[Rarebooks] FS: James Joyce: First Editions, Signed, Scarce. Part I

[Charles Agvent]

1.  JOYCE, James. "A New Unnamed Work" in TWO WORLDS. Volume I,  #1-4.
New  York: Two Worlds Publishing Co 1925-1926. Original printed wraps,
each  one  of  450 numbered copies of a total edition of  500,  though
none  of  these  four  issues is numbered.  The  first  appearance  in
America  of  portions  of  FINNEGANN'S WAKE,  though  unauthorized  by
Joyce.  Some  rubbing to the spines, but the covers are  secure.  Each
issue  has its own original black cardboard slipcase. Near Fine copies
of these fragile periodicals.                                  $450.00

2.  JOYCE,  James. "A New Unnamed Work" in TWO WORLDS. Volume  I,  #4.
New  York: Two Worlds Publishing Co June 1926. Original printed wraps,
Copy  #353 of 450 numbered copies of a total edition of 500. The first
appearance  in  America  of this portion of FINNEGANN'S  WAKE,  though
unauthorized  by  Joyce.  The book would not appear until  1939.  Near
Fine copy of this fragile periodical.                           $75.00

3.  JOYCE, James. ANNA LIVIA PLURABELLE. New York: Crosby Gaige  1928.
First  Edition. Brown cloth with gilt decorations. Preface by  Padraic
Colum.  The  first book publication of this, or for that  matter  any,
excerpt  from  FINNEGANS WAKE, this text perhaps being the best  known
part  of  the  book.  Copy  #233 of 800 SIGNED  by  the  author.  Some
discoloration to the covers, still a Near Fine copy.          $3500.00

4.  JOYCE, James. CHAMBER MUSIC. Boston: Cornhill Company [1918].  The
unauthorized   First  American  edition   of  Joyce's  first   book, a
collection  of  poetry. Minor dampstain at the base of the  gutter  on
most  pages.  Near  Fine in original glassine with long tears  on  the
rear.                                                          $250.00

5.  JOYCE,  James.  CHAMBER MUSIC. London: Egoist Press  1923.  Of  an
edition  of  500 copies of this, the Third English Edition,  only  107
were  bound  before Jonathan Cape acquired the sheets. This is one  of
those  now  quite uncommon 107 copies. Minor foxing to  the  endpapers
and  the  half title page. Light wear to the green cloth  and  slight,
small  spots of discoloration to the top of the front board. Very Good
and very difficult to locate.                                  $750.00

6.  JOYCE, James. COLLECTED POEMS OF JAMES JOYCE. New York: Black  Sun
Press  1936. First Edition. Decorated white boards. Copy #212 of  800,
the  first  50  being  signed by Joyce.  Frontispiece  from  a  crayon
portrait   of  the  author  by   Augustus  John.  Includes  the  first
appearance  in  America  of  "Pomes   Penyeach"  and  the  first  book
appearance  of "Ecce Puer." Mild soiling to boards. Near Fine, lacking
original glassine.                                             $600.00

7.  JOYCE, James. DUBLINERS. [New York]: Limited Editions Club (1986).
Quarto  (8-1/2"  x 11") bound in quarter green Oasis goat leather  and
Irish  handkerchief linen turned over the boards. Illustrated with six
photogravures    by  Robert  Ballagh   printed  on   handmade   paper.
Introduction  by  Thomas Flanagan. One of 1000 numbered copies  SIGNED
by  the  photographer  and  by Flanagan. Fine in  Fine  slipcase  with
Monthly Letter laid in.                                        $700.00

8.  JOYCE,  James.  DUBLINERS.  London:  Grant  Richards  1914.  First
Edition.  Original  red  cloth with gilt lettering.  The  very  scarce
original  edition  of  Joyce's  landmark book comprised  of  15  short
stories  including  the  title story, "Araby," and  "The  Dead."  Of a
total  of  1250  copies,  this  is one of only  746  copies  bound  by
Richards  with the other 504 sent to America for the edition published
by  B. W. Huebsch. A rare book seldom seen in any condition, this copy
seems  to  have  been either retouched or is something of  an  anomaly
from  the publisher. The red dye to the cloth seems streaked  somewhat
on  the front cover with the gilt there mostly dull though the gilt on
the  spine  is  very  strong.  The  endpapers,  which  are  completely
original,  are  dyed  red and are wove while the text is  laid  paper.
Slocum  in  his bibliography of Joyce notes that the endpapers  should
be  cream-white  and wove. We are unaware of any other copy  that  has
red  endpapers as does this one. In addition all edges are trimmed and
dyed  red  as well; Slocum notes the trimming but says  nothing  about
the  color. Both blanks and the half title are of course present.  The
text  is  very  clean  with  one  page  having  several  words  rubbed
resulting  in  light inking and someone has inked over several of  the
letters.  On the front endpaper is the owner name of Fagge dated 1914.
Overall   Near  Fine,  lacking   the  extremely  scarce   dustwrapper.
                                                             $12,500.00

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CHARLES AGVENT
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Mertztown, PA  19539-8750
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