Pinero, Arthur Wing

The Second Mrs. Tanqueray

London: William Heinemann, 1894. Hard Cover. A UNIQUE COPY OF THE FIRST PUBLISHED EDITION of Pinero’s most famous play about a “woman with a past” who marries an upper-class gentleman with a young, impressionable daughter. The previous owner, obviously a dedicated admirer of the play, has tipped-in numerous illustrations of the author and members of the original cast, reviews of the play, and other related ephemera. The ephemeral items include pasted down signatures of the author, publisher, and cast members including George Alexander and Mrs. Patrick Campbell. Mrs. Campbell, one of the most successful English stage actresses of her time, became a star as a result of her performance in this play. The original program from the opening night, dated May 27, 1893, is pasted down to the rear end pages. An original photograph from the play depicting Mrs. Patrick Campbell and George Alexander has been pasted down inside of the program. In very good condition in original dark green cloth covered boards with green title to spine and dark green title to front board. There is some chipping to head of spine and minor rubbing to boards but this is otherwise a very nice copy. 195 pages. DRA/091908. Very Good.