Products
The Haploids
New York: Rinehart & Co., 1952. 248 pp. Approximately 5 1/4 x 7 3/4". First edition. Signed/inscribed by the author to "Loren Lewis, a good friend who I have found has an eye for the same sort of thing I have...Thanks. Jerry Sohl." Illustrated dust jacket with slight wear and some creases and minor chipping in very good + condition, not price-clipped; Black cloth over boards with title and design in color on spine, minor tanning, in near fine condition.
Jerry Sohl (1913 - 2002), was an American science fiction author who also wrote television scripts for such series as The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Outer Limits and the original Star Trek series. This thrilling book is about the plot to exterminate the entire male population of the world. A classic in the genre.
The Library of Alexandria
Ann Arbor, Michigan: Alvey Jones, [2021]. LIMITED EDITION of 2, this being #2. Tan cloth over clamshell box with green spine cloth, lime green acrylic label on cover and green speckled marbling on box edges, enclosed are twenty-six miniature books (scrolls) in various media such as paper and wood (scrolls are non-removable), in fine condition.
Alvey Jones is a painter, printmaker and book artist whose work has been exhibited locally and nationally and is in many public and private collections in the United States and Europe. He has a BFA in illustration and design, an MA in art history and he mostly creates miniature books. This book is an homage to the famed ancient library at Alexandria, Egypt, which ceased to exist by the end of the Third century CE and contains miniature books (scrolls) in several languages.
The Musical Fantasies of L. Frank Baum
Lake Worth, FL: Ford Press, 1969. 2 1/2 x 2". 184 pp. LIMITED EDITION of 750 copies (according to Bradbury), this being #113. Black cloth over boards, gilt title on cover, gilt author descriptions on rear cover but slightly blurry, signed by the author on the colophon, illustrated, in near fine condition. (Bradbury, Ford Press 3)
L. Frank Baum (1856 - 1919) was an American author, mainly known for his Wizard of Oz books. Turns out that Baum also had a lively theatrical career as well. This little book tells all about those productions and includes reproductions of posters, stagebills, etc. Also included is a complete checklist of all of Baum's works. A wonderful book for any Baum collector.
The Passions of the Mind
Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, 1961. 808 pp. + acknlowledgments, glossary and bibliography. Approx. 6 1/4 x 9 1/2"; First edition printed after limited edition. Marbled dust jacket with some creases and rubbing, otherwise in very good condition; Blue cloth over boards with clear lettering spine, some spotting to top page edges, signed on the Sigmund Freud quote page, in near fine condition.
Irving Stone (1903 - 1989), was an American writer, best known for his novels of famous politicians, artists, and intellectuals. His best known works are Lust for Life, about the life of Vincent van Gogh, and The Agony and the Ecstasy, about the life of Michelangelo. This book is a biographical novel of Sigmund Freud.
The Persian Letters
Cleveland: The Rowfant Club, 1988. 8 x 11". 121 pp. LIMITED EDITION of 300 copies, this being #272. Marble paper covered board with maroon cloth spine and paper label on spine and paper paste-down title label on front cover, beautiful endpapers signed by the artis Renee Fuller, rending of George, Lord Lyttleton signed by artist John Sukys, in fine condition.
Lyttleton was an English gentleman in the eighteenth century, rather a mediaeval and Renaissance man. From the preface, "He was an active statesman, an avid reader, a generous patron, an observant, witty and graceful writer."
The Reluctant Dragon
New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1983. Approximately 8 1/4 x 10 1/2". LIMITED EDITION of 350 copies, this being #44. Green cloth over boards with brown cloth spine, brown slipcase, signed on the colophon by the illustrator, Michael Hague, includes a reproduction of a specially commissioned pen and ink drawing, all in fine condition.
Kenneth Grahame (1859 - 1932) was a British writer, best known for his novel, "The Wind in the Willows". This charmingly illustrated short story, is seen as an original idea that a dragon does not have to be seen as a threat, but can be a sympathetic character. This story was originally published in 1898 as a chapter in Grahame's book, "Dream Days".
The Tragedy of Lesbos
London: Macmillan and Co., 1870. First Edition. 8vo. Bright green cloth binding with gilt spine lettering and front board ruled in gilt; Front hinge is loose and front free endpaper is loose; spine edges are worn; corner bumping; some age-toning; foxing throughout, a few minor pencil marks; Burns & Co. binder ticket on rear endpaper. Original pencil drawing on page 115, artist unknown. Hardcover in Very Good condition.
Edward Henry Pember was an English barrister, educated at Harrow School and Christ Church, Oxford. The books is inscribed by author at the endpaper: "F. Pember / 1871 / From the author". Presumably this would be his son, Francis William Pember, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University.
There are Names for Those Acts (Which We Long to Perform)
Lake City, CO: Ravenpress, 2001. (Box) Approximately 1 1/2 x 2 5/8 x 13/16". LIMITED EDITION of 25 copies, this being #11. Outer box is dark wood with brass decorations, in fine condition; Accordion hinged boards with paste and marbled papers, book opens to 2 x 9", color laserprint from original watercolors, numbered and signed on the colophon by the publisher, in fine condition.
This is the first book in the miniature pillow book series. Based on the traditional instructional pillow books given couples on their wedding night, this two-sided accordion contains six secually explicit watercolors paired with six physical and spiritual descriptions of the 'embraces of love' taken from ancient Asian texts. Alicia Bailey began publishing under the Ravenpress imprint in 1996. Ravenpress publications are held in private, public and special collections worldwide. Bailey thinks of the artists' book works she creates as interactive sculptures realized in the form of the book. She works in a wide variety of materials, including those not often associated with the book form, thus necessitating structural redesign and innovations.
Tiny Texas
Austin, TX: Amistad Press, 1982. (106) pp. Approximately 1 7/8 x 2 1/2". LIMITED EDITION of 335 copies. Brown cloth over printed paper boards with gilt line, illustrated, original packaging, signed by the publisher on the rear free endpaper, fine condition. (Bradbury, Amistad Press 42)
Known for it's big size, this interesting little book points out the small things that are from/in Texas, including plants, people, places, etc. Reprinted with permission from the December 1979 issue of Texas Monthly.
To Rule the Night
Philadelphia & New York: A. J. Holman Company, 1973. 5 3/4 x 8 1/2"; First Edition, Second Printing. Photographic dust jacket has some chips and creases, particularly at the spine extremities, a tear on the back cover which has been clumsily taped, in good condition. Black cloth over boards with gilt title on spine, gift inscription on front free endpaper and previous owner's signature on verso of half-title page which was signed by the Jim Irwin, foxing to page edges, otherwise in very good condition.
James Benson Irwin (1930 - 1991) was an American astronaut, US Air Force pilot, aeronautical engineer and test pilot who served as the Apollo 15 Lunar Module pilot. He was the eighth person to walk on the moon. This autobiographical story tells of Jim's boyhood, his marriage, his career, his voyage on Apollo 15 and his spiritual life, which is weaved throughout.