First Edition or First of Type

Sarah Bernhardt – Francoise Sagan – First UK Edition

The late 19th century stage legend – has anyone really matched the talent and reputation of Bernhardt. Her talents as a sculptor and painter underestimated.

Here we have a real twist a fictionalised biography / autobiography through letter exchanges between the author and Sarah – long after the latter’s death. The author, a sensational writer who had already had great success with the provocative “Bonjour Tristesse”.

A fist UK translation published by Macmillan in 1989. Octavo, 232 pages with illustrations from period photographs. Good condition albeit the pages toasted a bit as common with the issue.

Exotic treatment of Bernhardt’s Life

$25.00

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Complete Set – The London Aphrodite – Literary Periodical (in Six Parts) – Ed. Jack Lindsay and P.R. Stephensen.

Six original publications of Jack Lindsay’s London based Franfrolico Press, published in 1929. Banned in the USA for alleged obscenity … quite tame and very artistic really.

Nearly 500 pages in total. A pot-pourri of Australian and European literary and artistic talent. Norman Lindsay contributed with his unusual imagery. Octavo, card covered, some age but generally a good and importantly complete set. Occasionally black and white plates and scattered vignettes by Norman Lindsay. Literary contributions from Aldous Huxley, Norma Douglas, Liam O’Flaherty, Sacheverell Sitwell and other icons of the pen.

Aphrodite – all of them and a wonderful read.

$190.00

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The Best Of Rumpole – John Mortimer

Described as a “personal choice with a new introduction” by the author … good for him.

Octavo, 275 pages published by BCA in 1993. A very good near fine copy.

The author had been writing for seventeen years before it dawned on his that he needed a “character” like Maigret or Sherlock Holmes and it was out of this thought that Rumpole emerged … thank heavens for that.

Undoubtedly the most likeable Barrister of all time … opinions gladly received at Voyager. Here we have his best work, seemingly, with Rumpole … and the Younger Generation; the Showfolk; the Tap End; the Bubble Reputation; on Trial and our favourite …. The Children of the Devil.

Great night time reading … everyone needs to be Rumpole now and again now where is the claret?

Rumpole – several of his finest.

$30.00

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The Silmarillion – J.R.R. Tolkien.

A very good copy of the second printing of the First edition published in George Allen and Unwin, London in 1977.

Large octavo, 365 pages with tow maps included large folding map, of Belleriand and the Lands to the North, at the rear. Top edge stained blue and blue headband as required by this edition. Super condition.

Published posthumously, edited by his son, and mostly written between the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Seemingly the Publisher thought this selection of tales all too complex for their Hobbit audience … so foolish of them.

The stories comprise the first 304 pages then we have five pages of family/clan trees … for the House of Finwe and the Noldrin descent of Elrond and Elros; The Descendants of Olwe and Elwe; the House of Beor and the mortal descent of Eltona and Elros etc. Then a useful note on Pronunciation [best to go here first for the full effect]. And a monster index of place name, characters, objects etc.Closing with several pages on “elements of Quenya and Sindarin names” … this in itself is evidence of J.R.R’s undeniable genius.

Silmarillion by Tolkien simply Special.

$60.00

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Nugae Canorae Medicae – Sir Andrew Douglas Maclagan – First edition 1850 – With Additional Contemporary Manuscript Content

Translates literally “Silly Medical Songs” and they are. Andrew Douglas Maclagan (1812-1900) was an eminent Scottish surgeon and toxicologist. In his lifetime he was President of five of the mots distinguished Societies in Scotland. As a toxicologist he was called to Court to give evidence … as a young man he supported the prosecution in the Burke and Hare affair.

Printed by Thomas Constable, Edinburgh in 1850 – a first edition (it was reprinted in 1873). Effectively self published. Maclagan vaguely covered his identity as the author is names as “The Poet Laureate of the New Town Dispensary”. Octavo, bark brown embossed cloth covered boards with gilt titling to front, 82 pages with manuscript additions to rear end paper. Remnant seal to back paste down.

Given the period any reader will be pleasantly surprised how amusing the said poem/songs are … and much fun must have been had with them. Footnotes have been provided which explain the circumstances and sometimes individuals at fault or lampooned. No punches held.

What makes this copy more charming is the manuscript addition. Internally they sometimes correct the events suggested. At the rear we have in neat manuscript further ditties by Maclagan that are not in the published work. Clearly someone who knew the great man very well. 19thC press clipping re Maclagan affixed front free end.

Silly Songs by a most distinguished physician.

$180.00

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The Lake Frome Monster – Arthur Upfield – First edition

A first edition of Arthur Upfield’s last novel. Incomplete at his death it was crafted into publication by J L Price and Dorothy Strange.

Published by Heinemann, London in 1966.

Octavo, 184 pages, all in pretty good condition. Edges a little aged, the strikingly scary jacket with some creases but as good as they come if you can find one.

The last Napoleon Bonaparte novel (obviously). Lake Frome is in South Australia, it’s large but rarely fills with water. A roving photographer is found dead … the monster?

Bony sets about resolving the unusual murder disguised as workman tending the very long dog-proof fence. His life is in danger … but our Bony is no coward!

Bony … out in the dirt solving the weirdest of murders.

$70.00

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Sarah Bernhardt – Francoise Sagan – First UK Edition

Complete Set – The London Aphrodite – Literary Periodical (in Six Parts) – Ed. Jack Lindsay and P.R. Stephensen.

The Best Of Rumpole – John Mortimer

The Silmarillion – J.R.R. Tolkien.

Nugae Canorae Medicae – Sir Andrew Douglas Maclagan – First edition 1850 – With Additional Contemporary Manuscript Content

The Lake Frome Monster – Arthur Upfield – First edition

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