Literature

The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker.

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First edition of this novel, basis for the 1971 film starring Richard Benjamin and Joanna Shimkus, directed by Larry Turman. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the month of publication on the front free endpaper, “1/30/70 To Pat with love, Charles” and additionally signed by actor Richard Benjamin and by directorContinue reading "The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker."

Churchill, Winston S

The Major Works of Sir Winston Churchill: Centenary First Edition. Complete 25 Volume Set comprising: The Second World War: A History of the English Speaking Peoples: The War Speeches: The World Crisis: Marlborough His Life and Times: Lord Randolph Churchill: My Early Life.

London : Centenary First Edition: In arrangement with Hamlyn, Harrap, Cassell, 1974.

Finely bound set of the major works of Churchill. Octavo, 25 volumes, bound in full dark red pebble grained leather with black title panels on spines, raised bands with the initial WSC, elaborate border to the front panel, all edges are gilt, silk endpapers, illustrated with photographs and maps, frontispiece plates. In fine condition.

Kazantzakis, Nikos. Translated by Peter A. Bien

Zorba The Greek.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 2014.

Early printing of of this new translation of Kazantzakis’ masterpiece and basis for the beloved Oscar-winning film. Octavo, original wrappers. Signed by translator Peter Bien with the opening line of the novel on the front free endpaper, “I first met him in Piraeus Peter Bien 3-27-23.” Peter Bien translated a number of Kazantzakis’ works, mostContinue reading "Zorba The Greek."

Faulkner, William

Unvanquished.

New York : Random House, 1938.

First edition of this novel which tells the story of the Sartoris family, who first appeared in the novel Sartoris. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Edward Shenton. Near fine in a fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom slipcase. An exceptional example.

Tennyson, Alfred

Idylls of the King. [Fore-edge Painting].

London : Edward Moxon & Co, 1859.

First edition, second issue of one of the greatest and most enduring of Victorian literary works, with the imprint of Bradbury and Evans to the  verso of title. Octavo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, ribbon bound in, all edges gilt, decorated with a concealed fore-edge painting whichContinue reading "Idylls of the King. [Fore-edge Painting]."

West, Nathanael

The Day of the Locust.

New York : Random House, 1939.

First edition of West’s masterpiece. Octavo, original bound in full leather, raised bands, title to the spine and front panel. In near fine condition.

Hemingway, Ernest

Winner Take Nothing.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1933.

First edition of Hemingway’s classic collection of short stories. Octavo, original black cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To D. White best wishes always Ernest Hemingway.” Near fine in an excellent dust jacket with light rubbing and wear. Housed in a custom clamshell box. One of the rarest HemingwayContinue reading "Winner Take Nothing."

By a Young Lady

Intellectual Sentiments, Explained by the Study of Sensations.

London : Printed For Joseph Booker, 1809.

Rare Royal binding of this very uncommon title. Octavo, bound in full contemporary straight grain morocco by Charles Meyer of London for the Royal Family, gilt titles and Greek key ruling to they spine, elaborate gilt ruling and botanical scrolling to the front and rear panels, gilt central initial ‘A’ beneath a royal crown toContinue reading "Intellectual Sentiments, Explained by the Study of Sensations."

Mann, Thomas

Death in Venice.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1930.

First edition of this translation of Mann’s classic novel. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Dedicated to Mr. Carl Lammle by Thomas Mann 15.VII.36.” Translated from the German by H.T. Lowe-Porter. Introduction by Ludwig Lewisohn. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket with some expert restorationContinue reading "Death in Venice."

Tennyson, Alfred

Idylls of the King. [Fore-edge Painting].

London : Strahan and Co., Publishers, 1869.

Finely bound example of Tennyson’s “long-meditated great task” which brought him to fame; decorated with a concealed fore-edge painting of the great court of Trinity College (Baugh, 1388). Octavo, bound in full pebbled green morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raise bands, gilt ruling and scrolled cornerpieces toContinue reading "Idylls of the King. [Fore-edge Painting]."

Dickens, Charles

Oliver Twist.

London : Richard Bentley, 1839.

