Kesselring, Joseph

8vo (203 x 132mm.), FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING (as stated on the copyright page), SIGNED BY THE ENTIRE CAST OF THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION, the signatures appearing after the appropriate name on the cast list, original tan buckram lettered in purple with a skull and crossbones motif on the upper board, top edge purple, dust-jacket, collector's black morocco folding box with decorative morocco onlays by the Dragonfly bindery, dust-jacket with a few very minor closed tears at extremities

Mary R. Birch, book label on rear endpaper; Library of Donald G. Drapkin, bookplate (his sale, Christie's New York, 29 June 2005, lot 225)

Condition is as described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

VERY RARE SIGNED COPY OF KESSELRING'S CELEBRATED PLAY; no other signed copies are known to have appeared at auction in recent years. The play opened on the 10 January 1941 at the Fulton Theatre in New York, and closed in 1944 after almost 1,500 performances.

The cast members included Boris Karloff, who played Jonathan Brewster, and Josephine Hull as Abby Brewster. Although the film adaptation by Frank Capra was shot in 1941, it was not released until three years later when the play had finished its run.