Science Fiction and Mystery
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First edition of the Ian Fleming’s first book Casino Royale which introduced the world to 007: Inscribed by Ian Fleming to Classmate and Novelist Ralph Arnold
FLEMING, Ian.
Casino Royale.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1953.
First edition of the first novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Ralph, We have now both reduced our remainders by one copy! Ian.” With a note of explanation by the recipient underneath, “I having told Ian, from the depths of my publishing experience, that he would be lucky if he made £200 out of this, his first thriller!! R.A.” The recipient Ralph Arnold was a novelist, historical writer and publisher who joined Constable in 1936 and was chairman from 1958 to 1962. Arnold and Fleming studied together at the Tennerhof School in Kitzbühel, Austria, and it was there that both made their first forays into story-writing. Having left Sandhurst without obtaining a commission, Fleming “was sent to ‘sort himself out’ at a quasi-finishing school for men in Kitzbühel … There, while skiing and climbing mountains, he came under the benevolent tutelage of Ernan Forbes Dennis, a former British spy turned educationalist, and his wife, Phyllis Bottome, an established novelist. Forbes Dennis brought out Fleming’s aptitude for languages and introduced him to literature, while his wife encouraged him to write his first stories.” (Oxford DNB). Near fine in a near fine first state dust jacket (without the Sunday Times review on the inner front flap) with the lightest of rubbing to the extremities. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $150,000.00 Item Number: 98575
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“YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE: ONCE WHEN YOU ARE BORN AND ONCE WHEN YOU LOOK DEATH IN THE FACE”: COMPLETE SET OF IAN FLEMING'S JAMES BOND NOVELS; IN THE RARE ORIGINAL DUST JACKETS; WITH FIVE SIGNED BY SEAN CONNERY
FLEMING, Ian.
Complete Set of 14 First Edition James Bond Novels: Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, From Russia with Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only (short stories including A View to a Kill and Quantum of Solace), Thunderball, The Spy Who loved Me, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy and The Living Daylights.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1953-66.
First editions of each volume in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, 14 volumes, original cloth. Each volume is fine in near fine to fine first-issue dust jackets, with five signed by Sean Connery, which include: From Russia With Love, Dr. No, Diamonds Are Forever, Goldfinger and Thunderball each signed by Sean Connery. Each volume is housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional collection of first editions, most rare in this condition and signed.
Price: $125,000.00 Item Number: 105482
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"To Eric who kills me with his kindness!": First edition of Ian Fleming’s Moonraker; Inscribed by Him to Friend Eric Partridge
FLEMING, Ian.
Moonraker.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1955.
First edition, first issue with “shoo” for “shoot” on page 10 of the third novel in the James Bond series and what many critics to be his finest. Octavo, original black cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Eric who kills me with his kindness! from Ian.” The recipient was lexicographer Eric Partridge who used to draw extensively on the crime and detective fiction of the likes of Fleming and Chandler for his linguistic studies of slang and criminal dialects. Both Partridge and Fleming both later contributed to The Concise Encyclopedia of Crime and Criminals (Andre Deutsch, 1961). Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with the spine panel bright and with light wear to the spine extremities. Jacket design by Kenneth Lewis. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $72,000.00 Item Number: 120817
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First edition of the Ian Fleming’s first book Casino Royale
FLEMING, Ian.
Casino Royale.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1953.
First edition of the first novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Near fine in a near fine first state dust jacket (without the Sunday Times review on the inner front flap) with some rubbing and wear to the spine. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A very nice example.
Price: $45,000.00 Item Number: 99350
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“I am a poet in deeds-not often in words": FIRST EDITION OF IAN FLEMING’S GOLDFINGER; WARMLY INSCRIBED BY HIM
FLEMING, Ian.
Goldfinger.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1959.
First edition of the seventh novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “From Ian with love for Jo. May 6, 1959.” The recipient is Josephine Hartford Bryce, husband Ivar Bryce, often cited as one of the primary models for James Bond. Fleming named the character Felix Leiter, Bond’s friend and CIA operative, in part after Ivar Bryce, whose middle name was Felix. The Bryce’s spent their summers at Black Hole Hollow Farm in Vermont, where Fleming was frequently a guest. He spent summers there hiking and plotting his Bond novels. Fleming first conceived the plot for Diamonds are Forever at the farm, and the primary setting of For Your Eyes Only, Echo Park in Vermont, is based on the farm. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Richard Chopping. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A significant association copy.
