Literature

McMurtry, Larry

Cadillac Jack.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1982.

First edition of “the best novel Larry McMurtry ever wrote.” Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Larry McMurtry in full on the half-title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by George Corsillo. Uncommon in this condition.

Maugham, W. Somerset

Cakes and Ale.

Melbourne : William Heinemann Ltd, 1954.

Signed limited edition of Maugham’s classic satire printed for the author’s eightieth birthday. Octavo, original publisher’s half-leather with gilt titles to the spine, top edge gilt, frontispiece, four pages of facsimile reproductions of the first and last two pages of the original manuscript, illustrated throughout. Boldly signed by the author and illustrator, Graham Sutherland, onContinue reading "Cakes and Ale."

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."

Updike, John

The Poorhouse Fair.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1958.

First edition of Updike’s first novel. Octavo, original half cloth. With a signed autograph note from Updike laid in which reads, “For Jack Neusuer my own tiny contribution to Semitic studies with admiration and affection, John.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of shelfwear. Jacket design by Harry Ford.

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.

McMurtry, Larry

Terms of Endearment.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1975.

First edition of one of McMurtry’s best and most popular novels. Octavo, original half cloth Presentation copy, humorously inscribed by the author in a contemporary hand on the front free endpaper, “For Gershon and Judy One of the several that didn’t make my fortune Larry.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by WendellContinue reading "Terms of Endearment."

Shakespeare, William

The First Folio of Shakespeare: The Norton Facsimile.

New York : W.W. Norton & Company, Inc, 1968.

The Norton Facsimile academic edition of this scholarly reproduction of the 1623 First Folio, the foundational collection of Shakespeare’s plays compiled by his fellow actors John Heminges and Henry Condell. Folio, original publisher’s blue cloth with gilt titles and detailing to the spine. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Prepared by Charlton Hinman.Continue reading "The First Folio of Shakespeare: The Norton Facsimile."

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."

Waugh, Evelyn

A Tourist in Africa.

London : Chapman & Hall Ltd, 1960.

Rare uncorrected proof of the first edition of Waugh’s classic work inspired by his 1959 tour of East Africa. Octavo, original wrappers. In good condition.

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."

Hughes, Richard

A High Wind in Jamaica.

London : Chatto & Windus, 1929.

First edition of the author’s classic novel, one of Modern Library’s 100 greatest novels of the 20th century and an inspiration for William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Octavo, original cloth, top stain green. Very good in a good dust jacket.

Greene, Graham

The Comedians.

London : The Bodley Head, 1966.

First edition of this novel set in Haiti under the rule of “Papa Doc” Duvalier, which explores the political suppression and terrorism through the figure of an English hotel owner, Brown. Octavo, original green cloth. Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket with light rubbing. Jacket design by Ivan Lapper.

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."

Dick, Philip K

The Divine Invasion.

New York : Timescape Books, 1981.

First edition of the second book in Dick’s gnostic VALIS trilogy. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed by Philip K. Dick on the publisher’s official bookplate produced for this edition. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket painting by Rowena Morrill. Typography by Patricia Manzone.

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."

Wells, H.G

A Quartette of Comedies.

London : Ernest Benn Limited, 1928.

First British omnibus edition of four comic novels culminating in “1100 pages from Mr. Wells’ magic pen.” Octavo, original publisher’s green cloth with gilt titles to the spine. Boldly signed on the half-title page, “H.G. Wells Detroit Nov 9th 1931.” Very good in a very good dust jacket with darkening to the spine of theContinue reading "A Quartette of Comedies."

Wells, H.G. [Christopher Priest]

Mr. Blettsworthy On Rampole Island.

London : Ernest Benn Limited, 1928.

First British edition of perhaps Wells’ most psychopathological work. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket which is in very good condition. Jacket design by noted war artist Sir William Orpen. From the collection of British science fiction author Christopher Priest with his ownership signatureContinue reading "Mr. Blettsworthy On Rampole Island."

Wells, H.G [Christopher Priest]

The Secret Places of the Heart.

London : Cassell and Company, Ltd, 1922.

First edition of this psychological novel of human connection. Octavo, original publisher’s green cloth with gilt titles to the spine, ruling and detailing to the spine and front panel stamped in blind. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. From the collection of British science fiction author Christopher Priest with his ownership signature toContinue reading "The Secret Places of the Heart."

Robinson, Edwin Arlington

The Children of the Night: A Book of Poems.

Boston : Richard G. Badger & Company, 1897.

First edition, one of only 500 copies of Robinson’s second collection of poems, including “Richard Cory”, “Reuben Bright”, and “Luke Havergal”. Duodecimo, original publisher’s floral cloth. In very good condition. Cover design by Mr. T.B. Hapgood, Jr.

Butler, Robert Olen [John Updike]

Countrymen of Bones.

New York : Horizon Press, 1983.

First edition of this work by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Octavo, original half cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author to John Updike on the front free endpaper, “For John Updike 72000 more words from one of your biggest fans, Robert Olen Butler Sea Cliff, NY Oct 19,1983.” Also laid into this book is aContinue reading "Countrymen of Bones."

Didion, Joan

Slouching Towards Bethlehem.

New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1968.

First edition of what many consider her magnum opus, signed by Didion and from the library of dust jacket designer Lawrence Ratzkin, with his note to the front panel, “Keep for Book design.” Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Joan Didion on the title page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. JacketContinue reading "Slouching Towards Bethlehem."