Prepare to Shed Them Now The Ballads of George R Sims

PREPARE TO SHED THEM NOW, The Ballads of George R Sims Introduced and Selected by Arthur Calder Marshall Hutchinson, London. 1968 First edition ISBN 090892003 152pp Illustrated Hardback. George Robert Sims (2 September 1847 - 4 September 1922) was an English journalist, poet, dramatist, novelist and bon vivant. Sims began writing lively humour and satiric pieces for Fun magazine and The Referee, but he was soon concentrating on social reform, particularly the plight of the poor in London's slums. A prolific journalist and writer he also produced a number of novels.Sims was also a very successful dramatist, writing numerous plays, often in collaboration, several of which had long runs and international success. He also bred bulldogs, was an avid sportsman and lived richly among a large circle of literary and artistic friends. Sims earned a fortune from his productive endeavours but had gambled most of it away by the time of his death. He is probably best remembered for his ballads with memorable opening lines such as 'It is Christmas Day in the Workhouse' and 'Billy's dead, and gone to glory- so is Billy's Sister Nell' which were popular forms of entertainment at family fireside gatherings when these homilies, guaranteed to bring tears to a glass eye, would be read. This copy is in FINE condition in a FINE unclipped dustwrapper. Ref D4.…