E-list # 150

NY, Vintage Books, (2000). Matthiessen's own copy of this trade paperback original collecting more than thirty years of his nonfiction. Nearly two dozen pages marked by Matthiessen, with brackets, arrows, or hatch lines, in six different chapters of the book, including a number of passages marked for deletion, although the context of such revision is unclear. A very good copy in wrappers. [#032385] SOLD

NY, Viking, (1978). A second printing of his first National Book Award winner, which recounts a trip to the Himalayas with naturalist George Schaller in the hopes both of encountering a snow leopard in the wild and of coming to terms with his wife's recent death from cancer. From Matthiessen's own library and with more than a dozen passages marked in pen by Matthiessen, all having to do with the porter and camp assistant Tuktken. There are a couple of other passages marked in pencil, with page notations in the prelims. Rear blank excised, else a very good copy, lacking the dust jacket. [#032371] SOLD

Boston, Twayne, (1991). A short critical biography in Twayne's United States Authors Series. Inscribed by the author to the subject, Peter Matthiessen: "For Peter, Interpretation is the sincerest form of admiration. Keep writing, Bill Dowie." Fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#032418] SOLD

Canoga Park, Orirana Press, (1979). A bibliography of Matthiessen's writings, covering the first 28 years of his writing career. One of 2000 copies. This copy is from the library of Peter Matthiessen, with Matthiessen's ownership signature on the front flyleaf. Near fine, with addendum slip laid in. [#032407] SOLD

Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Press, (1976). The second collection by this African-American poet and the first book in the Sagittarius Poetry Series, which was designed to publish "outstanding but commercially 'awkward' volumes" of poetry. Warmly inscribed by the author to another poet and his wife in 1977. Fine in a spine- and edge-sunned, near fine dust jacket. Preface by John Gardner. [#020408] $30

(NY), (I. Reed Books), (1979). The first book by this acclaimed African-American poet. Inscribed by the author to another poet in 1981. Read, rubbed; near fine in wrappers. [#023005] SOLD

Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press, (1994). The hardcover issue of this collection of stories. Inscribed by McGarry to Robert Stone and his wife: "A taste of the R.I. mainland. We're going to miss you." Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#027666] $20

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. [#022057] SOLD

Bloomington, Indiana University Press, (1970). The poet's first book. Inscribed by the author to another poet in the year of publication "with love and best wishes, Sandy." Recipient's handmade bookplate on front flyleaf. Near fine, with various portions of the dust jacket clipped and pasted on the boards and endpages. [#022758] $40

NY, Ecco Press, (1983). The hardcover issue. Inscribed by the author to another poet in the year of publication: "For ____ -/ reunion in a church -/ our real miracles being/ in poetry." Fine, with portions of the dust jacket clipped and pasted to the boards and endpages. [#023552] SOLD

NY, Ecco Press, (1973). The second book by this award-winning poet, this being the hardcover issue. Inscribed by the author to another poet and his wife in 1974 "with love, thanks,/ and good memories." Fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#020424] SOLD

NY, Ecco Press, (1973). The second book by this award-winning poet, this being the hardcover issue. Inscribed by the author to another poet in 1983 "in old friendship." Recipient's handmade bookplate on front flyleaf. Near fine, with various portions of the dust jacket clipped and pasted on the boards and endpages. [#022759] $30

NY, Knopf, 1975. Inscribed by the author in 1977 to another poet, "who has befriended Hazard and his grateful friend the author." Recipient's handmade bookplate front flyleaf; a near fine copy, with the main dust jacket sections clipped and attached to the boards. A nice literary association copy. [#023011] $40

NY, Atheneum, 1984. A novel of an American journalist in Italy in the late 1970s. Inscribed by Mewshaw to George [Garrett] and his wife, Susan, "the novel made into the world's worst movie which nevertheless gave us Sharon Stone." Shallow dampstaining to lower rear board; near fine in a near fine dust jacket with dampstaining to lower rear panel and creasing to the rear flap. [#027670] SOLD

Norfolk, New Directions, (1939). Miller's first book to be published in the U.S., after the acclaim that his earlier books -- Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn and Black Spring -- had achieved in Paris. One of 2000 copies printed, this copy is a review copy (so stamped on the front flyleaf, with a publication date). Inscribed by Miller to Roger Richards, a legendary New York bookseller whose store, Greenwich Books, was a hangout for many of the Beat writers including Gregory Corso, Herbert Huncke, Ginsberg and Burroughs, and even Carl Solomon. Richards also published one of the last things Miller wrote, a 1978 chapbook called Love Between the Sexes, issued in an edition of 276 copies. This was one of the early books published by New Directions, which had been founded in 1936. Darkening to endpages and spine cloth, a very good copy of the first issue in a very good, first issue dust jacket with several small edge chips and two small contemporary reviews taped to the front flap. Very uncommon as an advance copy, and an excellent association copy. [#032894] SOLD

