(Washington, D.C.), Survival International U.S.A., (1981-1982). Volume 1, No. 1 and Volume 2, Nos. 2, 3/4. Four issues (one double issue, so 3 items). One issue folded for mailing; two issues sunned; near fine.
[#018432]$40 $20
(Washington, D.C), (Department of State), (1966). An offprint from the Department of State Bulletin, a memorandum submitted to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, largely concentrating on the issue of whether Congressional approval, and a formal declaration of war, were necessary for U.S. troops to be committed to combat in Vietnam. 16 pages. Stamped "Library of Congress Surplus/Duplicate." Near fine in stapled wrappers.
[#010070]$40 $20
NY, Harper & Row, (1977). The hardcover issue of this collection of poetry, with an introduction by Ted Hughes. Fine in a near fine dust jacket, with the typically sunned spine.
[#035053]$40 $20
1992. A 7-page dot-matrix print-out of a letter by Anderson defending himself against a series of complaints made against him as a faculty member at Boise State University. Together with an unsigned cover letter from 1993 expressing, among other things, a wish he could publish the letter and a tirade against "the new thing, the E-mail," and its allowing people to hide behind a curtain like the Wizard of Oz. Also together with four of Anderson's reviews as a faculty member, three of which have Anderson's holograph annotations (e.g., "don't know how she got this guy in her pocket"). And also together with, and paper-clipped to his faculty reviews, the Pablo Neruda poem "Guilty," on which Anderson has written: "I make my 'Creative Writing' students memorize this for their mid-term." Not signed on the preceding items, but with a 1993 letter of transmittal signed by Anderson, saying, among other things, that he expects he'll be in Boise a few more years "before [they] manage to get rid of me." Rust from paperclips; otherwise all items fine.
[#031324]$450 $293
(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
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 $525
1998. Promotional poster for the annual Toronto literary festival, which each year since 1980 brought together the best writers of contemporary world literature. The poster was designed by a leading artist of the day and is one of only a handful of copies signed by all or most of the year's participants. From the collection of the promoter of the festival himself, Greg Gatenby. Designed by Sandro Chia. Approximately 51 signatures. Signed by: Rose Tremain, Tim O'Brien, Ho Anh Thai, Jay McInerney, Mary Gaitskill, Alice Munro, Edwidge Danticat, Joyce Carol Oates, Richard Holmes, Robert Coover, Geoff Nicholson, Leon Rooke, Timothy Findley, Farley Mowat, Susan Minot, Colin Wilson, Herta Muller, Jack Hodgsins, Greg Hollinghead, Yves Beauchemin, Howard Norman, Patricia Melo, and others. 17" x 23".
[#029754]$1,000 $700
Columbus, Golden Goose Press, 1952. His first book, poetry, written while he was living in Mallorca, Spain, before he attended and taught at Black Mountain College in North Carolina. One of 500 copies. Small owner name on the rear flap; near fine in wrappers.
[#034827]$600 $420
NY, Dutton, (1923). Crowley's first novel, reportedly based on his own experiences as a drug user. Contemporary owner name and date to front flyleaf. Small spot to spine, light corner tap, and rear hinge starting; still a near fine copy, without dust jacket.
[#034868]$850 $595
London, Cassell, 1903. The first two parts, with 4 Dore plates each. Covers detached on Part 2; marginal foxing to text; good copies, but the plates are near fine.
[#600050]$40 $20
London, Cassell, Petter, Galpin, (n.d). Illustrations by Dore. Supplied to Subscribers Only, in 20 parts. All 737 pages present, possibly only 19 covers. One section re-numbered by hand. The 20th part may be the unnumbered first section: Contents; Biographical Notes; Author's Preface. Possibly bound at one time; now decidedly unbound. Covers detached; prior dampstaining evident. A fair copy only, but apparently scarce in this subscriber's edition.
[#600047]$200 $130
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
(Otisville), Birch Brook, (1989). The first separate appearance of this story from The Times Are Never So Bad. A small, attractive letterpress limited edition. One of 300 numbered copies, signed by the author. Approximately 6" x 4-1/2". Mild spine roll, else fine in wrappers.
[#912453]$175 $114
NY, Dial, 1967. His first book, and his only novel -- a military tale not unlike William Styron's book The Long March -- a story of the peacetime military and the challenges to manhood and honor that its rigid code of morals creates. Dubus was once quoted as saying that after he wrote this novel someone introduced him to Chekhov's short stories, and he threw away the manuscript of what was to be his next novel and began writing short fiction -- of which he became one of our most acclaimed and accomplished practitioners. Dampstaining to lower boards; a very good copy in a very good dust jacket with a small droplet on spine, light corner chipping, and one internally mended edge tear.
