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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“The problem with the world is that everyone is a few drinks behind”: First Edition of one of the earliest and most influential detective novels ever written; Dashiell hammett's the maltese falcon in the rare original dust jacket
HAMMETT, Dashiell.
The Maltese Falcon.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930.
First edition of one of the earliest and most influential detective novels ever written. Octavo, original cloth. Fine in a near fine first-issue dust jacket priced at 2.00 with the dust-jacket blurb quotes Joseph Shaw, editor of Black Mask, “We want to go on record as saying that this story is a marvelous piece of writing – the finest detective story it has ever been our privilege to read in book form, in any magazine of any kind, or in manuscript…” with some expert restoration. Rare and desirable, as most examples have been price-clipped.
Price: $50,000.00 Item Number: 122876
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"I am enormously pressed for time this vacation, and I am ever afraid no such thing will have been done by me in time to be of use to you": Rare autograph letter signed by J.R.R. Tolkien with his list of Old English Literature Questions with annotations and corrections in his hand
TOLKIEN, J.R.R.
J.R.R. Tolkien Autograph Letter Signed and Annotated Old English Literature Questionnaire.
1920.
Rare autograph letter signed by the author of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien regarding a list of 50 questions he has composed examining Old English Literature. One page, entirely in Tolkien’s hand, the letter reads in full, “1 Alfred Street St. Giles Oxford Mar: 17th 1920. Dear Miss Duncan, I enclose a ‘mixed bag’ of 50 questions on the OE period – some of them on ‘Beowulf’ (exclusive of special points of commentary), some more general. A few may be of use to you (many are culled from past papers etc.: those of last year are marked). They are not intended to by models of clear questioning , but to suggest enquiries. The easily available critical writings that might help are all 150 few. I hoped some time to make out something like a select bibliography but I am enormously pressed for time this vacation, and I am ever afraid no such thing will have been done by me in time to be of use to you. I am yours sincerely JRR Tolkien.” Three pages, typewritten and composed of 50 questions, the questionnaire is titled “Old English Literature Questions” with several annotations and corrections in Tolkien’s hand, including to question 1. “A gluttonous race of Jutes and Angles, capable of no grand combinations: [Tolkien has added “lumbering about in potbellied equanimity] not dreaming of heroic toll, and silence, and endurance, such as lead to the high places of this universe, and the golden mountain tone where dwell the spirits of the dawn’ (Carlyle). How far would your reading of Old English poetry land you to modify this estimate?” to question 10. “What may we imagine the effect of the introduction of Christianity (and the [Tolkien has added “subseq.”] attitude of the Church) to have been upon the preservation of the legends (and ideals) of Germanic past?” and to question 28. “Do you agree that compared with ‘The Battle of Maldon’ (which celebrated complete defeat) ‘Brunanburh’ [Tolkien has added “which celebrated a great victory”] is merely competent laureate work that any well educated gentleman of the time could have turned out on conventional models? Can you account for it?” Tolkien has also added a 51st question in his hand at the conclusion of the questionnaire, “Give an account of one important ins. of English poetry. Indicate its value for our knowledge of the subject as a whole.” In fine condition. An extraordinary pairing, offering a unique glimpse into Tolkien’s broad literary knowledge and influences.
Price: $50,000.00 Item Number: 121974
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First Edition of Dashiell Hammett's Red Harvest; In the Rare Original Dust Jacket
HAMMETT, Dashiell.
Red Harvest.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1929.
First edition of the author’s first book and “acknowledged literary landmark” (New York Times Book Review). Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with a few small chips. An exceptional example of this dust jacket, which is usually encountered with restoration. Rare and desirable.
Price: $40,000.00 Item Number: 122905
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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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"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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"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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"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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“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: $35,000.00 Item Number: 119848
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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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"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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“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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"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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"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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"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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“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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“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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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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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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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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"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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"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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"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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"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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"You do see, don't you, that she's got to be killed?": Rare first edition of Agatha Christie's Appointment with Death; in the scarce original dust jacket
CHRISTIE, Agatha.
Appointment With Death.
London: The Crime Club by Collins, 1938.
Rare first edition of Christie’s classic Poirot murder mystery set in Jerusalem. Octavo, original cloth. Very good in the scarce original dust jacket which is in near fine condition and completely unrestored. Ownership inscription. The first edition of this Christie title is scarce, copies in the original dust jacket exceedingly so.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 122982
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"I don't think I shall ever forget my first sight of Hercule Poirot": First edition of Agatha Christie's Murder in Mesopotamia; in the scarce original dust jacket
CHRISTIE, Agatha.
