Archibald Macleish — J.B.

Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1958 . First edition. Cloth. The first edition of Archibald MacLeish's award winning free verse play, in the original dust wrapper, and present alongside the very scarce Playbill for the play's first run on Broadway. The first edition, first printing of this work, together with the very scarce playbill for the first Broadway production for the play. In the publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper. A modern-day retelling of the story of the biblical figure Job written in free verse. Following J.B. a devout millionaire with a happy domestic life whose life is suddenly and completely ruined.  Written by Archibald MacLeish, an American poet and writer who was associated with the modernist school of poetry.  The playbill advertises the 1858 production of the play, directed by controversial Hollywood figure Elia Kazan, and starring Christopher Plummer. The play has won several accolades, including the 1959 Tony Award for Best Play and the 1959 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Inscription of Helen le Fox to a front blank. 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 backed paper covered boards, with unclipped dust wrapper, and Playbill in the publisher's original paper wraps. Externally, excellent, with small closed tear to Playbill front wrap head, and inscription to front wrap head. Pencil inscription to front pastedown, a further inscription to a front blank. Dust wrapper back strip age toned, with light handling marks to wraps, and edgewear to back strip head. Internally, firmly bound. Pages of book clean and bright, with perimeters of Playbill leaves lightly age toned. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed.