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1980: World of Wonders, by Robertson Davies
World of Wonders is a thought-provoking novel written by Robertson Davies and published by Penguin Books in Canada in 1980. This vintage paperback edition, spanning 315 pages, is a pristine copy that has never been fully opened, making it a true gem for collectors and avid readers. Set in a small Canadian town, the story follows the life of Magnus Eisengrim, a renowned illusionist, as he unveils the secrets of his extraordinary career. Exploring themes of identity, illusion, and the power of storytelling, this contemporary novel offers readers a captivating journey into the world of magic and self-discovery.
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1989: Selected Poems, by Halldis Moren Vesaas
Selected Poems is a collection of poetic works by Halldis Moren Vesaas, skillfully translated by Wakefield and Thompson. Published by White Pine Press in Buffalo in 1989, this 75-page volume showcases the profound and evocative verses of Vesaas. The black pictorial softcover, with its glossy finish, adds an elegant touch to this brand new book. Impeccably preserved, it bears no scratches or markings, making it a pristine addition to any poetry enthusiast’s collection.
Delving into themes of nature, introspection, and the human experience, this collection offers readers a glimpse into Vesaas’ poetic brilliance.
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1992 First Edition – Possible Worlds & A Short History of Night, by John Mighton
Possible Worlds & A Short History of Night is a thought-provoking collection of two plays written by John Mighton. First edition, published by Playwrights Canada Press in 1992.
The plays offer readers a unique exploration of human relationships, identity, and the nature of reality. With its engaging plotlines and insightful themes, this contemporary play collection is a valuable addition to any theater enthusiast’s library.
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1972: Old Tales Retold, by Lu Hsun
Old Tales Retold by Lu Hsun, second edition published by Foreign Language Press in Peking in 1972. This compact softcover volume consists of 137 pages and offers a collection of retold tales.
The book explores various themes and provides a fresh perspective on traditional stories.
With minor rubbing, wear, and staining on the cover, the book is in very good condition overall. It is clean, without any writing or markings, and tightly bound. A red stamp belonging to the National Publications Centre can be found on the bottom back cover.
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1978: Another Fine Myth, by Robert Asprin
Another Fine Myth, by Robert Asprin, is a first edition contemporary fantasy novel published by Donning in Norfolk in 1978. The story follows the adventures of Skeeve, a young magician’s apprentice, who is unexpectedly thrown into a world of magic and mayhem when his master is assassinated. As Skeeve navigates through this new realm, he teams up with a colorful cast of characters, including a demon named Aahz, to unravel a mysterious plot and save the day. With its witty humor and imaginative world-building, Another Fine Myth is a must-read for fans of the fantasy genre.
This pictorial softcover volume is in very good condition, with only minor wear to the cover corners. The only notable flaw is the absence of the front blank page. Otherwise, this book is nearly as good as new.
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1973 First Edition – The Crimean War: A Reappraisal, by Phillip Warner
The Crimean War: A Reappraisal, written by Phillip Warner, is a meticulously researched and comprehensive reappraisal of the Crimean War. This 1973 first edition, published by Taplinger Publishing Company, offers readers a deep dive into the historical context, key events, and significant figures of the war. Spanning 216 pages, this red cloth hardcover volume is in mint condition, with deckled fore-edges and a clean, tightly bound interior. Although the dust jacket is not present, the book remains a valuable addition to any history enthusiast’s collection.
Warner’s work explores the plot of the Crimean War and delves into its key themes of military strategy, political maneuvering, and the impact on international relations.
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1965: Prime Minister’s Daughter, by Maurice Edelman
Prime Minister’s Daughter by Maurice Edelman is a thought-provoking political novel set in 1960s England. Published by Random House in New York in 1965, this 246-page book offers readers an insightful exploration of power, family dynamics, and the complexities of political life.
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1990 First Edition: Three Blind Mice, by Ed McBain
Three Blind Mice by Ed McBain is a gripping crime thriller set in New York. Published in 1990 by Arcade Publishing, this first edition spans 233 pages and is presented in a black hardcover volume with a striking red spine. Both the dust jacket and book body are in mint condition, exhibiting a clean and tightly bound copy.
