The Dramatic Event [Association Copy] [Ben Raeburn's Copy] [1954]

New York: Horizon Press, 1954. Very Good/Good.

A significant association copy of Eric Bentley's foundational theatrical criticism, held by the man who published it.

From the estate of Ben Raeburn, founder of Horizon Press, this first edition serves as a bridge between the literary and production worlds of 1950s New York. Bentley, who introduced Brecht to America and redefined the role of the drama critic, presents here a 'chronicle' of the American stage at its most vibrant.


The copy is distinguished by a manuscript note laid-in addressed to 'B.R.' (Raeburn), inquiring about the 'two-color' title treatment on the binding, suggesting this copy was pulled for final approval during the manufacturing process.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Binding: Two-tone black cloth spine over vibrant red paper boards; spine features silver gilt and red titles, with silver gilt titles repeated on the front board.
+++ Content: A comprehensive collection of Bentley's reviews and essays from 1952-1954, followed by an 8-page index of the specific plays and works criticized.
+++ Association/Provenance: Personal copy of publisher Ben Raeburn, featuring a manuscript note in an unidentified hand: 'B.R. - How do you like this? The two-color on the front didn't work out, so we tried this. Does it pass?'
+++ Imprint: Horizon Press, New York. 1954. First Edition, First Printing.
+++ Specs: 8.25 inches tall; 278 pp. + [8] index.

CONDITION: Very Good / Good.
+++ The Book: The bindings are tight and square with no lean. The cloth and boards are clean with only minimal shelf handling wear. Internally clean and bright with light, even age-toning.
+++ The Jacket: Original dust jacket with the price intact ($3.50). The jacket is age-toned and shows moderate wear, including a significant chip/loss at the lower spine and light rubbing to the extremities. Now protected in a removable archival sleeve.

SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ The Critical Turn: Documents Bentley's pivotal role in shifting American theater criticism away from mere 'reporting' toward a rigorous, intellectual engagement with the 'Dramatic Event' as a social phenomenon.
+++ Publishing History: The manuscript note provides rare insight into the cost-benefit decisions of mid-century independent publishing, specifically regarding the technical difficulties of multi-color stamping on cloth.
+++ Intellectual Network: Raeburn's Horizon Press was the epicenter of a specific brand of New York humanism; owning the publisher's copy places this volume at the heart of that circle. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Eric Bentley was the conscience of the American theater during the McCarthy era. As the theater critic for The New Republic, his voice was instrumental in championing European modernism and challenging the commercial complacency of Broadway. This book, published by his close collaborator Ben Raeburn, represents the first major collection of the work that earned him the George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism.

SUBJECTS: Theater Criticism, Broadway History, Eric Bentley, Horizon Press, Ben Raeburn, 1950s New York Intellectuals, Association Copy, First Edition, Performing Arts.