-
QuickviewThe Death and Life of Superman
First Edition, Modern First Editions, Signed First EditionsThe Death and Life of Superman By Roger Stern First edition, first impression, published by Bantam Press in 1993. Signed, inscribed and dated to the half-title page by Jerry Siegel, the comic book writer who created the Superman character along with his friend Joe Shuster: 'The infant from the planet Krypton who, on earth grew up to become the man of steel! 11-20-94'. The book is additionally inscribed to the front endpaper by Kirk Alyn, Noel Neill and Jack Larson. Kirk Alyn and Noel Neil were the first actors to play 'Superman' and 'Lois Lane' in the characters' first ever live action appearance in the 1948 15 part movie serial from Columbia Pictures. Jack Larson played 'Jimmy Olsen' in the first TV series 'The Adventures of Superman' that ran from 1956-1958. Roger Stern, the author, has also signed the book to the title page. Original black cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. Some toning to edges with a touch of pushing to spine ends and very minor knocks to corners. Nice and fresh internally and free from writing, aside from the aforementioned inscriptions. The original dust jacket has a tiny nick close to the top of the upper hinge and a small associated crease next to it with some lifting to surface laminate to foot of lower hinge. An excellent copy, bearing a significant set of signatures, including a special and unique inscription from the creator of, arguably, the most popular and iconic comic book character ever created.£1,500.00 -
QuickviewThe Demolished Man
First Edition, Modern First Editions, Science FictionThe Demolished Man By Alfred Bester First edition, first impression. The first ever winner of the Hugo Award in 1953. Original red cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. A little dustiness to top edge with slight evidence of knocking to corners and a black dot to spine. Otherwise very good, in the original and unclipped dust jacket with some chipping to spine head, several tears to edges and moderate sunning to spine panel.£165.00 -
QuickviewThe Dogs of War
Crime and Thriller, First Edition, Modern First Editions, Signed First EditionsThe Dogs of War By Frederick Forsyth First edition, first impression. Signed by the author to a bookplate affixed to the title page. Original black cloth with lettering in gilt and motif in silver to spine. A very good book indeed with some spotting to top edge, browning to front endpaper and a previous owner sticker to bottom corner of front paste-down. The original and unclipped dust jacket has some moderate wear to edges with a crease to top corner of rear flap and a couple of tape repairs to verso.£150.00 -
QuickviewThe Domes of Mars
First Edition, Modern First Editions, Science FictionThe Domes of Mars By Patrick Moore First edition, first impression. Accompanied by an envelope signed by the author. Original blue cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. A very good copy with a stain to lower board and some spotting to edges. The original and unclipped dust jacket, featuring striking cover art by Patricia Cullen, has some chipping to edges and rubbing in places with a few nicks and a relatively small stain to lower panel, very good otherwise. A rare title.£300.00 -
QuickviewThe Double Helix
First Edition, Non-Fiction, ScienceThe Double Helix By James D. Watson First UK edition, first impression (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1968). A very good copy with a previous owner's name to front endpaper and isolated instances of very faint spotting to preliminaries and rear paste-down; crease to top corner of page 68. The original and unclipped dust jacket has some rubbing to extremities and a few tiny chips to spine ends. Closed tear to bottom of lower panel fore-edge and to top edge of upper panel with some lifting to laminate on lower panel hinge.£100.00 -
QuickviewThe Drawing of the Three
First Edition, Modern First Editions, Stephen KingThe Drawing of the Three By Stephen King First edition, first impression with illustrations by Phil Hale. The second novel in The Dark Tower series. Original black cloth with bronze lettering to spine and illustrated endpapers and paste-downs. A fine book in an excellent, fine dust jacket.£300.00 -
QuickviewThe Earthsea Trilogy
First Edition, Modern First Editions, Science Fiction, Ursula Le GuinThe Earthsea Trilogy By Ursula Le Guin Three Volumes. First UK editions, first impressions, published between 1971 to 1973 by Victor Gollancz. A highlight series of high fantasy. A Wizard of Earthsea: Original brown cloth with lettering to spine in gilt with green endpapers and paste-downs. A near fine book with light spotting to edges, but contents entirely clean otherwise. The original and unclipped dust jacket is also near fine with the slightest hint of fading to the spine panel, some marginal toning to verso and a few unobtrusive marks to top fore-edges. The Tombs of Atuan: Original blue cloth with lettering to spine in gilt with pale green endpapers and paste-downs. Light spotting to edges with a few spots to front and rear endpapers and paste-downs, else near fine in a near fine and unclipped dust jacket with some very moderate fading to spine panel and marginal toning to verso with a hint of rubbing to spine head, else near fine. The Farthest Shore: Original grey cloth with lettering to spine in gilt and purple map endpapers and paste-downs. Near fine with some spotting to edges in a near fine dust jacket with minor fading to the spine panel and marginal, light spotting to verso. A very attractive and uniquely well-preserved set.£2,250.00 -
