David Mason Books

David Mason Books eLists

David Mason Books eList 107:
New Acquisitions.

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		1. (CANADIAN ADVERTISING). Canadian Spool Cotton Company, Montreal, circa 1914-1920. A complete set of 7 ‘wedding party' die-cut dressed paper dolls, with image on the front only. The figures measure approx. 13.5 x 4.5cm, printed on flexible card stock, and fold-out in order to stand. The figures are identified on the rear in red lettering: Bride, Bridegroom, Minister, Bride's Mother, Bride's Father (in military uniform, the cap bearing a ‘maple leaf' insignia), Best Man (in a military uniform, the cap bearing a ‘maple leaf' insignia), Bridesmaid. On the inside there is advertising for Coats Cord Spool Cotton and also information stating ‘there are seven dolls in this set. A complete set can be obtained by sending two 3-cent stamps or three 2-cent stamps to The Canadian Spool Co. 45 St. Alexandre St., Montreal.' The rear panel has further information including ‘Coats Mercer-Crochet, Manufactured in Canada.' The figures are in fine condition (with four having very faint creases at the ‘neck', visible on verso only) with the original mailing envelope present. Printed on the envelope is ‘The Canadian Spool Cotton Co., 45 St. Alexander St., Montreal, Canada.' In addition to their own products, the Canadian Spool Company in Montreal was a distributor for the U.K. company J. & P. Coats, who were a multinational company— investing in several companies in the US as well as Canada. Prior to 1901, the Canadian Spool Company was known as the Canada Thread Company. This is a rare survival. It is rare to find a complete set of this type: often they are incomplete with figures lacking their ‘heads.' We have been unable to locate a complete set in any of the usual sources, nor can we find any sales records for a complete set. $750

		2. (CANADIAN EDUCATION). MASON, C.P. English Grammar Including The Principles of Grammatical Analysis. Toronto: Adam Miller & Co., 1877. Twenty-first edition. With a holograph presentation slip from the publisher tipped on the front pastedown, ‘With regards of the Publishers, Adam Miller & Co.’ ‘Miller & Co’s Educational Series’ stamped in black on the upper board. 8vo., orig. green cloth decorated in black, lettered in black on upper board, gilt on the spine, viii, (1)-266, (xxiv) pp. of examination questions. With a folding table at rear. Paper somewhat browned as usual o/w a near fine copy of this publisher’s presentation copy. $275

		3. (CANADIAN 'ZINE). OSTERLUND, Steven and Clarke Leverette, editors. Stuffed Crocodile. London, Ontario: Killalay Press, Feb.1972- Dec. 1973. First eight issues (300 copies only). This publication ran to volume 4, with the total number of issues being 32. 8vo., orig. stapled wrappers, A fine copy. The first eight issues make up volume one of this Canadian poetry-Zine. While the majority of the poets published in this issues are obscure, they do contain poems from better known poets such as Layton, Dudek, Colombo, Fetherling, Levertov, and Barbour. Two of the issues contain prose. $500

		4. (CANADIANA/CANADA'S FIRST BOOK CLUB/EATON'S). A partial run of material from The Eaton Book Club. (Toronto: T. Eaton Co., 1928). Consisting of one printed booklet --Tall 8vo., wrappers, (12)pp. plus 10 monthly selection booklets (stapled self-wrappers, either 8pp. or 12pp.); Vol. 1, No.1, October 1928 to Vol. 1. No. 10, July 1929. With an original mailing envelope with The Eaton Book Club and their logo printed on the envelope, which is addressed to a patron in Toronto. All in fine condition, though the envelope is worn. Rare. Only 1 issue of a monthly selection list is found in Voila. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, Canada's first book club began in 1928 when the T. Eaton Company offered its customers ‘a selective literary service.' A committee of literary authorities made a monthly selection of titles that were sold to the membership at an average price of $2.00--announced in advance of publication. At its zenith, the Book Club had 5,000 members and lasted from 1928 to 1932. This small gathering of material here represents the first 10 issues of the monthly selections in addition to the informational booklet, which provides details about the Book Club. It outlines ‘What the Eaton Book Club Does for You'-- ‘a simple plan to keep you conversant with the best of the new books before they are published...' The publishers will submit a list of their most important books to the Eaton Book Club for consideration, and the selection committee will pick one they consider to be the best ‘book of the month.' At the outset the selection committee consisted of Lady Willison; Professor W.J. Alexander; Professor J.R.F. MacDonald; and Norah Thompson (Book Advisor, T. Eaton Company). While there is only one best book of the month, each month's selection booklet includes 4 (or more) titles chosen by the Committee, with a synopsis of each book. The ‘best' book receives a longer article. In addition, the first three issues have slips laid in, two announcing that they will send the ‘best book of the month' unless they receive an alternate selection; the third slip (in the third issue) is a ‘Suggested Reading List of Other Books', which expands the books available. From the No. 4 to No. 10 a list of ‘Suggested Reading List of Other Books' appears on the last page (p.8 or p.12). There is also an inserted card in No. 8 announcing a change in the Selection Committee. Perhaps the most interesting insertion is found in No. 8, which is a letter from the Committee dated May 17th, 1929, advising that many readers will find the content of the Best Book Selection, All Quiet on the Western Front, to be disturbing and painful. The Committee urges those members who might find the book distressing to choose one of the other titles offered. The Monthly Selection lists provide a fascinating picture of ‘contemporary' reading tastes— and included in the issues present here are such titles as “Our Daily Bread” by Frederick Philip Grove; “Elizabeth and Essex” by Lytton Strachey; “The Seven Dials Mystery” by Agatha Christie; and books by now obscure writers such as G.J. Attenborough; J.C. Snaith, etc. $650

		5. (CANADIANA/CHILDREN’S). Honeychild Coloring Book With Rhymes for Boys and Girls. NP: Honeychild Garments, (with Toronto: J.M. Barruch on the upper wrapper), nd (194-?). Sm. 8vo., original wrappers, (16)pp. including wrappers. Some wear to the spine but still a good, unused copy of this promotional colouring book. Given the American spelling of ‘Coloring’ we assume that Honeychild is a US line of children’s clothing that was distributed by the Canadian company, J.H. Barruch, whose name is printed on the upper wrapper. There is a space on the rear wrapper with ‘Compliments of” and there is a rubberstamp of ‘John Northway & Son, 240 Yonge St. Toronto, Ont.’ The colouring book consists of pictures of children in ‘Honeychild’ clothing, to be coloured in, with a printed verse underneath. The style number of the clothing is printed on the top corner of the page. $85

