Woffington: A Tribute to the Actress and the Woman

Philadelphia : Privately Printed for Augustin Daly , 1888. First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 15.5" by 11.5". Unnamed. A very scarce first and limited edition of this charming tribute to Peg Woffington, illustrating her life and career as an actress by Augustin Daly. Signed and inscribed by the author, printed on large paper, and illustrated throughout. A limited edition to one hundred and fifty copies signed by the author to the limitation page, this volume being number eighty four. A very scarce book, last seen in auction in 1987. This copy is also inscribed and signed by the author to the title page, "For A. Oakley, Hall Esq, one of my earliest friends in literature," dated May 1888. A tribute to the Irish actress and woman that was Peg Woffington (Margaret), illustrating here life and career. With a prologue, and exploring her life from the cradle to her death in 1760, discussing her roles and career development, as well as her experiences as a woman in the Georgian era, with and Addenda section with a list of parts played by Woffington, Woffington's Ghost, a Modony to Wofington's memory, and an index to the rear.With the errata leaf bound in to the rear.Profusely illustrated throughout. Collated, complete with frontispiece and fifteen plates.Loosely inserted in this book, a review of this volume from The Sunday Review, dated 1888. In the original publisher's gilt-blocked cloth with doublers endpapers. Externally very smart with only slight shelfwear and a slight bumping to the head and tail of the spine and extremities. Minor damp marking to the tail lower edge of the front and rear board. Signed by the author to the title and limitations page, "For A Oakey, Hall Esq, one of my earliest friends in literature," dated May 1888. With a small library bookplate to the front pastedown. Loosely inserted, a review of this volume from The Sunday Review, dated 1888. Internally, binding is firm. Slight spotting to the fore edge, only affecting the first and last few leaves. Slight tidemark to the upper and lower extremity to the recto and verso frontispiece, affecting a couple of plates, and minor offsetting to the title page. Otherwise, internally pages are generally bright and clean throughout. Profusely illustrated throughout. Collated, complete with frontispiece and fifteen plates. Very Good