Memnon: A Tragedy in Five Acts (inscribed copy, 1881)
(Chicago): 'Printed, Not Published', 1881. First printing. Hardcover. First edition, 1881, almost certainly published in Chicago, INSCRIBED BY AUTHOR to a Miss Alice Watson, with additional holograph notes by author to text. 8vo, half calf and marbled boards, red spine label, 171 (2) pp, light rubbing to leather, very good. Rare on the market. The author, born in New Mexico, briefly engaged in the Indian Wars, settled first in New Orleans, then Chicago, and finally New York. This play represents his first real book (there was a 4 pp. book of poetry published in New Orleans in 1878, and a pamphlet on fly fishing published in 1880); this play was finally staged in 1884 and was not a success. Upon moving to New York, he continued to write plays and had modest success as a humorist and journalist. His most famous play, The Butterflies, was successfully staged in 1894, starring Maude Adams. This printing of the play is rare, with 9 copies in OCLC. Very Good. Item #H2484
Price: $375.00