Rodgers, Richard; Hammerstein II, Oscar

ALLEGRO [Signed by Majority of Opening Cast Plus Richard Rogers] [with] ALS BY AGNES DE MILLE [and] TLS BY HELEN HAYES

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1948. First Edition, First Printing. Octavo, 157 pages. In Very Good condition with Very Good dust jacket. Spine red with yellow titling. Dust jacket protected with a mylar covering. Price uncut: "$2.50." Mild wear to extremities.

Signed by nearly the entire original cast and Richard Rogers, with 64 total signatures. The signatures are on the first 8 pages, extending from the front pastedown through the title page, plus the half-title and one rear endpaper. Richard Rogers's signature is alone on the title page. There are very few hints as to the recipient of this book, but multiple inscriptions begin "To Ray," one inscription reads "Wishing you a happy future "Professor" Ray", one inscription reads "Here's to future shows together," and one names the recipients as "Ray + Julia Humphries." While the recipients cannot be identified with certainty, it is worth noting that there was a Julia Humphries and a Ray Harrison in the original cast, neither of whom signed this book.

With an Autograph Letter Signed from Agnes de Mille, the director and choreographer, on her letterhead, reading "The performance I saw this afternoon was 100% better than the one I saw last, particularity in all the ___ scene which were thoughtful, restrained, pointed and true. I was very impressed and grateful. A. de Mille". There is no recipient. There is small smudging to the lower left edge, and a horizontal and vertical fold.

With a Typed Letter Signed by Helen Hayes, on her letterhead, dated May 14, 1948, reading "Dear Allegro Cast: On my own behalf and that of Sydenham Hospital, I want to thank you most sincerely for your aid and generosity in connection with the dinner on April 28 given in honor of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein, II. With Every good wish, I am Cordially Yours, Helen Hayes." With three horizontal and one vertical folds.

CX Consignment. Shelved in Case 3.

1346344

Shelved Dupont Bookstore

Price: $6,000

NOTES

This copy of Allegro is signed by Richard Rogers on the title page as well as Stage Manager Robert Calley. Of the original cast, it is signed by 50 members: Robert Arnold, Patricia Barker, Tomy Barragan, John Battles, Patricia Bybell, Robert Byrn, Joseph Caruso, Stephen Chase, William Ching, Victor Clarke, David Collyer, John Conte, Annamary Dickey, Patricia Gianinoto, Jean Houloose, Helen Hunter, James Jewell, Roberta Jonay, Sylvia Karlton, Lisa Kirk, Josephine Lambert, Kathryn Lee, William McCully, Harrison Muller, Robert Neukum, Mary O'Fallon, Mariane Oliphant, Muriel O'Malley, Ruth Ostrander, Lily Paget, Paul Parks, Ralph Patterson, Edward Platt, David Poleri, Robert Reeves, Yolanga Renay, Blake Ritter, Genn Scandur, Sam Steen, Mia Stenn, Susan Svetlik, Wesley Swails, Charles Tate, Evelyn Taylor, Gene Tobin, Lucille Udovick, Katrina Van Oss, Ruth Vrana, Frank Westbrook, and Ralph Williams. It is additionally signed by 7 later cast members: Bernard Green, Clarence Hall, Bob Herget, Clara Knox, Gay Lawrence, Jean Tachau, and Nanette Vezina. There are five unidentified names: Unreadable, Rene, Forrest M. Barry, Jerry Wile, and Kathryne Savins. The book itself lists 41 total named cast members, in addition to which there were 17 unnamed Dancers and Singers.

Allegro is the third collaboration for the stage by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The play was created with a large cast, including a Greek chorus, and had no sets, with props and projections serving to suggest locations. Its Broadway run ended after nine months, and it had a short national tour, but has rarely been revived.

Helen Hayes is regarded as one of the greatest leading ladies of the 20th-century theater, with a career spanning 80 years. She eventually received the nickname "First Lady of American Theatre" and was one of 16 people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award (an EGOT). She was also the first person to win the Triple Crown of Acting.