The Cathedral Services, Anthems, Hymns, and other Sacred Pieces, Composed by Henry Purcell Edited by Vincent Novello. Vol: I [-IV]. Price to Subscribers only, Four Guineas for Four Volumes. Musical Antiquarian Edition

London: J. Alfred Novello Music Seller by Appointment to Her Majesty, 69, Dean Street, Soho. R. & E. Willliamson, Sculpt. Lambeth, 1844. 4 volumes. Tall folio. Half black leather with dark teal pebbled cloth boards with gilt rules to spine and edges, spine in decorative compartments gilt with titling gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Text letterpress, titles and music engraved.

Vol. I: Verse anthems in major keys
1f. (recto title, verso blank), 1f. (recto bust-length portrait of Purcell, verso blank), 1f. (recto publisher's note, verso blank), [i]-xii ("Life of Purcell" by Edward Holmes), 1f. (recto facsimile excerpt of Purcell's autograph manuscript of the anthem "My beloved spake," verso blank), 1f. (index), [1] (blank), 2-160, *147-*158, 161-312 pp. Portrait "Engraved by W. Humphreys from a drawing by Edw. Novello, after the original picture by Sir Godfrey Kneller, in the possession of Edwd. Bates Esqr."

Vol. II: Verse anthems in minor keys
1f. (recto title, verso blank), 1f. (index), 313-618 pp.

Vol. III: Full anthems, hymns, sacred songs, and Latin pieces
1f. (recto title, verso blank), 1f. (index), 619-850 pp.

Vol. IV: Services and chants
1f. (recto title, verso blank), 1f. (recto publisher's note, verso blank), [i] (blank), 852-954, [955] (blank), 956-1067, [i] (blank) pp.

Ex-library, with bookplates of Robert Buchanan Stewart and The Episcopal Theological School, Cambridge, Mass. to front pastedowns of each volume, occasional small blindstamps, call numbers to verso of title to Vol. I and foot of spines. Bindings quite worn; uppers of Vols. II and III and both uppers and lowers of Vols. I and IV detached; spines defective, with some loss. Minor internal wear; several leaves detached.

In very good internal condition overall. "One of the most important 17th century composers and one of the greatest of all English composers. ... Purcell began his musical career as a choirboy and remained a church musician throughout his life, holding positions at Westminster Abbey as well as the Chapel Royal. Like John Blow he wrote four types of church music: services; anthems for full choir and organ, or with short ensemble verse passages (often called full with verse anthems); verse anthems for solo voices, choir, and organ; and 'symphony anthems' for solo voices, choir, strings, and continuo, which at first were performed exclusively in the royal presence though several later circulated more widely in versions with organ accompaniment only." Peter Holman and Robert Thompson in Grove Music Online

An English organist, composer, collector, antiquarian, and founder of the Novello publishing house, Vincent Novello (1781-1861) did much to promote the study and performance of music in 19th century England.