Literature

Mann, Thomas

Death in Venice.

London : Martin Secker, 1928.

First British edition of Mann’s classic novel. Octavo, original cloth. Translated from the German by H.T. Lowe-Porter. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket with some light shelfwear and small repairs to the verso. First editions are rare, especially in the original dust jacket and in this condition.

The Temptation To Do Good.

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First edition of this “convincing and haunting novel” (Publishers Weekly) by the father of modern management. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Peter Drucker on the front free endpaper. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by William Graef. Author’s photograph by Rob Lewine.

Kerr, Judith

The Tiger Who Came To Tea.

London : Collins, 1968.

First edition of this classic, one of the best selling children’s book of all-time. Quarto, original illustrated boards, illustrated throughout. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. An exceptional example, uncommon in this condition.

Rand, Ayn

The Fountainhead.

Indianapolis and New York : The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1943.

First edition of Rands’s breakthrough work and her first major literary success. Octavo, original cloth. Very good in a very good first-issue first issue dust jacket with light restoration to the extremities, contemporary inscription to the front free endpaper. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. A very sharpContinue reading "The Fountainhead."

Travers, P.L. [Dick Van Dyke]

Mary Poppins.

New York : Harcourt, Brace & Company, 1997.

Signed limited edition of this children’s classic, one of 100 numbered copies, this is number 37. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Mary Shepard. In fine condition. Additionally signed “God bless! Dick Van Dyke” on the front free endpaper, who starred in the 1964 film adaptation. A unique example.

Potter, Beatrix

The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

London : Privately Printed, 1901.

First edition, privately printed by the author (preceding all other editions) one of only 250 copies of this children’s classic. 12 mo, original cloth, illustrated, leaf patterned end-papers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “for Mrs Oliver, from Beatrix Potter– with kind regards and best wishes forContinue reading "The Tale of Peter Rabbit."

Cheever, Susan [Erica Jong]

Treetops: A Family Memoir.

New York : Bantam Books, 1991.

First edition of the sequel to the author’s prize-winning memoir, Home Before Dark. Octavo, original half cloth, pictorial endpapers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Miami Fla. March 1991 For Erica and Ken with love Susan.” The recipients, American writer Erica Jong and lawyer Kenneth David Burrows were married inContinue reading "Treetops: A Family Memoir."

Cheever, Susan

Home Before Dark: A Biographical Memoir of John Cheever by His Daughter.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1984.

First edition of Cheever’s candid portrait of her father, John Cheever. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “New York City October 1984 To Burrows with love from his old friend Susan.” The recipient, American litigator Kenneth David Burrows married American novelist Erica Jong in 1989. Jong remainsContinue reading "Home Before Dark: A Biographical Memoir of John Cheever by His Daughter."

Cheever, Susan

The Cage.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1982.

First edition of the author’s third novel. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “New York May 31. 1983 For Ken Burrows For Whom my affection will never be remaindered Love Susan.” The recipient, American litigator Kenneth David Burrows married American novelist Erica Jong in 1989.Continue reading "The Cage."

Cheever, Susan [Erica Jong]

Note Found in a Bottle: My Life as a Drinker.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1999.

First edition of Cheever’s frank and moving autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “New York City January 1999 For Erica and Ken What can I say? No words could begin to express mt gratitude, my fond memories, my affection andContinue reading "Note Found in a Bottle: My Life as a Drinker."

Cheever, Susan

A Handsome Man.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1981.

First edition of this work by the award-winning author. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “April 30 New York For Burrows with love Susan.” The recipient, American litigator Kenneth David Burrows married American novelist Erica Jong in 1989. Jong remains best known for her 1973Continue reading "A Handsome Man."

Matthews, Douglas; Suzanne Wymelenberg; and Susan Cheever Cowley [Erica Jong]

Secondhand is Better (2H=B).

New York : Arbor House, 1975.

First edition of this unique handbook to secondhand buying. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by Susan Cheever Cowley on the front free endpaper, “To Burrows, without whose diverse and grateful help this book – and a lot of other things – would not have been possible. Susan.” The recipient, American litigator Kenneth DavidContinue reading "Secondhand is Better (2H=B)."

