Literature

Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de

Vida Y Hechos Del Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote De La Mancha: Con Muy Bellas Estampas Gravadas Sobre Los Dibujos de Coypel, Primer Pinto de el Rey de Francia.

En Haia [The Hague] : Por P. Gosse y A. Moetjens, 1744.

Rare early printing and one of the most highly coveted editions of Cervantes’ masterpiece. Octavo, 4 volumes, bound in full calf, gilt titles and  tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, burgundy spine labels, triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edgesContinue reading "Vida Y Hechos Del Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote De La Mancha: Con Muy Bellas Estampas Gravadas Sobre Los Dibujos de Coypel, Primer Pinto de el Rey de Francia."

Conrad, Joseph

A Personal Record.

London : J. M. Dent & Sons LTD, 1919.

First British edition, early printing of this autobiographical work of Joseph Conrad with first edition ‘Author’s Note’. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Near fine in a very good dust jacket, bookplate to the front pastedown. Uncommon in the original dust jacket.

Disney, Walt. [Carlo Collodi]

Walt Disney’s Version of Pinocchio.

London : Collins, 1940.

First English edition of the book version of Walt Disney’s second feature-length animated motion picture. Quarto, original half cloth over illustrated boards, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Boldly signed by Walt Disney on the verso of the front free endpaper. Very good in a good dust jacket with bending to the boards. Rare signed by Walt Disney.

Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de; D. Juan Antonio Pellicer

El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha: Nueva Edicion.

Madrid : Gabriel de Sancha, 1797-98.

First large paper edition of Juan Antonio Pellicer’s new edition of Don Quixote. Octavo, five volumes, bound in full red morocco by Clarke & Bedford with gilt titles and ornately tooled floral detailing to the spines in six compartments within raised bands, elaborate floral ruling to the front and rear panels, top edges gilt, giltContinue reading "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha: Nueva Edicion."

Parker, Dorothy

Death and Taxes.

New York : The Viking Press, 1931.

First edition, early printing, of Parker’s third collection of poetry. Octavo, original cloth. Very good in the uncommon original dust jacket which is in good condition.

Frost, Robert

A Boy’s Will.

New York : Henry Holt and Company, 1915.

First American edition of Frost’s first published work. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, gilt title to the front panel. Boldly signed and dated by the poet on front free endpaper, “Robert Frost Wesleyan December 1926.” Ownership signature on front pastedown of Richard Brooks in pencil. In very good condition. A charming example.

le Carré, John

John le Carré Autograph Letter Signed. [with] Autograph Research Notebook for Absolute Friends.

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Autograph letter signed by British author John le Carré, with his original notebook while researching Absolute Friends. Octavo, two pages, the letter reads in full, “23 Nov ’06 Dear Adrienne, This really is too much! Of course I have copies, but none in the original format, and now you have most generously and sweetly providedContinue reading "John le Carré Autograph Letter Signed. [with] Autograph Research Notebook for Absolute Friends."

Kazantzakis, Nikos

Zorba The Greek.

Athens : Plateia Syntagmatos, 1946.

Rare first Greek edition, preceding all other editions of the author’s classic work, which was the basis for the beloved Oscar-winning film starring Anthony Quinn. Octavo, bound in cloth. Boldly signed by Nikos Kazantzakis on the copyright page. In near fine condition. First editions of Zorba The Greek are of legendary scarcity.

White, E.B.; Illustrated by Garth Williams

Charlotte’s Web.

New York : Harper & Brothers, 1952.

First edition, first printing of E.B. White’s classic tale of friendship with the code “I-B” on the copyright page. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt ruled inner dentelles stamp-signedContinue reading "Charlotte’s Web."

Martin, George R.R

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

London : Harper Voyager an Imprint of Harper Collins, 2015.

First English edition of the compilation of the first three prequel novellas to George R.R. Martin’s fantasy sage, A Song of Ice and Fire. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece, illustrated with black and white sketches by Gary Gianni. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with light bumping to the foot of the spine. JacketContinue reading "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."

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). Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, frontispiece and 9 full-page uncolored illustrations after drawings by Tolkien. Published on September 21, 1937, the first printing of the Hobbit constituted only 1500 copies andContinue reading "The Hobbit."

Weegee

Weegee by Weegee: An Autobiography.

New York : Ziff-Davis Publishing Company, 1961.

First edition of the famed photographer’s autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated throughout. Presentation copy, humorously inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Jerry Weegee, Words greatest photographer.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.

Cruikshank, Isaac Robert

The Political Doctor Syntax, A Poem, With Satyrical Designs.

London : Grove and Co, 1820.

First edition of this satirical poem that parodies William Combe’s popular “Doctor Syntax” character. Octavo, bound in full later morocco with gilt titles to the spine in three compartments within raised bands, triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, top edge gilt, gilt inner dentelles, illustrated with two hand colored engraved plates byContinue reading "The Political Doctor Syntax, A Poem, With Satyrical Designs."

Smith, Dodie

The Hundred and One Dalmatians.

London : Heinemann, 1961.

First edition of the author’s beloved children’s classic, adapted into the 1961 animated film produced by Walt Disney Studios. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt ruled inner dentelles stamp-signedContinue reading "The Hundred and One Dalmatians."

Kama Sutra.

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Illustrated Sanskrit manuscript of the definitive ancient Indian Hindu guide to the philosophy of love and desire. Late 19th century or earlier, bound accordion style. Twenty-three leaves, Sanskrit text in black ink with 15 original full-color erotic paintings with elaborate gilt decoration. In very good condition. Each leaf measures 5.25 inches by 3.25 inches. RareContinue reading "Kama Sutra."

Steinbeck, John

The Wayward Bus.

New York : The Viking Press, 1947.

First edition of this work by the Nobel Prize-winning writer. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by John Steinbeck on the front free endpaper. From the library of John and Carol Steinbeck with their stamp to the front pastedown. Carol Henning Steinbeck, John Steinbeck’s first wife, was instrumental in his early literary development, sustaining the coupleContinue reading "The Wayward Bus."

Thorp, Roderick

Nothing Last Forever.

New York : W.W. Norton & Company, 1979.

First edition of this novel, basis for the classic film Die Hard, starring Bruce Willis. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt ruled inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery,Continue reading "Nothing Last Forever."

Milton, John

Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To Which is Added Samson Agonistes.

London : Printed by J.M. for John Starkey, 1671.

First edition, first issue of these epic poems, with the misprint “loah” on page 67 instead of “loth” in Paradise Regained. Octavo, bound in full contemporary speckled calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, all edges marbled, engraved portrait frontispiece,Continue reading "Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To Which is Added Samson Agonistes."

Stern, Philip Van Doren

The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale.

Philadelphia : David McKay Company, 1944.

First edition of this classic Christmas story, the basis for Frank Capra’s beloved movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Small octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Philip Van Doren Stern on the pre-half-title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of wear. Illustrated by Rafaello Busoni. Housed in a custom half moroccoContinue reading "The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale."

Hardy, Thomas; Agnes Miller Parker [Illustrator]

Jude the Obscure.

New York : The Limited Editions Club, 1969.

The Limited Editions Club signed limited edition of the last completed novel by Hardy. Octavo, bound in full modern morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe / Zaehnsdorf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, all edges gilt, gilt turn-ins andContinue reading "Jude the Obscure."