Genet (Jean) Pompes Funèbres, first edition, one of 450 copies numbered 21 to 470, signed presentation inscription from the author to Olivier Larronde to dedication p., printed in black and maroon, brown crushed morocco J. et P. Courty, spine gilt in compartments, original wrappers and spine bound in, light rubbing to extremities, t.e.g., 8vo, [Paris], A Bikini, aux depens de quelques amateurs [ but P. Gallimard], 1947.⁂ An excellent association copy, inscribed to poet Olivier Larronde. Larronde (1927-65) arrived in Paris in 1943 as an aspiring poet, hoping to impress Cocteau as way of obtaining publication. Cocteau rejected the young man but Larronde was quickly picked up by Genet who started championing his poetry and introduced him to Barbezat who would publish his first book of poetry in 1946.
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Genet (Jean) Notre-Dame des Fleurs, first trade edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to "A William Miller mon cher Bill. Je suis heureux d'avoir l'occasion de te redire mon amitié et aussi mon amitié pour Cesare. Je vous aime beaucoup... Jean Genet" to half-title, printed in red and black, light browning, mostly marginal, original wrappers, glacine dust-jacket, lightly browned, spine ends chipped, with brown paper protective cover (chipped and worn) signed by the recipient on the upper panel, [Lyon], L'Arbalete, [1948]; and another copy of the first trade edition, unsigned, 8vo (2)⁂ A good association copy, inscribed to artist and model Bill Miller (1921-95), a prominent figure in the gay social scene of New York in the 1940s (and often referred to as its most beautiful member), friends with figures including Genet, Auden, Cocteau, Coward, Vidal, Maugham and many others.
Baldwin (James) Blues for Mister Charlie. A Play, first edition, signed by the author and 3 members of the original cast on endpaper, light foxing to endpapers, ink gift inscription "Aug 8, 1964 Sat. Matine" to endpaper, programme of first theatrical production loosely inserted, original cloth, some light fading, dust-jacket, spine ends and corners a little chipped, some creasing to head and foot, rubbing, 8vo, New York, Dial Press, 1964.⁂ Baldwin's second play, performed by the Actor's Studio company in their first full year of productions. The cast signatures of those of David Baldwin, Al Freeman Jr. and Diane Sands.
Genet (Jean) Journal du Voleur, first trade edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Jean Dufour to half-title, light browning, original printed wrappers, light creasing and browning to spine, corners a little creased, 8vo, Paris, Gallimard, [1949].⁂ Jean DuFour was a historian and author, based at the Ecole Pratiques des Hautes Etudes.
Genet (Jean) L'Enfant criminel et 'Adame Miroir, first trade edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Ginette Dero to endpaper, photographic illustration, original pictorial wrappers, light toning some marking to spine and covers, neat professional tape repair to spine, 8vo, Paris, Morihien, 1949.⁂ Genet's controversial essay, originally written for RTF but never broadcast with a good association. Ginette Dero was the manager of the Theatre des Mathurins where Genet co-directed his early play Haute Surveillance in 1949.
Genet (Jean) Lettre a Leonor Fini, first edition, signed by Genet and Fini on half-title with the signatures intertwined, 5 corrections to text in Genet's hand, photographic illustrations, photograph of Fini with inscription below and postcard featuring Fini's work loosely inserted, original wrappers, very light fading to spine, else fine, 8vo, Paris, Loyau, 1950.⁂ Rare signed by both Genet and the Argentine-Italian surrealist Fini (whose portrait of Genet features in the work), we can trace no like copy.
Genet (Jean) The Balcony (Le Balcon). A play in nine scenes, translated by Bernard Frechtman, first edition in English, copy "Q" of 26 lettered copies specially-bound and signed by the author, the Robert A. Wilson - Donald G. Drapkin copy with their bookplates to pastedown, original cloth-backed boards, very light fading to spine, 8vo, New York, Grove Press, 1958.⁂ Genet's ground-breaking play, one of the most important theatrical works of the 20th century, with an excellent collector's provenance.
Genet (Jean) Les Nègres. Clownerie., first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "Que notre amitie reste pour toujours si belle malgre les tourments de la vie" to half-title, original wrappers, small chip and light browning to head of upper joint, light creasing to head and foot, 8vo, Décines, L'Arbalete, [1958].⁂ Genet's fierce play concerning racial politics with a warm and personal inscription. Les Nègres was his second play performed in New York and was well-received, running to 1,408 performances.
