Hardy, Thomas
JUDE THE OBSCURE (Inscribed First Edition)
Osgood, McIlvaine: 1896
HARDY, Thomas. JUDE THE OBSCURE. London: Osgood, McIlvaine, and Co., 1896 [but 1895]. 8vo. Frontispiece plate by Henry Macbeth-Raeburn (tissue-guard loose) and map of Wessex bound at end. FIRST EDITION, First State, first published as the eighth volume in his uniform series of Hardy's Wessex Novels. Bound in original publisher's original green cloth, gilt, with signatures A-H having all pages numbered. A Very Good copy with some wear to its extremities and boards, and one inner hinge starting to crack. This INSCRIBED COPY, bearing the author's typical "Yours Faithfully/ Thomas Hardy" written on the title page, has the same first print run pagination as all of Hardy's other recorded presentation copies of JUDE. Opposite Hardy's inscription, in a different hand, is the presumed first owner's full name and address -- a local farm in West Meon, Sussex, quite near Winchester, the capitol of Hardy's Upper Wessex -- where Tess Durbeyfield was imprisoned and executed). A second previous owner's stamp can be found on the front free endpaper. JUDE THE OBSCURE, often cited as Hardy's most important novel, has an iconic status in the history of English literature, the bridge which links the Victorian Era and the Modern Era. Perhaps due to initially savage critical reviews, Hardy appears to have avoided signing copies of JUDE THE OBSCURE. This being only the third one we've seen since the auction of H. Bradley Martin's world class Hardy collection at Sotheby's New York in May 1990. One of Hardy's recorded presentation copies of JUDE to the Duchess of Abercorn (1848-1929) was sold by us for $60,000 in 2009 (admittedly still retaining its dust jacket which is not true in this case or most cases.) Purdy, pp. 86-91. Housed in a custom green folding case.
More from Lakin & Marley Rare Books
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS (First American Edition, first state)
DODGSON, Charles Lutwidge ("Lewis Carroll") (1832-1898). Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. Boston: Lee and Shepard; New York: Lee, Shepard, and Dillingham, 1872. 8vo. 50 illustrations by John Tenniel. (139-144 pp. re-margined). VERY GOOD BRIGHT COPY WITH EYE APPEAL. Original gilt decorated green cloth, brown coated endpapers (spine a bit darkened with some wear at ends, rear top fore-corner and edge bumped, some small stains, rear joint cracked). Provenance: From the Lewis Carroll Collection of Philip Conklin Blackburn (book-label), a noted Carroll bibliophile and scholar. FIRST EDITION printed in America, FIRST STATE of p. 21, with the misprint "wade" for "wabe" in the second line of the poem "Jabberwocky". Lovett 19VERTIGO (Complete Set of 25 FINE Original Publicity Stills with Original Distributors Envelope)
Hitchcock, Alfred (director); Alec Coppel, Samuel Taylor (screenwriters); James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes (starring) Hitchcock, Alfred (director); Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac (co-novelists of D'entre les morts, Vertigo's source material); Alec Coppel, Samuel Taylor (screenwriters); James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes (starring). VERTIGO. Hollywood, CA: Paramount Studios, [1958]. Complete Set of 25 FINE 8" by 10" Original Vintage single weight glossy Publicity Stills from the famous 1958 Alfred Hitchcock film, complete with their plain brown original distributors envelope stamped "Vertigo" -- a remarkable survival. The stills look virtually as new, stored in their original envelope for the last 62 years. VERTIGO is often said to be Hitchcock's defining film, a movie which has grown in critical evaluation over the years culminating in the British Film Institute naming it in 2012 as the greatest film of all time. Vertigo was also one of the first 25 films selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Envelopes such as this one, containing the 25 selected stills that Paramount initially chose for distribution around the country for publicity purposes in tandem with the film, were never intended to survive in this fresh untouched state, making this a rare opportunity for the collector.ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND. THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. (1915 First Deluxe Photoplay Edition in original dust jacket with original gift box)
