Skip to content

Literature : Modern Literature

First editions and signed copies of important 20th-century literature, including novels, mystery and detective fiction, science fiction, plays, and poetry, with an emphasis on English speaking authors such as Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Iris Murdoch, J.R.R. Tolkien, Agatha Christie, P. G. Wodehouse, and John le Carré.

See: Children’s Literature, Greek & Roman Classics, Illustrated Literature, Literary Criticism, Literature, Pre-1900 Literature

886 results
Filter
Sort by
  • First edition of From Squarings by Seamus Heaney in Agni 29/30.
    First edition of From Squarings by Seamus Heaney in Agni 29/30.

    HEANEY, Seamus [Contributes].
    From Squarings [in] Agni 29/30. 1990
    $62.00

  • Limited edition of The Collected Poems of Rupert Brooke publisehd in London in 1919 and bound for Asprey.
    Limited edition of The Collected Poems of Rupert Brooke publisehd in London in 1919 and bound for Asprey.

    BROOKE, Rupert.
    The Collected Poems of Rupert Brooke. 1919.
    $2,395.00

  • The fourth publication in the author's Sac Prairie Saga, chronicling life in a Wisconsin village from the mid-19th century onwards...
    The fourth publication in the author's Sac Prairie Saga, chronicling life in a Wisconsin village from the mid-19th century onwards...

    DERLETH, August.
    Sac Prairie People. 1948.
    $377.00

  • A stunning copy of this detective fiction title, introducing the character Sir John Saumarez, adapted for film by Alfred Hitchcock.
    A stunning copy of this detective fiction title, introducing the character Sir John Saumarez, adapted for film by Alfred Hitchcock.

    DANE, Clemence [pseud. ASHTON, Winifred]; SIMPSON, Helen.
    Enter Sir John. 1928.
    $787.00

  • An exceptional first edition of this intriguing work of science fiction, categorised by Bleiler under 'imaginary wars and inventions'. In superb jacket.
    An exceptional first edition of this intriguing work of science fiction, categorised by Bleiler under 'imaginary wars and inventions'. In superb jacket.

    [FORBES, Alexander].
    The Radio Gunner. 1924.
    $384.00

  • The third published book by John Updike, comprising sixteen short stories. Uncommon signed.

    UPDIKE, John.
    The Same Door. 1959.
    $657.00

  • Also a faun's holiday & poems and phantasies... Nichols was one of the more highly acclaimed younger poets of the day, notably for his war poems.
    Also a faun's holiday & poems and phantasies... Nichols was one of the more highly acclaimed younger poets of the day, notably for his war poems.

    NICHOLS, Robert.
    Ardours and Endurances. 1917.
    $117.00

  • A Haycraft Queen Cornerstone, The Red Thumb Mark was the first of many Dr Thorndyke novels by R. Austin Freeman, a medico-legal investigation.
    A Haycraft Queen Cornerstone, The Red Thumb Mark was the first of many Dr Thorndyke novels by R. Austin Freeman, a medico-legal investigation.

    FREEMAN, R. Austin.
    The Red Thumb Mark. [1907].
    $1,711.00

  • A stunning copy of this the second book in Vardis Fisher's 'Vridar Hunter' tetralogy, a series of semi-autobiographical novels set largely in Idaho.
    A stunning copy of this the second book in Vardis Fisher's 'Vridar Hunter' tetralogy, a series of semi-autobiographical novels set largely in Idaho.

    FISHER, Vardis.
    Passions Spin the Plot. 1934.
    $514.00

  • A romance with ghostly overtones.

    CRESWICK, Paul.
    The Beaten Path. A Fantasy. [1924].
    $343.00

  • A special edition of this seasonal play by one of the most influential Hollywood screenplay writers of all time, Ben Hecht (1893-1964).
    A special edition of this seasonal play by one of the most influential Hollywood screenplay writers of all time, Ben Hecht (1893-1964).

    HECHT, Ben; JACOBS, S.A. (designer).
    Christmas Eve: A Morality Play. 1928.
    $582.00

  • First edition, bookplate signed by the author mounted on title-page
    First edition, bookplate signed by the author mounted on title-page

    AIRTH, Rennie.
    Once a Spy. 1981.
    $206.00

  • First edition; 8vo; light recurrent spot to first few leaves, else fine; publisher's boards, pictorial dust-jacket.
    First edition; 8vo; light recurrent spot to first few leaves, else fine; publisher's boards, pictorial dust-jacket.

    AIRTH, Rennie.
    Snatch! 1969.
    $103.00

  • An excellent first edition of the sequel to The First Hundred Thousand "K (1)" (1915), which was one of the most popular books of its time.
    An excellent first edition of the sequel to The First Hundred Thousand "K (1)" (1915), which was one of the most popular books of its time.

    HAY, Ian [pseud. BEITH, John Hay].
    Carrying On— 1917.
    $650.00

  • Signed presentation copy to the author's mother
    Signed presentation copy to the author's mother

    BROPHY, John.
    I Let Him Go. 1935
    $172.00

  • A compelling copy of this novelisation for the 1950 film The Blue Lamp, which introduced Jack Warner as Dixon of Dock Green.
    A compelling copy of this novelisation for the 1950 film The Blue Lamp, which introduced Jack Warner as Dixon of Dock Green.

