Nov 5, 2025 10:00 EST

Stage & Screen featuring The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

 
  Lot 46
 

46

Inscribed script of Beckett's "Ohio Impromptu" and "Catastrophe"

Collection of American Theater Director Alan Schneider (1917-1984)

SAMUEL BECKETT

"Ohio Impromptu" and "Catastrophe." [n.p.], [n.d.]. Inscribed by Samuel Beckett to Alan and Jean Schneider "for / Alan, Jean / with love / from Sam." Xeroxed typescript brad-bound in imitation-leather covers with title stamped in gold, 9¼ x 11½ inches. 12 leaves printed versos only. Binding with minor shelf wear and scuffing. Internally very clean with some offsetting and noise expected of early xerography.

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.

Two of Beckett's late plays inscribed to his longtime friend and collaborator Alan Schneider, the "primary American director of Samuel Beckett's plays." In the years before his accidental death in London, Schneider would stage Ohio Impromptu and Catastrophe several times alongside What Where and That Time. As always, Schneider collaborated closely with Beckett on these two plays, engaging in extensive correspondence on their interpretation and staging, now collected in No Author Better Served: The Correspondence of Samuel Beckett and Alan Schneider.

Sold for $2,880
Estimated at $1,000 - $1,500

Includes Buyer's Premium


 

Collection of American Theater Director Alan Schneider (1917-1984)

SAMUEL BECKETT

"Ohio Impromptu" and "Catastrophe." [n.p.], [n.d.]. Inscribed by Samuel Beckett to Alan and Jean Schneider "for / Alan, Jean / with love / from Sam." Xeroxed typescript brad-bound in imitation-leather covers with title stamped in gold, 9¼ x 11½ inches. 12 leaves printed versos only. Binding with minor shelf wear and scuffing. Internally very clean with some offsetting and noise expected of early xerography.

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.

Two of Beckett's late plays inscribed to his longtime friend and collaborator Alan Schneider, the "primary American director of Samuel Beckett's plays." In the years before his accidental death in London, Schneider would stage Ohio Impromptu and Catastrophe several times alongside What Where and That Time. As always, Schneider collaborated closely with Beckett on these two plays, engaging in extensive correspondence on their interpretation and staging, now collected in No Author Better Served: The Correspondence of Samuel Beckett and Alan Schneider.

Auction: Stage & Screen featuring The Estate of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Nov 5, 2025

  • Popular Stage & Screen Auction on November 5, 2025 Attracted Global Audience

  • Memorabilia, Autographs, Artwork & Photographs Celebrating Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance

  • Archive of Samuel Beckett Material from the Estate of His American Director Alan Schneider Topped $75,000

  • 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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