Ginsberg (Allen) Howl and other poems, introduction by William Carlos Williams, first edition, first printing, with the spelling "Lucien Carr" in the dedication, and the eighth line of the second paragraph on the rear cover beginning "Harlem", signed presentation inscription from the author "For Janet & Charles Richards, Potrero Hill 1971" with a drawing of a sunflower receiving the sun's rays incorporating the "o" of "Howl" on title, 1959 San Francisco article on Howl signed at head by Ginsberg loosely inserted, light soiling to p.32, original printed stapled wrappers with 75 cent price in light blue to head of lower cover, some faint marking or soiling to covers, light toning to spine, preserved in folding chemise and custom morocco-backed slip-case, 8vo, San Francisco, Pocket Poet Series: Number Four, The City Lights Pocket Poets Series, [1956].⁂ A presentation copy of Ginsberg's first book including one of the most important and influential poems of the 20th century. Howl also occupies an important role in the mid-twentieth century battle for freedom of speech in America after it was deemed obscene and seized by the San Francisco police. Charles and Janet Richards were respectively a jazz trombonist and painter who were friendly with Shig Murao, the manager of the City Lights Book Store. They would spend many evenings at the shop in the hopes of meeting the numerous writers, musicians and artists who would come through the doors. Janet Richards published a memoir Common Soldiers about San Francisco during this period.
Baldwin (James) Blues for Mister Charlie. A Play, first edition, signed by the author on endpaper, original cloth, dust-jacket, spine ends and corners a little chipped, closed tears with creasing to head of panels, neat tape repair to verso, extremities rubbed, 8vo, New York, Dial Press, 1964.
Ginsberg (Allen) Mind Breaths, first edition, signed by the author on title, original boards, dust-jacket, extremities a little rubbed, San Francisco, City Lights Books, [1977]; White Shroud. Poems 1980-1985, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author with large sunflower drawing to half-title verso, publisher's review slip loosely inserted, original boards, dust-jacket, New York, Harper & Row, [1986]; Straight Hearts' Delight, first paperback edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "Dear Bob - I don't think my books ever get reviewed in N.Y.R.B. - this volume might be proper to take your readers' cherry" to title, original wrappers, light rubbing and creasing to extremities, San Francisco, Gay Sunshine Press, 1980; and 3 others, poetry, signed by Ginsberg, 8vo (6)
Golding (William) Lord of the Flies, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "I sent this to Adam Bittleston in 1954. Apparently I wrote nothing in it - now I rededicate it to Karin Bittleston. William Golding" to half-title, original cloth, very slight shelf-lean, minor bumping to spine ends, else fine, first state dust-jacket priced at 12s 6d and with blurb to upper flap, light browning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, some light toning and soiling to lower panel, still excellent overall, preserved in custom chemise and morocco-backed slip-case with initials DMS with net and book to upper cover, 8vo, Faber & Faber, 1954.⁂ Golding's celebrated classic presented to one of his closest friends and later inscribed to his daughter. Golding and Adam Bittleston became close friends whilst at Oxford together. Bittleston, who was later ordained, became a confidant, spiritual guide and inspiration to the young author. While Bittleston's advice and thinking influenced much of Golding's life and work, his most visible contribution is as the inspiration for the kind, eccentric character of Nathaniel in Pincher Martin.
Golding (William) The Inheritors, first edition, E. M. Forster's copy with his ink ownership inscription to endpaper and signed presentation inscription from the author below in pencil, original cloth, some very light rubbing and fading to head and foot, else fine, dust-jacket, Harrods book department blind-stamp to rear flap, light browning to spine, very light creasing to head and foot, near-fine overall, 8vo, Faber & Faber, 1955.⁂ A superb association copy of Golding's second novel. Forster's enthusiastic early review of Lord of the Flies had helped make it a success. His quotes were added to a promotional wraparound for that novel and even appear on the rear flap of the present volume. This copy was signed during a visit by Golding to see Forster at Cambridge to thank him for his favourable review. Forster asked Golding to sign the books he owned and as neither writer had a pen the writers borrowed the cha lady's pencil.
Graves (Robert) Goliath and David, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "H. H. Abbott, from Robert Graves, Bryn-y-pin, 1918" to inside front cover, a spotting to edges, original plain red wrappers, light sunning to spine, light rubbing and creasing to extremities, 8vo, Chiswick Press, [1916].⁂ Graves' second published collection of poetry, written whilst he was convalescing after being hit by a German shell with a presentation inscription to a fellow poet. H. H. Abbott (1891-1976) was an Edwardian poet whose work was very much in the style of his Georgian poet contemporaries. He was featured in several collections alongside Graves.