Price: $45,000.00 Item Number: 4430
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“In exchange for many favours": First Edition of Ian Fleming’s Dr. No; Inscribed by Him to Philip Brownrigg, one of his oldest friends
FLEMING, Ian.
Dr. No.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1958.
First edition with the “Honeychile” silhouette. Octavo, original black cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Philip, In exchange for many favours. Affectionately Ian.” The recipient, Philip Brownrigg was one of Fleming’s old friends from Eton. He had been an editor at the Sunday Graphic before joining de Beers, the diamond merchants. As noted by Pearson, “..as a senior executive of de Beers [Brownrigg] enjoyed the entree to that curiously closed society of the London diamond market” (The Life of Ian Fleming, London, 1966, p. 250). It was through Brownrigg that Fleming gained access to a number of contacts connected to the illicit diamond trade. These contacts (including Peter Sillitoe, former head of MI5) assisted Fleming in his research for both Diamonds are Forever (1956) and also his non-fiction work The Diamond Smugglers (1957). Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of shelfwear. Jacket design by Pat Marriott. Uncommon signed and inscribed.
Price: $42,500.00 Item Number: 120836
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The Inventions, Researches and Writings of Nikola Tesla; inscribed by Nikola Tesla to Civil War Major and Assistant U.S. Treasurer General Daniel Butterfield
MARTIN, Thomas Commerford. [Nikola Tesla].
The Inventions Researches and Writings of Nikola Tesla. With Special Reference to His Work in Polyphase Currents and High Potential Lighting.
New York: The Electrical Engineer, 1894.
Scarce edition of Thomas Commerford Martin’s landmark work in the field of electrical engineering, detailing the research and inventions of brilliant inventor, Nikola Tesla. Octavo, original cloth, patterned endpapers, tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of Tesla, illustrated with numerous diagrams throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by Nikola Tesla in Serbian Cyrillic on the second free endpaper, “Prijatelju D. Butterfield, Nikola Tesla” which translates as “My friend D. Butterfield, Nikola Tesla.” The recipient, Daniel Butterfield, was a Civil War Major General and was the head of one of Cold Spring, New York’s first families. Injured on the third day of Gettysburg, he received the Medal of Honor for his actions at Gaines Mill, Virginia, and is credited with adapting the current bugle call into Taps, the most famous bugle call in history. He later became Assistant U.S. Treasurer during the Grant administration and played a major role in the scheme (in which Grant himself participated) that caused the major collapse in the price of gold, on September 24, 1869, known as Black Friday. First published in 1894, Commerford’s landmark text was reprinted twice that year (this being the third printing which is identical to the previous printings and equally as scarce). In near fine condition. Housed in a custom full morocco clamshell box. From the library of August John Pacini, the head of the Department of Biophysical Research at the Victor X-Ray Corporation, Chicago, with a small presentation slip from his wife laid in. Exceptionally rare, not only does the present title scarcely come to market, but no other copy inscribed by Tesla has ever appeared in auction records.
Price: $42,500.00 Item Number: 119204
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Alfred B. Searle's Refractory Materials; inscribed by Nikola Tesla to fellow inventor Bartley E. Broadwell
SEARLE, Alfred B. [Nikola Tesla].
Refractory Materials: Their Manufacture and Uses.
London: Charles Griffin & Company, Limited, 1924.
Rare second revised and enlarged edition of Alfred B. Searle’s Refectory Materials; inscribed by brilliant inventor Nikola Tesla. Octavo, original cloth, with 174 graphs, diagrams and maps throughout the text. Presentation copy, inscribed by Nikola Tesla on the half-title page, “To B. E. Broadwell, with compliments from, Nikola Tesla, New York, May 18, 1931.” The recipient, Bartley E. Broadwell was engaged as the general superintendent of the Aluminum Company of America and resided in Niagara Falls, New York. He applied for and was granted U.S. patents for several inventions in the early 20th century, including his electrode for electrometallurgical, or “ring” furnaces. Two years before he founded the Nikola Tesla Company in 1896, Tesla was commissioned by Edward Dean Adams, who headed up the Niagara Falls Cataract Construction Company, to consult on how best to use the hydroelectric power generated by the falls. He advised Adams that a two-phased system would be the most reliable and a contract was awarded to General Electric to build the AC distribution system. In the 1930s, when Tesla inscribed the present volume, he was effectively bankrupt. The book was at one time part of his personal library which was slowly dissembled as he struggled to pay rent and resided in a number of hotel rooms. On June 20th 1931, two months after he inscribed the present volume, Tesla was featured on the cover of Time Magazine for his contributions to electrical power generation and in honor of his 75th birthday. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Exceptionally rare.
