Catalog 125, J-K
199. JAMES, Henry. The Awkward Age. NY: Harper & Brothers, 1899. The first American edition, first issue, one of 1000 copies (half the size of the British edition). Small bookstore label front pastedown; rear hinge cracking; rubbing to corners; very good, lacking the dust jacket.
200. JENNINGS, Maureen. Except the Dying. NY: St. Martin's (1997). Her well-received first novel, a mystery set in Toronto in 1895 that was nominated for an Anthony Award. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
201. JUNGER, Sebastian. Fire. NY: Norton (2001). The advance reading copy of this book by the author of The Perfect Storm. Fine in wrappers.
202. KELLER, Helen. Typed Letter Signed. September 22 [1902]. Written to Mr. [William V.] Alexander, editor of Ladies Home Journal, who had requested a series of articles from Keller that were later published as The Story of My Life. Keller humbly thanks Alexander for payment for the last article; in part: "I only wish I could have made the story of my life more worthy of the generous praise it has received... It has meant a great deal in my life, and in Miss Sullivan's too -- the thought of the happiness that she says my compliance with your request has brought her is sweeter even than the thought of the kindness shown me in the letters that come constantly from old friends long silent and new friends whose words go to the heart..." Two 5" x 8" pages, typed with blue ribbon and signed "Helen Keller." A very early letter by Keller, preceding her first book, with exceptionally good content about the importance of her writing in her life. Fine.
203. KELLER, Helen. Optimism. NY: Crowell, 1903. Her first book, preceding The Story of My Life. Signed by the author. Slight foxing to prelims; small dampstaining to lower rear board; near fine, without dust jacket. Uncommon signed.
204. KELLER, Helen. The Story of My Life. NY: Doubleday, Page, 1903. Her most famous book, an autobiography and inspirational story of her overcoming the handicap of her deafness and blindness. Keller altered the perception of the disabled forever, and her story showed that those with even severe disabilities are not only fully human, with all that that entails, but able to live rich and productive lives. Signed by the author and dated May 14th, 1903. Front hinge starting; cloth rubbed at edges and folds; a very good copy, lacking the dust jacket. A somewhat uncommon book in the first edition these days, and exceedingly scarce signed, and especially signed in the year of publication.
205. -. Same title, later edition. NY: Doubleday, 1947. Inscribed by the author: "To/ Dr. C.B. Powell/ whose inward-lighted/ personality is a-/mong the unquench-/able beacons that/ shall lead his people/ along the highway/ of civilization and/ peace./ Cordially,/ Helen Keller." Dr. Powell's bookplate front pastedown; else fine in a fair dust jacket split along the front spine fold and with multiple edge chips, with both internal and external tape repairs. An important association copy: Dr. C. B. Powell was a prominent African-American physician who at one time owned the Amsterdam News, an important African-American newspaper. The former Freedmen's Hospital in Washington, D. C., one of the first hospitals for African-Americans, was renamed the C. B. Powell Building as a part of Howard University, the first college established for the slaves freed after the Civil War. Keller's inscription clearly indicates her recognition of Dr. Powell's importance as a Black leader.
206. -. Same title, first (?) French edition. Histoire de ma Vie. Paris: Payot & Cie, 1915 (1916). Signed by the author in pencil beneath the frontispiece photograph. Wrappers laminated; a very good copy. The title page states 1915; the cover of the book states 1916. A non-authorial gift inscription gives the book to a young girl for "when she is older" and relates the circumstances surrounding Keller's signing of the volume in 1950. Uncommon.
207. KELLER, Helen. Our Duties to the Blind. Boston: Thomas Todd, 1904. Sixteen-page booklet printing Keller's paper presented at the first annual meeting of the Massachusetts Association for Promoting the Interests of the Adult Blind. 3 1/2" x 6 1/4". Her third book. Fine in stapled wrappers.
208. KELLER, Helen. The Spirit of Easter. Boston: The Youth's Companion (1904). An early publication by Keller, and quite scarce. Stringbound in cardstock covers. Pages and covers splitting slightly from the top; near fine.
209. KELLER, Helen. The Song of the Stone Wall. NY: The Century Co., 1910. A book of inspirational poetry by Keller, illustrated with numerous photogravures of her, often beside a stone wall. Inscribed by the author: "to Mr Carryl/ With pleasant/ [remembrance]/ of an interesting/ call and lovely/ fragrant roses/ in my study/ window/ Sincerely yours/ Helen Keller/ Wrentham Massachusetts/ Wrentham Dec. 16, 1915." 3 1/2" chip to lower spine (laid in) and cracking to front joint; a good copy, without dust jacket. Attractively produced, this copy being a candidate for repair, and scarce with an early, full page inscription by the author.
210. KELLER, Helen. Midstream. My Later Life. Garden City: Doubleday Doran, 1929. Inscribed by the author: "To President Hibben/ With a shining memory of/ an evening at Princeton./ It is a pleasure to sign my/ name in this book as/ Faithfully his Friend/ Helen Keller/ December/ 1929." A nice association copy: John Grier Hibben was the President of Princeton University for 20 years, from 1912-1932. Keller typically signed her books with her name and a short, cordial greeting -- "Very sincerely yours" or "With cordial good wishes" -- and full-page inscriptions such as this are quite uncommon. Cracking to the front hinge and joint and fraying at spine extremities; spine and edge-faded cloth; a good copy, lacking the dust jacket.
