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Click here to subscribeNO RESERVE Sitwell (Edith) Green Song and Other Poems, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Elizabeth Bowen to front free endpaper, very occasional light spotting, original boards, faded and a little soiled, Macmillan, 1944; and another inscribed from Sitwell, 8vo (2)
Angelou (Maya) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author on front free endpaper, small ownership inscription above, very light tea stain to endpaper, original black cloth, lightly marked, top edge stained red, dust-jacket, flap with light creases though overall in excellent condition, New York, Randomhouse, 1969.⁂ First issue of Angelou's first autobiographical work, documenting her childhood and early experiences of racism and misogyny. This issue with number line 9 to 2 beneath "first printing", dust-jacket priced $5.95 and with 2/70 on rear flap.
Spender (Stephen) Collected Poems 1928-1953, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Leonard Bernstein "To Lennie with love from Stephen. March 28 1955" to half-title, original cloth, light fraying to tips of spine and corners, dust-jacket, light browning to spine, chipping and some creasing to head and foot, 8vo, Faber & Faber, 1955.⁂ A charming association copy. The composer Leonard Bernstein had long been an admirer of Spender's poetry. The two men became friends in the 1940s and took a trip to Taos, New Mexico to stay at a ranch belonging to Frieda Lawrence while Bernstein composed his setting of Auden's Age of Anxiety and Spender composed his autobiography World within World.
Spender (Stephen) Selected Poems, first American edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Leonard Bernstein "To Lenny remembering him with great affection always. Stephen Spender. Christmas 1964" to half-title, original cloth, very light sunning to spine and covers, dust-jacket, light sunning to spine and light toning to upper panel, light creasing or minor chipping to spine tips and corners, else fine, 8vo, New York, Random House, 1964⁂ For Spender and Bernstein see previous lot.
Stein (Gertrude) Three Lives, first edition [one of 700 copies], signed presentation inscription from the author to Roger Fry to endpaper, pp.67-8 with lower corner torn away affecting a few letters of text, minor worming to foot of inner margin, heavier to first few ff. and front pastedown, occasional light finger-soiling, edges lightly foxed, original cloth, spine dulled, spine ends and corners a little rubbed and bumped, some marking and soiling to covers, [Wilson A1a], 8vo, New York, Grafton Press, 1909.⁂ An excellent association copy inscribed to the painter and critic Roger Fry. Fry and Stein were friends who first met through the important art collection owned by her brother Leo. Stein would stay with the Frys when in Britain and Fry would exhibit paintings from Stein's collection. "Roger Fry was always charming, charming as a guest and charming as a host" - Gertrude Stein, The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas.
Stein (Gertrude) Tender Buttons. Objects, Food, Rooms, first edition, lengthy signed presentation inscription from the author to endpaper, 1p. advertisements at rear, some occasional light soiling, marking to pastedowns, ink ownership inscription to front pastedown, original boards, light browning to spine, spine ends chipped, splitting to upper joint with loss to foot, marking and soiling to covers, later dust-jacket, [Wilson A3a], 8vo, New York, Claire Marie, 1914.⁂ Gertrude Steins scarce third book, we can only trace a handful of inscribed examples at auction. The presentation inscription is sadly largely illegible, but is addressed to a Harry Staton who gives his address to pastedown as Beachwood, N. J.
NO RESERVE Stein (Gertrude) Geography and Plays, first edition, prospectus loosely inserted, original first state cloth-backed lettered boards, corners a little bumped, rubbing to extremities, dust-jacket, light sunning to spine, spine ends and corners chipped with near repairs and restorations, repaired to tear and light soiling to upper panel, [Wilson A5a], 8vo, Boston, Four Seas, [1922].
Stein (Gertrude) Morceaux choisis de La Fabrication des Américains, translated by George Hugnet, first abridged edition, number 7 of 10 copies on Hollande with a portrait of the author by Christian Bérard signed by the author and artist, from an edition limited to 300 copies, light offsetting onto frontispiece and title, light browning to half-title, original printed wrappers, light toning and creasing to extremities, uncut, [Wilson D7b], 8vo, Paris, Editions de La Montagne, [1929].⁂ The first of several abridged editions of The Making of Americans, we can trace no other example of this limitation at auction.
Stein (Gertrude) Morceaux choisis de La Fabrication des Américains, first abridged edition, number 73 of 85 copies on Vergé with a portrait of the author by Christian Bérard signed by the author and artist, from an edition limited to 300 copies, light marginal browning to text, tearing to front endpapers with partial repair, modern crushed black morocco, gilt, [Wilson D7c], 8vo, Paris, Editions de La Montagne, [1929].
NO RESERVE Stein (Gertrude) Morceaux choisis de La Fabrication des Américains, translated by George Hugnet, first abridged edition, number 125 of 200 copies, browning to covers, spine ends chipped with loss to head, tear to upper cover, [1929]; Dix Portraits, translated by Georges Hugnet and Virgil Thompson, first edition, one of 500 copies, uncut and unopened, light creasing to head and foot else fine, glacine dust-jacket, light browning, a few small chips to head and foot, [1930], original wrappers, [Wilson D7d & A15d], Paris, Editions de La Montagne, 8vo (2)
Burroughs (William S.) Naked Lunch, first American edition, signed by the author on half-title, Savile Book Shop, Washington D.C. sticker to rear pastedown, original cloth-backed boards, spine ends and corners a little bumped, first issue dust-jacket with no zip code on lower panel and no roman numerals towards foot of spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, crease to spine with small splits to head and foot, a few very short closed tears with some creasing to head and foot, a very good example overall, 8vo, New York, Grove Press, [1962].⁂ Burroughs second published and most celebrated novel, first published in France in 1959 after falling fowl of US obscenity laws.
Stein (Gertrude) The Making of Americans, first abridged edition in English, signed by the author on half-title, original cloth, very light rubbing to tips of spine and corners, dust-jacket, spine ends and corners a little chipped, light creasing to head and foot, rubbing to extremities, preserved in folding chemise and custom morocco-backed slip-case, [Wilson A6D], 8vo, New York, Harcourt, Brace and Company, [1934].
Stein (Gertrude) Lucy Church Amiably, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Charlotte Becker Whom I very well remember and who was so pleasant and amused in those early days Gertrude Stein" to rear endpaper and upside down, original printed boards, spine lightly faded with ends chipped, rubbing and some light wear to extremities, preserved in custom chemise and slip-case, [Wilson A14a], 8vo, Paris, Imprimerie ''Union'', 1930.⁂ The first title Stein's Plain Editions Series, started by Stein after she despaired of her publishers and financed by the sale of one of her Picasso paintings. The present copy is a very good example of a notoriously fragile work. Charlotte Becker, poet and author, friend and sometime lover of Mabel Dodge Luhan (1879-1962), patron of the arts.
Stein (Gertrude) Lucy Church Amiably, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For R. K. Hart, in memory of the pleasure of meeting him and his many Lucy Church Amiables. Gertrude Stein" to endpaper, ink inscription "Review Copy" to title, pencil inscription and repaired tear to front free endpaper, later blue morocco with original upper and lower panels (rather rubbed) laid down onto covers, original spine loosely inserted, [Wilson A14a], 8vo, Paris, Imprimerie ''Union'', 1930.
Stein (Gertrude) How to Write, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author dated January 8/35 to endpaper, text with light marginal toning, original cloth-backed boards, paper label to spine, spine a little browned, corners a little bumped, small split to upper fore-edge, creasing to lower cover, some light marking and toning to covers, [Wilson A17a], 8vo, Paris, Plain Edition, [1931].
Stein (Gertrude) Operas and Plays, first edition, one of 500 copies, signed presentation inscription from the author to endpaper, ink gift inscription dated Christmas 1933 inside front cover, original wrappers, light browning to spine, small patch of light finger-soiling, but a near-fine example generally, original printed slip-case (light crease to spine, some light rubbing to extremities), [Wilson A18a], 8vo, Paris, Plain Edition, 1932.⁂ An exceptional inscribed copy of the penultimate book from the Pain Edition imprint.
