|
TBCL The Book
Collector's Library - Nabokov - Spring - 2011
Vladimir Nabokov
A
selection of Signed & Inscribed Presentation Copies from the most erudite émigré
authors of the century.
Lovely
Sexy Lolita
|
|
Nabokov, Vladimir. LOLITA.
Paris:
Olympia Press, 1955. First Edition. Excellent set of the True First Edition,
First Issue of this twentieth century High Spot & Nabokov
masterpiece. Two Volumes in publisher's printed green wrappers with
the "Francs: 900" price on the lower back corner of both
volumes. Bright sharp & unrestored in essentially near fine / fine
condition; Vol.1 slightly darker but near fine or better nevertheless.
The contents of both volumes fresh & clean; neat bookseller's
label on the title page of Vol.1 [which can be removed] . The 1962
Stanley Kubrick directed film starred James Mason, Shelley Winters,
Peter Sellers & Sue Lyon. Nabokov wrote the screenplay. Jeremy
Irons starred in the 1997 Adrian Lyne remake. A lovely superior set in
a custom matching forest green cloth clamshell box with a gilt
lettered label on the spine. A Modern Book Collecting & Literary
Cornerstone. Field 0793. Juliar 428. $8875
|
Excellent
GOGOL Presentation Copy
|
Nabokov, Vladimir. NIKOLAI GOGOL.
Norfolk, Connecticut: New Directions Books, 1944. First edition,
First State with five titles to advertisement page & four titles to
rear flap of the Alvin Lustig designed dustwrapper which is also first
state with the $1.50 price unclipped. 12mo., [i] + [vi] + 1-174. A very
good copy, the spine ev er so slightly darkened with a couple of very
small stains at the heel, the dustwrapper a very good & bright
example with a narrow 3/16ths bit of loss at the crown. An
outstanding copy of Nabokov's extensive & very important early essay
of his countryman, as this copy is inscribed by the master &
embellished with one of his famous butterfly sketches to his dear
friends of over 40 years, the Thompsons: "To Lisbeth and Bertrand
with the author's love / Cambridge, Mass / Sept. 1944".
The book was published by New Directions, August 15th, 1944 making this
a very early inscription. Genuine Nabokov presentations are uncommon
especially those of a personal & generous nature. Julian A22.1
Nabokov's distinguished contribution [the fifth] to the Makers Of Modern
Literature Series By New Directions. Preceded by works on: Joyce, Woolf,
Forster & Lorca $19750
|
|
Important
Presentation Copy of Kamera Obskura
|
|
Nabokov, Vladimir. Kamera Obskura (by) V. Sirin. [Camera
Obscura]. Berlin: Parabola, 1933. 203 [1]pp. First edition in Russian. Original
pictorial wrappers, uncut. An essentially fine fresh copy showing
minor use with Nabokov's presentation inscription in ink on the front
blank [in Russian]: "Iakov Blokh, for a good memory from the
author - XII - '33." Blokh was a Russian publisher in
Germany
in the 1930's. In 1936 this title became Nabokov's first work to
appear in English, & in 1938, this novel became the first of his
works to be published in book form in the
USA
[as Laughter In The Dark]. Juliar A14.1. Custom black
cloth clamshell case, gilt-lettered leather labels to the spine. [Before
appearing in book form, this work was first published in
Paris
in four issues of the Russian émigré journal, Sovremennye Zapiski
Contemporary Annals between May 1932 & March 1933]. US $38500
|
Important
Presentation Copy of Konig Dame Bube
|
Nabokov,
Vladimi. KONIG DAME BUBE [King Queen and Knave]. Berlin: Vertag Ullstein,
[1930]., Extraordinary Presentation Copy of the First German Edition
published two years after the first edition in Russian which was also
issued in Berlin [Juliar A9.1]. 8vo. 266 pp. Original publisher's
oatmeal cloth covered boards showing modest use. An excellent, very good
tight copy. Nabokov has inscribed the book to: " L. and B.
Thompson / with the author's best love /
Berlin
VIII. 30 " [Lisbeth and Bertram were very close friends of the
Nabokov's for over 40 years.] Included is a further five line
inscription by Nabokov about the figures illustrated on the dustwrapper [not
present] & their relationship to the characters in the book, as
well as a holograph comment on the title page regarding the origins of
the subtitle. In all, a unique presentation indeed indicating some
of the author's sentiments concerning the production of this edition.
