Rare books from Houle Rare Books & Autographs

("Ayn") in blue ink on her Ayn Rand, 10,000 Tampa Avenue, Chatsworth, California letterhead, October 10, 1948. 7 1/4" x 10 1/2". 2 pages (recto only). Fine. To her literary agent H.N. Swanson; 8523 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood 46, Calif. An important letter with comments on "We the Living" and "The Fountainhead". In part: ". . . I am returning the synopsis of WE THE LIVING made at Fox . . . this synopsis is quite awful. It is so confused that I could not untangle the story from it myself . . . I have to keep in mind the fate of THE FOUNTAINHEAD: it was rejected by all the studios on the basis of the synopses . . . Blanke bought it after Barbara Stanwyck talked him into reading the book itself . . . Under separate cover, I am sending you copies of my two unproduced plays . . ."

First edition. Octavo. Frontispiece and 15 full-page illustrations by Sidney Paget. Original red cloth stamped in gilt with elaborate floral design and pictorial hound in black, signed A.G.J. (a bit of foxing to endpapers, but no foxing in the text). Very good. 359 pages. No signatures or bookplates. Enclosed in a 1/2 blue morocco slipcase with folding chemise. A scarce book in the original cloth. Green & Gibson A26a. Remnant of small bookseller's label on the rear pastedown.

("A. Lincoln") in black ink [Washington, DC], May 12, 1863, being 7 lines on the verso of the second leaf of an autograph letter to Lincoln from Robert Chester, Buffalo, May 9, 1863, 2 pages; 7 7/8" x 12 3/4", on a bifolium of blue-ruled paper, neatly reinforced at folds. Lincoln deals with an officer seeking "An Honorable Discharge & to Avoid a Dishonorable One." Robert Chester, who identifies himself as "late Capt. 17th Infantry, US Army," petitions the President: "I would most respectfully request a suspension of Special Orders No. 201, (Extract 4) by which I am dismissed the service of the United States. The reasons for such request are that my case has not been properly submitted to Your Excellency. I would respectfully ask that the order my be suspended until a Court of Inquiry, or Court Martial; can be convened, when I may have the opportunity to defend myself." Chester's appeal is joined by ten other prominent citizens of Buffalo, including her postmaster, one the justices of the city's… Read More

("James Madison") in black ink, as Secretary of State, February 14, 1805, on paper watermarked Curteis & Sons, 1799. 7 15/16" x 9 7/8"; 1 page with integral leaf; very good (light creasing and toning). To Vice-President George Clinton "Sir By the direction of the President of the United States, I do my self the honor of transmitting to you the . certificate of your election as Vice President of the United States; being with the highest respect. Sir, Your most obed. servant. James Madison." Docketed on verso: "March 14, 1805, letter from Secretary Madison enclosing certificate of election of Vice President of U.S." Thomas Jefferson and George Clinton were declared elected by Congress when the electoral votes were tabulated on 13 February, 1805. The Jefferson’s inauguration took place in the Senate Chamber on the Capitol on March 4th. Like other Founding Fathers, the great bulk of Madison’s letters and papers have been absorbed by institutions. For this reason, Madison’s Letters Signed is… Read More

First edition (so stated), first issue with back panel portrait of Salinger credited to Lotte Jacobi and "$3.00" on the front flap. Octavo. Original black cloth stamped in gilt. Dust jacket designed by Michael Mitchell (unclipped; tiny chips to head and tail of spine and to corners; few small chips; front flap detached at fold). Very good. 277 pages. Enclosed in a red and black leather drop box. No signatures or bookplates.

("A. Lincoln") in black ink on Executive Mansion, Washington, letterhead, March 18, 1863. 5" x 8", 1 page with integral leaf. Very good. Integral blank with an autograph endorsement signed by Holt and clerical endorsement from the Adjutant General's office. To Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt: Lincoln requests his Judge Advocate General to investigate the "Strong Mitigating Circumstances" surrounding the court-martial of a member of the West Point Class of 1861. "It is said Lieut. John Benson [Williams], of the 3rd regular infantry, as been sentenced by a Military Commission, to be dismissed the service. I have some reason to believe there are strong mitigating circumstances in his case, which the Commission perhaps, did not deem competent for them to consider, I will thank you to procure the record, examine it and report it to me. . ." Holt forwarded Lincoln's letter to the Adjutant General, noting that "No record or report in regard to [the Williams case] has been received at this office." The… Read More

("Charles L. Dodgson") in black fountain pen ink on plain letter paper, Christ Church, Oxford, December 5, 1895. 7 1/8" x 4 1/4"; 2 pages (1 sheet recto and verso). Together with the original holograph mailing envelope, in Dodgson's hand, stamped and postmarked Oxford, December 5, 1895. To a child-friend, Gladys Baly: Interesting letter beginning with a rhyme, 'In one way I'm like the Old Woman that lived in a shoe - that is, I've got so many picture-books, I don't know what to do!' Dodgson asks whether Gladys already possess The Story of the Mermaiden illustrated by Laura Trobridge: if not, he will send it to her as a Christmas present - 'The pictures are by the same artist who illustrated Little Thumb, & I think you will find many pretty figures among them, some of which perhaps you may like to copy'. Dodgson had befriended Gladys Baly when staying at Eastborune in October 1891. She was then six years old, & had a talent for drawing. Dodgson predicted that she would become a first-rate artist. Not… Read More

First English edition, first issue. Thin octavo. One page of publisher's advertisements at beginning and 2 pages at end. Front wrapper printed in red and blue (with publication date altered from 1885 to 1886, as issued). Original beige wrappers bound in. 3/4 gilt stamped red morocco over red cloth, spine with raised bands and gilt stamped floral device within a gilt ruled compartment, covers ruled in gilt, marbled endpapers, t.e.g. Fine. No signatures or bookplates.

