Thomas Hudson — Comic Songs

London, Gold and Walton; Brown for T. Hudson , 1818-1824. Leather. An uncommon selection of six 'Comic Song' collections from Thomas Hudson, credited as one of the earliest music hall songwriters. Comprising six collections of comic songs from English writer and performer Thomas Hudson. Uncommon.Bound together in contemporary half crushed morocco, with original paper laid down to the boards. Each issue retains own title page. Bound with the original blanks.With a frontispiece (dated 1824) and a folding plate preceding 1824 title page. Several of the collections are printed to the foot of the last page "T. Hudson has a few remaining Copies of his last collection", including his 1818 first collection, thus presumed to be a later impression.Including a later impression of his first collection (1818), bound with; (1820, beginning with 'The Petticoat and Breeches'), bound with; 'Collection the Fourth' (1821), bound with; (1822, beginning with 'The Dogs Meat Man'), bound with; (1824, beginning with 'The Good Old Days of Adam and Eve'), bound with; (1824, beginning with 'The Age of New Inventions!').Hudson was one of the earliest credited songwriters in the music hall tradition. He set up in business as a grocer, but by about 1818 had begun writing and performing his own songs in private parties and for the proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens. A prolific comic singer and songwriter, he published collections of his songs every year between 1818 and 1831. Inscribed to the front paste down is "Samuel Vale - Comedian, Jan 26th 1823". Vale (1797-1848) was a comic actor known for playing The Idle Apprentice in The Apprentice's Opera, his portrait of which was engraved by Thomas Charles Wageman in 1827. Bound in contemporary half crushed morocco, with original paper laid down to the boards. Externally, scuffing and chips to the boards. Slight fading and rubbing to the leather. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are toned, with a few tide marks to the endpapers and scattered spots, heaviest to the first collection's title page. Good Only . Ill.: Not Stated. Good Only .