Search Results: Signed books by john updike

[Various places: various publishers, various dates]. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. A collection of 438 non-English language editions, presentation copies given by Updike to his friend, the collector and publisher of the Lord John Press, Herb Yellin. Of these 388 are Signed, with the majority of them Inscribed to Yellin. Mostly fine, scattered modest wear; these are unread copies that were sent to Updike by his various publishers. Yellin founded the Lord John Press in Northridge, California in the late 1970s as a fine press producing nicely printed signed and limited editions, with the "John" in "Lord John" named in part after Updike. Clearly the relationship was productive and their friendship deepened, with the inscriptions often expressing affection and humor. Nearly a quarter of the titles show Updike expressing an opinion about the artwork: whether it's appropriate to the book, commenting on the aesthetics, and occasionally accessing the pulchritude, or lack thereof, of the various women,… Read More

New York: The Viking Press, 1966. First edition of Steinbeck's final book. Quarto, original half cloth, illustrated, cartographic endpapers. With 136 pages of photographs, 24 in full color by 55 of the most prominent American photographers of the era including Ansel Adams, Sam Siegel, and Todd Webb. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, "For John Updike with admiration John Steinbeck." American author John Steinbeck published his most notable works between 1937 (Of Mice and Men) and 1952 (East of Eden), and was awarded both the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1940 and Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962. One of the most prolific American authors from the early 1960s until his death in 2009, fellow recipient of the Pulitzer Prize John Updike identified Steinbeck as one of his literary heroes at a young age. Both writers' works explored themes of crises related to faith, injustice, and family dynamics applied to small town 'everyman' protagonists. Both Steinbeck and Updike wrote… Read More

Northridge, California: Lord John Press, 1977. Hardcover. Fine. First edition. Quarto. Quarter cloth and papercovered boards in cloth slipcase. Fine. Copy A of 26 lettered copies Signed by Updike. From the library of Lord John Press publisher Herb Yellin, who retained the earliest of all the lettered and numbered copies for his collection. A much beloved essay about the last at bat of Ted Williams. *De Bellis and Broomfield* A63.b.

Northridge, California: Lord John Press, 1990. Hardcover. Fine. Miniature book measuring approximately 3" x 2¼". Quarter cream paper and red cloth boards. Special publisher's presentation binding combining the red cloth and the quarter cream paper of the lettered edition: "*Mites* was the only Lord John Press book for which the presentation issue copies were not bound in the same material." Fine. Publisher's designated "Presentation Copy" facetiously Signed by Updike as "Norman Mailer." From the library of Lord John Press publisher Herb Yellin. *De Bellis and Broomfield* A130.c.

Shillington, PA: Shillington High School, 1950. This is John Updike's girlfriends copy of the 1950 Hi-Life yearbook. Inscribed to her (at John's picture) apologizing for leaving her (?). Included with the book is an inscribed (to the same girlfriend) first edition of Self-Consciousness with a signed page laid in that inscribed to her and noting that she is mentioned on page 12 of the book. He mentioned how awkward he was trying to dance with her. Laid in is some class ephemera, an 8" X 12" glossy class reunion photo, a newspaper photo of the girls of Berks County, The 4-page Commencement Program, the Annual Band Concert booklet from 1950. . Signed by the Author. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good +/No Jacket - As Published. Illus. by Photo-Illustrated. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.

Northridge: Lord John Press, 1990. First edition, limited to 200 numbered and 26 lettered copies signed by Updike. This copy letter "T." 64mo. Type in Monotype Inland Caslon on Frankfurt Cream paper. Designed by Suzanne Watson and printed by Patrick Reagh Printers. Binding by Marianna Blau. Red cloth covered boards in slipcase. Unread copy in Fine condition in a Fine slipcase. Though Updike signed sheets for all copies, he signed I.B. Singer's name on the sheet bound into this copy. Unaware of Updike's signature, the publisher delivered the book to its purchaser who, upon discovering the prank, returned it with the request that Updike also sign this copy which he did with the inscription, "for - all best John Updike." The images are of the book described and not stock photos.