    WILLIS, Ted.
    The Blue Lamp. 1950.
    $130.00

  • A very good first edition example of this collection of poems by Ted Hughes, with a complex Oedipal verse ion the poet's hand.
    A very good first edition example of this collection of poems by Ted Hughes, with a complex Oedipal verse ion the poet's hand.

    HUGHES, Ted (adapted by).
    Seneca's Oedipus. 1969.
    $1,027.00

  • A very good first edition of this mystery title, in the original dust-jacket.

    CURTOIS, M.A.
    In Minden Town. 1926.
    $514.00

  • The novel details the authors alter-ego's amorous pursuit of the beautiful widow of a writer based on his pursuit of George Orwell's wife. <br />

    MACLAREN-ROSS, Julian.
    My Name is Love. 1964,
    $924.00

  • Account of Lewis' travels through Morocco and the Middle East. Scarce as the book was withdrawn due to fears over legal action.
    Account of Lewis' travels through Morocco and the Middle East. Scarce as the book was withdrawn due to fears over legal action.

    LEWIS, Wyndham.
    Filibusters in Barbary. 1932.
    $924.00

  • A good copy with signed invitation to drinks from the author.
    A good copy with signed invitation to drinks from the author.

    KINSELLA, Thomas.
    Another September, 1962.
    $172.00

  • A superb copy in the dust jacket. One of Ireland's favourite poems about issues of acceptance and belonging.
    A superb copy in the dust jacket. One of Ireland's favourite poems about issues of acceptance and belonging.

    KINSELLA, Thomas.
    Another September. 1958.
    $206.00

  • A good copy of the first edition with an autograph note from the author.
    A good copy of the first edition with an autograph note from the author.

    KINSELLA, Thomas.
    Downstream. 1962.
    $172.00

  • Outlining the historical, social, and political relationship between Egypt and the UK. A surprisingly good example of a rare pamphlet.

    FORSTER, E.M.
    The Government of Egypt. [1920].
    $616.00

  • A very good first edition of the author's second book, scarce to find with the fragile Gollancz dust-jacket in such good condition.
    A very good first edition of the author's second book, scarce to find with the fragile Gollancz dust-jacket in such good condition.

    CRISPIN, Edmund.
    Holy Disorders. 1945.
    $650.00

  • Waterfront was the source books for the British made Film Noir "Waterfront Women" which starred Richard Burton.
    Waterfront was the source books for the British made Film Noir "Waterfront Women" which starred Richard Burton.

    BROPHY, John.
    Waterfront. 1934.
    $206.00

  • A good example of a rare first edition to find in good order dust-jacket, this blessedly spare the fading to spine that plagues so many copies.
    A good example of a rare first edition to find in good order dust-jacket, this blessedly spare the fading to spine that plagues so many copies.

    BERGER, John.
    G. 1972.
    $308.00

  • An uncommon book in dust jacket, strikingly similar to, and coeval with, Malcolm Lowry's first book Ultramarine. Inscribed to Irish writer Conal O'Riordan.
    An uncommon book in dust jacket, strikingly similar to, and coeval with, Malcolm Lowry's first book Ultramarine. Inscribed to Irish writer Conal O'Riordan.

    BROPHY, John.
    Waterfront. 1934.
    $924.00

  • Interesting association copy of the first US edition of Murphy by Samuel Beckett, with contemporary gift inscription of all-round far-out guy Jay Landesman
    Interesting association copy of the first US edition of Murphy by Samuel Beckett, with contemporary gift inscription of all-round far-out guy Jay Landesman

    BECKETT, Samuel.
    Murphy. 1957.
    $514.00

  • A fine first edition of Osborne's only attempt to write a musical, intended as a social satire on high-society gossip columnists.

    OSBORNE, John.
    The World of Paul Slickey. 1959.
    $89.00

  • A first edition of John Osborne's depiction of Martin Luther, a role made famous by Albert Finney. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play in 1964.

    OSBORNE, John.
    Luther. 1961.
    $62.00

  • This is a work of stunning and intemperate power, a great bellow of rage and pain... there is a self-lacerating honesty about his writing...

    OSBORNE, John.
    Inadmissable Evidence. 1965.
    $69.00

  • The elusive hardback first edition of Ian Rankin's first book, preceding his Inspector Rebus stories.
    The elusive hardback first edition of Ian Rankin's first book, preceding his Inspector Rebus stories.

    RANKIN, Ian.
    The Flood. 1986.
    $924.00

  • The Wolf Swept Down.
    The Wolf Swept Down.

    LADLINE, Robert [GAUNT, Charles Edward].
    The Wolf Swept Down. 1935.
    $479.00

  • Something of a Greene curioso, albeit very much in line with the author's personal preoccupations and interests.
    Something of a Greene curioso, albeit very much in line with the author's personal preoccupations and interests.

    GREENE, Graham.
    Nino Caffè. 1960.
    $1,027.00

  • An uncommon title in the jacket by this prolific author, particularly signed. An 'eccentric family' story, revolving around a Russo-Irish family.
    An uncommon title in the jacket by this prolific author, particularly signed. An 'eccentric family' story, revolving around a Russo-Irish family.

    BIGLAND, Eileen.
    Gingerbread House. 1934.
    $240.00

Cart
Your cart is empty
Have an account?
Log in to check out faster.