Books

First edition, first printing, trade issue, scarce in such nice condition. This masterpiece of absurdist theatre and 20th-century literature was published on 17 October 1952. The theatrical premiere took place at the Théâtre de Babylone in Paris on 5 January 1953. Its extraordinary success "was responsible for Beckett's rise to worldwide fame, as the play rapidly became an object of intense international interest and controversy" (ODNB). The trade issue consisted of 2,500 copies bound in the fragile wrappers. There were also 35 numbered copies issued on vélin supérieur and designated "L'edition originale". Beckett's own English translation of the work appeared two years later, published in New York by the Grove Press. Octavo. Original white wrappers, spine and covers lettered in blue and black, blue rules to covers, small photographic illustration of author on rear cover, edges untrimmed. Gentle vertical crease to spine, negligible soiling to wrappers, toning to contents as usual, otherwise clean. A near-fine copy. Federman & Fletcher 259.

One of the most important works of modernist literature, Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot is a play in which two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, wait for the arrival of someone named Godot who never arrives, and while waiting they engage in a variety of discussions and encounter several other characters.