First edition with these illustrations. Publisher's original grey illustrated paper covers printed in black. With six full page black and white illustrations by Harry Evans plus an additional illustration to the upper cover. Adverts. Published at sixpence. An excellent very good copy, the binding firm, the wraps a little rubbed to the extremities and with tiny closed tears to the spine tips and three very small stains to the spine and front panel. The contents, with a penciled ownership name to the blank reverse of the frontispiece, and with a small pencil note at the end "Read / Dec /07 / M76" are otherwise clean throughout. Scarce.

This edition and illustrator is unrecorded in David Gilson's bibliography of Jane Austen. John Dicks (1818-1881) was a successful publisher of cheap editions of popular works. OCLC states that Dicks was active from 313 The Strand (the address printed here) between 1863 and 1878.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Original black cloth with silver titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. Illustrated throughout in black and white by Nick Day. A near fine copy, the binding square and tight with some light marking to the cloth. The contents are clean and bright throughout. Complete with the very lightly rubbed dustwrapper that remains without fading, loss or tears. Not price-clipped (£12.95 to the front flap).

Inscribed by Iain Banks in black ink to the front free endpaper " To Joe / yes, it's me again / Iain Menzies Banks, / encore / 31.3.91". The author's first collection of short fiction comprising eight stories, three of which are set in the Culture universe. The titular novella was previously published in America as a signed limited edition (1989).

Limited edition (issued simultaneously with the first trade edition). Inscribed by Samuel Beckett to his publisher John Calder. One of seventy copies printed on Marais pure linen rag paper, this copy is no. 23. Crown 8vo, pages untrimmed and uncut. Stitch-bound. Original paper wraps lettered and ruled in blue and black to front and rear panels. A fine, unread copy, the binding square and firm, the contents and wraps bright and clean. Housed in a custom folding blue and white cloth box lined with marbled paper, lettered and ruled in gilt to a red leather label affixed to the spine. A lovely association copy.

Inscribed by Beckett in blue ink to the front endpaper, "For John / from Sam / Paris Avril / 1966". The recipient, John Calder (1927-2018), the author's friend and his long-standing UK publisher, issued all Beckett's prose from the 1950s until (and after) the author's death in 1989 (the dramatic works were handled by Faber and Faber). 'All That Fall' was written for the BBC Third Programme (it wasn't commissioned, but "suggested"). In a letter to Nancy Cunard (4 July 1956), Beckett writes "Saw Barry of BBC TV who is interested in the mime (and why not?) and am told Gielgud wants a play for 3rd Programme. Never thought about radio play technique but in the dead of t'other night got a nice gruesome idea full of cartwheels and dragging of feet and puffing and panting which may or may not lead to something." The play was finished (in English) by September, the autograph copy ("Ussy September 1956") bearing the title, "Lovely Day for the Races" (a clue to the Irishness of the play). The finished and retitled play, directed by Donald McWhinnie, with Mary O'Farrell and J. G. Devlin as Maddy Rooney and her blind husband, Dan, was broadcast on the Third Programme on Sunday 13 January, 1957. The play, unusually naturalistic for its author, is suffused with memories of and allusions to his Foxrock childhood. First published in the US by Grove Press with the Faber edition following in August, the French translation is credited to Beckett's friend and fellow playwright, Robert Pinget, though Federman and Fletcher note that Beckett (as usual when he wasn't the sole translator) "thoroughly revised the text" before its publication in October 1957. (Federman and Fletcher 146.1).

First UK edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Original red cloth lettered in gilt to the spine, in dustwrapper. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the contents clean throughout. There are a few light spots to the upper edge of the page block. In the unusually bright and clean dustwrapper, all of which were printed the wrong size (the author jokes about this in the inscription to this copy). The spine is a little faded, with some light rubbing and a few nicks to spine tips and corners. Not price-clipped (9s. 6d. net to the front flap). With the publisher's sticker stating that the book "was voted the outstanding science fiction novel of the Eleventh World Science Fiction Convention" affixed neatly above the price. A scarce signed copy of the UK edition of Bester's celebrated first novel in a notably sharp example of its wonderfully lurid (and ill-fitting) jacket (wittily mentioned in the author's inscription).

Inscribed by the author in black ink to the front free endpaper, "Don't hold this / cover against the / late great / Alfie B" (he is referring to the universally oversized jacket supplied with this edition). 'The Demolished Man' was Bester's first novel, initially appearing across three issues (Jan-March 1952) of 'Galaxy Science Fiction' magazine, with both US and UK bound editions following in 1953. The US edition, issued by Shasta, came with a notably plain jacket (in white, black and red) as distinct from the busy and colourful one provided for this UK edition. The novel's elaborate plot, set in an imaginary 24th century, involves murder, detection, telepathy, brainwashing, and much else besides. Winner of the 1953 (inaugural) Hugo Award, and runner up for the International Fantasy Award the same year, the book remains in print as part of Orion's SF Masterworks series. Bester has no shortage of illustrious admirers, William Gibson noting that he "can't recall having met an SF writer whose opinion I respected who failed to share my enthusiasm for Alfred Bester's work", while Robert Silverberg asserts of 'The Demolished Man' that it is on "everyone's list of the ten greatest SF novels". The film director, Brian De Palma, wrote at least two screenplays based on the novel ("it's been coming back and forth at me for decades") but has (so far) never managed to make the film. Most intriguingly, a twenty-two year old Thomas Pynchon, in his rejected application for a Ford Foundation Fellowship to write an opera libretto based on an SF novel, proposes 'The Demolished Man' (along with Ray Bradbury's 'Martian Chronicles') as a potential basis for the project. (George Locke, 'A Spectrum of Fantasy', ["One of my favourite books", Locke writes of 'The Demolished Man']; (Steven Weisenburger, 'Thomas Pynchon at Twenty-Two: A Recovered Autobiographical Sketch', 'American Literature' , December 1990; 'Brian De Palma: Interviews', ed. Laurence F. Knapp, Mississippi: 2003).

