MAC

First edition first printing. Limited to 2,000 copies of which 1,000 (numbered 1-1,000) were for sale in the Britain and the remainder (1,000-2,000) for the US market. This copy is no. 525. Although not marked as such, this copy is from the library of Frank Pike, head of the drama list at Faber and Faber (Pinter's main publisher) for over 40 years. Original quarter green cloth over buckram, lettered in gilt to the spine. Issued without a dustwrapper. Pale green endpapers. Publisher's burgundy monogram to the title page. Facsimile author signature to p. 19. Printed on laid paper. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the contents clean throughout. Showing just a touch of handling and shelf wear to the cloth.

Anew McMaster (1894-1962), born in County Monaghan, Ireland, made his first stage appearance at the New Theatre, London, aged 16. He died in Dublin half a century later, a few days after appearing on stage for the last time. As the biographical note at the back of this beautifully produced little volume notes, McMaster was "the last of the great actor-managers. [...] From 1925 onwards he and his company played a repertoire of Shakespeare plays across the world". Pinter's affectionate tribute to McMaster records the months he spent as as a young actor touring Ireland with McMaster's company in the 1950s. (Baker & Ross E14a).