(Shakespeare). Green, Charles Frederick. — SHAKESPEARE'S CRAB TREE, With its Legend, and a Descriptive Account, showing its Relation to the Poet's Traditional History.

London: Thomas Hailes Lacy N.d. c.[1862]. Subscriber's Copy. Thin 4to. T.p. + 50pp. 9 lithographic plates taken from sketches taken by him on the spot and a facsimile port. of Shakespeare from the first folio. From the Library of Jerrold Northrop Moore, ex.-libris Marshall Laird, light browning, slight minor surface loss to front e.ps., contemporary half calf with surface loss to corners, skilfully rebacked with original spine with gilt raised bands and leather title label laid down. ‘The legend of Shakespeare’s Crab Tree can be traced back to the mid 1700s, and was referred to by David Garrick, an actor and Shakespeare enthusiast. The tree, which once grew on the main road between Stratford and Bidford, became a tourist trap and target of souvenir hunters until what was left was uprooted. After the tree had disappeared it acquired celebrity status, with poems and legends spun to romanticise the tree, and intern Shakespeare. One such account was told by Charles Frederick Green. Green told of the Toppers, a group of men from Bidford, who challenged Stratford men to ‘imbib[e] the nut-brown ale’ for which Bidford was renowned. Shakespeare, along with a few of his friends, took up the challenge. This didn’t go well for Shakespeare who slept under the Crab Tree as the effects wore off overnight. Perhaps the ‘club’ that’s described on the label was a drinking club? The type of club, and whether it truly existed, are sadly unknown today.’ Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.