Kazantzakis, Nikos

Zorba The Greek.

Athens : Plateia Syntagmatos, 1946.

Rare first Greek edition, preceding all other editions of the author’s classic work, which was the basis for the beloved Oscar-winning film starring Anthony Quinn. Octavo, bound in cloth. Boldly signed by Nikos Kazantzakis on the copyright page. In near fine condition. First editions of Zorba The Greek are of legendary scarcity.

McMurtry, Larry

Terms of Endearment.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1975.

First edition of one of McMurtry’s best and most popular novels. Octavo, original half cloth Presentation copy, humorously inscribed by the author in a contemporary hand on the front free endpaper, “For Gershon and Judy One of the several that didn’t make my fortune Larry.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by WendellContinue reading "Terms of Endearment."

Crick, Francis

The Astonishing Hypothesis: The Scientific Search for the Soul.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1994.

First edition, first printing of this “well-constructed and comprehensive overview of visual neuroscience” (The Washington Post). Octavo, original half cloth. Association copy, inscribed by Francis Crick in the year of publication to his personal assistant on the front free endpaper, “For Maria with many thanks for all the hard, tedious work you did on it.Continue reading "The Astonishing Hypothesis: The Scientific Search for the Soul."

White, E.B.; Illustrated by Garth Williams

Charlotte’s Web.

New York : Harper & Brothers, 1952.

First edition, first printing of E.B. White’s classic tale of friendship with the code “I-B” on the copyright page. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt ruled inner dentelles stamp-signedContinue reading "Charlotte’s Web."

Stark, Freya

The Southern Gates of Arabia: A Journey in the Hadhramaut.

London : John Murray, 1936.

First edition, early printing of this landmark travel narrative through southern Arabia. Octavo, publisher’s original green cloth with gilt titles to the spine, facsimile signature of the author to the front panel stamped in gilt, profusely illustrated with black and white photographs from the author. In very good condition, stamp to the front pastedown.

Waugh, Evelyn

A Tourist in Africa.

London : Chapman & Hall Ltd, 1960.

Rare uncorrected proof of the first edition of Waugh’s classic work inspired by his 1959 tour of East Africa. Octavo, original wrappers. In good condition.

Yergin, Daniel

The Prize. The Epic Quest For Oil, Money and Power.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1991.

First edition of “the best history of oil ever written” (Business Week), which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Best wishes Daniel Yergin.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.  Jacket design by Robert Anthony.

Greville, Charles C.F

The Greville Memoirs: A Journal of the Reigns of King George IV and King William IV; Journal of the Reign of Queen Victoria, from 1837 to 1852; Journal of the Reign of Queen Victoria, from 1852 to 1860.

London : Longmans, Green, and Co, 1874-1887.

First editions of these journals offering a candid insider’s account of British political and court life. Octavo, eight volumes, bound in three quarters morocco by Zaehnsdorf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, top edges gilt, marbled endpapers. TheContinue reading "The Greville Memoirs: A Journal of the Reigns of King George IV and King William IV; Journal of the Reign of Queen Victoria, from 1837 to 1852; Journal of the Reign of Queen Victoria, from 1852 to 1860."

Borchgrevink, Carsten E

First on the Antarctic Continent: Being an Account of the British Antarctic Expedition 1898-1900.

London : George Newnes, Limited, 1901.

First edition of Borchgrevink’s detailed account of the first expedition to establish a base on the main body of the continent. Octavo, original publisher’s blue cloth with gilt titles and explorer to the spine, gilt titles to the front panel with ship vignette in gilt and silver, top edge gilt, tissue-guarded photogravure portrait frontispiece, 32Continue reading "First on the Antarctic Continent: Being an Account of the British Antarctic Expedition 1898-1900."

Frankl, Viktor E

The Doctor and the Soul: An Introduction to Logotherapy.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1955.

First edition of Frankl’s classic work which explores topics on the meaning of life in general as well as the meaning of specific areas of one’s life, such as work and personal relationships. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Viktor Frankl on the title page. near fine in a good dust jacket. Typography, binding andContinue reading "The Doctor and the Soul: An Introduction to Logotherapy."

Hughes, Richard

A High Wind in Jamaica.

London : Chatto & Windus, 1929.

First edition of the author’s classic novel, one of Modern Library’s 100 greatest novels of the 20th century and an inspiration for William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Octavo, original cloth, top stain green. Very good in a good dust jacket.

Eichenwald, Kurt [Matt Damon]

The Informant.

New York : Broadway Books, 2000.

