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 SONNETS
Berrigan, Ted
Price: US $1000.00
Lorenz and Ellen Gude, New York

Book Condition: Very good -
Edition: First edition

Stapled mimeograph; 69 pp., ending with the colophon page, printed rectos only. Cover illustration by Joe Brainard. A stated 300 copies, this copy is... Details

[Program]. Book of Words. Miss Florence Schmidt and Miss Elsie Hall Vocal and Pianoforte Recital.
Pound, Ezra
Price: US $1200.00
Bechstein Hall, London

Book Condition: Good
Edition: First edition

Stapled printed wrappers, 7 ½ x 10 inches; [8 pp.] Pound provided uncredited English translations for the French (Verlaine and Chanson Provencal) and ... Details

RED WAGON
Berrigan, Ted
Price: US $400.00
The Yellow Press, Chicago

Book Condition: Fine
Edition: First edition

Red cloth, gold stamped in dust jacket. On of 26 signed and lettered copies with a holograph poem. This is letter "P", with a poem reading ... Details

LOLITA
Nabokov, Vladimir
Price: US $10000.00
Olympia, Paris

Book Condition: Near fine
Edition: First edition

Original wraps; first issue w/ 900 francs on the rear covers. 2 vols. Exceptional copies with minor flaws: vol. one has a small bump at the spine; vo... 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

SUNRISE IN SUBURBIA
Ashbery, John
Price: US $600.00
The Phoenix Book Shop, New York

Book Condition: Fine
Edition: First edition

Sewn card covers in decorated wrappers, with paper label; oblong 12mo. Letter B of 26 copies (of 126 total) signed by the author. Additionally inscrib... Details

LAND OF UNLIKENESS
Lowell, Robert
Price: US $3500.00
Cummington Press, Cummington

Book Condition: Very good
Edition: First edition

8vo. Original blue paper boards with red stamping, in unprinted tissue jacket. One of 224 copies (of 250 total) printed. Introduction by Allen Tate. T... Details

PARASITES OF HEAVEN
Cohen, Leonard
Price: US $550.00
McClelland & Stewart, Toronto

Book Condition: Near fine
Edition: First edition

Blue cloth, spine printed in silver; pictorial dust jacket; 8vo. First printing of the fourth collection of Cohen's poems, which was issued simult... Details

STAGE-DUO
Waldman, Anne; Kenward Elmslie; Joe Brainard
Price: US $200.00
Rocky Ledge Cottage Editions, Cherry Valley, NY

Book Condition: Near fine
Edition: First edition

Single sheet, card stock, folded to 8 1/2 x 11 inches; 4pp. "Written for the occasion of a reading by Anne Waldman & Kenward Elmslie at the Savoy ... Details