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THEATER/THEATRE[
]
Early 18th-Century Jonson Collection — At End, a Most
AMBITIOUS Catalogue
(A Jonsonian Trio). Jonson, Ben. [The three celebrated plays of that excellent poet Ben Johnson]. London: Pr. for J. Walthoe, G. Conyers, J. Knapton, et al., 1732. 12mo (16.8 cm, 6.6"). Frontis., 96, 96, 100, 35, [1] pp., without the general title-page.
Click the images for enlargements. 
the Volpone plate (engraved by Jan Van der Gucht) and several pagination errata seem to indicate that this is indeed Feales's omnibus edition.
Binding: Contemporary speckled calf framed and panelled in blind with roll-bordered panel in plain calf, blind-tooled corner fleurons.
• ESTC T79993. Binding as above, rebacked some time ago with mottled calf, spine with gilt-stamped leather title-label and gilt-ruled raised bands, and gilt floral decorations in compartments; upper corners refurbished, edges and extremities rubbed, hinges (inside) cracked, volume holding. A copy without the general title-page, and with bookplate as above. First and last few leaves (including frontispiece) with offsetting to margins from pastedowns; back free endpaper with a corner torn away; pages age-toned, with some instances of mild foxing. 
A nice 18th-century look at Jonson, with the bonus of the contemporary theatrical catalogue. (35449)
A Costume Designer's Interpretation of
Gogol
(A WORKING “DOCUMENT”). Gregory, Anne. [Costume illustration for] The government inspector by Nikolay Gogol. [U.S.]: ca. 1971. (27 cm, 10.65"). 24 col. illus.
Click the images for enlargements. leporello- or accordion-style, with the entire sequence unfolding as one very long, very impressive strip ABOUT 20 FEET LONG. 
A unique and extensive work of art, offering literary, theatrical, and costuming interest in addition to its aesthetic pleasures. (36014)
Entries above are repeated in the
Wayward Wives & Shysters in Disguise
Specifically CALIFORNIAN Comedy Baer, Warren. The duke of Sacramento. San Francisco: The Grabhorn Press, 1934. 8vo. [12], 77, [1] pp.; illus.
Click the images for enlargements. • Publisher's quarter cream textured cloth with light blue fleur-de-lis printed paper sides, spine with printed paper label; lacking the blue dust-wrapper, small spot of staining at head of spine, otherwise a very nice example. (28209)
For
more of CALIFORNIA interest, click
here.
Observant & ThoughtfulBarrow, William. An essay on education; in which are particularly considered the merits and the defects of the discipline and instruction in our academies ... the second edition, corrected and enlarged. London: Pr. for F. & C. Rivington by Bye & Law, 1804. 12mo (17.2 cm, 6.75"). 2 vols. I: xxiv, 342, [2 (1 adv.)]
pp. II: iv, 412 pp. 
Click the images for enlargements. dramatic performances in schools (ill-advised and likely to lead to undesirable results, according to the author) and the state of English universities.
• NSTC B758. Contemporary half calf with marbled paper–covered sides, spines with later gilt-stamped leather labels; spines slightly darkened, corners and spine extremities rubbed. Pencilled bracketing and marks of emphasis; some light to moderate foxing. (20026)
A “Soufleuse”Bids Her Theatre GoodbyeBornhagen, Lida. Journal des National-Theaters in Bamberg. Bamberg: 1837. 12mo (17 cm, 6.75"). [12] pp.
Click the images for enlargements. 
silk-bound souvenir edition of the calendar of performances of the Bamberg National Theatre for the year 1837, along with the staff and cast list, privately printed for Lida Bornhagen in commemoration of her retirement as the house prompter in that year. A charming poem presumably written by Bornhagen, celebrating her delight in her quiet contributions to “Thalia's Temple,” opens this little volume, dedicated to theatrical patron (and father of Empress Elisabeth of Austria) Duke Maximilian Joseph in Bavaria; an affectionate and slightly melancholy farewell verse closes it. The elegant binding seems to indicate that this was
the dedicatee's copy, with the author's name inked on the front cover as seen on other volumes in his library.
Emphatically this is not “just” a keepsake: It detailsa particular year's worth of a particular theater's administrative and performance data in a nice neat “microcosmic” way that's seldom found.
Binding: Contemporary cream silk framed and panelled in gold appliqué with attached gilt corner fleurons, front cover with central teal medallion lettered “Aus Ehrfurcht gewidmet.”
No copies located via WorldCat, NUC, KVK, or COPAC.