QuickviewThe Giant Who Stole the World
Children's Fiction, First Edition, Modern First Editions, Signed First EditionsThe Giant Who Stole the World By John Cunliffe First edition, first impression with illustrations by Faith Jacques. Presentation copy. Signed and inscribed by the author in the year of publication. As well as being a Children's book author, John Cunliffe was known as a television presenter and was the creator of 'Postman Pat' and 'Rosie and Jim'. Original pictorial boards. A little rubbing in places to board edges, primarily to spine tips with some moderate damage to spine foot, otherwise very good indeed in a fine and unclipped dust jacket. Uncommon, especially so signed or inscribed by the author.£150.00 -
QuickviewThe Godfather
First Edition, Modern First EditionsThe Godfather By Mario Puzo First UK edition, first impression, published by William Heinemann in 1969. Originally published in the US earlier in the same year. Original black cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. The book opens a little wide at the title page, but is otherwise near fine and clean internally. The original and unclipped dust jacket has a couple of very small chips to bottom corners, small abraded areas to spine ends and moderate toning to verso in places, otherwise very good or better.£500.00 -
QuickviewThe Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
First Edition, Haruki Murakami, Modern First EditionsThe Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World By Haruki Murakami First UK edition, first impression, published by Hamish Hamilton in 1991. Originally published in Japan six years earlier in 1985 where it was awarded the Tanizaki prize in the same year. Original black cloth with silver lettering to spine. A beautiful, fine copy in a fine dust jacket. Jacket illustration by David Cutter.£300.00 -
QuickviewThe Harry Palmer Books: Ipcress File, Horse Under Water, Funeral in Berlin, Billion Dollar Brain
Crime and Thriller, First Edition, Modern First Editions, Showcase, Signed First EditionsThe Harry Palmer Books By Len Deighton Four Volumes. All first editions, first impressions, published between 1962-1966. Vol I is the correct first issue, without the reviews. Vol II contains the rare crossword competition insert (here blank). Volume I is inscribed by the author to the title page with the note from the author “there are not many copies of this edition!” Orange, red, black and blue boards, consecutively; lettered in gilt to spines with publisher’s devices to foot; Vol II and III with classification stamp in colour and blind to upper board; Vol IV with white brail design to upper cover, and in the iconic silver dust jacket; all dust jackets unclipped, and designed by Raymond Hawkey; decorative endpapers in all but Vol I; the books generally very good to near-fine, clean, with some mild pushing to spine tips and marking to outer edges of the text block; small stain to p. 11 of Vol I; the wrappers with some darkening to edges and pushing to spine tips; a couple of small creases, nicks and closed tears; front flap of Vol II with paper flaw causing crease and particularly obscuring the price; Vol III a little more rubbed to spine ends, and faint spotting to inside flap; Vol IV a little more creased to the flaps, and lightly rubbed to rear panel. Deighton’s pinnacle works, and the books which “challenged the nature of British spy fiction”. The series follows protagonist Harry Palmer through a variety of challenges and settings, which include Cold War brainwashing, atomic weapons tests, ice-melting technology, secret plots, murders, and eggs contaminated with a deadly virus. Inspired by his experiences working for an advertising agency (when he was the only employee not to have been educated at Eton), Deighton wrote a novel based around a gritty, nameless, working-class protagonist who he later named Harry Palmer. The character proved hugely popular with the British public, the success of which the author (modestly) puts down to the fact that The Ipcress File was published in the same year as Fleming’s Dr. No. As well as this series, Palmer also featured in a series of later novels, including An Expensive Place to Die (1967) and Spy Story (1972). Of the present four books, Horse Under Water was the only one not to be adapted to film. The others all starred Michael Caine in the lead role. Deighton famously avoids book signings, interviews and literary festivals, making signed copies of his works rare indeed.£2,750.00 -