First edition, first printing of the first Charlie Chan book. Publisher's original orange cloth with green titles to the upper board and spine, in dustwrapper. Top edge orange. A better than very good copy, the binding square and firm with some mild bumping at the spine tips and corners, the cloth fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the good or slightly better rubbed, torn and creased dustwrapper that is chipped with a little loss to the bottom of the spine and fold corners. The correct first edition dustwrapper remains bright, in one piece, and without repair or restoration, seldom encountered thus.

The first of the Detective Charlie Chan mysteries, adapted several times for stage and screen. A Haycraft Queen Cornerstone (one of the most influential works of mystery fiction as listed by the crime fiction historian Howard Haycraft and Ellery Queen). Hubin.

An original black and white photograph measuring 15 x 20cm of Enid Blyton stood in front of a cabinet of her own retained copies of her books. Inscribed by Enid Blyton in blue ink on the reverse "Enid Blyton standing in front of the books she has written. love from Enid Blyton". Also on the reverse of the photograph in the top right corner is an handwritten ink code "SP 3197". The photograph is in excellent condition, just a little rubbing at the corners.

Rare in this form.

First edition, first printing. Signed presentation copy. Original brown cloth lettered in black to the spine, in the dustwrapper illustrated with a photograph by Steve Puplett. A near fine copy. There is a minor crack between pp. 142-3, the binding otherwise square and tight. Small bump to the upper outer corner, a touch of rubbing to spine tips. The pages are (as usual) toned owing to the poor quality paper stock used. The dustwrapper, a little toned, with a small nick to the lower edge of the rear panel and the merest rubbing to corners, is otherwise fine. Not price-clipped (£2.95 net to the front flap).

Inscribed by the author to the title page, "For Christine / from / Kyril Bonfiglioli / 17 vi 76". 'Something Nasty in the Woodshed' is chronologically the final part, but the second to be published, of Bonfiglioli's trilogy of Mortdecai comic thriller novels. As Stephen Fry has written of the series, "you couldn't snuggle under the duvet with anything more disreputable and delightful".

First edition, first printing. Inscribed presentation copy. Publisher's original black cloth with gilt lettering to the spine, in the Broom Lynne illustrated dustwrapper. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm with a small bump at the head of the spine, the cloth fresh. The contents, with mild spotting to the endpapers are otherwise clean throughout. Page edges toned and slightly spotted. Complete with the very good rubbed and nicked, priceclipped dustwrapper that has small chips at the fold corners and a little toning spotting to the rear panel and flap.

Inscribed by the author in blue ink on the front endpaper "a le bellissima, felissima, delicia la rosa de Edwards Square, Dorothea - from the author with much love: I mean signed [underlined] by the author with much love - I know you brought it ???? / Christianna Brand 11/11/1957".

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original coarse burgundy cloth with silver titles to the upper board and spine, in the Paul Bacon designed dustwrapper. A lovely fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the near fine original dustwrapper that has a tiny closed tear and crease at the top edge of the upper panel. Not price-clipped ($5.95 to the upper front flap).

Signed by John Cheever in black ink on the front endpaper.

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original white rexine boards with green publisher's emblem to the upper panel and titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the contents, with an ownership name and date in blue ink to the front free endpaper, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the lightly rubbed dustwrapper that has a few very short closed tears at the edges. Price-clipped to the upper front flap but not to the rear ($2.95). Seldom encountered in this condition.

A collection of eight short stories, featuring Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple for which there is no equivalent UK publication. Including: Double Sin; Wasp's Nest; The Theft of the Royal Ruby (also known as The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding); The Dressmaker's Doll; Greenshaw's Folly; The Double Clue; The Last Seance; Sanctuary.

First edition, first printing. Inscribed presentation copy from Field Marshall Montgomery (and signed by Winston S. Churchill) to the chairman of Churchill's local Conservative Association on the the occasion of the unveiling of the Winston Churchill statue at Woodford Green, 1959. Publisher's original purple cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. Illustrated with black and white photographs throughout. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm with minor bumping at the spine tips, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with spotting to the front and rear endpapers are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the near fine lightly rubbed dustwrapper that has a few marks to the rear panel and is otherwise without fading, loss or tears. Not price-clipped (35s net to the lower front flap). Housed in a bespoke quarter black morocco solander case.

Inscribed by the author in blue ink on the front endpaper "To: Alderman Dalton [underlined] / on the ocassion of the unveiling of the Winston Churchill statue / Montgomery of Alamein F. M / 31 October 1959" underneath which Winston Churchill has signed in black ink. A remarkable example signed by the war-time British Prime Minister and his most brilliant General. Rare thus. The recipient, Alderman Roy A. Dalton was throughout the 1950s chairman of the Churchill's constituency Conservative Association (Churchill was MP for Woodford from 1945 until his retirement in 1964). In 1958, the Sir Winston Churchill Commemoration Fund commissioned David McFall (1919–1988) to sculpt a statue of Churchill to be placed in the Woodford constituency. McFall had previously trained under Eric Gill and then collaborated with Jacob Epstein. The sculptor worked initially from photographs, before Churchill allowed a number of personal sittings at Chartwell, his country home in Kent. The sittings, after which McFall produced six busts of Churchill in addition to the Woodford statue, were the last Churchill ever permitted. The statue was unveiled by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG, on 30 October 1959. Churchill attended the ceremony and made a short speech focused on the gradual dissolution of the British Empire and on Britain's own future place in the world. The statue was one of only two of Churchill completed and unveiled in his lifetime.

First edition. Publisher's original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping at the spine tips and corners. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper that has several tiny closed tears and a small split to the middle of the lower spine fold. Not price-clipped (5s net to the lower front flap). Scarce.

