We found 118894 price guide item(s) matching your search

COLLINS, (Suzanne), The Hunger Games, Collector's Edition, New York, Scholastic Press, 2011, with slipcase, together with MANTEL, (Hilary), Bring up the Bodies, signed first edition, London, Fourth Estate, 2012, (2)

JAMES, (P.D.), Shroud for a Nightingale, first edition, London, Faber and Faber, 1971Condition Report: First endpaper bearing remains of library label. Copyright page with stamp for East Lothian Library.

JOHNS, (Captain W.E.Johns), Biggles, and the Deep Blue Sea, Leicester, Brockhampton Press Ltd, first edition, 1968, together with Biggles, Sorts it Out, Brockhampton Press Ltd, first edition, 1967, (2)Condition Report: Biggles Sorts it Out is price clipped.

HUNT, (John) (1910 - 1998). The Ascent of Everest, 40th Anniversary Edition, Hodder & Stoughton,1993, first Limited edition, number 217 of 500 copies, commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the First Ascent on 29th May, 1953, forward by John Hunt, SIGNED by ten surviving members of the 1953 British Everest Expedition, including John Hunt, Charles Evans, Griffith Pugh, George Band, Alfred Gregory, George Lowe, Michael Westmacott, Charles Wylie, Michael Ward and Edmund Hillary, in a blue cloth slipcase.

MACLEAN, (Alistair), H.M.S. Ulysses, 1st edition, London, Collins, 1955, together with The Guns of Navarone, 1st edition, Collins, 1957, and South by Java Head, first edition, 1958, (3)

AUSTEN, (Jane), Emma, illustrated by Hugh Thomson, London, Macmillan & Co., reprint 1897, inscribed and dated 1898, together with JEROME, (K.Jerome), Three Men in a Boat, Bristol, first edition, J.W.Arrowsmith, 1889, STEVENSON, (R.L), A Child's Garden of Verses, illustrated by Charles Robinson, London, The Bodley Head, 1896, and ANDERSEN, (Hans), Fairy Tales, A New Translation by Mrs.H.B.Paull, London, Warne and Co., late 19th century, inscribed and dated 1888, re-boarded, (4)

Hornby (China) R3074 (Limited Edition) 4-6-0 GWR King Class Steam Locomotive No. 6002 "King William IV" complete with certificate No. 625 of 1200 produced along with souvenier first day cover issue of Hornby Great British Railways Stamps, as produced for the Royal Mail Company. Contents are still factory tissue  wrapped so assumed Mint in Excellent Plus box. 

Jewellery reference. Two vintage reference books on watches. Comprising 1988 Time in Gold Wristwatches by Viola Brunner publ. Schiffer Publishing Ltd., and 1988 Patek Philippe Geneve guide by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, stated first edition. Illustrated with photographs in colour & black and white throughout. Each in publisher's orig. cloth with dust wrappers, appearing unread & in excellent bright condition with just light shelfwear. Folio.

A first edition of Elsa Lanchester, Herself, the autobiography of the acclaimed actress Elsa Lanchester, best known for her iconic role as The Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Published in 1983 by St. Martin’s Press, this hardcover book provides an insightful and witty account of her life, career, and marriage to Charles Laughton. Featuring a dust jacket with a striking black-and-white portrait of Lanchester, the book also includes press clippings related to her later life and health, making it a compelling piece for collectors and fans of classic Hollywood and biographical literature.Issued: 20th century Dimensions: 6.5"L x 1.25"W x 9.5"H Condition: Age related wear.

This first edition hardcover book, Little Girl Lost: The Life & Hard Times of Judy Garland, written by Al DiOrio, Jr., explores the tumultuous life and career of Hollywood legend Judy Garland. Published in 1973, this biography delves into Garland's rise to stardom, struggles with addiction, personal relationships, and lasting legacy. The book includes rare photographs and insights into her life, as well as details on her career milestones and personal hardships. The dust jacket features a bold red and purple design with a black-and-white image of Garland, adding to its vintage appeal. A must-have for Judy Garland collectors, classic Hollywood enthusiasts, and biography readers.Issued: 1973Dimensions: 6.5"L x 1"W x 9.75"H Condition: Age related wear.

A first edition of The Dress Doctor, written by legendary Hollywood costume designer Edith Head with Jane Kesner Ardmore. Published in 1959 by Little, Brown and Company, this book offers an insightful look into Head’s career dressing the stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age. The book features sketches by Edith Head and black-and-white photographs of iconic film stars, including Marlene Dietrich, Sophia Loren, Gloria Swanson, and Grace Kelly. The hardcover edition includes its original bookplate, and the spine is adorned with red decorative details. An essential collector’s piece for fashion historians, film memorabilia enthusiasts, and lovers of classic Hollywood glamour.Issued: 20th century Dimensions: 5.75"L x 1"W x 8.5"HCondition: Age related wear.

Autographed Derby County 1972 Photo-Edition : Col, Measuring 16 X 12 Depicting Derby County Players And Coaching Staff Posing With The First Division Trophy During A Photo-Shoot At The Baseball Ground In 1972, Signed By 9 Players In Black Marker - Hennessey, Webster, Boulton, Todd, Gemmill, O'Hare, McFarland, Hector And Hinton. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99

William Shakespeare, "The Tempest," London: Heinemann, 1926. First edition, illustrated by Arthur Rackham. With 20 tipped-in color plates. Volume bound in black half-morocco leather with gilt tooling to the covers and spine with raised bands.Height: 10 in x width: 7 3/4 in x depth: 1 1/4 in.Condition: All pages and plates are present and accounted for. There is wear throughout consistent with age and use including minute penciled inscriptions along a few pages. Some toning and soiling including foxing to the pages throughout, especially along pg. 63. Some wear to the extreme edges, such as heavy toning. Light wear along the exterior cover.

