One of the foundational texts in science fiction, signed by Hugo Gernsback
GERNSBACK, HUGO
Ralph 124C 41+
Boston: The Stratford Company, 1925
- $9,500.00
SCARCE FIRST EDITION, SIGNED BY GERNSBACK, of one of the foundational texts in science fiction.
“In April 1911 ‘Modern Electrics’ began serializing Gernsback’s Ralph 124C 41+, written to exemplify (Gernsback’s) contention that fiction could serve to teach science… Thoroughly deficient as fiction, the story nevertheless predicts radar, microfilm and microfiche, tape recorders, television, wireless transmission of power, planet hormones, and weather control” (American National Biography).
Ralph 124C 41+ was published when many other magazines were struggling, and it led Gernsback to almost single-handedly establish a place for science fiction stories, as he allowed contemporary writers space in his science magazines. The success of these stories may have induced Gernsback to create the first science fiction magazine, Amazing Stories, which started publication the year after Ralph 124C 41+ was printed in book form. The Hugo Awards, science fiction’s most prestigious prize, were named in honor of Hugo Gernsback.
Signed on the front free endpaper.
Octavo, original blue cloth with gilt lettering, original dust jacket. Bookplate of Roy V. Hunt, editor and artist for the science fiction magazine The Alchemist on front pastedown. Book fine with cloth exceptionally bright; original dust jacket with some tape reinforcement at verso edges; closed tear at top of front panel and very minor edgewear. Rare signed.
Related items
Add to WishlistRemove from Wishlist Add to Wishlist
The Man With The Golden Gun
London, 1965James Bond drank down the rest of his beer and got slowly to his feet. He walked towards Scaramanga and was about to pass him when the man reached out a languid left arm and caught him at the biceps. He held the snout of his gun to his nose, sniffing delicately. The expression in the dead brown eyes was far-away. He said, ‘Mister, there’s something quite extra about the smell of death. Care to try it?’ He held out the glittering gun as if he was offering James Bond a rose…
FIRST EDITION, second state (as usual), without the rare gilt golden gun on the front board. Octavo, original black cloth, original dust jacket. A FINE COPY.
- $900.00
Add to WishlistRemove from Wishlist Add to Wishlist
Signed by Annie Leibovitz
Photographs 1970-1990
New York, 1991FIRST EDITION, SIGNED BY ANNIE LEIBOVITZ.
“I hate the word ‘celebrity.’ I’ve always been more interested in what people do than who they are, and I hope that my photographs reflect that. I have the opportunity to work with people who are the best actors, and writers, and athletes, and dancers–a broad spectrum. I feel like I’m photographing people who matter, in one way or another. I’m photographing my time.”–Annie Leibovitz, in an interview with Literal Magazine
Folio, original photo-pictorial boards, original glassine. Minor tears at extremities of rear glassine wrapper. A lovely copy.
- $350.00
Add to WishlistRemove from Wishlist Add to Wishlist
Rhetorica divina Guillermi Parisie[nsis]
Paris, 1500THIRD EDITION of William of Auvergne’s meditation on the subject of prayer. This work was first published in 1491 and again in 1492.
Octavo. 152 printed leaves. Beautifully rebound in (early) printed leaf over boards with vellum manuscript leaves on paste-downs. Printers device on title and verso of final leaf; rubricated in red and blue. Small hole to margin of first few leaves; occasional light dampstaining to margins; a superb and quite desirable copy.
- $3,750.00
Add to WishlistRemove from Wishlist Add to Wishlist
President Truman on freedom, peace, prosperity and international cooperation
Typed Letter Signed
“There is not going to be any short-cut to preserving our own freedom or securing the peace fo the world through international cooperation of free and peaceful nations…
…I am confident that the American people have never been more strongly united in their determination to preserve our own freedom and to aid friendly nations…
…Our actions in the days ahead must reflect that unity and I am confident that all of you will do your utmost to see to it that a united American people overcome the obstacles and dangers which lie between us and our common goal of a just and lasting peace.”
TRUMAN, Harry S. Typed Letter Signed. Washington, DC, November 20, 1950. A substantial letter with excellent content from President Truman addressed to Dwight R.G. Palmer, an executive of the Democratic National Committee. In this remarkable letter President Truman makes a forceful and earnest request for support in building a secure and lasting peace in the early post-war period. This letter reflects what historians regard as President Truman’s greatest achievement, i.e., his success in building a secure and stable peace after the Second World War.
