SONGS COMPLEAT, PLEASANT AND DIVERTIVE; Set to MUSICK (Wit and Mirth: Or Pills to Purge Melancholy)
W. Pearson for J. Tonson, 1876. Facsimile. Leather. (1876) Facsimile of the 1719-20 edition. A Very Good to Near Fine set. 6 volumes. 12mo., with portrait frontispiece in volume 1. Finely bound in red morocco and pink cloth over boards. Five compartment spine, with floral designs; gilt lettered title and volume labels. t.e.g. Red silk ribbon markers. Pink heavy stock end papers. Printed on fine, hand laid paper. The verso of the front end paper is signed by the binder, Rook & Son. Additionally, the end paper is signed by the Bookseller, Charles E. Lauriat Co., Boston (Possibly the Publisher, as Lauriat did publish books). Volumes III & V appear to have been rebound at a later date from the rest; the leather and cloth match perfectly, but the title and volume labels are black, rather than brown as on the other 4 volumes. Also, these 2 volumes are not signed by the binder. All 6 volumes bear the identical armorial ownership stamp in gilt on the spine band on the front and rear boards. Some very light soiling to the spines, else Near Fine volumes. **** Volumes 1 and 4 have the title pages bearing the title "Songs Compleat, Pleasant and Divertive". Volumes 2, 3, 5, 6 have the "Pills to Purge Melancholy" title. Very Good +. Item #23444
Collection of songs by Thomas d'Urfey, published between 1698 and 1720. In 1719, d'Urfey reordered and added to the work, comprising a 5 volume edition, with the title "Songs Compleat, Pleasant and Divertive". This edition was popular, and sold out quickly. In its second printing, d'Urfey reverted to the "Pills to Purge Melancholy" title. He added Volume 6 in 1720. The 6 volume "edition" was the final edition.
Price: $1,000.00