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1947 First Edition: The Tin Flute, by Gabrielle Roy
First edition of The Tin Flute, by Gabrielle Roy, published by Reynal & Hitchcock in New York in 1947. Bound in cloth with gilt impressed ornamentation on the cover and lettering on the spine. The volume is in very good condition. The book block is tightly bound, with slight wear and rubbing on the cover and discoloration on the spine. The pages have discoloration due to age of the book, but there is no writing or markings.
The novel follows the lives of a working-class family in Montreal during the Great Depression, focusing on the struggles and dreams of the main character, Florentine. The book explores themes of poverty, love, and the pursuit of happiness.
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1944 Collectible: Green Mansions, by W. H. Hudson, illustrated by E. McKnight Kauffer
Green Mansions is a classic novel by W. H. Hudson, first published in 1904. The story follows the adventures of a young man named Abel, who travels to the South American jungle in search of gold. Along the way, he encounters a mysterious young woman named Rima, who lives in the forest and is rumored to be part bird. Abel is immediately drawn to Rima and the two form a deep connection, but their relationship is complicated by their vastly different backgrounds and the dangers of the jungle. The novel is a romantic and mystical tale that explores themes of love, nature, and the clash between civilization and the natural world.
This vintage edition of Green Mansions is a beautiful collector’s item, featuring stunning illustrations by E. McKnight Kauffer and a foreword by John Galsworthy. The book is in excellent condition, with a printed hardcover and gilt-stamped lettering on the spine. The original slipcase is included, although it shows signs of wear and tear.
$65.00 -
1981 First Edition: The White Hotel, by D. M. Thomas
The White Hotel explores the life of a young woman named Lisa Erdman, who is a patient of Sigmund Freud. The story is told through a series of dreams and memories that Lisa experiences, which reveal her traumatic past and the events that led her to seek treatment from Freud.
The book is a haunting and powerful exploration of trauma, memory, and the human psyche. It is a beautifully written and deeply moving work that has been praised for its vivid imagery, lyrical prose, and complex characters. The White Hotel is a must-read for anyone interested in the human condition and the ways in which we cope with the traumas of our past.
The present volume is the first edition of the book and is in mint condition.
$335.00 -
1925: The Talisman, a Romance by Sir Walter Scott, Bart., edited by Rederick Treudley, A. B.
The Talisman, a Romance by Sir Walter Scott, Bart. is a classic novel edited by Rederick Treudley, A. B. The story is set during the Third Crusade and follows the adventures of a Scottish knight named Sir Kenneth, who is sent to the Holy Land to aid King Richard the Lionheart in his fight against the Saracens. Along the way, Sir Kenneth falls in love with a beautiful Saracen princess named Edith, and must navigate the complex political and religious tensions of the time in order to protect her and fulfill his duty to his king.
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1986 First edition: Heartbreak Hotel, by Gabrielle Burton – Winner of Maxwell Perkins Prize
Heartbreak Hotel by Gabrielle Burton is a novel that tells the story of a young woman named Sarah who sets out on a journey to find her father. Her father, who was a famous musician, abandoned her and her mother when Sarah was just a baby. Sarah is determined to find him and learn more about him and her own identity. She travels to various cities and meets a range of interesting characters along the way. The novel explores themes of family, identity, and the search for meaning in life.
The book was the winner of the Maxwell Perkins Prize and was published in 1986 by Charles Scribner’s Sons. The first edition is a hardcover with a dust jacket in near mint condition. The original Coles price sticker is still on the front cover. There is a slight separation from the spine on the inside cover, which appears to be a manufacturing defect. Heartbreak Hotel is a captivating novel that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and explores the complexities of family relationships.
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1973 First Edition – As If: A Novel of Love After Divorce and Men at War, by Ken Edgar
As If: A Novel of Love After Divorce and Men at War is a powerful anti-war novel written by Ken Edgar. The story follows the lives of two men, one a Vietnam veteran and the other a divorcee, as they navigate the challenges of post-war life. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the psychological impact of war on soldiers and their families.
Through vivid and emotional prose, Edgar paints a picture of the harsh realities of war and the toll it takes on those who fight it. At the same time, he delves into the complexities of relationships and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life after experiencing trauma. As If is a thought-provoking and deeply moving novel that offers a unique perspective on the lasting effects of war on individuals and society as a whole.
$450.00 -
1957: Pygmalion, a romance in five acts, by Bernard Shaw
Pygmalion is a play written by Bernard Shaw, first performed in 1913. The story follows the transformation of a Cockney flower girl named Eliza Doolittle into a refined and elegant lady through the tutelage of Professor Henry Higgins. The play explores themes of class, gender, and identity, as Eliza struggles to navigate her new life and the expectations placed upon her. Pygmalion is a witty and insightful commentary on social hierarchy and the power of language to shape our perceptions of ourselves and others.
