The Musical Entertainer Engraved By George Bickham, Jnr Bickham, George, Jnr.

Folio (402x260mm), Engraved title page to Vol. 1 and 4 engraved preliminary leaves, 181 plates present with 3 in poor condition, each plate numbered to head in ink, 1 plate torn out with stub remaining, 4 page Mss. Index at end with plates by title & plate No., listing less items than are to be found in the volume. Inscribed in ink by previous owner to head of the title page 'Agnes Skinner/Mendip/Cheltenham/1897'. Originally published 1737-1739 in 2 Vols. with 200 plates. Bound in contemporary calf, marbled boards, worn & rubbed & hinges split, however sound & tight & contents well protected. This collection of songs and arias composed by Handel, Purcell, Festing, Corelli, Leveridge and others was adapted for the parlour and illustrated with fine engravings by George Bickham, some after Gravelot and Watteau. Each of the leaves of music has a vignette at the head engraved by George Bickham which seeks to capture the subject matter or the spirit of the song. Bickham's wonderfully atmospheric engravings, full of life and detail, many framed with elaborate rococo cartouches, are the main attraction.George Bickham the Younger (c.1706-1771) was an English etcher and engraver, a printseller, and one of the first English caricaturists. He was the son of the engraver George Bickham the Elder (1684-1758) who published the 'Universal Penman' (1733-41).