Featured Interesting old History of Comedy interest item/Life of Washington

Just sold this and thought people might find it interesting.

"Life and Times of Washington" by Frederick John Schroeder and Benson John Lossing. Introduction by Edward C. Towne.

An excellent biography of the first United States president and a very nice collector's item in the history of American comedy. Has about forty illustrations.

The cover of both volumes has a gilt framed picture of "The Yankee Doodle Comedian George M. Cohan Colonial Theatre." Very good-plus condition on both volumes. Has a small paper label glued on front endpaper (FFEP's) of both volumes of "S.H. Lindstrom's Private Library."

Two volume set, complete as issued. Bound in gilt stamped cloth. M. M. Belcher Publishing Co. Albany, New York, 1903. Hardcover. Octavo.

 

I love that cover. Judging a book by it's cover, one would expect it about Cohan. That makes it a nice advertising piece too.

James.

 

The guy just cancelled the sale. Looks like it's back on the market soon.

 

First time I've seen a thyrsus that wasn't with Dionysian revelers.

 

What an odd presentation. What does the title page look like?

AbeBooks has several sets, Belcher 1903, 4 vols., varying colors, a more expected appearance: Life and Times of Washington.

 

It isn't that easy for me to post photos instantly. The title page says nothing special about it being a special presentation for for Cohan (who is consider the father of Broadway and there was a James Cagney movie about). It just lists Belcher and the date of 1903, etc. Cohan's interest must have just hired the binder to create new covers as there is nothing inside them about him.