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Rare first edition of Thomas Heywood's The Life of Merlin
HEYWOOD, Thomas.
The Life of Merlin, Sirnamed Ambrosius. His Prophesies, and Predictions Interpreted; and their truth made good by our English Analls. Being a Chronological History of all the Kings, and memorable passages of this Kingdome, from Brute to the Reigne of our Royall Soveraigne King Charles.
London: Printed by J. Okes for Jasper Emery, 1641.
First edition of "one of Heywood's most interesting pot-boilers" (Pforzheimer). Octavo, bound in three quarter polished calf over marbled boards, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, all edges gilt, wood-engraved frontispiece portrait of Merlin "generally attributed to [Wenzel] Hollar" (Wither to Prior 448), woodcut initials, headpieces and tailpieces. In very good condition, lacking as usual To the Reader leaf, frontispiece trimmed, small repair to the title page. Uncommon.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 139455
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Rare eighteenth century collection of the Tragedies and Comedies of the great English Playwrights including William Shakespeare and John Dryden
SHAKESPEARE, William; John Dryden; William Congreve; et al.
Tragedies and Comedies of the Great English Playwrights.
London: Various Publishers, c.1730-1760.
Finely bound sammelband collection of comedies and tragedies by early English playwrights including William Shakespeare, John Dryden, and William Congreve. Octavo, 43 volumes bound into 7 in half contemporary calf over marbled boards with burgundy morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, numerous engraved frontispieces, headpieces, tailpieces and illustrations. In very good condition. A very unique collection.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 137210
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“They looked at each other until they weren't acquaintances any longer": First Edition of What Makes Sammy Run; Inscribed by Budd Schulberg in the year of publication
SCHULBERG, Budd.
What Makes Sammy Run?
New York: Random House, 1941.
First edition of what many consider one of the most important novels on Hollywood and the film industry. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, "To Julian Johnson with respect and fond regards, Budd. March 29, 1941." The recipient, Julian Johnson was the head story editor for 20th Century Fox studios in the 1930s. Fine in a near fine first issue dust jacket with the rear panel with the blurbs by F. Scott Fitzgerald and John O'Hara. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A nice association.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 89545
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"The Civil War defined us as what we are and it opened us to being what we became, good and bad things... It was the crossroads of our being, and it was a hell of a crossroads": First Editions of Shelby Foote’s Classic Civil War Trilogy; Volumes One and Two Lengthily Inscribed by Him
FOOTE, Shelby.
The Civil War: A Narrative: Fort Sumter to Perryville; Fredericksburg to Meridian; Red River to Appomattox.
New York: Random House, 1958-74.
First editions of the author's authoritative text on The Civil War. Octavo, 3 volumes, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, cartographic endpapers. Presentation copies, inscribed by the author in volumes one and two. Volume one is inscribed, "For Tom Low of Washington from Shelby Foote Memphis 13 May 1990 (These days after the death of Walker Percy, whose letter is enclosed)." Volume two is inscribed on a postcard pasted in and reads, "Memphis 25 Oct 88 Dear Tom Low Good for…
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 91861
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"ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AND INNOVATIVE LITERARY STYLISTS OF THE PAST HUNDRED YEARS": FIRST EDITION OF KNUT HAMSUN'S VAGABONDS; INSCIRBED BY HIM
HAMSUN, Knut.
Vagabonds.
London: Cassell and Company, Limited, 1931.
First English edition of the first novel in the Nobel Prize-winning author’s “August” trilogy—Hamsun’s magnum opus. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, "Mr. B. A. Abel with thanks! Knut Hamsun Norholm 15 Mars. 1931." Near fine in the rare original dust jacket which is in very good condition. Scarce and desirable signed and inscribed.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 131407
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"SHE KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT THE PLAZA": FIRST EDITIONS OF THE FIRST FOUR BOOKS IN KAY THOMPSON'S BELOVED ELOISE SERIES
THOMPSON, Kay. Illustrated by Hilary Knight.
Eloise; Eloise in Paris; Eloise at Christmastime; Eloise in Moscow.
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1955-1959.
First editions of the four classic books in Kay Thompson's beloved Eloise series. Quarto, four volumes, original boards, pictorial endpapers, illustrated by Hilary Knight. Each volume is near fine in a very good to near fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by Asprey. An exceptional set.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 138622
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First Edition of All The Pretty Horses; Signed by Cormac McCarthy and Three times by Jacket Designer Chip Kidd
MCCARTHY, Cormac.
All the Pretty Horses.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1992.
First edition of the first novel in McCarthy's acclaimed Border Trilogy and winner of the National Book Award. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Cormac McCarthy on the front free endpaper and additionally signed three times by jacket designer Chip Kidd, once on the front panel, on the half-title and on the rear flap. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Chip Kidd.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 142406
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Rare Royal Binding of Intellectual Sentiments, Explained by the Study of Sensations; bound by Charles Meyer of London for the Royal Family
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 to the front panel (likely for Princess Amelia, the youngest daughter of George III), gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, yellow watered silk endleaves and doublures decorated in gilt, all edges gilt, ribbon bound in. Charles Meyer was the bookbinder to George III and his family. With…
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 139576
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"This is a book that needed to be written": First Edition of Tin Pan Alley; Signed by George Gershwin, Charles Previn and James Melton
GOLDBERG, Isaac; Introduction by George Gershwin.
Tin Pan Alley.
New York: The John Day Company, 1930.
First edition of this work on American popular music. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Introduction by George Gershwin. Boldly signed "Sincerely George Gershwin" on the dedication page. Additionally signed by conductor Charles Previn and tenor James Melton. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Previn was an American film composer who was highly active at Universal in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. Before going to Hollywood, Previn had arranged music for over 100 Broadway productions. Melton was a popular singer in the 1920s and 1930s and later began a career as an operatic singer when tenor voices went out…
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 84308
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First Edition of The Owl Service; Inscribed by Alan Garner to his Niece
GARNER, Alan.
The Owl Service.
London: 1967, Collins.
First edition of this classic work, winner of the Guardian Award and Carnegie Medal. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author to his niece and goddaughter on the half-title page, "For Brenda from Alan." Also signed in full on the title page by Alan Garner. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Kenneth Farnhill.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 117475
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“I'M WILD ABOUT YOU, GAL, YOU OUGHT TO BE A FOOL ABOUT ME”: Bob Dylan's Original Album Modern Times; Signed by Him
DYLAN, Bob.
Bob Dylan: Modern Times.
New York: BMG & Columbia Records, 2006.
First pressing of this album by the Nobel Prize-winning author. Quarto, 2 original vinyl records. Boldly signed by Bob Dylan on the front panel. In fine condition. Rare and desirable signed.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 122328
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First Edition of Albert Camus' L'Homme Révolté; inscribed by him to fellow French philosopher Yvon Belaval
CAMUS, Albert.
L’Homme Révolté. [The Rebel].
Paris: Gallimard, 1951.
First edition, review copy (marked "S.P." on title-page and lower wrappers) of one of Camus' most notable works. Octavo, original wrappers as issued. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, "A Yvon Belaval en souvenir des Portiques d'Alger, amicalement Albert Camus." The recipient, French philosopher and literary scholar Yvon Belaval, was a specialist in 18th century French philosopher Denis Diderot and edited an important edition of Diderot's works with fellow philosopher Jean Grenier, one of Camus' most influential mentors to whom he dedicated the present volume. Camus became a student of Grenier's in Algiers and was strongly…
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 137305
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"Not one word, not one gesture of yours shall I, could I, ever forget": First Edition In English Of Tolstoy’s Masterpiece Anna Karenina
TOLSTOY, Leo. [Count Lyof N Tolstoi]. Translated by Nathan Haskell Dole.
Anna Karenina.
New York: Thomas J. Crowell & Co, 1886.
First edition in English of Tolstoy's masterpiece with all the points of first issue: sheets bulk to 35 mm, floral patterned endpapers, "13 Astor Place" on title page, no front adverts, and 5 pp. of rear adverts not listing Russian titles. Octavo, original cloth, with gilt titles and tooling to the spine and front panel, patterned endpapers. Introduction and translated by Nathan Haskell Dole. In very good condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery.
Price: $5,200.00 Item Number: 147388
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"The ability to think for one's self depends upon one's mastery of the language": First Edition of Slouching Towards Bethlehem; Signed by Joan Didion
DIDION, Joan.
Slouching Towards Bethlehem.
New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1968.
First edition of what many consider her magnum opus. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Joan Didion on the second half-title page. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Lawrence Ratzkin. An exceptional example, rare and desirable signed.
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 147965
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"Maybe I could grow me a bale to the acre, like Pa was always talking about doing": First Edition of Erskine Caldwell's Tobacco Road; Inscribed by Him
CALDWELL, Erskine .
Tobacco Road.
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1932.
First edition of Caldwell's classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "For with the best wishes of Erskine Caldwell July 13th 1935." Near fine in a very good dust jacket with light rubbing to the spine extremities. Rare and desirable signed and inscribed.
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 124588
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"There is no body cavity that cannot be reached with a number fourteen needle and a good strong arm.' (Law VI)": First Edition of The House of God; Lengthily Signed by Samuel Shem
SHEM, Samuel.
The House of God.
New York: Richard Marek Publishers, 1978.
First edition of one of the most important medical novels ever written. Octavo, original half cloth. Lengthily signed by the author on title page, "To my dear reader of this rare 1st edition at age 40 this year. 'There is no body cavity that cannot be reached with a number fourteen needle and a good strong arm.' (Law VI) Shem 8/28/18." Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Larry Noble. First editions are rare, especially signed with such a lengthy inscription.
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 145884
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First Edition in English of Knut Hamsun's August; Inscribed by Him in the Year of Publication
HAMSUN, Knut.
August.
New York: Coward-McCann, 1931.
First American edition and first in English, preceding the British edition by one year of the Nobel Prize-winning author's classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, "B.A. Abel from yours respectfully Knut Hamsun 12/11.31." Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Translated from the Norwegian by Eugene Gay-Tifft. Books inscribed by Hamsun are rare.
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 122385
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First Edition of Aldous Huxley's The Art of Seeing; Inscribed by Him in the year of publication
HUXLEY, Aldous.
The Art of Seeing.
New York: Harper & Brothers, 1942.
First edition of this classic work which details Huxley's experience with and views on the controversial Bates method, which according to him improved his eyesight. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, "For Gordon Ross, Sincerely, Aldous Huxley 1942." Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Rare and desirable signed and inscribed.
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 139207
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First Edition of Jack Kerouac's On The Road
KEROUAC, Jack.
On The Road.
New York: The Viking Press, 1957.
First edition of Kerouac's classic novel. Octavo, original black cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing and wear. Jacket design by Bill English. A sharp example.
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 144208
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“Experience teaches us in a millennium what passion teaches us in an hour": Rare First Edition of Olive Schreiner's The Story of an African Farm; From the library of Sir Lionel Phillips
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 to be about 300 copies and most were destined to libraries. From the library of British-born South African financier, mining magnate and politician Sir Lionel Phillips with his bookplates to the pastedowns. Lionel and Florence Phillips left South Africa a major legacy through their art collections.…
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 118143
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"A story has no beginning or end: arbitrarily one chooses a moment of experience from which to look ahead": First Edition of Graham Greene's Classic Work; The End of the Affair; Inscribed by Him
GREENE, Graham.
The End of the Affair.
London: William Heinemann, 1951.
First edition of the Graham Greene novel William Faulkner called, "one of the best, most true and moving novels of my time, in anybody's language." Octavo, original cloth. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "For Jerry Shestack from Graham Greene." The recipient Jerry Shestack was a distinguished American Jurist, President of the American Bar Association and United States ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Civil Rights. Light shelfwear, near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery.
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 23054
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"MY ALLY & FRIEND, WITH THE PRAYER THAT WE'LL KEEP ON FIGHTING. SOONER OR LATER, WE'LL WIN": First Edition of Nobody Knows My Name; Signed by James Baldwin
BALDWIN, James.
Nobody Knows My Name: More Notes of a Native Son.
New York : The Dial Press, 1961.
First edition of Baldwin’s second major book of essays, featuring his powerful analyses of the politics of race and his controversial three-part essay on Richard Wright. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed and dated by the author on the front free endpaper, "James Baldwin 9/15 - 74." Near fine in a good dust jacket with rubbing to the extremities. Jacket design by Robert Jonas. Jacket photograph by Roy Hyrkin. Rare and desirable signed.
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 145473
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“The stars, like dust, encircle me In living mists of light; And all of space I seem to see In one vast burst of sight”: First Edition of Isaac Asimov's The Stars Like Dust; Signed by Him
ASIMOV, Isaac.
The Stars Like Dust.
Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, 1951.
First edition of Asimov's second science fiction novel. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Isaac Asimov on the title page. Light offsetting to the endpapers, near fine in a very good dust jacket with light rubbing to the spine. Uncommon signed.
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 39058
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The Sun-Dial edition of the works of Joseph Conrad; one of 735 numbered sets signed by Joseph Conrad in volume one
CONRAD, Joseph.
The Works of Joseph Conrad.
Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1920-1928.
The Sun-Dial edition of the works of Joseph Conrad. Octavo, 24 volumes bound in three quarters morocco by Frost & Co., with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, frontispiece portrait of Conrad to vol. I. One of seven hundred and thirty-five numbered copies with the first volume signed by the author, this is number 478. In very good condition.
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 144388