London: Watts & Co., [1898?]. Hardcover. Rare. A Presentation Copy, inscribed "To Joseph Fay from his old friend Arthur B Moss 25 June 98.” The Workman's Foe concerns a man who succeeds in becoming a manager in a large firm and then turns upon the workmen who helped him climb the ladder, making their lives unendurable. Paul the Rebel is the story of a would-be anarchist whose mission is to blow up a bank. He ends up being blown up by his own bomb. Bound in brown cloth with titles and author in gilt to cover and original wraps bound in. Water staining on pastedowns and free endpapers, partially affecting the inscription. Some pages are loose and the paper has browned. The cloth binding is slightly rubbed and worn, but an extraordinary survival story as radical plays by a working-class author were printed in extremely perishable form. According to press notices reprinted on the original paper wrappers, both plays were actually performed in local theaters in London. No original copies in WorldCat, one of two known copies - the other is in the James Ellis collection of Victorian drama. Very good condition given the fragility of the items. Workman's Foe: 16 pages; Paul the Rebel: 14 pages. DRA/013113. Very Good.

Item #26620

Price: $500.00