Beckett, Samuel (1955) ‘Waiting for Godot’, UK first edition with a handwritten and signed Beckett letter

Beckett, Samuel (1955) Waiting for Godot. UK first edition, first printing, published by Faber and Faber. Together with a handwritten and signed Beckett letter addressed to the publisher Colin Smythe with the original mailing envelope (see below for details). Also, the book belonged to David Spenser, British actor, TV and radio producer. It was gifted by his brother Jeremy Spenser – also a well known actor – with a humerous inscription (see below).

Condition of the book: in very good condition and complete with the Publisher’s Note between the two copyright pages. Internally clean without any comments written in the text. The mustard colour boards are clean with only slight shelf wear. A few foxing spots to page block and the pastedowns/ endpapers. Typical ghosting to endpapers. The first state dust jacket has slight chipping to the spine ends and shows a few ageing spots. The book belonged to actor, TV and radio producer David Spenser (1934-2013). It was given to him by his brother, Jeremy Spenser, film actor in his own right who acted in films from the late 1940s until 1966. Jeremy penned a gift inscription onto the endpaper: “Dear David – Happy Birthday and my love – Jeremy. 1956-7-8-9 and 1960 (it’s alright I know I won’t get awy with it”

The letter: original hadnwritten small letter on Beckett’s personal stationary card, dated Paris 23 July 1983. Address to Colin Smythe, literary agent of Irish writers and publisher (perhaps best known for publishing the first Terry Pratchett novels). In the letter, Beckett explains to Smythe the publishing rights of his work in the US and the UK. Indirectly mentioning ‘Waiting for Godot’ by saying that all publishing rights in the UK for his theatre plays lie with Faber and Faber. In excellent condition with the original mailing envelope stamped 24 July 1983.

‘Waiting for Godot’ is the most significant play of the 20^th century which premiered in the English language in London in 1955. It was originally written in French and premiered in Paris in 1953. The story of Vladimir and Estragon who endlessly wait for someone called Godot is iconic, and many interpretations (existential, theological, Freudian, Jungian, political etc.) have surrounded the play.

Beckett received the Nobel Prize for literature in 1969.