Custom Clamshell Case. [Juliar D9.1] US $38500
|
|
Both
of the John Long Nabokov Rarities in First Edition
|
|
[NABOKOV, Vladimir]
NABOKOFF-SIRIN, Vladimir. CAMERA OBSCURA. Translated from the Russian by Winifred Roy
& the first translation of any of Nabokov's books into English. [Juliar
D14.4] London, John Long, Limited, [1936]. 8vo., 288pp + 16 pp ads.
Original black cloth, titles to upper board & spine gilt. Small,
neat mostly faded name on the front pastedown. A very good or better
copy of the First English Language Edition. The very uncommon first of
Long's Nabokov publications. With:
[NABOKOV, Vladimir
] NABOKOFF-SIRIN,
Vladimir. DESPAIR. Translated from the Russian by the author. London,
John Long, Limited, 1937. [Juliar A15.2] 8vo., 288pp. + 24 pp ads.
Original black cloth, titles to upper board & spine gilt. A very
good or better copy of the First English Edition. The second of Long's
publications of Nabokov & almost as uncommon as the first. The
first substantial publication by the author in English.
Both volumes: US $12950
|
Very
Nice Copy of Laughter In The Dark
|
Nabokov,
Vladimir. LAUGHTER IN THE DARK.
Indianapolis, Ind.: Bobbs, Merrill, 1938. 8vo., 292pp. First Edition. First US Edition
[The first book by Vladimir Nabokov to the printed in the
United States
]. First This Title. Published in
England
by John Long as: CAMERA OBSCURA, [The original title of the 1932 Russian
edition]. A fine copy in the second state brown cloth in an excellent
bright dustwrapper showing light use. $3750
|
|
Nabokov/Noyes Archive
Nabokov,
Vladimir
. ARCHIVE OF CORRESPONDENCE.
Palo Alto
,
Wellesley
, Cambridge, Berkeley:
September 1941 - August 1945.
A delectable little file of correspondence [with Professor
George R. Noyes] dating from Nabokov's earliest residence in the United States,
providing insight into his preoccupations and the conditions he faced
establishing his credibility in America. Presumably, there were few people in
the
United States
to whom Nabokov could direct these early assertions. (There are only 16 letters
in the Edmund Wilson file earlier than the earliest offered in this dossier.)
All the letters in this particular file, inclusive of the facsimile, are
directly related to Nabokov's professional life and in particular, provide an
early, detailed discussion of the principles and intentions within two of his
works of this period. 1. Als. 9.IX, 41.
Palo Alto
. Beginning, "Dear Professor Noyes". The text of this letter is in
Russian. 9 Lines. - To the prominent professor of Slavic Studies at the
University
of
California
at
Berkeley
. Nabokov arrived in
New York
from
Europe
May 28, 1940. His first year in
America
was occupied with research at the
Museum
Of
Natural History
classifying butterflies, free-lance book reviews steered to him by his recent
friend, Edmund Wilson and with preparing lectures for the lecture circuit roster
of the
Institute
Of
International Education
. On May 26, 1941 he left for
California
and a summer delivering lectures at
Stanford
University
in creative writing, drama and Russian Literature. On returning to
New York
, Nabokov was greeted by a telegram inviting him to the position of Resident
Lecturer in Comparative Literature at
Wellesley
College
, his first full-time job in the
United States
. The present letter mentions
Wellesley
. Nabokov had sought out Noyes as an influential scholar of Russian Literature
in the hope that he might help him secure a professorship in the
United States
. (Signed: V. Nabokov) 2. Tls. January 22, 1942.
Wellesley
,
Mass.
- A short note to Noyes (9 lines), thanking him for the gift of his recent book
and for a long letter Noyes had written Nabokov about, Sebastian Knight. "I
composed it four years ago in
Paris
and it was the first novel I wrote straight in English". (Signed: V.
Nabokov) - 3. Tls. 24, October, 1945. Cambridge, Mass. - 2pp. addressed to Noyes
in which Nabokov discusses an aspect of license which he had taken in his
translation of Pushkin's poem, Mozart And Salleri, (pp. 21, Three Russian
Poets), and to which Professor Noyes had drawn attention. Nabokov goes on to
clarify his contention that deliberate moralizing in a work of art destroys its
value as literature no matter how skillfully written. This was in response to
exceptions Noyes had taken with the concept of morality in literature as he read
it in Nabokov's study, Gogol, (1944-New Directions). Nabokov concludes thanking
Noyes for his efforts in securing him a position at
Berkeley
. "I am glad you understand that I should not be offered a low-salaried
job". (Signed: V. Nabokov) 4. Tls. 6, October, 1945.
