A collection of some of our rarest and most distinguished titles:
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QuickviewA Bear Called Paddington
Children's Fiction, First Edition, Michael Bond, Modern First Editions, Showcase, Signed First EditionsA Bear Called Paddington By Michael Bond First edition, first impression (Collins Clear-Type Press: London and Glasgow, 1958). Signed and inscribed by the author to the front endpaper: "To Nina, with best wishes, Michael Bond". The dedicatee is Nina Froud who was a personal friend of the author and worked at his literary agency. The first book in the Paddington series where one of the most iconic and beloved British fictional characters first appeared, later going on to form the basis of several ongoing TV and successful film adaptations. Publisher's original red cloth with silver lettering to spine containing illustrations by Peggy Fortnum. A beautiful, fine and pristine book throughout, save for a touch of off-setting to endpapers. Appears unread. The original complete dust jacket is not price-clipped and is in unusually superior condition with a chip to spine head - not affecting any lettering - and a closed tear to top of upper panel fore-edge with a couple of tiny and inconspicuous nicks to the top edge of lower panel. A very rare inscribed presentation copy of a quality and with an association that are very seldom encountered.£8,000.00 -
QuickviewA Christmas Carol
Antiquarian, Charles Dickens, ShowcaseA Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens Fifth edition (Chapman & Hall, 1844). Issued the year after the first edition, which was published in December 1843. Hand-coloured etched frontispiece and a further three plates by John Leech with four wood-engravings by W.J. Linton. Two pp advertisements at rear. Gilt edges with publisher's original cinnamon vertically ribbed cloth stamped in blind and gilt. Previous owner name to half-title dated 1844. Small stain on page 25 and one plate detached. A little light soling to leaves here and there with some rubbing to edges. Hinges starting and binding a little exposed towards the rear of the book, but all pages, save for the one aforementioned plate, still firmly in place. A very good example.£2,500.00 -
QuickviewA Pale View of Hills
First Edition, General Literary Fiction, Kazuo Ishiguro, Modern First Editions, Showcase, Signed First EditionsA Pale View of Hills By Kazuo Ishiguro First edition, first impression. Signed, inscribed and dated by the author to the title page: "To Charles, all best, Kazuo Ishiguro 7th June '89". Rare inscribed. The author's first book and the winner of the 1982 Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize. Original cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. Very faint traces of dustiness to top edge with minor pushing to spine head, else fine, in a near fine or better dust jacket with just a hint of the usual fading to spine panel and one instance of negligible wear to spine head. A superior copy.£4,000.00 -
QuickviewA Song of Ice and Fire
First Edition, Modern First Editions, Science Fiction, ShowcaseA Song of Ice and Fire By George R. R. Martin Five volumes. All first UK editions, first impressions. The basis for the popular TV series with the concluding two volumes to the book series, 'The Winds of Winter' and 'A Dream of Spring' still in production. A Game of Thrones: Original red cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. A very good or better copy with mild rubbing to spine ends and a little of the usual yellowing to edges, in a near fine and unclipped dust jacket with minor signs of wear to edges. A Clash of Kings: Original blue cloth with lettering to spine in gilt with only mild traces of handling wear and '1171' written in pen, inconspicuously, on the rear paste-down, covered by the lower flap of the dust jacket, else a near fine example. A Storm of Swords: Original blue cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. A very good or better copy. The corner of the upper spine has been pushed. A handful of the preliminary pages have a crease to the side text block. A Feast for Crows: Original red cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. A fine copy in fine dust jacket. A Dance with Dragons: Original black cloth with silver lettering to spine. A little concavity to the spine due to the size of the volume with a light scuff mark to the edge of the lower flat of the dust jacket and light edge wear. A near fine set, overall.£2,250.00 -
QuickviewChild of God
