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Performing Arts
All the performing arts are here, with wonderful illustrations dancing across the page for you.
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1895 Musical Haunts in LondonLondon: 1895A lovely first edition of this study of the locations in London associated with music, with a signed loosely inserted letter from the author. -
1931 Popular Entertainments Through the AgesLondon: 1931A richly illustrated first edition tracing the history of English popular entertainments, complete with four colour plates and the vanishingly scarce original dust wrapper. -
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1930 Early Keyboard Instruments, From Their Beginning to the Year 1820London: 1930A presentation copy of the first edition of Philip James's history of keyboard instruments, with a tipped in signed letter from the author to furniture designer Ambrose Heal. -
1983 The Theatre of Music: Series A, Volume ITunbridge Wells: 1983A pleasing copy of this uncommon facsimile collection of music for theatres originally published by Henry Playford and Robert Carr. -
1879 A Complete Illustrated Catalogue to the National GalleryLondon: 1879A richly illustrated 1879 catalogue by Henry Blackburn, illustrations concise notes on the National Gallery’s holdings when the Trafalgar Square collection was still relatively small. -
1950 The London Theatre in the Eighteen-ThirtiesLondon: 1950A scarce first edition from the Society for Theatre Research, offering Charles Rice’s contemporary account and study of London’s theatrical world in the eighteen-thirties. -
1944 Daly's: The Biography Of A TheatreLondon: 1944A smart first edition of Forbes-Winslow’s richly illustrated history of Daly’s Theatre, the Leicester Square home of Edwardian musical comedy, complete with the original unclipped dust wrapper. -
1951 Showmen and SuckersLondon: 1951An excellent volume on the world of entertainment from Irish journalist Maurice Gorham, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone. -
1930 The Complete Opera Book: The Stories of the Operas, together with 410 of the Leading Airs and Motives in Musical NotationNew York; London: 1930A scarce ninth impression of this landmark opera reference work, finely rebound in crushed half morocco and richly illustrated with over 60 photographic plates. -
1932 Penny Plain Two Pence ColouredLondon: 1932The first edition of this study on the historical entertainments for children, illustrated with colour plates. -
1777 The Beauties of the English Drama; Digested Alphabetically According to the Date of Their PerformancesLondon: 1777A beautifully original binding on this four volume collection of theatrical and poetical passages from a series of renowned authors, such as Shakespeare, Milton and Dryden, bound in full calf. -
1756 An Apology for the Life of Colley CibberLondon: 1756The fourth edition of Colley Cibber's fascinating autobiographical account of the 'rise and progress of the English stage' from the late seventeenth to early eighteenth century. -
1947 The Musical Companion, a Compendium for all Lovers of MusicLondon: 1947A smartly bound compendium on music, exploring all aspects of music across history. -
1952 Our Favourite Dish: The Theatre Recipe BookLondon: 1952An excellent example of the charming first edition of this collection of recipes from the stars of the West End, with contributions from Laurence Olivier, Peter Ustinov, Vivian Leigh, Laurence Olivier and more. -
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1929 The Ivory Door: A Legend in a Prologue & Three ActsLondon: 1929A signed first edition of A. A. Milne's play set in a fictional castle. A hand signed work from the beloved author of the renowned 'Winnie The Pooh' series. -
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2008 Only Yesterday: Times of my LifeBerkshire: 2008A scarce signed presentation copy of actor Richard Baldwyn's autobiography, presented to the publisher and writer Carmen Callil, with letters from and to the author. -
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1989 Black Figures: 105 Reproductions with an Unpublished EssayWellingborough : 1989A signed limited edition volume of Edward Gordon Craig's stage figures, previously owned by book designer Gerald Cinamon, an acquaintance of the publisher. -
1898 2 Vols The Dome: a quarterly containing examples of all the artsLondon: 1898A scarce, two volume set of an exquisitely curated quarterly celebrating the unity of the arts, featuring selected poetry, art, music scores, and architectural masterworks, one of which retains the very scarce, original unclipped dust wrapper. -
1960 The Country BluesLondon: 1960A smart UK first edition of this comprehensive study by American music historian, Samuel Charters, tracing the roots of American blues from slave songs to seminal artists like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. -
1862 Playbill for Charles Kean's Performance of The House That Jack BuiltLondon: [1862]A very scarce playbill booklet featuring advertisements for Charles Kean's performances of 'That House that Jack Built' and 'The Grand Pantomime' at the renowned Theatre Royal on Drury Lane, with engravings depicting characters from the performances. -
1914 A Programme for "Beauty & the Barge" performed by Karachi's Amateur Dramatic ClubNot Stated: 1914A very scarce programme for a performance of "Beauty & the Barge", presented by Karachi's Amateur Dramatic Club in October, 1914, with numerous original advertisements. -
c1890 Aesop's Fables, Parts I & II: Versified & Arranged for the Piano ForteLondon: c1890A very scarce, charming late nineteenth century edition of the fables of Aesop, in which they are set to music and arranged for the pianoforte by L. Williams. -
1946 Visages de Barsac Volume IBarsac : 1946Volume I from this very scarce 'Visages de Barsac' series, comprising poetry, prose and music on the commune of Barsac. -
1984 Foie Gras and TrumpetsLondon: 1984A vibrant first edition, exploring the intersection of gastronomy and music through a collection of anecdotes about renowned musicians and their choice of cuisine, with the original unclipped dust wrapper. -
1957 The Oxford Companion to the TheatreLondon: 1957A lovely second edition of this Oxford encyclopedia for the theatre, rebound in full crushed morocco. -
1929 The NEW Osram Music Magnet Advertisement and GuideNewcastle-On-Tyne: 1929A very scarce folding advertisement and guide to the new Osram Music Magnet, with illustrations. -
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c1939 The Book of Martin HarveyLondon: c1939A commemorative work celebrating the life and career of Sir John Martin-Harvey, signed by Martin-Harvey. -
1929 The King Who Was a KingLondon: 1929The first edition of this intriguing treatise by H. G. Wells on the history and nature of cinema. -
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1920 Impressions That Remained: MemoirsLondon: 1920A presentation copy of the second half of Ethel Smyth's memoir, the celebrated English composer and member of the women's suffrage movement, inscribed by the Smyth. -
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1892 Reminiscences of J. L. Toole Related by Himself and Chronicled by John HattonLondon: 1892A signed edition of Joseph Hatton's biography on J. L. Toole, the English actor and theatrical producer, with a presentation inscription from J. L. Toole. -
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1963 Listen Here!New York: 1963A smart first edition copy of this essay on music depreciation by Vernon Duke, signed by the author. -
2010 Franco Zeffirelli: Complete WorksLondon: 2010A smart first edition of this illustrated collection of the works of Italian stage and film director Franco Zeffirelli. -
2000 Opera: Composers, Works, PerformersCologne: 2000A smart first English edition of this intensive work on opera from experts Andras Batta and Sigrid Neef. -
1945 Ballet in EnglandLondon: 1945The first edition of Sheila Jackson's beautifully illustrated study of ballet in England, in the original dust wrapper. -
1896 The Literature of MusicLondon: 1896A smartly bound first edition of this commentary on the literature of music. -
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1918 Bibliophilie Musicale: Les Bibliotheqves Portugaises Essai de Classification Les Livres D'un AmateurPraca dos Restauradores : 1918A signed limited edition musical bibliography from pianist and composer, Michel Angelo Lambertini.