William Congreve. THE WORKS OF MR. WILLIAM CONGREVE: IN THREE VOLUMES: CONSISTING OF HIS PLAYS AND POEMS [true first edition (first publication) of the Opera [Libretto]: SEMELE not actually performed until 1972 at St John's, Smith Square in London]. Jacob Tonson (Printed for), at Shakespear's Head, over-against Katherine Street in the Strand, London, 1725.

Price: US$256.65 + shipping

Condition: Very Good

Description: 1725. First impression of the fourth edition, also the true first edition of the Libretto: Semele. Complete set of three volumes. The Opera in the third volume never having before appeared ***Volume the First: Comedies; The Old Batchelor; The Double Dealer. Five-page prologue to the fore; Five-page Dedication to the Right Honourable Charles Lord Clifford of Lanesborough &c. by William Congreve; two poetic letters to Mr Congreve by Tho. Southerne and J. Marsh, and Bevil Higgons and two-page prologue intended for The Old Batchelor by Lord Falkland and another two-page prologue spoken by Mrs. Bracegirdle and one-page Dramatis Personae to the fore. 272 text-pages plus two-page epilogue to rear. Volume the Second: Five-page Dedication to the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Middlesex, Lord Chamberlain of His Majesty's Household and Knight of the Most Noble order of the Garter, &c; two-page Preface, Prologue by Mr. Betterton; and one-page Dramatis Personae. Comedy: Love for Love; Tragedy: The Mourning-Bride. 283 text-pages plus two-page Epilogue to rear. Volume the Third: Five-page Dedication to the Right Honourable Earl of Montague; two-page poetic letter 'To Mr. Congreve Occasion'd by his Commedy call'd The Way of the World by R. Steele to the fore; two-page Prologue spoken by Mr. Betterton, and Dramatis Personae &c. Comedy: The Way of the World; a Masque: The Judgement of Paris; an Opera: Semele; and Poems On Several Occasions. 382 text-pages plus A Table of the Poems to the rear. Each of the three volumes has a title-page: the main title-page for the Works of Mr. William Congreve in the specific volume each dated 1725, and a title-page to each of the works contained in each volume, and illustrated with decorative headers and tailpieces. Contemporary brown full-leather Bindings with five raised Bands to spines. Gilt titles and double gilt rules and volume numbers on dark red labels to second compartments on spines. Double gilt rules to edges of each spine compartment of each volume partially rubbed away. Double borders to front and rear boards of each volume and blind ornate decorative decoration and diced borders to front and rear boards. Boards rubbed and worn. Corners of boards rubbed and worn and bumped. Tiny twentieth century 'B. H. Blackwell Ltd, Booksellers,48 to 51 Broad Street, Oxford' booksellers labels to bottom of front pastedowns of each of the three volumes. Spines tight. Light sporadic foxing to pages. All pages complete. No inscriptions. Spines tight. 106 x 166mm. ***'There is no occasion to say anything in relation to these Plays, which four time since have been every way made Publik: And consequently, are already plac'd in that degree of Reputation, (whatever it be) which their Auditors and Readers, have thought fit to allow them. ***This Edition of them, therefore, is only recommended as the least faulty Impression, which has yet been Printed; in which, care has been taken both to Revive the Press, and to Review and Correct many Passages in the Writing. ***Notwithstanding which Care, it must be confes'd, too many Errata in both kinds, still remain; those of the Press, are to reckoned amongst Things, which no Diligence can prevent. Mr. Bayle, in his Preface to the first Edition of his Dictionary, speaks of the Vexation of ineffectual Supervising the Press, in terms so feeling, that they move Compassion in his Reader; and concludes the Paragraph touching it, in these Words, " Je l'ublie autant que Je puis, animus meminisse horret." (Quote from Preface to Vol I). ***The Opera: Semele published in Volume the Third is the true first edition.***Of interest to collectors of the works of Mr. William Congreve and antiquarian editions of Restoration drama and poetry. ***Rare. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.

Seller: Orlando Booksellers, Lincoln, United Kingdom