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Lot 35

[GRIFFITH, ELIZABETH. 1727-1793.]
The Platonic Wife, a Comedy. London: W. Johnston, J. Dodsley and T. Davies, 1765.

5 December 2019, 10:00 EST
New York

Sold for US$2,167.50 inc. premium

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[GRIFFITH, ELIZABETH. 1727-1793.]

The Platonic Wife, a Comedy. London: W. Johnston, J. Dodsley and T. Davies, 1765.
8vo (200 x 122 mm). Contemporary calf, rebacked to style. Scattered spotting and staining.
Provenance: The author (notation on title page); Richard Leonard Johnson (inscription on flyleaf dated 1790); Lord Wardington (loosely inserted note offering the book as a gift, dated 1977).

FIRST EDITION, ANNOTATED BY THE AUTHOR WITH A MANUSCRIPT EPILOGUE ON FRONT FLYLEAF. Signed by the author on the title page, with the notation "Corrected by the Author" at the top margin. The front flyleaf is covered recto and verso with a manuscript epilogue in 28 lines, with the instruction "to be Spoke by Mrs. Yates." Mary Ann Yates was an actress who played the title role. There are further corrections and emendations throughout the text. Published as "By a Lady," Griffith's first play met with harsh criticism for its strong-willed female lead character. An important early woman's voice in English literature.

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