The first collected edition of this wildly popular, but now mostly forgotten playwright's work. Susanna Centlivre was considered the second woman of English stage, after her contemporary Aphra Behn, and the most successful playwright of the 18th century. Her plays, including Wonder! A Woman Keeps a Secret, Perjur'd Husband, and Bold Stroke for a Wife remained in production for 200 years. With an engraved portrait frontispiece and including an account of her life.

London: J. Knapton et al, 1761. (xii), 376, 380, 372 pages. Each volume 12 mo, 11 x 17 x 3cm. First Edition. Mottled full calf binding with a little wear to spines and corners, red fore-edges. Fly leaves stained. Volume 1 has light damage to top of spine and loose front flyleaf. Volume 2 has light mark to the front board and minor loss to one page corner. All three volumes have a bookplate with name removed; second owner’s name “J.W. Willett Merly House” written neatly above. Charming set of plays in very good condition.