Catalog 162, L-M
98. LEARY, Timothy. Joyful Wisdom, Programs 1 and 2. Hollywood: Joyful Wisdom, 1977. Two long-playing albums (LPs): a promotional set offering the Timothy Leary/Gabriel Wisdom radio program to local markets. The first program/LP features guests Grace Slick and Lindsay Wagner, with music by Jefferson Starship, Cat Stevens, the Steve Miller Band, and others; the second program features Doctor Bronner, Lonnie Liston-Smith and Jimmy "J.J." Walker, with music and performances by Pink Floyd, Smith, the Bonzo Dog Band, the Wailers, Firesign Theater and others. The packet includes the two LPs; program notes with timing; press releases; publicity photo of Leary and Wisdom; and a "proof of performance" affidavit. With original mailing box (labeled for mailing to a radio station). All items fine. OCLC locates only two copies of the "Joyful Wisdom" program, both consisting only of one LP, comprising Program #1. No examples of a second disk or of Program #2 are listed, let alone the ephemeral items or the box. Similarly, the only examples we encountered among sales or auctions of collectable records were for Program #1, again without anything beyond the record and its sleeve. A scarce artifact of one of the many post-1960s media counterculture projects by Leary, who ventured into other media, including software, before he died.
99. LE CARRÉ, John. The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. (London): Penguin (2013) First thus: the fiftieth anniversary edition of Le Carré's third book, the definitive Cold War novel, which brought a new level of realism to the spy novel genre. Le Carré's novels eventually elevated the spy genre itself to the realm of literature, with espionage becoming a metaphor for the quest for truth in any context. Signed by Le Carré and with a new Afterword by him. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
100. LE CLEZIO, J.M.G. The Prospector. Boston: Godine/Verba Mundi (1993). The first American edition of this novel by the winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize for Literature. Signed by the author on the half title. With the 1993 signature of Greg Gatenby, director of Toronto's annual International Festival of Authors, on the front flyleaf. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
101. (LEE, Harper). The Corolla, 1947 and 1948. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama, 1947-1948. Two volumes of the yearbook of the University of Alabama, where Harper Lee studied law between 1945 and 1949. The 1947 Corolla shows Lee as editor of the humor magazine Rammer Jammer; sitting on the Board of Publications; voted one of the "campus personalities"; pictured as a student of law; and as a member of Chi Omega and of Triangle, an honor society of seniors who guide freshmen. In all, at least a half dozen pictures of Lee. Wear to the edges, rubbing to the joints; near fine. The 1948 Corolla pictures Lee only as a campus personality: before completing her degree requirements, Lee left law school for New York City, where she worked as an airline reservations clerk (and wrote To Kill A Mockingbird). From Lee's campus newspaper, as quoted in the book Harper Lee by Kerry Madden: "[Lee] is a traditional and impressive figure as she strides down the corridor of New Hall at all hours attired in men's green striped pajamas. Quite frequently she passes out candy to unsuspecting freshman; when she emerges from their rooms they have subscribed to the Rammer Jammer." Check marks in text; board edges worn; very good. For both:
102. LEVERTOV, Denise. Overland to the Islands. Highlands: Jonathan Williams, 1958. The "Author's Edition" of this early collection of poetry, her fourth book, printed as Jargon 19. One of 50 copies, of a total edition of 500. While this edition is called for to be signed by Levertov on the front flap of the dust jacket, this copy lacks its jacket and is instead inscribed by Levertov with "love" on the first blank. Fine in plain white wrappers.
103. LIN, Tao. Richard Yates, plus Interview. Brooklyn: Melville House (2010). The second novel by the author of the recent Taipei, published in softcover only, signed by Lin with a cross-shaped bug doodle, his bug doodle signature motif being not uncommon. Laid in is the publisher's "Rumpus" interview with Lin, asking about his writing process, his inspiration, his synopsis, and the book's autobiographical elements; the verso has tour dates and blurbs about earlier books. The interview is folded in half, and is inscribed by Lin and signed "tao." Also together with, for no concrete reason, a Snapfish postcard printout of Lin's 2008 image "Panda Crying for No Concrete Reason." A nice collection of materials by a writer who has been called "a Kafka for the iPhone generation."
