Francois Joseph Talma; Henry Irving [preface] — Talma on the Actor&Apos;S Art

London, Roorbach & Company, 1883 . First edition. Paperback. The very scarce first English language translation of celebrated French actor François-Joseph Talma's discussion of the 'Actor's Art&apos. This first edition thus was translated at the suggestion of Sir Henry Irving, the prominent actor-manager of the English stage during the Victorian era. A very scarce edition not seen at auction since 1944. Talma, an actor of considerable talent, was termed 'the dominant personality at the Comédie-Française', and inspired young Alexander Dumas with his performances.In this brief essay, Talma discusses the art of acting, interspersing this with personal autobiographical anecdotes, and discussing the attributes of actors and performers he himself admired. In the publisher's original paper wraps. Chip to tail of front wrap, and chip and closed tear to front wrap head. Three small areas of loss to tail of rear wrap. Front wrap and title page detached to head and somewhat tenderly held to the tail only. Otherwise, internally, firmly bound. Closed tears to title page at gutter. Pages clean and bright. Good . Ill.: None. Good .