[Rarebooks] Announce: New Arrivals: Mencken, Wilder, Roosevelt, etc.
charles agvent
agvent at erols.com
Tue Mar 16 12:27:13 EST 2004
Our March Internet Catalogue features fine runs of H. L. Mencken and
Thornton Wilder First Edtitions, Photographs, and Autographs. Also
featured is a signed book by golf legend Robert “Bobby” Jones and an
extremely scarce signed First Trade Edition of Willa Cather's DEATH
COMES FOR THE ARCHBISHOP. Our list for April will celebrate the ABAA
New York Book Fair, the greatest in the world, and will include some
exceptional items. Dates for the fair are April 16 – 18 and we are in
Booth B-27. Please visit our web site: http://www.erols.com/agvent
You can also view our new arrivals below. Thank you.
012324 ADAMS, RICHARD. WATERSHIP DOWN. New York: MacMillan
(1972) [1974]. First Edition. First American Edition. Impressive first
novel, a landmark in the Fantasy genre. SIGNED by the author on the
title page and dated April 1974. Binding slightly cocked, as often the
case with this poorly made book. Minor soiling to rear board and some
spotting to the bulked text edges. Still Very Good in a Very Good or
better dustwrapper. (Movie Fiction, First Book, Modern Firsts,
Fantasy, 20th C. Brit. Lit., Signed, Richard Adams, Animal Rights)
$750.00
012333 BENTLEY, ERIC (EDITOR) [THORNTON WILDER]. FROM THE AMERICAN
DRAMA. THE MODERN THEATRE SERIES. VOLUME FOUR. Garden City: Doubleday
Anchor Books 1956. First Edition. A paperback original consisting of
five plays including GUYS AND DOLLS as well as PULLMAN CAR HIAWATHA by
Thornton Wilder and THE MAN WITH THE HEART IN THE HIGHLANDS by William
Saroyan. Uncommon Review Copy with publisher's slip laid in. Very Good
with just minor wear to covers. (Modern Firsts, Theater, William
Saroyan, Eric Bentley, Paperback Originals, Review Copy, Thornton
Wilder) $25.00
012322 BOLSCHE, WILHELM. LOVE-LIFE IN NATURE: THE STORY OF THE
EVOLUTION OF LOVE. New York: Albert & Charles Boni 1926. First
Edition. Two volumes in original green cloth. "My book is not a
popularisation of scientific facts, but a subjective creation of my
own." Endpapers neatly removed; attractive bookplate on the front
pastedowns. Still Very Good (Natural History, Evolution, Sex, Love,
Psuedo Science, Biology, Science) $25.00
012361 BROOKS, GWENDOLYN. ANNIE ALLEN. New York: Harper & Row (1949).
First Edition. The first book by an African-American to win the
Pulitzer Prize. INSCRIBED and SIGNED by the author to an associate in
1950. Most signed copies of this book are dated much later. Rubbing to
gilt on spine. Very Good, lacking the dustwrapper but with fine
inscription. (Modern Firsts, Modern Poetry, Women's Literature,
African-American L, First Book, Pulitzer Prize, Signed, Inscribed,
Gwendolyn Brooks) $450.00
012325 CAMPBELL, JOSEPH. THE FLIGHT OF THE WILD GANDER: EXPLORATIONS
IN THE MYTHOLOGICAL DIMENSION. New York: Viking (1969). First Edition.
SIGNED by the author on the front endpaper. Three brief tears to the
dustwrapper, one repaired with tape. Near Fine in a Very Good
dustwrapper. (Mythology, Modern Firsts, Philosophy, Signed, Joseph
Cambell, Religion, Fairy Tales) $150.00
012337 CAMPBELL, JOSEPH. THE MYTHIC IMAGE. (Princeton, NJ): Princeton
University Press (1974). First Edition. Bollingen Series C. Folio (9"
x 12") in black cloth and brick cloth slipcase. Copy #140 of 200
SIGNED by the author on the colophon page. Profusely illustrated with
much in color. Fine in Fine glassine dustwrapper and slipcase.
