Binding: parchment paper on boards, gold lettering and inlay. Paper: 31x27.1cm
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), composer of baroque music, organ technician, master of harpsicord, organ and violin, whose talents were largely unrecognised in his lifetime but have been celebrated ever since.
A professional late 18th century German transcript of Johann Sebastian Bach,
An inscription on the flyleaf claims that the copy, transcribed in Germany, is the first that came into England, 'which came into England for the expres [sic] use' of August Friedrich Christian Kollmann [1756- 1824]. The inscription claims that it was lent to Samuel Wesley [1766- 1837] and from it he and Karl Friedrich Horn edited the edition of the 48 Preludes and Fugues of Bach bearing their names. [Eliza Wesley makes no mention of this manuscript in her account of Samuel Wesley's edition and the claim looks to be contrary to the known history of Wesley's edition. Independent confirmation of the claim is wanting and the signature on the flysheet of G U Beresford and the date of 1851 is not consistent with what is known of the dispersal of Kollmann's library.]
Kept with the volume are:-
Possibly in the library of A F C Kollmann [from whence, perhaps, it passed via G U Beresford whose signature appears on the fly sheet to Robert E Lonsdale who offered it for sale through Puttick and Simpson of London in 1877 ?]. Subsequent provenance uncertain.
Given to the Library by Angus Burns Salmond, 4 Aug 1951.
By appointment with the Keeper of Manuscripts. Access to records containing confidential information may be restricted.
Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Keeper of Manuscripts. Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents.
Call number used to be ms1123
Individual Manuscripts and Small Collections database available as part of Manuscripts Database.
Description compiled by Maia Sheridan, Archives Hub project archivist, based on material from the Manuscripts Database.