Sell or Auction Your CS Lewis Narnia 1950-1954 1955-1956 1st Editions for up to About $100,000 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions

FREE APPRAISAL. To buy, auction, sell or consign your CS Lewis Narnia 1950-1954 1955-1956 1st editions that are for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).

Free Appraisal, Auction or Sell Your CS Lewis Narnia 1950-1954 1955-1956 1st Editions

Below is a recent realized price for a 7 volume set of The Chronicles of Narnia first editions published between 1950-1954 and 1955-1956. We at Nate D. Sanders Auctions can obtain up to this amount or more for you:

CS Lewis The Chronicles of Narnia 1950-1954 1955-1956 1st Editions. Sold for About $100,000.

Here are some prices we have realized for C.S. Lewis items:

Intriguing C.S. Lewis Autograph Letter Signed — “…I here return the learned Goldschmidt [book]…it has told me several things I needed to know and will make me cautious in future…”.

C.S. Lewis autograph letter signed. Dated 16 October upon Magdalen College, Oxford stationery, the “Chronicles of Narnia” author writes, “My dear Ken / I here return the learned Goldschmidt [book] with apologies for a long delay, having today picked which I take to be the meat out of it – it has told me several things I needed to know and will make me cautious in future. I hope the stains on the back cover were not acquired in my room. With many thanks, Yours / C. S. Lewis”. Mild foxing and creasing to the single-page letter measuring 4.5″ x 7″. Letter comes affixed to the interior hinge of the “Goldschmidt” book in question with tape along its left edge. In very good condition. The softcover publication is titled “Medieval Texts and Their First Appearance in Print” published by the Bibliographical Society at the University Press, Oxford: London: 1943. Runs 144pp. and measures 7″ x 9″. Covers are nearly detached, else very good. A rare, humorous, and intriguing letter by one of the most renowned literary figures of the 20th century. Sold for $3,279.

C.S. Lewis Autograph Letter Signed from 1951 During Publication of ”The Chronicles of Narnia” — ”…The quest for ‘elegant variation’ tends to produce difficulties…”

C.S. Lewis autograph letter signed, penned in black fountain pen on a postcard from Oxford University, Magdalen College. Dated 24 April 1951, shortly after the first volume of ”The Chronicles of Narnia” was published, Lewis here appears to defend his word choice in a literary work. Addressed to ”Dear Mr. Brown”, letter reads, ”Boiled is wrong, I allow. I’m quite impenitent, though, about ‘on its own.’ The idiom is perfectly genuine English. As to the frequent repetition, it is (rightly or wrongly) my considered opinion that in close argument where the same idea recurs the same words shd. be exactly repeated. The quest for ‘elegant variation’ tends to produce difficulties. We must agree to differ! / your sincerely / C.S. Lewis”. Postcard is addressed to an esquire in New Zealand, postmarked from Oxford on 25 April 1951. Measures 4.5” x 3.5”. Creasing and vertical strip of discoloration on address panel. Very good condition. Sold for $2,500.

We also sold the following rare books:

Exceedingly Rare First Printing Dust Jacket of “The Great Gatsby” — Scarce Jacket Houses First Printing of the Classic Novel

Rare first edition, first printing of one of the most desired books in the history of literature, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”, with the nearly impossible to find first printing dust jacket, showing the lowercase “j” in “Jay Gatsby” on the rear flap hand-corrected in ink, indicative of the first printing. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1925. Designed by artist Francis Cugat, the dust jacket echoes the romantic tone of the novel, with hints of loss and opulence at its core, showing a pair of feminine eyes, with two nude figures in her irises, gazing over a Coney Island carnival. Fitzgerald’s reaction to the jacket was captured in a 1924 letter to editor Maxwell Perkins, “For Christ’s sake, don’t give anyone that dust jacket you’re saving for me. I’ve written it into the book.” It is perhaps one of the few instances where the jacket design actually influenced the novel, and is one of the scarcest first printing jackets in modern literature.

For the book itself, every first printing point is present: 1925 printed on title page; Charles Scribner’s Sons logo appears on the copyright page with no subsequent printing statements; “chatter” appears on page 60; “northern” appears on page 119; “it’s” printed on line 16 of page 165; “sick in tired” found on page 205; “Union Street station” mistyped on line 7-8 of page 211. Bound in teal cloth boards with title and author’s name blind-stamped to front board and gilt lettering to spine. Book runs 218pp., and measures 5.5″ x 7.75″. Minor shelf wear and discoloration to half-title page, overall in very good plus condition for book. Light chipping to spine of jacket, and small losses on spine and upper front portion expertly restored, as well as light edgewear. Also in very good plus condition. Housed in custom blue morocco slipcase. A very seldom-encountered true first printing of an enduring classic. Sold for $84,000.

