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Catalog 120, A-B

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1. (ABBEY, Edward). MAXWELL, Spencer. Collecting Abbey. Santa Fe: Vinegar Tom (1991). A checklist of Abbey's first editions, with comments and approximate values as of the time of publication. One of 125 copies in stapled wrappers, of a total edition of 151 copies. Fine.

2. ABE, Kobo. The Box Man. NY: Knopf, 1974. The uncorrected proof copy of this novel by the Japanese author of Woman in the Dunes, among others. Near fine in tall wrappers.

3. (AGEE, James). Remembering James Agee. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press (1974). The uncorrected proof copy, in the form of ringbound galley sheets, printed on rectos only. Edited and introduced by novelist David Madden; laid in is a copyedited photocopied typescript of Madden's introduction, as well as three 8" x 9 1/2" photos of Agee. The typescript is edge-sunned; all other elements fine.

4. ALBEE, Edward. The Wounding: An Essay on Education. Charleston: Mountain State Press (1981). A special edition of a commencement speech given by Albee, author of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Limited to 250 copies, of which this is one of 200 copies in wrappers, numbered and signed by the author. Fine.

5. ALEXIE, Sherman. The Toughest Indian in the World. NY: Atlantic Monthly (2000). The advance reading copy of a novel by this author who was selected by both Granta and The New Yorker as one of the 20 best young American writers. Fine in wrappers.

6. ALLENDE, Isabel. Eva Luna. Berkeley: Black Oak Books (n.d.). A broadside excerpt from her novel, printed on the occasion of a reading by the author. Approximately 9 1/2" x 12." Matted; fine.

7. ALVAREZ, Julia. In the Name of Salomé. Chapel Hill: Algonquin, 2000. The advance reading copy of this novel set in the Caribbean, by a novelist of Dominican descent. Near fine in wrappers.

8. (Anthology). Last Night at Finbar's Hotel. San Diego/NY: Harcourt/Harvest (2000). The uncorrected proof copy of the first American edition of this novel written by seven Irish writers: Maeve Binchy, Dermot Bolger, Clare Boylan, Emma Donoghue, Anne Haverty, Éilis Ní Dhuibhne, Kate O'Riordan and Deirdre Purcell. Fine in wrappers.

9. ARNOW, Harriette Simpson. The Dollmaker. NY: Macmillan, 1954. This Kentucky writer's most acclaimed novel, which deals with a family uprooted from its native region and relocated to the urban confusion of Detroit during the Second World War. The book was a bestseller upon publication, being reprinted a number of times. Because of the strength of its central, female character it was later resurrected by the women's movement, becoming a standard on college campuses in feminist and women's literature courses. Spine cloth inexpertly and rather unnecessarily colored; near fine in a near fine dust jacket foxed on verso.

10. ARTAUD, Antonin. The Theater and its Double. NY: Grove (1958). The uncommon hardcover issue of the first American edition of this classic work on the theater, by a surrealist who promoted a "Theater of Violence" that, in part, helped lead to the Theater of the Absurd. Artaud wrote that the value of the theater "is in its excruciating, magical relation to reality and danger," and this work articulated a vision that led to dramatic experimentation in the theater, which was most clearly represented in the works of Samuel Beckett. These essays were first published in France in 1938. The U.S. edition was issued by Grove, an early publisher of the avant garde in the U.S. The bulk of the edition was issued in paperback, and only a small number of hardcovers were done. We've never had, nor seen, another one. A binding flaw has caused the endpapers and half-title to adhere to each other; still near fine in a near fine dust jacket.

11. (ASHBERY, John). SHAPIRO, David. John Ashbery. An Introduction to the Poetry. NY: Columbia University Press, 1979. Bound galley sheets, 8 1/2" x 14", of the first full-length critical study of Ashbery's poetry, written by a multi-talented author who is himself a poet, art critic and historian, and has collaborated with Laurie Anderson on a play. Shapiro had edited an anthology of the New York School poets, and has written full-length books on such painters as Jasper Johns and Jim Dine, and was ideally suited to appreciate the context of Ashbery's poetry as well as the content. Long sheets printed on rectos only, bound with two metal rings. Inscribed by Shapiro. Sunning to cardstock covers; else fine. An unusual format; no doubt only a very small handful of these were produced.

12. AUDEN, W.H. Homage to Clio. NY: Random House (1960). Several page corners turned; else fine in a lightly spine-faded dust jacket with trace wear at the spine extremities and a bit of creasing to the rear panel.

13. -. Another copy. Fine in a very good, lightly dusty jacket with a small ring on the front panel.

