THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY. The collection of prompt books bere listed came to the Library by bequest from George Becks, who died in St. Louis on 17 May, 1904, and in his will desired his executors to present to the Tilden Library "my prompt bocks, the traditions of the stage and the labour of my life.” Mr. Becks was born in Manchester. England, in 1954 and at the age of twenty-one came to this country, at the solicitation of Henry J. Wallack, to oth the Ecsten National Theatre stock company, making his first appearance on the stage in September, 1996. From Boston be came to Niblo's Garden in New York, and later played with Laura Keene, Mrs. John Wood, John Owen at the Varieties Theatre in New Orleans, and, during the civil war, in support of Edwin Forrest. For some time he played in support of Jean Davenport Lander, and later with Maggie Mitchell's company in Fanchon the Cricket. In the early seventies he retired from the stage to enter commercial life in New York city. In 1890 Mr. T. Henry French induced him to return to the theatre to criginate the role of Mr. Horton in Dr. Bill. He played that part when the play cpered at the Garcen Theatre in Cetcher, 1800, and when, a week Later, Jerome K. Jerome's Sunset was put on as a curtain-raiser, be criginated in that play the rôle of Mr. Rivers. During the later years of his career he travelled widely and appeared in almost every English-speaking country. He accompanied Nance O'Neill on her tour of Australia, the Orient, Africa, and Great Britain and with her returned to America in 1903. At the time of his death he was a member of Kate Claxton's company, playing the Comte de Liniers in The Two Orphans. As a student of Shakespeare be accomplished much in the way of annotation; for many years he was engaged in preparing an acting edition of the plays, but bad rct finished this task when he died. By reason of his learning he was held in high esteem among Shakespearean scholars and he enjoyed the friendship of many men of letters. He was a life-long friend of Jean Davenport Lander, who bequeathed to him her dramatic library and collection of playbills and pictures. (Condensed from the notice in the New York Dramatic Mirror of 28 May, 1904.) Nearly all the Becks prompt books are bound, interleaved with writing paper, and bear his signature, as well as, in many cases, the names of earlier owners. The arrangement in this list is alphabetical by titles, followed by an index of authors, editors, adapters, etc. The arrangement in the public index card) catalogue in the reading room is an alphabetical grouping by authors under the heading "prompt books." 24". Philadelphia: T. H. Palmer, 1823. 78 p. Signature of James I. Prior, 1847. The adopted child: a musical drama in two acts... By Samuel Birch. London: J. Cumberland [18-]. 34 p. 24". (Cumberland's British theatre.) [Adrian and Orrila: or, A mother's vengeance: a play in five acts. By William Dimond, London: Thespian Press, 18-.] 3-76 p., 1 l. 24°. Adrienne, the actress; or, The reigning favorite. A drama, in three acts. By John Oxenford. New York: S. French, 18-. 30 p. nar. 12° bd. as nar. 8. (French's standard drama, no. 201.) Adrienne Lecouvreur: a play in five acts, written by MM. Scribe and Legouvé: adapted by H. Herman... London: S. French [18—]. 56 p. 12°. The Ethiop; or, The child of the desert: a romantic play... By William Dimond. New York: D. Longworth, 1813. 76 p. 24° bd. as 12°. Signature of W. Naylor. The Ethiop; or, The child of the desert: a romantic tragedy, in three acts. By William Dimond. n. p. [1812] 1 p.l., 5-74 p. nar. 16°, bd. as nar. 12°. Signature of J. B. Wright. After dark. A tale of London Life. Drama in three acts by Dion Boucicault. London, 1868. 