Welcome to Alexander Rare Books
Literary Firsts & Poetry
Please scroll down to see our Featured Items
I am a full-time bookseller specializing in literary firsts, especially poetry, important fiction, fine printing and publishing ephemera; with a particular interest in signed/inscribed books, association copies, books by and about Vladimir Nabokov, and advanced and uncorrected proof copies.
All domestic orders are shipped free of charge. Overseas shipped at approximate cost. You can usually reach me by phone during the day, from 8 to 8 ET. I enjoy talking directly with my customers, and am happy to answer questions by phone or email. Although I do not have an open shop, customers are very welcome by appointment.
I accept most credit cards, PayPal, money orders or checks. The checkout on this website is through PayPal. Institutions are billed according to need.
I am always buying interesting books, individually and as a collection, in my field of interest.
Want lists in my field are welcomed. If you would like to be on my mailing list (both paper—quarterly, and/or electronic—somewhat more often) please let me know.
Featured Items
THE BATTLEFIELD WHERE THE MOON SAYS I LOVE YOU
Stanford, Frank
Price: US $950.00
Lost Roads/Mill Mountain, Fayetteville
Book Condition: Near fine
Edition: First edition
Photographic wrappers, red lettering; thick 8vo. A 542 page epic, begun by the poet when he was a teenager, by the founder along with C. D. Wright of ... Details
The Loose Box
Heaney, Seamus
Price: US $450.00
Parnassus, New York
Book Condition: As new
Edition: First edition
Single folio sheet folded twice to form four printed pages. One 19 copies signed the colophon in the poet's hand: "8/19 Artists copies Seamus ... Details
FIASCO HALL
Hawkes, John (as J. C. B. Hawkes Jr.)
Price: US $2500.00
Privately Printed, Cambridge, Ma
Book Condition: Very good
Edition: First edition
Card covers stapled into blue wrappers; small 4to. 14 pp. First edition of the author's scarce first book, one of only approximately 100 printed (... Details
THE PLEASURES OF POETRY
Koch, Kenneth
Price: US $150.00
Grove Press, New York
Book Condition: Very good
Edition: First edition
Blue cloth in dust jacket; small 8vo. 111 pp. Inscribed by the poet to "Bill and Mary Ann/ with Love/ and Merry Christmas [and signed] Kenneth & J... Details
DEATHS AND ENTRANCES
Thomas, Dylan
Price: US $650.00
Dent, London
Book Condition: Fine
Edition: First edition
Orange cloth in dust jacket; 1small 12mo. 66 pages. One of 3000 copies printed; a very small volume containing many of the poet's finest poems. A ... Details
POEMS
Auden, W. H.
Price: US $500.00
Privately Printed, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK
Book Condition: Near fine
Edition: First Thus
Facsimile of Auden's first book in green printed folder, created for the Ilkley Literary Festival. A special copy: inscribed: To Gabriel [Carritt)... Details
HISTORY OF DESIRE
Hoagland, Tony
Price: US $550.00
Moon Pony Press, Tucson
Book Condition: Good +
Edition: First edition
Tall illustrated wrappers; 27 pp. A chapbook including the title poem from the poet's first regularly published book Sweet Ruin, not published unt... Details
JOHN MARTIN'S BOOK
Wilbur, Richard; Helen Waldo & John Martin (editors)
Price: US $350.00
John Martin's House, New York
Book Condition: Very good -
Edition: First edition
Illustrated wrappers; 4to. A handsomely produced magazine for children aged 5-8, which lasted for somewhat over 20 years, and had some distinguished c... Details
SPRING AND ALL
Williams, William Carlos
Price: US $2750.00
Contact Publishing Co., [Paris]
Book Condition: Very good
Edition: First edition
Blue paper wrappers lettered in black; small 8vo. 93 pages. A scarce book, one of 300 printed though the bibliographer notes "many of these may no... Details