1894 Handwritten Transcribed Manuscript of Tom Taylor's "Plot and Passion", a 19th Century Detective Play

United States: Transcription of 19th Century Detective Play. Fair with no dust jacket. 1894. Hardcover. On offer is an outstanding example of the type of melodramatic stage productions that were popular in 19th century America. The script is of a transcribed, handwritten copy of a manuscript entitled "Plot and Passions", originally authored by the English dramatist, critic and editor of Punch Magazine, Tom Taylor, sometime prior to 1853. On the first page, there is a dedication to a "Mrs. Ella Marbles from one Phillip Ray". On the last page, there is another notation: "Presented to S. M. Forest Mrs. Ella Marbles The Old Lady of the Columbus Stock, Chicago Ill, May 17th / '94". Our informal research has not been able to find any additional biographical information about any of these individuals. The play's original author, Tom Taylor, began his career as a professor of English literature and language at University College, London in the 1840s. However, he did not remain long in that position, leaving to practice law. Upon being called to the Bar, he practiced law for about 5 years, before joining the British Civil Service, where he worked until retirement in 1876. Parallel to this, he built a flourishing career as a writer journalist and dramatist. His output was prodigious, numbering some 100 plays in addition to countless articles and columns published in mainstream publications such as The Times and Punch. One of his most famous play in America was "Our American Cousin" (1858) , which achieved great success in the 19th century. It remains famous as the play that was being performed in the presence of US President Abraham Lincoln when he was assassinated in 1865. The play "Plot and Passion" was first performed at London's Olympic Theatre in 1853. There was some later dispute between Taylor and the writer John Lang, as to whether Lang assisted in writing the play. Taylor dismissed those claims out of hand. Lang was the author of a story with a similar plot - "The Secret Police". The play is of a style known then as a 'detective play'. Set in Napoleonic France, it tells the story of 'Fouché', the head of the French Secret Service who uses a group of women, whom he refers to as his "Cytherean Court", to discover and trap the mysterious author of letters written against Fouché and Napoleon. For a collector of 19th century stage productions, this would be an excellent addition to a collection. This volume measures 7.5 inches by 9.5 inches and contains 184 numbered pages. It is 50% complete, as the text is written on one only side of each leaf. The book shows the wear and tear of time. Although present, the front cover is only loosely attached to the book while the back cover has separated. The binding is sewn and is in good condition. The pages are all intact and secured to the spine and in good condition. The handwriting is quite legible. ; Manuscripts; 12mo 7" - 7½" tall; 184 pages; KEYWORDS: HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, DOCUMENT, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MANUSKRIPT, PAPIER OGGETTO D'ANTIQUARIATO, ATTO, VELINA, DOCUMENTO, MANOSCRITTO, CARTA ANTIGÜEDAD, HECHO, VITELA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITO, PAPEL, Abraham Lincoln, Tom Taylor, American Theater, Theatre History, Our American Cousin, John Lang, British Theatre, Theatre History .