Catalog 152, H-K
82. HEMINGWAY, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. NY: Scribner, 1952. The last of Hemingway's books published in his lifetime, a novella that won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and earned him, two years later, the Nobel Prize for literature. A short novel that has been characterized as a fable, it deals with a Cuban fisherman's struggles to land a giant marlin that he has hooked, and reflects Hemingway's concern for life as a struggle of man against nature, including his own nature. Owner name and offsetting to front endpages; otherwise near fine in a near fine, mildly sunned dust jacket with light wear to the spine ends, tape shadows to verso, offsetting to the front flap and a few pencil marks to the rear flap.
83. HEMINGWAY, Ernest. A Clean Well-Lighted Place. (Mankato): Creative Education (1990). The first separate appearance of this story, one of Hemingway's most famous and most frequently anthologized, first published in 1933 and included in his collection Winner Take Nothing. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
84. HENRY, Marguerite. Manuscript of Stormy. Misty's Foal. (n.p.): (n.p.) (n.d.) [c. 1962]. Typed manuscript with holograph notes of Marguerite Henry's classic sequel to Misty of Chincoteague, prepared for the use of illustrator Wesley Dennis, Henry's collaborator on a series of highly regarded children's books from the 1940s to the 1960s. The manuscript comprises approximately 100 sheets of loose-leaf paper in a three-ring binder, with Henry's manuscript segments cut-and-pasted to the sheets leaving room for Dennis's illustrations, and with Henry's instructions/guidelines for Dennis regarding her ideas for the images. In addition, there is a group of miscellaneous material Henry apparently provided Dennis to help with ideas and images for the book's illustrations, including photographs of the actual foal, Stormy; shots of Misty with another of her foals; snapshots of the farm where they lived; etc. One of the most interesting working manuscripts we have ever seen. Henry's work on the book is visible in multiple dimensions: as a writer, her manuscript; as an editor, via the holograph changes to the manuscript that are visible throughout the book; as a production designer, in her layout of the mockup of the book, with text and illustrations indicated in her hand; and as art director, with her instructions to Dennis on virtually every page. The author's engagement with the material on the multiple levels required to create a successful book is wonderfully evident. Stormy, Misty's Foal was published in 1963 and was based on the true story of a foal born to Misty, a Chincoteague pony made famous by Henry's classic 1947 book and the Hollywood movie that was later adapted from it. Henry had written one sequel to Misty of Chincoteague in 1949 -- Sea Star, Orphan of Chincoteague -- and her 1949 collaboration with Wesley Dennis, King of the Wind, had won the Newbury Medal, after two of their earlier books, including Misty, had won Newbury Honor awards. In 1962, a dramatic storm hit the eastern seaboard right at the time that the 16 year-old Misty was preparing to give birth. Nearly 150 wild ponies died in the storm on Chincoteague and Assateague islands, which gave Stormy her name. This manuscript is based on fact but is clearly fiction. The small archive of materials included with it helps show how the one was adapted from the other, including Henry's using a photograph of Misty with one of her other foals as a guideline for Dennis to create an illustration of Misty and Stormy. The Marguerite Henry books were classics of their era: Misty of Chincoteague was recently chosen by one online magazine, American Profile, as one of the "10 Timeless Books of a Generation," along with such titles as Charlotte's Web; Goodnight, Moon; Where the Wild Things Are; Eloise; The Cat in the Hat; and The Giving Tree -- exalted company. Stormy, Misty's Foal is part of a series of critically acclaimed, commercially successful and culturally important books that Henry and Dennis created over more than two decades. Some sheets are loose; overall the condition is very good. An important manuscript, preserving the otherwise unknown and unseen work of one of the great children's book writers of the 20th century.
85. HIAASEN, Carl. Native Tongue. NY: Knopf, 1991. One of the author's trademark comic mysteries set in Florida and raging against the ecological destruction and political corruption that plagues the state. This is the advance reading copy. Inscribed by the author. Fine in wrappers.
86. (HOMES, A.M.). Pure Fiction. (NY): Weisbach/(Morrow), 1999. An advance excerpt from Homes' Music for Torching, together with an interview with Homes, a review, and praise for her earlier books. Also includes excerpts of work by Amanda Davis, Scott Lasser and Dale Peck. Fine in stapled wrappers, with accompanying CD, all housed in publisher's tri-fold folder. A highly unusual, multimedia publisher's promotional item.
87. HUGO, Richard. The Triggering Town. NY: Norton (1979). Lectures and essays on poetry and writing by Hugo, an award-winning poet who also directed the writing program at the University of Montana, helping to turn that state, and Missoula in particular, into a literary Mecca in the late 20th century. Inscribed by Hugo: "For Steve [Krauzer]/ fellow poet/ colleague/ glad you came to join us/ Dick." Fine in a dust jacket with the slightest degree of spine fading, else fine. A nice association copy. Books inscribed by Hugo are relatively uncommon.
88. IRVING, John. A Prayer for Owen Meany. NY: Morrow (1989). The first trade edition of what may be Irving's best-loved book -- a substantial claim for a book by the author of the also much-loved The World According to Garp. A portion of this book was the basis for the film Simon Birch. Inscribed by the author on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
89. -. Another copy. Inscribed by the author: "Happy Birthday, Al!" Laid in is a 1989 typed letter signed by Irving, transmitting the book, apparently as a surprise gift, and relaying detailed news about his sons (including a snapshot of one of them), his son's wrestling team (which Irving was coaching), and a bit about his own workout regimen. Folded in thirds to accompany the book, which has slight foxing to the top edge and is otherwise fine in a fine dust jacket. An interesting glimpse of the author, his family, and the family connection to wrestling, a theme that frequently recurs in Irving's fiction.
90. -. Same title, the trade publisher's limited edition. One of 250 numbered copies signed by the author. Fine in acetate dustwrapper and slipcase. There was also a Franklin Library edition, which preceded the publisher's editions and a signed limited edition produced by the Book of the Month Club, but this edition is by far the scarcest of them and the most desirable.
91. IRVING, John. Trying to Save Piggy Sneed. (Toronto): Knopf Canada (1993). The first Canadian edition of his first collection of short pieces, published after the British edition (or possibly simultaneously; we've heard conflicting stories). Both precede the expanded American edition, which was published in 1996. Inscribed by Irving to his editor, Harvey Ginsberg: "For Harvey, who never got his pencil on any of these...and they are less good, as a result. Love, John." Trace foxing to top edge; else fine in a fine dust jacket. An excellent literary association copy, one of the best we have seen for a John Irving title: Ginsberg edited The Cider-House Rules and five subsequent novels by Irving, even continuing on a freelance basis after Irving left William Morrow publishing company, where Ginsberg worked. Apparently, though, he did not edit Irving's short pieces, such as those collected here.
92. -. Same title, the first American edition. NY: Arcade (1996). Expanded from the British edition, which was published in 1993. Inscribed by Irving to his frequent editor, Harvey Ginsberg: "For Harvey - a book with five spelling errors on one page (p. 97 - the correct name is 'Kurdelmeier' and another spelling error throughout ('Pierannnnzi, not Pieranunzi), suggesting that I NEED A GOOD EDITOR!! Love, John." Modest foxing to page edges; else fine in a dust jacket with a bit of foxing on the verso; else fine. A great inscription, and indicative of the closeness of the working relationship between the two.
93. IRVING, John and DUNN, Katherine. Interview. 1994. The typescript of a telephone interview of Irving by Dunn, conducted just after Irving finished A Son of the Circus. Signed by Dunn and with copyediting marks in her hand. This twenty-two page typescript became a 10 paragraph article by Dunn in the Los Angeles Times, entitled "What Was Irving Thinking - 'Multicultural' doesn't begin to describe the rambunctious all-inclusiveness of this fictional universe." Fine, in an envelope labeled "John Irving Int. Q & A." in Dunn's hand. An enormous amount of otherwise unpublished Irving commentary on both the novel Son of the Circus specifically and also on writing, and his particular approach to writing, in general.
94. IRVING, John. The World According to Garp. NY: Modern Library (1998). First thus, the Modern Library edition, with a new introduction by the author in which he discusses his son's reading of the novel. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
95. IRVING, John. The Fourth Hand. NY: Random House (2001). Signed by the author. Possibly his scarcest trade edition signed. Irving has been reluctant to do signings in recent years, and for this book he did a small number of readings at which he signed books. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
96. JACKSON, Jon A. The Diehard. NY: Random House (1977). His first book, introducing Detective Sergeant Mulheisen. Inscribed by Jackson to fellow Montana author Steve Krauzer: "To my brilliant, noble, courageous, handsome and incredibly hard-boiled colleague, from your faithful sidekick, Jon." Krauzer is unnamed in the inscription, but the book is from Krauzer's estate. Minor rubbing to the bottom edges of the boards; near fine in a near fine dust jacket with minor staining to the crown and a tiny chip on the rear panel.
