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Robert Thorp of Alnwick Collection of Printed and Manuscript Music
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This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Rare Book Collection. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
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Robert Thorp of Alnwick, the owner of this collection, was apparently the second son of the Ven. Robert Thorp (1736-1812), Archdeacon of Northumberland and Rector of Ryton, co. Durham. His elder brother Thomas (1768-92) was educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge, but died as a young barrister in London; his younger brother Charles (1783-1862) was educated at University College Oxford and became Archdeacon of Durham and succeeded his father as rector of Ryton – but more particularly achieved importance as one of the founders of the University of Durham, as well as serving for many years as its first Warden. The younger Robert's dates are uncertain, but I have supposed that he was the middle of three brothers because of several pieces of evidence: (i) ODNB refers to the theologian John Davison (1777-1834) marrying 'Mary, daughter of Robert Thorp, elder brother of Charles Thorp'; (ii) Foster lists a Robert Alder Thorp, 's. Robert, of Alnwick, Northumberland, arm', as having matriculated at University College, Oxford, in 1815 at the age of 17 – this was the family college, and Alder was the maiden name of the elder Robert Thorp's wife (and thus, I contend, this man's mother and the young man's grandmother); (iii) Thomas Thorp (1768-92) is referred to by Venn as being the eldest son of Archdeacon Robert Thorp.
The younger Robert Thorp, whose collection this must have been – even if part of it could have been formed by his father – did not go to either Oxford or Cambridge (he does not appear in either Foster or Venn), but became an attorney in Alnwick, Northumberland. This is evident from the group of business papers (see the last item in the short catalogue which follows) which accompany the music collection. Although he followed a traditional profession, it is however quite clear that his passion was music. It seems that the violin was his instrument: where any of the music here is for one instrument, it is nearly always the violin part that is here. The present collection shows much sign of use, not only in the occasionally poor condition of the books, but in their arrangement: in several cases, parts for various instruments are bound separately, so that the first violin has several pieces bound in one volume, and the second violin or cello has the corresponding parts for the same pieces bound in another volume. One can thus imagine that Thorp had a small group of friends in Alnwick with whom – a little like the Rev. Septimus Harding in Barchester, perhaps – he passed the Northumberland evenings in making music. Because the collection was put to practical use, I very much doubt if it was formed with an eye to rarity – yet several of the pieces are very uncommon and are not found in great musical collections such as those of the British Library, Bodleian and Harvard. However, the most interesting and significant feature of the collection is surely the fact that it was formed by a single man in Northumberland two hundred years ago, and that the core of it has survived to this day.
Arranged by dealer identifier.
Acquired 2008.
Processed using automated processes based on existing PDF inventory by Regine Heberlein in 2017.
No part of the collection was separated at the time of processing.
Subject
- Publisher
- Rare Book Collection
- Finding Aid Date
- 2017
- Access Restrictions
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Collection is open for research.
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Collection Inventory
London
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. 25; wanting the title page (see next item), but with drop-head title in MS; otherwise entirely engraved.
Two works by Giuseppe or Joseph Agus. There seem to have been two musicians of this name in London in the final third of the 18th century, probably father and son. Highfill Burmin and Langhans date the elder to c. 1763; it seems likely that he, rather than the younger man (who did not arrive in London until 1773) is the author of these solos. The dates of c. 1725-1800 are those from the Harvard catalogue.
London printed for John Johnson at the Harp & Crown in Cheapside.
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. [2], 39; entirely engraved.
A collection of tunes, mostly for popular songs. There are several songs by Samuel Arnold for John O'Keefe's comic opera The Castle of Andalusia (1782), and others include 'The Lowland Lassie wth. Variations by Mr Justice', the well-known Gavotte by William Felton (1715-69), and pieces by Scarlatti, Felton and Noferi, with some popular tunes and songs not attributed.
Physical Description1 folderManuscript in ink on paper, oblong 4to (approx. 234 x 294mm), ff. [24]; bound in late 18th or early 19th century marbled boards, calf spine, MS title label on upper cover.
Edinburgh. Printed for and sold by John Watlen[?] at his music shop no. 31 North Bridge Street.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [1]-8, 13-20 only (lacking pp. 9-12); entirely engraved; title page rather soiled; unbound.
Presumably compositions by Johann Adam Birkenstock (1687-1733). At the foot of the first page is 'Thos. Lydiatt | Vic. Kimb. Hunts | 1743' – possibly the name of the scribe. Thomas Lydiatt (d. 1761) was certainly vicar of Kimbolton, and also of Hollywell. Christopher Edwards in October 2008
Physical Description1 folderManuscript in ink on paper, 4to, pp. [12], written in a single hand in brown ink.