(Pittsburgh), University of Pittsburgh Press, (1961). A critical work on the meaning of exile to Miller and its effect on him. Inscribed by Baxter to Miller's muse and second wife, June, in the year of publication: "For June/ who deserves a book about her/ with gratitude and much affection. Annette." Laid in is an autograph letter signed by Baxter from the preceding Christmas season, thanking June for a gift, updating her on the progress of the book, and adding "Will let you know when we hear from him [Henry]." The letter is folded in half and lightly edgeworn where it overhangs the book; the book is mildly sunned and spine-creased, with a small nick at the crown and small abrasions; both items about near fine. [#012919] SOLD

Paris, France-Edition, (1924). Inscribed by Miller to Emil Schnelluck, one of his oldest friends and one of only a handful who stayed close to Miller through the enormous changes in his life after he met June Mansfield and left his previous existence behind in almost every respect. Schnelluck had been to Europe long before Miller had, and he used to recount to Miller his memories of his visits there, which Miller eagerly soaked up. Now Miller, in Paris for the second time in October, 1930, relays this book to his friend, with a recommendation that it is "fairly easy to read and quite entertaining. Try it!" He also recounts seeing "a peach of a Huysmans yesterday on Blvd Raspail called 'Croquis de Paris.' So much to buy -- so much -- if one only had the dough!" A wonderful inscription to one of his best friends, focused on Paris and books, not to mention poverty -- the important early themes of Miller's literary life. Wrappers are missing and the inscription is on the half-title which is the first page here. Page detached from the rest of the text; extremely brittle, acidifying pages. The condition is fair, and with a risk of deterioration. Miller's underlinings and comments in the text. An excellent personal association. [#012912] SOLD

NY, Viking, 1946. The first American edition of this novel by Giono, a writer whom Miller had come to admire while in France and whom he had long worked to get published in the U.S. Inscribed by Miller to his muse and former wife, June: "For June/ from/ Henry, Lepska & Val/ Xmas 1947." Lepska was Janina Martha Lepska Miller, Henry's third wife, and Val was their two year-old daughter. Henry and June had not been in regular touch for several years at this point, but she had recently contacted him and was destitute. He arranged for a friend to send her some money (he was still broke in the U.S.; his books had sold well in France and he had a substantial amount of money there but no way, under postwar regulations, to get it out of the country). His renewed contact with June, however, sparked his getting back to work on the Rosy Crucifixion, which he saw as his masterpiece-to-be, but which had been languishing. The part he was about to embark on -- dealing with his time with June and Jean Kronski -- was full of painful memories that Miller would have to relive in order to write it. The contact with June -- with whom he maintained contact thereafter -- allowed him to revisit that time and those experiences, and to finally bring to fruition the long-contemplated work. The cloth is heavily and unevenly faded; corners bumped; a very good copy, lacking the dust jacket. An excellent association copy, representing numerous strands of Miller's life over the prior two decades. [#012914] SOLD

NY, Doubleday, (1989). A novel by the first, and still only, Native American writer to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, for his 1968 novel House Made of Dawn. Inscribed by Momaday to William Kittredge in the year of publication. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with minor edge wear. [#027075] SOLD

Boston, Little Brown, (2002). A memoir by the novelist, which won the PEN/Martha Albrand Award for the Art of the Memoir. Inscribed by Moody in 2003 to the author Nicholas Delbanco: "For Nick D/ All admiration and gratitude for your work and for having me to Ann Arbor." Thomas Pynchon provides a dust jacket blurb on the front flap. Upper corners tapped, else fine in a fine dust jacket. [#029688] SOLD

NY, Grove Press, (2001). The author's second collection of poems. Warmly inscribed by the author to writer Charles Newman ("her favorite dinner date") in the year of publication. Fine in wrappers. [#019701] $40

NY, Talese, (1996). A novel about a woman trapped in a political investigation on a Caribbean island. Morris has written a number of well-received nonfiction books about women traveling alone in foreign lands. Inscribed by the author to another writer in the year of publication, with the sentiment "Hope you are feeling better soon!" Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#027672] SOLD

Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 2002. A paperback original, a collection of stories set in the Pacific Campaign of World War II, winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award. Inscribed by Murray to the writer Robert Stone. Page edges darkening; still fine in wrappers with a PEN/Faulkner Award sticker on the front cover. [#027676] SOLD

