Sell or Auction Your James Joyce Signed Finnegans Wake 1939 1st Edition of 425 for up to Nearly $20,000 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions
FREE VALUATION. To buy, auction, sell or consign your James Joyce signed Finnegans Wake 1939 1st edition of 425 that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
Sell Your James Joyce Signed Finnegans Wake 1939 1st Edition of 425
Finnegans Wake is a novel by Irish writer James Joyce. It has been called “a work of fiction which combines a body of fables … with the work of analysis and deconstruction”.: 210–211 It is significant for its experimental style and reputation as one of the most difficult works in the Western canon. Written in Paris over a period of seventeen years and published in 1939, Finnegans Wake was Joyce’s final work. The entire book is written in a largely idiosyncratic language, which blends standard English words with neologistic portmanteau words and puns in multiple languages to unique effect. Many critics believe the technique was Joyce’s attempt to recreate the experience of sleep and dreams, because of the way concepts, people and places become amalgamated in dream consciousness. It is an attempt by Joyce to combine many of his aesthetic ideas, with references to other works and outside ideas woven into the text; Joyce said, “Every syllable can be justified”. Due to its linguistic experiments, stream of consciousness writing style, literary allusions, free dream associations, and abandonment of narrative conventions, Finnegans Wake remains largely unread by the general public. However, it has a devoted cult following, and some people commit long periods of study to it and hold the book in high aesthetic regard.
Below is a recent realized price for a James Joyce signed Finnegans Wake 1939 1st edition of 425. We at Nate D. Sanders Auctions can obtain up to this amount or more for you:
James Joyce Signed Finnegans Wake 1939 1st Edition of 425. Sold for nearly $20,000.
The following is some similar items we have sold:
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.
James Joyce “Ulysses” First Edition From 1922 — #877 of the 1,000 Copies in the Rare First Edition
James Joyce’s magnum opus “Ulysses”, the first edition limited to 1,000 copies, of which this is #877 — one of the 750 copies printed on handmade paper in its distinct teal paper wrappers, here bound into contemporary half-linen boards. Paris: Shakespeare and Company, 1922. Interestingly, the date of publication for “Ulysses” was intended for Joyce’s birthday, 2 February 1922, but only two copies were printed that day, both from the batch of 750 copies printed on handmade paper, of which this is one. Following later in February were more of the 750 copies before the copies 1-250 were printed; therefore, although the 750 run is numerically higher, it actually precedes the others in printing priority. Book measures 7.5″ x 9.5″ and spans 732pp., with prospectus advertising the novel’s publication “in the Autumn of 1921”, affixed to front free endpaper. Newspaper photograph of Dublin also taped to front pastedown. Separation starting to front joint, but book itself, contained between teal wrappers is very good to near fine. One of the most influential books of 20th century modernist literature. Sold for $11,025.
James Joyce autograph letter signed to his friend, the sculptor August Suter. On Victoria Palace Hotel stationery in Paris, where Joyce lived at the time, he writes to Suter on 29 April 1924 in German, translated in full, ”Dear Mr. Suter: May I introduce to you a friend of mine from Ireland, an artist [Patrick Tuohy] who painted a portrait of my father that has been talked about quite a lot. He would very much like to meet you. I do not know how you will communicate with each other, since he does not speak German and very little French. Maybe your kind wife might be able to help? Mr. Muller is coming to see me tomorrow. / I am almost going out of my mind in this impossible situation. / Sending a handshake / James Joyce”. The impossible situation that Joyce refers to is likely Dr. Walter Muller’s attempts to find a publisher for the German translation of ”A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man”. Single page letter on bifolium stationery measures 5.25” x 7”. Single fold and light toning, overall very good condition. Sold for $3,750.
James Joyce Autograph Letter Signed in 1924
James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (2 February 1882 – 13 January 1941) was an Irish novelist, short story writer, poet, teacher, and literary critic. He contributed to the modernist avant-garde movement and is regarded as one of the most influential and important writers of the 20th century. Joyce is best known for Ulysses (1922), a landmark work in which the episodes of Homer’s Odyssey are paralleled in a variety of literary styles, most famously stream of consciousness. Other well-known works are the short-story collection Dubliners (1914), and the novels A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916) and Finnegans Wake (1939). His other writings include three books of poetry, a play, his published letters and occasional journalism.
James Joyce autograph letter signed, writing in French to the sculptor August Suter. Joyce mentions an operation he had for his eyes, one of nine he underwent before 1929. Composed upon a card with Joyce’s address in Paris, letter circa 1924 reads in full, “Tel: Segur 95-20 / Dear Suter: If Madame Suter is in Paris, perhaps she could come for tea on Wednesday at 4 or 4:30. My wife would like to speak with her – not about maids. If not, could you please give me a call? / How are you? Well, I hope. I have undergone a seventh operation. It was quite awful this time. / cordially yours / James Joyce”. Card measures 5.75″ x 3.5″ with writing on front and verso. Creasing and light soiling, overall very good condition. Sold for $2,200.