14. AUSTER, Paul. Autograph Letter Signed and Autograph Postcard Signed. September 1987. In the letter, Auster converses about a Blakeloch piece already written: "I wanted to say more about Blakeloch, but space restrictions hemmed me in, and much was cut from the article (so that I can barely recognize myself in what was finally printed.)" He seems willing to learn and write more about Blakeloch and speculates "I'm immersed in another book right now, but perhaps when it's done (in about six months or so), I can do something for you..." Auster also announces the recent arrival of his daughter, Sophie. The postcard thanks the recipient for sending him an article on Blakeloch. The letter is folded for mailing, otherwise both items are fine.

15. BARNES, Julian. "And I'm not saying love will make you happy..." Berkeley: Black Oak Books (n.d.). A broadside excerpt from A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters, printed on the occasion of a reading by the author. Matted to 11 3/4" x 15 3/4". Fine.

16. 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. Winner of the Richard and Hinda 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. This copy is warmly inscribed by the author to novelist James Jones in Paris in 1965, with an additional full-page inscription from 1994 which recounts the circumstances of the earlier inscription. A wonderful association copy between two of the most prominent post-war American novelists: Jones was the author of From Here to Eternity and The Thin Red Line, two of the classic literary novels of World War II. Berger's first two novels, decidedly more experimental than Jones's, also had a World War II setting, or more correctly were set in post-War occupied Europe. Little Big Man, because of the award-winning movie that was made from it several years later, is probably Berger's best-known work. Concavity to spine; near fine in a very good, rubbed and previously dampened dust jacket.

17. -. Another copy. Minor foxing to top stain and spine; very near fine in a near fine, price-clipped dust jacket with trace rubbing and foxing. A much nicer than usual copy of this novel.

18. BLIER, Bertrand. Going Places. Philadelphia: Lippincott (1974). The first American edition, the hardcover issue, of the French filmmaker's first novel, which was made into a well-received, albeit morally disturbing, movie with Jeanne Moreau and Gerard Depardieu, in the film that made him a star. A small binding flaw left the rear endpapers slightly oversize, otherwise fine in a very good dust jacket with some faint dampstaining to the top edge.

19. BOHJALIAN, Chris. The Law of Similars. NY: Harmony (1999). The advance reading copy of this novel by the author of the bestselling Midwives. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers.

20. (Book Collecting). AHEARN, Allen and Patricia. Collected Books: The Guide to Values, 2002 Edition. NY: Putnam (2001). The latest edition of the standard guide to book values by the authors of Book Collecting. This volume updates their 1991 and 1998 Collected Books, with values for more than 20,000 books and a section for identifying first editions. The Ahearns have put together the most useful single-volume reference books in the book trade. The listings in this guide include not only estimated prices but details regarding issue points where applicable. This is probably the only book that virtually every dealer in the U.S. owns a copy of and is indispensable, both for dealers who must assess a wide range of material and for collectors who focus in one or a few areas. Just the changes in values since the last edition was published in 1998 are an invaluable reference and can easily repay the cost of the book. An essential guide. Signed by the authors. New. List price:

21. BOWDEN, Mark. Black Hawk Down. NY: Atlantic Monthly Press (1999). A surprise bestseller, a nonfiction work about a U.S. military raid in Somalia that left more than 500 Somalis and 18 American soldiers dead and altered the parameters for American military action elsewhere in the world since. Compared by critics to Michael Herr's Dispatches for its realistic account of soldiers in the heat of battle, this was the basis for Ridley Scott's award-winning movie. Fingerprints in one page margin, else fine in a fine dust jacket.

22. BOWEN, Peter. Specimen Song. NY: St. Martin's Press (1995). A novel in the highly praised Gabriel du Pre mystery series by this Montana author. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket.

23. BRAUTIGAN, Richard and Ianthe. An Unfortunate Woman and You Can't Catch Death. NY: St. Martin's (2000). The advance reading copies of Brautigan's last novel and his daughter's memoir, sent out to reviewers as a boxed set. Fine in wrappers and slipcase.

24. BRISCOE, Connie. A Long Way from Home. (NY): HarperCollins (1999). The advance reading copy. Fine in wrappers and housed in the publisher's cardstock clamshell box. An interesting and elaborate example of publisher marketing.

25. BROWN, Frederic. Madball. (NY): Dell (1953). Paperback original in the Dell First Edition series, by the author of The Fabulous Clipjoint and Night of the Jabberwock. Darkening to pages; some light creasing; near fine in wrappers.

26. BROWN, John Gregory. Decorations in a Ruined Cemetery. (NY): (Houghton Mifflin) (1994). The uncorrected proof copy. This is shot from manuscript, rather than having been typeset -- a format which typically suggests small distribution -- and is considerably scarcer than the glossy advance reading copy of this title that was issued. Fine in wrappers.

