Alistair Cooke's America.

Paul SCOFIELD (1922-2008). - Alistair COOKE (1908-2004).

Alistair Cooke's America. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1973. Large quarto (10 7/8 x 8in; 277 x 203mm). Pp. [1-]7-400. Illustrations, many colored. Original cloth, dust-jacket (extremities a bit bumped, stain to front free endpaper, small tears and nicks to dust-jacket. 

Provenance: Paul Scofield (inscribed "for / Paul Schofield [the 'h' crossed through with added aside:] / (oops, sorry!) / What else but / this extremely rare / (& frightfully expensive) / First Edition: / With good wishes & admiration / Alastair Cooke / Aug 26 [19]93", in addition Cooke has highlighted the words 'First Edition' on the verso of the title).

First edition , and an interesting provenance: a warm admiring presentation inscription from a great radio and televison performer to a great performer on stage and film.

"America: A Personal History of the United States (1972), a 13-part television series about the United States and its history, was first broadcast in both the United Kingdom and the United States in 1973, and was followed by a book of the same title. It was a great success in both countries, and resulted in Cooke's being invited to address the joint Houses of the United States Congress as part of Congress's bicentennial celebrations." (wikipedia)

Paul Scofield "was an English actor. Regarded as one of the greatest Shakespearean performers, Scofield earned the Triple Crown of Acting, winning an Academy Award, Emmy, and Tony for his work. He won the three awards in a seven-year span, the fastest of any performer to accomplish the feat." (wikipedia)