Rare books from Grayshelf Books, ABAA, IOBA

First Edition/First Printing with the original first issue dust jacket with 9 titles on the back panel, the Scribner's seal on the copyright page, and $1.50 flap price. Near Fine in a Near Fine dust jacket. Housed in a beautiful custom clamshell box. A stunning copy of Hemingway's first novel, published in the same year as "The Sun Also Rises"; this novella length work originated as a satire of Sherwood Anderson's "Dark Laughter", which Hemingway thought was sub par; Hemingway's original publisher Boni & Liveright rejected Torrents most likely because the book parodied it's most popular author; F. Scott Fitzgerald was instrumental in getting Max Perkins at Scribner's to take on Hemingway and thought Torrents was a masterpiece (he and Hemingway were good friends at the time). Scribner's agreed to publish the novel along with future works; only 1250 copies of the book were originally published. This near fine copy is square and tight with only some light soiling to both top corners and the bottom of the… Read More

First UK Edition; A Near Fine book in a Near Fine dust jacket. Typed Letter SIGNED by the author on his stationary laid in. This is the very scarce 1st UK edition; although not the true first (the US was published shortly beforehand), the UK is super rare to find in collectible condition, particularly in the ORIGINAL jacket with no restoration or repair; a truly unique item and a must for the 20th century mystery collector! This novel is on the Modern Library list of 100 greatest novels and is the basis for many film and screen adaptations. This copy is in near fine condition with a square, tight binding, clean yellow boards with bold black lettering, and crisp, off-white to white pages; age spotting is present to the exterior text block and free papers and only light shelf wear to the board edges, else fine. Housed in a near fine dust jacket that is remarkably free of any rubbing or chipping but does show minor discoloration and soiling to the back panel, spine, and flap edges (please see scans for… Read More

First Covici Friede Edition in First state dust jacket with no mention of "Of Mice and Men", with the original Covici Friede title blacked out and the $2.50 price intact on the front flap. A Near Fine book in a Very Good or better dust jacket. Also called the 2nd Edition of the book having originally been published by McBride in 1929; however, this edition reportedly includes sheets from that first edition so some call this 1st Edition, 2nd State; this is the author's first published novel. Inscribed and SIGNED by the author on the title page to a previous owner who also put his name and address discreetly underneath the front flap. This copy is in near fine condition with a square, tight binding, gold lettering over clean maroon boards, and clean white pages with only a hint of foxing throughout; the book does show some light rubbing and sunning to the top board edges and a mild gutter exposure to the first few pages, else fine. Housed in a clean and bright very good or better dust jacket that shows… Read More

First Edition in English; A Near Fine book in a Very Good or better dust jacket. An outstanding copy of this UK Edition, the first translation of a Kafka novel into English, preceding both "The Trial" and "The Metamorphosis"; very scarce in this condition, particularly with the Original, intact dust jacket. Housed in a beautiful custom quarter leather clamshell box. This copy is in near fine condition with a square tight binding, bright blue boards with sharp gold lettering, and pages free of any markings with mild age-toning; the book does show minor rubbing to the board edges, moderate sunning to the spine, and light soiling to the exterior text block. Housed in a crisp and bright very good or better original dust jacket that shows mild rubbing and chipping to the ends, edges, and corners, a light dampstain to the spine, and a small closed tear at the spine fold near the head of the spine. Overall, a sharp and presentable copy of a book rarely seen in this condition; an important addition to the… Read More

Book Club Edition; A Very Good book in a Very Good dust jacket. SIGNED and inscribed by the author to the half title page. This is the BCE, published by Chilton in 1971, rare in collectible condition, exceedingly scarce signed by Herbert; the first novel in the wildly popular Dune series, basis for the films of the same name, including the newly released 2021 version starring Timothy Chalamet, Zendaya, and Oscar Isaac among others. This copy is in very good condition with a square binding, bright red boards with sharp silver lettering, and clean white pages free of markings throughout; the book does show some light rubbing to the ends, edges, and corners, and a back hinge just starting. Housed in a crisp and bright very good dust jacket that shows some minor rubbing and chipping to the ends, corners, and edges, a couple of long creases to the panels (one on the front, one on the back), and a 1" long closed tear to the top of front panel near the spine; the front flap has been clipped where the BCE… Read More