This vintage edition of Pygmalion, published in 1957, features an introduction and notes by A.C. Ward. The green and white hardcover cloth volume is well-preserved, with no markings or writing.
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1982: Island of Love, by Yuri Nagibin
Island of Love by Yuri Nagibin is a Russian novel published by Progress Publishers in Moscow. The book is a romantic tale that takes place on a remote island in the Black Sea during World War II. The story follows a young soldier named Alyosha who is sent to the island to guard a military base. While there, he meets a beautiful young woman named Nadya and they fall in love. However, their relationship is complicated by the war and the fact that Nadya is engaged to another man. The novel explores themes of love, duty, and sacrifice as Alyosha and Nadya navigate their feelings for each other in the midst of a tumultuous time.
The book is beautifully written and filled with vivid descriptions of the island and its inhabitants. The characters are well-developed and the reader is drawn into their world, feeling their joys and sorrows as they struggle to make sense of their feelings and the world around them.
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Set of 2: Show Boat, and Cimarron, by Edna Ferber International Collectors Library
Show Boat, by Edna Ferber, is a classic novel that tells the story of the lives of performers on a Mississippi River show boat. The novel explores themes of love, race, and the changing times of the early 20th century. The story follows the lives of the performers, including Magnolia, the daughter of the boat’s owner, and her romance with a gambler named Gaylord Ravenal. The novel also delves into the lives of the African American performers on the boat, and the challenges they face in a society that is still grappling with issues of race and equality. Show Boat is a timeless tale that has been adapted into a successful Broadway musical and several films.
Cimarron, also by Edna Ferber, is a sweeping historical novel that tells the story of the settling of Oklahoma in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The novel follows the life of Yancey Cravat, a newspaper editor and lawyer who moves to Oklahoma with his wife, Sabra, to start a new life. The novel explores themes of ambition, love, and the clash of cultures as the settlers of Oklahoma try to build a new society. Cimarron is a powerful novel that offers a vivid portrait of a time and place in American history, and is considered one of Ferber’s greatest works.
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1950: Women in Love, by D. H. Lawrence
Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence is a classic novel that was re-issued in 1950. The story follows the lives of two sisters, Ursula and Gudrun, as they navigate love, relationships, and societal expectations in early 20th century England. The novel explores themes of sexuality, gender roles, and the struggle for personal freedom and fulfillment. Lawrence’s writing style is known for its poetic and philosophical nature, and Women in Love is no exception. The book is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers with its vivid characters and thought-provoking themes.
This particular edition of Women in Love is a collectible item, with an immaculate green hardcover cloth volume and gilt ornamentation on the cover. The book is in very fine condition, as good as new, and features deckled edges.
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1925: The Great Pandolfo, by William J. Locke
The Great Pandolfo is a novel by William J. Locke that tells the story of Pandolfo, a talented musician who is forced to leave his home country of Italy and seek refuge in England due to a scandal. In England, Pandolfo struggles to make a living as a musician and ends up working as a waiter in a restaurant. However, his talent is eventually discovered by a wealthy woman named Lady Millingham, who becomes his patron and helps him achieve success as a musician. The novel explores themes of love, friendship, and the pursuit of artistic excellence.
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1931: The History of Chevalier Des Grieux and of Manon Lescaut, by Abbe Prevost D’Exiles
The History of Chevalier Des Grieux and of Manon Lescaut is a classic French novel by Abbe Prevost D’Exiles, originally published in 1731. The novel tells the tragic love story of Des Grieux, a young nobleman, and Manon Lescaut, a beautiful and charming woman who leads him into a life of debauchery and crime. The novel is renowned for its vivid portrayal of 18th-century French society, its exploration of the themes of love, passion, and morality, and its powerful and emotional ending. This edition of the novel, translated by Helen Waddel and with an introduction by George Saintsbury, was published in London in 1931 and is a beautiful antique volume with a cloth spine, gilt lettering, and deckled fore-edges.
Despite some wear and rubbing around the corners and edges of the faded board covers, the book is in near-immaculate condition, with no writing or markings on the pages. This edition is a wonderful example of a classic French novel and a beautiful addition to any book collection.
$75.00 -
1924: Shirley, a novel by Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte, part XIV of the World’s Classics
Shirley is a novel written by the Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, and was published in 1924. The story is set in Yorkshire during the Napoleonic Wars and follows the lives of two young women, Caroline and Shirley. Caroline is a quiet and reserved girl who lives with her uncle, while Shirley is a wealthy heiress who owns a large estate. The two women become friends and their lives become intertwined as they navigate love, politics, and social class in a changing world.
The novel is a classic example of Victorian literature and explores themes of gender roles, class divisions, and the struggles of women in a male-dominated society. The Bronte sisters were known for their strong female characters and Shirley is no exception. The novel is a captivating read that transports the reader to a bygone era and provides a glimpse into the lives of women during a time of great social and political change.
$65.00