RACKHAM--SHAKESPEARE | A Midsummer Night's Dream, 1908, John Gielgud's copy

RACKHAM, ARTHUR--SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM

A Midsummer-Night's Dream. William Heinemann, 1908

4to, SIR JOHN GIELGUD'S COPY, first trade edition WITH PRESENTATION LETTER FROM GEORG AND HEDI SOLTI ("...you have given both of us so many delightful hours during the rehearsals of the Midsummer Night's Dream that we only can hope this book might give you a little bit of pleasure in return...") (Savoy Hotel, London, 2 February 1961), 40 coloured plates and other illustrations by Arthur Rackham, later red morocco with gilt fillets on covers and gilt dentelles, spine gilt in compartments with blue and green lettering-pieces, gilt edges, some occasional spotting, minor scratches to binding, slight splitting to joints

The letter, in the hand of Hedi Solti (although signed "Georg" by the conductor), and presentation of the volume relates to the Covent Garden production of Britten's A Midsummer-Night's Dream. Gielgud was the stage producer and Georg Solti conducted.

LITERATURE:

Riall, p. 87

PROVENANCE:

"The John Gielgud Collection", Sotheby's, 5 April 2001, lot 574

Please note, Condition 11 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.

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