Rare books from Arundel Books of Seattle

Upton Sinclair, 1953. First Edition. Unknown. Very Good/No Jacket. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Believed to be the last of Upton Sinclair's unpublished book-length manuscripts in private hands, AMERICAN FABLES is a uniquely important piece of American literary history. Sinclair's body of work dealt with numerous issues and trends in American, life, society and politics during this era, but often as part of a larger, character-driven narrative. AMERICAN FABLES was his signal attempt to synthesize these key threads by combining sections of his work with that of other authors. The work takes the form of 30 'Fables', seventeen of which are Sinclair, thirteen by others including such prominent American authors (and friends) Jack London, Sinclair Lewis, Lincoln Steffens, and John Reed. Also included are contributions by Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr, the noted anarchist Prince Kropotkin, E. W. Scripps, Harry Price, Prynce Hopkins, and others. Sinclair's own seventeen 'Fables' are taken from or based on… Read More

Eastburn, Kirk and Co, 1814. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" Brig Gen. Duncan McArthur's Orders to Attend General Hull's Court Martial A remarkable document from the Court Martial Brig. General William Hull following his surrender of Detroit, which resulted in a death sentence for cowardice. Although his sentence was later remitted, General William Hull is the only U.S. general to be sentenced to death by an American court-martial. This copy of the court martial transcript belonged to Hull's second in command, Brig Gen. Duncan McArthur, and includes the actual hand-written orders commanding him to attend (and testify). McArthur's testimony was an essential and central part of the trial, filling the entirety of pages 47 to 73. In it (as well as numerous contemporary accounts), his outrage against Hull's conduct as Commander of the Army of the Northwest during the War of 1812, including the entire campaign in and around Detroit, which ended with Hull's surrender… Read More

D. & C. Landreth, Nursery and Seedsmen, 1832. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/No Jacket. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. A true botanical rarity, according to The National Gallery of Art 'Nurserymen David and David Landreth (father and son) began the first American gardening periodical in 1832 with the short-lived publication of The Floral Magazine and Botanical Repository, one of the first American magazines to be printed by lithography.' The Landreths operated America's first seed company (see below). Only a handful of copies of this work are known to survive. Engraved title page, with vignette by J. Allbright, engraved by J.B. Longacre. Complete with all 31 color lithograph plates by W. Allbright. William Albright (also Allbright, Albrecht), 1793-1852, best remembered for this American botanical landmark. The stunning botanical plates for this exceptionally rare volume were lithographed by various Philadelphia firms, including Kennedy & Lucas, Childs & Inman, M.E.D. Brown, and J. F. & C. A.… Read More

The Author, 1960. Unknown. Very Good/No Jacket. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. The James Leong Archive of Eugene Berman: Letters, correspondences, Art & etc. This content-rich collection of letters & etc., to James Leong (and Leong's partners), includes: 49 Autograph Letters Signed; 9 Autograph Postcards signed; 1 sketchbook (with 6 original sketches); 2 expense books entirely in Berman's hand; and a small collection of original art and ephemera Eugene Berman (1899-1972), Russian-born artist, illustrator, and designer of sets for ballets and operas. Berman lived in Rome for many years (1955-1972), where he became close friends with noted Chinese-American artist James (Jimmy) Leong. James Leong (1929-2011), Chinese-American artist known for his work exploring racial identity and discrimination, lived in exile for decades. I. Letters: 49 ALS from Eugene Berman to James Leong (Feb. 23, 1960 - Feb. 1, 1971) [in process] Feb. 23, 1960; 2 page letter (A4 monogrammed stationery) E.B. recommending different… Read More

Loujon Press, 1964. Unknown. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" A superb collection of Loujon Press correspondence between Jon and Gypsy Lou (Louise) Webb, and Outsider contributor Marcus Jack Grapes. See extensive discussion of the Grapes / Webb relationship in Weddle: BOHEMIAN NEW ORLEANS: THE STORY OF THE OUTSIDER AND LOUJON PRESS. Spanning the years 1964 to 1970, this choice collection of 34 letters (many multi-page), 5 postcards, and 6 related items (some letters with additional material, inscribed ephemera, etc.), spans the greatest years of Loujon Press, and sees the press migrate from New Orleans to New Mexico, Tucson, and Nashville. Jack Grapes (b. 1940), was a Tulane undergraduate and aspiring poet. In addition to being an OUTSIDER author, poet, editor, and publisher, he was also one of the Webb's closest friends (one of only two people besides Charles Bukowski being allowed at the Webb's home during the production of CRUCIFIX IN A DEATHHAND) and a Loujon supporter. Grapes, who… Read More

