Search Results

(Santa Cruz), (Kayak Books), (1970). The rare white issue of Carver's first regularly published book (after Near Klamath, published by the English Club of Sacramento State College). Kayak Books was a small but established publisher, which produced a literary magazine as well as issuing books of poetry. Winter Insomnia is a collection of poems, designed and printed by George Hitchcock and illustrated with prints by Robert McChesney. Issued in an attractive edition of 1000 copies, the overwhelming majority (perhaps more than 99%) were issued in yellow wrappers. William Stull's Carver checklist said that three copies were known in the white wrappers. Since that checklist was published, we have seen three more copies in white wrappers, including this one, bringing the total number of known copies to six. Without knowing exactly how many white copies there were, we can say with assurance that this issue is exceedingly scarce; we've seen dozens, if not hundreds, of the issue in yellow wrappers. This copy is inscribed by Carver: "For Rush - with good wishes. Ray Carver. 3-3-83." Spine and edge sunning to covers; near fine. [#914629] $3,000

NY, Random House, (1985). Inscribed by Carver to Robert Stone: "For Bob, with hopes you'll find some of these to your liking. With love, Ray. Port Angeles. July 22, 1985." An excellent personal and literary association copy: Stone visited Carver at his home in Port Angeles, Washington, a couple of times, and the two got on well, went fishing together, and generally found a quick and easy rapport. Stone called Carver "the best American short story writer since Hemingway" and, speaking at Carver's memorial service, Stone borrowed a line from his own essay on Chekhov, the writer to whom Carver has most frequently been compared, and called Carver "a hero of perception." This is a collection of poetry. Mild foxing; near fine in a very good, partially faded dust jacket with one short edge tear and a creased front flap. [#033665] $1,500

(Salisbury), Scarab, (1982). Carver's first limited edition after his first brush with commercial success. Of a total edition of 100 numbered copies, this is one of 25 copies that were reserved for the author's use. Signed by Carver. Fine in saddle-stitched wrappers. [#912354] $475

(West Hartford), (U. of Hartford), (1988). A photocopy of the typescript of the untitled speech Carver gave when he received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree at the University of Hartford. The typescript differs from the published version in paragraphing and in the deletion of one 17-word clause, which has been circled in ink on the photocopy -- thus providing an earlier view of the text of the speech than that which was published in the program of the Commencement (a copy of which is included here). The typescript is near fine; the program is fine. [#004067] $350

London, Collins Harvill, 1988. The uncorrected proof copy of a collection of seven stories for which there is no comparable U.S. edition. Five of the stories appeared in Where I'm Calling From -- copyright problems reportedly kept the publisher from reissuing the other stories included in that collection. Tiny, shiny spot to front cover; else fine in wrappers. [#912320] $150

NY, New York Times, 1988. Robinson's cover essay is a review of Carver's Where I'm Calling From, in which she proposes "to abduct Raymond Carver from the camp of the minimalists." Written in 1988, at which point Robinson's only published book was the novel Housekeeping. Some minor edge-toning; near fine. [#035968] $125

NY, Atlantic Monthly, 1988. The definitive collection of his fiction, published just before he died and containing therefore the "final" versions of a number of his most important and frequently anthologized stories, as well as seven stories previously uncollected. This is the uncorrected proof copy of the trade edition, which was preceded by the Franklin Library edition. Lip print on the epigraph page; first leaf loosening; one short and unnecessarily glued edge tear to front cover. Overall, still near fine in wrappers. [#004064] $95

Franklin Center, Franklin Library, 1988. The correct first edition of this title, preceding the trade edition. Leatherbound; page edges gilt; with a silk ribbon marker bound in. An attractive edition in the Franklin Library's "Signed First Edition" series, with an interesting introduction by Carver which does not appear anywhere else. Signed by the author. Because Carver died shortly after the publication of this collection, signed copies of this title are uncommon, other than the Franklin Library edition. Carver prepared this volume knowing that he was dying of lung cancer, and many of these stories, although they had been published previously, were revised for this edition and stand as his definitive versions of them. Fine in publisher's original shrinkwrap. [#031646] $60