Stein (Gertrude) Operas and Plays, first edition, one of 500 copies, signed presentation inscription "To George Wohl with the same lovely pen and this time and always with gratitude and remembrance Alice Toklas" to title, bookplate of Earl F. Weber to inside front cover, original printed wrappers, spine browned with small chip to head, small patch of soiling, but generally excellent, original printed slip-case (light browning and soiling), [Wilson A18a], 8vo, Paris, Plain Edition, 1932.⁂ Signed presentation inscription from the publisher, we can trace no other copy inscribed by Toklas.
Stein (Gertrude) Matisse Picasso and Gertrude Stein, first edition, one of 500 copies, signed presentation inscription from the author dated November 21/'34 to half-title, "Printed in France" ink stamp to front free endpaper, original printed wrappers, browning to spine, light staining to joints, spine chipped and cracked with split to lower joint, chip to upper fore-edge, original printed slip-case (spine chipped and foot, light staining and browning), [Wilson A19a], 8vo, Paris, Plain Edition, 1933.⁂ The last of the titles printed under Stein and Toklas' Plain Edition imprint. Rare inscribed.
Stein (Gertrude) Matisse Picasso and Gertrude Stein, first edition, one of 500 copies, signed presentation inscription "To dear George Wohl with the lovely pen he brought me - with warmest remembrances - Alice Toklas" to title, front free endpaper and half-title just working loose, bookplate of Earl F. Weber to inside front cover, original printed wrappers, spine browned, small chip to lower joint, an excellent example, original printed slip-case (some light browning or soiling but generally excellent), [Wilson A19a], 8vo, Paris, Plain Edition, 1933.⁂ An exceptional copy with a charming inscription from the publisher, we can trace only one other copy inscribed by Toklas at auction.
Burroughs (William S.) The Soft Machine, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Nelson Lyon to title, original second issue wrappers with NF18 ink stamp to lower cover, some light rubbing else fine, original first issue dust-jacket priced at NF15, very light browning to spine, minor chipping to spine ends and corners, light rubbing to extremities, 8vo, Paris, Olympia Press, 1961.⁂ A good association. Nelson Lyon (1939-2012), writer, director and photographer, was friends with a number of counter-culture figures including Burroughs and is now best remembered for his participation in the three-day binge that killed the actor John Belushi. See also lot 45, 50 and 53.
Stein (Gertrude) The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to endpaper, Autograph Card signed from Alice B. Toklas discussing assisting in academic research regarding Stein loosely inserted, first issue cloth, light browning to spine and cover margins, light bumping and fraying to spine ends and corners, dust-jacket, light fading to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped with portion of repair to head of spine, a few very short closed tears and creasing to head and foot, but an excellent example generally, [Wilson A20a], 8vo, New York, Harcourt, Brace and Company, [1933].⁂ Stein's most famous and enduring work, an extraordinary example of literary ventriloquism, rare inscribed.
Stein (Gertrude) Four Saints in Three Acts, first edition, two signed presentation inscriptions from the author, the first "Who says and said what he feels to nicely" the second wishing Merry Christmas, both to endpaper, ex-libris blind-stamp of Hugh R. Best to half-title, spine ends and corners rather worn, dust-jacket light browning to spine and panel margins, some minor chipping to spine ends and corners, but an excellent example overall, [Wilson A21a], 8vo, New York, Random House, 1934.
Stein (Gertrude) Four Saints in Three Acts, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author dated November 12/'34 to endpaper, trimmed upper panel of jacket laid onto front pastedown along with small newspaper clipping mentioning Stein will be at Bretano's bookshop from Monday afternoon, trimmed part of front flap to rear pastedown along with receipt from Bretano's, original cloth, some light bumping and fraying to spine ends and corners, [Wilson A21a], 8vo, New York, Random House, 1934.
