Seduction of the Innocent
Fredric Wertham, M.D. The 1954 1st edition --with the "Rinehart" logo to the copyright page-- of this infamous attack on the comic book industry over the alleged harmful effects of much of its content on America's youth. Solid and VG- in its gray boards, with light scuffing along the spine and soiling at the front gutter. Still though, a solid, presentable copy. Octavo, this copy missing its explosive bibliography at the rear (which for legal reasons was cleanly excised from almost every copy). Lacking its uncommon dustjacket as well.- $200
- $200
The Glass Key
Dashiell Hammett A solid copy of the May 1931 4th printing, following the April 1931 1st, 2nd and 3rd printings. Tight and VG in its russet, pictorial cloth, with pronounced offsetting at the gutters. Boards clean, as well as the text. A very presentable copy. Lacking the extremely scarce dustjacket.- $100
- $100
The Cabin on Ghostly Pond (With Wonderful Ephmera)
Marjorie Reynolds A gorgeous copy of the 1962 1st edition. Clean and Fine in a crisp, price-intact, Near Fine to Fine dustjacket. Also includes 2 warm, hamdwritten letters from the author Marjorie Reynolds to the illustrator Lorence Bjorklund.- $150
- $150
Politics and Cinema
Andrew Sarris A very sharp copy of the 1978 1st edition. Tight and Fine in a clean, Near Fine dustjacket. Octavo, more hand grenades lobbed by the "outspoken critic for The Vilage Voice, the American progenitor of the 'auteur' theory, a historical axiom that emphasizes the personal style of film directors"- $50
- $50
Two Poems
John Berryman A very important Association copy of John Berryman's scarcest title, this 1942 fragile, self-published, folded single sheet, limited to 60 copies. INSCRIBED BY BERRYMAN TO HIS GREAT COLLEGE FRIEND FROM COLUMBIA, ROBERT GIROUX, HIMSELF A TITAN OF 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN LITERATURE. Given Bob Giroux's strong link to Berryman (both personally and professionally), the primacy of this connection cannot be overstated. It was Giroux who edited and guided through Berryman's earliest published work at Harcourt, Brace and it was Giroux who both edited and published Berryman's later and final works (including Pulitzer and National Book Award winners) while running the eponymous Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Inscribed on the title to "Rusty", a well-known Giroux nickname in college reserved for close friends. The single beige sheet, measuring 8 1/4" x 6 1/4" wide and neatly folded in half to create 4 panels, has held up very nicely. Bright and crisp, with just a very light touch of soiling at the rear panel and one thin, even streak of offsetting to the front panel. The "two poems" are " "The Ball Room" (at the verso) and "For His Marriage" at the facing recto. Also includes a crytic, laid-in note in Berryman's hand that reads: "write to us, O twice dog!". A major Berryman item, coming onto the market for the first time.- $9,500
- $9,500
Let the Moon Go By: A Book of Tall Tales (With Letter)
Emma Gelders Sterne SIGNED BY THE ILLUSTRATOR LORENCE BJORKLUND on the title page. A gorgeous copy to boot of the 1955 stated 1st edition. Tight and Near Fine (just a touch of spotting along the top and fore-edges) in a crisp, price-intact, Near Fine dustjacket. Octavo, nicely illustrated throughout by Lorence Bjorklund. Also includes a warm, typed letter signed by the author, Emma Gelders Sterne, to Lorence Bjorklund.- $150
- $150
Shelley’s Mythmaking
Harold Bloom A solid copy of the 1959 1st edition. Clean and Near Fine in a bright, VG+ dustjacket, with very light chipping at the spine crown and along the tips. Just a bit of light creasing as well to the lower-edges. Octavo, "a pioneer critical work deriving much from the thought of both Northrop Frye and Martin Buber"- $75
- $75
Rigadoon (The Uncorrected Proof)
Louis-Fredinand Celine The uncorrected proof --in galleys-- of the 1974 1st American edition of Celine's "Rigadoon". Solid and VG in its tall, light-blue wrappers, with offsetting to the panels and a grease-pen date from the publisher at the front panel. Uncommon in this pre-publication format.- $75
- $75
Lupercal
Ted Hughes A crisp, very sharp copy of the 1960 1st American edition of Ted Hughes's 2nd publshed volume of poetry. Clean and Fine in a bight, price-intact, Near Fine dustjacket, with mild darkening along the spine and just a touch of light soiling to the rear panel. Thin octavo, 63 pgs.- $75
- $75
Run River
Joan Didion A sharp, very solid copy of the 1963 stated 1st printing of Joan Didion's first published book. Tight and VG+ to Near Fine (a touch of very light spotting at the panels) in a crisp, price-intact ($4.50), VG+ dustjacket, with light rubbing along the spine. Octavo, wonderful author photo by Mellen C. Peirce.- $500
- $500
Molloy, Malone Dies, and The Unnamable
Samuel Beckett A handsome copy of the stated 1st American edition of this, the 1959 Grove Press edition of the 3 novels of Beckett: Molloy, Malone Dies and The Unnamable. Tight and VG+ in a crisp, price-intact, VG+ dustjacket, with several tiny closed tears --and just a bit of minor wear-- along the panel edges. Very light rubbing as well at the spine. Still though very presentable. Thick octavo, translated from the French by Samuel Beckett himself.- $200
- $200
A Good Man Is Hard to Find
Flannery O'Connor A very presentable copy of this early (but not 1st) edition of Flannery O'Connor's 2nd published book. Lacking the "first edition" statement to the copyright page and price-clipped to boot. Still though, a very early state and elusive as such. Solid and VG+ (very light spotting at the front panel) in a crisp, VG dustjacket, with mild soiling along the covers, just a touch of light chipping at the spine ends and mild fading to the spine. Octavo, widely viewed as her "breakthrough" book, in spite of the greatness of "Wise Blood"- $300
- $300
The Recognitions
William Gaddis A solid copy of the 1962 1st British edition of William Gaddis's 1st published book. Tight and VG+, with the copyright information, as is customary for this title, blacked out, leading to just a bit of bleed through to the title pg. and the 2 preceding pgs. And a crisp, price-intact, VG to VG+ dustjacket, with mild soiling to the panels. Thick octavo, a major debut novel, slow to be recognized initially but eventually to find its place as a major work of post-War American fiction.- $300
- $300
Oil!
Upton Sinclair An ideal starter copy of the 1927 1st edition. Solid and Good+ in its chocolate-brown cloth, with spotting and rubbig to the panels, and tender front hinge and worn-to-the-web rear hinge. Still though, very presentable. Thick 12mo, the novel on which the acclaimed 2007 film "There Will Be Blood" was based.- $100
- $100
Ride the Wild Storm (With Publisher’s Ephmera)
Marjorie Reynolds An all-but-pristine copy of the 1969 stated 1st edition. Clean and Fine in a crisp, Near Fine to Fine dustjacket. Also includes 2 letters (both signed) from the publisher Macmillan, both addressed to the book's illustrator, Lorence Bjorklund. The 1st letter discusses payment for his illustrations, the 2nd letter presents him with this very copy.- $100
- $100