Literature
Rare & Classic, American or English Literature Books for Sale Online
Browse rare first edition classics in American, English, world literature, poetry, and plays. View our entire collection of rare literature below, search our inventory with advanced search, or use our sorting tools to find exactly what you’re looking for. Please call with any questions you may have on a specific item or order online today.
Showing 1–24 of 4091 results
-
Browse by Category
- Browse All
- Americana
- Art and Architecture
- Autograph Letters Signed
- Biography and Autobiography
- Children's Books
- Economics and Finance
- Featured Rare Books
- Fine Bindings and Sets
- First Edition
- First Edition>Signed
- Food and Wine
- Framed Autographs and Historical Documents
- Geography
- Gifts
- Gifts - For Her
- Gifts - For Him
- Gifts - Graduation and Celebrations
- Gifts - Holidays
- History, Law, and Politics
- Literature
- Music
- New Arrivals
- Philosophy
- Photography
- Poetry
- Presidents and World Leaders
- Religion
- Science and Natural History
- Science Fiction and Mystery
- Signed
- Signed & Autographed Books
- Sports and Leisure
- Travel and Exploration
- Uncategorized
-
Rare Limited Signed Edition of You Do Not Have To Love Me; Signed by Leonard Cohen and an original painting by Soheyl Dahi
COHEN, Leonard; Painting by Soheyl Dahi.
You Do Not Have To Love Me.
San Francisco: Sore Dove Press, 2008.
Signed limited issue, "Publisher's copy no. 3", from 26 copies signed by Cohen with an original painting by Soheyl Dahi, Cohen's close friend and the founder of the Sore Dove Press. The object of the poem was the singer-songwriter Nico, who was "idealized by Cohen and made a subject of his worship" (Mesac, p. 91). You Do Not Have To Love Me first appeared in Selected Poems 1956-1968 (1968), alongside a number of other poems that reference Nico. To Cohen, who was still early in his music career, "Nico represented all the women he had ever wanted and the more…
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 147664
-
First edition of the Nobel Prize-Winning Author's Classic Work East of Eden; Inscribed by John Steinbeck
STEINBECK, John.
East of Eden.
London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1952.
First British edition of Steinbeck's epic and moving story of a modern Cain and Abel. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, "For Michael and Emma John Steinbeck." Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. An exceptional example, rare and desirable signed and inscribed.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 147356
-
“I won't be a slave to the past": the Works of Thomas Hardy
HARDY, Thomas.
The Works of Thomas Hardy. [Including Far from the Madding Crowd; The Mayor of Casterbridge; The Return of the Native; The Hand of Ethelberta.]
New York: Hovendon Company, n.d.
The Hovendon Company edition of Thomas Hardy's works. Duodecimo, four volumes bound in the original publisher's cloth, top edge gilt, frontispiece to 'Return of the Native.' In good condition with some rubbing and bumping to the extremities, bookplates to the front pastedown of 'The Mayor of Casterbridge,' slight toning to the margins, ownership stamp to the front free endpaper of 'Far From the Madding Crowd,' ownership signature and marginalia in pencil to some volumes.
Price: $500.00 Item Number: 147350
-
"This book is for George Brown, who was the kind of friend Papa needed more of, and who helped make this book possible. With profound thanks": First Edition of My Brother, Ernest Hemingway; Inscribed by Leicester Hemingway to Ernest's Close Friend George Brown
HEMINGWAY, Leicester [Ernest Hemingway].
My Brother, Ernest Hemingway.
Cleveland and New York: The World Publishing Company, 1962.
First edition of this intimate work on Ernest Hemingway by his brother. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, "February 21, 1962, This book is for George Brown, who was the kind of friend Papa needed more of, and who helped make this book possible. With profound thanks, Lex Hemingway." The recipient, George Brown was Hemingway's close friend and boxing trainer. Hemingway first met Brown, the owner of a gym in midtown New York, in the 1930s. The author often visited Brown when he was in the city and hosted him at his…
Price: $1,200.00 Item Number: 147691
-
“Beauty lay not in the thing, but in what the thing symbolized”: Limited Anniversary Edition of The Writings of Thomas Hardy in Prose and Verse
HARDY, Thomas.
The Writings of Thomas Hardy in Prose and Verse. [Including Far from the Madding Crowd; The Mayor of Casterbridge; The Trumpet-Major; Tess of the D’Urbervilles; A Pair of Blue Eyes; Two on a Tower; The Return of the Native; Desperate Remedies; Wessex Tales.]
London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1920.
