Welcome to Alexander Rare Books

Literary Firsts & Poetry

I am a full-time bookseller specializing in literary firsts, especially poetry, important fiction, fine printing and publishing ephemera; with a particular interest in signed/inscribed books, association copies, books by and about Vladimir Nabokov, and advanced and uncorrected proof copies.

All domestic orders are shipped free of charge. Overseas shipped at approximate cost. You can usually reach me by phone during the day, from 8 to 8 ET. I enjoy talking directly with my customers, and am happy to answer questions by phone or email. Although I do not have an open shop, customers are very welcome by appointment.

I accept PayPal (most credit cards, through the shopping cart on this site or via an electronic invoice), money orders or checks. Libraries are billed according to need.

I am always buying interesting books, individually and as a collection, in my field of interest.

Want lists in my field are welcomed. If you would like to be on my mailing list (both electronic - monthly, and paper – less frequently) please let me know.

Featured Items

THE SINGING KNIVES.
Stanford, Frank.
Price: US $700.00
Mill Mountain Press,, Seattle:

Edition: First edition

The scarce first book by the founder (with C. D. Wright) of Lost Roads Press. Stanford died in 1978, a suicide. Two of Lucinda Williams' (her fa... Details

THE UNCOLLECTED STORIES OF JOHN CHEEVER 1930-1981.
Cheever, John.
Price: US $750.00
Academy Chicago Publishers,, Chicago:

Edition: First edition

An uncorrected proof copy in plain, pale blue wrappers of these stories which except for 13 (of 68) have never been reprinted. As recounted by his cl... Details

NORTH AND SOUTH.
Bishop, Elizabeth.
Price: US $6000.00
Houghton Mifflin,, Boston:

Edition: First edition

Thin 8vo.; dark blue cloth with silver lettering in dust jacket. Very good copy in a custom cloth clamshell case. Inscribed on the title page: "... Details

GEOGRAPHY III.
Bishop, Elizabeth.
Price: US $2000.00
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux,, New York:

Edition: First edition

Thin 8vo.; brown cloth, stamped in gilt in dust jacket. Fine in like dust jacket in a custom cloth clamshell case. Inscribed on the title page: "... Details

CRAZY COMPOSITIONS.
Padgett, Ron.
Price: US $125.00
Big Sky,, Bolinas:

Edition: First edition

[22 pp] Tall chapbook. One of 26 lettered copies (this copy "F") signed by both Padgett and George Schneeman who did the cover. The trade iss... Details

SWEET PEA.
Padgett, Ron.
Price: US $200.00
Aloes,, London:

Oblong, small stapled wrappers. One of 50 hors commerce copies (of 250 total), specially signed by the poet. Cover and illustrations by George Schnee... Details

BUN.
Clark, Tom; Ron Padgett.
Price: US $125.00
Angel Hair Books,, New York:

Edition: First edition

[20 pp.] Oversize, stapled wrappers. Signed by both Padgett and Clark. One of 500 copies. Cover by Jim Dine. Published by Anne Waldman and Lewis Wal... Details

SEPTEMBER.
Clark, Tom .
Price: US $35.00
Viking Dog Press,, [Muncy, PA]:

Poetry Broadside; approx. 8 1/2" x 11". Color illustration by Claribel Cone. Signed by the poet. Composed on a computer in an edition of 50 ... Details

OTHERS
Kreymborg, Alfred, ed.
Price: US $100.00
Knopf,, New York:

Edition: First edition

151 pp. Brown paper-covered boards stamped in red. Important anthology printing early work by Eliot, Williams, Moore, Pound, Loy, man Ray, Stevens and... Details

THE LOVELORN ASTRONOMER
Updike, John.
Price: US $350.00
G. K. Hall and Marquis Who's Who,, [Boston and Chicago]:

Edition: First edition

Scarce Holiday card printing for the first time this poem by Updike. Back cover variant with "(c) 1978 John Updike". Fine and among the scar... Details

CHILLS & FEVER.
Ransom, John Crowe.
Price: US $150.00
Knopf,, New York:

Edition: First edition

Reddish-brown cloth-backed first issue striped paper-covered boards. 95 pp. Bottom tips worn and bumped, paper lightly toned, else quite fine: yello... Details

SCRAP LEAVES.
Ginsberg, Allen.
Price: US $50.00
Poet's Press,, Millbrook, NY:

Edition: First edition

Chapbook in stapled illustrated wrappers. One of 150 copies in the facsimile hand of Ginsberg; printed for the Sri Ram Ashram. This apparantly an out ... Details