		6. (CANADIANA/P.E.I.) Official Motor Guide of Prince Edward Island 1935. (Cover-title reads): 1935 Automobile Routes With Road Map and Mileage Chart. Charlottetown: The Prince Edward Island Motor League, 1935. Tall 8vo., orig. printed wrappers, 95, 2pp. index. With a folding map and a folding mileage chart at the rear. With a few illustrations and with numerous advertisements. Some browning to the lower margin of the first few leaves, which also have some folds, upper wrapper has a rectangular dark mark in the upper right portion, some light creasing but still a better than very good copy of a scarce publication. Voila notes a 1930 and 1933 edition, both showing 2 locations only. This motor guide begins with the usual ‘facts about the Island' as well as welcomes from two Mayors— from Charlottetown and from Summerside. It also provides details about the rules of the road and how to obtain roadside assistance. The remainder of the publication outlines in some detail the routes to travel between and to various points on the Island. Interspersed with this are advertisements as well as information about places to stay, places to shop, and places to visit. $300

		7. (CANADIANA/PRINTING). HATHAWAY, E.J. (Ernest James). On the Making of Printed Books. A Treatise on the Preparation of Manuscript, the Correction of Proofs and the details of Book-making. Toronto: Warwick Bro's & Rutter, 1900. First edition. This edition printed on Japan Vellum is limited to twenty-five copies, of which this is Number 21. Tall square 8vo., orig. plain card wrappers, covered by a printed dustwrapper, (28)pp. The upper panel of the dustwrapper has an illustration, decorative border and ornamental title; the rear panel is blank. The dustwrapper folds around the edges of the stiff card wrappers. With a frontispiece and three illustrations. Three of the illustrations show the composing room; press room; and bindery of Warwick Bro's & Rutter. The dustwrapper is somewhat darkened around the perimeter with a bit of soiling but o/w a much better than very good copy of an uncommon publication. ‘Warwick Bros. & Rutter, Publishers was one of the three big Canadian owned, Toronto based publishers in the early 20th century. They are best known for producing a wide variety of postcards, many of which were ‘patriotics'.' $475

		8. (CANADIANA/TRADE CATALOGUE/COLONIAL HOUSE). Christmas 1906 Book Catalogue. Montreal: Henry Morgan & Co., Ltd., 1906. Tall 12mo., orig. purple pictorial wrappers, 64pp. The purple wrappers have faded with the upper wrapper now tan and the lower wrapper tan & purple, the inside of both are still the original purple o/w a fine copy. Rare. A copy of an 1908 catalogue appears in Voila (1 loc) but it is unclear from the catalogue entry whether this is a catalogue containing all merchandise or is specific to one particular department. A Christmas catalogue devoted exclusively to books, issued by the large Montreal retail store, Colonial House, operated by Henry Morgan & Co., Ltd. ‘The emergence of a distinctively retail axis along St. Catherine Street illustrated that the old-fashioned type of city with its mixture of residence and workplace and commerce, finance and industry - all accessible on foot - was gradually disappearing. The division of Montréal into separate spaces was not unique to Montréal, but the pattern here was quite pronounced. Moreover, mail order played an important role in the process...' The Morgans were the first merchants to open a retail store on St. Catherine St. ‘With the opening of the Morgan's store on Philip's Square in 1891, the shift to St. Catherine Street signalled not only a separation of "uptown" retailing from "downtown" wholesaling and finance, but, for most firms, a significant increase in the scale of their activities... Six major department stores dominated the retail landscape of English-speaking Montréal by 1895: Henry Morgan, S. Carsley, W. H. Scroggie, John Murphy, Henry and N. E. Hamilton, and James A. Ogilvy & Sons. Of these, the first three operated mail-order lines that endured for decades.'(Canadian Museum of History, virtual exhibition webpage) $500

		9. (CANADIANA/WWI). (Cover-title): Souvenir of Niagara Camp. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada. (Niagara Falls: F.H. Leslie, 1915] imprint on verso of the cards, with the date taken from copies listed in Voila. In their book, Picturing the Past: Media, History, and Photography, Bonnie Brennen and Hanno Hardt reproduce the image of Borden reviewing the troops and provide a date of ‘early 1915’. Stapled booklet featuring black & white postcards (measuring 14 x 8.5 cms) with images of Niagara Camp and Fort Mississauga during World War I. The cards are perforated at the one edge for easy removal. Most of the images are of overseas forces at Camp Niagara. Other images include the Governor General and Headquarter staff at Camp Niagara, Fort George Hospital, Battalion Camp at Fort Mississauga, and Premier Borden reviewing Overseas Forces at Camp Niagara. Fine. $100

		10. (CHILDREN'S STICKER ALBUM) Per Aeroplan Door De Wereld. (Trans. "By Aeroplane Through The World"). Berlin: Neuroder Kunstanstalten, n.d. (circa 1920s). 4to., orig. pictorial card covers, 32pp. Illustrated throughout with 150 colour sticker scenes affixed to their corresponding number. Condition for this album is about very good with small chips to the top of the spine and right corner of the front cover, tanning to covers, some creasing to corners and bottom of the spine. A duplicate sticker scene (#127) has been affixed inside front cover. Published in Berlin for a Dutch advertising agency on behalf of the Verschure Margarine Company, it is unclear what the process was for acquiring the album and the stickers - whether you purchased the margarine and stickers together or not. Verschure released three such albums between 1911 and 1914. The text and the accompanying stickers narrate the story of an uncle who is offered a trip by the company, in this case "the well-known Verschure's Margarine factories". The two nephews from Tilburg (where the Verschure family comes from) are allowed to come along because they promoted Verschure's margarine. The world trip, which takes 30 days, takes place at a high pace and few details are mentioned about the many countries and cities visited. World travelers by plane were still very rare at that time, and they were often greeted with applause. In Honolulu, even the king and the entire court are present to greet them. The futuristic "aeroplane" they fly in is described as "a large saloon car with many windows" with separate rooms ("cabins") with electric heating, which can fly up to 300 km per hour. The story does not provide any information about the date. Istanbul is still called Constantinople (usually in the West until 1923). There is no mention of the Russian revolution. $150

		11. DAVIES, Robertson. An Introduction to the Twenty-first Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair. (Toronto: Letters & Coach House Press, 1993). 1 of 100 copies signed by Davies. Sm. 8vo., orig. cream wrappers with a decorative border, lettered in black, (16)pp. Fine. $285

		12. DAVIES, Robertson. The Mirror of Nature. The Alexander Lectures 1982. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, (1983). First edition, wrappers (no cloth edition). With a presentation inscription from Robertson Davies to Greg Gatenby, with Gatenby’s neat signature on the front free e/paper. Wrappers. About fine. $100

		13. (FOUR JAMESES--3 Variants published by Graphic Press). DEACON, William Arthur. The Four Jameses. Ottawa: The Graphic Press, 1927. First editions. Three variant bindings, two in wrappers, one cloth. We have not been able to discover any priority for the issues-- the pagination and adverts are identical. The first copy is bound in plain brown wrappers, lettered in black on the upper wrapper, plain e/papers. The second copy is bound in decorated printed wrappers (red and black-- a red panel with the title and author’s name surrounded by decorative black scrollwork with the names of the poets printed within, with decorative e/papers with ‘cover and jacket by Alan B. Beddoe. The final copy is black cloth lettered in gilt on the spine, blind on the upper board, with the decorative e/papers by Beddoe, and in a dustwrapper that replicates the design on the decorated wrapper isue. Both wrapper issues have minor wear to the spine ends but are still near fine, the cloth issue is fine the dustwrapper that has some chippping to the spine ends but is still very nice. A lovely example of variant issues of Deacon’s book published by The Graphic Press. The Jameses are in fact four poets of questionable talent, all named ‘James’-- James McIntyre (’The Cheese Poet); James Gay; James Gillis, and James McRae. $225

		14. DEACON, William Arthur. Pens and Pirates. Toronto: Ryerson Press, (1923). First edition. A fine bright copy in an about fine d/w designed by Frederick H. Varley. The Varley dustwrapper design is replicated on the e/papers and pastedowns. $150

		15. DEKOBR, Maurice (pseudonym of Ernest Maurice Tessier). The Love Clinic. Translated from Flammes de Velours by F.M. Atkinson. New York: Payson & Clarke, (1929). First edition in English. Original black cloth spine with patterned paper boards, top edge stained black. Ownership inscription, corners and edges rubbed, spine a bit creased o/w very good in d/w with a 2” piece chipped out at the bottom of the spine and tears along the spine, top of spine chipped, tear along the fold of the rear panel, but still a good d/w, designed by Claudine Nankivel. Scarce in dustwrapper. The villain of the novel, is a ‘mad’ mesmerist named Dr. Schomberg. The upper flap reads ‘In a crowded Viennese night-club a girl is hypnotized and carried off by a sinister doctor to his “Love Clinic” in the forests of Bohemia. There, among his strange but lovely guests and the weird cat Ahriman, Dr. Schomberg performs his fantastic experiments upon the will; changing his patients into cruel and formidable enemies of men... The climax of this struggle against the black art provides a scene of breathless suspense.’ $350

		16. DuBOIS, Andrew. All the People Are Pregnant. (Stouffville: stiff n’ sore press, 2015). ‘This chapbook has been typeset in Bell Roman and Italic text with Baskerville Italic headings, handset at...’ 8vo., orig. cream wrappers, with an additional poem, ‘Clown Condom’ printed in black and red on onionskin and wrapped around the covers of the book, (24)pp. The red portions of the poem printed on onionskin have offset onto the cream wrappers as usual, otherwise a fine copy of an uncommon chapbook. $125

		17. ENGLAND, George Allen. The Alibi. With frontispiece by Modet Stein. Boston: Small, Maynard & Company, (1916). First edition. 8vo., orig. olive green cloth stamped in cream, (8), 363pp. Inner rear hinge cracked with blank removed, some light rubbing but certainly a very good copy of this mystery by England, who is best known for writing speculative and science fiction. Hubin p.133. $100

		18. (ESSEX HOUSE). PENN, William. Some Fruits of Solitude in Reflections and Maxims, Relating to the Conduct of Human Life. (London: Essex House Press, 1901.) 1 of 250 copies. 8vo., orig. vellum, xiv, 258pp. With a woodblock illustration by T. Sturge Moore on the titlepage, and with headings printed in red and ornamental initials in black. Vellum boards warping as is common o/w a very nice copy. $700

		19. FARMER, James Eugene. The Grenadier A Story of the Empire. Toronto: George N. Morang, 1898. First Canadian edition. 8vo., orig. red cloth with a pictorial design of a Grenadier Guard on the upper board, the design is signed ‘G.W.E.’ (George Wharton Edwards), 328pp. Spine slightly faded o/w an about fine copy of a scarce book. $250

		20. FITZGERALD, F. Scott. The Beautiful and the Damned. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1922. Second printing, first state. With the Scribner’s seal on the copyright page and 2pp. of ads. Text block slightly toned as usual, minor bump on lower edge of the front board, light rubbing to the spine ends but fact a near fine copy. Bruccoli A8.1.b. $750

		21. FLEMING, Ian. On Her Majesty's Secret Service. London: Pan, 1964. Variant first edition paperback, with price of "60c" on front cover and book title in blue, with the photo of the author by Cecil Beaton on the back wrapper and without “Not For Sale In the UK”, as called for. Such first editions were intended for the foreign market only with most ending up in Canada. Pan X350. Paperback condition is near fine with slight wear to bottom of the spine, and minor tanning to pages. Scarce. $975

		22. FLEMING, May Agnes. Sharing Her Crime. New York: G.W. Carleton & Co., 1883. First edition. 8vo., orig. green cloth, spine lettered in gilt, vi, (7)-384pp. Cheap paper browned, name, inner rear hinge cracked, some marks to rear board but still a very good copy. Watters p. 288; Wright 3: 1911; Dictionary of Canadian Biography. May Agnes Fleming (1840 – 1880) was a Canadian novelist. She was "one of the first Canadians to pursue a highly successful career as a writer of popular fiction." Born and educated in New Brunswick, Fleming published her first stories in the New York Mercury while still in school. Her stories appeared in several other periodicals, usually under pseudonyms, but after her marriage to William Fleming in 1865, her works were published under her own name, May Agnes Fleming. 'A prolific and popular writer, Mrs. Fleming was offered exclusive contracts, first with Saturday Night (Philadelphia), and then with the New York Weekly and the London Journal. Her serials for periodicals later appeared in book form, running to a long list of novels. From all sources her yearly income in the depressed 1870s was in excess of $10,000 a year, making her Canada’s first outstanding success as a professional novelist. In the Maritimes at that time this term could be applied accurately only to one other writer, James De Mille.’ (DCB). She moved to the United States with her family in 1875. ‘Although her fiction was primarily designed for a British and American audience, Mrs. Fleming remembered her Canadian readers and took pains to introduce Canadian episodes and characters into most of her novels, at times with considerable ingenuity.’ (DCB). $150