Price: $42,000.00 Item Number: 118028
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"There are darknesses in life and there are lights, and you are one of the lights, the light of all lights": Rare First Edition, First Issue of Bram Stoker's Dracula
STOKER, Bram.
Dracula.
Westminster: Archibald Constable and Company, 1897.
First edition, first issue with the May 1897 and with no advertisements as issued and printed on thicker stock. Octavo, original yellow cloth. In near fine condition, without the usual restoration. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. First issues are scarce.
Price: $40,000.00 Item Number: 99340
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"You only live twice: Once when you're born And once when you look death in the face": First Edition of You Only Live Twice; Inscribed by Ian Fleming to close friend Noël Coward
FLEMING, Ian.
You Only Live Twice.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1965.
First edition of the final James Bond novel published during Fleming’s lifetime and the eleventh in the series. First state with “First published 1964” on the copyright page. Octavo, original black cloth lettered in gilt, patterned endpapers. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Celestial Coward-san from Miserable Fleming-san.” The recipient, English playwright, director and actor Noël Coward was a close friend of Fleming’s and his neighbor in Jamaica. Named for the luminous insects seen in the warm evenings, his Firefly Estate east of Oracabessa, Jamaica entertained a wide range of guests, including both the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Olivier, Sophia Loren, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Sir Alec Guinness, Peter O’Toole, and Richard Burton. Coward, inspired to build his own Jamaican retreat by a visit to Goldeneye in 1948, was Fleming’s closest friend on the island and it was with his great encouragement that Fleming began writing the Bond novels that made him famous. When Fleming married Ann in 1952, Coward was one of two wedding guests and in the same year he was made godfather to their newborn son Caspar. Known for his likable sophistication and sharp sense of humor, Coward’s songs, plays, and films were immensely popular from the early 1920s through the 60s and 70s when they achieved renewed fame and critical acclaim with a variety of new revues celebrating his music, including Oh, Coward! on Broadway and Cowardy Custard in London. Coward won an Academy Honorary Award in 1943 for his naval film drama ‘In Which We Serve’, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1969, and received a Tony Award for lifetime achievement in 1970. Fleming referenced Coward on page 227 of the present volume when Bond muttered to Blofeld after an explosion, “I’ll admit that your effects man down below knows his stuff. Now bring on the twelve she-devils, and if they’re all as beautiful as Fräulein Bunt, we’ll get Noël Coward to put it to music and have it on Broadway by Christmas. How about it?” With Coward’s bookplate to the pastedown. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Richard Chopping. An exceptional association copy of this particularly uncommon signed and inscribed title as Fleming passed away in the year of publication.
Price: $40,000.00 Item Number: 111065
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“If I am the phantom, it is because man's hatred has made me so. If I am to be saved it is because your love redeems me": First Edition in English of Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera; in the rare original dust jacket
LEROUX, Gaston.
The Phantom of the Opera.
New York, Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company , 1911.
First edition with the printer’s imprint “Press of Braunworth & Co. Bookbinders and Printers Brooklyn, N. Y.” at bottom of copyright page. Octavo, original cloth, publishers tissue guard. Illustrated by Andre Castaigne with one single-page and four double-page inserted plates with color illustrations. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket. The dust jacket design with the Phantom on the stairwell and not the bell tower on the front panel; one of only three total examples of the book known to have retained its dust jacket. An exceptional rarity of this cornerstone work.
Price: $40,000.00 Item Number: 99560
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"My original soul seemed, at once, to take its flight from my body": Scarce first edition of Edgar Allan Poe's Tales; including the first appearance of The Gold-Bug, The Black Cat, The Fall of The House of Usher, and The Purloined Letter
POE, Edgar Allan.
Tales.
New York: Wiley and Putnam, 1845.
