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Rare Children’s Books & First Edition Children’s Books for Sale Onine
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"Who is the most important person I've ever met in a signing queue & the first person ever to see merit in Harry Potter. With huge [underlined 4 times] thanks. J.K. Rowling": First Edition, First Printing of J.K. Rowling's Rare First Book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; Inscribed by Her to Bryony Evens
ROWLING, J.K.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
London: Bloomsbury, 1997.
First edition, first printing of the rarest book in the Harry Potter series, a cornerstone of young adult literature, and one of the best-selling books of all time. First printing with "First published in Great Britain in 1997", the full number line "10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1", "Joanne Rowling" for "J.K. Rowling", and "Thomas Taylor1997" (lacking the space) on the copyright page and "1 wand" listed twice (as the first item and last item) on the "Other Equipment" list on page 53. Octavo, original laminated pictorial boards, without a dust jacket as issued. Association copy,…
Price: $850,000.00 Item Number: 115640
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Exceedingly rare first edition, first issue presentation copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit; inscribed by Tolkien to the Livesleys who ran the summer guest cottage in the village of Sidmouth which inspired 'The Shire' and where Tolkien did much of his writing
TOLKIEN, J.R.R.
The Hobbit.
London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937.
First edition, first issue of Tolkien's classic tale, "among the very highest achievements of children’s authors during the 20th century” (Carpenter & Pritchard, 530), one of only a handful of presentation copies reserved for Tolkien to give to family members, colleagues and close friends. Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, frontispiece and 9 full-page uncolored illustrations after drawings by Tolkien. Presentation copy, inscribed by Tolkien on the flyleaf, "Mr. & Mrs. Livesley & Edgar with best wishes from J.R.R. Tolkien." The recipients, the Livesleys and their son Edgar, ran the Kennaway House, a Regency town house in the village of Sidmouth,…
Price: $475,000.00 Item Number: 135801
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First Edition, First Printing of J.K. Rowling's Rare First Book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
ROWLING, J.K.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
London: Bloomsbury, 1997.
First edition, first printing of the rarest book in the Harry Potter series, a cornerstone of young adult literature, and one of the best-selling books of all time. First printing with “First published in Great Britain in 1997”, the full number line “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1”, “Joanne Rowling” for “J.K. Rowling”, and “Thomas Taylor1997” (lacking the space) on the copyright page and “1 wand” listed twice (as the first item and last item) on the “Other Equipment” list on page 53. Octavo, original illustrated boards, without a dust jacket as issued. In fine condition.…
Price: $225,000.00 Item Number: 124950
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"Taking the pledge will not make bad liquor good, but it will improve it": The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; inscribed by Mark Twain
TWAIN, Mark. [Samuel L. Clemens].
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Tom Sawyer’s Comrade).
New York: Charles L. Webster and Company, 1886.
Early printing of Twain's masterpiece, inscribed by Mark Twain. Octavo, bound in half buckram by Roycroft with paper labels to the spine, tissue-guarded frontispiece photogravure plate of Gerhardt's bust of Clemens, one hundred and seventy-four illustrations by E. W. Kemble. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, "To Mr. Garth W. Cate: Taking the pledge will not make bad liquor good, but it will improve it. Truly Yours, Mark Twain, Nov. 25/06." With a lengthy letter of provenance dated October 14, 1964 and signed by the recipient which reads in part, "Dear Mr. Jacobs, If I had been younger…
Price: $50,000.00 Item Number: 123083
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“Don't you know that everybody's got a Fairyland of their own?”: Rare First Edition of Mary Poppins; Signed by P.L. Travers
TRAVERS, P.L.
Mary Poppins.
London: Gerald Howe, 1934.
First edition of this children's classic. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with 27 line cuts (13 full-page) and chapter tailpieces by Mary Shepard. Signed by P.L. Travers on the front free endpaper. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing and wear to the crown of the spine. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Signed first editions are of exceptional rarity, with none having appeared at auction since the time of publication.
Price: $48,000.00 Item Number: 54060
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Complete Set of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Deluxe Editions; Each Signed by Her
ROWLING, J.K.
Harry Potter Series Complete Deluxe Set. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince, and The Deathly Hallows.
London: Bloomsbury, 1997-2007.
First editions of the deluxe edition of each book in Rowling's Harry Potter series. Octavo, 7 volumes, original decorative cloth as issued. Each volume is signed by J.K. Rowling and were collected in person by the previous owner. The Prisoner of Azkaban is inscribed. In fine condition. No dust jackets were issued for these volumes. Scarce and desirable.
Price: $45,000.00 Item Number: 81035
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First edition of Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon; inscribed by Johnson to close friend and fellow Children's Book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak
JOHNSON, Crockett. [Maurice Sendak].
Harold and the Purple Crayon.
New York: Harper & Brothers, 1955.
