Premium pages left without account:

Auction archive: Lot number 121

Collection of poster art and posters for theatrical productions of John Steinbeck's "The Moon is Down"

Estimate
US$2,500 - US$3,500
Price realised:
n. a.
Auction archive: Lot number 121

Collection of poster art and posters for theatrical productions of John Steinbeck's "The Moon is Down"

Estimate
US$2,500 - US$3,500
Price realised:
n. a.
Beschreibung:

Title: Collection of poster art and posters for theatrical productions of John Steinbeck's "The Moon is Down" Author: ** Place: Publisher: Date: c.1942 Description: Twelve posters, nine of which are original artwork, with text and illustration on thick posterboard or mounted from drawing paper. At least five of the posters are from the play's 1942 Broadway debut. Two posters (the largest 2 in the group) are signed by the artist, Witold Gordon (best known for his New Yorker magazine covers). The three printed posters (duplicates) are from the debut at the Martin Beck Theatre on 45th Street. Sizes of the original artworks vary from approximately 13x9" to 28x20", the printed posters are approximately 22x14". The Moon is Down was John Steinbeck's second attempt at writing a novel in play form (Of Mice and Men was his first). It was composed while on assignment from the Foreign Information Service, a division of the Office of Strategic Services charged with combating Nazi propaganda. His original story, depicting a small American town invaded by enemy troops, was rejected by the FIS, who feared that it might demoralize the civilian public. In his revised manuscript, published by Viking in 1942, Steinbeck kept the same plot but set it in an unnamed Scandinavian town rather than the United States. Despite mixed critical reception, the book was a remarkable public success, outselling The Grapes of Wrath two-to-one in pre-publication; it would eventually pass through 76 editions. Shortly after publication, the producer Oscar Serlin purchased the dramatic rights to The Moon is Down (Herman Shumlin initially bought them but passed them on, saying he “did not care for [The Moon is Down’s] politics.” Serlin, known for his production of “Life with Father,” accepted the challenge, believing Steinbeck’s play would attract a large audience. “The Moon is Down” premiered on Broadway in April 1942, starring Otto Kruger as Colonel Lanser and Ralph Morgan as Mayor Orden. Like the novel before it, the play was publicly adored but critically lambasted. Life magazine reported that it was “trumpeted louder than any literary event of the season,” while the critical consensus was that “Steinbeck was too easy on the Germans, too optimistic about the ultimate victory of the Allies, [and ultimately] too moralistic." Despite its initial Broadway run lasting only nine weeks, the play was immensely successful on the road and abroad, especially in London and Stockholm. Rather surprisingly, it was nominated for Best Play by the New York Drama Critics’ Circle and placed second. Provenance: From the collection of producer Oscar Serlin. Lot Amendments Condition: All posters are protected by acetate sheets (with markings from tape adherence) and all show some signs of light wear and minor soiling; very good. Unique. Item number: 223654

Auction archive: Lot number 121
Auction:
Datum:
9 Jun 2015
Auction house:
PBA Galleries
1233 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
United States
pba@pbagalleries.com
+1 (0)415 9892665
+1 (0)415 9891664
Beschreibung:

Title: Collection of poster art and posters for theatrical productions of John Steinbeck's "The Moon is Down" Author: ** Place: Publisher: Date: c.1942 Description: Twelve posters, nine of which are original artwork, with text and illustration on thick posterboard or mounted from drawing paper. At least five of the posters are from the play's 1942 Broadway debut. Two posters (the largest 2 in the group) are signed by the artist, Witold Gordon (best known for his New Yorker magazine covers). The three printed posters (duplicates) are from the debut at the Martin Beck Theatre on 45th Street. Sizes of the original artworks vary from approximately 13x9" to 28x20", the printed posters are approximately 22x14". The Moon is Down was John Steinbeck's second attempt at writing a novel in play form (Of Mice and Men was his first). It was composed while on assignment from the Foreign Information Service, a division of the Office of Strategic Services charged with combating Nazi propaganda. His original story, depicting a small American town invaded by enemy troops, was rejected by the FIS, who feared that it might demoralize the civilian public. In his revised manuscript, published by Viking in 1942, Steinbeck kept the same plot but set it in an unnamed Scandinavian town rather than the United States. Despite mixed critical reception, the book was a remarkable public success, outselling The Grapes of Wrath two-to-one in pre-publication; it would eventually pass through 76 editions. Shortly after publication, the producer Oscar Serlin purchased the dramatic rights to The Moon is Down (Herman Shumlin initially bought them but passed them on, saying he “did not care for [The Moon is Down’s] politics.” Serlin, known for his production of “Life with Father,” accepted the challenge, believing Steinbeck’s play would attract a large audience. “The Moon is Down” premiered on Broadway in April 1942, starring Otto Kruger as Colonel Lanser and Ralph Morgan as Mayor Orden. Like the novel before it, the play was publicly adored but critically lambasted. Life magazine reported that it was “trumpeted louder than any literary event of the season,” while the critical consensus was that “Steinbeck was too easy on the Germans, too optimistic about the ultimate victory of the Allies, [and ultimately] too moralistic." Despite its initial Broadway run lasting only nine weeks, the play was immensely successful on the road and abroad, especially in London and Stockholm. Rather surprisingly, it was nominated for Best Play by the New York Drama Critics’ Circle and placed second. Provenance: From the collection of producer Oscar Serlin. Lot Amendments Condition: All posters are protected by acetate sheets (with markings from tape adherence) and all show some signs of light wear and minor soiling; very good. Unique. Item number: 223654

Auction archive: Lot number 121
Auction:
Datum:
9 Jun 2015
Auction house:
PBA Galleries
1233 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
United States
pba@pbagalleries.com
+1 (0)415 9892665
+1 (0)415 9891664
Try LotSearch

Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!

  • Search lots and bid
  • Price database and artist analysis
  • Alerts for your searches
Create an alert now!

Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.

Create an alert