A specially bound volume containing ten of Gounod’s London-published songs, all signed and inscribed in pencil on the upper wrapper to the English actor Arthur Cecil Blunt (stage name Arthur Cecil, 1843–1896): ‘To my friend Arthur C. Blunt. Ch, Gounod’. The songs, of which eight are in English, one in French, and one in Italian, all date from the years 1870–74 when Gounod lived in England, residing for three of those years in the home of Harry and Georgina Weldon in Tavistock Square, London. Three of the songs here are dedicated to Mrs Weldon, two others are described as ‘sung by Mrs Weldon’, and one is dedicated to her husband.

Arthur Cecil Blunt was an actor, comedian, playwright and theatre manager. He appeared in numerous comedies, farces, operettas and burlesques, and was particularly active during the years of Gounod’s London stay.

The contents of the volume comprise:

Maid of Athens, set to music and dedicated to Byron’s original Maid of Athens, Mrs Black. London, Goddard & Co., [1873]; pp. 7; plate no. 133.

Loins du pays, (Far from my native mountains.) Song, the words and music by Ch. Gounod. [The English translation by Miss Horace Smith.] London, Goddard & Co., [1873]; pp. 4; plate no. 154.

A lay of the early spring, words by Miss Horace Smith. London, Rudall, Carte & Co., [1873]; pp. 9.

Oh, Happy Home! Oh, Blessed Flower! Song, verses by Ed. Maitland. London, Rudall, Carte & Co., [1872]; pp. 7, [1, advertisements].

If thou art sleeping maiden awake! Words by Longfellow. London, Goddard & Co., [1873]; pp. 5, [1, advertisements]; plate no. 153.

Passed away, song, the words by Edwin Saunders. London, Lamborn Cock & Co., [1872]; pp. 5; plate no. 808a.

La fauvette, chanson, paroles de Millevoye. London, Novello, Ewer & Co., [1870]; pp. 5, [1, advertisements]; plate no. 4738.

When in the early morn, song, written by Edward Maitland. London, Wood & Co., [1870]; pp. 7, [1, advertisments]; plate no. 1579.

The better land, song, verses by Felicia Hemans. London, Duff & Stewart, [c. 1870]; pp. 9; plate no. 3445.

Biondina, canzonetta, parole di Giuseppe Zaffira. London, Duff & Stewart, [1873]; pp. 7, [1, advertisements]; plate no. 3446.

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