George Anne Bellamy. AN APOLOGY FOR THE LIFE OF GEORGE ANNE BELLAMY, LATE OF COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE. WRITTEN BY HERSELF. 5 vols. (complete). London: printed for the author, sold by J. Bell, 1785. Third Edition. Hardcover. Speckled calf, gilt lettering and designs on spine. 12mo; 200, [4]; 215; 199; 212, [4]; 195, [21 index]pp. Each volume with title and half-title. ESTC T75976.
The lot also includes a sixth volume. 12mo; 190 [2]pp. This volume was issued separately but in the same year as the three London editions of An Apology published in 1785, and served as an extension of them. This volume includes a dedication, letters, and reviews of Bellamy's book. ESTC N5877.

6 3/4 x 4 1/4 in.

From the Collection of Professor Roberto Severino, Washington, D.C.

George Anne Bellamy (Ireland, 1731-1788) was an actress who performed in Dublin, Glasgow, and London. Her most celebrated performance was playing Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. Her autobiography, an Apology, which provided a lot of information not only about Bellamy's life, but also about theater in the mid-18th century, was extremely well-received when it was first published. It was printed in both London and Dublin and there were four editions by 1786. One contemporary reviewer noted that her memoirs "contains, without disguise, the life of a woman, who was beautiful and well educated; who has distinguished herself as a capital Actress; and whose adventures have been various and singular" (review from vol. VI, p. 171).

Very good; rebacked, boards with light dry cracks to leather, scuffing, and expected edgewear, spines rubbed, corners bumped, light wear to joints and two with small wormholes; interior with light toning and foxing, occasional wormhole, small corner loss, edge loss, tear, or stain, several volumes with cracking at hinges yet still very sturdy. A lovely and complete set.