(Mythology, Modern Firsts, Philosophy, Signed, Joseph Cambell,
Religion, Fairy Tales, Limited, Illustrated) $500.00
012344 CARTER, JIMMY. FAREWELL ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER.
JANUARY 14, 1981. [Winston-Salem, NC]: Palaemon Press Limited
(December 1981). First Edition. Bound in full blue cloth with gilt
lettering on the spine. Prints Carter's 9-page farewell address on
heavy paper. Copy #105 of only 300 printed and SIGNED by the former
President as "Jimmy Carter" on the title page. Half of the edition was
reserved for Carter; the other half was issued for sale by the
publisher. Quite possibly the most difficult Carter title to find and
a poorly made book. Of the half dozen copies we have examined over the
years, all were loosely stitched in their casings causing the text
block to slide up and down. This copy is no different. In addition at
the bottom outside corner of the rear cover is a small hole, @1/8" x
1/4", caused by insect damage. We have seen a copy with a slipcase
which this does not have. Still a most collectible copy of a difficult
book. Very Good and quite uncommon. (Presidential, Signed, Farewell
Address, Speeches, Modern Firsts, Literary Firsts, Jimmy Carter,
Limited) $750.00
012320 CARTER, JIMMY. NEGOTIATION: THE ALTERNATIVE TO HOSTILITY. THE
CARL VINSON MEMORIAL LECTURE SERIES. INAUGURAL LECTURE. (Macon, GA):
Mercer University Press (1984). First Edition. Bound in full navy
Kivar, an imitation leather, with gilt decoration and lettering.
Includes Carter's 23-page lecture along with an introduction and two
short tributes as well as 15 photographs from the event. SIGNED by the
former President as "J. Carter" on the front endpaper. An uncommon
book. Fine, essentially new. (Presidential, Signed, Negotiation,
Peace, Modern Firsts, Literary Firsts, Jimmy Carter, Diplomacy) $600.00
012326 CATHER, WILLA. DEATH COMES FOR THE ARCHBISHOP. New York:
Alfred Knopf 1927. First Edition. Original green cloth with the first
printing error on page 20. SIGNED by the author on the front free
endpaper and quite scarce as such. There was aLimited Edition of 175
numbered and signed copies, but one rarely comes across a signed trade
edition of this classic of American Literature. Only one copy has
appeared at auction in the last 25 years, the Pforzheimer copyin 1987,
that being inscribed to Carl Pforzheimer. The present copy is signed
only and on an integral sheet of the book, not on a piece of paper
added later. Contents clean and fresh; covers bright with sunning to
the spine and darkening of the spine label. Very Good or better,
lacking the scarce duswrapper. (High Spot, Signed, Modern Firsts,
Willa Cather, Rare, Western Literature) $7500.00
012328 DICKENS, CHARLES. THE POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF THE PICKWICK CLUB.
Oxford: Limited Editions Club 1933. Two large quarto volumes (7-3/4" x
11-1/2") bound in brown buckram with theauthor and title in gilt on
the spine and front cover as well as the figureof Pickwick.
Introduction by G. K. Chesterton. Copy #354 of 1500 SIGNED by the
illustrator John Austen who contributes his typically masterful line
drawings and color plates. Short closed tear to the rear of one
dustwrapper the spines of which are just slightly darkened. Slipcase
with archival tape repairs to splits at top and bottom. Fine in Near
Fine dustwrappers and Very Good slipcase. (LEC, Fine Press, G. K.
Chesterton, 19th C. Brit. Lit., Signed, Color Plates, John Austen,
Charles Dickens, Limited Editions) $250.00
012364 DICKEY, JAMES. DROWNING WITH OTHERS. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan
University Press (1962). First Edition. Dickey's first book under his
name (preceded by INTO THE STONE where he appeared with two other
poets). This copy SIGNED by the poet on the title page. Minor rubbing
to covers. Near Fine (First Books, Signed, Southern Literature, Modern
Poetry, Modern Firsts, Literary Firsts) $200.00
010407 DUMAS, ALEXANDRE (LYND WARD). THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. New
York: Limited Editions Club 1941. Four quarto (7-3/4" x 10-3/4")
volumes bound in full black linen with gilt stamping on the spines.
Introduction by Andre Maurois. Illustrated with line drawings by Lynd
Ward. Copy #1131 SIGNED by the illustrator. Bookplates on the front
free endpaper of each volume; miniscule tear to top of spine of first
volume. Very Good in slipcase with closed splits at top and bottom.
(LEC, Fine Press, Black Literature, 19th C. French Lit., Illustrated,
Signed, Lynd Ward, Limited Editions) $300.00
006856 FRANCE, ANATOLE. THE CRIME OF SYLVESTRE BONNARD. New York:
Limited Editions Club 1937. Quarto (9-1/8" x 11-1/2") bound in full
green linen, stamped in green and gold from design by LeRoy H.
Appleton. Translated by Lafcadio Hearn with anintroduction by A.S.W.
Rosenbach. Copy #834 of 1500 illustrated by Sylvain Sauvage with
water-colors and SIGNED by him on the colophon page. Touch of sunning
to spine. Fine in Good slipcase with wear and splits at spine tips.
(French Literature, Signed, Lafcadio Hearn, Fine Press, Limited
Editions, Mysteries, Detective Fiction, Color Plates, LEC) $100.00
012360 HARRISON, JIM. THE ROAD HOME. New York: Atlantic Monthly
(1998). First Edition. One of a Special issue of 600 unnumbered copies
SIGNED by the author on thelimitation page. Fine in Fine dustwrapper.