Shem, Samuel

The Spirit of the Place.

Kent, OH : The Kent University Press, 2008.

First edition of this ambitious novel about the complicated relationships between mothers and sons, doctors and patients, the past and the present, and love and death. Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Samuel Shem on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Cover art by Marc Chagall.

Orwell, George

George Orwell Typed Letter Signed.

June 1945.

Rare typed letter signed “Geo. Orwell“, to Gerry Byrne announcing that “my wife died three months ago, very suddenly and unexpectedly”, writing about the aftermath of her death including his relief that their son Richard was too young to to miss her (“…He is now 13 1/2 months old and is extremely well. He hasContinue reading "George Orwell Typed Letter Signed."

Orwell, George

George Orwell Autographed Letter Signed.

June 1944.

Rare autographed letter signed by George Orwell signed to Amy Charlesworth Byrne detailing his usual weekly routines between his home and the offices of Tribune, in order to make lunch arrangements to meet her and her husband, also promising her a book (“…I’ll try & find a copy of ‘Burmese Days for you. These PenguinsContinue reading "George Orwell Autographed Letter Signed."

Neale Hurston, Zora

Jonah’s Gourd Vine.

Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott Company, 1934.

First edition of the author’s first book. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, raised bands, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In near fine condition, name to the title page. With an introduction by Fanny Hurst. Rare andContinue reading "Jonah’s Gourd Vine."

Hurston, Zora Neale

Tell My Horse: Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica.

Philadelphia : J.P. Lippincott Company, 1938.

First edition of Hurston’s personal experiences in Haiti and Jamaica. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, raised bands, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, 26 illustrations. In fine condition. An exceptional presentation.

Hurston, Zora Neale

Mules and Men.

Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott Company, 1935.

First edition of Hurston’s classic work, “the most engaging, genuine, and skillfully written book in the field of folklore” (Alan Lomax). Octavo, original cloth, with 10 illustrations by Miguel Covarrubias. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, raised bands, innerContinue reading "Mules and Men."

Hurston, Zora Neale

Moses, Man on the Mountain.

New York : J. B. Lippincott Company, 1939.

First edition of this classic retelling of Moses’ exodus. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, raised bands, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. A very sharp example.

Heller, Joseph

Something Happened.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1974.

First edition of this classic work by the author of Catch-22. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Stacy Hunt, With good wishes, to an admirer, from an admirer. Joseph Heller 5/28/75 WKIN, L.A.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Paul Bacon. AnContinue reading "Something Happened."

Asimov, Isaac

Puzzles of the Black Widowers: 12 More of the Master’s Best-Loved Mysteries.

New York : Doubleday, 1990.

First edition of the fifth book in Asimov’s Black Widowers series. Octavo, original half cloth. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by James Steinberg.

Poe, Edgar Allan

The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe.

New York and London : G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1902.

The Annabel edition of the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe. Octavo, ten volumes, bound in three quarters crushed levant morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, illustrated with 60 photogravures, each with a lettered tissue guard. In very good condition. AContinue reading "The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe."

Stanhope, Eugenia

Letters Written by the Late Right Honourable Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, to His Son, Philip Stanhope, Esq; Together with Several Other Pieces on Various Subjects.

London : Printed for J. Dodsley, 1774.

First edition of one of the great classics of English letters. Quarto, period quarter calf over marbled boards with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, engraved portrait frontispiece. Second state of volume one, page 55 (line 16 corrected to “qui auroit”). From the library of Sir Edwyn Francis Stanhope with his bookplate to the pastedownContinue reading "Letters Written by the Late Right Honourable Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, to His Son, Philip Stanhope, Esq; Together with Several Other Pieces on Various Subjects."

Harris, Frank. [Ernest Hemingway]

Oscar Wilde: His Life and Confessions.

New York : Printed and Published by the Author, 1918.

First edition of Shaw’s appreciation of Wilde. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. From the library of young Ernest Hemingway with his ownership name and address to the pastedown of each volume, “Ernest Hemingway Windemere Walloon Lake Michigan” and additional ownership name to volume one, “Hemingway.” Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, in Oak Park, Illinois,Continue reading "Oscar Wilde: His Life and Confessions."