Gifts - Holidays

Tan, Amy [Larry McMurtry]

The Joy Luck Club.

New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1989.

First edition, advance reading copy of Tan’s masterpiece. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “For Larry McMurtry with thanks for the pleasure of your company and your good book. Amy 5 Apr ’90.” The recipient, Larry McMurtry remains best known for his 1985 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Lonesome Dove which was adaptedContinue reading "The Joy Luck Club."

Herzl, Theodor

Philosophische Erzählungen. [Philosophical Narratives].

Berlin : Verlag con Gebruder Paetel, 1900.

First edition of this collection of seventeen narratives written by Herzl during his years as a correspondent for the Viennese Neue Freie Presse. Octavo, bound in three quarters calf over embossed boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, patterned endpapers, all edges red. In very good condition. First editions are rare.

Lewis, C.S

The Problem of Pain.

London : The Centenary Pres, 1941.

Early printing of Lewis’s classic discussion of the nature of good and evil; inscribed by him with a quotation from Coventry Patmore’s poem The Angel in the House which had a profound influence on the development of Lewis’s Christian beliefs. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Signed by C.S. Lewis with a quotation from Coventry Patmore’s poemContinue reading "The Problem of Pain."

[King, Stephen]

Prism: Stephen King 1969 University of Maine Yearbook.

Bangor, Maine : University of Maine/Prism, 1969.

1969 University of Maine Yearbook featuring several photographs of Stephen King as an undergraduate. Quarto, original publisher’s half cloth over illustrated boards, illustrated with black and white photographs including a large photograph of King protesting the Vietnam War on page 70. In very good condition.

Grahame, Kenneth

The Wind in the Willows.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1908.

First American edition of Grahame’s beloved children’s novel which preceded the English edition by only four days, with Scribner’s seal on the copyright page. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, tissue-guarded frontispiece by W. Grahame Robertson. In good condition.

Webster, Noah

An American Dictionary of the English Language.

New York : Published by S. Converse. Printed by Hezekiah Howe - New Haven, 1828.

First edition of pioneering lexicographer Noah Webster’s monumental American Dictionary, arguably the most popular American book ever published and one of only 2500 copies printed. Thick quarto, bound in three quarter polished calf over marbled boards with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, engraved portrait of Webster after Samuel F.B. Morse, unpaginated text in tripleContinue reading "An American Dictionary of the English Language."

Scott, Thomas

The Holy Bible Containing The Old and New Testaments, According to the Publick Version; with Explanatory Notes, Practical Observations, and Copious Marginal References.

London : Printed by C. Baldwin; And Published by L. B. Seeley; John Hatchard; and Robert Baldwin, 1812-1814.

New edition of influential English preacher and author Thomas Scott’s popular commentary on the Holy Bible, originally published serially in 174 parts printed weekly beginning in January 1788. Herbert 1366. Quarto, 6 volumes bound in full contemporary diced calf with gilt stamping and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, moroccoContinue reading "The Holy Bible Containing The Old and New Testaments, According to the Publick Version; with Explanatory Notes, Practical Observations, and Copious Marginal References."

Herzl, Theodor

Das Neue Ghetto: Schauspiel in 4 Acten. [The New Ghetto: A Play in 4 Acts].

Wein : Verlag Der "Welt", 1897.

First edition of Herzl’s popular politically-charged drama, written several years before Der Judenstaat and praised by Max Nordau and Sigmund Freud. Octavo, original printed wrappers. Association copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication opposite the title page, “Herrn Heinrich Steiner zur freundlichen Erinnerung Th. Herzl.” The recipient, Hungarian author and publisher HeinrichContinue reading "Das Neue Ghetto: Schauspiel in 4 Acten. [The New Ghetto: A Play in 4 Acts]."

Adams, Richard

Watership Down.

London : Rex Collings, 1972.

First edition of the author’s first and most beloved work. Octavo, original brown cloth, folding map. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author withing two months of the publication date on the front free endpaper, “To Jessie and Derek Hinrich with best wishes from Richard Adams January 1973.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. The nicestContinue reading "Watership Down."

Sholokhov, Mikhail. Translated by Stephen Gary

And Quiet Flows the Don and The Don Flows Home To The Sea.

London : Putnam, 1934-1940.

First edition in English of the major epic of Soviet literature and one of the first works of Soviet literature to be translated into English. Octavo, two volumes, original publisher’s cloth. And Quiet Flows the Don is very good in a good dust jacket. The Don Flows Home To The Sea is very good inContinue reading "And Quiet Flows the Don and The Don Flows Home To The Sea."

Prévost, Antoine François. [The Abbe Prévost D'Exiles]

The Story of Manon Lescaut and the Chevalier Des Grieux.

New York : The Heritage Press, 1935.

First edition thus of Helen Wadell’s translation of the seventh and final volume of Mémoires et aventures d’un homme de qualité which was adapted into the famous opera in four acts composed by Giacomo Puccini. Quarto, bound in half morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartmentsContinue reading "The Story of Manon Lescaut and the Chevalier Des Grieux."

