African literature

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£4,500



London, Heinemann, 1958.

First edition, first impression; 8vo. Original brick-red cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 15s.

The first edition of Nigerian author Achebe's first novel, one of the BBC's '100 Novels That Shaped Our World'. Things Fall Apart is the first part of the author's 'African Trilogy', a compelling story of one man's battle to protect his community against the forces of change, seen as the archetypal modern African novel in English, and one of the first to receive global critical acclaim. It is a literary staple of schools throughout Africa and is widely read and studied in English-speaking countries around the world. Scarce.

£575


A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.15
Ibadan, Nigeria, For Mbari Club by Longmans of Nigeria, August 1964.

Small folio. Original pictorial wrappers.

An attractive issue of this seminal West African literary journal, with cover design by Jacob Afolabi.

"The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers." (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.

£575


A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.14
Ibadan, Nigeria, For Mbari Club by Longmans of Nigeria, February 1964.

Small folio. Original pictorial wrappers.

An attractive issue of this seminal West African literary journal, with cover design by Susanne Wenger.

"The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers." (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.

£575


A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.16
Ibadan, Nigeria, For Mbari Club by Longmans of Nigeria, October 1964..

Small folio. Original pictorial wrappers.

An attractive issue of this seminal West African literary journal. Includes 'Four Poems' by Paul Theroux.

"The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers." (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.

£575


A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.4
Ibadan, Nigeria, General Publications Section, Ministry of Education, October 1958.

Small folio. Original pictorial wrappers.

An early issue of this seminal West African literary journal, contributors include Paul Vesey, Gerald Moore, Ezekiel Mpahlele, Geormbeeyi Adali-Mortti and Randolph Rawlins.

"The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers." (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.

£575


A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.13
Ibadan, Nigeria, For Mbari Club by Longmans of Nigeria, November 1963.

Small folio. Original pictorial wrappers.

An attractive issue of this seminal West African literary journal. Includes '6 Poems' by John Pepper Clark.

"The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers." (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.

£575


A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.12
Ibadan, Nigeria, For Mbari Club by Longmans of Nigeria, [1963].

Small folio. US distributor's label to foot of title-page. Original pictorial wrappers.

An attractive issue of this seminal West African literary journal.

"The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers." (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.

£575


A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.11
Ibadan, Nigeria, General Publications Section, Ministry of Education, [1962].

Small folio. US distributor's label to copyright page. Original pictorial wrappers.

An attractive issue of this seminal West African literary journal.

"The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers." (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.

£575


A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.7
Ibadan, Nigeria, General Publications Section, Ministry of Education, June 1960.

Small folio. Original pictorial wrappers.

An early issue of this seminal West African literary journal, contributors include Léon Damas, Gerald Moore and Cyprian Ekwensi.

"The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers." (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.

£575


A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.9
Ibadan, Nigeria, General Publications Section, Ministry of Education, June 1961.

Small folio. Original pictorial wrappers.

An early issue of this seminal West African literary journal. Includes Ezekiel Mphahlele writing on Langston Hughes.

"The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers." (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.

£575


A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.10
Ibadan, Nigeria, General Publications Section, Ministry of Education, [1962].

Small folio. US distributor's label to copyright page. Original pictorial wrappers.

An attractive issue of this seminal West African literary journal. Includes a section on 'New Nigerian Poetry'.

"The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers." (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.

£395



Johannesburg, A.P.B. Bookstore, 1949.

First edition. Signed presentation copy from the author. 8vo. Original grey cloth. Dust-jacket.

A great first edition of this semi-autobiographical account of time spent in Pretoria Central Prison. Bosman is widely regarded as South Africa's greatest short-story writer.

£175



Johannesburg, A.P.B. Bookstore, 1947.

First edition. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Dust-jacket.

A solid first edition of this the second book (of three) published in the author's life-time. Bosman is widely regarded as South Africa's greatest short-story writer.

£575


A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.17
Ibadan, Nigeria, For Mbari Club by Longmans of Nigeria, June 1965.

Small folio. Original pictorial wrappers.

An attractive issue of this seminal West African literary journal. Includes 'The Voter' by Chinua Achebe.

"The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers." (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.

£575


A Journal of African and Afro-American Literature. No.18
Ibadan, Nigeria, For Mbari Club by Longmans of Nigeria, October 1965.

Small folio. Original pictorial wrappers.

An attractive issue of this seminal West African literary journal. Includes an article on 'African Writers of the 18th century'.

