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Exceptionally rare and spectacular 17th century editions of both volumes of Cervantes’ masterpiece Don Quixote; comprising one of the most desirable pairings of both volumes: Cervantes' final revised third edition of Part I and the scarce first edition of Part II
CERVANTES SAAVEDRA, Miguel de.
El Ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha. Segunda Parte del Ingenioso Cavallero Don Quixote de la Mancha.
Madrid: Por Juan de La Cuesta, vendese en casa de Francisco de Robles, librero del Rey, 1608-1615.
Exceedingly rare and spectacular 17th century editions of both volumes of Cervantes’ prized work, the remarkable Beilby Thompson-Maggs-Ortiz Linares copy with a shared provenance spanning over 320 years, this is among the oldest known sets of both parts paired and uniformly bound in the 18th century, comprising one of the most desirable pairings of the editions of each volume selected for the superior qualities of their respective printings: the third edition of Part I - printed in 1608 - being the last edition corrected and revised by Cervantes himself which remains its definitive form, and the scarce first edition of…
Price: $1,900,000.00 Item Number: 142820
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"Who is the most important person I've ever met in a signing queue & the first person ever to see merit in Harry Potter. With huge [underlined 4 times] thanks. J.K. Rowling": First Edition, First Printing of J.K. Rowling's Rare First Book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; Inscribed by Her to Bryony Evens and with a large original illustration by Thomas Taylor
ROWLING, J.K.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
London: Bloomsbury, 1997.
First edition, first printing of the rarest book in the Harry Potter series, a cornerstone of young adult literature, and one of the best-selling books of all time. First printing with "First published in Great Britain in 1997", the full number line "10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1", "Joanne Rowling" for "J.K. Rowling", and "Thomas Taylor1997" (lacking the space) on the copyright page and "1 wand" listed twice (as the first item and last item) on the "Other Equipment" list on page 53. Octavo, original laminated pictorial boards, without a dust jacket as issued. Association copy,…
Price: $975,000.00 Item Number: 115640
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Exceedingly rare first edition, first issue presentation copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit; inscribed by Tolkien to the Livesleys who ran the summer guest cottage in the village of Sidmouth which inspired 'The Shire' and where Tolkien did much of his writing
TOLKIEN, J.R.R.
The Hobbit.
London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937.
First edition, first issue of Tolkien's classic tale, "among the very highest achievements of children’s authors during the 20th century” (Carpenter & Pritchard, 530), one of only a handful of presentation copies reserved for Tolkien to give to family members, colleagues and close friends. Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, frontispiece and 9 full-page uncolored illustrations after drawings by Tolkien. Presentation copy, inscribed by Tolkien on the flyleaf, "Mr. & Mrs. Livesley & Edgar with best wishes from J.R.R. Tolkien." The recipients, the Livesleys and their son Edgar, ran the Kennaway House, a Regency town house in the village of Sidmouth,…
Price: $475,000.00 Item Number: 135801
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A LANDMARK IN THE HISTORY OF PRINTING, AND ONE OF THE GREATEST ILLUSTRATED BOOKS EVER PUBLISHED: Exceptionally rare colored Example of first edition of the monumental Nuremberg Chronicle; Published in 1493 and containing over 1800 splendid woodcuts illustrating the history of the world from the Creation of man to the invention of the printing press
SCHEDEL, Hartmann.
Liber Chronicarum. [The Nuremberg Chronicle].
Nuremberg: Anton Koberger for Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister, 12 July 1493.
Exceptionally rare colored example of the first edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle, the most extensively illustrated book of the 15th century. Imperial folio, bound in full 17th-century pigskin over bevelled wooden boards with elaborate blind tooling and scrolling to the spine and panels, brass cornerpieces, 2 fore-edge clasps, 325 leaves (of 328, without blank 55/6 and 61/5-6; fos. 9/3.4, 25/1, 53/6, 54/5 and possibly others supplied from another copy), quire 55 bound at end, fos. CCLVIIII-CCLXI blank except for printed headlines. 1809 woodcut illustrations printed from 645 blocks (S.C. Cockerell's count, some German woodcuts of the fifteenth century, 1897, pp.35-6),…
Price: $350,000.00 Item Number: 146920
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Complete Set of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series, Including the Rare First Issue of Philosopher's Stone; Signed by Her
ROWLING, J.K.
