[Rarebooks] FA: Jeremy Collier - A SHORT VIEW OF THE IMMORALITY...OF THE ENGLISH STAGE - 1698

[Ardwight Chamberlain]

Listed now, along with other 17th-18th century English Lit and  
Theatre, auctions ending Sunday, Nov. 14. Details and images can be  
found at the URL below or by searching under the seller name arch_in_la.

http://shop.ebay.com/arch_in_la/m.html

Many thanks,
Ardwight Chamberlain
L.A.

Jeremy Collier: A Short View of the Immorality and Profaneness of the  
English Stage: Together with the Sense of Antiquity upon this  
Argument... The Second Edition. London: Printed for S. Keble at the  
Turk’s-Head in Fleetstreet, R. Sare at Gray’s-Inn-Gate, in Holborn,  
and H. Hindmarsh against the Exchange in Cornhil, 1698. Bound in half  
morocco and cloth boards, spine with gilt-tooled decorations and  
titles; [16] + 288 pp. ESCT R10121; Wing C5264.

The second printing (published the same year as the first) of the good  
Reverend Collier's intemperate rant against the worldliness and  
licentiousness of the Restoration stage, one of the most famous and  
influential works of theatre criticism ever published. "Few literary  
protests have been so completely successful in altering, or at least  
giving expression to an impending change in public taste, though its  
reputation is due to the effect which it produced and not to its merit  
as a piece of controversial writing" (Pforzheimer 189). Collier's  
humorless and blustering blasts at Congreve, Vanbrugh, Thomas Durfey  
and other playwrights ancient and moderns have made him a favorite  
party-pooper of English and Theatre Lit students everywhere.
Some rubbing to the extremities and hinges, lower front hinge cracked  
but board is holding; intermittent toning to the leaves, a few small  
spots; otherwise contents are very clean and crisp, firmly bound.  
Early owner's signature on title-page: "Sam. Symonds, Aprill 16th,  
[16]99." Later owner's bookplate on front paste-down. A handsome copy.