Modern Literature
London, Chapman and Hall Ltd., 1932.
First edition. 8vo. Original near black cloth lettered in orange to spine.
Uncommon first edition, especially in the jacket, of this British Empire tale.
Modern Literature
London, Dent, 1914.
First edition. 8vo. Original red cloth lettered in gilt. Dust-jacket.
A very good first edition, in the scarce dust-jacket, by Canadian author Sullivan - not extraterrestrial 'alien' in this case.
Modern Literature
London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1913.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original red cloth lettered in gilt. Dust-jacket.
First UK edition this key canonical title from the pen of visual impaired author and activist Helen Keller - despite the title, this is in fact a series of essays on socialism. Distinctly uncommon in the dust-jacket.
Modern Literature
New York, William Morrow & Company, 1929.
First US edition. 8vo. Original black cloth decorated in bright green. Dust-jacket, priced $2.50.
An attractive first US edition of the author's first book, first published in England the same year but immediately confiscated with 517 copies of the 750 printed seized, following allegations of the novel being of an obscene nature in large part due to the key role suicide plays in the story. The book was the subject of an obscenity trial, during which all copies seized were ordered destroyed, ensuring that this US edition and an edition published coevally in Paris are effectively the first available editions. The author herself said she would have quite happily rewritten the offending parts, but alas this was not to be. James did go on to further success, writing some 70 more novels, but none of which are still in print.
Modern Literature
London, Rich & Cowan, Ltd, 1936.
First edition. 8vo. Contemporary library cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
A prequel to Doctor Syn. A Tale of the Romey Marsh, seeing the good doctor terrorising the high seas on a revenge mission, prior to settling back down to administer the Word of the Lord.
Modern Literature
A political thriller
London, Constable & Co Ltd, 1937.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
Attractive jacket artwork graces this self-styled 'political thriller' set mainly in a north-country mining town.
Modern Literature
London, Hutchinson, 1952.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue boards. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
Satirical farce by prolific journalist, socialite and novelist, Nancy Spain.
Modern Literature
London, MacGibbon & Kee, 1959.
First edition. 8vo. Original red cloth lettered in gilt to spine. Dust-jacket, priced 15s.
Classic coming-of-age novel set in 1950s London, following the journey of a young photographer and the "absolute beginners" generation. Adapted for film in 1986, featuring Bowie's song inspired by the book.
Modern Literature
seven addresses given for love of the star
Adyar, Madras, India, Theosophical Publishing House, 1917.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth.
An important work by a key figure in early 20th century spiritualism, and in Theosophy in particular; discoverer of Krishnamurti, no less.
Modern Literature
London, MacGibbon & Kee, 1957.
First edition. 8vo. Original black boards. Dust-jacket, priced 15s.
A picaresque novel set in London and following the experiences of a newly arrived Nigerian youth and his official mentor.
Modern Literature
La Chapelle-Réanville, The Hours Press, 1929.
First edition, one of 300 copies on verge paper, from an overall limitation of 500, this unnumbered and assumed out-of-series for presentation. 8vo. Original brown boards, lettered in gilt to upper cover.
Important association copy of the fifth book issued on the Hours Press. The Hours Press was established in Normandy by Nancy Cunard who had obtained the equipment of the Three Mountains Press at a bargain price. "The success of the Hours Press was never in doubt except at the very beginning, when Cunard had only vague ideas of producing contemporary poetry. In its three years, the Hours Press was typographically insignificant (despite its exciting bindings), but in literary terms it was one of the most important of all the private presses". (Cave, The Private Press, p. 193).
Raymond Mortimer was a prominent British literary critic and editor, known for his influential work with the New Statesman magazine. His insightful analyses and cultured sensibilities established him as a leading figure in the British literary world during the mid-20th century.
Modern Literature
Knight (Alanna, pseud. Gladys Allan Cleet) The Legend of the Loch
London, Hurst & Blackett, 1969.
First edition. 8vo. Original red boards, gilt number '09 099480 9' stamped to lower board. Dust-jacket, priced 20s/£1.
The author's first book, weird & supernatural overtones. Winner of the 1968 Netta Muskett award by the Romantic Novelists' Association. An excellent copy.
