LEGACY OF SEBASTIAN VIRDUNG: AN ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE OF RARE BOOKS FROM THE FREDERICK R. SELCH COLLECTION PERTAINING TO THE HISTORY OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.|THE

8.5 x 11 inches. paperback. 240 pages. This book examines works from the Frederick S. Selch Collection pertaining to the history of musical instruments. Selch was well-known for collecting books about history, design, and the use of musical instruments. His books on this field of study will continue to be a resource for research as they present the developing history of the field of organology. The books also reveal plenty about the history of printing and book illustration, and with 100 items showcased, this exhibition represents the diversity and quality of Selch's collection. Produced after the exhibition held at the Grolier Club from January 26 to March 11, 2005, the book contains much of the commentary included in the labels displayed at the exhibition. Laurence Libdin, Curator of Musical Instruments at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and H. Reynolds Butler provide additional commentary. Entries are arranged chronologically under author, compiler, or publisher. Each description includes full title transcriptions with original spellings, ligatures, and punctuation, commentary, format, register of signatures, number of leaves, pagination, and page size. The publication also includes a summary of each book's printing history and references. In addition to the catalogue, appendixes, notes, and an index are presented. The book, designed by Jerry Kelly and printed by the Studley Press, is beautifully illustrated in black-and-white.…