First edition of this work, basis for the film directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring Matt Damon, Scott Bakula and Joel McHale. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Ken Hope you enjoy the twists and turns. All the best, Kurt Eichenwald.” Additionally signed by Academy Award-winning actor MattContinue reading "The Informant."

Weegee

Weegee by Weegee: An Autobiography.

New York : Ziff-Davis Publishing Company, 1961.

First edition of the famed photographer’s autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated throughout. Presentation copy, humorously inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Jerry Weegee, Words greatest photographer.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.

Dick, Philip K

The Divine Invasion.

New York : Timescape Books, 1981.

First edition of the second book in Dick’s gnostic VALIS trilogy. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed by Philip K. Dick on the publisher’s official bookplate produced for this edition. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket painting by Rowena Morrill. Typography by Patricia Manzone.

Smith, Dodie

The Hundred and One Dalmatians.

London : Heinemann, 1961.

First edition of the author’s beloved children’s classic, adapted into the 1961 animated film produced by Walt Disney Studios. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt ruled inner dentelles stamp-signedContinue reading "The Hundred and One Dalmatians."

Kama Sutra.

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Illustrated Sanskrit manuscript of the definitive ancient Indian Hindu guide to the philosophy of love and desire. Late 19th century or earlier, bound accordion style. Twenty-three leaves, Sanskrit text in black ink with 15 original full-color erotic paintings with elaborate gilt decoration. In very good condition. Each leaf measures 5.25 inches by 3.25 inches. RareContinue reading "Kama Sutra."

Steinbeck, John

The Wayward Bus.

New York : The Viking Press, 1947.

First edition of this work by the Nobel Prize-winning writer. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by John Steinbeck on the front free endpaper. From the library of John and Carol Steinbeck with their stamp to the front pastedown. Carol Henning Steinbeck, John Steinbeck’s first wife, was instrumental in his early literary development, sustaining the coupleContinue reading "The Wayward Bus."

Wells, H.G

A Quartette of Comedies.

London : Ernest Benn Limited, 1928.

First British omnibus edition of four comic novels culminating in “1100 pages from Mr. Wells’ magic pen.” Octavo, original publisher’s green cloth with gilt titles to the spine. Boldly signed on the half-title page, “H.G. Wells Detroit Nov 9th 1931.” Very good in a very good dust jacket with darkening to the spine of theContinue reading "A Quartette of Comedies."

Grant, James

John Adams: Party of One.

New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005.

First edition of this acclaimed biography of the second president of the United States. Octavo, original half cloth, with black and white illustrations. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Kenyon, my friend at the DTA, with warm regards James.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by AmyContinue reading "John Adams: Party of One."

Wells, H.G. [Christopher Priest]

Mr. Blettsworthy On Rampole Island.

London : Ernest Benn Limited, 1928.

First British edition of perhaps Wells’ most psychopathological work. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket which is in very good condition. Jacket design by noted war artist Sir William Orpen. From the collection of British science fiction author Christopher Priest with his ownership signatureContinue reading "Mr. Blettsworthy On Rampole Island."

Wells, H.G [Christopher Priest]

The Secret Places of the Heart.

London : Cassell and Company, Ltd, 1922.

First edition of this psychological novel of human connection. Octavo, original publisher’s green cloth with gilt titles to the spine, ruling and detailing to the spine and front panel stamped in blind. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. From the collection of British science fiction author Christopher Priest with his ownership signature toContinue reading "The Secret Places of the Heart."

Wilson, Victoria

A Life of Barbara Stanwyck: Steel-True 1907-1940.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 2013.

First edition of this first volume of a meticulously researched biography. Octavo, original publisher’s boards, illustrated with black and white photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Karen Davis – With best wishes – Vicky Wilson.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Carol Devine Carson.

Pogrebin, Abigail

My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew.

Bedford, New York : Fig Tree Books, 2017.

First edition of this memoir and cultural reportage of the Jewish liturgical calendar. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “12.5.17 For Karen, My fellow journalist and fellow “wondering” jew. I hope this speaks to you, Abigail Pogrebin.” Fine in a fineContinue reading "My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew."

Helm, Levon; Stephen Davis

This Wheel’s on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band.

New York : William Morrow and Company, Inc, 1993.

First edition of this memoir and cultural history by the legendary Levon Helm. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Association copy, inscribed by Levon Helm on the front free endpaper, “A.P. What a ball. We know how. Always a pleasure buddy. Come see me Levon Helm.” The recipient, Alan Pariser, wasContinue reading "This Wheel’s on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band."