• Binding as above, Bornhagen's name neatly inked in upper portion of front cover, front cover with small portions of appliquéd medallion-edge and borders lacking; back cover with short gap in gold appliqué at one corner and with one leaf broken off from one fleuron. Clean, crisp, and with a small repair to inner corner of front fly-leaf, this is avery pretty association item. (34155)
Deluxe Signed Limited Edition PUBLISHER'S COPY: Life of a Science Fiction Pioneer
(Bradbury, Ray). Weist, Jerry. BRADBURY: An illustrated life. A journey to far metaphor. Hampton Falls, NH: Donald M. Grant, 2004. Folio (29.2 cm, 11.5"). [36], xxvi, 195, [1] pp.; illus.
Click the images for enlargements. 32 pages of material not present in the trade edition (incorporated here after the William Morrow title-page dated 2002, marked first edition): the volume opens with the previously unpublished “The Ghosts of Forever: A Film Fantasy,” illustrated by Joseph A. Mugnaini, and “Switch on the Night,” a reproduction of portions of Bradbury's original manuscript bearing his own illustrations. The foreword is by Donn Albright, and the introduction by Bradbury. 
A total of 26 lettered copies were issued in the binding described above. In addition to beingsigned by Bradbury and Weist on the title-page, the present example is anout-of-series copy marked (in red ink, on the title-page) as the publisher's copy.
Mr. Brecht, Bring Down This “Fourth Wall” Brecht, Bertolt. The threepenny opera. New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1982. Folio (28.4 cm, 11.2"). 155, [3] pp.; illus.
Click the images for enlargements. 12 full-page illustrations are reproductions of Jack Levine's etchings of scenes from G.W. Pabst's 1931 film version of The Threepenny Opera, and one three-color lithograph
pulled by Emiliano Sorini specially for this edition. Howard I. Gralla designed the book choosing a 12-point Walbaum font with two points leading-space between the lines.
The colophon is signed by both the designer and the illustrator. This offering includes the monthly newsletter.
Binding: Full black linen, stamped in gold on the front cover from a design by Levine. The slipcase is covered with black paper and bears a gilt title on the spine.
Binding, slipcase, and illustrations all properly evoke the grittiness of the London underworld.
• Bibliography of the Fine Books Published by the Limited Editions Club, 529. Bound as above, in publisher's slipcase; black paper peeling slightly at upper spine edge. A fine copy in a near-fine slipcase. (30475)
For
more LIMITED EDITIONS CLUB
Political / Jurisprudential / Theatrical SATIRE [Broome, Ralph]. Letters from Simpkin the second to his dear brother in Wales, containing an humble description of the trial of William Hastings, Esq. with Simon's answer. Dublin:P. Byrne & J. Moore, 1788. 8vo (18.5 cm, 7.25"). 46 pp. (lacking half-title).
Click the images for enlargements. • ESTC N2497. Recent marbled-paper wrappers, front wrapper with paper title label. Lacking half-title. Title-page with lower corner neatly off, otherwise in excellent, clean condition. (3247)
For WALES / WELSH, click here.
Why the Believers Believed . . .Chalmers, George. An apology for the believers in the Shakspeare-papers, which were exhibited in Norfolk-Street. London: Thomas Egerton, 1797. 8vo (21.2 cm, 8.4"). iv, 628 pp.; 1 plt.
Click the interior image for an enlargement. • ESTC T138271; Lowndes, II, 404; Allibone, 2036. Recent quarter morocco over marbled paper–covered sides, spine with gilt-stamped title and gilt-stamped decorations in compartments. Title-page and a few others stamped by a now-defunct institution; pages slightly age-toned, one with pencilled underlining/emphasis. (14476)
Why the Believers Believed — A SupplementChalmers, George. A supplemental apology for the believers in the Shakspeare-papers: Being a reply to Mr. Malone’s answer, which was early announced, but never published. London: Thomas Egerton, 1799. 8vo (21.2 cm, 8.4"). vii, 654, [2] pp.
Click the interior image for an enlargement. • ESTCT61515; Allibone, 2036; Lowndes, II, 404. Recent quarter morocco over marbled paper–covered sides, spine with gilt-stamped title and gilt-stamped decorations in compartments. Title-page and a few others stamped by a now-defunct institution; pages age-toned. (14475)
For BIBLIO-FRAUD &
“In Xanadu Did Kulba Khan” & Two Coleridge Heroines — First & Second EditionsColeridge, Samuel Taylor. Christabel, &c. London: Pr. for John Murray by William Bulmer & Co., 1816. 8vo (21.5 cm, 8.4"). [2], [v]–vii, [1], 64 pp. (2 prelim. ff. lacking). [with] Zapolya: A Christmas tale, in two parts. London: Pr. for Rest Fenner by S. Curtis, 1817. 8vo. [6], 128 pp. 
