Skip to content

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.

Showing items 1920-1944 of 4680

Eliot, T.S

Anabasis: A Poem by St. J. Perse.

London : Faber and Faber Limited, 1930.

Signed limited first edition of this famous poem by Marie René Auguste Alexis Léger under the pseudonym St. J. Perse, translated from the original French by T. S. Eliot, which Eliot wrote is “of same importance as the later work of Mr. James Joyce;” from the library of poet and literary critic, William Everson. RoyalContinue reading "Anabasis: A Poem by St. J. Perse."

Read more
$1,750.00
Item Number: RRB-145470
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Eliot, T.S

Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.

London : Faber and Faber Limited, 1960.

Later printing of Eliot’s beloved collection of whimsical feline poems which served as the basis for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1981 megamusical phenomenon Cats. Octavo, original yellow pictorial cloth, illustrated by T. S. Eliot. Association copy, inscribed by the author to portrait painter Sir Gerald Kelly on the front free endpaper, “For Gerald Kelly with theContinue reading "Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats."

Read more
$7,800.00
Item Number: RRB-145467
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Orwell, George

Animal Farm.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1946.

First American edition of Orwell’s timeless allegorical novel—a scathing satire on a downtrodden society’s blind march towards totalitarianism. Octavo, original black cloth. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with rubbing and wear to the extremities. Jacket art by Art Brenner.

Read more
$975.00
Item Number: RRB-145465
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Wilder, Thornton

The Angel That Troubled the Waters and Other Plays.

New York : Coward-McCann, Inc, 1928.

Signed limited first edition of this collection of three-minute plays by American playwright and novelist Thornton Wilder. Imperial octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of Wilder photographed by Doris Ulmann. One of seven-hundred and seventy-five copies signed by the author on the limitation page, this is number 726. In very good condition.

Read more
$200.00
Item Number: RRB-145431
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Taggard, Genevieve; Robert Frost; Vachel Lindsay; Edwin Arlington Robinson; Louis Untermeyer; Alfred Kreymborg; 'H. D.'; Elinor Wylie; Theodore Dreiser; William Rose Benét; Conrad Aiken; Witter Bynner

The Poetry Quartos: Monologue for Mothers, The Lovely Shall Be Choosers, Rigamarole Rigamarole, The Prodigal Son, Adirondack Cycle, Body and Stone, Red Roses for Bronze, Birthday Sonnet, The Aspirant, Sagacity, Prelude, and Roots.

Silvermine, Connecticut : Random House, May, 1929.

Complete collection of The Poetry Quartos, containing twelve first edition poetry brochures, each a new poem by an American poet. Octavo, twelve brochures, original illustrated wrappers by Paul Johnston. One of 475 copies printed for Random House. Fine in the original folding box cover also designed by Paul Johnston which is in very good condition.Continue reading "The Poetry Quartos: Monologue for Mothers, The Lovely Shall Be Choosers, Rigamarole Rigamarole, The Prodigal Son, Adirondack Cycle, Body and Stone, Red Roses for Bronze, Birthday Sonnet, The Aspirant, Sagacity, Prelude, and Roots."

Read more
$450.00
Item Number: RRB-145429
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Mead, Shepherd

How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: The Dastard’s Guide to Fame and Fortune.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1952.

First edition of this classic work. 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-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Illustrations by Claude. InContinue reading "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: The Dastard’s Guide to Fame and Fortune."

Read more
$1,100.00
Item Number: RRB-146086
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Farina, Richard

Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me.

New York : Random House, 1966.

First edition of the author and songwriter’s first novel, warmly praised by his friend Thomas Pynchon; the only novel published in Fariña’s lifetime, as he tragically died in a motorcycle accident two days after its publication. Octavo, original half green cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the month of publication with a drawing ofContinue reading "Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me."

Read more
$25,000.00
Item Number: RRB-146072
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Pasternak, Boris

Zemnoi Prostor. [Earthly Space].

Moscow : Sovietskiy Pistatel, 1945.