First edition, first printing with the imprints of T. B. Smith and H. Ludwig on the copyright page of one of the most important works in the history of American literature. Several of the dozen stories in this remarkable collection are among the best known in fiction including The Gold-Bug, The Black Cat, The Fall of The House of Usher, and The Purloined Letter. Octavo, bound in three quarters contemporary calf over marbled boards. Housed in a custom clamshell and chemise box. In excellent condition with light browning to the text. BAL 16146; Grolier, 100 American, 55; Heartman and Canny, pp. 90-97; Yale/Gimbel 61. One of the nicest examples we have seen of this scarce highspot of American literature.
Price: $35,000.00 Item Number: 95139
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"I want to be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren": Rare First Editions, First Printings of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
TOLKIEN, J.R.R.
The Lord of The Rings Trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.
London: George Allen and Unwin, 1954-55.
First editions, first states of each title comprising the The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Octavo, 3 volumes, original red cloth, folding map in the rear of each volume. Near fine in near fine dust jackets with light rubbing and wear. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional set.
Price: $35,000.00 Item Number: 116428
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First Edition of That Hideous Strength; Inscribed by C.S. Lewis to George Orwell
LEWIS, C.S.
That Hideous Strength.
London: John Lane, The Bodley Head, 1943.
First edition of the final novel in Lewis’ acclaimed Space Trilogy. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by C.S. Lewis to fellow writer and journalist George Orwell and his wife (Eric and Eileen Blair) on the front free endpaper, “To the Blairs, with kind regards, C.S. Lewis Aug. 1945.” This is the review copy used in George Orwell’s literary review of the book which was published in the Manchester Evening News on August 16th 1945. Also with three hand-corrections to the text in Lewis’ hand which he made in all review copies before personally sending to critics. Although Lewis and Orwell were not close friends, both were employed as radio journalists by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) during WWII, an era that transformed both religious broadcasting (in which Lewis became a primary figure) and war correspondence (Orwell’s experience as a correspondent working out of the basement of the BBC during wartime was a major inspiration for his masterpiece Nineteen Eighty-Four). Very good in a very good dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morrocco clamshell box. A remarkable association.
Price: $30,000.00 Item Number: 81218
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First Edition of Ian Fleming's The Spy Who Loved Me; Inscribed by Him to close friend Philip Brownrigg
FLEMING, Ian.
The Spy Who Loved Me.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1962.
First edition of the ninth novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Philip Tho its a bit old for him! from Ian.” The recipient, Philip Brownrigg was one of Fleming’s old friends from Eton. He had been an editor at the Sunday Graphic before joining de Beers, the diamond merchants. As noted by Pearson, “..as a senior executive of de Beers [Brownrigg] enjoyed the entree to that curiously closed society of the London diamond market” (The Life of Ian Fleming, London, 1966, p. 250). It was through Brownrigg that Fleming gained access to a number of contacts connected to the illicit diamond trade. These contacts (including Peter Sillitoe, former head of MI5) assisted Fleming in his research for both Diamonds are Forever (1956) and also his non-fiction work The Diamond Smugglers (1957). Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Richard Chopping. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise clamshell box. An exceptional association.
Price: $30,000.00 Item Number: 120548
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“Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly -- they'll go through anything": First Edition of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World; Signed by Him
HUXLEY, Aldous.
Brave New World.
London: Chatto & Windus, 1932.
First edition of Huxley’s masterpiece. Octavo, original blue cloth. Boldly signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Aldous Huxley 1962.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket with some rubbing and wear to the extremities. Signed trade editions of Brave New World are scarce.
Price: $30,000.00 Item Number: 119848
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"It’s just that I’d rather die of drink than of thirst": First edition of Ian Fleming's Thunderball; Inscribed by Fleming to OSS and CIA Agent Charles Jackson
FLEMING, Ian.
Thunderball.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1961.
First edition of the ninth novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To C.D. Jackson who says nice things! from Ian Fleming.” The recipient Charles Douglas Jackson joined the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in 1943 and the following year he was appointed Deputy Chief at the Psychological Warfare Division at Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), and it was during this time Fleming, working for Britain’s Naval Intelligence Division, likely would have met Jackson. After the war, Jackson worked for Life Magazine, and at the time of Thunderball‘s publication, had become the magazine’s publisher. Several years after Jackson’s death in 1964 it was revealed that he had been a CIA agent since 1948. An exceptional association of two important figures in the British/American nexus of World War II and Cold War intelligence operatives given its fullest embodiment in the popular imagination through Fleming’s enduring spy avatar James Bond. Gilbert A9a (1.1). Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of shelfwear. Jacket art by Richard Chopping. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $28,000.00 Item Number: 100002
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"However closely we live together, at whatever time of day or night we sound the deepest thoughts in one another, we know nothing": Rare First Edition of the John Le Carre’s First Book; Signed by Him
LE CARRE, John.
