George Bernard Shaw

10 volumes, comprising:

i) Caesar and Cleopatra. 1931; ii) Our Theatres in the Nineties. 1932, volume 1 only, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY JOHN MERIVALE ("Vivien | pp.146-154") on the front pastedown endpaper; iii) Three Plays for Puritans. The Devil's Disciple, Caesar and Cleopatra, and Captain Brassbound's Conversion. 1934, later edition, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR ("Cleopatra's copy for | Vivien Leigh | G. Bernard Shaw | 30th May 1944") on the title page, also with initials "V.L." inscribed in pencil on front free endpaper; iv) Another copy. 1947, later edition; v) The Doctor's Dilemma, Getting Married, & The Shewing-Up of Blanco Posnet. 1937, later edition; vi) Geneva, Cymbeline Refinished, & Good King Charles. 1946; vii) Sixteen Self Sketches. 1949, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY MERCIA SWINBURNE AND GEORGE RELPH ("Love, darling | Mercia & George") on the front free endpaper, portrait frontispiece and photographic plates; viii) Music in London. 1949-1950, 3 volumes, later editions; all 8vo, original red cloth lettered in gilt on spines, some top edges gilt 

Laurence A207

Condition is 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."

INCLUDING VIVIEN'S COPY OF SHAW'S CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR ON HER VISIT TO HIS HOME IN AYOT ST. LAWRENCE.

According to Felix Barker in The Oliviers (1953), Vivien visited Shaw with Gabriel Pascal before the filming of Caesar and Cleopatra began and "spent a little time with him talking in the sunshine [...] As they strolled back she asked him if he would autograph her copy of the play. In writing even more squiggly than usual he inscribed it [...] He apologised for the brevity, saying, "I can't write today; there are some days I simply can't write."" (p.221).

Shaw and Vivien would correspond throughout the filming, discussing amendments to lines. He was remarkably direct with her, responding to one request to restore an altered line to the original with "I never change a line except for the better. Don't be an idiot. G.B.S." (quoted in Barker, p.222).

The complete set of the standard edition of Shaw's works ran to 37 volumes. The inscription from John Merivale (see also lot 197) directs Vivien to a section on great actresses in the theatre, including Sarah Bernhardt and Eleanora Duse.