Presumably based on a poem by Mary ('Perdita') Robinson.
London, printed & sold by T. Preston, 97 Strand.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [1]-4; first page blank; entirely engraved.
First edition. Smith & Humphries 292: this is the state of the title page with the composer's name spelt without the final 'i' – although this is corrected in MS. This is the first violin part only.
London. Printed for I. Walsh in Catherine Street in the Strand.
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. [2], 18; entirely engraved.
First edition. Smith & Humphries 296. This is the first violin part only.
London. Printed for I. Walsh in Catharine Street in the Strand.
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. [3], 2-13; entirely engraved.
[London]
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. [3], 65; entirely engraved; with elaborate title page incorporating Rutland family arms. Inscription 'Mr. Thorp' at head of title.
1 folderFolio, pp. [2], 23; a little browned throughout, but complete; entirely engraved.
Smith & Humphries, Walsh, 336: a reissue of the first edition, published by Walsh in 1734. This issue does not have the number 500 on the title page, or the advertisements on the verso of p. 65.
[London] Printed for I. Walsh.
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. [5], 2-65; entirely engraved; with elaborate title page within cartouche. Inscribed 'Mr Thorp' in clerical hand on dedication leaf.
Smith & Humphries, Walsh, 337: this is a reissue of an edition first published in 1739.
London. Printed for I. Walsh in Catherine Street, in the Strand. All' eccellenza di Guglielmo Capel conte d'Essex, Viceconte Maiden …
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [2], 26; with blank pages after pp. 9 and 21; entirely engraved.
Sheridan's Pizarro was first performed in 1799.
London, printed for the author, by Goulding, Phipps & d'Alvaine, music sellers, no. 45 Pall Mall, & to be had at all the music shops in Town and Country.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [1]-7; initialled apparently by the author ('GWC') just above the imprint; entirely engraved.
First Walsh edition. Smith & Humphries, Walsh, 431.
London. Printed for and sold by I. Walsh … of whom may be had all the works of Corelli (viz) his Sonatas and Concertos in parts and in score.
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. [2], 68; lacking portrait of Corelli (see Smith & Humphries); some margins short but the text complete; title page stained; entirely engraved.
London, printed for J. Dale, at his music warehouses, no. 19 Cornhill, & the corner of Holles Street, Oxford Street.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [1]-4; entirely engraved.
Fascinating manuscripts, apparently autograph, of anthems by Thomas Ebdon (1738-1811). Ebdon was born in Durham, began as a cathedral chorister at the age of nine, and became the cathedral organist there in 1763: he remained in this position apparently until his death. He was a prolific composer of sacred music, but also composed glees, sonatas and concertos. The present albums date from late in his career: each composition is dated, and assigned to him, at the beginning, with the dates varying from August 1807 to January 1809.
Newcastle
Physical Description1 folderManuscripts in ink on paper, 4to (295 x 240mm), ff. [14] and [14]; written apparently in a single hand; bound in contemporary blue paper, with orange labels on each upper cover, each reading 'Anthems' and numbered 'No. 1' and 'No. 2'.
Presumably by William Evance, one of Thomas Ebdon's recruits to the choir at Durham Cathedral who later became well-known as a soloist.
London printed by Goulding Phipps, d'Almaine, & co. 124 New Bond St, & 7 Westmorland St Dublin.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [1]-4; torn and apparently rodent-eaten in the blank foremargin, but textually complete; entirely engraved.
'Third edition', but no copy of any edition is recorded in ESTC – although since the title page is in letterpress it surely should be.
London: printed by Williami Smith, at Corelli's Head … and sold only by the author, at his house in Angel-Court in Windmill-Street.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [ii], [2] dedication and blank, 1-55; the title page in letterpress, otherwise entirely engraved; separately bound in contemporary reverse calf, spine with gilt label (a little chipped); in fine condition.
First and second violin parts only. Not in ESTC online, although as a significant part of the book (title and subscription list) is in letterpress, it should be. Festing (1705-52) was a leading figure on the London musical scene for almost thirty years, but is dismissed by Burney but his compositions were highly praised by Hawkins. The subscription list here shows that he was well connected, with subscribers including the Prince of Wales, the Countess of Chesterfield, the Hon. Edward Walpole, Richard Nash (i.e. Beau Nash), and others of the musical nobility.
