RPS MS 392

Catalogue of the Society’s music library; circa 1823, with additions to [1843]. Engraved throughout, with MS additions. Full title (f. 2r): Catalogue of the Library belonging to the Philharmonic Society London. Instituted 1813. Joseph Calkin. Librarian. The Director’s interleaved copy, identified as such by a label (f. i) pasted to the upper cover, and described there as ‘Corrected to 1831’, though in fact there are many later entries. The MS additions are in the hands of [Joseph Calkin], William Goodwin, and at least three others. The interleaved pages (on paper with watermark date 1822) contain comments in a uniform neat italic hand on the sets of parts under the heading ‘Observations’, usually either stating ‘Complete’ or noting any specific parts missing. Unusual instruments, including trombones, are noted in red. Arranged under the following headings: Symphonies (ff. 3v-27r), Overtures (ff. 27v-46r), Vocal (ff. 46v-69r), Scores of Operas etc. (ff. 69v-74r), Scores of Symphonies (ff. 75r-80r), Scores of Overtures (ff. 81r-86r), Piano music (f. 86v), Miscellaneous (f. 87r and v). Additional vocal music is listed at the end in Goodwin’s hand on inserted pages (ff. 88r-91v). A page of notes in pencil (f. 92), including a list of ‘Scores not in Catalogue’, is pasted to a rear fly-leaf. Only works in the first two categories are allocated catalogue numbers, 1-508, and these are repeated as appropriate in the corresponding sections dealing with scores. In the first two sections composer, brief description of the work, and its musical incipit, of 3 or 4 bars on a single stave, are given; numbered blank spaces, with a blank stave for the incipit, were left in the engraving to allow for additions. No incipits are given elsewhere in the catalogue. For further evidence for the date of issue and period of use of this catalogue see King, Musical Pursuits, p. 167. Title-page (f. 1r) and f. 29r reproduced ibid., pp. 165-6. Partly printed. Engraved by C. Maund of Stephen St., Rathbone Place.

ff. i + 92. 240 x 165mm. Quarter leather binding with marbled boards, re-made using the old boards and incorporating the old spine panel lettered ‘Catalogue of the Library of the Philharmonic Society.’

William Goodwin, music copyist: Joseph Calkin, violinist, publisher and music seller: Catalogue of the library of the Philharmonic Society , with annotations in the hand of [Joseph Calkin] and of William Goodwin: circa 1823-[1843].