Woodcut score to the hymn, “Te Deum”, c.1690

Two-colour (red and black) double-sided woodcut of a music score with Latin words to the hymn, “Te Deum” (aka “Ambrosian Hymn”; “Praise to the Trinity”), (recto) page 159 (CLIX) and (verso) page 160 (CLX), printed on laid paper with watermark, c.1690 (date based on the advice from the dealer from whom I purchased this sheet).

The score features one of the earliest forms of music notion: the neumes staff notation—a pitch indicating (diastematic) system using squares on the stave/staff to signify the notes, but before the addition of later devices/symbols to indicate the length of a sound, rhythm and other nuances (my apologies for shortfalls/errors in this explanation).

Size: (sheet) 40.5 x 23.5 cm

Lettered in plate: (recto) “Hymnus   Te Deum   clix/ Te Prophetárum laudábilis númerus,/ Te Mârtyrum candidátus laudat exércitus./ […]  Tu deuícto mortis acúleo: aperuisti crédentibus“.

Condition: a strong and well-printed early/lifetime impression with full margins as published. The sheet in an excellent condition for its considerable age with no significant tears, holes, folds, abrasions or stains.

I am selling this exceptionally rare double-sided, two-colour woodcut leaf featuring one of the earliest systems of music notations where only the pitch of the notes is indicated—interesting to compare this very early leaf with a later hand-inscribed score from a century later (see https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2021/01/hand-notated-sheet-of-folk-music-c1790.html)—for AU$262 in total (currently/approximately US$173.54/ EUR160.25/ GBP136.39 at the time of this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU$262) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this early woodcut music score, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This music woodcut has been sold