THE MAKING OF THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR PLANET 8 - AN OPERA IN THREE ACTS. By PHILIP GLASS and DORIS LESSING.

A nice gathering of items related to the OPERA by Philip Glass and Doris Lessing:

*LIBRETTO for the OPERA, by Glass and Lessing. SIGNED by PHILIP GLASS on the title page. Published by Dunvagen Music Publishers (Philip Glass' Music Publishing Company), New York, 1988. Softcovers, side stapled, 7x10.5 inches, 28 pages. First Edition. NEAR FINE condition, tight, bright and clean.

*CANOPUS IN ARGOS ARCHIVES : THE MAKING OF THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR PLANET 8, by DORIS LESSING. Published by Jonathan Cape, London, 1982. First Edition. Hardcover Book in Dustjacket. NEAR FINE book in NEAR FINE dustjacket, a solid, lovely copy. **SIGNED** by Doris Lessing on a bookplate on the front pastedown.

*PROGRAM for the OPERA performed by the English National Opera at its U.K. Premier at the London Coliseum. Published by the English National Opera, 1988. Softcovers, side-stapled, 5x9 inches, 48 pages. NEAR FINE condition.

*TWO ORIGINAL 8x10 GLOSSY PRESS PHOTOGRAPHS for the OPERA PREMIER at the HOUSTON GRAND OPERA in 1988. One photo is a mock-up of the stage set design, as designed by EIKO ISHIOKA and MINORU TERADA DOMBERGER. The 1988 Washington Post review said: "The most effective part of this opera's performance here was the staging by director Minoru Terada Domberger and designer Eiko Ishioka." GOOD condition, both press photographs have the expected marks, ink stamps, and notes, but remain bright and clear. Eiko's stage mock-up is a wonderful and rare item.

About the OPERA The Making of the Representative for Planet 8 (from Wikipedia):

******The Making of the Representative for Planet 8 is a full-scale opera by Philip Glass with a libretto by Doris Lessing based on her novel of the same name, first performed in 1988. Together with Glass's 1997 opera The Marriages Between Zones Three, Four and Five, it is part of a planned trilogy of operas based on Lessing's Canopus in Argos novels.

The opera was co-commissioned by English National Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Het Muziektheater, Amsterdam, and Theater Kiel, and co-produced with Artpark, Lewiston, New York State. The opera was first performed at Houston Grand Opera on 8 July 1988. The British premiere was 9 November 1988 by English National Opera at the London Coliseum. This production was broadcast live in the UK on BBC Radio 3 on 13 December 1988.******

The Roy Davids Collection, Part III: Poetry: Poetical Manuscripts & Portraits of Poets, Volumes I and II

Auction catalogs for the auction that took place in London at Bonhams & Butterfields on April 10 and May 8, 2013.

Two large catalogs. Softcovers, 8.25x10.5 inches. The two volumes are: Part III: Volume I: A-K, 285 pages, 263 lots. Part III: Volume II: L-Y, 289 pages, 263 lots (numbered 264-526).

Illustrated throughout with photographic reproductions of handwritten poems, letters, marginalia, and the like; as well as numerous portraits, mostly photographic, of the various poets.

Both volumes are in FINE unused condition.

An important and useful reference to the handwriting of many English poets.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: These two catalogs are heavy and will require substantial additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Or you can contact us ahead of time to find out the shipping charge to your country. Thanks.

