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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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
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 The publication announcement was withdrawn, but the copies were not destroyed and eventually circulated.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, with eight pages of advertisements bound in at the front. 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..... 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
(Elder Mfg. Co., c. 1950). A notepad in which each sheet is printed with a different quote from Mark Twain at the top. The base of each page is printed with "Buy by name - buy... Mark Twain shirts by Elder." Twain gave permission to Miller and Bingham Company to..... More
NY: Harper, (1958). First edition. First issue of dust wrapper, which carries the statement in the biographical blurb that Updike had "two small children." Updike's first book, a collection of lean and sly poems, among which one, titled "Ex-Basketball Player," almost seems a rough character sketch for Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom..... 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
Sauk City, WI: Arkham House, 1946. First edition of the author’s first book. One of the most popular science fiction novels ever, Slan was first published in Astounding Science Fiction in 1940. The plot revolves around the classic science fiction motif: the struggle between mutants and humans in a period..... More
Newburyport, MA: Wickford Press, 1968. Octavo. 12pp. First separate edition of an essay that was first published in the New York Times. One of 250 copies. Red two-line initials and title device. Printed in celebration of Christmas 1968. Updike's thoughts on meeting one's literary heroes, for better or worse, and..... More
N.p. c. 1920s. Octavo. (1)ff. Leaf excised from an unknown book, inscribed to Richard Vernon Johnson from his sister Marian. The leaf is also signed by the editors Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora Archibald Smith, her sister. Kate Douglas Wiggin is best known for writing Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, but..... More
(Norfolk, CT: New Directions Books, 1956). First edition. One of 100 copies, signed by Tennessee Williams. Printed by Peter Beilinson at the Peter Pauper Press. Overlooked in light of Williams’s titanic reputation as a playwright is the fact that his first appearance in print was in the 1944 anthology Five..... More
(NY): New Directions, (1947). First edition. This is Williams's most famous play, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama the year it was published. Legend has it that the audience applauded for half an hour after the debut performance ended. Williams also wrote the screenplay for the 1951 film, which..... More
E. Wilson: (N.p, c. 1951). First edition. Inscribed by Wilson, "Happy New Year to Giorgio and Dorothy from E.W." A thirteen-page pamphlet issued as a New Year's greeting by the Wilsons. Curwen patterned wrappers lightly browned at top and spine, barely discernible stain on lower front wrapper, and small bump..... More
(London): Golden Cockerel Press, 1948. Tall octavo. 28pp. From an edition of 750, this is one of 100 copies specially bound and with an extra engraving. The twelve engravings by John Buckland Wright, with their supple lines and rich settings, perfectly complement Swinburne’s long erotic poem. In full sienna morocco..... More
NY: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1933; 1934. First Edition. Laid in is a typed letter, signed, from Wylie to a Mr. Langdon, dated April 13, 1943, which reads: “My dear Mr. Langdon…….Jesus Christ! What a letter! My reply is belated. The paraphrase may refresh your memory. But I am sorry..... More
Covelo, CA: Yolla Bolly Press, (1994). Quarto. xiv, (ii), 124pp. From an edition of 141 copies, 121 of which were for sale, this is one of 85 copies signed by Octavio Paz, who selected and edited the poems, Eliot Weinberger, who provided a commentary, and the illustrator, Enrique Chagoya. The..... More
