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Catalog 128, N-O

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218. NABOKOV, Vladimir. Lolita. Paris: Olympia Press (1955). The correct first edition of Nabokov's masterwork, published in Paris by the Olympia Press, which was most widely known at that time for the pornography published in its "Travellers Companion" series. This novel, which is now viewed as one of the high spots of 20th century literature, was not published in that series, but was bound in wrappers that are virtually identical to the Travelers Companion books -- presumably so that potential buyers might purchase it thinking they were buying the more "hard-core" erotica. Shortly after it was published, it was banned in France for three years (1956-1959). Published in an edition estimated at 5000 copies. Two volumes in wrappers, this being the first issue, distinguished from the second by the absence of a price sticker over the original price on the back cover of Volume II. Reading creases to both volumes, including a vertical crease to the front cover of Vol. II, and with light rubbing and tanning to the spines. Very good in wrappers. A very nice copy of this landmark of 20th century literature.

219. NAIPAUL, V.S. The Middle Passage. (London): Andrew Deutsch (1962). The uncorrected proof copy of Naipaul's first book on the Caribbean and his first book of nonfiction: for all the critical acclaim that his fiction has received, it is probably as an observer of Western, Eastern and colonial societies, as reflected in his nonfiction and essays, that Naipaul has gained the stature he is accorded as a literate observer and commentator on contemporary social issues. This copy belonged to Andrew Salkey; a 1962 note to Salkey regarding the title is laid in. Inscribed by, and coveted by, Naipaul in 1974: Naipaul has signed "V.S. Naipaul" on the title page and has added "I wish I had this/ Vidia/ Oct 4 1972." "Uncorrected" written across the front cover; very good in wrappers. An exceptional association copy, linking the Nobel Prize-winning Naipaul with Salkey, one of the most important Caribbean writers of the 20th century.

220. NERUDA, Pablo. Plenos Poderes. Buenos Aires: Losada (1962). Inscribed by the author to noted scholar, writer and art historian, Selden Rodman in 1966: "Selden/ Rodman/ here awaits/ your house/ and friend/ Pablo." Rodman was the foremost expert on Haitian art, and a specialist on art in the Americas for over sixty years. He wrote numerous books that explained the relationships between art in the Americas -- particularly the Caribbean and Latin America -- and the folk traditions of those countries. He founded the Centre d'Art in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as well as the Haitian Art Center in New York. Parts of his own collection of Haitian art went to Yale University and also were used to found the Rodman Gallery at Ramapo College in New Jersey. Pages uncut; colored scuffs to covers; still about near fine in self-wrappers. A very nice association copy between two of the towering figures of Latin American culture.

221. NERUDA, Pablo. La Barcarola. Buenos Aires: Losada (1967). A long poem by the Chilean Nobel Prize winner, printed on different-colored pages. Inscribed by the author: "a Selden [Rodman]/ un abrazo/ de Pablo/ 1969/ 2 I." A nice inscription: "a hug from Pablo," indicative of the closeness of the two friends. Light foxing, rubbing and creasing to covers, with one tear at the lower front joint. Still very good in self-wrappers. Again, an excellent association copy between the foremost Latin American poet of the 20th century and his close friend, himself a cultural giant.

222. NERUDA, Pablo. Fin de Mundo. Buenos Aires: Losada (1969). A collection of poems, written shortly before he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. Inscribed by the author to Selden Rodman in 1970, in Valparaiso, Chile. Stamp to first blank under inscription; note written (by Rodman?) on rear cover, which is heavily creased; otherwise very good in wrappers. An important association copy between two major cultural figures of the 20th century.

223. OATES, Joyce Carol. By the North Gate. NY: Vanguard (1963). Her first book, a collection of stories. Fine in a very near fine, slightly sunned dust jacket. One of the nicest copies of this book we've seen, which is often prone to dramatic sunning of the spine. The first book in this prolific author's career.