ALPHONSE: Deleted Beginning and End of a Short Story, with an Original Drawing by the Author. By William Saroyan. Deleted Beginning and End of a Short Story Entitled "Alphonse, or the Death of a Small Boy." A Rare WILLIAM SAROYAN Illustrated Story. Published by The Lowell Adams House Printers in Harvard Yard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, November, 1965. One of William Saroyan's scarcest works. His Illustration "And Then He Fell Asleep" is unique to this work and has never been re-printed. Letterpress Booklet. Original printed wrappers, 6.25" x 7.5", side saddle stitched, 4 pages printed on the outside of double leaves uncut at the top. LIMITED TO SEVENTY-FIVE NUMBERED COPIES, this is NUMBER #62. The OCLC shows only 3 copies held in collections worldwide (Library of Congress, Harvard, and Yale). William Saroyan (1908-1981) Pulitzer Prize-winning Author, and acclaimed Modern Artist whose Abstract Paintings and Drawings are the subject of Major Exhibitions. His first published work in 1934 was the short story, "The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze." Saroyan was born and died in Fresno, lived and worked in San Francisco, and drank and gambled away his fortune. On his deathbed, he called the Associated Press in Fresno, to make sure they would give him a proper obituary. "I know everyone has got to die," he told the reporter, "but I thought an exception would be made in my case." NEAR FINE CONDITION: A touch of creasing at the spine, otherwise tight, bright, clean and unmarked. An Excellent and Very Rare Copy.

SINGLE SOURCE : The EARLY POEMS (1934-1940), by WILLIAM EVERSON (aka Brother Antoninus). Introduction by Robert Duncan. Published by Oyez, Berkeley, 1966. First Edition, FIRST STATE, with the typo "langauge" instead of "language" on page ix. Hardcover Book in Dustjacket, cloth covered spine and paper covered boards, gilt lettering on spine, 6" x 9.5", 105 pages plus Colophon page (the last page). Limited edition, one of only 1,000 copies. From the Colophon page: "SINGLE SOURCE has been designed & printed by Graham Mackintosh in an edition of 1000 copies..." Though not called for, this copy is SIGNED and INSCRIBED by BROTHER ANTONINUS to DENNIS TURNER (a San Francisco Doctor who was a Friend of Many Poets and Artists, and who was also a Fine Printer in his early days at Harvard, he died in 2013): "for Dennis / with the best wishes of / Brother Antoninus / Good Friday 1968 / Cambridge, Mass." Laid-in is the single-fold, four-panel prospectus for this book. Condition: The book has a circular blindstamp of Dennis Turner (to whom Brother Antoninus inscribed this book) on the title page, and a bookseller's label at the bottom of the front pastedown (Grolier Book Shop / Cambridge); otherwise a NEAR FINE book, tight, bright, sharp cornered, and clean; in a GOOD MINUS dustjacket with scrapes, edge wear, a pea-size hole, a couple 1" closed tears, and some rubbing and soiling. SCARCE INSCRIBED COPY with FIRST STATE POINT.

THE CRY OF AN OCCASION: FICTION from the Fellowship of SOUTHERN WRITERS, edited by Richard Bausch. Includes stories by Madison Smartt Bell, Lee Smith, Doris Betts, Fred Chappell, Shelby Foote, Allan Gurganus, Jill McCorkle, and other Southern Writers. This copy is SIGNED by MADISON SMARTT BELL over the title of his story, and by LEE SMITH on the heading of her story. Wonderful signatures of two important Southern writers. Published by Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 2001. First Edition, First Printing, with First Printing stated and the number line beginning at 1. Hardcover Book in Dustjacket, 6x8.5 inches, 210 pages. FINE book in a FINE dustjacket, basically as new, tight, bright, clean and unmarked. A lovely copy. A wonderful first printing copy that is SIGNED by two of America's great Southern writers.

The Press In Tuscany Alley Announces / (i.e. Prospectus For) THE EPHEMERA OF ADRIAN WILSON: An Annotated List 1944-1988, by James Linden with Commentary by Joyce Lancaster Wilson. Published by The Press In Tuscany Alley, San Francisco, 1994..

A beautifully produced Announcement / Prospectus.

Folder / Paper Covers, 9x12 inches, string-bound with 8 pages plus 2 folded sample leaves (pages 129/130 and 107/108) laid into a flap on the inside rear cover. Comes with its original mailing envelope.

Illustrated with a frontispiece tipped-in photograph of the gate entrance to the Press In Tuscany Alley, plus some printed illustrations.

