Poetry and Plays and Music Scores

One Arm and Other Stories (A Collection of Eleven Short Stories) – Tennessee Williams – First of Type New Directions – 1959

A first trade edition published by special publisher New Directions of New York in 1959.

Octavo, 211 pages comprising eleven short stories. Dust jacket by the super designer Alvin Lustig although not one he had put a lot of thought into!. One page had thinned through to a hole … looks like a printing flaw. Otherwise a very good copy of a scarce work.

By this time Williams was already a successful dramatist but his short stories had only ever been published in a limited private form.

The stories are – One Arm; The Malediction; The Poet; Chronicle of a Demise; Desire and the Black Masseur; Portrait of a Girl in Glass; The Important Thing; The Angel in the Alcove; The Field of Blue Children; The Night of the Iguana and The Yellow Bird. As you can see some of these short stories are inspiration for his later plays, some are about characters in them and some are completely independent works.

A broad short read introduction to Tennessee Williams. .

$40.00

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Antarctic Treasure – The Songs of the “Morning”

Published by the Bread and Cheese Club Melbourne in 1943 – quarto, original grey ribbed wrappers, frontispiece of the Morning in McMurdo Sound. Previous ownership inscription on title otherwise a very good copy.

The Songs of the “Morning” were composed in the Antarctic on the SY Morning the relief ship to Captain Scott’s expedition of 1901-1904. The music was written by Gerald Doorly – Third Officer and the lyrics by John Morrison – Chief Engineer.

The vessel was originally a Norwegian whaling ship and was refitted for the Antarctic and sailed to Lyttelton, New Zealand before making two trips to the South in support of Scott.

The Bread and Cheese Club was a Melbourne based art and literary society founded in 1938 with the purpose of fostering “Mateship, Art and Letters”. This all male establishment published only 40 books. Following the death of its founder J.K. Moir it fell into decline and was disbanded in 1988.

No music has been composed further South – And Bring Back the “Bread and Cheese”

$90.00

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The Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith -1791

This is a single volume from Goldsmith’s Works published by Morison, Perth and Edinburgh.

What makes it interesting as a single volume is that it contains all of his Poetical works along with his narrative on Lord Bolingbroke and Dr Parnell.

Bound in full original calf with separate red leather title and a volume label. Small octavo, 209 pages, with two full page copper engraved plates. Page edges speckled the whole generally in very good antiquarian condition.

Some quite lengthy and beautiful poems such as … the Deserted Village, the Traveller, the Hermit … and some amusing ones … A Description of an Author’s Bed-Chamber, the haunch of Venison and we quote here partly due to brevity … Epitaph on Edward Purdon

Here lies poor Ned Purdon, from misery freed,
Who long was a bookseller’s hack;
He led such a damnable life in this world, -
I don’t think he’ll wish to come back.

Goldsmith explains … This gentleman was educated at Trinity College, Dublin; but having wasted his patrimony, he enlisted as a foot soldier. Growing tired of that employment, he obtained his discharge, and became a scribbler in the newspapers. He translated Voltaire’s Henriade.

Oliver Goldsmith interesting Poetry and funnier than you thought.

$60.00

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The Abbe Prevost – A Play by Helen Waddell – First Limited Numbered Signed edition – 1933

Superior production Published by Constable, London in 1933. Signed by the author and numbered 267 of a limited issue of 750 copies. Printed at the “Raven Press” in Harrow with a frontispiece engraved by Horace Walter Bray. Printed on thick cream paper rough cut to fore-edge, gilt to top. Original quarter velum over beige cloth covered boards. Gilt titles to front and spine.

Very good condition … note on en paper inviting all communications to Miss Waddell’s agent at Lincoln’s Inn.

A Play by esteemed Irish Playwright Helen Waddell, in a Prologue and Three Acts, over 57 pages, with Dramatis Personae of eight. The Prologue is set twenty years after the main events in the Library of the Chateau of the Prince de Conti. Act I is set in Lenski’s lodgings at the Hague in 173 and II and II in Prevost’s garret in Drury Lane, London in 1733.

Abbe (Antoine Francois) Prevost (1697-1763) was a Benedictine Priest who fled France for London in 1728 after falling out with the Abbot. He became a teacher and writer and after a love affair with a pupil fled London for the Hague in 1730. There he met the beautiful Lenski (described by others as a lady of doubtful character) … got into trouble with creditors and fled back to London. It is these events which are the subject of this historical drama.

Back in London, Prevost was briefly imprisoned for forgery. By 1735 he was forgiven by the Catholic faith and returned to Paris in 1735. A prolific writer, whilst all this was going on he published Manon Lescaut in 1731… one of Voyager’s favourites.

A glimpse into the 18thC Life of Abbe Prevost

$60.00

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The Complete Book of Magic – Peter Warlock

Published by Abbey, London a first edition circa 1960. Large octavo, 141 pages illustrated to assist the “lessons”. Very good condition albeit that the paper is toasted a little as always.

Sought after and well dressed first edition of Peter warlock’s book on magic. Importantly, Warlock was a high ranking “Member of the Inner Magic Circle”. Before we learn the tricks we are taught how to create a Magical Atmosphere … could be handy for most

Everyone should be able to do Magic!

$50.00

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Love and The Luxembourg – Richard Aldington – First American, Fine, Limited and Signed – 1930

Beautiful presentation of Aldington’s lengthy poem a first American edition published by Convici, Friede Inc New York 1930. Limited edition of 475 copies of which this is number 400. The book was designed by Frederic Warde and printed by William Edwin Rudge … signed nicely by Richard Aldington and Frederic Warde.

Large octavo, 53 pages plus the limitation. Bound in stylish burgundy cloth cover boards with gilt flower design to front with gild boarders and gilt designs to spine. Top edge nicely gilt other edges rough cut. Slipcase as issued. A fine copy.

Richard Aldington (1892-1962) was a founding poet of the Imagist movement. He fought on the Western Front during WWI and wrote “Death of a Hero” widely acclaimed. Much can be said about him .. his friendships included Ezra Pound (an early mentor), D.H. Lawrence, W.B. Yeats, T.S. Elliot, Joyce, Hemingway .. says it all … what a period!

Love and the Luxembourg is about his love for American writer Brigit Patmore (For B.) who he was in a relationship with 1928-1936 … he left her for her daughter in law.

Later in life he wrote a brief biography on T.E. Lawrence which suggested various things previously unsaid about the great man’s character. Aldington was never forgiven for this “abuse” and lived the rest of his life out in France.

Aldington a special poet with literary contacts

$80.00

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One Arm and Other Stories (A Collection of Eleven Short Stories) – Tennessee Williams – First of Type New Directions – 1959

Antarctic Treasure – The Songs of the “Morning”

The Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith -1791

The Abbe Prevost – A Play by Helen Waddell – First Limited Numbered Signed edition – 1933

The Complete Book of Magic – Peter Warlock

Love and The Luxembourg – Richard Aldington – First American, Fine, Limited and Signed – 1930

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