Fiction

Tortilla Flat – John Steinbeck

First published in 1935 this is the book that brought success for John Steinbeck.

This is the Modern Library edition, a 1970’s issue, Steinbeck had passed away in 1968 as noted on the back flap … although not updated in the “Note on the Author”.

As well as the “Note’ we have Steinbeck’s own remarks about the book. He struggled a bit with the critics interpretation of the characters in the book … he held them close to his heart.

Octavo, 317 pages with illustrations by Ruth Gannett. A nice copy.

The story of “Danny’s House” and the lives and exploits of the Paisanos that lived there.

$30.00

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The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio

The complete unabridged Modern Library edition. Published in 1951 (by reference to the number of book on the list back of dust jacket). Thick octavo, 630 pages. With a forward by Morris Ernst dated 1930 regarding the difficult time the book had had in America because of draconian obscenity laws. Well here it is unadulterated.

Translated by John Payne, which must have been a lengthy task and one well done. It has stood the test of centuries and was a source of inspiration for Chaucer, Shakespeare and Keats.

Good condition albeit with two previous owners names on the end papers and later date stamp on half title. Light chips to dust jacket and a hint of fading, now protected in Brodart.

A lusty bawdy delight by Boccaccio translated by Payne

$40.00

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The Pagan Trinity – Beatrice Irwin – First Edition 1912 – Presentation Copy to “Cheiro”

An unusual book of poetry dedicated to French artist sculptor Auguste Rodin. The opening poem inspired by Rodin…” The Hand of God”

Presentation copy inscribed boldly “To Count Louis Hamon with best regards from Beatrice Irwin Feb 15 /12” … the recipient was also known as Cheiro, a famous cheiromancer (palmist) and author of sought after works on that subject.

A first edition published by John Lane, The Bodley Head, London in 1912. Octavo, 144 pages half vellum binding with nice marbled paper covered boards, top edge gilt. A nice copy with the super dedication.

A volume of mystical verse reflecting the poet / actress’s interest in colour – music – poetry relationships, then very fashionable in Europe, America, and Russia through the works of Alexander Scriabin. Irwin Beatrice also know as Lady Rosslyn a spiritualist and followed of the Baha’i faith. Virginia Woolf described the style as neo-Paganism and of significance. Her theatrical career was extensive and included a season in Australia in 1907 when she played in Brewster’s Millions in Sydney and Melbourne. Her views on colour were sophisticated and well known … she influenced Australian artists in that regard including Roy de Maistre.

The book is arranged in under the following descriptions … Plastic poems; Colour poems; Tone Poems; The Music of Japan and Songs of the Elements. We like it.

Cheiro, or Count Hamon was born William John Warner in Ireland in 1866. He became an internationally renown clairvoyant, palmist, numerologist … anything occult. He read for so many of the famous including Mark Twain, Sarah Bernhardt, Eddison etc. To read about some of his predictions will surprise. It is no surprise however that he had a connection with the mystical Beatrice Irwin.

Mystical poetry by the colourful Beatrice Irwin – Cheiro’s copy nicely inscribed.

$160.00

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The Peculiar Use and Signification of Certain Words in the Latin Tongue: or, a Collection of Observations, wherein the Elegant, and Commonly Unobserv’d Sense of very near Nine Hundred Common Latin Words. William Willymott – 1713

A scholarly book from the early eighteenth century. One that could give any reader a leg forward in the intellectual stakes.

Published by R Bonwick printed at the Cambridge University Press in 1713. A second edition. Scarce.

Octavo, 4, 374 pages bound in original full panelled sheep, spine with raised bands, chips to ends. Some long gone worming to the margin of a few of the last leaves, otherwise a pretty good copy.

We have no date of birth but William Willymott die in 1737. He was born at Royston, Cambridgeshire and educated at Eton and then Kings College, Cambridge were he graduated B.A,; M.A. and L.L.D. by 1707. He was made a Fellow. He became an usher at Eton and then found Isleworth Private School .. he was suspected as having an attachment to the Pretender which hampered his career. He considered law but changed his mind and took orders … the rectory Milton near Cambridge. He died at the Swann Inn at Bedford … not a bad pub.

Overcome your Latin deficiencies with Willymott – 1713

$240.00

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Growing Pains – The Shaping of a Writer [An Autobiography] – Daphne du Maurier – First 1977

First Australian edition published by Hutchinson in conjunction with Victor Gollancz in 1977.

A special autobiography of the writer who would become a legend with Rebecca. Ownership signature back of half title otherwise a very good copy.

Octavo, 173 pages with images from photographs from the family album.

She writes of her early life from the time she was a small child up to the age of 25 when by then she was married and had completed her first novels. Her grandfather was the recognised artist and writer George du Maurier and her father Gerald a noted actor …. They were well to do … so Daphne had a pretty fancy early life … London, Paris etc but it was not until the family moved to Cornwall that she found what she was searching for in life … and the rest is well in the words in more ways than one.

Daphne du Maurier admired autobiography

SO SORRY SOLD

$40.00

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Islands in the Stream – Ernest Hemingway – First Edition 1970

This is the first UK edition published by Collins, London in 1970.

Large octavo, 398 pages with end paper maps. Very good if not better condition.

A major novel left among Hemingway’s writings at the time of death. Mary Hemingway said “The book is all Ernest’s. We have added nothing to it” … we believe her …

Hemingway’s Last Novel and a good one!

$60.00

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Tortilla Flat – John Steinbeck

The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio

The Pagan Trinity – Beatrice Irwin – First Edition 1912 – Presentation Copy to “Cheiro”

The Peculiar Use and Signification of Certain Words in the Latin Tongue: or, a Collection of Observations, wherein the Elegant, and Commonly Unobserv’d Sense of very near Nine Hundred Common Latin Words. William Willymott – 1713

Growing Pains – The Shaping of a Writer [An Autobiography] – Daphne du Maurier – First 1977

Islands in the Stream – Ernest Hemingway – First Edition 1970

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