NY, Duell, Sloan and Pearce, (1945). An uncommon book by the author of Butterfield 8 and Appointment in Samarra, among others. Inscribed by the author to WEAF radio personality Mary Margaret McBride in the year of publication: "To Mary Margaret/ and how are your/ taste-buds?/ Sincerely/ John O'Hara/ WEAF/ 20 March 1945." Books inscribed by O'Hara are uncommon, although later in his career he did a number of signed limited editions. A fragile book, cheaply produced under wartime conditions, this is a very attractive copy. Some spotting to rear board and fading to spine cloth; near fine in a very good dust jacket with a couple of small, internally tape-mended edge tears. [#016359] $1,000

London, Faber & Faber, (1964). The first British edition of her first book, one of the key works in the renaissance of women's writing that accompanied the feminist movement in the late 1960s. Inscribed by the author to Seymour Lawrence under the front flap: "For the Lawrence of WAKE who still is / Tillie Olsen/ June 1965." Laid in is an autograph note signed: "This for you personally & your wife who looks/ like my Karla / I hope you can reissue these someday, with other/ pieces / And other books./ TLO/ A scrawled on picture where we met." Included is a 3-1/2-inch square black and white photo of Olsen at her desk ("scrawled on" on verso). Olsen's hope was realized: Lawrence re-published this book in 1969; he also published her next books. The note is on 4" x 6" paper; paperclip imprint, else fine. The book is near fine in a very good dust jacket with tiny chipping at the extremities. [#004267] SOLD

Santa Barbara, Black Sparrow, 1985. Inscribed by Oppenheimer to another poet in the year of publication. This is the simultaneous issue in wrappers. Dusty; else fine. A nice association copy. [#011992] SOLD

NY, Harper & Row, (1976). The first regularly published book by this Acoma poet and the seventh volume in Harper's Native American Publishing Program. An important book, which we have found to be somewhat uncommon in the hardcover issue. Simultaneously published in cloth and paper, this is the issue in wrappers. Inscribed by the author to another Native American poet: "I'm happy to express my thanks to you ... for your support of my work." With the poet's ownership signature. One short tear on foredge of front cover; still near fine in wrappers. A good association copy. [#025673] SOLD

Tucson, Blue Moon Press, 1978. A collection of short stories. Cover photograph by Lee Marmon. Inscribed by the author to a Native American poet "in brotherhood and strength." Near fine in wrappers. An excellent association copy. [#025678] SOLD

Athens, University of Georgia, (1985). An uncommon book by an enormously versatile writer, who was a Steinbeck scholar before he published any of his own highly praised fiction or his influential study of Native American literature, Other Destinies: Understanding the American Indian Novel. Inscribed by Owens to the writer Bill Kittredge. Fine in a near fine, spine-faded dust jacket. [#027076] SOLD

Garden City, Doubleday, 1959. A wonderful association copy of her first book, a collection of stories, by a writer who helped define the role of women and politics in contemporary literature: engaged without being didactic, Paley focused on both the ordinariness and the wonder of everyday life. Inscribed by Paley to Jean Stafford and her third husband, the journalist A.J. Liebling: "To Jean & Joe -- Grace Paley." Like Paley, Stafford's greatest medium was the short story: her Collected Stories won the Pulitzer Prize in 1970. Paley's Collected Stories, which included stories from this title, was a finalist for both the Pulitzer and the National Book Award, 25 years later. Offsetting to the endpages; near fine in a very good dust jacket with spotting to the rear panel and rubbing to the folds. [#029162] SOLD

Boston, Little Brown, (1997). Inscribed by Pelecanos to the writer Kent Anderson, "with anticipation." King Suckerman is the sixth book by Pelecanos, who would, in the following decade, become a writer for HBO's The Wire. While it's not clear what the anticipation in the inscription refers to, the timing suggests it may be that Pelecanos was looking forward to the release of Anderson's novel Night Dogs, which had been published in a small press edition a year earlier, and would be published by Bantam the following year. In an interview on Pelecanos' website, he calls Night Dogs "hands-down the best cop novel ever written." A nice association copy. Minor spotting lower board edge; near fine in a fine dust jacket. [#029409] SOLD

(NY), Delacorte Press/Seymour Lawrence, (1979). The uncorrected proof copy of her well-received first collection of stories, her first book to be published by a major, mainstream publisher. Inscribed by the author to publisher Seymour Lawrence and signed only as "the witch." Spine sunned; else fine in wrappers. A nice association copy. [#004289] SOLD