211. -. Another copy. Inscribed by the author: "to Mary B. Cleveland/ who like the candle gives/ her life to make light/ for others./ With every good wish/ from/ Helen Keller/ and/ [in Macy's hand] Anne Sullivan Macy/ December/ 1929." Sunning to full spine; tear to upper spine; water damage to lower spine and lower outer page corners; text block shaken. A fair copy only, lacking the dust jacket, but an excellent inscription in the year of publication and especially significant with the addition of Macy's signature: Macy (Anne Sullivan) was Helen Keller's teacher from the age of seven, and the person most responsible for Keller's remarkable progress in overcoming the limitations of her blindness and deafness, helping her to cultivate her aspirations and achieve the greatness that made her a hero worldwide and one of the most important American women of the 20th century.
212. KELLER, Helen. The World I Live In. London: Methuen, 1938. Later edition. Inscribed by the author: "To dear Nancy Hamilton/ To whose beautiful/ imagination my/ world has whispered/ its happy secret./ Affectionately/ Helen Keller/ July 4th, 1941." An excellent association copy: Hamilton produced the film version of Keller's biography, which won an Oscar in 1956 for best documentary. The inscription suggests that as early as 1941, Keller recognized Hamilton's particular affinity and sympathy. Small spots to foredge; spine faded with a small surface chip at crown; still a very good copy, lacking the dust jacket.
213. KELLER, Helen. Helen Keller's Journal, 1936-1937. Garden City: Doubleday, Doran, 1938. Inscribed by the author: "For Mr. and Mrs. Bekian/ whose nation survives/ because it has confid-/ence in God./ Cordially/ Helen Keller/ April 26th 1938." Slight bowing to boards; else fine in a very good, spine-faded dust jacket with wear at the edges and rubbing to the folds. An uncommon book, especially with a significant inscription by the author.
214. KELLER, Helen. Autograph. 1938. Signed "Helen Keller" on an envelope that has been canceled in Helen, W. VA. and in Keller, VA. A small photo of Keller is affixed. The stamps used honor Susan B. Anthony and Virginia Dare. Envelope gently opened on verso; else fine. Unusual, possibly unique.
215. KELLER, Helen. Let Us Have Faith. NY: Doubleday, Doran, 1940. Inscribed by the author to noted stage actress Katharine Cornell: "To dear Katharine Cornell/ who sanctifies the drama/ as a path for stumbling/ feet to faith/ Lovingly [unsigned]/ December 4th 1940." A remarkable association copy: Cornell was a star of the theater for over 30 years, and was often referred to as the First Lady of the American theater. She narrated the Academy Award-winning documentary film of Keller's life. Spine and edge-sunned; near fine in a very good, rubbed dust jacket with a price inked in on the front flap.
216. KELLER, Helen. Teacher. Anne Sullivan Macy. Garden City: Doubleday, 1955. A complimentary copy, with publisher's slip laid in. Inscribed by the author: "To dear/ Katharine Cornell,/ Whose loving insight/ has received and el-/oquently interpreted/ the message of Teacher's/ life./ Affectionately/ Helen Keller/ October 3rd, 1955." Cornell narrated the award-winning documentary film of Keller's life, which was released the year this book was published, presumably the interpretation that Keller is alluding to in the inscription. Small bumps to upper and lower boards and nicked lower pages; near fine in a very good dust jacket with heavy rubbing to the spine extremities and front flap fold.
217. KELLER, Helen. Calling Card. No date. Printed "Miss Helen Keller." 3 3/4" x 3". Fine.
218. KELLER, Helen. Christmas Card. Undated. Printed: "May the Heaven in your heart/ overflow into your life this blessed Christmas!/ Affectionately/ Helen Keller/ Polly Thomson." 6 1/2" x 4 1/4". White with red and brown border. Unsigned. Fine. Thomson was Keller's secretary and longtime companion, accompanying her on all her public appearances and worldwide travels.
219. KELLER, Helen and THOMSON, Polly. Autographs. Undated. Signed "Helen Keller" and additionally signed "Polly Thomson." 6 5/8"x 7 1/8". Fine.
220. KELLER, Helen. Autograph. Undated. Signed "Helen Adams Keller" on a signature line above typed name. 7 1/8" x 2 7/8", folded at edges not affecting signature. Erased from underneath: "Deaf dumb, blind grad of Radcliff Coll." Rare: Keller seldom signed her full name; this is the only example we've seen or heard of.
221. (KELLER, Helen). Program for Happiness. (Iowa City): [New Theatre] [c. 1914-1916]. Program for "The Most Remarkable Lecture Ever Given" as delivered by Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan Macy. Annotation on the front cover gives the location as the New Theatre and the date as May 12th; this lecture was also given at the Palace Theater in Vinton in January, 1916. The program includes a preview of the evening and a brief account of the Keller-Sullivan story. Four pages. Foxed, edgetorn, tape-repaired; very good. A scarce, ephemeral piece for one of Keller's early talks.
