before the händelgesellschaft, at least two collected editions of handel's works had been produced. samuel arnold's 180-volume collection was produced between 1787 and 1797—however, it was far from complete, and included, for example, only five of handel's 42 italian operas. the other major collection was produced by the english handel society (founded by sir george macfarren) between 1843 and 1858—however, it too was incomplete.