Catalog 98, E-G
145. ELIOT, T.S. Prufrock and Other Observations. London: The Egoist Ltd., 1917. Eliot's first book, which contains "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," his second most famous poem after "The Waste Land." Along with The Watste Land, this is a Connolly 100 title and generally considered one of his two most important books. Printed in an edition of 500 wrappered copies at the height of the First World War. This copy is a bit dusty; the spine is slightly darkened and shows a few tiny, horizontal stress lines there; still a very nice copy of a scarce and fragile volume, few of which have survived over the years. One of the key volumes of 20th century literature.
146. ELLROY, James. My Dark Places. Blakeney: Scorpion (1996). The limited edition of this book by this contemporary master of the noir thriller, this being a memoir. One of 85 numbered copies signed by the author. Bound in quarter leather and marbled paper boards. No comparable U.S. edition. Fine in acetate dust jacket.
147. ERDRICH, Louise. Love Medicine. NY: Holt, Rinehart & Winston (1984). The uncorrected proof copy of her first novel, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award and the L.A. Times Award for Best Novel of the Year. A scarce proof; we have only seen a handful in the years since it was published--one suspects very few were done. Title written on bottom page edges; fine in wrappers.
148. -. Same title, the first trade edition. Critical acclaim for this novel was instantaneous and unanimous, and it was reprinted several times quickly. Love Medicine was the first in an ongoing sequence of novels, each of which has been well-received, and each has had a larger first printing than the last: Erdrich has come to be one of the most commercially successful literary authors writing in America today. Like the best Native American writing, Erdrich's writing is infused with a rich sense of myth derived from American Indian traditions, even as it uses the Western forms of poetry and the novel to contain and shape the images. This copy is inscribed by the author in the month of publication. Trace wear to the cloth at the spine base; fine in a fine dust jacket.
149. FORCHÉ, Carolyn. Gathering the Tribes. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1976. The simultaneous issue in wrappers of her first poetry collection, published in the Yale Younger Poets Series. A landmark volume, which became the paradigm of an "engaged" and activist poetry in the late '70s and early '80s by virtue of the author's refusal to turn away from difficult and unpleasant political realities while maintaining a strong artistic aesthetic and a mastery of technical craft. Small blended spot on cover; else fine in wrappers.
150. FORCHÉ, Carolyn. The Country Between Us. NY: Harper & Row (1982). The first trade edition of her second collection of poetry, the 1981 Lamont Poetry selection of the Academy of American Poets. This is the simultaneous issue in wrappers. Signed and additionally inscribed by the author to another poet: "For __/ Sister poet -- whose/ work I have always so/ much admired --/ May we one day have/ some time --/ Carolyn Forché/ March 31, 1982." Slight cover splaying; else fine. A nice association copy of one of the major volumes of poetry of the 1980s.
151. FORD, G.M. Who in Hell is Wanda Fuca? NY: Walker (1995). Highly praised, humorous first mystery, introducing Leo Waterman. Nominated for an Edgar Award for Best First Mystery of the year. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
152. FORD, Richard. A Piece of My Heart. New York: Harper & Row (1976). The first book by the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Independence Day. Inconsequential, microscopic tear to the paper at one corner, trace edge-sunning to the cloth at the crown, and the hint of an abrasion on the rear board; still extremely near fine in a near fine dust jacket with three short, closed edge tears and a crease to the front flap.
153. FORD, Richard. The Sportswriter. NY: Vintage (1986). His third novel, a paperback original, and his "breakthrough" book. Publication as a paperback original in the Vintage Contemporaries series brought Ford a readership ten times as large as the book would have had in hardcover; and his obvious talent lent credibility to what was at that time a fledgling paperback series and, in reality, a publishing experiment. Fine in wrappers. A very nice copy of a paperback that seldom shows up in fine condition these days.
154. -. Same title, the uncorrected proof copy. Three small abraded patches to the edges of the front cover, possibly from the removal of a publicity sheet; still near fine, and signed by the author. A scarce proof: proofs in the Vintage Contemporaries series seem to have been done in smaller quantities than their counterparts slated for hardcover publication, and to have received much more limited distribution.
155. FORD, Richard. Independence Day. NY: Knopf, 1995. His most recent novel, a sequel to The Sportswriter, and winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the PEN/Faulkner Award, a rare literary "double." This novel follows the main character of The Sportswriter, Frank Bascombe, after he has divorced and become a real estate agent. This is the advance reading copy in printed wrappers, signed by the author. Rear cover corner-clipped; near fine in the publisher's card-stock slipcase shrink-wrapped.
156. FORD, Richard. Women with Men. (New Orleans): (B.E. Trice) (1997). A limited edition and the true first edition of his most recent book, a collection of three novellas. Of a total edition of 176 copies, this is one of 150 numbered copies signed by the author. Clothbound; fine in a fine slipcase.
