HASSAN: The Story of Hassan of Bagdad and how he came to make the Golden Journey to Samarkand: A Play in Five Acts

London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1941. [12], 183pp, [1]. Bound by Hatchards in contemporary gilt-tooled red half-morocco, red cloth boards, T.E.G. Boards scuffed, cloth a tad warped, joints and spine ends worn. Henry Ainley (1879-1945) was an English actor, who played the title role of Hassan to great acclaim for 222 performances, over an eight month period in the early 1920s. Though he died in 1945, it was only after Olivier's death correspondence between the two men, dated c.1937, was discovered indicating an intimate romantic relationship. In 1938 Ainley had reprised his role as Hassan for a single scene gala appearance. While there are no inscriptions within this volume, it may have served as a wartime memento of this period of Olivier's life. From the library of Laurence Olivier - without any indication of such - acquired during his illustrious, industrious, and enduring career as one of the most important figures of stage and screen in the 20th century. . 20th impression. 8vo.