Call For The Dead.
London: Victor Gollancz, 1961.
First edition of the author’s first book, which introduced the world to the recurring protagonist, George Smiley. Octavo, original red cloth. Signed by the author on the title page in a contemporary hand, “John le Carre David Cornwell.” Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Housed in a custom clamshell box. An exceptional example, most rare and desirable using his real name and his pen name.
Price: $28,000.00 Item Number: 94755
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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 professional restoration to the dust jackets. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $27,500.00 Item Number: 104558
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"You only live twice: Once when you're born And once when you look death in the face": First Edition of You Only Live Twice; Inscribed by Ian Fleming
FLEMING, Ian.
You Only Live Twice.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1965.
First edition, first state with “First published 1964” on the copyright page of the last James Bond novel published in Fleming’s lifetime and the eleventh in the series. Octavo, original black cloth. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Jonathan Chase, Herewith appointed ‘Fixer’ to Ian Fleming.” An excellent example in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Richard Chopping. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Uncommon signed and inscribed as Fleming passed away in the year of publication.
Price: $25,000.00 Item Number: 53080
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"You only live twice: Once when you're born And once when you look death in the face": First Edition of You Only Live Twice; Inscribed by Ian Fleming
FLEMING, Ian.
You Only Live Twice.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1965.
First edition, first state with “First published 1964” on the copyright page of the last James Bond novel published in Fleming’s lifetime and the eleventh in the series. Octavo, original black cloth. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For James You have my best wishes from Ian Fleming.” A small stain to the front panel, an excellent example in the original dust jacket with a few small chips. Jacket design by Richard Chopping. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Uncommon signed and inscribed as Fleming passed away in the year of publication.
Price: $24,000.00 Item Number: 19060
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"The ship rushed on, nearer and nearer Earth": First Edition of Philip K. Dick's Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch; Signed by Him
DICK, Philip K.
Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch.
Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Company, Inc, 1965.
First edition of Dick’s classic novel, which was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1965. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by Philip K. Dick. Fine in near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Tom Chibbaro. Exceptionally rare signed.
Price: $22,000.00 Item Number: 101458
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FIRST EDITION OF GRAHAM GREENE'S A VISIT TO MORIN; INSCRIBED BY HIM TO IAN FLEMING AND HIS WIFE
GREENE, Graham (Ian Fleming).
A Visit To Morin.
London: Heinemann, 1959.
First edition of this short story by the award winning-author. Octavo, original green cloth. Limited to 250 copies. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper to Ian Fleming and his wife, “For Ian + Anne Fleming with all good wishes for the grim season from Graham Greene Christmas 1960.” Fleming once named Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Eric Ambler and Graham Greene as his primary literary influences. Although Fleming considered the novels in his James Bond series to be classified more as spy thrillers than as literature, he aspired to create “thrillers designed to be read as literature.” Greene, himself, divided his work into two distinct categories: ‘entertainments’, or thrillers with often philosophic edges, and ‘novels’ on which he hoped his literary reputation would come to rest. The inspiration for much of Greene’s ‘entertainments’ came from his own professional experience in the British Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as M16, which he was recruited into by his sister and was posted to Sierra Leone during WWII. Fleming is known to have based his character James Bond on Greene’s fellow WWII M16 officer Wilfrid “Biffy” Dunderdale, who served as M16’s man in Paris and was later a personal friend of Fleming’s whom he described as a a man of great character with a penchant for fast cars and pretty women. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with a stray pen mark to the front panel and some smudges. A magnificent association copy between two of the greatest spy novelists of the twentieth century. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 96133
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"One of the most important crime novels of the 20th century": First Edition of The Postman Always Rings Twice; Signed by James Cain
CAIN, James M.
The Postman Always Rings Twice.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1934.
First edition of one of the most important crime novels of the twentieth century, adapted as a motion picture seven times. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly Signed by James M. Cain on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing to the crown. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A very nice example, rare and desirable signed.