Modern Literature
London, Longmans, 1960.
First edition. 8vo. Original grey boards. Dust-jacket, priced 16/-.
Storey's debut novel, a raw and powerful depiction of working-class life in Northern England which helped to usher in a new wave of realism in British literature, and cinema with Lindsay Anderson's 1963 film.
Modern Literature
London, John Hamilton, [1938].
First edition. 8vo. Original dark orange cloth. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
Hubin-listed crime fiction with a quasi-nautical element.
Modern Literature
London, John Hamilton, [1935].
First edition. 8vo. Original red boards. Dust-jacket, priced 3/6.
A decent first edition of this adventure story by a British author who spent several years in Rhodesia working as a civil servant.
Modern Literature
Are They Human?
London, Allen & Unwin, 1939.
First edition. 8vo. Original red boards. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
Despite the worrying title, actually a defence of the Jewish people at the time of mounting anti-semitism in Europe, the title itself a play on another '30s publication, The English: are they Human by G.J. Renier.
Bram Stoker Birthday
London, Heinemann, 1908.
First edition, inscribed presentation copy from the author. 8vo. Original red cloth, stamped in black to upper cover and gilt to spine.
Inscribed on preliminary page to: 'Mrs George Burrell with Bram Stoker's (respectful) love 8/6/09'
Mrs. George Burrell is most likely the wife of the Glasgow shipping magnate, a tremendously important and influential figure in late 19th century shipping, who like many rich Victorians became something of a patron of the arts.
Modern Literature
London, Macmillan, 1941.
First edition. 8vo. Original pink cloth. Dust-jacket.
The story of a young composer who, under the auspices of a mysterious millionaire, looks forward to a sumptuous production of his first symphony. Nice copy.
Modern Literature
London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1934.
First edition. 8vo. Original pale blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
A collection of nine short stories that explore various moral and ethical dilemmas faced by different characters in different settings and situations, from the author of The Four Feathers and Fire Over England.
Modern Literature
and other essays
London, Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1951.
First edition. 8vo. Original pale cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 12s6d.
A handsome first edition of this collection, in which Greene shares his love affair with reading in this collection of essays, memories, and critical considerations, both affectionate and tart.
Modern Literature
London, Secker & Warburg, 1966.
First edition. 8vo. Original black boards. Dust-jacket, priced 21s.
Harrowing portrayal of a year in the life of a writer losing the motivation to continue after a recent miscarriage while her marriage comes apart. It examines the breakup of a marriage and the protagonist's subsequent struggle to rebuild her world. It was published about the time of the author's own divorce from George Figes. No copies currently for sale online.
Modern Literature
London, Ernest Benn, 1930.
First edition. 8vo. Original black cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7s6d.
A favourite collection of short stories from the revered V.S. Pritchett.
Modern Literature
London, Piatkus, 1980.
First UK edition, first hardback edition. 8vo. Original burgundy boards. Dust-jacket, without price.
The first hardback printing of Virginia Andrews' darkly psychological, grimly compelling thriller, the first in a series which was eventually, upon the author's death, taken over by a ghost writer. The book was first published in the US in paperback. Copies often turn up without a price as in this case.
Modern Literature
London, Gollancz, 1932.
First edition. 8vo. Original red cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
A weighty omnibus of literary delights, featuring works by Henry James, Sheridan Le Fanu, Robert Louis Stevenson, Rose Macauley and Jane Austen, to name but a few.
Modern Literature
London, Collins, 1936.
First edition. 8vo. Original green cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 8/-.
Considered the author's greatest novel, published posthumously. Centred around a County Council, the novel illustrates how public decisions can mold the individual, at the same time offering a panoramic and unforgettable view of Yorkshire life. Winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize.
Modern Literature
The Turning of the Screw; Covering End
London, Heinemann, 1898.
First edition. Title printed in red & black. 8vo. Original blue cloth, lettered in gilt with Beardsley-esque blind-stamped design to upper cover.
The first publication in book form of James's iconic ghost story 'The Turn of the Screw' as well as his 'Covering End'. 'The Turn of the Screw' was first published in Collier's Weekly and revised slightly for book publication, and 'Covering End' was first published in this edition.
