The Works. FARQUHAR (George).

The Works of the late Ingenious Mr. George Farquhar: Containing all his Letters, Poems, Essays, and Comedies Publish'd in his Life-time. The Comedies are Illustrated with Cuts representing the principal Scenes in each Play. The Second Edition.

Eight engraved plates.

8vo. [196 x 124 x 41 mm]. 79, [1], [12], 69, [3], [6], 64, [2], [6], 51, [1], [8], 57, [1], [8], 64, [2], [6], 70, [2], [4], 72, [2] pp. Bound in contemporary calf, panelled in blind, rebacked in calf, the spine lettered in gilt, plain endleaves, red sprinkled edges. (Rubbed, tips of the corners worn, inner hinges reinforced with tape).
London: printed for Bernard Lintott, [1711].

A very good clean copy. Although it states "Second Edition" on the title, this is the first edition of the collected Works. Farquhar's Comedies had been published a few years before (probably in 1708 and possibly again in 1710). His letters and poems were published in 1702 under the title Love and Business... a Discourse Likewise upon Comedy in Reference to the English Stage. A "Third Edition" of the Works followed in 1714. The Nonesuch Press published a further edition in 1930.

George Farquhar (1677-1707) was born in Londonderry and was a sizar at Trinity College, Dublin, before becoming an actor. He gave up the stage after accidently wounding a fellow player. Moving to London he took up writing comedies, and produced Love and a Bottle in 1699, The Constant Couple, or a Trip to the Jubilee in 1700, Sir Harry Wildair in 1701, The Inconstant and The Twin Rivals in 1702, The Recruiting Officer in 1706 and Beau Stratagem in 1707. He lived just long enough to hear of the success of his final play but died in poverty.

With the early ink signature of George Fleming and shelf marks "0.3:11" on the front free endleaf and booklabel of Roger Senhouse along with his neat pencil notes.

Stock no. ebc4440