William Gillette — Sherlock Holmes, a Play

New York, Doubleday, Doran & Company, 1935 . First edition. Cloth. Theatre critic Clive Hirschhorn's copy of this very scarce first edition of William Gillette's 'Sherlock Holmes' play, the first edition to feature additional material reflecting on the play and its performances. The very scarce first edition, first printing of this work. In the publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper. While this play had previously been published in 1922, this is the first edition to feature an introduction from Vincent Starrett, a preface from William Gillette, and 'reminiscent notes' from Frederic Dorr Steele. With a frontispiece and small number of vignette line drawings. The plot of this play by William Gillette is based upon material from Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock holmes tales 'A Scandal in Bohemia', 'The Final Problem', and 'A Study in Scarlett&apos. It premiered on Broadway November 6, 1899. From the library of Clive Hirschhorn, theatre critic at the Sunday Express from 1966 to 1995, and a noted book collector of 20th century authors, with his collection including all the major works of Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Steinbeck and others. With Clive's characteristic inscription with his date of acquisition to the upper corner of the front pastedown.  In the publisher's original cloth binding, with unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, generally bright, with marks to cloth of boards. Front hinge strained, but firmly held. Pencil inscription to front pastedown head. Chipping and losses to dust wrapper back strip head and tail, with closed tears to front wrap head and tail. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good/Very Good.