Literature

Hemingway, Ernest

Green Hills of Africa.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1935.

First edition of Hemingway’s second work of nonfiction, an account of a month on safari he and his wife took in East Africa during December 1933. Octavo, original green cloth, decorations by Edward Shenton. Near fine in a bright very good dust jacket.

Copland, Aaron

Copland on Music.

New York : Doubleday & Company, Inc, 1960.

First edition of this work by the “Dean of American composers.” Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Alden, who really loves music, Aaron Nov 1960.” With an autographed letter signed to the same recipients by Copland on his letterhead which reads, “Dear Alden and Rolf: WhatContinue reading "Copland on Music."

Schreiner, Olive [as Ralph Iron]

The Story of an African Farm: A Novel.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1883.

First edition of this highspot of African literature. Octavo, 2 volumes bound in three quarters contemporary morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers. Published under the pseudonym ‘Ralph Iron’, the entire printing of this first edition has been estimated toContinue reading "The Story of an African Farm: A Novel."

Conrad, Joseph

The Collected Works of Joseph Conrad. [Almayer’s Folly, An Outcast of the Islands, The Nigger of “Narcissus”, Tales of Unrest, Lord Jim, The Inheritors, Youth: and Two Other Stories, Romance, Typhoon and Other Stories, Nostromo, The Mirror of the Sea, The Secret Agent, A Set of Six, Under Western Eyes, Some Reminiscences, ‘Twist Land & Sea Tales, Chance, Victory, Within the Tides, The Shadow Line, The Arrow of Gold, On Day More, The Rescue].

London : Various Publishers, 1895-1920.

Rare finely bound first edition collection of the writings of Joseph Conrad including a first issue of Almayer’s Folly. Octavo, 23 volumes bound in full crushed crimson levant morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt banes, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, top edgeContinue reading "The Collected Works of Joseph Conrad. [Almayer’s Folly, An Outcast of the Islands, The Nigger of “Narcissus”, Tales of Unrest, Lord Jim, The Inheritors, Youth: and Two Other Stories, Romance, Typhoon and Other Stories, Nostromo, The Mirror of the Sea, The Secret Agent, A Set of Six, Under Western Eyes, Some Reminiscences, ‘Twist Land & Sea Tales, Chance, Victory, Within the Tides, The Shadow Line, The Arrow of Gold, On Day More, The Rescue]."

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches.

Cambridge : Printed by John Archdeacon, 1771.

Rare 18th century Book of Common Prayer. Small octavo, bound in full contemporary calf tie gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruing and cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers. In very good condition. Ownership inscriptions. Desirable in a contemporary binding.

Hall, Norman James and Charles Bernard Nordhoff

The Collected Works of Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall.

Boston and New York : Various Publishers, 1918-1942.

Rare first edition set of the works of Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall, including a first edition of Botany Bay signed by the authors. Octavo, 13 volumes, original cloth. Botany Bay is signed by the authors opposite the copyright page. Doctor Dogbody’s Leg is inscribed by James Norman Hall on a tipped-in note, “ForContinue reading "The Collected Works of Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall."

Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft

Valperga: or, the Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca. By the Author of ‘Frankenstein’.

London : G. and W.B. Whittaker, 1823.

Rare first edition of Shelley’s second novel, which has been called “a meditation on political, psychological, and sexual power” and is considered by many to be her finest work.  12mo., bound in 19th century three quarter calf over marbled boards by Bumpus, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels, raised bands. InContinue reading "Valperga: or, the Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca. By the Author of ‘Frankenstein’."

Hearn, Lafcadio. Edited by Elizabeth Bisland

The Writings of Lafcadio Hearn.

Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1922.

The Large Paper Edition of Lafcadio Hearn’s collected writings. Octavo, 16 volumes bound in full blue levant morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, elaborately gilt citron levant morocco doublures, watered silk endleaves, top edge gilt withContinue reading "The Writings of Lafcadio Hearn."

Poe, Edgar Allan

The Works of Edgar Allan Poe. [Including: The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Gold Bug, Raven, Eureka].

New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, [1884].

The Amontillado edition of the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Octavo, 8 volumes bound in full morocco by P.B. Sanford with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in 6 compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, tissue-guarded engraved frontispiece toContinue reading "The Works of Edgar Allan Poe. [Including: The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Gold Bug, Raven, Eureka]."

Stegner, Wallace

Angle of Repose.

Garden City, NY : Doubleday & Company, 1971.

First edition of the author’s Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To John with best wishes Wallace Stegner November 9, 1972.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of shelfwear. Jacket design by E.D.N. Designs. Photograph of the author by Alex Gotfryd.Continue reading "Angle of Repose."

Lawrence, T.E. [A.W. Lawrence]

The Mint: A Day-Book of the R.A.F. Depot Between August and December 1922 with Later Notes by 352087 A/C Ross.

London : Jonathan Cape, 1955.

First edition, limited issue of Lawrence’s semi-autobiographical account of his R.A.F. training days.  Quarto, original quarter morocco, patterned endpapers, top edge gilt with others uncut. One of 2000 numbered copies, this is number 1039. Although not called for this example is signed by A.W. Lawrence on the limitation page (T.E. Lawrence’s brother who edited andContinue reading "The Mint: A Day-Book of the R.A.F. Depot Between August and December 1922 with Later Notes by 352087 A/C Ross."

Kerouac, Jack

Jack Kerouac Autograph Questionnaire Signed.

1960.

Rare mimeographed questionnaire sent by a graduate student of City College of New York to Jack Kerouac; completed and signed twice by him with a lengthy inscription in conclusion. Two pages, partially printed the questionnaire begins with a typed letter signed by James A. Sherlock politely requesting Kerouac’s response which reads in part: “Dear Mr.Continue reading "Jack Kerouac Autograph Questionnaire Signed."

Cohen, Leonard

Stranger Music: Selected Poems and Songs.

New York : Pantheon, 1993.

First edition of this collection of poems and songs. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page in the year of publication, “To Mort and Judy warm regards on Christmas Day Leonard Los Angeles 1993.” Cohen has include his trademark entwined heart stamp. The recipients were composer Mort Lindsey andContinue reading "Stranger Music: Selected Poems and Songs."

[Steinbeck, John]

Two Russian Books From the Library of John Steinbeck.

Moscow : Various, c. 1960.

Two volumes in Russian from the library of American literary master John Steinbeck. Quarto, two volumes including a book of early Russian Orthodox paintings with many in color and a folio of loose plates featuring artwork from the Hermitage Museum. From the library of John Steinbeck. In very good condition.

Glaude, Jr., Eddie [James Baldwin]

Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own.

New York : Crown, 2020.

First edition, early printing of this “unparalleled masterpiece of social criticism” (Imani Perry). Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Eddie Glaude on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket.

Hopkins, R. Thurston. [Rudyard Kipling]

Rudyard Kipling: The Story of a Genius.

London : Cecil Palmer, 1930.

First edition of Hopkins’ biography of Rudyard Kipling. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece. Very good in a very good dust jacket.

Sendak, Maurice

Maurice Sendak “So Sue Me” Signed Original Costume Design.

1993.

Rare original Maurice Sendak watercolor costume design for Arthur Yorinks’ 1993 play “So Sue Me”. One page, watercolor and ink on cardstock, Sendak has signed and annotated the design, “So, Sue me. Costume design M. Sendak Feb. 93.” In fine condition. The piece measures 6 inches by 4.75 inches. With a custom piece of glassineContinue reading "Maurice Sendak “So Sue Me” Signed Original Costume Design."

Salinger, J.D

J.D. Salinger Autograph Letter Signed.

1944.

Scarce autograph note signed by J.D. Salinger on April 4, 1944, two months and two days before he saw combat at Utah Beach on D-Day. One page from an oblong octavo autograph album bound in full leather, the note is dated 4/4/44 and reads, “Dear Molly – I just don’t have anything bright to say.Continue reading "J.D. Salinger Autograph Letter Signed."

Irving, John

The Cider House Rules.

Franklin Center, PA : The Franklin Library, 1985.

Signed limited first edition of Irving’s sixth novel. Octavo, original leather, gilt titles and tooling, raised bands, all edges gilt, frontispiece by Scott Reynolds. Boldly signed by John Irving. In fine condition.

Dahl, Roald

Fantastic Mr. Fox.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1970.

First edition, early printing of Dahl’s classic children’s work in the tradition of The Adventures of Peter Rabbit, this is a “garden tale” of farmer versus vermin, or vice versa. Octavo, original beige cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Ryan Love Roald Dahl.” Illustrated by Donald Chaffin. Jacket designContinue reading "Fantastic Mr. Fox."