222. (KELLER, Helen). Publicity Pamphlet for Deliverance. Chicago: George Kleine Motion Pictures [1918]. Four page promotional release for the three-act, seven reel photoplay directed by George Foster Platt. Scenes from the film; early reviews; cast of characters. Deliverance was the first movie made about Keller's life, a combination drama and documentary. In the third act, Keller plays herself, as do Anne Sullivan Macy and Polly Thomson. In later years, Keller was reportedly embarrassed by the amateurish and heavy-handed effort, and indeed several remarkable movies were later made about Keller, including Nancy Hamilton's award-winning documentary and Irving Penn's multiple Oscar-winning The Miracle Worker, as well as various remakes of the Penn movie and one sequel. Interestingly, and an indication of Keller's commitment to social causes and social justice, Keller refused to cross the picket lines of the striking Actors' Equity Union to attend the opening of Deliverance. A scarce, ephemeral piece. Fine.
223. (KELLER, Helen). Double Blossoms. NY: Lewis Copeland, 1931. Second edition, revised. An anthology of tributes to Keller by Clarence Darrow, Robert Frost, Countee Cullen, James Weldon Johnson, W.E.B. DuBois, Witter Bynner, Langston Hughes, Rabindranath Tagore and many others. Inscribed by Keller: "To: Rollin Kirby/ with every good wish/ Helen Keller." A significant association copy: Rollin Kirby was the three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist for the New York World and a strong sympathizer of women's suffrage, also contributing cartoons to the Women Voter and Suffragist. Braille word or name in upper corner of flyleaf; darkening to endpages; fading to spine cloth and rubbing to board edges; very good, lacking the dust jacket.
224. (KELLER, Helen). GARRATT, Geoffrey T. Mussolini's Roman Empire. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill (1938). Inscribed by Keller: "To Dr Ira Hinsdale/ from his two friends/ Helen Keller/ September 26th 1938." Also signed by Polly Thomson. Near fine, lacking the dust jacket. Keller's return address (not in her hand) laid in.
225. (KELLER, Helen). MANN, Thomas. This Peace. NY: Knopf, 1938. Inscribed by Keller: "To Mr Hogan/ with the unfaltering/ faith that true peace/ will at last reign/ on earth./ Cordially/ Helen Keller/ Christmas, 1938." Acidification to endpapers; rubbing to boards; near fine in a fair, spine-faded dust jacket chipped at the heel and threatening to split along both spine folds.
226. (KELLER, Helen). BLAXALL, Arthur William. Helen Keller Under the Southern Cross. Cape Town/Johannesburg: Juta & Co., 1952. An account of Keller's visit to South Africa. With an introduction by Alan Paton. Inscribed by Blaxall and signed by Helen Keller and Polly Thomson on a partial sheet mounted to the front pastedown. Near fine in a good dust jacket with several edge chips, one internally tape-mended, and one chip at mid-spine.
227. KINSELLA, W.P. Shoeless Joe. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1982. His highly praised, much-loved first novel, winner of a Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship Award and basis for the award-winning movie Field of Dreams. A North American magical realist baseball novel, with J.D. Salinger as a character. Signed by the author. Trace foxing to board edges; else fine in a fine dust jacket.
228. KNOWLES, John. A Separate Peace. NY: Macmillan, 1960. Unbound signatures of the first American edition of Knowles's landmark first novel, a coming-of-age story that won the first William Faulkner Foundation award for best first novel as well as the Rosenthal Award from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, given for a work of fiction that, while not being a commercial success, was nonetheless a "substantial literary achievement." Knowles's book became a standard on campus reading lists for nearly a generation, as it depicted accurately and compassionately the conflicts faced by adolescents coming of age at a time when the struggle between conforming to society and being true to oneself were being thrown into sharp relief. The first printing of the trade edition has been estimated at 3000 copies, and these unbound sheets -- typically called "f&g's," or folded and gathered sheets -- are typically done in tiny numbers, a half dozen or so. It is well within the realm of possibility that this is the only surviving example of this advance state of the book. Publication date stamped on title page. Fine, laid into a very good, foxed, price-clipped and edgeworn dust jacket.
229. KOSINSKI, Jerzy. The Painted Bird. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1965. The author's highly praised first novel, a powerful tale of a young Polish boy trapped during German occupation in World War II, and the brutalities that traumatize his childhood. This is the first issue, with an extraneous line at the top of page 270. Front hinge repaired, otherwise fine in a fine dust jacket with the barest hint of tanning to the spine and probably the nicest copy we have ever handled.
230. -. Another copy. Inscribed by the author: "To/ Martha Otterson -/ with friendship and admiration/ Jerzy Kosinski/ New York, October 1, 1965." Also the first issue, although the extraneous line on page 270 has been crossed out. Faint water line rear cover and slight fading to board edges; near fine in a very good, price-clipped dust jacket with a couple small edge chips and some blended dampstaining to the rear panel.
231. KUNDERA, Milan. The Book of Laughter and Forgetting. NY: Knopf, 1980. The first American edition. Fine in a fine dust jacket.