[Porgy and Bess] Gershwin, George. (1898–1937)
Book inscribed to Dorothy Heyward
Vintage 1934 Art in America book signed and inscribed by Gershwin to his 'Porgy and Bess' collaborator during the period of their closest collaboration."Art in America in Modern Times", edited by Holder Cahill and Alfred H. Barr, Jr. NY: Reynal & Hitchcock, 1934. Hardcover with dustjacket, 9.5 x 12.5, 100 pages. Signed and inscribed in fountain pen on the first free end page, “To Lovely Dorothy, In admiration & with my best wishes. George Gershwin, Dec. 16, 1934.” In very good condition, with mild toning, a moderate crease to the first several pages, and sunning to the spine and to the top of the boards. The dustjacket has moderate toning and soiling heaviest along the spine, staining, creasing, and a small tear at the head of the spine, otherwise very good condition.
Dorothy Heyward (1890 - 1961) was an American playwright and was married to the author DuBose Heward, whose "Porgy" she adapted for the stage. Originally a novel written by DuBose in 1925, Dorothy immediately began working on a staged version of "Porgy" which debuted on Broadway in 1927 and ran for 367 performances. Even before the play had been fully written, Heyward was in discussions with George Gershwin for an operatic version of his novel, which debuted in 1935 as Porgy and Bess (renamed to distinguish it from the play). At the time of the present inscription, Gershwin was in the midst of preparations for Porgy and Bess and would have been in close contact with the Heywards. Gershwin was an enthusiastic amateur artist as well as an avid art collector and this volume was likely gifted to Dorothy during a visit to New York during this period. A highly interesting association. (6464)
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