The Thespian Dictionary; or, Dramatic Biography of the Present Age

A scarce copy of this brilliant little compendium of the lives of English actors, playwrights, directors and managers throughout history up until the early 19th century. Second Edition. 'Containing sketches of the lives, lists of the productions, various merits etc of all the principal dramatists, composers, commentators, managers, actors and actresses, of the United Kingdom: interspersed with numerous original anecdotes, forming a complete modern history of the English stage. Containing twenty engraved portrait plates. With an additional vignette title and portrait vignette at the end of the preface. Bookplate of Raymond Raikes to front blank. Raymond Montgomery Raikes (1910-1998) was a radio drama producer for the BBC. He himself, with John Barton, composed an enormous thirteen part survey of English drama from its earliest beginnings to the present day entitled 'The First Stage'. Rebound in cloth. Externally very good, minimal shelfwear, just slight fading to the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Unobtrusive marginal age-toning and scattered spotting. A couple of leaves have sustained just slight worming. Good. …