The Life of Mrs. Jordan Volumes I and II by James Boaden, 1831 third edition.

Written by James Boaden, Esq. Third edition, 1831. Edward Bull, Holles Street. London.

CHAPTER I

"The studies of the stage, it may here be observed, constitute a better education than is commonly derived from the schools. What other ladies have under their command, constantly encamped, such 'an army of good words' as our actresses? Who, besides them, are so stored with every variety of neat and polished thought? Who else can have equal self-possession, equal address; and above all, who ever approach them in distinct articulation, in voluble or impressive delivery? So great are these advantages, that they have kept very powerful actresses in high reputation for their wit, who could scarcely read their parts; and never acquired the orthography, in which they were all of them printed."

Dorothea "Dora" Jordan, born Dorothea Bland on November 22, 1761, was an Anglo-Irish actress known for her comedic talent, and for her long-term relationship with Prince William, Duke of Clarence, later King William IV. Her stage career began in Ireland and flourished in England, where she became one of the most celebrated actresses of her time. Mrs. Jordan was the mother of four illegitimate children by two other men before she left Ireland, and ten children with the Duke, all of whom took the surname FitzClarence. Despite her success on stage, a relationship between a royal and an actress that was widely accepted when it began in the latter half of the 18th C. was unwelcome in the new century, and incompatible with the demands for a royal heir. And as the third son of King George II, things were complicated. The King separated from Mrs. Jordan in 1811, taking custody of their sons and leaving her with custody of their daughters. He provided an annual stipend for her and the girls, on the condition that she not return to the stage. Unfortunately, as promised, when she took an acting job to pay a son-in-law's ruinous debts, the king cut her off and took their daughters. She died in France in July, 1816, having fled there to avoid creditors. King William made their eldest surviving son the Earl of Munster. Victoria of Kent succeeded William in 1838, and as Queen, welcomed the FitzClarences into the family, though not as royals. However, the children of Dora Jordan and Prince William and their descendants live on in numerous noble family trees. The last Earl of Munster died in 2000.

James Boaden (1762 - 1839) was an English biographer, dramatist, and journalist. Educated for a career in commerce, he chose journalism and became editor of the Oracle newspaper. Boaden's interest in British theater led to biographies of prominent actors, such as John Philip Kemble, Sarah Siddons, and Mrs. Jordan, still well-regarded for their detail and accuracy.

This edition of The Life of Mrs. Jordan had only one illustration, the engraving of Mrs. Jordan on the frontispiece, which has been removed. However, a previous owner tipped in contemporary 18th and 19th century engravings in both books. A penciled inscription on the front paste-down states "Pictures inserted by (previous owner)." These illustrations were taken from theater programs of the time, and are uncommon outside collections held at institutions, e.g. the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum, and university libraries and art museums. In addition to Mrs. Jordan, they include John Kemble, Sarah Siddens, Ann Brunton, Elizabeth Farren, Frances Abington, Elizabeth Inchbald, and others.

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Condition: Very Good. Each volume lacks a dust jacket, as issued. Black quarter-bound cloth cover boards with gilt title and decoration on a leather backstrip. Quality binding with condition issues, described below.

Volume 1: Cover boards: On the front cover, scuffed in the center, with narrow strips of cloth missing on the inside along the top and fore edges; on the back cover, shallow puckering along the spine, and a narrow strip of cloth missing along the fore edge, inside and out, and a small chip at the lower edge; light to moderate wear along all edges, including head and tail of the spine; bumped at the corners. The frontispiece, an etching of Mrs. Jordan and tissue guard, was removed. Foxing favors the front and back paste-downs and fly leaves, also discolored from binding adhesives, and contemporary illustrations of different paper, tipped in with adhesive, and the adjacent pages. Bound text pages are complete and clean, with exceptions as noted.

Volume 2: Cover boards: On the front cover, chipped at the top left, and along the fore edge; on the back, large strips of cloth missing along the top and fore edges; light to moderate wear along all edges, including spine. Fold-out of facsimile letter from Mrs. Jordan is intact and undamaged. Foxing favors the front and back paste-downs and fly leaves, also discolored from binding adhesives, and contemporary illustrations of different paper, tipped in with adhesive, and the adjacent pages. Bound text pages are complete and clean, with exceptions as noted.