Stein (Gertrude) Portraits and Prayers, first edition, lengthy signed presentation inscription from the author "For Frances Williams in Virginia, yes in Virginia for Frances Williams in Virginia, a nice Virginia, for Frances Williams in a nice Virginia and a part is not greater than a whole not even in Virgininia a nice Virginia and so greetings from Gertrude Stein" to endpaper, autograph transcription and 2 autograph letters from a mutual friend of Stein and the recipient loosely inserted, some light scattered spotting, original cloth-backed pictorial boards, spine label a little chipped and browned, light rubbing and marking to covers, original glacine dust-jacket with paper flaps, spine chipped and browned with lower panel separated, paper flaps detached, [Wilson A22a], 8vo, New York, Random House, [1934].⁂ This copy with the rare and exceptionally delicate jacket largely intact and with an charming, idiosyncratic inscription. In the letter, the mutual friend discusses how Stein and Toklas "went on about you for hours before quoting Stein's comments on the recipient "I did not intend to be ungracious with her... the girl is too intelligent for me to be indifferent about. I paid her the compliment of speaking frankly... If she had been the commonplace young woman I meet up with generally I would have left anything I disagreed with unchallenged."
Stein (Gertrude) Lectures in America, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Pete and Peter and Lincoln Steffens and all them all it is my happy to see and be with all three Gertrude Stein" to endpaper, portrait frontispieces, some staining to upper corner of text, light browning to pastedowns, original first issue beige cloth with bevelled edges and top edge stained grey, light foxing and staining to spine and edges, dust-jacket, very light toning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, short closed tear with creasing to foot of upper panel, a very good example overall, [Wilson A24a], 8vo, New York, Random House, [1935].⁂ A charming inscription to the journalist Lincoln Steffens and his son Peter. Lincoln Steffens (1866-1936) investigative journalist and leading muckraker.
Stein (Gertrude) Narration. Four Lectures... with an Introduction by Thornton Wilder, number 80 of 120 copies signed by the author and Wilder, bookplate of Rosemary E. Stanton to endpaper, original cloth, light fading to spine, original slip-case (some light wear to extremities), [Wilson A25b], Chicago, University of Chicago Press, [1935]; and the first trade edition of the same, 4to (2)
Stein (Gertrude) Everybody's Autobiography, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Nathalie [Clifford Barney] who does not have to go out to come in and is in Gertrude" to endpaper, frontispiece and plates, some spotting and browning to endpapers, Shakespeare and Company book label to rear pastedown, original cloth, light foxing to spine with copper strip faded at ends, dust-jacket, spine ends and corners chipped affecting titling at head of spine and first letter of title on upper panel, chipping and tearing to fore-edges, light surface soiling to lower panel, rubbing and creasing to head and foot, [Wilson A28a], 8vo, New York, Random House, [1937].⁂ A superb association copy, linking two women who in their different ways personified the expatriate lives of the two most prominent American lesbians in Paris during the first half of the Twentieth Century. We can trace no other examples of inscribed copies of this work. Natalie Clifford Barney (1876 - 1972), was a playwright and author who ran her renowned Paris salon for almost 60 years from 1909. Despite the superficial similarities however her and Stein's Paris lives were markedly different. Barney's salon was traditional and involved scheduled performances with a strong feminist slant. In contrast Stein's salon was far more informal and open to all, focussing far more on group discussion and indeed Stein herself. See also lots 29 and 79.
Stein (Gertrude) Picasso, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to half-title, frontispiece, plates, very light marginal toning, faint marking to title, modern blue crushed morocco, original wrappers bound in (some chipping to lower corners), [Wilson A30a], 8vo, Paris, Librairie Floury, 1938.
