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Lot 266

Isherwood (Christopher) and W. H. Auden. The Ascent of F6, first American edition, signed presentation inscription from Isherwood to Florence Weatherby dated January 1940, light toning to margins, browning to pastedowns, original buckram, spine browned, covers spotted, dust-jacket, spine browned, toning to panels, spine ends and corners chipped, closed tear to head of rear panel, rubbing to extremities, a very good example, [Westby and Brown p.25], New York, Random House, 1937; and the 1937 "Auden Number" of New Verse with wraparound band and Isherwood's contribution signed at foot, 8vo (2)⁂ Florence Weatherby owned the Hollywood Bookshop near to Isherwood's Los Angeles home.

Lot 267

NO RESERVE Isherwood (Christopher) and W. H. Auden. On the Frontier, first edition, signed by Isherwood on title, original cloth, spine a little darkened, dust-jacket, light rubbing and toning to spine, light creasing to spine ends, very short tear to head of lower joint with neat tape repair to verso, a near-fine copy, [Westby and Brown p.26], 8vo, Faber & Faber, 1938.

Lot 269

Isherwood (Christopher) Sally Bowles, first edition, signed by the author on title with score through his printed name, original cloth, light fading to spine, dust-jacket, light browning to spine, spotting to panels, small portion of loss to head of spine, foot of spine and corners a little chipped, split to foot of lower joints, a few neat tape repairs to verso, a very good example of a scarce and delicate jacket, [Westby and Brown p.6; Woolmer 411], 8vo, Hogarth Press, 1937.⁂ Rare signed. The first appearance of Isherwood's most famous character; part inspiration, along with I am a Camera, for the musical and film Cabaret. The creation of Sally Bowles gave Isherwood financial security for much of the rest of his life.

Lot 27

NO RESERVE Barnes (Julian) Metroland, 1980 § [Barnes (Julian)], "Dan Kavanagh". Duffy, jacket with very light fading to spine, 1980, first edition, both signed by the author on title, original boards, dust-jackets, near-fine, Jonathan Cape, 8vo (2)⁂ Barnes' first book published under his name together with the first published under his pseudonym. Both signed, the second pseudonymously.

Lot 270

Isherwood (Christopher) Lions and Shadows, first edition, signed by the author on title, photographic portrait frontispiece, some scattered foxing to head, light browning to endpapers, original first issue blue cloth lettered in black, dust-jacket, light browning to spine, light foxing to panels, rubbing and light creasing to tips of spine and corners, short tear to foot of upper joint and fore-edge with neat tape repair to verso, but an excellent example overall, [Westby and Brown p.5; Woolmer 431], 8vo, Hogarth Press, 1938.⁂ Rare signed. Isherwood's semi-autobiographical account of his education coupled with a veiled portrait of the gay scene in Cambridge and London in the 1920s.

Lot 271

Isherwood (Christopher) Goodbye to Berlin, first edition, signed by the author on title, pastedown with bookplate of W. S. Strain, original cloth, light browning to spine and faint spotting to covers, dust-jacket, neat repairs and light restoration to extremities, some light rubbing but in effect a near-fine example, [Connolly 86; Westby and Brown p.4; Woolmer 451], 8vo, Hogarth Press, 1939.⁂ Isherwood's remarkable portrait of Berlin and wider Germany during the final days of the Weimar Republic. Signed copies are rare, we can trace only 2 other examples at auction.

Lot 272

Isherwood (Christopher) The Berlin Stories, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Hazel McKinley dated Dec. 11 1945 to endpaper with gift inscription from McKinley to a friend below, original cloth, light bumping to spine ends and corners, dust-jacket, light toning to spine and lower panel, spine ends and corners a little rubbed and chipped, light creasing to head, an excellent example, [Westby and Brown p.3], 8vo, New York, New Directions, 1945.⁂ A re-issuing together of Mr. Norris Changes Trains and Goodbye to Berlin for the American market. Hazel McKinley (1903-95) painter and art collector, sister of Peggy Guggenheim.

Lot 273

NO RESERVE Isherwood (Christopher) The Memorial, first American edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Helene, my best press-agent, Gratefully, Christopher, Nov. 1946" to endpaper, original cloth, some light marking, light fading to spine, some chipping and rubbing to spine ends and corners, [Westby and Brown p.5], 8vo, Norfolk, CN, New Directions, 1946.

Lot 274

NO RESERVE Isherwood (Christopher) Prater Violet, first English edition, signed presentation inscription from the author dated July 1946 to endpaper, bookplate to pastedown, original cloth, light rubbing, dust-jacket, very light spotting and damp-staining to lower panel with small hole towards head, light creasing to head and foot, but a bright and excellent example generally, [Westby and Brown p.6], 8vo, Methuen & Co., 1946.⁂ Rare signed. With the jacket designed by Jean Ross, the inspiration for Isherwood's Sally Bowles character.

Lot 276

NO RESERVE Isherwood (Christopher, translator).- Baudelaire (Charles) Intimate Journals, translated by Christopher Isherwood, introduction by W. H. Auden, first trade edition, signed by Isherwood on title, frontispiece portrait, plates, original cloth, light fading to tips of spine, dust-jacket, light browning to spine and panels, some chipping and creasing to head and foot, small hole to lower panel, [Westby and Brown p.27], 8vo, Hollywood, CA, Marcel Rodd, 1947.