Carroll, Lewis (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) Carroll, Lewis [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson]. ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND & THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, [c. 1915]. First Deluxe oversized (9.5" x 7") Film Photoplay Edition, issued in tandem with the 1915 Silent Film based on the two Lewis Carroll classics. There exists also a smaller trade edition, the first time ever that a movie tie-in printing had been produced in two versions, regular and deluxe. The film was produced by the American Film Manufacturing Company and distributed by the Non-Pareil Film Company, adapted and directed by W. W. Young and starring Viola Savoy. Inside can be found 32 inserted black & white stills from the movie, plus a color frontispiece. A Fine, bright, unworn copy retaining the exceedingly rare Photo Art Dust Jacket which has some light chipping and wear but no restoration or repair. Complete with the original (slightly damaged) 1915 Gift Box which is the only example of this beautifully illustrated box which we've ever encountered. As part of the prelims, there is an account of the film's invite-only opening night at the Strand Theater in New York City. The original film still exists (and can be seen online) minus most of the Looking Glass segment which has been lost over the years. This book is surely the best imaginable artifact in book form of the first full-length (52 minutes) Alice film adaptation. It is arguably a lone survival with the original gift box, but inarguably a truly rare find for those seeking a deluxe edition of this illustrated Alice in dust jacket.- $4,500
- $4,500
THE WOODLANDERS (Presentation Copy Inscribed By the Author to His Second Wife, Florence Hardy)
Hardy, Thomas Hardy, Thomas. THE WOODLANDERS. London & New York: Macmillan & Company, 1906. With a map of Wessex. 32pp publisher's catalogue bound in at the back. Original publisher's blue-green cloth, two corners bumped, light wear to the spine tips and outer hinges. This is the PRESENTATION COPY of the novel Hardy considered his finest, first published in 1887, which was given by the author to his future second wife Florence Emily Dugdale (1879-1937). This inscription was penned during the time Florence began acting as Hardy's secretary, four years before the death of the first Mrs. Hardy. It is inscribed: "To/ Miss F. E. Dugdale/With the Author's Kind Regards/Christmas 1908." The copy has been well-read by the second Mrs. Hardy as one might expect yet survives in good to very good original condition without major flaw. Despite Hardy's formality of inscription, he was already quite drawn to Miss Dugdale by this time and a more important and intimate presentation copy of this title would be hard to find. Dugdale first met Thomas Hardy in 1905 when she was aged 26. She stopped teaching in 1908; both to assist Hardy and to begin her own writing career. In 1912, she published her first creative effort, The Book of Baby Birds, with Hardy's assistance. When Hardy's first wife Emma died in 1913, Florence officially moved into Hardy's home in Dorchester. The pair married soon after. Some candid letters written by Florence Dugdale Hardy to a friend were just recently unearthed and sold at auction in 2020. They clearly expose that, despite the 40-year age gap, theirs was truly a love match far more passionate than had been previously surmised. Housed in a custom slipcase.- $25,000
- $25,000
THE WIZARD OF OZ (Fine/Near Fine 1939 U. K. Film Edition)
Baum, L. Frank Baum, L. Frank. THE WIZARD OF OZ. London: Hutchinson, (1939). First U. K. Film Tie-In edition, released in tandem with the 1939 legendary MGM Musical adaptation of L. Frank Baum's children's literature high spot. An oversized volume with a photo cover which still retains its matching wraparound dust jacket. There are eight full-page color stills from the film inserted in the text featuring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Frank Morgan, and Margaret Hamilton. Many of W. W. Denslow's black & white line illustrations from the original 1900 Wizard Of Oz first edition, some full-page, are also found throughout. The volume is exceedingly Fine, virtually faultless, and the original priced (5/-) dust jacket is very nearly Fine as well (just lightly used, a tiny bit soft at the spine tip, a small flap clip, and with no restoration or repair). In short, an ideal copy of this glamorous large-format Wizard of Oz film Tie-In edition, by far the best example of this delightful and charismatic book that we've seen in decades.- $2,250
- $2,250
KNIGHT WITHOUT ARMOUR
Hilton, James Hilton, James. KNIGHT WITHOUT ARMOUR. London: Ernest Benn, (1933). First Edition. A Fine copy in a better than Very Good dust jacket, just lightly used. Inner flap has the correct publication price but it has publisher Benn's official sticker covering it, changing the price to 3/6 net. Adapted into the 1937 film starring Marlene Dietrich and Robert Donat, the compelling tale of an English spy caught up in the Russian Revolution. Hilton's last "unknown" novel written just before the huge double success of Goodbye Mr. Chips and Lost Horizon.- $300
- $300
THE SPY
Von Harbou, Thea Von Harbou, Thea. THE SPY. London: Reader's Library, (1929). First Film Tie-In Photoplay Edition, fourth printing, published in tandem with the 1928 UFA German silent film directed by Fritz Lang but with new wraparound dust jacket art (of equal artistry to the first printing), illustrated with the same eight internal stills, most featuring Willy Fritsch and Gerda Maurus. Thea Von Harbou was Fritz Lang's wife and collaborator. THE SPY was made one year after the pair's famous METROPOLIS and is often acknowledged as the first film ever produced in the spy/espionage genre. A Very Good, slightly worn copy in a Very Good dust jacket with some (seemingly unnecessary) tape reinforcement to the inside of the DJ.- $450
- $450
THE SPY
Von Harbou, Thea Von Harbou, Thea. THE SPY. London: Reader's Library, (1928). First Film Tie-In Photoplay Edition, published in tandem with the 1928 UFA German silent film directed by Fritz Lang. Wraparound just jacket art. Illustrated with eight internal stills, most featuring Willy Fritsch and Gerda Maurus. Thea Von Harbou was Fritz Lang's wife and collaborator; she was both a novelist and a screenwriter. THE SPY was made one year after the pair's famous METROPOLIS and is often acknowledged as the first film ever produced in the spy/espionage genre. A bright, tight, Near Fine copy in a Near Fine dust jacket with trifling wear to the spine tips.- $750
- $750
AMERICAN NOTES (Near Fine Example of the First “Cheap” Edition in Original Cloth)
Dickens, Charles Dickens, Charles. AMERICAN NOTES. Frontispiece by C. Stanfield. London: Chapman & Hall, 1850. Original blind-stamped green publisher's cloth with spines elaborately decorated in gilt. First "Cheap" Edition (actually volume 7 of the first and most important collected works of Dickens, with a new 2pp introduction and a specially commissioned new frontispiece). Begun in 1847 with writings already published, Dickens added further titles to his "works" as he went along. Despite being called "cheap" -- these volumes are just as high quality in texture and ornamentation as his first editions; there are 18 titles in total, we've never seen a complete set in fine original condition and individual volumes in collector's condition are scarce. NEAR FINE, spine a trifle browned (as almost always with this olive-green cloth), minor wear to the extremities, bright gilt, and excellent eye appeal. It would hard to find a better example of this traditionally, yet inexplicably, undervalued volume from Dickens's carefully-designed, newly prefaced and illustrated, first collection of his works.- $150
- $150
SKETCHES BY BOZ (Near Fine Example of the First “Cheap” Edition in Original Cloth)
Dickens, Charles Dickens, Charles. SKETCHES BY BOZ. Frontispiece by George Cruikshank. London: Chapman & Hall, 1850. Original blind-stamped green publisher's cloth with spines elaborately decorated in gilt. First "Cheap" Edition (actually volume 8 of the first and most important collected works of Dickens, with a new 1pp introduction by Dickens and a specially commissioned new frontispiece). Begun in 1847 with writings already published, Dickens added further titles to his "works" as he went along. Despite being called "cheap" -- these volumes are just as high quality in texture and ornamentation as his first editions; there are 18 titles in total, we've never seen a complete set in fine original condition and individual volumes in collector's condition are scarce. NEAR FINE, spine a trifle browned (as almost always with this olive-green cloth), slightly foxed, minor wear to the extremities, bright gilt, and excellent eye appeal. It would hard to find a better example of this traditionally, yet inexplicably, undervalued volume from Dickens's carefully-designed, newly prefaced and illustrated, first collection of his works.- $250
- $250
AUTOGRAPH LETTER. SIGNED
Mason, A. E. W. (English Mystery and Adventure Novelist, Author of THE FOUR FEATHERS) Mason, A. E. W. AUTOGRAPH LETTER, SIGNED ("Yours, A. E. W. Mason"), [17 Stratton Street, London, 1908). Single sheet of high quality water-marked paper, folded once. In NEAR FINE, crisp condition, written in black ink. The letter is an apology for having to cancel a meeting. A good example of Mason's autograph. Mason wrote several dozen turn-of-the-century novels, the best known being THE FOUR FEATHERS written in 1902, a classic adventure tale which has been filmed four times- $100