		23. (CHAPBOOK). (FRANKLIN, Benjamin). Parable “The Fifty-First Chapter of Genesis. (New York: Walpole Printing, 1943). Printed for the Friends and Family of Philip and Fanny Duschnes, December 1943. Decorated by C. LeRoy Baldridge. Sm. 8vo., orig. blue wallet-edge wrappers, stitched, printed paper label on the upper wrapper, (8)pp. Touch of wear to the lower edge but still a near fine copy. $35

		24. GILLIS, James D. My Palestine Pilgrimage... North Sydney, N.S: Herald Print, 1936. First edition. With a lengthy presentation inscription dated June 16, 1935, from the author to a Mrs. R.G. Hellyer, reading in part ‘I take pleasure in autographing this... and dedicating the same to the memory of your charms, honesty & liberality. Jas. D. Gillis.’ 8vo., orig. printed blue wrappers, 72pp. With an (8)pp. inserting ‘Footprints of Christ’ stapled between pp.22-23, as is found in other copies. Cheap paper somewhat browned, some light fading around the perimeter, nicks out at the spine ends but still a near fine copy of a delicate item. Watters p. 504. $250

		25. GILLIS, James D. The Pie Social a modern romance. NP (Halifax): no publisher, nd. (193-?). First edition. With a presentation inscription from Gillis to Mrs. R.G. Hellyer on the verso of the wrapper reading, ‘This copy is hereby autographed in testimony of my high esteem of, and respect for...’ signed in full, James D. Gillis. Tall square 8vo., orig. green printed wrappers, 74pp. Wrappers are browned on the spine and perimeters of the wrappers, some chipping to the extremities, a good copy. $150

		26. HODGES, Leigh Mitchell. The Great Optimist and Other Essays. New York: Dodge Publishing Company, (1903). First edition, ‘hand colored and printed by Dodge Publishing Company...’ Sm. 4to., orig. grey cloth with elaborate pictorial decoration in black and gilt on the upper board, 35pp. With an illuminated title-page and each of the ten sections is preceded by a numbered leaf (1-10) having an illuminated epigraph, and inserted as a plate. The inserted leaves are printed on Japanese vellum with hand-colored initials. Name, rubberstamp on the front free e/paper, some light rubbing but o/w a near fine copy of an attractive book. The binding design is unattributed. $125

		27. LAYTON, Irving. For My Neighbours In Hell. (Oakville): Mosaic Press/Valley Editions, (1980). First edition. With a warm presentation inscription from Layton dated August 1, 1980, ‘For Maurice, with fondest memories, a warm handshake and my best wishes, all good things, Irving.’ About fine in d/w with a touch of wear to the spine ends and corners. $125

		28. (CONTACT PRESS). LAYTON, Irving. Love The Conqueror Worm. Toronto: Contact Press, (1953). First edition. Signed by Layton. With annotations in pencil in the hand Canadian writer, academic and editor Eli Mandel at the top of several poems noting ‘not collected in CP’ (Collected Poems). Tall square 8vo., orig. greenish blue wrappers, ___. Some fading to the perimeter with a couple of creases but still a very nice, near fine copy of this early Contact Press publication. Mandel edited ‘Poems of Irving Layton’ in 1977 for an edition in The New Canadian Library, which was a selection of Layton’s poems. Presumably he was checking Layton’s publications to see which poems had not appeared in the previously published editions of Collected Poems, which appeared in 1965 and 1971 respectively. ‘Founded in 1952, the Contact Press emerged over its fifteen-year history as the most ambitious independent venue for modernist poetry in Canada. Including the Contact’s founding editors Louis Dudek (1918-2001), Irving Layton (1912-2006) and Raymond Souster (1921-2012 ), thirty-three authors were published in sixty-one separate editions. Contact Press served as durable model for author-owned, non-commercial literary publishing in Canada and proved to be an inspiration for a generation of Canadian poets, some of whose first books were published by Contact, and who followed Dudek and Souster, in particular, in advancing the small press cause in Canada.” (McMaster University digital archive). $850

		29. LE QUEUX, William. The Hunchback of Westminster. London: Methuen & Co., 1904. First edition. With an inscription from the author reading ‘Yours very sincerely’ on the half-title. 8vo., orig. tan cloth with pictorial decoration in black, white, green, and red, depicting a woman in the foreground and the hunchback in the background, the binding signed ‘W’, (300), 40pp. ads dated ‘July 1904.’ Some minor rubbing and a bit of wear to corners but certainly a very good copy of this mystery. Hubin p.246. ‘The narrative follows private detective Hugh Glynn, who embarks on a thrilling and treacherous investigation involving mysterious manuscripts from a deceased Spanish priest. The story intricately weaves themes of intrigue, betrayal, and the quest for hidden treasures, ultimately shaping a complex plot revolving around the enigmatic character Don Jose Casteno.’ $300

		30. LE QUEUX, William. The Lady In The Car. In Which the Amours of a Mysterious Motorist are Related. London: Eveleigh Nash, 1908. First edition. Inscribed by the author, ‘To my friend E.J. Crawford with kind regards from William Le Queux Apl 21, 08.’ 8vo., orig. blue cloth, (viii), 373, 3pp. undated ads, 36pp. ads dated ‘Spring 1908.’ Endpapers foxed, inner rear hinge starting, some minor rubbing, a better than very good copy. Hubin p.246. A group of eleven loosely related, described in the introductory apology as ‘curious chronicles of an adventurous motorist and his actions towards certain of his female acquaintances.’ $400

		31. LE QUEUX, William. The Mystery of Nine. London: Eveleigh Nash, 1912. First edition. Inscribed by the author, ‘To Stanley Evans from his friend, William Le Queux.’ 8vo., orig. red cloth, viii, 312pp. Spine a bit faded and lettering is dulled, the price ‘2d’ is written in black at the top of the upper board, but still a very good copy of this mystery. Hubin p. 246. $275

		32. LE QUEUX, William. The Temptress. London: Tower Publishing, 1895. First edition. With an inscription from the author reading ‘To George Henson From his affectionate nephew William Le Queux, Nov. 7th, 95.’ 8vo., orig. red buckram, t.e.g., (246), (6)pp. undated ads. Spine slightly cocked and a bit darkened, some wear to corners o/w a very good copy. $475