McBain’s masterful storytelling takes readers on a suspenseful journey as a series of murders unfold, leaving the detectives to unravel the truth behind the elusive killer.
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1965: Don’t Stop The Carnival, by Herman Wouk
Don’t Stop The Carnival by Herman Wouk is a humorous novel set in the Caribbean. Published by Doubleday & Company in 1965, this book club edition is a must-read for fans of contemporary fiction. The mustard-colored hardcover volume features lettering on the spine, while the dust jacket is in near mint condition. With 352 pages, the book is clean, tightly bound, and free of any markings or writings. The deckled fore-edges and red top edges add a touch of elegance to this well-preserved copy. Although there is a little bit of foxing on the inside of the dust jacket, the book itself is in excellent condition.
Dive into the plot as the protagonist, Norman Paperman, embarks on a hilarious journey to escape his mundane life and become the owner of a Caribbean hotel.
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1947: Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift, illustrated by Alden Watson
Gulliver’s Travels is a classic work of fiction by Jonathan Swift, illustrated by Alden Watson. This revised and slightly abridged edition is part of the Illustrated Junior Library series by Grosset & Dunlap. The book follows the adventures of Lemuel Gulliver, a ship’s surgeon who finds himself stranded in various fantastical lands inhabited by strange creatures and encountering bizarre customs. The story is a satire on human nature and society, and Swift uses Gulliver’s experiences to comment on various aspects of 18th-century English society, including politics, religion, and science.
This vintage edition of Gulliver’s Travels is beautifully illustrated and in excellent condition, with no markings or writing in the book. Although the dust jacket shows minor wear, it would make a wonderful addition to any home library.
$75.00 -
1980 Signed First Edition: Who Stole Kathy Young? by Margaret Goff Clark
Who Stole Kathy Young? by Margaret Goff Clark is a mystery novel published in 1980. The story revolves around the disappearance of a young girl named Kathy Young and the subsequent investigation to find her. The book is written in a classic whodunit style, with multiple suspects and twists and turns throughout the plot. The first edition of the book is signed by the author and is in excellent condition, making it a valuable collectible for fans of the genre.
Who Stole Kathy Young? is a gripping and well-written mystery novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The author’s attention to detail and skillful character development make for a compelling and engaging read. Fans of classic mystery novels will appreciate the book’s intricate plot and clever twists, while those new to the genre will find it to be an excellent introduction to the world of mystery fiction. With its rare first edition signed by the author, this book is a must-have for collectors and fans alike.
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1947: Deeper the Heritage, by Muriel Elwood
Deeper the Heritage is a vintage children’s book written by Muriel Elwood and published by Charles Scribner’s Sons in New York. The story follows a young girl named Peggy as she discovers her family’s rich heritage and learns about her ancestors’ struggles and triumphs. The book is a heartwarming tale that teaches children the importance of family and history.
This vintage novel is a must-have for any home library. It is well-bound, clean, and has no markings other than the owner’s signature in the top corner of the title page. Although the dust jacket has a chip at the top of the spine, it is still in excellent condition considering its age.
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1919: Quality Street, by J. M. Barrie, Theatre Play in Three Acts
Quality Street is a theatre play in three acts written by J. M. Barrie and published in 1919 by Charles Scribner’s Sons. The play is set in the early 19th century in Quality Street, a fictional street in England, and follows the story of two sisters, Phoebe and Susan, who are in love with the same man, Valentine Brown. When Valentine goes off to war, the sisters decide to open a school for girls and dress up as their younger selves to attract students. However, when Valentine returns, he fails to recognize them and falls in love with Phoebe, causing a series of misunderstandings and comedic situations.
The book is a uniform edition with a green cloth hardcover and gilt stamped lettering on the cover and spine. It is in exceptionally good condition for a 103-year-old book, with only minor rubbing on the cover and some fading and occasional foxing on the pages. The book features thick, quality paper and printing and is tightly bound and clean. It also includes an ink inscription on the inside cover dated to 1922. Quality Street is a charming and entertaining play that would make a wonderful gift for theatre enthusiasts and fans of J. M. Barrie’s work.
