Rare books from Canon & Rare Booksellers

HEMINGWAY, Ernest

A very early copy of The Old Man and the Sea. Published by Charles Scribner's Sons, 1952.

Description

A notable early copy of the very first US edition.
It is possibly the tightest of all of Hemingway's stories. In polishing which he achieved astonishing depth of meaning in his narrative.
The last of his major works, The Old Man and The Sea earned Hemingway both the Pulitzer and Nobel prizes.
First edition, later issue, with dust jacket blurb announcing the Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes. A handsome copy of Hemingway's award-winning masterpiece.
Near fine condition. Excepting the slightest tone along the jacket top edge, this would be a fine copy. No inscriptions and bright throughout.

ABOUT CANON & RARE BOOKSELLERS.
Established in 2012, Canon & Rare is a family run business. Our speciality is in the discovery of the truly interesting, sometimes unique pieces. And it is driven by value of art and of literature to culture. Like many, we are collectors as well as sellers. As such, our… Read More

WAUGH, Evelyn

Decline and Fall, first edition, first state. Published by Chapman & Hall in 1928.

Description

First edition, first impression of Waugh's first published work. In its first state dust jacket, designed, notably, also by Evelyn Waugh. Waugh's father was the managing director of Chapman & Hall publishers, Evelyn had insisted on illustrating the work himself. Evelyn's experiences at Lancing College and Hertford College, Oxford provided him with the raw comedic material for Decline and Fall. Unsurprisingly, imposture being a key theme.
The first printing is the most difficult of all to acquire in this condition; here with the errata, "Martin Gaythorne-Brodie" and "Kevin Saunderson"; unchanged on pages 168 and 169.
Price unclipped and the correct 7/6 NET.
Near fine. As yet the finest of the near-fine examples of this book we have encountered.
The copy is in its original red snakeskin cloth which bears some rubbing to the head and end slight also to the extremities. The binding is intact… Read More

Stamboul Train, published by William Heinemann, 1932. First editing second issue.
The first issue of the novel was suppressed by Heinemann in response to novelist J.B. Priestley's complaint that the character of "Q.C. Savory" was too obviously a caricature of himself. In this second issue, the character of "Q.C." is renamed "Quin." Following two commercially disappointing novels, Greene was determined to have a success with Stamboul Train: "for the first and last time in my life I deliberately set out to write a book to please, one which with luck might be made into a film."
Jacket design by Philip ("Pip") Youngman Carter (1904-1969)


Near fine copy, in its original jacket. The jacket is excellent; typically very fragile.

A rare example in such condition and unclipped. Only minor (professional) repair, just visible, to inner side, though minor indeed.

Firm with clean pages, excepting some foxing.
Black cloth on board with bright gilt lettering. Equally excellent here too, this near fine.

ABOUT… Read More

Destination Unknown, signed presentation copy.
Superb provenance; from the famous 'Greenway Auction' of 2006 and highly verifiable thus. At auction sold signed books, ephemera and personal effects from the Christie/Mallowan estate. Many of the items were personal gifts from Christie to family members, as was this copy of Destination unknown. Many of the letters (see our other Shop items) were addressed to Mrs. Elliot, who resided at Greenway Cottage, Devon when Christie was away.


First edition, 1954. Published by Collins, in hardback.
Original hard cover, original dust jacket.

This first edition of Destination Unknown is an attractive presentation copy of significance and inscribed by Agatha Christie. Inscribed to the front end paper, where it reads 'James, with love from Agatha, Nov 1954'. Likely to be to her friend and relative James Watts. Through the years, James Watts gave his support and friendship. Most notably, following Christies unexplained disappearance on Friday 3rd December 1926.… Read More

A personal copy of Dickens' Bleak House signed and annotated throughout by the chess champion. The exact date of his acquiring this book is unknown. However, likely he was in his very early twenties and leading up to the 1909 tournament. Which he won to become U. S. Chess Champion. A place he held until 1936.
This is truly a unique insight into a brilliant mind and it's workings and depth. Here is an example of not only his analytical capacity, but how he had honed it. Marshall was best known for his great tactical skill. One aspect of this was the "Marshall swindle", where a trick would turn a lost game around. Andrew Soltis writes that, "In later years his prowess at rescuing the irretrievable took on magical proportions". Not so well known now, but appreciated in his day, was his endgame skill.
An impressive part of chess history indeed.
ABOUT CANON & RARE BOOKSELLERS.
Established in 2012, Canon & Rare is a family run business. Our speciality is in the discovery of the truly interesting, sometimes… Read More