		33. Le QUEUX, William. The Tickencote Treasure. London: George Newnes, 1903. First edition. With a presentation inscription from the author reading, ‘To W. C. Dack, Souvenir of our visit to Spalding Aug 14th 1907, William Le Queux.’ With a holograph note from Le Queux tipped on the verso of the frontispiece, ‘I wrote “The Tickencote Treasure” and “The Closed Book” at Castor (Northhamptonshire) William Le Queux, June, 1908.’ 8vo., orig. tan cloth with a decoration on the upper cover and spine, vi, 305pp. A newspaper column (torn along a fold) “How I Write My Novels” by Le Queux tipped in at rear, some wear to the rear spine gutter, spine ends and corners slightly worn, a very good copy. Hubin p. 246. A contemporary reviewer wrote: ‘Mr. Le Queux, afraid that the old attraction of a treasure-hunt would fail to draw, has added some curious embellishments. A very queer craft dating from about the time of the Armada is sighted and taken in tow by the name ‘Sea Horse.’ It has on board a still more queer mariner, who looks like a survival of the same period. It has also one treasure—Italian, Spanish, and English gold pieces—and the clue to another. Then follows the accustomed struggle between the honest men and the villains for the possession of the hoard, every circumstance being of an extravagant kind, even down to the composition of the party of villains. Among them is an ex-Professor of Cambridge! We find him first as a common seaman deciphering a writing which has puzzled every one else.’ (The Spectator, August 29, 1903.) $425

		34. LEROUX, Gaston. The Phantom Of The Opera. Illustrated by Andre Castaigne. Toronto: McLeod & Allen, (1911). First Canadian edition (from U.S. sheets). The binding is identical to the first U.S. edition but has the imprint of ‘McLeod & Allen’ at the foot of the spine. 8vo., orig. rust cloth lettered in cream on the upper board and spine, blindstamped figure on upper board, (8), 1-357, (358-360 blank). With five illustrations in colour: a frontispiece and four double-page plates. Small ownership signature, a trace of rubbing to the spine ends o/w an about fine copy. The first Canadian edition is rare, with no copies listed in Voila or OCLC. We have specialized in Canadian editions for more than 40 years and this is the only copy of this we have seen. $2,500

		35. LEVINE, Norman. Thin Ice. Ottawa: Deneau and Greenberg / London: Wildwood House, 1979/1980. First edition. Warmly inscribed by the author to Canadian journalist Robert Fulford, ‘For Bob, It’s so beautifully cut of, by a boring journey that gets longer everytime I make it--But if I didn’t--where would I go? From Norman, Nov. 1st, 1979.’ Near fine in d/w with light wear to edges but certainly very good. With both imprints and prices in UK pounds sterling and Canadian dollars on the d/w. $85

		36. (From the library of John Hunter-Duvar, PEI). MACBEATH, James M. The Orkneys In Early Celtic Times. Two Lectures. Kirkwall: William Peace & Son, 1892. With a presentation inscription from the author reading ‘To Hunter Duvar, Esq. Hernewood, Canada, with the author’s compliments... near Kirkall Orkney Isles, 7th September 1892.’ An interesting association, both MacBeath and Hunter-Duvar having written on archaeology. 8vo., orig. cloth, 71pp. With illustrations. Trace of rubbing to tip of the spine o/w a fine copy. John Hunter Duvar (1821-1899) journalist, farmer, businessman, militia officer, JP, and author. Duvar was originally from Fife, Scotland but had emigrated to Halifax (NS) and then to Charlottetown (PEI) by 1849. By 1860 he had a 700 acre estate, Hernewood (near Mill River) in PEI, where he operated a small saw mill, ‘built up his much renowned personal library, and wrote.’ (DCB). From 1863-1868 Hunter-Duvar served in an artillery regiment in Halifax during the Fenian attacks. He returned to PEI, becoming the editor of the Summerside Progress, and then serviced as Inspector of Fisheries for PEI. He was an early and eloquent advocate of fishing conservation, arguing that over fishing would ruin the industry. Hunter-Duvar was also a published author, beginning with poetry in the 1870s and by the end of his life his published works numbered some 75. He was also interested in early archaeology, publishing The stone, bronze, and iron ages; a popular treatise on early archaeology (London, 1892). $350

		37. McCAFFERY, Steve. Intimate Distortions a displacement of Sappho (Illustrations by Virgil Burnett). (Erin: Porcupine’s Quill, 1979). First edition, wrapper issue. With an interesting inscription from the author-- ‘for (name blacked out) with thanks and affection, Steve.' With a doodle by McCaffery who has also added a holograph note ‘BE CAREFUL! 2 million Canadians die of laughter every year.’ Spine a bit faded o/w fine. $65

		38. MCINTYRE, James. Musings On The Banks of Canadian Thames, Poems on Local Canadian and British Subjects, and Lines on the Great Poets... Ingersoll: Printed by H. Rowland, 1884. First edition. Tall 12mo., orig. green cloth decorated and stamped in gilt on the upper board, 128pp. A few faint marks on the upper board but in fact an about fine copy. Watters p.127. James McIntyre, Canadian poet of questionable talent was nicknamed ‘The Cheese Poet’ as a result of his most famous poem, ‘Ode on a Mammoth Cheese’ and other ‘cheese-themed’ verse. No matter how many times I catalogue a book that contains this poem, I am unable to resist sharing at least the first stanza: We have seen the Queen of cheese, Laying quietly at your ease, Gently fanned by evening breeze-- Thy fair form no flies dare seize. (And yes, it only gets worse from there!!!) $500

		39. MCINTYRE, James. Musings On The Banks of Canadian Thames, Poems on Local Canadian and British Subjects, and Lines on the Great Poets... Ingersoll: Printed by H. Rowland, 1884. First edition, variant binding in red cloth (we have also seen this in green cloth, see previous entry). Tall 12mo., orig. red cloth decorated and stamped in gilt on the upper board, 128pp. Some marking to the upper board but certainly a very good, unworn copy. Watters p.127. $400

