[South Pacific] Rodgers, Richard. (1902-1979) & Hammerstein, Oscar. (1895-1960). South Pacific - Inscribed to Juanita Hall by Rodgers and Hammerstein. New York: Williamston Music, Inc. . 1949. First edition. First edition of the vocal score, the working copy of Juanita Hall who created the role of Bloody Mary in the original Majestic Theatre production of 1949, inscribed to her on the title page "Merry Xmas '49 to Juanita Hall from Richard Rodgers and" "Oscar Hammerstein." A well-worn copy, paper spine nearly completely perished, some pages with corner folds, the blue wrappers soiled, but the signed page very good and clean and a copy of historic importance nevertheless. Fuld p. 511.


Rodgers & Hammerstein’s "South Pacific" first opened in NYC on April 7, 1949 and closed in 1954 after five years of extraordinary acclaim and countless awards including nine Tonys and a Pulitzer. In 1950, Juanita Hall became the first African American to win a Tony Award, which she won for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Bloody Mary in South Pacific. She played the role for 1,925 performances on Broadway and then in the 1958 film adaptation.