THE COCKTAIL PARTY (First impression - first state - with inserts)

T. S. Eliot

Published by Faber & Faber, 24 Russell Square, London, 1950

About this Item

First impression of the true first edition, published in 1950 - in the first state, with a printing error on p.29 "You shall see here again--here". In addition, this copy comes with loosely inserted playbills from the second performance at Brighton (dated in ink 19.12.49) and the first London run (with printed date May 3rd.1950) at the New Theatre, St. Martin's Lane, W.C.2. The cast list for the Sherek Players 1949 production is slightly different from the 'Cast of the First Production at the Edinburgh Festival, August 22-27, 1949' which is printed at the back of the book. ***Near fine in green cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The gilt is still perfectly bright having been protected by the dustwrapper. Cloth nice and clean and unmarked. Edges of page block slightly foxed. Head and tail of the spine slightly creased. Very small crease on the bottom edge of the front board. Corners sharp. Very slight reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Internally near fine with no inscriptions. Just the lightest of foxing to the endpapers but none of the usual off-setting. Pages clean. No creases or tears. ***In a near fine original dustwrapper, which retains the publisher's printed price of 10s. 6d. net. The dustwrapper is complete, with just minimal rubbing and creasing at the edges, mainly at the top and tail of the spine. No chips or tears. The spine of the dustwrapper id just lightly browned. Dustwrapper just very slightly marked - a superior example. ***171 pages. 225mm x 148mm. ***'"The Cocktail Party" was first performed at the Edinburgh Festival in 1949. In 1950 the play had successful runs in London and New York theaters (the Broadway production received the 1950 Tony Award for Best Play.) It focuses on a troubled married couple who, through the intervention of a mysterious stranger, settle their problems and move on with their lives. The play starts out seeming to be a light satire of the traditional British drawing room comedy. As it progresses, however, the work becomes a darker philosophical/psychological treatment of human relations. As in many of Eliot's works, the play uses absurdist elements to expose the isolation of the human condition. In another recurring theme of Eliot's plays, the Christian martyrdom of the mistress character is seen as a sacrifice that permits the predominantly secular life of the community to continue.' [Wiki] ***'This is the text of Mr. Eliot's play which was successfully produced at the Edinburgh Festival of 1949, and which was repeated at Brighton later in the year, preparatory to a season in New York. Several alterations have been made in the text, subsequent to the Edinburgh production. A list of the original cast is included, and the score of the song "One-Eyed Riley."' [Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper] ***A first state first impression of the true first edition, in really nice collectable condition. Although not a scarce book, copies in presentable and collectable condition in their original dustwrappers are quite hard to find now. The original playbills make this copy even more interesting to T. S. Eliot and theatre collectors. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.

Seller Inventory # 8026x

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE COCKTAIL PARTY (First impression - first state - with inserts)
• Publisher: Faber & Faber, 24 Russell Square, London
• Publication Date: 1950
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition
• Printing: First Impression
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Literature
  • First Editions
  • Wartime & Post War Publishing 1939-1950