The Anniversary edition of Thomas Hardy's complete works in prose and verse. Octavo, twenty-one volumes bound in the original publisher's cloth with gilt titles to the spines, author's initials stamped in blind to the front panels, top edge gilt, tissue-guarded frontispiece to each volume, illustrated with tissue-guarded photographs throughout, several pages uncut. One of one thousand two hundred and fifty numbered copies, this is number 108. In near fine condition, ownership signature to the front free endpaper of the first volume.
Price: $1,250.00 Item Number: 147341
-
“I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine": Tenth Anniversary Edition of Atlas Shrugged; Signed by Ayn Rand
RAND, Ayn.
Atlas Shrugged.
New York: Random House, 1967.
Tenth Anniversary edition; number 1037 of 2000 numbered and signed copies. Octavo, original blue cloth, original slipcase. Fine in the original slipcase, with the original acetate in fine condition. This example has been stored since publication, easily the nicest we have seen.
Price: $4,500.00 Item Number: 147698
-
First Edition of A Magician Among the Spirits; Inscribed by Harry Houdini in the Year of Publication
HOUDINI, Harry.
A Magician Among the Spirits.
New York: Harper & Brothers , 1924.
First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Ben Burke Best wishes Houdini May 19/24." In very good condition. Rare and desirable signed as Houdini passed away shortly after publication.
Price: $7,200.00 Item Number: 147702
-
“If you don't know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn": First Edition of Atlas Shrugged; Inscribed by Ayn Rand
RAND, Ayn.
Atlas Shrugged.
New York: Random House, 1957.
First edition of one of the most influential novels of the twentieth century. Large octavo, original green cloth, frontispiece stamped in gilt, spine stamped in black and gilt. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Maurice D. Sabbah -Cordially- Ayn Rand 1/15/63." Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by George Salter. An exceptional example.
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 147909
-
"One of the most groundbreaking and influential novels of all time—and one of the best": First Edition of Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange; Finely Bound by the Harcourt Bindery and Signed by Anthony Burgess
BURGESS, Anthony.
A Clockwork Orange.
London: William Heinemann, 1962.
First edition of Burgess' landmark novel. 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. Boldly signed by Anthony Burgess on a page bound in. In fine condition.
Price: $4,000.00 Item Number: 146487
-
First Edition of Snoopy and 'It Was a Dark and Stormy Night'; Signed by Charles M. Schulz
SCHULZ, Charles M.
Snoopy and “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night.”
New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1971.
First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated throughout. Boldly signed by Charles M. Schulz on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Rare and desirable signed.
Price: $1,800.00 Item Number: 147715
-
“Love is a possible strength in an actual weakness": the complete set of the MacMillan's Pocket Hardy
HARDY, Thomas.
The Works of Thomas Hardy. [Including Far from the Madding Crowd; The Mayor of Casterbridge; The Trumpet-Major; Tess of the D’Urbervilles; A Pair of Blue Eyes; Two on a Tower; The Return of the Native; Desperate Remedies; Wessex Tales.]
London: MacMillan & Co. Limited, c. 1919-1930.
The MacMillan Pocket edition of Thomas Hardy's complete works. Duodecimo, twenty-eight volumes bound in the original publisher's cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spines and front panels, floral details stamped in blind to the front panels, top edge gilt, illustrated with photographs and maps. In very good to near fine condition, bookplates to the front pastedown of 'Wessex,' 'Human Shows,' and 'Winter Words,' sunning to the pines of 'Wessex' and 'The Dynasts: Parts I, II, and III.' A charming collection.
Price: $500.00 Item Number: 147338
-
First edition of John Steinbeck's Classic Work East of Eden; In exceptional Condition
STEINBECK, John.
East of Eden.
New York: The Viking Press, 1952.
First edition, first issue of Steinbeck's epic and moving story of a modern Cain and Abel. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of shelf wear. An exceptional example.
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 147707
-
First Edition of The Little Book About God; Inscribed by Lauren Ford With an Original Drawing
FORD, Lauren.
The Little Book About God.
Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, 1934.
First edition of this charming beautifully illustrated book. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper with a original drawing, "For Marc, Amy and Jonathan. Lauren Ford." Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.
Price: $375.00 Item Number: 147745
-
First Edition of Epistle To A Godson & Other Poems; Signed by W.H. Auden
AUDEN, W.H.
Epistle To A Godson & Other Poems.
London: Faber and Faber, 1972.
First edition of this classic collection of poems. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed by W.H. Auden on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Rare and desirable signed as Auden passed away a year after publication.
Price: $2,800.00 Item Number: 147744
-
"feed Me Sara": First Edition of Hubert Selby, Jr.'s Requiem For A Dream; Signed by Darren Aronofsky and Jared Leto
SELBY, Jr..