London: printed by William Smith … and sold only by the author, at his house in Queen-Street, near Golden Square … Where may be had, compos'd by the same author, Opera Prima …
Physical Description1 folderTwo parts bound in separate volumes, 4to, pp. [ii], iv, [2], 14; [ii], 13; both titles and the subscription list in letterpress, otherwise engraved.
A group of pieces for the violin, including work by Johann Anton Filtz (1733-60), Thomas Gladwin (1710-99) and Johann Schobert (1720-67).
Physical Description1 folderManuscript in ink on paper, 4to (approx. 295 x 240mm), ff. [33]; written in a single hand, but apparently consisting of separate fascicles; in the original card wrappers, with upper cover inscribed 'Violino Primo'.
First and second violin parts only.
London. Printed for the author.
Physical Description1 folderTwo parts bound in separate volumes, 4to, pp. [5], 16; [3], 14; entirely engraved.
London. Printed for the author.
Missing as of 4/25/2017.
Physical Description1 itemAnother copy of the previous item.
Inscribed 'Miss Vaness[?]' on first wrapper. Parts for the first and second violins and cello only.
London printed and sold by Welcker no 17 Gerrard Street St Ann's Soho. Where may be had by the same author the three preceeding setts …
Physical Description1 folderThree parts bound together, pp. [3], 2-13; [3], 2-13; [3], 2-13; very fine copies in contemporary light blue paper wrappers, uncut and stitched as issued.
Second violin only.
London, printed for the author, and sold by R. Bremner, in the Strand; R. Johnson, in Cheapside; T. Smith, in Piccadilly; and by T. Haxby, in York.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [3], 2-13; entirely engraved; in contemporary wrappers, rebacked.
Smith & Humphries, Walsh, 707.
London printed for and sold by I: Walsh sevt. In ordinary to his Majesty at the Harp & Hoboy in Catherine street in ye Strand.
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. [2], 35; entirely engraved. First Walsh edition.
Inscribed in clerical hand: 'Mr Thorp' on title page. Sole Newcastle edition. This is a copy of the libretto by Thomas Morell for Handel's oratorio, with the addition of the names of the singers – Miss Harwood, Mr Meredith, Mrs Hudson, Mr Evance and others. Very rare: ESTC lists just two copies, at the Bodleian and Princeton.
Newcastle: printed in the year 1778.
Physical Description1 folder4to in twos, pp. 20; a little curled at foredge, else a very good copy in contemporary marbled wrappers.
A contemporary manuscript copy of the programme for the Handel festival organized by Charles Burney in 1787 – the first had been in 1785, and was published as a lavish commemorative quarto volume. This copy may have been done by Robert Thorp himself: perhaps he attended the event in person.
Physical Description1 folderManuscript in ink on paper, small 4to (185 x 154mm), pp. [18]; written in perhaps two hands, or at any rate in different inks; bound with the copy of Judas Macchabaeus (see item 25).
Inscribed 'Mr Thorp' in clerical hand on title page. Smith, Handel, p. 245, no. 6. The first violin (or traversa primo) part only.
[London] Printed: and sold by Iohn Walsh, at the Harp and Hoboy, in Catherine Street, in the Strand. Where may be had the following pieces of musick …
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. 25; entirely engraved; title page torn at lower inside corner and laid down, else a good copy.
A collection of overtures for early or mid-18th century operas, including Rinaldo, Rhadamistus, Saul, Julius Caesar, Pastor Fido and many others – all of them apparently by Handel.
Physical Description1 folderManuscript in ink on paper, large 4to (292 x 235mm), ff. [58] but with many gaps as witnessed by the very irregular foliation; however, this foliation largely matching the list of contents on the pastedown and endpaper; some music towards the end written from the other end of the volume; late 18th century boards, worn, calf spine.
The violin and cello parts only for what seems to be Haydn's Symphony no. 3.
London, published by Messrs Phipps & co at their music warehouse, 25, Duke St, Grosvenor Square.
Physical Description1 folderTwo parts, folio, pp. [1]-7, [1] blank; [1]-5; foredges rather thumbed; else a goodish copy.
Ownership inscription 'Robt. Thorp' on each title. Parts for first and second violins, and cello.
London
Physical Description1 folderThree parts, 4to, pp. [3], 2-13; [3], 2-13; and [3], 2-10; each entirely engraved, and bound with other pieces in contemporary half roan.
This is the first violin part only.
London. Printed for, and sold by I: Walsh, musick printer, and instrument maker to his Majesty, at t he Harp and Hoboy, in Catherine Street in the Strand.
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. [3], 2-20; entirely engraved. Probably Smith & Humphries, Walsh, 852, although it could be the reissue of c. 1745 (no. 854).
