POEMS AND PLAYS: To Which Is Prefixed THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR.
London: B. Newbery and T. Johnson, 1780. Early edition with the ten-page "Life of the Author" added. The first edition was published in Dublin in 1777. Engraved title page; final leaf with contents listed on recto and with verso stating: "This edition contains several additions and corrections never before printed; being the only perfect one ever published of this celebrated author's poems." on the divisional title page for "She Stoops to Conquer," the date of the first printing is given as 1772 instead of 1773. Pages 12 and 253 misnumbered 11 and 221. No front endpaper or frontis portrait present. The first page is the title page, which is neatly trimmed at the top (affecting margin only), shows bleed-through from previous owner's name and date (1838) on verso, and is partially detached. This copy contains three full-page illustrations, which we believe is the correct number based on other copies on OCLC. Full polished calf with 5 raised bands and leather label that is worn but still readable. Penciled and inked notes on unprinted end sheets, faint old damp stains to last several leaves, otherwise text block is clean and relatively free from foxing and staining; signature K2 (pp.161-180) loose but still holding.
Item #52806
Price: $200.00