Eliot, T.S. Prufrock and Other Observations
28-04-24 Filed in: Books
Eliot, T.S. Prufrock and Other Observations & two typed letters signed by Eliot
London: The Egoist LTD (Oakley House, Bloomsbury Street), 1917. First Edition, First Printing. One of only 500 copies. In fine condition in fine original wrappers, which are protected by a glassine wrapper that was probably added later on. Brentano’s Bookseller label at the bottom of the inside of the rear wrapper, some light browning of the paper, but no inscriptions or flaws whatsoever, a split to the spine and weak inner hinges, but still a most beautiful, spectacular, unrestored copy of one of the most fragile books – nowadays it is called a pamphlet – of one of the milestones of Modernism. Housed in a custom clamshell box.
There has been a remarkable change in collectors’ appreciation of this book over the last 30 years: in the 90s you could get one of the 1’000 copies of The Waste Land in fine condition and fine dustwrapper for less than the price of a Prufrock. Nowadays, the price of The Waste Land has skyrocketed, while Prufrock’s has remained stable. Still, we would always prefer Prufrock. It has so many wonderfully memorable lines and worked its way into popular culture much more than The Waste Land.
This copy is accompanied by two typed letters signed by Eliot. Though they are not directly related to the book, they enhance the value of this copy to a great extent since they feature Eliot’s later role as an editor at Faber’s and his affinity to the French (Prufrock is dedicated to “Jean Vernal – 1989-1915” and contains a poem with the French title “Conversation Gallante”):
1. Faber and Faber, London, 13th of October 1943. One page, approximately 350 words, to the art scholar Hartley Ramsden explaining at some length a delay in the publication of her essay, apparently in an anthology: “I have your letter of the 5th October and am distressed to learn the facts which you set before me. […] The delay is entirely due to circumstances arising out of the war. The available printers have limited resources and we have to have those books printed first which are needed first, and after printing there are often similar delays owing to the difficulties of the binders.” The book which took precedence was Education through Art by Herbert Read, with whom Ramsden had been at handbags drawn the previous year in the pages of Cyril Connolly’s Horizon magazine. Folded twice for mailing else in nice condition.
2. Written in Eliot’s capacity as President of the Fédération Britannique des Comités de l’Alliance Française (and on their letterhead which I have not seen Eliot use before), 21st of October 1953. One page, approximately 100 words, to the historian Sir John Pollock: “I have read your letter [...] with much regret, and I know that my feelings will be shared by the other members of the Council. I must submit your letter for their consideration at our next meeting, and will convey their response to you in due course. I must say, however, that your scruples about replying to notices of meetings, and your compunction at having failed to answer owing to your absences abroad, seemed to me exaggerated, and I am sure that our colleagues will agree with me in deprecating your emphasis on this point.” Folded twice for mailing, short closed tear to left margin else in nice condition.
Price: CHF 45’000
Chaparral 2H – Can-Am Riverside 1969 – No. 7 – John Surtees
18-04-24 Filed in: Slot Cars
Chaparral 2H – Can-Am Riverside 1969 – No. 7 – John Surtees
Kit: Phoenix Racecars.
Body: Fibreglass (GFRP) with PET, resin and metal parts.
Chassis: Schöler Striker sidewinder, with 4 ball bearings, 3mm steel axles, custom rims, plastic gears and guide, Fox motor, and PU tires.
Weight: 187g.
Built by: Pit Schwaar to absolute perfection (body and chassis), signed and numbered “Pit 10906”.
Notes: The car is in perfect condition though it has been raced. It is one of the most challenging, detailed and spectacular models ever designed and built. Only 12 kits were produced and, when this model was bought new, it cost well over CHF 2’500 as it took Pit around 80 hours to build it. The 2H is probably the least liked of Hall’s creations hence its “doorstopper” moniker. It was not a success, and the drivers hated it. Still, it is a unique design and looks out of this world.
Price: CHF 2’000
Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato – 24h Le Mans 1961 – No. 2 – Jack Fairman & Bernard Consten
08-04-24 Filed in: Slot Cars
Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato – 24h Le Mans 1961 – No. 2 – Jack Fairman & Bernard ConstenKit: Phoenix Racecars.
Body: Resin with PET, resin and metal parts.
Chassis: Schöler sidewinder, with 4 ball bearings, 3mm carbon axle at the front and 3mm steel axle at the rear, highly detailed spoke wire rims, plastic gears and guide, Fox motor, and PU tires.
Weight: 182g.
Built by: Pit Schwar (body and chassis) to perfection and YGR (very minor details on the body).
Notes: The car is in perfect condition as it was never raced. If you would like to build this car yourself, we still have a mint kit at CHF 200. Again: please note that the colour matches the actual car when seen live.
Price: CHF 1’000
Four rare and beautiful James Bond novels by Ian Fleming
04-04-24 Filed in: Books
Fleming, Ian
1. Casino Royale. London: Jonathan Cape, 1953. First Edition, First Printing. A near fine copy in a near fine second issue dustwrapper (with Christopher Pym's review in the Sunday Times over-printed on front flap and "The Author" on the rear panel). A most collectable copy of this scarce title: no inscriptions or flaws, book and dustwrapper completely original, never ever having been touched by any restorer. Compared to the copies that have been on the market since 2015, this is one of the really desirable ones. Only 4728 copies (plus a few proofs and review ones) of the first edition were printed, 2400 of which came with the second state dustwrapper. Sadly, most collections of James Bond novels in first editions, first printings lack Casino Royale since its initial print-run was pretty low, sold out very fast and a considerable number of the very first edition went to libraries.