QuickviewThe History of the Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha
Antiquarian, First EditionThe History of the Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha By Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra Four volumes, published by William Paterson & Co in 1892 and translated from the Spanish by P. A. Motteux. Near contemporary red half morocco over marbled boards with marbled endpapers. Top edges gilt. Engraved frontispieces with numerous engraved plates and tissue-guards. Toning to edges with spotting to preliminaries and rear endpapers. Occasional browning. Rubbing to spine ends, hinges and all extremities. Vol 1 lacking frontispiece tissue-guard, but all others are present.£675.00 -
QuickviewThe Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams, First Edition, Modern First Editions, Science Fiction, Showcase, Signed First EditionsThe Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy By Douglas Adams First paperback edition, first impression. Inscribed by the author to the inside front cover: 'Best Wishes, Douglas Adams'. The paperback is the true first edition and precedes the hardback which was issued later in the same year. Edges toned, as usual. Slight rubbing to extremities of wraps with the odd scratch to edges, otherwise an excellent example. Adam's enduring iconic work based on the radio series of the same name. Rare with these attributes.£1,750.00 -
QuickviewThe Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams, First Edition, Modern First Editions, Science Fiction, Showcase, Signed First EditionsThe Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy By Douglas Adams First edition, first impression of the original radio scripts, published in 1985. Signed and inscribed by Adams to the title page. Additionally signed by the editor and producer, Geoffrey Perkins, and by several members of the cast including Mark Wing-Davey (Zaphod Beeblebrox), David Tate (Eddie the computer and the vogon guard), Roy Hudd (Max Quordlepleen) and David Gooderson (The Barman). The radio series was first broadcast in 1978 and its huge success was what led Adams to adapt in into his famously popular novel, which was published in 1979. It was also later adapted into a television series in 1981. Crease to top corner of rear cover with moderate corner creases to a some pages and some toning to edges. A very good or better example of a rare and very unique item.£1,500.00 -
New
QuickviewThe Karla Trilogy
First Edition, John Le Carré, Modern First Editions, Signed First EditionsThe Karla Trilogy By John le Carré First editions, first impressions, of the complete Karla Trilogy. Each volume with a bookplate signed by the author affixed to the title page. Three volumes, octavo. Original black and dark blue cloth, spines lettered in gilt, Smiley device stamped in gilt on the front board of vol I. Map endpapers and paste-downs to vol II. With the original pictorial dust jackets. Some fading to top-stain of vol I and uneven toning to edges with small area of abrasion to front endpapers of vols I and III. Boards bright with sharp gilt lettering. A touch of rubbing here and there to edges, but contents otherwise clean throughout. A few small tears to edges of jacket of vol I with associated and inconspicuous tape repairs to verso; edges a little rubbed with a crease to bottom corner of lower flap and usual fading to spine panel.A complete first edition set of le Carré’s celebrated “Karla Trilogy,” each volume bearing the author’s signed bookplate. The dust jacket of vol II is unpriced (intended for export) and aside from the slightest hint of fading to the spine panel and a tiny nick with small tape repair to verso with an associated crease, is in excellent condition. The vol III dust jacket has a small tear to spine foot with a tiny chip to one corner and very slight traces of rubbing, else near fine. A complete and very good set of le Carré's celebrated 'Karla Trilogy', each volume bearing the author's signed bookplate.£1,250.00 -
QuickviewThe Life of Mammals
First Edition, Modern First Editions, Science, Signed First EditionsThe Life of Mammals By David Attenborough First edition, first impression. Signed by the author to the title page. One of the harder titles in the Life Series to find signed. Original red cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. A fine book in a fine dust jacket.£300.00 -
QuickviewThe Light Fantastic
First Edition, Modern First Editions, Signed First Editions, Terry PratchettThe Light Fantastic By Terry Pratchett First edition, second impression (Colin Smythe, 1987). Originally published the previous year. Signed and inscribed by the author to the title page. Publisher s original blue cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. A fine book, with the usual toning to edges, and one very small and inconspicuous mark to lower board, otherwise excellent and clean internally and free from any names or inscriptions. The original dust jacket is also in fine and bright condition with just the slightest trace of wear to spine tips and a minuscule chip to bottom corner of upper panel and original retailer sticker to lower panel.£1,250.00 -