First Edition in English (US edition); A Very Good to Near Fine book in a beautiful custom clamshell box. A stunning copy of this novel, considered to be one of the greatest works of literature in history; this is the 1886 edition published by Crowell in New York, also published in London using the same sheets, with no priority determined; the book was originally published in 1866 in Russian as a serial novel, then published as one volume in 1867, again in Russian. This is the first issue with the one page advertisement at the back with Crime and Punishment listed first at a price of $1.50. This copy is in very good to near fine condition with a square, tight binding and bright gold lettering over clean brown boards; the book does show some age spotting and light foxing to the page edges and pastedowns, a few scattered pencil marks throughout the text, a couple of small creases to the page corners where a reader marked their spot, and a small chip out of the top of a few pages, not affecting the text… Read More

First Edition/first printing with all the prerequisite points for a first printing....intact price of $5.95, first edition stated on copyright page, P6 in gutter on page 199; Fine in a Near Fine dust jacket. SIGNED and dated by the author to the 2nd free paper, without inscription. Provenance for the signing from one of the great auction houses laid in. A stunning copy of the debut novel from the undisputed master of horror; very scarce in this condition, particularly signed and dated by SK. Housed in a beautiful custom clamshell box. This copy is in fine condition, apparently unread and without blemish; housed in a crisp and vibrant near fine dust jacket that shows only light rubbing to the spine ends and corners. An exceptional copy; a cornerstone edition for any King collection! Not remaindered, not price clipped, not ex-library; in a protective Mylar cover and will ship carefully wrapped in a sturdy box.Carrie is an American horror novel and author Stephen King's first published novel, released… Read More

True First Edition/First Printing in wraps in the original spanish; Near Fine. A beautiful copy of the true first edition of the now classic Garcia Marquez novel; this book first published in softcover in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1967; the first hardcover edition did not appear until 1970. Housed in a gorgeous custom clamshell box by Octavaye. This copy is in near fine condition with a solid, tight binding, a bright and sharp front cover, and clean white pages throughout; the book does show some light rubbing and creasing to the spine and edges, and some light foxing to the top of the page edges; a remarkably well preserved copy. Highly presentable and collectible, a bucket list item for the Garcia Marquez fan or the classic 20th century Lit collector! Not remaindered, not ex-library; will ship carefully wrapped and in a sturdy box."Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice..."

First Edition/First Printing with 1929 and the Scribner's Seal to the copyright page, also with first state points on pages 308 and 506. A Near Fine book in a Very Good dust jacket. A spectacular copy of this high point in American Literature, the debut novel for Wolfe, and basis for multiple film and stage adaptations; scarce in the first printing and in this condition. This copy is in near fine condition with a square, tight binding, bright gold lettering over dark blue boards, and clean pages throughout with only a hint of age-toning; the book does show some light rubbing to the edges, a couple of faint smudges to the boards, and a previous bookstore's small stamp to the rear pastedown, else fine. Housed in a sharp and bright original very good dust jacket that has benefitted from some professional restoration and reinforcement, giving this copy a beautiful presentation. Unfortunately, due to loss of paper at the spine head, "Look" is missing from the jacket spine. Housed in a custom clamshell case… Read More

Stated First Edition; A Very Good book in a Near Fine 2nd state price clipped dust jacket. An outstanding copy of this seminal novel; this copy is in the first state red cloth binding, housed in a beautiful sharp and bright 2nd state jacket with the Rand portrait and 3 blurbs to the back cover; uncommon in this condition, particularly with the exceptional jacket. This copy is in very good or better condition with a square, tight binding, gold lettering over clean red boards, and crisp pages free from any markings; the book does show mild fading to the spine, some minor rubbing to the edges, and some light spotting and off-setting to the free papers. Housed in an original, near fine dust jacket that shows only some slight rubbing and creasing to the edges and flaps, a slight wrinkling to the panels, a small area of black stain to the spine head, and a few tiny ink marks to the flaps. Housed in a lovely clamshell box. Overall, a highly collectible and presentable copy; in a protective Mylar cover and… Read More