Graves (Robert) Fairies and Fusiliers, first edition, signed by the author on endpaper with additional presentation inscription from William Nicholson below, scattered spotting, light browning to endpapers, original cloth, light fading to spine, minor bumping to spine ends and corners, Heinemann, [1917]; and the signed limited edition of his translation of The Golden Ass, 8vo (2)⁂ Graves' third book, including a number of war poems, signed by him and with a presentation inscription from his father-in-law, the artist William Nicholson.
Greene (Graham) The End of the Affair, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Olivia & ?Manerley in memory of the Frost of the Bells... from Graham" to endpaper, usual browning to half-title and endpapers, original cloth, light fading to spine, rubbing to extremities, dust-jacket, browning to spine, light toning to panel margins, minor chipping to spine ends and corners, small abrasion to foot of spine, but an excellent example overall, 8vo, William Heinemann, 1951.⁂ Greene's semi-autobiographical classic novel of frustrated romance, a cornerstone of English Catholic fiction and rare to find signed.
Baldwin (James) Going to Meet the Man, first edition, signed by the author "God bless, James Baldwin" on endpaper, original cloth-backed boards, light rubbing to head and foot, dust-jacket, sunning to spine, light creasing to head and foot, rubbing to extremities, 8vo, New York, Dial Press, 1965.⁂ Baldwin's only short story collection, rare signed.
Greene (Graham) Loser Takes All, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Kenneth & Isley with love from Graham Jan 30 1955" to endpaper, some spotting to top edge, hinges cracked but holding firm, original cloth, light fading to spine, dust-jacket, some spotting to flaps, minor chipping to spine ends and corners, light creasing to head, but a near-fine example overall, 8vo, William Heinemann, 1955.⁂ Inscribed to two close friends and fellow Capri residents. Kenneth Macpherson (1902-71) author and experimental film maker owned a villa on the island of Capri where he lived with his lover Algernon Islay de Courcy Lyons (1922-1993), the Welsh photographer and novelist as well as an aging Norman Douglas. Greene was a neighbour and good friend of all three. For de Courcy Lyons see also lots 136, 196, 197, 201, 204 and 205. For Macpherson see also 193.
Greene (Graham) The Quiet American, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Peter Bentley quietly from Graham Greene" to title, "Overseas edition" ink stamp to rear pastedown, original cloth, slight shelf-lean, light fading to spine, spine ends and corners with light rubbing and bumping, dust-jacket, light browning to spine and panel margins, spine ends and corners a little chipped, lower panel with light foxing and some creasing to head, a very good copy overall, 8vo, William Heinemann, 1955.⁂ Peter Bentley was the landlord of a pub often frequented by Greene.
Greene (Graham) Our Man in Havana, first edition, signed by the author on title, small ink mark to front endpaper, original cloth, light fading to spine, dust-jacket, very light toning to spine and lower panel, minor chipping and light rubbing to tips of spine and corners, an excellent example overall, 8vo, Heinemann, 1958.⁂ Unusual to find this title flat signed in this manner.
Greene (Graham) The Complaisant Lover, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Kenneth MacPherson dated 22.6.59 to endpaper, very light browning to endpapers, newspaper articles loosely inserted, original cloth, dust-jacket, light browning to spine, foxing to panel, chipping to spine ends and corners, 8vo, Heinemann, 1959.⁂ Inscribed to a good friend and fellow Capri resident (for MacPherson, see lot 190).
Greene (Graham) A Burnt-Out Case, first English edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to John and Gillian Sutro dated Jan. 16 1961 to endpaper, hinges cracked but holding firm, original cloth, light rubbing and bumping to tips of spine and corners, dust-jacket, light fading to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, light rubbing to extremities, 8vo, Heinemann, 1961.⁂ A good association, inscribed to two of Greene's closest friends of his later years. This edition preceded by a Swedish language edition the previous year. John Sutro (1903-85) film producer, attempted unsuccessfully to adapt Greene's England Made Me for the screen. Gillian Sutro (1919-99) actress and fashion journalist.