First edition, first issue of the first book in Crockett Johnson’s charming Harold series, first issue with "30-60" and "No. 5671A" to the front flap of the dust jacket. 12 mo, original cloth, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper to fellow children's book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, "To Maury, with fond regards, Crockett Johnson." The recipient, Maurice Sendak, is best known for his immensely popular illustrated children's book, Where the Wild Things Are, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1964 and gained him international fame. Sendak, Johnson, and Johnson's wife Ruth Krauss…
Price: $40,000.00 Item Number: 135433
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"For Jenny, who does believe in magic (I do too, really) (but tell anybody)": J.K. Rowling's Rare First Book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; uniquely inscribed by her
ROWLING, J.K.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
London: Bloomsbury, 1997.
First edition, fourth printing of the rarest book in the Harry Potter series, a cornerstone of young adult literature, and one of the best-selling books of all time. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers. Presentation copy, "For Jenny, who does believe in magic (I do too, really) (but tell anybody) J.K. Rowling." The recipient, was the vendor's daughter Jenny, who was seven years old at the time, at the Edinburgh Literary Festival in August 1997. Jenny's mother wrote in her journal for that month "We all went to hear Joanne Rowling reading from her first children's book "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's…
Price: $30,000.00 Item Number: 133799
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“One day, you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again": COMPLETE FIRST EDITION SET OF C.S. LEWIS' THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA
LEWIS, C. S.
The Chronicles of Narnia Set: The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and His Boy, The Magician’s Nephew, The Last Battle.
London: Geoffrey Bles, 1950-1956.
First editions of each book in the author's classic Chronicles of Narnia series, which has sold over 100 million copies in 47 languages. Octavo, 7 Volumes, illustrated by Pauline Baynes. The set comprises of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew, and The Last Battle. Each are in very good to near fine with only light wear in their original dust jackets, with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Silver Chair with some…
Price: $27,500.00 Item Number: 104558
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First Edition of Eric Carle’s Classic Work The Very Hungry Caterpillar; Signed By The Author With A Drawing of a Caterpillar
CARLE, Eric.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Cleveland: World Publishing, 1969.
First edition, first printing of Carle's most recognizable work (with the complete number line 1-5 on the copyright page and A3450 on the rear board) in a first issue dust jacket with two paragraphs on the front flap, photograph of Carle with his two children to the rear flap with blurb mentioning only his first book, "1,2,3 to the Zoo", The World Publishing Company New York and Cleveland at bottom of both flaps and A3450 on rear flap (Grolier). Oblong quarto, original illustrated boards. Signed by Eric Carle on the title page with an original drawing of a caterpillar. Near…
Price: $25,000.00 Item Number: 133755
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Exceedingly rare original miniature manuscript of Shel Silverstein's zany children's tale A Giraffe and a Half
SILVERSTEIN, Shel.
Original A Giraffe and a Half Autograph Manuscript.
c. 1964.
Exceedingly rare original miniature manuscript of Shel Silverstein's zany children's tale A Giraffe and a Half. Oblong 16mo, three miniature books drawn by and with text entirely in Silverstein's hand illustrating three sections of the book, . The first section begins, "If you had a giraffe and he stretched another half... You would have a giraffe and a half... if he put on a hat and inside was a rat... You would have a giraffe and a half with a rat in his hat..." With Silverstein's edits in both pen and pencil throughout. A charming and unique original manuscript offering…
Price: $25,000.00 Item Number: 116374
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“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye": Signed Limited Edition of Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince; One of 525 Numbered Copies
SAINT-EXUPERY, Antoine De.
The Little Prince.
New York: Reynal and Hitchcock, 1943.
Signed limited first edition, one of 525 signed numbered copies, this is number 66. Signed by Antoine De Saint-Exupery. Small quarto, original salmon cloth, illustrated. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A very sharp example.
Price: $22,500.00 Item Number: 99850
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“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye": Signed Limited Edition of Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince; One of 525 Numbered Copies
SAINT-EXUPERY, Antoine De.
The Little Prince.
New York: Reynal and Hitchcock, 1943.
Signed limited first edition, one of 525 signed numbered copies, this is number 236. Signed by Antoine De Saint-Exupery. Small quarto, original salmon cloth, illustrated. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $22,000.00 Item Number: 102850
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“IT MATTERS NOT WHAT SOMEONE IS BORN, BUT WHAT THEY GROW TO BE": FIRST EDITION OF HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE; INSCRIBED BY J.K. ROWLING TO BRYONY EVENS
ROWLING, J.K.
Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire.
London: Bloomsbury, 2000.
First edition of the fourth book in Rowling's acclaimed Harry Potter series. Octavo, original illustrated boards. Association copy, inscribed by Rowling on the half-title page, "to Bryony, who really did discover Harry Potter J.K. Rowling." The recipient, Bryony Evens was one of the first people to read the beginning chapters of the first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, the first to recognize the work’s inherent value, and perhaps the most instrumental figure in getting the book published. Working at the time at Christopher Little Literary Agency, Evens was the first point of contact in receiving…
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 115749
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“Don't you know that everybody's got a Fairyland of their own?”: Rare First Edition of Mary Poppins; Signed by P.L. Travers
TRAVERS, P.L.
Mary Poppins.
New York: Reynal & Hitchcock, 1934.