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990. First editions. Near fine or better, in fine or near fine jackets. Complete collection of signed first printings of the 'Rabbit' Angstrom tetralogy. The series that made and maintained Updike's reputation: first, with RABBIT, RUN, introducing the splendors and miseries of the grown-up high-school athlete, his glories behind him and his suburban responsibilities upon him; then the ten-years-after sequel, RABBIT REDUX, in which all the tumult and ferment of a decade arrives tangled and compressed into what even the most stony-hearted and unforgiving of critics must agree is, after all, a novel. The subsequent RABBIT IS RICH won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, as did the following and final RABBIT AT REST, wherein a decrepit Harry Angstrom sets out to make his wife unhappy one last time by sleeping with his daughter-in-law for no particular reason. By the end he is dead or ready to die, granting critics full license to call the book by that most beloved of critical… Read More

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1960. Hardcover. Fine/Near Fine. First edition. One corner slightly bumped, else fine in a nice, near fine first issue dustwrapper with a couple of very small tears and a little rubbing. Signed by Updike. A nice copy of the first book in the Rabbit tetralogy, and probably the author's most sought after title.

Northridge, California: Lord John Press, 1977. Hardcover. Fine. Quarto. Quarter cloth and papercovered boards in cloth slipcase. Fine. Copy 1 of 300 numbered copies Signed by Updike. From the library of Lord John Press publisher Herb Yellin, who retained the earliest of all the lettered and numbered copies from his fine press. A much beloved essay on Ted Williams' last at-bat. *De Bellis and Broomfield* A63.a.

New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1960-90. . First editions, first printings, each signed by the author on the title-page; 4 vols, 8vo; minor spotting to terminal leaves of third vol., overall internally fine; publisher's cloth-backed boards or cloth, dust-jackets, slight edge-wear around spine of first vol., second vol. price-clipped, otherwise all near fine to fine; presented in 2 matching cloth drop-back boxes lettered & ruled in gilt. A great set of this classic of modern American literature, uniformly signed by John Updike to the title-page of each of the four volumes. Updike's sweeping epic serves as an oft discomfiting mirror to America through the 1960s, '70s & '80s, chronicling the country's shifting moods & impulses via the prism of poor old Harry 'Rabbit' Angstrom, an anti-hero of sorts...

RABBIT, RUN, Knopf, 1960, first edition, fine in just about fine dust-wrapper. The authors most desirable book. SIGNED by the author.

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1960-1981. First editions of each volume in the Rabbit quartet. Octavos, 5 volumes, original half cloth. Each volume signed by John Updike. Each volume is near fine to fine in near fine dust jackets. An exceptional signed set. "Updike’s choice of Rabbit Angstrom, in Rabbit, Run, was inspired, one of those happy, instinctive accidents that so often shape a literary career" (Books of the Century, 450). "Taken together, this quartet of novels has given its readers a wonderfully vivid portrait of one Harry (Rabbit) Angstrom . . . The books have also created a Kodachrome-sharp picture of American life . . . from the somnolent 50s . . . into the uncertainties of the 80s" (The New York Times). Rabbit, Run was the basis for the 1970 film directed by Jack Smight starring James Caan as Rabbit Angstrom, Carrie Snodgress as Rabbit's wife Janice, and Anjanette Comer as his girlfriend Ruth. The movie co-starred Jack Albertson as Coach Marty Tothero, Arthur… Read More

Knopf, 1960. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. A near fine first edition in a fine dust jacket, inscribed by Updike to fellow writer Ross Macdonald/Kenneth Millar. An outstanding association copy and a genuine presentation copy, linking two of the preeminent American authors of the 20th Century. Also laid in a Knopf presentations slip saying the book is being sent "With the compliments of the author." First Edition stated on the copyright page and first issue dust jacket. Millar has signed the front free endpaper and made 5 pencil notations on the front free endpaper. 3 typos and 2 quotations of phrases he appears to find interesting. Housed in a custom-made collector's slipcase.

[NY]: (Scientific American). (1969). The first separate edition of this physics-themed poem. One of 6200 copies printed as Christmas cards to be issued with W.H. Auden's A New Year Greeting (not present). 24 pages, illustrated. Fine in stapled wrappers. Lacking the cardboard sleeve that combined the two booklets, but in a custom three quarter leather clamshell case from the Praxis Bindery. This copy is inscribed by the author: "For ___/ Merry Christmas 1995/ John Updike [with a drawing of holly leaves and berries]." While the print run of this item was not particularly small, especially when compared with the many limited editions Updike has done, the nature of its distribution -- as a freebie to Scientific American subscribers -- suggests that most copies would have been lost or discarded. Unless otherwise noted, our first editions are first printings. First Edition. Softcover. Fine.

