YORK MINSTER MUSIC Anthems: for Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, and eight Voices

Full sheep binding with blind double fillet framing the boards. Ownership signature of ‘Ann Gelson’ to the first flyleaf (noted in the parish registers of Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York, died 1786). Frontispiece by John Haynes depicting York, Durham and Lincoln cathedrals where these anthems were performed. Woodcuts interspersed through the text. Thomas Gent is recorded on the colophon as the printer - he obtained his print business by marriage and his work has a pleasingly distinctive vigour. Collates complete: xx, pp140. ESTC 5 British locations, not Cambridge; 3 US

Ellway was organist at St Michael Le Belfrey in York from 1731-1751, before becoming the Master of the Boys at York Minister. This collection which was augmented from its first edition forms part of a wider trend towards publishing the, by now, firmly established form of the cathedral anthem. The anthems are preceded by detailed listings of preachers and feasts observed at the three northern cathedrals of York, Durham and Ripon.