Black Sparrow Press, 1971. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine. Copy #16 of 250 numbered hardcover copies signed by Charles Bukowski. This copy has great provenance - being Bill Katz's copy, with facsimiles of two pre-publication letters from publisher John Martin to Katz (from December 1970 and January 1971), discussing Katz's prior pivotal review of 'The Days Run Away...' in Library Journal, which Martin credited for making the sale of the book, and discussing sending proofs of 'Post Office' to Katz, hoping for another Library Journal review. Katz in fact did write the review, the results of which Bukowski credited with helping him to become a full-time writer. This copy also includes the original Black Sparrow review slip, with Black Sparrow's note in pencil 'First novel - Bill Katz / dup. on shelf.' Also includes a facsimile of a carbon copy of Katz's letter to Bukowski presenting his personal view of 'Post Office' (as oposed to the review). A very near to fine copy of this important work, in… Read More

Limited Editions Club, 1935. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine. Copy #1365 of 1500 numbered copies, one of the 250 copies signed by both James Joyce and Henri Matisse. A fine copy in the original gilt-stamped brown cloth, entirely unfaded with tight hinges; in a solid and intact copy of publisher's slipcase (the book has a couple of faints spots or bruises to the deckles on foredge; the slipcase has light wear and a few marks). Illustrated with 6 original etchings and 20 photomechanical reproductions by Henri Matisse Housed in a sturdy custom brown cloth clamshell box with black leather spine stamped in gilt. One of the most storied illustrated books of the 20th century. Although the tale is often erroneously told that Matisse thought he had been hired to illustrated Homer (and did so), Alfred Barr wrote "Matisse remarked that he had observed how Joyce's Ulysses was divided into episodes based on Homer's Odyssey ... Macy accepted the suggestion and Matisse went to work." (Matisse: His Art and His… Read More

Walt Whitman, 1866. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine. First edition, second issue of Whitman's epic collection of poems inspired by the Civil War. This is the second issue, including the 'Sequel' of poems inspired by Lincoln's assassination. This is an exceptional, very near-to-fine copy in the original brown cloth decorated in gilt, very fresh and nearly as issued. There is some minor nicking to the top of spine, and there are soeslight traces of wear, but otherwise this copy is fresh andentirely unrestored. Previous owner's ink inscriptionon front endpaper.

Contact Publishing Company, 1923. First Edition. Paperback. Fine. A fine copy of Ernest Hemingway's rare first book (Hanneman A1a), one of only 300 copies issued. A nearly perfect copy in the original grayish-blue wraps. The only defect is a tiny nick to the top of spine. Housed in a custom burgundy cloth clamshell box for protection. One of the great literary rarities of the 20th century, and of American literature as a whole.

Carey & Lea, 1833. First Edition. Leather Binding. Very Good. A delightful copy with great provenance of the first American edition of this Jane Austen classic. This copy is from the library of Cordelia Darrach, one of the great early 'fangirls' of the American literary public, with her signature on the title page of each volume ('Mrs. Cordelia Darrach'). A very good copy in mid-19th century brown morocco over marbled boards, spine with raised bands, gilt titling, and twin gilt rules at foot (light wear; text has some browning and foxing). Very lightly inscribed in pencil on front free endpaper: 'For Mrs [Nelson?] to while away yr leisure hours.' One of only 1250 copies issued of the first American edition, published just as Richard Bentley was re-issuing Austen's work in the UK. Gilson B5. No further American edition was issued until 1838. Darrach's passionate letters to authors and friends about how books impacted her life and spirit have become part of the critical literature of the period. See… Read More

