Fiction

Winter’s Tales – Isak Dinesen (author of Out of Africa)

Published by Putnam, London an early edition 1958. Top edge nicely pink as required. A very good copy albeit the dust jacket a bit aged.

Eleven stories that surpass in feeling, atmosphere and insight of both “Out of Africa” and her previous highly acclaimed “Seven Gothic Tales”.

Dinesen at her best in Winter

$40.00

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The Complete Works of Francois Villon – Translated by J.U. Nicolson – Illustrated by Alexander King – Fine First Editions 1928

Superior two volume set published by Covici, New York in May 1928 part of limited set of 960 this copy numbered 427 signed by the translator J.U. Nicolson. Typography by C. McMurtie.

Royal Octavo 809 pages all up after preliminaries. A near fine set rich red cloth covered boards with gilt title to spine and front unmarked, fully protected by complete heavy black dust jackets with a slight edge crease and a small closed tear. Top edge rich gilt very clean internally pages bright as new. Dust jackets nearly always missing with this set. Lovely full page sepia-tone illustrations as frontispiece and throughout the volumes. A heavy set near 3 kgs so may require some extra postage dependent on your location.

The volumes are set out side by side original French and English translation. Villon (1431 to c1463) by far the best-known French poet of the late Middle Ages, a renowned and shady character whose verses chronicle his escapades. He was born in Paris and disappeared from “historical” view in 1463. He had multiple encounters with the law. His real name may have been Francois de Montcorbier or Francois des Loges. Whatever, his nom de plume “Villon”’ appears everywhere in his writing. His work suggests he was born into poverty and raised by a foster father (from whom he adopted the name Villon). He was bright and received qualifications from the University of Paris at an early age. His first real skirmish with the law came in 1455 when he “accidentally” killed a man during a scuffle. He was banished and then pardoned when evidence was produced that the dead party had forgiven him before the lights went out. Shortly afterwards he was involved in a serious robbery and after various complexities was banished and wandered the country supposedly as part of a gang of thieves. In 1461, he spent the “summer” in the Bishop’s prison at Meung-sur-Loire and dodgey things went on from there.

All of this makes for interesting poetic accounts of life as Villon experienced it. Le Testament written in 1461 is regarded as his greatest work, His work is sprinkled with mystery and hidden jokes and include much slang from the underworld he inhabited. His texts include the real names of many influential people of the time … the rich, royal officials, lawyers, police and prostitutes. The most quoted refrain “Mais ou sont les neiges d’antan?” (Where are the snows of yester-year?) comes from the Ballade des dames du temps jadis and has been quoted from Rossetti to the hit TV program Downton Abbey. We cannot write about Villon’s influence in Film, Theatre, Poetry etc. as we would be here all year!

All of Villon in French and English in Fine Presentation.

$180.00

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Absalom, Absalom – William Faulkner

One of the great Modern Library Editions. Pretty good condition in slightly chipped dust jacket with some age marks to back.

Nobel Prize winning author whose incredible narratives centred on the American South … Superb work and includes the longest grammatically correct sentence in literature at page 181 (1292 words … phew)

Unsurpassed Faulkner

$30.00

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A Burnt-Out Case – Graham Greene – First Edition 1961

Published by Heinemann, London 1961 First Edition in the English Language. A very good copy with a closed to the dust jacket fore-edge but the brightest jacket we have seen.

Greene at his most powerful – character put to the ultimate test in the African Congo.

Classic Greene First Edition

$50.00

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Night of the Big Heat – John Lymington – First Edition 1960

Published by Dutton, New York in 1960.

Missing its front end paper and tape marks to the boards but this is a first edition of this great Sci-Fi classic. The dust jacket is very good indeed no chips or creases.

Tension, drama and seriously scary …. this is THE NIGHT OF THE BIG HEAT!

Read it with the heating turned up full … but with a cool beer

$50.00

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“Somebody Loves You” – Music Score 1932 – Tobias and De Rose

Great 1930′s music score with a direct romantic message. Published by the Joe Morris Music Co, New York

Words and music by Charles Tobias and Peter de Rose. Promoted by George Hall and his Orchestra.

The highlight the stunning graphic cover designed by Cliff Miska.

“I’ve learned a wonderful secret .. And you’re the one should know it too … I’ve yearned to tell you this secret … And every word I say is true” … well of course it is …..

Bonus songs (short ones) “Carolina Moon” and “When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver”.

Everything presented also for the popular Ukulele as well as piano and guitar ….

$20.00

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Winter’s Tales – Isak Dinesen (author of Out of Africa)

The Complete Works of Francois Villon – Translated by J.U. Nicolson – Illustrated by Alexander King – Fine First Editions 1928

Absalom, Absalom – William Faulkner

A Burnt-Out Case – Graham Greene – First Edition 1961

Night of the Big Heat – John Lymington – First Edition 1960

“Somebody Loves You” – Music Score 1932 – Tobias and De Rose

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