3 pm. 8. Characters' parts. 8 pm. 12°. Musical score. Manuscript. First performed in London at the Royal Princess' Theatre, Aug. 12, 1868. Another copy, made in America. 3 pm. 4°. Manuscript. Agnes De Vere; or, The wife's revenge. A drama... By John Baldwin Buckstone. London: W. Strange, 1836. 32 p. 8°. Signature of D. W. Waller and Emma Waller. Boston: W. V. Spencer, 1855. 44 p. 12°. (Spencer's Boston Theatre, no. 23.) All serene above and below. An extravaganza abounding in debt, difficulty and danger. One act. 18-? 15 l. 8°. Paper. Manuscript. All that glitters is not gold. A comic drama... By Thomas and J. M. Morton. London: T. H. Lacy [18-]. 39 p. 8°. Inscription J. B. Wright from Julia Bennett. New York: W. Taylor & Co. [185-] 52 p. 12°. (Minor drama. no. 40.) Signature of G. W. Lewis, prompter, 1851. All's well that ends well. A comedy... By William Shakespeare. London: S. French (18—]. I p.l., 5-62 p. nar. 12°. Shakspeare's All's well that ends well; with alterations by J. P. Kemble. London: J. Debrett, 1793. I p.l., 61 p. 12°. Signature of Wm. B. Wood. Alonzo the brave; or, Faust and the fair Imogene: a tragical, comical, demoniacal, and whateveryou-like-to-call-it-burlesque. By F. C. Burnand. London: S. French [18-]. 34 p. 12°. (French's acting edition.) An American wife. A comedy in four acts. 18-? 4 pm. 4. Manuscript. Among the breakers; a drama in two acts, by the author of "Sylvia's soldier" [&c., i. e., G. M. Baker]. Boston: G. M. Baker & Co. [18-] I p.l., 107-170 p. 12°. [The anatomist; or, The sham doctor: a comedy. By Edward Ravenscroft.] [London? 18-.] 61-86 p. 16°. Warren and Wood's prompt book. The angel of midnight. A legend of terror, in three acts. From the French of T. Barrière and E. Plouvier, adapted by W. E. Suter and T. H. Lacy. London: T. H. Lacy [18-]. 56 p. 12°. Another copy. With signature of E. F. Taylor. nar. Angelo; a tragedy... [By Victor Marie Hugo.] London: [T.] H. Lacy [18-]. 24 p. 8°. Signature of Malinda Jones and J. B. Wright. Angelo, Tyrant of Padua. A drama in three acts. From the French of Victor Hugo. 18-? 4 pm. f. Manuscript. The name Jas. F. Anderson appears on the cover, and that of W. Pelby on the inside. Anne Blake. A play in five acts. By Westland Marston. Boston: W. V. Spencer [18-]. 36 p. 12°. (Spencer's Boston theatre, no. 57.) New York: S. French [18-]. 36 p. 12°. Antony and Cleopatra. Shakspeare's tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra. Arranged and adapted for representation by Andrew Halliday. London: Tinsley Brothers, 1873. vii, 9-64 p. 12° bd. as nar. 8°. Shakspeare's tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra, arranged for representation in four acts, by C. Calvert... Edinburgh: Schenck & M'Farlane [18-]. 64 p. 12°. Shakespeare's tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra. Arranged and adapted for representation by Margaret Jean Davenport Lander. [18—.] 2, 54, 6 f. 8°. New York: J. Douglas, 1848. iv, 1 l., 7-58 p. 12°. (Modern standard drama. no. 57.) Signature of James Stark. New York: S. French [18-]. iv, 7-59 p. 12°. (French's standard drama. no. 57.) Around the world in eighty days. A dramatization of Jules Verne's story in twelve tableaux. 8-? 2 p l., 148 1. f. Paper. Manuscript. Arrah-na-Pogue; or, The Wicklow wedding. A drama in three acts. By Dion Bourcicault. 18-? 3 pm. f. With the musical score for several instruments and the parts of some of the characters. Manuscript. On the title-page is written, "Property of Frank Lawlor." One of the parts has the signature "Cha Wheatleigh, 1878." As you like it. A comedy. By Shakespeare. London: J. Rivington, 1775. 