Ansel Adams (American, 1902-1984). Gelatin silver print photograph titled "Mirror Lake, Yosemite," originally captured 1925 and re-printed ca. 1975-1980. Signed in pencil along the lower right margin below the photograph. Stamped along the verso "Special Edition of Fine Prints - Photographs of Yosemite by Ansel Adams. This print is 145 of S.E.Y. No. 6." with the title.Lot Essay:Ansel Adams is one of the best known photographers of the American West, with his works increasing awareness of and the mystique of the National Parks. His stark, dramatic images capture the awe-inspiring nature of the landmarks he photographed. His photography was entwined with his interest in environmental activism, photographing nature with an eye for preservation.Adams was gifted his first camera on a family trip to Yosemite in 1916, which ignited his love for both photography and the park. By early adulthood, Adams had moved to Yosemite full time, and spent his time exploring and photographing the park. His first photographs were published in 1921, and by 1925 he had developed his signature style of a sharp focus and large contrast. He continued refining this style, going against the grain of the popular misty pictorialism of the time.He kept his dedication to the natural world in his photography throughout his career, and was involved in conservation efforts through the Sierra Club, among others. In addition, he played a major role in the recognition of photography by art museums and institutions, helping to establish the department of photography at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.Image: 7 5/8 in x width: 9 1/2 in. Sheet; height: 12 in x width: 13 5/8 in.Condition: The photograph is mounted to a stiff paper. There is a deep curve to the paper and thus the photograph. Small bump to the upper left edge of the image. Other than that, the emulsion is smooth and without breaks. No tears or restorations. The work is not framed.

John Eckel, "The First Editions of the Writings of Charles Dickens and Their Values," 1913. London: Chapman & Hall, Ltd. Limited large edition with cream colored spine and gilt tooling. Signed and editioned no. 244/250 with 34 plates and additional illustrations in-text.Height: 10 1/2 in x width: 8 1/2 in x depth: 2 in.Condition: All pages and plate appear present and intact. Light wear throughout consistent with age and use including minute penciled inscriptions along a few pages, toning and minute soiling, particularly along the title page. Wear and toning along the exterior edges of the deckled paper textblock. Light wear to cover, particularly along the lower edge. Light toning and wear to the spine.

Joseph Heller, "Catch-22," New York, Simon & Schuster, 1961. First edition.Height: 8 1/2 in x width: 6 in x depth: 1 3/4 in.Condition: All pages are present and accounted for. There are no visible tears, losses, or significant creases to the pages. Light soiling including a pen inscription along the first page of the book and a minute spot along the lower, exterior-facing corner of pages 12-17. Wear to the dust jacket including some creasing and small chips, consistent with age and use. Light toning along the extreme edges of the pages and the exterior facing edges of the text block.

Virginia Woolf, "Night and Day," New York: Doran, 1920. First edition.Height: 7 1/4 in x width: 5 in x depth: 1 1/2 in.Condition: All pages are present and accounted for. There are no major visible tears or losses. Minute crease along the upper right corner between pages 49-62. The exterior facing edges of the text block are toned, consistent with age.

William Burroughs, "Naked Lunch," Paris: Olympia Press, 1959. First edition.Height: 8 1/4 in x width: 5 3/4 in x depth: 1 1/4 in.Condition: All pages are present and accounted for. There are no visible tears, losses, or significant creases to the pages. Wear to the dust jacket including a small loss along the upper edge of the spine, consistent with age and use. Light toning along the extreme edges of the pages. Light soiling along the exterior facing edges of the text block.

J.M. Barrie, "Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens," London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1906. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham. First edition, with 50 tipped-in color plates.Height: 10 in x width: 7 1/2 in x depth: 2 1/4 in.Condition: All pages and plates are present and accounted for. There are no obvious losses. There is wear throughout consistent with age and use including minute penciled inscriptions along a few pages. Some toning to the pages throughout; uneven heavy toning to the first page. A few areas of soiling along the title page. The front endpaper page has torn along the binding. Some wear to the gilt edges, particularly along the lower right, exterior corner. Light wear including a few faint scratches or light scuffs along the exterior cover. The leather is becoming detached along the extreme edges of the upper inch of the spine.

WILLIAM ROBERTSON SMITH STOTT (SCOTTISH 1870 - 1939), A DEMURE BEAUTY oil on canvas, signed and dated 1906framedimage size 80cm x 60cm, overall size 105cm x 85cm Note: William Robertson Smith Stott, born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on 5 August 1878, the youngest of nine children of joiner/carpenter Alexander Stott and his wife Margaret (nee Petrie). Stott was raised in Aberdeen but subsequently moved to London. He was active as a portrait artist from around 1905 and, by the early 1920s, was living at 14 Cheyne Row, Chelsea, London, a very affluent area of the city and an indication of his commercial success. Whilst he continued to accept commissions as a painter, his skills as a book illustrator brought him a constant and substantial income. Numerous romantic historical adventures, including an edition of Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson (Cassell, 1913) published with 8 colour plates by Stott. Other books illustrated by Stott include Pioneers of Australia (c.1910), The Romance of Canada (c.1910) and The Romance of India (c.1913), all edited by Herbert Strang, Two Dover Boys; or, Captured by Corsairs by Gertrude Hollis (1911), Hawkwood the Brave by William Beck (1911), The Ferry House Girls by Bessie Marchant (1912), The Air Scout by Herbert Strang (1912), The Adventurous Seven by Bessie Marchant (1914), Brave Deeds of the War by Donald A. Mackenzie (with others, 1916) and The History of Tom Jones by Henry Fielding (1934). A few of his original book illustrations have appeared at auction around Europe over recent years including at Bristol Auctions 25th March 2010 lot 208 ''South of Braemar'' selling for £2200 but so far as we can see from auction records, this is the first of his major paintings to be offered at auction. Stott died at a Belgravia Nursing Home on 19 December 1939, aged 61, a far cry from his humble roots.

