Search Results: Authors starting with S from Swan's Fine Books

London: Academic Press / Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers, 1983. Hardcover. Fine/Very Good. Octavo size, 258 pp. Seven presentations by noted scientists all having to do with silicon geochemistry. As an essential nutrient, and the basis of the skeletal material of certain organisms, silicon occupies a dominant position in biogeochemistry; and this book draws together some of the more important aspects of this topic using a series of reviews. (From the book's Preface.) ___DESCRIPTION: Navy blue cloth binding, silver gilt lettering on the front and spine, plain endpapers, technical charts/graphs and some black and white photographs scattered throughout the text, Octavo size (approx. 9" high), pagination: (i)-x, 1-248. There is a glassine DJ present. ___CONDITION: Volume is in fine condition, with a strong, square text block, solid hinges, straight corners with absolutely no rubbing, the interior is clean and bright, and it is entirely free of prior owner markings. There are some shallow creases… Read More

[Octon, France]: Verdigris, 2005. Limited Edition. Stiff wraps. Fine. Rothchild, Judith. Number 4 of 10 de luxe copies (total edition 50), oblong octavo size, [22] pp., signed by the author and artist. James Sacre (b. 1939), former professor at Smith College, now residing in Montpellier, is a French poet, much of whose writing is concerned with literalism, which rejects the poetic convention of lyricism. He wrote this series of poems in response to fellow French artist Judith Rothchild's four mezzotints. The four images can be viewed in sequence when folded out and displayed in a semicircle, or read in page spreads, side by side with the poems - the work builds on each other as in these lines: "ç'est visible que chacun / ressemble a ceux d'a cote / par un detail de forme ou bien / l'idee qu'il donne d'un lien", the mezzotints are so rich they look like they would feel like velvet to the touch; this work is a joy to behold, on so many levels. ___DESCRIPTION: Original black wrappers with serigraph… Read More

[New York]: Little Brown and Company [Hachette Group], 2018. Hardcover. Fine. Boxed set of four volumes, octavo size, in slipcase and with original shrinkwrap. In advance of the centennial of Salinger's birth on January 1, 2019, Little Brown and Company honored the author with a reissue of his work, including "The Catcher in the Rye", "Nine Stories", "Franny and Zooey", and "Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction". Of the writers in Salinger's generation, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist John Updike attested that "the short stories of J. D. Salinger really opened my eyes as to how you can weave fiction out of a set of events that seem almost unconnected, or very lightly connected" (n.b. quote from Wiki). ___DESCRIPTION: Volumes bound in brightly coloured red, blue, green and yellow cloth with silver lettering on spines, octavo size (set measures 8 1/4" by 5 3/4" by 3 1/2"), housed in a slipcase covered with natural linen cloth, note that the original shrinkwrap is… Read More

Hamburg: Hirundo Press, 2007. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. Saltzwedel, Caroline. No. 4 of 10 bound sets, total edition 25 (plus 2 Artist's Proof and 1 HC), elephant folio size, with 12 etchings, each numbered and signed by the artist, text in German. Caroline Saltzwedel, born in England, has lived in Hamburg since 1995 as a graphic artist and painter; in 1998 she founded the Hirundo Press for artists' books in small editions. Her works are in numerous public and private collections including the Bodleian Library, Stanford University, and the Widener Library (Harvard) among many others. Caroline's works are often paired with original, new works of poetry or are based on mythological or other classical figures. This work was inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832); as Caroline wrote regarding this work, "The Four Elements of ancient mythology have been a timeless source of inspiration to painters and poets alike- not least Goethe, whose West-ostlicher Divan [West-Eastern Divan] is… Read More

Santa Barbara: Black Sparrow Press (1985-1991), 1985. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Near Fine. Five volumes (complete), octavo size, approx. 1500 total pp., each volulme one of the signed, limited publications. John Sanford (born Julian Lawrence Shapiro, 1904-2003) was awarded the a PEN/Faulkner Award and the Los Angeles Times Lifetime Achievement Award for this five-volume, autobiographical work (originally envisioned to be only three volumes). Each volume in this set one of the Black Sparrow special signed, limited copies (see below for details). If read at all, it was done gently, as the books still have that "tight" feel. Loosely laid into the second volume is a small "Note Concerning John Sanford's Epic Trilogy" which summarizes the plot line of the first volume and announces the forthcoming third volume. ___DESCRIPTION: Each volume bound in decorated paper over boards with a cloth shelfback (each volume in different colours), Vol. One published in 1985, this no. 31 of 150 numbered… Read More

