Catalog 130, B
11. BALDWIN, James. Notes of a Native Son. Boston: Beacon Press (1955). The second book by the author of Go Tell it on the Mountain, a collection of essays. Warmly inscribed by Baldwin on the dedication page: "For Lawrence: - / Lurlene is a fine/ actress, friend. We'll be working/ together again -/ My best to you./ Sincerely,/ Jimmy Baldwin." Tape residue on endpages from jacket flaps; thus only near fine in a worn second issue dust jacket, with several chips, tears, rubbed areas and spots of dampness; only good, but a scarce book to find signed or inscribed.
12. BALDWIN, James. Just Above My Head. NY: Dial (1979). The last major novel published in Baldwin's lifetime. Inscribed by Baldwin to his longtime friend and biographer: "For my beloved/ David Adams/ Leeming:/ Godspeed./ Jimmy Baldwin." With a note laid in in Leeming's hand stating that the book was given to him in Amherst, MA c. 1980. Leeming worked for Baldwin for a time, and later wrote what is considered the standard biography of him. He was one of the dedicatees of Baldwin's novel Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone. Near fine in a heavily edgeworn dust jacket with internal tape repairs; about very good. A remarkable association copy.
13. BALDWIN, James. The Price of the Ticket. NY: St. Martin's/Marek (1985). A massive collection of nonfiction spanning nearly forty years. Again, inscribed by Baldwin to David Leeming, his biographer. With a note laid in in Leeming's hand stating that the book was given to him in St. Paul de Vence in 1985. Some play in the binding from the weight of the text block; near fine in a near fine dust jacket with a chip at the spine crown in place of the first "e" in the title.
14. BARAKA, Amiri. Later Trane. Candia: John LeBow, 2003. An essay on John Coltrane. Issued as Razor Series No. 1, the first in a series of jazz essays by Baraka. Of a total edition of 200 copies, this is one of 150 numbered copies offered for public sale. Signed by Baraka. Fine in saddle-stitched wrappers.
15. -. Same title. One of 26 lettered copies. Signed by Baraka and with original artwork by him. This edition includes the Coltrane CD "Love Supreme." Fine, in folding chemise and wraparound band. At the list price:
16. 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 of 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 said 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.
17. 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.
18. BAXTER, Charles. Imaginary Paintings and Other Poems. (Latham): Paris Review Editions (1989). An uncommon book of poetry by a writer who is, these days, more well known for his fiction, including First Light and Through the Safety Net. Baxter's first two books, in the early 1970s, were poetry and this was his third collection of verse. Warmly inscribed by the author in 2003. Owner name on flyleaf; trace rubbing to spine fold; else fine in wrappers.
19. BAXTER, Charles. The Feast of Love. NY: Pantheon (2000). A novel that was a National Book Award finalist and was nominated for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Inscribed by the author: "Happy Birthday!/ Love/ Charlie." Fine in a near fine, price-clipped dust jacket creased on the front flap.
20. BEATTIE, Ann. Perfect Recall. NY: Scribner (2001). A collection of stories. Inscribed by the author to another writer and, as such, a nice association copy. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
21. BEGLEY, Louis. About Schmidt. NY: Knopf, 1996. His fourth novel, and basis for the well-received movie with Jack Nicholson. 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.
22. 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 his publisher Seymour Lawrence, one of the giants of American literary publishing in the second half of the twentieth century. Near fine in a very good, spine-faded and edgeworn dust jacket.
23. BERGER, Thomas. The Feud. (NY): Delacorte/Lawrence (1983). Inscribed by the author to Seymour Lawrence, the publisher of this book, "with gratitude and affection" on May 1, 1983, the month of publication. Berger is the author of, among others, Little Big Man and Neighbors, both of which were made into notable Hollywood films. Fine in a mildly spine-tanned dust jacket slightly worn at the extremities; about near fine. A nice association copy.
24. 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.
25. BERRIAULT, Gina. The Infinite Passion of Expectation. Berkeley: North Point, 1982. Bound galleys of this collection of stories that was published as a paperback original. 8 1/2" x 14", printed on rectos only. Velobound; very near fine. An uncommon format for a proof.