White (Patrick) The Ploughman and other poems, first edition, one of 300 copies, woodcut illustrations by L. Roy Davies, small patch of browning to half-title, ink inscriptions to front endpapers, newspaper clipping tipped onto rear pastedown, light browning to endpapers, original cloth, slight fading to spine, light rubbing to extremities, housed in calf-backed, drop-back box, 8vo, Sydney, 1935.*** The author's scarce first published book. 

[Ricketts (Charles)], "Jean Paul Raymond". Beyond the Threshold, first edition, [one of 150 copies], 5 plates by Charles Ricketts, original crimson morocco, elaborately ruled and blocked in gilt to a design by Charles Ricketts, signed at foot, spine gilt, t.e.g., others uncut, light rubbing to spine tips and corners, an excellent copy otherwise, preserved in custom morocco-backed drop-back box by Sangorski & Sutcliffe/ Zaehnsdorf, large 8vo, privately printed at the Curwen Press, [1929].*** Dialogues of the dead between Flaubert, Nietzsche and Oscar Wilde, amongst others.

Harris (Frank) The Women of Shakespeare, first American edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Charlie Chaplin, great artist, king friend from the author, Frank Harris. 57 Fifth Avenue. 1920. New York City" with longer inscription below highlighting aspects of the work to front free endpaper, some cracking to gutter but firm, occasional corner creasing, original cloth, slight browning to spine, small mark to upper cover, light rubbing and slight bumping to spine tips and corners, small mark to upper cover, preserved in custom green morocco drop-back box, 8vo, New York, 1912.*** An excellent association copy, Harris and Chaplin were friends and Chaplin a noted collector of the author's works. The two men had hoped to collaborate in adapting some of Harris' works though this appears never to have progressed very far. Harris wrote two books on Shakespeare and suggested these to Chaplin as possible subjects for a film in a letter dated 28th March 1928, it may be that the present inscription was another attempt to interest Chaplin in an adaptation. 

[Flecker (James Elroy)] The Best Man, first edition, [illustrations by John Davidson Beazley], some light creasing and scattered spotting, original pictorial wrappers, ink ownership inscription to head of upper wrappers, splitting to spine, chipped to spine ends, light creasing, some slight fraying to extremities, housed in folding chemise with bookplate of Oliver Brett and H. Bradley Martin to inside cover, 4to, [Oxford], [Holywell Press], 1906.*** The Bradley Martin copy of the author's rare first book, published while he was a student at Oxford. We can trace only one other example at auction. 

Raffalovich (Marc-Andre) Roses of Shadow, first edition, light foxing, original wrappers, minor chipping to spine tips, a fine copy, preserved along with A.L.s. from Walter Pater to the author's mother "I take this opportunity of telling you how much pleasure I have found in the acquaintance of your son André, for whom I hope all the happiness in life which his charming character, and interesting mind, deserves. Should you ever visit Oxford, it will be an honour to make you acquainted with its remarkable objects" (spotted, tipped onto card mount) in card chemise and custom calf drop-back box, large 8vo, Privately printed and not for general distribution, [c.1895].*** Raffalovich's rare one-act play with an excellent letter by Pater who encountered the young writer at Oxford. We can trace only one other example at auction. 

[Crowley (Aleister)], "Rev. C. Verey". Clouds Without Water, first edition, printed on Van Gelder Zonen hand-made paper, original cream wrappers, light creasing and browning to spine, slight marking and surface-soiling to covers, a near-fine example, preserved in folding chemise and morocco-backed slip-case, [Yorke 29], small 4to, Privately Printed for circulation among ministers of religion, 1909.*** The rare state "b", often used by Crowley for presentation to friends. Crowley also ordered 2 copies to be printed on vellum as well as a more common (though still scarce) state "c" (see next lot).Crowley here pretends to be the fictitious censorious clergyman Verey, ostensibly attacking the poetry contained in the work which in reality allowed the author to both publish poetry celebrating satanic worship and lampoon the disapproving reaction it would likely provoke.

Pickthall (Marmaduke) The Myopes, first edition, John Betjeman's copy with a charming pencil drawing of an English country church facing title, front free endpaper trimmed at head, cracking to lower joint, original cloth, slight toning to spine, spine ends and corners a little bumped with short nicks to spine ends, but a near-fine copy generally, preserved in folding chemise and morocco-backed slip-case, 8vo, 1907.

