5R Royal Hymnal from Chapel Royal at Hampton Court. London: J. Bettenham, 1736.

Notes

The Collection of Anthems As the Same are now Performed in His Majesty’s Chapels Royal is a significant liturgical music anthology compiled during the reign of King George II. It includes a curated selection of anthems—sacred choral compositions—used in worship services at the Chapels Royal, the private royal chapels attached to the monarchy. These chapels were known for their exceptional musical standards and served as centers of Anglican church music.

This 1736 collection was intended both as a standardized repertoire for use in royal worship and as a reflection of the musical tastes and religious sensibilities of the early Georgian court. It features works by prominent composers of the time, including Henry Purcell, John Blow, and possibly early pieces by George Frideric Handel, who was active in London and had royal patronage by then. The book not only preserved important English choral works but also helped institutionalize the musical practices of the Chapel Royal, influencing English sacred music for generations. Today, it is valued by music historians as a document of both liturgical practice and musical heritage in 18th-century Britain.

Description

Red leather binding with gilt ornamentation along the boarders with crest and lettering in the center of both boards as well. Ruled in red throughout. Marbled endpapers. Housed in tan clamshell with red leather spine featuring gilt lettering. Bumping to the corners and general rubbing to the extremities fading the gilt turn-ins specifically on the bottom edge. Repaired spine with five raised bands. General scuffing to the boards and spots of darkened discoloration. Spot of chipping to lower board. Fine condition overall.