First American edition of this children's classic. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with 27 line cuts (13 full-page) and chapter tailpieces by Mary Shepard. Boldly signed by P.L. Travers on the front free endpaper. Very good in a very good dust jacket with some light rubbing and wear. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare and desirable signed.
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 96590
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“AMONG THE BEST EVER WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN”: FIRST EDITIONS OF A.A. MILNE’S FOUR POOH BOOKS, IN ORIGINAL DUST JACKETS; The Winnie the Pooh Signed by Milne
MILNE, A.A.; Illustrated by Ernest Shepard.
The Four Pooh Books: When We Were Very Young; Winnie-The-Pooh; Now We Are Six; The House At Pooh Corner.
London: Methuen & Co., Ltd, 1924-1928.
First editions of each work in Milne's wonderful Pooh quartet. Octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, top edge gilt. Winnie the Pooh is signed by A.A. Milne on the title page. When We Were Very Young if a first edition, second issue as usual with page ix numbered. Each are fine in very good dust jackets with some loss and wear to the extremities and light toning. Illustrated by Ernest Shepard. An exceptional set, most rare and desirable with Winnie the Pooh signed by Milne.
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 95227
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"I hope that this book ain't so silly and that it will always remain in the cas[s]a": First Edition of Where the Sidewalk Ends, Signed by Shel Silverstein; Inscribed to the Children of His Editor
SILVERSTEIN, Shel.
Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings.
New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1974.
First edition of the author's first collection of children's poetry. Stated first edition on the copyright page. Small quarto, original brown cloth, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by Shel Silverstein with an original poem on the front free endpapers to the children of his editor and publicist William Cole, "For Alex and Rossa and Billy, I hope that this book ain't so silly and that it will always remain in the cas[s]a (The superfluous 's' has been scribbled out with footnote "Bill Cole's Incessant Editorial Meddling") of Billy and Alex Rossa (Not a bad rhyme for three such difficult names and…
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 91344
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First edition, first issue of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; warmly inscribed by J.K. Rowling
ROWLING, J.K.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
London: Bloomsbury, 1998.
First edition, first issue of the second novel in Rowling's Harry Potter series. Octavo, original illustrated boards. Association copy, inscribed by J.K. Rowling on the dedication page, "Susie and Emily (a female Fred & George) with best wishes J.K. Rowling." The recipients, redhead twins Susie and Emily, were family friends of Bryony Evens, whom they accompanied to the Cheltenham Literary Festival where Rowling inscribed the present volume. The inscription refers to Harry Potter character Ron Weasley's elder twin brothers and fellow redheads, Fred and George. Bryony Evens was one of the first people to read the beginning chapters of the…
Price: $17,500.00 Item Number: 115867
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“Don't let the muggles get you down": First Edition of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; Signed by J.K. Rowling
ROWLING, J.K.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
London: Bloomsbury, 1999.
First edition, first state of the third novel in Rowling's acclaimed Harry Potter series. Octavo, original illustrated boards. Boldly signed by J.K. Rowling on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Cover illustration by Cliff Wright. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $17,500.00 Item Number: 97598
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"Tesser Well": First Edition of Madeleine L'Engle’s Newbery Award-Winning Novel A Wrinkle In Time; Inscribed by Her
L'ENGLE, Madeleine.
A Wrinkle In Time.
New York: Ariel Books, 1962.
First edition of L'Engle's Newbery award-winning novel. Octavo, original half blue cloth. Inscribed by the author on the title page, "For Sam, Tesser Well Madeleine L'Engle." Near fine in a near fine first issue dust jacket that shows some light wear and a closed tear to the front panel. Without the Newbery Award-winning seal to the front panel. Jacket design by Ellen Raskin. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A very sharp example.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 757
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"I'm wearing a necklace and ear-rings so that the mountains can enjoy looking at them!": Exceptionally rare collection of autograph letters signed by reclusive author P.L. Travers
TRAVERS, P.L.
Collection of P. L. Travers Autograph Letters Signed Archive.
1974-1993.
Exceptionally rare collection of 28 typed and hand written letters and notes signed by the author of Mary Poppins, P. L. Travers. 36 pages, the letters are a collection of 20 years of correspondence between Travers and close personal friends John and Jacqueline Rutherfurd and offer an intimate glimpse into Travers' personal life and many travels. In one note dated August 10, 1981, Travers writes: "Dear Jaqueline, I write, with a newly overhauled portable (and see how it works and imagine what I will have to say to them when I get back to London!) from Chandolin, the highest lived-in-all-the-year-round…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 92809
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First Edition of Lady and the Tramp; Boldly Signed by Walt Disney
DISNEY, Walt; Ward Greene.
Lady and the Tramp.
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1953.
First edition of Lady and the Tramp, boldly signed across the title page by Walt Disney in his usual blue crayon. Octavo, original cloth, with charming illustrations by Joe G. Rinaldi. Foreword by Walt Disney. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Scarce and desirable signed by Walt Disney, especially in this condition.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 135081
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“NIELSEN’S MOST SPECTACULAR AND CELEBRATED BOOK”: SIGNED LIMITED EDITION OF EAST OF THE SUN AND WEST OF THE MOON
NIELSEN, Kay. Asbjornsen.
