Fiction

The Knightly Quest (A Novella and Twelve Short Stories) – Tennessee Williams -1968

A first UK edition of this collection published by Secker and Warburg, London in 1968. A novella and twelve short stories. Three of the short stories had appeared in “One Arm” published in 1959 – see our copy.

Octavo, 253 pages, the novella “the Knightly Quest”, a parody of espionage thrillers comprises eighty odd pages. The short stories common with the earlier edition are .. The Poet; Chronicle of a Demise and Desire and the Black Masseur.

The new short stories are … Hard Candy; Rubio y Morena; The mattress by the Tomato Patch; The Vine; The Mysteries of the Joy Rio; Mama’s Old Stucco House; Man Bring This up Road; The Kingdom of Earth and “Grand”. The first tow are variations on the same theme, with the same setting but with very different results … interesting.

His shorter stories and one a little longer

$40.00

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One Arm and Other Stories (A Collection of Eleven Short Stories) – Tennessee Williams – First of Type New Directions – 1959

A first trade edition published by special publisher New Directions of New York in 1959.

Octavo, 211 pages comprising eleven short stories. Dust jacket by the super designer Alvin Lustig although not one he had put a lot of thought into!. One page had thinned through to a hole … looks like a printing flaw. Otherwise a very good copy of a scarce work.

By this time Williams was already a successful dramatist but his short stories had only ever been published in a limited private form.

The stories are – One Arm; The Malediction; The Poet; Chronicle of a Demise; Desire and the Black Masseur; Portrait of a Girl in Glass; The Important Thing; The Angel in the Alcove; The Field of Blue Children; The Night of the Iguana and The Yellow Bird. As you can see some of these short stories are inspiration for his later plays, some are about characters in them and some are completely independent works.

A broad short read introduction to Tennessee Williams. .

$40.00

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A Journey to the Interior of the Earth – Jules Verne – c1905

Jule Verne classic published by Ward Lock, London, early 20th century, likely pre-WWI. Part of the “Lilley series” – with catalogue at rear indication forty volumes available and another ten in preparation which appears circa 1905. Octavo, 256 pages.

Lovely pictorial image pasted to front board, with “framing” decoration, which is repeated on the spine. The aforesaid image is repeated as a frontispiece. Some foxing to title and page edges. Generally, given the excellent covers, still a good to better copy for its age.

Often Journey to the “Centre” here the ”Interior” but we still come out in Iceland, where else? Another slightly unusual translation which adds to the fun.

Century old Jules Verne – off into the Centre (Interior)

$50.00

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A Journey to the Interior of the Earth – Jules Verne

Jule Verne classic published by Ward Lock, London, published 1967. Octavo, 192 pages.

Our favourite, more modern edition with the super dust jacket. Illustrated internally with line drawings. Very good condition.

Often Journey to the “Centre” here the ”Interior” but we still come out in Iceland, where else?. Translates for the young in mind, the style of translation as usual, unusual and leads to a bit adult amusement.

Verne – at the interior Centre

$40.00

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The Magician – Georges Simenon – First English Edition

Published by Hamish Hamilton, London a first English edition 1974. Translated from the French by Helen Sebba.

Octavo, 188 pages all in pretty good condition.

The conjurer liked a drink in the Montmartre after his show. He overindulged and caused issues in his marriage. Their relationship continued with quiet intimacy … until ill health changed all that …

Simenon at his most poignant

$30.00

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Three Beds in Manhattan – Georges Simenon – First English Edition

Published by Hamish Hamilton London, a first English edition 1976. Translated from the French by Lawrence G. Blochman.

Octavo, 186 pages, fine dust jacket, all in super condition.

Two lonely people meet in Greenwich Village and a night filled with drink propels them into intimacy but they may be too afraid to believe a new life might have begun. Reality that is Simenon.

The sensitive side of Simenon

$30.00

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The Knightly Quest (A Novella and Twelve Short Stories) – Tennessee Williams -1968

One Arm and Other Stories (A Collection of Eleven Short Stories) – Tennessee Williams – First of Type New Directions – 1959

A Journey to the Interior of the Earth – Jules Verne – c1905

A Journey to the Interior of the Earth – Jules Verne

The Magician – Georges Simenon – First English Edition

Three Beds in Manhattan – Georges Simenon – First English Edition

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