Testament of Cresseid & Seven Fables : The Special Slipcased Edition Signed By The Nobel Laureate Author
Henryson, Robert & Heaney, Seamus (Trans.) The First UK printing published by Faber & Faber, London in 2009. The BOOK is in Fine condition and appears unread. The book is housed in the original publisher's slip-case which is in Fine condition. 110 copies were specially bound by the publishers and signed by Seamus Heaney to the limitation page. 100 copies were for sale, the remaining ten copies were reserved for Seamus Heaney. This copy is not numbered. This special edition was issued in conjunction with the first trade edition. The Nobel Laureate's translation of 15th century Scottish poet Robert Henryson. Collectible. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $1,205
- $1,205
The Magic Toyshop
Carter, Angela The First UK printing published by Heinemann, London in 1967. The BOOK is in near Fine condition. Just the slightest pushing to the spine tips. The gilt titling remains very bright. Free from inscriptions. A neat small bookseller's sticker to the lower front pastedown. The WRAPPER is complete and is in near Fine condition. The spine lettering is unfaded. Some very light rubbing and handling to the edges of the panels. A few short closed tears which have some small tape reinforcement to the verso. The photomontage wrap around design looks very striking in the removable Brodart archival cover. Known through her writing for her independently minded feminist views, magical realism and picaresque works, Angela Carter's early death at the age of only 51 years was a major loss to the development of literary traditions. She was ranked by 'The Times' in 2008 as 10th in their list of 'The 50 greatest British writers since 1945', and her books continue to be celebrated and highly influential. This, her second novel is one of her scarcest more-so with the complete wrapper. Only the second copy I have handled. 'The Magic Toyshop' was filmed in 1987 with a screenplay by the author. Collectible. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $1,585
- $1,585
Ashcombe : The Story Of A Fifteen Year Lease : Signed By The Author
Beaton, Cecil The First UK printing published by Batsford, London in 1949. The BOOK is in Very Good+ or better condition. Light pushing at the spine ends with a little dulling to the gilt titling . Russet top-stain is unfaded. Light spotting to the text-block and a little heavier to the prelims which has encroached onto some page edges in places. Some offsetting to the end-papers. The WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good++ condition with some mild edge-wear at the spine ends. Some light rubbing to the spine folds with only light fading of the colouring and toning to the spine. The wraparound wrapper artwork by Rex Whistler looks very attractive in the removable Brodart archival cover. Numerous B/W photographic plates and B/W illustrations by Rex Whistler et al.The book has been inscribed on the front blank end-paper : 'To Bill Poole, with all good wishes, from Cecil Beaton'. Bill Poole may have been one of Beaton's gardeners but I have been unable to ascertain the exact identity of the recipient. 'Ashcombe' is the name of the country house in the Wiltshire Downs whose lease Cecil Beaton held for the fifteen years from 1930. In this book Mr. Beaton has wonderfully succeeded in recreating the atmosphere of those days'.'the weekends, when there would be visit from Rex Whistler, Edith Olivier, Augustus John, Tilly Bosch, Lord David Cecil, and so many others.' (wrapper blurb). A very scarce title to find signed. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $697
- $697
Irish Fairy Tales
Stephens, James & Rackham, Arthur (Illus.) The First UK printing published by Macmillan, London in 1920. The BOOK is in near Fine condition with just a hint of pushing at the spine ends. The gilt titling and decorations to the spine and front panel remain very bright. Mild offsetting to the blank end-papers. Free from inscriptions. Small area of offsetting to the lower front corner of the 'illustrations' page. The scarce WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good++ or better condition. Light toning to the spine. Light edge wear with a few very small areas of rubbing and a very small area of loss to the upper front corner. Some archival tape reinforcement to the spine ends and corners to the verso. The wrapper looks very vibrant in the removable Brodart archival cover. 16 fine colour plates plus several black and white illustrations in the text by Arthur Rackham. All plates are excellent, all retaining their captioned tissue-guards. A very sharp copy and very scarce with the wrapper in such collectible condition. Only the second copy we have handled. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $1,902
- $1,902
Room on the Broom : Signed, Doodled and Dated By The Illustrator In The Year Of Publication
Donaldson, Julia & Scheffler, Axel (Illus.) The First UK Printing published by Macmillan, London in 2001, with the full number line. The BOOK is in Very Good++ condition. Original pictorial boards are clean.The binding remains tight. Free from inscriptions. Some light handling marks to the page edges. These are a little more prominent to two page edges. The WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good ++ condition. Light edge-wear at the spine ends and corners. A mild vertical crease to the front flap. The colouring to the spine remains very bright. The wrapper is protected in a removable Mylar archival cover. Wonderfully illustrated throughout by Axel Scheffler. Signed, doodled and dated by him on 18.10.2001 with an original drawing of a frog to the title page. A very early title and now extremely elusive to find in any collectible condition. More so with such attributes. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $1,078
- $1,078
The Dresser : The Author’s Personal Copy : Deluxe Edition – One Of Only Two Copies
Harwood, Ronald The First USA Printing published by Samuel French in 1982. One of only two special deluxe copies prepared by the publisher's printer and binder : One copy for the author and one for the publisher's special collection. The BOOK is in near Fine condition. Full green morocco with four raised bands, gilt ruling and titling to the front board. Silver lettering to the spine. Green marbled end-papers. Some tiny specks of rubbing here and there. Upper edge gilt. Internally clean with just a hint of toning to the outer page edges. Text to the rectos only. Loosely inserted is a letter from M. Abbott Van Nostrand (the President of the Publisher's) to Ronald Harwood detailing this special production. The book has come from the Estate of the late Ronald Harwood. This special format was used for only the two copies with the trade edition being much smaller. 'The play was first presented on 6 March 1980 at the Royal Exchange, Manchester and transferred to the Queen's Theatre in London on 30 April 1980, with Freddie Jones as "Sir" and Tom Courtenay as Norman. The play was nominated for 'Best Play at the Society of West End Theatre Awards' (now known as the Laurence Olivier Awards) for 1980. In 2016, a production directed by Sean Foley and starring Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith played theatres including the Duke of York's Theatre in London's West End. The play opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, Broadway on 9 November 1981 and ran for 200 performances, with Tom Courtenay reprising his performance as Norman and Paul Rogers as "Sir", union rules preventing Freddie Jones reprising the role. The play was nominated for the 1982 'Tony Award for Best Play, Best Actor' in a Play (Tom Courtenay) and the 'Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play' (Paul Rogers). The play was further adapted as a 1983 film of the same title, with a screenplay by Harwood. The film was directed by Peter Yates and produced by Yates with Ronald Harwood; and starred Albert Finney as "Sir" and Tom Courtenay as Norman, with Zena Walker as "Her Ladyship", Eileen Atkins as Madge and Edward Fox as Oxenby. Finney and Courtenay were both nominated for 'Academy Awards', 'BAFTA Awards and Golden Globe Awards' for their performances, with Courtenay winning the 'Golden Globe Award for Best Actor'. A television version for the BBC was shown in the UK on 31 October 2015. Richard Eyre directed Anthony Hopkins as "Sir" and Ian McKellen as Norman, with Emily Watson as "Her Ladyship", Sarah Lancashire as Madge and Edward Fox as Thornton. A radio adaptation for BBC Radio 4 was broadcast on 11 December 1993. It was adapted and directed by David Blount. Freddie Jones played Sir and Michael Palin played Norman '(Wiki). One of Harwood's highlight titles. A very handsome production. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $1,078
- $1,078
It Can’t Happen Here
Lewis, Sinclair The First UK printing published by Jonathan Cape, London in 1935. The BOOK is in Very Good++ or better condition. Light pushing at the spine ends. Some dustiness to the upper text-block. Internally clean with no inscriptions or bookplates. The blue titling remains bright. The WRAPPER is neatly price-clipped and is in Very Good++ condition. Light edge wear with a little loss at the corners, mild creasing and nicks to the edges in places. Remnants of an old tape repair to the lower front spine fold. Light dustiness to the edges. Mild toning to the spine. The red lettering to the spine is very slightly faded. The wrapper remains very presentable in the Brodart archival cover. 'An eerily prescient foreshadowing of current affairs' (The Guardian). 'Not only Lewis's most important book but one of the most important books ever produced in the United States'(The New Yorker). A vain, outlandish, anti-immigrant, fearmongering demagogue runs for President of the United States - and wins. Sinclair Lewis's chilling 1935 bestseller is the story of Buzz Windrip, 'Professional Common Man', who promises poor, angry voters that he will make America proud and prosperous once more, but takes the country down a far darker path. As the new regime slides into authoritarianism, newspaper editor Doremus Jessup can't believe it will last - but is he right? This cautionary tale of liberal complacency in the face of populist tyranny shows it really can happen here. One of the Nobel Laureate's most important titles and very scarce with the wrapper. I can see no records of this title having come to auction in the last 40 years. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $1,205
- $1,205
Beowulf : Signed By The Nobel Laureate Author
Heaney, Seamus The First UK printing published by Faber, London in 1999. The BOOK is in Near Fine condition and appears unread. The WRAPPER is complete and is in near Fine condition with NO fading to the the spine. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. The book has been signed (without dedication) by the Nobel Laureate author to the title page. Heaney's translation of the Anglo-Saxon epic, which he dedicated to the memory of Ted Hughes. The title won the 1999 'Whitbread Book of the Year' award. (Brandes & Durkan A72a). Increasingly elusive with such attributes. A very sharp copy. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $1,205
- $1,205
Pele The Autobiography : The Scarce Exclusive Limited Numbered First Edition
Pele Related (Duarte, Orlando & Bellos, Alex) The First UK printing published by Simon & Schuster, London in 2006. This is the scarce first issue - The exclusive limited numbered first edition. This is number '262' of only 1000 copies issued. It is identical to the trade edition in all respects except that it has the extra numbered edition limitation page, and has the full printing details number line which ends in the number '1'. The publishers's original yellow card slipcase, which the book was originally housed in, is not present with this copy. The subsequent Trade edition printing details number line commences with the number '2'. The BOOK is in near Fine condition and appears unread. Just a hint of toning to the text-block and outer page edges due to the quality of the paper stock used. Free from inscriptions. The WRAPPER is complete and is in near Fine condition. It is correctly priced at '£18.99'. The wrappers used were identical for both the first and second printings. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. Profusely illustrated with B/W and colour photographs. Pele's definitive autobiography of for many 'the greatest the football player ever'. Now very elusive. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $444
- $444
Pele The Autobiography : The First Trade Edition Signed By Pele
Pele Related (Duarte, Orlando & Bellos, Alex) The Second UK printing published by Simon & Schuster, London in 2006. This is the First issue of the Trade edition, having been preceded by the 'Exclusive limited numbered first edition'. This limited edition had the full printing details number line ending in the number '1'. This, the subsequent Trade edition printing details number line commenced with the number '2'. The BOOK is in near Fine condition and appears unread. A hint of pushing at the spine tips. Some toning to the text-block and outer page edges due to the quality of the paper stock used. Free from inscriptions. The WRAPPER is complete and is in near Fine condition. It is correctly priced at '£18.99'. A tiny small mild crease to the upper front spine fold but barely discernible. The wrappers used were identical for both the first and second printings. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. The book has been signed by Pele : 'Pele' to the half-title. Loosely inserted is a copy of the advert for the signing event, for provenance. Profusely illustrated with B/W and colour photographs. Pele's definitive autobiography of for many 'the greatest the football player ever'. Now very elusive. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $501
- $501
Pele The Autobiography : The First Trade Edition Signed By Pele
Pele Related (Duarte, Orlando & Bellos, Alex) The Second UK printing published by Simon & Schuster, London in 2006. This is the First issue of the Trade edition, having been preceded by the 'Exclusive limited numbered first edition'. This limited edition had the full printing details number line ending in the number '1'. This, the subsequent Trade edition printing details number line commenced with the number '2'. The BOOK is in near Fine condition and appears unread. Some toning to the text-block and outer page edges due to the quality of the paper stock used. Free from inscriptions. The WRAPPER is complete and is in near Fine condition. It is correctly priced at '£18.99'. The wrappers used were identical for both the first and second printings. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. The book has been signed by Pele : 'Good luck, Pele' to the half-title. Loosely inserted is a copy fo the publisher's Press Release'. The previous owner was in sports journalism and arranged to be at one of Pele's interviews where they had the book signed at that event. Profusely illustrated with B/W and colour photographs. Pele's definitive autobiography of for many 'the greatest the football player ever'. Now very elusive. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $501
- $501
Pele The Autobiography : The Scarce Exclusive Limited Numbered Slipcased First Edition
Pele Related (Duarte, Orlando & Bellos, Alex) The First UK printing published by Simon & Schuster, London in 2006. This is the scarce first issue - The exclusive limited numbered slipcased first edition. This is number '641' of only 1000 copies issued. It is identical to the trade edition in all respects except that it has the extra numbered edition limitation page, is housed in the publisher's illustrated slipcase (with a printed price of £30 to the rear cover) and has the full printing details number line which ends in the number '1'. The subsequent Trade edition printing details number line commences with the number '2'. The BOOK is in near Fine condition and appears unread. Just a hint of toning to the text-block due to the quality of the paper stock used. Free from inscriptions. The WRAPPER is complete and is in near Fine condition. It is correctly priced at '£18.99'. The wrappers used were identical for both the first and second printings. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. The book is housed in the publisher's striking yellow slipcase with is in near Fine condition with just a few minor markings and superficial indentations in places. Profusely illustrated with B/W and colour photographs. Pele's definitive autobiography of for many 'the greatest the football player ever'. Now very elusive. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $539
- $539
To Heaven With Dante : A Transpersonal Journey
Marshall, Hazel The First UK printing published by Archive Publishing, UK in 2022. The BOOK is in Fine unread condition. Wraps format with illustrated covers. 250 pages with 26 page epilogue. Profusely illustrated in colour throughout. 'Hazel has an inspirational ability to entice us to travel life's journey, and to understand it differently. This book is a beautifully new approach to that journey, showing us hope, and the transcending, healing power of love' (Pamela Allsop, transpersonal psychotherapist). A handsome production. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $33
- $33
Watership Down : Signed By The Author
Adams, Richard & Lawrence, John (Illus.) The First UK printing of this illustrated edition published by Kestrel / Penguin, London in 1976. The BOOK is in near Fine condition. Original publisher's cream and brown cloth. Free from inscriptions and erasures. Some very light spotting to the text-block but internally clean. The WRAPPER is complete and is in near Fine condition with just a hint of fading of the colouring to the spine. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. Housed within the publisher's original illustrated slipcase, which has some very light markings to the cloth ends. The book has been signed by the author to the verso of the half-title page : 'Yours very sincerely, Richard Adams'. The first illustrated edition profusely illustrated in colour and B/W drawings by John Lawrence. A very sharp copy of the author's classic title. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $1,712
- $1,712
The Baddies : Signed, Located And Dated By The Author : Additionally Signed And Doodled By The Illustrator
Donaldson, Julia & Scheffler, Axel (Illus.) The First UK printing published by Alison Green Books, London in 2022. Both the BOOK and WRAPPER are in Fine unread condition. The wrapper is protected in a removable archival cover. The book has been signed (without dedication), dated and located by Julia Donaldson to the title page. Axel Scheffler has also signed the title page and doodled a butterfly. The book was signed at The Edinburgh Literary Festival earlier this year - One of the few literary events that the author and illustrator have appeared at this year. The latest title to be published from the creators of 'Zog', 'Stickman' and 'The Gruffalo'. Very scarce with such attributes. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $476
- $476
The Baddies : Signed, Located And Dated By The Author : Additionally Signed And Doodled By The Illustrator
Donaldson, Julia & Scheffler, Axel (Illus.) The First UK printing published by Alison Green Books, London in 2022. Both the BOOK and WRAPPER are in Fine unread condition. The wrapper is protected in a removable archival cover. The book has been signed (without dedication), dated and located by Julia Donaldson to the title page. Axel Scheffler has also signed the title page and doodled an insect (sitting on the letter 'B' from the title) . The book was signed at The Edinburgh Literary Festival earlier this year - One of the few literary events that the author and illustrator have appeared at this year. The latest title to be published from the creators of 'Zog', 'Stickman' and 'The Gruffalo'. Very scarce with such attributes. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $476
- $476
The Smeds And The Smoos : Signed By The Author
Donaldson, Julia & Scheffler, Axel (Illus.) The First UK printing published by Alison Green Books, London in 2019. Both the BOOK and WRAPPER are in Fine unread condition. The wrapper is protected in a removable archival cover. The book has been signed (without dedication) by the author to the title page. From the creators of 'Zog', 'Stickman' and 'The Gruffalo'. The BBC adaptation is to be shown at Christmas 2022. Scarce with such attributes. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $374
- $374
The Baddies : Signed By The Author And The Illustrator
Donaldson, Julia & Scheffler, Axel (Illus.) The First UK printing published by Alison Green Books, London in 2022. Both the BOOK and WRAPPER are in Fine unread condition. The wrapper is protected in a removable archival cover. The book has been signed (without dedication) by both the author and illustrator to the title page. The latest title to be published from the creators of 'Zog', 'Stickman' and 'The Gruffalo'. Scarce with such attributes. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $317
- $317
Magnolia Street
Golding, Louis The First UK printing published by Victor Gollancz, London in 1932. The BOOK is in near Fine condition. The publisher's original black cloth with gilt titling. The text-block is slightly spotted. Free from inscriptions and erasures. The WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good++ or better condition. A little chopped and creased at the edges, a few small closed tears with a little toning to the spine and folds. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. An aspiring human epic; Jews live on one side and Magnolia Street, Doomington (widely held to be an an analogue for Hightown, Manchester) and gentiles on the other. Published the same year as his 'Letter to Adolf Hitler', Golding's vision is one of bustling harmony. The cast of characters is enormous and lively, but presented with depth and nuance (Storm Jameson called it 'a vivid, eager care). He does not make a laudable political point, he creates a living breathing community. Very scarce with the wrapper. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $951
- $951
Defence Of Madrid
Cox, Geoffrey The First UK printing published by Victor Gollancz, London : 1937. The BOOK is in near Fine condition with publisher's original orange boards and black lettering to the spine. Some toning to the text-block and page edges. One neat penned previous owner's name to the upper half-title, otherwise internally clean. The WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good condition. Some losses to the upper spine end and adjacent panels (see images). Light losses to the corners. A few small closed tears with some toning to the spine, edges and folds. The wrapper remains very presentable in the removable Brodart archival cover. 'The first full account of the never-to-be-forgotten defence of Madrid in the last months of 1936, and of the International Brigade' (front cover blurb). Geoffrey Cox was the 'News Chronicle' correspondent in Madrid from October-December 1936. A scarce title which was subsequently published by Gollancz with the 'Left Book Club' in a wraps format (which was not for sale to the public). Collectible. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.- $317
- $317
An Alphabet in Praise of Frogs & Toads : The Special Edition With The Illustrations Hand Coloured : With The Publisher’s Prospectus
The Special Edition published by the Inky Parrot Press, UK in 2002. Number 3' of only 36 copies which have all the B/W illustrations hand-coloured by Sylvia Stokeld under the artist s supervision. The total edition size was 360 copies. Signed by John Norris Wood to the limitation page. The Book is in Fine unread condition and housed in the publisher s original slipcase. The book is typeset in Garamond by Charles Hall in Cornwall and printed litho by Adrian Lack at The Senecio Press in Charlbury on Arches Rivoli paper. Bound by The Fine Bindery in Wellingborough, in quarter red morocco over pictorial paper-covered boards. With the publisher s 4 page prospectus and The Guardian newspaper obituary clipping for John Norris Wood loosely inserted. John Norris Wood exhibited at the Fry Gallery, Saffron Walden as part of the Bardfield Artist group. A very handsome production more-so with the very beautiful hand coloured illustrations. Elusive as such. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.
