Famous Prima Donnas by Strang, Lewis C.

Third impression of first ed., 1900; 270 p., clean and unmarked except for discreet stamp of "Otis Free Public Library" on front paste-down--no other library marks or labels; deckle edges; TEG; lovely end papers with green Tudor design with red escutcheons and open book designs; many lovely photo-portraits of the leading ladies of musical comedies (not grand opera) of the day, including frontis. with tissue guard of Edna May as Violet Grey in "The Belle of New York;" on front board is applique of oval gilt-edged photo-portrait of perhaps Alice Neilsen (evidently someone so famous as to not need to be labeled) surrounded by pink irises; binding is firm; light gray boards a bit smudged and bumped; gilt lettering on spine is bright. This fascinating history fleshes out the biographies of several actresses, notably Marie Dressler, Number One at the movie box office in the early 1930s, but no longer singing, alas. The photo-portraits alone make this volume a treasure.