104. (LIN, Tao). The Stranger. (Seattle): (The Stranger)(2010). A September issue of Seattle's alternative weekly newspaper, with a cover story on Lin parodying the Time magazine "Great American Novelist" cover story on Jonathan Franzen that appeared the previous month. Signed by Lin on the cover, with an added "666" to his forehead. Also included is a clipped version of the following week's Stranger, with comments from readers who didn't get the joke. The issue is folded in half, else fine.
105. LOPEZ, Barry. Arctic Dreams. NY: Scribner (1986). His National Book Award-winning study on the Arctic, inscribed by Lopez to another writer in the field, "with great pleasure and a sense of camaraderie" and signed "Barry." Dated in May of the year of publication; the book was published in March. Arctic Dreams, subtitled "Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape," redefined the field of nature writing, incorporating not only the objective and scientific dimension of the natural world but also history and what might be called the "human dimension" -- the "imagination and desire" of the subtitle. A landmark book, and an excellent literary association between two of the most highly regarded writers in the field. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.
106. LOPEZ, Barry. Crossing Open Ground. NY: Scribner (1988). A collection of essays on "the bond between mankind and the land and man's heartbreaking betrayal of [it]." Again, inscribed by the author to a fellow writer, "your support has made my road easier, my life richer - in simple gratitude" and signed "Barry." Dated in Lopez's home town, in February of the year of publication. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with a short snag at the front spine fold. A very nice inscription and association.
107. (LOPEZ, Barry). The Blaze of Distance. (Newport): (Oregon Coast Council for the Arts)(1979). A book of interviews and poems featuring three writers: Lopez, Helen Adams, and Robert Hass. Signed by Lopez at the start of his interview. His included prose poem, "The Conversation," was first published in Desert Notes. Sunning to the spine; near fine in printed wrappers. Uncommon, especially signed.
108. MAMET, David. Some Freaks. (NY): Viking (1989). His second collection of essays, on themes artistic and autobiographical. Inscribed by the author in 1990 "with all best wishes and thank you for putting up with my theories on education over dinner." This precedes his controversial Stanford talk on the evils of higher education by almost two decades. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
109. MANNING, Olivia. Friends and Heroes. London: Heinemann (1965). The uncorrected proof copy of the last volume in her Balkan Trilogy, which Anthony Burgess called "the finest fictional account of the [Second World] war produced by a British writer." Slanted and spine-tanned, with rubbing at the folds and small creases at the corners; very good in wrappers.
110. MARTEL, Yann. Life of Pi. (Toronto): Knopf Canada (2001). The true first edition of his surprise Booker Prize winning novel, published in Canada in a printing reported to be 5000 copies. Signed by the author. Filmed by Ang Lee, who won an Academy Award, one of four the film received. Faint smudge to lower edge of text block (not a remainder mark, more like a tiger print); else fine in a fine dust jacket.
111. MARTIN, Valerie. Love. Amherst: Lynx House Press, 1977. The first book, a collection of stories, by the author of Mary Reilly and The Great Divorce, among others. Warmly inscribed by the author to another writer, her teacher: "For ___/ Don't forget me. [Love] Valerie." An uncommon small press volume: this edition was only issued in wrappers; this title was re-issued in 1999 by Lost Horse Press, and then brought out in the U.K. in a hardcover edition in 2005 after Martin's novel Property won the Orange Prize. Near fine.
112. (MATHER, Margrethe and KAEL, Pauline). JUSTEMA, William. Typescript of Margrethe Mather, the Life of a Unique Photographer. 1983. A copy of Justema's typescript for his book that was at the least slated to be published in 1984 by Hastings House, although we've seen no evidence that it was; regardless, likely a re-worked text from his 1979 publication by the University of Arizona's Center for Creative Photography. Here with Justema's holograph corrections and inscribed by Justema to Pauline Kael: "this copy for Pauline Kael/ from Billy J./ March 1, 1984." Also laid in is a 1979 invitation to an opening reception for a 1979 Mather exhibit, with an ad for the earlier Justema publication, also inscribed from Justema to Kael, saying he wishes it would be possible for her to come to the party and that "the best news I've heard in a long time is that you will eventually be writing again for The New Yorker." The invitation is folded and mildly foxed, with two pages of publicity information attached; the typescript is fine in an Acco binder, with handwritten title label to cover.
