Shogun by Clavell, James - 1975

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 UK edition, first impression (Collins Clear-Type Press, 1958). Originally published in the US the previous year. Signed and inscribed by the author to front endpaper verso: 'for the children of Battersea with Best Wishes... Dr Seuss'. Rare thus.Publisher's original turquoise pictorial boards. Rubbing to edges and to spine with some bumping to corners; very slight bowing to upper board; contents clean and free from names and inscriptions.A good copy of an edition that is rare to find bearing a unique inscription from the author.

A complete set of the five books comprising The Avignon Quintet, all of which are first editions, first impressions and are either signed or signed and inscribed by the author. A little rubbing in places and a couple of small nicks to the dust jackets of the first two volumes. The remaining volumes are all fine in fine dust jackets. A near fine set overall with attractive jacket illustrations by David Gentleman.

First edition, first impression with 'violent' for violet on p. 317, and no name on the street sign on the upper board. Illustrations by Sidney Paget. Some light spotting, floral endpapers, publisher's light blue cloth with gilt edges. Spine ends repaired with some of the often-seen rubbing and soiling to the boards and spine and previous owner's bookplate to front paste-down.

First UK edition, first impression (Heinemann, 1937). Bound in full green morocco by the Cottage Bindery of Bath. Top edge gilt; raised bands with gilt compartments; gilt borders to upper and lower covers with a pictorial on-lay to the upper cover replicating the original illustration from the UK first edition dust jacket in colour. Housed in a blue cloth slipcase. A fine book with a little very light and isolated spotting to preliminaries. A beautiful example of a rare edition in an extremely attractive, well-executed and unique binding.

First UK edition, first impression (Collins Clear-Type Press, 1958). Originally published in the US the previous year. Signed and inscribed by the author to front endpaper verso: 'for the children of Battersea with Best Wishes... Dr Seuss'. Rare thus.Publisher's original turquoise pictorial boards. Rubbing to edges and to spine with some bumping to corners; very slight bowing to upper board; contents clean and free from names and inscriptions.A good copy of an edition that is rare to find bearing a unique inscription from the author.

First edition, first impression with 'violent' for violet on p. 317, and no name on the street sign on the upper board. Illustrations by Sidney Paget. Some light spotting, floral endpapers, publisher's light blue cloth with gilt edges. Spine ends repaired with some of the often-seen rubbing and soiling to the boards and spine and previous owner's bookplate to front paste-down.

First Canadian edition, first impression (McClelland and Stewart, 1985). Signed and inscribed by the author to half-title: 'For Nancy - Best Wishes - Margaret Atwood'. Featuring striking dust jacket artwork by Tad Aronowicz. The true first edition, preceding that of the UK and the US. Winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award and more recently adapted into a successful TV series.

Quarter-bound in maroon cloth with cream boards and white lettering to spine. A fine and clean copy with some of the seemingly always present rubbing to the spine ends.

The original and unclipped dust jacket has a nick to spine foot, but is otherwise beautifully crisp and sharp.

A uniquely superior example of a classic of dystopian fiction.

First edition, first impression (Michael Joseph, 1968). Signed by the author and Ken Loach - who directed the film adaptation - to bookplates affixed to the title page. Original blue cloth with silver lettering to spine. A near fine book with a little toning to edges in a better than very good, unclipped dust jacket that has some rubbing to spine foot and fore-edges. An excellent copy.

Fifth edition (Chapman & Hall, 1844). Issued the year after the first edition, which was published in December 1843. Hand-coloured etched frontispiece and a further three plates by John Leech with four wood-engravings by W.J. Linton. Two pp advertisements at rear. Gilt edges with publisher's original cinnamon vertically ribbed cloth stamped in blind and gilt. Previous owner name to half-title dated 1844. Small stain on page 25 and one plate detached. A little light soiling/spotting to leaves here and there with some rubbing to edges. Hinges starting and binding a little exposed towards the rear of the book, but all pages, save for the one aforementioned plate, still firmly in place. A very good example.