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 114122
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"This pristine first impression. From Ian": First Edition of Ian Fleming's The Spy Who Loved Me; Inscribed by Him
FLEMING, Ian.
The Spy Who Loved Me.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1962.
First edition of the ninth novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Andrew This pristine first impression. From Ian.” Very good in an excellent dust jacket with light wear to the extremities. Jacket design by Richard Chopping. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 98957
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“Hate is a lack of imagination": First Edition of Graham Greene's The Power and the Glory; In the Rare Original Dust Jacket
GREENE, Graham.
The Power and the Glory.
London: William Heinemann, 1940.
First edition of Greene’s masterpiece. Octavo, original yellow cloth. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket with some toning to the spine and light wear to the spine crown. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Scarce in the original dust jacket and in this condition.
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 118658
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"One of the most groundbreaking and influential novels of all time—and one of the best": First Edition of Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange; Inscribed by Him Using his real and pen name To His Physician
BURGESS, Anthony.
A Clockwork Orange.
London: Heinemann, 1962.
First edition of Burgess’ landmark novel. Octavo, original black boards, titles to spine in gilt. Association copy, inscribed by the author under his legal name and pen name on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “To Dr McMichael—a substitute appendix from John B. Wilson “Anthony Burgess” June 1962.” The recipient, John McMichael had treated Burgess’ wife after a suicide attempt, and the author would later dedicate his 1966 novel Tremor of Intent to him. Near fine in a near fine first issue dust jacket with the wide flaps. Jacket design by Barry Trengrove. Housed in a custom clamshell box. Jacket design by Barry Trengrove. This is the first example we have seen or heard of bearing his real name; an exceptional example.
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 97470
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“Love of life is born of the awareness of death, of the dread of it": First Edition of The Spy Who Loved Me; Inscribed by Ian Fleming
FLEMING, Ian.
The Spy Who Loved Me.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1962.
First edition of the ninth novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Peter To Cheer him up! From Ian.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket art by Richard Chopping. Housed in a full morocco clamshell box, the front panel mimicking the dust jacket. Rare and desirable signed and inscribed by Ian Fleming.
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 37032
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“Dilemma of civilized man; body mobilized, but danger obscure": First Edition of Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle; Signed by Him
DICK, Philip K.
The Man in the High Castle.
New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1962.
First edition of Philip K. Dick’s Hugo Award-winning novel. Octavo, original cloth. Bodly signed by Philip K. Dick on the front free endpaper. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of shelfwear. Jacket design by Robert Galster. Photograph by Arthur Knight. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare and desirable signed.
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 99635
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Rare Autograph Letter Signed and entirely in the hand of George Orwell; sent months after he took up residence on the isle of jura where he would write his masterpiece nineteen eighty-four
ORWELL, George.
George Orwell Autograph Letter Signed.
Rare autograph letter signed and entirely in the hand of great English author George Orwell. One page, the letter reads, “Barnhill Isle of Jura Argyllshire Scotland 31.5.46 Dear Sir, I of recently received your letter dated the 22nd, as I was travelling for some days before coming here. I am afraid I cannot make any engagement to speak for you, as I intend to be at the above address until October and am not certain of my movements after that. Please forgive me. Yours truly, Geo. Orwell.” In fine condition. Double matted and framed with a portrait of Orwell. The entire piece measures 23 inches by 13.5 inches. Scarce and desirable, written only days after Orwell took up residence at Barnstable where he would compose his masterpiece, Nineteen Eighty-Four.
Price: $18,500.00 Item Number: 104068
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First Edition of Philip K. Dick's Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said; Signed by Him
DICK, Philip K.
Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said.
Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Company, Inc, 1974.
First edition of this novel which won the John W. Campbell Award and nominations for the Hugo and Nebula. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by Philip K. Dick on the front free endpaper. Fine in a fine dust jacket with a touch of shelfwear. Jacket design by One Plus One Studio. An exceptional example, uncommon and desirable signed.
Price: $18,500.00 Item Number: 101435
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"I do hope you realise how much your services are appreciated everywhere in this building and not least by me": COMPLETE SET OF FIRST EDITIONS OF IAN FLEMING'S JAMES BOND NOVELS; FINELY BOUND WITH AN ORIGINAL TYPED LETTER SIGNED BY IAN FLEMING LAID IN
FLEMING, Ian.