27. BURKE, James Lee. Lay Down My Sword and Shield. NY: Crowell (1971). The third of Burke's early novels, the last before a hiatus from publishing that lasted over a decade. This book also seems to be the scarcest of his three early novels, surpassed in scarcity only by the hardcover issue of his story collection The Convict. Its scarcity is probably explained in part by the fact that it was issued by a publisher not well known for publishing fiction: of the mainstream trade publishers that issued Burke's first three novels, Crowell was by far the smallest and the least inclined toward publishing fiction. This is the issue in beige cloth, with the title stamped in pink. There is also, to the best of our memory, an issue in beige cloth stamped in copper and an issue in mustard cloth stamped in pink. Signed by the author. Fine in a near fine, slightly spine-faded dust jacket that is folded off-center. An attractive copy of one of Burke's most elusive books.

28. BURKE, James Lee. To the Bright and Shining Sun. (Huntington): (Cahill) (1992). The publisher's archive for the limited reissue of Burke's scarce second book, a regional novel set among mine workers in the Cumberland mountains of Kentucky -- the first time this book was reprinted after its original publication in 1970. Including the typescript of Burke's introduction to this volume signed by Burke; the printer's blues, signed by Burke; eight original woodcuts to illustrate the new edition, signed by artist Joe Servello along with mock-ups for two versions of the title page; and two author "check copies" of the volume, which consist of the folded & gathered sheets laid into the boards, each signed by Burke on the front cloth and on the colophon, and one is additionally signed on the title page. Together with the finished product: one of 400 numbered copies signed by the author, with the new introduction. All elements fine. A unique collection by a writer who has become one of the most popular novelists of his time: his award-winning Dave Robicheaux mystery series garnered him both critical acclaim and popular success, and his first novel to break away from that series in recent years also won him an Edgar Award as the best mystery novel of the year. The Servello woodcuts are attractive, moody, and suitable for framing.

29. BURKE, James Lee. Two for Texas. (Huntington): (Cahill) (1992). The publisher's archive for this reissue, which was the first hardcover edition of this historical novel, published as a paperback original a decade earlier, well before the author's critical and commercial success with his Dave Robicheaux mystery novels. This edition had a new introduction by Burke on the writing of historical novels such as this one. The archive includes the printer's blue proofs signed by Burke; nine original Joe Servello woodcuts plus mock-ups of both the title page and the tailpiece; two author "check copies" of the volume consisting of folded & gathered sheets laid into the boards, each signed by Burke and illustrator Joe Servello on the colophon, and one signed by Burke on the title page; and one autograph note signed by Burke, which spans three post-it notes. All elements fine. Again, a unique and attractive archive.

30. BURKE, James Lee. In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead. NY: Hyperion (1993). The limited edition of this mystery in the award-winning Dave Robicheaux series. One of 150 numbered copies signed by the author, of a total edition of 176. Fine in a fine slipcase.

31. BURKE, James Lee. Cadillac Jukebox. [New Orleans]: (B.E. Trice) (1996). The limited edition of this Robicheaux novel, bound from the sheets of the trade edition. Of a total edition of 201 copies, this is one of 175 numbered copies signed by the author. Fine in a fine slipcase.

32. BURKE, James Lee. Cimarron Rose. (New Orleans): (B.E. Trice) (1997). The limited edition of this novel, a departure from his Robicheaux series, and winner of the 1998 Edgar Award for Best Mystery Novel of the year. Printed from the sheets of the trade edition. Of a total edition of 176 copies, this is one of 150 numbered copies signed by the author. Fine in a fine slipcase.

33. BURKE, James Lee. Heartwood. (New Orleans): (B.E. Trice) (1999). The limited edition of his second Texas novel, featuring Billy Bob Holland, the protagonist of the Edgar Award-winning Cimarron Rose. One of 150 numbered copies signed by the author. Fine in a fine slipcase.

34. BURKE, James Lee. Purple Cane Road. (New Orleans): (B.E. Trice) (2000). The limited edition of another Robicheaux novel. Of 176 total copies, this is one of 150 numbered copies signed by the author. Fine in a fine slipcase.

35. BURKE, James Lee. Bitterroot. (New Orleans): (B.E. Trice) (2001). The limited edition of this novel featuring series character Billy Bob Holland, a lawyer and Vietnam vet. Of a total edition of 176 copies, this is one 150 numbered copies signed by the author. Fine in a fine slipcase.

36. BURKE, James Lee. Jolie Blon's Bounce. (New Orleans): (B.E. Trice) (2002). The limited edition of Burke's well-received new novel, featuring Dave Robicheaux. This is one of 26 lettered copies signed by the author. Fine in slipcase.

37. -. Same title, one of 150 numbered copies signed by the author. Fine in slipcase (still shrinkwrapped).

38. BURROUGHS, William. Ali's Smile. (Göttingen): (Expanded Media Editions) (1973). Bilingual (English/German) reprint of the original Unicorn Press edition. Mildly edge-darkened covers; near fine in wrappers.

39. BUZZATI, Dino. Restless Nights. Berkeley: North Point, 1983. The uncorrected proof copy of these stories by the great Italian writer, journalist and painter, selected and translated by Lawrence Venuti. Very near fine in wrappers.

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