- $2,500.00
Add to WishlistRemove from Wishlist Add to Wishlist
"It’s the gas station, that’s the important thing"
Sixteen Artist Books
“The photography by itself doesn’t mean anything to me: it’s the gas station, that’s the important thing”
An exceptional private collection of the artist books of Ed Ruscha. First editions, many signed.
Add to WishlistRemove from Wishlist Add to Wishlist
"A girl who had everything...until she lost her life"
Death on the Nile
London, 1937First edition superbly bound in modern morocco. She was young, stylish and beautiful. A girl who had everything…until she lost her life. Hercule Poirot recalled an earlier outburst by a fellow passenger: “I’d like to put my dear little pistol against her head and just press the trigger.” Yet in this exotic setting nothing was ever quite what it seemed. A fine copy.
- Sold
Add to WishlistRemove from Wishlist Add to Wishlist
First edition, with a lengthy inscription by Sherwood Anderson
Poor White
New York, 1920FIRST EDITION, INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY SHERWOOD ANDERSON.
“Dear David… One incident about the writing of this book will amuse you. The murder of Jim Gibson was written at the back of a little boat-laying place in Mobile Alabama while some sailors at a nearby table discussed the divinity of Christ. Sherwood Anderson.”
Octavo, original blue cloth. Dust jacket lacking. Spine sunned, light wear at spine head. A handsome copy with a superb inscription.
- $750.00
Add to WishlistRemove from Wishlist Add to Wishlist
editio princeps of the Agamemnon
Aeschyli tragoediae VII
[Geneva]: , 1557FIRST COMPLETE EDITION OF AESCHYLUS. With the editio princeps of the Agamemnon.
“An excellent and beautiful edition… It is a much more valuable impression than either of its precursors.. what enhances the value of the edition is, that the Agamemnon is published in it, for the first time, complete.” -Dibdin, An introduction to the knowledge of rare and valuable editions of the Greek and Latin Classics
Quarto. Early full tree-calf skillfully rebacked, spine in six compartments, red leather label. Gilt dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Text generallly clean throughout; repaired tear to the lower portion of title page. A handsome copy of an important and distinguished edition.
- $7,500.00
Add to WishlistRemove from Wishlist Add to Wishlist
Waiting for Godot
London, 1956FIRST UK EDITION, translated from the French by Beckett.
“Voted the most significant English language play of the 20th century in a British Royal National Theatre poll of 800 playwrights, actors, directors and journalists… Beckett’s naked play about two tramps waiting for Godot has tapped into our 20th-century public consciousness. It seems to express our deepest fears and our deepest knowledge of ourselves and our predicament” (Norman Berlin).
“The first production of Beckett’s own English translation, directed by Peter Hall, was staged at the Arts Theatre Club in London in August 1955. Kenneth Tynan’s and Harold Hobson’s reviews made it into an intellectual hit which has since been regarded as having transformed the British stage” (Dictionary of National Biography).
Preceded by the first edition (1952, in French) and the first American edition (1954).
Octavo, original mustard cloth, original dust jacket. Book near-fine with slight lean; dust jacket with light edgewear, toning to top of rear panel.
- $750.00
Add to WishlistRemove from Wishlist Add to Wishlist
First edition, signed by David Mamet
American Buffalo
New York, 1976FIRST EDITION, hardcover issue, SIGNED BY MAMET on dedication page.
Winner of the 1976 Obie Award and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best American Play of 1977; made into a 1996 film starring Dustin Hoffman.
Octavo, original yellow cloth, original dust jacket; custom half-morocco box. A FINE COPY.
- $1,400.00
Add to WishlistRemove from Wishlist Add to Wishlist
Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Paris, 1929LIMITED EDITION, 1/1000 COPIES. Folio. Two volumes. Original paper wrappers printed in red and black. Original glassine. Complete with 14 plates by Alastair. An outstanding set with light wear to glassine wrappers.
- $400.00
Add to WishlistRemove from Wishlist Add to Wishlist
First edition, inscribed by John Fante
Wait Until Spring, Bandini
New York: , 1938FIRST EDITION, INSCRIBED on the front endpaper. “For Miss Fowler, who taught me all about radio, –– with all good luck / John Fante”
Octavo, original cloth, dust jacket. An excellent copy in a superb dust jacket with only minor toning to rear panel.
- $5,000.00