First edition. Publisher's original red cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. An excellent better than very good copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with some spotting to the prelims are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that has a couple of short closed tears and is otherwise bright and without loss. Publisher's 4/6 sticker over the 3/6 net printed price on the spine. The dustwrapper appears to be a slightly later issue (although always with this book) as despite it advertising the current title as "An Entirely New Book" it lists two Condé titles from January 1940 on the front flap.

A Dick Pembertey thriller. (Hubin)

First edition, first printing. Inscribed presentation copy. Publisher's original gold and black snakeskin effect boards with titles in black on a white paper label to the spine, in dustwrapper. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with some rubbing to the board edges and toning to the white paper label on the spine. The contents, with an erasure at the head of the front endpaper and some uniform toning to the paper stock are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the supplied original dustwrapper that is mildly rubbed and nicked to the extremities, without loss. Rare in presentation state.

Inscribed by the author in black ink on the front endpaper "Dear Mr Powys / Just to hope that the / middle story may enlarge / my meager answer about / immortality. / Yours / Aleister Crowley / as your ??? / Sept 15 [19]29. ev [era vulgaris]". A collection of three short stories: The Stratagem; The Testament of Magdalen Blair; His Secret Sin. The middle story "a description of after death experiences as the brain decays" is noted in The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural as "one of the most horrible stories ever written" and in The Guide to Supernatural Fiction (Bleiler) "a remarkable achievement, as one of the most unpleasant stories in the genre". The recipient of Crowley's presentation is most likely John Cowper Powys, both shared a close friendship with the author and biographer Louis Wilkinson [Marlow] and were joint godfathers to Wilkinson's son Oliver (born 1916).

First edition, first printing. Three volumes. Publisher's original green cloth with gilt titles and decoration to the spine. An excellent better than very good set, the bindings firm with a little bumping at the spine tips and corners, the cloth and gilt uniformly bright with just a few light marks to the boards. The contents, with an ownership signature to the front free endpaper of each volume are otherwise clean throughout. Inner hinges cracked but holding firm in volume one. An attractive example of a scarce title.

A romance, leading to a murder mystery and courtroom drama. The author (1829-1924) was a barrister and, at the time of publication, British Consul at New Orleans. He is the nephew of the journalist Albany William Fonblanque (1793-1872) (Wolf 2277; Bassett, Troy J.: "At the Circulating Library": A Database of Victorian Fiction, 1837—1901).

First edition, first printing. Inscribed presentation copy. Original red cloth lettered in gilt to the spine, in the scarce dustwrapper. A lovely, near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth and gilt sharp, the contents clean throughout. Light spotting to prelims and final blanks, a touch of offsetting to endpapers. Complete with the attractive original dustwrapper that has a couple of closed tears and a chip with loss (c.2 cm deep) at the head of the spine. The colour illustrations to the front panel and spine (credited to 'MSE') remain bright and clean. Not price-clipped (priced 7/6 net to the spine).

Inscribed by the author in black ink to the half title, "To Mr H. George / with sincere regards from the author / John Easton / January 1930". A scarce lost race, science fiction, murder mystery. (Hubin; Locke; A Spectrum of Fantasy).

Two volumes. Late 20th century half green morocco, green marbled paper covered boards with titles in gilt to the spine. All edges gilt. Green ribbon page markers. Half titles in both volumes. Illustrated with 61 fine hand-coloured plates, engraved by Sansom, from drawings by Sydenham Edwards. An excellent near fine copy, the bindings square and firm, the spine ever so slightly uniformly faded. The contents, with minor spotting to the prelims and the occasion margin are otherwise clean and bright throughout. An attractive and complete copy.

Sydenham Edwards' fine plates were first published in Dickson's A Complete Dictionary of Practical Gardening in 1807, and then republished by Stockdale in 1812 both under the present title and as The New Flora Britannica. (Nissen 480; Sitwell and Blunt 56).

First edition, first printing of "One of the great books of the Second World War" - Antony Beevor. Publisher's original red cloth with silver titles to the spine, in the Anthony Baynes illustrated dustwrapper. Illustrated map endpapers, and fifteen black and white photographic illustrations. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that is a little worn at the spine tips with a couple of short closed tears at the fold corners but otherwise bright and without loss. Not price clipped (15.s net to the front flap).

Fielding's second book, detailing his time in Crete during the Second World War, serving under the Special Operations Executive (SOE).

First edition, first printing. Signed and inscribed presentation copy. Original red cloth lettered in silver to the spine, in the dustwrapper designed by Ellen Gongora. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the contents clean throughout. The spine tips are a little bumped, the corners and tips a touch rubbed. In the dustwrapper, rubbed and nicked to tips and corners. Not price-clipped ($8.95 to the upper edge of the front flap).

Inscribed by Ginsberg in blue ink to the front free endpaper, "For David Vigo / Allen Ginsberg / NY 1976". Vigo (1943-2016) born in Plymouth, was a successful music and arts promoter based in Melbourne who worked with Ginsberg. There is a wonderful 1972 photograph in the archives of the Melbourne Arts Centre showing Vigo and Ginsberg together in Adelaide. 'Allen Verbatim' presents a series of "Cross-country Exchanges, Talks, Lectures, Rhapsodies" given by Ginsberg at the universities in Wyoming California, Kent State, and Wisconsin State during 1971, here carefully transcribed by the poet's friend, the filmmaker and photographer Gordon Ball. (Morgan A31).

First edition, first printing. Inscribed presentation copy. Original yellow cloth lettered in gilt to the spine, in the dustwrapper designed by Berthold Wolpe. A fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth and gilt sharp and bright, the contents clean throughout. Light offsetting to endpapers. In the fine, bright dustwrapper, spotless except for a couple of small marks to the rear panel. Not price clipped (£1.00 net to the bottom of the front flap). A particularly lovely copy.

