literature

EXCEEDINGLY RARE INSCRIBED COPY OF HENRIK IBSEN’S ‘LADY INGER OF OSTRAT’  —  CHOICE  PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY IBSEN TO POET AUGUST FRESENIUS

IBSEN, HENRIK.  (1828-1906).  Norwegian playwright, director, and poet;  viewed as one of the founders of Modernism in theater.  His book: Die Herrin von Oestrot : Historisches Schauspiel in funf Aufzuugen.  Unter Mitwirkung von Emma Klingenfeld veranstaltete deutsche Originalausgabe der Fru Ingerd til Oestrot. Munich.   Theodor Ackermann, 1877. Small octavo.  [5 ¾ x 7 inches approximately], 171 pages. Original printed blue-green wrappers, browned around the edges/margins, and showing offset from ‘sunning’. A very good copy, that is internally fine.  First edition, presentation copy inscribed by Ibsen to August Fresenius. 

RAYMOND CHANDLER DISCUSSES CHANGING PUBLISHERS  —  “MYSTERY WRITES OF AMERICA… IS FUSSING ABOUT STORIES AGAIN”… “I DON’T LIKE THE CURTIS BROWN ORGANIZATION VERY WELL…NO ONE IN IT KNOWS ABOUT BOOKS OR WRITING, SO I AM THINKING ABOUT MAKING A CHANGE”

CHANDLER, RAYMOND. (1888-1959). Writer of crime fiction, and creator of the hardboiled detective Phillip Marlowe; best known for his: The Big Sleep (1939), The High Window (1942), and The Lady in The Lake (1943).  Uncommon Typed Letter Signed, “Ray,” On his name imprinted 49 Carlton Hill, London, N.W. 8, Mai 4407 letterhead. One full page, quarto. February 21, 1956.

“STRIKE BUT HEAR”  —  A SCARCE LETTER FROM THE PEN OF THE AMERCIAN EDUCATIONAL REFORMER, HORACE MANN, ABOUT AN ARTICLE SUBMITTED TO HIS JOURNAL

MANN, HORACE.  (1796-1859).  American educational reformer; slavery abolitionist;  Whig politician elected to the United States House of Representatives (1848–1853);  President of Antioch College. Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “Horace Mann”.  1 ¼ pages, quarto.  West Newton, Massachusetts.  November 24, 1846.

HILAIRE BELLOC TO A.P. HERBERT ON SOCIAL REFORM OF PRIVATELY HELD ENTERPRISES

BELLOC, HILAIRE. (1870-1953). Franco-English writer, historian, orator, poet, sailor, satirist, and political activist.   Uncommon Autograph Letter Signed, “HB,” on his imprinted Kings Land, Shipley, Horsham black-bordered mourning stationery. Two pages, quarto. No place. [Horsham], October 10, 1933. To “My dear [Alan P.] Herbert.” Herbert (1890-1971) was an English humorist, novelist, playwright, and law reformist.  

LAURENCE BINYON  —  A FINE, REVEALING ARCHIVE OF 6 LETTERS   —

‘I AM ABOUT TO BRING OUT A TRANSLATION OF DANTE’S PURGATORIES IN TRIPLE RHYME; AND I WONDER IF A PAPER ON THIS AND ON THE PROBLEM OF TRANSLATING DANTE WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE? ‘

‘AS I CAN’T SELL MY OWN POEMS, I DON’T SUPPOSE ANY RECOMMENDATION OF MINE IS LIKELY TO SELL ANYBODY ELSE’S’

BINYON, LAURENCE.  (1869-1943).  British poet and art critic;   best known for his poem “For the Fallen,” written at the onset of World War I; Binyon also wrote and translated verse drama and worked as an art historian. Fine group of six Autograph Letters Signed, “Laurence Binyon”, on his imprinted Westridge Farm House, Streatley, Berks. Telephone: Goring 100 stationery.  Eight total pages, octavo.  Berkshire, England, May 27, 1938 to March 30, 1939.  Very fine condition.

MARK TWAIN AND HIS FELLOW HARTFORD, CONNETICUT CITIZENS SEEK TO ARRANGE A LECTURE ON MADAGASCAR!

CLEMENS, SAMUEL L. [MARK TWAIN].  (1835-1910.)  American humorist, lecturer and writer.  Manuscript Letter Signed, “Mark Twain”,  in committee and by other prominent Connecticut residents. Two pages, quarto. Hartford, October 9, 1884.

DICKENS – OLIVER TWIST

WRITING ABOUT THE PUBLICATION OF OLIVER TWIST IN BENTLEY’S MISCELLANY, FROM HIS EARLY 48 DOUGHY STREET LONDON RESIDENCE, WHERE THE MANUSCRIPT WAS WRITTEN

DICKENS, CHARLES. (1812-1870). English novelist.  Superb early, Autograph Letter Signed, “Charles Dickens”. One full page, quarto. ‘48 Doughty Street, London, January 19, 1838’.  To Thomas Lydely.