“THE FIRST TOPIC OF EVERY TONGUE, IN THE DAYS OF HER GLORY”

DALY, Augustin. Woffington. A Tribute to the Actress and the Woman. No place: printed for the author, 1888. Folio (12 by 16 inches), original patterned green cloth gilt, top edge gilt, uncut. $250.

Signed limited first edition of this biography of the famous 18th-century actress, number 135 of only 150 signed by the author, additionally inscribed by him on the title page, “For J. Henry Harper, Esq., with the regards of Augustin Daly.”

Woffington was as famous for her personal life as for her acting, living openly with actor David Garrick and having numerous other well-known love affairs. The author of this work, Augustin Daly, was the most important theatrical producer and director in post-Civil War America. His initial fame rested on his abilities as a playwright, but “Daly mastered all aspects of theater and was an important innovator, particularly in acting and directing, but also in lighting and scenery. His accomplishments as manager of the most successful theater company in American history remain impressive… [he opened] Daly’s Theatre at Broadway and Thirtieth Street in 1879. For the next two decades Daly’s remained the theater of choice among New York society and a necessary stop for visitors to the city” (ANB). With 13 engraved plates.

Interior with scattered light foxing, mild staining to cloth. An extremely good copy.