First Edition, Modern First Editions, ShowcaseChild of God By Cormac McCarthy First UK edition, first impression, published by Chatto & Windus in 1975. Originally published in the US in 1973. The author's third novel, of which copies of the UK first edition are hard to find. Original black cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. A fine book in a fine and sharp dust jacket with only mild traces of wear to spine head. Cover art by Graham Palfrey-Rogers. An excellent example of a rare edition of the author's work.£1,500.00 -
QuickviewEast of Eden
First Edition, John Steinbeck, Modern First Editions, ShowcaseEast of Eden By John Steinbeck First edition, first impression and first state with 'bite' for 'bight' on page 281. The title described by the author himself as his magnum opus. Small pinhole to spine with a small and faint stain to bottom for-edge of text block. The original and unclipped dust jacket has a couple of closed tears and small nicks to edges with some shallow chipping to spine foot. Some of the usual toning to spine panel. A very good copy indeed.£1,500.00 -
QuickviewEast of Eden: Chapter 34
General Literary Fiction, John Steinbeck, Modern First Editions, ShowcaseEast of Eden: Chapter 34 By John Steinbeck Two variants (no priority) containing Chapter 34 from the novel 'East of Eden', privately printed and limited to only 125 copies. The first ever appearance of an extract from the novel, issued prior to its publication in 1952. These copies were mailed by the author to his nephew-in-law, David Heyler. Both housed in the original envelope signed and addressed by Steinbeck. From the Mary Steinbeck Dekker Family Collection. Very faint traces of soiling to rear cover of one booklet with a little peripheral toning to the covers of the other, else near fine.£3,000.00 -
QuickviewHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Children's Fiction, First Edition, J.K. Rowling, Modern First Editions, Showcase, Signed First EditionsHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix By J . K. Rowling First deluxe edition, first impression. Signed and inscribed by the author to half-title: 'To Betty, Happy 70th!! With love from J. K. Rowling x'. Original burgundy cloth and endpapers with lettering to spine and upper board in gilt, gold page edges, ribbon marker and pictorial onlay to upper board featuring artwork by Jason Cockcroft. A fine copy. Very rare signed or inscribed.£3,000.00 -
QuickviewHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
First Edition, J.K. Rowling, Modern First Editions, ShowcaseHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban By J. K. Rowling First edition first impression and first state with 'Joanne Rowling' to the copyright page and dropped text on page 7. It has been confirmed by the publisher that all states of the first impression consisted of 5,150 copies in total, of which - it is generally believed - 2,500 pertained to the first state. Original pictorial boards. A fine book with the slightest hint of spotting to top edge in a beautiful fine dust jacket without flaws. Rare in such superior condition.£7,500.00 -
QuickviewHigh-Rise
First Edition, Modern First Editions, Showcase, Signed First EditionsHigh-Rise By J. G. Ballard First edition, first impression. Signed and dedicated by the author to the title page at a book launch at Forbidden Planet in London. Original blue cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. A little pushing to spine foot, else fine in a fine and unclipped dust jacket. A fantastic copy. Rare with such attributes.£1,250.00 -
QuickviewI Am Legend
First Edition, Horror, Modern First Editions, Richard Matheson, Showcase, Signed First EditionsI Am Legend By Richard Matheson First paperback edition, first impression, published by Gold Medal Books in August 1954 and featuring cover art by Stan Melzoff. Uniquely signed, inscribed and dated by the author to the title page: "I was 26 when I wrote this ______ when I signed it! Richard Matheson. The true first edition of the novel, published some 16 years prior to the first hardcover edition that was issued in 1970. A hugely influential work that was instrumental in the modern development and popularisation of both cinematic and literary works depicting zombies and vampires, as well as the more general concept of disease leading to dystopian, apocalyptic circumstances. The novel was cited by George Romero as a key influence in the creation of the film 'Night of the Living Dead' (1968) and famously had its own film adaptations in 1964 under the title 'The Last Man on Earth', in 1971 as 'The Omega Man', and most recently in 2007 as 'I Am Legend'. A little yellowing to spine and to the top of lower cover with one or two slight creases and areas of minor rubbing. Very small and shallow indentation halfway down the spine. A very good example indeed of the first appearance of a classic and impactive work, uniquely inscribed by the author. Very rare thus.£3,000.00 -