Charles Scribner's Sons, 1924. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. GREG BEAR'S SET IN CUSTOM BINDINGS, signed by H. G. Wells. This unique set is from the library of award-winning science fiction author Greg Bear, and is housed in a special set of custom bindings that he commissioned (see below). from binder Sem Diakite of Aux Petits Fers Book Arts Studio. Copy #70 of 1050 sets of the Atlantic edition, hand-numbered and signed by author H. G. Wells in volume I. 28 volumes, complete as issued. The bindings, of full black polished calf, have spines with two large leather labels in contrasting blue and burgundy leather stamped in silver and gilt respectively, each front cover features embossed panels of ca. 3.25 x 2.375 inches, painted in a glossy black, and each featuring a unique pictorial onlay in colored leather (ranging from 1 to 5 colors, some with hand-drawn details), the original patterned endpapers are preserved, and the binder has added marbled endpapers that extend to form atriangular… Read More

Bradbury & Evans, 1849. First Edition. Paperback. Very Good. First edition in the original parts (20 parts issued in 19). Housed in an attractive dark forest green morroco and marbled boards slipcase with green cloth folding chemise, A very good, complete set, with restoration to spines and some nicks and tears to edges, occasional spots and minor stains. Internally quite nice. 8vo (220 x 142mm), 20 parts in 19, etched frontispiece, title and 38 plates after Hablot K. Browne ('Phiz'), original blue-green pictorial wrappers (Part 8 bears the same back wrapper as part 6 rather than described; Part 11 has the described back wrapper but is accompanied by additional, unaccounted for advertisements), with all the advertisements called for by Hatton and Cleaver (including "Lett's Diaries" folded sheet in part 8, slips advertising Household Words in parts 11-14 and 16, slip for Punch's Holidays in parts 16 and 19/20, slip for Writings of Douglas Jerrold for part 19/20 and the slip for the New Illustrated… Read More

Charles Scribner's Sons, 1932. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Good. HADLEY HEMINGWAY'S PERSONAL COPY SIGNED BY HER. A superb association copy, signed with the ownership inscription of Hadley Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway's first wife and greatest and truest love, on front endpaper, in her fine hand: 'Hadley R. Hemingway, 98 3rd. Auguste Blanqui Paris.' A poignant association copy, given the profound impact Hemingway's fascination with Spanish bullfighting had on his relationship with Hadley (even giving their son Jack a middle name in honor of a bullfighter), and the part it played in his ultimate betrayal of Hadley (to his everlasting regret), the woman he referred to as his true love. First edition, first printing of this classic Hemingway. Original black cloth stamped in gilt, in original jacket (jacket has a large chip to 'T' in title on spine extending to rear cover, with some other nicks and tears and tape repairs to verso; book has some minor fading in spots and light edge wear). Hanneman… Read More

Charles Scribner's Sons, 1935. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT HEMINGWAY PRESENTATION COPIES EVER OFFERED FOR SALE: Inscribed by Ernest Hemingway to Hadley Hemingway and his son Jack (Bumby), on the dedication page, as Hemingway expands the printed dedication ('To Philip, to Charles, and to Sully') . Hemingway's continuing inscription, entirely in his hand in black ink, reads: 'also to Hadley and Paul and to Bumby with much love from Pauline, Ernest, Patrick. and Gregory, and all of Africa. The lion enclosed under separate cover is the same lion Pauline almost shot on page 40.' To our knowledge, this is the only presentation copy from Ernest to Hadley ever to come on the market. First edition, first printing of this classic Hemingway. Original black cloth stamped in gilt, in original jacket (jacket has a large chip to 'T' in title on spine extending to rear cover, with some other nicks and tears and tape repairs to verso; book has some minor fading in spots… Read More

R. and J. Dodsley / T. Becket and P.A. Dehondt [Dehont], 1760. First Edition. Leather Binding. Fine. Signed by author Laurence Sterne in Volume V, VII, and IX (as an anti-piracy measure). A fine set, beautifully bound in full brown speckled and polished calf, spines with raised bands, three contrasting black and red morocco labels, and delicate gilt floral tooling within gilt-ruled compartments, covers bordered with twin gilt fillets, with the inner featuring floral devices at corners, gilt-tooled inner dentelles, all edges gilt. A stunning set, with only slight traces of wear. A mixed set, of which seven volumes are first editions. Volume I is a Second edition (the first Dodsley and first London printing, 1760); Volume II is a Third edition (Dodsley, 1760); Volumes III through IX are all first editions: Volumes III and IV issued by Dodsley inh 1761; Volumes V through IX issued by Becket and Dehondt 1762-1767 (one volume erranrtly spelling it 'Dehont'. SUPERB PROVENANCE: Margot Asquith's copy,… Read More