Crowe (Catherine) Ghosts and Family Legends. A Volume for Christmas, first edition, armorial bookplate of Robert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe to front pastedown partially obscuring the ink ownership inscription of his father, Richard Monckton Milnes, original cloth, very slight shelf-lean, light sunning to spine, minor fraying to spine tips and corners, light rubbing, a sharp, near-fine example overall, preserved in custom green morocco drop-back box, spine lettered in gilt with red morocco labels and image of a grey spectre, [Sadleir 664a; Summers pp.32-33] 8vo, Thomas Cautley Newby, 1859.*** Crowe's final collection of supernatural tales, rare in the cloth in such superb condition. 

[Maturin (Charles Robert)], "Dennis Jasper Murphy". Fatal Revenge; Or, The Family of Montorio. A Romance, 3 vol., first edition, vol. 2 lacking final blank f. and rear endpaper, vol. 3 lacking final advertisement f. and with front free endpaper laid onto pastedown, foxing and occasional light browning, some light creasing, some marking or staining to margins, ink and pencil ownership inscriptions to front endpapers, contemporary tree calf, spines gilt, neatly and sympathetically rebacked, bumping to corners, rubbing and slight wear to extremities, preserved in custom calf-backed drop-back box with gilt spines, [Sadleir, 1664; Summers p.31; Tymn 1-239; Wolff 4648], 12mo, Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1807.*** Maturin's scarce first novel, a typically convoluted Gothic work that nevertheless brought him to the attention of Sir Walter Scott and Lord Byron. 

Jepson (Edgar) Memories of an Edwardian and Neo-Georgian, first edition, initialled presentation inscription from the author to John Gawsworth "Modern Civilization has all the stimulation of ozone from a fried fish shop" to front free endpaper, additionally signed by Arthur Machen (below his portrait facing p. 60), M.P. Shiel (as "Matthew R[ex]" on p. 242), Frederick Carter (below his portrait of Ford Madox Ford facing p. 262) and Henry Savage (on p. 279), pencil note below each inscription and to rear pastedown in Gawsworth's hand, frontispiece working loose, plates, some scattered spotting, original cloth, some slight bumping and fraying to spine tips and corners, dust-jacket, spine browned, spine ends and corners chipped, light toning and surface soiling to panels, extremities rubbed, preserve in custom folding chemise and slip-case, 8vo, 1937.*** A fine presentation copy of a scarce book in its rare dust-jacket. 

[Hogg (James)] The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner, first edition, engraved facsimile letter frontispiece, some very light marginal soiling but a very clean copy generally, book label of John Sparrow to front pastedown, original cloth-backed boards, rebacked, retaining much of (chipped and browned) backstrip, covers rubbed, uncut, preserved in custom morocco-backed drop-back box, [Garside, Raven and Schowerling 1824:50; Sadleir 1198; Tymn 1-165; not in Wolff], 8vo Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, 1824.*** The John Sparrow copy in boards of Hogg's gothic masterpiece. "Hogg's theme of the disintegration of the self paved the way for the mature Gothics of Poe and Hawthorne in the 1830s" - Tymn.

Waugh (Evelyn) Decline and Fall [&] Viles Bodies [&] A Handful of Dust [&] Black Mischief, together 4 vol., each number 3 of 12 large-paper copies signed and numbered by the author, contemporary blue morocco, spines a little darkened, t.e.g., others uncut, Chapman and Hall, 1937; and a copy of the Glen Horowitz catalogue for the Library of Michael M. Thomas, housed in calf-backed drop-back box to almost match the set, large 8vo (5)*** A superb set of this rare limited edition, likely the only such set to exist. Waugh requested this series to be printed in conjunction with the third, reset, trade editions. Most copies were presented individually to close friends and family, however this set was presented, in its entirety, to Thomas Balston, director of the publishers Duckworth and Co. who had given the young Evelyn his first break in the literary world, when he gave him a £50 advance for his biography of Rossetti. 

Emmanuel-Joseph Orazi (1860-1934)Le  crépuscule du soir’, an original illustration from the 1934 edition of Baudelaire’s ‘Les Fleurs du Mal’Watercolour and bodycolour, black chalk, signed 'Manuel Orazi' in pencil in the lower right corner, image 195 x 138 mm (7 3/4 x 5 3/8 in), under glass, framed, [circa 1934]Illustrated:Baudelaire (Charles) & Emmanuel-Joseph Orazi, Les fleurs du mal, Le Vasseur et Cie éditeur, Paris, 1934, first edition illustrated by Orazi*** Other examples of original artwork and designs for dust jackets by Orazi are held in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

[Radcliffe (Ann)] A Sicilian Romance by the authoress of The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne, 2 vol., first edition, lacking half-titles, small hole to lower margin of vol. 1 B1, scattered foxing, 19th century bookseller's label of T. Hookham to vol. 1 front pastedown, contemporary calf, sympathetically rebacked and recornered, preserving original backstrips (a little rubbed and chipped at ends), preserved in custom calf-backed drop back box, [Garside, Raven and Schowerling 1790:61; Rothschild 1699; Summers p. 503; Tymn 1-314], 12mo, T. Hookham, 1790.*** Radcliffe's rare second novel. In A Sicilian Romance Radcliffe begins to develop some of the key themes that would come to dominate her later, more famous works, and would later be adopted by other authors including Charlotte Brontë.

