Search Results: Theatre/Drama from Quercus Rare Books

New York: Boni & Liveright, 1924. Eugene O'Neill (1888-1953) won the Pulitzer Prize for his first play; he won three others and the Nobel; he is considered the first modernist American playwright. In the first stage production of "God's Chillun," the lead was played by Paul Robeson; it was a bit of a scandal when he kissed the hand of his female co-star. This is a Very Good copy of the First Edition. Tan paper-covered boards with an ochre cloth spine; black lettering on the spine and front cover. Clean text; 170 pages. Lacking the dustjacket; in an archival plastic protector. This copy stamped on the Title Page with the address of Banner Play Bureau, San Francisco. A solid copy of an historic work of literature. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. First Edition.. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket.

London, et.al.: Humphrey Milford/Oxford University Press, 1923. The Brothers Capek, Josef (1887-1945) and Karel (1890-1938), were prominent members of the intellectual and artistic life of Europe. Karel is more famous today, due to his science fiction classics 'R.U.R." and "War with the Newts," but they were frequent collaborators, as here. Josef was murdered in Bergen-Belson; Karel escaped the same fate by expiring from natural causes before the Nazis got to him. Originally written and published in Czech, this is the First Edition in English: "The authorized translation from the Czech by Paul Selver. Freely Adapted for the English Stage by Nigel Playfair and Clifford Bax." Some consider this a better play than "R.U.R." It was certainly famous among the modernist/leftist world, who made political connections, and an Irish version was even attempted by Flann O'Brien. This is a Near Fine copy of the First Printing. Bound in plum red paper with black titling on… Read More

London, et.al.: Humphrey Milford/Oxford University Press, 1923. Famous members of the modernist intelligentsia, the Capeks were also responsible for popularizing the term "robot" in Carl's play "R.U.R." This is a Near Fine copy of the First Edition in English. Softcover; in brick red wraps with titling on the front cover in black. Clean text; 69 pages. Translation from the original Czech by Paul Selver. Spine has faded to a tan colour; else a Fine copy.. First English Edition. Soft Cover. Near Fine/No Jacket. 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall.

New York: The Macmillan Company, 1929. Poet and editor Padraic Colum was also one of the lights of the Irish Literary Renaissance, but relocated to America prior to the Easter Uprising, and enjoyed a long and fruitful career as an ex-pat.This is a Very Good copy of the First Edition. Illustrated paper boards in black and red with incredible artwork by Boris Artzybasheff - emblematic of the Roaring 20s, art deco, and going uptown to Harlem. 123 pages, clean and bright text. Laid-in is an advertising bookmark from Macmillan with "Baloon" as one of the featured titles.The boards show just a minor bit of rubbing on the edges and tips. No dustjacket; in an archival plastic protector. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. First Edition.. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

New York: The Macmillan Company, 1929. Poet and editor Padraic Colum was also one of the lights of the Irish Literary Renaissance, but relocated to America prior to the Easter Uprising, and enjoyed a long and fruitful career as an ex-pat.This is a Very Good copy of the First Edition. Illustrated paper boards in black and red with incredible artwork by Boris Artzybasheff - emblematic of the Roaring 20s, art deco, and going uptown to Harlem. 123 pages, clean and bright text. The paper boards are heavily rubbed at the edges, red slightly dulled, but it does not detract from the attractive illustrations. No dustjacket.. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

London: Daniel O'Connor, 1922. This is a beautiful edition of Gay's most famous work, in an edition LIMITED to "1000 copies, of which 950 numbered are for sale." This copy is one of the twenty that are un-numbered. Near Fine copy; blue-gray paper-covered boards with a white linen spine; paper labels on front cover and spine. The introduction is by Oswald Doughty. Clean text; 99 pages, with Notes. Twenty-eight plates and a facsimile of the original Title Page. The endpapers are also illustrated; the reverse of the half-title has a bookplate from a previous owner. Minor bumping. The dustwrapper is of a heavy brown paper with an embossed portrait of Gay on the front cover. There are two chips to the head and foot of the spine. In an archival plastic protector. Size: 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. First Thus.. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Very Good Plus.

