presentation copy

Warmly inscribed by the author to the actor Alfred Marks: 'To Alfred Marks with affection and respect from Bill Naughton - and with every good wish for tonight. Apollo: Jan 3rd '66 - Spring and Port Wine'.

The recipient was a very successful screen and stage actor for over sixty years. He played the lead in Naughton's play Spring and Port Wine, which premiered at the Mermaid Theatre in early November 1965 and ran there till the turn of the New Year. The show immediately transferred to the West End, opening at the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue on 3rd January 1966, Naughton marking the occasion by presenting this copy of the novelised version of his already famous screenplay Alfie, which was to be immortalised in the film starring Michael Caine later that same year.

First edition, first impression, inscribed by the author; 8vo; minor spotting to prelims and endpapers, else unmarked internally; publisher's brown cloth, gilt lettering to spine, light spotting to fore-edge, with the unclipped pictorial dust-jacket, some creasing to edges, slight chipping to corners and spine ends, some rubbing, mild foxing, else very good.