Mathews at Home: Or, Travels in Air, on Earth, and on Water. With All The Comic Songs (A Corrected Edition.). The Polly Packet; With Six Copper-plate Engravings. And Stories: From Mr. Mathews' Youthful Days.
New York: E. M. Murden, 1822. 15.8x9.5cm: [3], 4-36pp., with a bound-in hand-colored folding plate featuring six comic portraits of Mr. Mathews. Original blue printed wrappers, sewn-bound. Spine split, but wrappers holding firmly. Minor soiling to wrappers. Pages lightly toned, yet clean, with only occasional spotting. Faint offsetting to folding plate. Very Good.
Mathews, a notable 19th century British actor and comedian, is best known for his one-man “At Home” form of engaging his audiences. His performances were often structured as “table entertainment,” with a monologue that provided anecdote, humor, and song, carrying the audience through a series of amusing adventures in which he portrayed multiple characters, showcasing his talents for rapid costume changes and ventriloquy.
This booklet was published upon Mathews’ first tour of the show in the United States in 1822, becoming the hit of the season with critics universally praising his performances.
Price: $175.00
Item #10627