72 P. illus. 16°. London: J. Cumberland [18-]. 67 p. 24°. Sheffield and Doncaster's prompt book, 1834. London: T. H. Lacy [18-]. vi, 64 p., I pl. 12°. New York: Douglas, 1848. iv, 1 l., 7-65 p. 12. (Modern standard drama, no. 66.) Another copy. New York: S. French [18-]. iv, 7-65 p. no. 66.) 12. (French's standard drama. ―n. p., n. d. 189-284 p. 24°. Signature of James William Wallack. — n. p., n. d. 8°. Lester Wallack's copy; text cut and mounted on 62 sheets. Ask no questions. A burletta, in two acts. By Charles Selby. London: Chapman & Hall [pref. 1838]. vi, 1 l., 9-36 p. nar. 12°. Asmodeus; or, The little devil's share, a drama, in two acts, adapted from the French opera," La part du diable," of Scribe, by T. Archer ...London: J. Duncombe [1843]. 38 p. 16°. (Duncombe's edition.) - Three other copies, each with different notes and business, one with signature of John Proctor, 1855, another with signature of Mrs. F. B. Conway. New York: S. French [18-]. 32 p. 12. (French's standard drama. no. 204.) Atchi! A comedietta... By J. Maddison Morton. London: T. H. Lacy [18-]. 21 p. 12°. Aunt Charlotte's maid. A farce in one act. By J. M. Morton. London: T. H. Lacy [18-]. 30 p. nar. 12°. Azael, the prodigal. Grand operatic spectacle. In three acts. By Edward Fitzball. London: J. Duncombe, 18-. 24 P., I pl. 24°. (Duncombe's edition.) Signature of Mrs. F. B. Conway. Another copy. Signature of E.IF. Taylor. Barmecide; or, The fatal offspring. A dramatic romance... By H. M. Milner. London: R. White, 1818. 1 p.l., vii-ix, 5-52 p. nar. 12°. Warren and Wood's prompt book. Barney the baron. A farce in one act. New York: S. French [18-]. 16 p. nar. 12°. Signature of S. Barry. The baronet abroad and the rustic prima donna. An original musical drama... By F. Lennex Horne. London: T. H. Lacy [18-]. 20 p. nar. 12°. (Lacy's acting edition, no. 971.) Basil: a tragedy... By Joanna Baillie. [London? 18-] 1 l., 99-208 p. 16°. Signature of W. B. Wood. The battle of Bothwell Brigg, a Scottish romance, in two acts, founded on the story of Old Mortality... By Charles Farley. London: J. Lowndes, 1820. 2 p.l., 35 p. 8°. Signature of Miss L. Levenna. The battle of life: a drama in three acts (founded on Mr. Dickens's...work... By Edward Stirling. London: J. Duncombe [18—]. 35 p. 24°. (Duncombe's edition.) The bear hunters; or, The fatal ravine! A melodrama, in two acts. By J. B. Buckstone. London: J. Duncombe [18-]. 36 p. 24°. (Duncombe's edition.) Beauty and the Beast. A fairy extravaganza, in two acts... By J. R. Planché. New York: S. French [18-]. 32 P. 12°. (French's minor drama, no. 14.) The beaux' stratagem, a comedy. By George Farquhar. London: W. Simpkin, and R. Marshall, 1819. I p.l., ii p., 2 l., 73 p., 1 l. nar. 12°. (Oxberry's edition.) Signature of W. H. Chippendale, Haymarket, 1856. London: J. Cumberland [18—]. 68 p. 24°. Boston: Wells & Lilly, 1822. 106 p., 1 l. 16°. (Oxberry's edition.) Signature of Stanley Charles Ferrers, Park Theatre. The beggar's opera. A comic opera. By John Gay. Dublin: W. Jones, 1791. ix, 1 l., 13-101 p., 2 1. nar. 12°. Bellamira; or, The fall of Tunis: a tragedy in five acts... By Richard Sheil. London: J. Murray, 1818. I p.l., v-xii, 76 p. 3. ed. 12°. Belle Lamar. An episode in the late American conflict, written expressly for John McCullough by Dion Boucicault. In three acts. Pages of printed text pasted on larger sheets, with stage directions in MS. New York, 1874. 3 pm. 8°. With the parts of the different characters. Boards. Manuscript. II vols. 12°. Belphegor, the mountebank; or, Woman's constancy: a drama, in three acts, translated...by, Charles Webb. London: Music-Publishing Company [18-]. 6, 54 p. 24°. Belphegor, the mountebank: or, The pride of birth. A drama, in three acts. By Benjamin Webster. London: National Acting Drama Office [18-]. 67 p., I pl. 12°. Inscription: A. W. Fenno from John G. Gilbert. Ben, the Boatswain; or, Sailor's sweethearts: a nautical drama, in three acts... By T. E. Wilks. London: J. Duncombe [18-]. I p.1., 5-39 p. 16°. (The new British theatre, no. 300.) The black domino: a drama in three acts. By Thomas Egerton Wilks. London: J. Duncombe & Co. [18-] I p.l., 5-36 p., I pl. 24°. Black-ey'd Susan; or, "All in the downs": a nautical drama in three acts. By Douglas Jerrold. London: J. Duncombe [18-]. 1 p.l., 13-50 p. 16°. (Duncombe's edition.) Signature of E. F. Taylor. Black-eyed Susan; or, "All in the downs." A nautical drama... in two acts... Boston: W. V. Spencer, 1855. 34 p., 1 l. 12°. (The Boston theatre, no. 7.) Black sheep: an original comedy, in three acts By J. Stirling Coyne. London: T. H. Lacy [18-]. 54 p. 12°. Wallack's Theatre prompt book, 1865. Blanche of Brandywine. An American patriotic spectacle... New York: S. French [cop. 1858]. 40 p. nar. 12°. (French's standard drama; acting edition, no. 206.) Blow for blow. A drama in three acts, and a prologue. 1850? 3 pm. 4°. Manuscript. Act II. missing. Blue Beard: a grand dramatic romance... By George Colman, the younger. London: J. Cumber16°. land [18-] 39 p. Signature of Mrs. F. B. Conway. The blue jackets; or, Her Majesty's service: a farce in one act. By Edward Stirling. London: J. Duncombe & Co. [18-] 23 p., 1 pl. 24°. (Duncombe's edition.) The boarding school. An original farce, in one act... By W. Bayle Bernard. London: Webster & Co. [18-] 27 p. nar. 12°. J. W. Wallack's copy. A bold stroke for a husband. A comedy in five acts. By Mrs. Cowley. With a... portrait of Miss Taylor... London: G. H. Davidson [18-]. 64 p. 24°. Boots at the Swan: a farce in one act... By Charles Selby. New York: W. Taylor & Co., 1847. 29 p. 12°. (The Minor drama, no. 2.) Signature of W. Naylor. The bottle imp: a melo-dramatic romance in two acts. By R. Brinsley Peake. The overture and music composed by G. H. B. Rodwell... London: Chapman & Hall [18-]. 29 p., I pl. 12°. Signature of John B. Wright, 1838. : Bought an original play in three acts, by Frank Harvey... London: S. French [18-]. 48 p. 12°. Box and Cox married and settled! An original The bravo; or, Inscription: presented Mrs. F. W. Lander 1892 G. Becks. Binks the bagman: a farce in one act. Stirling Coyne. London: T. H. Lacy [18-]. 19 p. 16°. A bird in the hand worth two in the bush. An original play... By Frederick Phillips. London: T. H. Lacy [18-]. 42 p. nar. 16°. 8°. Birth. A play in three acts. n. p. [18-?] 47 p. The bridge of sighs: a drama in three acts... By C. Z. Barnett. London: J. Duncombe [18-]. 34 p., I pl. 24°. (Duncombe's edition.) The bravo; or, The bridge of sighs! A melodrama in two acts. London: J. Duncombe & Co. [18-] 34 p. 16°. E. F. Taylor's prompt book. The breach of promise; or, Second thoughts are best. A comedy. By J. B. Buckstone. Boston: W. V. Spencer [18-]. 40 p. 12°. (Spencer's Boston theatre. No. 80.) Marked from W. E. Burton's prompt book. Breakers ahead! or, A seaman's log! A nautical drama, in three acts. By J. T. Haines. London: J. Duncombe & Co. [1837?] 48 p., pl. 24°. bd. in 16°. (Duncombe's edition. [no. 27]) Brian Boroihme: or, The maid of Erin. A historical Hibernian melo-drama, in three acts. By James Sheridan Knowles. New York: S. French [18-]. 