Search Results: Titles starting with W from B & B Rare Books, Ltd., ABAA

London: Faber and Faber [orig. published 1956], 1981 Later edition. Presentation copy, signed and inscribed by Beckett on title page: "For Mel / With all good wishes / from Sam / Paris / 29.8.84." Publisher's white wrappers, with a drawing of a tree and hand by Sidney Nolan on front wrapper, printed in black. About fine, with just a hint of soiling to wrappers, and light toning to margins of pages. Overall, an excellent inscribed copy of Beckett's greatest work. This copy comes from the personal library of Mel Gussow. Waiting for Godot - originally written in French, under the title En attendant Godot - is an absurdist play about two main characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who converse in witty and amusing banter while they wait for Godot, who ultimately never arrives. The play premiered in Paris at the Théâtre de Babylone in January 1953. A theatrical masterpiece, Godot was voted the "most significant English-language play of the 20th century" in a poll of… Read More

New York: Grove Press, 1954 Translated from author's own original French. First American edition, first printing. Publisher's black cloth, with wraparound title in blind, spine lettered in gold and silver foil, red endpapers; in its original black and white dust jacket, with a photograph from a production of the play to front panel, and portrait of Beckett to rear panel. Fine book with just a minuscule spot of soiling to fore edge of text block; about fine unclipped dust jacket, with a touch of toning to spine and flap edges, and a tiny bit of rubbing to foot of spine. Overall, a truly excellent copy. Waiting for Godot is an absurdist play about two main characters, Vladimir and Estragon, who converse in witty and amusing banter while they wait for Godot, who ultimately never arrives. Beckett, an Irish author whose move to France was accompanied by his transition from writing in English to French, translated this text from its original French (published under the title En attendant Godot). The play… Read More

Washington D. C.: [No publisher], 1925 Original 10" x 14" red, green, and yellow box with photo of Johnson to top of box, 10 silver game tokens, teetotum spinner, baseball field board, single scorecard, and instruction sheet. Very good set with a bit of dampstaining to box, rear of game board, and scorecard, some creasing to box and light wear to edges, small chip to top left of box top, closed tear to side of box bottom, small corner flap of box top detached, some wear to edges of scorecard with minor tape repair to verso, scorecard filled out in pencil, mostly erased. Overall, a bright example, and rarely found complete with the game pieces. The Walter Johnson Base Ball Game is a board game that, according to Johnson's quote on the box, is "next best to the real game." Players use a baseball field board, game tokens, and a unique metal teetotum to simulate a game of baseball. According to Sports Collectors Daily, the game "has become one of the most popular and sought… Read More

Wisconson: The Perishable Press Limited, 1974 First edition, first printing. Limited edition, one of 130 copies signed by the author in orange ink on the half-title page. A fine copy. Overall, a very bright and attractive copy. The Wandering Tattler is a collection of poems by Diane Wakoski, a prolific American poet known for the personal quality of her writing. It is truly a work of literary art, as admirable for the craftsmanship of its physical construction as for its words and images. Wakoski's poetry, which incorporates a heavy use of bird-like and spring imagery, is enhanced by the accompanying stunning illustrations by Ellen Layon. These motifs are continued in the publishing and printing processes; published "as our Sun enters Aries or the first day of Spring," the drawings and illustrations are printed on handmade Shadwell papers, the colors of which were drawn from the "colors of the actual birds." Additionally, The Perishable Press Limited, run by professor, artist,… Read More

New York: Congdon & Weed, Inc., 1982 Illustrated by Edward Gorey. First edition, first printing. Signed by Gorey to the title page. Publisher's black paper-covered boards with white and pale-green water flower illustration to front and rear, titles in black to spine; in its original dust jacket with identical layout. Near fine book, with a hint of toning to foot of spine, bottom right corner of front board very lightly bumped, and mild rubbing to spine ends and bottom edge of rear board; very good unclipped dust jacket, with light toning to spine, a touch of rubbing to spine ends and panel edges, and some light smudging to rear panel. Overall, a bright copy. The Water Flowers is Gorey's melancholy Christmas story, in which the main characters concoct a "white sauce" for dinner, made of a mixture of water and flowers. After its consumption, one of the characters dies and the remaining figures trim their Christmas tree with black ornaments and black candles. This is a classic Gorey tale with just enough… Read More