Crowley (Aleister) Aceldama, a Place to Bury Strangers In. A Philosophical Poem by a Gentleman of the University of Cambridge, one of 88 copies on hand-made paper, from an edition limited to 100, book label of Nicholas C. Bishop-Culpeper to upper cover verso, spine neatly repaired with japan tissue, light browning and surface soiling to covers, preserved in folding chemise and custom morocco-backed slip-case, [Yorke 1], 8vo, Privately Printed, 1898.*** Crowley's rare first published work, we can trace only 2 copies at auction in the last 70 years. The only review for the work appeared in an issue of Cantab and expressed a view that characterised opinion towards Crowley for much of his career: "Induced by we know not what course of reading, the book is not one that we can recommend to the young, for though its stanzas are sufficiently musical, there runs through them a vein of scepticism and licentiousness which required to be treated with caution."

Thicknesse (Philip) Useful Hints to those who make the Tour of France..., first edition, title browned, spotted, with broadside from Thicknesse addressed to the Marquis of Granby complaining that he has been mistreated loosely inserted (torn and frayed, repaired), engraved bookplate of Buchley Park, Worcs. and shelf-labels of Pull Court library, contemporary tree calf, red morocco label, rubbed, spine ends a little worn, upper joint repaired, for R. Davis, 1768; A Year's Journey through France and Spain, 2 vol., second edition, list of subscribers, 10 engraved plates, one folding (torn and repaired), 3 leaves engraved music, some offsetting, attractive contemporary calf, spines gilt with green, red & black roan labels, slightly rubbed, W.Brown, 1788; A Letter to...Lord B---p of N---h, first edition, stitched in contemporary blue wrappers with illegible ink manuscript to covers, a little frayed and stained, W.Bizet, 1758; Pere Pascal, a Monk of Montserrat, Vindicated: in a Charge brought against him by a Noble Earl of Great-Britain, first edition, lacking half-title, M.Davis, 1783 bound with [Bonner (Charles)] A Letter to Philip Thicknesse, Esq; in reply to a charge brought by him against a Noble Earl of Great-Britain, first edition, half-title, Worcester, J.Tymbs, & London, 1783, together 2 works in 1, spotted and stained, stitched in wrappers, the last three items preserved in 2 modern cloth folders, all in 3 modern calf-backed cloth drop-back boxes, spines gilt, 8vo (5) *** An interesting group relating to Philip Thicknesse (1719-92) who was an army officer and friend of the artist Thomas Gainsborough. A rather scurrilous character, he married three times, eloping with his first wife which caused his mother-in-law to throw herself onto railings at the spot at which her daughter was abducted, vigorously denounced his son George, and spent much of his time provoking disputes with various figures. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort near Felixstowe from 1753-66 and the broadside in the first item relates to his dismissal from this office following a court-martial for libel and judgement that he was unfit for command. It is addressed to John Manners, Marquess of Granby (1721-70), who was Commander-in-Chief of the Forces 1766-70. In the third item Thicknesse informs the Bishop of Norwich of the inadequacies of a clergyman in his diocese.

Beckford (William).- Rogers (Samuel) Human Life, a Poem, second edition, with half-title and final leaf blank but for imprint, William Beckford's copy with 2pp. of pencil notes in his hand on front free endpaper, extra-illustrated with engraved portrait of Rogers by Meyer after Denon and an original watercolour portrait of the same captioned "The Yellow Poet...see Glenarvon" by Beckford in pencil at foot, together with leaves of mounted cuttings of reviews etc. all bound in following half-title or at end, book-label of George Harwood, bound in dark red boards, uncut, rubbed, rebacked preserving old spine with Beckford's gilt cinquefoils and cross patonce ornaments and green roan label, short split to upper joint, corners slightly worn, preserved in modern red morocco-backed cloth drop-back box, by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, spine with black morocco label and titled in gilt, 8vo, John Murray, 1820.*** With typically caustic notes by Beckford e.g. p.107 commenting on Rogers's lines "That narrow place of noise & strife received their little all of life" Beckford adds "I rather think we also have received Mr Samuel Rogers's little all....".Beckford's caption to the watercolour portrait refers to Lady Caroline Lamb's Glenarvon, published in 1816, which included veiled but obvious references to the cadaverously thin Rogers as "A poet of an emaciated and sallow complexion".The gilt cinquefoil and cross patonce ornaments on the spine are from Beckford's mother's Hamilton arms and the first Lord Latimer respectively. Hamilton Palace sale (1883) Part III lot 1434 (Bain £3 12s.). 

James (M.R.) The Collected Ghost Stories, first edition, original black cloth lettered in gilt, slight rubbing to spine tips and corners else fine, dust-jacket, lower panel with blurb laid down (with creasing to top corner), browning to spine, spine ends and corners chipped, a few short nicks to fore-edges and head and foot of panels, extremities rubbed, a very good copy, [Currey p.261; Tymn 3-124], 8vo, 1931.*** Scarce in the lively dust-jacket, designed by John Case. 

Davidson (John) and C.J. Wills. Laura Ruthven's Widowhood, 3 vol., first edition, floral endpapers (that in vol.1 with short tear to fore-edge), original olive-green cloth, slight bumping to spine tips and corners, an exceptionally fine, bright copy, preserved in custom morocco-backed pull-top box, [Sadleir 676; not in Wolff], 8vo, Lawrence & Bullen, 1892.*** A remarkable example of this rare triple-decker, the only one published by the talented and tragic Davidson whose deteriorating physical and mental health contributed to his probable suicide in 1909. We can only trace this copy at auction in the last 50 years. 

