A Spaniard in the Works

London: Jonathan Cape, 1965. First Edition. Near Fine. First edition, first printing, an association copy signed by John Lennon on the front free endpaper. From the library of Victor Spinetti, with his initials in ink to the last page. Spinetti was a Welsh actor, author, poet, and raconteur. He appeared in dozens of films and stage plays throughout his 50-year career, including the three 1960s Beatles films, A Hard Day's Night, Help!, and Magical Mystery Tour having the distinction of being hte only non-Beatle to appear in all three films. He also appeared on the Beatles' 1967 Christmas recording, released to members of their fan club. The best explanation (truncated) for this long-running collaboration and friendship might have been provided by George Harrison, who told Spinetti, "You've got to be in all our films ... if you're not in them me Mum won't come and see them - because she fancies you." Paul McCartney once described Spinetti as "the man who makes clouds disappear".Spinetti was particularly close to Lennon, and co-authored In His Own Write, the play adapted from a book by Lennon with the Beatle which he also directed at the National Theatre, premiering on 18 June 1968, at the Old Vic Theatre. Spinetti and Lennon appeared together in June 1968 on BBC2's Release and during the interview, Spinetti said of the play, that "it's not really John's childhood, it's all of ours really, isn't it John?" to which Lennon replied, assuming a camp voice, "It is, we're all one Victor, we're all one aren't we. I mean 'what's going on?'" Bound in publisher's original glazed illustrated boards; lacking the dust jacket. Near Fine with light wear to extremities, sporadic foxing and an occasional age related stain to pages, pages tanned and with an occasional crease. Lennon's second book of nonsense poems, whimsical stories and surreal cartoons; rare signed and with a close association. (Inventory #: 140944776)