Lot 277

Isherwood (Christopher) The Condor and the Cows, first English edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Dodie [Smith] and Alec, whose friendship is my constant support, and whose confidence is an unceasing reproach to all my weaknesses this mouse of a book brought forth by mountains. Christopher. November 1949" to half-title, maps and illustrations, pictorial endpapers with light browning and short marginal tear, original cloth, fading to spine ends, dust-jacket, spine browned, some discolouration to panels, chipping and creasing to head and foot, lower 1" of spine deatched, [Westby and Brown p.3], 8vo, Methuen & Co., 1949.⁂ An excellent presentation copy with a warm and personal inscription to the author and playwright Dodie Smith. Isherwood met the couple in Hollywood in the 1940s and the group became close friends. Smith later recalled that Alec had been the person to suggest to John Van Druten that he adapt Sally Bowles for the stage (Van Druten wrote I Am a Camera which would subsequently for the basis for the musical and film Cabaret). Dodie and Alec are also the dedicatees of The World in the Evening. See also lot 285.

Lot 278

NO RESERVE Isherwood (Christopher).- Prison Etiquette: The Convict's Compendium of Useful Information, edited by Holley Cantine and Dachine Rainer, preface by Christopher Isherwood, first edition, limited to 2,000 copies, signed presentation inscription from Isherwood to title, illustrations by Lowell Naeve, original cloth-backed stiff wrappers, rubbing and some creasing to extremities, dust-jacket, toning to spine, light staining to lower panel, spine ends and corners chipped, creasing and fraying to head, [Westby and Brown p.22], 8vo, New York, Retort Press, 1950.

Lot 279

NO RESERVE Isherwood (Christopher, editor) Vedanta for the Modern Man, first edition, signed by Christoper Isherwood, Aldous Huxley, John van Druten, Gerald Heard and Swami Prabhavananda on endpaper, original cloth-backed boards, light rubbing to spine, spine ends and corners a little bumped, dust-jacket, light browning to spine and panels, chipping and creasing to head and foot, [Westby and Brown p.29], 8vo, New York, Harper & Brothers, [1951].⁂ All five signatories contributed chapters to the present work.

Lot 28

Barnes (Julian) Flaubert's Parrot, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Rolland Comstock from Julian Barnes (but which dustwrapper does he have- the extremely rare first state one or the normal second state?)" to title with a strike through the printed name, original boards, dust-jacket, light crease to upper panel else fine, with original publisher's wraparound band, 8vo Jonathan Cape, 1984.⁂ A superb copy of Barnes' best-regarded title, unusual with a lengthy, charming inscription as here. We can trace no issue point surrounding the jacket and it seems likely Barnes is engaging in some gentle ribbing.

Lot 283

Isherwood (Christopher) A Single Man, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to endpaper dated November 13, 1982, ink ownership inscription to rear endpaper, original cloth, very light fading to spine, dust-jacket, ink date stamp to rear flap, light sunning to spine, minor chipping and light creasing to tips of spine and corners, light rubbing to extremities, near-fine otherwise, [Westby and Brown p.7], 8vo, New York, Simon & Schuster, 1964.⁂ Isherwood's outstanding portrayal of the last day in the life of a British academic living in Los Angeles, a key work in gay fiction, adapted for film by Tom Ford. Rare inscribed.

Lot 284

Isherwood (Christopher) A Single Man, first English edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to endpaper, small patch of browning and light abrasion to endpaper, original boards, minor bumping to spine ends and corners, dust-jacket, price-clipped, light toning to spine, light rubbing and creasing to head and foot, very short closed tear to head of upper panel, small abrasion to lower fore-edge, but near-fine generally, [Westby and Brown p.7], 8vo, Methuen & Co., 1964.⁂ We can trace no other inscribed copy of this edition at auction or online.

Lot 285

Isherwood (Christopher) Ramakrishna and his Disciples, first English edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Dodie [Smith] and Alec, with love from Chris. April 1965" to endpaper, frontispiece, plates, original cloth, light fading to spine tips, dust-jacket, light toning to spine and head of panels, light creasing to head and foot, near-fine otherwise, [Westby and Brown p.6], 8vo, Methuen, 1965.⁂ Excellent presentation copy from the author to his close friends the author Dodie Smith and her husband. See also lot 277.

Lot 287

NO RESERVE Isherwood (Christopher) Kathleen and Frank, first English edition, George Cukor's copy with presentation inscription to him from the author to endpaper, plates, Cukor's bookplate to pastedown, blind-stamp of Bernie Taupin to endpaper, original cloth, dust-jacket, spine ends and corners a little chipped, chipping and creasing to head of upper panel, 8vo, Methuen & Co., 1971.⁂ A charming Hollywood provenance. George Cukor (1899-1983) director of such classic films as The Philadelphia Story, Adam's Rib, My Fair Lady and A Star is Born. He moved in similar Hollywood circles to Isherwood and Bachardy, attending their famous parties. Cukor would later set the opening of his 1981 film Rich and Famous at Isherwood and Bachardy's Santa Monica house, with the hosts both briefly appearing in the film.