First Edition, First Printing of Charles Darwin’s Masterpiece, “On the Origin of Species” — “The most important biological book ever written”

First edition, first printing of “On the Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin, one of the most important books in the scientific canon. London: John Murray, 1859. In this revolutionary book that upended man’s own view of himself, Darwin posits natural selection as the engine driving species’ evolution, an argument so persuasive that even 19th century religious leaders adjusted their teachings to allow for evolution to work in concert with divine planning. Its importance has only grown in the 150+ years since publication, with Freeman concluding it to be “the most important biological book ever written”. First released on 24 November 1859, its scarcity nearly matches its importance, with the first printing consisting of only 1,250 copies, and the number of extant copies now significantly fewer.

All first printing points are present, including original binding, variant B, title page with copyright information on verso, Table of Contents (pages v-ix) with binder instructions to verso, complete pages 1-502, and folding table present between pages 116-117. Bound in publisher’s full green boards, stamped and lettered in gilt. Overall in very good condition; ads at back of volume have been removed as has half-title page, and endpapers have been replaced. Volume is rebacked using morocco, with original spine laid down. Some shelf wear to boards. Light foxing throughout book, with some chipping, small closed tears with repairs to a few pages, and a few dogeared pages. One small mark on page 109, otherwise no internal writing or marks. Housed in a custom quarter-leather clamshell box. Overall in very good condition, a handsome, presentable copy of this scarce first printing. Sold for $68,250.

First Edition, First Printing Hardback of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling — One of Only 500 Copies, the Book That Started It All

The most coveted book in the Harry Potter canon, the first edition, first printing hardback of J.K. Rowling’s first novel, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”. This book is one of only 500 hardback copies published in the first printing, more scarce and collectible than the softcover published at the same time.

With all first printing points present, including “First published in Great Britain in 1997” on the copyright page, along with “Joanne Rowling” credited rather than J.K., and no space between Thomas Taylor and the copyright date (“Taylor1997”). Full number line “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1” is present, as is the 10.99 pound price on rear board, Wendy Cooling quote to front board, and the spelling error of “Philospher’s” on rear board. Other early printing points are also present, including the repeat of “1 wand” on page 53, and “highchair” on page 8.

Since most of the 500 copies of the hardcover book were intended for library use, the number of extant copies is unknown, though estimated to be significantly fewer than the 500 published. All 500 were issued without a dust jacket, which wasn’t introduced until the third printing. This copy has part of the library laminate peeled off, corners of board professionally retouched, and previous owner’s inscription to front free endpaper. Some sunning to spine and minute cocking. A wonderful first printing, still in very good condition. A hallmark of children’s literature, one of the few hardback copies still available. Sold for $53,550.

Exceedingly Rare First Printing Dusjacket of ”The Great Gatsby” — Much More Rare Than the Legendary Novel It Houses

Rare first edition, first printing of one of the most desired books in the history of literature, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ”The Great Gatsby,” published by Charles Scribner’s Sons: New York: 1925, with the nearly impossible to find first printing dustjacket. Every point is present: 1925 is printed on title page; Charles Scribner’s Sons logo appears on the copyright page with no subsequent printing statements; ”chatter” appears on page 60; ”northern” appears on page 119; ”it’s” is printed on line 16 of page 165; ”sick in tired” is found on page 205; ”Union Street station” is mistyped on line 7-8 of page 211. Bound in dark green cloth boards with title and author’s name blind-stamped to front board and gilt lettering to spine. Francis Cugat’s scarce original unrestored first printing dustjacket has the lowercase ”j” in ”jay Gatsby” on the back panel hand-corrected in ink.  Sold for $50,000.