San Francisco: Ransohoffs [Printed at the Grabhorn Press], 1938. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Near fine. Dean, Mallette. Limited edition, one of 200 copies, folio size, unpaginated [28] pp. Edward VIII (1894-1972), Prince of Wales, then King Edward VIII, and then the Duke of Windsor, made history when he abdicated the British throne in order to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée, whom the monarchy and Parliament considered unacceptable for a future king to wed. Viewed as a hero by some for choosing love over kingship, Edward VIII gave an impassioned speech on the event of his abdication, saying, ". . .I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love." This speech is printed here in an elegant edition by the Grabhorn Press, with a note by William Saroyan (1908-1981), Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and novelist, who here writes an eloquent defence of Edward VIII's… Read More

New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1981. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. Hogarth, Paul. No. 447 of 2000, quarto size, 245 pp., signed by Paul Hogarth, with slipcase. Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967), a poet and decorated soldier, is best known for his poetry describing his experiences in the trenches during World War I and for criticising the patriotism and nationalism of those who, in Sassoon's view, were responsible for the war. "Memoirs of an Infantry Officer" is a fictionalised account of Sassoon's life during and after World War I, through which he advocates an anti-war stance. This publication by the Limited Editions Club is illustrated by English artist Paul Hogarth (1917-2001), whose watercolours show the disoriented and desperate state of the characters in scenes of war and violence; in 2014, Hogarth's illlustrations for this book were exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. ___DESCRIPTION: Full natural linen, illustration of a trumpet by Paul Hogarth stamped in black on… Read More

Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine/near fine. Say, Allen. Quarto size, 32 pp., signed and with an original cartoon drawing by Allen Say. A touching story of immigration that affected three generations of one family, written and illustrated with beautiful watercolour paintings by Allen Say, and winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal. Mr. Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, and himself emmigrated to San Francisco at the age of sixteen; he is a well-known author and illustrator, having also written "Tree of Cranes", selected as an ALA Notable Children's Book. This story tells of a grandfather and grandson, both of whom love two lands; Japan and America. The story opens with the author's grandfather immigrating from Japan, exploring America, and eventually returning to his homeland. Whenever he is in one country, he longs for the other. This longing carries over through his daughter to his grandson, the narrator, who also travels to America and, once there, misses Japan.… Read More

Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine/fine. Say, Allen. Quarto size, 32 pp. A heart-wrenching story of a grandfather and grandson, both of whom love two lands; Japan and America. The story opens with the author's grandfather immigrating from Japan, exploring America, and eventually returning to his homeland. Whenever he is in one country, he longs for the other. This longing carries over through his daughter to his grandson, the narrator, who also travels to America and, once there, misses Japan. A touching story of immigration that affected three generations of one family, written and illustrated with beautiful watercolour paintings by Allen Say, and winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal. Mr. Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, and himself emmigrated to San Francisco at the age of sixteen; he is a well-known author and illustrator, having also written "Tree of Cranes", selected as an ALA Notable Children's Book. ___DESCRIPTION: Original quarter brown cloth and… Read More

[Seattle]: [Frank McCaffrey, Printer], 1928. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Near fine. One of 265 copies, octavo size, 60 pp. An incredibly lovely book by a highly-regarded Seattle printer, Frank McCaffrey (founder of the Dogwood Press). The binding is distinctive with patterened paper over boards, Japanese characters debossed on the front in a shimmering, emerald green, the spine being covered with a woven piece of fabric in jewelled tones. Once one can tear one's eyes away from the binding (no small feat) one notices the title page, in yellow with raised white letters and a centre illustration, two historiated initials, and scattered small decorations throughout in various colours. In addition, there are eight plates bound in throughout with half-tone reproductions of black-and-white photographs, several photos to each plate, each with a lettered hand-made paper guard. We are fortunate to have a contemporary clipping discussing this book, which states: "So unusual is this book considered by… Read More

