Literature

Tolstoi, Count Leon. [Leo Tolstoy]. Translated from the French by Clara Bell

War and Peace. A Historical Novel.

New York : William S. Gottsberger, Publisher, 1886.

First edition in English of Tolstoy’s masterpiece, a pillar of world literature. Octavo, six volumes in the publisher’s original pictorial brown cloth stamped in gilt and black, brown coated endpapers, with the cursive imprint in each part. Translated by Clara Bell. In near fine condition. Housed in two custom marbled slipcases. An exceptional set of Tolstoy’sContinue reading "War and Peace. A Historical Novel."

Rowling, J.K. [Kennelworthy Whisp]

Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

London : Bloomsbury/Whizz Hard Books, 2001.

First British editions of this “amazingly imaginative work” (Associated Press), each volume signed by her. Duodecimo, 2 volumes, original pictorial wrappers as issued. Boldly signed by J.K. Rowling on the title page of each volume. In fine condition. Accompanied by the original plastic packaging depicting a leather schoolbag stating, “Harry Potter’s School Books” and twoContinue reading "Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."

Early English Prose Romances I-III: Robert the Deuyll, Robin Hood, and Fryer Bacon.

Edinburgh : Otto Schulze & Co, 1904.

Finely bound edition of this collection of three prose romances from early English literature. Quarto, three volumes, original publisher’s half-cloth, title page vignettes in red and black, pictorial initials, elaborate border designs, with full-page illustrations. In very good condition. Ownership plates to the front pastedowns. Housed in the original brown board slipcase.

Sheridan, Richard Brinsley

The Rivals; The Critic; The Duenna.

London : Printed for A. Millar, W. Law, and R. Cater, 1797.

Finely bound editions of three of Sheridan’s most well known and popular comic plays. Duodecimo, three volumes, bound in full red pebbled morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in three compartments within raised gilt bands, triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, all edges gilt, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers.Continue reading "The Rivals; The Critic; The Duenna."

Davies, Valentine

Miracle On 34th. Street.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1947.

First edition of this modern Christmas classic. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. AnContinue reading "Miracle On 34th. Street."

Austen, Jane

Pride and Prejudice.

London : George Allen, 1894.

The Peacock edition of Jane Austen’s most popular novel. Octavo, original publisher’s pictorial cloth elaborately decorated in gilt with the iconic, highly detailed peacock design, all edges gilt, illustrated by Hugh Thomson. With a preface by George Saintsbury. In very good condition with a small closed tear to the head of the spine, splitting toContinue reading "Pride and Prejudice."

Burton, Virginia Lee

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1939.

First edition of this children’s classic with the date of 1939 on the title page. Oblong quarto, original tan cloth, illustrated endpapers. Near fine in a very good dust jacket, name to the front free endpaper.

Taylor, Thomas [J.K. Rowling]

Harry Potter, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters Original Watercolor.

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Original watercolor of Harry Potter by Thomas Taylor. In 1997, at just 23 years old, Thomas Taylor created the first-ever cover illustration for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, introducing readers to the magical world that would soon become a global phenomenon. A decade later, the artist returned to create this whimsical and brightly coloredContinue reading "Harry Potter, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters Original Watercolor."

Wodehouse, P. G

Piccadilly Jim.

London : Herbert Jenkins, n.d.

Later printing of Wodehouse’s lively comedy novel. Octavo, original cloth. Very good in a very good dust jacket, name to the front free endpaper. Jacket illustration by Frank Ford.

Dickens, Charles

The Works of Charles Dickens [Including: Bleak House; A Tale of Two Cities; David Copperfield; Great Expectations; Oliver Twist; A Christmas Carol; David Copperfield; Dombey & Son; The Old Curiosity Shop; Nicholas Nickleby].

Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1894.

The New Library edition of the works of Charles Dickens. Octavo, 32 volumes bound in three quarter morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, top edges gilt, illustrated. In near fine condition.

Austen, Jane

Emma: A Novel.

London : Printed for John Murray, 1816.

