Dickens, Charles

Little Dorrit.

London : Bradbury and Evans, 1857.

First edition, first issue in book form of one of Dickens’ most outstanding novels with the three line errata on page xiv, “William” for “Frederick” on page 317 line 27, B2 instead of BB2 on pp. 371, lacking errata on page 467, and “Rigaud” for “Blandois” on pp. 469, 470, 472, and 473. Octavo, bound inContinue reading "Little Dorrit."

Groom, Winston [Tom Hanks; Eric Roth; Dick Cavett]

Forrest Gump.

New York : Doubleday & Company, Inc, 2014.

First commemorative edition of this modern classic, basis for the 1994 film starring Tom Hanks, with the screenplay by Eric Roth. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Winston Groom on the title page and additionally signed by Academy-Award winning actor Tom Hanks, Dick Cavett (who appeared in the film) and screenwriter Eric Roth. FineContinue reading "Forrest Gump."

Wodehouse, P.G

Uncle Dynamite.

London : Herbert Jenkins, n.d.

First edition of Wodehouse’s hilarious and nonsensical novel. Octavo, original cloth. Very good in a good dust jacket. Jacket illustration by Frank Ford.

Rowling, J.K

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

New York : Arthur A. Levine Books: An Imprint of Scholastic Press, 1999.

First American edition, early printing of the second book in Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter series. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated by Mary Grandpré. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Thea (yet again!) J.K. Rowling.” Very good in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket art by Mary Grandpré. Jacket designContinue reading "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."

Schedel, Hartmann

Liber Chronicarum. [The Nuremberg Chronicle].

Nuremberg : Anton Koberger for Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister, 1493.

First edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle, the most extensively illustrated book of the 15th century, from the St. Petersburg library of William Tooke. Imperial folio, bound in three quarter calf over paper-covered boards, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, five gilt-tooled raised bands, rebacked, decorated with 1809 woodcut illustrationsContinue reading "Liber Chronicarum. [The Nuremberg Chronicle]."

Davies, Valentine

Miracle On 34th Street.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1947.

First edition of this modern Christmas classic. Octavo, original red cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with the first edition point of “Double Your Enjoyment” on the rear panel. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box by the Harcourt Bindery. An exceptional example.

Seuss, Dr

Green Eggs and Ham.

New York : Random House, 1960.

First edition, early printing of this Dr. Seuss classic. Octavo, original illustrated boards, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author opposite the title page, “With Best Wishes to Chuck Meeks! Dr. Seuss.” In near fine condition. Rare and desirable signed by Dr. Seuss.

Dumas, Alexandre [Alexander]

Le Comte de Monte-Cristo [The Count of Monte-Cristo].

Paris : Bureaux du Journal Le Siecle, 1846.

One of the earliest known editions of The Count of Monte Cristo. Quarto, bound in contemporary half leather over marbled boards, illustrated with the frontispiece portrait and 29 plates on thicker paper by Gavarni, Johannot and others, each with a tissue guard. This copy includes plates, rarely found in this scarce edition. In very goodContinue reading "Le Comte de Monte-Cristo [The Count of Monte-Cristo]."

Morrison, Toni

A Mercy.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2008.

First edition of “one of Morrison’s most haunting works yet” (The New York Times). Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Toni Morrison on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Barbara de Wilde.

Hill, Napoleon

Think and Grow Rich.

Meriden, Conn. : The Ralston Society, 1937.

Rare first edition of this classic bestseller, which has sold over 100 million copies. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Napoleon Hill on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with various original ephemera relating to the original release of this title. Rare and desirable in the original dust jacketContinue reading "Think and Grow Rich."

Irving, John

The 158-Pound Marriage.

New York : Random House, 1974.

First edition of Irving’s third book. Octavo. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Merry Christmas, to Colin’s Teacher, Mr. Gallivan…1975 John Irving.” The recipient was John Irving’s son Colin’s teacher. Near fine in a near fine jacket. Jacket design by Honi Werner.

Irving, John

The Hotel New Hampshire.

New York : E.P. Dutton, 1981.

