Modern Harpsichord Makers, John Paul — 1st Edition

£19.50

Modern Harpsichord Makers, John Paul — 1st Edition

Name: Modern Harpsichord Makers, John Paul — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6429
Price: 19.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Victor Gollancz Ltd, 1981

Formatting: Large 8vo, pp. [viii], 280.

Condition Report: Near Fine in a Very Good dust-jacket. The burgundy cloth boards remain exceptionally crisp and clean, boasting sharp corners and a firm, square binding that shows no signs of leaning. Crucially, the gilt lettering on the spine is brilliantly unoxidised and bright, presenting beautifully. Internally, the text block is tight, and the pages remain bright and entirely free of the foxing or spotting that frequently plagues publications from this era. The original unclipped dust-jacket has structurally survived very well with no significant chips or tears, though it does exhibit faint, expected age-toning to the white panels and minor rubbing along the upper edges. It is now protected in a removable, clear archival sleeve.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition, confirmed by the presence of the 1981 publication year on both the title and copyright pages, with no indication of subsequent printings.

Heavily illustrated with black-and-white photographic plates and diagrams, the text serves as both a historical record and a technical manual. Of minor provenance note, the rear flap of the dust-jacket bears an adhesive label from a contemporary owner ("Christopher S. Boase... Rainhill Hospital, Merseyside"), adding a touch of localised history.

While not inherently rare on the open market, locating a copy with such vibrant, unfaded cloth and a complete, well-preserved dust-jacket is becoming increasingly uncommon for this title.

In Modern Harpsichord Makers, John Paul provides a fascinating, hands-on exploration of the late-twentieth-century early music revival in Britain. Through detailed conversations and profiles of nineteen leading craftsmen, the author delves into the intricate artistry, historical techniques, and mechanical challenges of building harpsichords, clavichords, and virginals in the modern era. Richly informative and deeply engaging, it remains an essential reference for early music enthusiasts, instrument makers, and cultural historians alike.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: John Paul

Book Publisher: Victor Gollancz Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Music

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 280

Book Publication Year: 1981

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Southampton, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.