Fiction

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam – Trans Edward Fitzgerald

A Folio Society production from 1970. Their usual lavish production works well in this case – we are not always a fan.

Edward Fitzgerald had a couple of goes at translating The Rubaiyat – this is his first and best we think.

Tall octavo, unpaginated, 75 verses after introductions and a page of helpful notes at the end. Nicely, artistically, illustrated by Virgil Burnett. Decorative end paper, gilt and silvered ornate pattern over red cloth covered boards, gold paper covered custom slipcase.

A nice and attractive Rubaiyat that would make a super gift.

$40.00

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The Train – George Simenon – First UK edition 1964

Published by Hamish Hamilton in 1964 translated from the French of 1961.

A different sort of novel by George Simenon from those familiar with Inspector Maigret. And an especially collectable first edition.

It is 1940 and the German army is on the move in Europe. There is a stampede for trains to escape and no less so than from Fumay. In the chaos Marcel gets separated from his wife and children. He meets Anna and a strange relationship ensues. Finally at the evacuee camp at La Rochelle decision time has arrived.

Simenon and an very moving story on The Train

$70.00

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Pilot Pete [An Antarctic Adventure] – Alan Villiers

Published by Angus and Robertson a 1963 edition of Villiers’s delightful book with a “save the whales message” and he saved some ships as well .

Drawing of maritime adventurer Villiers’s experience whaling in the Antarctic and the knowledge and superstitions that surround encounters with a porpoise. Porpoise Pete lived around Perseverance Harbour, Campbell Island .. which is south-east of the Enderby Islands, in turn south of New Zealand.

Nicely illustrated by H.T. Cauldwell. Octavo, 64 pages. A very good gift worthy copy.

Villiers could write for all ages about the coldest of seas. .

$25.00

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Simon Black in Space – Ivan Southall.

An early sought after Space Classic published in 1953 an year after the first.

Published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney and London. Octavo, 223 pages, some line drawn illustration, very clean internally albeit light toning, super dust jacket, making the book gift worthy.

The author was a distinguished pilot in the R.A.A.F in WWII awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C). After the war he was co-opted to write about the R.A.A.F in Europe. He still had time to write about the adventures of Simon Black.

Black in the special aircraft “Firefly 3”, the only aircraft in the World capable of pursuing the flying saucers into space. Accompanied by Rex the Alsatian (it’s a dog’s life).

Collectable Early Space Adventure penned by Australian Hero.

$60.00

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James Bond – For Special Services – John Gardner – First Edition 1982

After the death of Ian Fleming, John Gardner was give the “licence to print money” by the copyright holders of the Bond trove.

A first edition published by Jonathan Cape in conjunction with Hodder & Stoughton, London in 1982. Octavo, 254 pages plus afterword. Jacket design by Bill Botten all in very good condition – super condition jacket.

There was a ten year hiatus until Gardner penned his first post Fleming Bond book “Licence Renewed” … this is his second. Bond is “loaned’ to the Americans – Spectre has reappeared and it’s the Revenge and Extortion bit of the acronym that gives everyone the hump. Killer ants make an appearance

The New Old Bond back fighting Spectre with the odd dalliance

$60.00

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The Travel Books [the Far East and Spain] – Somerset Maugham

A triple serving of Maugham … On a Chinese screen; The Gentleman in the Parlour and Don Fernando.

Thick octavo, 148, 170 and 146 pages of Maugham on the move. Published by Heinemann, London in 1955. A sign of age on the dust jacket edges, otherwise a very good copy especially given its age.

“The Gentleman in the Parlour” records a journey from Rangoon to Haipong … real Somerset Maugham territory and (as he says) is an exercise in style.

“On a Chinese Screen” is a reflection on his travels in China during 1920.

“Don Fernando”, almost self explanatory, is a Maugham Spanish classic. Whilst included under this “Travel” umbrella it is a historical account set in the times of Velasquez and El Greco … and obviously Don Fernando.

Somerset Maugham perhaps at his best in the East with a helping of Spain thrown in …

$30.00

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The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam – Trans Edward Fitzgerald

The Train – George Simenon – First UK edition 1964

Pilot Pete [An Antarctic Adventure] – Alan Villiers

Simon Black in Space – Ivan Southall.

James Bond – For Special Services – John Gardner – First Edition 1982

The Travel Books [the Far East and Spain] – Somerset Maugham

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