Routledge Manuscript Inscriptions in Early English Printed Music

Discover the hidden histories of early English music through the eyes of its original owners. In Manuscript Inscriptions in Early English Printed Music, David Greer explores the lives of those who purchased musical works during the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. This study focuses on surviving books of music published before 1640, providing a unique look at how music was consumed and collected during this era. By analyzing handwritten inscriptions left within the books, Greer uncovers details about the people who visited music sellers, such as the dwelling house of T. East by Paules wharfe, to buy works by composers like Byrd and Dowland. This research reconstructs the ownership history of these precious volumes, revealing which books formed part of private music libraries. It is an essential resource for those interested in the relationship between music and material culture, offering a window into the social history of music ownership in early modern England.