The Fellowship of the ring - 12th Impression
The Two Towers - 10th Impression
The Return of the King - 9th Impression
The Lord of the Rings is a fantasy novel written by the author J.R.R. Tolkien. This first edition set is in very good condition. All three of the books are hardback with original covers with original dust jackets. The Fellowship of the ring is 12th impression, it does have an inscription on the first page from the previous owner. The Return of the ring has a mark on the first page. All the books have a number written from the previous owner on their front cover. Other than this they are in very good condition. These would make a great edition to any collection.
ABOUT CANON & RARE BOOKSELLERS.
Established in 2012, Canon & Rare is a family run business. Our speciality is in the discovery of the truly interesting, sometimes unique pieces. And it is driven by value of art and of literature to culture. Like many, we are collectors as well as sellers. As such, our prices are in accordance… Read More

First edition, 1930, Hardback.
Original hard cover, presentation inscription to (Mellor) Enid and Robin. It reads: 'For Enid + Robin who helped him out on the way W. Somerset Maugham'
Ex-libris, Enid Mellor.

Original black cloth on boards. Binding firm and the spine nice and square. The book has benefitted from minor conservation work and has only slight fading and spotting to parts of the block. There is a split along the front end paper joint. The binding and spine remain solid and firm. Although largely clean it is not the cleanest copy but its history more than makes up for this. It was acquired from the auction of the family estate. This copy and The Hero have survived a fire at the Maugham estate after his death. Minor tear to the bottom of front end paper. Gilt lettering bright, with the dragon design likewise.
ABOUT CANON & RARE BOOKSELLERS.
Established in 2012, Canon & Rare is a family run business. Our speciality is in the discovery of the truly interesting, sometimes unique pieces. And it… Read More

First edition, 1963, Hardback.
Original red cloth boards, original dust jacket, unclipped.

The 1963 imprint of this work is the edition of all editions to own, and it carries its own story. This was a small run of books distributed under John Calder to only the well established book shops, in light of threat of its censorship. The effort to uphold a certain reputation failed. And in February of 1964 several shops in Sheffield, England were raided and all copies of Cain's book confiscated. The much publicised Obscenity trial began in April 1964, in Sheffield. Trocchi's inscription likely is a direct reference to this, by way of its date and place. The verdict ruled (this imprint of, and) the text too offensive in the lifestyle it advocated, to remain in shops. As regards affordability, the paperback prints were not mentioned in the trial. The case is notable in that the court's judgement was the first in the UK to condemn a book for obscenity not for sexual content but for "the lifestyle it… Read More

FLEMING, Ian

Diamonds are Forever

Description

First UK edition, 1956, Hardback.
Original hard cover, original dust jacket. Unclipped.

A near-fine first UK edition of Fleming's fourth novel. It is already a scarce copy and fewer still remain in this condition. The dust jacket is bright and colour good. Jacket remains unclipped. Some rubbing/wear to the corners and head. Pages sharp and crisp. Binding tight. Boards really nice and clean as is shown in the images. There may be tenuous association by way of the naval stamp on the inside front cover, to the set of the 1971 film adaptation.
Diamonds Are Forever opens with a passage in which a scorpion hunts and eats its prey, and is subsequently killed by one of the diamond couriers. Eco sees this "cleverly presented" beginning as similar to the opening of a film, remarking that "Fleming abounds in such passages of high technical skill". When the writer William Plomer was proof-reading the manuscript he saw literary merit, and wrote to Fleming that the… Read More

Yeats, William Butler

The first UK edition: The Cutting of An Agate.
Here with connected notes, inscribed and signed by Yeats in black ink on paper.

Description
Original blue cloth on boards; with an attractive design and lettering in gilt by Thomas Sturge Moore.

