Catalog 171

NY, Random House, (1970). The uncorrected proof copy of Toffler's massively successful book naming the disorientation caused by the accelerated pace of cultural and technological change. A tall, fragile, pad-bound proof: the covers and spine have some staining and insect damage; a good copy, although the covers seem likely to detach in time. Because of the fragile nature of the proof, only a cursory search was made for textual variations from the published version, but revealed that the Acknowledgements were moved from front to rear (and the spelling changed) and a change was made to the book's dedication. A scarce state of one of the bestselling books of its time, and a book whose title became a part of the vernacular, naming a condition that is now taken for granted. [#034366] SOLD

(NY), Philip C. Duschnes, 1946. An updating of the Christ tale for the atomic age, by the noted historian and author of The Greatest Gift, which was the basis for the film It's a Wonderful Life. One of 650 copies printed, this copy is signed by the author and dated Christmas, 1946. Owner name in pencil inside the front cover. Stapled wrappers now split at spine and unprofessionally tape-bound, thus a good copy. Uncommon signed. [#031769] SOLD

[Lexington], [Petro III Graphics], 2006. An enigmatic limited edition print by Vonnegut, with a message either ecological or hallucinogenic. One of 100 numbered copies, signed by Vonnegut. 11" x 15". Fine. [#034475] SOLD

London, ON, London Novelty, 1943. A wooden game, playing on the popularity of Churchill, during World War II. "Knowledge is power/ strategy is essential/ improve yours with Churchill Checkers." "Chequers" was also the name of the British Prime Minister's country residence. The board is 4-3/4" x 3-3/4" and oddly flask-shaped with the addition of the cork that holds the game pieces inside (13 of the original 20 stick pieces are present). Primarily a game for two players; there is also a solitaire option. Folded directions for play are included. Bit of rubbing to the board; near fine in a near fine mailing box, with the top flap absent. This is a beige box; there was another issue box, printed in red with Churchill's visage: we believe this to be the first issue, based on the words "Patent Applied For" being stamped on this instruction sheet, whereas the same words are printed on the instruction sheet associated with the red box. A novel, ephemeral production of the Second World War. [#033658] SOLD

Indianapolis, Bobb Merrill, (1971). Max's Kansas City was an artists' and writers' bar in New York's East Village that expanded into a music performance space ("Upstairs at Max's Kansas City"), hosting early punk musicians (The Ramones, Blondie, Sid Vicious) and other performers little known at the time (Bruce Springsteen, The Wailers' first performance in the U.S., etc.) through the 70s and into the 80s. This group of stories, written by the manager of Max's uptown location, covers the first several years of the bar. Inscribed by the author in the year of publication: "For Gil - It's been too many years - we ought to try to see each other/ As ever - Tony Weinberger." Fine in a near fine, edge-rubbed dust jacket. [#033659] SOLD

(n.p.), (n.p.), ca. 2009. A spiralbound mock-up of a book of selected poems, with photocopied selections from, apparently, seven of her previous books. Some pages reproduce copyeditor's marks. Such a selection was issued by Wave Books in 2009. Last few pages creased, with a small (coffee?) stain. Otherwise about fine. Unmarked, but from the author's library. Scarce, possibly unique. [#034480] $250

NY, Putnam, 1852. The first book by the first female M.D. in the United States, who graduated first in her class at Geneva Medical School in New York state, after having been rejected by 29 colleges. She was admitted to Geneva only when the all-male student body voted to accept her, believing it was a joke. She had been inspired to pursue medicine when a dying friend told her that the worst part of her illness was her treatment by a "rough, unfeeling man." After graduation, Blackwell went to Europe (she had been born in England), but was offered only midwifery work. Several years later, she returned to the U.S., where she was refused work in New York hospitals, facing "a blank wall of social and professional antagonism." Blackwell went into private practice, opening the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children, and eventually The Women's Medical College of the New York Infirmary. First delivered as a series of lectures, The Laws of Life eloquently advocates for exercise, physical education, and a wholesome diet, addressing, among various other topics, the benefits of natural movement, the evils of sitting, the unequal opportunity of healthy recreation for girls, and the need for balance in social, intellectual and physical pursuits, while criticizing the then-current priorities of the American school system and the typical in-door life: "If we were to sit down and carefully plan a system of education, which should injure the body, produce a premature and imperfect development of its powers, weaken the mind, and prepare the individual for future uselessness, we could hardly by any ingenuity construct a system more admirably calculated to produce these terrible results." As such, the text is a philosophical precursor to the movement lineage that would come to include Georges Hebert's Natural Method ("Be strong to be useful") and modern day Natural Movement (MovNat) methods. Owner name; marginal insect damage to a dozen early pages; and dampstaining, predominantly to the prelims and front cover. A sound copy, quite nice past the introduction, but owing to the heavy dampstaining to the cover and front endpages, only a good copy. A landmark volume. [#033909] SOLD

Garden City, Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1978. Apparently a later printing of an early book by Ehrenreich, feminist and activist, and author of Nickel and Dimed, This Land is Their Land and Natural Causes, among others. This book surveys 150 years in which men controlled the dialogue in areas of medicine, law, economics, politics, marketing, and media. Signed by Ehrenreich. Remainder spray to the lower edge of the text block; slight push to crown; near fine in a near fine dust jacket with an internally-mended edge tear on the front panel. A key work in the development of a feminist critique of societal assumptions. Uncommon signed. [#033904] SOLD

