RARE FIRST EDITION OF WILLIAMS' STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, AN EXCEPTIONAL ASSOCIATION COPY WITH THE SIGNATURES AND INSCRIPTIONS OF 12 OF THE 13 CAST MEMBERS OF THE BROADWAY PREMIERE, INCLUDING MARLON BRANDO, JESSICA TANDY, KIM HUNTER & KARL MALDEN

(BRANDO, Marlon; TANDY, Jessica; HUNTER, Kim; MALDEN, Karl) WILLIAMS, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. New York: New Directions, (1947). Octavo, original pink paper boards. Housed in a custom clamshell box.

First edition of Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, a rare association copy containing signatures and inscriptions of lead actors Marlon Brando, Jessica Tandy, Kim Hunter and Karl Malden, along with eight additional members of the Broadway cast: Gee Gee James, Peg Hillias, Edna Thomas, Richard Carlyle, Nick Dennis, Ann Dere, Richard Garrick, and Henry Barnard (replacing Vito Christi).

Critically praised as "superb" and "fascinating," Streetcar Named Desire brought Williams his second New York Drama Critics' Circle Award—and a Pulitzer Prize. Williams himself considered this his best play (Devlin, 50). Elia Kazan directed the original production that opened in New Haven on October 30, 1947 before moving to Broadway on December 3. This exceptional association copy is inscribed on the half title above a taped photogravure of Brando, who starred as Stanley Kowalski, "To Elaine, Regards Marlon Brando," with "To Elaine, Jessica Tandy," who played Blanch DuBois. Title page verso with inscriptions and signatures: "Hi Toledo, Gee Gee James" (Negro Woman), "Only the best always, Edna Thomas" (Mexican Woman). "Karl Malden [Mitch] Thank you," [signed] Nick Dennis (Pablo Gonzales), and "Best love, honey, Peg [Hillias]" (Eunice Hubbell). Cast page with inscribed, "Remember Ann Dere?" (Nurse), and the signatures of: Kim Hunter (Stella Kowalski), Dick Carlyle (Tamale Vendor), Richard Garrick (Doctor), and Henry Barnard (who replaced Vido Christi as A Young Collector). Among Streetcar's major achievements was a depiction of the working class that set it apart from standard social commentary. "No one dared approach this new thing without caution. They had just witnessed something unprecedented" (Sam Staggs). First issue, printed December 1947. With Williams' name in gold on the spine (scarcer than in white). Without original dust jacket. Crandell A5.I.a. Many of the inscriptions are to "Elaine," who may well have been associated with the production, as many of the messages from cast members are warm and personal. Half title with a black-and-white photogravure clipping of a young Marlon Brando (image measures 3-1/4 by 4-1/4 inches) affixed with tape partially affecting the clearly visible Brando signature.

Text fresh, only light edge-wear to bright boards. A rare inscribed about-fine association copy of this famed classic of the American theater.