Add MS 73163-73164

Diaries of Johann Friedrich Maximilian, Baron de Waldeck (b. 1766, d. 1875), author, traveller, painter and engraver; 1821-1825. Autograph diaries, recording, usually in brief entries, his social and working life in London. The entries record, in addition to the progress of Waldeck’s work as a painter and engraver and his commercial activities, his keen interest in the arts, the theatre and the opera. An entry for 10 March 1821 (Add. 73163, f. 9r) refers to a performance of Rossini’s ‘The Thieving Magpie’; another to ‘Der Freischutz’ (Add. 73164, f. 69r, 5 Aug. 1824). A further entry (Add. 73163, f. 31v, 19 July 1821) describes the coronation of George IV. Other pages describe visits to exhibitions and to museums including the British Museum (for instance 11 Oct. 1821, Add. 73163 f. 47v; 8 Nov. 1824, Add. 73164, f. 88v), meetings with Landseer, Nollekins, Lawrence, Kean, Kemble and others, and to visits to other immigrants in London. From December 1824 a number of entries refer to Waldeck’s preparations for his journey to South America. At the back of Add. 73163 is a list (f. 118 [1823?]) of books purchased 1819-1822. Other book acquisitions are mentioned; see Add. 73164, ff. 100-101, 4 Feb. 1825. A large number of the entries contain notes of at least part of his daily expenses. The volumes’ pages are nearly all paginated. On the inside cover of Add. 73163 (f. i) is an old [mid-19 cent.?] printed sale catalogue entry describing the diaries. The first entry in Add. 73163 has been cut out, and the first page is missing from Add. 73164. “Londres” and covering dates written by Waldeck on the spine and front cover. At least two unknown items formerly tipped into the volumes are no longer present. For Waldeck see also Add. 41684, 41685, a journal 1829-1837, and a notebook for 1825 and 1833, relating to Waldeck’s travels in Mexico. The latter contains (entries for 8-11 March 1825) a continuation of Add. 73164, covering his arrival at Portsmouth, on his way to Mexico. French; German; one or two entries in English. Purchased from John Hart, Antiquarian Bookseller of Holt, Norfolk, Jan. 1997.

Paper. Original binding.