Johnson Over Jordan - The Play. And All About It (An Essay) - J. B. Priestley 1939 - William Heinemann Ltd, London - First Edition ‘J.B. Priestley is one of our literary icons of the 20th Century. And it is time that we all became re-acquainted with his genius’ – Dame Judi Dench

A smartly bound copy of J.B. Priestley’s ‘adventure in theatre’,
Johnson Over Jordan – the story of ‘everyman’ Robert Johnson who attempts to make sense of a life half lived – was the play he considered his finest and most ambitious achievement. Also features an essay by Priestly on the writing of the play and its origins, and the critical reception of the stage production.

Illustrated with 8 full page black and white photographic plates of the original 1939 stage production, which starred Ralph Richardson and featured a musical score by Benjamin Britten.

With a black and white photographic portrait of the playwright tipped in to front endpaper and the front panel of the original dust jacket laid in.
  The 1939 stage product of Johnson Over Jordan made use of every aspect of the theatre, for in addition to Benjamin Britten’s score, it also featured dance sequences, innovative lighting effects, complex stage design, and elaborate costumes and masks designed by Academy Award winner Elizabeth Haffenden.

Provenance: from the library of J. Hodges with his illustrative woodblock bookplate to front pastedown.

References: J.B. Priestley Society, web.

Octavo (14.5 x 23 cm). pp. [12] 144 [4].
  Finely bound by Hatchards in quarter light blue morocco over mathcing cloth, spine in six compartments, twin black morocco spine labels titled in gilt, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers.   Condition: Fine in fine binding.   Ref: 108260   Price: HK$ 1,500