Lot 288

NO RESERVE Isherwood (Christopher) and Don Bachardy. Frankenstein: the True Story, first edition, signed by the authors on title, light browning throughout, photocopied insert in Isherwood's hand loosely inserted, original pictorial wrappers, light rubbing to tips of spine and corners, else fine, 8vo, New York, Avon Books, 1973.⁂ Rare signed. The photocopied sheet comprises a scene by Lord Byron and Percy Shelley that was cut from the final text. Isherwood wished it included so wrote the scene out by hand, photocopied it, and inserted into copies presented to friends.

Lot 29

NO RESERVE Barney (Natalie Clifford) Pensées d'une Amazone, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Miss Heath with appreciation and gratitude Natalie Clifford Barney Paris 30." to half-title, some scattered spotting, light marginal toning, additional pamphlet inserted in pocket at read, later pink vellum-backed boards, original wrappers bound in, 8vo, Paris, Emile-Paul Frères, 1920.⁂ For Natalie Clifford Barney, see also lots 79 and 426.

Lot 290

Ishiguro (Kazuo) The Remains of the Day, first edition, signed by the author on title, Booker Prize 1989 promotional flier loosely inserted, original boards, dent to head of upper cover, dust-jacket, a fine copy, 8vo, Faber & Faber, 1989.⁂ A fine copy of the Booker Prize winner, without the usual fading to spine.

Lot 291

Johnson (Philip).- Jacobus (John M.) Makers of Modern Architecutre. Philip Johnson, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Rosalind Greene Who gave me ?warmth and courage when both were most horribly lacking - in fondest memory. Philip Johnson", 2 A.L.s. and 3 T.L.s. from the author totally 5pp. loosely inserted along with assorted magazine and newspaper articles, photographic illustrations, original cloth-backed boards, dust-jacket, initialed gift inscription from Greene to a recipient to front flap, light toning, short closed tear to foot of upper flap, light creasing to head and foot, New York, George Braziller, 1962; and an inscribed copy of the limited edition of Johnson's Writings, 4to (2)⁂ A charming inscription and series of letters from the architect to long-standing friend and support.

Lot 292

[Kerouac (Jack)], "John Kerouac". The Town and the City, first edition, signed by the author as "John Kerouac" on endpaper, original cloth, light rubbing and bumping to spine ends and corners, dust-jacket, neat repairs and restorations to spine ends and corners, some light rubbing but in effect a near-fine copy, 8vo, New York, Harcourt, Brace, and Company, [1950].⁂ Kerouac's first novel, rare signed and in such bright condition.

Lot 294

Kerouac (Jack) Book of Dreams, first edition, signed presentation inscription from William Burroughs "For ?Bill Hubbard" to title, original wrappers, light toning and creasing to spine with some light wear towards foot, light marking to upper cover, light rubbing to extremities, 8vo, San Francisco, City Lights Books, [1961].⁂ An intriguing inscription and a potentially highly important association copy. Burroughs' inscription is difficult to discern as either "Bill" or "Bull" but either indicates that this was likely Burroughs' own copy as the Bull Hubbard character in Book of Dreams and Desolation Angels was well established as Burroughs' fictional counterpart and Kerouac would later revise this name to Bill (apparently because Burroughs was unhappy with the implications of the name "Bull").

Lot 295

Kerouac (Jack) Satori in Paris, first edition, first printing, signed presentation inscription from the author "Tony's copy - signed by his brother man Jacky Kerouac" to title, the odd spot or marking to margin, original cloth, light bumping and fraying to spine ends and corners, dust-jacket, light rubbing and creasing to head and foot, 8vo, New York, Grove Press, 1966.⁂ Kerouac's penultimate novel inscribed to his brother-in-law, we can trace no other inscribed copy of this work. Tony Sampras (1924-99) was the youngest brother of Kerouac's third wife, Stella. It seems likely that Tony and Kerouac were close - Kerouac called Tony two days before his death and the On the Road scroll was left to Tony by Stella in her will.

Lot 297

Knowles (John) A Separate Peace, first edition, signed by the author on front free endpaper with "'61 London" in faded ink below, original boards, spine ends and corners a little bumped, dust-jacket, light browning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, 1 or 2 very short closed tears with light creasing to head and foot, some faint rubbing to extremities, but an excellent example overall, 8vo, Secker & Warburg, 1959.⁂ The true first edition of Knowle's coming-of-age classic set against the backdrop of the Second World War. Rare signed and in such excellent condition.

Lot 298

Knowles (John) A Separate Peace, first American edition, signed by the author on endpaper, original cloth, light fading to spine, faint sunning to upper and lower edges, first issue dust-jacket, ink stamp "Dec 14 1959" to front flap, short closed tear to head of lower joint and fore-edge with neat tape repair to verso, light rubbing and creasing to spine ends and corners, faint rubbing to extremities, an excellent example, 8vo, New York, Macmillan Company, 1960.⁂ In the first issue pictorial jacket that was suppressed and changed after the author objected to the design. The ink stamp indicates that this was likely a review copy. Loosely inserted is a letter from the First Edition Library thanking a previous owner for the loan of their copy for a reference in producing the library's edition of this work.