Requiem For A Dream.
New York: A Playboy Press Book, 1978.
First edition of this work, basis for the 2000 classic film directed by Darren Aronofsky, starring Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans and Ellen Burstyn. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed on the half-title page, "Feed Me Sara Darren Aronofsky" and additionally signed by Jared Leto. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Anthony Russo. Rare and desirable.
Price: $1,500.00 Item Number: 147746
-
First Edition of Wanderings: Chaim Potok's History of the Jews; Signed by Chaim Potok
POTOK, Chaim.
Wanderings: Chaim Potok’s History of the Jews.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1978.
First edition of this wonderfully illustrated work by the author of The Chosen. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the half-title page, "To Fred and Lothe Marcus Best Wishes Chaim Potok 10 Dec. 78." Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket.
Price: $375.00 Item Number: 147749
-
Rare First Edition of Edgar Burroughs'Tarzan of the Apes; Finely Bound by Sangorski and Sutcliffe
BURROUGHS, Edgar Rice.
Tarzan of the Apes.
Chicago: A.C. McClurg & Co, 1914.
First edition, first printing with "W. F. Hall Printing Co. / Chicago" in Old English type in two lines on the copyright page of the author's classic work. Octavo, bound in full morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panel, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. References: Zeuschner (1996), 696; Zeuschner (2016), pages 424-425. In fine condition. An exceptional example.
Price: $4,500.00 Item Number: 147389
-
"How Brave are you, little Annemarie?": First Edition 25th Anniversary Edition of Lois Lowry's Number the Stars; Signed by Her
LOWRY, Lois.
Number The Stars.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014.
First 25th Anniversary edition of Lowry's first Newbery Award-winning novel. Octavo, original half cloth. Inscribed by the author on the title page, "With best wishes Lois Lowry." Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Sheila Smallwood. With an introduction by the author.
Price: $400.00 Item Number: 142577
-
"What is it that characterizes a civilization? Is it the exceptional genius? No, it is everyday life": First Edition In English of Pierre Boulle's The Planet of the Apes; Inscribed by Him
BOULLE, Pierre.
Planet of the Apes.
New York: The Vanguard Press, Inc, 1963.
First edition in English of Pierre Boulle’s chilling novel that launched one of the greatest science fiction sagas in motion picture history. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed, "a Chris Aragama en lui souhaitant beaucoup de succes, avec l'amicale sympathie de Pierre Boulle." Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell slipcase. Translated from the French by Xan Fielding. Most rare and desirable signed and inscribed.
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 129718
-
"OF ALL THE SIGHTS I LOVE IN THIS WORLD — AND THERE ARE PLENTY — VERY NEAR THE TOP OF THE LIST IS THIS ONE: DOGS WITHOUT LEASHES”: First Edition of Dog Songs
OLIVER, Mary.
Dog Songs: Poems.
New York: The Penguin Press, 2013.
First edition of this collection of poems by Mary Oliver. Octavo, original boards. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Darren Haggar. Jacket illustration by John Burgoyne.
Price: $100.00 Item Number: 144885
-
First Edition of The White Plague; Signed by Frank Herbert
HERBERT, Frank.
The White Plague.
New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1982.
First edition of this classic novel which explores madness and revenge on a global scale. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Frank Herbert on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket illustration by Abe Echevarria. Uncommon signed.
Price: $850.00 Item Number: 126758
-
First Edition of Texasville; Signed by Larry McMurtry
MCMURTRY, Larry.
Texasville.
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1987.
First edition of McMurtry's funniest and most touching novels. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in a contemporary signature on the front free endpaper, "For Dick Larry McMurtry." Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by George Corsillo.
Price: $375.00 Item Number: 147663
-
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; Signed by Ken Kesey
KESEY, Ken .
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
Norwalk, CT: Easton Press, 1999.
Signed limited first edition of the Easton Press edition of Kesey's classic work. Octavo, original black leather, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front and rear panels, all edges gilt, silk ribbon bound in. Boldly signed by Ken Kesey. In fine condition with a fine slipcase.
Price: $1,100.00 Item Number: 147504
-
"I never really thought of myself as a freak, ya know...but I Love to Freak!": First Edition of Easy Rider; Signed by Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson
FONDA, Peter.
Easy Rider.
New York: Signet, 1969.
First edition of the complete script, with a selection of black white and color stills, interviews and articles. Octavo, original wrappers as issued, illustrated. Boldly signed by Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson on the title page. Edited by Nancy Hardin and Marilyn Schlossberg. In very good condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare and desirable signed by the three stars of this iconic film.
Price: $12,800.00 Item Number: 147817