First Edition or First of Type

Doctor in the Swim – Richard Gordan – 1962

Anyone who likes Wodehouse will love Richard Gordan and his series of “Doctor” books.

A first of type, published by the Book Club and Michael Joseph, London in 1962. This one has our favourite dust jacket which gives you a strong hint at the joviality.

Octavo, 184 pages, in very good condition with a super example of the aforesaid dust jacket.

Dr Gaston Grimsdyke reflects on his sex life [nothing lewd] that revolves around the coastal goings on of Whortleton-on-Sea. A summer holiday with Anemone and her mother dame Hilda, a famous criminologist ..etc. Hilarious.

It all goes on at Whortleton …

$30.00

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The Day of Fire [Suggested by the Life of Arthur Rimbaud] – James Ullman – First Edition 1959

First Edition published by Collins, London in 1959. Octavo, 638 pages. A little sign of age, dust jacket chipped at head, still a very good copy of a special book.

The author had been working on this book for a number of years and provides a nice foreword about Rimbaud, He thanks New Directions for quotes from their “A Season in Hell”, possibly Voyager’s favourite book.

No wonder the author invested so much time, Arthur Rimbaud was an extraordinary individual and apart from his poetry and writing led an extraordinary life, not always on the right side of the law.

Based on the life of Arthur Rimbaud and a colourful life that was.

$30.00

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The Philosopher’s Stone – Iris Murdoch – First Edition 1983

First Edition published by Chatto & Windus – The Hogarth Press, London in 1983.

A substantial work for the already established Murdoch. Thick octavo, 575 pages in a super condition dust jacket. The paper in one gathering a little browned probably due to the paper chemistry … altogether still a very good copy.

A multi character novel, set in the fictitious spa town of Ennistone. Returning philosopher Professor John Rozanov intends to write his “great book”. However, he has plans which create problems for others … power, hatred and a desire for salvation intermingle to form an intense drama.

Iris Murdoch first edition of substance

$50.00

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Tourmaline – Randolph Stow – First Edition 1963

A first edition of this Australian classic published by Macdonald, London in 1963.

Octavo, 224 pages. A very good copy in a slightly chipped dust jacket. Ownership signature on paste down. A few pages near the beginning exhibit a some show through of text from the other side … a little irritating … overcome with a relaxing cup of tea.

A derelict Australian gold rush town is the setting for Randolph Stow’s gripping drama.

The half title informs … “On the surface Tourmaline is the story of an illusion, of a lost township snatching at the chance of rebirth. At a deeper level it is a fable and man’s ever-present temptation to seek refuge from the world of his own reality”

And …who can go past the haunting Sydney Nolan dust jacket?

First Edition and Special

$70.00

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Le Morte d’Arthur – Sir Thomas Malory – Shakespeare Head Private Press Limited Edition 1933

Full title … The Noble & Joyous Boke Entitled Le Morte d’Arthur Nothwythstondying it Treateth of the Byrth Lyf and Actes of the sayd Kynge Arthur; of his Noble Knightes of the Rounde Table. Theye Merveylous Enquestes and Adventures. Thachyevynge of the Sanc.Greall and the Ende the Delourous Deth: and Departynge out of this Worlde of Them al. Wyche Boke was Reduced in to Englysshe by the Well Dysposyd Knyghte Syr Thomas Malory.

Two volumes, quarto, number xxx of 350 copies for sale (a further 20 copies were not for sale) with 22 woodcut illustrations. Original binding in terra cotta half Morocco over ivory buckram, flat spines with gilt titling, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Other edges untrimmed.

The revered Shakespeare Head, Saint Aldates Oxford, edition of the most famous of the Arthurian tales, reprinted from and resembling in layout and typeface the 1498 edition of Wynkyn de Worde kept in the John Rylands Library, Manchester.

Volume I comprises 4 initial blanks; half title; title with limitation on verso; prologus i-iv; table v-xxviii; Fyrste Boke to IX Boke 1-316 with woodcut in each; 3 final blanks. VolI comprises 4 initial blanks; half title; title with note to verso; Boke X – Boke XXI 1-373 with woodcuts to each and a further one in Boke XXI; notes 3; 3 final blanks. All as should be.

Written in the 15th century by Thomas Malory the sweeping Mort d’Arthur includes the youth of Arthur, the romance of Guinevere and Lancelot, the Quest for the Grail, the tragedy of Tristan and Iseult etc.

This superb work directly tied to the early days of printing in England, with broad margins, quality handmade paper and the impeccably reproduced typeface … all hallmarks of the Shakespeare Head Press.

The Shakespeare Head Press was started in 1904 at Stratford Upon Avon by Arthur Bullen after he had had a dream about finely printing all of Shakespeare’s works at his birthplace, something that had not been done before. Much of his equipment and initial typeface came second had from William Morris’s Kelmscott Press. After Bullen’s death in 1927 the business was moved to Oxford under its new owners Basil Blackwell and Bernard Newdigate who was the typographer. They continued in the Morris tradition. The building in which they operated was commandeered by the American allies in 1942.

King Arthur and his Legends and Death – Shakespeare Head Private Press edition.

$670.00

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Lightship – Archie Binns – 1934 First Edition

First Edition published by Reynal and Hitchcock (part of the Burt publishing empire), New York in 1934. A super example. Large octavo, 345 pages, blue cloth covered boards, top edge stained blue as required. Striking art deco style dust jacket in really good condition. Very clean inside … would make a great gift.

A very unusual novel centred on the lives of nine men who are the crew of a lightship. The crest and troughs of emotion are mimicked by the Ocean which provides a dramatic ending

One of a kind novel from the 1930’s

$60.00

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Doctor in the Swim – Richard Gordan – 1962

The Day of Fire [Suggested by the Life of Arthur Rimbaud] – James Ullman – First Edition 1959

The Philosopher’s Stone – Iris Murdoch – First Edition 1983

Tourmaline – Randolph Stow – First Edition 1963

Le Morte d’Arthur – Sir Thomas Malory – Shakespeare Head Private Press Limited Edition 1933

Lightship – Archie Binns – 1934 First Edition

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