NY, Vehicle Editions, (1978). The issue in wrappers of her second book, a collection of poems and prose poems, one of 474 copies of a total edition of 500; inscribed by the author to Seymour Lawrence in the year of publication. Additionally, laid in is an autograph postcard signed "the counter." Lawrence became Phillips' publisher with her next book, Black Tickets, which was her first collection of prose and the first book she had published by a major publisher. The postcard is fine; the book near fine. [#004287] SOLD

St. Paul, Bookslinger Editions, 1981. An attractive limited edition of this story, one of 150 numbered copies. Signed by the author and additionally inscribed to Seymour Lawrence: "For the heroic Uncle Sam,/ intrepid publisher --/ love, JA." Clothbound without dust jacket; spine-sunned; near fine. [#004290] SOLD

NY, Atlantic Monthly, (2000). A humorous epistolary mystery about a missing pet-problem advice columnist. Illustrated by New Yorker cartoonist Edward Koren. Inscribed by Plimpton to the author Robert Stone and his wife: "For the Stones/ very best to you both/ George." A good literary association. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#028508] SOLD

London, Faber and Faber, (1979). Signed by Priest, and with an autograph letter signed by Priest to John Fowles laid in, saying Faber was intending to send him a copy but Priest feared it would be misconstrued as a review solicitation, given the strong review Fowles had given a previous book [A Dream of Wessex], so Priest was sending a copy along himself so that it be received only as "inadequate appreciation for a lot of kind encouragement. You do not even have to read it! (However, if you have the time to glance through "The Negation" you might discover a fingerprint I put in for you....)" One may infer Priest means a metaphorical fingerprint, as no actual fingerprint is in evidence. An Infinite Summer is a collection of stories, including the first of his stories to feature the Dream Archipelago, which appears in a number of his works. Priest has won the James Tait Black Memorial Award, the World Fantasy Award, and the British Science Fiction Association's award for Best Novel four times. The book is fine in a fine dust jacket, with Fowles' blindstamp on the front flyleaf; the letter is folded to fit in the book, else fine. Fowles, in his A Dream of Wessex review, had called Priest "one of our most gifted young writers of science fiction...I think not only H.G. Wells but Thomas Hardy himself would have enjoyed and approved of it." A nice literary association copy between two highly regarded British writers. [#029605] $450

London, Chatto & Windus, 1956. Inscribed by Pritchett, "To mother and father with all my love Victor." A novelist, critic, travel writer and short story writer, Pritchett was most well-known, and most highly regarded, for his short fiction. He has been compared to Chekhov, about whom he wrote a well-received biography of Chekhov. A couple of incidental turns to page corners; very near fine in a near fine dust jacket with several tiny edge chips. A very nice family association copy. [#029606] SOLD

(Saint Paul), Graywolf, (1988). A collection of short fiction by a writer who is now best-known for his writings in science and natural history, including Song of the Dodo, which won a John Burroughs Medal, and Spillover, which tracked contagious diseases that pass from animals to humans. Warmly inscribed by the author to Peter [Matthiessen]. Near fine in wrappers. [#032517] SOLD

(n.p.), Kyuryudo, 1992. Text in Japanese, but primarily a book of photographs. Inscribed by actor Anthony Quinn to film director Anthony Harvey: "Dear Tony, the man at the bookstore asked me if my friend could speak Japanese. I said you spoke photo language. Here is [sic] some wonderful photos to last you the following wonderful New Year. A. Quinn." A nice Hollywood association: Harvey directed Quinn in the television movie This Can't Be Love, which also starred Katharine Hepburn, who won an Oscar working for Harvey in The Lion in Winter. Tall quarto; spine crease, else fine in wrappers and near fine dust jacket, lacking the wraparound band. [#026868] $350
On Sale: $228

NY, Random House, (1973). A collection of poetry by the author of Mumbo Jumbo and editor of Yardbird -- the second collection by this African American poet. This is the issue in wrappers, with erratum slip laid in. Inscribed by the author to poet and novelist James Welch: "To Jim/ a superb/ poet/ Ishmael/ profound affection." Near fine. [#020486] SOLD

NY, Akashic Books, (2005). Her well-received second book, a novel of ethnic tensions in Los Angeles dating back to the Watts riots of 1965. Inscribed by the author to another writer, in part: "It's an honor to be reading on the same night as you." Only issued in wrappers; front cover splayed, else fine. [#027720] SOLD

Banning, Malki Museum Press, 1980. A review copy, so stamped on the front flyleaf, of this book that was published on the Morongo Indian Reservation. Inscribed by the author to another Native American poet: "For ____, Whose back must be bent though not broken from the weight of that same Dream Wheel - The destination is, must be, worth it!" With the recipient's handmade bookplate on the front flyleaf. Dust jacket panels clipped and pasted to boards; fine such as it is. A nice association copy. [#025722] SOLD

NY, Simon & Schuster, (1993). Harold Bloom's copy of the uncorrected proof copy of Roth's novel, winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and Time magazine's Book of the Year; also voted one of the best works of American fiction in a quarter century in a New York Times Book Review survey. Bloom is perhaps most famous for his controversial book The Western Canon, which argued against "the Balkanization of literary studies" and presented an exhaustive list of what he considered to comprise the canon. Six Philip Roth books made it onto Bloom's list, including this title. With a typed note signed by Roth, from two years prior, laid in, in which Roth raves to Bloom about Douglas Hobbie's first novel, Boomfell. The note is folded, else fine. The proof has Bloom's notations on the front cover and summary page; handling apparent to covers; very good in wrappers. A good association copy between one of the leading novelists of his time and one of the leading critics of the day. [#032317] SOLD

NY, Carroll & Graf, (1994). A volume in Sallis's acclaimed Lew Griffin series of detective novels, featuring an African-American detective in New Orleans. Signed by Sallis on the title page, and inscribed on the dedication page to another mystery writer: "To Bob, again? Again. And again with much love. Jim/ New Orleans/ Sept 94." The recipient was Robert Skinner, himself the author of a highly praised mystery series set in New Orleans, featuring Wesley Farrell, a mixed blood Creole, during the 1930s and 40s. Both Skinner and Farrell have written nonfiction books about black novelist Chester Himes, whose series of Harlem detective novels in the 1950s and 60s paved the way for the use of the mystery genre to explore issues of racism and prejudice. Fine in a fine dust jacket, and a good association between two notable writers. [#028063] SOLD

NY, Carroll & Graf, (1992). The first book in his well-received series featuring black private detective Lew Grifffin. Inscribed by the author to another mystery writer. Fine in a very near fine dust jacket with one short, closed edge tear. [#028060] SOLD

NY, Knopf, 1973. Third printing. Inscribed by Sanchez to Robert Stone: "The Sky Sky is faster than the Eye Eye." Fine in a near fine dust jacket with slight fading to the spine lettering and a small chip to the upper front panel. A nice association copy. [#027732] SOLD

Ottawa, Borealis, 1972. The first book, a collection of poetry, by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Stone Diaries. Inscribed by Shields to the Canadian poet and novelist Rosemary Aubert: "For Rosemary/ with thanks for a delightful evening/ Carol Shields." Spine faded, with a little tear to the spine base; near fine in wrappers. A nice literary association copy of an important first book. [#029530] $750

(NY), New Directions, (1970). First trade edition of this title, the issue in wrappers. Inscribed by the author to Peter Matthiessen, at Kitkitdizze, and dated "6.vi.40088." Lamination peeling; very good in wrappers. [#032526] SOLD

(San Francisco), City Lights, (1977). A collection of six essays by Snyder. Signed by Snyder in 1996 and with the 1978 ownership signature of poet Clayton Eshleman. A nice association: the two poets are longtime friends, and earlier that year had given a reading/talk together in Paris, France. Several notes to text in Eshleman's hand, mostly in the first two essays, "The Yogin and the Philosopher" and "The Politics of Ethnopoetics." Mild spine-sunning, else fine in wrappers. [#030817] SOLD

NY, World Publishing, (1970). "The Natural History of Animals in Danger of Extinction." Fine in a near fine dust jacket and original cardboard slipcase, which is inscribed by Terry Southern to Peter Matthiessen: "Dear Pete - Spotted this tome en passant so to speak, and thought 'what the heck, that looks very much like the great Math's bag!', so I snapped one up (that's the kind of guy I am, Pete, just snapped it right up) and am sending it along in hopes you may groove on it. Some boss-pix. Best, yr. T." A fine Terry Southern letter on a cardboard slipcase of a gift, and an indication of the friendship between the two, which is not as widely known as some of Matthiessen's other literary friendships. [#032531] SOLD

NY, Knopf, 1986. The uncorrected proof copy of the first American edition of his fourth novel, a look at the underside of the Hollywood mystique. Inscribed by Stone to Denis [Johnson] and his wife: "For Denis & Lucinda/ with admiration and respect -- my deepest esteem/ Robert Stone." Some dustiness and rubbing to the covers; very good in wrappers, in custom folding chemise and slipcase. A nice association between two writers who each won the National Book Award for a Vietnam-themed novel (Stone, Dog Soldiers, 1974; Johnson, Tree of Smoke, 2007), each of whose work has been at times compared to the other's. [#028552] SOLD

NY, Coward McCann Geoghegan, (1975). His second novel. Inscribed by the author to Stanley Wiater and his wife: "Thanks for another good interview and a good talk -- good luck with your writing." With Wiater's bookplate. A nice association. Foxing to top edge, slight spine roll; near fine in a very good, internally tape-mended dust jacket with wear to the edges and spine. [#029177] SOLD

NY, Coward McCann Geoghegan, (1973). The first American edition of his first novel. Inscribed by the author to horror writer Stanley Wiater: "I'm pleased to be one of your Dark Dreamers -- sounds like an accurate description to me!" With Wiater's bookplate. A nice association copy: Wiater has been called "the world's leading authority on horror filmmakers and authors" and has published two books of interviews with masters of horror fiction in the Dark Dreamers series, as well as hosting a television interview series with the same title. He has won the Horror Writers of America's Bram Stoker Award three times; Straub has also been a multiple winner of the Stoker Award. Sunning and foxing to top edge; near fine in a very good, rubbed and edgeworn dust jacket with a small abrasion to the front panel and a chip to the upper rear panel. With Wiater's Gahan Wilson-designed bookplate on the front free endpaper (reportedly the only bookplate Wilson ever designed). [#029176] SOLD

Indianapolis, Bobbs-Merrill, (1951). Styron's first book, inscribed to the writer Jonathan Carroll: "with best wishes/ William Styron/ 27 September 1971/ (Twenty years, to the month, after publication)." The date is also nine years before Carroll's first published book, The Land of Laughs. Laid in is a typed note signed by Styron in which he agrees to the signing; based on the address, Carroll would have been an English teacher at the time, in North Carolina. The book is unevenly sunned on the cloth and bears a few small stains; very good in a jacket with modest edge wear including one edge tear, and a vertical crease to the spine; still very good. The note is folded, else fine, with a chipped mailing envelope included. A nice association copy of an important first novel. Forty years after this inscription, on the occasion of Styron's death in 2011, Carroll wrote a blog post on his website, referring to Styron as a "great American novelist." [#026147] SOLD

NY, Farrar & Rinehart, (1944). A novel of Haiti by these two Haitian brothers, which won a prize in the Second Latin American literature contest sponsored by Farrar & Rinehart. Inscribed by Thoby-Marcelin to Barbara Howes in 1971. Poet Barbara Howes edited From the Green Antilles, one of the first anthologies of Caribbean literature to appear in the U.S., in 1966. She was married to the poet William Jay Smith. This book has the Howes/Smith bookplate on the front pastedown. Translated by Edward Larocque Tinker, who designed and illustrated the book, and who provides an introduction to it entitled "Haitian Background," explaining both the history and the metaphysics of Haitian religious beliefs. Fine in a good, price-clipped dust jacket threatening to split at the flap folds. An important book, and especially scarce signed. [#018565] SOLD

NY, Viking, (1974). Second printing of this groundbreaking collection of essays that created a blueprint for linking science writing and literature. Inscribed by the author to Peter [Matthiessen] and his wife in 1982, and with Matthiessen's markings in the first two dozen pages. Spine-stained; very good in a very good dust jacket. Laid in is the 1994 program for Thomas's memorial service. [#032535] SOLD

(Cleveland), Bits Press, (1980). Of a total edition of 185 copies, this is one of 135 numbered copies signed by the author (copy #184). Additionally inscribed by Updike: "For Sylvia & Cyril/ a not strictly appropriate but nevertheless heartfelt token of esteem and appreciation of hospitality received on July 6, 1981/ John." Some staining to foredge of cover, a bit of foxing to foredge of text block; near fine in saddle-stitched wrappers. [#029420] SOLD

NY, Knopf, 1977. First thus, with a new introduction by the author. Inscribed by Updike to fellow author Nicholas Delbanco and his wife, Elena: "For Ellen [sic] & Nick, I'm so pleased you have this edition/ John/ 4/29/78." A strip of sunning to spine crown, else fine in a very near fine dust jacket with sunning to the spine lettering. [#030048] SOLD

