Catalog 112, B
Dedication Copy
9. BALDWIN, James. Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone. NY: Dial Press (1968). A novel, the author's fourth. This is a dedication copy, inscribed by Baldwin to his biographer, David Leeming, one of the book's three dedicatees: "David & Pam:/ with love. And will see you soon. Jimmy." With a note laid in in Leeming's hand saying that the book was written in Istanbul in 1966-67 while he was living with and working for Baldwin, and that this copy of the book was shipped from London to their former home in Istanbul. Uneven darkening to the spine cloth and some loss to the spine lettering (it would appear the recipient may have read the book after removing the dust jacket); about a near fine copy in a near fine, mildly spine-tanned dust jacket with one edge tear on the rear panel. We cannot recall seeing another Baldwin dedication copy offered on the market in recent years.
10. BALLARD, J.G. Empire of the Sun. London: Gollancz, 1984. The limited edition of this Booker Prize-winning autobiographical novel, by a contemporary master of postmodern fantasy and science fiction. Basis for the award-winning movie. Of a total edition of 100 copies, this is copy #1, and is signed by the author. Fine in a glassine dustwrapper and slipcase. A little-known limited edition, this being one of the very few times we have seen a copy offered on the market. This copy, being #1, was reserved for the book's editor.
11. BAUSCH, Richard. Violence. Boston: Houghton Mifflin/Lawrence, 1992. Inscribed by the author to publisher Seymour Lawrence in 1991: "For Sam, with gratitude/ & awe, for the world's best/ publisher -- and it has been fun." Seymour Lawrence was one of the most prominent publishers of literary authors in America in the postwar era, over a span over nearly four decades. He was both a great promoter of his writers' talents and their work, and an innovative and creative publisher. Several prominent writers have expressed the sentiment that they owe their success to him, for his support and faith in their writing and his tireless efforts on their behalf. Lawrence moved at various time to different publication houses -- usually having his own imprint -- and frequently his authors followed him. One slight corner bump; fine in a very near fine dust jacket with trace wear at the extremities.
12. -. Same title. The advance reading copy. Inscribed by the author to Seymour Lawrence: "For Sam,/ who has shown me in/ five short months more about/ the art of publishing, than anyone/ else has in the 10 years I've/ been writing books. With/ awe & admiration -/ Richard Bausch/ 1991." Fine in wrappers.
13. BAUSCH, Richard. Rebel Powers. Boston/NY: Houghton Mifflin/Lawrence, 1993. A well-received novel involving a family that comes apart in the aftermath of the Vietnam war. Inscribed by the author to Seymour Lawrence. Near fine in a very good dust jacket split at the upper front flap fold.
14. -. Same title. The advance reading copy. Inscribed by the author to Seymour Lawrence: "This advance copy/ of my sixth novel/ is for the great and/ powerful wizard of Houghton/ & formally of Delacort [sic],/ who is/ the finest publisher in the big and/ not always honorable history of/ publishing and whose allegiance/ to writers & to American writing/ is nonpareil -- with love from/ one of the fortunate ones he has/ given his mind & heart to/ in this business./ 1993." As fine and revealing an inscription as one could hope for, and a sentiment shared by many of Lawrence's authors. Fine in wrappers.
15. BEGLEY, Louis. Wartime Lies. NY: Knopf, 1991. The second printing of his first book, which won the PEN/Hemingway Award. Inscribed by the author to Annie Dillard, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, in 1993. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with the lamination peeling from the lower right corner. A fine association copy.
16. BEGLEY, Louis. About Schmidt. NY: Knopf, 1996. His fourth novel. Inscribed by the author to Annie Dillard in the year of publication, "affectionately and hoping to see her soon." Fine in a fine dust jacket. An excellent association copy.
17. BERGER, Thomas. Little Big Man. NY: Dial, 1964. The author's third and most famous novel, a tragicomic history of the American West, which was immortalized on film. This copy is inscribed by the author to Seymour Lawrence: "To Seymour Lawrence/ republisher of this novel/ and great friend to the/ career of/ Thomas Berger." Fifteen years after this novel was first published, Lawrence -- who was by then Berger's publisher -- reissued it, an extremely uncommon event in contemporary American publishing, usually reserved for bestselling classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird or The Grapes of Wrath. Despite the good reviews, the film, and a second printing, Little Big Man was very definitely not a bestseller, and its winning of the Richard and Hilda Rosenthal Foundation Award of the American Academy of Arts and Letters -- given for a work that, while not being a commercial success, is nonetheless a substantial literary achievement -- is an explicit acknowledgement of that fact. Fine in a slightly spine-faded dust jacket worn at the crown and rubbed at the folds; still about near fine.