CHF 18’500
2. Goldfinger. London: Jonathan Cape, 1959. First Edition, First Printing. A near fine copy in a near fine dustwrapper which is darkened on the spine as usual.
CHF 1’800
3. Thunderball. London: Jonathan Cape, 1961. First Edition, First Printing. A near fine copy in a near fine dustwrapper which is darkened on the spine as usual.
CHF 800
4. The Spy Who Loved Me. London: Jonathan Cape, 1962. First Edition, First Printing. A near fine copy in a near fine dustwrapper which is darkened on the spine as usual.
CHF 500
Alfa Romeo – Giulietta Spider 1300 – Targa Florio – No. 128
16-02-24 Filed in: Slot Cars
Kit: Italeri.
Body: Plastic with PET, resin and metal parts.
Chassis: Schöler Striker sidewinder, with 4 ball bearings, 3mm steel axles, custom rims, plastic gears and guide, Fox motor, and PU tires.
Weight: 183g.
Built by: YGR (body and chassis).
Notes: The car is in perfect condition, though it has been raced. It took me almost 2 years to build this car as I was not motivated a lot of the time, but also because the problems of turning the kit into the slot car I wanted, were quite tricky. It is a typical example of learning by doing and a second kit by Italeri helped a lot. After all the hassle, I am very proud of the result and hope you will like it, too. In honour of my late father and the Targa Florio, I chose to number this car 128. A similar car in honour of my mother (No. 132) is in the making.
On the 24th of February 2024, this Alfa won the Best of Show Klasse 1 at the DSC Süd race in Kißlegg:
Photograph by Andreas SchweikhardtPrice: CHF 1’500
Salman Rushdie – Midnight’s Children – Uncorrected UK Proof Copy signed by the author
11-01-24 Filed in: Books
London: Jonathan Cape, 1980. First Edition, First Printing. An almost near fine unread copy of the very rare and fragile uncorrected English proof, signed by Salman Rushdie on the title page. It is faded on the spine and there is some light discoloration of the edges. The English proof copy of Midnight’s Children is exceedingly scarce, much more so than the American one. Over the last thirty-five years we have now had five copies, including this one, and have established that in same time-span not more than around ten to fifteen (at the most) copies have been on offer. The book itself differs from the first English edition printed in the US in that it has an earlier copyright date (1980 and not 1981), was printed in England, has cut edges, is a different format (61/8 by 83/8 inches or 15.6 by 21.2 centimetres), has a different pagination 442 instead of 446 pages (this is because the recto and verso of the title pages of Book Two and Book Three – though present in the proof – were not paginated), does not have any page numbers for the individual chapters on the Contents page and the title page is printed in larger type. We have checked the first 40 pages for differences to the first published version and there are several. In short, this is a rare opportunity to buy a near fine copy of the earliest available state of the complete Midnight’s Children. Sold.
Prévert, Jacques. Choses et autres (inscribed by the author to fellow writer Simone de Beauvoir)
01-10-23 Filed in: Books in French
Paris: Gallimard, 1972. First Edition, First Printing. A fine copy in fine original wrappers and glassine. This is a complimentary press copy marked “S.P.” through perforation of the rear wrapper and the last five pages. Inscribed on the half-title by the author: “pour / Simone de Beauvoir / avec plaisir / Jacques Prévert / v”.
CHF 800
Kavanagh, Patrick - Collected Poems (signed limited edition)
07-06-23 Filed in: Books
London: MacGibbon & Kee, 1964. First Edition, First Printing. A near fine copy in the original near fine matching slip case. No. 10 of 100 copies signed by the author. The book appears unread and is in fine condition, but the green leather on the spine over the pink boards is slightly scratched, an issue that seeems common with this title. Really scarce: only very few books signed by Patrick Kavanagh have ever appeared on the market, and this item certainly the highlight of them all. Sold
Ian Fleming - Dr. No
05-11-22 Filed in: Books
London: Jonathan Cape, 1958. First Edition, First Printing. Top edges of the original black boards bumped, some minor spotting and foxing around the edges, else near fine with the spine lettered in silver and the brown “Honeychile” silhouette on the front. The first state dustwrapper (the author’s name in black on the spine) with some minor chips around the folding edges, but still near fine. Inscribed on the verso of the title page: “For James / from / Ian Fleming." Sadly, though, we have been told and have had to accept that this inscription is probably not genuine. However, it still is a very collectable edition of this book. From the library of Christian Heuer with his Ex Libris on the front past-down. CHF 1'100
Lego - NINJAGO® City Gardens 71741
18-01-22 Filed in: Toys
Lego - NINJAGO® City Gardens 71741 – Complete Set built with all the parts, minifigures, instruction manuals, spares and the original box in as new condition. CHF 250