First hardcover edition, first printing. Publisher's original blue cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in the correct first printing dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm with some bumping at the head of the spine, the cloth and gilt bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very good, lightly rubbed an nicked dustwrapper that has a tiny chip at the upper left corner of the partially faded spine. The dustwrapper is the first printing, with an advert for 'Capricorn One' printed in blue and black on the white rear panel, and the publisher's price of £4.95 net to the lower front flap. Uncommon in the correct 'state'.

The first novel in the comedy science fiction franchise that spawned an international multimedia phenomenon. First published as a paperback original earlier the same year by Pan Books, this is the first hardcover edition.

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original green cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in the Andrew Kay illustrated dustwrapper. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm, with light rubbing to the extremities and bumping to the spine ends. The contents, with spotting and toning to all edges of the closed textblock, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the better than very good lightly creased dustwrapper, which has a nick to the head of the spine and a 1cm tear to the top of the rear panel (taped on the verso) and is otherwise free from fading or loss. Not priced to the front flap and without the publisher's address or ISBN number on the rear flap, presumably for export.

The second book in the 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' series. First published as a paperback original earlier the same year by Pan Books, this is the first hardcover edition.

Three original pen and ink drawings. The first depicting a repurposed World War I tank, the image measuring 14.5 x 7.5cm, inscribed by the artist upper left 'to Oliver Simon / from Edward Bawden'. Two further drawings in ink on J Green and Son watermarked paper (measuring 29 x 23.5cm), one depicting a butterfly and flower (8 x 8.5cm); the other, a spider, bottle and fly (8.5 x 5.5cm). On the reverse is a faint pencil sketched 'A Selection of Interesting Menus' design.

Provenance: Oliver Simon (typographer, director of the Curwen Press); Stanley Jones MBE (artist and master lithographer). Edward Bawden (1903-89) was a master printmaker, illustrator, watercolourist and designer and is today recognised as one of the most influential artists of his generation. He is perhaps best-known for his commercial work for companies such as Twinings and Fortnum & Mason, and his linocuts depicting everyday England.

First edition, first printing. Original photo-illustrated card covers. A near fine copy, the binding with light rubbing to spine tips and corners, and a touch of surface creasing to the rear panel. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Correctly priced (50p net) to the rear panel.

'That Time' was first performed at the Royal Court Theatre in 1976 during a season mounted to mark the author's seventieth birthday. The cover reproduces a photograph of the author taken by Jerry Bauer.

First edition, first printing. Deluxe limited edition. Signed by the author. Publisher's original full goatskin stamped in blind and gilt to the upper and lower boards, and spine. All edges red. Silk page marker. Housed in the original black cloth slipcase with 007 design in gilt to the sides. A fine copy, the binding square and tight, bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owners' marks.

Issued in a deluxe edition of 100 copies, this example is numbered 58 and signed by the author in black ink on the limitation page. The most desirable state of this James Bond continuation, combining all the glamour and excitement of Ian Fleming's original novels with the masterful storytelling of William Boyd.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original black cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping at the spine tips, the cloth and gilt bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and creased dustwrapper that is very lightly faded to the spine edge of the rear panel. Not price-clipped (£13.99 net to the lower front flap).

Loosely laid in is an official publisher's Wise Children bookplate which has been signed by Angela Carter in black ink. Scarce thus. The author's brilliant last novel published shortly before her February 1992 passing at the tragically young age of 51. Loosely laid in are two newspaper obituaries

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author and the artist. One of 25 copies. Two volumes. Hand bound by Clare Skelton in vellum and brown leather with titles in gilt to the lightly faded spine. Illustrated with 19 wood engravings by Simon Brett. Accompanied by a blue cloth portfolio containing a full set of the 19 wood engravings in proof state, printed on japon, signed by the artist. Housed in the blue cloth slipcase. In fine condition.

Issued in a total edition of 100 copies, this example is numbered 21 of the first 25, specially bound by Clare Skelton, signed by Michael Justin Davis and Simon Brett on the colophon and issued with the extra suite of proof plates on japon. The remaining 75 copies (numbered 76-100) were bound in cloth and decorative paper.

First Constance Garnett translation, first printing. Publisher's original red cloth with titles and decoration in gilt to the spine, blind stamped circular design to the upper and lower board. Lower page edges un-trimmed. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm with a little rubbing and bumping to the extremities. The cloth is just a touch darkened to the spine and with the occasional small mark to the boards, the gilt oxidised but legible. The contents, with a previous owner's inscription to the front pastedown are otherwise clean throughout. An excellent example of a very uncommon and important edition.

