Fiction

The Philosopher’s Stone – Iris Murdoch – First Edition 1983

First Edition published by Chatto & Windus – The Hogarth Press, London in 1983.

A substantial work for the already established Murdoch. Thick octavo, 575 pages in a super condition dust jacket. The paper in one gathering a little browned probably due to the paper chemistry … altogether still a very good copy.

A multi character novel, set in the fictitious spa town of Ennistone. Returning philosopher Professor John Rozanov intends to write his “great book”. However, he has plans which create problems for others … power, hatred and a desire for salvation intermingle to form an intense drama.

Iris Murdoch first edition of substance

$50.00

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The Hard Way [the Writing and Publication of Power Without Glory] – Frank Hardy.

This is the re-issue published by Rigby, Adelaide in 1976.

Octavo, 255 pages, original brown cloth covered boards, illustrations from relevant photographs. A near fine copy in a very good dust jacket which features a painting by fellow communist and artistic activist Noel Counihan.

This is Frank Hardy’s account of the writing and publishing of his classic novel the Power Without Glory. It was published original in 1961 by which time he had had nearly ten years to reflect on the goings on … including some time in the Courts.

Frank Hardy and the tale of the making of Power Without Glory

$35.00

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Tourmaline – Randolph Stow – First Edition 1963

A first edition of this Australian classic published by Macdonald, London in 1963.

Octavo, 224 pages. A very good copy in a slightly chipped dust jacket. Ownership signature on paste down. A few pages near the beginning exhibit a some show through of text from the other side … a little irritating … overcome with a relaxing cup of tea.

A derelict Australian gold rush town is the setting for Randolph Stow’s gripping drama.

The half title informs … “On the surface Tourmaline is the story of an illusion, of a lost township snatching at the chance of rebirth. At a deeper level it is a fable and man’s ever-present temptation to seek refuge from the world of his own reality”

And …who can go past the haunting Sydney Nolan dust jacket?

First Edition and Special

$70.00

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Joseph Conrad and the Barque Otago – Sir William Crowther – 1975

Bound notes by Sir William Crowther for the handing over of the restored companionway superstructure to the officers’ cuddy from the Otago [Joseph Conrad’s ship].

Very few would have been produced so a scarce as it is brief. Quarto in size, bound nicely in blue cloth covered boards with gilt titles. Original photograph of the glorious companionway affixed to front paste down. Title, Preface and five pages typescript one side only. Dated 21st March 1975, fine condition. Our image of the blue covers looks a little drab … that’s just our scanner …

The work represents a brief summary of association of the great writer Joseph Conrad, then Captain Conrad with the barque Otago. The State Library had acquired the structure recovered by Crowther, a great bibliophile and collector, a number of years earlier at Risden, Hobart when the boat was finally broken up. It lay in Crowther’s back garden for many years before being restored by Philip Fowler.

Whilst brief the article gives a nice potted history of Conrad’s early days and how he came to be in charge of the Otago. His novel The Shadow Line, from which Crowther quotes was written about his voyage to Singapore to pick up the Otago.

Sir William Crowther should not be confused with his Grandfather of the same name who committed some rather nasty acts regarding the bodies of aboriginal people. This Crowther whilst still perhaps confused by the right and wrong at least gave up the family collection of indigenous relics to the Museum and these have since been given some final respect.

Regarding this item .. well a unique work in the Conrad genre.

$50.00

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Le Morte d’Arthur – Sir Thomas Malory – Shakespeare Head Private Press Limited Edition 1933

Full title … The Noble & Joyous Boke Entitled Le Morte d’Arthur Nothwythstondying it Treateth of the Byrth Lyf and Actes of the sayd Kynge Arthur; of his Noble Knightes of the Rounde Table. Theye Merveylous Enquestes and Adventures. Thachyevynge of the Sanc.Greall and the Ende the Delourous Deth: and Departynge out of this Worlde of Them al. Wyche Boke was Reduced in to Englysshe by the Well Dysposyd Knyghte Syr Thomas Malory.

Two volumes, quarto, number xxx of 350 copies for sale (a further 20 copies were not for sale) with 22 woodcut illustrations. Original binding in terra cotta half Morocco over ivory buckram, flat spines with gilt titling, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Other edges untrimmed.

The revered Shakespeare Head, Saint Aldates Oxford, edition of the most famous of the Arthurian tales, reprinted from and resembling in layout and typeface the 1498 edition of Wynkyn de Worde kept in the John Rylands Library, Manchester.

Volume I comprises 4 initial blanks; half title; title with limitation on verso; prologus i-iv; table v-xxviii; Fyrste Boke to IX Boke 1-316 with woodcut in each; 3 final blanks. VolI comprises 4 initial blanks; half title; title with note to verso; Boke X – Boke XXI 1-373 with woodcuts to each and a further one in Boke XXI; notes 3; 3 final blanks. All as should be.

Written in the 15th century by Thomas Malory the sweeping Mort d’Arthur includes the youth of Arthur, the romance of Guinevere and Lancelot, the Quest for the Grail, the tragedy of Tristan and Iseult etc.

This superb work directly tied to the early days of printing in England, with broad margins, quality handmade paper and the impeccably reproduced typeface … all hallmarks of the Shakespeare Head Press.

The Shakespeare Head Press was started in 1904 at Stratford Upon Avon by Arthur Bullen after he had had a dream about finely printing all of Shakespeare’s works at his birthplace, something that had not been done before. Much of his equipment and initial typeface came second had from William Morris’s Kelmscott Press. After Bullen’s death in 1927 the business was moved to Oxford under its new owners Basil Blackwell and Bernard Newdigate who was the typographer. They continued in the Morris tradition. The building in which they operated was commandeered by the American allies in 1942.

King Arthur and his Legends and Death – Shakespeare Head Private Press edition.

$670.00

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Lightship – Archie Binns – 1934 First Edition

First Edition published by Reynal and Hitchcock (part of the Burt publishing empire), New York in 1934. A super example. Large octavo, 345 pages, blue cloth covered boards, top edge stained blue as required. Striking art deco style dust jacket in really good condition. Very clean inside … would make a great gift.

A very unusual novel centred on the lives of nine men who are the crew of a lightship. The crest and troughs of emotion are mimicked by the Ocean which provides a dramatic ending

One of a kind novel from the 1930’s

$60.00

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The Philosopher’s Stone – Iris Murdoch – First Edition 1983

The Hard Way [the Writing and Publication of Power Without Glory] – Frank Hardy.

Tourmaline – Randolph Stow – First Edition 1963

Joseph Conrad and the Barque Otago – Sir William Crowther – 1975

Le Morte d’Arthur – Sir Thomas Malory – Shakespeare Head Private Press Limited Edition 1933

Lightship – Archie Binns – 1934 First Edition

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