Finding Aid to 17th, 18th and 19th Century British Plays at the North Jersey History and Genealogy Center, 1675-1807 Finding Aid to 17th, 18th and 19th Century British Plays, 1675-1807North Jersey History and Genealogy Center
The Morristown and Morris Township Library One Miller Road Morristown, NJ 07960
Overview of Collection S 822.08 Sev Finding Aid to 17th, 18th and 19th Century British Plays at the North Jersey History and Genealogy Center, 1675-1807 2 linear feet in 3 book boxes Scope and Content Note

This collection contains 43 plays from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The types of plays include dramas, satires, comedies, amatory fiction and one musical. Written by English and Irish authors during the Restoration and Georgian time periods, the collection includes the works of 35 playwrights, three of whom were women.

Arrangement of the Plays

Originally, the plays were bound in a single volume. The order of the plays within the three book boxes corresponds to their arrangement at the time of being unbound.

Important Information for Users of the Collection

The plays described in this inventory are open for research purposes only. A consultation with the department head, and/or archivist, is necessary in order to view the contents of this collection.

The seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth century British plays in this collection are either first, or near first editions. They are in extremely fragile condition and have undergone extensive and costly conservation treatment.

These plays are not available for casual browsers. Scholars wishing to compare modifications in text, or type fonts and paper used in early printings may request to see these pamphlets.

White cotton gloves must be worn when handling these pamphlets, and under no circumstance may these pamphlets be photocopied or scanned.

 Acquisition Information

The provenance of the collection is unknown. For as long as anyone can remember, the plays have always been here at the library.

 Preferred Citation

Finding Aid to 17th, 18th and 19th Century British Plays, 1675-1807. North Jersey History and Genealogy Center, The Morristown and Morris Township Library.

Processing Information

Inventory prepared in 1998. Online finding aid encoded 2009.

Container List 1 Behn, Mrs. Aphra (Amis): The Rover or, The Banish't Cavaliers. London,1697 (2nd edition; 1st edition 1677). 1 Behn, Mrs. Aphra (Amis): The Second Part of the Rover. London, 1681 (1st edition). 1 Briscoe, Samuel [or, Sir John Vanbrugh?]: The Relapse or, Virtue in Danger. London, 1697 (1st edition). Comments on page 1 by Sir John Vanbrugh: "An imoral and indecent play." 1 Cibber, Colley: Love's Last Shift or, The Fool in Fashion. London, 1696 (1st edition). 1 Farquhar, George: Sir Harry Wildair: Being the Sequel of the Trip to the Jubilee. London, 1701 (1st edition). 1 Gay, Mr. [John]: The Wife of Bath. London, 1713. 1 Howard, Robert (Sir): The Committee. London, 1710 (1st edition 1665). 1 Settle, Elkanah: Love and Revenge. London, 1675 (1st edition). 1 Sidley, Charles (Sir): The Mulberry-Garden. London1675 (1st edition 1668). 1 Southerne, Thomas: Oroonoko. London1696 (1st edition). 1 Steele, Richard: The Funeral or, Grief A-la-mode. London1702-Contains dedication to the Duchess of Albemarle.(1st edition 1701). 1 Addison, Joseph: Cato. London, 1713 (1st edition). 2 Cibber, Colley: The Careless Husband. London, 1705 (1st edition). 2 Coffey, Charles: The Boarding-School or, the Sham Captain. London, 1733 (1st edition). 2 Coffey, Charles: Phebe or, the Beggar's Wedding. London, 1729 (1st edition - 1729 in 3 acts; our copy is 1729 in 1 act). 2 Cumberland, Richard: The West Indian. London, 1771 (1st edition). 2 Dibdin, Charles: The Deserter. London, 1773 (1st edition). 2 Dibdin, Charles: The Gipsies. London, 1778 (1st edition). Inscription on page 1- "Prompt Book, Theatre Royal HayMarket." Numerous notations throughout. 2 Franklin, Andrew: The Mermaid. London, 1792. 2 Garrick, David: Bon Ton or High Life Above Stairs. London, 1775 (1st edition). 2 Garrick, David: The Enchanter or Love and Magic. London, 1760 (1st edition). 2 Hurdis, Rev. James: Sir Thomas More. London, 1792 (1st edition 1791). 2 Murphy, Arthur: The Orphan of China. London, 1759 (1st edition). 2 Murphy, Arthur: The Way to Keep Him. London, 1760 (1st edition). 2 Pearce, William: Arrived At Portsmouth! London, 1794. 2 Penn, John: The Battle of Eddington; or, British Liberty: a tragedy. London, 1796 (1st edition 1792). 3 Cibber, Colley: Love in a Riddle. London, 1729. 3 Colman, George: The Portrait. London, [1770] (1st edition) Prompt book. 3 Griffin, Benjamin: The Humours of Purgatory. London, 1716 (1st edition). 3 Griffiths, Mrs. Elizabeth: The Barber of Seville, or the Useless Precaution. London, 1776 (1st edition). 3 Holcroft, Thomas: The Lady of the Rock. London, 1805 (1st edition). 3 Hook, Theodore Edward: The Fortress. London, 1807 (1st edition). 3 Hunt, William: The Projectors. London, 1737. 3 Inchbald, Mrs. E.S. [Elizabeth Simpson]: The Mogul Tale; or, The Descent of the Balloon. [London,] 1788 (not printed until 1824). 3 Lewis, M.G. [Matthew Gregory]: Adelmorn, the Outlaw. Dublin, 1801. (1st edition 1800; acted May 1801) 3 Moore, Edward: The Foundling. London, 1748 (1st edition; produced 1747-48). 3 O'Keeffe, John: Patrick in Prussia; or, Love in a Camp. Dublin, 1786 (1st edition; produced in 1786). 3 O'Keeffe, John: Peeping Tom, of Coventry. Dublin, 1786 (1st edition 1784). 3 O'Keeffe, John: The Son-in-Law. [London], 1788 (1st edition 1779). 3 Boyle [4th Earl of Orrery], Charles: As You Find It. London, 1703 [s/b 1703] (1st edition). 3 Rowe, Nicholas: The Tragedy of Jane Shore. London, 1713-1717 (1st edition). 3 Sturmy, J. [John]: Love and Duty: or, the Distress'd Bride. London, 1722. 3 Willet, Thomas: Buxom Joan. London, 1778.