Wilde (Oscar).- Saltus (Edgar) The Philosophy of Disenchantment, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Oscar Wilde Esqre. with the sincere regards of Edgar Everston Saltus. London 17 December /85." to front free endpaper, 16pp. advertisements at end, author's pencil corrections to margins of 3pp., bookplate of Stuart J. Eckerson to front pastedown, original cloth, slight toning to spine, slight bumping and fraying to spine tips and corners, t.e.g., preserved in custom morocco-backed drop-back box, [BAL 17129], 8vo, Boston, 1885.*** A presentation copy to Oscar Wilde from one of the leading American figures in the Aesthetic Movement. Wilde had first met Saltus during his 1882 lecture tour of America on "The English Renaissance". The present work was the author's contribution to the discussion of aestheticism, with a particular focus on the philosophical pessimism espoused by Schopenhauer. Saltus spent several years of the 1890s travelling through Europe and became friendly with Wilde during his sojourns in London. He published his memoir of their friendship, Oscar Wilde: An Idler’s Impression, in 1917 and contributed an introduction to an American edition of Wilde's plays.

[Beckford (William)] Azemia: A Descriptive Novel...By Jacquetta Agneta Mariana Jenks, of Bellegrove Priory in Wales, 2 vol., first edition, with half-titles but lacking M8 at end of each vol. (advertisement leaf in vol.1 and probably blank in vol.2), light spotting and browning, some staining particularly in vol.1, K10 in vol.2 with paper flaw loss to fore-margin not affecting text and M6 lacking lower outer corner just touching catchword, H.Bradley Martin's copy with his small bookplate to rear pastedown, another engraved bookplate to front, contemporary half calf, spine titled and ruled in gilt, rubbed, joints cracked, corners worn, preserved in modern calf-backed drop-back box by Sangorski & Sutcliffe/Zaehnsdorf, spine gilt in compartments with floral motifs and five raised bands, [Chapman 5.i; Garside, Raven & Schowerling], 12mo, Sampson Low, 1797.*** Rare satirical novel, a companion piece to Modern Novel Writing of the previous year, this being dedicated to the supposed author of that work. At the end of vol.2 are 20pp. entitled 'To the Reviewers of all the Reviews; and all the Newspapers' with a running heading of "Criticisms Anticipated".Library Hub records only 2 copies of this first edition (V & A, Dyce Collection; and University of Oxford); WorldCat adds 2 further copies in America. We have been able to trace only a few copies at auction, the most recent being this copy in 1990.

Shiel (M. P.) Shapes in the Fire, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Harold Taves to front free endpaper, address panel to Taves in Shiel's hand loosely inserted, pictorial title, 14pp. advertisements and 12pp. publisher's catalogue at rear, faint tape marks to endpapers, original brown cloth, lettered and decorated in red, spine lettered in gilt, spine very slightly darkened, light rubbing and bumping to extremities, uncut, an excellent copy, 8vo, John Lane, 1896.*** Shiel's second short story collection, including his weird fiction classics "Xelucha" and "Vaila", scarce inscribed. Harold Taves was a friend and correspondent of Shiel's who helped to sell Shiel's novels in Hollywood. 

[Beckford (William)] [Vathek] An Arabian Tale, from an Unpublished Manuscript: with Notes Critical and Explanatory, first (but unauthorised) edition, with errata leaf but lacking final blank (as often), p.48 misnumbered "84", woodcut illustrations of fans to p.316, a little foxed, bookplate of Charles Robin Holloway, later red straight-grain morocco, by Roger de Coverly & Sons in the style of Roger Payne, covers tooled with single gilt fillet border and circle & floral stems forming corners of panel, spine titled in gilt and elaborately tooled in compartments with five raised bands, g.e., joints and corners slightly rubbed, preserved in modern red morocco-backed cloth slip-case, spine richly gilt in similar style, [Chapman 3(A).i; Garside, Raven & Schowerling 1786:15; Rothschild 352], 8vo (193 x 115mm.), for J.Johnson, 1786.*** A handsome copy of Beckford's influential Gothic novel, originally written in French and translated and edited by his friend Rev. Samuel Henley. Contrary to Beckford's wishes this edition preceded the first French edition which was published in December 1786 in Lausanne (but dated 1787).

Shiel (M. P.) The Dragon, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "The fact that God has a predilection for pigtails and microbes (to judge from their number) has always struck me, and there seemed to me such a picture in their overflowing with a stare into the West... But "the readers" seemed to prefer the first work to the second better - pigs as regard tales! M.P. Shiel. 1924" to front free endpaper, 28pp. advertisements dated 1913 at rear, light browning to endpapers, slight surface abrasion to front pastedown, original pictorial cloth, spine a little darkened, spine ends and corners a little bumped, some light rubbing and marking, preserved in custom chemise and morocco-backed slip-case, 8vo, Grant Richards, 1913.*** A future war novel and the second of Shiel's "yellow peril" titles, with a lengthy inscription discussing its inspiration and reception. 

Beardsley (Aubrey).- Symons (Arthur) The Savoy: An Illustrated Quarterly, 8 vol., first edition, plates and illustrations by Beardsley, Sickert, Rothenstein, Beerbohm, Rossetti, Shannon etc., loosely inserted Christmas card in volume 1. without publisher's slip in vol.7, some foxing, vol.1 and 2 in original pink pictorial boards, the rest in original green pictorial wrappers, some light rubbing, soiling and fraying, vol. 4 with tear to head of upper cover, but generally a sharp and excellent set, with the original pink-wrappered suppressed prospectus, preserved in custom drop-back box, [Lasner 103 & 103a], 4to, Leonard Smithers, January-December, 1896.*** An excellent set of what Holbrook Jackson called "the most satisfying achievement of 'fin de siecle' journalism in England." The arrest of Oscar Wilde and the dismissal of Aubrey Beardsley as the art editor of The Yellow Book created difficulties for the artists and writers of the 1890s. Smithers's enterprise was therefore most timely. However, employing Beardsley was not without its problems - his cover illustration for no.1 having to be suppressed, for example, as it depicted a young boy urinating on The Yellow Book. Symons' editorship was crucial in recruiting writers such as Yeats, Conrad, Shaw, Verlaine, Ernest Dowson and John Gray.

