The Homecoming Signed by Harold Pinter first edition 1965

London: Methuen (1965)
 
8vo., in the photographic dust jacket; black boards with gilt lettering to the spine; pp. [vii], 83, [i]; near fine book and very good dust wrapper overall; The clipped jacket has scuffing to the edges of the panels and spine ends however it is complete and bright with very little marks to speak of; the book itself is excellent with very little wear at all, clean pages and no marks or bumps. First UK edition. Harold Pinter has signed his name to the title page dedicated to actor and film director Paul Bartel. It is rare to find this book signed to the page in this way. 
 
Bartel was a prolific actor and director starring in over 90 films in his career. He is perhaps best known for directing, writing and starring in a film called Eating Rauol in 1982. He was friends with Pinter and collected Harold Pinter first editions, many of which he asked him to sign, including this one.  
 
Pinter's award winning play was first shown at the Aldwych Theatre in June 1965 and then two years later in New York. The lead actors, shown on the front of the book were Ian Holme as Lenny and Pinter's first wife Vivien Merchant. Set in North London, it is about the lead characters 'homecoming' from the US back to the UK. The two act play one a Tony Award in the US soon after its release, and it has been continued over the years to be adapted and shown on both sides of the pond. It is a very rare book to find signed by Pinter, and especially so with the inscription to US actor and director Paul Bartel.