Catalog 158, W-Z
227. WALLACE, David Foster. Girl with Curious Hair. NY: Avon Books (1991). The first printing of the Avon paperback edition of his 1989 collection of stories. Inscribed by Wallace to another writer "with thanks" in 1992. Modest reading wear; about near fine in wrappers. Wallace association copies are rare.
228. WILBUR, Richard. Seven Poems. Omaha: Abattoir Editions, 1981. A limited edition, one of 200 copies. This copy is inscribed by Wilbur to B.C. Bloomfield, bibliographer of both Philip Larkin and W.H. Auden, with a gift inscription "from Jack" [Hagstrom], bibliographer of Thomas Gunn and James Merrill. Barely perceptible edge-sunning; still fine in wrappers. Uncommon; scarce as a signed association copy.
229. WILLEFORD, Charles. New Hope for the Dead. NY: St. Martin's (1985). The second of his acclaimed Hope Moseley crime novels. Signed by the author. Fine in a near fine, mildly spine-sunned dust jacket with rubbing to the flap folds. A very nice copy, scarce signed.
230. (WILLIAMS, Tennessee). WELTY, Eudora. The Optimist's Daughter. NY: Random House (1972). Welty's Pulitzer Prize winning novel. Inscribed by Tennessee Williams to Ruth [Ford]: "For Ruth, some lovely southern prose, Love, Tennessee a bientot [so long]." In 1972, Williams' play Small Craft Warnings was running Off Broadway. Ford, the film and stage actress, who had been born in Mississippi, was known for the gatherings she hosted at her apartment at the Dakota building in Manhattan: Williams met Edward Albee at one such event in 1972, albeit prior to the publication of this title. A nice association copy, and in particular a nice Southern association copy: Ford was a longtime friend of William Faulkner and starred in the Broadway adaptation of his only play, Requiem for a Nun. Tennessee Williams was, of course, one of the great American playwrights but also, most especially, a Southern playwright whose work helped to define the literature of the region. Fine in a very near fine, very slightly dusty jacket.
231. WILLIAMS, Thomas. The Night of Trees. NY: Macmillan, 1961. A novel of Leah, New Hampshire, the fictional town in which most of Williams' stories and novels are set. Inscribed by Williams to Sylvester Bingham, Chair of the English Department at the University of New Hampshire, where Williams was employed: "To Bing, Whom I respect so much - Tom." With a typed letter signed from July, 1958 and an autograph letter signed from July, 1961, laid in. The first letter, about 250 words, mostly concerns arrangements for settling in in Bristol, though Williams concludes by saying his new novel is shaping up well. About 250 words, folded for mailing; fine, with envelope. The second letter reports that the prepublication review by Kirkus of The Night of Trees "is bad, but what the hell? I haven't got books yet, but when I do I'll send you one." He provides Bingham with illustrated directions to his house, and reports that despite a broken left wrist, his novelette is about half done. About 125 words, a bit sunned and edge-worn from overhanging the book; near fine. The book itself has a foredge stain and is near fine in a very good, price-clipped dust jacket with a few edge tears. Williams was an influence on an entire generation of writers who worked or studied in New England. He was nominated for the National Book Award in 1959 for Town Burning and won in 1975 for The Hair of Harold Roux.
232. (YATES, Richard). Short Story 1. NY: Scribner's (1958). A review copy of this anthology featuring stories by four authors: Yates, Gina Berriault, B.L. Barrett, and Seymour Epstein. Yates contributes four stories; this is his first book appearance. Small owner name in pencil on front flyleaf; a fine copy in a very good dust jacket with light edge wear, a few markings to the front panel, and a well-rubbed rear spine fold. With review slip and author photos (four on one sheet) laid in.
233. (YATES, Richard). HAYTHE, Justin. Revolutionary Road. (n.p.): Dreamworks, 2007. The shooting script for the film version of Yates's first novel: the book was published in 1961; the movie was released in 2008. This is a May 3rd shooting script with revisions for May 11 and May 16. "Revised" sticker on front. Pink and blue bradbound pages; near fine. The script was nominated for a BAFTA Award for best adapted screenplay; Haythe's first novel, The Honeymoon, was nominated for the 2004 Booker Prize.
234. ZUSAK, Markus. The Book Thief. NY: Knopf, 2006. The first American edition of this novel, which was marketed as an adult book in the author's native Australia, but has now spent well over 200 weeks on the New York Times list of bestselling children's paperback books. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
235. -. Same title. The advance reading copy of the first American edition, together with "The Book Thief Word Dominoes Game," a dozen cardstock dominoes printed on the reverse with words ("Predicament," "Basement," etc.) and featuring an 8-step set of instructions for using the game to spark discussion after the book has been read. The book's cover art is Domino-themed. All items fine.