First edition of the author’s fifth novel. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the half-title page, “For John & Maggie, in hope of seeing you at another Bread Loaf John Irving Aug. ’81.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Terry Fehr.

Anderson, Sherwood

A Story Teller’s Story.

New York : B.W. Huebsch, 1924.

First edition of this autobiographical classic. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in very good dust jacket. Housed in a custom clamshell and chemise box.

Ford, Richard

Independence Day.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1995.

First edition of the author’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic novel. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the title page, “For Joanna. From your admirer; with gratitude Richard June 30, 1995.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Carol Devine Carson.

Lowry, Malcolm

Under the Volcano.

New York : Reynal & Hitchcock, 1947.

First edition of the author’s masterpiece. Octavo, original cloth. Lengthily signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “—Not to mention the Rhumerit Martiniqueist, with the milk punches, the vanilla sticks, the invitations to tomorrows champagne; the walks, the Greek restaurants, — Not to mention the Chamber of Deputies — Nor Alèsia, Nor Chartres, Nor In le Havre, Nor AnContinue reading "Under the Volcano."

McCullers, Carson

The Member of the Wedding.

New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1946.

First edition of McCullers’ classic coming-of-age story like no other about a young girl’s fascination with her brother’s wedding, which has been compared to The Catcher in the Rye and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. An exceptional example.

Kerouac, Jack

On the Road.

New York : Viking Press, 1957.

First edition of Kerouac’s classic novel. Octavo, original publisher’s black cloth lettered in white, top stain red. Association copy, signed by ten Beat Generation figures, each of whom played a significant role in the creation of On the Road. Signed by Lucien Carr, Allen Ginsberg (dated 2/10/84), Al Hinkle, Ed White, Sterling Lord, Helen WeaverContinue reading "On the Road."

Pasternak, Boris

The Year 1905.

Moscow : State Publishing House, 1927.

First edition of this collection of poems and prose written during the Russian Revolution. Sextodecimo, original pictorial wrappers, in the original Russian. In very good condition. A very sharp example.

Kipling, Rudyard

Poems 1886-1929.

New York : Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc, 1930.

Signed limited edition of the definitive collection of Kipling’s poetry. Quarto, three volumes, original japon-backed boards with red paper labels to spines lettered gilt, gilt motifs to front covers, top edges gilt, tissue-guarded frontispiece to volume one of a “The Thousandth Man” in Kipling’s hand specially reproduced for this edition in facsimile. One of 525Continue reading "Poems 1886-1929."

Morrison, Toni

God Help the Child.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2015.

First edition this powerful novel which explores themes of race, identity, and the lasting impact of childhood trauma. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Toni Morrison on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Kelly Blair.

Steinbeck, John

Tortilla Flat.

New York : Covici-Friede Publishers, 1935.

First edition of Steinbeck’s first commercially successful book. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For George Good with regards, John Steinbeck.” Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket. Laid in is an old pamphlet of Monterey, the capital of old California. Illustrated by RuthContinue reading "Tortilla Flat."

Wodehouse, P.G

Full Moon.

London : Herbert Jenkins, 1947.

First edition of Wodehouse’s hilarious comedy novel. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a very good dust jacket, signature to the front free endpaper, ‘D. Steeds’. Jacket illustration by Frank Ford.

Wodehouse, P.G

Nothing Serious.

London : Herbert Jenkins, 1950.

First edition of Wodehouse’s dynamically humorous collection of short stories. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket illustration by Frank Ford. Uncommon in this condition.

Wodehouse, P. G

Piccadilly Jim.

London : Herbert Jenkins, n.d.

First edition, later printing of Wodehouse’s lively comedy novel. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket illustration by Frank Ford.

Baum, L. Frank

The Road to Oz.

Chicago : The Reilly & Britton Co, 1909.

First edition, first printing of the fifth book in L. Frank Baum’s classic Oz series, from the library of Nobel Laureate George Snell. Quarto, original publisher’s light green pictorial cloth variant A binding with the illustration on the rear board and the spine imprint reading “Reilly & Britton” in upper- and lowercase letters, tan pictorial endpapers printed in red andContinue reading "The Road to Oz."

