Salinger, J.D.. For Esme - with Love and Squalor and Other Stories. Hamish Hamilton, London, 1953.

Price: US$1517.64 + shipping

Description: (London: Hamish Hamilton Second Impression 1953). Originally published in 1953 this is the second impression from the same year. INSCRIBED BY VIVIEN LEIGH TO JAMES "JIMMIE" GROUT. Publisher's blue boards with gilt lettering to the spine. A VG (or slightly better) copy in a near VG dustwrapper priced 10s 6d net to the inside flap (as called for). The dustwrapper has a few marks, small edge nicks and some spine dulling. With a SUPERB FULL-PAGE INSCRIPTION TO THE FRONT FREE END-PAPER FROM THE ACTRESS VIVIEN LEIGH TO FELLOW ACTOR JAMES GROUT (MOST FAMOUS FOR HIS LONG-STANDING ROLE AS CHIEF-SUPERINTENDENT STRANGE IN INSPECTOR MORSE). Vivien Leigh played one season in Stratford in 1955, and James Grout (1927-2012) acted with Leigh (and her husband Laurence Olivier) in Macbeth at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in June of that year. The play was directed by Glen Byam Shaw with Anthony Hopkins as Musical Director. The inscription reads 'For Jimmie - I hope you love this as much as I do - it comes with very much love. Many thankyous for all the happiness of this season at Stratford - Vivien 1955'. The choice of a Salinger title as a gift is interesting, as it is known that Salinger had dinner with Leigh and Olivier when in the UK in 1951. Photographs/scans available upon request.

Seller: James M Pickard, ABA, ILAB, PBFA., LEICESTER, United Kingdom