QuickviewMort
First Edition, Modern First Editions, Science Fiction, Showcase, Signed First Editions, Terry PratchettMort By Terry Pratchett First UK edition, first impression. Signed and dated by the author in the year of publication to the title page, shortly before the general release on November 12th 1987. The popular fourth Discworld novel, and the first to feature 'Death' as its protagonist. Dust jacket art by Josh Kirby. Original black cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. a fine book in a near fine dust jacket with some fading to spine panel.£1,250.00 -
QuickviewOne Hundred Years of Solitude
First Edition, Modern First Editions, ShowcaseOne Hundred Years of Solitude By Gabriel García Márquez First US edition, first impression (Harper & Row, 1970) in first state dust jacket with the exclamation mark after 'Latin America' on upper flap. Originally published in Spanish in 1967. Original green cloth with lettering to spine in gilt and green endpapers and paste-downs. A small area of light browning to front endpaper with very minor traces of rubbing to spine tips, near fine otherwise. The original and unclipped dust jacket has very mild traces of edge wear in places with a very small chip to bottom of lower panel, a couple of tiny nicks to edges and a price fairly inconspicuously pencilled under the original jacket price. A beautiful copy of the novel's first appearance in English, housed in an attractive drop-back box.£3,000.00 -
QuickviewThe Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Arthur Conan Doyle, First Edition, ShowcaseThe Adventures of Sherlock Holmes By Arthur Conan Doyle First edition, first impression with 'violent' for violet on p. 317, and no name on the street sign on the upper board. Illustrations by Sidney Paget. Some light spotting, floral endpapers, publisher's light blue cloth with gilt edges. Spine ends repaired with some of the often-seen rubbing and soiling to the boards and spine and previous owner's bookplate to front paste-down.£2,000.00 -
QuickviewThe Bell Jar
First Edition, Modern First Editions, ShowcaseThe Bell Jar By Victoria Lucas (Sylvia Plath) Second edition. Originally published the previous year. The poet's only novel written under the "Victoria Lucas" pseudonym. Original green cloth with silver lettering to spine. A near fine book with slight knocking to bottom corners and extremely faint and minor spotting to edges. The original dust jacket has some surface rubbing and slight fading to spine panel. An excellent, clean and sharp example.£1,500.00 -
QuickviewThe BFG
Children's Fiction, First Edition, Modern First Editions, Roald Dahl, Showcase, Signed First EditionsThe BFG By Roald Dahl First edition, first impression. Signed and inscribed by the author and illustrator. Adapted to film in 1989 and 2016. Original grey cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. Slight toning and a few spots to edges, primarily to top, with a small nick to the cloth towards to the top of the rear spine hinge, else a near fine copy. The original and unclipped dust jacket has a tiny nick to the top corner of the lower panel and a little yellowing to verso edges, otherwise near fine. An extremely crisp and well-preserved example. Rarely found signed by both the author and illustrator.£6,750.00 -
QuickviewThe Cat in the Hat
Children's Fiction, First Edition, Modern First Editions, Showcase, Signed First EditionsThe Cat in the Hat By Dr. Seuss First UK edition, first impression (Collins Clear-Type Press, 1958). Originally published in the US the previous year. Signed and inscribed by the author to front endpaper verso: 'for the children of Battersea with Best Wishes... Dr Seuss'. Rare thus. Publisher's original turquoise pictorial boards. Rubbing to edges and to spine with some bumping to corners; very slight bowing to upper board; contents clean and free from names and inscriptions. A good copy of an edition that is rare to find bearing a unique inscription from the author.£2,500.00 -
QuickviewThe Handmaid’s Tale
First Edition, Margaret Atwood, Modern First Editions, Showcase, Signed First EditionsThe Handmaid's Tale By Margaret Atwood First Canadian edition, first impression (McClelland and Stewart, 1985). Signed and inscribed by the author to half-title: 'For Nancy - Best Wishes - Margaret Atwood'. Featuring striking dust jacket artwork by Tad Aronowicz. The true first edition, preceding that of the UK and the US. Winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award and more recently adapted into a successful TV series. Quarter-bound in maroon cloth with cream boards and white lettering to spine. A fine and clean copy with some of the seemingly always present rubbing to the spine ends. The original and unclipped dust jacket has a nick to spine foot, but is otherwise beautifully crisp and sharp. A uniquely superior example of a classic of dystopian fiction.£2,750.00 -