Porter, Katherine Anne

Ship of Fools.

Boston : Little Brown and Company, 1962.

First edition of this classic bestseller from the Pulitzer Prize-winner which dramatizes the rise of totalitarianism in the 1930s in a sweeping story of a transatlantic cruise featuring a cast of unforgettable characters. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the half-title page, “For Mary Meier WithContinue reading "Ship of Fools."

Morrison, Toni

Paradise.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1998.

First edition of this novel hailed by The New Yorker as, “Morrison at her novelistic best.” Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Toni Morrison on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Carol Devine Carson.

Miller, Arthur

Death of A Salesman.

New York : The Viking Press, 1998.

First edition of the 50th anniversary edition of this classic work. Octavo, original half cloth. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Martin Ogolter. Original drawing of Willy Loman by Joseph Hirsch. Photograph of Arthur Miller by Esther Handler.

Kipling, Rudyard

The Bookman Portfolio: Three Illustrations in Colour From Sea and Sussex From Rudyard Kipling’s Verse.

London : Macmillian and Co. Limited, 1926.

The Bookman Portfolio 1926 Christmas issue containing three color illustrations inspired by Kipling’s collection of poems “Sea and Sussex.” Quarto, original wrappers, three colored plates laid in. In very good condition. Paintings by Donald Maxwell. From Rudyard Kipling’s Verse.

Kipling, Rudyard

The Cornhill Booklet Volume One, Number Two: Occasional Poems by Rudyard Kipling.

Boston : Alfred Bartlett, 1900.

Rare August 1900 issue of The Cornhill Booklet containing Rudyard Kipling’s “Occasional Poems.” Duodecimo, original wrappers, volume one, number two, printed in red and black, illustrated, with the original detached portrait of Kipling from an etching by William Strang laid in. In very good condition. Illustrated and designed by H.W. Colby.

Kipling, Rudyard

The Betrothed.

.

Rare pamphlet of Kipling’s humorous and ironic poem. Duodecimo, original wrappers, frontispiece of Kipling, pictorial initials, six pages. In very good condition. Rare with none appearing at auction in the last 100 years.

Smith, Wilbur

Eagle in the Sky.

London : Heinemann, 1974.

First edition of this powerful novel from the author of ‘When the Lion Feeds.’ Octavo, original light blue cloth. Very good in the very good dust jacket.

Baum, L. Frank. Illustrated by John R. Neill. [Judy Garland; Billie Burke; Ray Bolger; Frank Morgan; Bert Lahr; Margaret Hamilton; Jack Haley; Victor Fleming

The Magic of Oz.

Chicago : The Reilly & Lee Co, 1919.

First edition, first printing of this classic work in L. Frank Baum’s celebrated Oz series, the last of the series to appear during Baum’s lifetime, as he passed away shortly before its release in 1919. First printing with the verso of the ownership page listing Baum titles through The Tin Woodman of Oz. Octavo, originalContinue reading "The Magic of Oz."

Kerouac, Jack [Gary Snyder]

The Dharma Bums.

New York : The Viking Press, 1958.

First edition of this classic work which introduced writer Gary Snyder to the world as Japhy Ryder. Octavo, original black cloth. Lengthily signed by fellow Beat writer and character in this novel, Gary Snyder on the half-title page, “Gary Snyder -not Jack Kerouac but possibly in some part Japhy Ryder 30.VI.2019.” The main characters areContinue reading "The Dharma Bums."

Salinger, J.D

Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction.

Boston : Little, Brown and Company, 1963.

First edition of this classic collection of two novellas by the author of The Catcher in the Rye. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “with best wishes J.D. Salinger.” The recipient was a neighbor and friendly with the author in Cornish, New Hampshire. Very good with dampstainingContinue reading "Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction."

Farago, Ladislas

Patton: Ordeal and Triumph.

New York : Ivan Obolensky, 1963.

First edition of “the best Patton biography” (Military Bookman), a classic basis for the Academy Award-winning film, starring George C. Scott. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed Ladislas Farago on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Tony Post. Rare and desirable signed.

Rand, Ayn

The Romantic Manifesto: A Philosophy of Literature.

