Thomas d'Urfey & Henry Playford [eds.]

Wit and Mirth or, Pills to Purge Melancholy: Being a Collection of the best Merry Ballads and Songs, Old and New. Fitted to all Humours, having each their proper Tune for either Voice, or Instrument: Many of the Songs being new Sett. To which is also added, a Collection of Excellent Poems [Five volume set]

London: Printed by William Pearson, and Sold by John Young, Musical-Instrument Seller at the Dolphin and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1709-1714. Very Good. Item #26225

London: Printed by William Pearson, and Sold by John Young, Musical-Instrument Seller at the Dolphin and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1709-1714. Mixed editions, with volume IV the earliest 1709 and a 2nd edition and volume V a first edition. 12mos. Music throughout; collated and complete. Bound in contemporary calf. Four volumes uniform with five raised bands, gilt decoration to spine and red leather title labels; volume II an orphan with four raised bands to spine and gilt decoration to spine.

All volumes show light wear to edges and joints with brief exposure to corners; vol II heavier wear with chipping to spine and gilt rather dulled. Bindings sound. Bookplates of the Streatfield family to four volumes, with modern bookplate to vol. I. Ownership inscriptions of William and Henry Streatfield to preliminaries and titles, less vol II which has ownership signature of Davenport Talbot. Aside from brief marginalia, pages unmarked and legible throughout.

The first five volumes of what would later become a six volume set of English poems and songs. ESTC credits d'Urfey with the work of the first two volumes, and the remainder being those originally collected and edited by Playford. Scarce.

Price: $1,250.00