N. Richard Nash — The Rainmaker

New York, Random House, 1955. First edition. Cloth. A first edition of Nash's most prominent play, once owned by critic Clive Hirschhorn. A first edition, in lovely condition, with original unclipped dust wrapper. From the theatrical collection of Clive Hirschhorn, theatre critic for the Sunday Express from 1966 to 1993. Known for his witty and thorough reviews, features and interviews, Hirschhorn also authored several works on the film industry, including his critically acclaimed biographies of Hollywood stars, Gene Kelly and James Mason.  A renowned book collector, the majority of works from Hirschhorn"s incredible library of theatre-related material have a characteristic pencil inscription with his date of acquisition to the upper corner of the paste down. A play by American writer and dramatist N. Richard Nash, known for his work on plays performed on Broadway. Most prominently, The Rainmaker, which centres on a a small town in Depression-era America. During a devastating drought, a conman arrives with the promise of rain. The film adaptation starred Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn. Bound in original brown cloth. In original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, very smart. Small pencil crayon inscription to ffep. Very slight bumping to head and tail. Very slight age toning to board top edges. Dust wrapper very smart. Moderate sunning to dust wrapper spine and extremities. Mild shelf wear. Mild rubbing to dust wrapper. Slight red tide marks to rear endpapers from tinted text block top edge. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally bright and clean. slight tide mark to front blank. Very slight mark to text block top edge. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Near Fine.