224. OATES, Joyce Carol. The Wheel of Love and Other Stories. NY: Vanguard (1970). Her third collection of stories, published the year she won the National Book Award for her novel Them. Signed by the author. Light sunning to cloth edges, else fine in a near fine dust jacket with light edge wear. A very attractive copy.

225. OATES, Joyce Carol. Marriages and Infidelities. NY: Vanguard (1972). Another collection of stories, her fourth. Signed by the author. Foxing to top edge; near fine in a very good dust jacket internally tape-strengthened at the spine extremities.

226. OATES, Joyce Carol. The Hungry Ghosts. Los Angeles: Black Sparrow, 1974. The trade hardcover edition of this collection of "seven allusive plays." Of a total hardcover edition of 1350 copies, this is one of 1000 copies issued unnumbered and unsigned, although this copy is inscribed by the author in 1977 and signed "Joyce." A fine copy in a rubbed, acetate dust jacket.

227. OATES, Joyce Carol. The Fabulous Beasts. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1975. A collection of poems, one of her scarcest trade publications. Trace foxing to top edge; else fine in a near fine, price-clipped dust jacket with a closed edge tear on the rear panel.

228. OATES, Joyce Carol. Invisible Woman. Princeton: Ontario Review Press (1982). The deluxe edition of this collection of poetry, issued by the publisher that she and her husband founded in 1974, when both were teaching at the University of Windsor, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. One of 300 numbered copies signed by the author. Fine in an acetate dust jacket and slipcase.

229. OATES, Joyce Carol. Women Whose Lives Are Food, Men Whose Lives Are Money. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1987. Poetry, with illustrations by Elizabeth Hansell. Trace foxing to top edge; else fine in a fine, price-clipped dust jacket.

230. O'BRIEN, Edna. Night. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson (1972). The correct first edition of this novel by the Irish writer. Inscribed by the author. Slight lower corner bumps; else fine in a similar dust jacket.

231. O'BRIEN, Edna. Johnny I Hardly Knew You. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson (1977). Inscribed by the author in the year of publication. Very slight lower corner tap; still fine in a near fine dust jacket.

232. O'BRIEN, Tim. In the Lake of the Woods. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1994. A novel involving a Vietnam vet who rises to a position of public prominence but carries a secret that threatens to undo his accomplishment. Named best novel of the year by Time magazine. Inscribed by the author. Dent to rear joint; near fine in a fine dust jacket. This is the wide issue, 1 1/16" thick; no priority established.

233. O'CONNOR, Frank. Crab Apple Jelly. NY: Knopf, 1944. The first American edition of this collection of stories by the foremost Irish writer since Yeats. Fine in a very near fine dust jacket with a small chip threatening at the upper front edge. A very nice copy of this wartime book, which usually shows up well-worn.

234. O'CONNOR, Frank. The Lonely Voice. Cleveland: World (1963). Nonfiction, a study of the short story by one of the masters of the form. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with tanning to the spine lettering. Uncommon.

235. OLIVER, Mary. The Night Traveler. (n.p.): Bits Press (1978). An early chapbook by this poet who has won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, among many other honors. Near fine in sunned stapled wrappers.

236. OLIVER, Mary. White Pine. NY: Harcourt Brace (1994). The uncommon hardcover edition of this collection of poems and prose poems by one of the most highly regarded American poets working today. Fine in a fine dust jacket.

237. OLIVER, Mary. West Wind. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1997. Poems and prose poems. Fine in a fine dust jacket.

238. OZICK, Cynthia. Bloodshed and Three Novellas. NY: Knopf, 1976. Her third book, and the one that established her as a major writer. Signed by the author. A bit of offset sunning to the spine; else fine in a very near fine dust jacket with a corner crease on the front flap.

239. OZICK, Cynthia. Autograph Postcard Signed. January 1985. Written to Harold Brodkey and his wife, Ellen Schwamm. Ozick expresses congratulations to Brodkey on his NEA grant, in part: "It is good to have a carpet of lettuce under one's feet." Written on the verso of a Boucher image; fine. Signed "Cynthia O."

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