£375
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photography | 575
Auction: 9 October 2019 at 12:00 BST
Dissertazione sopra le Preggi del Canto Gregoriano... dedicata.. a sua Altezza Reale Eminentissima il Signor Cardinale Duca de York... con le Regole Principali. Frascati: Stamperia dello Stesso Seminario, 1788. First edition, 4to, xvi, 230; xxxii, [2 ], with errata leaf at end, contemporary blue marbled boards, spine worn (with later label),
Note: One of the most attractive and interesting volumes from the Frascati Press, with its remarkable printing of music in hand-made woodcut blocks with tables of tonal value-signs. "The production teaches us three things. Bombelli who had been engaged by the Cardinal Duke as a master printer, was not afraid to tackle a most difficult typographical job with amateur assistants; the appointment of Dr L.V. Belli, author of the work. as Singing Master at the Seminary, reveals the high standard of the teaching staff; and the subject of the book underlines the Cardinal Duke's delight in the promotion of good music." (Ion S. Munro. "Books and Henry Stuart, Cardinal, Duke of York").