First edition of the last of Austen‘s works to be published during her lifetime, with Cooper-Powys family provenance and in a fine contemporary binding. Duodecimo, three volumes bound in three quarter contemporary calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and Greek key ruling to the spines, rebacked with original spines laid down, half-titles. From the libraryContinue reading "Emma: A Novel."

Reiss, Johanna

The Upstairs Room.

New York : Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1972.

First edition, early printing of this poignant autobiographical novel that recounts the author’s experiences as a Jewish child. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To…Franklin from Joanna Reiss June 27 ’73 Las Vegas.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Kiyo Komoda.

Seuss, Dr. [Theodor Geisel]

Oh Say, Can You Say? “Oh my brothers! Oh my sisters! These are Terrible Tongue Twisters!”

New York : Random House, 1979.

First edition of this book of tongue twisters by Dr. Seuss. Octavo, original laminated boards, pictorial endpapers, illustrated throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author opposite the title page, “With Best Wishes to Chuck Meeks Dr. Seuss.” In near fine condition, without dust jacket as issued. Uncommon signed and inscribed.

Dickens, Charles

Great Expectations.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1861.

First edition, second impression of Dickens’ rarest book, one of only 750 copies. Octavo, three volumes bound in full polished calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt-ruled turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbledContinue reading "Great Expectations."

Hemingway, Ernest

For Whom the Bell Tolls.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1940.

First edition, early printing of Hemingway’s third novel, a tragic exploration of love, duty, and the futility of war. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Association copy, lengthily inscribed by Ernest Hemingway to his cousin on the front free endpaper, “For Ruth and Malcolm, from their child producing house guest who is very fond of them (whatContinue reading "For Whom the Bell Tolls."

Frost, Robert; Woodcuts by J.J. Lankes

New Hampshire.

New York : Henry Holt & Company, 1927.

First edition, seventh printing of Robert Frost’s first Pulitzer Prize-winning collection. Octavo, original half cloth, woodcuts by J.J. Lankes. Boldly signed by the author, “Robert Frost Amherst June 1924” on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with some professional restoration. Desirable signed and in the original dust jacket, fromContinue reading "New Hampshire."

Brothers Grimm

Household Stories from the Collection of the Brothers Grimm.

London : Macmillan and Co, 1882.

Finely bound edition of this collection of classic fairytales. Octavo, bound in full dark blue morocco by Kelliegram with gilt titles and floral tooling to the spine, floral ruling to the front and rear panels with pictorial inlays of Red Riding Hood, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, silk moire endpapers, all edges gilt, silk ribbonContinue reading "Household Stories from the Collection of the Brothers Grimm."

Sondheim, Stephen; James Lapine; Adapted and Illustrated by Hudson Talbott

Into The Woods.

New York : Crown Publishers, 1988.

First edition of this classic work, the basis for the Broadway musical and subsequent film. Quarto, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Lengthily signed by James Lapine on the half-title page, “‘Once Upon A Time…’ James Lapine.” Additionally lengthily signed by the illustrator on the half-title page with an original drawing of a bean stock growingContinue reading "Into The Woods."

Jefferson, Joseph

Rip Van Winkle: As Played by Joseph Jefferson.

New York : Dodd, Mead and Company, 1899.

The Dodd, Mead and Company trade edition of Joseph Jefferson’s play adapted to text. Octavo, original green cloth over boards with gilt-stamped lettering and illustration of the Catskill Mountains, top edge gilt, frontispiece, title page vignette, with black and white illustrations throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Ms SadieContinue reading "Rip Van Winkle: As Played by Joseph Jefferson."

Dickens, Charles

Charles Dickens Autograph Note.

1841.

Rare autograph note by great Victorian novelist Charles Dickens. One page, dated ninth June, 1841 and signed in the third person to John Critchley Prince. The note reads in full, “From Mr. Charles Dickens in payment of his subscription to Mr. Prince’s Poems. With every friendly wish that can encourage and cheer him in his onwardContinue reading "Charles Dickens Autograph Note."