Catalogue of the Valuable Literary and Art Property Gathered by the Late Augustin Daly to be Disposed of at Absolute Public Sale by Order of the Executors. Part II. Books

New York: American Art Association, 1900. Hardcover. Very Good. Hardcover. SCARCE. American auction catalog for part of Augustin Daly's enormous collection. An auction in 1880 disposed of much of his collection but this auction still includes several thousand items. There were many autographs as well as manuscripts and books. Augustin Daly (1838 -1899) was one of the most influential men in American theatre during his lifetime. Drama critic, theatre manager, playwright, and adapter, he became the first recognized stage director in America. He was dramatic critic for several New York papers from 1859, and he adapted or wrote a number of plays, Under the Gaslight (1867) being his first success. In 1869 he became the manager of the Fifth Avenue Theatre on 24th St. and in 1873 the Fifth Avenue Theatre on 28th. In 1879 he rebuilt and opened Daly's Theatre at Broadway and 30th Street in New York, and, in 1893, Daly's Theatre in London. Daly formed a permanent company in New York and opened Daly's Theatre in New York in 1879 and a second one in London in 1893. At Daly's Theatre he assembled a company of players headed by well-known actress Ada Rehan. Some of the best actors of the time owed their training and early successes to him, including John Drew Jr., Maurice Barrymore, Maude Adams, Mrs. Gilbert, Tyrone Power, and Isadora Duncan. Bound in three quarter brown morocco over marbled paper covered boards. Gilt title and raised bands to spine. Top edge gilt with marbled endpapers. Minor wear to edges of boards and corners. Rubbing to boards. Bookplate of Franklin Johnston to front endpaper. Frontispiece portrait of Daly. Pencil annotation on free endpaper says that this was the copy of Douglas Taylor. In very good condition. Measures 8 x 10.5 inches. 381 pages plus 23 page listing of prices realized. BOB/060220.