East of the Sun West of the Moon: Old Tales from the North.
London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1914.
Signed limited edition of one of the most important and impressive books of the Golden Age of book illustration. One of 500 numbered copies, this is number 41. Quarto, original vellum, gilt titles and decoration to spine and front cover gilt, top edge gilt, pictorial endpapers. Signed by the illustrator Kay Nielsen. With 25 tipped in color plates. In near fine condition. A very nice example. Laid is the original notice for the Leicester Galleries exhibition held in November and December of 1914, where the watercolors for this book were offered for sale.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 69026
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First edition of Peter Rabbit's Painting Book; lengthily inscribed by Beatrix Potter to the Headmistress of Queen's College and with two original paintings by Potter
POTTER, Beatrix.
Peter Rabbit’s Painting Book.
London & New York: Frederick Warne & Co, 1911.
First edition of this charming paint-by-line children's book featuring Potter's most beloved animal characters. Quarto, original pictorial cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with 12 color plates, each with facing outlined illustration intended for coloring-in, two of which have been hand-painted. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the second free endpaper in the year of publication, "Love to Mary Kynaston from Miss Potter and Peter Rabbit: and love to Joan and Phyllis and their little brother from all the little animals. (It is going to be gray squirrels next time, but that is a secret!) Thank you for a very…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 135107
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"For Maurice with many thanks for the Future!": Exceptional association copy of Dr. Seuss' The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins; inscribed by him to fellow children's book legend Maurice Sendak
SEUSS, Dr. [Theodor Seuss Geisel]; Maurice Sendak.
The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins.
New York: The Vanguard Press, 1938.
First edition, early printing of Seuss's unique book of prose. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the pastedown, "For Maurice with many thanks for the Future! Dr. Seuss." The recipient, Maurice Sendak, is best known for his immensely popular illustrated children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1964 and gained him international fame. Sendak acquired the present volume, which had been previously signed by Seuss on the verso of the front free endpaper "For Alice, Best Wishes - Dr. Seuss", and brought it to the July 1, 1980 American Library Association Conference…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 135672
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Rare original large drawing of Snoopy; drawn and signed by Charles M. Schulz
SCHULZ, Charles M.
Charles Schulz Original Signed Snoopy Drawing.
Rare original pen and ink drawing of beloved Peanuts character Snoopy, boldly signed by Charles M. Schulz. From the collection of Bill Zwecker, the former longtime entertainment and celebrity journalist. Beginning his journalism career in the 1980s, Zwecker is an industry veteran who has interviewed some of the most renowned celebrities across a breadth of industries. In fine condition. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 18 inches by 16 inches. This is easily one of the finest drawings from Schulz we have seen or handled.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 131921
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“You should never, never doubt something that no one is sure of": First Edition, First Issue of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Signed by Roald Dahl
DAHL, Roald.
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1964.
First edition, first issue with the six line colophon on the last page in the first-issue dust jacket, without the ISBN number on the rear panel. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in a contemporary hand on the front free endpaper, "For "Jan" Roald Dahl." Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare and desirable signed and inscribed.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 130750
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"I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny, but we can have lots of good fun that is funny": First Edition of the Cat In the Hat; Inscribed by Dr. Seuss
SEUSS, Dr. (Theodor Geisel).
The Cat in the Hat.
New York: Random House, 1957.
First edition, first issue of Dr. Seuss' classic work. Octavo, original illustrated unlaminated boards. Inscribed by the author, "For Ruth Dr. Seuss." Fine in an excellent dust jacket with light wear. All issue points present: price of 200/200 on the dust jacket, no mention of the "Beginner Books" series on the rear panel, and has four paragraphs of educator's reviews on rear panel. Book contains a single signature and 61 pages with a message on final page before end paper contained in an outline of the cat's hat & head. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A very…
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 24005
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"Come right up close to me and I will show you something wonderful": First Edition of James and the Giant Peach; Signed by Roald Dahl and Illustrator Nancy Ekholm Burkert
DAHL, Roald; Illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert.
James and the Giant Peach.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1961.
First edition of this Dahl classic. Octavo, original cloth, beautifully illustrated, many full-page and in color. Boldly signed by Roald Dahl on the front free endpaper and also signed by the illustrator, Nancy Ekholm Burkert on the half-title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of rubbing. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional example, most rare and desirable signed by both the author and the illustrator.
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 97748
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Scarce second edition of The First Spelling Primer; or an Easy Introduction to the Art of Reading Adorned with Emblematic Pictures
The First Spelling Primer; or an Easy Introduction to the Art of Reading Adorned with Emblematic Pictures.
London-Derry: Published by G. Douglas, 1795.