Harry Potter Series. 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 each book in Rowling's Harry Potter series. Octavo, 7 volumes. All are first issues, including the first and rarest book in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone with “First published in Great Britain in 1997”, the full number line “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1”, “Joanne Rowling” for “J.K. Rowling”, and “Thomas Taylor1997” (lacking the space) on the copyright page, “1 wand” listed twice (as the first item and last item) on the “Other Equipment” list on page 53, Wendy Cooling quote at the base of the front board. Only 500…
Price: $350,000.00 Item Number: 141476
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Signed Limited First Edition of James Joyce's masterpiece Ulysses; One of only 100 examples
JOYCE, James.
Ulysses.
Paris: Shakespeare and Company, 1922.
Signed limited first edition of Joyce's masterpiece, one of 100 numbered copies printed on handmade paper from a total edition of 1000 copies, this is number 51. Thick quarto, original blue and white wrappers. Laid in are the following pamphlets: Extracts from Press Notices of Ulysses by James Joyce" and the Shakespeare and Company prospectus for Ulysses, with woodcut vignette of Shakespeare, photographic portrait of Joyce tipped in. In near fine condition, rebacked. Housed in a custom full morocco clamshell box. An exceptional example.
Price: $300,000.00 Item Number: 133500
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“For anyone who loves intensely lives not in himself but in the object of his love, and the further he can move out of himself into his love, the happier he is": Exceptionally Rare first edition in English of Erasmus' in Praise of Folly; elaborately bound in full crushed levant morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe
ERASMUS, Desiderius. Translated by Sir Thomas Chaloner.
In Praise of Folie: Moriae Encomium. A book made in latine by the great clerke Erasmus Roterodame. Enlightened by Sir Thomas Chaloner, knight. [In Praise of Folly].
London: Thomas Berthelet, 1549.
First edition in English of one of the most notable and popular works of the Renaissance which played an important role in the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation and swiftly brought its author international fame. First printing with 'latine' and the printer's initials 'TB.' to the title page. Octavo, bound in full crushed levant morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, gilt titles and elaborate gilt 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, all edges gilt, wide woodcut border to the title page signed…
Price: $275,000.00 Item Number: 139476
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Exceptionally rare First edition of Herman Melville's first and most popular book Typee A Peep at Polynesian Life During a Four Months' Residence in A Valley of the Marquesas; inscribed by him to Captain Charles Ball
MELVILLE, Herman.
Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life. During a Four Months’ Residence in A Valley of the Marquesas.
New York: Wiley and Putnam, 1846.
First edition of Melville's first book and his most popular during his lifetime. Octavo, two volumes bound into one in the original cloth stamped in blind with gilt titles to the spine, frontispiece map, both half-titles and 6 pages of publisher's advertisements at rear. BAL 13653. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper one month after publication, "Captain Ball, With the respects of the author, Westport April 18th 1846." The recipient, Captain Charles Ball was captain of the whaling ship Theophilus Chase, on which Thomas Melville, the author's youngest brother, set sail for the first time…
Price: $250,000.00 Item Number: 138349
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“With the Pleasant memories of La Paix behind me alas and alack!": Extremely Rare Presentation Copy of THE GREAT GATSBY, Wonderfully inscribed by Fitzgerald
FITZGERALD, F. Scott.
The Great Gatsby.
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1925.
Octavo, original dark green cloth with gilt titles to the spine. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “With the Pleasant memories of La Paix behind me alas and alack! Souvenir of 1932–1933 for M.T. from her – at least from one who was almost made to feel like – a guest. F. Scott Fitzgerald.” The recipient, Margaret Turnbull, who with her husband Bayard owned La Paix, a 28–acre estate with a large Victorian house near Towson, Maryland. The Fitzgeralds rented La Paix from the Turnbulls in 1932 and 1933 because of its proximity to the…
Price: $250,000.00 Item Number: 135650
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First Edition, First Printing of J.K. Rowling's Rare First Book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; With an original Illustration of Harry Potter by Thomas Taylor
ROWLING, J.K.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
London: Bloomsbury, 1997.