New York: Grove Press, 1959 First American edition, first printing, cloth bound edition. Publisher’s black cloth with titles in gilt to spine; original black, white, and green dust jacket designed by Richard Brodney, black circle graphic to front panel, photo of Beckett by Brassaï to rear panel. Slight lean to spine and soiling to edges of text block, else fine book; about very good unclipped dust jacket with some soiling and rubbing to exterior, light toning to spine, some wear and shallow chipping to spine ends, lightly nicked corners, and a few chips and small closed tears to edges. Overall, a presentable copy with an unblemished interior. In Watt, the title character becomes a domestic servant for Mr. Knott, a mysterious and reclusive master. Watt, whose mind is logical to a fault, struggles to perform relatively simple tasks and ultimately ends up in a mental institution. It is theorized that Watt’s name represents the word “what” and Knott’s represents… Read More

Edinburgh: Printed for James Ballantyne and Co., 1814 Three volumes. First edition. One of 1000 copies. Bound with all half-titles and fly-titles, lacking the terminal imprint leaves as usual, terminal blanks present. 12mo. Finely bound in contemporary dark navy morocco over purple marbled paper-covered boards, compartments ruled in gilt, gilt decorations to spine ends, gilt unicorn emblem to lower spine compartments, spine titles in gilt, marbled edges and green endpapers. A fine set with very slight signs of rubbing to the extremities, a few very minor spots, otherwise extremely bright and clean. Overall, an extremely attractive and remarkably fine set. Todd & Bowden 77Aa. Set during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, Waverley is often considered among scholars to be the first historical novel. Scott was influenced by 18th century enlightenment, evidenced by his realistic depiction of peasant characters and his ideas of social reform that also embrace the importance of tradition. First… Read More

London: Grant Richards, 1903 First edition, first printing. Finely bound by Zaehnsdorf in full red morocco with five raised bands to spine, spine and front panel lettered in gilt, gilt turn-ins, top edge gilt. Spine a touch faded, else a very fine copy. This semi-autobiographical novel was written from 1873 to 1884, though not published until 1903, after the author's death. Supremely critical of the Victorian era dignification of England, Butler would have likely been met with outrage if he chose to publish this piece of writing during his lifetime; instead, the book is regarded as one of many critiques of Victorian society published after Queen Victoria's reign. The book has been praised many British authors, including George Orwell: "[it is] a great book because it gives an honest picture of the relationship between father and son, and it could do that because Butler was a truly independent observer, and above all because he was courageous.". First Edition. Hard Cover. Fine.

New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1928 Illustrated by J. J. Lankes. First edition, first printing, first state, without an edition statement to the copyright page. Signed and inscribed by Frost: "Robert Frost/ Wesleyan/ 1929". Original publisher's paper-covered boards over green cloth; dust jacket lettered in green, ruled in red. About fine with slight rubbing to the spine ends; unclipped dust jacket with some wear and small chips at the corners and spine, spine lightly toned, else near fine. Crane A10. West-Running Brook is a collection of 39 poems, including "Spring Pools," "A Peck of Gold," "Once the Pacific," "Acquainted With the Night," "Canis Major," "A Passing Glimpse," "The Peaceful Shepherd," "The Flower," and "On Looking Up By Chance at the Constellations," among others. The poems are thematically divided into six sections: "I: Spring Pools," "II: Fiat Nox,"… Read More

London: Methuen & Co., 1924 Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard. First edition, first printing, second state with “ix” to contents leaf. One of 5,140 copies. Signed by Milne on title page. Original publisher’s blue cloth, front and rear boards illustrated in gilt, gilt border to front board, spine lettered in gilt, top edge gilt. A near fine copy with light rubbing to spine ends, a few tiny spots of soiling to cloth, bottom corners gently bumped, spine slightly shaken but sturdy overall, and light offsetting to endpapers. Overall, a beautiful copy of Milne’s first book to feature Winnie the Pooh. A.A. Milne's 1924 collection of poetry When We Were Very Young contains the first depiction of Winnie the Pooh in the poem "Teddy Bear" on page 85. Containing 52 poems, the collection is beautifully illustrated by Ernest Howard Shepard with simple ink drawings. The best-selling book is lovingly dedicated to A.A. Milne's son Christopher Robin Milne who was four at… Read More

New York: Hyperion, 2001 First edition, first printing. Signed by Berra on title page. Publisher's red cloth-backed boards, spine lettered in silver foil; original white dust jacket lettered in red and blue, designed by Phil Rose, jacket photographs by Will Ryan. About fine book, with a tiny spot of glue to rear board, and bottom edges of board lightly wrinkled; a touch of creasing to top edge of front panel, else fine unclipped dust jacket. Overall, a very fresh copy. In this book, legendary Yankees catcher Yogi Berra expands his famous sayings into short essays on life and baseball. Berra "explains his recipe for fulfillment and happiness with lessons that are profoundly simple, simply profound - and classic Yogi to the core" (from jacket flap). Berra played eighteen seasons with the New York Yankees, winning an incredible ten World Series titles. Winner of three AL MVPs and recognized as one of the greatest catchers of all-time, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972. Off the… Read More

East Aurora, NY: The Roycrofters, 1907 With engraved frontispiece portraits of Elbert and Alice Hubbard, and decorative initials and head- and tail-pieces by Dard Hunter throughout text, printed in green and white. First edition. One of 207 copies signed and numbered by Hubbard on the limitation page, this being number 158. Additionally inscribed by Elbert and his wife Alice on front flyleaf: "To our beautiful Betty with the love and blessing of Alice Hubbard / Elbert Hubbard / Dec 25th 1907." Finely bound in contemporary three-quarter brick-red morocco, with marbled boards, five raised bands to spine, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, marbled endpapers, and red ribbon. About fine, with light toning and scratching to paper on front board, a touch of rubbing to foot of spine, and light toning to page edges. Overall, an exquisite copy. White Hyacinths is a book of essays on life, which opens with the epigraph, "If I had but two loaves of bread I would sell one of them and buy White… Read More

Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1996 First edition, first printing. Signed and inscribed by Robin Roberts on the title page: "Great memories Dallas / Robin Roberts / HOF 76". Publisher's red boards, titles in gilt to spine; black dust jacket with "whiz kids" photo to front panel, jacket design by Adventure House, NYC. Touch of soiling to textblock edge, else fine book; fine unclipped dust jacket. Overall, a bright and excellent copy. The Whiz Kids and the 1950 Pennant gives an in-depth and first-hand account of the Philadelphia Phillies' miracle season, which culminated in their defeating the heavily favored Brooklyn Dodgers for the pennant in the last game of the season. The team was nicknamed the "Whiz Kids" because of their exceptional youth, the average player being just 26 years old. Co-author Robin Roberts is a Hall of Fame pitcher who was one of the "Whiz Kids," and won the crucial game against the Dodgers. The book combines Roberts'… Read More

Chicago: Buxton Publishing Company, 1933 First edition. Inscribed by the book's publisher, Grover C. Buxton, on front free endpaper: "To 'Bobby' / from / Grover / Sept. 27, 1933", and signed again by Buxton on p. 11. Original red cloth, baseball design and title in gilt to front board, titles in gilt to spine, frontispiece photograph of High Commissioner of Baseball, Kenesaw Mountain Landis. A good copy with a rectangular patch of fading to front board, a bit of wear and soiling to exterior, hinges slightly loose, fairly large chip to p. 47, pages otherwise intact and very clean, offsetting and residue from removed bookplate to front free endpaper. Overall, a presentable copy of a classic baseball book. Who's Who in Major League Baseball, compiled by the sportswriter Harold (Speed) Johnson, is a directory that includes biographical sketches and statistics for the professional baseball players around the time of its publication. It also includes sections with biographies on… Read More

Three first editions in wrappers. Including: Wilson's Christmas Stocking 1953. Near fine with a small tape remnant to front cover, spot to rear cover, and light toning to spine. Wilson's Christmas Delirium 1955. Fine. Holiday Greetings from Edmund Wilson 1966. Fine. Featuring Wilson's whimsical and satiric humor, in the form of holiday greetings and poems sent to close friends. These pamphlets come from an important collection of Edmund Wilson material.. First Edition. Fine.