Complete Set of 14 First Edition James Bond Novels: Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, From Russia with Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only [Short Stories including A View to a Kill and Quantum of Solace], Thunderball, The Spy Who loved Me, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy and The Living Daylights.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1953-66.
First editions of each volume in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, 14 volumes, bound in three quarters morocco, gilt titles to spines, raise bands, original cloth covers and spine preserved at rear of each novel. In fine condition. Accompanied by an original typed letter signed by Ian Fleming on Kemsley House letterhead and addressed to Antony Terry, M.C. of Kemsley Newspapers which reads, “21st July 1955 ‘My dear Terry,’ I must thank you for the staunch way in which you are feeding me with Atticus paragraphs, which are all either on the nail or very close to it. They are quite excellent and no other correspondent is nearly so fruitful. Once again, when you are called upon for help, you have given it in fuller measure than was asked for and produced your usual high quality journalism. I must say, looking back on your years of service for Mercury, I can think of no correspondent with anything approaching your record, and I do hope you realise how much your services are appreciated everywhere in this building and not least by me. ‘Yours well, Ian F.'” The recipient, Anthony Terry was a British journalist and former European Editor of The Sunday Times. Fleming hired him in 1949 to work as a journalist for Kemsley Newspapers of which he was at the time the Foreign manager. Terry’s obituary in The Independent stated that he was “one of the paper’s most valuable assets, a one-man listening post, a fastidious checker of facts, a burrower into dark corners and a traveller who never complained of fatigue”. The letter is in near fine condition. A very nice collection.
Price: $18,000.00 Item Number: 103644
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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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“SERVE ON HOT BUTTERED TOAST… WITH PINK CHAMPAGNE”: FIRST EDITION OF IAN FLEMING’S THRILLING CITIES; inscribed by him to close personal friend and neighbor Noel Coward
FLEMING, Ian.
Thrilling Cities.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1963.
First edition of Fleming’s compelling travelogue. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “Noël for your bluest pencil Love Ian.” The recipient, English playwright, director and actor Noël Coward was a close friend of Fleming’s and his neighbor in Jamaica. Coward, inspired to build his own Jamaican retreat by a visit to Goldeneye in 1948, was Fleming’s closest friend on the island and it was with his great encouragement that Fleming began writing the Bond novels that made him famous. When Fleming married Ann in 1952, Coward was one of two wedding guests and in the same year he was made godfather to their newborn son Caspar. Named for the luminous insects seen in the warm evenings, his Firefly Estate east of Oracabessa, Jamaica entertained a wide range of guests, including both the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Olivier, Sophia Loren, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Sir Alec Guinness, Peter O’Toole, and Richard Burton. Known for his likable sophistication and sharp sense of humor, Coward’s songs, plays, and films were immensely popular from the early 1920s through the 60s and 70s when they achieved renewed fame and critical acclaim with a variety of new revues celebrating his music, including Oh, Coward! on Broadway and Cowardy Custard in London. Coward won an Academy Honorary Award in 1943 for his naval film drama ‘In Which We Serve’, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1969, and received a Tony Award for lifetime achievement in 1970. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. With Coward’s bookplate to the pastedown. An exceptional association copy.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 111081
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"Fielding and Jebedee were dead, Steed-Asprey vanished. Smiley-where was he?": First Edition of A Murder of Quality First Edition; Signed by John Le Carre
LE CARRE, John.
A Murder of Quality.
London: Victor Gollancz, 1962.
First edition of the author’s second book. Octavo, original red cloth. Signed by John le Carre on the title page. In fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 119882
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"Look at everything upside down.Take absolutely nothing for granted": Complete Set of Dick Francis’ Novels, Each Signed by Him
FRANCIS, Dick.
Dick Francis Complete Set. Dead Cert, Nerve, For Kicks, Odds Against, Flying Finish, Blood Sport, Forfeit, Enquiry, Rat Race, Bonecrack, Smokescreen, Slay-Ride, Knock Down, High Stakes, In The Frame, Risk, Trial Run, Whip Hand, Reflex, Twice Shy, Banker, The Danger, Proof, Break In, Bolt, Hot Money, The Edge, Straight, Longshot, Comeback, Driving Force, Decider, Wild Horses, Come To Grief, To The Hilt, 10-lb Penalty, Field Of Thirteen, Second Wind Shattered and Under Orders.
London: Michael Joseph, 1962-2006.
