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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 4272-4320 of 4665

Heschel, Abraham Joshua

Man Is Not Alone: A Philosophy of Religion.

Philadelphia : Jewish Publication Society of America, 1951.

First edition of this modern classic of Jewish theology. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket with some chips and rubbing. Jacket designed by Marshall Lee.

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$650.00
Item Number: RRB-78342
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Kundera, Milan

Ignorance.

London : Faber & Faber, 2002.

First edition in English of Kundera’s “most successful [novel] since The Unbearable Lightness of Being” (Los Angeles Times Book Review). Octavo, original boards. Inscribed by Milan Kundera on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Marry van Barr. Translated from the French by Linda Asher.

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$975.00
Item Number: RRB-68944
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Homer. Translated by Raphaello Maffei

Odissea Per Raphaelem Volaterranum in Latinum Conversa (The Odyssey of Homer translated by Raphael of Volterra in Latin).

Rome : Per Lacoubum Mazochium, 1510.

One of the earliest Latin translations of Homer’s epic poem, translated from the Greek by Roman Hellenic scholar Raphaello Maffei (Raphael of Volterra). Quarto, bound in contemporary vellum, rebacked, woodcut titles and printer’s device to the title page and at end of text. From the library of Robert R. Dearden, Jr. of Philadelphia with hisContinue reading "Odissea Per Raphaelem Volaterranum in Latinum Conversa (The Odyssey of Homer translated by Raphael of Volterra in Latin)."

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$30,000.00
Item Number: RRB-88060
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Roth, Philip

The Anatomy Lesson.

New York : Farrar Straus and Giroux, 1983.

First edition of the third novel from Roth to feature Nathan Zuckerman as the main character. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by Roth to his wife Claire Bloom on the title page, “To my dearest Claire- Who was there at Zuckerman’s birth and has helped me see him through his fury. My love and my love andContinue reading "The Anatomy Lesson."

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$4,800.00
Item Number: RRB-84755
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Roth, Philip

The Professor of Desire.

New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1977.

Uncorrected proof of the first edition of Roth’s second book in a series portraying the life of the fictional professor David Kapesh. Quarto, original wrappers. Signed by Philip Roth on the title page. With a photograph of Roth signed by him. In fine condition. Housed in a custom cloth clamshell box. An uncommon proof.

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$850.00
Item Number: RRB-88049
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Oliver, Mary

Twelve Moons.

Boston : Little, Brown and Company, 1979.

First edition of Mary Oliver’s fourth book. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication, “June 22, 1979 Love to Ray and Nicky from Mary. Provincetown.” The recipients were close friends of the author in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Char Lappan.Continue reading "Twelve Moons."

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$4,000.00
Item Number: RRB-85561
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De Morgan, William

Joseph Vance: An Ill-Written Autobiography.

London : William Heinemann, 1906.

First edition of the author’s first book. Octavo, original cloth. With the author’s signature on the front pastedown on the Lemperly bookplate. Also, included is the author’s visiting card. In near fine condition, contemporary bookplate. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise case.

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$975.00
Item Number: RRB-85436
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Bellow, Saul

Seize the Day.

New York : The Viking Press, 1956.

First edition of the Nobel Prize-winning author’s fourth book. Octavo, original half cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For the Gabels with best wishes from an old exile to Evanston Saul Bellow.” The recipients were close friends of Bellow’s while he was a student at Northwestern University, where heContinue reading "Seize the Day."

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$1,500.00
Item Number: RRB-84225
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Bellow, Saul

To Jerusalem and Back: A Personal Account.

New York : The Viking Press, 1976.

First edition of the Nobel Prize-winning author’s account of his journey to Jerusalem. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “To Mr. Bergstrom, who asks excellent questions Chicago, Nov 1, 76 Saul Bellow.” The recipient was journalist Goran Bergstrom. Fine in aContinue reading "To Jerusalem and Back: A Personal Account."

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$550.00
Item Number: RRB-86448
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Williams, Tennessee

A Streetcar Named Desire.

New York : New Directions, 1947.

Early printing of Williams’ classic play, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1948. Octavo, original illustrated boards. association copy, inscribed or signed by several cast members for producer Danny Selznick. Signed by Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, Jessica Tandy, and Karl Malden. Inscribed by Kim Hunter on the verso of the first blank: “LoveContinue reading "A Streetcar Named Desire."

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$8,800.00
Item Number: RRB-87896
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Warren, Patricia Nell

The Front Runner.

New York : William Morrow & Company, Inc, 1974.

First edition of the first contemporary gay novel to achieve mainstream commercial and critical success. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “To Everett with all best wishes Patricia Nell Warren May 17, 1974.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design byContinue reading "The Front Runner."

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$1,250.00
Item Number: RRB-87690
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Leeser, Isaac

The Law of God.