First edition, first printing of the rarest book in the Harry Potter series, a cornerstone of young adult literature, and one of the best-selling books of all time. First printing with “First published in Great Britain in 1997”, the full number line “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1”, “Joanne Rowling” for “J.K. Rowling”, and “Thomas Taylor1997” (lacking the space) on the copyright page and “1 wand” listed twice (as the first item and last item) on the “Other Equipment” list on page 53. Octavo, original illustrated boards, without a dust jacket as issued. In fine condition.…
Price: $225,000.00 Item Number: 124950
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"In memory of that week we went rowing in a bull-fiddle through the lovely lakes of Central Park": Exceptionally Rare Presentation Copy of The Great Gatsby; with a beautiful full-page inscription signed by F. Scott Fitzgerald
FITZGERALD, F. Scott.
The Great Gatsby.
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1925.
First edition, second issue of Fitzgerald's masterpiece with all six second issue points present, including: “echolalia” on page 60, “southern” on page 119, “sickantired” on page 205, and “Union Station” on page 211. Octavo, original dark green cloth with gilt titles to the spine. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "For Theodore L. Liedemedt in memory of that week we went rowing in a bull-fiddle through the lovely lakes of Central Park, from Stravinski (Alias F. Scott Fitzgerald) May 1885 'Stuttgart.'" The recipient, Theodore L. Liedemedt, was a German-born musician and close personal friend…
Price: $200,000.00 Item Number: 138936
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"To Jack L. Warner - Thank you for your courage and for a magnificent picture - with my profound gratitude": First Edition of Ayn Rand's Magnum Opus The Fountainhead; Inscribed by Her to Jack Warner
RAND, Ayn.
The Fountainhead.
Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1943.
First edition, first issue with first edition stated on the copyright page of the author's first major novel, as well as her first best-seller. Octavo, original red cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Jack L. Warner - Thank you for your courage and for a magnificent picture - with my profound gratitude - Ayn Rand. January 7, 1949." The recipient, Jack Warner, was the co-founder, president, and driving force behind the Warner Bros. Studios. His career spanned some 45 years, its duration surpassing that of any other of the seminal Hollywood studio moguls.…
Price: $200,000.00 Item Number: 125425
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“When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies? Perhaps to be too practical is madness. To surrender dreams — this may be madness": Rare first complete English edition of Cervantes' masterpiece Don Quixote
CERVANTES SAAVEDRA, Miguel de.
The History of Don-Quixote. The First Parte. The Second Part of the History of the Valorous and Witty Knight-Errant, Don Quixote of the Mancha. Written in Spanish by Michael Cervantes: and now translated into English.
London: Edward Blount, 1620.
Exceedingly rare first complete edition in English of Cervantes' masterpiece comprising the second edition of the first part and the first edition of the second part. Octavo, 2 volumes bound in full 19th century calf, engraved title in each volume. Translated from the original Spanish by Thomas Shelton whose first English translation published in 1612 was the first translation in any language and took him only forty days to complete. The true first edition of Don Quixote was published in Madrid by Francisco de Robles in two parts in 1605 and 1615. Shelton's first English translation first appeared in English in 1612, and was reissued in 1620…
Price: $175,000.00 Item Number: 130505
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“A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment": Rare First Edition of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
AUSTEN, Jane.
Pride and Prejudice.
London: Printed for T. Egerton, 1813.
First editions of all three volumes of Jane Austen's second novel and most popular. Octavo, three volumes, bound in contemporary three quarter calf over marbled boards with gilt titles to the spine. In very good condition. Armorial bookplates to each pastedown. Period gift inscription from the year of publication to the title page of Vol. I.: "Mary Anne King given her by her mother April 1813." An exceptional example of this landmark work in English literature, rare and desirable bound in contemporary calf.
Price: $175,000.00 Item Number: 133221
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Rare original Antoine de Saint-Exupery watercolor study of The Little Prince
SAINT-EXUPéRY, Antoine de .
The Little Prince Original Antoine de Saint-Exupery Watercolor Drawing.
[New York]: [1942].
Rare original watercolor study of the beloved protagonist of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince, a timeless masterpiece that has transcended generations and remains the most widely read work of fiction in history, having sold over 150 million copies over the course of the past 80 years. One page, pencil and watercolor on American ‘Fidelity Onion Skin’ paper, the sketch contains three pencil studies of the Little Prince: three portraits and two full figure drawings, the most complete of which is finished in water colors and depicts the Little Prince standing alone in a long grey cloak with his iconic…
Price: $150,000.00 Item Number: 146264
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"the first novel in the English language": Exceedingly rare complete first edition set of all three books in Defoe's classic Robinson Crusoe series
DEFOE, Daniel.
