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(n.p), (n.p.), [ca. 1983]. In 1983, Robert Stone, National Book Award-winning novelist, was commissioned to write a piece on George Orwell and his dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, as that calendar year approached. In the piece, Stone made an effort to reclaim Orwell from the conservative right wing, which had taken his most famous, anti-totalitarian novels -- Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm -- to be explicit condemnations of the Soviet Union and Communism, and by implication all leftist thought itself. Instead, Stone argues that Orwell's writing in Homage to Catalonia -- not to mention his fighting on the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War -- identifies Orwell as someone with both a socialist sympathy and "a certain affinity with what I believe is best about the United States," a kind of Puritanism that is characterized by "rectitude...conscience and common sense." He goes on to point out that Orwell "was the sort of radical who makes enemies on both sides of epic struggles," owing to his "originality and intelligence, [and] above all his thoroughgoing honesty, [which] always got him in trouble. A writer and man more predictable and dull, less infernally scrupulous would have had a better time of it." Stone adds that Orwell was idealistic but non-ideological -- as Stone was himself -- and deeply committed to the kind of "pragmatism that has characterized American moral thinkers from Jefferson to James to Neibuhr." He concludes that "We may never produce a greater political novel than Nineteen Eighty-Four" and that "it has done its work for us" in shaping our fears and cautions sufficiently for us to have avoided the totalitarian dystopia that was latent in the post-War years of the Cold War. The confluence of writer and subject here was, in many ways, a near-perfect one but the piece seems never to have been published; we can find no record of it; a cover letter from Stone's wife, Janice, indicates this was done for Thames Television, but whether it was produced or used remains unknown to us. One of Stone's novels includes an allusion to a critical moment in Nineteen Eighty-Four: Stone's character explains that one has "to look the gray rat in the eye" -- an allusion to the torture by rats that Winston Smith, in Nineteen Eighty-Four, is faced with, which causes him to "break" and betray himself and his loved ones. 18 pages, ribbon copy typescript, with Janice Stone's cover letter, laid into an agent's folder. Fine. An unknown Robert Stone piece, on a subject that touches close to many of the central and pervasive themes of his own writings. Unique. [#032829] $8,500

[Boston], [Houghton Mifflin], [1974]. The photocopied typescript of Stone's second novel, winner of the National Book Award and one of the best novels to link the impact of the Vietnam war on American society in the Sixties to the dark side of that era -- the official corruption and the underside of the drug experiences of a generation. Bearing the [now crossed out] working title: Skydiver Devoured By Starving Birds. The title appears in a scene in the novel; it also appears in Stone's memoir, in an account of his time working for a tabloid newspaper where the writers were given headlines made up by other writers and had to create stories around them. The one time it appeared in print was in the excerpt from Dog Soldiers that appeared in the newsprint literary magazine, Fiction, in 1973. Stone's piece was called "Starving Birds" and at the end was identified as being from "Skydiver Devoured by Starving Birds." According to a 1987 letter of provenance, this copy of the typescript was generated by the publisher and sent to the Book of the Month Club for early consideration for possible book club adoption. The pages bear, at the bottom, a torn Book of the Month Club filing sticker. 318 pages, plus cover sheet. The cover sheet and the letter of provenance are each signed by Robert Stone. The quality of the paper varies: several sheets have the blue tone of a mimeo. Near fine or better, in the bottom half of a manuscript box and the folding cardstock case of the Book of the Month Club, at this point more artifactual than protective. As far as we can tell, a unique copy of this award-winning novel, the basis for the highly regarded film Who'll Stop the Rain? [#033357] $1,500

Boston, Houghton Mifflin, (1974). The uncorrected proof copy of his second novel, winner of the National Book Award and one of the best novels to link the impact of the Vietnam war on American society in the Sixties to the dark side of that era -- the official corruption and the underside of the drug experiences of a generation. This is the second issue proof, in gold-brown wrappers with a publisher's letter to booksellers reproduced on the front cover. Signed by the author. Shallow creases to three corners; near fine in wrappers. [#912822] $500

[London], Deutsch, [1986]. The uncorrected proof copy of the true first edition of his fourth novel, the British edition having preceded the American edition by one week. Inscribed by the author to author and critic David Lodge: "For David Lodge/ in happy recollection of New Zealand adventures -- until we meet again/ Robert Stone." The inscription is written inside the front cover as this copy, like all copies examined by Stone's bibliographer, Ken Lopez, has no preliminary pages prior to the text. A signed note from Lodge's son attesting to provenance is laid in. Small stains to covers; near fine in wrappers. A scarce proof of Stone's haunting Hollywood novel, and a nice association. [#036010] $375