New York : The World Publishing Company, 1969.

First edition of this collection of essays regarding the nature of art. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Ayn Rand on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Tom Lincoln.

Tolstoi, Count Leon. [Leo Tolstoy]. Translated from the French by Clara Bell

War and Peace. A Historical Novel.

New York : William S. Gottsberger, Publisher, 1886.

First edition in English of Tolstoy’s masterpiece, a pillar of world literature. Octavo, six volumes in the publisher’s original pictorial brown cloth stamped in gilt and black, brown coated endpapers, with the cursive imprint in each part. Translated by Clara Bell. In near fine condition. Housed in two custom marbled slipcases. An exceptional set of Tolstoy’sContinue reading "War and Peace. A Historical Novel."

Pasternak, Boris

The Second Birth.

Moscow : Federation, 1932.

First edition of this collection of poems by one of the greatest Russian poets and novelists of the twentieth century. Octodecimo, in the original Russian, original pictorial boards. In good condition with some rubbing.

Rowling, J.K. [Kennelworthy Whisp]

Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

London : Bloomsbury/Whizz Hard Books, 2001.

First British editions of this “amazingly imaginative work” (Associated Press), each volume signed by her. Duodecimo, 2 volumes, original pictorial wrappers as issued. Boldly signed by J.K. Rowling on the title page of each volume. In fine condition. Accompanied by the original plastic packaging depicting a leather schoolbag stating, “Harry Potter’s School Books” and twoContinue reading "Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."

Early English Prose Romances I-III: Robert the Deuyll, Robin Hood, and Fryer Bacon.

Edinburgh : Otto Schulze & Co, 1904.

Finely bound edition of this collection of three prose romances from early English literature. Quarto, three volumes, original publisher’s half-cloth, title page vignettes in red and black, pictorial initials, elaborate border designs, with full-page illustrations. In very good condition. Ownership plates to the front pastedowns. Housed in the original brown board slipcase.

Rand, Ayn

El Manantial [The Fountainhead].

Barcelona : Editorial Planeta, 1958.

First Spanish edition of Rands’s breakthrough work and her first major literary success. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Ayn Rand on the dedication page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.

Sheridan, Richard Brinsley

The Rivals; The Critic; The Duenna.

London : Printed for A. Millar, W. Law, and R. Cater, 1797.

Finely bound editions of three of Sheridan’s most well known and popular comic plays. Duodecimo, three volumes, bound in full red pebbled morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in three compartments within raised gilt bands, triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, all edges gilt, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers.Continue reading "The Rivals; The Critic; The Duenna."

Davies, Valentine

Miracle On 34th. Street.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1947.

First edition of this modern Christmas classic. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. AnContinue reading "Miracle On 34th. Street."

Wodehouse, P. G

Uncle Dynamite.

London : Herbert Jenkins, 1948.

First edition of Wodehouse’s hilarious and nonsensical novel. Octavo, original cloth. Very good in a very good dust jacket, inscription to the front free endpaper. Jacket illustration by Frank Ford.

Petrarca, M. Francesco [Petrarch]

Some Sonnets and Songs of the Divine Poet M. Francesco Petrarca.

Shaftsbury : High House Press, 1926.

First High House Press limited edition of this collection of poems made in Laura’s lifetime. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth with paper titles to the front panel. One of 105 numbered copies, this is number 76. In very good condition, bookplate. Translated into English by William J. Ibbett.

Sophocles. With a new translation by EF Walting [Raymond Chandler]

The Theban Plays.

Great Britain : Penguin Books, 1947.

First Penguin Classics edition of the thrilling trilogy about the fate of the royal family Thebes. 16mo, original wrappers. From the library of Raymond Chandler with his library stamp to the front free endpaper: Raymond Chandler 6005 Camino de la Costa La Jolla, California OCT 13 1949. Raymond Chandler was a pivotal figure in 20th-centuryContinue reading "The Theban Plays."

Burton, Virginia Lee

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1939.

First edition of this children’s classic with the date of 1939 on the title page. Oblong quarto, original tan cloth, illustrated endpapers. Near fine in a very good dust jacket, name to the front free endpaper.