The School for Scandal and The Rivals, Richard Brinsley Sheridan — 1st Edition

£105.00

The School for Scandal and The Rivals, Richard Brinsley Sheridan — 1st Edition

Name: The School for Scandal and The Rivals, Richard Brinsley Sheridan — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5718
Price: 105.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1896

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [5], viii-xxvii, 365, [6].

Condition Report: Near Fine. This copy is remarkably well-preserved for its age, remaining tightly bound and squarely resting on its boards. The dark green cloth is exceptionally sharp, and the elaborate gilt tooling by Edmund J. Sullivan remains vividly bright and completely unoxidised across both the front board and the spine. The spine ends show only the most microscopic hint of shelf-wear, while the corners remain sharp and unbumped. All edges gilt (a.e.g.) remain brilliantly reflective without any significant scratching or dulling. Internally, the pages are crisp, bright, and free from the heavy foxing typical of this era, displaying only minor, perfectly natural age-toning to the preliminary leaves. The hinges are sound and unbroken, contributing to a secure, robust text block.

Catalogue Note: This is the first edition thus, featuring the magnificent pen-and-ink illustrations of Edmund J. Sullivan. Published as part of Macmillan's celebrated 'Cranford' style series of illustrated classics from the 1890s, this volume is bound in the highly desirable, elaborately gilt-decorated dark green cloth. Sullivan’s intricate artwork breathes new life into Sheridan’s most beloved plays, complete with a tissue-guarded frontispiece.

Locating a copy in such brilliant, unrubbed condition, with the gilt tooling still strikingly vivid, is decidedly uncommon. The absence of heavy foxing or structural fatigue makes it a superior example for the discerning collector of Victorian illustrated literature.

Richard Brinsley Sheridan's two greatest comedic masterpieces, The School for Scandal and The Rivals, are brought together in this handsome late-Victorian volume. First performed in the 1770s, these sparkling comedies of manners are renowned for their razor-sharp wit, unforgettable characters, and brilliant satirical skewering of high society's gossip and hypocrisy. With an introduction by Augustine Birrell and sumptuous illustrations by Edmund J. Sullivan, this edition perfectly captures the theatrical vibrancy and enduring charm of Sheridan’s classics.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Book Publisher: Macmillan and Co., Ltd.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Humour Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 396

Book Publication Year: 1896

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Edmund J. Sullivan

Book Series: Cranford Series

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.