Historical Publication Info
History
John Walsh was a publisher, instrument maker, and music retailer, who established himself in London by 1690. Walsh was born around 1665 and was to become the pre-eminent English music publisher of his day. He was the first publisher to be named as music seller to the crown.
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Walsh began publishing in 1695; John Playford, who had dominated the field previously, was dead, and his son was inadequate as a businessman to maintain the house. Walsh thus encountered a distinct lack of competition, and "engraved music soon appeared from his premises on a scale previously unknown in England."1. Many of Walsh's editions were pirated from other publishers, and this accounts for much of the variety in his catalogue. It appears that he had managed to establish business relations with Estienne Roger by 1716, however, and his imprint and other marks can be found on several Roger prints. Walsh was astute at cost-saving, and found many ways to streamline and make more cost-effective his publications. However, he often (at least early on) provided lavish title pages for publications. Walsh was quick on the uptake, always keeping abreast of new developements and advertising to great effect. By 1710, he was widely recognized as the most important publisher in England, even though competition was springing up and piracy was rampant. Handel had Walsh print Rinaldo in 1711, and from that Walsh claimed to have made £1500.
Walsh died on March 13, 1736 (leaving from £20,000-30,000). His son, also John Walsh, took over the firm. Walsh (ii) was noted as an instrument maker, becoming appointed maker to the king in 1731. At the same time, Walsh (ii) began numbering all of the firm's publications. It was Walsh (ii) who published Handel's later works; the Organ Concerti (Op. 4) were dedicated to him. As a retailer, he sold the work of other publishers, and absorbed several smaller publishers upon their liquidation. When he died (1766), he left £40,000. William Randall took over the business until 1783, whereupon it was absorbed by Wright and Wilkinson.
Editions
Imprints, Agencies, Addresses
Imprints
- John (Iohn) Walsh and Joseph Hare (1695-ca.1730)
- John (Iohn) Walsh (ca.1730-1766)
- William Randall (1766-1783)
- Wright and Wilkinson (1783-ca.1810)
Plate Numbers
Sources Consulted
- 1. Sadie, Stanley. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
- New York and London: Macmillan Publications, 1980.
- 2. Wier, Albert E. The Macmillan Encyclopedia of Music and Musicians in One Volume
- New York: The Macmillan Co., 1938.
External Links
