E-list # 170

NY, Duffield and Co., 1911. "A drama in three acts" dealing with Indian life, by the author of The Land of Little Rain, which helped establish Austin not only as an early American nature writer but also as a pioneering feminist, whose study of the desert and desert cultures was tinged with political consciousness and insight. She eventually moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and became part of the literary and artistic circle cultivated by Mabel Dodge, whose other friends included such luminaries as Ansel Adams and Georgia O'Keeffe. Austin was working on her collaboration with Adams -- the limited edition Taos Pueblo -- in 1929, the year that Adams met Georgia O'Keeffe, who was in Santa Fe for the summer to paint, and Adams and O'Keeffe became lifelong friends. This copy is inscribed by Austin "To Georgia from Mary" -- although we cannot confirm that it is inscribed to O'Keeffe. Light wear to the spine extremities and joints, with tanning to the spine label; still a near fine copy. [#033900] $450

London, The Fabian Society, 1889. Inscribed by contributor Annie Besant to her son, (Arthur) Digby Besant (twice) in April, 1890. With Digby Besant's ownership signature and bookplate. The volume was edited by George Bernard Shaw. Besant's contribution is titled "Industry Under Socialism." Besant was a socialist, theosophist, women's rights activist, and an early supporter of, and speaker for, the Fabian Society. In 1890, the year she gave her son this book, she met Helena Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophical Society; after Blavatsky's death in 1891, Besant became one of the leaders and key figures in the theosophical movement, which eventually split into several factions, and also led to the Anthroposophy movement, when Rudolph Steiner, another leader in the Theosophical Society, broke away from it. Spine and covers darkened, with wear to the joints; a good copy, and a unique family association copy. Books signed by Besant, one of the most prominent female activists of the 19th and early 20th centuries, are uncommon. [#033604] $850

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] $2,500

NY, Harper & Row, 1979. Her first novel, a tale of mothers and daughters and of addiction. Inscribed by Braverman in 1997 to another writer: "For ___/ These white lights to my dear mother." Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033896] $125

(NY), Bloomsbury, (2006). An early entry in the now ongoing deluge of books on climate change, this book grew out of Kolbert's three-part New Yorker essay on the subject, written at a time when it was still believed that sounding the alarm would lead to action. Signed by the author. Fine but for a turned page corner, in a near fine, mildly toned dust jacket. Advance praise: "Reading Field Notes from a Catastrophe during the 2005 hurricane season is what it must have been like to read Silent Spring forty years ago." Uncommon signed. [#033606] $200

NY, Bloomsbury, (2010). The story of how a small number of politically and industry-connected scientists caused doubt, denial and delay on issues of global warming, acid rain, the ozone hole, DDT, and tobacco, deliberately misleading the public and the government, and obscuring the truth. Inscribed by Oreskes. Fine in a fine dust jacket, with a flyer for a workshop and book signing laid in. [#033905] $150

(Port Townsend), Copper Canyon Press, 1982. The hardcover issue. Inscribed by the author in the year of publication: "For Andy -- with all the prayers I know, and, if need be, in tongues. Love, Madeline/ 12-18-82/ Amherst." The award-winning author spent nearly 40 years as a Catholic nun, and her inscription presumably alludes to that history. Light foxing to the edges of the text block and boards; near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033902] $50

(NY), Olympia Press/Traveller's Companion, (1969). Erotic fiction/memoir, in the legendary Traveller's Companion series, a line of what would now be called softcore pornography published by Maurice Girodias, who founded the Olympia Press and published such controversial-in-their-time authors as Samuel Beckett, William Burroughs, and J.P. Donleavy, as well as Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita. Signed by Di Prima, and quite scarce thus. Spine lean, light rubbing, and creasing to the spine and rear cover. Very good in wrappers. [#033891] SOLD

1977. A brief but enthusiastic note from Dillard to travel writer, explorer, and mycologist Lawrence Millman praising his book (unnamed, but based on the date, Millman's first book, Our Like Will Not Be There Again, which Millman had apparently sent to Dillard). At the time of this writing (February, 1977), Dillard's most recent book was Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, and Holy the Firm was forthcoming. Signed by Dillard. Folded in thirds for mailing; fine. With hand-addressed envelope included. Dillard provided a blurb for a later Millman book -- At the End of the World -- in which she wrote: "Millman is a genius." [#033869] 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] $75

