CARCASSI’S METHOD FOR THE GUITAR, 1853, IN ORIGINAL PAPER BOARDS

CARCASSI, Matteo. New and Improved Method for the Guitar. Boston: Oliver Ditson, (1853). Quarto, original blue paper boards rebacked. $1500.

Early American edition of Carcassi’s famed classical guitar manual, with woodcut frontispiece depicting the proper way to hold a guitar, and including a brief introduction to musical notation.

Carcassi’s Method (Op. 59) is still in use today as an instructional manual for beginning classical guitarists, and is “the first to tell how to play pizzicato with the guitar” (Annala & Mätlik, Handbook of Guitar and Lute Composers, 62). The Italian concert guitarist’s fame was eclipsed by that of his countryman and contemporary Ferdinando Carulli, who also authored a guitar “method.” First published in Paris in 1836. Text in English and French in parallel columns. This edition includes guitar duet arrangements for 12 songs popular in the United States at the time of publication. Faint owner signatures.

Scattered light foxing to interior. Some staining and soiling to original paper boards; mild wear to extremities. An extremely good copy. Rare.