1979, 1986. Two typed letters signed from Stone, the first from Honolulu, the second from Providence, RI. The first grants permission for the recipient to use his name and discusses his time in Hawaii and his delay in responding ["I've been under the weight of burdens real and imaginary here that have played hell with my time."]. The second apparently accompanied a recommendation for the recipient ["If you think of anything they might want beyond this, I think you might add whatever you feel is necessary and sign my name."]. The recipient was a writer who studied with Stone in the Seventies and later became a friend. Both letters are folded for mailing; else fine, with envelopes. Also included is an autograph letter signed by Stone's wife, Janice in which she offers the recipient use of their summer home in the off-season. [#026626] $275

[various], [various], 1967-1997. From the author's own library: eight various editions of his first book. Includes a later printing of the first edition (1967, Houghton Mifflin hardcover) and seven paperbacks: five first printings (Fawcett 1968; Ballantine 1975; Houghton Mifflin 1981; Penguin 1987; Mariner 1997) and two later printings (Picador and Penguin, both 1987). All copies from the '80s and '90s are fine or near fine; the hardcover and the Ballantine are very good; the 1968 paperback ("Now the major Paramount picture WUSA") is a poor copy, barely held together with a dozen pieces of tape, but with Paul Newman on the cover. [#033840] $250

(various), (various), (1983-2009). Six books from the library of Robert Stone, author of the National Book Award winning Dog Soldiers and Damascus Gate, among others. Both of these novels had war as their backdrop (Vietnam in Dog Soldiers) or their subtext (the Arab-Israeli-Palestinian conflicts in Damascus Gate), and Stone's portrayal of war and its influence on individuals and societies is nuanced and psychological, as well as broad and deep and historical. These six war-related titles show evidence of his taking the study of war seriously, even when the particulars of a given conflict did not go into his books. The titles are: Rick Atkinson's An Army at Dawn; John Keegan's A History of Warfare; Derek Leebaert's The Fifty-Year Wound; Niall Ferguson's The War of the World; Michael and Elizabeth Norman's Tears in the Darkness; and Robert Paul Jordan's The Civil War. The Norman, the Jordan, and the Keegan are later printings; only the Norman has a dust jacket; all but the Jordan are well-read and stained. Reading copies only. [#033822] $250

Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1967. Second printing. From the author's own library and inscribed by Stone: "To Aunt Ruth/ with every best wish/ Bob Stone." Two names written on the rear flyleaf; near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033825] $200

[various], [various], 1981-1997. Five various editions of the author's first book, all from the author's own library. Five paperbacks: three first printings (Houghton Mifflin 1981; Penguin 1987; Mariner 1997) and two later printings (Picador and Penguin, both 1987). The Penguin edition has a rear cover crease; otherwise the lot is near fine or better. [#033841] $150

Boston/NY, Houghton Mifflin, 1997. His first collection of stories, spanning the years 1969 to 1997. Bound galley sheets; 8-1/2" x 11"; tapebound in cardstock covers. Presumably produced for in-house use only; we've never seen any indication of these having been distributed outside the publishing house. Fine. [#008297] $125

NY, Fiction, (1973). An excerpt from a novel-in-progress, which turned out to be Dog Soldiers. A bibliographically significant piece, in that this is the only place where Dog Soldiers is identified by the title Skydiver Devoured by Starving Birds. Signed by Stone. Also includes John Lennon, Donald Barthelme, Jerome Charyn, and others. Tall newsprint journal. Fine. [#914689] $125

Hadley, Numinous Press, 1992. A first bibliography of Robert Stone, describing in detail the American and British editions of his "A" items up through Outerbridge Reach, along with an extensive listing of his appearances in others' books, in periodicals, in translation, etc. Illustrated with photographs, and including a critical introduction, as well as a previously unpublished piece by Robert Stone: the transcript of an impromptu talk that Stone gave at the Library of Congress for the tenth anniversary of the PEN Faulkner Award in 1989, about his exposure at a young age to the effects of writing, experienced upon reading Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Stone, who won the National Book Award for his novel Dog Soldiers, was widely considered one of the most important American novelists to emerge from the era of the Vietnam war and the Sixties counterculture, and the short list of his published novels does not give an accurate indication of his pervasive influence on contemporary American literature. By tracing the secondary appearances (the bibliography includes over 240 entries), one begins to appreciate the scope of his writing and the points at which his voice was one of those that defined our current situation and gave us the terms with which to understand it. The limited edition. One of 150 numbered copies, signed by Robert Stone. With a marbled paper dust jacket created expressly for this edition by Light of Day Bindery in Northampton, MA, and printed letterpress by Wild Carrot Press. Can be signed by Ken Lopez, if desired. [#010984] $95

