Off-Hand Portraits of Prominent New Yorkers
New York: Geo. R. Lockwood & Son, 1884. First Edition. Octavo. Item #028736
vii, 357 pages. Inscribed "With the compliments/of the publisher". After beginning his journalistic writing at age 12, Fiske became an editorial writer for the New York Herald and became one of Pfaff's bohemians. He travelled with Lincoln during the Civil War. After the war his expertise on theatre writing led to his becoming manager in London of the Royal English Opera Company and the St. James Threatre. He returned to New York as manager of the Fifth Avenue Theatre with both Edwin Booth and Joseph Jefferson in his company. He began an affair with Mary Hewins Fox, which prompted Fox's husband to attempt to shoot him, but he survived and married his love. He continued in theatre management and writing as what D.W. Miller called the "dean of active dramatic critics". His work along with his study of English Photographs are among his most scarce items. Bound n green cloth over beveled boards, lettering gilt, spine lettering and top edge gilt, floral endpapers, light wear to spine ends and corners. A very nice copy with just a bit of toning to margins.
Price: $175.00