Literature

Rare & Classic, American or English Literature Books for Sale Online

Browse rare first edition classics in American, English, world literature, poetry, and plays. View our entire collection of rare literature below, search our inventory with advanced search, or use our sorting tools to find exactly what you’re looking for. Please call with any questions you may have on a specific item or order online today.
    A Pocket Full of Rye.

    Christie, Agatha

    A Pocket Full of Rye.

    London: The Crime Club by Collins, 1953.

    First edition of Christie’s ingenious murder mystery. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket, in good condition with losses to the spine and front panel. From the col...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-149982
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    A Widow for One Year.

    Irving, John

    A Widow for One Year.

    New York: Alred A. Knopf, 1998.

    First Canadian edition of Irving’s powerful ninth novel. Octavo, original boards. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “For Ken With my appreciation John Irving....
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-137631
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    The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker.

    Webb, Charles [Richard Benjamin]

    The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker.

    Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1970.

    First edition of this novel, basis for the 1971 film starring Richard Benjamin and Joanna Shimkus, directed by Larry Turman. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by actor Richard Benjamin on the titl...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-143069
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    Last Essays.

    Conrad, Joseph

    Last Essays.

    New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1926.

    First edition of this posthumous collection of twenty essays. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, frontispiece facsimile of “The Last Words That Conrad Wrote.” Near fine in the origi...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-147542
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    Nikolai Gogol.

    Nabokov, Vladimir

    Nikolai Gogol.

    London: Editions Poetry London, 1947.

    First British edition of Nabokov’s criticism of the work of Russian literary master Nikolai Gogol. Octavo, original cloth. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Gogol. Near fine in a good dust jacke...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-118463
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    The £1,000,000 Bank-Note and Other New Stories.

    Twain, Mark. [Samuel L. Clemens]

    The £1,000,000 Bank-Note and Other New Stories.

    New York: Charles L. Webster & Company, 1893.

    First edition, second issue of Twain’s classic short story collection. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, tissue-guarded frontispiece by Dan Beard and 9 pages of publisher’s adverti...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-150790
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    The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus.

    Catullus, Gaius Valerius. [Translated by Sir Richard Francis Burton]

    The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus.

    New York: Privately Printed for Subscribers Only, 1928.

    Limited edition of The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus, translated by Sir Richard F. Burton and Leonard C. Smithers. Octavo, original boards, illustrated with eight full page plates, rebacked. One...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-128056
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    Illustrations of Smollett, Fielding and Goldsmith, in a Series of Forty-One Plates, Designed and Engraved by George Cruikshank.

    Cruikshank, George

    Illustrations of Smollett, Fielding and Goldsmith, in a Series of Forty-One Plates, Designed and Engraved by George Cruikshank.

    London: Charles Tilt, 1832.

    First edition of this collection of illustrations depicting iconic characters and scenes from the 18th-century novels of Tobias Smollett, Henry Fielding, and Oliver Goldsmith. Duodecimo, bound in the...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-151180
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    Diary of a Bad Year.

    Coetzee, J.M

    Diary of a Bad Year.

    Melbourne: Text Publishing, 2007.

    First Australian edition of this groundbreaking novel. Octavo, original boards. Signed by J.M. Coetzee on the title page. Near fine in a fine dust jacket. Cover design by Chong.
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-131086
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    Mr. Sammler’s Planet.

    Bellow, Saul

    Mr. Sammler’s Planet.

    New York: The Viking Press, 1970.

    First edition of the author’s third and final National Book Award-winning novel. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed by Saul Bellow on the front free endpaper. Fine in a very good dust jacket. J...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-42977
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    Absalom, Absalom!

    Faulkner, William [Madeleine Albright]

    Absalom, Absalom!

    United States of America: Random House , 1951.

    Modern Libraray editon of this story that explores the themes of race, identity, and the burden of history. 18 mo, original publisher’s cloth. From the library of Madeleine K. Albright. Albright...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-149078
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    The Incarnation of Krishna Mulvaney.

    Kipling, Rudyard

    The Incarnation of Krishna Mulvaney.

    New York: Doubleday and McClure Company, 1899.

    First edition of Kipling’s classic short story which first appeared in Harper’s Short Stories in September 1890. Octavo, original publisher’s decorated cloth. In fine condition. House in a...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-121608
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    The Gift.

    Nabokov, Vladimir

    The Gift.

    New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1963.

    First edition of the “the most original, unusual and interesting piece of prose writing of Russian emigre writing” (Simon Karlinsky). Octavo, original boards. Near fine in a very good dust...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-139302
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    Marry Me: A Romance.

    Updike, John. Illustrated by Barbara Fox [Erica Jong]

    Marry Me: A Romance.

    Franklin Center, Pennsylvania: The Franklin Library, 1976.

    First edition of “the gentlest book Updike has written” (Kirkus Reviews), privately printed exclusively for Members of the First Edition Society. Octavo, original publisher’s full le...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-142811
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    Edwin Mullhouse: The Life and Death of an American Writer 1943-1954.

    Millhauser, Steven

    Edwin Mullhouse: The Life and Death of an American Writer 1943-1954.

    New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1972.

    First edition of the author’s first book. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by Millhauser on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with the lightest of wear. Jacket design by Alice and Ma...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-885
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    Old-New Land [Altneuland].

    Herzl, Theodor

    Old-New Land [Altneuland].

    Haifa: Haifa Publishing Company, 1961.

    Second edition in English of Herzl’s classic work, by the founder of political Zionism. Quarto, original cloth, illustrated. Translated by Paula Arnold. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-68046
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    The Promise.

    Potok, Chaim

    The Promise.

    New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1969.

    First edition of the author’s sequel to The Chosen. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed and dated by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Hugh and Marilyn Nissenson,...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-79898
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    A Boy Called Christmas.

    Haig, Matt

    A Boy Called Christmas.

    London: Canongate, 2015.

    First edition of this modern Christmas classic. Octavo, original boards, illustrated. Boldly signed by Matt Haig on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Rafaela Romaya. Illustr...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-125921
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    The Clocks.

    Christie, Agatha

    The Clocks.

    London: The Crime Club by Collins, 1963.

    First edition of this classic murder mystery. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Michael Harvey.
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-150710
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    The Upstairs Room.

    Reiss, Johanna

    The Upstairs Room.

    New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1972.

    First edition, early printing of this poignant autobiographical novel that recounts the author’s experiences as a Jewish child. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on th...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-150561
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    A Piece of My Heart.

    Ford, Richard

    A Piece of My Heart.

    London: Collins Harvill, 1987.

    First English edition of Ford’s first novel. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “Richard Ford July 2. 1987 London.” F...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-124920
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    George Alfred Henty: The Story of An Active Life.

    Fenn, G. Manville. [George Alfred Henty]

    George Alfred Henty: The Story of An Active Life.

    London: Blackie and Son Limited, 1907.

    First edition of Fenn’s biography of highly popular 19th century novelist George Alfred Henty. Octavo, original cloth decorated in gilt, illustrated with 11 plates including frontispiece portrai...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-122474
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    The Little Book About God.

    Ford, Lauren

    The Little Book About God.

    Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, 1934.

    First edition of this charming beautifully illustrated book. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed Lauren Ford on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-147713
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    A Hedonist in the Cellar: Adventures in Wine.

    McInerney, Jay

    A Hedonist in the Cellar: Adventures in Wine.

    New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006.

    First edition of this work by the award-winning author. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “For Ruggero Cheers! Jay McInerney” and additi...
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    $300.00 Item Number: RRB-149799
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