18. BERGER, Thomas. Who is Teddy Villanova? (n.p.): Delacorte/Lawrence (1977). A foray into the realm of detective fiction by the author of Little Big Man, among others. Warmly inscribed by the author to publisher Seymour Lawrence: "To Sam Lawrence, with/ admiration and gratitude,/ this first example of the/ many editions he would/ publish of my novels/ Thomas Berger/ 23 March 1993." Berger had been published by various houses by the time he wrote Teddy Villanova, and he had reached the point in his career where he was critically respected but not especially successful commercially. Lawrence endeavored to revitalize Berger's career -- even going so far as to reissue in hardcover Berger's third novel, Little Big Man, which in the interim since its original publication had been made into a noteworthy movie. Fine in a near fine dust jacket worn at the crown, creased on the front flap, and with one short edge tear. An excellent association copy.
19. BERGER, Thomas. Neighbors. (NY): Delacorte/Lawrence (1980). A dark comedy, which was made into a successful movie with Dan Ayckroyd and John Belushi. This is the publisher's copy, specially bound: leatherbound with raised bands, gilt stamping and marbled endpapers. There is no indication of how many copies might have been done thus; Lawrence typically had a special copy bound for the author, and in at least some cases had one done for himself at the same time. In all likelihood, there would have been very few such copies created -- possibly only two. Fine.
20. BERGER, Thomas. Reinhart's Women. (NY): Delacorte/Lawrence (1981). The fourth of his novels to feature Carl Reinhart, beginning with his first two books -- Crazy in Berlin and Reinhart in Love, written in the 1950s -- and continuing with Vital Parts, published in 1967. Inscribed by the author to Seymour Lawrence. Near fine in a very good, spine-faded and edgeworn dust jacket.
21. BERGER, Thomas. The Feud. (NY): Delacorte/Lawrence (1983). Inscribed by the author to Seymour Lawrence "with gratitude and affection" on May 1, 1983, the month of publication. Fine in a mildly spine-tanned dust jacket slightly worn at the extremities; about near fine.
22. BERGER, Thomas. Nowhere. (NY): Delacorte/Lawrence (1985). Inscribed by the author to Seymour Lawrence: "Number Ten with my/ Number One publisher/ Sam Lawrence, with/ gratitude and warm/ regards/ Thomas Berger/ 1 June 1985." Near fine in a dust jacket worn at the spine extremities; else near fine.
23. BERNAYS, Anne. Professor Romeo. NY: Weidenfeld & Nicolson (1989). Warmly inscribed by the author to Annie Dillard in the year of publication "with much love, much admiration and infinite thanks." Near fine, lacking the dust jacket. An excellent association copy.
24. BERRY, Wendell. Sayings and Doings. (Lexington): Gnomon (1975). A collection of three groups of related poems. Inscribed by the author in January, 1976 to poet David Ignatow "with much affection and many thanks," and signed "Wendell." An attractively printed chapbook; fine without dust jacket, as issued. An excellent association copy.
25. BLY, Robert. Typescript of "Mourning Pablo Neruda." (1982). Ribbon copy typescript of this three-page poem, with copy-editor's corrections. Together with an autograph note signed transmitting the poem (and apparently one other, not present here) to Hayden Carruth, longtime editor of Poetry magazine and the poetry editor of Harper's, and winner of the National Book Award in 1996. With a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of the poem, which was never used. The typescript is folded in thirds for mailing and has a small puncture in one margin, not affecting the text; near fine. A nice association between two major poets.
26. BOWLES, Paul. Without Stopping: An Autobiography. NY: Putnam (1972). The first book of the author's memoirs. Bowles became an influential figure during the years of the Beat movement and his popularity and relevance persisted through the counterculture period of the 1960s, as many of his tales dealt with young Americans experimenting with drugs and encountering foreign cultures for the first time. This copy is inscribed by the author to Jordan Massee in Atlanta in 1994: "For Jordan Massee/ with thanks for the/ Norman Douglas." Massee was a mutual friend of Bowles and Tennessee Williams, themselves longtime friends and collaborators on a number of Williams' plays; a wonderful association copy. Books signed by Bowles -- other than the limited editions he did -- are quite uncommon; significant association copies are extremely scarce. White cloth a bit dusty; near fine in a near fine, lightly edgeworn dust jacket.
27. BOYD, Blanche McCrary. Mourning the Death of Magic. NY: Macmillan (1977). The second book by the author of The Redneck Way of Knowledge. Inscribed by the author to novelist Robert Stone: "Your work has been important to me since I read Hall of Mirrors in 1968 at Stanford (I was a writing fellow there also)..." Slight foxing to top edge; else fine in a fine dust jacket with trace wear at the spine extremities.
28. BRADBURY, Ray. When Elephants Last in the Dooryard Bloomed. NY: Knopf, 1974. Second printing of this poetry collection. Inscribed by the author to noted film critic Pauline Kael: "For Pauline/ with love and admiration from her fan!/ Ray Bradbury." Laid in are photocopies of typescripts of two Bradbury poems that are not in the collection. Fine in a fine dust jacket. A nice association between one of the most prominent science fiction writers of the postwar era -- author of such classics as Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles -- and perhaps the most well-known film critic of the past 40 years. Both of Bradbury's classics mentioned above, as well as several other of his books, were made into significant movies. A nice association copy.
29. BRADBURY, Ray. Dandelion Wine. NY: Knopf, 1975. First thus, a reissue with a new introduction by the author. Inscribed by Bradbury to Pauline Kael: "Pauline!/ Come back/ soon! We/ hunger for/ you!/ Love!/ Ray B/ May-1975." Laid in is an enthusiastic, effusive typed letter signed reading, in part: "You are that rare person, one who speaks as well as she writes! What a pleasure. What a pleasure, especially, to have a chance to lovingly disagree with you." Bradbury goes on to say his daughters think Kael "The Life Force extraordinaire" and he can but agree. In postscript: "How grand to hear you say how Antonioni put you to sleep...Meet you in the lobby, at the next Antonioni film to share a Clark Bar with you!" The book is fine in a fine dust jacket; the letter is folded once with a bit of creasing from where it overlays the book; near fine.
30. BROGGER, Suzanne. Deliver Us from Love. (n.p.): Delacorte/Lawrence (1976). The first American edition of this book of nonfiction by a radical feminist from Denmark. Inscribed by the author to Seymour Lawrence: "To my dear publisher,/ Sam -- who ran the risk -- / Cordially/ Suzanne/ New York Nov. 76." One corner bump; else fine in a near fine dust jacket.
31. BROWN, Rosellen. Some Deaths in the Delta. (n.p.): U. of Massachusetts Press (1970). Her first book, a collection of poems. This is the hardcover issue. Warmly inscribed by the author to Andre Dubus in 1976: "My south, which was/ probably very different/ from your south: some/ easy poems even a/ narrow-minded old story-/ writer, set in his ways,/ will understand." Fine in a spine-faded, very good dust jacket with an edge tear near the upper front spine fold. An uncommon book in the hardcover issue, and a nice literary association between two writers with roots in the American South. Brown is the author of the recently published Half a Heart and Before and After, which was made into a well-received movie. Dubus, before he died in 1999, was considered one of the American masters of the short story and novella forms.
32. BRUCHAC, Joseph. Indian Mountain and Other Poems. Ithaca: Ithaca House (1971). The first book by this writer of Abenaki descent, who has carved out a unique place in contemporary American Indian literature as a publisher, poet, novelist, anthologist, storyteller and chronicler of traditional stories. Some staining to front cover and some rubbing and surface peeling there. Warmly inscribed by the author to his grandmother: "For Grandma/ For her birthday./ July 4, 1972/ Love,/ Sonny." An excellent association copy of a scarce and important first book: much of Bruchac's storytelling arises out of his family heritage and the stories his grandfather told when Bruchac was a boy, so a family association such as this is also, in Bruchac's case, a literary association in a way that would not necessarily be so true with most writers.