This is the first appearance of Constance Garnett's translation of Dostoevsky's masterpiece. Issued as volume four in Heinemann's 'The Novels Of Fyodor Dostoevsky' series, some titles of which, as a result of Constance Garnett's translation are the author's very first appearance in English. The first English language edition was translated by Fred Whishaw and published in London by Vizetelly & Company in 1886 (Thomas Crowell published the same translation in America later the same year).

First UK edition, first printing. Publisher's original light blue paper covers printed in dark blue. With a full page frontispiece and six smaller illustrations throughout the text by Sidney Paget. A very good or better copy, the binding firm with some mild toning, creasing and minor nicks to the extremities. The rear cover has a small tear with a little loss to the outside edge and two small areas of discolouration from the staples. The contents are clean throughout, without loose or torn pages and free from inscriptions or stamps. Uncommon in this condition.

'The Adventure of the Empty House' was Arthur Conan Doyle's twenty-ninth published Sherlock Holmes story. The American edition, published in Collier's Magazine (with illustrations by F. D. Steele) on 26 September 1903, preceded this British issue in The Strand Magazine by a few days. The story was the first of 13 collected in 'The Return of Sherlock Holmes' published by George Newnes, with illustrations by Sidney Paget, in 1905. (Green and Gibson A29).

First UK edition, first printing. Publisher's original light blue paper covers printed in dark blue. With a full page frontispiece and six smaller illustrations throughout the text by Sidney Paget. A very good copy, the binding firm with rubbing and small nicks to the extremities. The spine panel, mildly toned, somewhat creased and with closed tears at the lower folds is without loss. There is a small hole to the upper panel at the spine edge. The contents are entirely complete, without loose or torn pages and free from inscriptions or stamps. Uncommon in this condition.

'The Adventure of the Norwood Builder' was Arthur Conan Doyle's thirtieth published Sherlock Holmes story. The American edition, published in Collier's Magazine (with illustrations by F. D. Steele) on 30 October 1903, preceded this British issue in The Strand Magazine by a few days. The story was the second of 13 collected in 'The Return of Sherlock Holmes' published by George Newnes, with illustrations by Sidney Paget, in 1905. (Green and Gibson A29).

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author and the illustrator. Original dark grey cloth with silver titles to the spine and upper board and an illustration plate inlaid on the upper board. Housed in the original solander box. With the accompanying CD housed in a pocket in the solander box, as issued. Illustrated in full colour on every page. A fine copy, the binding square and tight, the contents clean throughout and without previous owners' stamps or inscriptions.

Issued in a limited edition of 3000 copies, this example is numbered 2026 and is signed by Neil Gaiman and Eddie Campbell on the limitation page. A generously illustrated short story about a cave of cursed treasure on the Isle of Skye, incorporating graphic novel elements. with a recording of Neil Gaiman reading the story set to music by FourPlay String Quartet on the accompanying CD.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the 22 Booker Prize winning and nominated authors. Publisher's original blue cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping to spine tips, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, mildly toned to the paper stock are otherwise clean throughout and free from previous owners' marks. Complete with the very good ever so slightly spine faded dustwrapper that has a nick to the bottom edge of the upper panel and another to the upper spine fold. Not price clipped (12.95 net to the lower front flap).

A collection of writings to celebrate 21 years of the Booker Prize. This example is signed by 22 nominated and winning authors across the rear endpapers or at their contributions within the text, including Salman Rushdie, Hilary Mantel, Penelope Lively, Martin Amis, John Banville and Peter Carey.

First editions, first printings. Complete in four volumes. Original burgundy cloth with gilt titles to the spines, in dustwrappers. Each volume has a 'gallery' section at the rear featuring black and white pulp magazine illustrations for Hamilton's work. Near fine copies, the bindings square and tight, volume two with a few tiny abrasions to the cloth of the upper board. The contents are clean and bright throughout and without stamps or inscriptions. Complete with the bright, lightly rubbed original dustwrappers. The dustwrapper of volume two has a small abrasion with tiny holes to the centre of the front panel. Not price-clipped ($40 on the front flap of each wrapper).

A complete collection of the prose work of the science fiction and fantasy pioneer and pulp magazine regular, Edmond Hamilton.

First edition, first printing. Alan Ross' copy, with his ownership signature to the front endpaper. Publisher's original blue cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in the the Broom Lynne illustrated dustwrapper. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping at the spine tips, the cloth and gilt bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout. One page with a small production flaw to the fore-edge. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and toned dustwrapper that has a tiny chip at the base of the spine. Not price-clipped (12s 6d net to the lower front flap).

Alan Ross's ownership inscription written in blue ink to the front free endpaper. The writer, editor and publisher Alan Ross corresponded with Hanley during the 1970s and 80s (the letters now held by the University of Leeds) and in 1997 provided an introduction to a Harvill Press reissue of Hanley's book of stories, 'The Last Voyage'. Something of a writer's writer, Hanley was admired and supported by, among others, E. M. Forster, T. E. Lawrence, George Orwell, Henry Green, and William Faulkner, who described him as "a chronicler of nomads and potential escapees, a writer who travelled the spaces of sea and consciousness".

First edition, first printing. Signed by W. O. Hassall. Original full red morocco with five raised bands and gilt titles to the spine and blind stamped designs to the upper and lower boards. Top edge gilt. Deckled edges. Illustrated with reproductions of the 42 leaves of the Holkham Bible in colour and black and white. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm, the extremities a little rubbed, with a tiny split to the hinge near the top of the upper board. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owners' stamps or inscriptions. An excellent example.

Issued in a limited edition of 100 copies, this example is numbered 13 and is signed by William Owen Hassall in blue ink on the limitation page. Hassall was a librarian and archivist specialising in medieval manuscripts who held the position of librarian to the Earl of Leicester at Holkham from 1937 to 1983. He was also assistant librarian in the Department of Western Manuscripts at the Bodleian Library from 1938 to 1980. The exceptional 14th century illuminated Holkham Bible was obtained by Thomas Coke, the 1st Earl of Leicester, in 1816 and was housed in the library of Holkham Hall until it entered the collections of The British Library in 1952. This beautifully produced volume, enriched by Hassall's authoritative introduction and commentary, was the first facsimile of the manuscript to be issued.

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original light blue cloth with black titles to the spine and upper board, in the Leslie Stead illustrated dustwrapper. With a colour frontispiece and 15 black and white illustrations by Stead. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm, with light rubbing to the extremities and stain to the fore-edge of the rear board. The contents with light spotting to the rear endpaper and dustiness to the closed textblock, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the rubbed and chipped dustwrapper, which has a few small tears to the extremities, with a larger 3cm tear to the lower spine edge of the front panel, and a water stain to the rear panel along the flap fold. Not price-clipped (5/- net). An attractive example.

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original red cloth with illustration and titles in red to the upper board and titles in black to the spine, in the Leslie Stead illustrated dustwrapper. Illustrated with a colour frontispiece and black and white line drawings throughout by Stead. A near fine copy, the binding firm with some minor bumping to the spine tips, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and creased dustwrapper that is just a touch darkened to the spine. The underside has a piece of tape to the upper and lower spine tip (for strengthening). Not price clipped (5/- net to the bottom of the front flap).

The first of nine books to feature Captain Lorrington King, better known as 'Gimlet'.

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original green cloth with black illustration and titles to the upper board and titles in black to the spine, in the Leslie Stead illustrated dustwrapper. With a full page colour frontispiece and nine full page illustrations in black and white by Leslie Stead. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm with just a little bumping to the extremities, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that is without fading, loss or tears but with a few pieces of tape to the underside. Not price-clipped (5/- to the lower front flap).

The second of nine books to feature Captain Lorrington King, better known as 'Gimlet'.

First edition with these illustrations, first printing. Original green cloth with gilt titles and decorations to the spine. No dustwrapper. Deckled edges. With black and white full page illustrations, elaborate border decorations (each double-page spread with a different design) and illuminated initials by W. B. Macdougall. A very good copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth with light wear, some minor chipping at the corners and darkening at the spine. There is a neat ownership inscription on the front free endpaper, offsetting and spotting to the endpapers and light toning to the margins, the contents are otherwise clean throughout.

A stunningly illustrated edition of John Keat's 1818 narrative poem 'Isabella; or The Pot of Basil', which inspired celebrated paintings by artists such as William Holman Hunt, John William Waterhouse and John Everett Millais. William Brown Macdougall (1868-1936) was an eclectic, multidisciplinary Scottish artist who experimented with painting, illustration, etching, printmaking, and wallpaper design. He is particularly known for his book illustration, superbly exemplified here. His illustrations and designs capture a transitional period in the late 1800s, combining elements found in both the established Arts and Crafts style and the burgeoning Art Nouveau style, with densely decorated borders reminiscent of publications from the Kelmscott Press and delicate, flowing lines akin to those of Aubrey Beardsley and Harry Clarke. The resulting darkly ethereal atmosphere pairs perfectly with Keats' tale of ghosts and doomed love.

First edition. Signed by the author and the artist. Folio. Publisher's quarter black morocco and patterned paper covered boards with titles in gilt to the spine. Illustrated with seven coloured etchings by Luciano de Vita, pulled by Cataldo Serafini in Bologna. The type is handset Horizon Light type. Handmade paper, printed damp on an 1847 Washington handpress by Gabriel Rummonds and Alessandro Zanella. Housed in the black morocco and paper covered slipcase. A fine copy.

Issued in an edition of 83 copies, this example is numbered 77 and signed by Manuel Mujica Lainez and Luciano de Vita in blue ink on the colophon.

Limited edition. Publisher's original brown, stitched wrappers. Quarto. 16 pages. Text in Italian. A fine copy. Printed by Gabriel Rummonds and Alessandro Zanella as keepsake otto (eight) from the Press.

Issued in an edition of 130 copies, this example is numbered 77. Originally written in 1962 as a novel by the Argentine writer Manuel Mujica Lainez, 'Bomarzo', was later adapted by the author in collaboration with Alberto Ginastera into a cantata, then developed into an opera libretto. The translation from Spanish into Italian for this publication was made by Francesco Montalto.

First UK editions, first printings. Three volumes. 'The Dark Forest' and 'Death's End' are signed by the author. Original blue, purple and red paper-covered boards lettered in silver, gilt and white to the spines, in the Stephen Martiniere illustrated dustwrappers. 'The Three-Body Problem' is a better than very good copy, the binding square and firm with a little rubbing and bumping to the spine tips and lower edge of the upper board. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. 'The Dark Forest' and 'Death's End' are fine copies, the bindings square and tight, the contents clean and bright throughout and without previous owners' inscriptions or stamps. Complete with their original dustwrappers; 'The Three-Body Problem' lightly rubbed and creased at the edges; all are without fading, loss or tears. None are price-clipped.

'The Dark Forest' and 'Death's End' are signed and dated by Cixin Liu in black ink on the title pages. A complete set of UK first editions of Liu's acclaimed 'Remembrance of Earth's Past' science fiction trilogy. The first novel in the trilogy, 'The Three-Body Problem', won the 2015 Hugo Award for Best Novel, the final volume 'Death's End', won the 2017 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.

Uncorrected proof copy of the first edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original white card covers printed in black. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm with just a touch of rubbing to the extremities and a small compression to the upper cover. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owners' marks.

Signed by Ian McEwan in black ink on the title page. The sub-title present here in the proof was dropped for the published first edition. Winner of the 1998 Booker Prize.

First edition with these illustrations, first printing. Signed by the author. Original illustrated boards with a light red cloth spine lettered in white. Housed in a card slipcase. Illustrated throughout in colour by Tina Berning. A fine copy, the binding square and tight bright and fresh. The contents are clean and bright throughout and without previous owners' stamps or inscriptions. Complete with the fine slipcase.

Signed by Ian McEwan in black ink on the title page, scarce thus. A beautifully produced Folio Society edition of McEwan's bestselling novel which was adapted into a BAFTA and Academy Award winning film in 2007 starring Kiera Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, and James McAvoy.

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. Illustrated in colour throughout. A very near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with a previous owner's name (a book reviewer) on the half title, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the lightly rubbed dustwrapper that remains without loss or tears. Not price-clipped (18s net to the lower front flap). Scarce.

A superb example of the first edition of Elmer, in which David McKee's endearing multi-coloured elephant makes his very first appearance. Now a classic, the book was reprinted several times in the late 60's and early 1970s before going out of print following the death of the publisher Dennis Dobson. In 1989 Elmer was re-issued with re-drawn illustrations in a slightly shortened version by the Andersen Press, the success of which inspired the award winning author and illustrator to produce more than 40 additional Elmer stories. The first edition is identified by the statement 'first published in 1968' at the bottom of the title page and the SBN number 234 77179 8 on the title page and the corresponding SBN number to the bottom edge of the rear flap of the dustwrapper (undernearh the advert for Mr Benn Red Knight (1967). COPAC lists only one copy of the first edition (British Library), and four copies in early reprint (Exeter University, Oxford University, Trinity College Dublin, and the V&A).

First UK edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original blue cloth boards with silver titles to the spine, in the Andy Bridge illustrated dustwrapper. A very near fine copy, the binding square and tight with some very light bumping to the spine ends, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and free from inscriptions or stamps. Complete fine original dustwrapper that remains without fading, loss or tears. An attractive example.

Signed by the author in blue ink to the title page. Loosely laid in is a ticket to the reading and signing event at which this copy was autographed. Winner of the 2002 Man Booker Prize and the basis for the 2012 multiple Academy Award winning feature film directed by Ang Lee.

Limited edition. Signed by the author and contributors. Publisher's full red morocco with titles in gilt to the spine, in the black slipcase. Red silk ribbon page marker. A fine copy, the binding square and tight, bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owners' marks. Complete with the fine, structurally sound slipcase.

Issued on the 40th Anniversary of first publication in an edition of 500 copies. This example is numbered '274' and signed by Richard Matheson, Dan Simmons, Dennis Etchison and George Clayton Johnson in black ink on the limitation page.

First UK edition, first printing. Publisher's original red cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. Illustrated with drawings throughout the text by Roger Hayward. A very near fine copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping at the spine tips, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very good lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that is darkened and scuffed to the spine. Not price-clipped (16/- to the lower front flap).

The two-time Nobel Prize winning chemist and peace activist Linus Pauling's passionate analysis of the implications of nuclear war for humanity.

First edition, first printing. Original dark green cloth, in the Susan Einzig illustrated dustwrapper. Illustrated by Einzig with black and white in-text drawings throughout. A very good or better copy, the binding firm, the cloth rubbed at the extremities. There is some very faint spotting to the prelims, the contents are otherwise clean and without stamps or inscriptions. Complete with the lightly rubbed, nicked and creased original dustwrapper which has a few tiny chips to the spine tips, slight fading to the spine and a two short closed tears at the edges of the rear panel. Not price-clipped (10s 6d on the front flap).

A Carnegie Medal winning classic children's novel about a boy who is sent to live with relatives in an old house where he discovers that at the stroke of midnight he is able to enter a ghostly Victorian garden where there was once only a paved yard.

First edition. Hardcover. Publisher's original boards. Illustrated with 19 colour plates and 53 further illustrations and figures in black and white throughout the text. A fine copy, the binding square and firm, bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps.

A collection of essays by scholars including Alison Yarrington, Gill Perry, Kate Retford, Harriet Guest, Emma Barker and Desmond Shawe-Taylor exploring the rich but understudied relationship between English country houses and the portraits they contain. Moving between residences as diverse as Stowe, Althorp, the Vache, Chatsworth, Knole and Windsor Castle, it unpicks the significance of various spaces - the closet, the gallery, the library and the ways in which portraiture interacted with those environments. It explores questions around gender, display and ownership, investigating narratives of family and kinship in portraits of women including Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, as well as issues of celebrity and scandal in the case of Giovanna Baccelli, mistress of the 3rd Duke of Dorset. The essays in the final section turn to the representation of great military figures such as Captain Cook and the Duke of Wellington, and examine the complex ties between families, their houses and imperial conflict.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original navy cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in the Josh Kirby illustrated dustwrapper. A very near fine copy, the binding square and firm with just a touch of bumping to the spine tips, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owners' inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly creased dustwrapper that is without fading, loss or tears. Not price-clipped (£14.99 to the front flap).

Signed by Terry Pratchett in black ink on the title page. The seventeenth Discworld novel.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original black cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in the Josh Kirby illustrated dustwrapper. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with some slight spotting to the closed text-block edge and faint toning to the margins, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and creased dustwrapper that is without loss or tears. Not price-clipped (£16.99 to the front flap).

Inscribed by the author in black ink on the title page 'To Jackie / Deja Fu! / Terry Pratchett'. The 26th Discworld novel.

