Literature

Rodd, Rennell. Introduction by Oscar Wilde

Rose Leaf and Apple Leaf.

Philadelphia : J. M. Stoddart & Co, 1882.

First edition of Rodd’s first book of verse which was published with the assistance of Oscar Wilde. 12mo, original publisher’s vellum with gilt inner dentelles, silk watered endleaves, top edge gilt with others untrimmed, illustrated. In near fine condition. Neat ownership inscription. Rare.

Holmes, Oliver Wendell

The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table; The Professor at the Breakfast-Table; and The Poet at the Breakfast-Table.

Boston : Philips Sampson; Ticknor; Osgood, 1858, 1860, 1872.

First editions of the work that gained Oliver Wendell Holmes international fame. Octavo, three volumes, original cloth. With full page illustrations and vignettes by H.M. Brock throughout including tissue-guarded frontispieces. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom case. A beautiful set.

Hughes, Langston

Five Plays.

Bloomington : Indiana University Press, 1963.

First edition of this collection of five of Hughes’ best-known plays. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author with a full page inscription on the front free endpaper, “Especially for Geoffrey ~ some of my plays ~ Sincerely ~ Langston Hughes New York April 22, 1964.” The recipient, BBC producer Geoffrey Bridson, co-producedContinue reading "Five Plays."

Wilde, Oscar

Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime & Other Stories.

London : James R. Osgood, 1891.

First edition of  this collection of Wilde’s humorous mystery stories, published the same year as the first edition in book form of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Octavo, original stiff paper-covered boards. In good condition. Very rare.

Paton, Alan

Cry, the Beloved Country.

London : Jonathan Cape, 1948.

First edition of Paton’s classic novel. Octavo, original cloth. Fine in a near fine dust jacket.

Hemingway, Ernest

Islands In The Stream.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1970.

First edition of Hemingway’s autobiographical novel in three parts, published posthumously. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and ruling to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, gilt signature to the front panel, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. An exceptionalContinue reading "Islands In The Stream."

Steinbeck, John

East of Eden.

New York : The Viking Press, 1952.

First edition, first issue of Steinbeck’s epic and moving story of a modern Cain and Abel. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. An exceptionally fresh example.

Wilde, Oscar

For Love of the King: A Burmese Masque.

London : Methuen & Co. Ltd, 1923.

First edition of the infamous fifteenth volume of Metheun’s Collected Works of Oscar Wilde which caused a legal dispute between Wilde’s bibliographer, Christopher Millard and the publisher. Octavo, original publisher’s white linen cloth. One of 1000 copies printed on handmade paper. Publisher’s “Presentation Copy” stamp to the title page. Near fine in the rare originalContinue reading "For Love of the King: A Burmese Masque."

Wilde, Oscar. Selected by E. V. Lucas

A Critic in Pall Mall: Beings Extracts From Reviews and Miscellanies.

London : Methuen & Co. Ltd, 1919.

First edition of this selection of Wilde’s literary criticism. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. In near fine condition. Ownership inscription.

Wilde, Oscar. With Woodcuts by Frans Masereel

The Ballad of Reading Gaol.

London : Methuen & Co. Ltd, 1925.

First illustrated edition of this rare Wilde title. Royal octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with woodcuts by Frans Masereel. One of 450 numbered copies, this is number 16. Fine in the rare original dust jacket which is in very good condition.

Wilde, Oscar

Oscar Wilde: Recollections by Jean Paul Raymond & Charles Ricketts.

Bloomsbury : The Nonesuch Press, 1932.

First edition of Ricketts’ recollections of Wilde, published posthumously with a design reminiscent of the Vale Press. “The only Nonesuch book linked in a personal way with the private press movement of those years” (Dreyfus, 81). Royal octavo, original publisher’s cloth decorated in gilt, top edge gilt with others untrimmed. One of 800 numbered copies,Continue reading "Oscar Wilde: Recollections by Jean Paul Raymond & Charles Ricketts."

Hughes, Langston

Something in Common and Other Stories.

New York : Hill and Wang, 1963.

First edition, advance reading copy of this collection of thirty-seven of Hughes’ tales, eleven of them appearing in book form for the first time. Octavo, paperback issue, original pictorial wrappers, with the publisher’s slip tipped in which reads, “Compliments of the Author.” From the library of Geoffrey Bridson with his bookplate to the pastedown. InContinue reading "Something in Common and Other Stories."

DeLillo, Don

The Names.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1982.

First edition of this “brilliant… a powerful, haunting book” (The New York Times Book Review). Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Frank Best ever Don DeLillo.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Fred Marcellino.