Early edition of Dickens’ classic “novel of crime and terror” (Baugh et al). Octavo, three volumes bound in full red crushed levant morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, top edgeContinue reading "Oliver Twist."

Shakespeare, William

The Works of William Shakespeare.

Stratford-on-Avon : The Shakespeare Head Press, 1904.

The Shakespeare Head Press limited edition of the complete works of William Shakespeare. Octavo, ten volumes bound in full crushed levant morocco by Brentanos, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, allContinue reading "The Works of William Shakespeare."

Hersey, John

The Wall.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1950.

First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the title page, “For Harold Merry ‘We are involved in the struggle of Humanity against anti-Humanity.’ p. 427 John Hersey.” Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design by George Salter. A unique example.

Didion, Joan

Run River.

New York : Ivan Obolensky, Inc, 1963.

First edition of the Didion’s first book. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Joan Didion on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Anthony Post. A nice example.

Diamond, John

C: Because Cowards Get Cancer Too…

London : Vermilion, 1998.

First edition of Diamond’s story of his battle with throat cancer. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by John Diamond on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Author photograph by Sally Soames.

Vargas Llosa, Mario

Conversation in the Cathedral.

New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1975.

First edition of the Nobel Prize-winning author’s classic work. Octavo, original black cloth. Signed by both the author on the title page, “In friendship Mario Vargas Llosa.” Translated by Gregory Rabassa. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket photograph by Cesar Malet.

Hughes, Langston and William Grant Still

Troubled Island. An Opera in Three Acts.

New York : Leeds Music Corporation, 1949.

First edition of the first grand opera composed by an African American to be produced by a major company. Octavo, original wrappers. Boldly signed by Langston Hughes on the title page. In very good condition. Uncommon in this condition.

Baldwin, James

Giovanni’s Room.

New York : The Dial Press, 1956.

First edition of this landmark novel. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by James Baldwin on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch a shelfwear. Jacket design by Seymour Chwast. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. An exceptional example.

Salinger, J.D

The Catcher In The Rye.

Boston : Little Brown and Company, 1951.

Early printing, printed in the year of publication of the author’s classic novel. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “December 24, 1951 To Elizabeth Fueller- with best wishes J.D. Salinger.” Salinger’s signature is scarce and signed examples of The Catcher in the Rye are rare.Continue reading "The Catcher In The Rye."

[Faulkner, William]

Officer of the Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur Diploma Awarded to William Faulkner.

: Republique Francaise, 1949.

Partially printed diploma awarded to William Faulkner as an Officer of the Légion d’Honneur, conferred on him be the French government five months after he accepted the 1949 Nobel Prize in Literature. One page, partially printed and completed in a calligraphic hand, the diploma is signed by three French officials with an embossed seal. InContinue reading "Officer of the Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur Diploma Awarded to William Faulkner."

Hayes, Billy with William Hoffer. [Oliver Stone]

Midnight Express.

New York : Thomas Congdon Books/E.P. Dutton & Co., Inc, 1977.

First edition of Hayes’ classic true story of survival and escape. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Oliver Stone on the title page. Stone adapted the memoir into a screenplay for the 1978 film adaptation for which he won the 1979 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.Continue reading "Midnight Express."

Salinger, J.D

Franny and Zooey.

New York : Little, Brown, and Company, 1961.

First edition, second printing of Salinger’s third book. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by Salinger in his cursive hand on the front free endpaper to a personal friend, “Oke, Stop over sometime, JDS 8/26/61.” While Salinger was known for his reclusive behavior with regard to the spotlight of the international press, he did haveContinue reading "Franny and Zooey."

Ellison, Ralph

Invisible Man.

New York : Random House, 1952.

First edition of the author’s landmark first novel, which went on to win the National Book Award. Octavo, original black and tan cloth. Fine in an near fine price-clipped dust jacket with light rubbing. Jacket design by E. McKnight Kauffer. A nice example.

Hazzard, Shirley

The Transit of Venus.

New York : The Viking Press, 1980.

First edition of “one of the great English-language novels of the twentieth century” (The Paris Review). Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author in the year of publication, “For Pat and Peter and Beck Hart- with great good wishes- on this last day of winter 1980- from Shirley Hazzard New YorkContinue reading "The Transit of Venus."