Ayn Rand First Edition, Signed Copy of “Anthem”

Hardcover with dustjacket. Caldwell, Idaho: The Caxton Printers, LTD.: 1953. Copy given to Nathaniel Branden, her purported protege and lover. Signed and inscribed by Rand in blue ink, “To Barbara and Nathan – – who are now fully my children – to mark your first six-months wedding anniversary – Ayn / July 14, 1953.” Book, which measures 6″x 8.5″, runs 105pp. Thinly-veiled sci-fi-ish allegory supports Rand’s classic Objectivist thesis regarding the subjugation of the ego for the greater whole of society. Dust jacket in near fine condition with minor chips at top. Slight cloth board spotting and very mild toning to interior. A near-perfect signed Ayn Rand first edition copy. Our most expensive Ayn Rand first edition that we have handled. Sold for $22,500.

J.K. Rowling Signed First Edition, First Printing Harry Potter Signed Book — “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” — With PSA/DNA COA

Extremely rare J.K. Rowling signed first edition, first printing Harry Potter signed book: “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” Bloomsbury: London: 1997. The author signs the dedication page “To Bryony / with best wishes / JK Rowling”.  A true first edition, it features the number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the copyright page, and the first printing misprint on page 53 of “1 wand” listed twice, as well as the Wendy Cooling cover quote: “A terrific read and a stunning first novel”. Indeed, this first of Rowling’s wildly successful Harry Potter book series was published later in the U.S. under the title “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Its film adaption became one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. Issued as a paperback, novel runs 223pp. and measures 5″ x 8″. Toning to leaves and edges. Rubbing to spine edges and creasing to hinges, else near fine. With PSA/DNA COA.   Sold for $17,000.

First Edition Set of Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” — “Fellowship of the Ring” & “Return of the King” Are First Printings; “Two Towers” Is Second Printing — All Three Are Near Fine

Very rare first edition, early printing set of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1954 & 1955. All three are in extraordinarily near fine condition for both the books and their original dust jackets. “The Fellowship of the Ring” is a first edition, first printing (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1954) with map attached to rear flyleaf. Publisher’s red cloth with gilt spine titles. With signature mark “4” at the bottom of page 49. Original dust jacket priced “21s net”. “The Two Towers” is a first edition, second printing (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1954) with map attached to rear flyleaf. Publisher’s red cloth with gilt spine titles. Original dust jacket priced “21s net”. “The Return of the King” is a first edition, first printing (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1955) with map attached to rear flyleaf. Signature mark “4” present on page 49, and all lines of type sag in the middle. Publisher’s red cloth with gilt spine titles. Original dust jacket priced “21s net”. All measure 5.75″ x 9″ with top edges red. A beautiful set with only minor edge wear, toning to endpapers and very light wear to jackets. One of the nicest “Lord of the Rings” sets available. Sold for $14,588.

James Joyce Autograph and an Henri Matisse Autograph in a Scarce Limited Edition of “Ulysses”

Scarce copy of “Ulysses” rare book by James Joyce, illustrated by Henri Matisse. New York: The Limited Editions Club: 1935.  Number 297 of a limited edition run of 1500 copies.  One of only 250 such copies signed by both Joyce and Matisse.  Boldly signed by the author and illustrator on limitation page.  Full brown buckram boards with gilt embossing to front cover and backstrip.  Large octavo measures 9″ x 11.5″.  Volume runs 420pp. with an introduction by Stuart Gilbert and illustrations by Henri Matisse including 20 reproductions of preliminary drawings and six original soft-ground etchings.  In 1935 George Macy, founder of the fledgling Limited Editions Club, made the bold decision to commission Matisse to illustrate Joyce’s controversial and previously banned masterpiece, “Ulysses.”  Matisse, understanding that Joyce’s work parodied the original eighteen episodes of the “Odyssey,” chose to create his 26 full-page illustrations as actual illustrations of Homer’s original work.  Matisse later signed all 1500 of Macy’s limited edition, however, as legend has it, when Joyce realized that Matisse had been working from Homer’s “Odyssey” rather than his novel, he refused to sign any more than the 250 copies he had already signed making this double-signed edition exceedingly rare.  Rare book without original slipcase, else fine condition.  Sold for $14,460.

First Edition, Third Printing of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Second Novel, “The Beautiful and Damned” — With a Charming Inscription to Actor Edward Everett Horton

Signed and inscribed first edition, third printing of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Beautiful and Damned.” New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons: 1922. Fitzgerald’s second novel paints a vivid portrait of the Eastern elite during the Jazz Age in America. Copy is inscribed by Fitzgerald on the front free endpaper: “This book oddly enough is responsible from its title for the phrase ‘beautiful and dumb.’ I doubt if it has any other distinction. For Edward Everett Horton from F. Scott Fitzgerald / Encino 1939.” In publisher’s original green cloth boards with some soiling. Includes a later printing dustjacket from the A.L. Burt edition with minor wear. Very good condition. Sold for $10,781.

