The Fairies Or The Tales Of Mother Goose Corrected Typescript: Presentation Copy To John Arlott

Original typescript. Date: c.1925-1945. Red cloth gilt. Size: 20.7cm x 25.7cm. Pp. 19. ‘A Comedy in one act. Acted for the first time by the Italian Comedians at the Hotel de Bourgogne, the second day of March, 1697’. Translated by M Willson Disher. Typescript extensively annotated and corrected throughout by Disher in both pen and pencil. Unpublished and undated. PRESENTATION COPY TO JOHN ARLOTT. Arlott’s son remarks that this may have been presented to John Arlott whilst he was Literary Producer of the BBC World Service from 1945-1951 and may have had it broadcast on ‘Book Of Verse’. 1697 saw the first publishing of Charles Perrault’s collection and the Italian Comedians would have been one of the first to adapt it for the stage. A British theatre critic and author, Disher was known as the ‘Historian of Entertainment’ and published many works on the arts and the theatre. Slight fading to the spine of the cloth with minor flecking to the rear board. Fraying to the lower edges of the pages from pp.16-19, not affecting the text. A probably unique version of this historic fairy tale and in very good condition.