[Rarebooks] FS: Very scarce 1st ed. of "Memoirs of the Life of Mrs. Sumbel, Late Wells..."

[Karmbooks at aol.com]

(THEATRE) Wells, Mary Leah. MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE OF MRS. SUMBEL, LATE WELLS; 
of the Theatres-Royal, Drury-Lane, Covent-Garden, and Haymarket. In Three 
Volumes. Written by Herself. Including Her Correspondence with Major Topham, Mr. 
Reynolds the Dramatist, &c. &c. &c. London: Printed for C. Chapple. 1811. First 
edition. 12mo. 3 vols. xvi,240;(4),242,(2);(4),232pp. Including (2)pp. of 
publisher’s ads. Later 19th cent. 1/2 calf over boards, elaborately gilt tooled 
spines with black & red calf labels (1 label chipped). Spines a bit scuffed.     
$600.00 (trade discount allowed)
The very scarce first edition. The author (b. 1759) was a celebrated beauty 
who first appeared on the London stage in 1781. Part of this book recounts her 
poor treatment at the hands of her husband and her travels in search of her 
children who disowned her. Two later reprints appeared in 1828 and 1830. Lowe, 
Arnott and Robinson #3620.

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