The Dramatic Works of Denis Johnston. London: Colin Smythe, 1977. First Edition, Limited Issue. Three volumes. Pp (1) 395; (2) 404; (3) 509. Each volume finely bound by John F. Newman & Son, binders, Dublin, in alternate half green, blue and crimson morocco, with gilt unicorn emblem to upper boards. Raised bands to spine with gilt cross bands & lettering, top edges in gilt. Neat ownership inscription to second blank of volumes 1 & 2. A fine bright set.

Limited Edition of 25 Numbered Copies, each volume Signed by the Author.

Denis Johnston (1901-1984) Irish playwright and literary critic. His first play, The Old Lady Says No!, helped establish the worldwide reputation of the Dublin’s Gate Theatre. Johnston was a protégé of WB Yeats and Shaw, and had a stormy friendship with Sean O’Casey. He was a pioneer of television and war reporting. He worked as a lawyer in the 1920s and 1930s before joining the BBC as a writer and producer, first in radio and then in the fledgling television service. During the Second World War he served as a BBC war correspondent, reporting from El Alamein to Buchenwald. For this he was awarded an OBE 1945. He then became Director of Programmes for the television service. His daughter Jennifer Johnston is a respected novelist and playwright.

Volumes one & two contain six plays, volume three, which is edited and with an introduction by Joseph Ronsley, contain his radio & television plays.