Quincy Porter, '12 songs for Helen on Mother Goose rhymes', with illustrations by Buckland Wright
The '12 songs for Helen on Mother Goose rhymes' were the result of a collaboration between the composer Quincy Porter and the artist John Buckland-Wright at a time when both men were working in Paris, Porter on a Guggenheim Fellowship and Buckland-Wright at the Atelier 17 studio. The songs were written in celebration of the arrival of Porter's new-born daughter Helen. Only five of the illustrations were completed so the work was never published.
Contains:
- Quincy Porter, '12 songs for Helen on Mother Goose rhymes'. For voice and piano. Autograph manuscript in a French commercial manuscript book. Songs dated between 4 Mar and 6 May.
- Buckland-Wright's engravings. 5 different images, most hand-coloured on folded sheets, some in more than one version: 'There was a Piper' (in colour, with additional monochrome pull); 'Ding-Dong Bell' (2 colour versions); 'Little Boy Blue' (2 versions in colour); 'Pussy Cat' (monochrome engraving); 'Little Bo-Peep' (monochrome engraving).
- Quincy Porter, 'String Quartet no. III'. Score. Dyeline (or similar) reproduction of the composer's manuscript. Inscribed: 'For John and Mary Bell with deepest affection, from Quincy. Feb. 18, 1931 (date of first performance)'.
Dates
- Creation: 1931
Extent
1 box
Language of Materials
- English
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. Mus. c. 834].
Shelfmark:
MS. Mus. c. 834
Collection ID (for staff)
CMD ID.24327
Abstract
Quincy Porter, '12 songs for Helen on Mother Goose rhymes', with illustrations by Buckland Wright
Biographical / Historical
Quincy Porter (1897-1966) was an American composer, viola player and teacher who studied at Yale with Horatio Parker and in Paris with Vincent d'Indy. For the last twenty years of his life he was Professor of Music at Yale. For more information, see Grove Music Online.
Buckland Wright (1897-1954) was born in New Zealand, moving to England in 1908. He studied history at Oxford and architecture in London but was attracted more to the visual arts, particularly engraving. He lived and worked in Belgium, Paris and London. For more information, see Benezit Dictionary of Artists.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Bought, Blackwell's Rare Books, July 2025 ['Private Press I' catalogue (Summer 2025), item 1].
Physical Facet
Components stored in a quarter-leather, cloth-covered box with the name 'Alexandra Buckland-Wright' (the artist's grand-daughter) written inside. Gilt lettering on spine: 'Twelve Songs for Helen. Quincy Porter. Illustrated by John Buckland Wright. 1931'.
- Title
- Catalogue of Quincy Porter, '12 songs for Helen on Mother Goose rhymes', with illustrations by Buckland Wright
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Martin Holmes
- Date
- 2026
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Edition statement
- First edition.
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk