Between the Covers

Softcover. Unknown edition, likely a later printing. Folio. Single bifolium with a single-sheet-insert making six pages. Notched and worn along the spine from once being bound within an album, soiling throughout, and some light edgewear, still a complete and very good copy. For voice and piano. The front cover states, "As sung by Mr. Braham." Unlike most sheet music associated with Charles Dickens, this song comes from an actual collaboration Dickens had with the composer, John Hullah. This song is from their comic opera, *The Village Coquettes*. The show premiered in 1836 and ran for 19 nights in London before moving to Edinburgh where it was performed under new direction. The reviews were less than favorable and over time Dickens grew to agree with them, once stating that he "wouldn’t repeat [his productions] for a thousand pounds apiece," and he reportedly wished for his foray into theater (*The Village Coquettes* and a piece called *The Strange Gentleman*) to be forgotten completely (F.G. Kitton). We know of two other editions of this song thought to be published around the same time, but *OCLC* does not locate any physical holdings of this edition published by A. Fiot (though they do record one digital holding) and it appears to be equally scarce in the trade.

Item #603464