Lot 299

Lawrence (T. E.).- Tomlinson (H. M.) All Our Yesterdays, first edition, T. E. Lawrence's copy with signed presentation inscription from the author "To T. E. Shaw from H. M. Tomlinson, 10.1.30" to endpaper and Clouds Hill book label to pastedown, occasional light spotting, upper hinge starting, original cloth, light rubbing to spine, spine ends and corners a little bumped with slight fraying, dust-jacket, very light browning to spine, minor chipping to head of spine and corners, light creasing to head and foot, a near-fine example, 8vo, Heinemann, 1930.⁂ A superb First World War association copy of this anti war classic. Lawrence's Pillars of Wisdom and the man himself had in part inspired the novel. Lawrence and Tomlinson held each other in immense mutual admiration. In a letter to A. S. Frere dated 19th February, 1930, Lawrence wrote that Tomlinson had his "entirely uncritical admiration, as man and nature and mind - and particularly pen... I am a pluralist, a whole-hogger, in all his words and works and All Our Yesterdays is a big thing among them." Similarly in a letter to Lawrence dated 19th March, 1930, Tomlinson wrote that in All Our Yesterdays "my ghosts had to be laid. I was thinking of you, often enough, when I was writing it. There is a notebook here with reflections from the 'Pillars. I pondered that book of yours... There you were once upon a time, no doubt of it, involved in a mess you didn't make. The evil that others had done caught you, & you faced it for them - was crucified, if you like. That was what I wanted to show..."

Lot 3

NO RESERVE Allende (Isabel) The House of the Spirits, signed by the author on title, 1985; Of Love and Shadows, signed presentation inscription from the author to Roland Comstock, 1987, first American editions, original cloth, dust-jackets, some light creasing to head and foot, near-fine otherwise, New York, Alfred A. Knopf; and the first English edition of the first, also signed, 8vo (3)

Lot 30

Bernstein (Leonard) The Joy of Music, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to endpaper, photographic illustrations, original cloth, light fading to spine, dust-jacket, price-clipped, light toning, spine ends and corners chipped affecting title at head, 8vo, New York, Simon and Schuster, 1959.⁂ Bernstein's first and most famous book, rare signed or inscribed.

Lot 302

Mailer (Norman) The Naked and the Dead, first edition, first printing with the Rinehart logo to title verso, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Louis [Auchinloss], Thinking of New York in 1952 and talk of drinks and drinks with talk and some of it even good at The White Horse. Cheers, Norman. Feb 1974" to half-title, Typed Letter signed by the author to Auchinloss agreeing to sign the book and reminiscing about The White Horse loosely inserted, patch of browning to endpaper, bookplate of Louis Auchinloss loosely inserted, original cloth, spine ends and corners a little bumped, rubbing to head and foot, first issue dust-jacket priced at $4.00 with Mailer's portrait to lower panel and no review quotes, light toning to spine and lower panel, spine ends and corners a little chipped with neat tape repairs to verso, light rubbing to extremities, but very good and bright example overall, 8vo, New York, Rinehart and Company, 1948.⁂ Mailer's first book, one of the best American novels to come out of the Second World War, with a good inscription to a fellow novelist and apparent drinking buddy. Louis Auchinloss (1917-2010), lawyer, novelist and historian. The White Horse is a famous Greenwich Village tavern with a rich literary history including regulars such as Dylan Thomas, James Baldwin and Hunter S. Thompson.

Lot 303

Manning (Frederic) Eidola, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To the Rev. D. L. Prosser from Frederic Manning. 'Vous-etes dur,' dit Candide. 'C'est parce que j'ai vecu,' dit Martin" to endpaper, light spotting to endpapers, original cloth, a few patches of light sunning, else fine, dust-jacket, name and address of Prosser supplied in Manning's hand to upper panel, lower 1" of spine detached by whole, chipping to head and foot, 8vo, John Murray, 1917.⁂ A fine association of this rare collection of First World War poetry, inscribed to the dedicatee of one of the poems from the Australian poet Manning. Manning's training for the front took place in Pembroke Dock and it was then that he appears to have met Prosser who gave the poet the run of his vicarage. Manning repaid the kindness by dedicating the poem 'The Old Calvary' (p.9) to Prosser. Eidola sold poorly at the time and first editions are now rare, especially so inscribed and in the delicate dust-jacket.

Lot 304

Mantel (Hillary) Wolf Hall, first edition, signed by the author on title, 2 photographs of author signing this volume with clipping for the Bath Festival loosely inserted, original boards, light vertical creasing to spine, dust-jacket, light creasing, near-fine otherwise, 8vo, Fourth Estate, 2009.⁂ The opening work in Mantel's twice booker-winning trilogy.

Lot 305

McCarthy (Mary) Cast a Cold Eye, jacket price-clipped, [1950]; The Groves of Academe, advance copy slip tipped onto front free endpaper, jacket spine ends and corners a little chipped, [1952]; A Charmed Life, presentation inscription to Virginia Spencer Carr, [1955]; On the Contrary, presentation inscription to Virginia Spencer Carr, ink ownership inscription of Spencer Carr, 1961; The Group, press clipping loosely inserted, 1963; Vietnam, jacket with chipping to spine ends and corners, 1967; Birds of America, presentation inscription to Virginia Spencer Carr, jacket price-clipped, 1971; Cannibals and Missionaries, 1979, first editions, signed or with signed presentation inscriptions from the author, original boards, dust-jackets, some rubbing to tips of spine and corners, but near-fine generally, New York; and a signed first English edition of A Source of Embarrassment, 8vo (9) ⁂ Virginia Spencer Carr (1929-2012) biographer of Carson McCullers, John Dos Passos and Paul Bowles.

