"Honest Dog Rover Ballad. Dedicated as a Token of Esteem & Regard to Edward Westall Esq., (of Croydon) by the Author, Thomas Weller, and the composer JW Hobbs. Published by Thomas Weller, no.2 High st., Croydon, and Duff & Hodgson, 65, Oxford Street, London."

A scarce and genuine Victorian music sheet, with an illustrated cover. The subject of the ballad is the regret felt by the owner on the death of his faithful Spaniel.

An interesting sheet published by Thomas Weller (c1810 - 1867), who had a clock and jewellery business at No. 2 High Street, Croydon. The sheet has been inscribed at the top in ink "Thomas Weller to his friend Mr Thomas Ellis."

The sheet carries a lovely lithograph of Rover by Augustus Butler (1817 - 1863). Born in Devon, Butler ran a successful printing business in London from 1842.

The music was written John William Hobbs (1799 - 1877) was also a Croydon resident, described on the Edinburgh University Reid site as a "tenor, chorister, popular singer, and composer."

Edward Westall was almost certainly the 'general surgeon' born 1808, died 1878.

Whilst not being a major musical find, this sheet forms a lovely Victorian item with strong Croydon connections.

Size and number of pages: the sheet measures approx. 36.5cms x 26cms. Music complete on 5 pages.

Condition: Pages almost loose. Signed inscription at the top. Margins a little marked and tatty at the edges, but generally in a good condition. Music complete on 5 pages. 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 £4.00 within the UK. £10.00 to Europe, £15.00 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.