Heyward, DuBose. (1885–1940) [Illustrated by Theodore Nadejen (illustrator) ]

"Porgy" - Signed First Edition to the Peterborough Town Library

New York: George H. Doran Company. 1925. First, 2nd issue. . Signed copy of the novel which would become the basis for Heyward's collaboration with George & Ira Gershwin. Inscribed on the half title "Inscribed for The Peterborough Town Library/ by DuBose Heyward". Second issue, with "B" on the copyright page. Hardcover, no dj. Black cloth, 8vo. 196 pp. Edges rubbed, libary number and tag remnant to spine, library labels and pocket to inside front and rear covers and rear endpage (with "WITHDRAWN" stamps). An interesting association copy.

Playwright Dorothy Kuhns met poet DuBose Heyward at The MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, NH in 1922. They married in 1923. When the Heywards returned to the Colony in 1924, DuBose was working on his novel "Porgy" which was published in 1925. Dorothy convinced DuBose it would work as a play, and the two collaborated on dramatizing the story, providing the basis and much of the libretto. Indeed, even before the play had been fully written, Heyward was in discussions with George Gershwin for an operatic version of his novel, which appeared in 1935 as Porgy and Bess (renamed to distinguish it from the play). (18382)

Signed Document/Item Literature