Nov 5, 2025 10:00 EST
Stage & Screen featuring The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
42
The first edition of Play, signed by its first American director
Collection of American Theater Director Alan Schneider (1917-1984)
SAMUEL BECKETT
Play and two short pieces for radio. London: Faber & Faber, [1964]. First edition, signed by the director Alan Schneider on the front free endpaper. Publisher's red cloth with the spine lettered in gilt, dust-jacket, 5 x 8 inches (12 x 20½ cm). Dust-jacket rubbed, with wear to the spine crease, a short closed tear to the top edge, and a small circular pockmark to the rear panel. Cloth binding slightly bumped but very good.
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.
One of the most famous works of Beckett's later, more minimalist period, Play is performed by three actors encased up to the neck in large gray urns. Alan Schneider directed Play's American premiere with much input from Beckett. Schneider's staging of Play earned Beckett a 1964 Obie award for Best Play.
Sold for $77
Estimated at $100 - $200
Includes Buyer's Premium
Collection of American Theater Director Alan Schneider (1917-1984)
SAMUEL BECKETT
Play and two short pieces for radio. London: Faber & Faber, [1964]. First edition, signed by the director Alan Schneider on the front free endpaper. Publisher's red cloth with the spine lettered in gilt, dust-jacket, 5 x 8 inches (12 x 20½ cm). Dust-jacket rubbed, with wear to the spine crease, a short closed tear to the top edge, and a small circular pockmark to the rear panel. Cloth binding slightly bumped but very good.
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.
One of the most famous works of Beckett's later, more minimalist period, Play is performed by three actors encased up to the neck in large gray urns. Alan Schneider directed Play's American premiere with much input from Beckett. Schneider's staging of Play earned Beckett a 1964 Obie award for Best Play.
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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