157. (FORD, Richard). "A Girl's Feelings" and "A Piece of My Heart" in Edge. Christchurch, NZ: The Edge Press (1971-1975). A complete run of this literary magazine, seven issues (Issue 1 went into a second printing and both printings are included; Issue 5/6 is a double issue). Ford's pieces appear in Issues 1 and 4, respectively (1971 and 1972). Other contributors include Gary Snyder, Gustav Hasford, Ursula Le Guin, Charles Simic, Brian Aldiss, Scott Bradfield, Robert Bly, Bruce McAllister, David Ignatow, W.S. Merwin, Jorge Luis Borges, Susan Fromberg Schaeffer and Margaret Atwood, among many others. One of Ford's earliest appearances in print: the only previous publication listed for him is Intro #3, published in 1970, while he was student at the University of California. Both printings of Issue 1 are signed by the editor, D.S. Long. Each issue is near fine or better, in stapled wrappers. For the set:
158. FRANCIS, Dick. To the Hilt. London: Michael Joseph (1996). The first edition of this mystery novel, which focuses on the horse racing circuit. Fine in a fine dust jacket, and signed by the author in the year of publication.
159. FROST, Robert. West-Running Brook. NY: Henry Holt (1928). First edition, first issue, lacking the statement of edition. Inscribed by the author. With the recipient's ownership signature and date (Nov. 27, 1928) written on the top of the front flap. Lower board edges a bit shelfworn; near fine in a good, spine-tanned dust jacket with several small edge chips and splitting along the rear spine fold. Interestingly, laid into this copy is a portion of a listing of new arrivals at the Bookshop of Benjamin Hauser, in New York City, dated October, 1935, in which a copy of this title is listed (unsigned) for sale for $3.75, while a copy of Frost's second book, North of Boston, is listed at $85. Hauser's shop was the designated vendor for the numbered edition of Kay Boyle's first book (see above).
160. GAINES, Ernest J. A Lesson Before Dying. NY: Knopf, 1993. The Advance reading copy of this novel by the author of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, A Gathering of Old Men and others. Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction. Fine in wrappers, in near fine publisher's slipcase. Signed by the author.
161. GARDNER, John. The Sunlight Dialogues. NY: Knopf, 1972. A review copy of Gardner's fourth novel and the one which is considered by many his magnum opus. Inscribed by the author in 1974. Printed on paper that is slightly too heavy for the binding, the signatures tend to sag a bit; but this is a fine copy in a fine dust jacket with a tiny nick at the base of the spine. Illustrated by John Napper; Gardner believed strongly in the importance of illustrations in his novels--an uncommon practice these days which harkens back to an earlier era of publishing--and he was able to persuade his publishers to allow him to indulge this preference. With review slip, author photo, and an example of an illustration laid in. In custom folding chemise and slipcase.
162. GILMAN, Richard. Decadence. NY: FSG (1979). Subtitled "The Strange Life of an Epithet." Inscribed by the author in the year of publication. A thin strip of offsetting to the front flyleaf from the (creased) front flap; else fine in a fine dust jacket.
163. -. Same title, the uncorrected proof copy. Paper clip imprint front cover; else fine in tall wrappers.
164. GILMORE, Mikal. Shot in the Heart. (NY): (Doubleday) (1994). "Special Bookseller's Preview Copy" of a well-received nonfiction book by the brother of Gary Gilmore. One of 625 numbered copies signed by the author. Pictorial boards; fine in slipcase.
165. GINSBERG, Allen. Wales - A Visitation July 29th 1967. London: Cape Goliard (1968). Saddle-stitched wrappers, approximately 6 1/2" x 5", in dust wrapper. "An offering for a peaceful summer from Allen Ginsberg and Cape Goliard Press. Not for sale." Limited to 200 copies. Inscribed by Ginsberg to his translators: "For Mary Beach & Claude Pelieu/ - This is copy of first draft of/ Wales LSD Poem/ Allen Ginsberg/ Oct 28, 1968." This being the actual "first draft pamphlet" referred to in the postscript of Ginsberg's letter to Beach and Pelieu of Oct. 28, 1968, which is reproduced in T.V. Baby Poem; apparently Ginsberg sent them the edited typescript of "T.V. Baby Poem," which formed the basis for the published edition of that poem, and also sent them this copy of Wales. The rice paper dust wrapper has one small edge tear at the crown; else fine. An excellent association copy of the true first issue of this poem, which was later reprinted in a much larger format.
166. GLEITER, Jan. Lie Down with Dogs. NY: St. Martin's (1996). Well-received first mystery, which won an in-house award at St. Martin's Press. Fine in a fine dust jacket, and signed by the author.
167. GOLDEN, Arthur. Memoirs of a Geisha. NY: Knopf, 1997. The advance reading copy of this highly praised first novel written from the point of view of a young geisha, which became a surprise bestseller. Fine in wrappers.
