Fiction

Single & Single – John Le Carre – Pre-Publication – Uncorrected Proof Copy – Limited Numbered Run – 1999

Produced by Hodder, London pre-publication numbered run of 1500.

Octavo, original purple card wrappers, 336 pages in very good condition.

Le Carre disclosed much later that the two main characters in this complex novel … a fraudulent money laundering London businessman and his son were based on himself and his father. Cornwell [Le Carre’s real name] senior had spent time in jail for insurance fraud and mixed with the Kray Brothers.

A story which draws on the collapse of the Soviet Union and the development of Russian monied thuggery in the aftermath.

Le Carre baring his soul – a special format for a special story

$50.00

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The Tailor of Panama – John Le Carre – First edition

A very good copy of the first Australian edition published by Hodder in 1996.

Octavo, 336 pages in very good condition very good dust jacket.

Le Carre’s amusing entertainment set in Panama and a homage to Graham Greene and his equally brilliant Our Man in Havana. The tailor experiences all sorts of difficulties … personal, financial and professional … he is a fine hand with the scissors.

Panama when it was edgy first time round … a long way from Savile Row.

$40.00

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The Grand Adventure Book for Boys – 1931

No publication date but a nice prize inscription of 1931 so we can be pretty confident that that is the year. Published by Thomas Nelson, London etc as part of their “Jolly Bookshelf” series.

Largish format with the striking pictorial cover which continues on to the spine. 96 pages of thoroughly jolly stories … the magic Matchbox; Billy’s Story; Mizuna the Witch; How Howard Slew the Bear … our favourite – the Wreck of the Pirate Ship. Nice full-page illustrations in colour. Thick spongy paper, nice font, the tiniest bit of foxing due to the paper type, Generally, a super copy.

Some good old jolliness for boys … The Art Deco design of the hunted Leopard to the front is worth a million dollars.

$40.00

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Malory’s – Chronicles of King Arthur – 3 Volumes Complete

Published by the Folio Society in 1982. Three volumes in original slipcase. Octavo, 292,348 and 262 pages. Blue cloth covered bindings decorated in red and gold. A super looking production.

Introductions and explanations by experts Sue Bradbury and Kevin Crossley-Holand and nice lino-cuts by Edward Bawden.

The Chronicles comprise … The Tale of King Arthur; Sir Tristam de Lyonesse and The Morte D’Arthur.

The legendary tales were first put down in one place by George of Monmouth in the early thirteen century. In the fifteenth century Sir Thomas Malory produced the definitive work completed in 1470, This was at the time Caxton really got going with his printing press so Malory’s work was destined to be promoted and preserved. Naturally, the language and expression of Malory’s writing reflects the period and “modern” writers have edited the text to be readable nowadays.

What would King Arthur think of a boxed set?

$90.00

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Bad Girl – Vina Delmar – 1929

A 1929 edition of this popular novel having been printed a number of times since its issue the previous year. Published by Grosset and Dunlap, New York. Octavo, 275 pages, art deco dust jacket designed by Arthur Hawkins. A very good if not better copy.

A story about New York and a young couple, Dot was from the Bronx and Eddie from Harlem. A book about first relationships in a thoroughly American 1920’s setting. She’s not at all bad by any standards – unusual title?

Deco era novel set in New York – would make a lovely gift

$40.00

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The Ballad of Reading Gaol – Oscar Wilde [John Vassos Illustrated Edition First of Type - Special] – Published by Dutton New York 1930

Oscar Wilde was convicted of gross indecency in 1895 and spent two years in Reading jail in England. He was released in May 1897 and went into self exile in Berneval-le-Grand, France where he wrote this work the Ballad of Reading Gaol.

It was first published in 1898 and re-issued many times and still in print today. This edition is something special.

Published by Dutton, New York, 1930, a first of type. Quarto, 124 pages, with 16 striking monochrome plates by John Vassos (1898-1985). Vassos had designed promotional material for the Oscar Wild play “Salome” and had been spotted by Dutton who brought him in to add his special touch to the Ballad.

Black over blue papered boards, scarce dust jacket in black and gold. A very good copy.

Oscar Wilde – Ballad of Reading Gaol – Striking Presentation.

$290.00

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Single & Single – John Le Carre – Pre-Publication – Uncorrected Proof Copy – Limited Numbered Run – 1999

The Tailor of Panama – John Le Carre – First edition

The Grand Adventure Book for Boys – 1931

Malory’s – Chronicles of King Arthur – 3 Volumes Complete

Bad Girl – Vina Delmar – 1929

The Ballad of Reading Gaol – Oscar Wilde [John Vassos Illustrated Edition First of Type - Special] – Published by Dutton New York 1930

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