[Boston], Gibb Art Works/Worldwide Running Club for Peace, 1980, 1986. A self-published pamphlet by Gibb about finishing the 1966 Boston Marathon -- after jumping into the race from her hiding place in the forsythia bushes at the starting line. Inscribed by Gibb: "For ____ -- many thanks for all your encouragement and support over the years. Your friend, Bobbi." Gibb has also changed by hand her printed phone number for re-ordering copies of the book. There is a copyright date of 1980 but also: "Special 20th Anniversary Issue printed for Worldwide Running Club for Peace, April, 1986." This seems to refer to the 20th anniversary of the run, not of the printing. Presumed first: we could find no earlier edition. Gibb had applied to run in the marathon but was told that women were neither allowed nor physically capable. She finished with a time of 3:20. In 1967, Gibb again ran unregistered, the same year that Kathrine Switzer ran after obtaining a bib number by registering using her initials instead of her name. Gibb would beat Switzer by almost an hour. In 1968, Gibb beat a field of four other women. The women's division was officially recognized in 1972. In 1996, 30 years after her first run, the Boston Athletic Association officially recognized Gibb's wins and awarded her a medal. A low tech production, 32 pages of double-spaced text, accompanied by simple line drawings, stapled into a two-color cover. Rust to staples; near fine. [#033907] $350

Garden City, Doubleday, 1953. A memoir by the ground-breaking African-American poet, actress, publicist, and mother. Inscribed by the author: "To my dear friend/ Beatrice McIntyre/ who is expressing beauty with her brush." Goodwin was a publicist for Hattie McDaniel, the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award (she wrote McDaniel's acceptance speech) and for gospel singer Ethel Waters. She was named California Mother of the Year in 1955. She acted in a number of movies and the television series "My Little Margie," and published a volume of poetry in the 1940s. Small owner name on the front flyleaf. Offsetting to endpapers; a very good copy in a very good, lightly sunned dust jacket with shallow edge chips and a crease at the lower front corner. [#033892] SOLD

London, Hodder and Stoughton, (1908). With a preface by Beatrice Harraden and nearly 100 photographs by Henry Irving. Hall, Curator of the Stepney Museum, takes the reader through a cycle of a year in the wilds of London. With appended lists of trees and shrubs to be found in London's parks. Foxing to the endpages; moderate wear to covers; a very good copy, without dust jacket. [#033868] $125

London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1893. The bestselling novel by the British suffragette and writer, who made a name for herself through her activism and her art, sometimes in combination, as when she used her play Lady Geraldine's Speech as a platform to promote women's suffrage. 1893 date printed on title page and in the dedication; publisher's advertisements in the rear dated Autumn 1892. Small bookstore stamp and penciled owner name in prelims; front hinge cracked, therefore a good copy only, but uncommon in the first printing. [#033889] $200

ca.1928-1929. Seven autograph letters signed (11 small pages total) written by Harraden, a successful novelist and leading activist in the women's suffrage movement, to an unknown publisher, exploring the idea of translating several books into English from the German. Based on the address (Belsize Square in Hampstead) that is blindstamped onto her note paper, these likely would have been written when Harraden was in her 60s. In the first letter, she agrees to the concept of doing translation work as a change from her own writing if he, the publisher, would be willing to wait until she is finished with her own book (possibly Search Will Find It Out). The second through fourth letters discuss the possibility of translating Die Schone Richterin [by Susanne G. Trautwein], for a fee of fifty pounds. After a careful reading of it, Harraden reports that although she finds it to be a "very curious and arresting book, powerful and yet measured," she has decided not to undertake the translation as the literary style is "so altogether different" from her own, and she recommends Ethel Colburne Mayne as her replacement. The final three letters discuss Die Grosse Liebe by Paul Wiegler, as well as Lion Feuchtwanger's The Ugly Duchess, the latter of which she is not translating but rather reviewing, for The Country Life. After a delay due to illness, Harraden decides against translating Die Grosse Liebe, as she has failed to find it "really remarkable in any sense." All of the letters are near fine or better. [#033890] SOLD

(London), (Sort of), (2012). Winner of the 2014 John Burroughs Medal. A collection of essays by the Scottish poet, author of Findings and Among Muslims. Signed by the author. Only issued in softcover; fine in wrappers. Laid in are two printed poetry postcards by the author. This book was not published in the U.S. until the following year. [#033883] $150

NY, George H. Doran, (1920). A book on immigration, economics, and race relations by a woman who was known for her work on immigration, women's rights, and prison reform. By the time this book was published, Kellor, who had her law degree, had been secretary and treasurer of the New York State Immigration Commission; chief investigator for the Bureau of Industries and Immigration of New York State; managing director of the North American Civic League for Immigrants; and director of the National Americanization Committee. This copy is inscribed by Kellor to Joseph Mayper, "with appreciation and gratitude for many years [?] of cooperation with work for the unforsaken [?] and for the pleasure of a happy association together." Mayper was the editor for Kellor's Immigrants in America Review. Spine-dulled, slight wear to corners, would be near fine but for the clean separation of the text block from the boards, thus only a fair copy, but an excellent association copy and a scarce signature. [#033634] SOLD