The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; Serious Reflections During the Life And Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.
London: Printed for W. Taylor at the Ship in Pater-Noster-Row, 1719-1720.
Exceedingly rare complete first edition set of all three books in Defoe's classic Robinson Crusoe series, including the scarce first and only printing of the third book in the series. Octavo, three volumes bound in full crushed red morocco by Francis Bedford with 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, all edges gilt. The set consists of: Vol. I. The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner: Who lived Eight and Twenty Years,…
Price: $150,000.00 Item Number: 129597
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"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife": Rare first edition of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
AUSTEN, Jane.
Pride and Prejudice: A Novel.
London: Printed for T. Egerton, 1813.
First editions of all three volumes of Jane Austen’s masterpiece, her bestselling book during her lifetime which remains a landmark of English literature. 12mo, three volumes bound in full mottled calf with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, double gilt ruling and botanical gilt scrolling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins, all edges speckled black. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine. A very attractive example of this significant work in English literature.
Price: $140,000.00 Item Number: 145824
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COMPLETE SET OF IAN FLEMING'S JAMES BOND NOVELS; each volume in the RARE ORIGINAL DUST JACKET and housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box by the Harcourt Bindery; including an association copy of Live and Let Die; Signed by Albert R. Broccoli who produced the film adaptation
FLEMING, Ian [Cubby Broccoli].
Complete Set of 14 First Edition James Bond Novels: Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, From Russia with Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only (short stories including A View to a Kill and Quantum of Solace), Thunderball, The Spy Who loved Me, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy and The Living Daylights.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1953-66.
First editions of each volume in Ian Fleming's James Bond series. Octavo, 14 volumes, original publisher's cloth-covered boards. Each volume in a first-issue dust jacket. Casino Royale is near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket with chipping to the extremities including the crown of the spine and upper right corner of the front panel, light toning to the rear panel. Jacket design by Ian Fleming. Live and Let Die is near fine in a very good dust jacket (first state without printed acknowledgement to the author or the artist Kenneth Lewis) with light wear to the crown of…
Price: $125,000.00 Item Number: 145438
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“When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies? Perhaps to be too practical is madness. To surrender dreams — this may be madness": Rare first complete English edition of Cervantes' masterpiece Don Quixote
CERVANTES SAAVEDRA, Miguel de.
The History of Don-Quixote. The First Parte. The Second Part of the History of the Valorous and Witty Knight-Errant, Don Quixote of the Mancha. Written in Spanish by Michael Cervantes: and now translated into English.
London: Edward Blount, 1620.
Exceedingly rare first complete edition in English of Cervantes' masterpiece comprising the second edition of the first part and the first edition of the second part. Small octavo, 2 volumes bound in full calf with red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt turn-ins, frontispiece portrait of the author to Vol. I, engraved headpieces, tailpieces and initials. Translated from the original Spanish by Thomas Shelton, his first English translation published in 1612 was the first translation in any language, and took him only forty days to complete. The true first edition of Don Quixote was published in Madrid by Francisco de Robles in two parts in 1605…
Price: $125,000.00 Item Number: 117895
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"You are one of the most special people to me, and you have meant so much to my life": Exceptionally Rare collection of original Harper Lee drawings, a painting, and letters with a first edition of To Kill A Mockingbird in the scarce first issue dust jacket; inscribed by Lee to close colleague and friend Charles Weldon Carruth
LEE, Harper.
To Kill a Mockingbird. Original Harper Lee Drawing, Painting and Letter Collection.
Philadelphia & New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1960.
First edition of perhaps the most important American novel of the 20th century, inscribed by Harper Lee to a close college friend and with a scarce archive of drawings and letters exchanged between the two. Octavo, original green cloth backed brown boards, titles to spine in gilt. Association copy, inscribed by Harper Lee to close University of Alabama college friend, Charles Weldon Carruth, "To my dear friend Charles, with love always — Harper Lee." In the fall term of 1945, Lee and Carruth both enrolled in a Shakespeare course taught by one of the University of Alabama's most famous faculty…
Price: $125,000.00 Item Number: 1115260
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"All human wisdom is contained in these two words--"Wait and Hope": The Manney Copy of the First Edition in English of Dumas’ The Count of Monte-Cristo; In the Rare Original Cloth
DUMAS, Alexandre [Alexander].
The Count of Monte-Cristo.
