Fiction

Maigret and the Burglar’s Wife – Georges Simenon – First UK edition 1955

A first UK edition of an early Simenon published by Hamish Hamilton in 1955, the French equivalent being 1953.

Octavo, 160 pages, a little age and spots but not a bad copy for a sought after Maigret.

The burglar’s wife had a history with Maigret – she tried to spoil his arresting of her by taking her clothes off. This is years later when Loft is married to Sad Freddie a not very successful burglar. Sad Freddie comes across a dead body during one of his late night escaped and it all starts from there.

Early Maigret First Edition and the story of Lofty and Sad Freddie

$50.00

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The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway – 1967 Edition

Should be everyone’s favourite short read. Nobel citation – “his powerful style-forming mastery of the art of modern narration, as most lately revealed in his novel The Old Man and the Sea”.

A later edition published by Jonathan Cape in 1967.

Octavo, 127 pages. With the colourful wrap around jacket by Hans Tisdall. The jacket in very good condition bar a nibble on the back leading fold. The pages are pretty clean, generally a very good copy.

Much debate among critics regarding this book … the anti-Hemingway brigade miss the point by a nautical mile. No better metaphor for Hemingway’s life than these words. Could the ending be more poignant?

Hans Tisdall was the designer of the Hemingway Cape dust jackets. You can see why we like them at Voyager … they have Universal attraction. Tisdall (1910-1971) born in Germany was originally a textile designer and made his name at Edinburgh Weavers. Later in life he won awards for the design of the entryway to the Battersea Fun Park and was commissioned to produce dust jacket artwork for which he designed these distinctive brushstroke cursive fonts. Michael Harvey subsequently produced a new typeface base on this style named Tisdall Script.

Nobel Classic – Ernest Hemingway

$50.00

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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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Maigret and the Burglar’s Wife – Georges Simenon – First UK edition 1955

The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway – 1967 Edition

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.

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