(Signed, Jim Harrison, Limited, Fiction, Modern Firsts, Literary
Firsts) $85.00
012365 HECHT, ANTHONY. A SUMMONING OF STONES. New York: MacMillan
1954. First Edition. Poet's first book. A book that is difficult to
find in anything approachingfine condition, this is an attractive copy
with just a minor bump to the bottom front corner in a bright
dustwrapper that has the corners of the front flap clipped, likely by
the publisher, not affecting the price which is intact. About Fine in
Near Fine dustwrapper. (Modern Firsts, Anthony Hecht, Modern Poetry,
First Book) $350.00
012330 HUNT, LEIGH. TABLE TALK. [New York]: [Limited Editions Club]
Christmas 1948. First Edition. With 50 examples of table talk
collected for the Friends of George & Helen Macy, Christmas, 1948.
Typical rubbing to the boards. Very Good (LEC, Fine Press, Christmas,
Limited Editions, Leigh Hunt) $25.00
012357 ISHERWOOD, CHRISTOPHER. ALL THE CONSPIRATORS. New York: New
Directions (1958). First American. The First American Edition of the
author's first book, issued 30 years after the original with a new
introduction by Isherwood. SIGNED by the author on the title page.
About Fine in a Near Fine dustwrapper. (Fiction, First Book, Modern
Firsts, Signed, C. Isherwood) $350.00
012323 JONES, ROBERT TYRE (BOBBY). GOLF IS MY GAME. Garden City:
Doubleday 1960. First Edition. Illustrated with photographs and
diagrams. SIGNED in a stable not shaky hand as Robert T. Jones Jr. by
the legend who in his last year as a competitor was the first golfer
to win the Grand Slam of Golf. A fairly scarce book to find signed,
especially without an inscription. About Fine in price-clipped Near
Fine dustwrapper. (Modern Firsts, Golf, Sports, Signed) $3500.00
012345 KHAYYAM, OMAR (EDWARD FITZGERALD) (WILLY POGANY). THE RUBAIYAT
OF OMAR KHAYYAM. Philadelphia: David McKay (1942). First Edition.
Quarto (6-3/4" x 9-1/2") bound in full blue morocco with elaborate
matchinggilt decoration on both covers and the spine which has four
raised bands and gilt lettering. The text is Edward Fitzgerald's
translation. With striking black-and-white illustrations by Willy
Pogany. Light rubbing to the edges, heavier to the joints of which the
front is beginning to weaken. The rubbing has been neatly retouched so
that it is hardly noticeable. Still Near Fine in a handsome binding.
(Fine Binding, Rubaiyat, Willy Pogany, Fine Bindings, Edward
Fitzgerald, Persian Literature, 19th C. Brit. Lit.) $450.00
012359 LESSING, DORIS. UNDER MY SKIN: VOLUME ONE OF MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY,
TO 1949. New York: Harper Collins (1994). First American. Illustrated
with photographs. SIGNED by the author on the title page and dated 24
October 1994. Miniscule bump to bottom corner. About Fine in Fine
dustwrapper. (Autobiography, Women's Literature, Modern Firsts, 20th
C. Brit. Lit., Signed) $75.00
012362 LEVINE, PHILIP. "THE SIMPLE TRUTH". OH: Logan Elm Press 1993.
First Separate Edition of the title poem from his 1994 Pulitzer Prize
winning collection. Illustrated with a color woodcut. One of 200
numbered copies SIGNED by the author and the artist Dotti Lipetz. A
very colorful and striking 18" x 12" broadside of this moving poem by
Levine. Fine (Modern Poetry, Signed, Philip Levine, Modern Firsts,
Broadsides, Limited, Poetry Broadside) $200.00
009292 MENCKEN, H.L. A BOOK OF PREFACES. New York: Knopf 1917. First
Edition. Some fading of gilt to the spine though that on the front
cover is still bright and strong. Near Fine, lacking the difficult
dustwrapper. (Mencken, Literary Firsts, Modern Firsts, 20th C. Amer.
Lit., Humor) $150.00
011387 MENCKEN, H. L. CHRISTMAS STORY. New York: Knopf 1946. First
Edition. Mencken's take on Christmas, his shortest book, first
published in THE NEW YORKER and illustrated here by Bill Crawford.
SIGNED by the author on the title page. Fine in just about Fine
price-clipped dustwrapper. (Modern Firsts, Christmas, Journalism,
Signed, H. L. Mencken) $500.00
012356 MENCKEN, H. L. EARLY PHOTOGRAPH SENT TO JOHN W. LUCE. Very
early 4-1/2" x 6-1/2" original photograph mounted on a slightly larger
board of a young and proper H. L. Mencken used for publicity purposes
by the publisher John W. Luce. On the board above and below the image
in an unknown hand are the following pencil notes: "Take good care of
this photo. please" and "This picture is borrowed property Be good to
it." On the verso of the board are a number of other pencil notes of
identification and instruction in several different hands including
the name of the publisher and the subject identified as Henry L.