Bronxville, Sarah Lawrence College, 1943. Two poems by Kizer, "So Speak" and ""I Dreamed I Was Saint Augustine," in this publication by the English Department of Sarah Lawrence College, designated as being "For Classroom Use." Kizer would have been a 17 year-old sophomore at the time: three months later she would have a poem ("When You Are Distant") published in The New Yorker. Her first book was not published until 16 years later. Modest spotting and sunning; very good in stapled wrappers. Uncommon. [#033636] $450

Boulder, Johnson Books, (1998). An advance copy, in the form of comb-bound proofs, of the author's tribute to Glen Canyon and her time spent on the river, prior to the 1963 dam that drowned the canyon and created Lake Powell. With an introduction by Terry Tempest Williams. Signed by Williams, and with an autograph note signed by Lee laid in, with a reference to "10,000" (Ten Thousand Goddam Cattle: A History of the Cowboy in Song, Story, and Verse, her 1976 book that was being reissued by the University of New Mexico Press in 2001). The note is near fine; the proof is fine. Lee died in 2017, at the age of 98. A unique copy of this book by one of the best known environmental activists of the American Southwest, linking her with a next-generation activist in Terry Tempest Williams. [#033871] SOLD

London, Borriswood, (1934). A pseudonymous novel by this author of feminist and dystopian fiction in which a transgender (first female, then male) human from the future visits England in the 1930s and "offers an incisive critique of the politics of privilege, violence, and militarism in the West," according to scholar Daphne Patai, who unmasked the Constantine pseudonym in the 1980s. Burdekin's next book, Swastika Night, published in 1937, was a Hitler-lives alternative fiction, in which women are merely breeders. Although Burdekin had had an early marriage (and two daughters), she maintained a relationship with a woman from 1926 until her death in 1963. This is a near fine copy of this uncommon book, protected by a good (spine-faded and edge-chipped) dust jacket. Rare in jacket. [#033901] SOLD

[Iowa City], Self-Published, 1977. Apparently the author's first book, a limited edition that Cherry both wrote and illustrated, about the close relationship of Theo and Vincent van Gogh, self-published while she was a student at the University of Iowa. This is copy 11 of 35 copies, and is inscribed by the author: "To the Wagners -- Your friendship was one of the highlights of Quincy. With love, Kit." Cherry became a minister to the LGBT community in the Los Angeles area and wrote several books with gay, lesbian, and religious themes. A small volume: 5-1/2" x 6" and 15 pages. Rubbing and handling evident to blue cloth boards; very good, without dust jacket, presumably as issued. No copies located in OCLC. [#033895] $300

NY, Stein and Day, (1983). The autobiography (written with John Ames) of tennis player Renee Richards, who was born Richard Raskin, transitioned from male to female in the mid-1970s, and successfully sued the U.S. Tennis Association to be able to play in the U.S. Open. In 1977, at age 43, Richards made it to the women's doubles final, losing to a pair that included Martina Navratilova, whom she herself would later coach. Inscribed by Richards to another tennis player, "whose first serve will take her all the way, with love and affection, Renee." One of the first high-profile cases of transgender identity in the U.S. Corners lightly tapped; near fine in a near fine dust jacket with a bit of edge-sunning and a shallow crimp at the crown. Uncommon signed. [#033903] $350

NY, Scribner's, 1946. The first memoir by the reigning queen of women's tennis in the late 1930s, Wimbledon champion in 1939 (in addition to multiple doubles titles) and the first female tennis player to win both the British and U.S. women's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles championships in the same year (also 1939). When she retired, she went to work as an associate editor for DC Comics and wrote a column about notable women in history that appeared in the early issues of Wonder Woman. In 1945, she was recruited as an Allied spy, playing celebrity tennis tournaments in Switzerland while re-connecting with a former lover to either steal Nazi financial data or photograph artwork stolen for the Nazis (depending on which story one reads); regardless, that operation ended when Marble was shot in the back running from a double agent. In 1950, she took up the cause of integrating tennis, writing an editorial for World Tennis supporting Althea Gibson's bid to play in the U.S. Open: "If Althea Gibson represents a challenge to the present crop of women players, it’s only fair that they should meet that challenge on the courts.” Marble said that if Gibson were not given the opportunity to compete, “then there is an uneradicable mark against a game to which I have devoted most of my life, and I would be bitterly ashamed.” In 1952, she had a cameo in the Hepburn/Tracy movie Pat and Mike, playing herself. Her second memoir, Courting Danger, was released posthumously; a movie version is reportedly in the works. This copy is signed by Marble. Offsetting to endpages, wear to covers; very good in a good, spine-faded, price-clipped, and edge-chipped dust jacket. Uncommon in dust jacket, especially signed. [#033911] SOLD