Machen (Arthur) Autograph manuscript essay "Introduction" [On Paganism], 14pp., recto only, in black ink and pencil on ruled paper, signed by the author on first page, numerous corrections and revisions, vertical fold with some splitting to ends, unbound, [1924]; with mimeograph proof sheets, unbound sheets for the first edition of Mitchell S. Buck's "Afterglow" (for which this work formed the introduction), an envelope addressed in the author's hand to Buck (extremities rather worn), and the first English edition of Machen's "On Paganism", one of 200 copies, Tartarus Press, 1998, all housed together in custom folding chemises and morocco-backed slip-case, 8vo.*** "All words are more or less misconstrued and misunderstood; none more grievously than the word 'Paganism'."Mitchell S. Buck (1887-1959) was an American poet and classical scholar. The present essay was published as an introduction to his prose work Afterglow in 1924 before being given a new title of "On Paganism" and published in the UK by the Tartarus Press in 1998. 

Crowley (Aleister) The Star and the Garter, first edition, [one of 50 copies], this copy with editorial corrections in the author's hand to pp. 52, 72 & 78 and pencil inscription head of p. 87 "This is to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar", half-title, some light foxing and finger-soiling, bookseller's label of Galloway & Porter Ltd." to front pastedown, 20th century blue crushed morocco, spine slightly darkened, light discolouration to covers, t.e.g., others uncut, original wrappers bound in, [Yorke 15a], 4to, Watts & Co., 1903.*** The rare true first edition, including the appendix. This copy with minor corrections as well as a typically vivid comment from Crowley. 

Douglas (Lord Alfred) Sonnets, first edition, the dedication copy, with signed presentation inscription from the author to his wife Olive Custance "To my darling little girl and Princess I give this book which is dedicated to her & by her chiefly inspired. May, 1909" to front free endpaper, book-labels of Bradley Martin and J. O. Edwards to front pastedown, original boards, neatly and sympathetically rebacked, retaining much of original backstrip, some bumping and wear to corners, rubbing, marking and light wear to covers, preserved in folding chemise and custom morocco-backed slip-case, along with seemingly unpublished photograph of a young Douglas and Custance (a little creased and faded, laid onto card with inscriptions to head and foot, 8vo, The Academy, 1909.*** A remarkable copy of this collection, including some of the author's best poetic output, his "To Olive" sonnets sequence. Douglas' use of "Princess" as a nickname for Custance (and her using "Prince" for him) was well-established; their courtship began with their corresponding in 1901 using these terms, indeed, Douglas uses the term in sonnet III, leaving little doubt that the present volume was intended for the author's wife. 

Shiel (M. P.) The Young Men Are Coming!, first edition, bookseller's label to front pastedown, original cloth, very light toning to spine, slight bumping to spine tips and corners, dust-jacket, price-clipped, minor chipping to corner tips, light rubbing and creasing to spine tips, a near-fine copy, 8vo, 1937.*** A superb example of this science fiction title, rare in the dust-jacket. 

James (M.R.) Ghost Stories Of An Antiquary, first edition, frontispiece and 3 plates by James McBride, without advertisements, some very light scattered spotting, very light browning to endpapers, armorial bookplate to front pastedown, original buckram, yapp edges, very light toning and faint splash mark to spine, a near-fine example, [Currey p.261; Lovecraft, Supernatural Horror in Literature, 1973, pp.100-105; Tymn 3-125], 8vo, 1904.*** A superb copy of M.R. James' first collection of ghost stories.

Crowley (Aleister) Moonchild. A Prologue, first edition, very light browning to endpapers, original green cloth lettered in gilt, slight bumping to spine tips and corners, dust-jacket by Beresford Egan, light fading and toning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, neat and professional strengthening tape repairs to spine tips and corners verso, light surface soiling to lower panel, light creasing to head, an excellent example, preserved in custom morocco-backed drop-back box, [Yorke 51], 8vo, Mandrake Press, 1929.*** A lovely example of this key Crowley title in the superb Beresford Egan dust-jacket. 

[Crowley (Aleister)] The Tale of Archais: A Romance in Verse, first edition [one of 250 copies], title printed in red and black, very light browning to endpapers, original cloth-backed boards with paper label to spine, soiling and browning to spines, wear to spine tips and corners, [Yorke 2], small 4to, Kegan Paul, Trench Trubner & Co., 1898.*** Crowley's second book of poems, scarce. 

