Richardson, Josiah (Editor) / [J.F. Lloyd – Photographer – Carmarthen / J.C.Portnell – Carmarthen].

Song and Speech. [Unique collection of the short-lived “Song and Speech” – Magazine, edited by Josiah Richardson in 1891 and accompanied by an autograph / manuscript letter-signed by Richardson].

Two Volumes in One (14 Issues in Total). Strand / London, “Song and Speech”, 1891-1892. 18 cm x 24 cm. Volume 1: No.1-12, 192 pages / Followed by parts of Volume 2: No.13 – No.1: 16 pages, No.13 – No.2: 16 pages. With numerous black-and-white illustrations and photographs throughout. [The pagination of this periodical changed from original 16 pages per number at the beginning of Volume I, to 8 pages towards the end of the first Volume. With the start of Volume II , in 1892, the periodical changed again to 8 pages per issue and also changed its numbering. We were not able to verify if this magazine was published beyond the May – Issue of 1892]. Hardcover / Private, decoratived half-leather with gilt lettering and ornament on spine. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. With the very interesting provenance of two Welsh men of Carmarthen: Victorian photographer J.F.Lloyd and J.C.Portnell. Bound by: ‘The “Welshman” Newspaper and Steam Printing Co. Lt., Bookbinders, Machine Rulers, & c., Carmarthen’ – with their bookbindery-label on pastedown. Includes manuscript-draft of a speech on endpaper titled ‘John Jones Chairman’, written by photographer J.F.Lloyd, Carmarthen. The calligraphed titlepage of this privately bound compilation shows the watermark ‘Annandale Polton’, of ‘Annandale and Polton Paper Mill Company’, which operated from 1825 until after the Second World War. Contains hand-written note on Page 1, dated January 29, 1896, signed by Editor Josiah Richardson’. This note also contains the blindstamped address of Josiah Richardson at ‘Gordon House, Wandsworth Common, S.W.’. In this note, Richardson telles the recipient that “I hope soon to go on with the publication of my Journal & should then be pleased to number you among my subscribers – Faithfully your Josiah Richardson”. The date of this note leads to the assumption that by 1896, the magazine had already ceased to exist and Richardson answers to one of his fans by expressing his hope to go on. The Volume also includes a manuscript – Index to the rear of the Volume. A very rare and uncommmon compilation of this early Magazine, with very interesting articles from “Pronounciation in Singing” to “Alteration of Music by Singers” to “Vocal Physiology” (Breathing / Principle of Breathing etc.), to “Stammering” etc.

This short lived periodical is striking for its excellent, in-depth articles on topics like “Voice Culture” (Lesson for the Month: Tone Formation) / “Sight Singing and Notation” / “Vocal Physiology” / “Something for the Children” / “Songs Worth Singing and How To Sing Them” / “Advice to Singers” / “Articulation for Singers” / “Concerning Critics” / “Concerning The Future of Song and Speech” / “Interviews with Leading Singers and Speakers”″Lessons on Word Painting” / “British Dialects” (an article on the usefulness of knowing british dialects “to reciters and in a lesser degree to singers. In sustaining the various country characters so frequently introduced into plays and sketches) For example “Mid-Yorkshire Dialect”/ “Concerning Nervousness” / “Mark Anthony on the Death of Caesar – Shakespeare – A Study for Reciters” / Included are also Bookreviews on the topics of Song and Speech (For example “M.Bautain – Extempore Speaking” / Margaret H. Lawless – “Bring out your Dead” – A Study for Reciters / “Memorising” / “Celebrated Voices: Jenny Lind” / Biographical Sketch of “Miss Adey Brunel” (with a photograph of Adey Brunel playing the Guitar) / “Postures and Motions of the Hand” etc. etc.

Josiah Richardson, the editor, was able to win over contributors from all fields of Song, Reciting and Speech-Therapy of the outgoing Victorian Era. Articles include: Howard Paul – “The Art of Making-Up” / E.Theodore Carrier – “Hymn Reading” / Concerning the Training of Children’s Voices / Louisa S. Sandy – “The Dress of Lady Performers” / Biographical Sketch of Alfred George Cargill Gentry” (with a photograph) / “The Tonic Sol-fa Jubilee Festival” / “The Philosophy of Expression” / Dr. Hans Richter – “Musical Conductors” / “Concerning the Simian Tongue” / J.Harry Wheeler (Boston) – “Hints for Voice Training” / Walter Wadham – “Songs worth singing and how to sing them by the River” / Interviews with Leading Singers and Speakers: “Mr.William Nicholl” (Interviewed by Edwin Oliver) / A.T.Goodrich – “Style and Construction of Vocal Solos – Humorous or Buffo Songs” / “Pianoforte Accompanying” / “Original Recitations – Written or Arranged Expressly for “Song and Speech”: “Betsy Prigg’s Visit to Mrs. Gamp” / etc. etc.

• Keywords: 1800-1921 · 18th-19th centuries · Magazine · Manuscript · Manuscript / Autograph – Rare · Manuscript Letter Rare · Manuscript Letter Signed · Manuscript Music Rare · Music · Music – Rare · Music Education · Music for Performing and Practicing · Music Singers · Musical Score · Periodical · Periodicals · Periodicals Rare · Signed · Singing · Stammer and Speech – Therapy · Victorian Music Magazine · Voice · Wales · Welsh History – Rare
• Language: English
• Inventory Number: 200230AB

EUR 1.800,--