THE WORKS OF GEORGE BERNARD SHAW: 33 volumes, EACH Volume Inscribed to Shaw's Favorite Actress Lillah McCarthy
London: Constable & Company Limited, [1930-1938]. First Edition. Hardcover. Laurence A198a. The Best Edition of Shaw's Works, copy #740 of 1025 copies complete in 33 volumes in the original dustwrappers collecting his writings from his first novel-- IMMATURITY--to his famous plays--PYGMALION, MAJOR BARBARA, etc.--through and beyond his winning of the Nobel Prize in 1925. EACH of the 33 volumes is INSCRIBED and SIGNED by the author to actress Lillah McCarthy. The first volume, as are most of the others, is INSCRIBED "This one is Lillah's/G. Bernard Shaw." Volume 10, MAN AND SUPERMAN, is INSCRIBED: "This volume is very specially/dedicated to the/Creatrix/of/Ann Whitefield, who will/always be my/Ann Whitefield/Lillah McCarthy/G. Bernard Shaw 12th Dec. 1931." McCarthy became the leading lady in 1905 at The Court Theatre, managed by Granville Barker, her future husband, and financed by Shaw. Her first role was as Nora in Shaw's JOHN BULL'S OTHER ISLAND. She then caused a sensation as Ann Whitefield in his masterpiece MAN AND SUPERMAN, earning Shaw's respect for her talents so much so that he tailored the part of Jennifer in THE DOCTOR'S DILEMMA especially for her. When McCarthy married Barker, who played the male lead opposite her in several of Shaw's plays, Shaw was upset as he felt they were not a good pair. Though the couple successfully produced a number of other Shaw plays in the following years, Shaw was proven correct when Barker left her for another woman. McCarthy later married Sir Frederick Keeble, and the final volume of this set is INSCRIBED by Shaw "to Lady Keeble (Lillah)." Near Fine in Very Good dustwrappers. Sensational set. Item #013420
Price: $25,000.00