London: Richard Bentley, 1839. Hardcover. Charles Mathews, (1776 —1835, Plymouth, Devon), prominent English stage personality and theatre manager who, renowned for his genius at mimicry and for his wit, was among the leading comedians of his day [Britannica]. This typical theatrical memoir of the period was written by his wife. Second edition of volumes I and II, and first editions of volumes III and IV. The four volumes were issued as a set when the last two volumes were published. Bound in three quarter blue leather with marbled paper boards, endpapers, and page edges. Leather is scuffed and chipped and gilt decorated spines have faded. Scattered foxing and spotting to text pages and plates but still very good. There is a steel-engraved frontis to each volume and thirteen other plates. Five of these are exceptional double-page tinted lithographs of theatrical scenes. Octavo volumes. Volume I: 433 pages; Volume II: 469 pages; Volume III: 650 pages; Volume IV: 503 pages including an appendix listing all of the over 600 characters played by Mathews. Very Good.

Item #35235

Price: $100.00