Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de

The History of the Most Renowned Don Quixote of Mancha: And his Trusty Squire Sancho Pancha, Now Made English according to the Humour of our Modern Language. And Adorned with several Copper Plates.

London : Printed by Tho. Hodgkin, and are to be sold by John Newton, 1687.

First edition of the first illustrated edition in English of Don Quixote. Folio, bound in three quarters calf over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands. With copper-engraved frontispiece and eight copper-engraved plates, each bearing two images. Translated by John Phillips. In very good condition with all plates present, signature trimmed. A veryContinue reading "The History of the Most Renowned Don Quixote of Mancha: And his Trusty Squire Sancho Pancha, Now Made English according to the Humour of our Modern Language. And Adorned with several Copper Plates."

James, Henry

The Princess Casamassima: A Novel.

London : Macmillan and Co., 1886.

First edition in book form of one of James’s “three formidable novels” published in the 1880s along with The Bostonians and The Tragic Muse. Octavo, three volumes, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles to the spine, half-titles, 2 pages of advertisements at rear of vols. II and III. From the library of Barton Currie withContinue reading "The Princess Casamassima: A Novel."

Achebe, Chinua

Things Fall Apart.

New York : Astor-Honor/ An Obolensky Book, 1959.

First edition of this “true classic of world literature . . . A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world” (Barack Obama). Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Chinua Achebe on the title page. Review copy, with the slip laid in, fine in a near fine dustContinue reading "Things Fall Apart."

Baldwin, James

The Fire Next Time.

New York : The Dial Press, 1963.

Early printing of one of the most influential works on race relations published in the twentieth century. Octavo, original cloth. Lengthily signed by the author on the dedication page, “Go the distance – in and out, and up and down. Jimmy Baldwin.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Paul Bacon.Continue reading "The Fire Next Time."

Hemingway, Ernest

Death in the Afternoon.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1948.

Early printing of Hemingway’s masterwork on bullfighting. Octavo, original black cloth, spine lettered in gilt, frontispiece by Juan Gris, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by Hemingway on the front free endpaper, “For Nita with regards and affection (Ernest Hemingway) Mr. Papa. Finca Vigía – SF. de Paula 22/7/49.” The recipient, Juanita “Nita” Jensen was Hemingway’s secretaryContinue reading "Death in the Afternoon."

Waugh, Evelyn [Daphne Fielding]

The Sword of Honour Trilogy: Men At Arms; Officers and Gentlemen; Unconditional Surrender.

London : Chapman & Hall, 1952-1961.

First editions of each volume in the author’s acclaimed Sword of Honour Trilogy. Octavo, 3 volumes, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper of Officers and Gentlemen, “For Darling Daphne, Beloved Bigamist, from Evelyn.” The recipient, Daphne Fielding (1904–1997) was a British socialite and writer whose memoirs and biographicalContinue reading "The Sword of Honour Trilogy: Men At Arms; Officers and Gentlemen; Unconditional Surrender."

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.

Biblia Cum Concordantiis Veteris et Novi Testamenti. [The Bible with Concordances of the Old and New Testaments]. [Jerome’s Latin Vulgate].

[Lugundi] : [Jacobum Mareschal], 1527.

Rare 16th century printed seminary copy of Jerome’s Latin Vulgate. Folio, bound in full elaborately blind-stamped vellum with remains of iron clasps, all edges red, finely printed in gothic letter, title printed in red and black within woodcut borders, numerous woodcuts and woodcut initials, title and a few woodcuts hand-colored. With a Seminary library catalogContinue reading "Biblia Cum Concordantiis Veteris et Novi Testamenti. [The Bible with Concordances of the Old and New Testaments]. [Jerome’s Latin Vulgate]."

Cohen, Leonard

Let Us Compare Mythologies.

Montreal : McGill Poetry Series by Contact Press, 1956.

First edition of Cohen’s first book, which explores philosophy, sexuality, death, a world of violent contrasts that would define his future literary and musical careers. Octavo, original cloth. With five full-page line illustrations by Freda Guttman. Signed by the author in the month of publication on the front free endpaper, “Leonard Cohen May 1956.” NearContinue reading "Let Us Compare Mythologies."

Konigsburg, E. L

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

New York : Atheneum, 1967.

First edition of the author’s Newbery Award-winning novel. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by E.L. Konigsburg on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. An exceptional example, rare in this condition and signed.

Dickens, Charles

A Tale of Two Cities. [with] Charles Dickens Autograph Note.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1859.

First edition, mixed issue of one of Dickens’ most enduring works. Octavo, bound in three quarters modern half calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised gilt bands, all edges marbled, marbled endpapers, illustrated with sixteen plates after H.K. Browne including the frontispiece and title vignette.Continue reading "A Tale of Two Cities. [with] Charles Dickens Autograph Note."

Kerouac, Jack

The Town and the City.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1950.

First edition of Kerouac’s first book. Octavo, original red cloth. Signed by Kerouac on the front free endpaper and with the ownership name of his close childhood friend and neighbor in Lowell, Massachusetts, Charles Dudevoir. With a note of provenance signed by Charles Dudevoir’s granddaughter which reads in part, “Phil – my mother lived inContinue reading "The Town and the City."

Muir, John

The Writings of John Muir: The Manuscript Edition. [Including: My First Summer in the Sierra, Travels in Alaska, The Mountains of California, The Story of My Youth and Childhood,Our National Parks, The Cruise of the Corwin, Steep Trails, Life and Letters, Etc.].

