The Oxford Companion to Music [LEATHER BINDING]

Norwalk, CT: The Easton Press. Very Good+. 2002. Hardcover. This highly rated book is a huge compendium of musical knowledge and covers (primarily) the western musical traditon, including: composers, performers, terms, styles (classical, jazz, popular) etc., from the Middle Ages to the present day in more than 8,000 articles. It is arranged in alphabetical dictionary form. This 2002 edition seems to be the latest edition. This book is beautifully bound in a full maroon leather binding with 22 kt gold spine and cover decorations. The spine has four raised bands with five decorated compartments. All edges are gilt, and the book has silk moire end papers with a silk ribbon bookmark. The pages are acid-free and they are smyth-sewn, not glued. There is some scratching in places to the gilt edges from improper storage, but it does not distract significantly from the overall beauty of the binding. The book was apparently given as a gift to a choir director as there are notes of good wishes and signatures of choir members on the title page and the blank leaf facing the title; there are also a few similar notes on there rear blank end paper. This is an uncommon Easton Press book, and despite the interior notes it remains in overall nice condition. There are no notes in the text, underlining, or bookplates in this book. It is The Easton Press "Collector's Edition," and it looks very impressive on a library shelf. Please inquire if you would like more information!; B&W Illustrations; 8vo, 8"- 9" tall; 1434 pages .