[#029303]$60 $30
(n.p.), McSweeney's, (2000). An ink drawing by Eggers of a malformed human, captioned "Things have changed since then, executed on the previously blank dust jacket of Timothy McSweeney's Issue No. 5. Signed (initialed) by Eggers. With an additional ink drawing by Eggers on the flyleaf, of an amoeba shape, captioned, "At one time they were all like this." Eggers has been selling his captioned paintings and prints of captioned animals to benefit ScholarMatch (which he also founded), an organization that funds college educations. Additionally signed by Ben Greenman. Issue No. 5 was the first hardcover issue of Timothy McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, and it was issued in three variant bindings and four variant dust jackets. This is the Ted Koppel binding with the previously blank white front. Two tiny spots to foredge and small lower board nicks; near fine in a very good, mildly dusty jacket with a couple of closed tears.
[#032951]$850 $595
(London), Faber and Faber, (2004). A limited edition with text by Alex Garland and woodcuts by Nicholas Garland. Of a total edition of 310 copies, this is number 289 of 250 numbered copies (#s 51-300) signed by both Garlands. Folio, 17" x 12"; fine in slipcase.
[#914498]$175 $114
Amherst, U. of Massachusetts Press, 1970. The softcover issue of this collection of poems, inscribed by the author to another poet in 1976. Fine in wrappers.
[#011904]$45 $23
London, Arrowsmith, (1924). First thus: a reissue of the Keartons' 1902 edition of "the most widely known book on the joys of outdoor life in the English language," according to Richard Kearton's two-page introduction to this volume, which talks of changes in Selborne, and the influx of American visitors. Still including his introduction to the 1902 edition, and with a different selection of 85 photographs by the brothers, Richard and Cherry Kearton, from the 123 that appeared in the earlier edition. Inscribed by Richard Kearton in the year of publication to his "old friend, Leonard P. Moore, Esq." Offsetting to inscription page; heavy foxing to page edges and prelims; a bit of sunning to cloth; and a short tear at the rear upper joint. A good copy. Laid in is a flyer for a 1993 exhibition marking the bicentenary of the death of Gilbert White.
[#033522]$375 $244
NY, HBO/Cannon Video, (n.d). The 1975 Academy Award-winning movie based on Kesey's novel, in VHS format. Signed by Kesey on the case, over the picture of Jack Nicholson, who himself won an Academy Award for the lead role. The placement of the signature may have been a statement on Kesey's part: he was known to have strongly opposed the casting of Nicholson as McMurphy (thinking a more physically imposing actor, such as Gene Hackman, would have been more appropriate), and he reportedly considered having his own name taken off the movie in protest. Kesey's son, Zane, said that this was the only copy of the movie he had ever heard of being signed by his father, because of how thoroughly unhappy he was with the film. Fine in a very good, rubbed case, with a small sticker removal abrasion.
[#028935]$750 $525
NY, American Society of the French Legion of Honor, 1930-1938. The first 32 issues (Vol. 1 #1 through Vol. 8 #4) of this magazine edited by W. Francklin Paris and dedicated to fostering understanding between France and the U.S. Four volumes: half bound in green leather and marbled boards, with marbled endpages. Contents fine, but the leather is rubbed at the joints and ends, thus a very good set.
[#600041]$450 $293
NY, Harper, 1871. Lewis, a temperance leader and early advocate for physical fitness training, developed an exercise system in 1860 and held classes in and near Boston for men, women and children. In this book he uses anecdotes to bemoan the (often learned) weaknesses of women and girls and suggests remedies, such as sun and exercise. Ads for his services and products at the rear. Faint penciled owner name in two places. Mild page foxing and rubbing to green cloth; still about near fine, without dust jacket.
[#034757]$150 $98
Kansas City, Sheed Andrews McMeel, (1978). Issued a decade after his death: a spiral bound weekly calendar with text and drawings by Merton. Unmarked; some minor edge foxing; near fine in cardstock covers.
[#035551]SOLD
Toronto, Coach House Press, (1985). The first book, a poetry collection, by the author of the highly acclaimed novel Fugitive Pieces. Fine in wrappers.
[#915358]$175 $114
London/NY, Putnam/Dutton, 1959/1961. A review copy of the American edition, consisting of the true first (British) edition, copyedited on the title page and front flap to reflect changes to be made in the American edition, with a pencil note on the front flyleaf about the projected change in size. With review slip laid in. Correspondence about Miller between Lawrence Durrell and Alfred Perles, with interjections by Miller. Miller met both Durrell and Perles in Paris in the Thirties. Dusty top edge; fine in a very near fine dust jacket. Together with a copy of the American edition, as issued. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
[#027323]$115 $75
Charlottesville, Blue Ridge Review, 1978. An essay in the combined issue 1 & 2 of The Blue Ridge Review, with an autograph post card signed laid in to Pauline Kael, inviting her to visit him in Charlottesville and wishing her a happy birthday. The essay recounts Minckler's efforts to make a film about the director Claude Jutra, and includes excerpts from the film, including a scene at the end of the film when Jutra cites Kael as one of the only critics he understands, and the film focuses on Kael's portrait on the dust jacket of one of her books, and slowly zooms in, leaving just her eyes. On this page Minckler has written another note to Kael suggesting she might be interested in this scene, and again inviting her to visit. Signed "Love, David." Offsetting to pages from the paperclip holding the postcard in; about near fine in stapled wrappers. A bookmark has Minckler's address, and on the postcard Kael has written "answered."
