Practical Illustrations of Rhetorical Gesture and Action, Adapted to the English Drama

Illustrated with sixty-six engraved plates, this is the scarce first edition of Henry Siddons guide to gesture in theatrical performance. The scarce first edition of English actor and theatrical manager Henry Siddons' work on the use of gesture in performance, illustrated throughout.Illustrated with sixty-six engraved plates depicting the rhetorical gestures Siddons discusses. These plates also demonstrate the costumes of the London stage. Collated, complete.Siddons adapted this work from a 1785 German language work from Johann Jakob Engel, who was the director of the Berlin National Theatre.This work was consulted by Charles Darwin during the preparation of his 'The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals', published in 1872 In a half morocco binding, with paper covered boards. Significant rubbing to back strip head and tail, joints, and board perimeters. Joints starting, with boards holding firm. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally clean and bright, with significant spotting to plate perimeters. Good.…