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

Hand-notated sheet of folk music, c1790

Unidentified late-18^th century German Musican

Hand-notated sheet of folk music, c1790 (based on the early style of hand-written notation—especially the G-clef, the use of a quill for the lines (rather than the later dip pen), the unevenly dispersed pulp of the crude heavy laid paper and the patina of age of the sheet).

Music notations and music titles written in German by an old hand in black ink on heavy laid paper with binding holes on the centrefold.

Size: (unfolded sheet) 23 x 33cm.

Condition: although the sheet shows clear signs handling in terms of marks and has a rich patina of age toning, the heavy paper is structurally sound with no tears, holes (beyond the binding holes), abrasions, bumped edges or other fractures.

I am selling this small double-sided sheet of early hand-notated music, for AU$205 (currently US$158.60/EUR129.08/GBP115.82 at the time of posting 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.

If you are interested in purchasing this historical gem of sheet music—possibly arrangements for a beginning musican based on the lettering under the music notations (but I am out of my depth in making meaningful assessments as my piano playing days are long passed)—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.