Inscribed by the author in blue ink to the front free endpaper, "for James Gilvarry / Thom Gunn / with best wishes, 1977". The recipient is the bibliophile and art collector, James Gilvarry (1914-1984). 'Moly' was Gunn's fifth collection and his first since 'Touch' (1967). In his review ('New York Review of Books', 1973), Stephen Spender writes of the book that '[i]t is as though A. E. Housman were dealing with the subject matter of 'Howl', or Tennyson were on the side of the Lotus Eaters.' Published March 23, 1971, 4000 copies were printed. (Hagstrom A15).

First edition. Signed by George Harrison. Publisher's original black half leather, with five raised bands and gilt titles and decorations to the spine, a gilt guitar illustration to the upper board, and a gilt reproduction of Harrison's signature to the lower board. All edges gilt. Illustrated with photographs and reproductions of handwritten lyrics throughout. A fine copy, the binding square and tight, the contents bright and clean throughout. Housed in black buckram slipcase with a title label to the upper board.

Limited edition of 2000 copies, this example numbered 1422 and signed by George Harrison in black ink on the limitation page. This beautifully produced volume contains 83 of George's song lyrics printed in facsimile with the story behind each one in the composer's own words. I Me Mine was the first of several collaborations between the Beatle and Genesis Publications.

First edition. Inscribed by David Hockney. Publisher's original blue cloth stamped in yellow to the upper board and spine, in dustwrapper. Illustrated in colour throughout. A fine copy, the binding square and tight, the contents clean throughout. Complete with the fine original dustwrapper that remains without fading, loss or tears.

Inscribed by the artist in green and red ink on the half title "for Anna and Don / David Hockney" with the artist's blue "Personal" ink stamp above (which he has hand decorated in red) and green "hand stamped by DH" ink stamp below. A second volume of autobiography with over 350 reproductions of Hockney's paintings, graphic designs, and experimental work are closely interwoven with the artist's insightful and highly personal narrative.

First trade edition, first printing. Signed and inscribed by the author. Publisher's original orange cloth with gilt titles to the spine. Without the dustwrapper. A near very good copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping and fraying to the corners and tips of the slightly darkened spine. The contents, with the owner the occasional penciled marginalia (in the hand of Sydney Schiff) are otherwise clean throughout. Scarce in presentation state.

Inscribed by the author in black ink "Sidney [sic] Schiff / with apologies for / the length of this / book, / Aldous Huxley / 1928" the author has then amended the inscription "[...with] out (under protest) [apologies...]". The author, translator and key figure of early Modernism Sydney Schiff, wrote under the pseudonym Stephen Hudson. A complexly woven, satirical take on England's "Jazz Age" where monumental egos and moral emptiness reign among the privileged classes. Huxley's longest novel, based on prominent artistic and literary figures, including D. H. Lawrence, Katherine Mansfield and Augustus John, was adapted into a BBC mini-series by Simon Raven in 1968. The Modern Library, in 1998, named Point Counter Point number 44 in the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's grey paper-covered boards lettered in gilt to the spine. An excellent fine copy, presenting as unread, the binding square and firm, the contents clean and bright throughout. In the fine, sharp dustwrapper, complete with a Hatchards 'Signed Copy' wraparound band. Not price-clipped (£20.00 to the front flap).

Signed by the author in black ink to to the title page. The author's seventh novel. "'The Buried Giant' does what important books do: it remains in the mind long after it has been read, refusing to leave." (Neil Gaiman, 'New York Times Book Review').

First edition, first printing of the author's debut novel. Publisher's original orange cloth with white titles to the spine, in the Paul Galdone illustrated dustwrapper. A lovely fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with a neat ink name and date to the front endpaper, and the unavoidable toning of the pulp paper stock, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the very near fine dustwrapper that has a few tiny nicks at the fold corners without loss or large tears. Not price-clipped ($2.75 to the upper front flap). A superb example.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original navy blue cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in the Pete Lyon illustrated dustwrapper. Illustrated in black and white with a map and chapter headings by Gary Chalk. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the spine tips very lightly bumped. The contents, with light, faint spotting to the text block top edge and slight offsetting to the free endpapers, are otherwise clean and bright throughout. Complete with the lightly rubbed and creased dustwrapper that is otherwise without fading, loss or tears. Not price-clipped (£7.95 to the front flap).

Inscribed by the author in black ink on the front endpaper "To / Tim / From / Brian Jacques [underlined] / 16 Oct 1986". Scarce thus. The author's first book and the first title in the Redwall Saga of high fantasy rodent adventure.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's review copy, with the review slip and press release loosely laid in. Original dark green cloth with gilt titles to the spine , in dustwrapper. Illustrated with a map and chapter headings in black and white by Gary Chalk. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm. The contents, with some faint spotting to the text block top edge and light offsetting and minor spotting to the endpapers. Complete with the lightly rubbed original dustwrapper that remains without fading, loss or tears. Not price-clipped (£8.95 to the front flap).

Inscribed by the author in black ink on the title page "For / Jim / Happy Reading! / Brian Jacques [underlined]". Scarce thus. The second title in the Redwall Saga of high fantasy rodent adventure.

First Hodder and Stoughton edition. Publisher's original red blind stamped cloth with black titles to the spine, in the Bip Pares illustrated dustwrapper. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents with toning to the wartime economy paper and a small bookseller's paper label to the bottom corner of the front pastedown, are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that is a little dusty but without loss or large tears. A very scarce and notoriously fragile issue of this early Biggles adventure.

The first edition Of Biggles Flies East was published in 1935 by Oxford University Press. This edition, issued without illustrations and with a Bip Pares dustwrapper in their 'Yellow Jacket' series, was, in May 1942, the first Biggles book to be published by Hodder and Stoughton. The first edition of 'Biggles Sweeps the Desert' followed in September 1942, the relationship ending in August 1965 with 'Biggles Scores A Bull'.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Publisher's original brown cloth ruled in blind and with triangular gilt decoration to the centre of the upper board, titles in gilt to the spine. Top edge gilt. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth and gilt bright and fresh, a little rubbed to spine tips. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps.

Issued in a limited edition of 800 copies (with a further 50 copies published on pale green-tinted paper in black cloth), this example is numbered 304 and signed by James Joyce in black ink to the limitation page. A UK trade edition, published by Faber and Faber (and instigated by T. S. Eliot) was published in 1930. The novelist Edna O'Brien has described 'Anna Livia', which would become the eighth chapter of 'Finnegans Wake', as the "melodic chapter with which he hoped to win over recalcitrant readers. He wrote seven versions in all, constituting thousands of hours of labour, each episode more enriched, more exuberant and more transmutative. What he was doing was leaving a literary ghost mark for a world that was unprepared for it". ('The Guardian', 27 January 2017; Slocum & Cahoon A32).

First UK edition, first printing. Publisher's original olive green cloth with black titles to the upper board and spine, in dustwrapper. A very good copy, the binding square with rubbing and bumping to the spine tips and corners. The contents, with some occasional spotting and finger marks to the margins, and a small bookseller's label to the rear pastedown, are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. The closed text block edges are spotted. Complete with the fine original (but supplied) dustwrapper, which has some very light rubbing to the extremities but is otherwise without fading, loss or tears. Correctly priced 7/6 net to the spine.

Published in the US as 'The Matilda Hunter Murder', this is the first instalment of Keeler's 'Tuddleton Trotter' mystery series. (Hubin)

First UK edition. Signed by the author. Publisher's original red cloth with black titles to the upper board and spine, without the dustwrapper. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm, with some bumping to the spine tips. The cloth and titles remain bright and fresh. The contents, with toning to poor quality paper and light spotting and offsetting to the front and rear pastedowns are otherwise clean throughout and without previous owner's marks. An attractive example.

Inscribed by the author in black ink across the front pastedown and endpaper "Dear W. Bael Crowley / I liked your story / "The Eyes of Death" - it / dramatized, did it not, a theme of the philosopher Ouspensky? / - that objects have souls? / Perhaps you would like / to have - as a novelty / - one of my books in its - / ????, bloomin, bloody, blinkin, / British editions, Here tis! / Sincerely H. Stephen Keeler / Have placed story in "accepted drawer"". A stand-alone mystery novel following the lives of five individuals and how their lives overlap after they each purchase a silver Buddha at auction. At the time of publication and presumably presentation Keeler was employed as an editor for Ten Story Book, a popular pulp short-story magazine that also included photos of nude and scantily clad young women. (Hubin).

First UK edition, first printing. Signed and inscribed by both authors. Publisher's original green cloth with black titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A near very good copy, the binding firm and the cloth bright. The contents are heavily spotted to the prelims and toned to the poor quality paper stock. Ink correction in the hand of Harry Stephen Keeler written in black ink on page 206. Complete with the very good rubbed, nicked and creased dustwrapper, which has a small chips at the spine tips and fold corners and a few scuffs to the rear panel. Not price-clipped and in the first printing showing 8/6 net to the lower front flap. Later issues are priced 6/-.

Inscribed by Hazel Goodwin Keeler in black ink on the front endpaper "To / Mr. Michael Monkhanoff, / with the sincere ad- / miration of the authors / Hazel Goodwin Keeler (of p.78) and" underneath which Harry Stephen Keeler has signed in full. The second novel in the 'Tuddleton Trotter' series. (Hubin)

An original black and white portrait photograph of the 1961 Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Harper Lee. The image measures 23.5 x 16 cm (25 x 20.5 cm with border). The image is in fine condition, the white borders with a few light marks and minor creasing with a small indentation to the lower left. Photographer's / Agency copyright stamps to the reverse.

Inscribed by Harper Lee in black ink lower left "To Dr. Greenway / with the best / wishes of / Harper Lee". The recipient Dr. Charles Cornelius Greenway, a pastor of All Souls Congregational Church in Brooklyn, was an avid autograph hunter whose collection of nearly 4000 autographed photographs was sold over two newsworthy auctions (1970 and 1971) at the Parke-Bernet Galleries, 980 Madison Avenue, New York.

Second impression of the first edition. Signed and dated by the Titanic survivor, Milvina Dean. Original blue cloth lettered in white to a black label on the spine, in the dustwrapper illustrated by Lee Kenyon. Illustrated endpapers showing a plan of the vessel. A very good copy, the binding square and firm, the contents clean throughout. The spine tips and lower edges are a little faded, the tips and upper corners a little bumped. The lettering to the spine is rubbed, the page block edges a little toned. Complete with the rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that is a little marked to the rear panel and a touch of faded to the spine. It is otherwise bright and complete. Not price-clipped (16/– net to the lower front flap). A lovely association copy, signed by the last living survivor of the Titanic.

Signed and dated (April 10th, 1999) by Milvena Dean to the upper edge of the title page. Eliza Gladys Millvina Dean (1912-2009) (known as Vera) was, at just two months old, the youngest passenger aboard the disastrous maiden voyage of RMS Titanic which famously set out from Southampton on Wednesday 10 April 1912, sinking five days later after striking an iceberg. Milvena (the name she later used) was also the last living survivor of the disaster. Born in Branscombe, Devon on 2 February 1912 to Bertram Frank Dean (1886–1912) and Georgette Eva Light (1879–1975), her brother, Bertram Vere Dean was born in 1910. Milvina's father died on the Titanic, but the rest of the family survived. Walter Lord's minute-by-minute account of the final hours on board the ship is now something of a classic, remaining in print ever since. The book hauntingly appends the names of the ship's passengers, the survivor's names in italics. Milvena (listed as "Vera Dean (infant)") appears italicised along with her mother and brother beneath the unitalicised name of her father.

First UK edition. Publisher's original black cloth with silver titles to the spine, in the Barbara Walton illustrated dustwrapper. A lovely 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 previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed, price-clipped dustwrapper that is a touch faded to the spine and toned to the panel edges but otherwise without loss or tears. An attractive example.

As with many of the Travis McGee novels, the UK printing is the first appearance of the novel in hardcover. (Hubin).

First edition, first printing. Signed and inscribed by the author. Publisher's original blue cloth with white titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. An excellent better than very good copy, the binding firm with a little bumping at the spine tips, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents, with toning to the text block edges and faint spotting to the endpapers are otherwise clean throughout. Complete with the very good rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that has several small chips to the spine tips and fold corners and mild fading of the spine. Not price-clipped ($2.50 to the front flap). A scarce title.

Inscribed by Michael "Mickey" Macdougall in black ink to the front free endpaper "To Susan Y. Dear, Jr. / always remember - / 'gamblers don't gamble' / Michael MacDougall". In this book the author, a card manipulator who prefers the be known as a 'gambling detective' (and has worked with police to expose card sharps, dice cheats and carnival hustlers), shows "exactly how a gambler can rob their victim and look perfectly innocent whilst doing so".

First edition, first printing. Signed with an original drawing by David McKee. Original glossy pictorial boards. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm, the boards with some light indentations, very slight bumping at the corners, and fading to the spine. The contents are clean and bright throughout.

Signed and dated alongside an original drawing across the front pastedown and endpaper of Elmer flying in the wind.

First edition. Publisher's original secondary binding of red cloth with black titles to the upper board and spine, in the rare dustwrapper. A good copy, the binding firm with some bumping to the tips of the faded spine, the cloth otherwise clean. The contents, toned to the poor quality paper stock are also spotted or stained to the margins (not affecting text), significantly so to around 20 pages. Complete with the presumably supplied first edition dustwrapper that has undergone skilled internal repair and restoration to the spine tips and fold corners. All four corners of the flaps have been heavily clipped (not affecting the text) which would suggest the dustwrapper originated on a library copy. That said, it presents reasonably well and is undeniably a rare dustwrapper in any condition.

The New Zealand born Queen of Crime's third book, all of which feature Chief Inspector (later Chief Superintendent) Roderick Alleyn. (Hubin)

First edition of the first book produced by the Incline Press. Deluxe issue, one of 50 copies, hand coloured and signed by Enid Marx. Publisher's original gilt decorated paper covered boards, burgundy cloth spine. White paper title labels printed in brown. Page edges untrimmed. Decorative title page. Illustrated with 30 wood engravings with a further three impressions in a separate pocket to the rear. A fine copy, the binding square, firm and bright; the contents clean and crisp throughout. Hand-numbered limitation slip loosely laid in, as issued. Scarce.

This beautifully produced Incline press edition incorporates an imaginative suite of illustrations by Marx, printed directly from the wood engravings made in 1938 for the 'Zodiac Book of Nursery Rhymes' published by Chatto & Windus. This example is lettered "L [50]" of 50 deluxe copies, the illustrations hand coloured by Enid Marx and signed in black ink. There was also a regular edition of 260 copies.

First edition, first printing. Two volumes. 8vo, xxiii, 306; [vi], 291 pp. Publisher's original blue cloth stamped in blind, gilt centrepiece to the covers, titles in gilt to the spines. Folding facsimile of a letter written in Arabic script by Najaf Koolee Meerza in volume one. A better than very good, unsophisticated set. The bindings are square and firm with a little bumping and minor fraying to the spine tips and corners. The cloth is clean albeit a touch faded to the spines. The contents, with the ownership signature of Isaac M. Williams to the yellow coated endpapers of each volume are otherwise clean and bright throughout.

The work details the escape of the three princes from Shiraz following their father's failed attempt to take power in the wake of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar's death in 1834. After spending the summer of 1836 in England, they returned to the Middle East via Europe and eventually settled in Baghdad. Assad Kayat, who worked for the British government and East-India company as a translator, was employed by the brothers as an interpreter for their visit to England and accompanied them for the entirety of their journey. Kayat was an early champion of womens' equality and later trained as a physician at St George's from 1843-46, after which he was admitted to the Royal College of Surgeons. Later, he returned to his birth-place of Beirut.

First edition, first printing. Julien Green's copy. Original paper covered boards, lettered in red to the front panel, in the matching pale brown paper dustwrapper. A fine copy, the binding square and firm, the contents clean throughout. Small bump to the upper edge of the spine. Complete with the dustwrapper, a touch rubbed to the spine and folds, nicked with a little loss to spine tips and to the outer corner of the front panel. Small closed tear (c. 1 cm) to the upper edge of the front panel. Not price-clipped ($1 to the upper front flap). A lovely copy of Merton's first book, once owned by the French-American novelist and diarist, Julien Green.

With the ownership inscription of "Julian Green / March 1945" in black ink to the front free endpaper. Green's real first name was Julian, the Gallic variant, Julien, applied by the author's French publisher in the 1920s. Although he generally signed his (mainly French) books Julien, he evidently continued to use Julian for the books he owned. Green was the first non-French national to be elected to the Académie française. A prolific novelist, his reputation owes more to his extensive diaries (in nineteen volumes), which provide a rich chronicle of his literary and religious life as well as the Parisian literary world, than to his fiction. Thomas Merton, the American writer and theologian (also born in France), conducted a correspondence with Green and wrote an essay on his fiction ('To Each His Darkness', collected in 'Raids on the Unspeakable' [1966]). 'Thirty Poems', Merton's first book, was written and published at a crucial point in the author's life. He had completed the manuscript in 1943. In March the following year, he made his temporary profession of vows as a Trappist monk. Uncertain about publishing the book, he was persuaded by his superior at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani to go ahead with publication. The book was issued by James Laughlin at New Directions in November 1944.

A beautifully illustrated bilingual retelling of the folk song The Ballad of Mulan, made in Fuzhou by the Ling Yu Sing Gift Shop. Publisher's original pattern-woven brown silk boards with silk title label to the front cover. Concertina-style binding. Top and bottom edges orange. Illustrated with 10 colour paintings on silk, mounted on pattern-woven cream silk pages opposite a page with a caption in Chinese with an English translation below.�An excellent example, the boards with a little wear to the corners with a couple of scuffs to the silk. The contents, with a single short closed tear to the caption page of picture 1, with a historical tape stain to the blank reverse are otherwise remarkably bright and fresh throughout.

According to the legend, as a young woman Hua Mulan enlists in the imperial army, in place of her father, in the guise of a man. She manages to keep her identity secret and, following her battlefield heroics, returns home and is subsequently rewarded for her courage by the emperor. Over centuries, the story has "provided a vision of womanhood that extended women's roles beyond the domestic sphere". In the 20th century, Mulan was promoted as a hero by early Chinese feminists inspired by her challenge to the traditional exclusion of women from public politics. The subject of several stage and screen adaptations, including the two Disney treatments (2008 and 2020). (Lily Xiao Hong Lee, A.D. Stefanowska, & Sue Wiles: Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women: Antiquity Through Sui, 1600 B.C.E. - 618 C.E; 2015).

First US edition, first printing. Signed and inscribed presentation copy. Original orange cloth lettered and decorated in black to the front panel, lacking the scarce dustwrapper. A very good copy, the binding square and firm, the contents clean throughout. The cloth is a little dusty with a few light surface marks. Rubbed to spine tips, with a small split (c. 2.5 cm) to the cloth along the rear edge of the spine.

Inscribed by the author in black ink to the front free endpaper, "Marcus Blechman / a woman's Season / in Hell / Anaïs Nin". The recipient is the renowned photographer, Marcus Blechman, who was responsible for a number of memorable portraits of stars of Hollywood theatre and film (including Tallulah Bankhead, Gloria Swanson, and Helen Hayes). 'House of Incest', Nin's first work of fiction, was originally published in 1936 as 'The House of Incest' (later editions dropping the definite article) by Siana Editions in Paris. This edition, published the following decade, was issued by Nin's own Gemor Press. A short, concentrated, personal work, it is, according to her biographer Noel Riley Fitch, "her most complex work,[and] the best illustration of her literary beliefs in the primacy of psychological reality and the Jungian dreamworld". Her description of the work as "a woman's Season in Hell" in this copy's inscription, with its allusion to Rimbaud's great long prose poem (a work famously championed and translated by Nin's lover, Henry Miller) was one that she used again in a 1959 letter to Laurence Durrell, and is an indication that Nin thought of this strange, enigmatic work more as a poem in prose than as a novel. (Noël Riley Fitch, 'Anaïs: The Erotic Life of Anaïs Nin', Boston: 1993; Franklin A2b).

First edition in book form of an important essay on political language, which, according to the author, "is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind". Publisher's original stapled grey card covers printed in black. Illustrations by Merrill Snethen. A fine copy.

The essay, originally published in Horizon Magazine (Vol. 13, No.76, April 1946) and in abridged form in The New Republic (17th and 24th June 1946) is printed here in book form as a "Keepsake for Typophiles" in an edition of 320 copies (December 1947). There were also editions of 100 copies (for Herbert W. Simpson) and 50 copies (for friends of Paul Bennett). (Fenwick C.679)

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original red cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A lovely very near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth ever so slightly rubbed to the extremities, the contents clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that has a couple of tiny closed tears and just a hint of toning to the spine. Not price-clipped (12s 6d net to the front flap). A lovely example.

This posthumous collection was Plath's second book of poetry, and its publication set her firmly amongst the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. The poems, often blending everyday domesticity with dark inner emotional and psychological landscapes, are considered by many to be her finest work.

First edition. Bound for Princess Helena (third daughter and fifth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert) in full red morocco with elaborate gilt borders and titles in gilt. Gilt inner dentelles. All edges gilt. Folding map frontispiece and numerous illustrations within the text. A very good copy, the binding firm with rubbing to the joints and spine tips. The contents, with the book label of The Welbeck Galleries, Cardiff to the upper left corner of the front pastedown, are spotted to the prelims with damp marking to the edges of the front and rear endpapers.

Princess Helena's personal copy of Watt and Warings' handbook to accompany the Byzantine and Romanesque court exhibit at the Crystal Palace. It was one of a series of court themed exhibits designed to narrate the global history of art and architecture. The Byzantine court was one of several exhibits to be completely destroyed in the 1866 fire.

Limited edition. Unique designed binding by Glenn Bartley. Full tan goatskin, hand-dyed with black morocco onlays and incisions painted with acrylic. Gold and blind tooling. Silk pastedowns, gilt decorated inner dentelles, felt endpapers. All edges red. Printed on Magnani paper. The text is set in 12 point Tallone type, engraved by Charles Malin in Paris. A fine copy. Housed in a bespoke black cloth solander case, titles in gilt on a blue morocco label to the backstrip.

Issued in a limited edition of 525 copies, comprising 360 printed on Magnani paper, 160 printed on Amatruda paper and 5 on Japan Hosho paper. This example on Magnani is printed 'copy not for sale' on the limitation page. An exquisitely printed fine press edition of Shakespeare's Hamlet in a unique binding by the multi-award winning bookbinder (now Head of the Royal Bindery in Windsor Castle), Glenn Bartley.

Limited edition. Publisher's original limp yapped vellum, titles in gilt to the spine. Four silk ties. Arranged, and collated with the originals by F. S. Ellis, and printed at the Essex House Press, under the care of C. R. Ashbee. With large woodcut initial capitals by Reginald Savage. Printed in black and red. A fine copy, the binding square and firm, all four ties present as called for. The contents, entirely uncut and with the small red morocco bookplate of Charles De Forest to the front pastedown, are otherwise clean throughout. Housed in an elegant early 20th century full blue morocco slipcase with five raised bands and titles in gilt to the spine.

Issued in a limited edition of 450 copies, this example is hand-numbered 425.

First UK edition, first printing. Publisher's original blue cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in the Fritz Wergner illustrated dustwrapper. A lovely fine copy, the binding tight and the cloth and gilt bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed dustwrapper that remains without fading, loss or tears. Not price clipped (9s 6d net to the lower front flap).

(Hubin).

First edition, first printing of the second Nero Wolfe novel. Publisher's original black cloth with gilt titles to the upper board and spine, in the Winfred Earl Lefferts illustrated dustwrapper. Top edge green. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth and gilt fresh. The contents, with a previous owner's ink inscription and tipped in contemporary newspaper review to the front endpaper, are otherwise clean throughout. The top-stain a little faded. Loosely laid in is a small publisher's printed publicity card quoting a review of Fer-De-Lance by William Lyons Phelps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that remains without fading, large chips or tears. Not price-clipped (net $2.00 to the upper front flap). An exceptional, unsophisticated example of a notoriously fragile dustwrapper.

The second Nero Wolfe novel, and like the first, 'Fer-De-Lance', a Haycraft Queen Cornerstone (one of the most influential works of mystery fiction as listed by the crime fiction historian Howard Haycraft and Ellery Queen). (Hubin).

First edition. Publisher's original orange cloth with red titles to the upper board and spine, in the Serge Drigin illustrated dustwrapper. Illustrated with four full page black and white plates by Serge Drigin. A very good copy, the binding square and firm with minor bumping at the extremities. The contents, with spotting to the endpapers are otherwise clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that has a couple of closed tears but remains without fading or loss. Not price-clipped (5s net to the lower front flap).

The second title in a small series of highly regarded World War Two novels by Rowland Walker which chronicle the events of the different Military services and are notable for containing the actual names of those involved and dates of operations. The author was, with the publication of 'Dastral of the Flying Corps' in 1918, one of the first servicemen to write flying stories from personal experience rather than research.

First edition. Publisher's original blue cloth with red titles to the upper board and spine, in the Alfred Sindall illustrated dustwrapper. Illustrated with a frontispiece and three further plates in black and white by Alfred Sindall. A very good or better copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping at the extremities. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that has several short closed tears and a small chip to the upper spine fold. Not price-clipped (5s net to the lower front flap). An attractive example.

The third title in a small series of highly regarded World War Two novels by Rowland Walker which chronicle the events of the different Military services and are notable for containing the actual names of those involved and dates of operations. The author was, with the publication of 'Dastral of the Flying Corps' in 1918, one of the first servicemen to write flying stories from personal experience rather than research.

First UK edition, first printing. Inscribed by the author. Publisher's original brown cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. A fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth and lettering bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout, with no other marks or inscriptions. Complete with the very lightly creased dustwrapper that remains without fading, loss or tears. Not price clipped (correct £18.99 pricing to the front flap).

Inscribed by the Nobel Prize winning molecular biologist in blue ink on the title page "To Matthew / from / Jim Watson".

First trade edition, first impression. Publisher's original reddish pink cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth and gilt bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without foxing, inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the lightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper that is ever so slightly toned to the spine and panel edges. Not price-clipped (10s 6d net to the lower front flap). A very attractive example, in entirely original condition, of a notoriously fragile wartime economy production.

The first printing of the first trade edition, preceded only by an edition of only 50 copies in paperback, printed at the author's expense for presentation to his close friends and associates, no copies of which were for sale.

First edition, first printing. Original snakeskin effect cloth boards with gilt titles to the spine, in the first state dustwrapper. A superb fine copy, the binding square and tight, the cloth and gilt bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without foxing, inscriptions or stamps. Publisher's postcard loosely laid in. Complete with the exceptionally bright, very lightly rubbed dustwrapper that has a couple of tiny nicks at the fold corners and a faint stain to the right edge of the upper panel. Not price-clipped (7s 6d net to the lower front flap). Retaining the original publisher issued wraparound band. Housed in a bespoke black cloth solander case.

A stellar example of the earliest state of the first edition (with the '8' in the publication date indistinct and "as" the last word on page 88), in the uncommon first issue dustwrapper. This dustwrapper was quickly withdrawn after the threat of legal action from Daily Express owner Lord Beaverbrook who was furious at the similarity of the Daily Beast masthead with his own.

First edition, first printing. Inscribed by the author. Publisher's original laminated pictorial boards. Twelve full page in colour illustrations by Kit Williams. An excellent fine copy, the binding square and firm, the illustration bright and without fading. The contents are clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps.

Inscribed by the author in black ink on the title page "Fair fortune be yours / Kit Williams". The book which sparked a nationwide treasure hunt for a jewelled gold hare buried in a secret location. Readers were encouraged to use the clues in Kit Williams' illustrations in order to find the treasure. A winner was announced in 1982, and later exposed as a fraud. The scandal was the basis of a 2009 television documentary "The Man Behind the Masquerade". The gold hare now resides at the V&A Museum in London.

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original light blue cloth with black titles to the spine, in the 'T. K.' illustrated dustwrapper. An excellent near fine copy, the binding square and firm with a little bumping at the spine tips. The blue cloth toned to the spine as common with Hodder cloth of this period. The contents are clean throughout and without foxing, inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the bright and attractive dustwrapper that appears in fine condition due to a couple of tiny areas of professional restoration at the spine tips and fold corners. Correctly priced 7/6 net to the spine.

A Detective Trevor Dene mystery. (Hubin).