		40. MCINTYRE, James. Poems. Ingersoll: Published at the Office of the Chronicle, 1889. First edition. With a presentation inscription from the author to his sister reading ‘Presented to his Sister, Mrs. Mary Ann McKenzie by the author James McIntyre, Ingersoll, Dec. 17th, 1891.’ This variant has 100 additional pages, but the date on the titlepage is the same as the issue with 198pp. Tall 8vo., orig. purple cloth, gilt lettering on the upper board and spine, 298, (1)p. index “To the Last 100 Pages.’ Some offsetting to pastedowns, spine and perimeter of covers faded as is usual with purple cloth, but still a very nice unworn copy, with a nice association. James McIntyre, Canadian poet of questionable talent was nicknamed ‘The Cheese Poet’ as a result of his most famous poem, ‘Ode on a Mammoth Cheese’ and other ‘cheese-themed’ verse. This selection of poems includes a section of ‘Dairy and Cheese Odes, with Mammoth Cheese on p.71. No matter how many times I catalogue a book that contains this poem, I am unable to resist sharing at least the first stanza: We have seen the Queen of cheese, Laying quietly at your ease, Gently fanned by evening breeze-- Thy fair form no flies dare seize. $475

		41. McLUHAN, Herbert Marshall. The Mechanical Bride: Folklore of Industrial Man. New York: The Vanguard Press, (1951). First edition. With a presentation inscription from McLuhan to his agent Matie Molinaro reading, “In Gratitude and Esteem for Matie Molinaro, from Marshall alias Herbert Marshall McLuhan, Father’s Day, 1970.” 4to., orig. black cloth, 157pp. With illustrations. Some minor rubbing to the foot of the spine and corners, spine slightly cocked, better than very good but not quite near fine, in the d/w which has some light chipping and a few closed tears but is certainly very good. A nicer copy than usually found. Matie Molinaro founded the Canadian Speakers and Writers Service which was Canada’s first literary agency. Over the course of her career, her agency represented many prominent Canadian writers and performers including Marshall McLuhan, Earle Birney, Don Harron, Harry Boyle and many others. Molinaro was the co-editor, with McLuhan’s wife, of the “Letters of Marshall McLuhan” (1978). $2,000

		42. MONK, Maria. Awful Exposure Of The Atrocious Plot Formed By Certain Individuals Against The Clergy And Nuns Of Lower Canada, Through The Intervention Of Maria Monk. With An Authentic Narrative Of Her Life, From Her Birth To The Present Moment And An Account Of Her Impositions, Etc. New York: Printed for Jones & Co., 1836. First edition, variant binding. 12mo., orig. dark green embossed cloth, printed paper spine label, (12), 1-131pp. With a contemporary bookplate, ‘Miss Leonara R. Smith’ on the front pastedown, the last 20 pp. have a dampstain, which while obvious does not affect the legibility of the text, scattered foxing as usual, small nick in the printed spine label not affecting text, lower corner of the front board bumped, but this is still better than very good, unworn copy of the first edition of one of the most famous Anti-Catholic publications of the 19th century. TPL 7395, notes binding of ‘embossed yellowish-brown cloth.’ Lande 1992. Sabin 49994. Maria Monk (1816 – 1849) was a Canadian woman whose book ‘Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk, or, The Hidden Secrets of a Nun’s Life in a Convent Exposed’ (1836) claimed to expose systematic sexual abuse of nuns and infanticide of the resulting children by Catholic priests in her convent in Montreal. The book is considered by scholars to be an anti-Catholic hoax. Monk’s book was published in an American atmosphere of anti-Catholic hostility (partly fueled by early 19th-century Irish and German Catholic immigration to the U.S.) and followed the 1834 Ursuline Convent Riots near Boston. Monk’s book caused a public outcry. Protestants in Montreal, Quebec, demanded an investigation, and the local bishop organized one. The inquiry found no evidence to support the claims, though many American Protestants refused to accept the conclusion and accused the bishop of dishonesty. Many details of the story seem to have originated with Monk's legal guardian, William K. Hoyte, an anti-Catholic activist, and his associates. The writers later sued each other for a share of the considerable profits, while Monk was left destitute. $750

		43. (MYSTERY/DUSTJACKET) BRISTOW, Gwen and Bruce Manning. The Mardi Gras Murders. New York and London: The Mystery League, 1932. First edition. Original black cloth lettered in green on the upper cover and spine, decorated e/papers. An about fine copy in the attractive pictorial dustwrapper, which has some wear to the spine ends but is o/w better than very good. $250

		44. (MYSTERY/DUSTJACKET) CASEY, Robert J. The Secret of the Bungalow. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, (1930). First edition. As of this date Bobbs-Merrill was inconsistent about identifying first editions (see Zempel and Verkler, First Editions: A Guide to Publication, third edition), but none of the other titles listed on the rear panel were published in 1930 or earlier. 8vo., orig. orange cloth lettered in black on the upper cover and spine. Foot of the spine bumped o/w a near fine copy in the pictorial dustwrapper, which has some creasing and wear to the foot of the spine, some light wear to the top of the spine, a bit of rubbing along the lower edge but still very good. $350

		45. (MYSTERY/ART DECO DUST JACKET) WOODWARD, Edward. The House of Terror. New York: The Mystery League, 1930. First edition. Original green cloth lettered in black on the upper cover and spine. An about fine copy in the attractive pictorial dustwrapper designed by Eugene "Gene" Thurston, which has some wear to the spine ends, and a touch of wear to the extremities, about near fine. $300

		46. MUNRO, Alice. Something I've Been Meaning To Tell You. Toronto: McGraw Hill Ryerson, (1974). First edition. Inscribed by Munro to former University of Toronto librarian Rachel Grover. A fine copy in d/w, which is slightly browned on the spine, with some wear to the top of the spine, a not quite near fine d/w. Munro’s third book. $600

		47. (NATURE). CLARK. G. (Graves) Glenwood. Tiny Toilers And Their Works. London: George G. Harrap, (1923). First English edition (preceded by the U.S. edition, New York: Century Co., 1921). 8vo., orig. yellow cloth with pictorial decoration in black depicting a spider approaching a fly that is caught in the web, (256)pp. With a frontispiece in black and white, some full-page and smaller illustrations in the text. Ownership inscription, spine slightly darkened o/w a very nice copy of an attractive book. Directed at a juvenile audience, this work seeks to inform young people about the small insects that inhabit the natural world and the ‘work’ they perform. $125