Franklin Center, Franklin Library, 1992. The Franklin Library edition and the true first edition of Stone's first bestseller. Chosen by the New York Times as one of the dozen best books of the year, covering all categories, and nominated for both the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Leatherbound; page edges gilt; with an introduction by Stone about the genesis of this book, which does not appear elsewhere. Signed by the author. Fine. [#912829] $80

Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 2003. The advance reading copy. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers, with a photo of the author laid in, which is also signed by Stone. [#912806] $50

NY, Knopf/Vintage, (1986)/(1992). Later printings of the first American edition and the Vintage paperback edition, but both from the author's own library. Fine in a fine dust jacket; fine in wrappers. [#033833] $50

(London), Picador, 1988, 1998. Two first printings of British paperback reissues of his National Book Award-winning second novel, from the author's own library. The 1988 issue has a dampstain as the lower edge and is near fine; the 1998 issue is fine. Together with a 1981 second printing Houghton Mifflin paperback, also from the author's library; near fine. [#033839] $50

(NY), (Harper's), (1988). Includes Stone's "Keeping the Future at Bay," a report on the Republican National Convention, later collected in The Best American Essays 1989. Signed by Stone at his contribution. Fine. [#912823] $50

(n.p.), [Oregon Public Broadcasting], (c. 2003). The script of Mel Waggoner's interview questions (without Stone's responses) for a radio interview on Oregon Public Broadcasting, timed following the publication of Bay of Souls. Three pages of prepared questions for Stone. Inscribed by Stone to a collector, "with best wishes." Fine. [#912825] $50

(NY), Ecco/HarperPerennial, (2007/2008). Two copies from the author's own library: a later printing of the hardcover edition (Ecco, 2007) and a first printing of the paperback edition (Harper Perennial, 2008). Both are very near fine. [#033843] $50

Stanford, Stanford University Press, 1964. Includes Robert Stone's first book appearance, two excerpts from his first novel, then in progress. Other contributors to this volume include Ed McClanahan, Hugh Nissenson, and Merrill Joan Gerber. Edited by Wallace Stegner. Fine in a near fine, price-clipped dust jacket. [#009509] $50

Franklin Center, Franklin Library, 1998. The Franklin Library edition of this densely plotted political and metaphysical thriller set in contemporary Jerusalem. Stone tackles the religious hatreds, political intrigues and spiritual aspirations and malaise that intersect in one of the most historically significant, and volatile, places on earth. Signed by the author. With a special introduction by Stone for this edition. Leatherbound, all edges gilt, with a silk ribbon marker bound in. Fine. [#912818] $45

NY, Ticknor & Fields, 1992. The first trade edition of Stone's first bestseller. Chosen by the New York Times as one of the dozen best books of the year, covering all categories, and nominated for both the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#024201] $40

Boston/NY, Houghton Mifflin, 1998. A review copy of this densely plotted political and metaphysical thriller set in contemporary Jerusalem. Stone tackles the religious hatreds, political intrigues and spiritual aspirations and malaise that intersect in one of the most historically significant, and volatile, places on earth. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket, with promotional pages laid in, which Stone has also signed. [#912816] $35

(Evanston), (Northwestern), (1980). Includes an excerpt from A Flag for Sunrise. Signed by Stone at his contribution. Some rubbing to covers; near fine in wrappers. [#912840] $35

(London), Picador, (1999). First Picador paperback printing of this Hollywood novel whose true first edition is British (Deutsch, 1986). From the author's own library. Age-toned pages; near fine. [#033834] $30

(London), Picador, (1998). The first British edition of this densely plotted political and metaphysical thriller set in contemporary Jerusalem. Stone tackles the religious hatreds, political intrigues and spiritual aspirations and malaise that intersect in one of the most historically significant, and volatile, places on earth. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#912819] $30

(London), Deutsch, (1992). The first British edition of Stone's first bestseller. Chosen by the New York Times as one of the dozen best books of the year, covering all categories, and nominated for both the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#912830] $30

Boston/NY, Houghton Mifflin, 1997. The simultaneous issue in wrappers. From the author's own library. Introduced by E. Annie Proulx, and with additional contributions by Ha Jin, Junot Diaz, T.C. Boyle, Jonathan Franzen, Lydia Davis, and Jeffrey Eugenides, among others. Fine. [#033815] $30

NY, Pantheon, (1997). From the library of Robert Stone, and with a blurb by Stone on the rear panel. Barich at one point had begun an inscription (to someone else) on the half title page. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033813] $30

(London), Bloomsbury, (1997). The uncorrected proof copy of the British edition of his first collection of stories, spanning the years 1969 to 1997. Near fine in wrappers. "Not for sale" has been inked out on the rear cover, and a price tag has been added. [#912811] $21