(NY), New Directions, (1977). His third book, a collection of stories. Signed by the author. This is the simultaneous hardcover issue. Fine in a mildly edge-sunned, else fine dust jacket.
[#914403]$125 $81
London, Doubleday, (2006). The second of her acclaimed mystery novels featuring Jackson Brodie, which have pushed the boundaries of the genre. Signed (initialed) by the author. With two dust jackets, both the normal trade edition dust jacket and a variant that lacks a price on the front flap: we would declare this the export edition jacket but for two other changes: the heading "Case Histories" on the rear panel is in a variant typeface, and the front flap copy runs three more lines (owing to line breaks, rather than variant text). Atkinson's first novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum, won the 1995 Whitbread Book of the Year Award and her 2013 alternate-histories novel, Life After Life, also earned her significant acclaim far outside of the mystery genre, both in the U.K. and in the U.S., and itself won several awards. Fine, in two fine dust jackets.
[#031653]SOLD
NY, St. Martin's, (1970). A review copy of this book for young people on the animals of Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, Thailand and Malaysia. With an autograph note signed by Ayer taped to the front flyleaf, asking if the recipient had received a copy of the book. Also taped there is a review slip; a press release is laid in. Underlinings in text, presumably by the reviewer, along with two small pages of notes laid in. Musty; else near fine in a near fine dust jacket. An oddly timed book on the animals of the region, from a time when the U.S. was actively bombing North Vietnam and Laos, had invaded Cambodia 10 days prior to publication, and was conducting a full-scale war against South Vietnamese insurgents and the North Vietnam Army inside South Vietnam.
[#034486]$75 $38
Salt Spring Island, Self-Published, ca. 2004 and 2005. Three catalogs of Bateman's photographs, each printed on a Mac; each fine in oblong wrappers. All from the library of Peter Matthiessen; Highstead Portfolio is inscribed by Bateman to Matthiessen, with an autograph note signed laid in.
[#031812]$115 $75
NY, Rivers Press, 1970. His first book, a collection of poetry only issued in wrappers, in an edition of 500 copies with illustrations by Mary Miner. Precedes his second book by four years and his first book of fiction by well over a decade. Signed by the author. Fine.
[#911346]$500 $325
(NY), New Rivers Press, 1974. The scarce hardcover issue of his second book, a collection of poetry. The total edition was 600 copies, of which only 200 were issued in cloth; 400 were issued in wrappers. Well-known these days as a writer of fiction and of essays on fiction, Baxter didn't publish his first novel until 1987, seventeen years after his first book (Chameleon) and thirteen years after this title. Inscribed by the author in 1982. Fine in a slightly rubbed, else fine dust jacket.
[#911007]$1,000 $700
(West Germany), World Uranium Hearing, 1992. Program for the World Uranium Hearing, founded by Biegert, and held in Salzburg in 1992, timed with the quincentennial of Columbus' landing in America. Bilingual program, English and Russian. With an autograph letter signed laid in from Biegert to Matthiessen, reminding him that he is looking for "world renowned authors from all continents who will be the reporters at the World Uranium Hearing." Also laid in is a folded 11-3/4" x 19-1/2" poster publicizing the event, with the heading, "The Death That Creeps From the Earth." The program is near fine in stapled wrappers, with Biegert's address written on the front in Matthiessen's hand, along with "Contact: K. Vonn/ John I./ Robt Hughes/ W. Merwin" -- presumably referring to Kurt Vonnegut, John Irving, Robert Hughes, and W.S. Merwin, all of them good friends of Matthiessen as well as "world renowned authors" who might be enlisted to support this event.
[#032457]$190 $124
(n.p.), Yale Review / Southwest Review, 1997. Two offprints, one each from the Yale Review and the Southwest Review, featuring Section III and Section IV, respectively, from his longer poem. Both offprints are inscribed by the author to Robert Stone and his wife in 1997. Side-stapled wrappers; near fine.
[#033700]$75 $38
London, Belmont Press, 2002. Of a total edition of 226, this is the "standard" issue, one of 100 numbered copies signed by Carey and by the illustrator, Eileen Hogan. Fine, without dust jacket, as issued.
