British Music Publishers - Printers and Engravers

Publisher Marketing: Preface. As a pioneer work, the present volume must claim a little indulgence. Excepting a few scattered notices here and there, nothing dealing with the subject of the following pages has yet appeared, and facts bearing on it are scanty and scattered in many places. The lists of publications are not put forth as containing all that my material would furnish, but are merely selections culled to show types of a publishers issue to fix a date, or give a variation of imprint. The names attached here and there are those of the owners of the particular copies I have consulted and do not imply that such works may not be in the British Museum or else- where. Much of the bibliographical matter comes from my own library, while my friend, Mr. T. W. Taphouse, of Oxford, has freely as he has ever done thrown open to me his large and valuable store of rare and unique volumes. The British Museum has, of course, also furnished much, and I have to thank Mr. W. Barclay Squire there, for much helpful courtesy and for the trouble he has taken in many ways. I must also thank Mr. Arthur F. Hill, Mr. Alfred Moffat, and Mr. J. E. Matthew, of London, Mr. John Glen, of Edin- burgh, Dr. Culwick, and Mr. E. R. MC Dix, of Dublin, and others who have furnished titles and imprints from their collectiols. Their contributions are all indicated in the text where they occur, and it but remains to thank all heartily for their aid. The references from the Edinburgh directories for 1804, 1806, and 1807 are from copies in Mr. Glens possession. I am also indebted to Mr. Hardie Brown, bookseller, Edinburgh, for kindness in allowing me the use of a file of early Edinburgh newspapers. I have to thank Mr. McLauchlan and his assistant at the Dundee public library for facilities granted in connection with the Wighton Collection, and a great number of practical sympathisers with the work. 128, BURLEY ROAD, LEEDS. Jrrtllrnry, 1900. FRANK KIDSON. The present volume is an endeavour to place in a form, convenient for reference, a list of men a number of whom were themselves musicians who have played important part in the building up of British Music. By its aid it is hoped that much fresh light will be thrown on the musical history of the period it covers, and in some degree remove that uncertainty as to date, with which the average musican, librarian, or bookseller regards a piece of old music. The unfortunate habit, in force even to-day, of omitting the year of publication on musical works has caused more anxiety, trouble, and vexation of spirit to the antiquary in such matters than the outsider, unacquainted with the toil of tracking a melody to its source or of following the career of a rnusican, can conceive. Prior to the 18th century Playford and the earlier printers honestly placed the year of issue before the reader, but the wily John IValsh soon discovered that L women and music should never be dated, and up to the present the maxim has been religiously observed. To get at the date of such undated work it is necessary to find out the business movements of the publisher his partnerships, his changes of address, and the year for such events. In the absence of publishers name or initals, the quality of the paper, or engraving, or if it chance, a dated signature of a former owner all have to be taken into account before a satisfactory estimate of a year of publication can be arrived at...