London: London: Chapman and Hall, 1846.
First edition in English of the author’s masterpiece, published just one year after the original French edition and before the American first, the Richard Manney copy. Octavo, 2 volumes, original publisher's terracotta cloth, decoratively blind-embossed, gilt titles to the spine. Twenty wood-engraved plates after Henry Valentin. In near fine condition with only light rubbing to the extremities and toning, with the bookplate of legendary collector Richard Manney. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell and chemise box. A superior example, scarce in the original cloth, with exceptional provenance.
Price: $110,000.00 Item Number: 129384
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“NOW, MY DEARS… DON’T GO INTO MR. MCGREGOR’S GARDEN”: FIRST EDITION; ONE OF ONLY 250 Examples OF THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT; Inscribed by Beatrix Potter in the year of publication
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 for Christmas 1901." The book was an instant success: Linda Lear writes that "Even before the publication of the tale in early October 1902, the first 8,000 copies were sold out. By the year's end there were 28,000 copies of The Tale of Peter Rabbit in…
Price: $100,000.00 Item Number: 141725
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First edition of the Ian Fleming’s first book Casino Royale; Signed by Him
FLEMING, Ian.
Casino Royale.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1953.
First edition of the first novel in Ian Fleming's James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Boldly signed by Ian Fleming on the front free endpaper. From the library of Mrs. Bowker. This example was given by Fleming to his his char-lady. Near fine in a near fine first state dust jacket (without the Sunday Times review on the inner front flap) with some professional restoration to the extremities. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $98,000.00 Item Number: 130963
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The Catcher In The Rye; Inscribed and dated by J.D. Salinger in the Year of Publication
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. Very good in a very good supplied dust jacket. Jacket design by Michael Mitchell. Photograph of Salinger by Lotte Jacobi. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. Exceptionally scarce, most rare and desirable inscribed and in the year of…
Price: $98,000.00 Item Number: 140488
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"To Una who will at last get to the end!": First edition of From Russia, With Love; inscribed by Ian Fleming to his real-life Miss Moneypenny
FLEMING, Ian.
From Russia, With Love.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1957.
First edition, first state of the fifth James Bond novel and what Fleming considered one of his best books and listed in Life magazine as one of US President John F. Kennedy's top ten favorite books. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, gilt rose and gun emblem to the front panel. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Una who will at last get to the end! from Ian Fleming." The recipient, Una Trueblood, whose surname was later appropriated by Fleming for the character of Mary Trueblood in Dr. No. Una started…
Price: $75,000.00 Item Number: 133890
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"To Barbara- for a very heroic achievement- with love- Ayn": Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead; Inscribed by Her to Barbara Branden
RAND, Ayn.
The Fountainhead.
Indianapolis and New York: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1943.
First edition, early printing of Rands’s breakthrough work and her first major literary success. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Barbara- for a very heroic achievement- with love- Ayn April 9,1956." Born in Winnipeg, Barbara Weidman met Nathaniel Branden because of their mutual interest in Ayn Rand's works. They became personal friends of Rand in 1950, and when they married in 1953, Rand and her husband, Frank O'Connor, served as the matron of honor and best man. She earned her M.A. in philosophy, and authored a thesis on free will, under the direction of Sidney Hook at…
Price: $75,000.00 Item Number: 138297
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"Taking the pledge will not make bad liquor good, but it will improve it": The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; inscribed by Mark Twain
TWAIN, Mark. [Samuel L. Clemens].
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Tom Sawyer’s Comrade).
New York: Charles L. Webster and Company, 1886.
Early printing of Twain's masterpiece, inscribed by Mark Twain. Octavo, bound in half buckram by Roycroft with paper labels to the spine, tissue-guarded frontispiece photogravure plate of Gerhardt's bust of Clemens, one hundred and seventy-four illustrations by E. W. Kemble. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, "To Mr. Garth W. Cate: Taking the pledge will not make bad liquor good, but it will improve it. Truly Yours, Mark Twain, Nov. 25/06." With a lengthy letter of provenance dated October 14, 1964 and signed by the recipient which reads in part, "Dear Mr. Jacobs, If I had been younger…
Price: $75,000.00 Item Number: 123083
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SCARCE JACK KEROUAC AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT QUESTIONNAIRE. HIS CAREER GOAL: "BE A GREAT WRITER MAKING EVERYBODY BELIEVE IN HEAVEN"
KEROUAC, Jack.
Jack Kerouac Autograph Manuscript Signed.
February 28,1964.
Autograph manuscript signed, being Kerouac’s answers to twelve typed questions from Robert Dodd, two pages, quarto, 28 February 1964. Kerouac candidly replies to a young man’s questions. Given a ninth-grade classroom assignment to contact his favorite writer, Robert Dodd chose Jack Kerouac. The author provides lengthy answers to the young Dodd's questions. On the question of his changing writing style Kerouac explains: "The Town and the City was my first, young man novel when I was just starting our trying to write like Thomas Wolfe -- Lonesome Traveler is a product of my own style which I developed in later…
Price: $75,000.00 Item Number: 79098
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“Integrity is the ability to stand by an idea": First Edition of Ayn Rand's Magnum Opus The Fountainhead; Inscribed by Her
RAND, Ayn.
The Fountainhead.
Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1943.
First edition, first issue with first edition stated on the copyright page of the author's first major novel, as well as her first best-seller. Octavo, original red cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, "To Gertrude Lynneberg- - with my best wishes for long years of happiness- Ayn Rand November 16, 1943." The recipient, Gertrude Lynneberg was the sister-in- law to Linda Lynneberg, also known as Aslaug Lynneberg, a lifelong friend of Rand. Near fine in a very good first issue dust jacket with some chips and wear. Housed in…
Price: $75,000.00 Item Number: 121447
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“The supreme question about a work of art is out of how deep a life does it spring”: First Edition of James Joyce's masterpiece Ulysses; number 276 of 750 Numbered Copies
JOYCE, James.
Ulysses.
Paris: Shakespeare and Company, 1922.
First edition of Joyce's masterpiece, one of 750 numbered copies printed on handmade paper from a total edition of 1000 copies, this is number number 276. Thick quarto, original blue and white wrappers. In near fine condition, square and tight with a touch of rubbing to the crown and foot of the spine. Housed in a custom slipcase. An exceptional example.
Price: $75,000.00 Item Number: 126933
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"I want to be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren": The Lord of the Rings Trilogy; Inscribed by Him in Volume One and signed by him in Volumes Two and Three
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, 1967.
Second editions of the author's classic trilogy, signed by Tolkien in each volume. Octavo, 3 volumes, original cloth, folding maps. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, "Signed for Ethel May with love J. R. R. Tolkien." Volumes two and three are signed by J.R.R. Tolkien on the half-title page. The recipient, Ethel Burchfield was the wife of Robert Burchfield, a lexicographer and scholar who was mentored by Tolkien. Burchfield studied at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he was tutored by Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Burchfield would go on to develop a Tolkien-like fascination with linguistics and would become the editor of the Supplement…
Price: $75,000.00 Item Number: 134590
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First Edition of H.G. Wells' The First Men in the Moon; In the Exceptionally Rare Dust Jacket
WELLS, H.G.
The First Men in the Moon.
London: George Newnes, Limited, 1901.
First edition, first issue binding of Wells’ classic work. Octavo, original cloth, 12 plates by Claude Shepperson. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of shelfwear. Exceptionally rare in the original dust jacket, especially in this condition.
Price: $72,000.00 Item Number: 124595
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“The object of the artist is the creation of the beautiful. What the beautiful is is another question": First Edition of James Joyce’s Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man; In the rare original dust jacket
JOYCE, James.
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
New York: Huebsch, 1916.
First edition of Joyce’s classic stream-of-consciousness work, his first novel, in the exceptionally rare dust jacket. Octavo, original blue cloth with titles to the spine in gilt. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with small chips and wear to the extremities. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare especially in this condition, without any of the usual restoration usually encountered.
Price: $72,000.00 Item Number: 129144
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Exceptionally rare first English edition of Mark Twain's The Gilded Age
TWAIN, Mark and Charles Dudley Warner. [Samuel L. Clemens].
The Gilded Age: A Novel.
London: George Routledge and Sons, 1874.
First English edition of the rarest of Mark Twain's works: the only novel he wrote with a collaborator and the book that gave the era its name in history. Octavo, three volumes, original publishers green cloth, gilt titles to the spine, illustrated. The only multi-volume work Clemens produced, except for the two-volume Tramp Abroad (London, 1880), the first English edition of The Gilded Age is the rarest of Mark Twain's major works and the most difficult to obtain. Its rarity is due largely to its format, three volume sets were quite expensive and were produced almost solely for circulating libraries…
Price: $65,000.00 Item Number: 133018
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"It is not down on any map; true places never are": Rare First Edition Of Herman Melville's Moby Dick
MELVILLE, Herman.
Moby Dick; Or, The Whale.
New York: Harper & Brothers, 1851.
First edition, first issue binding, with the circular Harper's device of Melville's masterpiece. Octavo, original purple-brown cloth (BAL's A grain), covers stamped in blind with the publisher's circular device at the center within a heavy blind rule frame, original orange-coated endpapers. Of the 2,951 copies printed, 125 were review copies. About 1,500 sold in 11 days, but then sales slowed to less than 300 the next year. After two years copies of the first edition were still available, and almost 300 were destroyed in the 1853 fire of Harper's warehouse. In near fine condition with some of the usual light…
Price: $65,000.00 Item Number: 99735
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"If you liked The Great Gatsby, for God's sake read this. Gatsby was a tour de force but this is a confession of faith": First Edition of Tender Is the Night; Inscribed by F. Scott Fitzgerald
FITZGERALD, F. Scott.
Tender Is The Night. A Romance. Decorations by Edward Shenton.
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1934.
First edition of the work which Fitzgerald considered to be his finest. Octavo, original green cloth. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "For the unknown, unmet parents of Clare (note: double underlined). Knowing her, I hope you will find something to like in this present. Best wishes, F. Scott Fitzgerald." A very good example with some wear to the crown and foot of the spine, extremities of the cloth in a very good unrestored first issue dust jacket that has some rubbing and wear. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell and chemise case.
Price: $62,000.00 Item Number: 3071
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“Nothing is so indecent that it cannot be said to another person if the proper words are used to convey it": Rare First Edition in English of Boccaccio's Decameron
BOCCACCIO, Giovanni.
The Decameron.
London: Isaac Jaggard, 1620.
First edition in English of Boccaccio's masterpiece, published by Jaggard published three years prior to his printing of the Shakespeare First Folio. Boccaccio's masterpiece. Folio, 2 volumes, bound in full morocco by Riviere, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, all edges gilt, errata leaf at end of volume one, B1 is a cancellans, woodcut titles each with 6 vignettes, 98 woodcut vignettes in text chiefly repeating the title vignettes, woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces. In near fine condition. First editions are rare.
Price: $60,000.00 Item Number: 128726
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FIRST EDITION OF IAN FLEMING’S GOLDFINGER; INSCRIBED BY HIM TO HIS REAL LIFE MISS MONEYPENNY
FLEMING, Ian.
Goldfinger.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1959.
First edition of the seventh novel in Ian Fleming's James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Una, who again wrote the whole thing! from Ian Fleming." The recipient, Una Trueblood, whose surname was later appropriated by Fleming for the character of Mary Trueblood in Dr. No. Una started working in 1948 at Kemsley Newspapers and The Sunday Times where she was soon appointed secretary to Ian Fleming, where he worked throughout the 1950s. She recalled that Fleming "always said he only wrote Casino Royale, the first Bond book,…
Price: $60,000.00 Item Number: 133728
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“What does the brain matter compared with the heart?”: First Edition of Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway; In the Rare Original Dust Jacket
WOOLF, Virginia.
Mrs Dalloway.
London: Hogarth Press, 1925.
First edition of one of Woolf's best-known novels, one of only 2000 copies. Octavo, original orange cloth. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with some light wear to the extremities. From the library of Virginia bibliophile and historian Christopher Clark Geest with his bookplate to the pastedown. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional example, scarce and desirable in the original dust jacket and in this condition.
Price: $56,000.00 Item Number: 99750
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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 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 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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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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"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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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 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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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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"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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"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
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“Danger, like a third man, was standing in the room": First edition of From Russia, With Love; inscribed by Ian Fleming
FLEMING, Ian.
From Russia, With Love.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1957.
First edition, first state of the fifth James Bond novel and what Fleming considered one of his best books and listed in Life magazine as one of US President John F. Kennedy's top ten favorite books. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, gilt rose and gun emblem to the front panel. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Dan from Ian Fleming." Near fine in a near fine price-clipped first issue dust jacket. Jacket design by Richard Chopping. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Uncommon signed.
Price: $48,000.00 Item Number: 131400
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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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“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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“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