PRUNELLA [inscribed by Housman]

1906. [inscribed by Housman] Or Love in a Dutch Garden. London: A. H. Bullen, 1906. 1 page undated ads. Original mauve cloth.

First Edition of this play, largely for mummers. It was issued both in cloth and, less seldom seen, in purple wrappers. According to the last page of text, the play was first performed on 23 December 1904, and was then revived on 24 April 1906 with a different cast; the co-author H. Granville Barker had one of the roles in the first production. There is a frontispiece illustration by Laurence Housman, engraved by his sister Clemence. This is a very good copy, a little darkened and discolored on and near the spine; there is also very slight wear at the spine ends. This copy is inscribed by Housman on the front flyleaf, "To my dear Shad | with love | LH | Christmas 1906." (The "LH" is in the same style as Housman's illustration signature, which is to say with the "H" bordered on two sides by the "L".) "Shad" was Shadwell Boulderson, a minor literary figure of the 'Nineties whose contributions sometimes appeared along with Housman's in periodicals such as The Venture; Housman dedicated his 1896 book ALL-FELLOWS to "my friend and dear fellow" Shadwell Boulderson -- language similar to what Housman used again here. Engen p. 157.