27 p. 12°. (French's Amer. drama. Acting ed. no. 118) The bridal a tragedy in five acts; adapted for representation, (with three original scenes written by J. S. Knowles), from The Maid's Tragedy of Beaumont and Fletcher... New York: W. Taylor & Co. [18-.] vi p. 1 1., 9-67 p. 12°. (Modern standard drama, No. 45.) The bride of Lammermoor: a drama in five acts. By John William Calcraft. [Adapted from the novel of Sir W. Scott.] New York: S. French [18-]. 2 p.l., 9-44 p., I pl. 12°. (French's standard drama. The acting edition, No. 179.) Another copy. The brigand. A romantic drama in two acts. By J. R. Planché. London: J. Cumberland [18-]. 36 p. illus. 16°. Signature of J. B. Wright. New York: S. French [18-]. I p.l., 5-35 p. 12°. (French's standard drama. Acting edition, No. 188.) Edited by W. Olwine... New York: W. Olwine [18-]. iv, 5-35 p. 12°. (Olwine's New York Theatre, No. 1.) Broken hearts. An...original fairy play. In three acts. By W. S. Gilbert. London: S. French [1875]. 35 p. nar. 12°. The broken sword: a melo-drama in two acts. By William Dimond. New York: S. French [18-]. 24 P. 16. (French's standard drama. The acting edition, No. 173.) Signature of Edwin Adams, Boston Theatre, 1859. The bronze horse; or, The spell of the cloud king: an operatic spectacle in two acts, by E. Fitzball. London: Duncombe & Co. [18-] 5-26 p. 24°. (Duncombe's acting edition of the British theatre. No. 151.) Another copy. Signature of J. B. Wright. Brother Ben a farce. By J. M. Morton. London: J. Pattie [18-]. 22 p. 12°. Signature of W. H. Chippendale. Brutus; or, The fall of Tarquin: an historical tragedy in five acts. By John Howard Payne. London: G. H. Davidson [18-]. 4 p., 1 l., viiviii, 9-52 p. 24° bd. as sq. 8°. Copy of Edwin Booth's prompt book. [London, 18-] iii-vi, 7–54 p. 24°. Signatures of W. H. Macklin and E. F. Taylor. London [18—]. 56 p. 8°. Signatures of J. B. Wright and I. F. H. Carus. The busy body: a comedy in five acts. By Mrs. Centlivre. London: G. H. Davidson [18—]. I p.l., 5-8, 8-71 p. 16° bd. as 8°. Chippendale's copy from the Haymarket. London: T. H. Lacy [18-]. 53 p. 12°. [London? 18-] 48 l. 8°. Signature of J. B. Wright, Boston Theatre, Oct., 1857. Butchers of Ghent; or, The council of blood. A grand spectacle in four acts, founded on a tale of the same name, translated from the French. Dramatised by O. H. Saunders. 18-? 4 pm. 4°. With the parts of the different characters. 16 pm. 12°. Manuscript. The list of dramatis personæ gives the Original cast, Bowery Theatre, N. Y., Feb., 1844; and the National, Feb., 1851. Caius Gracchus. A tragedy. By James S. Knowles. New York: E. M. Murden, 1824. 58 pp. nar. 24°. Signature of J. B. Wright. Calaynos. A tragedy. By George H. Boker. London G. H. Davidson [18-]. I p.l., 8, ixxii, 9-64 pp. 16°. (Davidson's shilling vol. of Cumberland's plays.) Marked as played at Broadway Theatre, N. Y. Signature of John Sefton. Camilla's husband. An original drama, in three acts. By Watts Phillips. London: T. H. Lacy [1862?]. 44 p. nar. 12°. Another copy. Camille; or, The fate of a coquette. Adapted from the French of A. Dumas [by M. Heron]... New York: S. French [18-]. 42 P. 12°. (French's American drama. The acting edition, No. 129.) Marked as produced under the directian of Matilda Heron E. F. Taylor's prompt book, Montreal, 1876. Camille; The fate of a coquette. A play in five acts. [In verse and prose. Translated.] By John [H.] Wilkins, 18—. 5 pm. 4°. Musical score. Manuscript. On cover is written, "Property of Miss J. Davenport." Prompter's copy, without part of Camille, made by Henry F. Stone. Another copy, with text complete. 5 pm. 8°. Manuscript. Original version made for Mrs. Lander. |