New York: T.H. Morrell, 1866-1867. One of 60 copies of the quarto edition. According to penciled notes on the free front endpaper of Volume I, this was the publisher's own copy, with occasional annotations throughout by the author. There are also two letters tipped in from the author to the publisher at page 100 of Volume I.

This is a monumental history of New York City theatre by Joseph Ireland (1817-1898). Joseph Norton Ireland, one of the major early historians of the American theater, entered his father's business after graduating from high school in his native New York. Leaving the company in 1855 and retiring to Bridgeport, Connecticut, Ireland devoted the rest of his life to studying and writing about the stage. His history is organized chronologically by theatre season and then by theatre. It compiles a prodigious amount of information about every performance at the major New York theatres, its dates and its cast. He writes about how well the performances and the actors and actresses were received. In addition, Ireland offers detailed personal and professional information about the performers and other important theatrical figures of the time. His comments are entertaining as well as enlightening. He also provides interesting details about the exterior and interior appearance of the important theatres of the time. Ireland's occasional annotations to the text in Morrell's copies appear to be to update information about various performers for later editions of the book. Many are about the deaths of actors that occurred after the book was published. Others offer a more detailed biography, news of a marital separation, or a date correction.

Bound by Oldach & Co. in brown leather with spine with raised bands and gilt titling. Leather in corners and along spine is somewhat rubbed and scuffed, particularly on Volume II. Because of the volumes' size, the hinges are weak or partly cracked and have been reinforced with tape along the newer pastedowns and first free endpapers. Interior pages are clean and bright with slightest aging to margins. Overall in very good condition. Volume I: 663 pages; Volume II: 746 pages including index and list of subscribers. Measures 9.5 x 12 x 3 inches. DRAMA/110421.

Item #35425

Price: $1,200.00