Second edition of this scarce 18th century spelling primer. 16mo, original limp paper boards, illustrated with twenty-six small text woodcuts illustrating the Prince's Alphabet, followed by an ABC poem, The Alphabet in Rhime, syllables of two and three letters, easy words, easy reading lessons, the Lord's Prayer, and a publisher's advertisement leaf aimed at children mentioning four other titles: The Ladder to Learning; Manson's Spelling Primer; Manson's Spelling Book; and The Universal Spelling Book. In good condition. Ownership name to the front panel. Housed in a custom folding case. Exceptionally rare with no other copies traced in auction records, nor…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 135238
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“Things are always happening to me. I’m that sort of bear": Rare First Edition of A Bear Called Paddington; Inscribed by Michael Bond
BOND, Michael; Illustrated by Peggy Fortnum .
A Bear Called Paddington.
London: Collins, 1958.
First edition of the first book in the Paddington series. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Peggy Fortnum. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, "To John with all good wishes Michael Bond. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket with a chip to the back panel. An exceptional example, rare and desirable signed and inscribed.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 128753
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First Edition of Ludwig Bemelmans Madeline; Signed by Him
BEMELMANS, Ludwig.
Madeline.
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1939.
First edition with the 1939 date on the title page of the first book in the Madeline series. Thin folio, original illustrated boards, color illustrations throughout, illustrated endpapers. Boldly signed by Ludwig Bemelmans on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Rare and desirable signed.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 135258
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"To my sweetheart, Sylvia": Sylvia Plath's childhood copy of A Little Maid in Vermont; inscribed to her by her mother
CURTIS, Alice Turner [Sylvia Plath].
A Little Maid of Vermont.
Philadelphia: The Penn Publishing Company, 1927.
First edition of the author's children's classic; from the library of Sylvia Plath. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Grace Norcross. Presentation copy, inscribed by Sylvia Plath's mother on the front free endpaper, "Feb. 10, 1941 To my sweetheart, Sylvia from Mommy" and with her father, Otto Plath's, embossed library stamp. Sylvia Plath was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Her mother, Aurelia Schober Plath, was a second-generation American of Austrian descent, and her father, Otto Plath (1885–1940), was from Grabow, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany and worked as a professor of biology at Boston University. Plath would have been 8 years old when her mother…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 134822
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Rare collection of six Winnie-The-Pooh prints; with an autograph note signed by both A. A. Milne and Ernest Shepard
MILNE, A. A.; Ernest Shepard.
A. A. Milne and Ernest Shepard Signed Winnie-the-Pooh Print Collection.
1928.
Rare collection of six Winnie-The-Pooh prints specially bound with an autograph note signed by both A. A. Milne and Ernest Shepard. Quarto, bound in hand-made paper wrappers, the collection includes six mounted Winnie-the-Pooh illustrations extracted from issues of Home Chat magazine which were produced by Shepard exclusively for Home Chat in 1928 and never appeared in any of the Pooh books. With a mounted note signed by Milne and Shepard. The prints are titled: Christopher Robin has a Little Something at Eleven; What Christopher Robin does in the Mornings; Christopher Robin gives Extract of Malt all round; Christopher Robin's Green…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 122600
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First Edition of Mary Mapes Dodge's Classic Work Hans Brinker; Inscribed by Her
DODGE, Mary Mapes.
Hans Brinker Or, The Silver Skates. A Story of Life in Holland.
New York: James O'Kane, 1866.
First edition of the author's second and best known work. Octavo, original green cloth, gilt titles to the spine. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, "Presented to Robert Dale Owen by the author January, 1866." The recipient Robert Dale Owen was responsible for introducing the legislation to establish the Smithsonian. He represented Indiana in the U.S. House of Representatives (1843–47). As a member of Congress, Owen successfully pushed through the bill that established Smithsonian Institution and served on the Institution's first Board of Regents. Owen also served as a delegate to the Indiana Constitutional Convention in 1850 and was appointed as U.S.…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 76002
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"The little house first stood in the country, but gradually the city moved closer and closer": First Edition of Virginia Lee Burton’s The Little House
BURTON, Virginia Lee.
The Little House.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1942.
First edition of one of the rarest and most sought after children’s classics. Oblong quarto, original blue cloth. Light rubbing to the spine tips, a near fine copy in an excellent unrestored dust jacket that shows a small chip to the crown of the spine and some light wear. Small ink inscription opposite the title page. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 2325
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First Edition of Roald Dahl's The Gremlins; Inscribed by Him in the Year of Publication
DAHL, Roald; Walt Disney.
The Gremlins. From the Walt Disney Production. A Royal Air Force Story.
New York: Random House, 1943.
First edition of Dahl’s rare first book, with 14 vibrant full-page illustrations by Walt Disney Productions. Quarto, original half cloth, pictorial endpapers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page in the year of publication, "To Tim xxx from Roald Dahl 19/6/43 There should be a bowler hat and a tail." Dahl has added a drawing of a hat and a tail on the gremlin. In near fine condition. Rare and desirable signed and inscribed in the year of publication.
Price: $12,000.00 Item Number: 73076
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first edition of L. M. Montgomery's Anne of the Island; In the rare Dust Jacket
MONTGOMERY, L. M.
Anne of the Island.
Boston: The Page Company, 1915.