Click the images for enlargements. first edition of Zapolya, Coleridge's last dramatic endeavor, which was originally intended for production at Covent Garden. Also present here, following the title piece, are “Kubla Khan” and “The Pains of Sleep.”
An unusual DOUBLE highlight of Coleridgiana. (33141)
“LA ESCENA SE FINGE EN AMERICA”RACE Is Right Up FrontComella, Luciano Francisco. Pieza en un acto, titulada El negro sensible. [colophon: Valencia: Imprenta de Laborda], no date [ca. 1820?]. Small 4to. [8] pp.
Click the image for an enlargement. Some years later Fernandez de Lizardi, in Mexico, wrote a sequel ending differently that has been called “the first antiracist piece of literature written in America.”
Printed on good quality wove paper. 
Searches of WorldCat and CCPBE locate only one hard copy of this edition.
• On Lizardi's sequel, 1825, see: Doris Sommer, The Places of History: Regionalism Revisited in Latin America. Folded as issued, never stitiched or cut. Unopened. A very little foxing, creasing. (37123)
“Un Hombre Como Yo de Tal Nobleza . . . ”Concha, Josef [José]. Monologo unipersonal titulado: Don Anton el Holgazan. [Madrid]: El Puesto de Josef Sanchez, [ca. 1799-1803]. 4to (21.2 cm, 8.4"). 8 pp.
Click the images for enlargements. no U.S. institutional holdings of this uncommon piece.
• Removed from a nonce volume, upper edges untrimmed; waterstaining to lower inner portion throughout, and light foxing. A scarce find. (36584)
Illustrations
& Design by
T.M.
Cleland
Congreve, William. The way of the world. New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1959. Small folio. [1 (blank)] p., [1 (blank)] f., [1], illus. double-spread title-page, [1], vii-xxiii, [1], 108, [2 (1 blank)] pp., [1 (blank)] f., [1 (blank)] p.; illus.
T.M. Cleland illustrated the book with 16 hand-colored drawings of actors in period costume performing scenes from the play; he also designed it, choosing a monotype Janson font and a full maroon linen binding elaborately and charmingly blind-embossed on both covers. A contrastingly simple black leather spine label is stamped in gold with author and title.
This offering includes the monthly newsletter and mailing notice. T.M. Cleland signs the colophon.
• Limited Editions Club, Bibliography of the Fine Books Published by The Limited Editions Club, 1929-1985, 301. A fine copy with the slipcase.
Bridgewater Library Set Corneille, Pierre. Le theatre de P. Corneille. Paris: Gandouin, 1738. 8vo. 5 vols. in 6. 
• Contemporary calf. Gilt spines, rebacked and original spines reapplied. Spines very dry, chipped with some loss and lacking title labels, but with new volume labels. (2927)
For BOOKS IN FRENCH, click here.
“Then On to Meet Gaspar Maillol”Craig, Edward Gordon. Gordon Craig's Paris diary, 1932–1933. North Hills, PA: Bird & Bull Press, 1982. Small 4to (22 cm; 8.625"). 154 pp., [1 (colophon)] f., col. facsims.
Click the images for enlargements. First printing. The diary has been reduced in length by about one-third for publication and edited by Colin Franklin. It covers a low point in Craig's life, but is detailed and tells of his friends Beerbohm, Isadora Duncan, Lovat Fraser, and others; the more offensive anti-Semitic, pro-Nazi comments were omitted.
“Three hundred fifty copies of tYay!his book have been printed at the Bird & Bull Press in March 1982. The text is composed in Baskerville types by Mackenzie-Harris Corp., printed on mouldmade Bugrabutten paper and bound by Gray Parrot. This is copy No. 149.”
FYI: Original publication price was $160. And it's still a lovely book.
• Heaney, Thirty years of Bird & Bull, A34. Publisher's quarter tan goat with tan and white paper sides. Clean and fresh. (36133)
Bite-Sized
Theatrical Morsels
inFancy
Dress — Signed
Bindings
Cruz, Ramón de la. Sainetes de D. Ramón de la Cruz. Barcelona: Biblioteca “Arte y Letras” E. Domenech y Ca., 1882. 8vo (20.5 cm, 8"). 2 vols. I: [4], xliii, [1], 338, [2] pp.; 16 plts. (some incl. in pagination). II: [4], 343, [5] pp.; 5 plts.
