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London/NY, Jonathan Cape/Summit, 1977/1978. A hardcover advance proof copy of the American edition of Chatwin's first book, created from a first British edition, with the addition of a U.S. proof dust jacket, featuring quotes from British publications (including Paul Theroux, writing for the London Times). The British trade edition has had its free endpages excised and pasted over the pictorial pastedowns; and the photographs that graced the text of the British edition have also been excised, in keeping with the appearance of the American edition. This copy was obviously sent out and used for review: reviewer's marks and comments in text, and the blank jacket flaps have been filled with the reviewer's notes. The book, apart from the intended excisions and notes, is fine; the proof jacket (again, apart from the reviewer notes), is spine and edge-sunned, with the title and author handwritten on the spine, largely faded; overall near fine. An uncommon issue, presumably done prior to the issuance of an American proof copy and different from the U.K. first edition in ways that parallel the eventual U.S. edition (and U.S. proof). [#031672] $750

Franklin Center, Franklin Library, 1987. By general consensus, Chatwin's best book -- a "novel of ideas," as the publisher puts it, of Australian aborigines, and the questions about man that arise from the vast gulf that separates the culture of contemporary, Western civilized man from that of the wandering tribes of Australia, whose "dream tracks" or "songlines" delineate both a physical and a psychic geography. The correct first American edition, published by the Franklin Library for subscribers as part of their Signed First Editions series. An attractively designed book, in black leather stamped in brown and gold, in a pattern suggestive of the Australian aborigines' "songlines" that give the book its title. With a special introduction for this edition, which does not appear anywhere else. Signed by the author. Chatwin's signature is uncommon; reclusive while alive, he died three years after the publication of this book, at the age of 49. Fine, in the publisher's original shrinkwrap. [#004547] $40

(NY), Viking, (1996). The first American edition of this collection of "previously neglected or unpublished pieces." Tiny spot lower foredge; else fine in a fine dust jacket. [#023751] $20

NY, Summit Books, (1980). A review copy of the first American edition of his second book, a bizarre account of a nineteenth century Brazilian slave trader and his family, reimagined by the author and written as though fiction. Mild page edge foxing and sunning to upper board edges; near fine in a fine dust jacket with review slip and author photo laid in. [#026508] $20

(New York), Viking, (1988). The first American edition of his second novel. Price sticker rear panel; fine in a fine dust jacket. [#026521] $20

(New York), Viking, (1988). The uncorrected proof copy of the first American edition of his second novel. Small faint spot to front cover, else fine in wrappers. [#026522] $20

London, Jonathan Cape, (1988). Very Good in Very Good DJ. [#707507] $20

(n.p.), Viking, (1989). The uncorrected proof copy of the American edition of this posthumously published collection of stories, essays, profiles, etc. Fine in wrappers. [#026523] $20

NY, Knopf, 1997. The uncorrected proof copy. Trace corner creasing; very near fine in wrappers. [#006863] $20