Greene (Graham) In Search of a Character. Two African Journals, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Marcelle Sibon to title, original cloth-backed boards, light browning to spine, near-fine otherwise, 8vo, Bodley Head, 1961.⁂ Marcelle Sibon was Greene's chief French translator from the late 1940s until his death. See also lots 199, 200 and 203.
Greene (Graham) A Sense of Reality, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Islay de Courcy Lyons to endpaper, small patch of browning to endpaper, original cloth, dust-jacket, spine ends and corners a little chipped, some light marking to lower panel, an excellent example overall, 8vo, Bodley Head, 1963.⁂ Inscribed to a good friend and fellow Capri resident (for Islay de Courcy Lyons, see also lots 136, 190, 197, 201, 204 and 205.).
Greene (Graham) The Revenge. An Autobiographical Fragment, first edition, one of 300 copies, signed presentation inscription from the author to Islay de Courcy Lyons to endpaper, partly unopnened, original stiff wrappers, near-fine, 8vo, Stellar Press, 1963.⁂ Inscribed to a good friend and fellow Capri resident (for Islay de Courcy Lyons, see also lots 136, 190, 196, 201, 204 and 205.).
Greene (Graham) The Comedians, first edition, the author's personal file copy, signed on title and with letter of provenance loosely inserted, original cloth, very slight fading to spine, dust-jacket, faint browning to spine, else fine, 8vo, Bodley Head, 1966.⁂ Greene's own copy of his tenth novel.
Greene (Graham) Travels with my Aunt, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Marcelle Sibon to title, original cloth, dust-jacket, light browning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, a few very short tears to foot of rear panel, light creasing to head and foot, light surface soiling, 8vo, Bodley Head, 1969.⁂ Marcelle Sibon was Greene's chief French translator from the late 1940s until his death. See also lots 195, 200 and 203.
Baldwin (James) Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Leonard Lyons with much affection and respect" to dedication p., original cloth, dust-jacket, light browning to spine and upper panel, light rubbing and minor creasing to head and foot, some chipping to head of rear flap but an excellent example overall, New York, Dial Press, 1968; and an unsigned copy of the same, 8vo (2)⁂ Leonard Lyons (1906-76), American newspaper columnist. His column, Lyon's Den, was published six days a week and covered theatre, movies, politics and art.
Greene (Graham) A Sort of Life, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Marcelle Sibon to endpaper, French newspaper article loosely inserted, original cloth, dust-jacket, light toning to spine, small chip to head of lower joint, light creasing to head, an crisp and excellent example, 8vo, Bodley Head, 1971.⁂ Marcelle Sibon was Greene's chief French translator from the late 1940s until his death. See also lots 195, 199 and 203.
Greene (Graham) The Virtue of Disloyalty, first edition, one of 300 copies, signed presentation inscription from the author to Islay de Courcy Lyons to endpaper, faint foxing to title, original wrappers, light toning to spine and lower cover, some light surface soiling, otherwise excellent, 8vo, Bodley Head, 1972.⁂ Inscribed to a good friend and fellow Capri resident (for Islay de Courcy Lyons, see also lots 136, 190, 196, 197, 204 and 205.).
Greene (Graham) The Pleasure-Dome. The Collected Film Criticism 1935-40, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Margaret Dalgleish this nostalgic book - at least the introduction may amuse you" to title, photographic illustrations, a few light spots to endpapers, original cloth, dust-jacket, light sunning to spine, light rubbing and creasing to head and foot, Secker & Warburg, 1972; and the signed limited edition of Doctor Fischer, 8vo (2)
Greene (Graham) The Honorary Consul, first edition, first issue with the pictorial trademark to title, signed presentation inscription from the author to Marcelle Sibon to endpaper, some pulling to gatherings, last few ff. with small patch of staining to fore-edge, original cloth, corners a little bumped, dust-jacket, very light toning to spine, minor chipping to spine ends and corners, creasing to head and foot, 8vo, Bodley Head, 1973.⁂ Marcelle Sibon was Greene's chief French translator from the late 1940s until his death. See also lots 195, 199 and 200.
Greene (Graham) A Wedding Among the Owls. An Extract from The Human Factor, first edition, one of 250 copies, signed presentation inscription from the author to Islay de Courcy Lyons to half-title, original stiff wrappers, light fading to spine, else fine, 8vo, Bodley Head, 1977.⁂ Inscribed to a good friend and fellow Capri resident (for Islay de Courcy Lyons, see also lots 136, 190, 196, 197, 201 and 205.).
