Paper Music Manuscripts. The oldest known archaeological fragments of the immediate precursor to modern paper date to the 2nd century BCE in China. The pulp paper-making process is ascribed to Cai Lun, a 2nd-century CE Han court eunuch.
In the 13th century, the knowledge and uses of paper spread from China through the Middle East to medieval Europe, where the first water powered paper mills were built. Because paper was introduced to the West through the city of Baghdad, it was first called bagdatikos. In the 19th century, industrialization greatly reduced the cost of manufacturing paper. In 1844, the Canadian inventor Charles Fenerty and the German F. G. Keller independently developed processes for pulping wood fibres. Reference: Wikipedia
Sondheim, Stephen (1930-2021)
A collection of musical manuscripts and scores Comprises manuscript scores (music and lyrics) in pencil for songs from two early unproduced projects, Mary Poppins (2 sides of staff paper, signed, with chipping and tears but no loss, 12 1/2 x 9 1/4 in.) and High Tor (4 sides of staff paper, signed, 12 1/2 x 9 1/4 in.); photo-reproduced handwritten scores with occasional penciled notes for 15 songs from another unproduced show, Climb High (97 pages); a photo-reproduced score for an early song, Class (18 pages, 11 1/2 x 9 1/2 in., score dated “3/1/55” in pencil); and photo-reproduced rehearsal scores for six songs from West Side Story, with occasional notes in black and red pencil (67 pages, 13 x 10 in.).
Circa 1950-1957
Sold for US$15,300 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2023
Prague notation
Two leaves from a Hymnal, in Latin, manuscript on paper [Czech Republic, late 15th century (after 1481)].
Two leaves from a Czech hymnal, with later Prague notation.
290 x 210mm, 2 consecutive leaves, foliated 15 and 16 in pencil, and three small fragments (likely used as guards), 27 lines written in black ink in a cursive Gothic bookhand, later Prague notation on a 4-line staff in brown with C- and F-clefs, initials alternately in red or blue (edges a little frayed, some marginal thumbing).
Sold for GBP 882 at Christie’s in 2023
Music.- Sullivan (Sir Arthur) The Light of the World, an Oratorio, signed presentation inscription from the composer to head of title, dated 27. Aug 1873, 2pp. blank manuscript paper bound in after preliminaries, ex-library copy with usual stamps and markings, including circular ink-stamp to foot of title, occasional correction and annotation in pencil and ink, seemingly in a couple of hands, some spotting, mainly to peripheral leaves, bound in navy morocco, gilt, by Townsend, library marking to spine foot, rubbed, particularly at spine ends and corners, g.e., 4to, [c.1873].
Sold for £280 at Forum Auctions in 2023
SCOTTISH MUSIC REEL BOOK OF ELIZABETH ROSE OF KILRAVOCK, CIRCA 1766 Music manuscript, [48] ff. (16 x 20.6cm), on laid paper, written in brown ink, mainly on rectos only, containing some 75 pieces in total, 6 staves to the page, ownership inscription ‘El. Rose, Kilravock Castle, Decr, 27th 1766’, to front free endpaper, bound in contemporary quarter calf, drab paper sides, binding worn and marked, f. [26] with closed tear, a few short closed tears elsewhere
Sold for £5,000 at Lyon & Turnbull in 2023
