Description
A scarce and appealing 19th-century Samuel French acting edition of The Wandering Boys; or, The Castle of Olival, issued in the long-running French’s Standard Drama series as No. CLXXXIII. This is the kind of fragile theatrical ephemera that was produced for actual stage use, making surviving examples with their original paper wrappers especially desirable to collectors of drama, Americana, and theater history.
* Original Samuel French paper wrapper format
* French’s Standard Drama series issue No. CLXXXIII
* Early New York theatrical publishing imprint, 122 Nassau Street
* Includes the dramatic frontispiece and title page
* A genuine period acting edition made for performers and amateur theatricals
* Strong crossover appeal for collectors of Victorian drama, theater ephemera, American stage history, and 19th-century pamphlets
This booklet stands out for its historic connection to the Samuel French publishing tradition, which played a major role in circulating dramatic works for English and American theaters. Pieces like this were often heavily used and discarded, so survivors have lasting appeal, especially when they remain in original pamphlet form rather than being rebound or broken up.
Condition is consistent with an authentic mid-19th-century stage booklet, with age wear, foxing, staining, edge wear, and some chipping/splitting to the wrapper, all of which are typical for this type of fragile theatrical printing. Please view all the photos carefully for condition and completeness.
A very attractive and uncommon piece of early theatrical print culture that presents well and would fit nicely in a collection of antique drama, Americana, or Samuel French material.
