Stamitz, Carl Philipp. (1745 - 1801). Six Duets For two German Flutes Composed by Charles Stamitz. [Together with:] Six Duets For two German Flutes Composed by Sigr. Biagio Vannacci. [And:] Fischer's Duets. Primo [and Secondo]. [And:] Graaf's Duets. Primo [and Secondo]. - EIGHTEENTH CENTURY MANUSCRIPT SCORES. In an unidentified copyist hand, an unrecorded set of six duos by the German composer of partial Czech ancestry, the most prominent representative of the second generation of the Mannheim School.

Two oblong folio volumes (9 1/4 x 11 5/8 inches; 235 x 295 mm.). Written very neatly in black ink on ten-stave paper. At head of each page in the first volume: "Flauto Primo" and "Flauto Secondo." Paginated in ink. [1, title], 1- 22, [1, blank]; [1, title], 23-35; [1, title], 36-47, [1, blank]; [1, title], 48-63, [1, blank]. Volume 2: [1, title], 1- 22, [1, blank]; [1, title], 23-35; [1, title], 36-47, [1, blank]; [1, title], 48-63, [1, blank] pages. Volume 2 with a leaf inserted between pages 62 and 63 beginning "Larghetto," and two smaller leaves inserted between the front endpapers: "I prithee give me back my Heart," with the words to the song on the verso, and "Vous L'Ordonnez," each with six staves. Manuscript list of contents on front free endpaper of each volume. Free endpapers on Duett's Primo with watermark: "S. Lay" and horizontal chainlines. Music leaves with vertical chainlines, and watermark: "G R" (beneath a lyre?) on a few leaves and "J WHATMAN" on pages 35/36.

Contemporary quarter brown calf over marbled boards. Spines ruled in gilt with four slightly raised bands and burgundy morocco label ruled and lettered in gilt. Spine titles: Duett's Primo and Duett's Secondo. Binding lightly rubbed, with some loss at spine extremities. Corners of endpapers browned from leather corners. Staining to upper edge of page 47. On pages 2/3 in Duett's Primo, the ink has eaten through paper in last bar of fifth stave. A very attractive set. Book label on front pastedown.