Mattheson, Johann (1681-1764).

Exemplaire de Charles Burney.

Deux volumes relié en un, 47 pages, in-folio (36.5 x 23.5 cm), entièrement gravé, page de titres finement illustrées par M. Van der Gucht, tampon et initiales manuscrites de Charles Burney sur la page de titre, ex-libris manuscrit plus tardif de J. W. Taphouse au premier contreplat, demi-veau bleu du XIXe siècle, légère déchirure à la marge intérieure pp.17/18, quelques légères mouillures à la page de titre, quelques coins restaurés.

RISM M 1399.

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."

L'unique exemplaire.

Une note manuscrite sur le premier contreplat par le second propriétaire de l'ouvrage, le distingué libraire et collectionneur anglais Thomas William Taphouse (1838 - 1905), livre une image saisissante de la publication de l'édition:
...Regarding this work Hawkins tells an anecdote of Handel "Ma[t]theson had sent over to England, in order to their being published, two collections of Lessons for the Harpsichord - and they were accordingly engraved on copper and printed for Richard Meares in St. Paul's Church Yard and published in the year 1714. Handel was at this time in London and in the afternoon was used to frequent St. Paul's Churchyard for the sake of hearing the service and of playing on the organ after it was over, from whence he and some of the gentlemen of the choir would frequently adjourn to the Queen Anne Tavern in St. Paul's Church Yard where was a harpsichord. It happened one afternoon when they were thus met together, Mr. Weely, a gentleman of the choir, came in and informed them that M.^r Mattheson's Lessons were then to be had at M.^r Mear's shop, upon which M.^r Handel ordered them to be sent for, and upon their being brought played them all over without rising from the instrument["]

The unique copy.

A note on the front pastedown by a second, later, distinguished owner of the volume, the English collector and dealer Thomas William Taphouse (1838-1905) paints a vivid picture of the edition's publication:
...Regarding this work Hawkins tells an anecdote of Handel "Ma[t]theson had sent over to England, in order to their being published, two collections of Lessons for the Harpsichord - and they were accordingly engraved on copper and printed for Richard Meares in St. Paul's Church Yard and published in the year 1714. Handel was at this time in London and in the afternoon was used to frequent St. Paul's Churchyard for the sake of hearing the service and of playing on the organ after it was over, from whence he and some of the gentlemen of the choir would frequently adjourn to the Queen Anne Tavern in St. Paul's Church Yard where was a harpsichord. It happened one afternoon when they were thus met together, Mr. Weely, a gentleman of the choir, came in and informed them that M.^r Mattheson's Lessons were then to be had at M.^r Mear's shop, upon which M.^r Handel ordered them to be sent for, and upon their being brought played them all over without rising from the instrument["]