Fiction

The Trials of Oz – Tony Palmer – with Felix Dennis Bookplate – 40th Anniversary Edition

This book carries the bookplate of Felix Dennis (1947-2014) with the pencil note likely by Dennis xi ii which presumably means February 2011.

Felix Dennis was one of three charged and found initially guilty in the famous “Schoolkids Oz” obscenity trial in London. Dennis received a lesser sentence because he was considered less intelligent than the others.

Published by Gonza Multimedia in 2011, softcover 312 pages, many illustrations including the somewhat offensive which formed part of the trial. The book is a great read especially for those the like the machinations of a good court drama. Verbatim mixed with other narrative about the lead up, police, judiciary etc. Political influence is said to have been involved in getting to the lads sentences rescinded – the Judge met then secretly and got their commitment not to be “so naughty”.

For the dumb one Dennis did very well and went on to build a magazine and media empires worth several hundred million quid, bought David Bowie’s West indies paradise, set up the biggest tree planting charity in England etc etc – quit a chap – look him up.

OZ Trial – for provenance couldn’t be beaten

PS If your protective of Rupert the Bear this is not the book fro you …

$120.00

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Men without Women – Ernest Hemingway – 1955 Jonathan Cape Edition.

The hardest of the Jonathan Cape editions to find, and collectable because of that and the striking wrap around dust jacket by Hans Tisdal with his special font design.

This edition published in 1995 the second printing in this new crown format same year as the first of type. Octavo, 222 pages, a little age but excuse if for its rarity.

Maybe only Hemingway could choose this title for this collection of short stories encompassing every emotion.

Fourteen short stories including The Killers; A Simple Enquiry; An Alpine Idyll; Banal Story; Hills Like White Elephants and Che ti dice la Patria.

Reality of life from Hemingway – scarce edition

$120.00

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The Night Manager – John Le Carre – First edition published by Knopf, New York in 1993.

A handsome book in the hand, large octavo, 429 pages, plus acknowledgement, printing details etc. Jacket rubbed along leading edge otherwise a fine copy.

“On a snow-swept January evening of 1991, Jonathan Pryce, the English night manager of the Hotel Meister Palace in Zurich, forsook his office behind the reception desk and, in the grip of feelings he had not known before, took up his position in the lobby as a prelude to extending his hotel’s welcome to a distinguished late arrival”

Needs no further introduction other than to say the rather brilliant mini-series is worth the watch also albeit a little over glamourised.

Le Carre’s characters do move with the times, something we like about his writing. However we cannot believe the ‘first” is as long back as 1993 – where have the year gone!

Night Manager – now a standalone Le Carre classic and a punchy read

$50.00

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For Whom the Bell Tolls – Ernest Hemingway 1943 Scribner’s US Edition – Nice Copy

Published by Scribner’s, New York in 1943. Technically a first edition cited on copyright page as 1940 although 1943 on title .. so we would call it a second impression of the first.

Bound in the first edition oatmeal cloth covered boards, with red and black titling and banding to spine and facsimile signature to front. Dust jacket in near first state except no price on inside flap and photographers name, for portrait on rear, missing from first.

Thick large size octavo, 471 pages, top edge stained blue, as it should be. A very good copy, the dust jacket with a few minor chips and closed splits, really pretty good and now protected.

Hemingway’s classic about the Spanish Civil War. Tells the story of Robert Jordan a young American volunteer, attached to the Republican guerrilla unit.

Hemingway wrote the novel initially in Havana, Cuba. The work is based on Hemingway’s first-hand experiences as a reporter for the North American Alliance.

For those unfamiliar with where the title came from Hemingway helpfully provided reference to the words of English Poet and Dean of St Pauls John Donne (1572-1631) – it is well worth the understanding – … “never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee” … check it out – it will make a difference.

Ernest Hemingway – Perhaps his Strongest – Ding

$190.00

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Australian Poetry – “Waiting for the Past” a Collection – Les Murray

Published by Black Inc., in 2015 a first edition of this collection by Les Murray. Much admired by Clive James.

Slim octavo, 81 pages, dust wrapper – all in fine condition.

The first collection by Murray in five years and worth the then wait – our favourite “Last World Before the Stars” … but over 60 plus poems to choose from.

Would make a nice, simple thoughtful gift.

Beautiful use of language – we agree with Clive.

$25.00

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Brave New World – Aldous Huxley – 1937 Edition

A King’s ransom for a first edition or this pre-war new impression dated 1937.

Published by Chatto and Windus, London. Octavo, 306 pages, rare dust jacket showing some age but still a pretty good copy.

One of the standout novels of the 20^th Century. Complex and futuristic Brave New World warns us that a society obsessed with comfort, control and technological efficiency can strip away individuality, emotion and the essence of what human beings represent.

Aldous Huxley – Brave New World – an early collectable edition

SO SORRY SOLD

$220.00

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The Trials of Oz – Tony Palmer – with Felix Dennis Bookplate – 40th Anniversary Edition

Men without Women – Ernest Hemingway – 1955 Jonathan Cape Edition.

The Night Manager – John Le Carre – First edition published by Knopf, New York in 1993.

For Whom the Bell Tolls – Ernest Hemingway 1943 Scribner’s US Edition – Nice Copy

Australian Poetry – “Waiting for the Past” a Collection – Les Murray

Brave New World – Aldous Huxley – 1937 Edition

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