26. BISHOP, Elizabeth. Questions of Travel. NY: FSG (1965). Her third collection of poems, which was a finalist for the National Book Award. One of only 4000 copies printed. Inscribed by the author to poet Duane Niatum (as Duane McGinnis): "To Duane [McGinnis whited out]: I hope his enthusiasm/ never dies -- Elizabeth Bishop/ Seattle, Washington, April 1966." Niatum's handmade bookplate front flyleaf and his marks in text; a near fine copy with the front and rear dust jacket panels clipped and attached to boards. Books signed by Bishop are uncommon, and literary association copies, especially those with contemporary signatures, are extremely scarce.
27. BLOUNT, Roy, Jr. Crackers. NY: Knopf, 1980. The second book by this humorist who has long been a contributing editor at the Atlantic Monthly and is the author of 17 books to date. Inscribed by the author "To Pauline [Kael],/ Who came up with/ the title, but I wrote/ the rest of it./ Thanks, Roy Blount Jr." Very slight foxing to top edge; near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Kael and Blount were longtime friends who lived near each other in western Massachusetts despite being closely associated with magazines published in New York.
28. BLOUNT, Roy, Jr. One Fell Soup. Boston: Little Brown (1982). His third book, a collection of over 50 short pieces that had appeared in magazines. Inscribed by the author to Pauline Kael: "To my hero and friend, Pauline." Foxing to top edge; near fine in a near fine dust jacket.
29. BLOUNT, Roy, Jr. What Men Don't Tell Women. Boston: Little Brown (1984). His fourth book, inscribed by the author to Pauline Kael. Foxing to top edge; near fine in a near fine dust jacket.
30. BLOUNT, Roy, Jr. It Grows on You. NY: Dolphin/Doubleday, 1986. A book about hair, with photographs by Bob Adelman. Inscribed by Blount to Pauline Kael: "To Pauline/ This demisemiological/ work deals with lower/ forms of human expression/ than the cinema, but/ it does have pictures/ Love,/ Roy." Quarto. Cover slightly splayed; else fine in wrappers. A fittingly humorous inscription.
31. BLOUNT, Roy, Jr. First Hubby. NY: Villard Books, 1990. His comic first novel, "about a man who happens to be married to the President of the United States." Inscribed by the author to Pauline Kael. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.
32. BLY, Robert. Sleepers Joining Hands. NY: Harper & Row (1973). Second printing of his third book, and his first collection after winning the National Book Award in 1968 for The Light Around the Body. This volume contains his famous antiwar poem, "The Teeth Mother Naked at Last." Inscribed by the author to another poet, "with admiration," and with an accompanying drawing of a moose. Poet's handmade bookplate front flyleaf; near fine, without dust jacket but with jacket flaps clipped and attached to front pastedown.
33. BOWEN, Elizabeth. Collected Impressions. NY: Knopf, 1950. Bowen's own selected favorites from among her short nonfiction writings. Inscribed by the author in the year of publication. Recipient's initials in pencil on flyleaf; foredge foxing; near fine in a very good dust jacket with slight edge wear and mild tanning to the spine.
34. BOWLES, Paul. The Delicate Prey and Other Stories. (NY): Random House (1950). His second book published in the U.S., and first collection of stories. Inscribed by the author: "For Mary Robbins,/ Paul Bowles/ Tangier/ 11/IX/89." Robbins was a friend and neighbor of Bowles' biographer, Virginia Spencer Carr, and she accompanied Carr on several trips to Tangier and then housed Bowles when he traveled to the U.S. for surgery in 1994. Tiny tear to cloth at spine crown; tiny foredge tear to rear blank; slight acidification to page edges; and a faint ink line (apparently the same ink as used in the inscription) to the foredge; a near fine copy in a good, heavily spine-faded dust jacket with several small, internally tape-repaired edge chips. Trade editions signed by Bowles are uncommon: he seldom travelled away from North Africa and therefore was not easily accessible to readers or collectors.
35. BOWLES, Paul. The Spider's House. NY: Random House (1955). His third novel, about a group of Westerners adrift in the alien culture of Morocco, a subject he explored repeatedly and to great effect. Inscribed by the author: "For Mary Robbins/ Paul Bowles." Top stain faded; otherwise a fine copy in a very good, rubbed dust jacket with wear at the spine extremities.