Greene (Graham) Ways of Escape, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Islay de Courcy Lyons to endpaper, foxing to front endpaper, original cloth, dust-jacket, light fading, light creasing to head and foot, otherwise excellent, 8vo, Bodley Head, 1980.⁂ Inscribed to a good friend and fellow Capri resident (for Islay de Courcy Lyons, see also lots 136, 190, 196, 197, 201 and 204).
Greene (Graham) Getting to Know the General. The Story of an Involvement, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "Margaret & Hudson with love from Graham. Sep. 8 1940." to endpaper, original boards, dust-jacket, near-fine, 8vo, Bodley Head, 1984.⁂ Inscribed to the Hudson-Smiths. Greene first knew "Hudson" in the intelligence services, the two later became neighbours in Antibes. In a letter to Malcolm Muggeridge written in the 1980s, Greene referred to Hudson as "A nice chap who collects books on flagellation."
Hahn (Reynaldo) Thèmes Variés, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Arnault Tzanck to half-title, 7 A.L.s. and 1 A.C.s. from the author to Tzanck totalling 18pp. loosely inserted, browning to text, original wrappers, chipped and browned, tape repairs to joints and spine, Paris, Janin, [1946]; and 4 others, 1 work inscribed by Hahn and 3 inscribed to him, 8vo (5)⁂ Arnold Tzanck (1886-1954) French physician and pioneer of blood transfusion.
Hall (Radclyffe) The Well of Loneliness, 2 vol., the "Victory Edition", number 72 of 225 copies signed by the author and printed on handmade paper, light finger-soiling to vol.1 half-title, original boards, gilt, t.e.g., others uncut, spines very lightly rubbed, still overall a bright set, lacking original slip-case, 4to, New York, Covici-Friede, 1929.⁂ This edition, published nine months after the first edition, was to celebrate the successful defence of the work against obscenity charges in New York's appellate court. The work provides an open treatment of lesbianism at a time when "homosexuality could not be discussed in English books or in the English press" (de Grazia). The suppression of the novel was opposed to by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, E. M. Forster, and Virginia Woolf, amongst others. It remained contraband in England until 1959.
Hardy (Thomas) Human Shows. Far Fantasies. Songs, and Trifles, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to half-title, scattered spotting to endpapers and edges, original cloth, light fading to foot of spine, chip to foot of upper cover, dust-jacket, light browning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, chipping to foot of both panels, splash marks to upper panel, [Purdy, pp.234-48], 8vo, Macmillan & Co., 1925.⁂ The last of Hardy's books published in his lifetime, rare signed.
Heller (Joseph) Catch-22, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Bill Backalenick - with the very sincere hope that this book will give you some pleasure. Joseph Heller. February 9, 1962. McCall's" to endpaper, hinges just starting, light spotting to endpaper, original cloth, light fading to spine and foot, dust-jacket priced at $5.95, 3 short closed tears and some light creasing to head, a near-fine copy otherwise, 8vo, New York, Simon & Schuster, 1961.⁂ Heller's classic anti-war satire, inscribed 3 months after publication. Copies of this work with early inscriptions are rare. Heller worked as promotion manager for McCall's Magazine from 1958 to 1961. Irene Backalenick was a colleague there and Heller was acquainted with her husband Bill.
![Hellman (Lillian) Days to Come, first edition signed presentation inscription from the author "For Arthur [Kober], who should](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/f40540b7-270c-40ef-acb7-ad4400c0c969/ad44701a-28a6-4032-a07d-ad440103e859/468x382.jpg)
Hellman (Lillian) Days to Come, first edition signed presentation inscription from the author "For Arthur [Kober], who should turn green at the sight of it, but who won't because he knows that it comes with love, Lillian" to endpaper, original cloth, spine browned, spine ends and corners a little bumped and frayed, patch of soiling to upper cover and spine, dust-jacket, spine a little browned, spine ends and corners a little chipped, a few short closed tears and some creasing to head and foot, light rubbing to extremities, a very good copy, 8vo, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1936.⁂ An excellent association copy of Hellman's second published play, inscribed to her ex-husband. Arthur Kober (1900-75) author, press agent and screenwriter. He and Hellman divorced in 1932.