NO RESERVE Stein (Gertrude) Ida. A Novel, first edition, signed by the author on half-title, very light browning to endpapers, original cloth, browning to spine, foxing to covers, dust-jacket, very light toning, spine ends and corners a little chipped, some light marking to panels, [Wilson 36a], New York, Random House, [1941]; and 2 others, the first English edition of First Reader and Wilson's bibliography, 8vo (3)
Burroughs (William S.) The Ticket that Exploded, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to David Snell on title, original first issue printed wrappers with NF18 price, light creasing to spine, dust-jacket, very light fading to spine, short closed tear with creasing to head of upper panel, light rubbing to extremities, 8vo, Paris, Olympia Press, 1962.⁂ An interesting association, David Snell (1921-87), reporter for Life Magazine, visited Burroughs in Paris in 1959 for an interview and was present when Brion Gysin first introduced Burroughs to the cut-up technique (the practice of cutting out sentences from manuscripts for them to be rearranged to create a new text). The ensuing article caused a sensation, with Burroughs essentially outed as a heroin user (including to his shocked mother).
Stein (Gertrude) Autobiographies, translated by Baronne d'Aiguy, first French edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Henri Jeanson to half-title, portrait frontispiece, light marginal browning to text margins, original wrappers, covers detached, 2 repaired tears to upper cover, a few cracks and chips to spine, glacine dust-jacket, preserved in custom drop-back box with the inscription, original spine and wrappers, replicated on the box, [Wilson D11], 8vo, Paris, Confluences, [1946].⁂ Stein died in July 1946 so this is likely one of the last works she inscribed. Henri Jeanson (1900-1970) French writer and journalist, imprisoned for pacifism during the Second World War. He edited the investigative and satirical weekly Le Canard enchaîné from 1945-7.
Stein (Gertrude) Mrs. Reynolds and Five Earlier Novelettes, first edition, signed presentation inscription from Alice B. Toklas to William Cook and his wife Jeanne to endpaper, some cracking to upper hinge but holding firm, original cloth, scratch mark to upper cover, dust-jacket, light browning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, a few very short closed tears to head and foot with accompanying creasing, some very light surface soiling, [Wilson A52a], 8vo, New Haven, CT, Yale University Press, 1952.⁂ An excellent association copy inscribed to a close long-time friend of Stein and Toklas. William Cook (1881-1959), an American expatriate artist and taxi driver, first came to know Stein and Toklas during a holiday in Majorca. On returning to Paris, Cook, while working as a taxi driver, would ferry tourists and visitors to Stein's salons and even taught Stein to drive, as skill she put to use during the war, helping to transport supplies for the French war effort.
Toklas (Alice B.) The Alice B. Toklas Cook Book, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Jacques Ehrmann - The perhaps youngest of the admirers of Gertrude Stein to cross my path? With all good wishes, Alice Toklas, 5-vii-55" to endpaper, illustrations by Francis Rose, some occasional scattered foxing, a few newspaper clippings and printed recipes loosely inserted, original cloth, some light foxing, dust-jacket spine browned, spine ends and corners chipped affecting title at head of spine, chipping, tearing and creasing to head and foot, some light damp-staining and browning to panels, extremities rubbed, [Wilson H1b], 8vo, Michael Joseph, 1954.⁂ Toklas' famous book of recipes and reminiscences with an excellent presentation inscription.Toklas wrote the cook book as a favour to Random House in lieu of a requested memoir. It is a classic of its kind and a forerunner of works by the likes of Julia Child and Elizabeth David. The English edition appeared a few days prior to the American and includes Toklas' notorious recipe for Haschich Fudge that was excised from the American edition. Jacques Ehrmann (1931 - 1972) was a French theorist and faculty member at Yale, he would have been 24 in 1955.
Toklas (Alice B.) Aromas and Flavors of Past and Present. With Introduction and Comments by Poppy Cannon, first edition, first printing with "K-H" to title verso, signed presentation inscription from the author to endpaper, very light browning to endpapers, original cloth-backed boards, light fading to tips of spine, dust-jacket, price-clipped, ink mark to front flap, light sunning to spine and panels, chipping to spine ends, chip to head of upper panel, closed tear to head of upper panel, light rubbing, [Wilson H3a], 8vo, New York, Harper & Brothers, [1958].⁂ Rare directly signed by Toklas, we can trace no other like copy.
