Products
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.
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.
Trouble with Trolls
New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1992. Approximately 9 1/4 x 11 1/4". Illustrated dust jacket in fine condition; Illustrated paper over boards, inscribed by author on title page, a few small water marks on title page, in near fine condition.
Beautiful picture book, from Jan Brett, an American write and illustrator. A Scandanavian tale about a girl named Treva who tries to keep the Trolls on Mount Baldy from stealing her dog. Lovely to find a first edition, first printing, and signed copy.
Two Bear Cubs
California: Yosemite Association, 1997. (36) pp. Approximately 10 x 10 3/4". First Limited Edition of 200 numbered and 26 lettered copies, this being #13. SIGNED by both author and illustrator. Pictorial boards with full color illustrations throughout. Extra illustration for limited edition only, not in trade copies. Fine in fine dust jacket in fine slipcase.
Authentic Southern Sierra Miwok Indian legend a retold by the author with information about the tribe. Beautifully done.
Usher's Passing
New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1984. 401 pp. Approximately 6 1/4 x 9 1/4". First edition, first printing. Illustrated jacket in fine condition. Black cloth 1/4 bound over red boards, gilt title on spine, signed by author on title page, in near fine condition.
Inspired by Edgar Allan poe's story "Fall of the House of Usher", this book covers the idea of what would have happened if all of the Usher's hadn't died. Set in North Carolina, present day, five generations of Usher's tell their story.
Wallace Stegner: A Descriptive Bibliography
Lewiston, ID: Confluence Press, Inc., 1990. First Edition. No dust jacket, as issued. Green cloth over boards with crisp gilt design on cover and lettering on spine, signed by Stegner and the author on the title page, limited to 1,000 copies, no edge wear and looks unread, really minor foxing to top page edges, otherwise in near fine condition.
Wallace Earle Stegner (1909 - 1993) was an American novelist and short story writer. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1972 for "Angle of Repose" and the National Book Award for "The Spectator Bird" in 1977. He won numerous other awards and his legacy lives on in many parts of the United States and Canada, with a Stegner Fellowship program in creative writing at Stanford University being one of the highlights. This is a must-have for any Stegner collector.
When Molly Was in the Hospital
Rayve 1994 first hardcover printing. Nice to have a book inscribed by both author and illustrator. Book is tight and square. No dust jacket. Cover is bright, with minimal edge wear and corner bumping. Interior is clean, no bookstore stamps or writing.