Briggflatts : The First Issue
The First UK printing published by The Fulcrum Press in 1966. Printed in a limited edition of only 500 copies. The BOOK is in near Fine condition. Folio size. The book is bound in stiff card decorated covers. Decorated cover, title page and full page titles in red and black by Barry Hall and Nick Strausfield. A hint of light marking to the fawn covers. Clean internally. Light spotting to the text-block. Publishers loose small printing slip present. A very scarce title and the first I have handled. There has been a lot of resurgent interest in Bunting in the last year. BBC Radio 4 have run an acclaimed series of programmes on Briggflatts and Basil Bunting and there has been an equally fair amount of coverage in the newspaper press. The 'New Yorker' review of Basil Bunting (2016) : 'Though some reviewers were exasperated by its difficulty, Briggflatts was received by most as a masterpiece, hailed as the successor to Pounds Cantos and Eliots Four Quartets by such critics as Thom Gunn and Cyril Connolly. Bunting went from obscurity to worldwide recognition, earning new admirers among the Beats (and the Beatles), invitations to read and record, critical celebrations, and the occasional attentions of documentary crews'. The Poetry Foundation : 'Described as the last minor master of the modernist mode by Donald Hall in the New York Times Book Review, Bunting achieved his greatest popularity during his lifetime in the mid-1960s as one of the leaders of the new British literary avant-garde. Bunting was also associated with the loosely affiliated American group of poets known as the Objectivists, and he corresponded frequently with poets such as William Carlos Williams, Louis Zukofsky, Lorine Niedecker, among many others. Ezra Pound, whom Bunting worked for in the late 1920s, was an early admirer of Bunting, and advocated on behalf of his work. But by most accounts it took the interest and encouragement of the younger generation of poets such as Pickard and Gael Turnbull to spur Bunting to his greatest work, produced in the 1960s. In analysing the bulk of his work, some critics find Buntings later poetry less reminiscent of his early influences; most consider 'Briggflatts' his best work.' Accompanied by a small booklet produced by the Basil Bunting Poetry archive in 1989, entitled Basil Bunting - A Note On Briggflatts. This is a number 270' of 700 issued (of a total edition of 1000 copies). This is also in near Fine condition. A handsome production and a very sharp copy of Bunting's elusive masterpiece. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact. Tarka The Otter
The First UK printing of the trade edition published by Putnam, London in 1927, issued alongside a limited edition of 1100 large paper copies. The BOOK is in near Fine condition with the top edge lightly dust soiled and some light toning to the blank end-papers. Light pushing at the spine ends. Free from inscriptions. The scarce WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good++ or better condition. Lightly toned to the spine and the margins of the rear and front panels. The Hester Sainsbury wrapper artwork looks striking in the removable Brodart archival cover. The wrapper is slightly short on the book, as issued. A sharp copy of the increasingly elusive trade edition of this classic title. More images available on request. Ashton Rare Books welcomes direct contact.