QuickviewThe Hobbit
First Edition, J. R. R. Tolkien, Modern First Editions, ShowcaseThe Hobbit By J.R.R. Tolkien Second impression (George Allen & Unwin, 1937). The second impression of The Hobbit was the first to contain coloured illustrations. It appeared three months after the first in December 1937, and was first published in January 1938. The print run consisted of 2,300 copies, but 423 of these were destroyed during the Blitz in 1940. Original green cloth with lettering and decoration to boards and spine in dark blue. Map endpapers and paste-downs. Top edge green. Some spotting to edges and very light and occasional foxing to opening and closing leaves, else near fine. Housed in a custom-made clamshell box, and accompanied by the correct and original second impression dust jacket, all sections of which are detached with a small portion of the spine remaining and considerable losses to upper and lower panels.£15,000.00 -
QuickviewThe Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
C. S. Lewis, Children's Fiction, First Edition, Modern First Editions, ShowcaseThe Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe By C. S. Lewis First edition, first impression. The first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series, illustrated by Pauline Baynes. Original green cloth with silver lettering to spine. Some of the often-encountered ghosting to boards. Gift and previous owner inscriptions to front endpaper, slight spine slant, otherwise very good. The unclipped dust jacket - which is frequently found heavily restored - is completely original with no restoration. Some losses, primarily to upper panel. A few chips and tears to edges with some browning to verso.£5,000.00 -
QuickviewThe Player of Games
First Edition, Iain Banks, Modern First Editions, Science Fiction, Showcase, Signed First EditionsThe Player of Games By Iain M. Banks Limited edition. One of 201 numbered copies to be signed by the author, of which this is number 178. Housed in accompanying cloth slipcase. A beautiful, fine book in a fine slipcase with a little rubbing in places, primarily to the corners and back.£1,500.00 -
QuickviewThe Starlight Barking
Children's Fiction, First Edition, Modern First Editions, Showcase, Signed First EditionsThe Starlight Barking By Dodie Smith First edition, first impression (Heinemann, 1967). Illustrated by Janet and Anne Grahame-Johnstone. Signed, inscribed and dated by the author in the year of publication on the front blank: 'To Cicely Courtneidge, from Dodie Smith "Dear Octopus", Theatre Royal, Haymarket, 1967'. The inscription refers to Smith's play 'Dear Octopus', which was revived in 1967 for the fiftieth wedding anniversary of the comedy actors Dame Cicely Courtneidge and Jack Hubert. Dodie Smith's married name, 'Mrs Beesley', Dodie Smith's married name is also written in ink in another hand to the front flap of the dust jacket. Additionally a postcard from the author is loosely inserted: 'Dearest Cis, Here is "The Starlight Barking" as a tiny first night present. It's also intended as a get well present to your dear poodle - I trust you'll be able to use Bill's line and say "The dog liked it". Bless you and thank you for your lovable, funny and altogether admirable performance as "Dora". Much love as ever, Dodie". 8vo, publisher's original blue cloth with gilt lettering to spine and pictorial decorative endpapers. fine with just a little pushing to spine ends in a near fine, price-clipped dust jacket with slight edge-wear in places and a couple of spots to upper panel. A near fine example of the sequel to 'The Hundred and One Dalmatians'.£1,750.00 -
QuickviewWinnie-the-Pooh
A A Milne, Children's Fiction, First Edition, Limited Editions, Modern First Editions, Showcase, Signed First EditionsWinnie-the-Pooh By A. A. Milne Limited edition, published by Methuen Children's Books Ltd. in 1973. Hand bound in blue leather by Zaehnsdorf, London with lettering to spine and motif to upper board in gilt. All edges gilt. Containing attractive illustrations in colour by E. H. Shepard throughout and housed in a blue cloth slipcase with lettering to spine in gilt. One of 300 copies signed by E. H. Shepard, of which this is number 26. An excellent, fine book. Some evidence of rubbing to top and bottom edges of slipcase, else near fine. A beautifully produced and unique edition of one of the most important and popular children's books of modern times.£3,500.00