113. MATHESON, Richard. Someone is Bleeding. NY: Lion Books (1953). His first book, a paperback original. Inscribed by the author. Matheson, author of Bid Time Return, Born of Man and Woman, I Am Legend and many others, was also one of the most important script writers for the groundbreaking television series "The Twilight Zone." Ray Bradbury called Matheson "one of the most important writers of the 20th century," and Stephen King cited him as "the author who most influenced me as a writer." Matheson received a World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1984, a Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Horror Writers Association in 1991, and was elected to the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2010. He died in 2013. This copy is from the library of horror writer Stanley Wiater and has his stamp inside the front cover. Small insect hole to foredge; creasing to covers; text block pulling; only a good copy in wrappers. An important first book, published by a legendary pulp paperback publisher, which also published original works by such now-classic authors as Jim Thompson and David Goodis, in addition to Matheson. Uncommon, especially signed.
114. MATHESON, Richard. I Am Legend. NY: Gold Medal Books (1954). Perhaps his most famous book, a paperback original that preceded the hardcover publication by 16 years. Basis for the 1964 Vincent Price movie The Last Man on Earth, the 1971 film The Omega Man with Charlton Heston, and the 2007 film I Am Legend, starring Will Smith. It was also reportedly an important influence on George Romero's Night of the Living Dead and on Soylent Green. One of the defining novels of the post-apocalyptic horror genre, and named one of the 100 Best Horror Novels. Signed by the author. Age toning to the pages and creasing near the spine; a very good copy in wrappers. Stamp of horror writer Stanley Wiater inside the front cover. A major novel by an important author, uncommon in the original edition, and especially so signed.
115. MATHESON, Richard. Ride the Nightmare. NY: Ballantine Books (1959). Another early novel by Matheson, also a paperback original. This was adapted as an episode of the Alfred Hitchcock Hour on television in 1962, and later made into the 1970 film starring Charles Bronson and Liv Ullman. Signed by the author. Stamp of writer Stanley Wiater inside the front cover; near fine in wrappers.
116. MATHESON, Richard Christian. Scars and Other Distinguishing Marks. Los Angeles: Scream, 1986. The World Fantasy Convention Edition. Foreword by Stephen King. Inscribed by Matheson to horror writer Stanley Wiater: "For Stan, and making a mark that feels good. Thanks for the support & faith. Your pal, R.C." With Wiater's Gahan Wilson-designed bookplate inside the front cover. Bottom inch of half title (with inscription) detaching, else near fine in wrappers. An uncommon edition signed, and a nice association.
117. McPHEE, John. A Sense of Where You Are. NY: FSG (1965). The first book by this Pulitzer Prize-winning author, a profile of former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley done at the time when Bradley was a Princeton basketball player and Rhodes scholar. Inscribed by McPhee to Larry Bohrer, "who, in 1949, studied basketball in the way that I would have to do in 1964. I hope I learned half as much. Every best wish to you and Ruth, John McPhee/ October 23, 1965." Bohrer was a basketball coach and chemistry teacher at Deerfield Academy, from which McPhee graduated in 1949, and which featured prominently in McPhee's second book, The Headmaster. A near fine copy in a very good dust jacket with shallow edge chipping and some of the usual fading to the red spine. An excellent contemporary inscription on McPhee's first book, perhaps the best we have seen.
118. McPHEE, John. Basin and Range. NY: FSG (1981). Basin and Range was the first of McPhee's books on geology, which eventually led to his winning the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction for Annals of the Former World, which included the text of this book and four others. Inscribed by the author: "For Professor ___ ___/ a book about -- among other things, a Princeton professor of rocks/ with thanks for your help/ John McPhee." The recipient was an expert in earthquakes and structural engineering and on the Princeton faculty for seven years. Dusty top edge, else fine in a very near fine dust jacket with just a few tiny edge nicks.