Parts for first and second violins, and cello.
London. Printed and sold by John Welcker, music and instrument seller to their {sic} Majesties & all the Royal Family. No. 18 Coventry Street opposite the Hay Market.
Physical Description1 folderThree parts, folio, pp. 13; 13; and 13; each entirely engraved, and bound with other pieces in contemporary half roan. Ownership inscription 'R Thorp' on each title.
Published by M. Kelly at his music warehouse 9 Pall Mall.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [4], complete, though paginated 70-73; entirely engraved.
The violin part only.
London printed & sold at Bland & Wellers music warehouse, 23, Oxford Street.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [1]-4; title page with attractive if somewhat crude view of Windsor Castle; entirely engraved.
With another work without a title page, pp. 47, apparently complete but unidentifiable. Similar to Smith, Walsh, 432, the first edition – but that is described as having 'Terza' in MS, and here it is printed. There are later editions, but they all seem to have Walsh and Hare's first names in full.
London printed for I: Walsh … and I. Hare …
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [3], 57; entirely engraved; cut close at head and foot but with no loss of music.
Presumably dating from after the marriage (1795) of the Prince of Wales (later George IV) to Caroline of Brunswick, even though the marriage collapsed within months.
London, printed by Goulding, Phipps & D'Almaine, music sellers to her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, 45 Pall Mall.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [1]-5; rather scuffed at edges, but quite legible; entirely engraved.
The dedication is dated from Cambridge, 1760. The BL has a copy, but lacking a leaf (pp. 11-12).
Cambridge: Printed for the author and sold at his house at Cambridge, and at the musick shops in London and country.
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. [5], 41; entirely engraved.
With 'Opa: 1a.' in MS at the foot of the title page, possibly an authorial or publisher's insertion.
London printed for the author and sold by John Cox at Simkpsons musick shop in Sweetings Alley Royal Exchange.
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. [3], 39; with blank pages (not counted in pagination) after pp. 21, 27 and 32; entirely engraved.
Parts for guitar, violin and basso con sordino.
London printed by J. Rutherford in St. Martins Court near Leicester Fields where may be had the greatest variety of Guittars &c.
Physical Description1 folderThree parts, folio, each pp. [3], 13; uncut in contemporary drab wrappers.
Smith & Humphries, Walsh, 1170.
London. Printed for I. Walsh, in Catharine street in the Strand.
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. [2], 22; entirely engraved.
The parts for violin and cello only.
London, printed & sold by reson & son at their wholesale warehouses, no. 97, Strand.
Physical Description1 folderTwo parts, folio, pp. [3], 2-13; [3], 2-13; entirely engraved.
London, printed & sold by Preson & son, at their wholesale warehouse, 97 Strand.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. 1-5; entirely engraved.
1 folderManuscript in ink on paper, small 4to (200 x 150mm), pp. 17, [3]; plus one blank leaf at end; in the original plain paper wrappers.
The oboe and violin parts only, for concertos IV-VI.
London. Printed for I. Walsh in Catherine Street in the Strand, of whom may be had all works of this author.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [3], 2-11; entirely engraved. Inscribed at head of title 'Mr Thorp' in a clerical hand.
The hand which has transcribed the title page seems to be the same hand as has written 'Mr Thorp' on several title pages in this collection.
London Printed for the author.
Physical Description1 folderTwo parts bound in different volumes, folio, pp. [1], 2-15; [3], 2-13; title page to first part in manuscript; otherwise entirely engraved. First and second flute parts only.
Inscribed 'Mr Thorp' in a clerical hand on title page. First and second violin parts only. With a letterpress leaf after the dedication leaf, in which Queen Caroline gives 'Joseph San Martin' a privilege for his own compositions ('several pieces of Instrumental Musick, consisting of Trios and Solos') for a term of 14 years. The privilege is dated 1736, so was still current. Not in ESTC online, although because of the letterpress leaf it should be considered for inclusion.
Londra.
Physical Description1 folderTwo parts bound in different volumes, 4to, pp. [4], [i] letterpress privilege, [2] blank, 36; [3], 1-36; entirely engraved except for the privilege leaf to the first part; small holes in blank margin of title and next couple of leaves of first part.
The date is based on the catalogue record for the Harvard copy, which however states that it has three pages of music – whereas the present copy has only two.
London
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. 2-3 (pp. 1 and 4 being completely blank); foremargin torn and apparently rodenteaten, with tiny loss of printed music; entirely engraved.
Ownership inscription 'Robt. Thorp' on both titles, with the additional date '1793' on second title page. . Parts for first and second violins.