33. BRUCHAC, Joseph. Entering Onondaga. (Austin): Cold Mountain (1978). A collection of poems, with illustrations by Kahonhes (John Fadden), a Mohawk artist. This is the issue in wrappers. Fading to spine, else fine. This copy is inscribed by the author to his parents: "1/7/78/ For Mom and Dad/ With Love/ Joseph Bruchac/ (Sonny)," with a drawing of Kokopelli, one of Bruchac's signature marks. An excellent family association copy of this early collection.
34. BRUCHAC, Joseph. The Ice-Hearts. Austin: Cold Mountain Press (1979). A single short story, printed as a limited edition. One of 300 copies signed by the author and the book's designer and printer, David Holman. In addition, this copy is inscribed by the author to his parents: "Moon of Long Nights/ 1979/ For Dad & Mom/ Peace,/ Your Son," with a Kokopelli drawing. A very attractive and an uncommon edition, and an excellent family association copy. Fine in saddle-stitched wrappers.
35. BRUCHAC, Joseph. Translator's Son. Merrick: Cross-Cultural Communi-cations, 1980. A collection of poems, Cross-Cultural Review Chapbook 10, illustrated by Kahionhes (John Fadden). This copy is inscribed by the author to his parents: "Moon of Falling Leaves/ 1980/ For Dad & Mom/ Peace,/ Your Son," with a Kokopelli drawing. Fine in wrappers.
Dedication Copy
36. BRUCHAC, Joseph. Walking With My Sons. Madison: (Landlocked Press) (n.d.) [1986]. A collection of poems, one of 200 numbered copies printed by Katherine Kuehn at Salient Seedling Press. Includes a poem by each of Bruchac's sons, written when they were 10 and 16. This is one of the dedication copies: the book is dedicated to "My Grandparents, My Parents & My Children." This copy is inscribed by the author to his mother: "September 1986/ For My Mother/ With love./ Peace,/ Joseph Bruchac," with a Kokopelli drawing. Very near fine in wrappers.
37. BRUCHAC, Joseph. Turtle Meat and Other Stories. Duluth: Holy Cow! Press, 1992. The issue in wrappers of the first published collection of this Abenaki author's original short stories. This copy is inscribed by the author to his mother: "November 1992/ Moon of Frost/ For Mom,/ With love & thanks/ for the way you've/ believed in me./ Peace,/ Joe," with a Kokopelli drawing. A wonderful inscription from this writer whose family history has provided much material for his writings.
38. BRUCHAC, Joseph. Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back. NY: Philomel (1992). Second printing. A picture book of a Native American year of moons, illustrated by Thomas Locker. This copy is inscribed by the author to his mother: "For Mom,/ With love,/ Sonny/ (Joe Bruchac)," with a Kokopelli drawing. Fine in a near fine dust jacket.
39. BRUCHAC, Joseph. Bowman's Store. A Journey to Myself. NY: Dial Books (1997). A well-received autobiography that is also a memoir of the author's grandfather, in which the author traces the circuitous and often searing path to discovering his Native American heritage. This copy inscribed by the author to his mother: "December 1997/ Long Night Moon/ For Mom, With respect/ and love./ Peace,/ Your Son,/ Joe Bruchac," again with a Kokopelli drawing. A wonderful association copy of this memoir.
40. BRUCHAC, Joseph. The Arrow Over the Door. NY: Dial (1998). A novel for young people. Inscribed by the author to his mother, four months prior to publication: "For Mom,/ With love and thanks/ for all your help over the/ years./ Peace,/ Your Son/ Joseph Bruchac/ December/ 1997." Front flap creased, otherwise fine in a fine dust jacket.
41. (BRUCHAC, Joseph and William Witherup, eds.). Words From the House of the Dead. Prison Writings from Soledad. Greenfield Center: Greenfield Review Press, 1971. A collection of writings by inmates of the infamous Soledad prison, which were smuggled out of the prison and printed anonymously to protect the inmates' identities. This was the first book published by Bruchac's newly founded Greenfield Review Press -- Greenfield Review Chapbook #1. This copy is inscribed by the author to his parents: "For Dad/ & Mom/ Our 1st Book!/ Love/ Your Son." Spine slightly faded; very good in stapled wrappers. An excellent association copy. Bruchac later went on to teach a prison writing workshop at a New York State maximum security prison and to publish other inmates' writings.
