau, Boucher, Gillot, Hogarth, and others. These are very early instances of the appearance of French rococo motifs in England. Plate 49 of vol. I is notable for its depiction of a night scene in Vaux-Hall Gardens, depicting Frederick, Prince of Wales, seated at a table with several women [see Bibliography, Valpy article, p. 57, note 5].
This copy appears to have been gathered in parts as issued, and not printed at one time. There are two letterpress leaves in vol. 1 containing "A List of those Encouragers of this Work, who have Sent in their Names" [over 500 are included] and a list of the plates in that volume. Not listed in the latter are four sheets bound after the title that appeared in George Bickham, Sr., The Universal Penman (London: 1733-1741), all consisting of calligraphic tributes to "Music," after the lettering of Willington Clark, John Bland, Gabriel Brooks, and Joseph Champion [two of these are dated 1737]. Volume 2 contains no letterpress, but does have an engraved list of plates in that volume. A copy formerly in teh collection of Arthur and Charlotte Vershbow does not contain the writing samples nor the letterpress in vol. 1, but does have an engraved list of plates for each volume.
Engraved sheet music, most leaves with decorative pictorial vignettes above. First issue of the first collected edition. Published in parts, each volume containing 25 parts of four sheets each, from 1737 to 1741. Bickham published the first volume; Corbett the second. There appear to be three issues, or editions, of this publication: this first one; a second with both volumes published by Corbett [ca. 1741?]; and a third published by Ryall in 1765.
Each sheet of engraved sheet music (by such composers as Handel, Arne, et al.) includes a decorative engraved vignette at the top. Some eight are after the (perhaps specifically commissioned) drawings of Gravelot, but the majority are taken (unattributed) from designs by Watteau, Boucher, Gillot, Hogarth, and others. These are very early instances of the appearance of French rococo motifs in England. Plate 49 of vol. I is notable for its depiction of a night scene in Vaux-Hall Gardens, depicting Frederick, Prince of Wales, seated at a table with several women [see Bibliography, Valpy article, p. 57, note 5].
This copy appears to have been gathered in parts as issued, and not printed at one time. There are two letterpress leaves in vol. 1 containing "A List of those Encouragers of this Work, who have Sent in their Names" [over 500 are included] and a list of the plates in that volume. Not listed in the latter are four sheets bound after the title that appeared in George Bickham, Sr., The Universal Penman (London: 1733-1741), all consisting of calligraphic tributes to "Music," after the lettering of Willington Clark, John Bland, Gabriel Brooks, and Joseph Champion [two of these are dated 1737]. Volume 2 contains no letterpress, but does have an engraved list of plates in that volume. A copy formerly in teh collection of Arthur and Charlotte Vershbow does not contain the writing samples nor the letterpress in vol. 1, but does have an engraved list of plates for each volume.
ProvenanceAcquired in 1921 by William A. Sargent, Boston (1858-1936), by whom bequeathed to MFA, November 17, 1937.