First Edition or First of Type

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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Monty Python’s Flying Circus – Just the Words [A Lie] – 2 Volumes Complete

First editions hardback [soft cover more common] published by Methuen in 1989.

Thick perfect bound, 325, 349 pages, laminated pictorial boards. Inside toned as always, the nature of the paper used.

We say “A Lie” in or title because there are illustrations from Python photographs in each volume – quite humorous if you get their wit.

Enough Python to get you through the winter and/or improve your skills at confusing others. Our favourite sketch – “Ten Seconds of Sex”

Double Python – feels rather greedy.

$40.00

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D.H. Lawrence’s John Thomas & Lady Jane – According to Spike Milligan – First Edition

First edition published by Michael Joseph, London in 1995.

John Thomas and Lady Jane was another take on Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence but was not published during his lifetime – after all the was quiet a curfuffle regarding Lady C and Lawrence hardly made a cent out of it.

Here Spike produces a surprising reprise of John Thomas and Lady Jane and we doubt if any of the bawdy references are omitted although a quite a few humorous elements are inserted [anti-pun intended]

A good clean copy [pun intended] octavo, 169 pages, good jacket, super condition.

Spike and D.H.L. – well he did re-write the Bible.

$35.00

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P.G. Wodehouse – A Few Quick Ones – First Edition

Sought after First Edition published in 1959 by Herbert Jenkins, London.

Octavo, 207 pages, a good copy with the odd mark here and there. Sound dust jacket [best form], the sign of a bump lower spine. Retailers label front board, unseen.

A worthwhile copy of a hilarious collection of wit from the maestro Wodehouse – Jeeves makes an appearance for selective fans. Our favourite “Offy, Freddie and The Beef Trust”

P.G. Wodehouse – First Edition – Ten stories and hundreds of laughs – we need them!

SO SORRY SOLD

$40.00

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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

Monty Python’s Flying Circus – Just the Words [A Lie] – 2 Volumes Complete

D.H. Lawrence’s John Thomas & Lady Jane – According to Spike Milligan – First Edition

P.G. Wodehouse – A Few Quick Ones – First Edition

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