New York: Boni and Liveright, 1920. O'Neill's first full-length play won the Pulitzer Prize in 1920. This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of the First Edition. Brown paper-covered boards with a tan cloth spine; black lettering on both. Clean text; 165 pages. There is a bookplate on the front paste-down. Ttipped onto the first rear endpaper is a newspaper clipping reviewing the publication of this book, which has resulted in offset to the paper. An interesting review, reporting that the stage production is more fulfilling - probably why the play won the Pulitzer! Mild bumping; a presentable copy of a landmark in American theatre. Lacking the scarce dustjacket.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good (Plus)/No Jacket. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.

New York: Hill and Wang, 1964. Bertold Brecht (1898-1956), was one of the most influencial voices of modern theatre in the 20th Century; this is a comprehensive anthology of his writings. The First American Edition (stated), edited and translated by John Willett. A Very Good Plus copy; gray cloth binding with gilt lettering on the spine (somewhat faded). Clean text; 294 pages, indexed. Light soiling; previous-owner signature on the FFEP. Lacking the dustjacket. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. First American Edition.. Hard Cover. Very Good Plus/No Jacket.

New York: Pantheon, 1960. From the Copyright Page: "Volume Three of the Collected Works of Paul Valery, Constituting Number XVI in Bollingen Series, Sponsored and Published for the Bollingen Foundation. It is the Fourth Volume of the Collected Works to Appear." This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of the First Edition. Tan cloth binding with the writer's signature in gilt on the front; titling on the spine within two maroon compartments. Clean text; xxv, 376 pages, with Notes). The last (colophon) page reproduces a drawing by Valery of a snake entwining a key. Previous-owner signature on the FFEP. A few bumps to the bottom edges; ink spot and small remainder mark on the bottom. The dusjacket is present; it has been clipped and shows considerable rubbing to the margins, along with some chips, with a larger one (3/8") at the head of the spine. In a protective plastic cover. . First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good (Plus)/Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907. This is Volume IV only of a larger set [originally 12], this one containing Ibsen's famous play "Peer Gynt. A Dramatic Poem" [Written in 1867]. A Very Good (Plus) to Near Fine copy of the Copyright Edition (First Edition Thus). Translation by William and Charles Archer; Introduction by William Archer. Maroon cloth binding with titling on the spine in gilt; reproduction Ibsen signature on the front cover. Clean text; xxxvi, 280 pages, including an Appendix. Small stamp from a previous owner on the FFEP; top edge a bit dusty, and with the spine faded to a tan colour. A very solid copy. First Thus. Hard Cover. Near Fine/No Jacket. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1908. This is Volume X only of a larger set (originally 12), this one containing Ibsen's plays "Hedda Gabler" [written 1890] and "The Master Builder" [Written 1892]. A Very Good (Plus) copy of the Copyright Edition (First Edition Thus). Translation by Edmund Gosse and William Archer; Introduction by William Archer. Maroon cloth binding with titling on the spine in gilt; reproduction Ibsen signature on the front cover. Clean text; xxxv, 365 pages. Contemporary (1910) signature and a later gift inscription on the FFEP. A solid copy, but showing some fade at the margins; the spine has faded to a tan colour. Hints of rubing to the corners. Still, a solid copy.. First Thus. Hard Cover. Very Good (Plus)/No Jacket. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1908. This is Volume IX only of a larger set (originally 12), this one containing Ibsen's plays "Rosmersholm" [written 1886] and "The Lady from the Sea" [Written i1888]. A Very Good (Plus) to Near Fine copy of the Copyright Edition (First Edition Thus). Translation by Charles Archer and Mrs. Frances E. Archer with Introductions by William Archer. Certainly a family affair! Maroon cloth binding with titling on the spine in gilt; reproduction Ibsen signature on the front cover. Clean text; xxx, 349 pages. Small stamp from a previous owner on the FFEP; top edge a bit dusty, and with the spine faded to a tan colour. An attractive, solid copy. First Thus. Hard Cover. Near Fine/No Jacket. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.

