WYCHERLEY, William (1640-1716) The Country-Wife, a Comedy ac...

WYCHERLEY, William (1640-1716). The Country-Wife, a Comedy acted at the Theatre-Royal. London: Thomas Dring, 1675.

First edition of a notoriously bawdy Restoration comedy with borrowings from Molière. Although regularly reprinted up to 1790, its lack of moral restraint kept The Country-Wife off the stage between the mid 18th and early 20th centuries. ESTC R21398; Pforzheimer 1098; Wing W-3738.

Quarto (210 x 155mm). (Marginal chip affecting one headline, a few unobtrusive tears and holes in margins, some staining and spotting). 19th-century green half calf, spine lettered in gilt (extremities lightly rubbed). Provenance: ink armorial stamp on title verso – T. Connolly, Dublin (bookseller’s label on front pastedown).