"The steady development of Black Orpheus over the last seven years amounts to a remarkable achievement. It has succeeded in breaking the vicious circle that seems to inhibit the development of a proper reading public by its continued existence, by its very availability; more than that, it has also gone on to establish itself as one of the most important formative influences in modern African literature.…It can be said, without much exaggeration, that the founding of Black Orpheus, if it did not directly inspire new writing in English-speaking Africa, at least coincided with the first promptings of a new, modern, literary expression and re-inforced it by keeping before the potential writer the example of the achievements of the French-speaking and Negro American writers." (Abiola Irele, editor, Journal of Modern African Studies). The magazine ceased publication in 1975.

African literature

Parsons (Anthony) Bush Gypsies

£295



London, Grayson, 1932.

First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.

A collection of particularly good short stories of Africa, the mysterious, elusive, charming, fascinating and cynical. Previously published in Blackwood's magazine.

£225



London, Jonathan Cape, 1948.

First edition. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 9s6d.

Paton's searing indictment of South African society, published on the eve of the South African government formally institutionalising apartheid, one of the best-known and most acclaimed works in South African literature.

£3,750



London, Heinemann, 1960.

First edition. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 13s6d.

A lovely first edition of this tale of Lagos corruption by Nigerian writer Achebe, the scarce second volume in Achebe's landmark 'African trilogy'.

£150



London, Fourth Estate, 2006.

First edition. Signed by the author. 8vo. Original boards. Dust-jacket, priced £14.99.

Signed by the author on the title-page. This prize-winning novel tells the story of the Biafran War through the perspective of the characters Olanna, Ugwu, and Richard. Subsequently made into a film.

African literature

Clark (John Pepper) Poems

£750



Ibadan, Mbari Publications, 1961.

First edition. 8vo. Copyright stamp to verso of title. Original pictorial wrappers, barcode sticker to foot of spine.

The Nigerian author's first published book of poetry, scarce in such condition. Clark (1935 - 2020) played an important role in the evolution and dissemination of African literature, not least as the co-editor of the Pan-African magazine Black Orpheus.

£600



Ibadan, Mbari Publications, 1961.

First edition. 8vo. Original pictorial wrappers.

The Nigerian author's first published dramatic work, scarce in such condition. Clark (1935 - 2020) played an important role in the evolution and dissemination of African literature, not least as the co-editor of the Pan-African magazine Black Orpheus.

£85



London, Macgibbon & Kee, 1960.

First edition. 8vo. Original brown boards. Dust-jacket, priced 18s.

First edition by Nigerian/Jamaican author Dawes, a partly autobiographical account of a love affair with the Jamaican language and landscape that also interrogates the racial politics of the 1950s & 1960s, and the search for self in a world divided by class.

£1,500


Introduction by Oliver Tambo. Edited by Ruth First
London, Heinemann, 1965.

First edition. 8vo. Original black boards lettered in gilt. Dust-jacket.

A very good first edition of Mandela's collected early writings, including his famous speech at the Rivonia Trial (1964). Distinctly uncommon, preceding his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom by almost thirty years.

£375


and other stories
[Nigeria], Western Region, Ibadan, Ministry of Education, [1961].

First edition. 8vo. Original pictorial wrappers.

The scarce second collection of stories by South African writer, educationalist, artist and activist Mphahlele, celebrated as the Father of African Humanism and considered one of the founding figures of modern African literature. The collection was printed in Nigeria, where Mphahlele had taken refuge in 1957, and features several of most important stories, including the title story and 'We'll Have Dinner at Eight'.

£250



London, Hutchinson, 1961.

First edition. 8vo. Original black boards. Dust-jacket, priced 16s.

The first novel by Nigerian author Onoura Nzekwu, later republished by Heinemann as part of the important African Writers Series. The novel has been compared to Achebe's No Longer at Ease.

£95


A backvelder's scrap-book
London, Witherby, 1937.

First edition. 8vo. Original orange cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.

A collection of tales relating to the Transvaal Bushveld, as recounted through the prism of fictional narrator Tante Rebella. Scarce in dust-jacket.

£200



Lagos, , 1977.

Oblong 4to; original cloth; dust-jacket.

The souvenir book of the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture.

£575



Ibadan, Mbari Publications, 1964.

First edition. 8vo. Original pictorial wrappers.

Inspired by the songs and verse traditions of the author's native Ewe people, this marked the publishing debut of the Ghanaian poet and author Williams, also known as Kofi Awoonor. Uncommon in this condition.