[#034568]$75 $38
(n.p.), Little Brown, (n.d.). An advance excerpt of the American edition. Prints only the title story. Signed by the author. Fine in stapled wrappers.
[#911761]$100 $65
Chicago, Harvester-Hall, 1964. The earliest publication we have seen by Murphy, author of Golf in the Kingdom, among a number of other books, both fiction and nonfiction. Murphy was one of the co-founders of Esalen Institute and a key figure in the human potential movement that grew from it. One of 500 copies. Dampstain at lower corner of front cover, thus near fine in stapled wrappers.
[#009648]$95 $48
NY, Viking, (1982). Her first book, a novel constructed in seven stories. Winner of the American Book Award for best first novel of the year, and later the basis for a television miniseries. Signed by the author. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
[#914229]$500 $325
NY, #Magazine, 1981. Oppenhemier's poetry comprises the entire unnumbered special issue of #Magazine. This copy is inscribed by Oppenheimer to Edward Hoagland: "For Ted/ also progressing/ Joel." A nice association copy: Oppenheminer and Hoagland were friends in the 1960s when they both lived in NY and wrote for The Village Voice, among their other pursuits. Mild edge sunning; else fine in stapled wrappers.
[#026364]$80 $40
Athens, University of Georgia, (1985). A scholarly study, preceding any of his works of fiction by several years, and one of two books of nonfiction he wrote about John Steinbeck's work. Fine in a fine, very mildly spine-sunned dust jacket. Scarce.
[#025693]$285 $185
London, Jennings and Chaplin, 1831. Two volumes: quarterbound in leather and marbled boards, but bindings now failing and covers detached. Contents well-preserved, but externatlly only fair copies.
[#600028]$100 $65
Prairie City, Decker Press, (1948). An unrecorded variant of this uncommon title. Gray cloth with the same design as that of the apparently first issue yellow cloth, in a blue dust jacket with gold and black lettering, a price of $1 and the words "THE ARCHIVE of Duke University" in place of "Louis Untermeyer" on the dust jacket copy. According to Morgan, Decker printed about 200 copies of this title, about 20 of which were the first issue, although Morgan doesn't account for all known variants. Shortly after printing this book, Decker disappeared and his car was found abandoned, a mystery that was never solved. Fine in a mildly sunned, else fine dust jacket.
[#001805]$1,500 $1,125
NY, Riverhead Books, 2004. The first American edition. Signed by the author. Light splaying to boards; else fine in a fine dust jacket.
[#912692]$125 $81
(London), Faber and Faber, (2003). The advance reading copy of his Guardian Prize- and Booker Prize-winning first novel. Extremely slight corner bump; still fine in wrappers.
[#024593]$60 $30
London, Fourth Estate, (1995). The first British edition of her first book of fiction, published in the U.S. in 1988. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
[#911923]$100 $65
NY, Knopf, (1993). The uncorrected proof copy of the first American edition of this dark young adult novel that was later reprinted as The Butterfly Tattoo. Slightly dusty; else fine in wrappers.
[#023042]$150 $98
London, Fulcrum Press, (1967). Inscribed by Rothenberg to Clayton [Eshleman] & Caryl in 1979, "after between & with love." With Eshleman's ownership signature, dated in the year of publication. Near fine in wrappers.
[#033534]$75 $38
(n.p.), (Dial Press), (1968). The uncorrected proof copy of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Quarto, 8" x 11"; paper clip imprint to front cover and first few pages (clip still present); sunning to covers and the number 48 written in pencil on front; near fine. An uncommon format, suggesting that not many copies would have been done.
[#007163]$190 $124
(NY), Rainbow/Douglas, (1972). The simultaneous issue in wrappers of this counterculture manifesto, written by the founder of the White Panthers, a loose political party associated with the counterculture, which evolved into the Rainbow People's Party. Heavily illustrated; printed on rainbow-colored pages, and with a "Rainbow Reading and Listening List" in the back that provides a useful bibliography of the books important to the counterculture. Spine slanted; minor creasing and lower edge dampstaining; a very good copy in wrappers.
