(MUSIC.) Handel, George Frederick. Messiah. An Oratorio in Score as it was originally perform'd. [6], 188, 35 pages. entirely engraved throughout. Folio, 374x248 mm, contemporary reversed leather, cover edges worn through, rebacked; marginal soiling throughout, intermittent marginal dampstaining, title mounted, with M in Messiah obliterated and supplied in manuscript, lower third of leaf with subscribers' list torn and restored with text loss on recto, repaired clean tear across last leaf not affecting music; morocco folding case. London: Messrs. Randall & Abell, [1767]
scarce first edition, first issue, of the full score; one of only 6 copies located by Fuld, formerly in the Cambria County Library in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. "Handel's classic status as a composer, established by the end of the 1730s . . . was at first based on his choral music in general but became particularly associated with his oratorios . . . Messiah retains the iconic status it had acquired by 1750 and has never relinquished" (Grove Music Online). Fuld, The Book of World Famous Music, pages 265-66; Smith & Humphries, page 124.
