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 Quack Dentist
Stallings, A. E.
Price: US $35.00
Tower Poetry, Christ Church, Oxford
Book Condition: Fine
Edition: First edition
Sewn printed wrappers; 8vo. [8 pp.] Number 5 in a series of pamphlets of poems commissioned each to respond to a painting from the Picture Gallery of ... Details
The Dainty Monsters
Ondaatje, Michael
Price: US $1000.00
Coach House Press, Toronto
Book Condition: Near fine
Edition: First edition
Brown cloth in dust jacket; 8vo. 77 pp. Inscribed with quite an attractive signature by the poet on the title page; additionally laid in is the rare b... Details
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
THE PHASE AFTER HISTORY
Graham, Jorie
Price: US $200.00
The Academy of American Poets, [New York]
Book Condition: Fine
Edition: First edition
Stapled wrappers in blue paper covers with paper label; small 8vo. [10 pp.] One of 200 copies "for friends of the The Academy of American Poets... 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
THE BUDDHIST 3RD CLASS JUNKMAIL ORACLE
Levy, D. A. (ed.)
Price: US $300.00
[d a levy], Cleveland
Book Condition: Very good -
Edition: First edition
Newsprint, mostly printed in black. Feb. 1969 (16 pp.) Includes a two-page spread with what is supposed to be the last poem mailed out by d. a. levy: ... Details
THE MADISON POEMS OF D. A. LEVY
Levy, D. A.
Price: US $350.00
Quixote, Madison, WI
Book Condition: Very good -
Edition: First edition
Side stapled mimeograph sheets; with front cover consisting of a collage by Levy promoting MC5 (a broadside poster), back cover also a photo collage/a... 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
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