Antique Schubert four-hands book, publ. in Leipzig

Are there any classical piano scholars/players reading this newsgroup?

I have a very, very old piano music book which I would like to learn about. It may date from c. 1900 or even earlier.

It is a collection of Schubert pieces for Four Hands, arranged by Hugo Ulrich, and published by C.F. Peters in Leipzig and partly in Berlin (see below). It consists of 392 pages of sheet music bound as a book, which is 9x12x1.4 (ht * w * thickness) inches overall.

Despite its age the pages turn reliably and easily, and don't seem in any danger of loosening. It has lain on a dark bookshelf for over 30 years; it was very old when I got it. The cover is worn, naturally. This book was used in its day.

I would like to get an idea of its age and its value. Is it for collectors, simply a curiosity, for museums ... ? If I sell it or donate it, who would really want to have it?

Are these pieces in such a four-hand arrangement difficult to find today? Have they all been reprinted in modern times? Are these the Schubert pieces which have survived in popularity or are they the lesser works, which receive little attention?

Thank you in advance for any information. Below I have included a URL for images and a list of which pieces are in the book.

Christine O'Connor

for pictures, you may see http://www.mahopachills.org/chris/Schubert/

Summary of Contents:

Wow! Very pretty, Chris! Especially the artwork of the title page.

I must admit I've seen bjillions of sheets like this in second hand stores. www.dacapo.com.au has a listing of antiquarian four-hand music, either by Schubert or arranged by Ulrich. Price range is ~US$30-100 although I don't think it sells very fast. I've been poking around their shelves for over 15 years.

The art work is signed F.Baumgarten and it is still used in some new books from Peters. The old paper was glossy and the Lithography was kind of red-ish and very crisp. In the new books , the reproduction of the 'art-work' is rather bad (looks like 'worn' copy).

The first time I went to the teacher of my kids I saw such an old fornt page framed as a picture and hanged on the wall : 'wow', I said, ' I have quite a few of these , but never thought to frame them'. I have on my wall an old antiphone from the 16-th century (not manuscript, but printed in the old fashion - lead blocks , not plates)) - one can find a lot of these in Paris (the antiquaires just tear pages from old books. But the most beautiful pieces are forgeries - you can see, with naked eye , the raster of the offset plate from the '15-th century' ).

That's too bad.... I am also a bibliofile, and I enjoy hunting down original copies of rare books. I've come across some extremely ornate and beautiful bookplates from the late 1800's-1920's. But yeah, there are a lot of charlatans out there. If they copied the designs with the aim of preserving the design, that would be fine, but too often, they try to pass a new book off as being a hundred years old.

er.... A bibliophile, even. Jeez...

There is value here as a collection as whole, the Trios, Quartets and Symphonic transcriptions are the more rare items.

Estimated value US$50 - $250 depending upon condition.

I would not worry about 'liberties' taken by the editor as remarked by another person posting here.

The Bagaduce Music Lending Library http://www.bagaduce-music.org would be an excellent recipient, but make sure you obtain a valuation before donating.

John Laurence Poole Editions Poole

Contact 'Peters' directly so as to establish the age (accurately).

The catalogue # will reflect/indicate something; most likely, copyright.

The date of printing your specific copy? - even Ps may be of little aid.

That story will be revealed by the inner pages, not the covers.

.. as above ..

.. as above ..

This isn't a recommended means for building your retirement fund, Chris.

Develop your altruistic spirit; donate - to increase the joy of others.

Contact the Administrator (or Librarian) to the nearest branch of;

(The) */ AGO; */ RSCM; */ (a) University Faculty of Music.

Often, collections are maintained for usage by the members/faculty/body.

This reminds (cynical ?) me, more and more, of ebay listings ...