Hardcover
The Devil Tree
New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, Inc., 1973. 208 pp. Approximately 5 1/2 x 8". Inscribed by the author on the half-title page, "For Michael B. Meyers, in appreciaton of his interest, and with every best wish, Jerzy Kosinski, December 1972". Illustrated dust jacket, with some edge wear and creasing on the flaps, in very good condition. Black cloth 1/4 bound over green boards with silver title on spine, top edges foxed, previous owner's name on the half-title page, otherwise in very good condition.
Oh, such hardship. A rich young heir in his quest for self, sidetracked by hippie colonies, opium brothels, luxury suites in Manhattan, drugs, and of course, sex. From the jacket: "This fierce novel, swift in action, replete with characters and events, and rising to an unpredictable, shattering conclusion, is a powerful and memorable experience."
The Dwarf — A Short History of a Short Man
Santa Cruz, CA: The Good Book Press, 1983. (44) pp. Approximately 2 7/8 x 1 3/8", oblong. LIMITED EDITION of 150 copies, this being #6. Brown leather over boards with title blind-stamped on cover, marbled endpapers, letterpress on handmade paper, 13 tipped-in illustrations by Donna, paper made by Peter, signed on the colophon. A fine copy, attractively produced. (Bradbury, Peter & Donna Thomas, 8; P&D Thomas Bibliography A24)
A poignant book, beautifully produced with a story about a short and ugly dwarf who felt lonely and rejected but found solace in the peacefulness and acceptance of nature. Later bindings have the title blind stamped on the cover. The type used was American Uncial, a short, squat typeface which inspired the format of the book.
The Dwindling Party
New York: Random House, 1982. 16 x 21". Illustrated cover on glossy paper, pop-up book with all tabs in excellent working order, fine condition. (Toledano A83a).
This is the tale of the "dwindling" MacFizzet family as they travel through Hickyacket Hall, told in a typically macabre fashion for a Gorey book.
The Exquisitry of William Lewis Washburn
New Britain, CT: REM Miniatures, 1999. (44) pp. Approximately 2 3/4 x 2 1/4". LIMITED EDITION of 99 copies, this being #28. Black buckram, printed paper label on upper cover, illustrated, unpaginated, slide-on paper sleeve, all enclosed in a decorated box with printed label. Signed presentation from the Massmanns on second free fly. A very fine copy; prospectus laid in. (Bradbury, REM, 100)
A tribute to William Lewis Washburn, publisher of miniature books and broadsides, with a short-title list of all his publications.
The Eyes of Texas
Austin, TX: Amistad Press, 1982. (28) pp. Approximately 1 x 1 3/8". LIMITED EDITION of 250 copies. Orange cloth over printed paper boards, illustrated, original packaging, signed by the publisher on the copyright page, fine condition. (Bradbury, Amistad Press 41)
A humorous little tale about how the song "The Eyes of Texas are Upon You" came into being. Written by Jack Maguire, Executive Director of the University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio. This is the smaller first edition, as a larger second edition was printed in 1986.
The Farmer's Boy (with double fore-edge painting)
London: Verner, Hood, and Sharpe Poultry; and Longman, Hust, Rees and Orme, Paternoster-Row, 1808. 99 pp. + notes and advertisements. Approximately 4 x 6 1/4"; Straight-grain red morocco, 5 raised bands, gilt borders and spine, all edges gilt, tenth edition (stated), slightly corner bumped, otherwise in near fine condition.
Robert Bloomfield (1766 - 1823), was an English self-educated poet. He was born into a poor family and died in debt, although he had some success with The Farmer's Boy, his best known work. Written in iambic pentameter couplets, The Farmer's Boy describes rural life through the seasons, often showing that it is harsh work, although the tone is still cheerful. The double fore-edge paintings are by an unknown artist and show a fox-hunting scene on one side and the scene of an angler in a small boat on the other, nicely but not elaborately done.
The Forgotten Village: Life in a Mexican Village
New York: Viking Press, 1941. 143 pp. Approximately 7 x 10". First Edition with the words "First Published in May 1941" on copyright page. Coarse buckram cloth over boards with bright green illustration on front cover, top edges stained green, slight toning of paste-down endpapers, near fine condition. Very good pictorial dust jacket, a few short closed tears, original price of $2.50 present, some chipping and loss, some toning to back cover. (Goldstone & Payne A14a)
From the front dust jacket flap, "This is a story of the little pueblo of Santiago on the skirts of a hill in the mountains of Mexico. And this is the story of the boy Juan Diego and of his family and of his people, who live in the long moment when the past slips reluctantly into the future." Photographs from the motion picture throughout.
The Friar of Rubygill
n.p.: The Cherub Press, 1987. (6) pp. Approximately 2 3/4 x 2 3/8". LIMITED EDITION of 65 copies. Decorated handmade paper over stiff wrappers, printed paper lable on front cover, Hand-colored frontis by Kim Butcher. A fine copy, attractively printed.
Cherub Press is the publisher of the journal KABBALAH and many books and editions of Jewish mystical literature. This particular little story is an excerpt from Thomas L. Peacock's novel, "Maid Marion" (1822).
The Gashlycrumb Tinies Limited Edition Portfolio
Yarmouth Port, MA: Edward Gorey House, 2013. Black four-flap case with label on front cover houses all items, in fine condition. 30 loose sheets with black frame, Edward Gorey's embossed signature on title and colophon cards, in fine condition.
In 2013, the golden anniversary of the publication of The Gashlybrumb Tinies arrived. This is Edward Gorey's most iconic (appalling) alphabet book and most likely his best known work. It has never been out of print. Gorey House issued, as separate plates, the 26 Tinies and the original cover image, each suitable for framing. Images are printed in their original size of 5 x 6" on 8 x 10" art paper. Enclosed with the plates is an attractive portfolio and an a celebratory title card and colophon card giving the details of this particular edition. Issued in a limited edition of 100 numbered sets and 26 lettered sets, this being "F/26". A bonus in the lettered sets is the plate of the rejected "F is for Fanny" because Edward chose to rework it for the final book, produced here separately for the first time. Lettered sets sold out quickly and are thus scarce to find on the market.
The Good Time Primer
Boston: Educational Publishing Co., 1898. Hardcover, 5 1/2 x 7". 147 pp. Red cloth spine wrap with pictorial paste-down cover, some edge wear and corner bumping, some loss of paste-down on the back cover, stains to paste-down endpapers, previous owner's gift inscription to ffep, color and b/w illustrations throughout, good + condition. Currently, no other copies in the trade. American Primers, 534.
A lovely children's primer with repetitive phrases for teaching and nature lessons designed to "stimulate the powers of observation." The legend of Hiawatha is included to appeal to pupils and encourage them to express their ideas. The author has also included character-building stories intended to "teach perserverance, obedience, truthfulness, and love."