The First Mrs. Fraser, a pair of editions inscribed to Ursula Jeans, comprising: - The First Mrs. Fraser. A Comedy in Three Acts. Chatto & Windus, 1929, FIRST EDITION, pp. 88, [4, ads], original pale blue cloth, lettered in a darker shade, top edge a little dusty, dustjacket lacking backstrip panel and a little marked, the flyleaf with a long inscription to Ursula Jeans (see below), good- The First Mrs. Fraser. A Novel. Collins, 1931, FIRST EDITION, pp. 316, [4, ads], original black cloth, backstrip lettered in gilt, a little rubbed with some wear, dustjacket a little chipped, the flyleaf with a long inscription to Ursula Jeans (see below), good

Bookseller Notes

A superb pair of presentation copies, relating to the author's successful play (made into a film in 1932), both inscribed by Ervine to the actress Ursula Jeans - who played Elsie Fraser, the second wife and antagonist in the drama. In the first he offers a '"Thank you" for your brilliant performance [...] a performance that is all the more brilliant because you are as nice as Elsie is not'; in the second, he begins by apologising for 'the poor picture of you on the cover', commending her as 'an uncommonly good actress', for 'her brilliant performance' both in his play and her current role in 'Grand Hotel', 'but chiefly because [...] you are a very charming and sensible girl'.Both works are reasonably uncommon, the novelisation more so - particularly in the dustjacket - but as presentation copies they would be difficult to match.[With:] The programme for the play's initial run at the Theatre Royal, with cast photos including one of Ursula Jeans (who wants us to know the virtues of Ponds' Cold Cream) - staples rusting a little and closed tear to fore-margin of front cover, but good condition