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Rare First Edition, First Issue of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony; From the Library of bassoonist and musicologist William Waterhouse
BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van.
Sinfonie mit Schluss-Chor uber Schillers Ode: “An die Freude” fur grosses Orchester, 4 Solo- und 4 Chor-Stimmen componirt und Seiner Majestaet dem Konig von Preussen Friedrich Wilhelm III in tiefster Ehrfurcht kugeeignet von Ludwig van Beethoven. [The Ninth Symphony].
Mainz and Paris: B. Schotts Sohnen, 1826.
Exceptionally rare first edition, first issue of one of the most frequently performed symphonies in the world, containing the subscribers' list, but not the composer's notorious metronome markings which were added in later issues. Quarto, bound in nineteenth-century marbled boards with a blank label to the front panel, all edges yellow, printed with plate number 2322, subscribers' list present, illustrated with a lithographic title page and engraved with music throughout. Inscribed by William Waterhouse on the front free endpaper, "from Robert Hermann London..." William Waterhouse was an English bassoonist and musicologist who played with notable orchestras in the twentieth century…
Price: $55,000.00 Item Number: 146837
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First Edition of Nathanael West's Miss Lonelyhearts; In the exceptionally rare Dust Jacket
WEST, Nathanael .
Miss Lonelyhearts.
New York: Liveright, 1933.
First edition, first issue of this humorous tale of alienation and advice in Depression era New York which was well-received, but the publisher went bankrupt almost immediately and bookshops were unable to source copies. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing and wear. Easily one of the nicest examples extant, with most examples in the original dust jacket well worn. The publisher, Liveright went bankrupt as the novel was being published, however, and the printer refused to release most of the copies. Despite favorable reviews, copies were unavailable to bookshops. In early June, Harcourt Brace took…
Price: $55,000.00 Item Number: 140436
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"Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird"; First edition of To Kill A Mockingbird; Signed by Harper Lee and Truman Capote
LEE, Harper (Truman Capote).
To Kill a Mockingbird.
London: Heinemann, 1960.
First British edition of Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by both Harper Lee and Truman Capote on the front free endpaper. Truman Capote’s friendship with Harper Lee began in the summer of 1929 when the two became next door neighbors in Monroeville, Alabama; both were the age of five. They shared a love of reading and began collaborating when Lee was gifted a typewriter by her father as a child. Lee drew on their friendship as inspiration for the characters Lee and Scout in her masterpiece To Kill A Mockingbird; Capote based his tomboy character Idabel Thompkins…
Price: $55,000.00 Item Number: 138302
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"I want to be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren": Rare First Editions, First Printings of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
TOLKIEN, J.R.R.
The Lord of The Rings Trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.
London: George Allen and Unwin, 1954-55.
First editions, first states of each title comprising the The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Octavo, 3 volumes, original red cloth, folding map in the rear of each volume. Near fine in excellent dust jackets with light rubbing and wear. An exceptional set.
Price: $55,000.00 Item Number: 136748
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First Edition of George Orwell's Burmese Days; Inscribed by the author
ORWELL, George.
Burmese Days.
New York: Harper & Brothers, 1934.
First American edition, preceding the British edition by one year of Orwell's first novel. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author with his given name on the verso of the front free endpaper, "With very best wishes from Eric Blair." As explained in the accompanying typed letter signed by Adrian Fierz, this copy was presented by the author to Mabel Fierz. It was Mabel Fierz who introduced Orwell to Leonard Moore (who would later become his literary agent) after salvaging the manuscript for Down and Out from the writer's discarded papers. After first meeting Orwell in Southwold, Suffolk, Mabel…
Price: $55,000.00 Item Number: 67096
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First Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous; In the Rare Original Dust Jacket
WILSON, William [Bill W.].
Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism.
New York: Alcoholics Anonymous, 1939.
First edition of Bill Wilson’s classic work, one of the best-selling books of all time, having sold 30 million copies. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with the spine lightly toned, contemporary name to the front free endpaper. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. An exceptional example.
Price: $55,000.00 Item Number: 143075
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Exceptional group of four letters sent by Ernest Hemingway to close friend Guy Hickok; including an exceptional nine page autograph letter signed by him "Ernest" with two original drawings including one of his new home in Key West
HEMINGWAY, Ernest.
Ernest Hemingway Autograph and Typed Signed Letter Collection.
1931-1935.
Exceptional group of four letters sent by Ernest Hemingway to close friend Guy Hickok, comprising an exceptional nine page autograph letter signed including two original drawings, a partial autograph letter signed, an unsigned autograph letter, and one-page typed letter signed. The first, and longest, autograph letter, signed "Ernest," nine pages on five sheets, May 7, [1931], written aboard the S.S. Volendam of the Holland-America Line on the ship's letterhead. In part: "Dear Gros: - Well Mr. Hickok - here is a rare thing - a letter from your old Pal asking no favours, not exposing you to expenditure, and returning…
Price: $55,000.00 Item Number: 146950
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"The first American bestseller": Exceedingly Rare first edition of Susanna Haswell Rowson's Charlotte: A Tale of Truth
ROWSON, Susanna Haswell.
Charlotte. A Tale of Truth.
Philadelphia: Printed by D. Humphreys for M. Carey, 1794.
Exceedingly rare first American edition (and the earliest obtainable example) of the first American bestseller. Octavo, two volumes bound into one in three quarter calf over marbled boards, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers. Although the first American edition was preceded by the first English edition published in 1791, no examples of the first English edition have been traced at auction. In very good condition. Bookplate of D. Appleton to the pastedown, bibliographic description tipped in. Housed in a custom cloth chemise and half morocco clamshell slipcase. Exceedingly rare with only one other example of the first American…
Price: $50,000.00 Item Number: 125183
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First editions of each volume in C.S. Lewis' acclaimed space trilogy; including the dedicatee's copy of Out of the silent planet; inscribed by C.S. Lewis' brother Warren Hamilton Lewis
LEWIS, C.S.
The Space Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength.
London: John Lane The Bodley Head, 1938-1945.
First editions of each volume in C.S. Lewis' important space trilogy including the dedicatee's (Lewis' brother's) copy of Out of the Silent Planet, the rarest book in the series. Octavo, three volumes, original cloth. Inscribed by C.S. Lewis' brother Warren Hamilton Lewis on the front free endpaper to whom the book is dedicated, "This book. Well, speaking as dedicatee I felt that it was up to me to buy it. What's more, I also think that you, as being friendly to us two, should try it. But if you should dislike the tale, Don't say so and thus spoil its…
Price: $50,000.00 Item Number: 132054
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"Great men are not born great, they grow great": FIRST EDITION OF THE GODFATHER; SIGNED BY MARIO PUZO AND MARLON BRANDO
PUZO, Mario [Marlon Brando].
The Godfather.
New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969.
First edition of Puzo's definitive novel of the Mafia underworld, signed by him and legendary Academy Award-winning actor Marlon Brando. Octavo, original half black cloth. Boldly signed by both Mario Puzo and Marlon Brando on the front free endpaper. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket art by S. Neil Fujita. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. We have never seen another first edition signed by Brando and Puzo.
Price: $50,000.00 Item Number: 136975
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"to George You're Great And Always will be!": Bob Dylan's Lyrics; Inscribed by Him to George Harrison
DYLAN, Bob.
Bob Dylan Lyrics 1962-1985.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1985.
First printing of the second edition of this compilation of Dylan's lyrics. Quarto, original glossy illustrated boards. Association copy, inscribed by Dylan to close friend and fellow legendary musician, George Harrison on the front free endpaper: "To George [surrounded by a sun] You're Great And Always will be! Best wishes Bob Dylan/3/'86." George Harrison wrote the lyrics to the Beatles hit, "Here Comes the Sun" and Dylan was a major catalyst for Harrison as a musician. They met in person for the first time in August of 1964 at the Delmonico Hotel in New York City, where Dylan, after misinterpreting…
Price: $50,000.00 Item Number: 80146
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INSCRIBED AND SIGNED FIRST EDITION OF MARK TWAIN’S THE GILDED AGE TO MRS. P.T. BARNUM ACCOMPANIED BY AN AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED
TWAIN, Mark and Charles Dudley Warner. [Samuel L. Clemens].
The Gilded Age: A Tale of To-Day.
Hartford: American Publishing Company, 1874.
First edition, mixed state of the only novel Clemens wrote with a collaborator and the book that gave the era it’s name in history. Association copy, inscribed by Mark Twain on the fly-leaf, "To Mrs. P. T. Barnum with the kindest wishes of The Author Oct 1875." Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco, gilt titles to the spine, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, fully illustrated from new designs by Hoppin, Stephens, Williams, White, etc., folding map. Sold by subscription only. The volume is accompanied by an autograph letter signed by Clemens to the second wife of P.T. Barnum of 14…
Price: $50,000.00 Item Number: 133022
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"The perfect book" (Alice Walker): Rare first edition of Mules and Men; inscribed by Zora Neale Hurston
HURSTON, Zora Neale.
Mules and Men.
Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1935.
First edition of Hurston's classic work, "the most engaging, genuine, and skillfully written book in the field of folklore" (Alan Lomax). Octavo, original cloth, with 10 illustrations by Miguel Covarrubias. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, "To Mrs. Scott One of God's best angels Zora Neale Hurston Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Dec. 20, 1936." Introduction by Franz Boas. In very good condition with a large portion of the front panel of the original dust jacket tipped in opposite the title page, a small original photograph of Zora Neal Hurston laid in and her obituary tipped in which notes…
Price: $50,000.00 Item Number: 141573
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"History became legend. Legend became myth. And for two and a half thousand years, the ring passed out of all knowledge": THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY; each volume signed by J.R.R. Tolkien
TOLKIEN, J.R.R.
The Lord of The Rings Trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.
London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1963.
