The Welsh Harper,: being an Extensive Collection of Welsh Music, [and] The Welsh Harper .. Second Volume.

AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION OF WELSH FOLK MUSIC - FINE COPY FROM A SUBSCRIBER'S COLLECTION
[Full title] The Welsh Harper, being an Extensive Collection of Welsh Music, including most of the contents of the three volumes published by the late Edward Jones called Relics of the Bards with numerous annotations on Historical Subjects, also several Airs from the Publications of the late Mr. Parry of Ruabon, (Harper to the Wynnstay family), with Many Others never before Published, to which is prefixed Observations on the Character and Antiquity of the Welsh Music, also an Account of the Rise and Progress of The Harp from the Earliest Period to the Present Time [Volume First] ... [with] The Welsh Harper, containing Two Hundred Welsh Airs, chiefly selected from manuscript Collections; interspersed with numerous interesting Historical Notes and Observations on the Music of Wales, arranged for the Harp or Pianoforte ... Volume Second.
first edition 2 vols. folio [2 (letterpress title)], (3)-8, 144 (engraved music); [2 (letterpress title)], 10, 100 (engraved music)pp. plus in each volume an additional tinted lithographed title page for "Vol.II", 6 plates (including a a lithographed portrait and a dedication leaf printed in gold both in vol.2 and 4 engraved illustrations), original green cloth, sides decoratively blocked in blind, front covers boldly gilt blocked and lettered, spines just a trifle scuffed at feet. A remarkably fine fresh copy.
Inscribed "For Augusta Dunraven/ Adare Manor Christmas 1859" on front endpaper of each volume.

The preface of vol.2 is dated January 1st 1848 and that volume's lithographed dedication is dated February 1848. The list of subscribers in Vol.2 names 212 persons who, with some multiple orders, took 233 copies. Among them was "Dunraven, The Right Hon. the Countess of" who took 2 copies.
John Parry (Denbigh, Wales 1776-1851), bardic name Bardd Alan, harpist and composer, played the harp, clarinet, flageolet and many other instruments. In 1807 he settled in London and by 1809 had begun to compose and publish vocal compositions, especially ballads, and pieces for the harp, piano and wind instruments. He was furthermore an accomplished orchestrator and from his appointment in 1809 as musical director at Vauxhall Gardens composed much of the music performed there. He "was also a keen collector and arranger of Welsh melodies. ... [and] regularly conducted cymrodorion and eisteddfodau, notably at Wrexham in 1820 and Brecon in 1822; at the Powys Eisteddfod of 1820 he received the title of Bardd Alaw ('master of song'). He was one of the chief promoters of the Cambrian Society" [O.D.N.B.]. Apart from The Welsh Harper he published other collections of Welsh songs as well of Scottish and other songs as well as several volumes on such as military music, books of instruction for several instruments, &c.. The Cambrian Society presented him with a silver medal for his collections of Welsh music.