		48. (NATURE). FURNEAUX, W. (William). The Out-Door World Or Young Collector’s Handbook. With 16 Colored Plates and Over 500 Illustrations in the Text. London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1894. Second edition (so stated). 8vo., orig. dark green cloth with pictorial decoration in gilt on the upper cover and the spine, t.e.g., xxviii, 411pp. With 16 plates in colour, 2 in brown outline, and numerous black and white illustrations in the text. Some scattered foxing throughout (not affecting plates), spine slightly cocked o/w a near fine copy of an attractive book. William Samuel Furneaux (1855-1940) was a British science teacher and nature writer. Furneaux gained considerable fame in the 1890s and early twentieth century for his popular books on butterflies, moths, pond animals, and plants from the English countryside. Furneaux states in the preface that the object of this work is to turn boys into full-fledged naturalists and collectors. The text is divided into three parts: Animal Life; The Vegetable World; and The Mineral World. The colour plates each have multiple images per plate and include butterflies; dragon-flies; moths; shells; bird’s eggs; seaweeds; mosses; ferns; wild flowers; and grasses. In his obituary of Furneaux published in Nature in 1940, James Ritchie notes: ‘Many a school-boy of forty years ago and many younger school-boys and former pupils will be sorry to hear of the death of W. S. Furneaux. He had the knack of writing just the sort of succinct and well-illustrated practical book which stimulated the young collector to hunt for spoils and afterwards to pore over the naming of them; and his publishers aided and abetted with that profusion of coloured plates which added attractiveness to utility. “The Outdoor World” (1893), one of the best of the series, was followed by accounts of “Life in Ponds and Streams” (1896), “The Sea Shore” (1903), and “Field and Woodland Plants” (1909), and these and his other works, such as “British Butterflies and Moths” (1894), must have opened up new worlds for young naturalists of two generations. It says something for their quality that they are still amongst the best of British books for their purpose.‘ (Nature, vol. 145, p. 886). $165

		49. (ORGAN). JORDAN, Warwick. The Royal College of Organists. A Lecture On The Organ Examination for Fellowship, Delivered at Manchester, on May 16th, 1908. London: Printed for the Royal College of Organists, 1908. 8vo., orig. red cloth, (30)pp. About fine. $85

		50. PAGE, P. K.; Lavdovsky, Alexander (Illus.). Alphabetical (AND): Cosmologies. Victoria, B.C: Poppy Press, (2000). In two volumes. First edition, 1 of an edition of 500, the first 200 were signed by the author and illustrator. However, this copy #226 is inscribed by the author to Arlene Lampert (League of Canadian Poets) on the titlepages of both volumes. The linocut frontispieces are by Lavadovsky and have been signed in pencil. Tall 8vo., orig. stiff card covers with printed dustwrappers. Spines of the dustwrapper have tanned o/w this is a near fine copy in the slipcase as issued. Also laid in in a is an invitation (in an embossed folder which is in a printed envelope) to the launch of Poppy Press as well as Page’s work above, which was published by the Press. With an additional three-page prospectus, describing the genesis of the press and future ordering information. $150

		51. (PULP/REFORM SCHOOL). SWADOS, Felice. House of Fury. New York: Avon Publishing, (1952). Later edition of the first Avon paperback (1950) of a novel first issued in hardcover by Doubleday, Doran in 1941. Paperback, 188, (4)pp. Corner of titlepage chipped o/w near fine copy of this paperback edition. The 1941 hardcover is notoriously scarce. The cover tagline reads: ‘A powerful novel about a reform school and the girls behind its walls.' The blurb on the rear cover reads in part: ‘The crimes only those of youth trying to find pleasures in the temptation haunted world, these girls have been herded together under lock and key to be shown the right road.' $85

		52. PURDY, Al. No Other Country. (Toronto): McClelland and Stewart, (1977). First edition. With a nice inscription from Purdy to fellow Canadian writer Fred Cogswell: ‘To Fred Cogswell in friendship & respect from Al Purdy, June 25, ‘80.’ About fine in d/w with wear to the spine ends and a chip to upper wrapper, but certainly very good. Fred Cogswell [1917-2004] Canadian poet, editor, and academic. In 1958, Cogswell, along with friend and fellow poet Warren Kinthompson, as well as a group of students and faculty from the University of New Brunswick, founded Fiddlehead Poetry Books, now one of Canada's important small press publishers operating as Goose Lane Editions. $85

		53. (RACKHAM). Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham. London: William Heinemann, (1974). Reprint. Tall square 8vo., orig. blue calf, raised bands, with gilt decorations of a single goose in the compartments, leather spine labels, double gilt border on boards, inner dentelles elaborate gilt, a.e.g., by Bayntun Riviere, a.e.g., (4), 153pp. With twelve full page colour plates by Rackham. With small black and white decoration in the text. Covers somewhat bowed o/w a fine copy in an attractive binding. $1,500

		54. ROBINS, JOHN B. The Incomplete Anglers. Toronto: Collins, (1943). First edition. With a presentation inscription from the author on the titlepage. Laid is is an original photograph (2 1/2” x 4 1/2”) of the author, an autograph postcard from the author to ‘Mrs. Fleming’ dated December 26, 1940, wishing her and her husband (Allan Fleming) a happy new year. Also laid in is a 19 line holograph humorous poem by Robins. A crease down the spine o/w a nice copy in a a badly chipped and worn dustwrapper (lacking most of the spine). This title won the Governor General’s Award for Creative Non-Fiction. $200

		55. SIWERTZ, Sigfrid. Goldman’s. Translated from the Swedish by E. Gee Nash. New York: Cosmopolitan Book Corporation, 1930. First edition in English. Orig. black cloth, 304pp. Small rubberstamp of the Canadian publisher ‘Wm. Tyrrell’ at the foot of the front free e/paper, spine slightly cocked with a bit of rubbing to the spine ends but certainly a very nice copy in the pictorial d/w with an art deco design. The d/w has some chipping to the top edge of the front panel near the spine, a chip out to the top of the rear panel and some light wear but is certainly very good. $225

		56. (STEINER/HONOLULU AQUARIUM). Hawaiian Fishes. (Honolulu: James Steiner, The Island Curio Company, circa 1905?). Oblong 16mo., (17.5 x 12.5 cms), orig. blue cloth backed blue boards, with the title in gilt and elaborate pictorial illustration in gilt on the upper board. With 12 chromolithographs (with the names of the fish printed in red underneath the image) on 12 leaves folded in an accordion style, (1)p. of printed text on the rear pastedown. Four of the panels have a very minor stain at the lower edge which does not come close to the images of the fish, the last two panels have a crease (not affecting the image), ownership name on the verso of the final image, some light wear to the extremities and a scuff on the rear board but this is still a better than very good copy, with vibrant images. This attractive publication was published by ‘The Island Curio Company', clearly aimed at visitors to the aquarium or those interested in the fish found in Hawaiian waters. The information on the rear pastedown contains information about the Honolulu Aquarium (founded in 1904) as well as the varieties of fish found in Hawaiian waters. Visitors to Hawaii are encouraged to visit the Aquarium as ‘No words can accurately portray what one has seen here. The fish are odd in shape and have all the hues of the rainbow. The tints are laid on as if with a brush, and yet no painter could imitate them. No visitor to Honolulu should fail to see the Aquarium.’ The notes suggested that the chromolithographs in this souvenir book were based on those found in David Starr Jordan’s study, ‘The Aquatic Resources of the Hawaiian Islands.’ $800

