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THE RELAPSE; OR, VIRTUE IN DANGER.
(London: Samuel Briscoe, 1697). 220 x 165 mm. (8 3/4 x 6 3/4"). [4] p.l., 104 pp. (mispaginated but complete). FIRST EDITION.
Attractive tan morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe (signed in gilt on the front turn-in), spine with raised bands and gilt lettering, covers with central gilt-tooled lozenges with scrolling foliate motifs, all edges gilt. Pforzheimer 1021; Wing V-57; Day, "History of English Literature 1660-1837," pp. 26-27; Hume, pp. 412-13. ◆The spine slightly darkened, a little light rubbing to corners and joints, internally a shade less than bright, but extremely fresh and clean. Perhaps washed, but an altogether pleasing copy.
This is a handsomely bound copy of the extremely rare first edition of a play Hume calls "one of the last true 'Restoration' comedies." Architect, playwright, and spy Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) composed "The Relapse" as a sequel to Colley Cibber's popular play "Love's Last Shift." The central plot focuses on a marriage endangered by temptation and infidelity, but the play is best remembered for the subplot, which features the reprise of Colley Cibber's role as Lord Foppington (previously known as Sir Novelty Fashion). Foppington, a personification of foolish high fashion, is described by Hume as "the greatest fop conceived in this period--brutal, evil, and smart." "The Relapse" was a success following its initial performance in 1696, although it received some critical backlash on moral grounds. The first edition was published the following year, and includes in its preface a (rather halfhearted) defense against the accusations of immorality. The first edition is remarkably rare: there seems to be no copy currently in the marketplace, the last copy we could trace at auction was offered in 1977, and the play appears not to have been included in any group lot since then. (ST12849j)
Price: $3,500.00