The Prospectus is in FINE condition. The mailing envelope is in GOOD condition with some corner and flap wear, and a couple small scrapes; the envelope has NOT been used for mailing.

About ADRIAN WILSON (from a 1988 NY Times Obituary):

******Adrian Wilson, a book designer and scholar who was considered one of America's leading fine printers, died Wednesday in San Francisco. He was 64 years old.

Working out of a small San Francisco studio known as '"The Press at Tuscany Valley," Mr. Wilson designed and printed scores of books. His many volumes, while little known to the general public, are famous among print connoisseurs, and many are collectors' items.

In 1983, Mr. Wilson won a MacArthur Fellowship.

He is survived by his wife and by his daughter, Melissa Wilson Marshall, of San Francisco.******

1931 Louis Epstein's Bookshop, Los Angeles, Catalog. "A Catalogue of First and Limited Editions & Rare Books, Including a First Issue of the First Edition of TOM SAWYER by MARK TWAIN". Booklet / Bookseller's Catalog, printed paper covers, side stapled, 4x7 inches, 36 pages. Published by Louis Epstein's Bookshop, Los Angeles, July, 1931. The Tom Sawyer book is the first item offered, taking up the backside of the title page. It is being offered in this 1931 catalog for $1,450. The rest of the catalog contains your normal mix of 297 rather common first editions with very brief descriptions. No illustrations. This bookseller's catalog is in GOOD condition, the covers have small closed tears, creases, and chips to the edges where they overhang the inner pages, otherwise tight, bright, clean and unmarked. An interesting look at an offering of the first issue of Tom Sawyer in the midst of the Great Depression.

TWO FIRST EDITION LIBRARY BOOKS. Hardcover Books in Dustjackets. Published by the First Edition Library, Shelton, Connecticut, various dates (FEL was founded in 1987 and ceased operations in the mid 1990s).

THE FOUNTAINHEAD, by AYN RAND. Condition: VERY GOOD book, some light stains to the top page edges, otherwise near fine, sharp, tight, bright and clean; in a VERY GOOD dustjacket that has wear to the spine ends and corner tips. A very presentable copy of the book and its dj. The First Edition Library information card is laid in. Lacks the slipcase.

THE ADVENTURES OF AUGIE MARCH, by SAUL BELLOW. Condition: NEAR FINE book, sharp, tight, bright and clean; in a NEAR FINE dustjacket. A lovely first edition facsimile. The First Edition Library information card is laid in. Lacks the slipcase.

First Edition replicas with all first printing points present.

About FIRST EDITION LIBRARY Books:

First Edition Library books are EXACT facsimiles of the original first edition, first printings. The aim was to publish the best of American literature as it first appeared. FEL replicas have the same weight, size, typeface, art, dust jacket, finish and texture as well as points of issue as the originals. The sewn bindings, stamping and even the original price on the jacket flap are all exact replicas. The only marks identifying FEL books as not being the originals is "FEL" printed at the bottom of the rear dustjacket flaps, and a First Edition Library statement on the copyright pages (printed in its own block to distinguish it from the facsimile original first edition copyright statements).

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: These two books will require additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Or you can contact us ahead of time to find out the shipping charge to your country. Thanks.

TWO PHOTOGRAPHS OF JACK LONDON, used as aids for developing the character of Jack London in the film THE ADVENTURES OF MARTIN EDEN. Each photo has the following typed statement attached to its backside: : "AN EARLY PHOTOGRAPH OF JACK LONDON which served as an aid to Glenn Ford in his title characterization in Columbia's 'The Adventures of Martin Eden.' The photographs were borrowed from the London estate prior to production of the picture." There is also an identification number typed on each slip, and an identification number handwritten in pencil on the top of the backside of each photograph. The photographs are 8x10 glossy b&w prints. They are original prints from the Jack London Estate, but may be prints of a photo of a photo, or prints from old negatives. Though I am not certain what generation the photographs are, they clearly are early, certainly pre 1942 which was when the film The Adventures of Martin Eden was released. These photographs were obviously taken during Jack London's short life (b 1876 d. 1916) with the originals becoming part of Jack London's Estate upon his death in 1916. The photographs are in Good condition with some light creases and bends from handling and use. About MARTIN EDEN the novel, and THE ADVENTURES OF MARTIN EDEN the film: ******Originally published in 1909, Jack London's novel MARTIN EDEN tells the story of a self-taught member of the Proletariat struggling to become a writer. The novel provided the basis for the 1942 movie THE ADVENTURES OF MARTIN EDEN starring Glenn Ford and Claire Trevor and distributed by Columbia Pictures.******