- $100
OLIVER TWIST (1922 First English Photoplay Edition)
Dickens, Charles (author) Jackie Coogan, Lon Chaney (starring) Dickens, Charles. OLIVER TWIST. With 10 photographs in character. London & Glasgow: Collins, [1922]. First Photoplay Edition released in tandem with the 1922 First National silent adaptation of Oliver Twist starring Jackie Coogan (likeness pictured on the dust jacket art), with Lon Chaney co-starring and Frank Lloyd directing. With ten internal stills featuring the Dickensian characters that bring the film to life. A Near Fine copy (previous owner's stamp on prelims) of this charming small book in a Near Fine, bright and fresh lightly used original dust jacket (one tiny chip at the top corner of the spine panel) [WITH:] The exceedingly rare and virtually never seen "Jackie Coogan as Oliver Twist" bookmark laid in.- $650
- $650
I MARRIED A DEAD MAN (Fine/Near Fine First Edition)
Woolrich, Cornell [By] William Irish (pseudonym). Woolrich, Cornell [By] William Irish (pseudonym). I MARRIED A DEAD MAN. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott, [1948]. First edition (so stated). A Fine copy in publisher's original purple-gray cloth, spine lettered and stamped in green, in a Near Fine example of the original, priced ($2.75) dust jacket. The DJ has one tiny nick to the spine tip and the rear panel is a bit soiled, but remains fresh, bright and without repair. In our experience, I MARRIED A DEAD MAN is one of Cornell Woolrich's most difficult titles to find in collector's condition. This is certainly the best one we've handled, or indeed seen, in recent years. Source for the 1950 Barbara Stanwyck Paramount Studios Film Noir, directed by Mitchell Leisen, entitled NO MAN OF HER OWN.- $1,250
- $1,250
THE PASSING OF MR. QUINN (a novelization of the 1928 British Mystery Film)
Christie, Agatha (story) G. Roy McRae (novelization) Christie, Agatha (story) G. Roy McRea (novelization). THE PASSING OF MR. QUINN. London: The London Book Co. Ltd., [1929]. First Edition. 6" by 4" with 233pp and a 4pp. catalog at the back listing other books in this publisher's "Novel Library." A Very Good copy, slightly worn and shaken with a bit of wear to the spine tips and a cracked (and repaired) rear hinge. Its dust jacket, entirely original to 1929 and without repair or restoration, is remarkably Fine with some trifling edge-wear to the bottom of the spine panel. Perhaps book and jacket were married at some earlier time. Or the DJ could have been safely placed aside before the volume was read with obvious gusto. THE PASSING OF MR. QUINN was novelized after the 1928 release of the silent mystery film of the same name. It was the first film ever made from Agatha Christie source material, having been adapted from the short story "The Coming of Mr. Quin" (which was published in a 1923 British magazine and in 1930 was added to Agatha Christie's "The Mysterious Mr. Quin" collection). Why the extra "N" was added to Quin is a mystery we'll leave you to solve. Why the film's evil Mr. Quinn is nothing like Agatha Christie's delightful Mr. Quin is another mystery for you. The author of this edition is G. Roy McRae (almost surely a pseudonym) and McRae's writing will remind no one of the writing of Agatha Christie herself. The film itself no longer exists; it's been pronounced "a lost film." We do know that it was co-directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and Julius Hagen, and starred Stuart Rome and Trilby Clark (as noted on the dust jacket). An interesting contemporary ad for THE PASSING OF MR. QUINN can be found on this film edition's front flap. There are no internal stills. Of the few copies of THE PASSING OF MR. QUINN known by us to exist, this one appears the only one with a superb, complete dust jacket.- $1,500
- $1,500
ALICE IN WONDERLAND and THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. (1933 PHOTOPLAY EDITION [WITH:] AUTOGRAPH LETTER, signed and dated 1935, BY ACTRESS CHARLOTTE HENRY)
Carroll, Lewis Carroll, Lewis. ALICE IN WONDERLAND and THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. [WITH:] AUTOGRAPH LETTER, signed and dated 1935, BY ACTRESS CHARLOTTE HENRY. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, [1933]. First Photoplay edition issued in tandem with the 1933 Paramount live-action film adaptation starring Charlotte Henry as Alice and co-starring Cary Grant, W. C. Fields, and Gary Cooper among others. Directed by Norman Z. McLeod from a screenplay by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and William Cameron Menzies based on the two Lewis Carroll classic tales. A FINE, bright and fresh copy in a FINE lightly used (one tiny closed tear) Original Dust Jacket. Illustrated with 32 original photo images from the film as well as endpapers with additional film images. [WITH:] One-page Autograph Letter, Signed, on letterhead, dated May 12th, 1935 (stamped envelope included) in which Charlotte Henry writes: "To Philip Smith/ Thank you for your cartoons of me/ Cordially/ Charlotte Henry." Surely, the finest example of this hard-to-find film tie-in edition that one could hope to acquire.- $1,250