London. Printed for Straight and Skillern, in Saint Martins Lane, near the Strand.
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. [3], 13; and 11; both entirely engraved; bound with other works in contemporary half roan.
Probably written in celebration of Jervis's victory at the Battle of St Vincent, February 1797.
Edinburgh printed & sold by J: Watlen, no. 34 North Bridge Street.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. 1-4; somewhat soiled, and a little torn at central fold in the right hand margin, but quite complete; unbound.
Inscribed on the inside of the upper cover: '12th Novr. 1829. This Book was found when the Vicarage House at Chillingham was pulled down by The Revd John Sandford, the vicar in 1829, by one of the workmen behind a Closet, and brought to me by Miss Burrell. R. Thorp, Alnwick.' The manuscript consists of various minuets, a gavotte and several songs, only one of which (a gavotte by Stanley) is attributed to a composer. The Stanley referred to could be the same man as composed the last item; or he could be the organist John Stanley (1713-86) of the Temple Church, London. The Thorp family had a connexion with Chillingham: the elder Robert Thorp's father Thomas (1698-1767) had been vicar there. The village is about ten miles north-west of Alnwick, where the younger Robert Thorp lived.
Physical Description1 folderMusic manuscript in ink on paper, oblong 8vo (155 x 200mm), ff. [27]; only the first half or so completed, the rest with blank staves; with an additional folded folio leaf inserted; several leaves torn but apparently complete; old marbled boards, sheep spine, worn but sound.
Smith & Humphries, Walsh, 1520: the first violin part only, and perhaps lacking the final section (S&H say this is a reissue of Smith 469, 509 and 522; but 522 is itself a reissue of 469 and 509 so this may be the complete first violin part).
London printed for I. Walsh … and I. Hare …
Physical Description1 folder. Folio, pp. [3], 27; 2-7, [1] blank, 8-18; entirely engraved; in the remains of an early binding (upper board only).
The programme for a vocal concert given by Messrs Harrison and Knyvett, number 4 in a series. The composers include Handel, Stevens, Boyce, Sarti and others. No copy in ESTC online.
London printed by H. Macleish, Duke's-Court, Drury-Lane.
Physical Description1 folder4to, pp. 8, very worn and torn especially at foredge, but complete; unbound.
Based on a poem by John Wolcot (1738-1819), alias 'Peter Pindar'
London, printed & sold by F. Linley at his music warehouse, 45 Holborn.
Physical Description1 folderFolio, pp. [1]-3; entirely engraved.
Alnwick, Northumberland. A quantity of personal and business papers (mainly the latter) which illuminate the quotidian life of Robert Thorp. Amongst other things, the papers confirm the supposition that he was the brother of Charles Thorp, as there is an account relating to 'Rev. C. Thorp', clearly the Charles Thorp of Durham – it could of course be a coincidence that he undertook business for a man with the same initial and surname as the man who went on to found Durham University, but it seems extremely unlikely, and next to impossible that they were not related. Many of the papers relate to Thorp's business activities, and are (not, perhaps, very surprisingly) scrawled in a hasty hand that was only meant for himself: these are not account books, or records intended for future generations, but notebooks which he used at the time, and when the business was done, the note was deleted with a vertical line. But what we can read shows that he undertook business on behalf of numerous people in the area, including the Duke of Northumberland: Alnwick Castle was naturally the most prominent building in the district, and the Duke would then – as now – have been the major landowner and employer. A few letters also survive: at least two of these are from Thorp himself, sent to one Edward Allen, at his own office in Alnwick, when he was himself away on business in Morpeth and London in 1817 and 1818. The signatures here match those found in the main music collection, and demonstrate conclusively that the attorney of Alnwick and the music collector were one and the same man.
Physical Description1 boxManuscripts in ink on paper, various sizes, including 16 memorandum books (various sizes) and a bundle of about 50 individual papers, including letters and business papers.
1 box
London, printed by Longman & Broderip, No. 26 Cheapside and No. 13 Hay-Market, Music-Sellers & Musical Instrument Makers to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales; Where may had all the above Authors Works.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folderPortfolio containing several items of sheet music.
London Printed for Broderip & Wilkinson No. 13 Hay Market.
Physical Description1 folder
London Published by C. Wheatstone & Co. 36 Strand
Parts for violoncello and violin.
Physical Description1 folder
Printed for the Author & to be had at all the Music Shops.
Physical Description1 folder
London Printed & sold by John Welcker No. 9 Hay Market Opposite the Opera House where may be had every new Publication of the most esteemed Music & the greatest variety of Instruments.
Physical Description1 folder