Ernest Hemingway Signed First Limited Edition of ”A Farewell to Arms” — Scarce in Original Slipcase

Ernest Hemingway signed limited first edition of his post-WWI classic, ”A Farewell to Arms”, housed in its original limited edition slipcase, with numbers matching. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1929. Published on 27 September 1929 in a limited edition of 510 numbered copies, this being #214, signed boldly ”Ernest Hemingway” in black fountain pen. In matching slipcase with Charles Scribner’s Sons plate, again listing the limited edition as #214. Measures 6.5” x 9.5”. Some chipping to seams of slipcase, overall in very good condition. Chipping to spine label, otherwise book is near fine. Sold for $10,313.

Beatrix Potter Signed Tailor of Gloucester 1st/1st 1902

Beatrix Potter signed copy of her third book, “The Tailor of Gloucester”, Potter’s personal favorite of all her books. Published privately: London: 1902. Inscription on front free endpaper reads, “For Mr. Butler / from Beatrix Potter / Jan 16th 03″. This hardcover first edition, first impression includes 11 color plates and is one of 500 copies printed exclusively for Potter a year before the first trade edition by Frederick Warne & Co. This version of the text is longer than the first trade edition, and the cover illustration of the three mice was never used again. Measures 4.25″ x 5.25”. Tape on spine, wear to boards, and separation starting at joints. Pencil writing on front pastedown. Internal pages have some foxing and wear but are in generally clean, very good condition. A very rare, beloved children’s book. Sold for $10,000.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery Little Prince Signed Book Limited First Edition — One of Only 525 Signed Copies — Near Fine Condition

One of only 525 limited edition copies of Antoine de Saint-Exupery Little Prince signed book. First edition, published by Reynal & Hitchcock: New York: 1943. First edition signed copies are limited to 525 copies, of which this is number 271. In publisher’s red-stamped salmon cloth boards. Very minor foxing to limitation page and shallow crease to the bottom corner of the last three leaves. In the first issue dustjacket, with “$2.00” on front flap; small chips to spine ends, darkened spine and minor toning to front and rear panels. A near fine copy, housed in a custom gray cloth clamshell box.  Sold for $9,601.

Louisa May Alcott Signed ”Little Women” — First One to Appear at Auction in Over 40 Years — With PSA/DNA COA

Louisa May Alcott signed ”Little Women,” published by Roberts Brothers: Boston 1880. Impossible to find, the author’s signature within her masterpiece reads: ”L.M. Alcott” upon the fly-leaf. An Alcott signed instance of ”Little Women” has not been sold at auction in over 4 decades. First published in 1869, Alcott’s spellbinding novel about four sisters coming of age in the Civil War era has since become a classic. This edition is bound in hunter green cloth boards with gilt and black lettering and design. All edges gilt. Measures 7” x 8.5”. Surface loss to exterior corners and edges. Cracking to interior front hinge, with detached front free endpaper. A bookplate affixed to the front pastedown indicates this volume was gifted to the Brookline Public Library in 1917. In addition, the library’s perforated label appears at the bottom of the title page. A news clipping of Alcott’s obituary has been affixed to integral blanks. A label affixed to the rear pastedown reads: ”This book is for use in the library building only” and a barcode label has been partially removed from the rear free endpaper, else very good. With PSA/DNA COA. Sold for $8,908.

Attractive First Edition Set of Mark Twain’s ”Adventures of Tom Sawyer” & ”Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” — Both Bound in Publisher’s Blue Cloth

Lovely first edition set of Mark Twain’s ”Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and ”Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”, bound in publisher’s rarer and generally more desirable blue cloth with gilt accenting. ”Tom Sawyer” is a first edition, second printing (Hartford: American Publishing, 1876) while ”Huckleberry Finn” is a first edition, first printing (New York: Charles L. Webster, 1885). ”Tom Sawyer” printing points include half-title and frontis on same leaf, and no type damage on ”furniture to” on last line of page 17, found in the 3rd and later printings. One of only 748 copies with all edges gilt. All first printing points for ”Huckleberry Finn” are present including the most important table cloth visible underneath the bust of Twain with ”Heliotype Printing Co.” imprint. Both books measure 7” x 8.75”. Light rubbing and shelf wear to both and some internal foxing. ”Tom Sawyer” is in very good condition with the front hinge starting. ”Huckleberry Finn” is in very good plus condition. Internally, both are clean and free of any writing. A very attractive set with the blue cloth still bold and vibrant. Sold for $8,750.

