The Proprietors' Dispute: A gathering of five important pamphlets dealing with the acrimonious dispute between two groups of partners of the Covent Garden Theatre - commonly referred to as the "Proprietors' Dispute."

See Lowe, Arnott and Robinson, English Theatrical Literature, 1163-1172; ESTC T20784; T20781; T20780; T20726 and T45401; NCBEL II, 812. Some minor foxing, browning and stains; overall the pamphlets are in very good condition, with wide margins; enclosed in quarter morocco clamshell box.. 5 vols, 4to, uniformly bound with attractive tan paper spines period-style and sprinkled paper boards with manuscript titles on the spines. A gathering of five important pamphlets dealing with the acrimonious dispute between two groups of partners of the Covent Garden Theatre - usually referred to as the "Proprietors' Dispute" - a quarrel that began in 1767 when two of the partners, Thomas Harris and John Rutherford, attempted to insert mistresses - particularly one Mrs. Lessingham - into the theatre company and have them cast in unsuitable roles. Harris and Rutherford squared off with George Colman and William Powell, the opposing partners, for over a year of accusations and counter accusations that resulted in a legal squabble and a classic pamphlet war. The contents of the pamphlets are informative not only with regard to the dispute itself, but they also document everyday operations of the Covent Garden Theatre and theatrical management of the period in general. In all Lowe describes ten pamphlets dealing with the Proprietors' Dispute; rarely are five found together. Full description of five volumes upon request.