San Francisco: Privately Printed at the Grabhorn Press, 1937. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. No. 95 of 100, quarto size, 140 pp., signed by Ida Denicke. Friedrich Schuenemann-Pott dedicated his life to the freedom of religious thought and the "fundamental right of the human mind". This translation from the original German published in 1873 was done by Schuenemann-Pott's daughter, Ida Denicke, while in her eighties (n. b., info from Denicke's Foreword). ___DESCRIPTION: Quarter blue leather with blue linen-finish paper boards, red leather spine label with gold lettering, photographic frontispiece of Friedrich Schuenemann-Pott with lettered tissue guard, title page in red and black, fourteen decorative initial capitals throughout; quarto size (10.75" tall), 140 pp., signed by Ida Denicke, one of 100 copies, this no. 95. ___CONDITION: Volume is very good, with a bright and clean text block, paper boards show some sunning and minor wear to corners, leather spine has heavy rubbing but is intact… Read More

[Winona, Minnesota]: Privately Printed [printed and bound by C. Mikal Oness at Sutton Hoo Press], 2001. Limited Edition. Stitched Binding. Fine. One of 50 copies with this binding, duodecimo size, 45 unnumbered pp. This book of poetry by Herbert Scott entitled "In the Palm of Space" is the Thanksgiving 2001 release from the Sutton Hoo Press. Herbert Scott (1931-2006) was a poet and the founding editor of New Issues Press; this poem demonstrates his delicately lyrical style, through the windings of a long poem broken into many short stanzas. ___DESCRIPTION: Brown, green, and yellow marbled paper boards, with the naked spine sewn into handmade paper case tabs pulled to the outside of the boards, fore-edge uncut; Lutetia italic type, Somerset paper, duodecimo size (6.75" by 4.25"), pagination: 45 unnumbered pages, one of 50 copies bound in this way, of a total of 126 copies printed. ___CONDITION: Volume is fine; with a strong, square text block, solid hinges, straight corners with no rubbing, the… Read More

Berkeley, California: The Hart Press, 1966. Limited Edition. Wraps. Near fine. Anderson, Victor R.. Quarto size, [8] pp., with a presentation card from the publisher. The annual Christmas publication issued by Ruth and James D. Hart, to friends in a limited edition. James D. Hart (1911-1990) was an American literary scholar and professor at UC Berkeley for fifty-four years. He is best known for his work "The Oxford Companion to American Literature". Owen Seaman (1861-1936) was a British writer, journalist and poet, probably best known as editor of "Punch" from 1906-1932. ___DESCRIPTION: Original pictorial green wrappers, edges uncut/deckled, pictorial title and three illustrations in text, printers device at colophon, laid Arches paper, quarto 10" by 6 1/2", [8] pp., limited edition, with a presentation card from the publisher/printer slipped in. ___CONDITION: A near fine copy, with some small creases to the paper wrappers at the edges, otherwise internally bright and free chips or foxing, overall… Read More

New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc, n. d.. Hardcover. Near fine/good. Octavo size, 231 pp. This cookbook of Chinese dishes, in addition to its recipes, contains anecdotes and humorous writings on the formation of the book and interesting tidbits about Chinese culture from the knowledge of the author; Townley Searle has also illustrated the book throughout, with simple line drawings and caricatures. The book has its lovely dust jacket, made of gold-coloured paper and covered in blue, red, and black illustrations in a style matching those in the book. ___DESCRIPTION: Full blue cloth, gilt lettering on the front board and spine, endpapers in five colours with a pattern of Chinese lanterns, title page with ruled borders and line drawing in black by Townley Searle, black line drawings by Searle throughout; octavo size (8.5" by 5.5"), pagination: [1-6] 7-231. In a gold-coloured paper dust jacket with colour illustration and title inside a red rectangle on the front panel, black lettering and blue and red… Read More

San Francisco: The Book Club of California [designed and typeset by Patrick Reagh], 2005. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. One of 450 copies, folio size, 135 pp., with Errata sheet, prospectus, and related ephemera. The Federal Art Project, instigated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as part of the New Deal, was created to employ thousands of artists across the country; this publication from the Book Club of California encompases printmakers working in California, and features a diversity of style and methods. Elizabeth Seaton writes in detail about each artist, as well as the historical context in which the works were made. This volume was printed at the shop of Patrick Reagh (b. 1948), son of Los Angeles photographer William Reagh, who has printed numerous fine press editions under his own imprint. ___DESCRIPTION: Quarter black cloth with blue cloth boards, geometric design in black on the front board, yellow lettering on the spine, black endpapers, title page in red, yellow, blue, and… Read More