Mencken. A faint horizontal crease through the center of the
photograph and a heavier crease to the lower left corner of the board
not affecting the image. Near Fine and likely one of a kind. (Modern
Firsts, Original Photograph, Photograph, Literature, Journalism, Rare,
Satire, H. L. Mencken) $2500.00
012354 MENCKEN, H. L. GEORGE BERNARD SHAW: HIS PLAYS. Boston: John W.
Luce 1905. First Edition. Mencken's first book after VENTURES INTO
VERSE, one of the rarest first editions in modern literature as only
100 copies were produced. This title is also noted as the first book
on George Bernard Shaw. Minor wear to the spine tips and corners with
some darkening to the spine label though the paper label on the front
cover is bright. Tasteful early bookplate on the front pastedown and
with Frank Harding's owner signature dated 1929 and bookplate on the
front endpaper. Very Good, lacking the exceptionally scarce
dustwrapper. (First Book, H. L. Mencken, Literary Firsts, Modern
Firsts, Theater, George Bernard Shaw, 20th C. Amer. Lit., Literary
Criticism) $200.00
012353 MENCKEN, H. L. THE GIST OF NIETZSCHE. Boston: John W. Luce
1910. First Edition. Burgundy cloth with paper labels. The sayings of
Nietzsche arranged by H.L.Mencken with a brief introduction and
biographical note by him. Very early title by Mencken and increasingly
difficult to locate in anything like this condition, which is nothing
short of spectacular. The cloth and paper labels on the spine and
front cover are as fresh as the day the book was published, and the
glassine is nearly complete. Fine, bright copy in original glassine
with some edgewear. (Nietzsche, Philosophy, H. L. Mencken, Literary
Firsts, Modern Firsts, Nonfiction, 20th C. Amer. Lit.) $500.00
010333 MENCKEN, H. L. HEATHEN DAYS 1890 -1936. New York: Knopf 1943.
First Edition. SIGNED by Mencken on the front free endpaper. Another
name dated 1943 on the first blank. An exceptionally bright copy in a
lovely example of the dustwrapper. Fine in Fine dustwrapper. (Modern
Firsts, Journalism, Memoirs, Biography, Autobiography, Signed, H. L.
Mencken) $350.00
012346 MENCKEN, H. L. MENCKENIANA. A SCHIMPFLEXIKON. New York: Alfred
A. Knopf 1928. First Edition. Yellow cloth-backed reddish-orange
boards. Copy #26 of 250 printed on Borzoi rag paper and SIGNED by the
author. Relatively common, despite its small limitation, but rarely
seen in this condition. The text is unopened. The boards retain a deep
red color and the labels on the front and spine are intact and
unrubbed. There is just a hint of sunning to the spine and one small
area on the rear board that is soiled. Essentially like new copy in a
completely intact slipcase with label. Spectacular copy! (Modern
Firsts, Limited, Journalism, Humor, Satire, Signed, H. L. Mencken)
$1000.00
012347 MENCKEN, H. L. MENCKENIANA. A SCHIMPFLEXIKON. New York: Alfred
A. Knopf 1928. First Edition. Yellow cloth-backed reddish-orange
boards. Copy #15 of 250 printed on Borzoi rag paper and SIGNED by the
author. Relatively common, despite its small limitation, but not often
seen in this condition. The boards retain adeep red color and the
label on the front is intact and unrubbed. The spine label is present
but unreadable and the spine is a little darkened. The backstrip of
the otherwise intact slipcase, with label present, is detached and in
two pieces. Near Fine in about Very Good slipcase. (Modern Firsts,
Limited, Journalism, Humor, Satire, Signed, H. L. Mencken) $600.00
012348 MENCKEN, H. L. MENCKENIANA. A SCHIMPFLEXIKON. New York: Alfred
A. Knopf 1928. First Edition. Yellow cloth-backed reddish-orange
boards. Copy #128 of 250 printed on Borzoi rag paper and SIGNED by the
author. Relatively common, despite its small limitation, and usually
seen in this condition. The boards are faded to a light orange, and
while the label on the front is intact and unrubbed the spine label is
present but unreadable and the spine itself is fairly darkened. An
owner name dated 1928 is on the first blank. Very Good lacking the
slipcase. (Modern Firsts, Limited, Journalism, Humor, Satire, Signed,
H. L. Mencken) $350.00
012349 MENCKEN, H. L. NOTES ON DEMOCRACY. New York: Alfred A. Knopf
(1926). First Edition. Green cloth-backed batik boards. Copy #85 of
200 (of a total edition of 235) printed on Borzoi rag paper and SIGNED
by the author. The boards are sunned at the top edge and have a few
minor scrapes and wear along the edges. The spine label has one small
scrape but is clear, and the extra spine label remains tipped to the
rear pastedown. The spine itself is fairly darkened. An owner name
dated 1927 is on the front endpaper with the same person's armorial
bookplate on the pastedown. Very Good lacking the slipcase. (Modern
Firsts, Limited, Journalism, Humor, Satire, Signed, H. L. Mencken)
