Dylan Thomas Actor's Library at The Welsh Sale

The library has been consigned by the widow of the late actor David Ponting (1936-2018), the collection represents the culmination of Ponting's lifelong passionate interest in Dylan Thomas.

Ponting was first introduced to the writing of Dylan Thomas by an inspirational English teacher in the Sixth Form of his Wiltshire grammar school.

While teaching in Uganda, he took the lead in a semi-professional production of Sidney Michael's play, 'Dylan'. Thereafter, he had parallel careers in performance and teaching broadcast media in universities in the UK and USA.

With the support and encouragement of Aeronwy Thomas-Ellis, he developed a travelling multi-media one-man show, 'Dylan Thomas: The Man and The Myth', which he performed hundreds of times in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, on both sides of the Atlantic, often supported by the Welsh Tourist Board. A portable Stage Manager's kit, which he designed and built into a standard briefcase, provided visual and sound inserts into his narrative dramatic performance.

In retirement he produced a CD-ROM based on a previously unknown recording of Dylan Thomas's 1950 performance at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, and gathered this collection of publications by and about Thomas.

David Ponting’s Dylan Thomas library includes rare 1st editions, early published writings by Thomas and hosts of other material relating to Wales' greatest poet.

The entire collection will be offered without reserve at the November Welsh Sale in Cardiff.

It offers a wonderful opportunity to acquire a very focussed library, carefully assembled over many years.

A collection brought about by sheer passion and enthusiasm for Wales’ greatest 20th Century writer.

More details to follow.