An album of 24 captioned photographic plates of Jerusalem and Palestine, on the back of each is a pressed wild flower arrangement, in most cases separated from the plate opposite by a plain tissue guard. 16.5 x 24cm. Unpaginated. In very good condition, some toning and creasing to the page edges and corners, one with a single short closed tear and old tape repair.

To the inside front cover and inner edge of the first photographic plate there are presentation inscriptions in ink "Jerusalem 4th May 1921 / To dear Marjorie / with love from Uncle Jack and Auntie Kitty". The souvenir photo book is in itself unremarkable and reasonably common in commerce, the pressed flower arrangements however are quite charming.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original blue paper-covered boards lettered in white to the spine, in the Henn Kim illustrated dustwrapper. Ring-pull patterned endpapers. A fine copy, the binding square and tight. The contents are clean throughout, and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the near fine original dustwrapper that remains without fading, loss or tears and has just a single small nick without loss to the lower edge of the rear panel and a 'Signed Copy' sticker to the upper panel. Not price-clipped (£14.99 to the front flap). An excellent example of the true, and quite scarce, first printing (not to be confused with the Waterstones edition, issued without dustwrapper).

Inscribed by the author in black ink on the title page "To Chris and Mandy - / With all my best wishes / Sally Rooney / 13.10.18". The author's second novel, securely consolidating the critical acclaim and success of 'Conversations with Friends' (2017). Both books have reached a wider audience as a result of recent BBC television adaptations. 'Normal People' was immediately showered with praise, winning the Costa Prize, 'Irish Novel of the Year' at the Irish Book Awards, Waterstones Book of the Year, in addition to being longlisted for the Man Booker Prize, the Dylan Thomas Prize and the Women's Prize for Fiction. In her 'New Statesman' review of the novel, Olivia Laing singles out "the extraordinary pitch of Rooney's writing, the way it shimmers with intelligence. Each sentence is measured and unobtrusive, and yet the cumulative effect is a near-unbearable attentiveness to the emotional dimension of human lives, the quick uneasy weather".

First [and only] edition. Signed by the author. Association copy. Hand bound by the authors in faux wood-grain card covers, tied with a knotted leather cord. Black and white photograph mounted to front cover. With 21 photographic illustrations (by Ken Price and Larry Bell). Two cards stapled to final leaf, as issued. A very near fine copy, the binding firm, bright and fresh, the contents clean throughout. Issued in an edition of 1000 copies.

Signed by both Ruscha and Bengston in blue ink on the upper cover, above which Ruscha adds the name 'Rudi!'. The recipient Rudi Gernreich (1922-1985) was one of the most original, prophetic and controversial American fashion designers of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. "I met Rudi in the late 1960s through Léon Bing, a model for many of his daringly original fashion statements. I would occasionally spot him driving his white Bentley (very slowly) to his shop on Santa Monica Boulevard near La Cienega. He would wear his own distinctly self-designed clothing. He could be stately and aloof, but at the same time remain a rather ordinary citizen. I cast him in a short movie I did with Larry Bell. Rudi played a roguish flophouse doorman who sneers and says, ''At'll be two dollars.' Here was an elegant man in real life playing a lowdown character who cleans his dirty fingernails with a screwdriver" - Ed Ruscha (System Magazine Issue 13). "We would have met around 1958 or 1960, through Pat Faure. She was probably the most sophisticated person in California at that time; she was a blender. She brought me to Rudi. He was an unusual cat, a handsome little fella when most of the designers weren't very attractive. He dressed in black, which was unusual for California at that time. Very individual, sort of like a European existentialist" - Billy Al Bengston (System Magazine Issue 13).

First edition. Book Society issue. Publisher's original burgundy cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. Top edge red. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owners' marks. Complete with the very good, rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that is chipped at the spine tips and with several small pieces of tape to the underside at the front flap fold. Not price-clipped (9s 6d net to the lower front flap).

Signed by Nevil Shute in blue ink on the title page. Uncommon thus.

First edition. Book Society issue. Signed by the author. Publisher's original red cloth with titles in blind to the upper board and in gilt to the spine, in dustwrapper. Top edge red. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, spotted to the text block edge and occasionally to the surface of the prelims, are otherwise clean throughout and without previous owners' marks. Complete with the bright, rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that is a little chipped at the spine tips and fold corners. Not price-clipped (10s 6d net to the lower front flap).

