There is a deceptively simple goal for the collector of first editions: to obtain the earliest printed form of a work of literature, in as close to the condition it was in when it first appeared in bookstores as a new book. Dig deeper, though, and you find that the first edition collector also has an interest in ...
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NY: Ballantine Books, 1957. First edition. A sort of interstellar Robinson Crusoe, Cycle of Fire follows the survival of human castaway Nils Kruger and his shipwrecked extraterrestrial companion Dar. As they travel across an unfamiliar planet, they learn to communicate and trust one another, eventually sharing critical knowledge that ensures..... More
Garden City: Doubleday & Co., 1954. First edition. Signed by Clement on the title page, under which he has also signed his real name, Harry Stubbs, in parentheses. Clement is one of the premier practioners of hard science fiction. His best novels concern the lives of aliens in their own..... More
London: Lockwood & Co., 1864. Octavo. (4), 204pp. First edition. Inscription on recto of frontispiece identifies author: “Geo. Evans presented to him by the Author H. Cowen the 20 Sept. 1866.” In standard references and OCLC previous to this copy’s discovery, the book was recorded as anonymous or according to..... More
Garden City: Doubleday, 1974. First edition. Winner of the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. A later, but effective synthesis of Dick's signature themes: the loss of identity and existence of alternate realities. Remainder spray to bottom edge, else fine in dust wrapper. (Barron 4-137). More
NY: Doubleday, 1976. First edition. A collaborative first between Dick and Zelazny, who in their own rights weigh as heavyweights in the world of science fiction. Their novel charts the aftermath of World War Three and the rise of a new religion gathered around an enigmatic "Deus Irae", and the..... More
Hicksville, NY: Gnome Press, 1959. First edition. Inscription of publisher, Martin Greenberg, on front paste-down identifies this as the publisher’s file copy. Gnome Press, though short-lived, was responsible for the publication of many significant works in the Golden Age of science fiction. Their output included Arthur C. Clarke’s The Sands..... More
(London: Harper Collins, 1992). Three volumes, all first editions. The trilogy treats the planet as a habitable environment for humans and explores its colonization. Offers vivid, breathtaking descriptions of the Martian landscape, impressive character development, and what Barron claims "may well be the finest hard-science fiction novel of the last..... More
Reading, PA: Fantasy Press, 1950. First edition. One of 500 copies signed by the author. A short novel dealing with time travel is coupled with a short story entitled "The Changeling," both of which were later published separately. Top corner of front endpaper is clipped, and "signed" is written in..... More
Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire: Seven Acres Press, 1927. Octavo. 10pp. One of 125 copies, this copy out-of-series. With woodcut illustrations: architectural border on the title page, six vignettes, eleven initials, and one tail-piece. First page printed in black and red. The binding of this copy, although unsigned, was done by Haberly..... More
Stratford-on-Avon: Shakespeare Head Press, 1904-1906. Ten quarto volumes. This is one of only twelve sets printed on pure vellum with a frontispiece illustration in each volume. It represents a monumental undertaking, which took four years to complete and consumed about 250 sheets for each of the twelve copies printed on..... More
(Mount Vernon, NY: Artists & Writers Protest Inc., 1967). Folio. (28)pp. One of 100 deluxe copies. A collection of eighteen poems by writers who contributed their work as a form of opposition to the Vietnam War. The collection was edited by the artist Jack Sonenberg and contains works by Denise..... More
(Flemington, NJ: St. Teresa's Press, 1966). Small quarto. 14pp. One of 150 copies. With a lovely hand-painted title page and decorative initials modeled after the Book of Kells. Letterpress printed in Solemnis and Palatino Italic on handmade English paper. A short-lived and very fine small press, St. Teresa's flourished in..... More
London: Methuen & Co. Ltd., (1932). First edition, in second issue dust wrapper from 1933. Told by the same “last man” who related the history of humanity’s future in Last and First Men, this work describes the last man’s exploration of the consciousness of present-day Englishman Paul. The advanced being..... More
London: Metuen & Co. Ltd., 1932. First edition, first issue. Told by the same “last man” who related the history of humanity’s future in Last and First Men, this work describes the last man’s exploration of the consciousness of present-day Englishman Paul. The advanced being experiences the world through Paul..... More
London: Methuen, (1935). First edition, first issue, with ads at rear dated “535” (i.e., May, 1935); later issues bear an August date. One of 3096 copies printed. A novel that explores the idea of a Nietzschean “Super-man” with great mental prowess living among ordinary human beings. John Wainwright, the titular..... More
NY: Knopf, 1931. Second edition, third binding. This edition contains fourteen new poems, while dropping three from the original edition. The complete printing of the second edition consisted of 1,500 copies, which were bound over a period of thirteen years. This copy is inscribed by Stevens on a preliminary blank..... More
Philadelphia: (Harry Elkins Widener), 1912. Quarto. 27pp. One of forty-five copies, printed for private distribution only. Stevenson's memoir of his early years, printed from the original manuscript belonging to H. E. Widener. Bound in gray-blue paper. Faintest soiling to exterior, else a fine copy of an exceptionally rare edition. More
London: Privately printed, 1898. Octavo. (13)ff. First edition. One of thirty copies. First published unintentionally and without permission. The publication announcement was withdrawn, but the copies were not destroyed and eventually circulated. Includes facsimiles of the original manuscripts. In cream Japan paper over boards with gilt title on toned and..... More
N.p. Prime Press, 1948. First deluxe edition. One of 100 copies, signed by the author and the illustrator L. Robert Tschirky. Sturgeon’s first book, this copy has been inscribed by Sturgeon to “Onkl J” Stanton. Limitation notice hand-written by a member of the Prime Press on front paste-down, which certifies..... More
Tokyo: John Weatherhill, Inc., 1972. Folio. 123pp. One of 183 copies, printed on handmade Japanese paper and signed and sealed by the author and the artist. A collection of Japanese tales of the supernatural "mono no ke" illustrated by Sumiyoshi with paintings composed of the title or theme of each..... More
NY: Ballantine Books, (1955). First edition of the author’s first book. Inscribed by Tenn to prominent science fiction fan and advocate Dirce Archer, or rather, “To all possible Dirce Archers,” and includes his real name, P[hilip] Klass in parentheses. Four powerful novelettes that expose the author’s sense of humor: “Firewater,”..... More
London: Edward Moxon, 1855. First edition, second issue. Victorian novelist and poet George Meredith's copy, with his signature on the title page. The volume is the first collection produced by Tennyson after he was named Poet Laureate. "Maud," Tennyson's emotional and, at times, ironic narrative poem precedes seven other poems..... More
Boston: Riverside Press, 1929. Seven octavo volumes. One of 500 large paper copies. Includes illustrations from photographs of Tennyson's country by Charles S. Olcott, as well as a portrait of the author. Introduction by Henry Van Dyke. ALs by Tennyson tipped-in to preliminary leaf. A lovely set bound in full..... More
1925. A humorous cartoon measuring 10 by 8 1/2 inches. Celebrated playwright Henrik Ibsen, shown in caricature with a wild beard and hair, is depicted surrounded by four of his heroines, including Hedda Gabler and Nora from A Doll's House. Not all seem very happy to see him: Hedda points..... More
(Poiano, Italy: Franco Riva, 1979). Folio. (6)ff. One of 120 copies. Illustrated with a frontispiece etching by Italian artist Ernesto Treccani, with his signature in pencil below. A translation of Dylan Thomas' poem into Italian by Anna Maria Faccini. Part of the "Lectura Dominica" series issued by Franco Riva. Leaves..... More
