8vo. 243pp. With a photographic frontispiece. Original publisher's gold cloth, stamped in gilt and green, top-edge green. Boards and all edges a little foxed, spine worn. A little toned throughout. Presentation inscription to FFEP: 'He who has a God given gift has everything. – To us God’s gifts go not to Emperors [and] Kings but to artists who are the heaven-sent Princes of the World.” (Written by the 19 year old Joseph Kainz to his parents.) Laurence Oliver from Gustav Michaelis'

Josef Kainz (1858-1910) was a revered Austrian actor who became a favourite of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, appearing in private performances for him for over a year.

From the library of Laurence Olivier, to whom many books were gifted over the length of his illustrious, industrious, and enduring career as one of the most important figures of stage and screen in the 20th century.