Rare first edition paperback of this collection of poems. Duodecimo, original wrappers with embossed titles to the front panel. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front pastedown, “To the deeply respected Nikolai Sergeyevich Bartenev, for a good memory B. Pasternak May 10, 1946.” The recipient, Bartenev, is recorded as serving in the RussianContinue reading "Zemnoi Prostor. [Earthly Space]."

Read more
$4,800.00
Item Number: RRB-145453
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Granger, Bill [Pierce Brosnan]

There Are No Spies.

New York : Warner Books, 1986.

First edition of classic thriller, basis for the film November Man, starring Pierce Brosnan and Bill Smitrovich. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For Steve Juscik- Cheers! Bill Granger.” Additionally signed by actors Pierce Brosnan and inscribed by Bill Smitrovich. Near fine in a near fineContinue reading "There Are No Spies."

Read more
$1,250.00
Item Number: RRB-145776
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

McKay, Claude

Harlem: Negro Metropolis.

New York : E. P. Dutton & Company, Inc, 1940.

Scarce first edition of this intimate history of the Black Mecca of the world, authored by one of the central figures in the Harlem renaissance. Octavo, original brown cloth with gilt titles, red topstain, frontispiece of Bird’s-eye View of Harlem, illustrated with eighteen additional plates of black and white photographs. Near fine in the scarce originalContinue reading "Harlem: Negro Metropolis."

Read more
$9,800.00
Item Number: RRB-145357
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Maurer, David W

The Big Con: The Story of the Confidence Man.

Indianapolis : The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1940.

First edition of this classic study of con men, basis for the film The Sting directed by George Roy Hill starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford and Robert Shaw. Octavo, original cloth. Review copy, with the letter and notes from the publisher, near fine in a near fine dust jacket with the rare wrap around band.

Read more
$2,000.00
Item Number: RRB-146060
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Heinlein, Robert A

The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag.

Hicksville, New York : The Gnome Press, Inc, 1959.

First edition of this thrilling collection of science fiction stories. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Robert A. Heinlein on the title page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with some rubbing to the extremities. Jacket design by W. I Van der Poel.

Read more
$3,200.00
Item Number: RRB-145369
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Cohen, Nathan; Ringuet; F. E. Sparshott; Mary McAlpine; John Sutherland; A. J. M. Smith; Louis Dudek; Diana Goldsborough; Murdo Mackinnon; Ronald Bates; Leonard Cohen; Beatrice Corrigan; Robert McCormack; F. R. Scott; Louis de Niverville

The Tamarack Review Issue Six: Winter 1958.

Toronto : University of Toronto Press, 1958.

First edition of this mixed-genre Canadian literary magazine. Octavo, original blue pictorial wrappers, illustrated. Signed and dated by Leonard Cohen on the table of contents, “Leonard Cohen 2002.” Scarce early Cohen appearance from 1958 when he was 24 years old. Four of his poems are included, some of which do not appear elsewhere: ‘Before theContinue reading "The Tamarack Review Issue Six: Winter 1958."

Read more
$850.00
Item Number: RRB-145368
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Stewart, Janet; Theodore Roosevelt, Dr. Lyman Abbott, Ethel Roosevelt Derby, Samuel Valentine Cole

The Roosevelt Pilgrimage of 1922: Being a Record of the Pilgrimage of Certain Friends of Theodore Roosevelt to His Grave and to His Home, On the Third Anniversary of His Death.

Philadelphia : Privately Printed, 1922.

Limited edition, one of 300 examples of this ode to the life of the 26th president of the United States. Octavo, original half cloth, decorated headpieces, tailpieces, and initials throughout, frontispiece portrait of Theodore Roosevelt, illustrated with black and white photographs. In very good condition with some rubbing to the corners, toning to the frontContinue reading "The Roosevelt Pilgrimage of 1922: Being a Record of the Pilgrimage of Certain Friends of Theodore Roosevelt to His Grave and to His Home, On the Third Anniversary of His Death."

Read more
$500.00
Item Number: RRB-145441
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Eden, Emily; Introduction by Anthony Eden

The Semi-Attached Couple.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1947.

