Books on Music

• Moulin-Eckart, Richard Count Du Cosima Wagner Alfred A. Knopf: New York, 1931. Small Quarto. Two volumes: 892 pp. In English. Plates. Cloth boards. Fine. BKS-00164 $50Inquire
• Moulin-Eckart, Richard Count Du Cosima Wagner: Ein Lebens Und Charakterbild Drei Masken: Munich, 1929, 1931. Large octavo. Two volumes: 972 pp, 1023 pp. Plates. Gold-stamped cloth. Inside cover of Vol. 2 slightly sprung, otherwise very good. BKS-00163 $50Inquire
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  MOZART - BOOKS OF LETTERS Anderson, Emily and et al. The Letters of Mozart and His Family Transl. & ed. by Emily Anderson. Macmillan: New York, 1966. Second edition, prepared by A. Hyatt King & Monica Carolan. Large octavo. Two volumes: 510 pp. & 1031 pp. Fourteen b/w plates including frontispiece portrait and three fold-out facsimiles of letters. Red buckram. Condition is excellent except for light wear to d/j and corners of slipcase. Former owner's name at lower right on title pages.

  Anderson's definitive work first appeared in 1938. This second edition includes seven letters which have come to light since the first edition and is reduced in size from three volumes to two volumes by resetting the work in a contemporary format and removing the letters from Constanze Mozart to Johann Anton André.
  BKS-09731 $150Inquire
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  MOZART PORTRAITS Solman, Joseph (1909-2008) 12 Studies for a Portrait of Mozart New York, c 1944. Limited edition of 200. Folio. All silk screens in excellent condition in new acid-free mats, the originals being acidic. Spine of folder bumped top and bottom and folder a little soiled. In original grey cloth folder with tie.

  The arresting and often amusing series starts with a realistic and fairly conventional portrait of Mozart, expanding to variations which finally include one showing only ears and brain. The muted colors present an almost pastel-like appearance.

  Joseph Solman was a founding member of a group of young artists called "The Ten", which included Rothko, Polotiwsky and Ben-Zion. He has secured a prominent reputation as a major American painter.

  In the introduction to 1966 his book Joseph Solman, A.L. Chanin of the Museum of Modern Art writes: After Pearl Harbor Solman worked in defense, in New Jersey shipyards and as an isometric draftsman for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft. In the evenings, as a relief from the dry precision of his work he embarked on a long-cherished project - 'imaginative sketches of my idol in music, Mozart.' From among more than thirty varied watercolors of the Olympian composer's profile, Solman, with the expert help of Leonard Pytlak, silk-screened the twelve finest.