James Joyce Autograph Letter Signed in 1923 to the Sculptor August Suter — Shortly After the Publication of “Ulysses” in 1922
James Joyce autograph letter signed to his friend, the sculptor August Suter. Written on stationery that folds to create an envelope, Joyce writes to Suter on 4 June 1923 from Paris, with corroborating postmarks on verso. In German, letter translates in full, “Dear Mr. Suter, / Unless it is inconvenient for you, I will bring you the pictures next Thursday afternoon. In the event that you might not be at home, you could telephone me, so that we will be able to set another date. / Kind regards from both of us to Mrs. Suter and to you. / James Joyce”. At this time, Joyce had just finished his magnum opus “Ulysses” and was beginning to write again, after having taken more than a year off. Letter measures 4.5″ x 6″. Fold, else near fine. Sold for $2,900.
Karl Bodmer Prince of Wied’s Travels in the Interior
Stunningly beautiful collection of 81 hand-colored aquatints by the Swiss artist Karl Bodmer, a complete collection from the illustrated travelogue, “Prince of Wied’s Travels in the Interior of North America”. Bodmer, who journeyed with the German Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied from 1833-34 along the Missouri River, produced what is considered the best depictions of the indigenous peoples and landscapes during the frontier era, an America then still unspoiled by western migration. Of the Native American tribes of the Great Plains that they encountered, Bodmer’s depictions of the Blackfeet and Mandan tribes are especially important as the populations of these tribes were greatly affected by the smallpox epidemic of 1837, thus making Bodmer’s work the last visual testament to their culture.
Prince Max, as he was called, chose Bodmer to accompany him on the expedition along the Missouri River to visually depict the scenes that the Prince would write about. The result is this collection: three volumes of text by the Prince and two volumes of aquatints by Bodmer, in the first Paris edition published by Chez Arthus Bertrand, 1840-43 (“Voyage dans l’interieur de l’Amerique du Nord”). Text volumes in French also include 37 wood-engraved illustrations, only lacking the map in completeness. The two complete volumes of illustrations include the large folio volume with 48 oversized hand-colored aquatints measuring approximately 24.5″ x 18″, and the quarto volume with 33 hand-colored aquatints measuring approximately 12.5″ x 10.25″. The complete set of 81 aquatints is magnificent in their display, a time capsule with their hand-coloring evoking the sense of awe and discovery of the expedition. All volumes are bound in half black morocco and blue paper-covered boards with gilt accenting, and with black morocco labels to illustrated volumes. Minor handling wear to volumes, with a few small repaired tears to plates, some plates supplied with variance to margins, minute toning and foxing, a few plates beginning to separate from binding. Overall a very good plus set with excellent display quality. Sold for $175,000.
Gutenberg Bible Leaf 193 Chronicles of Old Testament
Scarce leaf from the Gutenberg Bible, one of the earliest major books printed from moveable metal type, the invention that ushered in the Age of Enlightenment by democratizing knowledge through mass production of literature. Printed by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany from 1450-1455, less than 50 complete or near-complete copies of the Gutenberg Bible are now extant, with nearly all those housed in public institutions. Singular leaves are also scarce, with the leaf presented here having been acquired by bookseller Gabriel Wells, whose purchase of an incomplete Bible in 1920 gave way to selling the individual leaves alongside an essay by A. Edward Newton entitled “A Noble Fragment”. Leaf is number 193 of the full Latin Bible, with the recto being the Prologue to 1 Chronicles of the Old Testament, and the verso the first part of Chapter 1 of 1 Chronicles. Each page features two columns of 42 lines in dark black Gothic type, accented by red and blue rubrication. Each copy of the Gutenberg Bible differs in its rubrication and illumination, with buyers at the time deciding upon these embellishments after the Bible was printed. The six-line rubricated letters of this leaf were likely added later, restored to match the original style. Leaf measures 11.125″ x 15.375″, bound on edge to portfolio measuring 11.75″ x 16″. Paper quality is still bright with very little foxing or discoloration compared to other examples. A stunning example from the book that changed the course of history. Sold for $136,500.
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.
Very rare ”Gone With the Wind” novel signed by the cast. New York: The MacMillan Co., 1938, later edition. Novel is signed on the front endpapers by the leading cast members: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard, Hattie McDaniel, Ona Munson, Evelyn Keyes, Ann Rutherford, Thomas Mitchell, Carroll Nye, Oscar Polk, and unit manager William J. Scully. Underneath their signatures are the names of their ”Gone With the Wind” characters, written in another hand. Housed in a custom leather clamshell box with five raised bands and gilt lettering to spine, ”Gone With the Wind / Autographed by Twelve Members of Cast”. Book measures 6” x 9”. Toning to signature page, otherwise very good. With PSA/DNA for all actor’s signatures. Sold for $15,000.
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.
FREE VALUATION. To buy, auction, sell or consign your James Joyce signed Finnegans Wake 1939 1st edition of 425 that is for sale, please email your description and photos of your James Joyce signed Finnegans Wake 1939 1st edition of 425 to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).