Beckford (William) Italy; with Sketches of Spain and Portugal, 2 vol., first edition, half-titles, with 1p. Autograph letter from Beckford written in the third person to Messrs. Molteno and Graves of 20 Pall Mall dated from Bath 30 July 1834 regarding a fine art purchase “Mr. Beckford is perfectly satisfied with Mr. Molteno’s and Mr. Graves’s explanations and reconciled by the extreme beauty of the Campagnolas to the price” and hoping that they received payment of £50, bound in with envelope at beginning of vol.1, bookplate of Charles Robin Holloway, later half dark blue straight-grain morocco, gilt, by Roger de Coverly & Sons, spines gilt, t.e.g., very slightly rubbed at edges, preserved in modern blue morocco-backed cloth drop-backed box by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, spine gilt in compartments with similar motifs, [Chapman 8.i], 1834; Recollections of an Excursion to the Monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha, first edition, 24pp. publisher's catalogue dated April 1835 bound in at beginning, half-title, engraved portrait, occasional light spotting, H.Bradley Martin's copy with his small bookplate, original boards, paper label to spine, uncut, a little rubbed and scuffed, preserved in modern grey morocco-backed cloth drop-back box, beige label, 1835, 8vo (3)

Beardsley (Aubrey).- Pope (Alexander) The Rape of the Lock, "bijou edition", one 50 copies on Japanese vellum initialled by the publisher, frontispiece, 2 illustrations and 8 plates by Aubrey Beardsley, 13pp. advertisements at end, some very light marginal toning, ink ownership inscription to front pastedown, original vellum, gilt, slight bowing to covers, light soiling, t.e.g., others uncut, an excellent example, [Lasner 105a], 16mo, Leonard Smithers, 1897.*** The second edition with a new cover design by Beardsley. Though the limitation of this special edition is nominally double that of the first edition, copies are seemingly more rare in commerce with only one copy traced at auction.

Tyrrell (James R.) Old Books, Old Friends, Old Sydney, first edition, frontispiece, plates, 20th century crushed brown morocco with pictorial tan inlay with black, brown, blue, grey, white and green morocco replicating frontispiece image within a gilt ruled border, spine gilt in compartments, g.e., preserved in custom morocco-backed drop-back box, 4to, Sydney, 1952.

Whittington Press.- Pringle (Roger, editor) A Garland for the Laureate: Poems presented to Sir John Betjeman on his 75th birthday, number 6 of 75 copies signed by all the contributors, from an edition limited to 350, signatures of contributors on verso of half-title, title with wood-engraved floral border by Miriam Macgregor, with black & white photograph of Barry Humphries with Betjeman loosely inserted, original morocco-backed marbled boards, uncut, slip-case, Stratford-upon-Avon, printed by the Whittington Press for the Celandine Press, 1981 § Dowson (Ernest) A Bouquet, chosen by Desmond Flower, number 5 of 95 copies signed by the editor and artist, this copy signed and inscribed by the editor "Barry Humphries' copy with compliments and warm regards Desmond Flower" on front free endpaper, pochoir illustrations by Miriam Macgregor, original morocco-backed boards, uncut, slip-case, Andoversford, Whittington Press, 1991, 4to (2)*** The contributors to the first include Kingsley Amis, Philip Larkin, Stephen Spender, and Ted Hughes.

Baudelaire (Charles) Les Fleurs du Mal, first edition containing all six suppressed poems, first issue with "Feurs" in headline on pp. 31 & 108, p.45 misnumbered "44", and with "captieux" the last word of the first line on p.201, half-title, title in red & black, book-label of John Clay with printed email from him to Barry Humphries offering him the book loosely inserted, contemporary half black morocco, spine titled in gilt with floral motifs in compartments and five raised bands, t.e.g., others uncut, very slightly rubbed and marked, 12mo, Paris, Poulet-Malassis et de Broise, 1857.*** Issued in an edition of 1300 copies, of which 200 had the six censored poems removed following Baudelaire's prosecution.

Meyrink (Gustav) The Golem, translated by Madge Pemberton, first American edition, frontispiece, Boston Public Library bookplate to front pastedown, original purple cloth lettered in black, light rubbing and slight fading to spine tips and corners, dust-jacket by E. McKnight Kauffer, light discolouration to spine, spine ends and corners chipped, affecting one letter of imprint, short tear to head of upper joint, split to head of upper fore-edge, light rubbing to extremities, a very good example overall, 8vo, Boston and New York, 1928.*** Meyrink's first novel, a classic supernatural work of German Expressionism, set in the Prague ghetto. 

Machen (Arthur) The House of Souls, first edition, author's copy with signed presentation inscription from him to Lytton Armstrong (John Gawsworth) on title with date "Jan 21 '33" in Gawsworth's hand below, presentation inscription to frontispiece recto "This Shiel-Machen copy - for Rosalind & Barry with the unutterable affection of John Gawsworth" to frontispiece recto, occasional spotting and marking, lacking front and rear free endpapers, joint bookplate of M.P. Shiel and John Gawsworth to front pastedown, later red cloth, spine darkened, fraying to spine tips and corners, rubbed, preserved in custom drop-back box, 8vo, E. Grant Richards, 1906.*** The Machen-Shiel-Gawsworth copy of this collection of short stories, bringing together The Great God Pan and The Three Imposters with three other stories. 

Crowley (Aleister) The Banned Lecture: Gilles de Rais, first edition, original stapled printed wrappers, small rust-marks around staples, else fine, preserve in custom morocco-backed drop-back box, [Yorke 94], small 8vo, P.R. Stephenson, [1930].*** A rare piece of Crowley ephemera. Crowley had been due to lecture the Oxford University Poetry Society on the fifteenth century magician Gilles de Rais, only for it to be cancelled at the last minute, likely due to the controversy Crowley frequently generated in the press. Crowley swiftly had 1,000 copies of the present work printed and distributed on the streets of Oxford though few appear to have survived.