Fromm, Erich

The Art of Loving.

New York : Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1956.

First edition of this groundbreaking international bestseller that has shown millions of readers how to achieve rich, productive lives by developing their capacities for love. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket.

Burroughs, John

Wake-Robin.

New York : Published by Hurd and Houghton at the Riverside Press, 1871.

First edition of the author’s first commercially published book in BAL’s binding A; the most elaborate of the three variant first edition bindings, of which there is no known priority. BAL 2135. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine and front panel, pale yellow endpapers. In very good condition withContinue reading "Wake-Robin."

Dickens, Charles

The Christmas Books: A Christmas Carol; The Chimes; The Cricket on the Hearth; The Battle of Life; The Haunted Man and The Ghost’s Bargain.

London : Chapman and Hall/Bradbury & Evans, 1845-48.

Complete set of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Books. Octavo, 5 volumes, original cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine and front panels, all edges gilt. A Christmas Carol is an eleventh edition, plates hand-colored, recased by Morrell [1845]; The Chimes: A Goblin Story is a sixth edition, recased [1845]; first edition of The CricketContinue reading "The Christmas Books: A Christmas Carol; The Chimes; The Cricket on the Hearth; The Battle of Life; The Haunted Man and The Ghost’s Bargain."

The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker.

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First edition of this novel, basis for the 1971 film starring Richard Benjamin and Joanna Shimkus, directed by Larry Turman. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the month of publication on the front free endpaper, “1/30/70 To Pat with love, Charles” and additionally signed by actor Richard Benjamin and by directorContinue reading "The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker."

Churchill, Winston S

The Major Works of Sir Winston Churchill: Centenary First Edition. Complete 25 Volume Set comprising: The Second World War: A History of the English Speaking Peoples: The War Speeches: The World Crisis: Marlborough His Life and Times: Lord Randolph Churchill: My Early Life.

London : Centenary First Edition: In arrangement with Hamlyn, Harrap, Cassell, 1974.

Finely bound set of the major works of Churchill. Octavo, 25 volumes, bound in full dark red pebble grained leather with black title panels on spines, raised bands with the initial WSC, elaborate border to the front panel, all edges are gilt, silk endpapers, illustrated with photographs and maps, frontispiece plates. In fine condition.

Kazantzakis, Nikos. Translated by Peter A. Bien

Zorba The Greek.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 2014.

Early printing of of this new translation of Kazantzakis’ masterpiece and basis for the beloved Oscar-winning film. Octavo, original wrappers. Signed by translator Peter Bien with the opening line of the novel on the front free endpaper, “I first met him in Piraeus Peter Bien 3-27-23.” Peter Bien translated a number of Kazantzakis’ works, mostContinue reading "Zorba The Greek."

Faulkner, William

Unvanquished.

New York : Random House, 1938.

First edition of this novel which tells the story of the Sartoris family, who first appeared in the novel Sartoris. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Edward Shenton. Near fine in a fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom slipcase. An exceptional example.

Tennyson, Alfred

Idylls of the King. [Fore-edge Painting].

London : Edward Moxon & Co, 1859.

First edition, second issue of one of the greatest and most enduring of Victorian literary works, with the imprint of Bradbury and Evans to the  verso of title. Octavo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, ribbon bound in, all edges gilt, decorated with a concealed fore-edge painting whichContinue reading "Idylls of the King. [Fore-edge Painting]."

West, Nathanael

The Day of the Locust.

New York : Random House, 1939.

First edition of West’s masterpiece. Octavo, original bound in full leather, raised bands, title to the spine and front panel. In near fine condition.

Hemingway, Ernest

Winner Take Nothing.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1933.

First edition of Hemingway’s classic collection of short stories. Octavo, original black cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To D. White best wishes always Ernest Hemingway.” Near fine in an excellent dust jacket with light rubbing and wear. Housed in a custom clamshell box. One of the rarest HemingwayContinue reading "Winner Take Nothing."

By a Young Lady

Intellectual Sentiments, Explained by the Study of Sensations.

London : Printed For Joseph Booker, 1809.

Rare Royal binding of this very uncommon title. Octavo, bound in full contemporary straight grain morocco by Charles Meyer of London for the Royal Family, gilt titles and Greek key ruling to they spine, elaborate gilt ruling and botanical scrolling to the front and rear panels, gilt central initial ‘A’ beneath a royal crown toContinue reading "Intellectual Sentiments, Explained by the Study of Sensations."