Now Barabbas...

London: Longmans, Green and Co. , 1947. First edition. Cloth. Near Fine/Very Good. 7.5" by 5". Angus McBean. The first edition copy of this theatrical work by William Douglas Home, with an inscription from the author to the front paper and eight illustrated plates. First Edition. With an inscription from the author to the front endpaper, stating 'To John Paddy Carstairs for Christmas 1947- with best wishes for The Orient Express.' Carstairs (1910-1970) was a British film and television director who was also the son of actor Nelson Keys. Home might be referencing the filming of 'Sleeping Car to Trieste', which Carstairs directed in 1948. Illustrations include eight illustrated plates with photographs taken by Angus McBean.'Now Barabbas...' is a play by William Douglas Home, which was performed on the West End at the Vaudeville Theatre from 7th March to 28th June 1947. It revolves around a group of inmates at a British prison, some of which are convicted to hanging. William Douglas Home (1912-1992) was a British dramatist and politician, who stood multiple times as Liberal Party candidate. He wrote over fifty plays, most of which were comedies in an upper-class setting. 'Now Barabbas' was one of his most successful plays. Collated, complete. In the publisher's original cloth binding, in the unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, excellent. A bit of age-toning to the margins of boards. Author's ink inscription to front endpaper, and offsetting to the endpapers from dust wrapper. Dust wrapper is very smart, with minimal edge wear particularly around the spine region, with a very small closed tear to the tail of the spine region. A few marks to the rear wrap. Light age-toning to the top edge of the fly leaves as well as the reverse. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout, with very light-age toning to text. Near Fine