119. McPHEE, John. Autograph Letter Signed and Rising from the Plains. 1988. A full-page letter by McPhee, written on New Yorker stationery, to a reader who had apparently seen McPhee's work in the New Yorker and wanted to know if he had written any books. McPhee, who by 1988 had had twenty books published, is generous in his response, which reads, in part: "Thanks ever so much for your letter and the honor it accorded me. I am touched, indeed, and grateful. The one-to-one partnership of writer and reader is what the whole enterprise is about, and a letter like yours is the most valuable of rewards. Yes, there have been books...All in print in hardcover and paperback..." McPhee includes a copy of his latest, Rising from the Plains, and points to the list of his publications included therein (only 19 of the 20 are listed; the John McPhee Reader is omitted). The copy of Rising from the Plains [NY: FSG (1986)] is included here. Both the letter and the book are signed, "John McPhee." The book includes a promotional bookmark and is fine in a very near fine dust jacket with just a tiny crimp to the crown; the letter (approximately 100 words) is folded in thirds to fit into the book and is otherwise fine. Rising from the Plains was the third book in what became McPhee's Pulitzer Prize winning collection, Annals of the Former World. A nice glimpse of McPhee's graciousness, an analogue to the gracefulness of his prose in this and other writings.
120. McPHERSON, James Alan. Hue and Cry. Boston: Little Brown (1969). The first book by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Elbow Room, who is on the permanent faculty of the Iowa Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa. Inscribed by McPherson to the former President of the University of Iowa: "For Jim Freedman, Friend. With love, Jim McPherson." Fine in a near fine, price-clipped dust jacket with light rubbing and one small externally tape-mended edge tear. McPherson is an extremely private author, and books signed or inscribed by him are uncommon.
121. (MITCHELL, Margaret). A Tribute to Margaret Mitchell. (Atlanta): (Trust Company of Georgia)[c. 1950]. A presentation of the case for adding an oil portrait of Mitchell, posthumously, to the collection of portraits of illustrious Georgians gracing the main banking room of the Trust Company of Georgia. Reproduction of the painting tipped in, featuring Mitchell at her writing desk, with a copy of the Czech language edition of Gone With the Wind in the background. Folio, folded to make four pages; faint creasing; near fine. The campaign was a success: the unveiling was held in 1950; Mitchell died in 1949.
122. (MOODY, Rick). 5 x 5 Singles Club, Primal Primer 1. Allston: Primal Publishing (1997). A small booklet collecting stories by four writers: Moody, Eileen Myles, Michael McInnis and Laurie Weeks, plus photographs by Suara Welitoff. Moody's contribution, "Wilkie Ridgeway Fahnstock, the Boxed Set," was later collected in Demonology and is a short story in the form of liner notes and track listings for a boxed set of music, somewhat similar to Moody's earlier "story" Surplus Value Books, which took the form of a fictitious rare book catalog. 4" x 5 1/4." Near fine in wrappers. Uncommon.
123. MORRIS, Wright. Ceremony in Lone Tree. NY: Atheneum, 1960. The recalled first issue of Morris' novel, which was a finalist for the National Book Award. This copy survived being pulped as it was sent out for review in advance of publication: review slip laid in, along with a typed note signed by the publicity director stating that the entire edition is being rebound owing to uneven stamping of the gold leaf on the spine. Apart from the issue point of the stamping, this is a fine copy in a very good dust jacket with a 2" triangular chip and a longer closed tear to the lower edge of the rear panel. An uncommon item that embodies a small bit of publishing and bibliographic history.
124. (MORRISON, Toni). The Black Book. NY: Random House (1974). A compendium of articles, photographs, letters and other miscellanea, chronicling 300 years of black history in the U.S.: created and compiled by Morrison in her position as senior editor at Random House. Morrison is uncredited in this first edition, but she contributed both a foreword and a preface to the 35th anniversary edition: that 2009 preface, a poem credited to Morrison, appears here as the jacket flap copy of this first edition. Large quarto, this is the hardcover issue, and is very good in a near fine, supplied dust jacket with a small corner crease to the front flap and a tape shadow over the "A" in the spine title. A scarce book in the cloth issue, possibly because the "perfect binding" mitigated against many of them surviving over the years and because publishers at the time were experimenting with simultaneous softcover publication, with the majority of books headed to bookstores in the softcover format, while the hardcovers were largely targeted at libraries. The dust jacket is especially prone to wear and is rare. Although Morrison herself goes uncredited, her parents, George Carl and Ramah Wofford, are listed as contributors on the Acknowledgments page. Reportedly, it was while working on this book that Morrison encountered the story of Margaret Garner, which inspired her Pulitzer Prize winning novel Beloved. An early project in the career of the Nobel Prize-winning author, published the month before her second book, Sula.