  BKS-12295 $1,650More Images/Inquire
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  Muncker, Franz Richard Wagner: A Sketch of His Life and Works Buchner: Bamberg, 1891. Octavo. Frontispiece Portrait. Many plates. Spine tips ragged, cover hinge weak.
  BKS-00152 $65Inquire
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  Neupert, Hanns (1902-1980) Harpsichord Manual: a Historical and Technical Discussion Trans. F.E. Kirby. Bärenreiter: Kassel, 1960. Octavo. 105 pp. + 16 pp. plates at back. Blue wrappers. In very good condition. Stamp and penciled marking of former owner on front wrap.
  BKS-04005 $15Inquire
• Nicolini, G. and G. SCOLARI Come nasce un violino: Introduzione ai problemi e alle tecniche della liuteria Ed. Stradivari: Cremona, 1985. Octavo. 103 pp. B/w illustrations and diagrams throughout. Wrappers with d/j. As new. BKS-05169 $50Inquire
• Niederheitmann, Friedrich Cremona: ein Charakteristik der italienischen Geigenbauer und ihrer Instrumente Merseburger: Leipzig, 1897. Third edition. Octavo. 104 pp. Facsimiles. Wrappers. Spine split, otherwise good. BKS-05172 $25Inquire
• Niederheitmann, Friedrich Cremona: ein Charakteristik der italienischen Geigenbauer und ihrer Instrumente Merseburger: Leipzig, 1919. 5. vermehrte und auf Grund neuester Forschungen ve. Octavo. 158 pp. Illustrations. Illustrations. Largely uncut & unopened, covers detached and badly chipped; internally very good. BKS-05173 $25Inquire
• Niederheitmann, Friedrich Cremona: ein Charakteristik der italienischen Geigenbauer und ihrer Instrumente Albert Berr. Friedrich Hofmeister: Frankfurt am Main, 1956. Eighth edition. Quarto. 152 pp. 28 plates, not in previous editions. Cloth with d/j. Some tears to d/j, otherwise fine. BKS-05174 $35Inquire
• Norton, M.D. Herter The Art of String Quartet Playing: Practice, Technique and Interpretation Simon & Schuster: New York, 1962. Octavo. 189 pp. Paperback. Good. BKS-09496 $10Inquire
• O'Conner, Garry The Pursuit of Perfection: A Life of Maggie Teyte Atheneum: New York, 1979. First American edition. Large octavo. 327 pp. Frontispiece photograph. Many photographs. Cloth with d/j. Slightly frayed d/j, otherwise very fine. BKS-09634 $40Inquire
• OPERA - THE VICTROLA BOOK The Victrola Book of the Opera: Stories of the Operas With Illustrations & Descriptions of Victor Opera Records Victor Talking Machine Company: Camden. NJ, 1924. Seventh edition; revised and rewritten. Octavo. 447 pp. Many plates. Gold-decorated cloth. Slight tarnish of gold embossing on cover, otherwise very fine. BKS-09646 $30Inquire
• Otto, Jacob Augustus A Treatise on the Structure and Preservation of the Violin and all other Bow-Instruments; Together with an Account of the Most Celebrated Makers, and of the Genuine Characteristics of their Instruments Translated by John Bishop. Robert Cocks & Co.: London, 1860. Second edition, greatly enlarged. Large octavo. 92 pp. 92 pp. 3 plates. Embossed cloth. Cover sunned with one stain to corner. Tips of spine ragged, endpapers & inside covers stained; internally fine.
  One of the earliest works on the construction of the violin.
  BKS-05177 $100Inquire
• Owen, H. Goddard A Recollection of Marcella Sembrich Coneco Litho Graphics: Glens Falls, NY, 1995. Unabridged reprint. Large octavo. 79 pp. Many photographs. Buckram with d/j. As new. BKS-09636 $35Inquire
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  PALESTRINA ICONOGRAPHY Coates, Henry Palestrina J.M. Dent: (The Master Musicians) London, 1948. Octavo. 243 pp. Cloth with D/J. D/J chipped.
  BKS-04571 $35Inquire
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  Palestrina, Giovanni Pierluigi da (1525-1594) Iconografia Palestriniana Bianchi, Lino and Rostirolla, Giancarlo. Libreria Musicale Italiana Editrice: Lucca, 1994. Small Folio. 375 pp. Green linen with d/j. As new.