Toklas (Alice B.) What is Remembered, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Boyd von Kessinger to endpaper, original cloth, light fading to tips of spine, dust-jacket, light browning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, otherwise excellent, [Wilson H5], 8vo, New York, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, [1963].⁂ Rare inscribed, we can trace only one other copy. Boyd von Kessinger was a collector and employee of the Turkish embassy who met a number of notable literary figures.
Turner (W. J.) Paris and Helen, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Siegfried Sassoon, light toning to spine, Sidgwick & Jackson, 1921; [Another copy], first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Robert Graves, bookplate to endpaper, spine browned with ends chipped, rubbing and browning to covers, Sidgwick & Jackson, 1921 § Buchan (John) Poems Scots and English, second impression, signed presentation inscription from the author "Mother from John" to endpaper, light sunning to spine, T. C. & E. C. Jack, 1917; and 14 others, poetry, 8vo (17)
NO RESERVE Unruh (Fritz von) Opfergang, first edition, number 16 of 75 copies, signed by the author on title with 4-line autograph poem, original roan, gilt, rubbed, t.e.g., others uncut, 4to, Berlin, Reiß, 1919.⁂ Published in 1928 by Knopf as The Way of Sacrifice, Opfergang is one of the great German novels to come out of the First World War.
Verlaine (Paul) Poëmes Saturniens, first edition, [one of 500 copies], signed presentation inscription from the author "a Emile Le Brun bien affectueusement. P Verlaine" to half-title, occasional light foxing, heavier to endpapers, Le Brun's ink ownership inscription to endpaper, handsome red crushed morocco, gilt by Hélène Alix, original wrappers bound in, slip-case, g.e., 8vo, Paris, Alphonse Lemerre, 1866.⁂ A superb example of the author's first collection of poetry inscribed to close friend and future dedicatee of his poems. Poëmes Saturniens was published at the poet's own expense with the support of his cousin Elisa Dujardin. Though it received favourable reviews the collection sold poorly and copies are now scarce, especially so signed. Emile Le Brun was a translator and long-standing friend of Verlaine, who would dedicate two poems to her, 'There' in Amour in 1888 and one of the poems in Dedicaces (on p.45 of the first edition).
Burroughs (William S.) Nova Express, jacket a little rubbed, Grove Press, [1964]; The Ticket that Exploded, light browning to endpapers, Grove Press, [1967]; The Wild Boys, "all the best from the wild boys", jacket price-clipped, closed tear to head of lower panel, Grove Press, [1971]; Queer, "For Rudy di Prima with all the best wishes for a meaningful future, William S. Burroughs July 14, 1987 (French Independence Day 'L'heure de gloire est arrivé')", frontispiece, ink ownership inscription "Rudi" to pastedown, light fading to upper and lower edge, jacket with light toning, 1985, first edition or first American editions, all signed or with signed presentation inscriptions from the author, original cloth, dust-jackets, some light creasing to head and foot, but generally excellent, New York, 8vo (4)⁂ Rudy di Prima was the son of the beat poet Diane di Prima (1934-2020).
Verlaine (Paul) Chansons pour elle, first edition, signed autograph poem "Au Vicomte de Lautrec" from Dedicaces bound in following title, portrait frontispiece, title vignette, half-title, bookplates to pastedown and endpaper, crushed aubergine morocco, gilt by Stikeman, g.e., 8vo, Paris, Leon Vanier, 1891.⁂ An attractive copy with an autograph poem by Verlaine.Ce n'est pas un bonjour tout sec,Mon cher Guy, vicomte Lautrec,Que je vous donne, c'est, avecUn vœu qui ne part pas du bec,Mais un qui vient du cœur vraimentEt ce, sous la foi du serment...D'ailleurs vous savez qu'il ne ment.En dépit de la rime en ment...Rime calomniée et tropMéprisée ainsi qu'un siropQui sucrerait trop un poison!Et voici ma forte raison:Souvenez-vous de l'hôpital!Vous voyez que c'était fatal.
