WAITING FOR GODOT - a tragicomedy in two acts (First UK edition - second impression, in first state dustwrapper)

Samuel Beckett

Published by Faber and Faber, 24, Russell Square, London, 1956

Second impression of the first UK edition, published in February 1956 (the same month as the first), preceded by Beckett's original French version "En Attendant Godot" published by Les Éditions de Minuit, Paris in 1952, and an American edition published by Grove Press, New York in 1954. ***The UK edition was the first to publish the play as performed in London in 1955, its English-language premiere, with the alterations to comply with censorship of British theatres, as noted in the publisher's note which is printed at the beginning of the book (the first impression had this note tipped in to the book on a separate sheet). ***Near fine in yellow cloth-covered boards with red titles to the spine. The cloth is beautifully clean and unmarked, having been protected by the dustwrapper. No significant creases or bumps - just very slight creasing to the top corner tips of the boards. The top edge of the page block is slightly foxed, but the other edges are clean. Internally, the book is also near fine, with a neat contemporaneous gift inscription in pencil on the front free endpaper. The interior pages are really clean, with no foxing and no annotations. None of the usual offsetting to the endpapers. There is a small fold crease to the top corner of p.29/30 - otherwise no creases or tears. Spine tight. ***In a near fine monochrome-illustrated dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of 9s 6d net (most copies of the second impression have been price-clipped by the publisher with a revised printed price of 10s 6d net). The dustwrapper is only slightly rubbed and scuffed at the extremities, mainly at the top of the spine. No significant creases or tears, and no chips. The back panel of the dustwrapper is unusually clean, with just a very small stain near the spine. The spine of the dustwrapper is also very clean - just slightly browned and marked. Dustwrapper bright. ***210mm x 130mm. 94 pages. ***'One of the most influential works of modern drama - "Voted the most significant English language play of the 20th century in a British Royal National Theatre poll of 800 playwrights, actors, directors and journalists. Beckett's naked play about two tramps waiting for Godot has tapped into our 20th-century public consciousness. It seems to express our deepest fears and our deepest knowledge of ourselves and our predicament" (Norman Berlin).' ***'"The first production of Beckett's own English translation, directed by Peter Hall, was staged at the Arts Theatre Club in London in August 1955. Kenneth Tynan's and Harold Hobson's reviews made it into an intellectual hit which has since been regarded as having transformed the British stage" (DNB). ***A second impression of the first UK edition, complete in its original first-state dustwrapper, in beautiful collector's condition. Early impression copies of this most famous work are seldom found now in such nice condition. ***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 # 8636

Bibliographic Details

Title: WAITING FOR GODOT - a tragicomedy in two ...
Publisher: Faber and Faber, 24, Russell Square, London
Publication Date: 1956
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Near Fine
Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
Edition: First UK Edition