Hellman (Lillian) The Searching Wind. A Play in Two Acts, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Jane [Cowl] with deep appreciation of all the fine work work for all these years - affectionately, Lillian" to endpaper, upper hinge cracked but holding firm, original cloth, spine ends and corners a little frayed, dust-jacket, some light rubbing and creasing to tips of spine and corners, some light rubbing to extremities but a near-fine example generally, 8vo, New York, Viking, 1944.⁂ A good association copy, inscribed to the actress Jane Cowl. Jane Cowl (1883-1950), actress and playwright, especially known for playing "lachrymose" parts. She retired in 1941.
Hellman (Lillian) Montserrat. A Play in Two Acts, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Gregory Zilboorg dated Jan 1950 to endpaper, foxing to endpapers, puncture marks to rear endpaper, original boards, dust-jacket, spine ends and corners a little chipped, tears and creasing to head and foot with tape repairs to verso, light rubbing and soiling, 8vo, New York, Dramatists Play Service, [1950].⁂ A nice association. Gregory Zilboorg (1890-1959), psychoanalyst and historian of psychiatry, was Hellman's analyst, see also next two lots.
Hellman (Lillian) The Autumn Garden. A Play in three Acts, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Gregory [Zilboorg], Who is responsible for its existence, it comes with love. Lillian, May, 1951" to endpaper, light browning to endpapers, bookplate of Zilboorg to pastedown, original cloth, light fading to spine, spine ends and corners a little frayed, dust-jacket, spine ends and corners a little chipped, some light creasing to head and foot, 8vo, Boston, Little, Brown and Company, 1951.⁂ A good association copy, Gregory Zilboorg was Hellman's analyst (see previous and next lot).
Baldwin (James) The Devil Finds Work, first edition, signed by the author "Peace. James Baldwin" on dedication p., original boards, spine slightly bumped at head, dust-jacket, light sunning to spine, slight toning, front flap a little creased, otherwise near-fine overall, 8vo, New York, Dial Press, 1976.
Highsmith (Patricia) This Sweet Sickness, first edition, first printing with publisher's code 'M-I' to title verso, signed by the author on title, original cloth-backed boards, dust-jacket, light browning to spine and panel margins, faint rubbing and some light creasing to head and foot, light surface soiling, but an excellent example overall, 8vo, New York, Harper, 1960.⁂ Highsmith's sixth novel, rare in the dust-jacket, we can trace no other signed copy.
Highsmith (Patricia) The Cry of the Owl, first edition, first printing, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Naomi [Savage]: - with thanks for the photograph Pat. Sept. 1962" to half-title, small patch of staining to fore-edge, original cloth-backed boards, front flap with ink note "'62" to head, rear flap with pencil note "8-16-62" to head, light bumping to spine ends and corners, dust-jacket, rubbing and light creasing to tips of spine and corners, some light marking to lower panel, an excellent example, 8vo, New York, Harper, 1962.⁂ A nice association copy, inscribed to the photographer who took the author's portrait for the lower panel of the dust-jacket. We can trace no other signed or inscribed copy. Naomi Savage (1927-2005), American photographer.
Hughes (Langston) The Weary Blues, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to title, dust-jacket by Miguel Covarrubias with upper and lower panels laid down on front pastedown and endpaper, original cloth-backed boards, original cloth-backed boards, spine a little dulled, toning to covers, light wear to extremities, 8vo, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1926.⁂ Hughes' first collection of poetry and his first book. Combining influences of Blue and Jazz music, The Weary Blues was a landmark book and poem, one of the most famous and influential publications of the Harlem Renaissance.
Hughes (Langston) Not Without Laughter, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Bernard Smith dated July 3, 1930 to half-title, original cloth, spine a little browned, light fraying to tips of spine and corners, 8vo, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1930.⁂ A superb association copy of Hughes' debut novel, inscribed to the man who helped get it published. We can trace only two inscribed copies of this work at auction. Bernard Smith (1907-90) American literary editor and critic. He began working at Alfred A. Knopf in 1928 and eventually rose to editor-in-chief and managing editor.
Hughes (Langston) The Ways of White Folks, first edition, first printing, signed presentation inscription from the author to Edward Garrett to endpaper, bookplate of Garrett to pastedown, original cloth, light fading to spine, some fraying and wear to spine ends and corners, 8vo, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1934.⁂ Hughes' second book, a collection of short stories and one his most popular prose fiction works. Inscribed first printings of this work are rare, we can trace no copies at auction and only one copy for sale online.
