Cecil Beaton's Fair Lady by Cecil Beaton, First Edition Thus, in Original Dust Jacket, 1964

Beaton, Cecil. Cecil Beaton’s Fair Lady. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1964. First edition (thus). Exclusive printing for CBS Video. Octavo. In original black cloth spine over light gray hardcover boards, with silver titles to the spine, and original publisher’s dust jacket. 

Presented is Cecil Beaton's Fair Lady, an engaging memoir of the production of "My Fair Lady," compiled from Beaton's diary entries recorded during his work as costume and set designer for the acclaimed Warner Bros. film starring Audrey Hepburn. This book is a stated first edition, exclusive printing for CBS Video. It was published by Henry Holt and Company, in New York, in 1964. It is in the original black cloth spine over light gray hardcover boards, with silver titles to the spine, and original publisher’s dust jacket, featuring Audrey Hepburn in costume as Eliza. 

Among the most influential photographers and designers of the twentieth century, Cecil Beaton enjoyed an extraordinary career that spanned fashion photography, portraiture, theater, film, and publishing. Renowned for his elegant images of royalty, celebrities, and high society, Beaton was also a gifted theatrical designer whose work helped define the visual style of postwar stage and film productions. By the time he was engaged to work on "My Fair Lady," he had already achieved international acclaim and had published numerous volumes devoted to photography, like The Face of the World, Japanese, Images, and Royal Portraits, as well as personal diaries,The Wandering Years, and lighthearted satires, like My Royal Past. 

The origins of "My Fair Lady" can be traced to George Bernard Shaw's 1913 play Pygmalion, which was adapted into the celebrated Broadway musical by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe in 1956. The production became one of the greatest theatrical successes of its era, winning widespread critical acclaim and running for more than six years. Beaton's lavish costume designs played a crucial role in establishing the production's distinctive visual identity, earning him the 1957 Tony Award for Best Costume Design. When Warner Bros. undertook a film adaptation starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison, Beaton was the natural choice to recreate and expand the celebrated aesthetic he had helped establish on stage.

Arriving in Hollywood in early 1963, Beaton devoted nearly a year to overseeing every aspect of the film's visual presentation. His work encompassed hundreds of costumes and some of the most memorable sets in modern cinema, including the striking monochromatic Ascot Gavotte sequence. Throughout production, Beaton maintained a detailed diary in which he recorded the creative triumphs, frustrations, personalities, and daily dramas that accompanied the making of a major Hollywood motion picture. 

Published in the same year as the film's release, Cecil Beaton's Fair Lady presents an unusually candid firsthand account of the production process and provides a fascinating glimpse into the collaboration between artists, actors, producers, and studio executives. The volume is dedicated to producer Jack Warner, whom Beaton acknowledges "with gratitude." Throughout the book are sections of 32 plates of black-and-white photographs, offering behind the scenes shots of the principal actors on set. There are stills from filming, the actors at costume fittings, as well as staged photo shoots. Further embellishing the book are small illustrations of Beaton’s sketches and numerous designs for the sets, locations, and outfits. 

Cecil Beaton’s Fair Lady combines Beaton's dry wit, observational candor, and extraordinary artistic sensibilities, while exploring the creative process and capturing the making of cinematic history.

CONDITION: 

Near fine condition. Octavo. Light gray hardcover boards, with black cloth spine, Silver stamped  titles and publishing stamp to the spine. Bumping to top corners, light bumping to top of front board. Stated first edition. Very clean pages. Illustrated with 32 plates of black-and-white photographs. All photographs accounted for, in correct order, but not on the correct corresponding page numbers as stated on the “Illustrations” list. Additional 20 small in-text illustrations, based on Cecil Beaton’s sketches, throughout. 128 pp. 

Original dust jacket, unclipped. Near fine condition. Jacket design by Cecil Beaton, with Audrey Hepburn on front flap, title to spine, sketches on the back flap. Color intact without fading. No price on flaps, as issued. “Exclusive Printing for CBS VIDEO” printed on top right of inner front flap. 

Dimensions: 8 9/16" x 5 3/4" W x 3/4" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.