New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1954. This is a Near Fine copy of the First American Edition (stated First Printing). Black cloth binding with gilt lettering on the spine. Clean text; 159 pages, with a page listing the cast of the first thatrical production. Previous-owner sticker on the Title Page, else a Fine copy. The dustjacket is Very Good (Plus) - unclipped, but shows a tiny bit of edgewear and the spine has faded to an even light brown (lettering still bright). In an archival plasticprotector.. First American Edition.. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Very Good Plus. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

New York: Theatre Arts Books, 1966. Written in the form of letters between the authors, this is a delightful read, as well as a lesson in the trade of comic acting. Originally published in 1946. This is a Fine copy of the Fourth Printing of the Second Edition. Tan linen binding with black lettering on the spine. Clean text; 114 pages. The dustjacket is unclipped; shows a tiny bit of edgewear at the foot of the spine, else Fine. In a plastic protector. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Later Printing.. Hard Cover. Fine/Near Fine.

New York: Random House, 1934. The Irish-American playright (1888-1953) won both the Pulitzer and the Nobel, although probably not for this admittedly minor work. This is a Near Fine copy of the First Edition (stated), lacking the dustjacket. Blue cloth binding with gilt lettering and a facsimile signature of the author on the front cover. Decorative endpapers. Clean text; 157 pages. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. First Edition.. Hard Cover. Near Fine/No Jacket.

New York: Viking Press, 1949. Miller's second play stands as an icon of American Theatre, still produced today; winner of Pulitzer and Tony Award. This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of the First Edition. Bright orange cloth binding, with black lettering on the spine and a representation of a stage set as decoration on the front cover. Decorative endpapers - "reproduction of the drawing by Jo Mielzner for the stage setting of the play." Clean text; 139 pages. Included is the cast list for the famous first performance staged by Elia Kazan, with Lee J. Cobb as Willy Loman. Light soil, faint bumping. In an archival plastic cover. Size: 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. First Edition.. Hard Cover. Very Good Plus. Illus. by Jo Mielziner.

New York: Boni and Liveright, 1921. The third volume of O'Neill's early plays published by Liveright. "The Emperor Jones," in the production starring Paul Robeson, was a great hit. This is a Very Good (Minus) copy of the First Edition. Tan paper-covered boards with a cloth spine; black lettering on the spine and front cover.Clean text; 285 pages. Two places have been reinforced with a linen tape. Light bumps, moderate soiling; penciled erasures on the FFEP. A sound and presentable copy. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good (Minus)/No Jacket. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.

New York: Boni and Liveright, 1921. Containing one of the great American dramatist's iconic plays, "The Emperor Jones," and two others. First published in April, 1921. This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of the Fouirth Printing from ovember of the same year (stated). Tan paper-covered boards with a cloth spine; titling in black on the spine and front cover. Clean text; 285 pages, very bright and fresh. Corners are bumped, with a bit of rub to the head and foot of the spine. No dustjacket; in an archival plastic protector. . Later Printing. Hard Cover. Very Good (Plus)/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

London: Jonathan Cape Ltd, 1925. O'Neill's first hit play, performed in America in 1920. An expressionist experiment, based upon events in Haiti. This is a Near Fine copy of the First English Edition Green paper-covered boards with black titling on front cover and spine. Clean text; viii, 53 pages. Just faint hints of corner wear, else a Fine copy. The dustwrapper has two small chips to the head of the spine, and a small closed tear at the bottom of the front cover. An extremely fresh and bright copy; in an archival plastic protector.. First UK Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Near Fine. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.

Philadelphia: The Blakiston Company, 1945. "A completely excellent biography" of the great actor John Barrymore, certainly one of the most wonderfully quirky personalities of Twentieth Century theatre. This is a Near Fine copy of the Reprint Edition (one year after the Viking First Edition), of very high quality for wartime production. Bright orangish-red cloth binding; title stamped in blind on the front board, gilt spine lettering. Illustrated with photographs; Barrymore's own drawings illustrate the paste-downs. Clean text; 474 pages, indexed. Previous-owner signature on the Title Page. The dustjacket is complete and unclipped but has two large chips that affect the spine. In an archival plastic protector. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Reprint.. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Very Good.