Lottie, the Poor Sales-Lady; or, Death before Dishonor. A Novel Founded Upon the Great Play of the Same Name. [within:] Play Book Series.

“I must play on, play on! for their amusement, while my heart is breaking for my sick baby at home!”


Women’s pulp fiction novel based on Charles E. Blaney’s play Lottie, the Poor Sales-Lady; or, Death before Dishonor. The melodrama concerns a young single woman who goes to work in New York City as a milliner’s model.

Halftone plates depict scenes from the play and include a frontispiece of the author. All three text illustrations appear to be derived from posters made to advertise the stage production, each with a banner title, a depiction of a dramatic moment in the play, and a line (or lines) of dialogue.

One shows Lottie arriving at a disreputable venue—much to the distress of an African American servant—to play the piano and sing and another depicts Lottie’s discovery in that place by a man shocked to see her there and pointing a pistol at her.

The color illustrated wrapper cover evokes a situation of secrecy and intrigue as a way of drawing the reader, or potential reader, into the novel. The novelization was done by playwright Charles E. Blaney (1866–1944): “Born in Columbus, Ohio, he began his career as an actor but soon switched to playwriting and became a prolific author of melodramas, tearjerkers, and farce comedies.”¹


Description: Lottie, the Poor Sales-Lady; or, Death before Dishonor. A Novel Founded Upon the Great Play of the Same Name. [within:] Play Book Series.

New York: J.S. Ogilvie Publishing Company (1907). Portrait Frontispiece, 124, [4]pp. + 3 halftone plates. “Play Book Series” No. 107. Illustrated, chromolithographic wrappers; staple bound. 7 x 4¾ inches. Printed on pulp paper. Ads at end. Price sticker on inside back cover; minor rubbing at head and tail of spine; very good to near fine.

[3728226]

Note. 1. Charles E. Blaney - Oxford Reference accessed online.


Sold

See all items by ,