Lot 175: COLLINS, Wilkie (1824-1889) [and Charles DICKENS]. The Frozen Deep. A Drama in Three Acts . "Not Published," 1866.

COLLINS, Wilkie (1824-1889) [and Charles DICKENS]. The Frozen Deep. A Drama in Three Acts. "Not Published," 1866.

8o (162 x 102 mm). (Minor soft crease in lower margins.) Original printed wrappers (two tiny tears on rear wrapper at spine); cloth folding case. Provenance: Kenyon Starling (bookplate).

"PEOPLE ARE SO UNMERCIFULLY SUPERIOR TO SUPERSTITION IN THESE ENLIGHTENED TIMES" -- Mrs. Steventon, page 8.

VERY RARE FIRST EDITION. John C. Eckel writes that The Frozen Deep and The Lighthouse "were written by Wilkie Collins and acted for the benefit of the Douglas Jerrold Fund, in 1856, and at the private Theatricals, Tavistock House, in 1857. As usual with a play which passed into rehearsal under Dickens' auspices it came out improved. This was the case with 'The Frozen Deep.' The changes were so numerous that the drama almost may be ascribed to Dickens." Dickens himself took the part of Richard Wardour and was stage-manager. See R.C. Lehmann, Charles Dickens as Editor, 1912, pp. 223-31. Eckel, p.166; Yale/Gimbel H104. A FINE COPY.