First editions of each of the first forty Dick Francis’ mystery novels.Octavo, 40 Volumes. All forty volumes are signed by Francis and the first three novels: “Dead Cert”, “Nerve”, and “For Kicks” are signed with lines transcribed from them by Francis. The Set Consists of: Dead Cert, Nerve, For Kicks, Odds Against, Flying Finish, Blood Sport, Forfeit, Enquiry, Rat Race, Bonecrack, Smokescreen, Slay-Ride, Knock Down, High Stakes, In The Frame, Risk, Trial Run, Whip Hand, Reflex, Twice Shy, Banker, The Danger, Proof, Break In, Bolt, Hot Money, The Edge, Straight, Longshot, Comeback, Driving Force, Decider, Wild Horses, Come To Grief, To The Hilt, 10-lb Penalty, Field Of Thirteen, Second Wind Shattered and Under Orders. An exceptional set each title is fine in near fine to fine dust jackets.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 490
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"There was only one catch...And that was Catch-22": First Edition of Catch - 22; Signed by Joseph Heller and Kurt Vonnegut
HELLER, Joseph (Kurt Vonnegut).
Catch-22.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961.
First edition of one of the most significant novels of the twentieth century. Octavo, original blue cloth. Boldly signed by Joseph Heller on the title page. Additionally signed by author Kurt Vonnegut on the front free endpaper, who has added a self-caricature. Like Catch-22, by Vonnegut’s friend, Joseph Heller, Slaughterhouse-Five was a World War II novel embraced by opponents of the Vietnam War, linking a so-called “good war” to the unpopular conflict of the 1960s and ’70s. In 2005, six years after Heller’s death, Vonnegut published a short poem in The New Yorker with the title ‘Joe Heller.’ The poem recalled a conversation Vonnegut and Heller shared at a party hosted by a billionaire on Shelter Island. In a few verses, Vonnegut expresses his admiration for the late Heller and his friend’s philosophy about the meaning of life. The two agree that gaining knowledge has been more substantive than gaining wealth throughout both of their lives. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing. Jacket design by Paul Bacon. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A unique example.
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 99680
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“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change”: Presentation Copy of The First Edition of Stephen Hawking's The Universe In A Nutshell
HAWKING, Stephen .
The Universe In A Nutshell.
London: Bantam, 2001.
First British edition of Hawking’s sequel to A Brief History of Time. Quarto, original boards, illustrated. Presentation copy, with Stephen Hawking’s thumbprints on the title page. Witnessed by K. Thurkettle, and dated 21.07.14 and inscription from Hawking in Thurkettle’s hand, “To Jimmy Bridson “Look up at the stars and not down at your feet…” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $13,500.00 Item Number: 102988
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"And when that happened the right words would be found": First Edition of the Author’s First Book Cover Her Face; Lengthily Inscribed by P.D. James
JAMES, P.D.
Cover Her Face.
London: Faber and Faber, 1962.
First edition of the author’s first book. Octavo, original green cloth. Light shelfwear to the bottom cloth, near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Signed by the author on the title page with the added words, “And when that happened the right words would be found.” The inscription is the final line of this novel. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. A superior example with a nice inscription from the author.
Price: $13,000.00 Item Number: 4325
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"I had forgotten how much light there is in the world, till you gave it back to me": First Editions of Each of Book in Ursula Le Guin’s The Wizard of Earthsea Series; Each Volume Signed by Her
LE GUIN, Ursula K. [LeGuin].
The Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehanu and The Other Wind.
Berkeley: Parnassus, 1968-2001.
First editions, first printings of each of the five novels in Le Guin’s acclaimed Wizard of Earthsea series. Octavo, 5 volumes, original cloth. Each book is signed by Ursula K. Le Guin on the title page. The Wizard of Earthsea is the first issue with the publisher’s faint vertical smudge running through the R in “Wizard” on the title page; that continues through the round symbol and into the second U in “Ursula” below, ending at the I in “drawings”, and the dust jacket priced at $3.95. A Wizard of Earthsea with illustrations by Ruth Robbins; Tombs of Atuan and Farthest Shore with illustrations by Gail Garraty. The Tombs of Atuan is near fine in a near fine dust jacket. The Farthest Shore is near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Tehanu and The Other Wind are fine in fine dust jackets. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional set, rare and desirable signed.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 84564