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Harmonist's Preceptor; or, Treasury of Mirth, The
London: John Fairburn, 1822. Item #05573
A Remarkable Collection of English, Irish, Scottish, etc., Popular Songs
With a Hand Colored Aquatint Frontispiece by George Cruikshank
CRUIKSHANK, George, illustrator. BRYANT, [William]. The Harmonists' Preceptor; or, Treasury of Mirth: Being a new and extensive collection of modern and popular songs, in which will be found, distinctly arranged, English and Irish comic songs; Scotch songs; Yorkshire songs; Jews songs; Love songs; and songs for the social board: With considerable additions, together with an entire new collection of Toasts and Sentiments, adapted to each song. Written and selected by Mr. Bryant, of the Royal Cobourg Theater. Author of various Dramatic Pieces, Poems, &c. &c. Second edition. London, John Fairburn, [1822].
Second edition, "much improved and added to" . Small octavo ( 5 5/8 x 3 5/8 inches; 150 x 91 mm.). [xii], [1]-204 pp. Hand colored aquatint frontispiece by George Cruikshank, in five compartments. The small woodcut vignette on the title-page is not by Cruikshank.
Publisher's dark pink paper boards printed in black, light wear to extremities, joints cracked but sound, inner hinges expertly strengthened - a remarkable survival of a rather rare little book. Chemised in a quarter red calf over red cloth boards slip case, spine with five raised bands lettered in gilt in compartments.
A remarkable collection of English, Irish, Scottish, etc., popular songs that were written and selected by Mr. William Bryant of the Royal Cobourg Theater.
Rare: OCLC locates just two copies of the second edition in libraries & institutions worldwide: Trinity College Library (CT, US); Princeton University (NJ, US). There are only two copies of the first edition of the same date in libraries & institutions worldwide: Harvard University (MA, US); and Monash University Library (Australia).
The first edition is very similar, the difference being the size of the book is slightly larger by just 1 mm., and the title-page has a different vignette. Both editions are of equal rarity.
"Anxious to acknowledge the wonderful success which has attended the first edition of this work, the Publisher begs to inform the Supporters of The Harmonist's Preceptor, that this his Second Pocket Edition of Miscellaneous Songs will not only be found much improved and added to, but still continued so conveniently arranged as to be subservient to the will of their possessors at a moment's notice…" (Address p. iii).
Provenance: From the renowned Cruikshank collection of Adrian W. Flühmann.
Cohn, 384 "Only three copies known"; Not mentioned in Patten.
Price: $850.00