Catalog 133, V-Z
300. WELLS, H.G. The Time Machine. NY: Random House (1931). First thus, one of 1200 numbered copies, with a new preface by the author and color illustrations by W.A. Dwiggins. Bookstore blindstamp and owner name front flyleaf; spine slightly dusty and mottled; still, near fine in a near fine slipcase.
301. WELSH, Irvine. Trainspotting. London: Secker & Warburg (1993). His first novel, highly acclaimed upon publication and later the basis for the phenomenally successful movie that became a cultural milestone of the 1990s. This is the hardcover issue, reportedly one of only 600 copies, most of which presumably went to libraries; the bulk of the edition was issued in softcover. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
302. -. Same title. The uncorrected proof copy. The hardcover first edition is extremely scarce; the proof even more so. We've only seen a handful of copies of it, despite the book's becoming collectible almost immediately after publication. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers and custom clamshell box.
Inscribed
303. WHITE, E.B. Charlotte's Web. NY: Harper & Brothers (1952). A later printing of the second of White's children's books and his most famous book, a classic that has stayed in print continuously for a half-century and was also the basis for a highly successful animated film. White was a poet and humorist before beginning a decades-long career as an essayist at The New Yorker, helping to give that magazine its reputation for clarity, urbanity and fine writing. His children's books are the only fiction that he wrote, and they have been much-loved over the years by children and adults alike, for their sensitive characterizations and their depictions of the bittersweet pain of life and loss. This copy is inscribed by the author: "For Alta Varney/ with greetings from/ E.B. White." Mild foxing to top edge; a near fine copy in a near fine dust jacket with slight edge-sunning and one short, closed edge tear. Signed copies of White's most famous book are rare.
304. WIDEMAN, John Edgar. Brothers & Keepers. NY: HRW (1984). Nonfiction account of the author's relationship with his brother, and his brother's run-ins with the law. Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award; nominated for a PEN Faulkner Award. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with a gutter nick on the front panel.
305. WILLIAMS, Charles. The Big Bite. (NY): Dell (1956). Paperback original by this author who is well known for his noir thrillers, a number of which have been successfully adapted for the movies. Fading to spine; creasing to spine and front cover; cocked; a good copy.
306. WILLIAMS, Charles. Girl Out Back. (NY): Dell (1958). Paperback original; another hard-boiled novel. Spine and corners creased; a very good copy.
307. WILSON, Edmund. The Wound and the Bow. (n.p.): Houghton Mifflin, 1931. "Seven Studies in Literature." Literary essays by the author of To the Finland Station and Axel's Castle, among others. Pencilled owner name and notes; foredge foxing; near fine in a good, dampstained dust jacket externally tape-repaired along two lower corners.
308. WOLFF, Geoffrey. The Day at the Beach. NY: Knopf, 1992. A collection of related personal essays by the author of The Duke of Deception, among others. Inscribed by Wolff to another writer "with so much admiration." Fine in a fine dust jacket. A nice association copy.
309. WOODS, William Crawford. The Killing Zone. NY: Harper's Magazine Press (1970). Inscribed by Woods to another writer, "the serious man, the samurai." Sticker removal shadow front flyleaf; fine in a near fine dust jacket. An important Vietnam-era novel, and a good association.