Murder in Mesopotamia.
London: The Crime Club by Collins, 1936.
First edition of Christie’s classic Poirot murder mystery, inspired her visit to the Royal Cemetery at Ur where she met her second husband, Sir Max Mallowan. Octavo, original cloth. Very good in the scarce original dust jacket which is in near fine condition and completely unrestored.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 122470
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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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"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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"And people with obsessions, reflected Bond, were blind to danger": First edition of Ian Fleming’s Moonraker; Signed by Henry Blofeld
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. Signed by Henry Blofeld on front free endpaper. Blofeld is the son of Thomas Robert Calthorpe Blofeld (1903-1986) who attended Eton with Fleming and whose name is believed to be the inspiration for the supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket with the spine panel bright and with light wear to the spine extremities. Jacket design by Kenneth Lewis. A nice association.Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 107324
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“You cannot conceive, nor can I, of the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God": First Edition of Graham Greene's Brighton Rock; Inscribed by Him
GREENE, Graham.
Brighton Rock.
New York: The Viking Press, 1938.
First American edition, preceding the British edition by one month of Greene’s chilling expose of violence and gang warfare in the pre-war underworld is a classic of its kind. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For Clive affectionately, Graham.” The recipient Clive Francis is a British actor, known for his roles in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, Inspector Clouseau and The Crown and was a friend of Greene’s. An excellent example in a very good dust jacket with rubbing and wear. Jacket design by George Salter. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. First editions signed and inscribed are scarce.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 106788
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First Edition of Graham Greene's The Quiet American; warmly Inscribed by Him in the year of publication
GREENE, Graham.
The Quiet American.
London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1955.
First edition of Greene’s classic novel of exploration of love, innocence, and morality in Vietnam. Octavo, original blue cloth. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Ann Slayton- I’m so glad Peter introduced us- from Graham Greene Jan. 26, 1955 Albany, Piccadilly, London W.1.” Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket with light wear. Housed in a custom clamshell box.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 117468
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“We're forever teetering on the brink of the unknowable, and trying to understand what can't be understood": First Edition of Isaac Asimov's The Caves of Steel; Signed by Him
ASIMOV, Isaac.
The Caves of Steel.
Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc, 1954.
First edition of the first work in Asimov’s acclaimed Robot series. Octavo, original blue boards, red topstain. Signed by Isaac Asimov on the title page. Light wear to the cloth, near fine in a very good dust jacket with some rubbing and wear to the extremities. Dust jacket design by Ruth Ray. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare and desirable signed.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 39015
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Signed Limited Edition of the Works of H.G. Wells; Additionally inscribed by Him to Lover Elizabeth von Arnim
WELLS, H.G.
The Works of H.G. Wells Including [The Time Machine, The Island of Doctor Moreau, The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds, Etc].
London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1924-27.
One of 20 sets for presentation from an overall edition of 620, this is letter e and Wells has written (Little e), signed by H.G. Wells in volume one, and additionally inscribed by Wells in volume one to his lover Elizabeth von Arnim, “To Little e H.G.” With her bookplate to all but two volumes. After her first husband’s death, she had a three-year affair with the writer H. G. Wells, then later married Frank Russell, elder brother of the Nobel prize-winning writer and philosopher Bertrand Russell. She was a cousin of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield. Her first marriage made her Countess von Arnim-Schlagenthin and her second Elizabeth Russell, Countess Russell. Though known in early life as May, publication of her first book introduced her to readers as Elizabeth, which she eventually became to her friends and finally even to her family. She is now known invariably as Elizabeth von Arnim. She used the pen name Alice Cholmondeley only for the novel Christine, published in 1917. According to Katy Roiphe’s Uncommon Arrangements: Seven Portraits of Married Life in London Literary Circles 1910-1939, 2008, she “arranged for her married lover (H.G. Wells) to visit her Swiss chalet bedroom by means of a hidden entrance”. The affectionate inscription confirms that, even after their affair had ended, they remained close friends. Octavo, 28 volumes. Bound in original publishers cloth, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, top edge gilt. Frontispiece illustrations including the author portrait in volume one. In near fine condition. An exceptional association.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 122895