Literature

Dickens, Charles

Great Expectations.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1861.

First edition, first impression of Dickens’ rarest novel. Octavo, three volumes bound in full royal blue crushed levant morocco by Bayntun Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and wide gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by Bayntun,Continue reading "Great Expectations."

Thomas, Bob [Walt Disney]

The Art of Animation: The Story of the Disney Studio Contribution to a New Art.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1958.

First edition of this definitive work on the animation of Walt Disney. Quarto, original half cloth, pictorial endpapers. Association copy, inscribed by Walt Disney opposite the title page, “To Ralph All Best Walt.” The recipient, Ralph Hulett was a director, known for Sleeping Beauty, Lady and the Tramp and Peter Pan. Additionally signed by manyContinue reading "The Art of Animation: The Story of the Disney Studio Contribution to a New Art."

Powell, Anthony

Books Do Furnish a Room.

London : Heinemann, 1971.

First edition of this classic work in the author’s Dance to the Music of Time series. Octavo, original cloth. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by James Broom-Lynne. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise box. An exceptional presentation.

Crews, Harry

Karate Is a Thing of the Spirit.

New York : William Morrow and Company, 1971.

First edition of the author’s classic fourth novel. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Dear Michael– Good and dear friend–All good things in your life Harry Crews July 75 Gainsville, Fl.” The recipient, Michael Hargraves was a close friend of the Crews and author of Harry CrewsContinue reading "Karate Is a Thing of the Spirit."

Murdoch, Iris

Under the Net.

London : Chatto & Windus, 1954.

First edition of Murdoch’s first novel which announced “the emergence of a brilliant talent” (Times Literary Supplement). Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Iris Murdoch on the title page. Additionally laid in is a signed postcard, which reads, “Merry Christmas! Iris” postdated December 19, 1953. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket, name toContinue reading "Under the Net."

Austen, Jane

The Works of Jane Austen [Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and Emma].

Edinburgh : John Grant, 1911-12.

The Winchester edition of the works of Jane Austen containing each of her major novels. Octavo, 12 volumes, bound in three quarters calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, top edge gilt. Contains Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, Emma, Persuasion, LadyContinue reading "The Works of Jane Austen [Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and Emma]."

Stowe, Harriet Beecher

Men of Our Times or Leading Patriots of the Day.

Hartford : Hartford Publishing Company, 1868.

First edition of this work by the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Octavo, bound in contemporary calf, raised bands, morocco spine labels, illustrated with 18 engraved plates. In very good condition, rebacked. Second state with the title page corrected to “Douglass.”

Vargas Llosa, Mario

In Praise of Stepmother.

New York : Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1990.

First edition of this novel by “one of the master storytellers of our time” (Denis Lynn Heyck, Chicago Tribune Book World). Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Mario Vargas Llosa on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Cynthia Krupat. Translated by Helen Lane.

Mann, Thomas

Death in Venice.

London : Martin Secker, 1928.

First British edition of Mann’s classic novel. Octavo, original cloth. Translated from the German by H.T. Lowe-Porter. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket with some light shelfwear and small repairs to the verso. First editions are rare, especially in the original dust jacket and in this condition.

The Temptation To Do Good.

.

First edition of this “convincing and haunting novel” (Publishers Weekly) by the father of modern management. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Peter Drucker on the front free endpaper. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by William Graef. Author’s photograph by Rob Lewine.

Kerr, Judith

The Tiger Who Came To Tea.

London : Collins, 1968.

First edition of this classic, one of the best selling children’s book of all-time. Quarto, original illustrated boards, illustrated throughout. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. An exceptional example, uncommon in this condition.

Rand, Ayn

The Fountainhead.

Indianapolis and New York : The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1943.

First edition of Rands’s breakthrough work and her first major literary success. Octavo, original cloth. Very good in a very good first-issue first issue dust jacket with light restoration to the extremities, contemporary inscription to the front free endpaper. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. A very sharpContinue reading "The Fountainhead."

Travers, P.L. [Dick Van Dyke]

Mary Poppins.

New York : Harcourt, Brace & Company, 1997.