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 Living Planet
First Edition, Modern First Editions, Non-Fiction, Signed First EditionsThe Living Planet By David Attenborough First edition, first impression. Signed and inscribed by the author to half-title in the year of publication: "To Martine with best wishes David Attenborough Christmas 1984". Original olive green cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. A couple of small white marks to upper board, else near fine or better in a fine and unclipped dust jacket.£200.00 -
QuickviewThe Long Goodbye
Crime and Thriller, First Edition, Modern First EditionsThe Long Goodbye By Raymond Chandler First edition, first impression. The sixth novel to feature Philip Marlowe. Original burgundy cloth with white lettering to spine. A little spotting to edges, else near fine. The original and unclipped dust jacket has several nicks, chips and tears to edges with small area of loss half way down upper flap fore-edge, otherwise a good example of a jacket that is often found in worn condition.£300.00 -
QuickviewThe Long Walk
First Edition, Horror, Modern First Editions, Stephen KingThe Long Walk By Richard Bachman (Stephen King) First edition, first impression (Signet, 1979). Written by the author while at the University of Maine several years before the publication of 'Carrie' in 1974. Adapted into a film of the same name in 2025. A couple of slight wrinkles to upper cover and some light spotting to top edge, else a fantastic, near fine example. Rarely encountered in such good condition.£1,000.00 -
QuickviewThe Magic Finger
Children's Fiction, First Edition, Modern First Editions, Roald DahlThe Magic Finger By Roald Dahl First edition, first impression. Original pictorial boards. Light soiling to boards in places with a little spotting to text-block edges and some toning to spine, otherwise very good.£250.00 -
New
QuickviewThe Mars Trilogy
First Edition, Modern First Editions, Science Fiction, Showcase, Signed First EditionsThe Mars Trilogy By Kim Stanley Robinson First editions, first impressions. Each volume signed by the author to the title page. Three volumes. Original red, black, and blue cloth respectively, silver and gilt lettering to spines. With the original pictorial dust jackets featuring cover illustrations by Mel Grant and Peter Elson. An excellent set of Robinson's Mars Trilogy, a landmark in late 20th-century science fiction chronicling the terraforming and political evolution of Mars across three generations. Red Mars (1992) introduces the 'First Hundred' colonists and won the Nebula Award for Best Novel (1993). Green Mars (1993), exploring revolution and renewal, won the Hugo and Locus Awards (1994). Blue Mars (1996), completing the transformation of the planet, won the Hugo and Locus Awards (1997). Together, they form one of the most celebrated trilogies in modern speculative fiction, praised for its scientific realism, political complexity, and ecological vision. The trilogy helped define Robinson's reputation as a leading figure in 'hard' and environmentally focused science fiction. In 2016, Red Mars was listed by the Guardian among the top science fiction novels of all time, and NASA has cited the books' attention to planetary science as unusually accurate for fiction. Near fine copies. Light toning and a few spots to top edge of vol I; one knock to top edge of vol II with some toning to edges of vol III, opening a little wide at half-title, in near-fine or better jackets with only minor signs of isolated wear to edges and bright, unfaded spines. An exceptional signed set.£1,500.00 -
QuickviewThe Master & Margarita
First Edition, Modern First EditionsThe Master & Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov First UK edition, first impression, published by Collins in 1967 and translated by Michael Glenny. Written between 1928 to 1940 in the Soviet Union and initially published in Russian in serial form in 1966-1967, though this had a portion of the original text removed due to its criticism of the Russian government. The first edition in Russian was issued in France by YMCA Press in 1967. The complete version of the novel was not published in Russia until 1973. Widely viewed as one of the most important novels of the 20th Century. Original green cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. A few faint spots to edges and a moderate bump to top corner of lower board. A little cracking to rear hinge, but holding very firm. The original and unclipped dust jacket is in fine condition, but for a few very faint instances of soiling to rear panel and a few light spots to rear panel verso. An exceedingly bright, near fine copy.£525.00