Third edition (so stated). Octavo. Half white over purple linen, gilt stamped spine, upper cover with gilt stamped floral design by Charles Ricketts, uncut. Very good. 31 pages. Enclosed in a 1/2 brown morocco slipcase with folding chemise. One of 99 copies, printed March 4, 1898, signed by Wilde in black ink on limitation page, with characteristic paraph to the final "e." Mason #374. Bookplate of Chauncey Lawrence Williams on the front free endpaper and a signed pencil notation by Paul Lemperly noting he received the book from Williams. Williams (1872-1924), former member of Way and Williams, publishers and the F.W. Dodge Corp. With his memorial booklet laid in loose. Lemperly (1858-1939), noted American book collector.

RARE MIDSHIPMAN APPOINTMENT


("Th: Jefferson") Partly-printed vellum DS as president, 1 page, 10" x 10 1/2", January 16, 1809. President Jefferson issues a naval appointment for Henry Pilliam. In part: "That reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Patriotism, Valour, Fidelity, and Abilities of Henry Pilliam, I do appoint him a midshipman in the Navy of the United States." Neatly signed at the conclusion by President Jefferson and countersigned by Secretary pf the Navy Robert Smith. The document bears an embossed Navy Department seal to the upper left. Intersecting folds, overall wrinkling, and light staining, otherwise fine condition. Such appointments by Thomas Jefferson are quite scarce, as he and the Republican party opposed a strong navy. However, as Jefferson's term neared its conclusion the naval forces were beginning to grow out of necessity in order to protect the maritime interests of the United States, as merchant vessels were  frequently being interfered with during their voyages on… Read More

A Western romantic play in four acts, n.d. ca. 1920's, 181 pages. The complete holograph manuscript. Folio (12 3/8" x 8"). Written in pencil on ruled paper, with separate holograph title page, listing the cast, and signed by Grey. Unpublished (?). The setting is Utah. It is based on his 1917 novel "Wildfire." Very good. Enclosed in a brown cloth slipcase.




The cast of twelve includes Bostil, Lucy Bostil, Aunt Jane, Creeds, and others (villagers and Indians).

Act I, pages 2-57. Page 1 is the title page and cast listing.

Act II, pages 1-40.

Act III, pages 1-48.

Act IV, pages 1-36.

("Greek and/or George"), various places, including San Francisco, Carmel, New York City, Oakland, all to author and poet Joseph Noel (70 pages), 1908-1921, six holograph and signed envelopes, one letter from Carrie Sterling, eight Millergraph Company signed stock certificates and a few other items. Very good.



This important archive relates to Jack London's and Sterling's investment in the Millergraph Company, with discussions about their personal lives, works in progress, mutual friends, and Sterlings marriage and divorce.


Jack London lost a large amount of money when the company failed. See London's Collected Letters for details of the investment as well as his relationship and eventual falling out with Noel.

Mimeographed manuscript of the Joseph L. Mankiewicz screenplay. Illustrated with six hundred and forty two pages of drawings and designs by William Cameron Menzies together with an additional eight page prologue and four page epilogue. Original brown paper wrappers (the cover title page and half title page are detached). This massive and heavy 646 page screenplay (13 3/4" x 8 1/4", 3 inches thick) turned out to be impossible for the cast to handle and a more traditional 200 page version was designed for use on the film, the illustrations were removed and the text reset. While Norman Z. McLeod is credited as director, Menzies stepped in to direct when McLeod became ill during the filming (Curtis, page 142). Very good.


A Lewis Carroll rarity.

Provenance: estate of actor Baby LeRoy who appeared in the film as "Joker" at the age of two.

See pages 134-149 in James Curtis' "William Cameron Menzies" book for details on the filming of Lewis Carroll's classic story.

First edition, first printing (so stated). Octavo. Pictorial dust jacket (unclipped; two small chips). Very good. 216 pages.
Signed and inscribed by Chase on front pastedown: "For Bill Welch – because I like him. Borden Chase. Encino 3/4/48."
Chase was born Frank Fowler (1900-1971). He had a horse ranch in Encino, California. He has 53 screen writer credits for film and TV.
The source for the film "Red River" directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne and Montgomery Clift.
The only copy of this scarce book we have seen signed.

("A. Lincoln") in black ink, Springfield, Ohio, May 28, 1858. 7 ¾" x 7 7/8". 1 page. Very good (old mailing folds; fresh, dark and bright). Together with the original mailing envelope addressed by Lincoln, postmarked May 28, 1858, Springfield with three cent Washington stamp. Uncommon thus.

To W. H. Davenport, Esq.
Eureka
Woodford Co.
Illinois
"W. H. Davenport, Esq. *1
Dear Sir
Yours of the 14th is just received. In your case at Danville, I got just so far, and no farther, that to be ready to take testimony for the next term. I guess we will have to take the deposition for the man on the land. (I forgot his name just now). We want to prove by him that he was not notified of his entry being canceled.
At this sitting I write Judge Harriott about your father's business –
Yours truly
Lincoln."
See Basler page 454-455 (see also pages 429-430 for an earlier letter on the same subject).
*1. William H. Davenport was a farmer near Eureka, Illinois.

According to the earlier letter of December 28, 1857 the… Read More