Tulsa, Winchester Press, (1982). A practical guide for women interested in camping, hiking, backpacking, navigating, paddling, fishing, hunting, archery, etc., because "unlike boys, girls seldom absorb outdoor lore and skills when they are young. Some fortunate girls, especially if they grow up on farms, may be encouraged or at least permitted to join their fathers or brothers..." Inscribed by the author. With a foreword by Grits Gresham, host of The American Sportsman and author of, among others, the 1969 book The Sportsman and His Family Outdoors, a title whose obvious deficits this book aims to correct. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with several closed edge tears. An uncommon book, especially signed. [#034453] SOLD

San Francisco, Harper & Row, (1980). A seminal ecofeminist text, linking the objectification, subjugation, and exploitation of nature with a socio-economic order that subordinated women. Signed by Merchant. Small spots on foredge, else fine in a near fine dust jacket with some unnecessary internal tape-strengthening at the edges. Uncommon in the first edition, and signed. [#034459] SOLD

NY, Simon & Schuster, (2016). A compendium of approximately 150 women of the countless who had to bring twice the fight to their game than their male counterparts, as they had to fight for their place on the field or the court or the starting line before their race could even begin. Signed by Schiot. Fine, without dust jacket, as issued. An inspiring book, and a remarkable reference work. Uncommon signed. [#033906] $150

(Brooklyn), Edge of Sports, (2018). The memoir by the first person to ever win consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 100 meter dash (1964 and 1968). Since then the feat has been replicated by Carl Lewis, Gail Devers, Shelly-Ann Fraser, and exceeded by only Usain Bolt. Signed by Tyus. The 1968 Olympics were notable for the podium "Black Power" protests of Tommie Smith and John Carlos, which grew out of the Olympic Project for Human Rights, organized to protest segregation in the U.S. and South Africa, as well as racism in sports. The organizing of the OPHR was largely a male affair: according to Tyus, the female athletes were not brought into the discussions, and it was just assumed that they would go along (or, perhaps, that whether they did or not was immaterial). During her running of the relay (for which she also won gold), Tyus wore black shorts rather than the uniform white, as her own personal gesture of solidarity with the protests. At the time, no one noticed. At the press conference, she dedicated her relay medal to Smith and Carlos. Fine in wrappers. [#033912] SOLD

(Kenmor), Epicenter Press, (2001). The hardcover issue of this memoir by Washburn, a pioneering female in alpine mountaineering. Among other accomplishments, Washburn was the first woman to climb Denali (Mt. McKinley), albeit alongside her husband, the renowned climber and cartographer Bradford Washburn. She reported that her training for the climb had consisted of pushing a baby carriage. This copy is signed by both Barbara and Brad Washburn, who is a dedicatee of the book, along with their three children. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033910] SOLD

Taunton, MA, 1803. The handwritten court documents for a paternity/child support case in Massachusetts in 1803, filed on behalf of a girl who (as best as we can tell) would have been 11 years-old at the time of "begetting," against a man of (we believe) 19. Two pages: the first is the complaint made by Attorney [Nicholas] Tillinghast on behalf of Sally White, in part: "Complains Sally White of Taunton aforesaid Singlewoman that at about the last of May or the first of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and two, she was begotten with child by Charles Baylies of Dighton is a County Labourer and the same child has since been born alive and is a Bastard, wherefore she prays This Hon. Court to examine this complaint and to adjudge the said Charles to be the reputed father...." The Court's examination of Sarah [sic] White, taken under Oath, follows, recording White's answers to five questions: 1. Are you with Child of a Bastard? Yes. 2. Who is the Father of the Child? Charles Baylies of Dighton. 3. Where did he beget you with child? At my father's house. 4. About what time did he beget you with child? About the last of last May, or some time in the beginning of June. 5. Upon the Oath you are about to take, have you any Doubt about Charles Baylies being the Father of the Child. No. The document is then signed by Sally White. Bastardy Law in Massachusetts at the time was designed only to relieve the State of the burden of the child, rather than as an arm of punishment for acts of fornication (or of rape, although age of consent in Massachusetts at the time was 10 years old). If we are correct about the participants, both Baylies and White would marry others: she would bear seven additional children, and die at the age of 32. Two pages, approximately 6" x 8", previously folded together as a docket and labeled with White's name and complaint on the outside. The attorney's statement is edge-torn at two folds; else both papers are near fine. [#033602] $750

NY/London, Fountain Press/Hogarth Press, 1929. The limited edition of Woolf's seminal essay on women and fiction, in which Woolf argues for the importance of women having the kind of independence long taken for granted by men. One of 492 copies, of which 450 were for sale. This is Copy No. 173 and therefore one of 350 reserved for sale in America, and issued without dust jacket. Signed by Woolf in her customary purple ink. Mild sunning to boards and very shallow wear to the spine ends. A near fine copy, now protected in a custom quarter leather clamshell case. A classic of 20th century women's writing and an ongoing reminder of not only economic inequality but also of the consequences of male writers having sole control of the narratives describing a woman's place in the world. [#033913] SOLD