First edition, first printing of the third title in Montgomery's beloved Anne of Green Gables series with all first issue points including stated first impression on copyright page, 1915 date in roman numerals on title page, correct dust jacket blurbs and price ($1.25). Octavo, original cloth decorated in gilt, tissue-guarded frontispiece and mounted cover illustration in color by H. Weston Taylor, 16 pages of publisher’s advertisements bound at rear. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket with a few small closed tears.
Price: $12,000.00 Item Number: 135042
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“Hope springs forever": Rare Limited First Edition of J.K. Rowling's The Tales of Beedle the Bard; Signed by Her
ROWLING, J.K.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Translated from the Original Runes by Hermione Granger. With Commentary by Professor Albus Dumbledore.
London: The Children's High Level Group, 2008.
First edition, limited issue of this wizarding classic. Signed by J.K. Rowling on the half-title page, with the authentication hologram. Octavo, original brown morocco-patterned boards with silver metal cornerpieces and central ornament accented with faux blue gems, silver metal clasp, marbled endpapers, green silk bookmark, illustrated. Housed in the embroidered velvet bag within the publisher's calf case with gilt titles and tooling to the spine and with the original pull-off slipcase which reads 'This Side Up'. This specially bound edition includes a portfolio of ten additional prints by Rowling that were not issued with the trade or the manuscript editions. Rare…
Price: $11,000.00 Item Number: 104144
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“I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it": First Edition of C.S. Lewis' The Silver Chair; In the Rare Original Dust Jacket
LEWIS, C.S.
The Silver Chair.
London: Geoffrey Bles, 1953.
First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket, contemporary name to the half-title page. Illustrated by Pauline Baynes. An exceptional example, as this is the most difficult volume in the series to find in collectible condition.
Price: $11,000.00 Item Number: 133711
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"It was some time during the battle of Britain, when Hurricanes and Spitfires were up from dawn to dark and the noise of battle was heard all day in the sky": First Edition of The Gremlins; Inscribed by Walt Disney
DAHL, Roald; Walt Disney.
The Gremlins. From the Walt Disney Production. A Royal Air Force Story.
New York: Random House, 1943.
First edition of Dahl’s rare first book, with 14 vibrant full-page illustrations by Walt Disney Productions. Quarto, original half cloth, pictorial endpapers. Presentation copy, inscribed by Walt Disney on the half-title page, "To Joan With Best Wishes Walt Disney." In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $11,000.00 Item Number: 103458
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“AMONG THE BEST EVER WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN”: FIRST EDITIONS OF A.A. MILNE’S FOUR POOH BOOKS; EACH IN THE RARE ORIGINAL DUST JACKET
MILNE, A.A.; Illustrated by Ernest Shepard.
The Four Pooh Books: When We Were Very Young; Winnie-The-Pooh; Now We Are Six; The House At Pooh Corner.
London: Methuen & Co., Ltd, 1924-1928.
First editions of each work in Milne's wonderful Pooh quartet. Octavo, original cloth decorated in gilt, pictorial endpapers, top edge gilt. Illustrated by Ernest Shepard. Each book is fine in a very good dust jacket with some loss and wear to the crown and foot of the spine, as is typically seen. Housed in a custom slipcase. Small ownership name to When We Were Very Young, bookplate to The House At Pooh Corner.
Price: $10,500.00 Item Number: 124859
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FIRST EDITION OF MARK TWAIN'S ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN
TWAIN, Mark. [Samuel L. Clemens].
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
New York: Charles L. Webster and Company, 1885.
First edition of Mark Twain’s masterpiece. Octavo, original publisher’s decorated green cloth, with 174 illustrations by Edward W. Kemble. Contains all of the agreed upon first issue points for the clothbound book: page 9 with “Decided” remaining uncorrected (to “Decides”); page 13, illustration captioned “Him and another Man” listed as on page 88; page 57, 11th line from bottom reads “with the was,” instead of “with the saw”. Other points of bibliographical interest included in this copy are the frontispiece portrait with the cloth table cover under the bust, bearing the Heliotype Printing Co. imprint; copyright page dated 1884; page…
Price: $10,500.00 Item Number: 117039
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“I understand what you're saying, and your comments are valuable, but I'm gonna ignore your advice": First Edition of Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox; Signed by Him
DAHL, Roald.
Fantastic Mr. Fox.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1970.
First edition of Dahl's classic children's work in the tradition of The Adventures of Peter Rabbit, this is a "garden tale" of farmer versus vermin, or vice versa. Octavo, original beige cloth. Boldly signed by Roald Dahl on the front free endpaper. Illustrated by Donald Chaffin. Jacket design by Donna Lampell. Fine in a near fine dust jacket.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 128644
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"The adventure is over. Everything gets over, and nothing is ever enough. Except the part you carry with you:" Rare First Edition of From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler; Signed by E.L. Konigsburg
KONIGSBURG, E. L.
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
New York: Atheneum, 1967.
