"As You Like It Polka, composed by Adam Wright."

A splendid colour illustration adorns this genuine Victorian music sheet, which was published by Robert Cocks & Co., New Burlington Street, Regent Street, London.

The scene depicted shows Orlando and the Wrestler, and it is loosely after a painting by Daniel Maclise, completed in 1854. A good example of the popularising through print, and in this case also through music of high art that occurred frequently in Victorian times. The Spellman Collection in Reading suggests a date of 1855 for the music sheet, assuming a link to the painting.

Their copy is clearly signed (in print) Concanen and Lee at the bottom right. On my copy offered here, this is barely visible, though faint writing can be made out. Alfred Concanen and Thomas Lee formed a formidable lithographic partnership for some 20 years, with Lee described as "an adder of essentials" while Concanen composed the broad sweep of the image. There is some evidence that the relationship came to an abrupt, and possibly acrimonious end c1880.

In this case they have produced a fine Shakespeare image in strong colours to accompany a spirited Polka for the Victorian salon.

Size and number of pages: the sheet measures approx. 35cms x 25.5cms. Music complete on 5 pages.

Condition: Disbound from an album, and cropped a little. There is a stain at the bottom visible only  in the margins and on the back. Generally the cover is in a good condition. Old Christmas inscription in ink top right page 1. Music complete on 5 pages, with stain on the last. Please study the photographs.

There are, in my view, a number of reasons for valuing Illustrated Music Sheets. They are often of historical interest, marking special events, or illustrating historical figures. They may be of topographical interest. They may give an insight into Victorian values, often the humour of the time, or perhaps simply the fashions and designs found in their houses and clothing. Music illustration was always at the forefront of advances in publishing, and the covers are therefore of interest too in seeing the development of colour printing, as well as typographic and layout fashions. Sometimes, even the music is of interest! I will be offering a huge collection on ebay. Please see my other items.

Postage: unfortunately, most music sheets are just too large for 'Large Letter' prices. So £4.75 within the UK. £12.00 to Europe, £18.00 to USA, etc. I will always combine shipping costs for more than one item purchased. Please put your purchases into a basket and ask me for shipping costs.

I have other antique items in my ebay shop - antique art, prints, music, maps, books etc. Please see my other items.