William Dunlap, 1789, also with his 1798 Andre: a Tragedy

[DUNLAP, William (1766-1839).] The Father; or, American Shandy-ism. A Comedy, as performed at the New-York Theatre, by the Old American Company. New York: Hodge, Allen & Campbell, 1789.

Rare first edition of Dunlap's first published play, a comedy in the style of Tristram Shandy. William Dunlap was an early American impresario, playwright, translator, historian, and artist. The first play he wrote was never printed and does not survive; according to him, the present work was only the second American comedy ever produced. It was reprinted later that year in the Massachusetts Magazine. When the Dunlap Society produced their modern editions of his works in the late 19th century, they used the magazine text—seemingly unaware of the existence of this scarce first edition. The only copy recorded at auction since 1935 was in these rooms in 2016. A lucky survival of ephemeral early American popular culture. BAL 4974; Evans 21805; Sabin 23912.

Octavo (207 x 129mm). Half title (half title and epilogue leaf soiled with stains and worming, epilogue with repair to gutter affecting printed area and about 6 letters in facsimile, dampstaining at ends). Original printed self-wrapper bound into 19th-century half morocco and marbled boards by R.W. Smith, top edge gilt and other edges untrimmed (extremities rubbed, marbled flyleaf detached).

[With:] [DUNLAP, William (1766-1839)]. Andre; a Tragedy in Five Acts: as Performed by the Old American Company, New-York, March 30, 1798. To which are added authentic documents respecting Major Andre. New York: T. and J. Swords, 1798. First edition of this theatrical adaptation of one of the most dramatic episodes of the Revolutionary War. BAL 4980; Evans 33652. Octavo (204 x 123mm). Lacking final ad leaf. Clipping of the poem "Andre's Request" by Nathaniel Parker Willis (1806-1867) pasted to bottom margin of p. 105 (a little foxing in text). Disbound with remains of leather spine and sewing intact; modern cloth box. Provenance: Augustus Griffing (early inscription on title).