KRAPP'S LAST TAPE and EMBERS

First edition, first printing. Publisher's white plain card covers with integral green card dustwrapper printed in black and red. A fine copy, the binding square and tight, bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps.

Early in 1958, Beckett began writing a short piece (running to little more than ten minutes in performance) with the working title 'The Magee Monologue'. Beckett at the time had not yet met Patrick Magee, but had heard him in a radio performance and embarked on a piece written specifically for his voice. The piece would be re-titled Krapp's Last Tape and Beckett and Magee would become lifelong collaborators, friends and drinking companions. 'Embers' was written by Beckett in 1957 for Jack MacGowran and was first broadcast by the BBC in June 1959. Donald McWhinnie directed Jack MacGowran as 'Henry', Kathleen Michael as 'Ada' and Patrick Magee in the roles of 'Riding Master' and 'Music Master'. 'Embers' won the RAI prize at the Prix Italia later the same year. (Bair, D.: Samuel Beckett: A Biography, 1990)