  A superb and definitive work, extensively illustrated with several plates in color. Includes portraits, scores, letters and commentary.
  BKS-10784 $85Inquire
• Panum, Hortense The Stringed Instruments of the Middle Ages: Their History and Development Revised and edited by Jeffrey Pulver. Reeves: London, nd. English edition. Quarto. 511 pp. 48-page catalogue: Reeves' Catalogue of Books on Music, Catalogue B. 403 illustrations. Music examples. Cloth with d/j. Fine (tear in d/j). BKS-05180 $50Inquire
• Peterlongo, Paolo Strumenti ad Arco: Principï fisici del loro funzionamento / Les Instruments à Archet: Principes physiques de leur fonctionnement Edizioni Siei: Milan, 1973. Quarto. 268 pp. 12 color plates. Some illustrations, mainly diagrams. Cloth with gold-stamping. As new. BKS-05183 $150Inquire
• Peterlongo, Paolo The Violin: Its Physical and Acoustical Principles Taplinger: New York, 1979. Quarto. 158 pp. 14 color plates. Cloth with d/j. As new. BKS-07965 $100Inquire
• Petherick, Horace Antonio Stradivari "The Strad" Office: London, 1913. Second edition. ('The Strad' Library, no. viii). Small octavo. 82 pp. Frontispiece portrait of the author. 4 plates + 7 diagrams. Spine ends slightly bumped, otherwise fine. BKS-07496 $35Inquire
• Petherick, Horace Antonio Stradivari "The Strad" Office: London, 1900. first edition ('The Strad' Library, no. viii). Small octavo. 82 pp. Frontispiece portrait of the author. 4 plates + 7 diagrams. Cloth with gold-stamping. Fine. BKS-05184 $35Inquire
• Petherick, Horace Antonio Stradivari "The Strad" Office: London, 1900. first edition ('The Strad' Library, no. viii). Small octavo. 82 pp. Frontispiece portrait of the author. 4 plates + 7 diagrams. Cloth with gold-stamping. Spine tips a little ragged, slight shelf wear; otherwise fine. BKS-09544 $35Inquire
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  PIANO TUNERS HANDBOOK Betz, D. O. Tuners Handbook and Manual - A Technical Work, Practically Applied, Treating on the Grand and Upright Pianoforte, Player Piano and Piano Player The Art Press: Lima, Ohio, 1908. Small octavo. 4 pp. Preface, Table of Contents + 72 pp. + 12 pp. of Keyboard Advertising. Numerous diagrams and advertisements. Black buckram boards. Covers slightly soiled and with corners and spine tips bent. Otherwise in very good condition.
  BKS-11337 $75Inquire
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  Pierre, Constant (1855-1918) Les Facteurs d'Instruments de Musique, les Luthiers et la Facture Instrumentale: Precis Historique Ed. Sagot: Paris, 1893. first edition. Octavo. 439 pp. Bookplate of Rudolph Wurlitzer on inside front cover. Quarter red leather with marbled boards. Raised bands with gilt title at spine. Speckled edges and marbled end-papers. Inside is clean and crisp. Pages evenly and lightly toned. Boards and spine somewhat faded with a few minor scuffs but overall a very nice copy.

  A nice copy of this book which was considered important in its time and which was the personal copy of the violin dealer Rudolph Wurlitzer.
  BKS-04016 $75Inquire
• Pincherle, Marc Le Violon Presses Universitaires de France: Paris, 1966. Small octavo. 127 pp. Paperback. Very good. BKS-05190 $20Inquire
• Pincherle, Marc Les Violonistes: Compositeurs et Virtuoses Librairie Renouard: Paris, 1922. Small octavo. 128 pp. 10 plates. Cloth. A poor copy: front cover detached, spine missing. BKS-05191 $15Inquire
• Pirazzi Company Since the Days of Paganini Pirazzi Company: [USA], c 1920. Octavo. 47 pp. 42 b/w portraits of quartets and violinists. Wrappers. Very good.
  Contains endorsements and pictures of the famous violinists of the day to the Pirazzi string company.
  BKS-05192 $50Inquire
• Pirazzi Company Since the Days of Paganini Pirazzi Company: [USA], c 1920. Octavo. 47 pp. 42 b/w portraits of quartets and violinists. Wrappers. Detached from covers, otherwise good.
  Contains endorsements and pictures of the famous violinists of the day to the Pirazzi string company.
  BKS-09554 $40Inquire
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  Pirro, André (1869-1943) Manuels d'Histoire de L'Art. Histoire de la Musique de la fin du XIVe siècle à la fin du XVIe H. Laurens, Ed. Librairie Renouard: Paris, 1940. Small quarto. 371 pp. Including 32 black and white plates reproducing early engravings. Orange buckram boards with gilt title at spine. In excellent condition.