First edition of the author's Newbery Award-winning novel. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by E.L. Konigsburg on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. An exceptional example, rare in this condition and signed.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 23067
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"Don't be so old-fashioned. This is 1066! Definitely, I shall attend the battle on horseback": First edition, first printing of The Seven Lady Godivas; inscribed by Dr. Seuss to Josephine Dodge Kimball, the founder of the first exclusively children's book store, Young Books
SEUSS, Dr. [Theodor Seuss Geisel].
The Seven Lady Godivas.
New York: Random House, 1939.
First edition, first printing of this classic Dr. Seuss title. Quarto, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated throughout. Association copy, inscribed by the author opposite the title page, "For Josephine Kimball Godiva with very best thanks - Dr. Seuss." The recipient, Josephine Dodge Kimball co-founded the first book store to specialize in children's literature, Young Books, on Madison Avenue in 1929 with former Bryn Mawr classmate Joan Whitney Payson. Both women were from prominent families and had connections that brought the store instant fame. The store's opening brought headlines in the New York Times, Life and the Saturday Review of Literature…
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 104001
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The earliest known first edition, presentation copy of Potter's The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle; warmly inscribed by her in the month following the book's publication
POTTER, Beatrix.
The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle.
London: Frederick Warne and Co, 1905.
The earliest known first edition, presentation copy of Potter's popular children's story. Octavo, original boards with embossed titles and pictorial cover label, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with 26 color plates by the author. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the front pictorial endpaper in the year of publication, "For Theresa Thorp with love from Beatrix Potter Oct 15th 05." The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle was published only one month prior to Potter's inscription in September 1905, this is the earliest traceable presentation copy inscribed by Potter. In very good condition. Front hinge reinforced, loss to the crown and foot…
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 135913
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"The future cannot blame the present, just as the present cannot blame the past. The hope is always here, always alive, but only your fierce caring can fan it into a fire to warm the world": First Editions of The Dark Is Rising Series; Each Volume Signed by Susan Cooper
COOPER, Susan.
The Dark is Rising Series: Over Sea, Under Stone; The Dark is Rising; Greenwitch; The Grey King; Silver on the Tree.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1965-1977.
First British editions and true firsts of each book in the Dark is Rising Sequence. Octavo, 5 volumes. Each copy is signed or inscribed by the author. Each are in excellent condition in the original dust jackets. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 1254
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"STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT - FIRST STAR I'VE SEEN TONIGHT. I WISH I MAY - I WISH I MIGHT - HAVE THE WISH I WISH TONIGHT!" FIRST EDITION OF WALT DISNEY'S VERSION OF PINOCCHIO: BASED ON THE STORY BY COLLODI, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE MOTION PICTURE
DISNEY, Walt. [Carlo Collodi].
Walt Disney’s Version of Pinocchio.
London and Glasgow: Collins, [1940].
First English edition of the book version of Walt Disney’s second feature-length animated motion picture. Quarto, original half cloth over illustrated boards, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Boldly signed by Walt Disney on the verso of the title page. In very good condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare signed by Walt Disney.
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 123701
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"I suppose we'll get used to being grown-up in time": first edition of L. M. Montgomery's Anne of the Island; In the Exceptionally rare Dust Jacket
MONTGOMERY, L. M..
Anne of the Island.
Boston: The Page Company, 1915.
First edition, first printing of the third title in Montgomery's beloved Anne of Green Gables series with all first issue points including stated first impression on copyright page, 1915 date in roman numerals on title page, correct dust jacket blurbs and price ($1.25). Octavo, original cloth decorated in gilt, tissue-guarded frontispiece and mounted cover illustration in color by H. Weston Taylor, 16 pages of publisher’s advertisements bound at rear. Fine in the scarce original dust jacket with a small chip to the spine. Exceptionally rare and desirable. Copies of this title in the original dust jacket are of the utmost…
Price: $9,200.00 Item Number: 130579
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"If you had a giraffe and he stretched another half… you would have a giraffe and a half": original Giraffe and a Half watercolor illustration by Shel Silverstein
SILVERSTEIN, Shel.
A Giraffe and a Half Shel Silverstein Original Illustration.
c. 1964.
Rare original ink and watercolor illustration by Shel Silverstein created for the manuscript for his zany children's book A Giraffe and a Half. One page, painted in ink and watercolor on paper, cut in Silverstein's signature style. In fine condition. Rare and desirable, offering insight into the author/illustrator's unique process. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 18 inches by 12 inches.
Price: $9,200.00 Item Number: 116361
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“Seaward ho! Hang the treasure! It's the glory of the sea that has turned my head": Rare First Edition of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island
STEVENSON, Robert Louis.
Treasure Island.
London: Cassell & Company, 1883.
First edition with the following points: "dead man's chest" on p.2 and p.7 not capitalised; "rain" for "vain" in last line p.40; "a" not presen, p.63, line 6; "7" is missing from pagination on p.127; full-stop is missing after "opportunity" p.178, line 20; "worse" for "worst" p.197, line 3. Octavo, original blue cloth, map frontispiece. In very good condition with light rubbing. Housed in a custom clamshell box.
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 125712
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RARE ORIGINAL WALT DISNEY DONALD DUCK DRAWING; INSCRIBED BY WALT DISNEY
DISNEY, Walt.
