Add MS 80780

Henry Irving. Prompt copy of Hunted Down; or Two Lives of Mary Leigh. A Drama in Three Acts by Dion Boucicault (b. 1820, d. 1890); 1865. Boucicault’s heavily annotated prompt copy of the play in which Henry Irving (b. 1838, d. 1905) made his first appearance on the London stage when it was performed on 5 November 1866. Annotated with the names of the actors next to their roles, including ‘Mr H. Irving’ next to his character ‘Rawdon Scudamore’. The rest of the text is heavily annotated with emphases, alterations, deletions, musical starts and stops, actors’ places on the stage, and stage and lighting directions. Printed with MS annotations. Once owned by Clement William Scott (b. 1859, d. 1904), principal dramatic critic of the Daily Telegraph, and has his woodcut bookplate and his pencilled note on the preliminary blank stating he was present at the opening night and met Irving. Later owned by Donald and Mary Eccles. Purchased from Quaritch, April 2004.

Paper. Large octavo. Bound in 19^th century half red morocco uncut, original front wrapper with notes bound in; red cloth folding case.