  André Pirro was a French keyboardist and musicologist who studied with César Franck. He published several books on J. S. Bach, but is perhaps best remembered today for his efforts in reprinting early organ music.
  BKS-13387 $20Inquire
• Poidras, Henri Critical and Documentary Dictionary of Violin Makers, Old and Modern Translated by Arnold Sewell. Imprimerie de la Vicomté: Rouen, 1928. FIRST ENGLISH EDITION, no. 73 of 150. Quarto. 286 pp. 36 plates. Half-leather. Spine rubbed and spine top starting.
  Inscribed to Jay C. Freeman by the author in 1927 prior to distribution.
  BKS-05193 $300Inquire
• Poidras, Henri Dictionnaire des Luthiers, Anciens et Modernes, Critique et Documentainre Translated by Arnold Sewell. Imprimerie de la Vicomté: Rouen, 1924. first edition. Quarto. 286 pp. 36 plates. Three quarter-leather. Very good. Light rubbing on spine. BKS-05194 $250Inquire
• Polonaski, E. The Value of Old Violins, being a list of the Principal Violin Makers, British, Italian, French and German with Approximate Valuations of their Instruments and Occasional Notes on their Varnish, with Illustrations of some Celebrated Instruments... Reeves: London, 1912. Small octavo. 78 pp. + Reeves catalog of music books. Cloth. Very good. BKS-05196 $35Inquire
• Pougin, Arthur Le Violon: Les Violonistes et la Musique de Violon du XVIe au XVIIIe siècle Librairie Fischbacher: Paris, 1924. Small quarto. 358 pp. 36 b/w portraits, plus illustrations. Half-leather, marbled boards. Leather decaying, internally fine (could use rebinding, priced accordingly). BKS-05197 $275Inquire
• Pougin, Arthur Le Violon: Les Violonistes et la Musique de Violon du XVIe au XVIIIe siècle Librairie Fischbacher: Paris, 1924. Small quarto. 358 pp. 36 b/w portraits, plus illustrations. 3/4 calf on morocco boards. Leather deteriorating but internally fine (could use rebinding, priced accordingly). BKS-09536 $225Inquire
• Pourtalès, Guy de Wagner: Histoire d'un Artiste Librairie Gallimard: Paris, 1932. Octavo. 446 pp. Bound with original paper covers present. Fine. BKS-05295 $35Inquire
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  Prelleur, Peter (1705-1741) The Modern Musick-Master or, the Universal Musician, containing, I. An Introduction to Singing...II. Directions for Playing on the Flute...III. The Newest Method for Learners on the German Flute...IV. Instructions upon the Hautboy...V. The Art of Playing Printing-Office in Bow Church Yard: London, 1731. 47 + 48 + 48 + 48 + 48 + 48 + 20 + 4 pp. Modern full brown pebbled morocco. Spine with gilt lines and raised bands with titles on red leather. In very good condition with a handsome binding. Small stain on frontispiece. Occasional spotting. One folding plate fully detached. (Use scrollbar beneath thumbails to see all seven images).

  A RARE COMPLETE COPY.

  Peter Prelleur’s major legacy consists of this work which was a complete guide to playing all the popular instruments of his day. The singing manual alone was considered by many for as long as three hundred years to be the most important singing manual. According to Alexander Hyatt King in the 1964 facsimile, the compendium provides a useful guide to English performance practice of the 1730's, especially in the matter of grace-notes. He also notes that it was published in 1730 but only one copy of this issue is known. Thirteen copies are recorded of the 1731 reissue and thus, this copy is thus apparently one of those thirteen.

  Prelleur himself was an important musical figure in the early 1700s in London. He was an organist, composer, tutor, and author. Of French Huguenot extraction, he changed his original name of Pierre to Peter. He held the position of organist at Christ Church which was one of the grandest positions in London; its organ, built for the church in 1735 by Richard Bridge, was the largest in Georgian England, with more than a thousand pipes and it is known that Handel had played on it.

  Prelleur however, also led a curious double music life. In the evenings, he played in pubs, in particular at the Angel and Crown tavern in Whitechapel. An advertisement in the London Daily Post of August 21 1739 gives a flavor of those evening shows: Rope dancing, posture masters, singing and dancing, serious and comic. The whole to conclude with a new entertainment called Harlequin Hermit or The Arabian Courtezan … with a complete band of music, consisting of kettle drums, trumpets, French horns, hautboys and violins. The music by an eminent master. That master was Peter Prelleur of course.