Complete set of each title of the The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, each volume signed by J.R.R. Tolkien on the title page. Octavo, 3 volumes, original publisher's cloth, all edges gilt, ribbon bound in, folding map at rear of each volume. Each volume is signed by J.R.R. Tolkien on the title page. The Fellowship of the Ring is a thirteenth impression, very good in a very good tenth impression dust jacket; The Two Towers is a tenth impression, very good in a very good eighth impression dust jacket; The Return of the King is a tenth impression, very good…
Price: $48,000.00 Item Number: 147003
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"Whatever In Creation Exists Without My Knowledge Exists Without My Consent": First Edition Of Cormac McCarthy's Masterpiece Blood Meridian; Inscribed by the author to Close Friend John Sheddan in the Year of Publication
MCCARTHY, Cormac.
Blood Meridian, or The Evening Redness in the West.
New York: Random House, 1985.
First edition of the author's classic fifth novel. Octavo, original half cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author in the month of publication on the front free endpaper, "For John Sheddan At Saxon Oaks Manor In April of 1985 All the best, old friend Cormac." The recipient, John Sheddan was a close friend of McCarthy’s. “Some of McCarthy’s friends claim that the character Gene Harrogate (a character in McCarthy’s novel, Suttree), or at least his watermelon venture, was based in some way on John Sheddan, “scholar, schemer, hustler, melon paramour” (Gibson 23)….However in a letter of response to Gibson’s article,…
Price: $48,000.00 Item Number: 93522
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"I am enormously pressed for time this vacation, and I am ever afraid no such thing will have been done by me in time to be of use to you": Rare autograph letter signed by J.R.R. Tolkien with his list of Old English Literature Questions with annotations and corrections in his hand
TOLKIEN, J.R.R.
J.R.R. Tolkien Autograph Letter Signed and Annotated Old English Literature Questionnaire.
1920.
Rare autograph letter signed by the author of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien regarding a list of 50 questions he has composed examining Old English Literature. The one-page autograph letter signed by Tolkien reads in full, "1 Alfred Street St. Giles Oxford Mar: 17th 1920. Dear Miss Duncan, I enclose a 'mixed bag' of 50 questions on the OE period - some of them on 'Beowulf' (exclusive of special points of commentary), some more general. A few may be of use to you (many are culled from past papers etc.: those of last year are marked). They are…
Price: $48,000.00 Item Number: 121974
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“When you get an idea into your head you find it in everything": Rare First Edition of Victor Hugo's Notre-Dame de Paris; One of only 1100 examples
HUGO, Victor.
Notre-Dame de Paris.
Paris: Charles Gosselin, 1831.
First edition, first printing of Hugo's masterpiece, one of only 1,100 examples. Octavo, 2 volumes, bound in half calf. The publisher Charles Gosselin published the novel on 16 March 1831 in an edition of 1,100 copies as was his usual practice. It was such a sensation that an additional three printings had to be published the same year. The first impression of 1100 copies was separated into four groups, each bearing a fictitious edition statement on the title-page, a scheme designed to make the public believe that the novel was selling rapidly. "This first edition is the rarest of all…
Price: $48,000.00 Item Number: 139559
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“It's the basic condition of life to be required to violate our own identity": First Edition of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?; Signed by Philip K. Dick
DICK, Philip K.
Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?
New York: Doubleday and Company, 1968.
First edition of this cornerstone in science fiction. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Philip K. Dick on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Harry Sehring. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Scarce in this condition and signed.
Price: $48,000.00 Item Number: 146811
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Complete Set of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Deluxe Editions; Each Signed by Her and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone signed by Thomas Taylor with an original drawing
ROWLING, J.K.
Harry Potter Series Complete Deluxe Set. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince, and The Deathly Hallows.
London: Bloomsbury, 1997-2007.
First editions of the deluxe edition of each book in Rowling's Harry Potter series. Octavo, 7 volumes, illustrated, original decorative cloth as issued. Each volume is signed by J.K. Rowling on the title page and was signed by Rowling in person for the previous owner. The Prisoner of Azkaban is inscribed. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is additionally signed on the title page by Thomas Taylor with an original drawing of Harry Potter. When Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was in the initial stages of publication in 1996, illustrator Thomas Taylor had just graduated from art school and…
Price: $48,000.00 Item Number: 81035
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"The truth is rarely pure and never simple": Signed limited large-paper edition of The Importance of Being Earnest
WILDE, Oscar.
The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.
London: Leonard Smithers and Co, 1899.
Signed limited large-paper edition of the author’s masterpiece, number 68 of 100 copies signed by Oscar Wilde on the limitation page. Octavo, original pale purple cloth, gilt titles to the spine, gilt floral motifs from designs by Charles Shannon on spine and covers, edges untrimmed. Presentation copy, with an autograph letter signed by the third and final wife of Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O'Neill, actress Carlotta Monterey O'Neill, to stage actor Harrison K. Ford laid in which reads, "To Harrison Ford Do hope you will enjoy this!- All good wishes Carlotta Monterey O'Neill Dec 6th 31 1095 Park Ave.-" From…
Price: $48,000.00 Item Number: 110755