Signed by Nevil Shute in blue ink on the half title. Uncommon thus.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original red cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. Top edge red. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with some toning to the half title and just a few isolated foxing spots to the text block edge, are otherwise clean throughout and without previous owners' marks. Complete with the very good, bright, lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that has a few small chips at the spine tips and fold corners and some spotting to the underside Not price-clipped (10s 6d net to the lower front flap). An attractive example.

Signed by the author with his full name 'Nevil Shute Norway' in blue ink on the title page. Scarce thus. Issued simultaneously on first publication as a 'Book Society Choice' by William Heinemann, and the Book Society in June 1950. Nevil Shute's best known novel. The basis for the 1956 Jack Lee directed film of the same name, starring Virginia McKenna and Peter Finch.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original laminated boards. Illustrated in colour throughout. A fine copy, the binding square and firm, bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owners' marks.

Inscribed by the author / illustrator in black and red ink on the half title "For Ian / love / Ralph Steadman". The recipient Ian Craig was art director at Jonathan Cape, working with Ralph Steadman, from 1973 until 1989 when he moved to Harper Collins. After moving, he continued to work on all Steadman projects at the illustrator's personal request.

First UK edition, first printing. Publisher's original orange cloth with black titles to the spine. Lacking the rare dustwrapper. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with some bumping to the spine tips and corners, the cloth a little marked and faded. The contents, with just the odd isolated foxing spot to the prelims, a are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Two pages towards the rear of the text block are creased to the fore-edge margin. Four pages of publisher's adverts to the rear as called for.

A non Nero Wolfe mystery. First published in America by Farrar and Rinehart in July 1939, this first UK edition is considerably less common. (Hubin; Curran, John: The Hooded Gunman).

A large folding map of Yorkshire. Nine plates, in 72 sections, pasted onto linen in three sheets. Green marbled paper covers, two with a small printed label 'East' and 'West'. Green cloth borders. Measuring 185 x 125cm in entirety. Original hand colouring. Large vignette view of York Minster to the lower right corner. Housed in original black calf 'book box' slipcase with titles in gilt to the spine. Complete as issued. A very good copy, ex Rochdale Free Public Library (reference department), with their unobtrusive circular blindstamp to the upper right left corner of each of the three sheets and paper label to the marbled cover. The map surface with just mild spotting and a few light marks is otherwise attractive. The slipcase, whilst heavily worn to the edges is structurally sound.

One of the first recorded publications by Henry Teesdale (1776-1855). Elected a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society shortly after its foundation in 1830, Teesdale traded from London in partnership with John Jordan of Holborn and William Colling Hobson of Witham until 1832. The map is engraved by James Bingley (1796-1869). [Whitaker, Harold: A Descriptive List of the Printed Maps of Yorkshire and its Ridings 1577-1900, 381].

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original blue cloth with titles in gilt to the spine, in dustwrapper. Illustrated with numerous black and white photographs. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth and gilt bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the original dustwrapper with has just a touch of rubbing to the extremities and some fading to the spine. Not price-clipped (£25.00 net to the front flap). Together with a publisher's 135 x 82cm blue cloth promotional banner with white drawstring, presumably used at the book launch event.

Signed by Margaret Thatcher in blue ink to the front blank endpaper. The first of three memoirs by the longest serving British Prime Minister of the twentieth century.

First edition, first printing in the nine individual original parts, of H. G. Wells' landmark work of science-fiction. Publisher's pictorial paper covers. Twelve volumes, loosely laid into the publisher's original cloth cases. Illustrated by Warwick Goble throughout the text. A remarkable survival, each volume in very good or better condition, the bindings firm with a little rubbing, a few short closed tears and some chipping resulting in only minor loss to the extremities. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. The publisher's green cloth cases, decorated in green, brown and gilt, are in near fine condition with a little rubbing and bumping at the edges. All volumes are in entirely original condition, without repair or restoration. Rare in this form.

The first printing of The War of the Worlds was issued in serialized form by Cyril Arthur Pearson who paid Wells £200 for the publishing rights. The novel ran over nine issues of Pearson's Magazine between April and December 1897. Every six months the publisher would take the unsold stock of the individual monthly parts and bind them into decorated cloth boards supplying a new title page and discarding the original wrappers in the process. Evidently the present set, which includes issues January, February and March was destined for this fate but thankfully never made the publisher's guillotine. The first edition in bookform was published without illustrations by William Heinemann in early 1898.