Click the images for enlargements. 21
plates and numerous in-text engravings by José Llovera
and A. Lizcano, most depicting lively social scenes, musicians, dancers, and
flirtatious maidens. Although the second volume contains fewer plates than the
first, it makes up for the difference with extra in-text images.
Signed Binding: Publisher's teal pebbled cloth, front covers with striking chariot and armorial scene in light blue, tan, and gilt. The “Cibeles” statue found in Madrid's Cibeles Plaza and the coat of arms (and gilt monogram) of the city of Madrid appear with de la Cruz's name stamped in gilt below; spines offer gilt-stamped title and black-stamped griffin decoration. Cover of vol. II is signed “J. Orba.” All page edges are stamped in a Greek key pattern in blue and gilt.
Provenance: Half-titles each with old-fashioned rubber-stamp of José Carmona y Ramos.
• Palau 65340. Bindings as above, edges and extremities
showing minor shelfwear, back cover of vol. I with small spots of faint discoloration,
front joint of vol. II rubbed. Collector's stamp as above, each front pastedown
with small paper label bearing hand-inked numeral. Pages age-toned; edges
slightly embrittled, occasionally with small chips or short tears. Scattered
light smudges in vol. I; vol. II with mild to moderate foxing. A
peacocky set. (29262)
For
more books in handsome PUBLISHER'S CLOTH, click
here. For
the HISPANIC MISCELLANY, click here.
An 1892 YALE DissertationDavidson, Charles. Studies in the English mystery plays. A thesis presented to the Philosophical Faculty of Yale University. New Haven: Yale University, 1892. 8vo. 174 pp.
• Fair in printed paper wrappers, front cover torn nearly in half. (438)
A Plea forMercy & Justice — Barbarian Press EditionDickens, Charles. The chimes or, some bells that rang an old year out & a new year in: A goblin drama, in 4 quarters. Mission, British Columbia: Barbarian Press, 1985. 8vo (27.4 cm, 10.75"). [4], xi, [1], 72 pp.; illus.
Click the images for enlargements. striking wood-engraved illustrations by Colin Paynton. This was only the Barbarian Press's second publication, following up their initial offering of a pirated play based on Dickens's Christmas Carol — although unlike that work, this theatrical presentation was actually approved by Dickens. The present example isnumbered copy 136 of 150 printed.
The colophon tells of the making of this handsome volume: “It was designed and hand set in English Scotch Roman by Crispin Elsted & printed by Jan Elsted on Zerkall mouldmade paper. Colin Paynton's illustrations & devices were printed from the wood on an 1850 super royal Albion & the text on a 1907 Chandler and Price. The binding was carried out at the Rasmussen Bindery in North Vancouver, B.C.”
• Publisher's tan cloth with printed paper onlay, spine with printed paper label, in original matching slipcase; slipcase showing very faintest traces of wear to lower corners, volume crisp and clean. Virtually pristine. (36989)
“WOMEN'S THEATER” — San Francisco 1923
Dramatic-Musical Society of San Francisco. [drop-title] The Dramatic-Musical Society of San Francisco. Seventh performance of the 1922–1923 season. Friday, April 20, 1923 at 2:30 o'clock. San Francisco: Dramatic Musical Society, 1923. 8vo. [1] f. (verso blank).
• Fine. (19234)
For
more of WOMEN's interest, click
here.
An Artist's View of the
Early Development of American Art Dunlap, William. History of the rise and progress of the arts of design in the United States. New York: George P. Scott & Co., 1834. 8vo (24.6 cm, 9.7"). 2 vols. I: 435, [1] pp.; 1 facs. II: viii, 480 pp.
Click the images for enlargements. a playwright, manager of New York’s
Park Theatre, and vice president of the National Academy
of Design. Here reverting to his first “life,” he provides interesting
biographical accounts, full of anecdotes and personal observations, of numerous
prominent American artists and their works. Vol. I features a facsimile of an
autograph bill of sale, for portraits, by John Singleton Copley.
• On Dunlap, see: Oxford Companion to the Theatre, 211. American Imprints 24237; BAL 5026; Howes D571; Sabin 21303. Publisher's quarter green diced cloth and tan paper–covered sides, spines with gilt-stamped title; edges and extremities rubbed, corners bumped, spines sunned, sides with spots of staining and discoloration. Front hinges (inside) tender. Ex–social club library: spines with paper shelving labels, front pastedowns with 19th-century bookplates and inked shelving numbers, title-pages and one other in each volume rubber-stamped, no other markings. Some outer corners of vol. II lightly waterstained; a very few instances of small spots of staining. (27558)
For
ART REFERENCE, click here.
 TO Part
II |