Binding tight and the spine is square. A name plate is on the inside from cover; from a previous collector and therefore neat. Clean throughout, if only for a little rubbing to the extremities and head. Better than very good indeed.
First edition, first published in the UK in 1919, some 7 years after the true first, US edition; and both thus differ considerably.
The notes are approximate extracts from the text, in Yeats' hand and signed at the top; likely thus related in some way to the alteration of the 1912 US edition. Of which change there were many.
These extracts are of Yeats' meditation on the works of Homer, Blake and Spencer in particular, who were profound influence on Yeats.
Containing also an error somewhat characteristic,… Read More

Prince Caspian - The Return to Narnia - First Edition - 1951
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - First Edition/Fourth Impression - 1952
The Silver Chair - Fifth Impression
The Horse and his Boy - Fifth Impression

The Prince here is a clean and neat example of the rare first edition. It has survived well. The condition is very good indeed or better. The dust jacket is complete and the price is unclipped. There are some small tears along the top edge as shown and a little rubbing on the front flap edge. Spine lightly toned, otherwise the colours remain correct. Also the price is the correct amount of 10s. 6d. End papers show the map of the north.
Very much in collectible condition and scarce indeed in the dust jacket. The same is true for the other three volumes.
The book itself is blue cloth on boards with silver lettering which remains bright and as was originally. The binding is good and tight, ever so slightly left leaning. The pages are very clean and white— also is a standout point of this book.… Read More

FLEMING, Ian

Dr. No. First edition published by Jonathan Cape, 1958. The first of the bond novels to be adapted for the screen.

Description

A bright and fine copy. In its original jacket, matt paper, design by Pat Marriot. Stated likewise on rear end flap. Otherwise blank. Front end flap with the correct price of 13s 6d net. Only trace sunning along the 3mm of flap top edges, otherwise pristine. The brown colours of the jacket are unfaded, retaining their freshness.
The pages are clean and bright excepting one spot to front inside cover. This is remarkable for a print run susceptible to foxing. The block edges also excellent; the paper retains it fresh, white colour throughout.
Original black cloth, unsplit as would be expected. A touch only of rub to the head. The front bearing dancer's silhouette, though no preference is given over the plain black cloth.
Perfectly square, retains its firmness also.
Scarce in this condition and highly collectible thus.

ABOUT CANON & RARE BOOKSELLERS.
Established… Read More

MAUGHAM, Somerset W.

The Hero, published by Hutchinson in 1901

Description

The first state of the first edition, bearing the Moorish, but printed upside down.
Presentation copy; Inscribed by Maugham.

Seldom seen on the market in its first state and almost never with Maugham's inscription. It was the first book to have his Moorish symbol printed on the front. On the very first run it was printed upside down, but quickly corrected. Thus making the number of the true first edition very limited. Indeed it is generally acknowledged the most scarce of all Maugham's firsts. The book has benefitted from some conservation work and is attractively housed in its quarter-leather clamshell presentation box. Some fading to the spine, on which previous cracking has been worked on to prevent spreading. Some bumping to the corners and conservation neat though visible to inside cover joint. This copy with good provenance, property of the late author and by descent of his family.

ABOUT CANON & RARE BOOKSELLERS.… Read More

CHRISTIE, Agatha

Complete Crime Collection - 24 vol. 1969-72


Description

All volumes in this collectors' set remain firmly bound. Original on board and with original dust jackets. All 24 volumes present.
The collection was published and released for the readers between 1969 and 1972.
Near fine condition; four only have a small stain to the spine ends. Six only have some fading of the spine to varying degrees. Though none so that they be illegible. For the most part they retain their rose red. Pages clean without inscriptions. A well looked after and bright set.

ABOUT CANON & RARE BOOKSELLERS.Established in 2012, Canon & Rare is a family run business. Our speciality is in the discovery of the truly interesting, sometimes unique pieces. And it is driven by value of art and of literature to culture. Like many, we are collectors as well as sellers. As such, our prices are in accordance with some personal value of a piece as well as its market value.RETURNSCanon & Rare Booksellers offer a guarantee… Read More

A composition of mixed media on canvas; oils, enamels and acrylics. Housed in a complementing wooden frame, black with red hue. The frame is handmade.
Peter Doberman is one of a small minority of artists unconstrained by style or genre; therefore one of the most versatile we have exhibited. Assurance of hand immediately apparent, as is the composition. Doberman's most apparent influences, are equally varied; here, Boticelli, Rubens, Manet, Renoir, van Gogh, Picasso.
External measurement, 81x73cm.
Framed, 83x75cm.

ABOUT CANON & RARE BOOKSELLERS.Established in 2012, Canon & Rare is a family run business. Our speciality is in the discovery of the truly interesting, sometimes unique pieces. And it is driven by value of art and of literature to culture. Like many, we are collectors as well as sellers. As such, our prices are in accordance with some personal value of a piece as well as its market value.RETURNSCanon & Rare Booksellers offer a guarantee to our buyers, that all items purchased from us are… Read More