- $1,250
JOURNEY INTO FEAR (1944 Film Edition with original wraparound movie band)
Ambler, Eric (novelist) Orson Welles, Joseph Cotton (Screenwriters, actors) Norman Foster (director) Ambler, Eric. JOURNEY INTO FEAR. London: Hodder & Stoughton, (1944). First Film Tie-In edition, published jusr after the 1943 release of the Mercury/RKO Film Noir directed by Norman Foster and starring Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton (the two actors also collaborated to write the script). This is a Near Fine copy (no internal stills) in a Very Good, slightly soiled, original dust jacket. The DJ retains the all-important wraparound band promoting the film. This adaptation of Eric Ambler s 1940 novel was faithful in tone but a few changes were made once Welles and Cotton joined the project, primarily to make it a more American film. The plot centers around an American ballistics expert in Turkey who finds himself targeted by Nazi agents. He hops a ship back home only to find his pursuers have followed him on board. Quite a rare wartime printing of this important novel and to find it with the original wraparound band, tying it to the movie, creates an uncommon opportunity for the book to film collector.- $500
- $500
LOVE AMONG THE LIONS
Anstey, F. (Thomas Anstey Guthrie) ANSTEY, F. [Pseudonym of Thomas Anstey Guthrie]. LOVE AMONG THE LIONS: A Matrimonial Experience. London: J.M. Dent & Co., n.d. [1898]. First Edition. A NEAR FINE copy (a few minor blemishes to the cloth) in publisher's original maroon cloth, gilt. Anstey, a wonderful satirical author with a whimsical mind, was the author of the classic Victorian fantasy novel VICE VERSA in which a father and son exchange bodies with hilarious results (the plot of about a dozen Hollywood movies). In LOVE AMONG THE LIONS, a young couple plans to get married at the London Zoo, in the lion cage. "Canterbury Couple to Wed in Cage full of Carnivores" is the title of one of the clever illustrations which first appeared in Idler Magazine to great acclaim. An excellent first edition of a delightful book. Sadleir 47. NCBEL III, 1034.- $65
- $65
THE FASCINATION OF THE KING (Fine, Bright Copy of the First Edition)
Boothby, Guy Boothby, Guy. THE FASCINATION OF THE KING. London: Ward, Lock, 1897. Illustrations by Stanley L. Wood. First Edition. A FINE copy in original publisher's dark blue cloth, decorated in gilt with gilt-bordered color onlay to the front cover. A tiny bit of shelf wear and a previous owner's signature dated in the year of publication are all that detract from this fine, bright and attractive example of one of Boothby's classic novels of intrigue; in this case, a Frenchman appears from Southeast Asia claiming to have been made the king of an exotic country (later it's determined he is neither French nor royal), going on to cause historical havoc in Europe until exposed.- $100
- $100
THE BRIDE WORE BLACK
Woolrich, Cornell Woolrich, Cornell. THE BRIDE WORE BLACK. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, (1940). A Fine copy in a Fine original dust jacket, so fresh as to feel as new, a gorgeous reprint released within a year of the first edition. No ownership marks, text block bright white in color, top stain retains its rich red color. Cornell Woolrich's most famous novel, found here with exceptional eye appeal and a rather compelling price for someone who may not wish to pay the $7500.00 or so for a first edition of this title in the same stellar condition. Contains a three-page publisher's catalog. Famously adapted into the 1968 François Truffaut film of the same name.- $350
- $350
DEATH OF A SALESMAN (Lovely Copy of the First English Edition)
Miller, Arthur Miller, Arthur. DEATH OF A SALESMAN. London: Cresset Press, 1959. First English Edition. A Fine bright copy (spine a trifle cocked, previous owner's name on ffep neatly erased with "white-out") in a Near Fine original Dust Jacket (priced 7/6) of this famed Pulitzer Prize winner. Dust jacket just a tiny bit sunned on the spine else remarkably free of chips and tears with excellent eye appeal.- $150
- $150
JUDE THE OBSCURE (Inscribed First Edition): https://rarebookinsider.com/rare-books/jude-the-obscure-inscribed-first-edition/