Details
Description
A pair of late 18th-century English hand-tinted engraved music sheets, circa 1780, combining engraved musical notation and lyrics with charming …
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A pair of late 18th-century English hand-tinted engraved music sheets, circa 1780, combining engraved musical notation and lyrics with charming hand-colored Georgian figural vignettes. Presented as a matched pair in gilt frames with deep brown velvet mats and narrow gilt liners.
“The Charms of Celia” depicts an elegantly dressed gentleman and lady and accompanies a song of courtship and romantic admiration, reflecting the more refined side of Georgian musical and social life.
Its companion, “The Beer-Drinking Briton,” is inscribed “Set by Mr. Arne & Sung by Mr. Beard” and depicts a convivial group of gentlemen gathered around a table with tankards. Its decidedly spirited lyrics celebrate British ale over French wine. The song is documented in The Literary Magazine in 1757 as sung by Mr. Beard, while later collected works attribute The Beer-Drinking Briton to celebrated actor and playwright David Garrick.
Together, the engravings offer two wonderfully different glimpses of Georgian Britain—romance and polite society in one, beer, camaraderie and patriotic humor in the other.
Both retain older labels on the reverse identifying them as “Antique and Original Hand Tinted Engraving Music Sheets,” styled and framed for Mrs. H. A. Eggerss of New York City. Acquired together from a Pinehurst, North Carolina estate and offered here as the pair.
Collector’s Note
What makes this pair particularly appealing is the contrast between the two subjects. The Charms of Celia belongs to the Georgian tradition of sentimental courtship songs, while The Beer-Drinking Briton reveals a much more boisterous side of 18th-century popular culture.
The latter has genuine musical and theatrical interest. The surviving sheet identifies Mr. Arne and Mr. Beard, and bibliographic records document The Beer-Drinking Briton in 1757 as a song sung by John Beard, one of the prominent English stage singers of the period. David Garrick's collected works also include The Beer-Drinking Briton.
Displayed together, these are not simply decorative antique music sheets but small documents of Georgian social history—courtship, music, drinking, humor and national identity captured in two remarkably engaging works on paper.
Dimensions: Sheet: 5" W x 8.25" H · Framed: 10" W x 13" H.
#0490JWHpkmec76
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- Dimensions
- 10ʺW × 0.5ʺD × 13ʺH
- Frame Type
- Framed
- Art Subjects
- Music
- Period
- Late 18th Century
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Glass
- Paper
- Wood
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Antique White
- Condition Notes
- Good antique condition consistent with age. The late 18th-century paper shows expected toning, scattered foxing, staining and age-related discoloration, with … moreGood antique condition consistent with age. The late 18th-century paper shows expected toning, scattered foxing, staining and age-related discoloration, with some fading to the original hand coloring. Both works are presented under glass in later matching gilt frames with deep brown velvet mats and gilt liners. Frames show surface wear consistent with age and use. Older framing labels remain on the reverse. Please refer to photographs for details of condition. less
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