TRAVELLING SALESMAN'S / PUBLISHER'S REPRESENTATIVE STAND UP FLIP CHART for SELLING SUNSET BOOKS, 1976. Large, stiff vinyl binder with an accordion back that opens to create its own stand. Front cover disbound but present. This large presentation binder made by National Specialty Manufacturing Company. Inside the binder is a metal strip with numerous, strong, metal rings. Large clear sleeves containing printed illustrated sales information are bound by the metal rings. The sheets measure 17x14 inches. 22 large printed information and illustration sheets are meant to convince potential book stores and magazine shops to carry SUNSET BOOK PUBLICATIONS. Condition: The front cover of the large binder is disbound, there is wear to the binders edges and folds, the inner pages and documents are clean, clear and bright. This Vintage Publisher's Representative Selling Tool has lost its place in today's world. Sad! INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE: This item is very large and very heavy and will be expensive to ship, requiring substantial additional shipping charges. After placing your order you will be notified of the additional charges and be able to accept or reject them before your payment is processed. Or you can contact us ahead of time to find out the shipping charge to your country. Thanks.

WHAT SHALL WE DO WITHOUT US? The VOICE and VISION of KENNETH PATCHEN, with an afterword by JAMES LAUGHLIN.

SIGNED on the title page by MIRIAM PATCHEN and JAMES LAUGHLIN. Additionally SIGNED on the copyright page by CAROLYN ROBERTSON and (JAMES ROBERTSON?? His signature is always very difficult). Their signatures are next to the printed statement "A YOLLA BOLLY PRESS BOOK". Carolyn and James Robertson founded and ran the Yolla Bolly Press, Covelo, Mendocino County, California. James Robertson died in 2001. I believe Carolyn Robertson is still involved with the Press.

A Yolla Bolly Press Book Published by Sierra Club Books, San Francisco, 1984. First Edition, so stated at the top of the copyright page (published simultaneously in softcover and hardcover). ISBN: 0871568187.

Softcovers, 8.5x12 inches, ILLUSTRATED with 37 COLOR PLATES sandwiched between a few prelim text pages and the 24 page afterword by Laughlin. Each of the color plates is printed on its own leaf (i.e. blank backsides).

VERY GOOD condition, the covers have some light toning to the spine and margins, otherwise tight, bright, clean and unmarked. An attractive, very presentable copy.

SCARCE with the SIGNATURES of Miriam PATCHEN (b.1914 d.2000), James LAUGHLIN (b.1914 d.1997), Carolyn ROBERTSON, and James ROBERTSON (d.2001).

WHERE'D YOU GO BERNADETTE, by Maria Semple.

ADVANCE READING COPY / UNCORRECTED PROOF.

Published by Little, Brown and Company, New York, 2012. This Advance / Proof has the FIRST EDITION statement and the number line starting at "1" on the copyright page but was printed PRIOR to the release of the book. The front cover has the statement "Coming in August 2012" and the back cover has upcoming marketing and promotion information.

SOFTCOVERS, 6x9 inches, 326 pages.

GOOD condition, there is a crease to the bottom front corner of the book, leaving a crease to that corner of the covers and inner pages; there is some edge and spine end wear; otherwise just lightly used, the spine is smooth, the pages are tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked.

The Little, Brown & Company Advance Reading Copy / Uncorrected Proof of this book is hard to find.

The book is GREAT, the movie is mediocre.