(n.p.), King Ranch Edition, 1972. The limited edition. Copy 54 of 1000 (or, likely, fewer) numbered copies produced for the King Ranch, at the time reputed to be the largest ranch in the world, and signed by the author. Additionally, this copy is inscribed by Vavra to the writer Peter Matthiessen: "For Peter - who at one time was also under the spell of the bulls of Iberia. Thanks again for your help with my new book. It would be great to have you at the ranch - imagine the ¡oles¡. All best/ Robert/ April 23, 1996." Foreword by James A. Michener. Clothbound; mild spine fade; else fine in a near fine slipcase with several lamination creases to the pictorial covers. The copyright page has blacked out information covered with a pasted-on label, suggesting this edition was made up of copies from the Seville, Spain edition which, although identified as a signed limited issue was not signed. It is doubtful that there were actually 1000 copies of this edition produced, or distributed: the book seems to be fairly scarce. A nice association copy. [#029011] SOLD

Minneapolis, Nodin Press, (1984). His sixth book of haiku. Inscribed by the author to Joe Bruchac. Mild sunning; near fine in wrappers. An excellent association copy. [#025797] $150

NY, Random House, (1991). The author's first book, a highly praised Hollywood novel with a cult following. Wagner is also a screenwriter (I'm Losing You; Nightmare on Elm Street 3; Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills), as well as the writer of the television miniseries Wild Palms. This copy is inscribed by Wagner to Michael Millikan: "the most focussed motherfucker I've ever met. Affectionately, Bruce." Millikan was first assistant camera operator on Wild Palms. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#029546] SOLD

NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1981). The uncorrected proof copy of this collection of poetry by Walcott, a West Indian author of poetry and plays who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992. This copy is inscribed by Walcott to the poet Mark Strand: "To Mark - continuing strength/ Derek." With Strand's ownership signature beneath. One of the poems in this collection, "Piano Practice" is individually dedicated to Strand. It is printed here in the proof as it appeared in The Kenyon Review in 1980, but changes were made between this and the published version, and laid in here are two photocopies of the proof version showing two versions of Walcott's revisions (in the hand of a copy editor?). The photocopies are stapled and folded in thirds; the proof is near fine in wrappers. Strand was Poet Laureate of the U.S. the year Walcott won his Nobel Prize; Strand also won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1999, for his collection Blizzard of One, which contained the poem "The View," dedicated to Walcott. A superb literary association between two of the preeminent poets of the 20th century. [#033199] SOLD

NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1979). Poetry by the Caribbean Nobel Prize winner. Inscribed by the author to Peter [Matthiessen] and his wife. Near fine in wrappers. [#032537] SOLD

NY, World, (1971). The first book by this author of Blackfoot-Gros Ventre heritage, who was one of the most important and accomplished Native American writers of the post-1968 generation. Welch was a respected poet and an award-winning novelist, and wrote, with great power and sensitivity, fiction focused on both contemporary Indian life (e.g., Winter in the Blood) and historical material (the award-winning Fools Crow). Riding the Earthboy 40, a collection of poems, was never properly distributed as the publisher folded at the time of publication. It was re-published five years later in a revised and expanded form by Harper & Row. This is the first edition. Inscribed by the author to poets Sandra McPherson and Henry Carlile "with best wishes and hopes for another fishing trip soon. Love, Jim." Carlile's ownership signature and stamp; a fine copy in a very near fine dust jacket with slight wear at the spine extremities. A nice association copy. [#025809] $250

NY, Norton, (1990). The fourth novel by the author of Winter in the Blood and Fools Crow, among others; Welch was considered, along with Leslie Silko, one of the key writers of the first generation of the renaissance in Native American literature. Inscribed by Welch: "To Steve [Krauzer]/ I'm waiting for the next novel from your pen (or computer). Best, Jim Welch." A nice association copy between these two writers from Missoula, Montana. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#027981] SOLD

NY, Norton, (1990). The uncorrected proof copy. Inscribed by Welch to another writer, "with good memories of good times." A read copy: spine slanted, with a small tear at the spine base and uneven sunning; very good in wrappers. Scarce signed, and a nice association copy. [#027078] SOLD

NY, Harper & Row, (1977). A collection of essays spanning his career, with a foreword written expressly for this volume. Inscribed by the author to a neighbor in Maine: "For ____/ with love from/ Andy." ("Andy" being White's nickname, from college.) Boards mildly splayed and light foxing to page edges; near fine in a very good dust jacket with an externally tape-repaired tear at the lower outer corner of the rear panel. [#033201] SOLD

NY, Putnam's, (2009). The advance reading copy of this mystery novel in the Doc Ford series. Inscribed by the author to Peter Matthiessen: "For Capt. Peter Matthiessen, my friend and spiritual advisor, who will understand why I signed this: In the Spirit of Geronimo!" Dated two months prior to publication. Small abrasion front cover; very good in wrappers. [#032542] SOLD