Modern Literature
A Novel
London, Bentley, 1872.
First edition. 3 vols, 8vo. Original brown cloth ruled & lettered in black.
An uncommonly good first edition of this three-decker by the author of The Woman in White and The Moonstone. Classic Collins, "blind love", silver-compound poisoning and a woman in peril.
Modern Literature
London, Michael Joseph, 1950.
First edition. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 9s6d, with publisher's original promotional wraparound.
A great example of the first edition of Lessing's first book, set in South Africa under white rule, chronicling societal disintegration.
Modern Literature
London, Michael Joseph, 1951.
First edition. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 9s6d.
The first edition of the author's second book, a collection of stories set in South Africa. One of the author's defining works.
Modern Literature
London, Peter Davies, 1957.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 15s.
Essential reading for anyone with literary authorial leanings.
Modern Literature
London, Macmillan, 1961.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue/green cloth. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
"Safety does not come first. Goodness, Truth, and Beauty come first. Follow me." A very good first edition of Muriel Spark's most famous novel.
Modern Literature
London, Chatto & Windus, 1956.
First edition. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
An attractive first edition of the author's second novel, in the wonderful Edward Bawden dust-jacket.
Modern Literature
London, Pendulum Publications, 1946.
First edition. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
The semi-autobiographical first book by Frances, who would go on to great success with hardboiled US-style thrillers written under the pseudonym Hank Janson. These books were phenomenally successful in their time, opening the way for a variety of copycat British authors writing in a similar vein, but they did also court controversy when a murder supposedly inspired by one of the Hank Janson titles led to the publishers being taken to court and successfully prosecuted for obscenity (the author managed to avoid a similar fate on it seems a technicality). The publisher Pendulum was set up by Frances, with a doctor friend of his.
Modern Literature
London, Heinemann, 1958.
First edition. 8vo. Original dark blue boards. Dust-jacket, priced 15s.
The second novel in Burgess's Malayan trilogy, set in Dahaga (Malayan for 'thirsty) and following the rise & fall of British expat Victor Crabbe, a microcosm of the waning influence of the British Empire.
Modern Literature
London, Hutchinson, 1933.
First edition. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
Actor, theatrical manager and playwright Robert Courtneidge's sole venture into fiction writing.
Modern Literature
London, Chatto & Windus, 1964 [1963].
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 21s.
Byatt's first novel, an examination of the relationship between a girl and her father. Uncommon.
Modern Literature
A Novel
London, Cassell, 1933.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
An attractive first edition by this author of romantic literature set in South Africa and Rhodesia, a writing career which began in 1903 with Virginia of the Rhodesians.
Modern Literature
London, Rich & Cowan, 1935.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original orange cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
The first UK edition of journalist & writer Breuer's first novel, the basis for the Cary Grant and Carole Lombard film In Name Only (1939). Uncommon in the jacket.
Modern Literature
London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1936.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket.
Nautical adventure with a South East Asian vibe. Uncommon in the jacket.
Modern Literature
London, Secker & Warburg, 1958.
First edition. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 16s.
The first novel by Guyanese author Jan Carew, a tale of tropical adventure, considered a key work in West Indian literature.
Modern Literature
London, Jonathan Cape, 1929.
First edition. 8vo. Original green cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7s6d.
An attractive first edition of this the second work by Irish writer and prominent Republican activist O'Donnell to be set in Donegal, recounting the misfortunes of a Cork family who all died of starvation in 1927.
Modern Literature
Burke (Thomas); Nevinson (C.R.W., jacket artist) Limehouse Nights
London, Grant Richards, 1917.
Fourth printing. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Later issue dust-jacket (c.1921), price-clipped.
An early printing of Burke's famous tales of London's then Chinatown at the early part of the 20th century, in a slightly later but scarce dust-jacket. The work garnered both opprobrium and praise upon its publication in 1916, with some feeling it painted a morally damaging picture of Chinese immigrants cohabiting with white women, in part worsened by the developing trend for so-called "Yellow Peril" fiction by mostly US authors. Jacket artwork by the artist C.R.W. Nevinson, who became famous as a war artist.