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Literature

Rare & Classic, American or English Literature Books for Sale Online

Browse rare first edition classics in American, English, world literature, poetry, and plays. View our entire collection of rare literature below, search our inventory with advanced search, or use our sorting tools to find exactly what you’re looking for. Please call with any questions you may have on a specific item or order online today.

Showing items 240-260 of 2245

Cervantes, Miguel de. Translated by Charles Jarvis

The Adventures of Don Quixote De La Mancha; Translated From the Spanish of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.

London : J. & R. Tonson and R. Dodsley, 1742.

First edition of Jarvis’ translation of Cervantes’ masterpiece, with the eight page translator’s preface present in volume one. Quarto, two volumes, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in seven compartments within raised gilt bands, all edges stained red, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panel. IllustratedContinue reading "The Adventures of Don Quixote De La Mancha; Translated From the Spanish of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra."

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$4,000.00
Item Number: RRB-148972

Crowley, Aleister

The Works of Aleister Crowley.

Foyers : Society For The Propagation of Religious Truth, 1905-1907.

First collected edition, “Essay Competition” issue of the collected writings of the noted occult writer. Octavo, three volumes bound into one as issued in the original publisher’s limp linen with gilt titles to the front panel, top edge gilt with others untrimmed. Boldly signed by the author on the second free endpaper, “With Mr. AleisterContinue reading "The Works of Aleister Crowley."

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$8,200.00
Item Number: RRB-149730

Joyce, James; Pablo Picasso; Gertrude Stein; Eugene Jolas and Elliot Paul [Editors]

Transition: An International Quarterly for Creative Experiment. Number 13. Summer, 1928.

Paris : Transition, 1928.

The summer 1928 issue of Transition, number 13, containing James Joyce’s ongoing piece “Continuation of a Work in Progress.” Octavo, original pictorial wrappers with the cover portrait by Picasso, illustrated with black and white photographs throughout including Berenice Abbott’s famed portrait of James Joyce. “Continuation of a Work in Progress” is an excerpt of Joyce’sContinue reading "Transition: An International Quarterly for Creative Experiment. Number 13. Summer, 1928."

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$375.00
Item Number: RRB-149110

Dickens, Charles

Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi. Edited by “Boz.”

London : Richard Bentley, 1838.

First edition in the rare original cloth of Dickens’ popular retelling of the memoirs of celebrated English clown Joseph Grimaldi. Octavo, two volumes, original pink cloth with floral design stamped in blind, gilt titles and detailing of a clown to the spine, frontispiece portrait of Grimaldi, with 11 illustrations by George Cruikshank. Mixed state withContinue reading "Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi. Edited by “Boz.”"

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$1,250.00
Item Number: RRB-149060

Huxley, Aldous

Brave New World.

London : Chatto & Windus, 1932.

First edition of Huxley’s masterpiece. Octavo, bound in full leather by Exeter Bookbinders in a unique binding of a blue suit jacket and three titanium skull-shaped buttons to the front panel, gilt titles to the spine, “Bernard Marx” in gilt on the front panel. In near fine condition. Ownership inscription to the copyright page, “Yes!!!!Continue reading "Brave New World."

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$2,800.00
Item Number: RRB-149102

Dickens, Charles. Illustrations by H.K. Browne

Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son, Wholesale, Retail, and for Exportation.

London : Bradbury & Evans, 1846-48.

First edition in the scarce original parts of Dickens tale of the fortunes of the Dombey shipping firm. Octavo, 20 parts in 19, original wrappers, with 40 etchings by Halbot Knight Brown, containing all advertisements as issued. A mixed state set with the following points: Part I with no ads on inner front wrapper, rearContinue reading "Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son, Wholesale, Retail, and for Exportation."

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$2,500.00
Item Number: RRB-149076

Davies, Valentine; Tomie dePaola [Illustrator]

Miracle On 34th Street.

San Diego : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1984.

First illustrated edition of this modern Christmas classic with paintings by beloved illustrator Tomie dePaola. Square octavo, original publisher’s red cloth with titles to the spine and front panel stamped in gilt, pictorial blue endpapers, frontispiece, title page vignette, with 18 full color illustrations. Presentation copy, inscribed by the illustrator on the half-title page, “ForContinue reading "Miracle On 34th Street."

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$500.00
Item Number: RRB-149046

Davies, Valentine; Tomie dePaola [Illustrator]

Miracle On 34th Street.

San Diego : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1984.

First illustrated edition of this modern Christmas classic with paintings by beloved illustrator Tomie dePaola. Square octavo, original publisher’s red cloth with titles to the spine and front panel stamped in gilt, pictorial blue endpapers, frontispiece, title page vignette, with 18 full color illustrations. Signed by the illustrator on the half-title page, “Merry Christmas TomieContinue reading "Miracle On 34th Street."

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$500.00
Item Number: RRB-149018

Dickens, Charles

The Personal History of David Copperfield.

London : Bradbury & Evans, 1850.