Lot 306

McCarthy (Cormac) Blood Meridian Or The Evening Redness in the West, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Billy Rogers, All the best wishes Cormac McCarthy" to endpaper, small patch of soiling to p.3 and facing blank, original cloth-backed boards, dust-jacket, some very faint rubbing to tips of spine and corners, small crease to head of spine, a near-fine example, 8vo, New York, Random House, 1985.⁂ A superb copy of McCarthy's fourth novel, rare inscribed. Now often hailed as the Great American Novel.

Lot 308

NO RESERVE McCarthy (Cormac) The Stonemason. A Play in Five Acts, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Joe de Salvo to half-title, original cloth-backed boards, dust-jacket, some light creasing to head and foot, near-fine overall, 8vo, Hopewell, NJ, Ecco Press, [1994].⁂ Joe de Salvo is the owner of Faulkner House Books, New Orleans.

Lot 309

McCullers (Carson) The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, first edition, first printing with date to title, pp.345-8 with marginal chipping caused by rough opening, original cloth, slight shelf-lean, first issue dust-jacket with "Summer's Lease" to rear flap, light fading to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, portion of loss to head of lower panel, creasing to head and foot, rubbing to extremities, 8vo, Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1940.

Lot 310

McCullers (Carson) The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, first edition, later printing, signed by the author on title, bookplate to front free endpaper, some foxing to endpaper, original cloth, spine slightly browned, some light marking to covers, 8vo, Boston, Houghton Mifflin, [1940].⁂ Rare signed. A loosely inserted bookseller's note gives the provenance as coming from the Estate of Clark Gesner (1938-2002), composer, lyricist and noted autograph collector.

Lot 311

McCullers (Carson) Reflections in a Golden Eye, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to endpaper, original cloth, very light damp-staining to foot of spine, dust-jacket with original glacine panel intact, becoming detached along upper edge, usual creasing to panel margins, tear to upper right corner, chip to head of rear panel, but an excellent example overall, ink date stamp "Feb 20 1941" just visible to front flap, 8vo, Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1941.⁂ Rare signed and with the jacket glacine panel intact. The eye-catching design of the jacket with the transparent panel failed to account for the glacine contracting over time which would lead to it tearing the paper and becoming detached for the majority of copies.

Lot 312

NO RESERVE McCullers (Carson).- Young (Marguerite) Angel in the Forest, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Carson McCullers from Marguerite Young 'the lost constellation is the most important one'" to endpaper, David Diamond's copy with his pencil note "Gift from Reeves + Carson 1949" to rear pastedown, original cloth, very light fading to spine, slight darkening to upper and lower edges, dust-jacket, rubbing, creasing and chipping to extremities, 8vo, New York, Reynal and Hitchcock, [1945].⁂ An excellent association copy inscribed by the author and friend of McCullers and then gifted from her to one of her principal objects of affection. Marguerite Young (1908-1995), novelist, attended Yaddo at the same time as McCullers and became part of the same literary circle including Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams. She at one time allegedly rebuffed McCullers' advances and wrote famous and perceptive review of The Member of the Wedding titled Metaphysical Fiction. For David Diamond see lot 315, also lots 58, 165 and 316.

Lot 313

McCullers (Carson) The Member of the Wedding, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Bessie, Henry, Anne, and Peter, About the greatest people in this world. From your devoted Carson" to endpaper, with 3 Autograph Letters signed from McCullers totalling 6pp., 2 with original envelopes, 1 Typed Card from Reeves and McCullers with photograph of the 2 together in front of St. Mark's, Venice, on reverse, Typed Letter signed from Reeves, 1p., with original envelope and Typed Letter signed from Janet Flanner, 2pp., all loosely inserted, light browning to endpapers, original cloth, spine a little browned, some light soiling, dust-jacket, chipping and creasing to head and foot, a few short tears to head and foot, some splitting and chipping to fore-edges, light soiling, 8vo, Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1946.⁂ A charming association copy inscribed to McCullers' close friends Henry and Bessie Poor and their children accompanied by several excellent letters. The letters date from the early 1950s when Carson and Reeves were travelling in Europe before settling in France for a period until Reeves' suicide in Paris in 1953. In her letters McCullers discusses her and Reeves' poor health as well as some of their travelling and offers the Poors financial aid towards treatment for their daughter Annie's treatments. Reeves' letter mentions their recent trip to Rome in order for Carson to work on a film script for Howard Selznic only for McCullers changes to be thrown out by Selznic "dictating furiously to three secretaries and everyone trampling over things like a herd of buffaloes. The script was changed and twisted around and Mr. Big decided to re-write himself... so we packed up and left--not particularly sad but much wiser about the ways of Hollywood." Janet Flanner's letter gives a good deal of information regarding the McCullers' life in France "Reeves looked handsome & manly, had the hay-scented breath of a lamb, Carson seemed in good spirits... She carries her left hand in her right like a memento. It will become utterly atrophied. I suppose they really are like solid silver needles in their own haystack. Not lost I hope; but it is very deep French countryside for them to be found in." The remainder of the correspondence resides in the Breuer papers at Southern Illinois University and Henry Varnum Poor papers in the Archives of American Art, New York City.Henry Varnum Poor (1887-1970) designer, painter, sculptor and potter. Bessie Poor (née Breuer, 1893-1975) journalist, novelist, writer and playwright. The Poors helped McCullers fine her home in Nyack and Henry twice painted McCullers portrait. Janet Flanner (1892-1975) writer and journalist, Paris correspondent for the New Yorker. She was a close friend of the McCullers. Two weeks prior to his suicide Reeves called her with the message "This is the man from across the River Styx". She attended Reeves' funeral.

