New Acquisitions (brags)

External Since: Jul 02, 2003 Posts: 84

"New" meaning in the last 3 months, as I haven't been doing much with books
lately.

Danielewski, Mark Z. House of Leaves 2000 Pantheon NY. Second printing of
the first edition. Signed "Z" on the first blank sheet, and inscribed on the
"This is not for you" page "August 4, 2003 / For Mike Berro, / Guardian of
Site, / This one's for you. / Fondest regards, / Z" along with a geometric
drawing in red and blue ink. A horror story about a house whose interior is
larger than its exterior. Fine in DW.
(I reserved www.markzdanielewski.com for him.)

du Maurier, George The Martian 1898 Harpers UK. First British edition. The
Martian was originally serialized in "Harper's New Monthly Magazine" in
1896. The first US edition came next in 1897 with this Harpers edition
following in 1898. Harpers is printed on the spine and Harper and Brothers
is printed on the title page. A human becomes possessed by the spirit of a
female extraterrestrial. Near fine, frontispiece protective tissue present,
in a beautiful DW with a large piece missing from the top of the spine
("The" is gone), and a small piece missing from the rear left corner.
(Almost my earliest DJ, but the one I have from 1896 is tattered.)

Jackson, Holbrook The Anatomy of Bibliomania 1930 The Soncino Press UK.
First edition. Number 360 out of 1000 copies. Two volumes. Very good in DWs.
(Got it cheap on Ebay. This should be good reading.)

Moran, Daniel Keys The Ring 1988 Doubleday NY. Uncorrected proof of the
first edition. Inscribed on the half-title page "Dear Mike, / You actually
have all / the galleys? I think / that makes 2 of us. / Daniel Keyes Moran."
Purchased from the author. An excellent post-apocalyptic novel. Very good in
blue printed wrappers.
(I mentioned I had all the proofs except this one.)

Queen, Ellery (ed) (Ernest Bramah's copy) Challenge to the Reader 1938
Frederick Stokes NY. First edition. Contains stories by Ernest Bramah ("The
Vanished Crown") and many others, with authors' names omitted and the
detectives' names changed. One of fifty de luxe gift editions signed by
"Ellery Queen", this copy inscribed to "Ernest Bramah Smith." Slight
offsetting to front free endpaper, else fine in orange half-leather binding.
Top edge red.
(I paid a lot for this, but Bramah is my main man, and it's likely unique.)

Rogers, Samuel Italy, a Poem 1836 T. Cadell UK. First edition. 296 pages.
Contains numerous half-page engravings, or vignettes, mainly by Turner and
Stothard. Full velum with gilt trim on cover and spine, all edges gilt.
Bookplate of Bernard Berenson on first end paper. Foreedge painting of a
hunting scene with horses, dogs, and hunters. Very good condition with minor
soiling on covers, minor wear to cover corners and edges, number written in
blue ink on first endpaper, Bernard Berenson's bookplate on first endpaper,
inscription in ink "To Katie this little souvenir from B.B.'s
bedroom-library with love from Micky." on first free endpaper, a blank page
appears to be detached, minor soiling on endpapers and first blank pages,
minor spots of soiling on a few pages, else clean, tight, and solid, minor
wear and rubbing to page edges, foredge painting is still very nice and
bright.
(My first [and likely only] fore-edge painted book. I looked up Berenson,
but have already forgotten who he was.)

Watts, Alan W. Easter Its Story and Meaning 1950 Henry Schuman NY. First
edition. Inscribed "With all good wishes, Alan W. Watts May 20, 1950" on the
front free end paper. Fine in very good DW with 1" chip missing from the
rear panel. Inscription ink was wet when book was closed, marking front flap
of dust jacket. Not price clipped.
(I like Watts. It's ironic that a writer who touted the elimination of
desire is now so much in demand by collectors. I don't know if he'd be
pleased that I bought this cheaply.)

---Mike
http://www.booktouronline.com

External Since: Jun 22, 2003 Posts: 111

Mike Berro wrtoe and i snipped:

>.......One of fifty de luxe gift editions signed by "Ellery Queen",
this copy inscribed to "Ernest Bramah Smith." Slight offsetting to front
free endpaper, else fine in orange half-leather binding. Top edge red.
(I paid a lot for this, but Bramah is my main man, and it's likely
unique.)
..............................................................

I've added a few more books to some of my collections in the last month
or so, including books from the libraries of some famous people.

For My Sentimental Library, I've acquired books from the libraries of
Bing Crosby and Burl Ives, as well as a book on Latin America signed by
Eddie Rickenbaker. Heading my way is a book by Tom D. Crouch on the
History of Ballooning. This book is reportedly from the reference
library of H.P Kraus, bookseller, and bears his bookplate.

For my Bibliography Collection, I acquired Bibliography and Reference
List of the History and Literature Relating to the Adoption of the
Constitution of the United States, 1787-8 by Paul Leicester Ford,
Brooklyn, N.Y. 1888. I alraady had Ford's Bibliography of the Official
Publications of the Continental Congress. Brooklyn,1888.......sounds
dull, but there is really fascinating history here people!

The above books also pertain to Americana, as does the following book
I've recently acquired: Rare Americana Relating to The American
Indians, Collected by Wilberfore Eames, Anderson Auction Company,1910,
1911, 1913, Parts I, II, and III, with prices realized annotated in the
columns. The cover of this book is in very sad shape; however, Eames
will be most comfortable pretty soon in half leather with marbled
boards. To add icing to the cake, heading my way is an ALS from
Wilberforce Eames on NYPL letterhead.

Shakespeare still commands my attention. I acquired another issue of
the New Shakespearana,1904, the periodical for the Shakespeare Society
of New York. Two days ago, I received a little NYPL pamphlet on the
Exhibition of Shakespeariana at the NYPL in 1916. Yesterday, I ordered
the 1917 catalogue by Henrietta C. Bartlett, which lists all the books
displayed at this exhibition. The books in the exhibition were divided
into four sections. First, all Shakespeare editions published before
1709. Second, all spurious works attributed to Shakespeare, as well as
adaptations. Third, all books Shakespeare is supposed to have read or
referred to in his plays and poems. Fourth, all books containing
allusions to Shakespeare from 1592 to 1623. Yeah, I want this book!

I also acquired some other periodicals as well: Six issues from the
1940s of the Johnsonian News Letter (JNL), edited by James L. Cifford.
Vols 2, 3, and 4 (1858-9) of the Atlantic Monthly bound together in one
huge book. Volume V of the Bibliographer, Journal of Booklore,
London,1884. I already have Volume VI.

Last but not least, I have a footnote to add to my recent thread on
Those Who Write Them and Those Who Collect Them, concerning William
Targ's periodical, The Book Collector's Journal,1936. The Aleister
Crowley collector contacted me after the auction. He is a writer as
well as a collector. To make a long story short, I sent him copies of
the journals containing the Aleister Crowley article. In return, he
sent me an inscribed copy of his book, Revised Notes Towards a
Bibliography of Austin Osman Spare, Compiled by Clive Harper......."For
Jerry, With the compliments of the compiler, Clive Harper, 16-12-2003."
I've already included his book in My Sentimental Library.

Cheers,
Jerry Morris

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