[#911433]$500 $325
(Sydney), Knopf, (2008). First edition (Australian). Signed by the author. Fine in a very near fine printed glassine dustwrapper with one small crease.
[#914436]$100 $65
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 $20
[Seattle], Incunabla, 2007. The lettered limited edition of this poster, a broadside excerpt from Crowley's 1981 novel Little, Big, issued in conjunction with what was to be the 25th anniversary edition of Crowley's World Fantasy Award-winner, which is still a work-in-progress and has yet to be published. A 24" x 37" poster, with art by Peter Milton, whose haunting drawings, etchings, engravings and prints are to grace the new edition. When Little, Big was first published, Ursula Le Guin famously wrote that "all by itself it calls for a redefinition of fantasy"; Thomas Disch called it "the greatest fantasy novel ever." The literary critic Harold Bloom listed three books by John Crowley, including Little, Big, in his book The Western Canon. Bloom is listed as providing an introduction to the anniversary edition of the novel. One can get a sense, from this poster, of the aesthetic of the anniversary volume. One of 26 lettered copies, this being letter "L," signed by John Crowley, artist Peter Milton, editor John Drummond and book designer John D. Berry. Rolled; else fine. A scarce artifact of a prolonged publishing project and labor of love, associated with one of the best-loved and most highly regarded fantasy novels of all time.
[#029580]$750 $525
1980. Two typed letters signed to Alan Ryan, fellow science fiction writer and editor of the religiously-themed speculative fiction anthology Perpetual Light. Both letters are dated March 13, 1980, with one being for private reading, thanking Ryan for his review of Dick's The Golden Man and discussing Dick’s forthcoming novel VALIS; the second being for Ryan to show to others, espousing enthusiasm for his planned anthology. The letters are folded in thirds, else fine. Two very revealing letters to a fellow writer and colleague.
[#034633]$8,500 $6,375
Elmwood, Raven Editions, 1987. The first separate edition of this story by Dubus, expanded from its magazine publication back to its original length. An attractive limited edition, designed and printed by Carol Blinn of Warwick Press. Copy No. 34 of 60 numbered copies, of a total edition of 70 copies signed by the author. Unmarked, but from the library of Robert Stone. Fine, without dust jacket, as issued.
[#033672]$500 $325
NY, Knopf, 1998. The uncorrected proof copy of his last book, his second collection of essays. Dubus was best known as a short story writer, and his last collection of stories was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1996. He won the Rea Award for the Short Story in 1991 and a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" in 1988. He is the father of the acclaimed novelist and memoirist Andre Dubus III. Signed by the author. Fine in wrappers.
[#021063]$115 $75
(NY), Brentano's, (1944). A bilingual (French and English) compilation of idiomatic expressions selected by Dorval, illustrated by Carlu, and introduced by Flanner. A wrappered reissue in smaller format and with several corrections from the earlier text. Inscribed by Dorval and signed by Carlu. Some corner creasing, and rubbed along the folds; very good.
[#016218]$190 $124
London, Jonathan Cape, 2003. A 4-page promotional flyer (with the McEwan blurb); and a set of five Fickling promotional postcards with Volkswagens of varying colors and featuring either a quote from the book, from the publisher, or from Ian McEwan, Arthur Golden, or Oliver Sacks. Together with two copies of the Fickling jacket, which are near fine; the flyer and the postcards are fine. Uncommon promotional ephemera.
[#031393]$80 $40
London, Jonathan Cape, 2003. A promotional T-shirt with a "Curious?" tagline and a stabbed dog graphic. Blue, V-neck, "one size" (small-ish), 100% cotton; fine. A different design than the "Curious" t-shirts that are sold at the National Theatre Shop in conjunction with the theatrical release of this title.
[#031394]$50 $25
(NY), Weisbach/(Morrow), 1999. An advance excerpt from Homes' Music for Torching, together with an interview with Homes, a review, and praise for her earlier books. Also includes excerpts of work by Amanda Davis, Scott Lasser and Dale Peck. Fine in stapled wrappers, with accompanying CD, all housed in publisher's tri-fold folder. A highly unusual, multimedia publisher's promotional item.
