Fiction

Hold Back the Dawn – Ketti Frings – First Film prmotion Edition 1948

Published by Triangle, New York 1948 a first edition of this type. Printed on war paper so the usual browning but very clean despite that … a very good dust jacket with a nice montage of the stars to the front.

The book of the Oscar nominated motion picture starring Charles Boyer and the beautiful Olivia de Havilland.

Romanian gigolo tries to gain entry to the USA by hitching up with visiting school teacher. It all goes wrong and wrong and then right.

First Film Promotion Edition 1948

$50.00

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Winter’s Tales – Isak Dinesen (author of Out of Africa)

Published by Putnam, London an early edition 1958. Top edge nicely pink as required. A very good copy albeit the dust jacket a bit aged.

Eleven stories that surpass in feeling, atmosphere and insight of both “Out of Africa” and her previous highly acclaimed “Seven Gothic Tales”.

Dinesen at her best in Winter

$40.00

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The Complete Works of Francois Villon – Translated by J.U. Nicolson – Illustrated by Alexander King – Fine First Editions 1928

Superior two volume set published by Covici, New York in May 1928 part of limited set of 960 this copy numbered 427 signed by the translator J.U. Nicolson. Typography by C. McMurtie.

Royal Octavo 809 pages all up after preliminaries. A near fine set rich red cloth covered boards with gilt title to spine and front unmarked, fully protected by complete heavy black dust jackets with a slight edge crease and a small closed tear. Top edge rich gilt very clean internally pages bright as new. Dust jackets nearly always missing with this set. Lovely full page sepia-tone illustrations as frontispiece and throughout the volumes. A heavy set near 3 kgs so may require some extra postage dependent on your location.

The volumes are set out side by side original French and English translation. Villon (1431 to c1463) by far the best-known French poet of the late Middle Ages, a renowned and shady character whose verses chronicle his escapades. He was born in Paris and disappeared from “historical” view in 1463. He had multiple encounters with the law. His real name may have been Francois de Montcorbier or Francois des Loges. Whatever, his nom de plume “Villon”’ appears everywhere in his writing. His work suggests he was born into poverty and raised by a foster father (from whom he adopted the name Villon). He was bright and received qualifications from the University of Paris at an early age. His first real skirmish with the law came in 1455 when he “accidentally” killed a man during a scuffle. He was banished and then pardoned when evidence was produced that the dead party had forgiven him before the lights went out. Shortly afterwards he was involved in a serious robbery and after various complexities was banished and wandered the country supposedly as part of a gang of thieves. In 1461, he spent the “summer” in the Bishop’s prison at Meung-sur-Loire and dodgey things went on from there.

All of this makes for interesting poetic accounts of life as Villon experienced it. Le Testament written in 1461 is regarded as his greatest work, His work is sprinkled with mystery and hidden jokes and include much slang from the underworld he inhabited. His texts include the real names of many influential people of the time … the rich, royal officials, lawyers, police and prostitutes. The most quoted refrain “Mais ou sont les neiges d’antan?” (Where are the snows of yester-year?) comes from the Ballade des dames du temps jadis and has been quoted from Rossetti to the hit TV program Downton Abbey. We cannot write about Villon’s influence in Film, Theatre, Poetry etc. as we would be here all year!

All of Villon in French and English in Fine Presentation.

$180.00

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Night of the Big Heat – John Lymington – First Edition 1960

Published by Dutton, New York in 1960.

Missing its front end paper and tape marks to the boards but this is a first edition of this great Sci-Fi classic. The dust jacket is very good indeed no chips or creases.

Tension, drama and seriously scary …. this is THE NIGHT OF THE BIG HEAT!

Read it with the heating turned up full … but with a cool beer

$50.00

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“Somebody Loves You” – Music Score 1932 – Tobias and De Rose

Great 1930′s music score with a direct romantic message. Published by the Joe Morris Music Co, New York

Words and music by Charles Tobias and Peter de Rose. Promoted by George Hall and his Orchestra.

The highlight the stunning graphic cover designed by Cliff Miska.

“I’ve learned a wonderful secret .. And you’re the one should know it too … I’ve yearned to tell you this secret … And every word I say is true” … well of course it is …..

Bonus songs (short ones) “Carolina Moon” and “When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver”.

Everything presented also for the popular Ukulele as well as piano and guitar ….

$20.00

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I’d Climb the Highest Mountain if I knew I’d Find You – Music Score 1926 – Lee Brown and Sidney Clare

Original Music Score published in 1926 by Irvin Berlin.

A title with a meaningful message and such lovely 1920′s graphics. Also, arranged for the Ukulele tuned A,D,F#,B ….

“I don’t know where you are … I don’t know if you still care …. blah blah … terrific …

And, a bonus song at the rear … The Great Novelty Song sensation … “Gimme a Little Kiss Will Ya Huh?”

$25.00

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Hold Back the Dawn – Ketti Frings – First Film prmotion Edition 1948

Winter’s Tales – Isak Dinesen (author of Out of Africa)

The Complete Works of Francois Villon – Translated by J.U. Nicolson – Illustrated by Alexander King – Fine First Editions 1928

Night of the Big Heat – John Lymington – First Edition 1960

“Somebody Loves You” – Music Score 1932 – Tobias and De Rose

I’d Climb the Highest Mountain if I knew I’d Find You – Music Score 1926 – Lee Brown and Sidney Clare

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