The House of the Dead by Dostoevsky, Fyodor (Dostoyevsky) - 1915

First edition, first impression (Heinemann, 1967). Illustrated by Janet and Anne Grahame-Johnstone. Signed, inscribed and dated by the author in the year of publication on the front blank: 'To Cicely Courtneidge, from Dodie Smith "Dear Octopus", Theatre Royal, Haymarket, 1967'. The inscription refers to Smith's play 'Dear Octopus', which was revived in 1967 for the fiftieth wedding anniversary of the comedy actors Dame Cicely Courtneidge and Jack Hubert. Dodie Smith's married name, 'Mrs Beesley', Dodie Smith's married name is also written in ink in another hand to the front flap of the dust jacket. Additionally a postcard from the author is loosely inserted: 'Dearest Cis, Here is "The Starlight Barking" as a tiny first night present. It's also intended as a get well present to your dear poodle - I trust you'll be able to use Bill's line and say "The dog liked it". Bless you and thank you for your lovable, funny and altogether admirable performance as "Dora". Much love as ever, Dodie". 8vo, publisher's… Read More

First edition, first impression (Collins, 1981). Signed by the author to the dedication page with a heart drawn around the name 'Lee' in the author's hand. Lee McGeorge Durrell is the author's second wife who, in addition to co-authoring books with her husband, is also a naturalist, zookeeper, and television presenter.Publisher's original green cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. Boards are lovely, clean and well-preserved, as are the contents with just a little faint dustiness to top edge.The original and unclipped dust jacket has slight fading to the spine panel with one instance of creasing to spine head and tiny area of abrasion to spine foot.An excellent, near fine copy overall.

First edition, first impression (Hogarth Press, 1933). Half-bound in green morocco with five raised bands and lettering to spine in gilt and marbled boards. A little toning to edges with some browning to half-title and reverse of final page of text, contents nice and clean throughout otherwise. A near fine copy in a very attractive binding.

First edition, first impression (Collins Clear-Type Press, 1963).Original red cloth with black lettering to spine. A very good book indeed with some spotting to edges and 'Xmas 1963' written in biro on front paste-down, but concealed by the upper flap of the dust jacket. The original and unclipped dust jacket is very good or better with a few tears to edges and spine head, where there is an associated crease to top edge of lower panel. A very good copy indeed.

First UK edition, first impression in first state dust jacket without reviews to verso. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 and the last of the author's novels to be published in his lifetime.
Original blue cloth with dark red lettering to spine and upper board. A near fine book with the slightest hint of fading to spine. Beautifully clean and bright internally with no previous owner names or inscriptions.
The original and unclipped dust jacket - featuring striking artwork by Hans Tisdall - has some chipping to corners and spine tips with some rubbing and the usual sunning to spine panel. A lovely example.

First edition, first impression (Heinemann, 1967). Illustrated by Janet and Anne Grahame-Johnstone. Signed, inscribed and dated by the author in the year of publication on the front blank: 'To Cicely Courtneidge, from Dodie Smith "Dear Octopus", Theatre Royal, Haymarket, 1967'. The inscription refers to Smith's play 'Dear Octopus', which was revived in 1967 for the fiftieth wedding anniversary of the comedy actors Dame Cicely Courtneidge and Jack Hubert. Dodie Smith's married name, 'Mrs Beesley', Dodie Smith's married name is also written in ink in another hand to the front flap of the dust jacket. Additionally a postcard from the author is loosely inserted: 'Dearest Cis, Here is "The Starlight Barking" as a tiny first night present. It's also intended as a get well present to your dear poodle - I trust you'll be able to use Bill's line and say "The dog liked it". Bless you and thank you for your lovable, funny and altogether admirable performance as "Dora". Much love as ever, Dodie". 8vo, publisher's… Read More

First edition, first impression (Collins, 1981). Signed by the author to the dedication page with a heart drawn around the name 'Lee' in the author's hand. Lee McGeorge Durrell is the author's second wife who, in addition to co-authoring books with her husband, is also a naturalist, zookeeper, and television presenter.Publisher's original green cloth with lettering to spine in gilt. Boards are lovely, clean and well-preserved, as are the contents with just a little faint dustiness to top edge.The original and unclipped dust jacket has slight fading to the spine panel with one instance of creasing to spine head and tiny area of abrasion to spine foot.An excellent, near fine copy overall.

First edition, first impression (Hogarth Press, 1933). Half-bound in green morocco with five raised bands and lettering to spine in gilt and marbled boards. A little toning to edges with some browning to half-title and reverse of final page of text, contents nice and clean throughout otherwise. A near fine copy in a very attractive binding.

First edition, first impression (Collins Clear-Type Press, 1963).Original red cloth with black lettering to spine. A very good book indeed with some spotting to edges and 'Xmas 1963' written in biro on front paste-down, but concealed by the upper flap of the dust jacket. The original and unclipped dust jacket is very good or better with a few tears to edges and spine head, where there is an associated crease to top edge of lower panel. A very good copy indeed.

First UK edition, first impression in first state dust jacket without reviews to verso. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 and the last of the author's novels to be published in his lifetime.
Original blue cloth with dark red lettering to spine and upper board. A near fine book with the slightest hint of fading to spine. Beautifully clean and bright internally with no previous owner names or inscriptions.
The original and unclipped dust jacket - featuring striking artwork by Hans Tisdall - has some chipping to corners and spine tips with some rubbing and the usual sunning to spine panel. A lovely example.