42. (BRUCHAC, Joseph). Ward, Vaughn, ed. I Always Tell the Truth (Even if I Have to Lie to Do It!). Greenfield Center: Greenfield Review (1990). Stories from The Adirondack Liars' Club, including a contribution by Bruchac. This copy is inscribed by the author to his mother: "April 24, 1990/ For My Mother,/ Who's known more/ than one storyteller in/ her time!/ With love always,/ Your Son,/ Joe," with a small Kokopelli drawing. Fine in wrappers.
43. (BRUCHAC, Joseph). Paintbrush. A Journal of Poetry and Translation. Kirksville: Truman State University (1997). An annual journal, this issue featuring work by and about Joseph Bruchac. Inscribed by the author to his mother: "4/98/ For Mom,/ My first fan!/ Peace,/ Your Son,/ Joe," again with a Kokopelli drawing by Bruchac. Fine in wrappers.
44. BUKOWSKI, Charles. Crucifix in a Deathhand. NY: Lyle Stuart/Loujon Press (1965). Designed and elaborately printed and bound in an edition of 3100 copies by Loujon Press: multi-colored, deckle-edge pages, in stiff pictorial wrappers. This copy is inscribed by the author to the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Karl Shapiro: "For/ Karl Shapiro -- / Kid, it's a hell/ of a hard game -- / living, dying/ reading, bleeding/ singing -- / What the fuck -- / it's hang and/ hold -- / Hello,/ Charles Bukowski." With several of Bukowski's characteristic cartoon illustrations. Very slight spine-sunning and rubbing to the folds; else fine. An early publication by Bukowski and an extremely uncommon item to find with a significant literary association such as this.
45. (BURROUGHS, John). WHITMAN, Walt. Leaves of Grass. [Boston]: [Thayer & Eldridge], [1860-61]. A later edition (possibly a Worthington piracy of the Thayer & Eldridge third edition). Inscribed by John Burroughs: "It was this edition/ of Leaves of Grass that I first/ read about 1861./ John Burroughs," although Burroughs may have mistaken this edition for an earlier one. Burroughs was a good friend of Whitman and wrote the first study of him -- Notes on Walt Whitman as Poet and Person -- in 1867, which he later expanded as Walt Whitman: A Study, published in 1896, four years after the poet died. Rear flyleaf excised; a very good copy in rubbed maroon cloth, and an interesting association copy, linking the two close friends.
46. BURROUGHS, William S. Cobble Stone Gardens. (Cherry Valley): Cherry Valley Editions (1976). One of only 50 copies hand-bound by Michael Scott Cain and numbered and signed by the author. This copy is additionally inscribed by the binder and the author to Arthur and Kit Knight, noted publishers of a number of volumes of work by Beat writers as well as the journal Unspeakable Visions of the Individual, which celebrates Beat literature. One signature loose, thus only very good. An excellent association copy of one of the scarcest editions in the Burroughs canon.
47. BURROWAY, Janet. Opening Nights. NY: Atheneum, 1985. A novel by the author of The Buzzards (a Pulitzer Prize nominee) and Raw Silk (a National Book Award nominee). With a warm, full-page inscription by Burroway to award-winning novelist Jay Neugeboren, dated in the year of publication. Neugeboren's first novel, Big Man, was called by James Michener the best novel on basketball he had ever read. His novel Before My Life Began won the Edward Lewis Wallant Award for the best work of fiction pertaining to the Jewish experience. His most recent books have been nonfiction, one of them -- Imagining Robert, a memoir of his mentally ill brother -- was also nominated for major awards. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
48. BUTLER, Robert Olen. Wabash. NY: Knopf, 1987. His fifth novel, set in a midwestern steel mill town during the Depression. Clipped to the front flyleaf is an autograph card signed, inscribing the book to Andre Dubus, and reading in part: "Here are 75,000 words from one of your biggest fans..." Butler won the Pulitzer Prize for his story collection A Good Scent From a Strange Mountain. Dubus, among many other awards, was the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant for his stories and novellas. An excellent association copy linking two of the finest American writers of the postwar period. Fine in a very near fine dust jacket.