1809 "The Catspaw: A Comedy in Five Acts" Red Half Leather Book

This collection of Douglas Jerrold’s plays, which includes The Catspaw: A Comedy in Five Acts, was published 1809. Douglas William Jerrold (1803–1857) was an English dramatist and journalist known for his sharp wit and satirical commentary on Victorian society. The Catspaw was performed at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, and its text reflects Jerrold’s knack for blending humor with social critique. He wrote at a time when the British stage was transitioning from the more melodramatic and romantic styles of the early 19th century to a form of comedy that engaged directly with social and political issues, echoing the rising influence of periodicals such as Punch. This volume, bound in red half-leather with marbled boards and endpapers, points to a 19th-century custom or small-run binding, likely undertaken to preserve Jerrold’s dramatic works in a more distinguished format than standard publisher’s cloth. The spine decoration, featuring ornate gilt compartments and the title “Douglas Jerrold’s Plays,” offers a refined touch typical of Victorian-era bindings commissioned by collectors or libraries.

In essence, The Catspaw centers on comedic entanglements that satirize social pretensions and human foibles, using witty dialogue and situational humor to underscore broader societal observations. Jerrold’s plays often spotlighted class tensions, moral dilemmas, and hypocrisy, but they did so through a lighthearted lens, ensuring popular appeal while still delivering pointed commentary. His work was written against the backdrop of an expanding middle class and a flourishing print culture in Victorian England, wherein authors and dramatists increasingly sought to entertain and enlighten audiences about contemporary issues.

Condition:

This copy is in good overall condition for its age, with the red leather spine showing minor rubbing along the raised bands and corners, yet retaining bright gilt tooling in the compartments. The marbled paper on the boards and endpapers displays the characteristic swirl patterns with only light wear, while a personal bookplate on the front pastedown adds a touch of provenance. Internally, the pages are mostly clean, showing the typical slight toning or occasional spotting that comes with 19th-century paper. The binding remains firm, suggesting that the volume has been well cared for and stands as both an attractive piece of Victorian bookbinding and a testament to Jerrold’s enduring place in the history of British drama.