First US Edition/First Printing stated; a very good book in a very good or better dust jacket. SIGNED by the author to a plate affixed to the title page. A James Bond thriller and basis for the excellent movie starring Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto, and Jane Seymour; as of this listing, the only copy bearing Fleming's signature on the market. This volume is in very good plus condition with a tight binding that has a slight lean, bright lettering on the spine, mild foxing to the pages, and some minor discoloration to the paste downs and free papers. Housed in a very good or better dust jacket that shows minor shelf wear to the ends and edges and some light soiling to the back panel; a couple of small areas to the spine and flap folds have been invisibly re-touched. Overall, a highly presentable copy of this author's 2nd book, greatly enhanced with Fleming's signature. Not price clipped, not remaindered, not ex-library. A clean, attractive copy in archival protection.US

First Edition/First Printing with all first issue points present (the word "pendula" on page 9 and the dot between the 8's on p. 88); A Near Fine book in a Near Fine dust jacket, exceptionally well preserved; copies in this condition or better getting more scarce by the day. This copy is in near fine condition with a tight binding (probably never read), bright spine lettering and design over clean beige boards, and clean, white pages throughout free from any markings; the book shows only a couple of age-spots to the boards and spine, a very light off-setting to the paste downs, and a slight slant to the binding. Housed in a clean, sharp, and bright near fine Original dust jacket, that shows only a mild darkening to the spine and back panel, some faint creasing to the folds, and a couple of small areas of professional reinforcement to the verso of the front panel (invisible externally). Overall, a highly presentable and collectible copy of a title hard to find in this condition; Not remaindered, not… Read More

First Editions/First Printings; All books in Fine/Fine condition with all first issue points. A stunning set of the the first US editions of the now timeless classic; of course, basis for the extraordinary films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, etc., etc. The first US editions, particularly the first 3 volumes, are very scarce in the first printing and in F/F condition; the whole set in the first printing and in this condition rare indeed. "Sorcerer's Stone" shows only slight rubbing to the spine ends and very faint spotting to the top and bottom text block, else as new and unread; "Chamber of Secrets" only a gentle push to the lower spine end and the same very faint spotting, else as new and unread; "Prisoner of Azkaban" also just a slight push to the spine foot, else as new and unread; other 4 volumes as new and unread, barely ever opened. An absolutely incredible set; a bucket list item for the Harry Potter fan! No book remaindered, not price clipped, not ex-library; all in protective Mylar… Read More

Stated first edition/first Printing with the correct number line (ending in a 2); A fine book in a fine dust jacket, as new and unread, housed in a decorative slipcase. A pristine book difficult to find in collectible condition; this volume is in unread, as new condition with a crisp, tight binding and beautiful white pages, housed in a likewise stunning dust jacket that shows none of the common rubbing and tearing to the jacket; only a slight darkening to the flap edges is present. A bucket list item for the McCarthy fan! Not remaindered, not price clipped, not ex-library; in a protective Mylar sleeve and will ship carefully wrapped in a sturdy box.

A set of all 7 volumes of the Deluxe Editions of the Harry Potter series, published by Bloomsbury UK starting in 1999; all volumes in Fine condition, with only a slight shelf rub to a couple of the volumes and faint foxing to the page edges of the first 3 volumes, else as new. The first volume, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" SIGNED by the author to a Bloomsbury bookplate affixed to the front pastedown. A beautiful complete set of the Deluxe Editions, all in the first printings, uncommon found together, the first volume rarely signed; the Bloomsbury bookplate providing a nice provenance for the signing; the first 3 volumes coming from the collection of Robin and Marsh Garces Williams (the deceased, iconic actor/comedian and his 2nd wife). The first 3 volumes all first printings of the deluxe edition with complete number lines; volumes 4 & 5 first printings with the correct statements to the copyright page, volumes 6 & 7 still in the original shrink wrap but state first edition to the… Read More