NY, Putnam, (2010). A mystery novel in the Doc Ford series, featuring a marine biologist living on the Florida Gulf coast. Inscribed by White to fellow author and friend, Peter Matthiessen, in the month of publication: "For Peter M./ My dear traveling partner and brother by another mother." Foxing to edges of text block, boards mildly splayed; very good in a near fine dust jacket. A wonderful inscription and association copy. [#031772] SOLD

NY, Putnam's, (2012). The first in a series introducing fishing guide and private investigator Hannah Smith. Inscribed by the author to Peter Matthiessen in the month of publication: "For Peter Matthiessen, a favorite travel partner, a treasured friend -- Hannah would adore you." With an autograph note signed to the Matthiessens laid in, with a "We miss you!" Near fine in a near fine dust jacket, with the rear flap re-folded so as to better serve as a bookmark. [#032543] SOLD

(NY), Lyons Press, (1999). Nonfiction: adventure, travel and fishing. Inscribed by the author to Peter [Matthiessen] in 2000: "My life is the better for knowing you, the world a kinder place." Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#032541] SOLD

NY, Scribner, (1984). An autograph letter signed to Peter Matthiessen, written in 1989 and addressed, "Dearest Peter," asking if he would sign her copy of The Snow Leopard, which she has been rereading and adding, "It is a gift to meet you, to have shared these two evenings in Jackson Hole. Bless you. You inspire me." Folded in thirds; fine. Laid into Matthiessen's copy of Williams' first solo book, Pieces of White Shell, which won the Southwestern Book Award. Modestly foxed; a near fine copy, lacking the dust jacket. [#032544] SOLD

NY, Scribner, (1984). Subtitled "A Journey to Navajoland," with illustrations by Navajo artist Clifford Brycelea. Winner of the 1984 Southwestern Book Award. Inscribed by the author in 1989: "For ____/ We are told a story/ and then we tell our/ own./ Bless you & these/ sacred lands." Pages 131-134 bear a small puncture wound, not affecting text; thus near fine in a very near fine dust jacket with slight rubbing at the edges. [#015426] SOLD

(NY), Delacorte, (1981). A collection of stories, only the author's second -- his first since Eleven Kinds of Loneliness. Inscribed by the author: "For Wendy, Who could never, by any stretch of the imagination, be a liar in love. With fond regards always, Dick/ Nov. 20, 1981." Spine slant, mild foxing; near fine, in a poor dust jacket by virtue of the author photo having been excised from the rear panel (presumably by Wendy), and the remaining top edge taped to the jacket spine. With a supplied, very good dust jacket provided in addition. [#030880] SOLD

Boston, Little Brown, (1961). His influential first novel, made into a well-received film almost fifty years after the book's publication. Inscribed by the author in the year of publication, to Paul Cubeta, assistant director of Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, (which Yates attended in 1960 and again in 1962, where he had a legendary mental breakdown): "For Paul Cubeta - who makes everything go and keeps everything quiet. With more gratitude than he can possibly use and more respect than he will ever believe./ Dick Yates/ 8/30/61." A heartfelt association copy of one of the most acclaimed first novels of its era. Yates went on to teach at the Iowa Writers Workshop; later, in New Hampshire, he was effectively the "dean" of New England writers -- a model and mentor to John Irving, Andre Dubus, and others. Foxing and staining to page edges, otherwise a near fine copy in a very good dust jacket with one edge chip and some blended staining to the spine. [#032923] SOLD

(NY), Delacorte, (1976). One of Yates's most acclaimed novels. This copy is inscribed by the author: "For Wendy, Who is suited in every way to be one of the best mothers in the world, in the hope that her baby is a girl who'll turn out to be exactly like her. With love always, Dick. 9/15/76." The recipient, Wendy Sears, had been Yates's girlfriend in the early 1960s. He obviously still held her in high regard. Cocked, with some of the page signatures darkening; very good in a very good, spine-faded dust jacket with modest edge wear and one tear at the upper rear panel. [#030878] SOLD

NY, Delacorte, (1984). His next-to-last novel. Inscribed by the author: "For Wendy, A glorious girl who hasn't changed at all in twenty-one years, except that her ankles are a little thinner. With love always, Dick/ Oct. 14, 1984." Spine slant, foxing to edges of text block; near fine in a good dust jacket with several coffee stains, light edge wear, and a short snagged tear mid spine. Wendy Sears, the recipient, apparently read the books Yates sent to her. [#030881] SOLD