$600.00
010006 MENCKEN, H. L. PHOTOGRAPH SIGNED. Superb 7-1/2" x 9-1/2"
photographic portrait of a stern-looking, just short of a smile
Mencken INSCRIBED by him "Jack [?],/with best regards" and SIGNED in
1937. The photograph is not credited but is likely by Pinchotas we
have seen one other similar image that was not signed. Mencken is
scarce in signed photographs. Small smudge away from Mencken and his
inscription and apparently part of the image. Few pencil notes on
verso. Striking portrait of the master satirist & crusading
journalist. (Modern Firsts, Signed, Signed Photograph, Literature,
Journalism, Autograph, Satire, H. L. Mencken) $3500.00
012352 MENCKEN, H. L. PREJUDICES. FIRST SERIES. New York: Alfred A.
Knopf 1929. First Pocket Book Edition. Lively essays on Wells, Shaw,
Howells, Poe, etc. Near Fine in Very Good and uncommon dustwrapper.
(Modern Firsts, Journalism, Literary Criticism, Essays, H. L.
Mencken) $100.00
012351 MENCKEN, H. L. TREATISE ON RIGHT AND WRONG. New York: Alfred
A. Knopf 1934. First Edition. Mencken on ethics and morality. Laid in
is the publisher's response card as well as a 5" x 3" slip of yellow
paper INSCRIBED "For Aquilla B. Hanson, Jr." and SIGNED and dated by
Mencken in 1937. Dustwrapper spine sunned but readable. Fine in Near
Fine dustwrapper. (Modern Firsts, Inscribed, Journalism, Religion,
Morality, Ethics, Signed, H. L. Mencken) $400.00
012350 MENCKEN, H. L. TREATISE ON THE GODS. New York: Alfred A. Knopf
1930. First Edition. Full blue vellum with gilt lettering and
decorations on the spine. Copy #45of 375 printed on Borzoi rag paper
and SIGNED by the author. The text is largely unopened; the vellum
retains its original deep, dark blue color. The plain paper
dustwrapper with title and author printed on the spine is mostly
present with minor chipping to top front edge, a short tear to the
spine with resulting loss of part of the title, and a large chip and
accompanying snag at the bottom of the rear panel. The slipcase has
mild sunning to the outer edges and backstrip but is completely
intact. Mencken may have appreciated the pricing history of this
particular book which we have left intact for the next owner. It
begins with a price of 15.00 in pencil with several lower prices all
crossed out until the final price of 2.50. Fine in Very Good
duswrapper and Near Fine slipcase. (Modern Firsts, Limited,
Journalism, Humor, Satire, Religion, Signed, History of Religion, H.
L. Mencken) $850.00
012355 MENCKEN, H. L; NATHAN, GEORGE JEAN; & WRIGHT, WILLARD
HUNTINGTON [S. S. VAN DINE]. EUROPE AFTER 8:15 WITH TWO LETTERS BY
MENCKEN AND ONE BY NATHAN. New York: John Lane 1914. First Edition.
Notable not only as an early Mencken title but also as the first book
to be illustrated by Thomas Hart Benton with eight full-page plates.
The dustwrapper reproduces the Benton drawing on the cover of the
binding whichin this copy is in the second, usually encountered, state
stamped in black on the front and gold on the spine. Wright, who later
published under the pen name S.S. Van Dine, was the editor of SMART
SET and the spark behind this unsuccessful collaboration to depict the
night life in major European cities. This copy is enhanced with the
addition of two TYPED LETTERS SIGNEDby Mencken and one AUTOGRAPH
LETTER SIGNED by Nathan, all on AMERICAN MERCURY stationery to an Alan
Gardner of Massachusetts. In his letter Nathan states that he wrote
the pieces on Berlin and Paris; Mencken wrote the introduction,
Munich, and part of London; and Wright wrote the rest of London and
Vienna. The first of Mencken's two brief letters, dated 1928, infull:
"I suggest that you buy a Bible. You can get a superb one for $50
andit will console you all the rest of your life." Mencken's second
letter is a response to a letter from Gardner (also included)
complaining about Nathan's sudden absence from THE AMERICAN MERCURY
stating that "it seems improbable that Mr. Nathan will ever resume his
articles." Both Mencken letters are in the original envelopes. The
dustwrapper is complete with minor chipping to the spine head and a
clean separation of the front flap from the front panel, now somewhat
disguised by the mylar protector. Near Fine in a Very Good and
uncommon dustwrapper. (H. L. Mencken, Modern Firsts, George Jean
Nathan, S. S. Van Dine, Signed, Letters, Autographs, Travel, Early
Dustwrappers) SOLD
012317 NIXON, RICHARD. THE MEMOIRS OF RICHARD NIXON. New York:
Grosset & Dunlap (1978). First Edition. Illustrated with photographs.