Lot 314

McCullers (Carson) The Member of the Wedding, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Cheryl [Crawford] and Ruth [Norman], with love Carson" to endpaper with Cheryl Crawford's ex-libris ink stamp below, original cloth, some light fraying to tips of spine and corners, dust-jacket, light browning to spine, chipping and creasing to head and foot, closed tears to head and foot of panels, 8vo, Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1946.⁂ An excellent association copy inscribed to a long-standing friend of the author, the theatrical producer Cheryl Crawford. Cheryl Crawford (1902-86), theatre producer, director and co-founder of the Actor's Studio. She and McCullers shared the same dentist and first got to know each other during while passing time in the waiting room. Through McCullers, Crawford was introduced to a series of writers, composers, designers and artists including W. H. Auden, Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears and Oliver Smith. The two women also formed close friendships with Tennessee Williams. Coincidentally when McCullers presented Crawford with her own theatrical adaptation of The Member of the Wedding, Crawford rejected the story as "slight" and the third act as "very weak" although she would later say "I lived to regret my stupidity".

Lot 315

McCullers (Carson) The Ballad of the Sad Café, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For dear David [Diamond] from his loving Carson" to endpaper, ownership blind-stamp of David Diamond to title, with neat pencil notes and markings to a few margins, original cloth, slight bumping to spine ends and corners, dust-jacket, spine ends and corners a little chipped, a few very short tears and some light creasing to head and foot, light rubbing to extremities, but an excellent example overall, preserved in custom drop-back box, 8vo, Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1951.⁂ A remarkable association copy inscribed to the composer David Diamond, a crucial figure in McCullers' life, the subject of a passionate love triangle involving Carson and Reeves McCullers and the unmentioned dedicatee of the eponymous novella. David Diamond (1915-2005), American composer, first met Carson and Reeves McCullers at a party in May 1941. In his diaries from the time he reported falling immediately in love with both husband and wife and these feelings were apparently reciprocated. A passionate and loving triangular relationship then ensued although seemingly without sexual consummation, this largely dictated by Carson's own ambivalence towards sex. Though asexual the relationship was nevertheless at times tempestuous with husband and wife engaging in quarrels over Diamond. Matters came to a head when Reeves began to realise his sexual attraction towards Diamond and attempted to move in with him. The shifting of loves and affections of this complex relationship were both upsetting and hugely influential for Carson and both The Member of the Wedding and The Ballad of the Sad Café were inspired by it. In Virginia Spencer Carr's book The Lonely Hunter: A Biography of Carson McCullers, which discusses this relationship in some detail, Carr notes several times that the novella The Ballad of the Sad Café was written by McCullers for Diamond: ""Darling, The Ballad of the Sad Café is for you," she told Diamond, to whom she knew the work would speak more directly than to anyone else.", pp.152-3 (see also pp. 171 and 208). Diamond was also the acknowledged bases for Mr Brook in Madam Zilensky and the King of Finland and his markings related to chiefly to that story along with The Sojourner and A Domestic Dilemma. For David Diamond see also lots 58, 165, 312 and 316.

Lot 316

McCullers (Carson) The Member of the Wedding. A Play, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "Dearest David [Diamond] tenderly Carson" to endpaper, frontispiece, original cloth, dust-jacket, very light toning to spine, minor creasing and chipping to tips of spine and corners, head of fore-edge with short tear and accompanying creasing to upper panel, light rubbing to extremities, an excellent example, preserved in custom drop-back box, 8vo, New York, New Directions, [1951].⁂ A superb association copy inscribed to David Diamond whose love-triangle relationship with Carson and her husband Reeves was the part-inspiration for the work. For David Diamond, see previous lot, also lots 58, 165 and 312. In Virginia Spencer Carr's book The Lonely Hunter: A Biography of Carson McCullers, which discusses Diamond's relationship with the McCullers in some detail, she makes clear that this relationship was integral to the creation of the novel and the play: "the meeting that night was the beginning of another meaningful we of me triangle for Carson that eventually found poignant literary expression when The Bride of My Brother came to published fruition five years later as The Member of the Wedding" (p.147).

Lot 317

McCullers (Carson) The Member of the Wedding. A Play, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to frontispiece recto, very light browning to endpapers, original cloth, dust-jacket, faint discolouration to spine, two very short tears to head of upper panel, light creasing to head and foot, light rubbing to extremities, a very good copy overall, 8vo, New York, New Directions, [1951].

Lot 318

McCullers (Carson) The Square Root of Wonderful, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to endpaper, original cloth-backed boards, light rubbing to spine tips, dust-jacket, minor chipping to spine ends and corners, 2 short closed tears with creasing to head of lower panel, light creasing to extremities, but an excellent example overall, 8vo, Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1958.⁂ McCuller's second play, based in part on her turbulent marriage to Reeves, rare signed or inscribed, we can trace only 1 other copy.