36. 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.
37. BOWLES, Paul. Next to Nothing. Santa Barbara: Black Sparrow, 1981. One of 500 copies of the hardcover trade edition. This copy is inscribed by the author: "For Mary Robbins/ Paul Bowles/ Tangier." Fine in an acetate dust jacket.
38. BOWLES, Paul. Points in Time. NY: Ecco Press (1984). The first American edition of this collection of nonfiction, a series of sketches or vignettes about his adopted country, Morocco. Inscribed by the author: "For Mary Robbins,/ Paul Bowles/ Tangier." Fine in a spine-faded, else fine dust jacket.
39. BOWLES, Paul. In Touch. NY: FSG (1993, 1994). A massive collection of Bowles's letters, edited by his bibliographer Jeffrey Miller. Inscribed by the author: "For Mary Robbins/ my Atlanta hostess/ with wishes for/ the best./ Paul B./ 2/VI/94." Slight pull from the weight of the text block; else fine in a fine dust jacket.
40. BRADBURY, Ray. Something Wicked This Way Comes. NY: Bantam (1967). The fourth printing of the Bantam paperback edition. Inscribed by the author to Pauline Kael: "Pauline!/ This, my favorite/ book!/ With/ good/ wishes/ from/ Ray/ Bradbury/ May/ 1968." Edge-darkening to pages; modest creasing and rubbing; very good in wrappers.
41. BROWN, Larry. Autograph Postcard Signed. September 30, 1991. Written on a Big Bad Love postcard. Brown says he hopes to send the recipient the story he's working on later in the week and that he's spent the weekend promoting Joe. Signed "Larry." Near fine.
42. BURGESS, Anthony. Tremor of Intent. London: Heinemann (1966). The uncorrected proof copy of this spoof of the spy genre, by the author of A Clockwork Orange. Written at a time when the James Bond novels had just received a boost of publicity as a result of the first wave of movies based on Fleming's books. Creasing to spine, and publication date written there; near fine in wrappers.
43. BURROUGHS, William and GYSIN, Brion. The Exterminator. (San Francisco): Auerhahn, 1960. Burroughs' fourth book, a collaboration with his longtime friend, Brion Gysin. Printed by Dave Haselwood, who later reissued this title under his own imprint in 1967. This edition is estimated by the bibliographer at 1000 copies. Covers and four illustrations by Gysin. Small label removal shadow inside front cover; else fine in wrappers.
44. BURROUGHS, William S. The Ticket That Exploded. Paris: Olympia (1962). The correct first edition, published in paperback in Paris, as were his earlier books, The Soft Machine and Naked Lunch. The U.S. edition was not published until five years later. Issued in Maurice Girodias' "Traveller's Companion" series -- a line of paperbacks that was largely dominated by the kind of softcore and hardcore pornography that could not be sold at all in the U.S. at that time -- few copies of this title migrated to the U.S. until well after Burroughs' popularity here was established and the landmark censorship cases of the early 1960s (including that of Naked Lunch) had been settled in favor of increased permissiveness in printed matter. Inscribed by the author "with friendship and best wishes" on the title page. Bookstore stamp of a Spanish bookshop on flyleaf; covers a bit wrinkled; small abrasion to spine; very good in a very good dust jacket.
45. BUTLER, Robert Olen. A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain. NY: Henry Holt (1992). The author's first collection of stories after six highly-praised novels. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and a finalist for the PEN Faulkner Award. A scarce book in the first printing, issued originally in small numbers (reportedly 6000 copies) and reprinted many times after the announcement of the prize. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
46. BUTLER, Robert Olen. Autograph Note Signed. August 4, 1992. Written on McNeese State University stationery, thanking the recipient for his note and confiding "...it gets a little spooky doing what we do and so rarely knowing that connections are being made." Butler also informs his correspondent that his book [A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain] has won the Southern Review/LSU Prize for short fiction; the title will go on to win the Pulitzer Prize. Signed by Butler. Folded in thirds for mailing, fine. With hand-addressed mailing envelope.