Ephemera from Lux Libri

Typed letter signed by the former British jockey and crime writer (1920-2010.) Dated 14th Nov. '84. Francis replies to Miss Thorn, a reader critical of his work: "I am sorry you found points in my recent books that have called for criticism … In fact I hope that when you read more of my books you will feel unjustified in… Read more about this item

Autograph quote signed by the British novelist, author of The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) and creator of the Ruritanian romance genre. In black ink on a stiff vellum sheet that measures about 6 x 10 inches. Probably written for his government propaganda efforts during the First World War, for which he was knighted in 1918. The quote reads: "Homage to… Read more about this item

Signed on a slip of paper, "Yours Sincerely / Coningsby Dawson." 3 x 5¼ inches. VG with one horizontal fold line. Dawson (1883-1959) was an Anglo-American novelist and poet who served at the front with the Canadian Field Artillery during World War II. His work included The Glory of the Trenches, a 1918 memoir of his wartime experiences.

Cut signature of the popular novelist, short story writer, and poet. Signed "Sincerely, Margaret Deland." 1¼ x 4 inches. Deland was part of the literary realism movement, and her work often reflected the changing social, religious, and cultural climate of her times. She is best remembered for her bestselling (and controversial) novel, John Ward, Preacher (1888.)

Signed card by the US Naval officer and member of the ill-fated Jeannette expedition to the North Pole. Signed as "Jno. W. Danenhower / Lieut. U.S.N." 1¼ x 3¾ inches with gilded and scalloped edges. VG with typical signs of age, paper remnants on the rear from prior mounting. On the 1879-1881 expedition, the Jeannette became trapped in ice and… Read more about this item

Signed letter by the English historical novelist (1805-1882.) Circa 1840s-1850s on laid paper with crown watermark. One sheet folded to 4 pages. 6¾ x 4¼. Ainsworth writes to arrange a social call on a Mrs. Howard in Upper Charlotte Street, [London.] Signed "W. Harrison Ainsworth. / Kensal Manor House." Ainsworth moved in 1841 to Kensal Manor, where he often hosted… Read more about this item

Bicycle ephemera / 2-page handwritten letter sent from England to America in 1914 regarding repair of a Raleigh bicycle. On the letterhead of Benson & Son, a supplier in York, England, of cycles, parts, accessories, and "Machines Built to Order." 7.25 x 10 inches. VG with original mailing folds. Will ship flat, as shown. Addressed to W.G. Distin of Saranac… Read more about this item

1932 TLS / Charles Hanson Towne. Typed letter signed by the noted author, editor, and literary celebrity. A brief letter of thanks, addressed to Garth Cates of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. One page on the stationery of the New York American, where Towne was a columnist. 8.5 x 11 inches. Good condition with folds, some foxing and stains, tear to… Read more about this item

A humorous, typed letter signed by the English-born American author and occultist. Written in 1912 to literary anthologist Curtis Hidden Page after they mistakenly exchanged hats at the home of poet Edwin Markham. Gray personal stationery, 8.5 x 11 inches. Near Fine with original mailing folds. Will ship unfolded, as shown. Francis Rolt-Wheeler (1876-1960) was a popular and prolific author… Read more about this item

Two (2) bills from Denker & Sons of New York City for purchases in 1945 by Edelberg's Furs of Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks. Edelberg's bought 10 raccoon coats for a total of $1,610. Approx. 6 x 8.5 inches each. VG, as shown.

Three (3) identical broadsides from 1942 for Sunday train excursions to New York City from Boston / Back Bay and Providence, Rhode Island. Fare was $3.85 round-trip with a "Special Coach for Women." Dated 2-6-42 at the bottom. Vertical format, 6.75 x 18 inches long. Blue lettering on white background. Train logo in Art Deco style. Original printings, not reproductions.… Read more about this item

1902 Autograph of the civil rights activist and president of the NAACP. Signed "A.B. Spingarn" in pencil in 1902 on a page removed from an unknown book. Spingarn was an avid collector of books and other material by African Americans, and he has also written [Limited edition] below his signature. Spingarn and his brother, Joel, were Jewish Americans who became… Read more about this item

Autograph letter signed by the English physician and poet. Undated but circa 1880s. Addressed to "Dear Mr. Cotton" [editor of The Academy magazine of London.] Hake writes to submit a sonnet for publication. Signed "T.G. Hake." Good overall with mailing folds, creasing, and an old ring mark. On thick, laid paper. 4.5 x 7 inches. Hake's early prose epic Vales… Read more about this item

Autograph quote signed by the English poet. No date. Tupper responds to an autograph request with a quote in praise of America: "Giant aggregate of nations, / Glorious whole of glorious Parts, / Unto endless generations / Stand United, hands + hearts." Tupper was a leading poet of the Victorian age. His 1838 book, Proverbial Philosophy, sold 1.5 million copies… Read more about this item

Typed letter signed by the American author best known for his historical novel, Drums Along the Mohawk (1936.) Dated November 6, 1960, on his letterhead from Concord, Mass. 9.75 x 8 inches. VG with mailing folds, some creasing. A lighthearted letter. Edmonds acknowledges receipt of an article about a canal boat trip. He regrets being unable to make the trip… Read more about this item

An uncommon manuscript poem by the prolific American author, editor, and translator. Entirely in Dole's hand and signed by him in full at the bottom. Undated, but the poem was first published in 1895 in The Hawthorn Tree and Other Poems (NY: Thomas Y. Crowell.) 9 x 6 inches on cream paper. Blank verso. VG with light mailing fold in… Read more about this item

Circa 1890s pencil drawing of a chubby boy in a plaid shirt with his hair parted in the middle. As found, wrapped in brown paper from Andrus & Church Booksellers of Ithaca, NY. The firm served generations of Cornell students and other patrons from 1852 to the mid-20th century. Along with books, it sold stationery, art supplies and other goods,… Read more about this item

Original typescript of a lecture by Guy Richardson, a New England editor, writer, and early advocate for animal rights. 74 typed pages in four numbered sections with handwritten corrections throughout. Dated 1936 in the text on page 1. As found, stored in a 1924 envelope addressed to Our Dumb Animals, the magazine of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of… Read more about this item

Five armorial bookplates by Karlovsky (1922-1995), a Czech-born heraldry scholar and author whose work included designing a new coat of arms for US President Ronald Reagan when he was governor of California. Fine, unused condition with Karlovsky's red ink stamp on the rear. Sizes range from 2.75 inches square to 3 x 4.25 inches. The five plates are: (1) the… Read more about this item

Three unused bookplates, "From the Collection of Carl Van Vechten." 2x3 inches. Clean and unmarked. Blank, gummed versos. Provenance: Van Vechten estate. Van Vechten (1880-1964) was a writer, photographer, patron of the Harlem Renaissance, and literary executor of Gertrude Stein. His notable novels include Peter Whiffle, Firecrackers, and the controversial Nigger Heaven. He turned to photography later in life, making… Read more about this item