Three first editions in wrappers. Including: Wilson's Christmas Stocking 1953. Near fine with a touch of soiling and a few spots to wrappers. Wilson's Christmas Delirium 1955. About very good, with light toning to wrapper, and a lengthwise split to spine of wrapper (still attached at 1" of spine head.) Holiday Greetings from Edmund Wilson 1966. Fine. Featuring Wilson's whimsical and satiric humor, in the form of holiday greetings and poems sent to close friends. These pamphlets come from an important collection of Edmund Wilson material.. First Edition. Very Good.

New York: The Fountain Press; London: Chatto & Windus, 1929 First edition, first printing. One of 600 numbered copies signed by the author on the half-title. Publisher's dark blue cloth, with gold spiral patterns stamped in gilt to the boards, spine lettered in gilt with two red morocco labels, top edge gilt, fore-edges and bottom edges uncut, purple endpapers flecked with gold and lined in white, printed on Kalmar paper. A very good or better copies, light wear to the extremities, a few minor spots to the cloth, spine gilt a bit dimmed, lower spine label chipped; internally, very clean with only some fading to the endpapers and pastedown, minor dampstain to upper inner margin. Overall, a very attractive copy. Wade 164. The Winding Stair is a collection of six poems: "In Memory of Eva Gore Booth and Con Markiewicz," "Death," "A Dialogue of Self and Soul," "Blood and the Moon," "Oil and Blood," and "A Woman Young and Old." Like his… Read More

New York: Macmillan, 1986 First edition, first printing. Signed on front free endpaper by Ostler and Springer. Publisher's purple cloth-backed gray boards, titles in silver to spine; original black dust jacket designed by Lee Wade with Magic Johnson photo to front panel, lettered in white and yellow. Near fine with light toning to edges, lightly bumped bottom edge of rear board, and ownership signature neatly written in black pen to rear pastedown; light toning to jacket flaps, else fine unclipped dust jacket. Overall, an excellent copy in a very sharp dust jacket. Winnin' Times explores the rise of the "most glamorous team in all of sports," the Showtime Lakers. The team, famous for its entertaining and high-energy offense, featured some of the greatest players in NBA history, like Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Michael Cooper, and James Worthy. The book was published between two signature championship wins by the Lakers against the Larry Bird-led Celtics in 1985 and 1987. The… Read More

New York: Royal Composing Room, 1990 Designed by Martin Solomon. Illustrated by Isadore Seltzer. Special edition. Publisher's light blue cloth, stamped to front board in gilt with author's facsimile signature, lettered in gilt to spine, light blue endpapers; in the original matching light blue slipcase. About fine, spine lightly toned. Originally published in Shakespeare's First Folio in 1623, this comedy tells the story of King Leontes, whose wife, Hermione, is pregnant with what he believes to be another man's child. After imprisoning his wife and ordering the newborn to be taken away, Leontes' other young son dies of a broken heart. Upon receiving word that his wife has also died, Leontes is stricken with guilt and remorse, and spends years mourning his family, only to be reunited with them sixteen years later. This special edition of The Winter's Tale is the twenty-fourth volume in a series of annually published Shakespearian keepsakes prepared for friends of the… Read More

New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1942 First edition, first printing. Presentation copy, inscribed by Frost to Roberta and Gordon Chalmers on the front free endpaper: "For Roberta and Gordon / From Frost / 1942." Publisher's coarse blue cloth, with front board and spine stamped in gilt; in its original pictorial dust jacket, with tree illustration by Alan Haemer to the front panel. Near fine book, with light toning to spine, light rubbing to bottom edges of boards, and very light spotting to endpapers and pages; in a very good unclipped dust jacket, with light fading and scuffing to spine, light wear and chipping to spine ends, some edgewear to panels with a few small closed tears, tiny chip to bottom edge of rear panel, and light staining to top of rear flap fold. Overall, a great association copy. A Witness Tree is Frost's seventh book of poems, which earned him the 1943 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. The volume includes forty-two poems divided into five sections - poems like,… Read More