One of an unknown limitation SIGNED in full by the former president on
the limitation page and not sold in bookstores. Mild sunning to spine
of book. Bookplate on front pastedown. Near Fine in Fine slipcase.
(Signed, Limited, Modern Firsts, Presidential, Autobiography, Memoirs,
Political, Americana, Biography) $450.00
012358 O'FLAHERTY, LIAM. THE FAIRY GOOSE AND TWO OTHER STORIES. New
York: Crosby Gaige 1927. First Edition. Cloth-backed decorated boards.
Copy #340 of 1190 SIGNED by the author. Slight wear to heel of spine.
Mostly unopened. Very Good or better, lacking the dustwrapper. (Modern
Firsts, Limited, 20th C. Brit. Lit., Irish Literature, Signed, Liam
O'Flaherty) $75.00
012331 PARKER, DOROTHY. NOT SO DEEP AS A WELL. New York: Viking 1936.
First Edition. Cloth-backed decorated boards. Decorations by Valenti
Angelo. Copy #353 of 485 SIGNED copies of Parker's Collected Poems
containing all of her classicgems including the two-liner that helped
to bring about the contact lens industry. Mild darkening to gutters
and slight wear to corners. Still Near Fine, lacking the slipcase.
(Dorothy Parker, Modern Firsts, Modern Poetry, Signed, Limited, Humor,
Algonquin Table, Valenti Angelo) $600.00
012363 POUND, EZRA. E.P. TO L.U.: NINE LETTERS WRITTEN TO LOUIS
UNTERMEYER BY EZRA POUND. Bloomington: Indiana University Press 1963.
First Edition. Decorated boards; 48 pages. Gallup A81: 1539 copies
printed. Illustrated with several facsimiles. A Review Copy with
publisher's slip laid in. Fine in original Fine unprinted acetate
dustwrapper. (Modern Firsts, Modern Poetry, Letters, Louis Untermeyer,
Review Copy, Ezra Pound) $35.00
012318 ROOSEVELT, ELEANOR. ON MY OWN. New York: Harper (1958). First
Edition. Illustrated with photographs. Her third volume of memoirs,
this an advance copy with a tipped-in sheet stating: "This copy of ON
MY OWN is one of those signed by Mrs. Roosevelt for advance
presentation to friends of the author and the publisher," and boldly
SIGNED by her beneath the statement. Some fading to the blue cloth,
mostly on the spine. Very Good in a price-clipped Near Fine
dustwrapper. (Politics, Americana, Autographs, Signed, Presidential,
First Ladies, Modern Firsts, Women's Literature, Advance Copy) $650.00
012319 ROOSEVELT, ELEANOR. ON MY OWN. New York: Harper (1958). Early
but not first printing. Illustrated with photographs. Her third volume
of memoirs. Near Fine, lacking the dustwrapper. (Politics, Americana,
Presidential, First Ladies, Women's Literature) $15.00
012343 (ROOSEVELT, ELEANOR) ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN. F.D.R. HIS PERSONAL
LETTERS. 1928 - 1945. New York: Duell, Sloan & Pearce (1950). First
Edition. Two volumes, edited by Elliott Roosevelt with a foreword by
Eleanor Roosevelt and SIGNED by both of them on the half title page of
the first volume. Assisted by Joseph Lash. Illustrated with
photographs and fascimiles. Uncommon books to find signed. Very Good
in a Good slipcase, worn but complete. (Politics, Eleanor Roosevelt,
Autographs, Signed, Presidential, First Ladies, Letters, Women's
Literature, Modern Firsts) $750.00
012342 SAINT EXUPERY, ANTOINE DE [ST. EXUPERY]. WIND, SAND AND STARS.
New York: Reynal & Hitchcock (1939). First American. Copy #367 of 500
numbered copies SIGNED by St. Exupery. With the original The American
Booksellers Association voted this book the best nonfiction title of
1939, and it ranks as one of the greatest aviation adventures ever
published. The typically worn spine has been here recently and
professionally replaced with a sympathetic blue morocco spine with
similar gilt lettering and decorations as the original. The slipcase
has minor neat repairs. Gorgeous copy. Fine in Near Fine original
slipcase sunned along the edges. (Modern Firsts, Signed, Limited,
Aviation, French Literature, Modern French Lit., Antoine St. Exupery,
Saint Exupery) $2000.00
012327 THACKERAY, WILLIAM MAKEPEACE. VANITY FAIR. Oxford: Limited
Editions Club 1931. Two large quarto volumes (7-1/2" x 11-3/8") bound
in half magenta linen, gold-stamped, and pattern-paper sides with
decorations by Albert Rutherston. Introduction by G. K. Chesterton.