THE BLOOD OF THE POET, by WILLIAM EVERSON (aka BROTHER ANTONINUS). Published by Broken Moon Press, Seattle, 1994. First Edition, First Printing, with the number line starting at 1. Softcovers, 6x9", 278 pages. Long INSCRIPTION on the half title-page by the book's Editor, ALBERT GELPI: "Inscribed for Dennis / Who met Bro. Antoninus at about the same time as I did, & who printed a beautiful broadside of "The Rose of Solitude" / with much love from Al / July 17, 1994". Below the inscription is a handwritten poem, I believe this is a transcription of an Everson poem, handwritten on this page by the Editor, Albert Gelpi. Dennis Turner, to whom this book is Inscribed, was a San Francisco Doctor who was a Friend of Many Poets and Artists, and who was also a Fine-Printer in his early days, especially while he was at Harvard. He died in 2013. The book is in FINE, basically UNREAD condition. A beautiful, inscribed copy.

WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS, et al. THE BOOK OF THE RHYMERS' CLUB & THE SECOND BOOK OF THE RHYMERS' CLUB. Together 2 volumes. Both are small anthologies of poems from the Rhymers' Club, a group of London based poets founded by William Butler Yeats and Ernest Rhys.

LONDON: Elkin Mathews, at the sign of the Bodley Head, 1892; and Elkin Mathews & John Lane, 1894. Both are LIMITED FIRST EDITIONS of only 450 and 650 copies respectively.

From the Limitation Pages:

"Four Hundred and Fifty Copies of this Edition [The Book of the Rhymers' Club] printed, of which Three Hundred and Fifty are for Sale."

"Of this Edition [The Second Book of the Rhymers' Club] Five Hundred Copies have been printed for England of which four hundred are for Sale. One Hundred and Fifty Copies also have been printed for America."

Hardcover Books, cloth covered boards, 5x6.5 inches (12.5x16.5 cm), 94 and 136 pp respectively; paper spine title label on Book One, gilt spine titling on Book Two..

Provenance: From the library of noted book collector Albert Parsons Sachs, with his bookplate on the front pastedown of Book One.

Condition:

Book One: GOOD condition.The covers are lightly soiled and have a couple slight bumps to the edges, the spine is a little chipped at the ends and the spine title label is rubbed and chipped affecting the lettering; nonetheless these original covers remain solid and are doing their job well. Internally, there is the bookplate of Albert Parsons Sachs on the front pastedown (as noted above), the pages are age toned, otherwise tight, bright, clean and unmarked. A complete, original, nicely presentable copy.

Book Two: GOOD condition. The cover's front spine fold is split but holding well and the boards have a few rubs, otherwise the covers are solid and attractive; internally the pages are age toned as normal, the inner hinge is cracked in places but holding well, otherwise bright, clean, clear and unmarked.

First Editions of the Rhymers' Club books are Scarce.

About THE RHYMERS' CLUB (from Wikipedia):

******The Rhymers' Club, founded in 1890 by W. B. Yeats and Ernest Rhys, was a gathering of some of London's most distinctive poets, who met at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese public house, off Fleet Street, and in the Domino Room of the Café Royal, to drink and read aloud each other's work.

The Rhymers' Club published two volumes of verse. The first, entitled The Book of the Rhymers' Club was published by Elkin Mathews in 1892. The Second Book of the Rhymers' Club appeared two years later in 1894, published by the recently merged Elkin Mathews and John Lane Publishers. They had print runs of 450 and 650 respectively. Those of the group appearing in these two volumes included: William Butler Yeats, T.W. Rolleston, John Todhunter, Richard Le Gallienne, Lionel Johnson, Arthur Cecil Hillier, Ernest Dowson, Victor Plarr, Ernest Radford, Arthur Symons, G.A. Greene, Edwin J. Ellis, and Ernest Rhys.

The Rhymers' Club stopped meeting in 1895.

Yeats later in his autobiography Yeats sought to mythologize the collective, calling it the "Tragic Generation" whose members were destined for failure and, in many cases, early death.******