New York: Harper and Brothers, 1958. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. First edition. A little age-toning on the boards, near fine in near fine, first issue dustwrapper with two short tears. Inscribed (but not signed) by Updike on the front endpaper to Janet Pott: "For dearest J. in grateful memory of her many kindnesses to two very young Americans in Oxford, 1955." Laid in is an index card, evidently from the recipient's daughter, stating: "This should be in the Updike section. The inscription is from John U. & wife to Janet. And see p. 30. Genetics sometimes plays tricks." The poem on page 30, "Time's Fool," is about Janet's husband, Frederick Alexander Pott. Updike had been befriended by the Potts while in England and the poem and the book express his thanks. Updike's first book, a volume of poems written in Oxford while on a Knox Fellowship, just before returning to the United States to join the staff of *The New Yorker*. A wonderful early association copy of the author's first book.

New York: Harper and Brothers, 1958. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. First edition. One signature fallen slightly forward as usual else fine in fine, first issue dustwrapper with a later (probably publisher's) price sticker over the original price. Inscribed by Updike to Herb Yellin: "for Herb Yellin, John Updike." Herb Yellin was the founder and publisher of Lord John Press and the most frequent of Updike's fine press collaborators. He named his press after noting that the list of authors he wanted to publish all shared the same first name, chief among them John Updike, his favorite. *Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu* became the press's first book in 1977 with 10 more to follow over the next 23 years. Yellin's friendship with Updike grew with each new limited edition benefitting his already enormous Updike collection, with Updike himself contributing copies of new editions of his books - often inscribed. In a 2010 interview with Yellin he noted that Updike "...liked that if anything ever happened to his own… Read More

New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1991. First edition. Quarto, original illustrated boards. Inscribed by the author on the title page, "Happy Birthday John Updike with the greatest respect and admiration Annie Leibovitz March 18, 1992 New York." Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Introduction by Ingrid Sishchy. A very nice association. Legendary photographer of Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and numerous other magazines since the Seventies, Leibovitz offers a retrospective that shows how far she has come. The early photographs have a documentary feel, even recalling Evans's Depression-era photography or Arbus's sense of the grotesque. They can seem cluttered, but in fact present the right amount of information without feeling posed. The later photographs are cleaner, clearer, and often in color. Props are used effectively to extend the subject's image: Keith Haring painted with the black-and-white abstractions he favored; Christo wrapped; David Lynch with turtleneck up to the hairline; Sting caked in… Read More

Northridge, California: Lord John Press, 2000. Hardcover. Fine. 12mo. Quarter black morocco and rust cloth boards. Fine. Copy letter A of 26 lettered copies Signed by Updike. From the library of Lord John Press publisher Herb Yellin, who retained the earliest of all the lettered and numbered copies from his fine press. *De Bellis and Broomfield* A180.c.

New York: Horizon Press, 1983. First edition. Octavo, original half cloth. Inscribed by the author to John Updike on the front free endpaper, "For John Updike 72000 more words from one of your biggest fans, Robert Olen Butler Sea Cliff, NY Oct 19,1983." Also laid into this book is a signed letter addressed to Updike from Bulter dated October 19, 1983, which reads, "Dear Mr. Updike, You and the prophet Isaiah are the only literary influences that I can clearly identify in my own writing. And so, in the wake of an Anatole Broyard rave about my new novel, I'm taking the liberty of sending you a copy of the book in thanks for the education you've given me. Sincerely, Robert Olen Butler." Fine in a near fine dust jacket with trivial wear. Robert Olen Butler was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and Updike received it twice. A nice association. "It is exciting and provocative, and at the same time it is subtle. It is a book that ought to be read because it speaks to our time and because its universality… Read More

New York: American Academy of Arts and Letters, 1998. First Edition. Quarto (31.25cm); pale gray cloth, with titles stamped in black on spine and front cover; 112pp; illus. Though not called for, this copy has been signed by Kurt Vonnegut on the half-title page, with an original hand-drawn self-portrait dated May 12, 1999. Small scuff to lower margin of copyright page, tiny smudge at mid-spine, else Fine. Housed in a custom clamshell case. Nicely-produced volume collecting works of art by fifty Academy members. With a foreword by John Updike, including works by Kurt Vonnegut (portrait of Kilgore Trout), Paul Cadmus, Leonard Baskin, Frank O. Gehry, Jasper Johns, Wolf Kahn, Jacob Lawrence, Mary Frank, Roy Lichtenstein, Paul Resika, Richard Meier, George Segal, and others. Uncommon signed.