DRAMATIC TABLE TALK
First edition of this compendium of informal stories from British theater history — including the tale of teen Elizabeth Inchbald (then Simpson) running off to London in search of work as an actress.
Very good.
Price: $500.00
DRAMATIC TABLE TALK
"This lady, when very young, formed the romantic resolution of visiting the metropolis; but, finding her intention was contrary to the wishes of her friends, she seized an opportunity [...] of eloping from her family."
Elizabeth Inchbald was an unschooled farmer's daughter who went on to become one of the most important writers of the 1780s, '90s, and early 1800s. When she was eighteen, she ran away from home to London, looking for work as an actress. She found it with a traveling troupe after her marriage, then returning to London to act at Covent Garden after being widowed. From there she began submitting original plays to the theater managers she knew professionally: her first performed play, THE MOGUL TALE (1784) was a success that opened up an even more exceptional career path. She became "the Celebrated Mrs. Inchbald," one of the biggest playwrights of the era, and an acknowledged authority on the subject.
Today Inchbald is best known as the author/adaptor of the play that features in Jane Austen's novel MANSFIELD PARK, but in their time it was Inchbald who was far better known and esteemed as a writer. This collection of vignettes from theater history speaks to that context, with its inclusion of Inchbald's compelling origin story, her teenage flight to London to become an actress. A number of the details differ from the more authoritative account published in James Boaden's 1833 MEMOIRS OF MRS. INCHBALD, making it a particularly intriguing anecdote possibly sourced via newspapers or contemporary theater gossip.
The Object
London: John Knight & Henry Lacey, 1825. Full title: Dramatic Table Talk or scenes situations & adventures, serious & comic, in theatrical history & biography. Three 8vo volumes, 6.75'' x 4.25'' each. Early 20th century full tan calf by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, raised bands, light and dark brown goatskin spine labels, gilt-stamped spines. Marbled endpapers, gilt dentelles, yellow silk ribbon markers, top edges gilt, other edges uncut. Housed in early 20th century marbled paper slipcase. Illustrated with engraved title pages, 14 full-page engraved plates, and 7 folding plates (matching list of engravings at rear of vol. III). lii, 288; x, 288; x, 317, 3 pages. Spines with a number of rubbed areas, wear to front joint of vol. 1; wear to slipcase. Interiors largely clean.
The Fine Print
We work hard to meet our ethical responsibility to describe our material accurately. All items are guaranteed as described and may be returned for any reason within 30 days. Please notify us before mailing a return.
We guarantee the authenticity of our items. All materials are original (meaning not facsimiles or reproductions) unless otherwise noted. First editions (meaning first edition, first printing) are explicitly stated. TPM is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and upholds their Code of Ethics.
All photographs are of the actual item for sale. We're happy to provide additional images on request.
All domestic orders ship gratis. For orders under $250, free USPS media mail shipping is included; orders $250 and over ship USPS Ground Advantage. International orders over $1000 also ship gratis. Expedited, overnight, as well as other carriers (UPS, Fed-Ex, etc.), may carry additional costs beyond quoted rates. All orders receive tracking information and a direct contact in case of any questions.
International buyers are responsible for any customs, taxes, and related import fees. Please note that we are unable to accomodate requests to misrepresent, misdeclare, or otherwise falsify customs documents when shipping internationally. We appreciate your understanding.
We accept all major credit cards, Paypal, Venmo, check, money order, and bank wire. We are happy to bill institutional buyers' needs. Sales tax will be added to applicable purchases. Items subject to prior sale.
If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase, please contact us. We prioritize our long-term relationships far above any individual purchase, and we want you to love your item as much as we loved cataloguing it.