Philadelphia : C. Sherman, 5605, 1845-46.

First edition of the “first English translation of the Pentateuch in America,” the 1845 Hebrew-English Bible by one of the most prominent and influential figures in American Jewish history. Octavo, 5 volumes. Translated by Isaac Leeser. Bound in full contemporary calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine. In near fine condition. A nice example,Continue reading "The Law of God."

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$18,500.00
Item Number: RRB-78547
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Noah, Mordecai Manuel

The Fortress of Sorrento: A Petit Historical Drama, in Two Acts.

New York : D. Longworth, 1808.

First edition of “the most important Jewish lay leader of the early 19th century” Mordecai Noah’s early play, published when he was only 23 years old. 12mo, bound in modern calf, gilt titles to the spine, lacking the 2 advertisement leaves called for by Singerman. In near fine condition. Rare.

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$1,750.00
Item Number: RRB-82504
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Boynton, Henry Walcott

Two Editions of the Golfer’s Rubaiyat.

Chicago/ New York : Herbert S. Stone/ Duffield, 1901, 1907.

Both the first and second editions of the Golfer’s Rubaiyat. Octavo, original cloth, two volumes, illustrated throughout. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.

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$850.00
Item Number: RRB-75645
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Goldberg, Isaac; Introduction by George Gershwin

Tin Pan Alley.

New York : The John Day Company, 1930.

First edition of this work on American popular music. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Introduction by George Gershwin. Boldly signed “Sincerely George Gershwin” on the dedication page. Additionally signed by conductor Charles Previn and tenor James Melton. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Previn was an American film composer who was highly active atContinue reading "Tin Pan Alley."

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$5,500.00
Item Number: RRB-84308
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Voltaire (Arouet, François-Marie)

Voyages et Aventures d’une Princesse Babylonienne [The Princess of Babylon].

Geneve 1768.

First edition of one of Voltaire’s best-known works of prose. Octavo, original full period calf, gilt titles to the spine, red morocco spine label, raised bands, marbled endpapers. In good condition. Rare and desirable.

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$1,850.00
Item Number: RRB-82403
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Mann, Thomas

Joseph and His Brothers.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1934.

First American edition of Mann’s first novel in his acclaimed tetralogy. Octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers. Lengthily inscribed in the year of publication by Thomas Mann. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with some rubbing and chipping to the extremities. Translated from the German by H. T. Lowe-Porter.  Rare and desirable signed andContinue reading "Joseph and His Brothers."

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$2,800.00
Item Number: RRB-83578
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Tarkington, Booth

The Lorenzo Bunch.

Garden City, NY : Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc, 1936.

First edition of this work by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “Booth Tarkington, Indianapolis, May 9. 1940. Inscribed for Mr. Jerome Peltier.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket.

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$150.00
Item Number: RRB-65791
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Irving, Washington

The Works of Washington Irving: The Autograph Edition [The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; Rip Van Winkle].

New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1895–97.

The Works of Washington Irving: The Author’s Autograph edition. Octavo, 40 volumes, uniformly bound in full morocco by the Knickerbocker Press, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, with suede doublures and endleaves. One of 500 sets, this set contains a page of original manuscript by Irving tipped in toContinue reading "The Works of Washington Irving: The Autograph Edition [The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; Rip Van Winkle]."

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$7,800.00
Item Number: RRB-86738
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Horace

Quintus Horatius Flaccus.

London : Gulielmus Pickering, 1824.

Rare second Pickering Diamond edition, large paper issue, with an additional engraved title page. 12 mo, bound in full morocco, gilt titles to the front panel, raised bands, marbled endpapers. In very good condition. Housed in a custom chemise and half morocco slipcase.

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$750.00
Item Number: RRB-82315
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France, Anatole

Le Puits de Sainte Claire.

Paris : Calmann Levy, 1895.

First edition of this novel by the Nobel Prize-winning French writer regarding tales based on Italian historical characters and events. Octavo, original printed wrappers and glassine wrapper, Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “Fernand Calmettes son vieil ami Anatole France.” The recipient, Fernand Calmettes was a writer and editor and contemporaryContinue reading "Le Puits de Sainte Claire."

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$950.00
Item Number: RRB-82311
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Disraeli, Benjamin

Vivian Grey.

London : Henry Colburn, 1826-27.

First edition of Disraeli’s first novel. Octavo, original gray boards with printed spine labels, 5 volumes, half-titles present in Volumes 2 and 5, as issued; terminal ads in Volumes 1-4. Bookplates to each volume, in very good condition. Housed in a brown cloth clamshell box. Complete first editions are uncommon, especially in the original boards.

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$2,000.00
Item Number: RRB-82398
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Larsson, Stieg; Translated by Reg Keeland

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; The Girl Who Played with Fire; The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest.

London : Maclehose Press, 2008-2009.