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1898: The Complete Works of Lord Alfred Tennyson, Poet Laureate, Illustrations by Gustave Dore
This book is a collection of all the works of Lord Alfred Tennyson, who was the Poet Laureate of England. The book is beautifully illustrated with eight plates reproduced from Gustave Dore’s famous drawings. The volume is bound in black leather with gilt lettering on the spine and all page edges are painted red. There is mild discoloration caused by moisture on the front end paper and some minor foxing and staining on certain pages. The book is well-bound and a pleasure to hold. This book would make a great gift for anyone who loves poetry.
$175.00 -
1940s – A Book of Discovery: The History of the World’s Exploration, from the Earliest Time to the Finding of the South Pole, M. B. Synge
A Book of Discovery: The History of the World’s Exploration, from the Earliest Time to the Finding of the South Pole is a non-fiction book by M.B. Synge that chronicles the history of human exploration from ancient times to the early 20th century. The book is fully illustrated with maps and images from authentic sources, providing a comprehensive and engaging account of the world’s most famous explorers and their expeditions. Although the book is undated, a pencil inscription suggests it was published in 1942, making it a valuable historical artifact in its own right.
Despite some wear and tear on the cover and spine, the book is in excellent condition and would make a wonderful gift for anyone interested in history or exploration. The pages are minimally discolored and there is only minor foxing on the front end papers and title page. The fore edges and bottom edges are deckled, adding to the book’s vintage charm.
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1961 The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany, by William L. Shirer, Second Printing
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich is a comprehensive historical account of Nazi Germany, written by William L. Shirer. The book covers the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, as well as their reign of terror during World War II. Shirer draws on his experience as a journalist in Germany during the 1930s to provide a firsthand account of the events that led to the Holocaust and the downfall of the Third Reich.
This particular edition of the book was published in 1961 and is a second printing.
$75.00 -
1935 The March of Man: A Chronological Record of Peoples and Events From Prehistoric Times to The Present Day, by Lawrence H. Dawson
The March of Man: A Chronological Record of Peoples and Events From Prehistoric Times to The Present Day is a comprehensive historical reference book that provides a comparative time chart of universal history in seven sections, an historical atlas of 96 pages, and 64 plates of illustration. Written by Lawrence H. Dawson and published by the Encyclopaedia Britannica, this large format red hardcover volume is a second impression from 1935.
While the spine and parts of the front and back cover have faded, and there is some wear and rubbing present, the book is well bound, clean, and in very good condition given its age. The volume is a great resource for any student of history, as it is filled with old world maps and plates. The owner’s signature can be found on the inside cover, but there are no other markings or writing in the book.
$125.00 -
1964: Edge of Manhood, by Thomas Fall, illustrated by Henry C. Pitz
Edge of Manhood is a coming-of-age novel written by Thomas Fall and illustrated by Henry C. Pitz. The story follows the journey of a young man named David as he navigates the challenges of growing up and finding his place in the world. Set in the early 20th century, the book explores themes of masculinity, family, and identity, as David struggles to reconcile his own desires and ambitions with the expectations of those around him.
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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 -
1947 First Edition – Adversary in the House: a Biographical Novel by Irving Stone
Adversary in the House is a biographical novel by Irving Stone that was published in 1947. The book tells the story of the life of Claude Debussy, a French composer who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the world of music. The novel is set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and follows Debussy’s life from his childhood in Paris to his rise as a prominent composer. The book is written in a narrative style and provides a detailed account of Debussy’s personal life, his relationships, and his struggles as an artist.
Stone’s writing style is engaging and immersive, and he does an excellent job of bringing Debussy’s world to life. The book is well-researched and provides a fascinating insight into the life of one of the most celebrated composers of all time. Adversary in the House is a must-read for anyone interested in music, history, or biographical novels.