97. JACKSON, Jon A. The Blind Pig. NY: Random House (1978). His second book, again featuring Detective Sergeant "Fang" Mulheisen. Inscribed by Jackson to Steve Krauzer: "For my beloved, esteemed and always fascinating pal, Love, Jon." Again, Krauzer is unnamed in the inscription, but the book is from Krauzer's estate. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
98. JACKSON, Jon A. Grootka. Woodstock: Foul Play Press/Countryman (1990). The third Mulheisen novel. Inscribed by the author: "For Dorrit Karasek and Steve Krauzer. Two of my good ol' pals. I've got a joke & I'll tell you one day. But thanks for buying this & hope it keeps you awake. Affectionately, Jon Jackson." Fine in a fine dust jacket.
99. JACKSON, Jon A. Go By Go. (Tucson): (Dennis McMillan) (1998). A historical novel set in Butte, Montana, in 1917. Signed by Jackson on the title page and additionally inscribed by him on the dedication page. The printed dedication reads "To the Workers of the World." Here Jackson has added, "That'd be us, Steve [Krauzer]. They just don't know how hard it is. Anyway, this is for my dear old pal, Steve. Affect'ly, Jon." A nice inscription. Krauzer was, as Jackson implies, a hard-working writer who received very little in terms of money or acclaim for his writing, although he wrote, co-wrote or edited some 31 books and a couple of screenplays. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
100. JACKSON, Jon A. La Donna Detroit. NY: Atlantic Monthly Press (2000). A Mulheisen mystery. Inscribed by Jackson: "For Steve [Krauzer], my dear old pal. Jon." Jackson has also corrected the dedication page, changing "To the memory of Henry Wallace Robinson..." to "Leonard Wallace Robinson," adding, underneath, "Nardo." Fine in a near fine, spine-sunned dust jacket.
101. JOHNSON, Denis. Angels. NY: Knopf, 1983. His first novel, a tale of drifters that is reminiscent of the noir fiction of Robert Stone. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket. A beautiful copy of a book that is surprisingly hard to find in fine condition and also signed. An auspicious debut by one of our finest contemporary writers, winner of the National Book Award for his Vietnam novel Tree of Smoke.
102. JOHNSON, Denis. Fiskadoro. NY: Knopf, 1985. His second novel. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Again, a more difficult book to find in fine condition and signed than one would expect. Johnson has not been especially accessible in recent years, it seems, and back in the 1980s was not in as much demand for readings and signings as he is today, thus the scarcity of signed copies of his early books.
103. JOHNSON, Denis. The Stars at Noon. NY: Knopf, 1986. The uncorrected proof copy of his third novel. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers, with publisher's promotional materials laid in.
104. JOHNSON, Denis. Resuscitation of a Hanged Man. NY: FSG (1991). Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
105. JOHNSON, Denis. Jesus' Son. NY: FSG (1992). Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket. By all appearances, the author signed very few copies of this title.
106. -. Another copy. A review copy. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket, with publisher's promotional pages (no review slip) laid in. Again, scarce signed, especially as a review copy.
107. JOHNSON, Denis. Already Dead. (NY): HarperCollins (1997). A well-received novel, subtitled "A California Gothic," a tale of various existential misfits in northern California. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
108. JOHNSON, Denis. The Name of the World. (NY): HarperCollins (2000). One of an unspecified number of copies of the first edition that has been signed by the author on a tipped-in leaf. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
109. KESEY, Ken. Sometimes a Great Notion. NY: Viking (1964). His second and most ambitious novel, about a logging family in Oregon, and embodying the individualistic values that helped Kesey to become a counterculture leader and icon. This is the presumed first state, with the Viking ship on the first half-title, and in the first issue dust jacket, with the author photo credited to "Hank Krangler" and only two lines of biographical information about the author on the rear flap. A fine copy in a near fine dust jacket with creasing to the lower edge of the rear panel and mottling visible only on verso. One of the nicer copies of this title that we have seen.
