Samson Raphaelson — (1939) Skylark; (1951) Hilda Crane.

New York, Random House, 1939-1951. First edition. Cloth. A lovely collection of two Broadway plays by Samson Raphaelson, together in their original dust wrappers. Collection comprised of: (1939) Skylark; (1951) Hilda Crane.   Both copies are first editions, bound in the publisher's original cloth bindings, together with the original, clipped dust wrappers.   Each text contains a frontispiece and two further photographic plates.   An exciting collection of two Broadway plays by American playwright and screenwriter Samson Raphaelson. Skylark originally appeared as a comic story in the Saturday Evening Post entitled Streamlined Heart, soon after which Raphaelson renamed and adapted it into the present play, which made its premiere in October of the same year. Hilda Crane was also adapted from a series of short stories, this time as contributions to Good Housekeeping magazine, first appearing on stage in November 1950. Both works were subsequently adapted for film.   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. In the publisher's original cloth bindings. With the original, clipped dust wrappers. Bookplate of the University of Southern California book store to the rear paste down. Externally, lovely condition with only minor bumping and rubbing and the odd mark, more so to Skylark. Dust wrapper to Skylark features minimal edge wear, including a few small tears and very minor chips, with reasonable discolouration and marking, more so to the rear, including a faint tide mark to the top edge of the front cover. Hilda Crane is an exceptionally nice dust wrapper with next to no shelf wear and some minor discolouration to the rear. Internally, firmly bound. A very bright and clean collection with the exception of heavier age toning to the first and last few pages of Skylark. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good Indeed/Very Good.