The Forty Thieves, A Drama. With: Pollock’s Characters and Scenes in The Forty Thieves
London: B. Pollock, 73, Hoxton Street, circa 1880. Side-stitched twelvemo pamphlet, measuring 6.5 x 4.25 inches: 16. Complete set of thirty-three hand-colored lithographic plates, measuring 6.75 x 8.5 inches. Paper clip marks to pamphlet and several plates, lightest edgewear.
Victorian children’s toy theater adaptation of The Forty Thieves, showing how humble woodcutter Ali Baba and his family defeat a band of robbers and keep the plundered treasure for themselves. The production features a series of spectacular hand-colored Orientalist sets, with accompanying stage tricks: “The Robber’s head in Set Piece to be fixed on the Jar in Plate 10, so as to be seen when required.” The adaptation is complete with script and thirty-three uncut plates of characters, scenes, and wings. London printer John Redington ran a theatrical print warehouse in Hoxton from 1851 to his death in 1876, when his son-in-law and successor Benjamin Pollock took over the business. A bright near-fine set, with none of the foxing characteristic of Redington and Pollock’s publications.
Price: $650.00