Gilbert and Sullivan: The First Night, 1958, Limited Editions Club, NF HC, DJ, & portfolio

Gilbert, William Schwenck, and Arthur Seymour Sullivan, New York, New York: The Gallery Press, 1958, #1393/1500, Near Fine, 9” x 12 ¼”, fo, 488 pp.

Near Fine folio, ½ bound in red velvet with the balance of the front and back covers in dark green linen, gold stamped with conventional Victorian patterns, green and gold stamped label affixed to spine, laid in loose is number 298 of the original monthly letters of the Limited Editions Club and an informational page.

Near Fine box, facsimiles of the original first-night programs in a gold clamshell box with green ribbon pull, green and white label affixed to front, all 27 facsimiles intact, laid in loose is an informational page briefly describing each facsimile.

Near Fine slipcase, gold paper with green and gold label affixed to spine, edged with green linen, edgewear, slight staining to spine and top, 488 pp. Librettos of all 14 operas included. Edited by Reginald Allen, who supplied a general prologue and an introduction ad postscript for each. An additional forward by Bridget D’Oyly Carte. Book designed by Eugene Ettenberg with 200 contemporary drawings in black-and-white and in-text. A volume presenting the complete librettos from the premiere performances of fourteen comic operas, written by English dramatist and satirist William Schwenck Gilbert, with music composed by celebrated Victorian composer Arthur Seymour Sullivan, whose enduring partnership defined the golden age of British operetta.

The Limited Editions Club was founded by publisher George Macy in 1929 with goal of delivering a monthly fine press edition of great works in literature, religion, history, philosophy, and poetry. The press worked with some of the best printers in the US and Europe, and sought the best artists to illustrate runs of 1500 or 2000 copies. Amatoria has acquired ~100 Limited Edition Club titles, to see more, visit the collection on our website.