Vidal (Gore) Williwaw, browning to endpapers, jacket price-clipped, spine a little faded, spine ends and corners chipped, rubbed, 1946; In a Yellow Wood, jacket with light rubbing to spine tips, else fine, 1947; A Search for the King, jacket spine slightly browned and chipped at head, 1950; The Judgment of Paris, jacket with light browning to spine, some rubbing to extremities, 1952; Messiah, front free endpaper with small portion excised at head, jacket spine slightly faded, a few small chips or tears to head and foot, rubbed, 1954, first editions, all signed or with signed presentation inscriptions from the author, original boards, dust-jackets, New York, E. P. Dutton; and 5 others by the same, also signed or inscribed, including the first English edition The City and the Pillar, 8vo (10)
Vidal (Gore) The City and the Pillar, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author dated 1948 to endpaper, original cloth, spine ends and corners a little bumped, dust-jacket, light sunning to spine, neat repairs and restorations to head and foot, in effect an excellent example, 8vo, New York, E. P. Dutton, 1948.⁂ Vidal's third novel, a coming-out story about a young man coming to terms with his sexuality. The first post-War novel to portray its gay central character in a sympathetic light.
White (Patrick) Happy Valley. A Novel, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "E. N. Brown with best wishes Patrick White February 1939" to endpaper, scattered spotting to edges and first few ff. original cloth, spine slightly darkened, dust-jacket, browning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, minor creasing to head and foot, light marking to panels, light rubbing to extremities, a very good copy overall, 8vo, George C. Harrap, 1939.⁂ Patrick White's first novel signed in the month of publication, later disowned by the author and not republished during his lifetime, we know of only a handful of inscribed copies. Happy Valley was published on 2nd February, 1939. White inscribed another copy of this work to a Ruth Brown, again with the date of February 1939, however we have been unable to trace the connection of either Brown with the author.
White (Patrick) The Living and the Dead, first edition, signed by the author on title, light scattered spotting, ink stamps of the Waterloo Book Stall, Bombay and Ashwoods, Sidney to endpaper and pastedown, original cloth, original cloth, spine ends and corners rubbed and bumped, small gouge mark to upper cover, light rubbing and marking to covers, preserved in custom drop-back box with bookplate of Geoffrey Cains, 8vo, George Routledge and Sons Ltd., 1941.⁂ The author's elusive second novel, we can trace no other signed copy. Fewer than 1,500 copies of this first edition were printed. This copy from the collection of Humphrey Macqueen.
Burroughs (William S.) Dead Fingers Talk, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Nelson Lyon on title, original boards, spine ends and corners a little bumped, dust-jacket, light browning to spine, spine ends and corners a little creased and chipped, 2 chips to upper fore-edge, light rubbing to extremities, 8vo, John Calder in association with Olympia Press, 1963.⁂ A good association copy, inscribed to Burroughs' friend, the writer Nelson Lyon (see also lots 42, 50 and 53).
White (Patrick) Riders in the Chariot, first edition, signed by the author on title, original cloth, very light fading to spine, dust-jacket, light toning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped and creased, some faint rubbing to extremities, 8vo, Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1961.⁂ An excellent signed copy of the work often cited as White's masterpiece.
White (Patrick) Four Plays, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For me Old Mate from the Western Des. Patrick White, 1965" to endpaper, original boards, some bumping to head and foot, dust-jacket, neatly price-clipped, light toning to spine, light creasing to head and foot, an excellent copy, 8vo, Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1965. ⁂ A collection of early plays by White with a charming inscription, we can trace no other inscribed copies.
White (Patrick) The Vivisector, first edition, signed by the author on title, very light fading to upper and lower edges, dust-jacket, very short closed tear to head of upper joint, light creasing to head, some light surface soiling, an excellent example 8vo, New York, Viking Press, [1970].⁂ The true first edition, preceding the English edition by three months.
White (Patrick) The Eye of the Storm, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Ingmar Björkstén dated Sydney, 1973 to endpaper, original boards, bump to upper fore-edge, dust-jacket, light toning to spine, faint rubbing to extremities, small patch of staining to foot of front flap from removal of price sticker, an excellent copy, 8vo, Jonathan Cape, 1973.⁂ A good association, inscribed to the Finnish-Swedish journalist Björkstén (1936-2002) who did much to promote White in his home countries and was a correspondent from 1962 onwards. See also lots 457, 460 and 461.
