The Works of Thomas Otway, Consisting of His Plays, Poems, and Letters. With a Sketch of His Life, Enlarged from that Written by Dr. Johnson Leather - 1812

London: F.. C. and J. Rivington, 1812. Leather. Very Good. 8.5" by 5". None. A two volume set of works by Thomas Otway, including all of his most popular plays, and a selection of letters and poems. Complete in two volumes. This work includes 'Alcibiades', 'Don Carlos, Prince of Spain', 'Titus and Berenice', 'Friendship in Fashion', 'The Soldier's Fortune', 'The Atheist', 'The Orphan', 'The History and Fall of Caius Marius', and 'Venice Preserved', as well as several letters and poems. Thomas Otway was a English playwright of the Restoration period. Otway was intended to become a priest, however when his father died he decided to follow his passion of play writing, moving to London and falling in love with the actress Elizabeth Barry. Despite enjoying popularity with his plays during his life, he died in poverty. Including a life of Otway, which is a work expanded on Dr Johnson. With a frontispiece to Volume I. With a newspaper clipping tipped in to the verso of the title page for 'Venice Preserved', recounting a performance of the play by Miss Kemble. Bookplate to the front pastedown, 'Joliffe'. Label to the front pastedown of Volume I, 'Poynton, Bookseller & Binder 16 Russell Court Drury Lane. Libraries Purchased'. In the original half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards. Externally, some rubbing to the joints and to the extremities. Light rubbing to the spine labels, resulting in some loss of the spine label to Volume I, and further light rubbing to the paper to the boards. A little loss to the head and tail of the spine of Volume I. Head of the joints of Volume I are starting but firm. Front hinge of Vol I and the rear hinge of Vol II are starting bur firm, whereas the rear hinge Vol I and the front hinge of Vol II are strained. Bookplate to the front pastedown, 'Joliffe'. Label to the front pastedown of Volume I, 'Poynton, Bookseller & Binder 16 Russell Court Drury Lane. Libraries Purchased'. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are a touch age-toned, with scattered spots, heavier to the first and last few pages. Very Good