Alexander Woollcott's Copy of Private Lives by Noël Coward

"Private Lives," Noël Coward's "intimate comedy in three acts," was published in 1930. Coward inscribed a copy to drama critic Alexander Woollcott the following year and Woollcott, as the owner, added his signature in pencil as well.

Even Woollcott couldn't keep his books in pristine condition.

The first hardcover edition was priced at $1.75.

Is this how you would inscribe inscribe your book to an esteemed member of the Algonquin Round Table? Of course it is.

"For Ackie Wackie
from
Noly Poly
1931"

Title page

Noël Coward
AbeBooks listing accessed August 29, 2024

https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/1930-Private-Lives-INSCRIBED-Noel-Coward/31938898645/bd

Noël Coward
AbeBooks item description

Note:  I read "Private Lives" in college from an under-inked Xerox copy that doesn't compare in any way to the extraordinary first edition shown above, except for the text. I have a special liking for books inscribed author to author, artist to artist, or, as you might imagine, cartoonist to cartoonist. Take your pick from your home library and send me photos of whatever you've got. I know just the blog for them.

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