White (Patrick) The Cockatoos. Shorter Novels And Stories, first edition, signed by the author on title, original boards, spine ends and corners a little bumped, dust-jacket, very light toning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, short closed tear to head of upper panel, a very good copy, 8vo, Jonathan Cape, 1974.⁂ Rare, we can trace no like signed copy.
White (Patrick) The Twyborn Affair, first American edition, signed presentation inscription "For Angus McBean, almost my first photographer who wanted to take me climbing a ladder, Patrick White, Spring 1980" to endpaper, the odd spot, original cloth-backed boards, spine ends and corners a little bumped, dust-jacket, very light sunning to spine, short closed tear to head of upper panel, light creasing to head and foot, 8vo, New York, Viking Press, 1980.⁂ A good association inscribed to the Welsh surrealist photographer McBean (1904-90). We were unable to trace whether McBean did ultimately photograph the author, whether on a ladder or not.
NO RESERVE Burroughs (William S.).- Ginsberg (Allen) and Ann Charters. Scenes Along the Road, first edition, signed presentation inscription from William Burroughs "For Gary Lee Nova many thanks for my mother's flower arranging book which I have wanted for many years with friendship and all best wishes for 1978" to title, photographic illustrations, original cloth, dust-jacket, light toning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, light creasing to head and foot, 4to, New York, Portents/ Gotham Book Mart, [1970].⁂ A good association, inscribed to the artist and sometime collaborator Gary Lee-Nova.Gary Lee-Nova (b.1943), artist, as a young man would cite Burroughs as a major influence and hero-figure, his art is sometimes described as including Burroughsian techniques.
White (Patrick) Memoirs of Many in One. By Alex Xenophon Demirjian Gray, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Ingmar [Björkstén] - a few final high kicks - Patrick 1986" to endpaper, original boards, spine ends a little bumped, dust-jacket, light rubbing to tips of spine and corners, else fine, 8vo, Jonathan Cape, 1986.⁂ The author's final complete novel with an uncharacteristically jovial inscription to the journalist Ingmar Björkstén (see lot 454, 457 and 461)
NO RESERVE White (Patrick) Three Uneasy Pieces, first edition, presentation inscription from the author "Ingmar from US - Christmas 1987" below photographic portrait of the author with his partner, light toning to margins, original wrappers, Fairfield, Pascoe Publishing, 1987.⁂ With a charming, personal inscription to the journalist Ingmar Björkstén (see lot 454, 457 and 460).
NO RESERVE White (Patrick) Kohti Mantereen Sydäntä, first Finnish edition, light foxing, Helsinki, 1977; Livets Träd, first Swedish edition, Stockholm, 1970; Węzeł, first Polish edition, Warsaw, 1968; L'Occhio dell'Uragno, first Italian edition, original wrappers, Milan, 1974, all signed by the author, all but the last in original boards and dust-jackets, jacket with some rubbing and creasing to head and foot; and 3 other signed first foreign language editions by the same, 8vo (7)
Whitman (Walt) Calamus. A Series of Letters Written During the Years 1868-1880, edited by Richard Bucke, first edition, presentation inscription from the editor "Dr John Harkness from his friend the Editor, Asylum, London - Ont. 15 Sept. '97" to endpaper, frontispiece, light browning to margins, obituary of Bucke laid onto front pastedown, original cloth, light rubbing to extremities, light marking to covers, [BAL 21446], 8vo, Boston, Laurens Maynard, 1897.⁂ Rare with a presentation inscription from the editor, we can trace no like copy.
Wilde (Oscar).- Harris (Frank) Oscar Wilde. His Life and Confessions, 2 vol., first American edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Count von Bernstorff quoting Pascal to endpaper, original morocco-backed boards, spines slightly faded, spine ends and corners a little bumped, New York, 1916; and 4 others, 2 works inscribed by Harris and 2 relating Wilde, 8vo & 4to (6)
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