[#035555]$35 $18
London, Heinemann, (1983). His fourth book, nominated for the Booker Prize, and basis for a 1992 movie with Jeremy Irons and Ethan Hawke. Trace foxing to top edge; else fine in a very near fine dust jacket with a shallow crease at the lower rear panel.
[#914334]$100 $65
NY, Knopf, 1968. The first of his novels to be both a critical and a substantial commercial success. Inscribed by the author: "For ___ ___/ with every good wish in her new environs/ John Updike." Foxing to cloth and edges of text block; mild splaying to boards; very good in a near fine dust jacket that is also foxed, mostly on verso.
[#030163]$340 $221
Kittery Point, William Dean Howells Memorial Committee, 1987. One of 150 copies printed of a lecture Updike gave at Harvard as part of the 150th anniversary of Howells' birth. Published in a slightly altered form in The New Yorker, this is the first separate appearance, with an Author's Note by Updike. Approximately 40 pages of text; fine in self-wrappers with complimentary slip from the publisher laid in. Updike won the Howells Medal years later, in 1995, for Rabbit at Rest; the medal is given out for the best work of fiction in America during a five-year period. One of Updike's scarcest "A" items.
[#028555]$1,500 $1,125
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
(n.p.), Albondocani, (1974). A card with a poem by Updike, used as a holiday greeting. One of 400 (stated) copies, of which this is one of 260 copies for the author's and artist's use, without the publisher's name printed on the page with the greeting. According to the De Bellis and Broomfield bibliography, 20 more copies were printed than stated in the colophon. Fine in stapled wrappers.
[#030175]$40 $20
(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
1986-1987. A collection of letters from Waters, mostly to his literary agent, Joan Daves, as well as related ancillary materials showing Waters at work in the after-market for his writing, with opportunities for later editions and film versions. Waters wrote primarily about the American Southwest, in particular the Native American experience. His father was part Cheyenne. The first typed letter signed is from Waters to his agent, Joan Daves, dated August 24, 1986 and concerns Lesley Ann Warren's interest in optioning the film rights to The Woman at Otowi Crossing and the contract for publication of a hardcover, illustrated edition of The Man Who Killed the Deer. It is stapled to a copy of the contract, with numerous marginal corrections and a retained copy of Daves' reply, agreeing with Waters that the intended publisher (Gibbs Smith) had overreached in the contract. An included exchange between Daves and Gibbs Smith posits a simpler agreement, while a retained carbon shows Daves reaching out to Ohio University Press to confirm they had no claim to hardcover rights. The second typed letter signed is from Waters to Keith Sabin, in Daves' absence, and is dated September 29, 1986 and describes the purchasing history of Flight from Fiesta and the current unwelcome "blitz" he, Waters, is undergoing from Ritz Productions regarding theatrical rights. Waters encloses an initialed copy of the letter he wrote to Ritz Productions redirecting their overtures to Daves upon her return from Europe. Both of these letters are stapled together with retained copies of both Sabin's and Daves' replies, as well as a retained copy of an earlier letter from Sabin to Waters saying they had been approached by Ritz and the initial contact letter from Ritz with an unsigned agreement for Right of First Refusal. Also included is a letter from Fiesta publisher Clark Kimball to Daves recommending the production company. The fourth typed letter signed, from Waters to Daves, dated April 29, 1987, again describes the publishing history of Flight from Fiesta and informs Daves that the publisher, Clark Kimball, has been approached by CBS-Columbia regarding film rights, and he includes Kimball's letter. Attached are the retained copies of letters from Daves to both Waters and Kimball, admonishing all that Kimball has no role in film rights for the title, and a later letter from Kimball acquiesces. The fifth typed letter signed, from Waters to Daves (August 3, 1987), delineates an additional inquiry regarding a film option for Flight from Fiesta and several leads on optioning The Woman at Otowi Crossing should Lesley Ann Warren's option expire. Waters takes Daves to task for not responding to offers already presented, for not keeping him informed, and for being about to depart for Europe leaving him without representation: "I don't like to end our agent-client relationship after so many years, but if the overload of work at this crucial time is too much for you, I don't see any alternative." A copy of a letter to Waters at about this point from Alton Walpole shows one of the interested parties facing obstacles bringing Otowi Crossing to the screen. Also, a letter to Daves from The University of Nevada thanks Daves for sending financials on Ohio University Press's Frank Waters: A Retrospective Anthology (included), but bemoans how infrequent the agent's communiques have become. However, the Daves-Waters agent-client relationship was ongoing in October: in the sixth typed letter signed in this archive, Waters informs Daves of yet another inquiry for Flight from Fiesta and asks her advice about payment on an opportunity he has to write the text for a book of photographs to be published by Arizona Highways (likely Eternal Desert, published in 1990). As mentioned, many of the letters are stapled; most are folded for mailing; in some instances they bear the agency's routing marks or highlighting. The lot as a whole is near fine.
[#031770]$1,250 $938