Description

GAY, John (1685-1732). The Beggar's opera […] The tenth edition. London, Printed by W. Strahan, T. Lowndes, T. Caslon […] and W. Griffin, 1768. 62, [2: Table of the Songs], [4: Books, Pamphlets, and Plays, printed for William Griffin at Garrick's-Head, Catherine-Street, Strand] pp. Fist printed in 1728 and first performed on 29 January 1728 at Lincoln's Inn Fields, this satirical ballad opera on the royal court was an immediate triumph. A satire of the Italian opera, the play “had several consequences, one of which was the death of the vogue for Italian opera in England. [It also inspired] a host of imitations, parodies, and Beggar-mania bric-à-brac, ranging from playing cards to fans and fire screens […] It was performed nearly every year until the 1880s. Revived in 1920 by Nigel Playfair at the Lyric, Hammersmith, it ran without a break for 1463 performances, the longest run of any opera” (ODNB).
(bound with:)
BUCKINGHAM, George Villiers, Duke of (1628-1687). The rehearsal: with a key, or critical view of the Authors, and their Writings, exposed in this play […] The Seventeenth Edition. As acted at the Theatres Royal, with the new occasional prologue, written by Paul Whitehead, Esq; on opening Covent Garden Theatre, September the 14th, 1767. London, Printed for T. Waller, T. Longman, T. Caslon, A. and C. Corbett, T. Lownds, &c., 1768. 81, [3: Advertisements for A. and C. Corbett] pp. An attack upon John Dryden and other contemporary dramatists.
(bound with:)
VANBRUGH, John (1664-1726). The provok'd wife. A comedy. As it is acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane, and Covent-Garden. London, Printed for J. and R. Tonson, T. Waller, T. Longman, T. Lownds, T. Caslon, C. Corbett, W. Nicoll, and S. Bladon, 1765. 84 pp. including an engraved frontispiece and publishers' advertisements (pp. 81-84).
(bound with:)
CENTLIVRE, Susanna (1667?-1723). The wonder! A woman keeps a secret. A comedy. As it is now acted at the Theatres-Royal in Drury-Lane and Covent Garden. The Seventh Edition. London, Printed for T. Lowndes, T. Caslon, W. Nicoll, and W. Griffin, 1770. 71, [1] pp. including an engraved frontispiece.
Four works in one volume, 12mo (173x109 mm). Contemporary marbled boards, label with the number “1580” pasted on the spine (the number is also pencilled on first title page). Spine worn, a bit loose, browned and foxed, but genuine. Nice Sammelband of four English plays of the beginning of the 18th century.