Abraham Lincoln. A Play by Drinkwater, John - 1918

London: Sidgwick & Jackson, 1918. 72, [1] pp. 1 vols. 12mo. Maroon wrappers. Inscribed on the half title, To Thomas Hardy John Drinkwater Oct. 1918. One fold to front wrapper, else fine. Morocco backed slipcase. 72, [1] pp. 1 vols. 12mo. Inscribed to Thomas Hardy. This was the play that made Drinkwater famous, and his success was followed by other historical plays such as Mary Stuart, Robert E. Lee, et al. Drinkwater was friendly with Hardy's, and adapted his work, The Mayor of Casterbridge, for the stage.

Citing the strong influence of Hardy on the play, St. John Ervine called its success "the most singular feature of the London theatrical season of 1918-1919" ("John Drinkwater," The North American Review 210, no. 769, 1919: pp. 824-36). Hardy himself said: "I have always been grateful to Drinkwater for introducing me to American history through his Abraham Lincoln. I imagine there are few Englishmen who can see, or even merely read, that engrossing drama without becoming genuinely interested in the Civil War period." (Cyril Clemens, My Chat with Thomas Hardy, 1944, p. 18-19).