[#025104]$60 $30
Smithtown, Exposition Press, (1983). A vanity press publication by a white writer, written for pre-teens. Despite the title, which seems thematically all-encompassing (albeit gender-specific), each chapter is actually a story about food, and the author includes an introduction for teachers stressing that the coming global food crisis can be averted by emulating some Indian practices. A fine copy in a heavily rubbed, very good dust jacket with tiny corner chips.
[#016678]$60 $30
September 14, 1978. To the editors of Farrar, Straus & Giroux: "I'm taking the liberty of submitting to you a ms. of short stories, not mine, that I think is worthy of consideration for publication..." The author on whose behalf Ignatow is writing is unnamed, although he does add that Grace Paley is interested in writing an introduction. One corner staple; editorial "logged in" remarks; folded in thirds; and typed on a machine that made only partial "o's." Near fine.
[#013665]$40 $20
(n.p.), (n.p.), 2000. An early, tapebound typescript of this novel that was published in July, 2001. No publisher indicated, suggesting this was an early agent's copy, or some other kind of copy prepared prior to the publisher issuing any version of it. Double-spaced, double-sided, 507 pages. "Revised: December 11, 2000" printed on the blue front cover/title page. Textual differences exist between this and the published text, beginning with a different table of contents and including changes in the Acknowledgments section of the book. We are aware of another state of this draft that was comb-bound, which was issued by Knopf/Canada. Fine.
[#032787]$375 $244
NY, Time Out New York, 2001. An article on Gary Sinise, who played McMurphy in Dale Wasserman's stage revival of Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. This copy of the magazine is signed by Sinise and by Terry Kinney, who directed the play. Together with a display card for the play, also signed by Sinise and Kinney. Both items fine.
[#027227]$115 $75
Richmond, Tiger of the Stripe, 2006. Inscribed by the author to Robert Stone and his wife: "two of the good buddies of all time." Stone gets a mention in the text. Fine in wrappers.
[#033744]$100 $65
NY, Riverhead Books, 1999. An uncorrected proof copy in the form of comb-bound 8-1/2" x 11" sheets, printed on rectos only. 348 pages. Signed by the author. Fine.
[#913239]$100 $65
NY, New American Library, (1989). The advance reading copy. Inscribed by the author (but not signed) to Robert Stone and his wife. Very good in wrappers.
[#033747]$75 $38
(n.p.), (Jubilee), (1959). An offprint from Jubilee of an article Merton wrote on Pasternak following Pasternak's being awarded (and declining) the Nobel Prize for Literature. Oblong quarto; roughly a dozen pages. Mild, even acidification and a few small creases near the spine. Near fine in stapled wrappers. Dell'Isola lists the Jubilee appearance, but makes no mention of this offprint. OCLC locates only three copies.
[#030126]$375 $244
1958. An autograph letter signed from Miller to editor and publisher Pascal (Pat) Covici, regarding R.K. Narayan's book The Guide. A full page, plus one margin, of Miller's writing in pencil, praising Narayan's book and asking about others. Two passages are bracketed in red, presumably by Covici, and marked "excerpt." In the second of these, Miller writes, "I was amazed that a man of his world could exhibit such a modern technique. To boot, he's a born story teller. With a fine sense of the tragi-comic." Dated in Big Sur, 6/13/58. Another hand has added, "File H. Miller." Browned, else fine. Good literary content.
[#033645]$500 $325
NY, Broadway Play Publishing, (1990). A play by this poet, playwright, essayist and novelist. His novel Cold Hands was chosen as New York Times Notable Book. Inscribed by the author: "Tony [Harvey] -- Thanks for lunch. Joe." Near fine in wrappers.
[#026853]$40 $20
Vienna, AUSTRIA, Phaidon, 1936. First Edition. Yellow cloth with gold decorations. Near fine in very good dust jacket (edge-worn, scored).
[#600016]$60 $30
London, Orion, 2007. 12-month wall calendar used as a promotional tie-in to Rebus's Scotland: A Personal Journey, which was published by Orion in 2005 and, like this calendar, featured photos of Edinburgh by Tricia Malley and Ross Gillespie, with text by Rankin from the Rebus books. 10" x 11". Small ripple to title page and January, else fine.