		57. (Tobacco) FAIRHOLT, F.W. Tobacco: Its History & Assocation. Including An Account of the Plant and Its Manufacture; With Its Modes of Use in All Ages and Countries. London: Chatto and Windus, 1876. Second edition (first published in 1859). Tall 8vo., orig. brown cloth with pictorial illustration in gilt on the upper cover and spine, (viii), 332, 32pp. ads. A bit of rubbing to the corners o/w near fine. This comprehensive work on tobacco includes chapters on ‘Tobacco-Pipes, Cigars, and the Smoker’s Paraphenalia’ and ‘Snuff and Snuff-Boxes.’ $200

		58. (TRADE CATALOGUE/MACMILLAN COMPANY). A Holiday List of Books Published by The Macmillan Company 66 Fifth Ave., New York. Christmas 1899. (Christmas, 1899 A Selected List of Books Especially Suitable for Holiday Presents). (New York: Macmillan, 1899). Sm. 4to. orig. pictorial wrappers (stitched), 40pp. Illustrated. Text block has detached from the wrappers (stitching broken but the text block itself is still stitched together) but this is still a better than very good copy of an attractive catalogue. $85

		59. TWAIN, Mark. The Innocents Abroad; Or, the New Pilgrim's Progress From the New World to the Old. London: Ward, Lock, and Co., nd. (188-?) In two parts. ‘Unauthorized edition' so stated on an additional titlepage that reads ‘The Innocents Abroad. By Mark Twain' and repeats the imprint. Small thick 8vo., original red cloth with elaborate pictorial decoration in black, depicting ‘brownies' cavorting, title in gilt, (290); xii, (308), (10)pp. undated ads. Name, some marking on the inside rear hinge, couple of marks on the rear cover, but otherwise this is a near fine copy in an attractive binding. BAL 3636 noting an edition in wrappers with this imprint and ‘unauthorized edition' but does not note a cloth edition. Not in McBride, Fox, or Merron. This is a most curious binding as it is decorated with ‘brownies' in black, which really do not relate to the subject matter of the story in any logical way. Our suspicion is that this design might have been influenced by Palmer Cox's Brownie books that were published in the 1880s—but it could also have just been coincidental, with the designer attracted by the ‘brownies' that permeated Scottish folklore. Either way, the binding design is whimsical and quite charming. $450

		60. (U.S. Navy). Shark Sense. (No place): Aviation Training Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, ..., Issued March 1944. 4to., orig. pictorial wrappers, (24)pp. Illustrated. Near fine. ‘This manual was prepared for the information of naval personnel who may encounter sharks in tropical waters. It represents a digest of the known pertinent data, and the considered opinions of serious-minded commercial shark fishermen and sponge fishermen whose daily work brings them in close contact with all kinds and sizes of sharks.’ $65

		61. WAUGH, Evelyn. Basil Seal Rides Again or the Rake's Progress. Frontispiece by Kathleen Hale. London: Chapman and Hall, 1963. 1 of 750 copies signed by Waugh. Sm. 4to., orig. blue buckram, (50)pp. Spine and perimeter of boards are very slightly sunned o/w a fine copy. $750

		62. WILSON, Colin. The Outsider. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1956. First U.S. edition of the author's first book. Review copy with printed and dated review slip laid in. A fine copy in the d/w which has some light wear to edges and a few closed tears, but is still very good. $225

		"PICKLED PRIDE"
		63. (WORST NOVEL EVER). ROS, Amanda M’Kittrick. Irene Iddesleigh. Belfast: Printed by W. & G. Baird, 1897. First edition of the author’s first book. Ros has annotated the errata slip, ‘Printer’s errors', and has initialled it. Tall 8vo., orig. red cloth lettered in gilt, 189pp. Some brown stains to front and rear pastedowns, pages slightly browned as usual, spine a bit darkened at the ends but this is still a better than very good copy of Ros’s first novel. Amanda McKittrick Ros (pen name of Anna Margaret Ross) (1860-1939) Irish novelist. Ros is frequently referred to as ‘the worst novelist in history’ -- Mark Twain commented that the above title was "one of the greatest unintentionally humorous novels of all time". The publication of this novel was financed by her husband as a wedding anniversary gift to her. The prose is tortuous: the novel begins ‘Sympathize with me, indeed! Cast your sympathy on the chill waves of troubled waters; fling it on oases of futurity; dash it against the rock of gossip; or, better still, allow it to remain within the false and faithless bosom of buried scorn.’ One would like to think Ros’s prose improved with time, but it did not. In her final novel, ‘Helen Huddleson’, all the characters are named after various fruits: Lord Raspberry, Cherry Raspberry, Sir Peter Plum, Christopher Currant, the Earl of Grape, Madame Pear. Of Pear, Ros wrote: ‘she had a swell staff of sweet-faced helpers swathed in stratagem, whose members and garments glowed with the lust of the loose, sparkled with the tears of the tortured, shone with the sunlight of bribery, dangled with the diamonds of distrust, slashed with sapphires of scandals.’ We couldn’t resist quoting the first paragraph from Chapter 6 of this book: “The silvery touch of fortune is too often gilt with betrayal: the meddling mouth of extravagance swallows every desire, and eats the heart of honesty with pickled pride: the impostury of position is petty, and ends, as it should commence, with stirring strife. But conversion of feminine opinions tries the touchy temper of opposition, and too seldom terminates victoriously.” $500


		The Pope's Bookbinder A Memoir By David Mason The Pope's Bookbinder AVAILABLE in trade paperback ($24.95) updated with new chapter "Hemingway Heist", and Hardcover ($37.95) All books purchased through us will be signed by David Mason. A memoir of Mason's forty-five years in the booktrade. After some years in Europe doing odd jobs, including a period doing bookbinding in Spain, and reading incessantly, Mason returned to Canada, apprenticed in the book trade with Joseph Patrick Books and has been selling used and rare books ever since. His memories include the books dealers, collectors, and libraries he has dealt with over that period. The added chapter in the trade paperback edition on the Hemingway / Fitzgerald / Callaghan robbery explains what happened and why the author chose not to put it in the original edition. More details

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