[Haydn, Joseph. (1732–1809)]. 1809 Gentleman's Magazine with Haydn and Thomas Paine Obituaries. The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle. For July, 1809. Disbound, from a larger volume with traces of leather and string along spine.


Founded by Edward Cave (1691 - 1754) under the pen name of Sylvanus Urban, the British monthly was one of the earliest magazines published, and one of the most successful, remaining in print for over 175 years. It was the first publication in history to utilize the title “Magazine," and it features articles on a variety of subjects, including pages summarizing the most notable news of the month at home and abroad, "obituaries, with anecdotes, of remarkable persons", the month's activities in Parliament etc. The highlight of the present issue is the obituary, p. 678, of the composer who died on 31 May: "In Guppendorff, aged 76, Joseph Haydn, the celebrated composer... justly considered as the Father of Musick in our day..." with a bit more about his career. On the opposite page is a report: "At New York, the notorious Thomas Pain [sic]; whose death is an admonitory event; may the lesson that it inculcates be impressive..." Complete in 90 pages, 5 by 8 inches, full title/contents page with an engraving of St. John's Gate. Nice condition.