First editions in English of each volume of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy. Octavo, three volumes, original boards. Each volume is signed by the translator Reg Keeland, with a quotation added by the translator from each novel in each book. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo reads, “Everyone has secrets. It’s just a matter of findingContinue reading "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; The Girl Who Played with Fire; The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest."

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$3,500.00
Item Number: RRB-82278
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James, Henry

The Diary of a Man of Fifty and A Bundle of Letters.

New York : Harpers & Brothers, Publishers, 1880.

First Harper’s Half-Hour Series edition of this duo of James novellas. 12mo, original wrappers as issued. In good condition.

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$500.00
Item Number: RRB-81095
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Hueffer, (Ford) Ford Madox

The Good Soldier. A Tale of Passion.

London : John Lane Company, 1915.

First edition, first issue without the 16 pp. of advertisements.of this literary highspot, one of the great novels of the first half of the twentieth century. Octavo, original cloth. In near fine condition with light rubbing to the extremities.

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$2,800.00
Item Number: RRB-81026
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Faulkner, William

Soldiers’ Pay.

New York : Boni & Liveright, 1926.

First edition of Faulkner’s first book in the rare first state dust jacket with An American Tragedy as the first of five titles listed on the rear jacket panel. Octavo, original cloth. Bookplate, near fine in a very good dust jacket with some toning to the spine and some chipping to the extremities. Housed in a customContinue reading "Soldiers’ Pay."

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$18,500.00
Item Number: RRB-81010
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Buck, Pearl S

The Good Earth.

New York : John Day, 1931.

First edition, first issue with “flees” for “fleas” on page 100, line 17 of the author’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and masterpiece. Octavo, original brown cloth, illustrated endpapers. Presentation copy, inscribed and dated by Pearl Buck on the half-title page. Buck also underlined the error “flees” on page 100, and marked it with an arrow onContinue reading "The Good Earth."

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$20,000.00
Item Number: RRB-80122
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James, Henry

The Private Life, Lord Beaupre, The Visits.

New York : Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1893.

First edition of this collection of novellas published at the height of James’ career. Octavo, original illustrated cloth, in near fine condition.  

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$250.00
Item Number: RRB-80104
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Orwell, George

Burmese Days.

New York : Harper & Brothers, 1934.

First American edition, preceding the British edition by one year of Orwell’s first novel. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author with his given name on the verso of the front free endpaper, “With very best wishes from Eric Blair.” As explained in the accompanying typed letter signed by Adrian Fierz, this copyContinue reading "Burmese Days."

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$55,000.00
Item Number: RRB-67096
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Pynchon, Thomas

V.

Philadelphia and New York : J.B. Lippincott Company, 1963.

First edition of Pynchon’s classic first book. Octavo, original cloth. An exceptional association copy, inscribed by the author on the verso of the front free endpaper in the month of publication, “Aug. 1963. To Bob & Ginny, with affection, Tom.” The recipients were Pynchon’s Boeing colleague and close friend Bob Hillock and his wife Ginny,Continue reading "V."

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$38,000.00
Item Number: RRB-80035
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Nabokov, Vladimir et al

On Translation.

Cambridge : Harvard University Press, 1959.

First edition of this extensive volume on translators, translating and works of translation. Octavo, original boards, near fine in a very good dust jacket.

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$125.00
Item Number: RRB-89096
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Boswell, James

The Life of Johnson.

London : Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry, 1791.

First edition, first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language, which was published on May 16, 1791 in a print run of only 1,750 copies. Quarto, bound in contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson, engraved by J. Heath after the Sir Joshua Reynolds (1756) painting. Volume one isContinue reading "The Life of Johnson."

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$17,500.00
Item Number: RRB-80005
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Johnston, Mary

Lewis Rand.

Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1908.

First edition of Mary Johnston’s classic historical romance. Octavo, original cloth, full color frontispiece after a painting by F. L. Yohn. One of 500 copies. Signed by the author. Very good in the  rare original dust jacket with some wear. Housed in a custom cloth clamshell and chemise case.

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$375.00
Item Number: RRB-88023
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Kerouac, Jack

Jack Kerouac Autograph Manuscript Signed.

February 28,1964.

Autograph manuscript signed, being Kerouac’s answers to twelve typed questions from Robert Dodd, two pages, quarto, 28 February 1964. Kerouac candidly replies to a young man’s questions. Given a ninth-grade classroom assignment to contact his favorite writer, Robert Dodd chose Jack Kerouac. The author provides lengthy answers to the young Dodd’s questions. On the questionContinue reading "Jack Kerouac Autograph Manuscript Signed."

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$75,000.00
Item Number: RRB-79098
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Voltaire (Arouet, François-Marie)

Vie de Moliere.

Lausanne : Chez Francois Grasset & Comp, 1772.