First edition in book form of “the most perfect of all the Dickens novels” (Virginia Woolf). Octavo, bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards by Henry Sotheran, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled. Illustrated with 40Continue reading "The Personal History of David Copperfield."

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$2,500.00
Item Number: RRB-149762

Tolkien, J.R.R

The Hobbit.

London : George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937.

First edition, first issue of Tolkien’s classic tale, “among the very highest achievements of children’s authors during the 20th century” (Carpenter & Pritchard, 530), one of only a handful of presentation copies reserved for Tolkien to give to family members, colleagues and close friends. Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, frontispiece and 9 full-page uncolored illustrationsContinue reading "The Hobbit."

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$975,000.00
Item Number: RRB-135801

Cruikshank, George

George Cruikshank’s Fairy Library: Hop-O’My-Thumb and the Seven-League Boots.

London : David Bogue, 1853.

First edition of this retelling of the classic French fairy tale. Duodecimo, bound in three-quarters morocco by W.J. Mansell with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in three compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, frontispiece, and illustrated with six etchings by GeorgeContinue reading "George Cruikshank’s Fairy Library: Hop-O’My-Thumb and the Seven-League Boots."

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$475.00
Item Number: RRB-148885

Stowe, Harriet Beecher

Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly.

Boston and Cleveland : John P. Jewett and Jewett, Proctor & Worthington, 1852.

First edition, first issue of the author’s classic work. Octavo, two volumes, bound in full brown morocco with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, top edges gilt, gilt inner dentelles, striped endpapers, illustrated with title vignettes and sixContinue reading "Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly."

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$9,800.00
Item Number: RRB-148986

Davies, Valentine [Buddy Adler]

Miracle On 34th Street. [with] Valentine Davies Typed Letter Signed.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1947.

First edition of this modern Christmas classic. Octavo, original red cloth. Accompanied by a typed letter signed by Valentine Davies and regarding staging that year’s Academy Awards presentations. Octavo, one page, on Universal-International Pictures letter head, the letter reads in full, “February 5, 1957 Dear Buddy: Thank you very much for the kind words aboutContinue reading "Miracle On 34th Street. [with] Valentine Davies Typed Letter Signed."

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$2,500.00
Item Number: RRB-148982

Dumas, Alexandre. [Alexander]

The Works of Alexandre Dumas.

Boston : Estes and Lauriat, 1893-1896.

The Edition De Luxe of the works of Alexandre Dumas, limited to one thousand numbered copies. Octavo, 40 volumes bound in three quarter morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, frontispiece with captioned tissue guard to each volume, illustrated with platesContinue reading "The Works of Alexandre Dumas."

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$12,500.00
Item Number: RRB-149543

Twain, Mark. [Samuel L. Clemens]

A Tramp Abroad.

Hartford, Conn : American Publishing Company, 1880.

First edition, first printing of Twain’s classic fictionalized account of his walking tour of central and southern Europe, with the frontispiece in the first state and misprints (p. 37, line 7 up, “fee” for “feel,” p. 46, line 11, “2oo” for “200,” p. 414, line 9 up, “spirting” for “spurting,” p. 465, line 4, “stuck”Continue reading "A Tramp Abroad."

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$1,100.00
Item Number: RRB-149768

Handel, George Frideric and Charles Jennens

Messiah. An Oratorio. As it is Performed at the Theatre Royal in the Hay-Market. Set to Music by Mr. Handel.

[London] : Sold at the Theatre only, [1769].

Rare 18th century printing of the Handel’s Messiah as it was performed at the Theatre Royal in the Hay-Market. Ocravo, bound in contemporary wrappers. Handel composed Messiah in 1741. It was first performed in Dublin in 1742 and received its London premiere a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity,Continue reading "Messiah. An Oratorio. As it is Performed at the Theatre Royal in the Hay-Market. Set to Music by Mr. Handel."

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$7,800.00
Item Number: RRB-149233

Yeats, W.B. Edited by Peter Allt and Russel K. Alpach [William Butler]

The Variorum Edition of the Poems of W.B. Yeats.

New York : The Macmillan Company, 1957.

The Variorum signed limited edition of this classic collection of poetry by the Nobel Prize-winning author, one of 825 numbered copies signed by the poet. Large octavo, original half cloth, original slipcase. One of 825 copies signed by William Butler Years on the limitation page, this is number 421. Fine in the original slipcase, whichContinue reading "The Variorum Edition of the Poems of W.B. Yeats."

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$2,200.00
Item Number: RRB-149136

Dinesen, Isak [Karen Blixen]; edited by Clara Svendsen

Isak Dinesen: A Memorial.

New York : Random House, 1965.

First edition of this tribute to the life of the brilliant Danish writer Karen Blixen, a collection of essays from her friends compiled by her secretary and companion Clara Svendsen. Octavo, original black cloth, green endpapers. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Bookplate to the front free endpaper of “Glenway Wescott” with aContinue reading "Isak Dinesen: A Memorial."

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$175.00
Item Number: RRB-145708
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