Illustrated with lithographs by John Austen colored by hand by Daniel
Jacomet. Copy #354 of 1500 SIGNED by the illustrator. Long closed tear
on the rear of one dustwrapper the spines of which are a little
darkened. Fine in Near Fine dustwrappers and slipcase. Lovely set.
(LEC, Fine Press, Illustrated, Hand-colored, 19th C. Brit. Lit.,
Signed, Limited Editions, John Austen, Thackeray) $200.00
012366 UPDIKE, JOHN. MIDPOINT AND OTHER POEMS. New York: Alfred A.
Knopf 1969. First Edition. Very slightly cocked. Near Fine in Fine
dustwrapper. (Modern Poetry, Literary Firsts, Literature, Modern
Firsts, John Updike) $60.00
012338 VAN GOGH, VINCENT. THE COMPLETE LETTERS OF VINCENT VAN GOGH.
Greenwich, CT: New York Graphic Society [1958]. First Edition. Three
volumes bound in black cloth with heavily gilt-decorated spines. With
tipped-in plates in color and black and white throughout as well as
reproductions of all the drawings in the correspondence. Contains all
of Vincent's letters known to date and the few surviving ones that
Theo wrote to him. A monumental and beautiful work capturing Van
Gogh's life and struggles in his own words, printed here for the first
time. About Fine in Near Fine slipcase. (Vincent Van Gogh, Modern Art,
Art, Letters, Biography, 19th Century, Autobiography, Illustrated)
$450.00
012367 WILBUR, RICHARD. ADVICE TO A PROPHET AND OTHER POEMS. New
York: Harcourt Brace and World (1961). First Edition. Only 2000 copies
printed. SIGNED by the poet on the front endpaper in Key West 1993
with three lines of the title poem in his hand. Minor wear to the
dustwrapper. Near Fine in a Very Good dustwrapper. (Modern Firsts,
Modern Poetry, Richard Wilbur, Signed, Inscribed) $350.00
012369 WILBUR, RICHARD. CEREMONY. New York: Harcourt Brace and
Company (1950). First Edition. Poet's second book, becoming quite
scarce in this condition. Neat owner name on front endpaper; brief
closed tear at bottom of dustwrapper rear panel. Near Fine in a Near
Fine dustwrapper. (Modern Poetry, Modern Firsts, Richard Wilbur) $250.00
012368 WILBUR, RICHARD. THINGS OF THIS WORLD. New York: Harcourt
Brace and Company (1956). First Edition. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize
and the National Book Award. INSCRIBED and SIGNED by the poet on the
front endpaper in August 1956 "to Kitty Brooks (as was)/with best
regards,/Dick." Paperclip impression just above the inscription and
offsetting to the front pastedown. Some edgewear to the dustwrapper.
Very Good or better in a Very Good dustwrapper. (Modern Firsts, Modern
Poetry, Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Richard Wilbur, Signed,
Inscribed) $350.00
012329 WILDE, OSCAR. THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL. New York: Limited
Editions Club 1937. Quarto (7-1/2" x 11"). One of the more unusual
bindings of the press with the full granite-gray sheepskin leather
embossed to resemble a jail cell wall. Copy #1284 of 1500 illustrated
with 8 full-page ORIGINAL LITHOGRAPHS by Zhenya Gay and SIGNED by the
artist. Mild rubbing to spine tips but a nice example of a binding
where the spine is often badly rubbed or worse. Slipcase with a few
mild scratches. Near Fine in Near Fine slipcase. (LEC, Fine Press,
Illustrated, 19th C. Brit. Lit., Limited Editions, Oscar Wilde,
Signed, Orig. Lithographs, Fine Binding) $250.00
012336 WILDER, THORNTON. ARCHIVE OF 10 AUTOGRAPHED LETTERS SIGNED, 23
PAGES, TO MR. & MRS. GILBERT MILLER. A fine group of 10 letters
completely in Wilder's hand, ranging from 1 page to 4 pages and each
with a typed transcript formerly stapled to it, the earliest dated
1932 and the last 1949. All are to Gilbert Miller or hiswife. Miller
was a Broadway producer, writer, director, performer, and theatre
owner, the son of Henry Miller who opened the Henry Miller Theatre in
1918, scheduled to be torn down in March 2004 displacing its current
hitURINETOWN. In the first letter Wilder states he would be happy to
translateand adapt THE BRIDE OF TOROZKO for Miller, giving specific
details on how to improve the play including how to handle its
sympathies toward Jews: "The New York Jew is too selfconscious to
accept many of the statements in the First Act as material towards an
ultimately sympathetic point of view."In another letter Wilder thanks
Miller for sending him a script: "The French are forever charging the
Americans with sentimentality, but ... thisplay is deeply
sentimental." One letter is an extensive and detailed commentary on
plays by Sartre and Anouilh. Several letters discuss Sartre, mostly
praising him as a dramatist: "It's fascinating that he's had the
boldness to write a play laid in Mississippi. That's his idolatry of
Faulkner. It will look anti-American, but it's no worse than what is
in thepages of Faulkner and Caldwell and what is in our daily papers.