Pawtucket, John W. Little & Co., 1901. A possible proof copy of this handbook by Marks, published while she was teaching at Mt. Holyoke College. Inscribed by the author with "the author's warmest thanks" and with a confession that even "these proofs" still bear errors. Likely inscribed to George Parker Winship of the John Carter Brown Library, who is mentioned in the acknowledgments, and to whom the five included autograph letters signed are addressed. The letters are dated from August 8, 1901 to September 26, 1902. The first letter sends estimates from the publisher (for either 100 or 200 copies) and extends thanks for Winship's help with "this bibliography." The second letter apologizes, first for her handwriting (affected by "playing base ball with the boys,") and then for proof copies having been sent to him without a note. Marks says she will be visiting Pawtucket with Miss Woolley and would like to see Winship if he will be in Providence. The next letter reveals that this did not transpire, as Marks was ill, yet she continues to express her indebtedness to Winship and invites him to South Hadley (Mt. Holyoke). In the fourth letter, Marks thanks Winship for making her laugh, as she is still not well, "not up to her best base ball self," and "anyone who makes his friend laugh is the best kind of doctor to my mind." She tells of herself and Miss Woolley being "daily pulled around the country by a fiery spirited animal," and says they will travel to Haverill where Miss Woolley will speak. The final letter explains needing illustrations for an upcoming article, and inquires about Cotton Mather's The Wonderful Works of God Commemorated. In all, roughly nine pages of writing by Marks (not all summarized here): the letters have each been previously folded but are still near fine; the book is age-toned and the front cover is present but detached, thus only a fair copy. Marks was hired as a teacher at Mt. Holyoke by President Mary Woolley who had been her teacher at Wellesley; the two became life partners and lived together there in the President's House until Woolley was forced to resign in 1937, though their relationship continued. It is possible this book was never formally published: only one copy shows up in OCLC, at Wellesley College, and Marks's bibliography as indicated in her Wikipedia entry lists her first book as being in 1902, and being a study of English literature. The Wellesley copy could, like this one, also be a proof copy. [#033899] SOLD

NY, Turtle Bay Books, (1993). The first book, a collection of stories, by the author of the The Giant's House and Bowlaway. In 1996, McCracken was selected as one of Granta's top 20 young American authors, as was Chris Offutt, and this copy is wonderfully inscribed by McCracken to Offutt on the dedication page: "And for Chris -- one of the few people I've spent the night with at the Sweet Rest Motel. With a great deal of affection and admiration and nostalgia -- love, Elizabeth/ And why are you making [Stewart] O'Nan be your message guy? Surely you know me well enough?" Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033898] SOLD

NY, Knopf, 1998. A collection of stories, one of which won the O. Henry Award. In 1996, Moore was selected as one of Granta's 20 best young American authors, as was Chris Offutt: this copy is inscribed by Moore to Offutt, "with admiration." Fine in a very near fine dust jacket. A nice association copy. [#033897] SOLD

Garden City, Doubleday Doran, 1928. Inscribed by the author at Christmas in the year of publication: "To Somebody the Kewpies love/ from all the band, including Dr. Goldwater and Rose O'Neill." Creator of the Kewpie comic strip, and the inventor of the Kewpie doll, O'Neill was also the first published female cartoonist in the U.S. and active in the women's suffrage movement. Small (original) price stamp rear flyleaf, slight play in text block, and light crown wear; a very good copy in a good, edge-chipped dust jacket with some tearing at mid-spine. With a letter of provenance from a descendant of Dr. Goldwater. Uncommon signed and in dust jacket. [#033649] $1,500

NY, Funk & Wagnall's, 1886. A novel by the noted temperance worker and advocate for women's suffrage. Signed by Perkins, with the added sentiment, "Don't marry a man to save him," which is the theme of the novel. With the ownership signature (three times) of Nessie Brown, of Wesleyan College. Wear to boards, especially at the spine ends; a very good copy, without dust jacket. Much reprinted, uncommon in the first edition, especially signed. [#033893] SOLD

Cleveland, Sayers, 1902. A dedication copy (albeit the fifth edition) of this temperance novel arguing that women can not reform men who drink too much, through marriage. This copy is inscribed by the author to her youngest daughter, Emma who, along with her two sisters, is a dedicatee of the book: "Emma M. Perkins/ from La Mere/ Mar 8, 1903." Emma was valedictorian of her class at Vassar, in 1879, after which she moved to Cleveland, where she was soon joined by her widowed mother, who passed away two years after this inscription. Emma Perkins never married. A bit of rubbing to the corners and rear board; front hinge starting; still a very good or better copy, without dust jacket. [#033894] $300

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] $100

(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] $250

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 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] $6,000