Literature

London, Jack

The Cruise of the Dazzler.

London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1906.

First English edition of London‘s scarcest work of fiction and his only “juvenile” novel. Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, illustrated with six plates.  From the library of William Safire, although not marked. William SafireContinue reading "The Cruise of the Dazzler."

Eliot, T.S

The Cocktail Party.

London : Faber & Faber, 1950.

First edition of Eliot’s most popular play published in his lifetime. Octavo, bound in full morocco by Asprey, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, inner dentelles. In fine condition.

Banks, Lynne Reid; Illustrated by Brock Cole

The Indian In The Cupboard.

Garden City, NY : Doubleday and Company, 1980.

First edition of the author’s classic work. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Brock Cole. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Andrew – Best wishes, Lynne Reid Banks Dorset, UK Sept. 2008.” Additionally signed by the illustrator Brock Cole on the title page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.Continue reading "The Indian In The Cupboard."

Gluck, Louise

Ararat.

New York : The Ecco Press, 1990.

First edition of the Nobel Prize-winning author’s collection of poetry, prompted by the death of her father. Octavo, original half cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the poet opposite the half-title page, “For Stuart I look forward to your new work, I wish you all good fortune – Louise.” The recipient, Stuart Dischell is a fellowContinue reading "Ararat."

Scott, Paul

The Chinese Love Pavilion.

London : William Heinemann Ltd, 1960.

Early printing of this dramatic story by the author of The Raj Quartet which many consider to be his best novel. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “With Best Wishes to A.A. Martin from the author Aug 24 ’67” and signed on the title page, “Paul Scott.”Continue reading "The Chinese Love Pavilion."

Boswell, James

The Life of Johnson.

London : Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry, 1791.

First edition, first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language, which was published on May 16, 1791 in a print run of only 1,750 copies. Quarto, bound in full morocco by Birdsall, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, inner dentelles, all edges gilt. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson, engravedContinue reading "The Life of Johnson."

The Steep Ascent.

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First edition of this work which chronicles Lindbergh’s travels to the Alps, with the engaging philosophical observations which made her Listen, the Wind! so popular. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Esther and Norman Biltz Anne Morrow Lindbergh December 1948.” Near fine in a near fine dustContinue reading "The Steep Ascent."

Enright, D. J

Selected Poems 1990.

Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1990.

First edition of this collection containing many of Enright’s finest poems. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the poet on the title page, “For Sally Soames (& cameras) – Dennis Enright.” The recipient, British photojournalist Sally Soames, worked for The Sunday Times from 1968 until 2000 and was highly regarded for her exclusivelyContinue reading "Selected Poems 1990."

Trollope, Anthony

The Last Chronicle of Barset.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1867.

First American edition of the final novel in Trollope’s acclaimed Barsetshire series. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, with illustrations by George H. Thomas. In very good condition. Ownership inscription to the title page.

Mills, John

Stable Secrets; and Puffy Doddles, His Saying and Sympathies.

London : Ward and Lock, 1863.

First edition of Mills’ humorous work on horse racing. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, gilt vignette to the front panel, frontispiece and two additional plates by Phiz, publishers advertisements. In very good condition.

Kipling, Rudyard

The Years Between.

London : Methuen and Co., Ltd., 1919.

First edition of this collection of 45 poems. Octavo, original half vellum over buckram boards with gilt titles to the spine, top edge gilt with others uncut. One of only 30 copies printed on Japanese vellum. In fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise slipcase. Scarce, this title was printed in threeContinue reading "The Years Between."

Flavin, Martin

Journey in the Dark.

New York : Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1943.

First edition of this classic novel, which won 1943 Harper Prize and the 1944 Pulitzer Prize, which The New York Times called “a story of a boy from Iowa who becomes a business tycoon at the price of his integrity.” Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in the rare original first-issue dust jacket which is inContinue reading "Journey in the Dark."

Kipling, Rudyard

Letters of Marque.

Allahabad : A. H. Wheeler & Co, 1891.

Rare first edition of this collection of letters published without Kipling’s permission and so quickly suppressed. Octavo, original publisher’s decorated cloth. One of one thousand copies, many of which were destroyed at Kipling’s behest. In very good condition.

Anglund, Joan Walsh

A Christmas Book.

New York : Random House, 1983.

First edition of the revered children’s book author’s charming children’s tale. Quarto, original illustrated boards, pictorial endpapers, illustrated by the author. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “Sarah, Merry Christmas 1983 – Joan Walsh Anglund.” In fine condition.

Donleavy, J.P

The Ginger Man.

New York : McDowell, Obelensky, 1958.

Rare uncorrected proof of the first American edition of the author’s first book. Octavo, original wrappers. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise clamshell box.

Charles Dickens

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

London : Chapman and Hall, 1843-48.

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, in Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas is a tenth edition with the half-title printed in blue, title-page printed in red and blue, verso printedContinue reading "The Christmas Books: A Christmas Carol; The Chimes; The Battle of Life; Cricket on the Hearth; The Haunted Man and The Ghost’s Bargain."

Kipling, Rudyard

Stalky & Co.

Toronto : George N. Morang & Company, 1899.

First Canadian edition of Kipling’s collection of school stories. Octavo, original wrappers, illustrated. In very good condition. Ownership inscriptions.

Ford, Richard

The Sportswriter.

New York : Vintage Books, 1986.

First edition of this paperback original as issued. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author, “For Elias Kanner with the very warmest wishes. Richard Ford January 8, 1990 NYC.” In near fine condition.

Kipling, Rudyard

Rudyard Kipling Liberty Magazine Poetry Collection.

New York : McCormick-Patterson, 1928.

Scarce collection of 1928 issues of Liberty Magazine containing early appearances of many of Kipling’s rarest poems. Folio, five issues, original illustrated wrappers. The collection includes issues featuring the appearance of: Rio (January 7, 1928), Light and Power (January 28, 1928), A Drop in Traffic (February 18, 1928), A City and a Silence (March 17,Continue reading "Rudyard Kipling Liberty Magazine Poetry Collection."

Kipling, Rudyard

Barrack-Room Ballads and Other Verses Together With Departmental Ditties.

New York : United States Book Company, 1892.

Scarce early printing of perhaps Kipling’s most popular poetry collection. Octavo, original wrappers as issued. In near fine condition. Exceptionally rare.

Kipling, Rudyard

Barrack-Room Ballads.

1892.

Scarce unauthorized edition of perhaps Kipling’s most popular poetry collection. Octavo, original wrappers. In very good condition. This collection was so popular upon publication in 1892 it was pirated in a small number of unauthorized editions which were sold on the streets of London and quickly suppressed. Housed in a custom chemise case. Scarce.

Kipling, Rudyard

A Patrol Song.

New York : Doubleday, Page & Co, 1909.

Scarce separate edition of Kipling’s song for the Boy Scouts. Octavo, original wrappers. One of only 20 copies printed by Doubleday for copyright purposes. In near fine condition. Bookplate. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise case. Scarce.

Kipling, Rudyard

The Five Nations.

London : Methuen and Co, 1903.

Large paper edition of Kipling’s notable poetry collection. Large octavo, original quarter parchment over paper-covered boards. One of 200 copies on handmade paper. In fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise case.

Myrivilis, Stratis

Life in the Tomb.

Hanover, NH : University Press of New England, 1977.

First edition in English of the author’s classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the translator on the half-title page, “To A. Roger Well until tomorrow then, my dearest, until tomorrow, goodbye. Peter Bien Riparius, NY Sept. 11, 2020.” In very good condition.