Her Majesty's Ship Pinafore: by Gilbert, W[illiam] S[hwenck], 1836-1911 - December 2, 1878 or, The lass that loved a sailor : an entirely original comic opera, in two acts

Boston: Oliver Ditson, December 2, 1878. Good/Gilbert and Sullivan's first great success, HMS Pinafore, opened in London in May 1878. Saturation was so thorough that "unauthorized" productions sprang up. The first American production took place at the Boston Museum, November 25, 1878. This copy of Gilbert's libretto is dated December 2, 1878 on the Dramatis Personae page, and 1879 on the upper wrap, placing it among the earliest American printings available. In the absence of hard evidence, one can reasonably assume that the sheets from one of the earliest productions were utilized into 1879 with freshly printed wraps.. 19 cm; 31 pages, ads. Printed self wraps, illustrated with publisher's full-page wood-engraved ad on lower wrap. Upper wrap unevenly toned; sewing tender but holding firm. Lower edge slightly bumped.