Charles Reade and Dion Boucicault — Foul Play in Three Volumes

London , Bradbury , 1868. First edition. Cloth. A scarce set of fictional works from prolific Victorian writer, Charles Reade. First edition. With volumes two and three featuring the original half titles. Featuring a folding facsimile of a forged note, and the genuine handwriting of John Wardlaw. Charles Reade was an English novelist and dramatist, best known for The Cloister and the Hearth. Reade began his literary career as a dramatist, and he chose to have "dramatist" stand first in the list of his occupations on his tombstone. As an author, he always had an eye to stage effect in scene and situation as well as in dialogue. Co-written with Dionysius Lardner Boursiquot, commonly known as Dion Boucicault, was an Irish actor and playwright famed for his melodramas. By the later part of the 19th century, Boucicault had become known on both sides of the Atlantic as one of the most successful actor-playwright-managers then in the English-speaking theatre. The New York Times heralded him in his obituary as "the most conspicuous English dramatist of the 19th century." Complete in three volumes. Rebound in cloth bindings with gilt lettering to the spines. Externally, lightly rubbed, with minor bumping, and slight fading to the spines. Light marks to the boards. Three rear hinges are slightly strained. Internally, binding is tender in places, and some leaves are working loose. Bright throughout, with the occasional spot and handling mark. W. H. Smith blind stamp to the front free endpaper of volume one, and ink signature to one title page. Good Only . Ill.: None. Good Only .