Fiction

J’Accuse: the Dark side of Nice – Graham Greene

Sorry, we have to say it but that’s Nice France not Nice the opposite of Terrible.

An odd publication, a first edition published by The Bodley Head, London 1982. Soft wrappers with “French folds”, 60 pages. Ownership signature near front – a pretty good copy.

Banned in France this is an expose of corruption in the Nice police force and judiciary. Well there’s a surprise. Greene was familiar with Yvonne Cloetta … her daughter Martine Guy was abused by her husband Daniel Guy who was let off … he had connections and influence as they say.

Greene Curiosity – interest real life experiences.

$35.00

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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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Parrot and Olivier in America – Peter Carey – First Edition

First printing of the first edition published in Australia by Hamish Hamilton, precedes UK and USA firsts.

Large octavo, 452 pages. Bound in specked cream paper covered boards with elaborate coloured parrot image to front [repeated in miniature top of spine], and a “celerifere” to the rear board ["celefifere" repeated in the text] .Decorative end papers – parrot feathers to front, part French Flag to rear. Dust jacket complete – note the marks are artwork not defects. A very nice production which makes for a good book. Very good condition.

Olivier is born into a post revolution aristocratic French family; Parrot the son of an English printer. They adventure to America – Parrot as a spy and protector. As you would expect with Carey a complex, thought-provoking novel with all of the emotions and an “improbable work of art”?

Peter Carey another brilliant and unusual novel from the Australian writer from Bacchus Marsh. And then there is the “celerifere”!

$50.00

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Horace – the Satires, Epistles and Art of Poetry – Translated William Boscawen – First edition 1797

I very nice copy of the single volume first edition translation published in 1797. Boscawen, the authority, had brought out the “Odes” a few years earlier – must say we prefer the “lighter” satires.

Octavo, 559 pages, contemporary full speckled leather binding with lavish gilt ruling to front and back, five raised bands to spine with separate black leather label titled gilt. Marbled endpapers, gilt design along inside edge.

Book label of Rev H Strangeways likely the original owner and explains lavish binding. Only fault is some loss of leather top of spine from presumably frequent reference.

Horace – it’s never too late to become acquainted.

SO SORRY SOLD

$180.00

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A Pair of Jacks [Two Tasmanian “Diggers” exploits in WWI] – J.C. Sheppard – Signed by Author.

A novelised account of the authors father, Jack Sheppard [born at Ranelagh in the Huon Valley] and Jack Doderidge [from Koonya on the Tasman Peninsula].

Self-published by the author in 2015, octavo, 258 pages. Super near fine condition. We can only find print on demand copies. This not so as it’s signed by the Author to Maria.

The author is not Hemingway, but nevertheless we find this book lively, information and entertaining when allowed. After all there are some tricky times including an enforced stay at Stalag 13C.

Novelised based on the true story of two Jacks from Tasmania.

$40.00

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The Lure of the Limerick – William S Baring-Gould.

Published by Rupert Hart-Davis, London in 1969. Squat quarto, 143 pages, very good condition.

If you have made it through life without a few limericks “up your sleeve”, then you are missing out. Limericks by nature are often a bit rude … well crude – but that’s the point.

Imagine that ghastly dinner party, or better still a business lunch or annual get-together. It’s all a bit tired and predictable and, maybe fortified out it pops ….

“There was a young student of Johns

Who wanted to bugger the swans.

But the loyal hall porter

Said, “Sir, take my daughter.

Them birds are reserved for the dons”

If there is complete silence – regard that as success!

Rest assured some contain Australia – just not as good.

Limericks – become an expert overnight.

$30.00

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J’Accuse: the Dark side of Nice – Graham Greene

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

Parrot and Olivier in America – Peter Carey – First Edition

Horace – the Satires, Epistles and Art of Poetry – Translated William Boscawen – First edition 1797

A Pair of Jacks [Two Tasmanian “Diggers” exploits in WWI] – J.C. Sheppard – Signed by Author.

The Lure of the Limerick – William S Baring-Gould.

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