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Lot 38

SHAKESPEAREAN FORGERIES.
[IRELAND, WILLIAM HENRY. 1775-1835.]
Two plays:
1. Vortigern, an Historical Tragedy. London: J. Barker, 1799.

5 December 2019, 10:00 EST
New York

US$1,000 - US$1,500

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SHAKESPEAREAN FORGERIES.

[IRELAND, WILLIAM HENRY. 1775-1835.] Two plays:
1. Vortigern, an Historical Tragedy. London: J. Barker, 1799.
8vo (206 x 131 mm). Modern half calf and marbled boards. Slightly rubbed, browning to title and last leaf.
2. Henry II, an Historical Drama. London: J. Barker, 1799. 8vo (206 x 131 mm). Modern half calf and marbled boards. Slightly rubbed, scattered browning.
Provenance: Joan Feisenberger (1910-1992, bookplates).

Two interesting Shakespearean forgeries published by Ireland. In the first, Vortigern and Rowena, Ireland was unaware that his son had forged the manuscript. He then sold the production rights to Irish actor and theatrical producer Richard Brinsley Sheridan, who began to doubt that the work was genuine. Nonetheless, the play opened at the Drury Lane Theatre in April 1796, to only one performance. The second work, Henry II, was never performed.

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