THE LIFE OF AN ACTOR
London: Printed for C.S. Arnold, 1825. First Edition. Hardcover. The British writer and journalist Pierce Egan (1772-1849) was a leading Regency voice, best known for coining the term "the Sweet Science" as an epithet for boxing. Following the success of his book Life in London (1821) and its stage adaptation later that year, he published this story in nine parts about actor Peregrine Proteus, who quits his apprenticeship with a printer in a quest for glory on stage. Royal octavo: xvi, 272 p. with a hand-colored aquatint frontispiece and 26 hand-colored aquatint plates by Theodore Lane, and a woodcut vignette title-page and 8 textual woodcuts by John Thompson. In an exquisite crushed blue morocco binding by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, with elaborate gilt stamping, five raised bands, ornamental dentelles, and brown endpapers. Some mild toning to the contents. The spine is darkened just a touch; else very good or better. Very good. Item #76133
Price: $850.00