Pocket Companions

Three pocket companions -- volumes of music easily carried because they fit into pockets -- are featured in this exhibit.  All three date from the mid-18th century and feature music for the German flute.  We are grateful to the Friends of the Library for funding these acquisitions.

The delightful pocket companion for the German flute, containing a choice collection of the most celebrated Italian, English, and Scotch tunes, curiously adapted to that instrument.  Printed for & sold by John Simpson at the Bass-Viol & Flute, in Sweetings Alley opposite [the] East Door of the Royal Exchange, London.  Where may be had variety of new musick for all instruments.

London: Printed for John Simpson, [1745?]

[6] volumes in 1, frontispiece, 23 cm.

For flute unaccompanied, flute and continuo (bass line), or 2 flutes.

Indexed in RISM B/II, page 150.

From the dealer's description [2003]: 

"Octavo. Newly bound in quarter dark tan morocco with marbled boards, leather label gilt to spine, matching marbled endpapers ... some browning, most noticeable to edges; edges of first and last leaves slightly frayed with small tears; several repairs ... with a fine frontispiece engraving of a contemporary flute player by G. Bickham, Jr.

First edition, first issue."

Gift of the Friends of the Library.

Call number:  Conservatory Library Special Collections M177.D46, 1745

The delightful pocket companion for the German flute, containing a choice collection of the most celebrated Italian, English, and Scotch tunes, curiously adapted to that instrument.  London.  Printed for R. Bremner, opposite Somerset House in the Strand.  Where may be had variety of new music for all instruments.

London : R. Bremner, [1763?]

[6] volumes in 1, frontispiece, 24 cm.

For flute unaccompanied, flute and continuo (bass line), or 2 flutes

A reissue of the plates of the edition published by J. Simpson, ca. 1745 (The British union-catalogue of early music)

From dealer's description [2003]:

"Octavo, contemporary calf-backed marbled boards (worn, head and lower section of the spine lacking) ... occasional browning and minor imperfections; engraved; with a frontispiece engraving of a contemporary flute player by G. Bickham, Jr.; ... "Thomas Austin 1809" to front endpaper."

Gift of the Friends of the Library.

Call number:  Conservatory Library Special Collections M177.D46, 1763

Cahusac's pocket companion for the German flute in four volumes containing a selection of two hundred favorite airs properly adapted for that instrument, with a general index. London. Printed & Sold by Cahusac & Sons.  Musical instrument makers, 196 Strand.

London : Cahusac and Sons, [1794?]

4 volumes of music in 1 volume ; 11 x 17 cm.

Single-line melodies; most with words by Ashley, Del Caro, Dobney, Giordani, T.B. Gray, J.F. Haigh, Handel, Krumpholtz, Paisiello, Pleyel, Wanhal, among others.

Watermark:  1794 (on end sheet)

From dealer's description [2003]:

" ... contemporary calf with remnants of brass clasp (worn and bumped); title label to spine, with the name 'Wm. Crane' stamped to dark red label gilt on upper board ... each book with individual title-page and index ... top edges trimmed too close, affecting pagination only; some minor imperfections."

Gift of the Friends of the Library.

Call number:  Conservatory Library Special Collections MT348.C35, 1794