King Lear and His Three Daughters (broadside ballad)
[London]: Howard & Evans, circa 1810. Roughly trimmed oblong broadside, measuring 9.5 x 14 inches, printed recto only on grey paper. Illustrated with a woodcut vignette. General light creasing, a few small marginal chips, faint foxing.
Early nineteenth-century broadside recounting the tale of King Lear, illustrated with a woodcut of the king in full regalia: “when he heard of Cordelia’s death / Who dy’d indeed for love, / Of her dear father in whose cause / She did in battle move, / He swooning fell upon her breast / From which he never parted / But on her bosom left his life, / That was so truly hearted.” This traditional ballad dates to the seventeenth century; in 1962, Smithsonian Folkways recorded Ewan MacColl’s performance on Broadside Ballads, Volume I (London: 1600-1700). An ephemeral song sheet, in near-fine condition.
Price: $850.00