[Newtown, Powys]: Gwasg Gregynog, 2008. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. See-Paynton, Colin. One of 135 standard edition copies, folio size, 171 pp., with correspondence from the Press. Colin See-Paynton (b. 1946) spent more than four years extensively researching and writing the text, and creating the sixty-one new wood engravings for this illustrated lexicon of avian collective nouns: an unprecedented achievement. "The work of Colin See-Paynton is truly remarkable in its detail and beauty. His Wood Engravings, held in many major collections, display a love and understanding of nature as well as the skill of a master engraver" (n.b., quote from the web site of the artist). The entire work written, compiled, designed and illustrated by See-Paynton "In a critical essay David Alston, Arts Director of the Arts Council Wales, wrote: 'not since Thomas Bewick, who both wrote and engraved in the late eighteenth century, have both literary and pictorial aspects been found conjoined in the one talent as… Read More

[Newtown, Powys]: Gwasg Gregynog, 2008. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. See-Paynton, Colin. One of 150 copies in a custom binding by Patricia Chupa, folio size, 171 pp., with prospectus and other related ephemera. Colin See-Paynton (b. 1946) spent more than four years extensively researching and writing the text, and creating the sixty-one new wood engravings for this illustrated lexicon of avian collective nouns: an unprecedented achievement. "The work of Colin See-Paynton is truly remarkable in its detail and beauty. His Wood Engravings, held in many major collections, display a love and understanding of nature as well as the skill of a master engraver" (n.b., quote from the web site of the artist). The entire work written, compiled, designed and illustrated by See-Paynton "In a critical essay David Alston, Arts Director of the Arts Council Wales, wrote: 'not since Thomas Bewick, who both wrote and engraved in the late eighteenth century, have both literary and pictorial aspects been found… Read More

London: Constable and Company Ltd, 1914. First Edition. Hardcover. Near fine/very good +. Signed by Shaw on bookplate, with a TLS, duodecimo size, 358 pp., with two pieces of ephemera from the publisher. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was apparently in correspondence with the noted bookplate collector Charles Dexter Allen (1865-1926) - at least, the hints scattered within this book seems to indicate such. The story begins on the front pastedown, which has the signature of "G. Bernard Shaw" with the date below of 14th July 1913, on an Ex-Libris with the printed message:  "This Book belongs to Charles Dexter Allen".  Given that the date on the Ex-Libris is earlier than the publication date of the book, one can only assume that Mr. Allen sent out these bookplates to prominent personages to obtain their autograph, which he would keep and then, eventually, place within one of their books. The story continues on the front free endpaper, with two slips tipped-in.   The first a short clipping… Read More

Topeka, Kansas: Privately Printed / Geo. W. Crane & Co., Printers and Binders, 1890. First Edition. Hardcover. Good. Octavo size, 262 pp., inscribed by the Rev. Sheldon. Presentation copy from the author to his daughter, per a typed notation tipped onto the verso of the flyleaf (directly opposite the title page), "I rejoice to present to you these 'Gleanings By The Way', my ever loved and loving daughter, the Artist, Alice Gertrude. Devotedly and lovingly your father, Stewart Sheldon." Some penciled notations in the text, which we believe were made by the author (see notes below). Per Cowan, "The author came to California in 1849 and narrates his activities and adventures in the mining settlements and diggings." Stewart Sheldon (1823-1912), born in New York, did indeed come to San Francisco in 1849 where he helped to survey the city of tents and was in the mining business for a year; he then went to Seminary and began his service in the ministry. ___DESCRIPTION: Dark teal herringbone cloth boards,… Read More

Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Co, 1911. First Trade Edition. Hardcover. Near fine/very good. Robinson, Charles. First U.S. trade edition as illustrated by Robinson, quarto size, [128] pp., in original dust jacket. Percy Bysshe Shelley's (1792-1822) "The Sensitive Plant" is a delicate fairy fable about ephemeral beauty and the aspiration to follow dreams when the reality of the senses fails. It was first published in 1820 in "Prometheus Unbound" along with some of Shelley's best known work; here it is re-imagined with the hazy watercolour illustrations of prolific children's book illustrator Charles Robinson (1870-1937). Though paired with Shelley long after his death, they are well matched, "his black and white illustration reflects the influence of Beardsley and Walter Crane, and his watercolour illustrations have delicacy and sensitivity, greatly helped by the four colour process early in the century as the alternative to lithography. By incorporating lettering into the page design, and in his… Read More