Theatrical and Circus Life; or, Secrets of the Stage, Green-Room and Sawdust Arena
Mansfield, O. Mansfield Union Publishing Co., 1883. Revised. Leather_bound. Thick octavo in publisher's dark brown three-quarter leather over brown cloth; spine lettered in gilt, front cover lettered and decorated in gilt. marbled endpapers. 608 pp. Illustrated with engravings and vignettes throughout and with seven of eight color plates (lacking the frontis) featuring provocatively (for the day) clad female performers. Proclaimed as a popular history of the theatre from Shakespeare's day but with its main focus on American theatre, particularly in the mid to late 19th century. Filled with anecdotes and sketches of people, activities, traditions, quirks, etc both in front of and behind the footlights, dressings rooms, backstage, etc. Lots of tales of actresses and dancers (our favorite: "Candidates For Short Clothes"). Also, sections on stage magic and illusions and a large concluding section on the circus with chapters on the arrival and setting up of the show, glimpses backstage, acrobatics and equestrianism, giants, tattooed twins, the menagerie and side show. A working copy only, spine heavily chipped and worn, wrinklin to the rear cloth and wear at the edges. Text block is tight. As is. Good. Item #E10767
Price: $185.00