Asimov, Isaac. Illustrated by Bernard Colonna

The Heavenly Host.

New York : Walker and Company, 1975.

First edition of Asimov’s classic juvenile science fiction adventure. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Bernard Colonna. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Steve Isaac Asimov.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.

O'Neill, Terry [David Bowie]

David Bowie: A Photographic Memoir. Through the Lens of Terry O’Neill. [Bowie by O’Neill].

Dublin and St. Albans : Iconic Images and Red Engine Media Ltd, 2016.

First edition of Terry O’Neill’s stunning photographic tribute to one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century, David Bowie. Folio, original cloth with onlay bas-relief portrait of Bowie to the front panel, images by Terry O’Neill. Presentation copy, inscribed by the photographer on the front free endpaper, “I hope you enjoy this tribute toContinue reading "David Bowie: A Photographic Memoir. Through the Lens of Terry O’Neill. [Bowie by O’Neill]."

Wilson, William [Bill W.]

Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism.

New York : Alcoholics Anonymous, 1939.

First edition of Bill Wilson’s classic work, one of the best-selling books of all time, having sold 30 million copies. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with the spine lightly toned, contemporary name to the front free endpaper. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the HarcourtContinue reading "Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism."

Lewis, C.S

Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia.

London : Geoffrey Bles, 1951.

First edition of the second book in Lewis’ beloved Narnia series. Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated by Pauline Baynes. Near fine in a very good dust jacket, ownership inscription to the inside jacket flap.

Biblia, Das ist: Die ganze Heilige Schrift Des Alten und Neuen Testaments. Bie Foide von Herrnn Doctor Martin Luther. [18th Century German Martin Luther Bible].

Nuremberg : Endter, 1788.

Eighteenth century printing of the Martin Luther Bible; the first Bible in the German language originally translated by Martin Luther in 1534, considered the foundation of the modern German language. Folio, bound in full pig elaborately stamped in blind with brass cornerpieces, illustrated with numerous engravings in-text, including many 1/3 page and a number ofContinue reading "Biblia, Das ist: Die ganze Heilige Schrift Des Alten und Neuen Testaments. Bie Foide von Herrnn Doctor Martin Luther. [18th Century German Martin Luther Bible]."

Dahl, Roald; Illustrated by Quentin Blake

Matilda.

London : Jonathan Cape, 1988.

First British edition of Dahl’s popular story of a young girl, her genius, and her indifferent parents. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, boldly inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Andrew Love Roald Dahl.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Illustrated by Quentin Blake.

Stowe, Harriet Beecher

The Writings of Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Cambridge : The Riverside Press, 1896.

The Large Paper Author’s Autograph edition of the writings of Harriet Beecher Stowe. Octavo, 16 volumes bound in three quarter crushed levant pigskin with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Signed by Harriet Beecher Stowe on the limitation page ‘Specially For ThisContinue reading "The Writings of Harriet Beecher Stowe."

[Earhart, Amelia]

Amelia Earhart Signed Oldsmobile Girls Club Christmas Party Program.

[Lansing, Michigan] [1928].

Rare original program from the holiday luncheon held for female employees of Olds Motor Works held on December 19th 1928, signed by legendary aviator Amelia Earhart. Octavo, bound in handmade tissue paper with a red ribbon, illustrated with a tipped in portrait of Amelia Earhart. Signed by Earhart in pencil beneath her portrait. In veryContinue reading "Amelia Earhart Signed Oldsmobile Girls Club Christmas Party Program."

Gosling, Sharon. Foreword by Patty Jenkins

Wonder Woman: the Art and Making of the Film.

London : Titan Books, 2017.

First edition of the complete behind-the-scenes story of Wonder Woman. Oblong quarto, original pictorial boards, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. From the collection of Bill Zwecker. A member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, Zwecker was a longtime entertainment and celebrity journalist. A Chicago native and second-generation newspaper star (his late mother, Peg Zwecker, was the fashionContinue reading "Wonder Woman: the Art and Making of the Film."

King, Jr., Martin Luther

Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1958.

First edition, early printing of Dr. Martin Luther King’s first book. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edgesContinue reading "Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story."

Baum, L. Frank

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus.

Indianapolis : The Bowen-Merrill Company, 1902.

First edition of this Christmas classic with the first state headings “Book First, Book Second and Book Third.” Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery wit  gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed byContinue reading "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus."

Ford, Julia Ellsworth. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham

Snickerty Nick.

New York : Moffat, Yard & Co, 1919.

First edition of the author’s beloved children’s tale. Quarto, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated by Arthur Rackham with color frontispiece, two color plates, and numerous in-text black and white illustrations. In very good condition. Housed in a custom clamshell box.

Dahl, Roald; Illustrated by Quentin Blake

The BFG: Illustrations by Quentin Blake.

London : Jonathan Cape, 1982.

First edition, early printing of this Dahl classic, which has sold over 20 million copies. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Quentin Blake. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “Love Doug Roald Dahl 1984.” Additionally signed by Quentin Blake below. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.