First edition of the Honorable Emily Eden’s brilliant comedy of manners. Octavo, original publisher’s pictorial cloth with central botanical flourish, illustrated by Suzanne Suba. Association copy, signed and dated by the Right Honorable Anthony Eden, who contributed the introduction, on the verso of the half-title page, “Anthony Eden Paris March 1948.” Near fine in aContinue reading "The Semi-Attached Couple."

Read more
$400.00
Item Number: RRB-145160
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Faulkner, William

Requiem for a Nun.

New York : Random House, 1951.

First trade edition of the sequel to Faulkner's early novel ‘Sanctuary.’ Octavo, original half cloth. First state with all issue points: first edition not stated, dark gray top stain, ‘Chocktaw’ rather than ‘Choctaw’ on page 21, dust jacket designer E. McKnight Kauffer’s name misspelled as ‘M. McKnight Kauffer’ on the front flap of the dustContinue reading "Requiem for a Nun."

Read more
$225.00
Item Number: RRB-145439
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Kepnes, Caroline

You Love Me: A You Novel.

New York : Random House, 2021.

First edition of the third book in the best-selling ‘You’ series, which spawned the popular Netflix show by the same name starring Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Caroline Kepnes. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Ella Laytham and Greg Mollica. Author photograph by CourtneyContinue reading "You Love Me: A You Novel."

Read more
$200.00
Item Number: RRB-145435
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Robinson, Edwin Arlington

Tristram.

New York : The Macmillan Company, 1927.

Signed limited edition of this popular Pulitzer prize-winning Arthurian narrative poem. Octavo, original publisher’s half cloth, top edge gilt. One of three hundred and fifty copies signed by Edwin Arlington Robinson on the limitation page, this one is number 167. In near fine condition, bookplate to the front pastedown. From the library of Frank IrvingContinue reading "Tristram."

Read more
$475.00
Item Number: RRB-145430
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Sinclair, Upton

Co-op: A Novel of Living Together.

Pasadena, CA : Published by the Author, 1936.

First edition of Sinclair’s Co-op. Octavo, original cloth. Very good in a very good dust jacket, lacking the front free endpaper.

Read more
$100.00
Item Number: RRB-146055
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Tolstoy, Leo

Patriotism and Christianity.

London : Walter Scott, Ltd., 1896.

First English edition of Tolstoy’s important work on non-resistance. Octavo, original cloth. With a note to English readers by John C. Kenworthy. In very good condition with some toning to the spine. Scarce.

Read more
$1,200.00
Item Number: RRB-146054
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Ellison, Ralph

Invisible Man.

New York : Random House, 1952.

First edition of the author’s landmark first novel, which went on to win the National Book Award. Octavo, original black and tan cloth. Boldly signed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “Best Wishes Sincerely Ralph Ellison May, 1952.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket designContinue reading "Invisible Man."

Read more
$6,800.00
Item Number: RRB-146053
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Faulkner, William

Pylon.

New York : Harrison Smith and Robert Hass, Inc, 1935.

First edition of Faulkner’s explosive novel about a group of Southern barnstormers. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with light rubbing and wear and toning to the spine.

Read more
$500.00
Item Number: RRB-146052
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Carlyle, Thomas

Sartor Resartus.

Boston : James Munroe and Company, 1836.

First American edition of this literary parody of philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and German Idealism. Octavo, full green cloth with branching pattern. In very good condition with sunning to the spine and rear panel, rubbing to the extremities. Housed in a custom clamshell box.

Read more
$750.00
Item Number: RRB-145348
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details

Vargas Llosa, Mario

La Guerra del Fin del Mundo [The War of The End of The World].

Barcelona : Plaza & Janés, 1981.

First edition of the author’s magnum opus in the original Spanish. Octavo, original wrappers. Boldly signed by Mario Vargas Llosa on the half-title page. In very good condition. Cover design by Jordi Sanchez.

Read more
$1,200.00
Item Number: RRB-145391
Add to Cart
Ask a Question Details
Previous 1 ... 79 80 81 82 83 ... 195 Next