Signed limited edition of this children’s classic, one of 100 numbered copies, this is number 37. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Mary Shepard. In fine condition. Additionally signed “God bless! Dick Van Dyke” on the front free endpaper, who starred in the 1964 film adaptation. A unique example.

Potter, Beatrix

The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

London : Privately Printed, 1901.

First edition, privately printed by the author (preceding all other editions) one of only 250 copies of this children’s classic. 12 mo, original cloth, illustrated, leaf patterned end-papers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “for Mrs Oliver, from Beatrix Potter– with kind regards and best wishes forContinue reading "The Tale of Peter Rabbit."

Cheever, Susan [Erica Jong]

Treetops: A Family Memoir.

New York : Bantam Books, 1991.

First edition of the sequel to the author’s prize-winning memoir, Home Before Dark. Octavo, original half cloth, pictorial endpapers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Miami Fla. March 1991 For Erica and Ken with love Susan.” The recipients, American writer Erica Jong and lawyer Kenneth David Burrows were married inContinue reading "Treetops: A Family Memoir."

Cheever, Susan

Home Before Dark: A Biographical Memoir of John Cheever by His Daughter.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1984.

First edition of Cheever’s candid portrait of her father, John Cheever. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “New York City October 1984 To Burrows with love from his old friend Susan.” The recipient, American litigator Kenneth David Burrows married American novelist Erica Jong in 1989. Jong remainsContinue reading "Home Before Dark: A Biographical Memoir of John Cheever by His Daughter."

Cheever, Susan

The Cage.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1982.

First edition of the author’s third novel. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “New York May 31. 1983 For Ken Burrows For Whom my affection will never be remaindered Love Susan.” The recipient, American litigator Kenneth David Burrows married American novelist Erica Jong in 1989.Continue reading "The Cage."

Cheever, Susan [Erica Jong]

Note Found in a Bottle: My Life as a Drinker.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1999.

First edition of Cheever’s frank and moving autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “New York City January 1999 For Erica and Ken What can I say? No words could begin to express mt gratitude, my fond memories, my affection andContinue reading "Note Found in a Bottle: My Life as a Drinker."

Cheever, Susan

A Handsome Man.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1981.

First edition of this work by the award-winning author. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “April 30 New York For Burrows with love Susan.” The recipient, American litigator Kenneth David Burrows married American novelist Erica Jong in 1989. Jong remains best known for her 1973Continue reading "A Handsome Man."

Matthews, Douglas; Suzanne Wymelenberg; and Susan Cheever Cowley [Erica Jong]

Secondhand is Better (2H=B).

New York : Arbor House, 1975.

First edition of this unique handbook to secondhand buying. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by Susan Cheever Cowley on the front free endpaper, “To Burrows, without whose diverse and grateful help this book – and a lot of other things – would not have been possible. Susan.” The recipient, American litigator Kenneth DavidContinue reading "Secondhand is Better (2H=B)."

Shem, Samuel

The Spirit of the Place.

Kent, OH : The Kent University Press, 2008.

First edition of this ambitious novel about the complicated relationships between mothers and sons, doctors and patients, the past and the present, and love and death. Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Samuel Shem on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Cover art by Marc Chagall.

Orwell, George

George Orwell Typed Letter Signed.

June 1945.

Rare typed letter signed “Geo. Orwell“, to Gerry Byrne announcing that “my wife died three months ago, very suddenly and unexpectedly”, writing about the aftermath of her death including his relief that their son Richard was too young to to miss her (“…He is now 13 1/2 months old and is extremely well. He hasContinue reading "George Orwell Typed Letter Signed."

Orwell, George

George Orwell Autographed Letter Signed.

June 1944.

Rare autographed letter signed by George Orwell signed to Amy Charlesworth Byrne detailing his usual weekly routines between his home and the offices of Tribune, in order to make lunch arrangements to meet her and her husband, also promising her a book (“…I’ll try & find a copy of ‘Burmese Days for you. These PenguinsContinue reading "George Orwell Autographed Letter Signed."

Neale Hurston, Zora

Jonah’s Gourd Vine.

Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott Company, 1934.

First edition of the author’s first book. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, raised bands, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In near fine condition, name to the title page. With an introduction by Fanny Hurst. Rare andContinue reading "Jonah’s Gourd Vine."