[COVENT GARDEN THEATRE.] [GROVE, Joseph]

The Theatrical House that Jack built.

London, printed by and for Joseph Grove, 1819. 8vo, pp. [10], 11-27, [1], with 13 half-page woodcuts in the text; an excellent clean and crisp copy, stitched as issued, bound in slightly later 19th century plain wrappers with Ms. ink title on front cover. First edition of this witty satirical attack on the management of Covent Garden in the manner of the well-known nursery rhyme 'The House that Jack built'. The anonymous author, probably Joseph Grove for whom it was printed, singles out for special abuse the actor John Fawcett and the box-keeper Brandon. Brandon was box-keeper at Covent Garden Theatre during the Old Price Riots in 1809 when the rioters objected to the new high prices. Brandon was also accused of financial misconduct ten years later.The pamphlet is illustrated with 13 accomplished satirical cuts among them a near full-page elevation of Covent Garden Theatre and an illustration of the Covent Garden Elephant. The elephant had appeared live on stage in December 1811.A second and a third edition were published in the same year.

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• Commande nro.: A1092

• libraire: Bernard Quaritch Ltd. (GREAT BRITAIN)