Nov 5, 2025 10:00 EST
Stage & Screen featuring The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
41
Samuel Beckett's From an Abandoned Work, inscribed
Collection of American Theater Director Alan Schneider (1917-1984)
SAMUEL BECKETT
From an Abandoned Work. London: Faber and Faber, [1958]. First edition, inscribed on the title page by Samuel Beckett to Alan Schneider "for Alan / with love / from Sam." Stitched pamphlet in original illustrated wrappers, 5½ x 8½ inches (14 x 21½ cm). Some shelfwear to wrappers; spine cracked, a short closed tear to the bottom margin of the front cover, foxing to the flaps. Internally very clean. Alan Schneider's ownership inscription to front free endpaper.
Provenance: Collection of Alan Schneider (1917-1984); Following the death of Alan Schneider in 1984, these materials were retained by Schneider’s widow, Eugenie Schneider, who died in the summer of 2025 at 101 years old.
A presentation copy of Beckett's "meditation for radio" to his favorite American director, Alan Schneider. As its title suggests, From an Abandoned Work began as an attempt at a novel. This monologue is delivered by an old man looking back on his childhood. From an Abandoned Work was first performed on BBC Radio 3 by the Irish actor Patrick Magee. Beckett himself found himself very moved by this performance. Though Alan Schneider never staged this piece, it has been performed on stage and on the radio several times and remains one of Beckett's more popular short pieces.
Sold for $1,216
Estimated at $500 - $800
Includes Buyer's Premium
Collection of American Theater Director Alan Schneider (1917-1984)
SAMUEL BECKETT
From an Abandoned Work. London: Faber and Faber, [1958]. First edition, inscribed on the title page by Samuel Beckett to Alan Schneider "for Alan / with love / from Sam." Stitched pamphlet in original illustrated wrappers, 5½ x 8½ inches (14 x 21½ cm). Some shelfwear to wrappers; spine cracked, a short closed tear to the bottom margin of the front cover, foxing to the flaps. Internally very clean. Alan Schneider's ownership inscription to front free endpaper.
Provenance: Collection of Alan Schneider (1917-1984); Following the death of Alan Schneider in 1984, these materials were retained by Schneider’s widow, Eugenie Schneider, who died in the summer of 2025 at 101 years old.
A presentation copy of Beckett's "meditation for radio" to his favorite American director, Alan Schneider. As its title suggests, From an Abandoned Work began as an attempt at a novel. This monologue is delivered by an old man looking back on his childhood. From an Abandoned Work was first performed on BBC Radio 3 by the Irish actor Patrick Magee. Beckett himself found himself very moved by this performance. Though Alan Schneider never staged this piece, it has been performed on stage and on the radio several times and remains one of Beckett's more popular short pieces.
Auction: Stage & Screen featuring The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Nov 5, 2025
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Popular Stage & Screen Auction on November 5, 2025 Attracted Global Audience
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Memorabilia, Autographs, Artwork & Photographs Celebrating Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance
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Archive of Samuel Beckett Material from the Estate of His American Director Alan Schneider Topped $75,000
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Sale Featured a Special Section Devoted to the Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's popular Stage & Screen auction on November 5, 2025 attracted fans and collectors around the world vying for an exciting range of offerings celebrating the performing arts of Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance.
The Estate of Alan Schneider
Featured in the sale was fascinating collection of early Waiting for Godot material from the Estate of Alan Schneider that topped $75,000 amid trans-Atlantic competition. “The primary American director of Samuel Beckett plays” and a close friend of the playwright, Alan Schneider died in 1984, and his widow died at 101 this past summer. This remarkable archive offered an extraordinary glimpse into the creative partnership between Schneider and Beckett, spanning decades of groundbreaking theatrical work. Highlights included Schneider’s annotated working copy of Waiting for Godot used in the landmark American production, an inscribed typescript of Eh Joe, and first editions and presentation copies of Endgame and Happy Days, many personally inscribed to Schneider by Beckett. Other treasures included manuscripts, letters, awards, recordings and posters that document a pivotal collaboration in modern theater history. Read more
The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Doyle was honored to offer a sequel to the successful 2011 auction of property from the estate of the legendary actor. Featured in the sale were artwork, furniture, photographs and memorabilia. Read More.
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