Early edition of Voltaire’s biography of one of the most influential and widely translated writers of all time. Octavo, bound in full sprinkled sheepskin. Gilt titles and tooling to the spine, pictorial endpapers, all edges red, ribbon bound in. In very good condition with some rubbing to the extremities. Tasteful period bookplate.

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$350.00
Item Number: RRB-95126
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Nabokov, Vladimir

King, Queen, Knave.

London : Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1968.

First British edition of this early Nabokov novel. Octavo, original black cloth. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by George Mayhew. Photograph of Nabokov on the rear panel by Philippe Halsman. Translated by Dmitri Nabokov. A nice example.

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$55.00
Item Number: RRB-89070
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Seton-Thompson, Ernest

Lives of the Hunted.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1901.

First edition of this collection of stories. Octavo, original cloth, with over 200 drawings. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To S.D. Green with best wishes of Ernest Seton-Thompson.” Seton Thompson has added a drawing of a bear paw. In near fine condition.

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$350.00
Item Number: RRB-79038
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Goldman, William

Tinsel.

New York : Delacorte Press, 1979.

First edition, second printing of Goldman’s novel regarding Hollywood. Octavo, original cloth. Inscribed by William Goldman opposite the title page. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Richard Huebner.

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$95.00
Item Number: RRB-81342
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Pinter, Harold

Original The Caretaker Playbill.

London : Proscenium Publications, 1991.

Original Playbill from the May 1991 performance of Harold Pinter’s The Caretaker performed at the Alhambra Theatre. Small octavo, original illustrated wrappers. Rehearsal photographs by Ivan Kynci. Signed by Harold Pinter, Colin Firth, and Donald Pleasence. In near fine condition.

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$250.00
Item Number: RRB-88116
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Naipaul, V.S

Collected Short Fiction.

New York : Everyman's Library, 2011.

First edition of this collection of fiction by the Nobel Prize-winning author. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by V.S. Naipaul on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. With an introduction by the author.

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$300.00
Item Number: RRB-56745
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Besant, Walter and Henry James

The Art of Fiction.

Boston : Cupples, Upham & Company, 1885.

First edition of this classic essay. Octavo, original cloth. In near fine condition, contemporary name to the front free endpaper.

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$425.00
Item Number: RRB-78042
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Goldman, William

Soldier in the Rain.

New York : Atheneum Publishers, 1960.

First edition of this novel which concerns the friendship between an Army Master Sergeant and a young country bumpkin buck sergeant. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by William Goldman on the title page. Near fine in avery good dust jacket. Jacket design by Guy Fleming.

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$375.00
Item Number: RRB-78036
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Stevenson, Robert Louis

The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson [Including Treasure Island; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; Kidnapped].

Edinburgh : Printed by T. and A. Constable for Longmans, Green and Company, 1894.

Edinburgh edition of the Works of Robert Louis Stevenson, often considered the finest edition of Stevenson due to the paper quality used. Octavo,  complete set, 34 volumes, bound in full contemporary morocco, gilt titles to the spine, top edges gilt, gilt turn-ins. In fine condition. An exceptional set.

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$9,500.00
Item Number: RRB-25015
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Neruda, Pablo and Martin Chambi

Alturas de Macchu Picchu.

Chile : Nascimento, 1954.

Signed limited edition of Neruda’s masterpiece. Quarto, original illustrated wrappers as issued, photographs by Martin Chambi. Signed by Pablo Neruda at the colophon as issued. In near fine condition. Laid in is the scarce insert on green paper that was issued with all copies, which is a bibliographic note on the genesis and publication history ofContinue reading "Alturas de Macchu Picchu."

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$3,800.00
Item Number: RRB-77014
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Rosen, Michael

Rude Rhymes: Mother Goose Goes Behind the Bike Shed.

London : Andre Deutsch Limited, 1989.

Early printing. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers as issue. Inscribed by the author opposite the title page, “hello Eileen Michael Rosen was here.” In fine condition.

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$125.00
Item Number: RRB-82141
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Yezierska, Anzia

Bread Givers.

Garden City, NY : Doubleday, Page & Company, 1925.

First edition of the author’s classic novel of Jewish immigrants. Octavo, original cloth. In fine condition. An exceptional example.

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$600.00
Item Number: RRB-82178
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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.]."

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$12,000.00
Item Number: RRB-76020
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Dodge, Mary Mapes

Hans Brinker Or, The Silver Skates. A Story of Life in Holland.

New York : James O'Kane, 1866.

First edition of the author’s second and best known work. Octavo, original green cloth, gilt titles to the spine. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “Presented to Robert Dale Owen by the author January, 1866.” The recipient Robert Dale Owen was responsible for introducing the legislation to establish the Smithsonian. HeContinue reading "Hans Brinker Or, The Silver Skates. A Story of Life in Holland."

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$12,500.00
Item Number: RRB-76002
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