Noël

1924 · réf. 178399 — London & New York: Samuel French 1924-1971. Ex Libris Noël Coward First Samuel French acting editions and one later printing of Private Lives each play with the author's elegant art deco bookplate combining the masks of comedy and tragedy into a single persona. The bookplate was designed by Gladys Calthrop 1894-1980 who worked as a set and costume designer on many of the original productions of Coward's plays including Private Lives 1931 Design for Living 1933 and Present Laughter 1943. The plays later passed into the collection of Geoffrey A. Johnson Coward's close friend and US representative with his ownership stamps. Johnson 1930-2021 cast over 100 Broadway shows including Cats The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables. He first met Coward in 1961 when Johnson worked as the stage manager for the Broadway production of Coward's Sail Away. The two went on to work together until Coward's death in 1973. Johnson acted as a trustee of the Noël Coward Foundation and was the Life President of the Noël Coward Archive Trust. Hands Across the Sea Family Album The Astonished Heart and Fumed Oak were part of the Tonight at 8.30 series. This was a cycle of ten one-act plays which stared Coward and Gertrude Lawrence. Each of these plays has a "Tonight at 8.30" sticker on the front cover. 8 works octavo. With 7 photographic plates. Original wrappers lettered in black. Housed in a custom black cloth flat-back box with chemise by the Chelsea Bindery. Library stamp of W & G Foyle Music & Drama Dept. to front panel of The Young Idea UK edition. Wrappers a little toned chips to spine and head of front panel of The Young Idea US edition a few closed tears faint damp stain at head of The Young Idea UK edition Hands Across the Sea and Fumed Oak slightly cockled: a very good set. hardcover