168. GORDIMER, Nadine. Jump. Franklin Center: Franklin Library, 1991. A limited edition of the eighth collection of stories by the South African Nobel Prize winner. Leatherbound, all edges gilt, with a silk ribbon marker bound in. Signed by the author. With an introduction by Gordimer that does not appear in other editions. Fine.
169. (GOREY, Edward). THEROUX, Alexander. The Lollipop Trollops. [Normal]: Dalkey Archive [1992]. Promotional poster for a collection of poems by Theroux, with illustrations by Edward Gorey. The poster reproduces the cover art. 16" x 24". Folded in fourths. Fine.
A Run of Sue Grafton's Award-Winning Kinsey Millhone Series
170. GRAFTON, Sue. "A" is for Alibi. NY: Holt Rinehart Winston (1982). The first book in her acclaimed and extraordinarily successful detective series, introducing private eye Kinsey Millhone, and being one of the first of a veritable flood of female writers and protagonists in what had, until then, been a largely male-dominated genre, Miss Marple notwithstanding. Small spot (not a remainder mark) to the extreme lower page edges; else fine in a fine dust jacket and signed by the author. A perfectbound hardcover, and thus quite fragile and uncommon so well-preserved.
171. GRAFTON, Sue. "B" is for Burglar. NY: Holt Rinehart Winston (1985). The second book in the Kinsey Millhone series, which appears to be every bit as scarce as the first, if not perhaps even more so. This copy has one exceedingly tiny dot on the foredge of one page (the rear free endpaper) and a slight bump at the base of the spine; still fine in a fine dust jacket, and signed by the author. Winner of both the Shamus Award and Anthony Award for Best Mystery of the Year.
172. GRAFTON, Sue. "C" is for Corpse. NY: Henry Holt (1986). The third Kinsey Millhone novel, winner of an Anthony Award as Best Mystery of the year. Fine in a fine dust jacket and signed by the author. A beautiful copy of one of the scarcest in the series: the advance reading copy of this title turns up more often than does the trade edition, especially in fine condition.
173. GRAFTON, Sue. "D" is for Deadbeat. NY: Henry Holt (1987). The fourth in the series. Fine in a fine dust jacket, and signed by the author.
174. GRAFTON, Sue. "E" is for Evidence. NY: Henry Holt (1988). The fifth Kinsey Millhone. Fine in a fine dust jacket and signed by the author.
175. GRAFTON, Sue. "F" is for Fugitive. NY: Henry Holt (1989). Fine in a fine dust jacket, and signed by the author.
176. -. Same title, the advance reading copy. Inscribed by the author. Thin small spot to foredge; still fine in wrappers, with promotional sheet laid in.
177. GRAFTON, Sue. "G" is for Gumshoe. NY: Henry Holt (1990). The seventh book in the series, again a double award winner--winning both the Shamus and Anthony Awards for best mystery novel of the year. Fine in a fine dust jacket, and signed by the author.
178. -. Another copy, unsigned. A couple of vaguely wavy pages; about fine in a fine dust jacket.
179. GRAFTON, Sue. "H" is for Homicide. NY: Henry Holt (1991). Fine in a fine dust jacket, and signed by the author.
180. GRAFTON, Sue. "I" is for Innocent. NY: Henry Holt (1992). The ninth Kinsey Millhone novel. Fine in a fine dust jacket, and signed by the author.
181. -. Another copy, unsigned. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
182. GRAFTON, Sue. "J" is for Judgement. NY: Henry Holt (1993). Very small spot to lower edge of cloth on the rear cover; else fine in a fine dust jacket, and signed by the author before publication.
183. -. Another copy, unsigned. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
184. GRAFTON, Sue. "K" is for Killer. NY: Henry Holt (1994). Fine in a fine dust jacket and signed by the author. Winner of the Shamus Award for best mystery novel of the year.
185. -. Another copy. Inscribed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
186. -. Another copy, unsigned. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
187. GRAFTON, Sue. "L" is for Lawless. NY: Henry Holt (1995). Fine in a fine dust jacket.
188. GRAFTON, Sue. "M" is for Malice. NY: Henry Holt (1996). Signed by the author on a "Sue Grafton/Kinsey Millhone" bookplate mounted to the front flyleaf. Slight bump to spine base; else fine in a fine dust jacket.
189. (Grateful Dead). HARRISON, Hank. The Dead Book. NY: Links (1973). The first printing of this controversial history of the Grateful Dead--the first book written about the band, which caused some consternation because of certain of its characterizations of some of the people on the fringes of the Dead's circle. A completely revised edition was issued in 1985. Quarto; wrappers; some cover staining and creasing; very good. With the flexi-disk recording still present, of Neal Cassady rapping with the Grateful Dead playing in the background.
190. GRAU, Shirley Ann. The Keepers of the House. NY: Knopf, 1964. Her fourth book, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket, with a little soiling on the rear panel. An attractive copy of an award-winning novel that has become scarce in recent years.