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1916-24.

The Manuscript edition of The Writings of John Muir. Octavo, 10 volumes, bound in original special deluxe three quarters morocco over marbled boards, leather edges ruled in gilt, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, matching endpapers, top edges gilt. With volumes 1 through 8 of this set each containing an original gelatinContinue reading "The Writings of John Muir: The Manuscript Edition. [Including: My First Summer in the Sierra, Travels in Alaska, The Mountains of California, The Story of My Youth and Childhood,Our National Parks, The Cruise of the Corwin, Steep Trails, Life and Letters, Etc.]."

McCarthy, Cormac

Cormac McCarthy Signed Photograph.

London : John Adams Creative Photography, c. 1966.

Original gelatin silver print, three-quarter studio portrait of a young McCarthy. Inscribed by Cormac to his wife to the right of the portrait, “To my lovely Annie, Cormac.” Cormac McCarthy married Anne DeLisle in 1966, and their union, which lasted until 1981, coincided with a formative period of his career when he was still largely unknown butContinue reading "Cormac McCarthy Signed Photograph."

Gibson, William

Neuromancer, Count Zero, Mona Lisa Overdrive.

London : Victor Gollancz, 1984-1988.

First British editions and true firsts of each of the novels that comprise Gibson’s The Sprawl Trilogy. Octavo, three volumes. Each signed on the title page by William Gibson. Neuromancer is a review copy, with a slip laid into it. Each are fine in fine dust jackets. Rare and desirable signed and in this condition.

Robert Frank

Lines of My Hands.

Tokyo : Yugensha, 1972.

Limited first edition of Frank’s memorable autobiography in photographs, one of 500 copies. Folio, original black cloth, slipcase with mounted cover photograph. Association copy, inscribed by the photographer on the title page, “To Yuichi, getting ready to travel East. Good Luck. Robert. NYC Dec. 5, 1996” with a line drawing of a fish below a surface line.Continue reading "Lines of My Hands."

Wiesel, Elie; Preface by Francois Mauriac

La Nuit.

Paris : Les Editions De Minuit, 1958.

First French edition (preceding the first English edition) of the Wiesel’s classic first work. Octavo, original wrappers. Boldly signed by Elie Wiesel on the front free endpaper. In very good condition with some light rubbing to the extremities. Preface by Francois Mauriac. From the library of Abba Eban. Housed in a custom half morocco chemiseContinue reading "La Nuit."

Disney, Walt; Marion Palmer [Joel Chandler Harris]

Brer Rabbit Rides the Fox.

New York : Grosset and Dunlap, 1946.

First edition of this storybook based on the motion picture “Song of the South” presented by Walt Disney and other Walt Disney adaptations of the original “Uncle Remus” stories by Joel Chandler Harris. Square octavo, original publisher’s pictorial cloth, illustrated throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by Disney on the verso of the front free endpaper, “To JanetContinue reading "Brer Rabbit Rides the Fox."

Stern, Philip Van Doren

The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale.

Philadelphia : David McKay Company, 1944.

First edition of this classic Christmas story, the basis for Frank Capra’s beloved movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Small octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Philip Van Doren Stern on the pre-half-title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of wear. Illustrated by Rafaello Busoni. Housed in a custom half moroccoContinue reading "The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale."

Dick, Philip K

A Scanner Darkly.

New York : Doubleday and Company, 1977.

First edition of one of the author’s best-known works. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by Philip K. Dick on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket illustration by the Quays. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. Rare and desirable signed.

[Faulkner, William]

Officer of the Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur Diploma Awarded to William Faulkner.

: Republique Francaise, 1949.

Partially printed diploma awarded to William Faulkner as an Officer of the Légion d’Honneur, conferred on him be the French government five months after he accepted the 1949 Nobel Prize in Literature. One page, partially printed and completed in a calligraphic hand, the diploma is signed by three French officials with an embossed seal. InContinue reading "Officer of the Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur Diploma Awarded to William Faulkner."

Dickens, Charles

The Christmas Books: A Christmas Carol; The Chimes; The Cricket on the Hearth; The Battle of Life; The Haunted Man and The Ghost’s Bargain.

London : Chapman and Hall/Bradbury & Evans, 1843-48.

Complete set of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Books. Octavo, 5 volumes, original red cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine and front panels, all edges gilt. A Christmas Carol, in Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas is a fourteenth edition illustrated 4 hand-colored plates and wood-engraved illustrations after John Leech, advertisement leaf atContinue reading "The Christmas Books: A Christmas Carol; The Chimes; The Cricket on the Hearth; The Battle of Life; The Haunted Man and The Ghost’s Bargain."

Milton, John

Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To Which is Added Samson Agonistes.

London : Printed by J.M. for John Starkey, 1671.

First edition, first issue of these epic poems, with the misprint “loah” on page 67 instead of “loth” in Paradise Regained. Octavo, bound in full contemporary speckled calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, all edges marbled, engraved portrait frontispiece,Continue reading "Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To Which is Added Samson Agonistes."

McCullers, Carson

The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1940.

First edition, first printing with the date of 1940 on the title page of the author’s first novel and masterpiece. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Carson McCullers on the front free endpaper. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. A veryContinue reading "The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter."