[Hopkinson, Francis: his copy]; Hayley, William.

Plays of Three Acts; Written for a Private Theatre.

1784. London: Printed for T. Cadell, 1784.

4to, recent full calf period style, brown leather label, gilt rules and lettering. Half title present.

§ First edition. A collection of 5 plays by William Hayley, the friend of William Blake. Signed at top of title-page by Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and an important participant in the political, legal, and cultural activities of Colonial and Revolutionary America. Hopkinson was an accomplished writer, musician, and artist, and his allegory on pre-Revolutionary events, "A Pretty Story" (1774) is considered the first work of American fiction. Item #123345

Price: $1,750.00