OPERAS AND PLAYS
by Stein, Gertrude
- Used
- Signed
- first
- Condition
- Overall very good.
- Seller
-
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
In 1953, Toklas wrote her own editor at Harper to provide a connection for Sprigge to publish her planned biography of Stein; it was, Toklas's biographer remarked, "a recommendation that Alice came to regret" (Simon, 283). As Sprigge continued gathering material for the biography, it became clear that she intended to "include personal details [...] a practice Alice would not allow" (Simon, 284). Toklas warned off friends whom Sprigge was contacting and, in 1956, argued at length with Sprigge regarding the content of the biography - especially her own role in it. Toklas argued she herself "had no place in the book except, perhaps, as the editor of the Plain Edition" (Simon, 284), Stein and Toklas's short-lived small press that published this book, OPERAS AND PLAYS. Harper ultimately published Sprigge's GERTRUDE STEIN: HER LIFE AND WORK in 1957, much to Toklas's dismay.
Printed in a run of only 500 copies, OPERAS AND PLAYS was the fourth book of five that Stein and Toklas's Plain Editions imprint issued. Stein had by this time become frustrated by the limitations of getting her work accepted by mainstream publishers and decided to take the means in hand herself: to raise funds for the establishment and operation of the press, Stein famously sold her Picasso painting "Woman with a Fan" (Dydo, 418).
A scarce Stein text, in a copy rich with implications on the question of a writer's control over their own works and life. 7.25'' x 5.25''. Original tan printed wrappers. In original ten printed slipcase. 400, [2] pages. Inscribed by Toklas in brown ink to first leaf: "To Elizabeth Sprigge, / In memory of the author and the understanding of her work / Alice Toklas / Paris - Bastille Day - 48." Slipcase with significant soil and staining to top edge, toning to spine. Wrappers with slight bowing at corners, toned spine with central crease, tiny closed tear to top front joint.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Type Punch Matrix (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 51574
- Title
- OPERAS AND PLAYS
- Author
- Stein, Gertrude
- Book Condition
- Used - Overall very good.
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Publisher
- Plain Edition
- Place of Publication
- Paris
- Date Published
- 1932
- Keywords
- 20th century,US American,Theatre,Association Copy,Modernism
Terms of Sale
Type Punch Matrix
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About the Seller
Type Punch Matrix
About Type Punch Matrix
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Wrappers
- The paper covering on the outside of a paperback. Also see the entry for pictorial wraps, color illustrated coverings for...
- New
- A new book is a book previously not circulated to a buyer. Although a new book is typically free of any faults or defects, "new"...
- Inscribed
- When a book is described as being inscribed, it indicates that a short note written by the author or a previous owner has been...