110. KING, Stephen. The Stand. NY: Doubleday (1978). One of King's early novels published by Doubleday, in a remarkably cheap binding. A massive book -- 823 pages -- which some consider his best. Nonetheless, a larger edition with "restored" text was issued in 1990. This copy is inscribed by King in 1979: "For Ron, with best wishes." Several small stains to page edges; a near fine copy in a near fine dust jacket with a little rubbing and a bit of dampstaining to the base of the spine. We seldom see the early Stephen King novels with contemporary or early inscriptions.
111. KING, Stephen. The Gunslinger. (West Kingston): Donald M. Grant (1982). The first volume of King's "Dark Tower" epic. The Gunslinger was published by a small horror specialty publisher, Donald Grant, right at the point that King had broken through to huge commercial success as a writer, with his books commanding six-figure first printings (and later seven-figure printings) in hardcover. Grant published a small 10,000-copy trade edition of this title, and a 500-copy signed limited edition. Both of them were immediately sold out, and the title became one of the most sought-after Stephen King books, as it was originally announced that there would be no further printings of it. Since then, King has extended the Dark Tower series to seven volumes, and The Gunslinger has come back into print and is widely available. The first printings are still scarce. This copy is fine in a near fine dust jacket with minor edge wear.
112. KITTREDGE, William. Owning It All. (St. Paul): Graywolf Press (1987). The second book by one of the preeminent writers of the contemporary American West. A collection of autobiographical essays that was only published in softcover. Inscribed by the author: "For Steve [Krauzer] -- [drawing of a heart with an arrow through it]/ Well, love & money, Bill K." Between 1982 and 1986, Kittredge and Krauzer wrote nine novels together under the pseudonym "Owen Rountree." The series of Westerns focused on an outlaw named Cord and his female partner, Chi, in the latter half of the 19th century. The books were highly praised but only modestly successful commercially. Rubbing to folds; else fine in wrappers. An excellent association copy between two writers who were both friends and collaborators over a number of years.
113. KITTREDGE, William. Hole in the Sky. NY: Knopf, 1992. His highly praised memoir, which traces his family's history as wealthy landowners in southeastern Oregon, a mixed blessing for the author, as he describes it. Kittredge's memoir is in part an elegy for the Great Basin and the large ranch that was his family legacy and, as such, it reflects on the myths of the Old West and was a key work in defining the literature of the "New West." Inscribed by the author: "To Steve [Krauzer] with all possible respect & affection in memory of Cord. Bill Kittredge. 6/24/92." Fine in a fine dust jacket. A great association copy: in the 1980s Kittredge and Krauzer collaborated on a series of novels of the Old West whose main character was an outlaw named Cord, which the inscription refers to.
114. KITTREDGE, William. The Best Short Stories of William Kittredge. St. Paul: Graywolf Press (2003). Inscribed by the author: "For Steve [Krauzer]/ Old friend and collaborator!/ Bill Kittredge." Only published in wrappers. Fine.
115. KOSINSKI, Jerzy. "NOVAK, Joseph." The Future is Ours, Comrade. London: Bodley Head (1960). The first British edition of the author's first book, a pseudonymously published nonfiction account of Russia in the postwar years, predating his first novel, The Painted Bird, by five years. Inscribed by the author as "Jerzy Kosinski" for Hugh Moorhead in 1982. Moorhead was a Philosophy professor at Northeastern Illinois University who wrote to 250 authors to ask them what they thought the meaning of life was, and then published their answers in a depressing book that suggested nobody had much of a clue. Stripe at bottom page edges; very good in a very good dust jacket chipped at the upper front spine fold.
116. KOSINSKI, Jerzy. Review material for The Painted Bird. (n.p.: n.p., n.d). Possibly printed to accompany the Corgi Books edition (London, 1967). Includes a biographical sketch of Kosinski and 9 pages of excerpted comments and reviews, including comments by such notable figures as playwright Arthur Miller, filmmaker Luis Buñuel, Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel, and numerous others from Europe and the USA, and particularly France where the book won the prestigious award Le Prix du Meilleur Livre Etranger -- the best book by a foreign writer. An interesting historical view of the reception of this book at around the time of its initial publication. Folded once; some staining and a marginal pen mark to the first page; near fine.