Ernest Hemingway Signed “Men Without Women” — Dedicated in His Hand to the Son of Renowned Actress Helen Hayes

Ernest Hemingway signed “Men Without Women”, Charles Scribner’s Sons: New York: 1955. Hemingway’s autograph dedication to the front free endpaper is to the son of actress Helen Hayes and reads in full: “To Jim MacArthur / With best wishes from his friend / Ernest Hemingway / Finca Vigia / San Francisco de Paula / Cuba”. Hemingway’s short story collection is bound in oatmeal cloth boards with gilt lettering and black print to spine. Measures 5.25″ x 7.5″. Cocking to spine, mild sunning to backstrip and wear to spine ends, else near fine. From the estate of Helen Hayes. Sold for $8,160.

First Printing of ”Winnie the Pooh” by A.A. Milne From 1926 — With Scarce Original Dust Jacket

First edition, first printing of A.A. Milne’s beloved classic children’s book, ”Winnie-the-Pooh”, complete in its original dust jacket. London: Methuan and Co., 1926. Beautifully illustrated throughout with full page drawings by E.H. Shepard, this is the first book that Milne wrote with Christopher Robin, Pooh, and the gang as the singular focus of the story. With all first printing points present: ”First Published in 1926” on copyright page; green cloth boards stamped with Christopher Robin and Pooh in gilt on front; endpapers illustrated with maps of ”100 Aker Wood”; yellow jacket with ”7/6 net” price on spine; ”117th thousand” printed on rear panel of jacket. A well-preserved copy with only light bumping to boards, toning to endpapers, and slight separation starting at rear hinge. Jacket has some toning and chipping, particularly to spine. Overall very good condition. Sold for $7,500.

Charles Dickens 1859 Signed Copy of His Weekly Magazine Featuring “Christmas Tales”

Extra 1859 “Christmas Tales” edition of Dickens’ weekly magazine, “Household Words,” which was published every Wednesday from 1850-59. Signed with Dickens’ full signature & typical paraph on the title page. Dickens also initials “C.D.” in pencil beside his contributions to the magazine, which included “A Christmas Tree” and “What Christmas Is, as We Grow Older.” Includes a 1933 note from owner Walter Browne stating that “this volume of Christmas Tales by Charles Dickens is specially autographed by him for ‘Pa Browne’ who had the leaflet sent up to him, & he kindly signed it – ‘Pa’ Browne died in 1882…” With frontispiece portrait and ownership inscription of “Mr Russell Browne, York, 1859” on verso of the title. Very good condition. Sold for $7,200.

Beautiful First Edition Set of Charles Dickens Five Christmas Books — Including Scarce First Edition, First Printing of “A Christmas Carol”

Rare complete first edition set of Dickens’ Christmas books, beautifully bound in deep red morocco. London: Bradbury & Evans: 1843-48. A complete set of the five novels that forever wed Dickens’ legacy to the celebration of Christmas. Volumes include “A Christmas Carol,” “The Chimes,” “The Cricket on the Hearth,” “The Battle of Life” and “The Haunted Man.” First edition, first printing of “A Christmas Carol”; first edition, second printing of “The Chimes”; first edition, second printing of “The Cricket on the Hearth”; first edition, fourth printing of “The Battle of Life”; first edition of “The Haunted Man.” With original illustrations, including four full-color plates in “A Christmas Carol.” Books are uniformly bound in sumptuous red crushed levant morocco with gilt spine titles inside five raised bands. Inner covers decoratively tooled with designs unique to each title and double-ruled borders in gilt. Marbled endpapers and top edges gilt. In very good condition with moderate wear and light, expected soiling. Spine has been rebacked on “A Christmas Carol” and its original endpapers are not present. Overall, a very good, scarce first edition set of Dickens’ wondrous holiday works. Sold for $4,440.

FREE APPRAISAL. To buy, auction, sell or consign your CS Lewis Narnia 1950-1954 1955-1956 1st editions that are for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).

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