Lot 319

McCullers (Carson) Clock Without Hands, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author with a picture of a heart with an arrow through it to endpaper and inscription below in another hand "Inscribed to me, as editor, by the author - however illegibly!", original cloth, light rubbing and fading to tips of spine and corners, dust-jacket, price-clipped, with the original glacine panel to the upper cover, short tear to head of panel, light rubbing and minor creasing to head and foot, but near-fine generally, 8vo, Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1961.⁂ An excellent association copy inscribed from the author to her editor, Joyce Hartman. McCullers' strokes and general ill-health had left her writing from this period almost illegible, the inscription though likely reads "J. love Carson". Joyce Hartman (1921-2009) was the New York editor for Houghton Mifflin.

Lot 32

Blunden (Edmund) Undertones of War, first edition, signed by the author on title and dated June 19, 1929, Autograph Letter signed by the author loosely inserted with autograph envelope, some light foxing, light browning to endpapers, original cloth, light bumping to spine ends and corners, dust-jacket, browning to spine and panel margins, spine a little chipped and creased at head, 8vo, Richard Cobden-Sanderson, 1928.⁂ Blunden's memoir of the First World War, a key prose work resulting from the conflict.The letter, dated 17th October 1956, is addressed to Joseph Cohen, and concerns Blunden's biography of Wilfred Owen, especially regarding Owen's spiritualism as well as decrying the tragedy of his death ("Alas, that evil moment of 4 Nov. 1918"). Joseph Cohen (1926-2014) academic and book dealer. Wrote a biography of Isaac Rosenberg as well as a pamphlet on Wilfred Owen, Owen Agonistes. See also lot 281.

Lot 320

McCullers (Carson) Sweet as a Pickle and Clean as a Pig, first edition, presentation inscription from the author "For my beloved Boots" with drawing of an arrow though a heart to title, illustrations by Rolf Gérard, original cloth, dust-jacket, light browning to spine, light rubbing and minor chipping to spine tips and corners, but near-fine otherwise, preserved in custom morocco-backed drop-back box, 8vo, Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1964.⁂ An excellent association copy of this charming book of poems for children inscribed to McCullers' cousin and closest friend Jordan Massee using his pet name "Boots". We can trace no other signed or inscribed copy of this work. Jordan Massee (d.2002) was a distant cousin of McCullers who first met her in New York. The two quickly became close friends and remained so for the rest of McCullers' life. Massee would provide personal as well as literary advice to McCullers' (he helped correct the proofs of Clocks Without Hands) he was also friends with Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams (see lots 57, 59 and 478).

Lot 321

NO RESERVE McCullers (Carson) The Mortgaged Heart, edited by Margarita Smith, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the editor "Dear Helen & Hy, Well, I'm not going to wait any longer to get this to you. After all, if it weren't for you I literally wouldn't have lived to finish it... Love & gratitude - Rita" to endpaper, original cloth, dust-jacket, light fading to spine, light rubbing and creasing to tips of spine and corners, near-fine otherwise, 8vo, Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1971.⁂ Margarita Smith (1923-83) was McCullers' sister and the editor of this posthumously published collection of writings.

Lot 322

McEwan (Ian) First Love, Last Rites, 1975; The Cement Garden, ink ownership inscription, 1978; In Between the Sheets, 1978; The Comfort of Strangers, neat ink ownership inscription, 1981; The Imitation Game, jacket price-clipped, 1980; or Shall we Die?, review slip loosely inserted, 1983; The Ploughman's Lunch, original wrappers, light creasing to spine, 1985 The Child in Time, 1987; Soursweet, a Screenplay, light toning to margins, original wrappers, light rubbing to extremities, 1988; The Innocent, 1990; Black Dogs, presentation inscription to Roland Comstock, 1992; The Daydreamer, illustrations by Anthony Browne, 1994; The Short Stories, 1995; Enduring Love, 1997; Amsterdam, 1998; Atonement, 2001; Saturday, 2005; On Chesil Beach, 2007, first editions, signed by the author on titles, original boards and dust-jackets unless where mentioned, fine or near-fine copies; and the signed limited edition of Black Dogs, 8vo (19)⁂ A superb run of signed works by the Booker Prize-winning author.

Lot 323

Merrill (James) The Fire Screen, signed presentation inscription from the author "for Peter [Tourville] - who may recognize one or two of 'The Summer People', Jimmy, May 1977" on front free endpaper, wrappers very lightly bumped and chipped, light browning to lower cover, Atheneum, 1969; Nights and Days, signed by the author to title, Hogarth Press, 1966; Souvenirs, one of 26 lettered copies specially bound, from an edition of 226 copies signed by the author, New York, Nadja, 1984, original cloth, first two with jackets; and 2 others by Merrill, 8vo & tall 8vo (5)⁂ The first an excellent association copy, inscribed to Merrill's long-standing friend and former lover, Peter Tourville, the subject of Merrill's long poem Peter. See also next two lots.

