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Fascinating book from which facsimiles were produced in 1965 and 2003. In 1784 a series of concerts were held to commemorate the centenary of Handel's birth and 25th anniversary of his death. Enthusiastically supported by King George I the performances were on an unprecedented scale with an orchestra of 525 and including specially made or procured instruments. Ticket admissions were 2 guineas each and elaborately produced (as reproduced in the engraved plates). Total sales made nearly 12,000 guineas, much of which went to charities. Informative and evocative, includes a near contemporary life of Handel. Rothschild 544; Hazen pp. 30-33; Fleeman p. 1570.