Literature

Poe, Edgar Allan

The Raven. [In The American Review: A Whig Journal of Politics, Literature, Art and Science. No. II February, 1845.

New York : Wiley and Putnam, 1845.

First appearance in print of The Raven, one of the most famous and recognizable poems ever written, which Poe considered his finest poem, calling it “the greatest poem that was ever written.” Octavo, original wrappers. In keeping with the policy of The American Review which required that poems be published anonymously or with a pseudonym,Continue reading "The Raven. [In The American Review: A Whig Journal of Politics, Literature, Art and Science. No. II February, 1845."

Frost, Robert

A Masque of Reason.

New York : Henry Holt and Company, 1945.

First edition of this work by Frost. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.

Hunter, Evan. [Ed McBain]

The Blackboard Jungle.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1954.

First edition of the author’s definitive 1954 novel dealing with juvenile crime and the New York City public school system, adapted into the award-winning film of the same name. Octavo, original publisher’s half grey cloth over red boards. Signed by the author on the title page. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. JacketContinue reading "The Blackboard Jungle."

Wilder, Thornton

The Merchant of Yonkers.

New York : Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1939.

First edition, inscribed by Wilder in the year of publication, the year after he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Our Town. Octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the half-title page, “For Julie, coeur d’or with the lasting regard of Thornton, New York AprilContinue reading "The Merchant of Yonkers."

Camus, Albert

Actuelles Chroniques 1944-1948; Actuelles Chroniques 1948-1953; Actuelles, III Chronique Algerienne 1939-1958.

Paris : Gallimard, 1950-1958.

First editions of all three volumes in Camus’s collected articles and commentaries. Octavo, original wrappers as issued. Each volume is fine condition. A rare complete set in exceptional condition.

Shaw, George Bernard

Plays: Pleasant and Unpleasant.

London : Grant Richards, 1898.

First edition of the definitive text of Shaw’s volume of “unpleasant” plays: Widowers’ Houses, The Philanderer, and Mrs. Warren’s Profession  Octavo, two volumes, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, top edge gilt, tissue-guarded frontispiece and 8 pages of publisher’s advertisements to Vol. I, 4 pages of publisher’s advertisements to Vol. II. Presentation copy,Continue reading "Plays: Pleasant and Unpleasant."

Price, Richard

Three Screenplays: The Color of Money; Sea of Love and Night and the City.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993.

First edition of this compilation of three classic screenplays. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed by Richard Price on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Mark Caleb.

Porter, Eleanor H

Pollyanna.

Boston : L.C. Page & Company, 1913.

First edition of Eleanor H. Porter’s classic of children’s literature. Octavo, bound in three quarters calf over marbled endpapers, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, top edge gilt, engraved frontispiece, illustrated by Stockton Mulford. In near fine condition. First editions are uncommon.

Euripides; Translated by Robert Potter

The Tragedies of Euripides.

London : J. Dodsley, 1783.

First translation of Euripides into English, translated by Robert Potter, from his own library. Octavo, two volumes, bound in contemporary leather, engraved frontispiece to volume I, list of subscribers. The translator’s own copy with his inscription, “From the Library of the Rev Robert Potter, M.A., Rector of Lowestoft from 1789 to 1804” to volume one ofContinue reading "The Tragedies of Euripides."

Cash, Johnny

Man In White.

New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1986.

First edition of the only novel by the legendary singer. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Jud, Love Johnny Cash.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by David Marty. Uncommon signed.

Doyle, Arthur Conan

The Maracot Deep.

Garden City, NY : Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc, 1929.

First edition of Conan Doyle’s seminal collection of short stories. Octavo, original cloth. In good condition.

Washington, Booker T

Up From Slavery. An Autobiography.

New York : Doubleday, Page & Co, 1901.

First edition of Booker T. Washington’s landmark biography. Octavo, original cloth, top edge gilt, illustrated. In good condition with rubbing to the extremities and some dampstaining to the cloth. Period ownership inscription.

Twain, Mark. [Samuel L. Clemens]

What Is Man?

London : Watts & Co, 1910.

First trade edition of this uncommon Twain title. Octavo, original cloth. From the library of leading Twain authority and publisher John Gerber with his bookplate to the pastedown. Gerber served as head of the English Department at the University of Iowa for many years following the end of World War II when American literature wasContinue reading "What Is Man?"

Hemingway: The Viking Portable Library.

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First edition, early printing of this compilation of Hemingway’s works. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by Mary Hemingway on the front free endpaper, “23 June 1947 Dear Nina, With best wishes for a pleasant trip, success, and luck. Hope to see you soon. Love, Mary.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket.Continue reading "Hemingway: The Viking Portable Library."

Butler, Octavia E

Imago.

New York : Warner Books, 1989.

First edition of the gripping climax to Butler’s acclaimed Xenogenesis trilogy. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Octavia E. Butler on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Don Puckey. Cover illustration by Wayne Barlowe.

Boileau, Ethel [Ayn Rand]

Ballade in G Minor.

London : Hutchinson & Co, 1938.

First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “For Ayn Rand from Ethel Boileau A tribute to “We The Living” New York Feb.10th 1938.” Lady Ethel Boileau was an English novelist, best known for Clansmen and Ballade inContinue reading "Ballade in G Minor."

Powers, J.F

Morte D’Urban.

Garden City, NY : Doubleday & Company, 1962.

Review copy of the first edition of the author’s masterpiece, winner of the National Book Award. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by J.F. Powers. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Slip laid in from the publisher. Jacket design by Joseph O’Connell. Uncommon in this condition and signed.

Shaw, George Bernard

The Apple Cart: A Political Extravaganza.

London : Constable and Company, 1930.

First edition of this classic play by the Nobel Prize-winning author. Octavo, original cloth. In near fine condition.

Irving, John

A Widow for One Year.

New York : Alred A. Knopf, 1998.

First Canadian edition of Irving’s powerful ninth novel. Octavo, original boards. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “For Ken With my appreciation John Irving.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Honi Werner. Book design by Victoria Wong.

Steinbeck, John

The Winter of Our Discontent.

New York : The Viking Press, 1961.

First edition, presentation copy of Steinbeck’s final novel, one of only 500 examples with only a few known inscribed examples, which along with The Grapes of Wrath are considered his masterpieces. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For Charles Sulner John Steinbeck.” Near fine in a nearContinue reading "The Winter of Our Discontent."

Fitzgerald, F. Scott

The Vegetable: Or, From President To Postman.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1923.

First edition of what Fitzgerald called, “undoubtedly the best thing I have ever written.” Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Dear Mr. Swelwynn (sic)- Here’s the new version of the play. Sincerely F. Scott Fitzgerald.” The recipient, prominent figure in American theatre and film in the firstContinue reading "The Vegetable: Or, From President To Postman."

Bernstein, Leonard

The Unanswered Question: Six Talks at Harvard.

Cambridge, MA : Harvard University Press, 1976.

First edition of this work by the legendary composer. Oblong, quarto, original illustrated boards, original slipcase, original records enclosed. Inscribed by the Leonard Bernstein on the front free endpaper. In near fine condition.

Hayley, William

The Triumphs of Temper; A Poem: In Six Cantos.

London : Printed For T. Cadell, 1788.

Finely bound sixth edition of Hayley’s popular work. 16mo, bound in full contemporary calf, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panel, gilt-ruled turn ins, marbled endpapers, illustrated with fine engraved plates by Stothard. Elegant period ownership inscriptions.

Gunther, John

Death Be Not Proud.

London : Hamish Hamilton, 1949.

First British edition of this deeply moving book, a father’s memoir of a brave, intelligent, and spirited boy, bound for the author. Octavo, bound by the author in full morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. InContinue reading "Death Be Not Proud."