Nov 5, 2025 10:00 EST
Stage & Screen featuring The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
45
Corrected manuscript of "Not I" presented to Barney Rosset of the Grove Press
Collection of American Theater Director Alan Schneider (1917-1984)
SAMUEL BECKETT
Corrected manuscript of "Not I." London: 1973. Corrected copy of the full play presented to Barney [Rosset] of the Grove Press in 1973. Thermofax typescript, 8½ x 11 inches. 9 leaves unbound. Paper toned with age as expected of a thermofax. Minor foxing and a few leaves are slightly wrinkled.
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 typescript, corrected in pen by a Grove Press proofreader, of one of Beckett's most iconic stage works from the collection of its first director. Not I, a frenzied monologue delivered by a floating mouth, was first performed in November 1972 at Lincoln Center by Jessica Tandy, directed by Alan Schneider. Schneider helped to develop the rather complicated staging and lighting that would allow the mouth to appear independent from a face, isolated in darkness about eight feet above the stage.
In October 1972, during audience previews for the official run, Schneider wrote to Beckett: "For those who are willing to go with it, NOT I works wonders. People were stunned, crying, left in seats at the end, and so on. For the majority of ordinary onlookers, there is confusion and disappointment galore, mutterings, and one or two or more walking out. Expected."
Please note that this manuscript was presented to Barney Rosset of the Grove Press, not to Barney Miller as previously stated.
Sold for $4,800
Estimated at $5,000 - $8,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Collection of American Theater Director Alan Schneider (1917-1984)
SAMUEL BECKETT
Corrected manuscript of "Not I." London: 1973. Corrected copy of the full play presented to Barney [Rosset] of the Grove Press in 1973. Thermofax typescript, 8½ x 11 inches. 9 leaves unbound. Paper toned with age as expected of a thermofax. Minor foxing and a few leaves are slightly wrinkled.
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 typescript, corrected in pen by a Grove Press proofreader, of one of Beckett's most iconic stage works from the collection of its first director. Not I, a frenzied monologue delivered by a floating mouth, was first performed in November 1972 at Lincoln Center by Jessica Tandy, directed by Alan Schneider. Schneider helped to develop the rather complicated staging and lighting that would allow the mouth to appear independent from a face, isolated in darkness about eight feet above the stage.
In October 1972, during audience previews for the official run, Schneider wrote to Beckett: "For those who are willing to go with it, NOT I works wonders. People were stunned, crying, left in seats at the end, and so on. For the majority of ordinary onlookers, there is confusion and disappointment galore, mutterings, and one or two or more walking out. Expected."
Please note that this manuscript was presented to Barney Rosset of the Grove Press, not to Barney Miller as previously stated.
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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