(Cinema)

(Hollywood: RKO Radio Pictures, 1940). (Hollywood: RKO Radio Pictures, 1940). First edition. 4to, 27 unpaginated leaves, comb-bound in faux-alligator boards. Extremities slightly rubbed; plastic comb intact; an excellent copy. Item #204816

Illustrated annual "Exhibitor's Book" filled with promotional display ads for forthcoming RKO releases. Most importantly, this book contains the first advertisment for Orson Welles's "Citizen Kane", still under its working title "John Citizen, U.S.A." Also advertised are the adaptations of "Kitty Foyle" and "Sister Carrie", each featuring a fold-out image on cardstock of its eponymous book. With portraits of studio stars including Charles Laughton, Carole Lombard, Cary Grant, Charles Boyer, Ronald Colman, Ginger Rogers and many more. Price: $1,250.00

Rilke, Rainer Maria

Paris: 1909. Paris: 1909. Two page on a single small bifolium with the poet's printed address. Tiny pinhole at folded, some additional creases, close to fine. Item #204849

A brief letter in which Rilke writes to his publisher in Leipzig providing the correct wording of some lines of poetry in "Das Stunden-Buch" [The Book of Hours], the second of his publications under the Insel imprint that had first appeared in 1905. At the time of this writing, the press was preparing the third edition. Rilke writes, in part: "...in bezug auf Ihre zweite liebenswürdige Anfrage, beeile ich mich zu erwidern, dass es, seite 34, heissen soll: 'Denn was sind Kirchen und sind Klöster, in ihrem Steigen und Erstehn. . .' die andern stelle auf Seite 38 haben sie richtig verbessert: 'von lauter Ãhnlichen umschart'. . ." The unnamed recipient was likely someone other than, and in the employment of, Anton Kippenberg, the editor who brought Rilke to Insel and worked closely with him over a period of many years. In the published correspondence, Rilke unfailingly addresses Kippenberg as "Herr Doktor" and signs himself "RM Rilke". Here the salutation is "sehr geehrter Herr" and the signature is the poet's full name. He is directly addressing a copy editor on a practical matter of ensuring the proper setting of type for his poetry. Das Stunden-Buch was the first of Rilke's books to present a cycle of poems unified by a single thematic concept, and thus represented both a culmination of his early verse and a precursor to the great later cycles of "Sonnets to Orpheus" and "The Duino Elegies" Price: $3,750.00

Goethe, [Johann Wolfgang]

Stuttgard: in der Cottaischen Buchhandlung, 1819. Stuttgard: in der Cottaischen Buchhandlung, 1819. First edition, second printing. 8vo, 556pp; handsome later three-quarter vellum and marbled boards. Few light spots of foxing to first and last leaves, top edge a bit dusty, still a very nice, largely untrimmed copy. Item #204636

The first printin of Goethe's great cycle of Sufi-inspired verses is exceedingly scarce. The second printing, as here, is distinguished by corrected text on pages 7 and 9, doubled pagination of pages 399-400 and missed pagination on pages 495-496. A very appealing copy, including its famous engraved frontispiece evoking Persian calligraphy. Price: $1,750.00

(Bukowski, Charles et al)

New Orleans: Loujon Press, 1961-1969. New Orleans: Loujon Press, 1961-1969. All published. 5 vols. in 4; 8vos, 101, 112, 138, [198]pp; original wrappers. Few minor nicks; first issue with some wrinkles; last issue with a bit of sun-darkening toward edges and without uncommon dust jacket. Item #204829

The complete run of this unique and important magazine, best known for publishing the early work of Charles Bukowski. Each issue was hand set and printed by letterpress and reflected publishers Jon and Louise "Gypsy Lou" Webb's distinctive sense of quirkiness in design, using multiple stocks and colors of paper, as well as a variety of fonts and type-sizes. In addition to Bukowski, "The Outsider" also published a who's who of Beats and key figures of early '60s literature and poetry, including: Russell Edson, Gregory Corso, Gary Snyder, Allen Ginsberg, Lawrecne Ferlinghetti, Robert Creeley, William S. Burroughs, Diane Di Prima, Michael McClure, Jack Kerouac, and many many others. The final issue incorporates "Homage to Kenneth Patchen" featuring tributes from numerous poets and acolytes. Price: $1,250.00

Hesse, Hermann

New York: Boni and Liveright, 1923. New York: Boni and Liveright, 1923. First American edition. 8vo, 215pp; original decorative cloth. Front hinge starting, very slight lean, otherwise close to fine, bright. Item #204889

Attractive copy of the first of Hesse's novels to appear in English, here in an uncredited translation. Price: $550.00

(Cinema)

[Culver City, California: Metro-Goldwyn Mayer, 1924]. [Culver City, California: Metro-Goldwyn Mayer, 1924]. First edition. 4to, 68pp unpaginated; pictorial endpapers; original paper-covered boards with printed label on front cover. Tips rubbed; hinges starting, some inconsequential marks and faint discoloration to boards, which have been expertly rebacked; an excellent copy of this delicate volume. Item #204852

Annual “Exhibitors Book” promoting the coming year’s releases to theatre owners. This edition followed immediately on the merger of Louis B. Mayer’s production company with Metro-Goldwyn forming MGM, an event that is here addressed in a full-page montage of news clippings. Most of the book consists of lavishly illustrated spreads advertising fifty new productions – including the original adaptation of Ben Hur, Buster Keaton’s “The Navigator” along with features by King Vidor, Eric von Stroheim, Frank Borzage and many others. The illustrations, using high-end color printing and multicolored papers, represent the classic art-deco style of Hollywood glamor. The last page is a fold-out poster depicting studio stars including such luminaries of the silent era as Buster Keaton, Norma Shearer, Laurette Taylor, Jackie Coogan, Lon Chaney, Jean Hersholt, Zasu Pitts, and many more. One of the rarer exhibitor’s books, with only three copies located in OCLC – oddly enough none in California – and just that we’ve been able to find at auction in the past twenty years of records. Price: $2,500.00