Cambridge
,
Mass.
- Facsimile of a letter fro m Nabokov to Noyes on Noyes' typewriter.
Nabokov mentions sending copies of his Gogol and Three Russian Poets to Noyes,
continuing with his experiences teaching at Wellesley and outlining his assets
to the position of lecturer in Russian Literature and concludes with the hope
that the opportunity to teach at Berkeley may soon arise. Noyes replies that he
is sending a copy of Nabokov's letter to two of his colleagues. (In all
probability, Noyes forwarded the original to a colleague, as only the facsimile
survives in the archive). - 5. Tls. August, 1945. Carbon. 3pp. Berkeley, Ca. -
Noyes offers his impressions and evaluation to Nabokov regarding two (2) books
Nabokov had forwarded, Gogol and Three Russian Poets, discusses Tolstoy and
Nabokov's possible misuse of a Latin verb. The remainder of the letter deals
with an explanation of the situation in the department of Slavic Studies at
Berkeley
providing an outline of salaries and the likelihood of impending vacancies and
conveys the impression that he does hope to help Nabokov secure a position.
(Signed George R. Noyes) SOLD
 |
 |
1.
Als. 9.IX, 41.
Palo Alto
. Beginning, "Dear Professor Noyes". The text of this letter
is in Russian. 9 Lines
To the prominent professor of Slavic Studies at the University Of
California at Berkeley. Nabokov arrived in New York from Europe May 28,
1940. His first year in America was occupied with research at the Museum
Of Natural History classifying butterflies, free-lance book reviews
steered to him by his recent friend, Edmund Wilson and with preparing
lectures for the lecture circuit roster of the Institute Of
International Education. On May 26, 1941 he left for California and a
summer delivering lectures at Stanford University in creative writing,
drama and Russian Literature. On returning to New York, Nabokov was
greeted by a telegram inviting him to the position of Resident Lecturer
in Comparative Literature at Wellesley College, his first full-time job
in the United States. The present letter mentions Wellesley. Nabokov had
sought out Noyes as an influential scholar of Russian Literature in the
hope that he might help him secure a professorship in the United States.
(Signed: V. Nabokov) |
2.
Tls. January 22, 1942. Wellesley, Mass.
A short note to Noyes (9 lines), thanking him for the gift of his recent
book and for a long letter Noyes had written Nabokov about, Sebastian
Knight. "I composed it four years ago in Paris and it was the first
novel I wrote straight in English". (Signed: V. Nabokov
|
 |
 |
3.
Tls. 24, October, 1945. Cambridge, Mass.
2pp. addressed to Noyes in which Nabokov discusses an aspect of license
which he had taken in his translation of Pushkin's poem, Mozart And
Salleri, (pp. 21, Three Russian Poets), and to which Professor Noyes had
drawn attention. Nabokov goes on to clarify his contention that
deliberate moralizing in a work of art destroys its value as literature
no matter how skillfully written. This was in response to exceptions
Noyes had taken with the concept of morality in literature as he read it
in Nabokov's study, Gogol, (1944-New Directions). Nabokov concludes
thanking Noyes for his efforts in securing him a position at Berkeley.
"I am glad you understand that I should not be offered a
low-salaried job". (Signed: V. Nabokov) |
4.
Tls. 6, August, 1945.
Cambridge, Mass.
Facsimile of a letter from Nabokov to Noyes on Noyes' typewriter.
Nabokov mentions sending copies of his Gogol and Three Russian Poets to
Noyes, continuing with his experiences teaching at Wellesley and
outlining his assets to the position of lecturer in Russian Literature
and concludes with the hope that the opportunity to teach at Berkeley
may soon arise. Noyes replies that he is sending a copy of Nabokov's
letter to two of his colleagues. (In all probability, Noyes forwarded
the original to a colleague, as only the facsimile survives in the
archive).
|
 |
 |
5.
Tls. August, 1945. Carbon. 3pp. Berkeley, Ca.
Noyes offers his impressions and evaluation to Nabokov regarding two (2)
books Nabokov had forwarded, Gogol and Three Russian Poets, discusses
Tolstoy and Nabokov's possible misuse of a Latin verb. The remainder of
the letter deals with an explanation of the situation in the department
of Slavic Studies at
Berkeley
providing an outline of salaries and the likelihood of impending
vacancies and conveys the impression that he does hope to help Nabokov
secure a position. (Signed George R. Noyes) |
 |
|
|
Contact/Selling
| Financing
| Appraisals
| Links
| Ordering
/Terms