Lot 326

Mishima (Yukio) The Sound of Waves, translated by Meredith Weatherby, first Japanese printing of the first edition in English, signed presentation inscription from the author to Charles Terry on endpaper, illustrations by Yoshinori Kinoshita, The Book Worm, Tokyo, book shop ink stamp to endpaper, original pictorial wrappers, faint creasing to spine, light wear to spine ends, ¥125 price sticker to upper cover, light surface soiling and small stain to lower corner of lower cover, rubbing and toning to extremities, but a very good copy overall, 8vo, Tokyo, Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1956.⁂ Mishima's enduring coming-of-age classic with a presentation inscription to Charles Terry the translator and academic. Terry (1926-1982) was a Japanese translator for the US army during the war and remained in Japan after 1945. He formed a circle of ex-pat writers and publishers that counted Mishima as an occasional visitor.

Lot 327

Mishima (Yukio) The Sound of Waves, translated by Meredith Weatherby, first edition in English, signed by the author in Japanese and English on endpaper, illustrations by Yoshinori Kinoshita, original pictorial boards, spine ends and corners a little rubbed and bumped, dust-jacket, very light fading to spine, spine ends and corners a little rubbed and chipped, short closed tear with creasing to head of lower panel, an excellent example, 8vo, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1956.

Lot 328

Mishima (Yukio) The Sound of Waves, first edition in English, signed presentation inscription from the author to Dorothy Norman "at the X'mas time 1957" to endpaper, light cockling to endpapers with end of inscription smudged, original boards, spine ends and corners a little rubbed and bumped, dust-jacket, fading to spine, 2 short closed tears with creasing to head of lower panel, light rubbing to extremities, a very good example, 8vo, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1956.⁂ Dorothy Norman (1905-97) American photographer, editor and patron of the arts.

Lot 329

Mishima (Yukio) The Sound of Waves, translated by Meredith Weatherby, first English edition, signed presentation inscription from the author in English and Japanese to Tennessee Williams dated 10 Nov. 1957 on half-title verso, illustrations by Yoshinori Kinoshita, letter of provenance in envelope loosely inserted, original boards, fading to spine (heavier at either end), dust-jacket, light fading to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, closed tears to head and foot of lower joint, light foxing to flaps, light surface soiling to lower panel, 8vo, Secker & Warburg, 1957.⁂ A fine association copy, inscribed to his friend, the playwright Tennessee Williams. Williams and Mishima first met in the late 1950s (very likely on the same occasion that this copy was inscribed) and quickly developed a rapport. Mishima introduced Williams to Japanese Noh theatre culture which was highly influential in the playwright's later works. Indeed, Williams dedicated his late play The Day on Which a Man Dies to Mishima and the central character was modelled on the Japanese author. According to the letter of provenance, this books was signed by Mishima while he and Williams were staying at the house of Paris Review journalist James Shuttleworth's house in order to conduct a joint interview. The writers exchanged inscribed volumes of their works before entrusting them to their host but never retrieving them.

Lot 330

Mishima (Yukio) Five Modern Nō Plays, translated by Donald Keene, first edition in English, signed presentation inscription from the author to endpaper, recipient's ink ownership stamps to endpapers, some browning to endpapers, original cloth-backed boards, some light insect damage to upper and lower edges of boards, dust-jacket, very light toning to spine light rubbing and creasing to tips of spine and corners, very short closed tear to head of upper joint, light surface soiling to lower panel, an excellent example, 8vo, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1957.⁂ Rare signed or inscribed. Mishima was awarded the illustrious Kishida prize for this important group of dramas.

Lot 331

Mishima (Yukio) Bitoku no Yoromeki, first edition, [one of 500 copies], signed presentation inscription from the author to Harold Strauss in Japanese and English with Strauss's name written in idiomatic Japanese dated 29 Oct. '57 to endpaper, illustrations, sword bookmark attached by silk tie, original pictorial wrappers, some bumping to spine ends, but a near-fine example overall, glacine dust-jacket, a little browned, some chipping to head and foot, original slip-case (marked and a little worn, 2 joints broken and repaired), 4to, Tokyo, n.p., 1957.⁂ A superb association copy of this rare work, seemingly never translated into English, with a presentation inscription to Mishima's US publisher. Harold Strauss (1907-75) was the editor-in-chief at Alfred A. Knopf from 1942 until 1966. Strauss and Mishima had an excellent working relationship and Mishima trusted the publisher implicitly, never employing an American literary agent to deal with him on his behalf.

Lot 333

Mishima (Yukio) After the Banquet, translated by Donald Keene, first English edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Anne Graham Bell - City of London became a[n] unforgettable city in my life because of your kindness - affectionately - Yukio Mishima, March 20 '65" to endpaper, original boards, dust-jacket, very light fading to spine, fading rubbing to tips of spine and corners, a near-fine example overall, 8vo, Secker & Warburg, 1963.⁂ A charming inscription, Anne Graham Bell was possibly a British literary agent.

Lot 334

Mishima (Yukio) After the Banquet, translated by Donald Keene, first American edition, signed by the author and dated January 13, 1963 with a presentation inscription above in another hand "To Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Preston with the author's best wishes" to endpaper, light spotting and toning to endpapers, original cloth-backed boards, dust-jacket, light browning to spine and head of lower panel, spine ends and corners rubbed and a little chipped, very short tear with creasing to head of upper panel, rubbing to extremities, very good overall, 8vo, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1963.⁂ Mishima's novel that brought him critical attention in American and a court case in Japan. Rare signed or inscribed, it seems possible that Mishima signed several copies in a similar manner for his American publisher or agent to use for presentation.

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