Devout Catholics hate Sartre and Communists hate Sartre. They go
gleefully to his repetitions and premieres in to start a riot." Some
browning from transcripts. Near Fine or better. (Thornton Wilder,
Modern Firsts, Autograph, Literary Firsts, Letter, Signed, Letters,
Archives, Theater) $7500.00
012339 WILDER, THORNTON. THE MERCHANT OF YONKERS: FINAL SETTING
TYPESCRIPT WITH CORRECTIONS IN WILDER'S HAND: TWO COPIES. TWO carbon
sets of the complete typescript of Wilder's play later revised by
Wilder into a Broadway hit THE MATCHMAKER, which in turn was
transformedinto the monster musical HELLO, DOLLY!. Each of the sets
contains nearly identical corrections in ink by Wilder, approximately
forty or so, ranging from filling in a lightly inked letter to adding
a line of stage direction.In addition there are several other pencil
corrections throughout each apparently in a different hand. Near Fine
or better and highly uncommon. (Thornton Wilder, Modern Firsts,
Autograph, Literary Firsts, Manuscripts, Signed, Musicals, Theater)
$5000.00
012334 WILDER, THORNTON. OUR TOWN. New York: Coward-McCann (1938).
First Edition. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a touchstone
of American theater. After reading this play, Albert Einstein wrote a
letter to Wilder comparing OUR TOWN to Homer's ODYSSEY and
Shakespeare's HAMLET, stating: "That an American of the present day
can create with such delicacy and detachment touches the soul like a
miracle." A tight, crisp copy in a beautiful dustwrapper with minor
wear to the spine tips and a superficial scratch and tiny closed tear
on the rear panel. The cloth is mildly sunned at the spine and to the
very top edges of both covers with no effect on either the front cover
or spine blue paper label. Lovely copy in brilliant dustwrapper. Hard
to improve on this. (Modern Firsts, Pulitzer Prize, Plays, Theater,
Thornton Wilder, High Spot, Drama) $2000.00
012341 WILDER, THORNTON. SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH. A 6-3/4" x 9-1/4" formal
portrait of Wilder in middle age or beyond by an unidentified
photographer INSCRIBED and SIGNED by the subject in the lower right
corner: "For Rosalind/Ivan/with the/regards and/thanks of/Thornton
Wilder." A couple of minor smudges to two words and written on a
portion of Wilder's dark suit but still quite clear and bold. Signed
photos of Wilder of quality are distinctly uncommon. A few minor
dings. Near Fine (Thornton Wilder, Modern Firsts, Photograph, Signed
Photograph, Autographs, Signed, Inscribed, Theater) $1500.00
012340 WILDER, THORNTON (CARL VAN VECHTEN). STUDIO PHOTOGRAPH BY CARL
VAN VECHTEN OF THORNTON WILDER FROM THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH. Fine 7" x
9-3/8" portrait of Wilder with Van Vechten's blindstamp at the bottom
and his ink stamp on the verso along with his ink notations: "Thornton
Wilder: The Skin of Our Teeth" and "xxv.ll.7/Aug 18 '48." This image
shows Wilder standing with the lapels of his trenchcoat in his hands
and staring off into the distance. This pose seems to be less common
than the one of Wilder seated on a chair. Fine (Thornton Wilder,
Modern Firsts, Photograph, Carl Van Vechten, Modern Photography,
Theater) $2500.00
012335 WILDER, THORNTON [JAMES JOYCE] [VICTOR HAMMER]. JAMES JOYCE
1882-1941. [Aurora, NY]: [Wells College Press] [1944]. First Edition.
Sewn printed grayish wrappers lettered in red; 12 pages. First
Separate Edition of this essay reprinted from POETRY (March 1941) in
an edition of only 150 copies printed by Victor and Jacob Hammer,
issued as their AURORA IV. One of the scarcest Wilder items. Tiny edge
tear. About Fine (Modern Firsts, Victor Hammer, James Joyce, Limited,
Thornton Wilder, Fine Press) $850.00
012332 WILDER, THORNTON [ROCKWELL KENT]. THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY.
New York: Albert & Charles Boni 1929. Quarto (7-1/2" x 11") bound in
pictorial cloth with color illustratons by Rockwell Kent. Copy #844 of
1100 SIGNED by both the author and the illustrator. Very mild soiling
to covers; leather spine label completely intact. Slipcase with just a
few minor nicks and scrapes. Near Fine in Near Fine slipcase. (Modern
Firsts, Fiction, Rockwell Kent, Pulitzer Prize, Signed, Limited,
Thornton Wilder, Movie Fiction, Illustrated) $350.00
--
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