  BKS-04661 $12,000More Images/Inquire
• Prod'homme, J.G. Nicolo Paganini: A Biography Carl Fischer: New York, 1911. Octavo. 67 pp. 12 plates. Buckram. Tiny rip on title page, one plate detached, a few pencil markings & a little shelfwear; otherwise very good. BKS-05567 $35Inquire
• Puccianti, Anna Antonio Stradivari Scuola Internazionale di Liuteria: Cremona, 1959. 16mo. 31 pp. 16 plates. Wrappers. Near fine. BKS-05199 $20Inquire
• PUCCINI, GIACOMO Puccini, Nelle Immagini Leopoldo Marchetti. Museo di Torre del Lago Puccini: Torre del Lago, 1968. Large quarto. 204 pp. Buckram with d/j. As new.
  A book of illustrations, including unparalleled iconography of Puccini's life and career, with facsimile letters and documents.

  This remarkably well-documented book has text in Italian and English.
  BKS-09703 $150Inquire
• Quirke, W. M. Recollections of a Violinist Dawson & Sons: London, 1914. first edition. Quarto. 144 pp. Spine tips & edges rubbed, just starting, otherwise a nice, tight copy. BKS-07497 $50Inquire
• Racster, Olga Chats on Big & Little Fiddles Frederick A. Stokes: New York, nd [c 1905]. Small octavo. 268 pp. Frontispiece. 19 illustrations of instruments. Dark red leather. Slightly cocked; spines bumped; slightly foxed; otherwise fine.
  Originally published in two volumes under the titles of "Chats on Violins" and "Chats on Violoncellos." These volumes have been largely rewritten and revised by the author, and are now issued in one volume.
  BKS-09914 $40Inquire
• Raikes, A. H. Violin Chat for Beginners Unwin: London, 1891. Small octavo. 96 pp. White vellum. Cover warped and soiled, internally very good.
  Bookplate of J.C. Freeman of the Wurlitzer company.
  BKS-05202 $35Inquire
• Reeves, Sims (1821-1900) The Life of Sims Reeves Written by Himself Simpkin Marshall & Co: London, 1888. Octavo. 279 pp. Frontispiece portrait. Elegantly decorated cloth. Edges bumped, otherwise fine. BKS-09655 $30Inquire
• Regazzi, Roberto Il Manoscritto Liutario di G.A. Marchi, Bologna 1786 / The Manuscript on Violin Making by G.A. Marchi, Bologna 1786 Translated by Nicoletta Sbarra, edited by John Guthrie. Arnaldo Forni: Bologna, 1986. first edition, limited to 800 copies. Octavo. 382 pp. Cloth with d/j. As new. BKS-05203 $125Inquire
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  Rhodes, William Barnes (1772-1826) and George Cruikshank, illustrator. Bombastes Furioso: A Burlesque Tragic Opera. [Libretto]. Thomas Rodd and T. Griffiths: London, 1830. Early edition. 16mo. 35 pp. Eight illustrations. Paper wraps. In good condition. Front wrapper with some spotting; backstrip missing. Internally very clean.

  An early copy of this popular play with music featuring eight comic illustrations by George Cruikshank. The work satirizes the over-the-top style of dramatic tragedies in vogue during the early nineteenth century: the protagonist, a certain unhinged General Bombastes, ignites a laughable string of murders by challenging anyone who dares to move a pair of boots that he has nailed to a tree.

  Bombastes Furioso, written by the English author William Barnes Rhodes, premiered at the Haymarket Theatre on August 7, 1810 with music by an anonymous source. Despite the play's immediate success, the first edition did not follow until 1822.
  BKS-15508 $100Inquire
• Richardson, Henry Handel The Young Cosima: a Novel W.W. Norton & Co.: New York, 1939. Octavo. 390 pp. Cloth. Spine faded, otherwise very good. BKS-05297 $10Inquire
• Roda, Joseph Bows for Musical Instruments of The Violin Family William Lewis & Son: Chicago, 1959. No. 219 of 3,000. Large quarto. 335 pp. 20 illustrations + 47 double plates illustrating 241 bows & a biographical list of bow makers. Half leather. Fine. BKS-05622 $500Inquire