Rare Book Spot

Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

admin — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 19:02:50 +0000

Generally considered Steinbeck’s most important and most successful novel, Grapes of Wrath was awarded the Pulitzer for 1939 and was the leading best seller of that year

“It is a long novel, the longest that Steinbeck has written, and yet it reads as if it had been composed in a flash, ripped off the typewriter and delivered to the public as an ultimatum… Steinbeck has written a novel from the depths of his heart with a sincerity seldom equaled” ( Books of the Century , 118).

An unsigned first edition could reach up to $12,000. A signed copy with original dust jacket in fine condition could reach up to $35,000.

A Moveable Feast - Ernest Hemingway

admin — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 19:04:22 +0000

A Movable Feast is a set of memoirs by Ernest Hemingway offering anecdotes of his stay in Paris during the ’20’s. He provides the detail of specific addresses of cafes, bars, hotels, and apartments that still can be found in modern day Paris. The book was edited by Ernest’s fourth wife, Mary Hemingway, and published posthumously in 1964 and contains appearances by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound, James Joyce and Aleister Crowley.

Ernest Miller Hemingway (July 21, 1899–July 2, 1961) was an American novelist, short-story writer, and journalist. His distinctive writing style is characterized by economy and understatement and had a significant influence on the development of twentieth century fiction. Hemingway’s protagonists are typically stoics, often seen as projections of his own character–men who must show “grace under pressure.” Many of his works are considered classics in the canon of American literature.

Hemingway, nicknamed “Papa,” was part of the 1920s expatriate community in Paris, as described in his novel A Moveable Feast. Known as part of “the Lost Generation,” a name coined and popularized by Gertrude Stein, he led a turbulent social life, was married four times, and allegedly had various romantic relationships during his lifetime.

First editions in good condition can reach $450.

Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

admin — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 17:57:16 +0000

The Great Gatsby is a novel by American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald that was first published on April 10, 1925. The story is set in New York City and Long Island in the 1920s. It is the famous novel from the “Jazz Age”, a term Fitzgerald coined himself. It was not popular upon initial printing, selling fewer than 24,000 copies during his lifetime, although it was adapted into both a Broadway play and a Hollywood film within a year of publication. Largely forgotten during the Great Depression and World War II, it was republished in 1945 and 1953 and quickly found a wide readership. Over the following decades it emerged as a standard text in high school and university courses on American literature in countries around the world. Modern Library named it as the second greatest English language novel of the Twentieth Century.

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (September 24, 1896 – December 21, 1940) was an Irish American Jazz Age novelist and short story writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century. Fitzgerald was the self-styled spokesman of the “Lost Generation”, Americans born in the 1890s who came of age during World War I. He finished four novels, left a fifth unfinished, and wrote dozens of short stories that treat themes of youth, despair, and age.

First editions can fetch $3000+. Dust jackets are very rare and those in good condition can earn close to $100,000. The highest price paid is $135,000.

To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

admin — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 14:21:01 +0000

Harper Lee’s portrayal of life in a small Alabama town captured the essence of the South at one of its most trying times. To Kill a Mockingbird became an immediate bestseller and won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Lee’s only novel is considered a classic, chronicling the story of two children during the 30’s economic depression as they bear witness to a small town’s widespread prejudice, bigotry and ignorance. Against this dark backdrop lies the perspective of innocence through the eyes of an inquisitive young child Scout, who develops a growing friendship with their reclusive neighbor Boo Radley.

Harper Lee’s masterpiece is a story of growth and process, very thought-provoking and inspiring. This is a must-have for rare book collectors. Collectors copies start at $350. Signed copies can reach $15,000-$35,000 dependent on condition. Keep an eye out for first editions and high quality dust jackets.

Rare Book Spot has arrived.

admin — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 14:17:22 +0000

Here is the place to start your rare book collection. Every week, we will post a new antiquarian book and provide you will detailed information. Feel free to offer your feedback by posting a comment.