1868 - Fac-simile of the Autograph Score of Handel's Messiah - Antique Reproduction of Original Manuscript

This 1868 copy of Fac-Simile of the Autograph Score of Handel's Messiah was a monumental publishing achievement. Executed in photolithography by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son, it reproduced Handel’s original 1741 manuscript, which was held in the Royal Library at Buckingham Palace. It is highly sought after by classical music historians and musicologists. Published in a large, heavy "oblong folio" format (landscape orientation) to mimic the exact layout of Handel’s handwritten manuscript pages. Scarce and particularly so in as good condition as this one. Condition in detail below.

The facsimile is highly revered by classical music historians because it was the very first time Handel's original, handwritten manuscript of Messiah was made available to the public. When the Sacred Harmonic Society published this in June 1868, the original 1741 manuscript was not in a public archive—it was a private treasure owned by the British Royal Family. Queen Victoria explicitly granted the society permission to access the Royal Library at Buckingham Palace so the pages could be duplicated. The original manuscript has since been moved and is now preserved in the British Library.

Before this edition, the only way to share historical manuscripts was through manual engraving, which introduced human errors. This volume was executed by the legendary printing firm Vincent Brooks, Day & Son using photo-lithography. This newly invented process combined photography with stone lithographic printing to replicate Handel’s actual pen strokes, ink blots, and hurried corrections with absolute fidelity for the first time.

Inside the pages are clean, bright and tightly bound with no inscriptions or markings of previous ownership. All edges are shiny gilt. With a cracked hinge opposite the title-page but in no way effecting the binding of the text block. Has a couple of additional pieces of paper tucked inside which will be included.

In dark maroon red/brown pebbled cloth over boards with gilt decoration and titles to front. In very good condition. Has some rubbing to the cloth on the corners and spine ends. Bevelled edges. The colour on the front has faded a bit in comparison to the spine and bottom board. Scratches to the back and a light stain mark to the bottom corner (see photos). Overall a very smart copy.

Your antique copy of Fac-simile of Handel's Messiah will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged, tracked and insured. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel.

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PLEASE NOTE DIMENSIONS of this large and heavy book. H 26 cm x W 32 cm, 3.4 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. (There are just a very few countries which I am unable to ship to).

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the protective packing please add a note to the order.

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