Playbill, Terence Rattigan — 1st Edition

£30.00

Playbill, Terence Rattigan — 1st Edition

Name: Playbill, Terence Rattigan — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4968
Price: 30.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Hamish Hamilton, 1949

Formatting: Small 8vo.

Condition Report: Very Good. The binding remains firm and structurally sound, though the original paper-covered boards exhibit general age-toning, mild surface soiling commensurate with age, and a faint crease to the upper front corner. There is light rubbing to the extremities, with minor bumping to the corners and slight wear at the spine head and tail. Internally, the text block is pleasingly bright and clean, free from foxing or significant blemishes. A contemporary ink ownership signature to the front free endpaper is the only notable marking, leaving the remainder of the pages crisp.

Catalogue Note: This is the true first edition of Playbill. Unillustrated, this volume comprises Rattigan’s celebrated companion plays, The Browning Version and Harlequinade.

The volume features a contemporary ownership inscription ("Marga Limmis, Xmas 1949") in ink on the front free endpaper, situating the copy neatly within its year of publication.

While individual later printings of the plays are ubiquitous, finding the original combined 1949 Playbill in its initial paper-covered boards is increasingly uncommon on the open market.

Playbill unites two of Terence Rattigan’s most masterful and sharply contrasting one-act plays, famously performed together during their 1948 London premiere. The Browning Version presents a devastating psychological study of Andrew Crocker-Harris, a retiring classics master whose austere exterior conceals a world of quiet heartbreak and bitter frustration. In stark juxtaposition, Harlequinade offers a riotous farce centring on an ageing, self-absorbed theatrical couple struggling to mount a production of Romeo and Juliet in the provinces. Together, they showcase Rattigan’s unparalleled emotional range and theatrical craftsmanship.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Terence Rattigan

Book Publisher: Hamish Hamilton

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 1949

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Rochester, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.