[#029346]SOLD
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 $98
Ottawa, Borealis, 1972. The first book, a collection of poetry, by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Stone Diaries. Inscribed by Shields to the Canadian poet and novelist Rosemary Aubert: "For Rosemary/ with thanks for a delightful evening/ Carol Shields." Spine faded, with a little tear to the spine base; near fine in wrappers. A nice literary association copy of an important first book.
[#029530]$750 $525
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]$135 $88
[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 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 $1,125
[Pittsburg], Porter Library Bulletin, ca. 1972. A bibliography of Tate's published writings in the first 10 years of his career, beginning when he was 19 years old. 17 pages, from within an issue of the Porter Library Bulletin from the Kansas State College of Pittsburg. 8-1/2" x 11" stapled sheets. Lacking the front cover, thus only a good copy, but from the author's estate. A useful reference to some hard-to-find and small press publications.
[#034377]$45 $23
NY, Morrow, 1967. An early novel of the war and "the subtle violences of a cease-fire" in Vietnam, by a writer who had earlier written a book on the CIA, and was therefore presumably familiar with political intrigue. Inscribed by the author. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.
[#034511]SOLD
(n.p.), (Ewert), (1997). A poem by Updike from A Child's Calendar, here issued as a holiday card. Printed in an edition of 150 copies, this is one of 100 copies issued unsigned, but this copy has been inscribed by the author: "A small item for [your] enormous collection. Sent to both of you with my warm regards of the season. Cheers, John." Fine.
[#030255]$150 $98
1986. A remembrance by Updike of his friend Thompson, read at Thompson's memorial service. Two photocopies, each four pages, folded in thirds, stapled, and stamped with Updike's address. Reproduces a couple holograph corrections and one note of transmittal. One copy is however actually signed by Updike. Near fine, and together with a copy of Bookbuilder, January/February 1987, the newsletter of the Bookbuilders of Boston, where the tribute was printed.
[#031526]$575 $403
Newburyport, Wickford Press, 1968. A limited edition of a humorous essay on encounters with (other) famous authors, which first appeared in the New York Times. Number 56 of 250 numbered copies. Issued unsigned, this copy is inscribed by the author in 1997: For ___ ___ and her fabulous collection/ Cheers, John Updike." One of Updike's earliest limited editions, done the same year as Bath After Sailing and The Angels. Although the limitation of this title is larger than either of those, we have encountered it just as infrequently. Faint sunning at the edge of the spine, else fine.
[#030849]$1,500 $1,125
Newburyport, Wickford Press, 1968. An unsigned limited edition of an essay that first appeared in the New York Times. One of 250 numbered copies. Edge-sunning to covers; coffee splot lower front corner; very good in stapled wrappers. One of Updike's earliest limited editions, done the same year as Bath After Sailing and The Angels. Although the limitation of this title is larger than either of those, we have seen it less often and it appears to be scarcer in the market.
[#026894]$565 $396
(n.p.), (n.p.), 1978. Transcript of two consecutive nights of Updike's appearances on The Dick Cavett Show in December 1978. Ten pages and eleven pages, respectively, plus cover sheet. Printed on rectos only. Near fine, in a blue acetate folder that has split along its fold. DeBellis and Broomfield A68. Later collected in Conversations with John Updike.
[#030282]$565 $396
(Boston), G.K. Hall and Marquis Who's Who, Inc., (1978). A poem by Updike, published as a holiday greeting card. Signed by the author. Fine, with original (unused) mailing envelope. Together with a presumed proof copy, with the copyright notice handwritten (in an unknown hand) rather than printed on the rear cover. Also fine. Both housed together in a G.K. Hall envelope. A scarce ephemeral piece, especially uncommon signed, and notably rare in the variant with the handwritten copyright notice.
[#031524]$1,500 $1,125
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 $525
Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University Press, 1992. The uncommon hardcover issue of this collection of poems. Unmarked, but from the library of the author. Fine in a very near fine dust jacket with a slight crimp at the crown.
[#034478]$50 $25
Chattanooga, University of Tennessee, 1981. Issue No. 11, featuring a portfolio of poems by Wier, along with an interview with her. Each section is marked by a paperclip, presumably by Wier, as this copy is from the poet's library. Tapebound in cardstock covers; rust marks to pages from the clips, else fine.
[#034477]$50 $25
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