Purcell, Henry

1) A collection of Ayres compos'd for the Theatre, London, J. Heptinstall for Frances Purcell, 1697; type-set music, device on title, Preface by Purcell's widow in Violin I, the playing parts: Violin I [4] & 48, Violin II [2] & 48, Tennor [2] & 40, Bassus (unfigured) [2] & 40 pages; [ESTC R233975; RISM P 5977; Wing P 4215; BUC, p.859]

2) Sonnata's of III parts: two viollins and basse to the Organ or Harpsecord, by J. Playford & J. Carr for the author, 1683-1684; mixed edition, engraved throughout (by Thomas Cross), 4 titles within decorative borders, 12 sonatas, 14, 12, 13 & 13 leaves, lacking portrait and preface in Violin I, second edition of Violin II (lacking final leaf), lacking "Basso" but with 2 copies of "Basso Continuo" (one from each edition: Sonatas 9 and 11 interchanged in the second edition), the leaves extended at foot, some sonatas mis-numbered and leaves mis-signed (no A4 or AA4); [ESTC R219033; RISM P 6083/6084; Wing P 4218B/4219; BUC, p.865]



3) Ten Sonata's in Four Parts, J. Heptinstall for Frances Purcell, 1697, type-set music, device on title to Violin I, division titles to the other parts, dedication by Purcell's widow, [4] & 21, 21, Bassus 21, Thorough Bass for the Harpsichord, or Organ 21 pages, [ESTC R201034; RISM P 6085; Wing P  4222; BUC p.865]



4 volumes, folio (c.31 x 19.5cm), paginations irregular, early eighteenth-century English calf-backed marbled boards, without portraits, worn, trimmed at head affecting paginations, some staining

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."

RARE:   This is a remarkable collection of three first editions, the parts bound together in four volumes in the early eighteenth century.  We have no record of full sets of these works appearing at auction for fifteen years.  Before then, the Sonatas of III Parts had not been offered complete since 1935 and the other two editions appear typically once in a decade. 

Although the Sonatas in III Parts is a mixed edition, it is notable as Purcell's first published work. Purcell evidently composed these twelve sonatas shortly before publication, and described the music as "a just imitation of the most fam'd Italian Masters" (although the Preface containing this description is missing here; some copies also contain a second title page which is also not present).  The Ten Sonatas posthumously published by Purcell's widow also contains early works (1678-1684), including no.6 (Chacony in G minor) and no.9 (the famous "Golden Sonata").  A Collection of Ayres (also 1697) contains suites of overtures and movements from Dioclesian, King Arthur, The Fairy Queen, The Indian Queen and other theatre pieces, including the 'Rondeau' from Abelazor (familiar from Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra). These suites are arranged for four string parts including a "tennor" part and an un-figured bass, ie apparently as very early string quartets without continuo.