Hughes (Langston) The Big Sea. An Autobiography, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Paul Smith, my first life" to half-title, original green buckram, light browning to spine, spine ends and corners a little frayed, dust-jacket, light fading to spine, spine ends and corners chipped, short tears and creasing to head and foot, extremities rubbed, 8vo, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1940.⁂ Hughes' first autobiography, possibly inscribed to Paul Smith (1904-77) publisher of the Modern Pilgrim Press in Princetown, Mass. and owner of the Intimate Bookshop in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Baldwin (James) Just Above My Head, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For my beloved David Adams Leeming: Godspeed. Jimmy Baldwin" to dedication p., note of provenance in Leeming's hand loosely inserted, original cloth, spine ends and corners a little bumped, dust-jacket, light creasing to spine ends and corners, else fine, 8vo, New York, Dial Press, [1979].⁂ An excellent association copy of Baldwin's final novel inscribed to David Leeming, his friend, biographer and dedicatee of Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone.David Adams Leeming (b.1937), author and philologist. From 1964-67 he worked as secretary-assistant to James Baldwin. He published the authoritative biography of Baldwin in 1994.
Hughes (Langston) Shakespeare in Harlem, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author dated March 8, 1942 to endpaper, bookplate of Helene Powell to pastedown, browning to endpapers, original cloth, fading to spine tips, dust-jacket designed by E. McKnight Kauffer, browning to spine and panel margins, spine ends and corners a little chipped, short tear to head of lower joint, light creasing to head, 8vo, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1942.
Hughes (Langston) Freedom's Plow, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Amy Springarn to front wrapper verso, original wrappers, scattered spotting and light surface soiling, very light creasing to corners, 8vo, New York, Musette, [1943].⁂ A good association copy of Langston's longest poem, inscribed to a wealthy benefactor, close friend and civil rights figure whose support enabled him to enroll in Lincoln University, PA. See also lots 246, 254 and 260.Amy Einstein Spingarn (1883-1980), philanthropist, poet and artist. Her husband, Joel Elias Springarn, was a prominent civil rights activist who served as the second president of the NAACP. On his death in 1939, Amy was elected to serve out his term on the board. She continued as a board member for almost 40 years. The Springarns are also the dedicatees of Hughes' first novel, Not Without Laughter.
Hughes (Langston) Fields of Wonder, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "Especially for Marius Flothius with my thanks for your excellent musical settings of my poems, Sincerely, Langston Hughes. New York, November, 1955" to endpaper, brochure for "The Rhythms of the World" and carbon copy of poem "Cross" loosely inserted, original cloth, light rubbing to spine ends, dust-jacket, light sunning and browning to spine, spine ends and corners chipped, closed tear to head of upper panel, a few small nicks and chips to head but overall a very good copy of a rare jacket, 8vo, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1947.⁂ An interesting association copy, inscribed to a Dutch composer who set six of Hughes' poems to music. This work rare signed and in a dust-jacket. Marius Flotius (1914-2001) composer, musicologist and music critic.
NO RESERVE Hughes (Langston) and Mercer Cook, translators.- Roumain (Jacques) Masters of the Dew, first edition, signed presentation inscription from Hughes "For Zell [Ingram] - with happy memories of our Haitian journey - sincerely, Langston. New York, July 7, 1948" to endpaper, original cloth, light fading to spine, toning to extremities, light wear to spine ends and corners, 8vo, New York, Reynal & Hitchcock, [1947].⁂ An excellent association copy, inscribed to a possible former lover and traveling companion who accompanied Hughes on the trip to Haiti when he met Jacques Roumain. Zell Ingram (1910-1971), artist, was 19 when he accompanied Hughes to Haiti. He appears in Hughes' memoir, I Wonder as I Wander. See also lots 243 and 258.
Hughes (Langston) One-Way Ticket, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author dated Dec. 14 1949 to title, light marginal toning, original cloth-backed boards, light fading to spine, spine ends and corners a little bumped, dust-jacket, price-clipped, light toning to spine and lower panel, spine ends a little chipped, some rubbing and faint creasing to extremities, light surface soiling to panels, 8vo, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1949.
Hughes (Langston) Simple Speaks His Mind, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to endpaper, small patch of finger-soiling to title, original cloth, light fading to spine, tips of spine and corners with slight rubbing and bumping, dust-jacket, light toning to spine, spine ends a little chipped, marking and faint ring-staining to panels, very light rubbing to extremities, 8vo, New York, Simon and Schuster, 1950,⁂ The first appearance in book form of Langston's character of "Simple", first created for his Chicago Defender column in 1943.
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