Charles Reade — Peg Woffington

London , George Allen, 1899. Cloth. An illustrated edition of the novel by Charles Reade inspired by the famous 18th century Irish actress Peg Woffington. The work was first published in 1853. Reade based it on the popular stage play Masks and Faces, which he had co-written with TomTaylor the previous year. The novel portrays the career of Woffington and other prominent figures of the London theatre, such as David Garrick. This edition includes many illustrations, both plates and vignettes, by the Irish illustrator Hugh Thomson. He is famous for his pen and ink illustrations, of which there are many fine examples here. In his career he illustrated many notable editions of famous authors such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and J. M. Barrie. Direct from the library of the late Hugh Selbourne MD (1906-1973) a noted book collector and diarist. In the original cloth with gilt motifs and titles to the front board and spine. Externally very smart with very light wear to the extremities and a little fading to the spine. The edges are untrimmed and are a little dusty as a result. Otherwise clean and bright throughout and generally firmly bound. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Hugh Thomson. Very Good Indeed .