Making radio history: one of 26 copies signed by Welles and his collaborators
[War of the Worlds]. Commemorative edition of The Mercury Theatre's radio adaptation of the H. G. Wells science fiction classic "War of the Worlds", signed by Welles (twice), Joseph Cotten, Howard Koch (thrice), and Anne Froelick.
4to (235 x 290 mm). (2), 46 ff., US Letter size, in black springback binder.
€ 8,500.00
The twenty-five year commemorative edition of the Mercury Theatre's radio adaptation of H. G. Wells's science fiction classic "War of the Worlds", which had famously caused furore on the night of 30 October 1938. Intended as a Halloween prank, the brazenly realistic CBS broadcast, set in the contemporary U.S., touched a raw nerve in an America already on the edge with fear of imminent war in Europe, and Welles's radio production led to panic in certain areas of the country.
In 1963, Welles commissioned a private edition of the radio play script in 126 copies, the first 26 to be lettered and signed by himself and one or more members of the cast or production (the additional 100 copies being only numbered). This is the "Y" copy of the lettered edition, further signed by Welles's long-time associate Joseph Cotten, inaugural member of the Mercury Theatre company, who had assistant-produced without credit, and by Howard Koch (of "Casablanca" fame), the principal writer of the radio adaptation. Their signatures are repeated on the final page, Koch adding a personal inscription: "Best wishes from an old friend / Howard"). Koch's co-writer, Anne Froelick (Taylor), signs belatedly on 9 June 1993.
In excellent condition.
