"I HAVE ALWAYS DEPENDED ON THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS"

WILLIAMS, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. New York: New Directions, (1947) [i.e., 1948]. Octavo, original pink paper boards, original dust jacket. $5800.

First edition of William's first Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, in scarce original dust jacket.

Critically praised as "superb," "fascinating" and "a terrific adventure," A 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 with a cast starring Marlon Brando and Jessica Tandy. Among Streetcar's major achievements was a depiction of the working class that set it apart from standard social commentary or documentary drama. "No one dared approach this new thing without caution. They had just witnessed something unprecedented on the stage, a high-pitched, jagged, alarming—and comical!—drama structure" (Sam Staggs). First issue, printed December 1947. Crandell A5.I.a.

Book fine, bright dust jacket with one short closed tear to rear panel, split along top of front flap seam, toning to spine. Overall a near-fine copy.