Original Walt Disney Signed Donald Duck Drawing.
Rare original drawing of classic Disney character Donald Duck. Graphite and watercolor on paper. Presentation copy, inscribed by Walt Disney, "To Bernard Hoddell Best Wishes Walt Disney." In near fine condition. Matted and framed. The entire piece measures 19 inches by 13 inches.
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 123554
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"Hi-dee-ho, here I go, Lookin' for my missin' piece": First edition of Shel Silverstein's The Missing Piece; inscribed by him with an original drawing
SILVERSTEIN, Shel.
The Missing Piece.
New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1976.
First edition of Silverstein's classic work, published by Ursula Nordstrom. Octavo, original illustrated cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the pastedown and front free endpaper "For Frank - Thank you for making the road less rocky - And thank you for believing in this book ~ Love Shel." Silverstein has added a drawing of the book's protagonist rolling along on a level path. Fine in a fine price-clipped dust jacket.
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 135135
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"Welcome Christmas. Bring your cheer, Cheer to all Whos, far and near”: FIRST EDITION OF DR. SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!; INSCRIBED BY HIM
SEUSS, Dr. [Theodor Geisel].
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
New York: Random House, 1957.
First edition, first printing of one of the most celebrated and memorable Christmas stories with all issue points present: Cat in the Hat on back cover of book with 14 titles (up to now) listed on the rear flap and a list of 13 books printed at the end of the book. Dust jacket price reads 250/250. Presentation copy, inscribed by Dr. Seuss opposite the title page, "For Eric- With Best Wishes- from Dr. Seuss." Thin quarto, original illustrated glossy paper boards, pictorial endpapers. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. A very sharp example, most desirable signed and…
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 131592
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"AND FOR ALL I KNOW HE IS SITTING THERE STILL, UNDER HIS FAVORITE CORK TREE, SMELLING THE FLOWERS JUST QUIETLY" FIRST EDITION OF THIS BELOVED CHILDREN’S CLASSIC THE STORY OF FERDINAND
LEAF, Munro; Illustrated by Robert Lawson.
The Story of Ferdinand.
New York: The Viking Press, 1936.
First edition of Munro Leaf’s beloved children’s classic. Octavo, original half tan cloth, illustrated endpapers. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with the price of $1.00 on the front flap. Illustrated by Robert Lawson. An exceptional example.
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 116795
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"Welcome Christmas. Bring your cheer, Cheer to all Whos, far and near”: FIRST EDITION OF DR. SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!; Inscribed by Him
SEUSS, Dr. [Theodor Geisel].
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
New York: Random House, 1957.
First edition, first printing of one of the most celebrated and memorable Christmas stories with all issue points present: Cat in the Hat on back cover of book with 14 titles (up to now) listed on the rear flap and a list of 13 books printed at the end of the book. Dust jacket price reads 250/250. Thin quarto, original illustrated glossy paper boards, pictorial endpapers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author opposite the half-title page, "For Blair Sanchez with Best Wishes- Dr. Seuss." The recipient, Blair Sanchez was a neighbor and friend of Dr. Seuss. Near fine in a…
Price: $8,500.00 Item Number: 135788
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“Those who don't believe in magic will never find it": First Edition of BFG; Signed by Roald Dahl and Illustrator Quentin Blake
DAHL, Roald; Illustrated by Quentin Blake.
The BFG: Illustrations by Quentin Blake.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1982.
First edition of this Dahl classic, which has sold over 20 million copies. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Quentin Blake. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front pastedown, "Nicola Love Roald Dahl." Additionally inscribed by the illustrator Quentin Blake opposite Dahl's inscription. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Uncommon signed by both Dahl and Blake.
Price: $8,200.00 Item Number: 109358
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First edition of C.S. Lewis' Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia; with an autograph note signed by him to his PhD Student at Cambridge, Anthony Spearing
LEWIS, C.S.
Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia.
London: Geoffrey Bles, 1951.
First edition of the second book in Lewis' beloved Narnia series. Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated by Pauline Baynes. With an autograph note signed by C.S. Lewis to his PhD student at Cambridge, Anthony Spearing. On Lewis' Magdalene College, Cambridge letterhead, the note reads in full, "5th Nov. 57 Dear Mr. Spearing, I gather I have been inflicted as you as a "superior" so I suppose we out to meet. Wd. next Friday at 12 suit you? Don't bother replying if it would. Yours sincerely C. S. Lewis." The recipient of the letter, Anthony Spearing was assigned to report…
Price: $8,200.00 Item Number: 135229
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“There should be a place where only the things you want to happen, happen”: 25th Anniversary Edition of Where the Wild Things Are; Signed by Maurice Sendak with a Large Original Drawing
SENDAK, Maurice.
Where the Wild Things Are.
New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1988.
Signed limited edition of the 25th anniversary of this classic work, one of 220 examples specially bound and signed by Maurice Sendak with an original Wild Thing drawing by Sendak. Fine in a fine slipcase. An exceptional example.
Price: $8,000.00 Item Number: 132609