A Theatrical Treasure in 21 Volumes

By LINDA DUPREE, The Players Foundation

Sir Henry Irving

Step into the literary heart of The Players Foundation with this remarkable collection: 21 volumes containing 180 plays and poems from 1602 to 1730, formerly owned by Sir Henry Irving, a towering figure of 19th-century British theatre.

Irving was not only one of the most acclaimed actors and theatre managers of his time, but also the first actor ever to be knighted by the British Crown, an honor that helped elevate the status of the theatrical profession itself.

These richly bound volumes offer more than gilded spines and aged paper; they preserve a vivid link to the Restoration and early 18th-century stage. Purchased in 1899 from Liverpool bookseller Edward Howell and donated by Player Thomas R. Proctor in 1900, the set reflects The Players Foundation’s continuing mission to safeguard theatrical heritage.

One gem among them? "The Marriage-Hater Match’d," a spirited comedy by Thomas D’Urfey, complete with a bold and witty dedication, a reminder of the lively critical discourse that has always surrounded the theatre.

Click to learn more about  The Players Foundation for Theatre Education

Inside one of the 21 Volumes of Plays

A Theatrical Treasure in 21 Volumes

Inside one of the 21 Volumes of Plays

Linda Dupree

Linda Dupree, former CEO of NCSolutions, now serves on The Players Foundation board, bringing her corporate leadership to the preservation of theatre and cultural history -- driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of the arts.