Fold the Corner Books

8vo., publisher's red boards, lettered in gilt to spine with publisher's device to foot; together in the neatly-clipped dustwrapper; pp. [x], 180, [ii]; black and white images and photographs throughout; pages evenly toned, a touch bumped to spine tips; otherwise near-fine in near-fine wrapper, just lightly sunned at the backstrip and with a couple of spots to the lower flap. First edition, signed by both authors to the ffep. A fabulous compendium of all things silly and peculiar in the way of real book titles and authors. Examples include A Three-Foot Stool, Advanced Mathematics by Boring and Boring, and The Benefit of Farting Explain'd by Don Fartinhando Puffindorst [Pseud. Jonathan Swift].

Large 8vo., navy-blue boards lettered and lined in metallic red to backstrip, with publisher's device to foot; together in the unclipped pictorial dustwrapper (£18.99 to front flap) designed by 'GHOST'; decorative endpapers showing marble statues; pp. [viii], 3-453, [v]; with each 'act' featuring a black and white photograph page; the book near-fine, with light bumping to spine tips and mild toning to the edges of the text block; the wrapper similarly near-fine, just a touch scuffed at edges with evidence of a circular sticker to the front panel having now been removed. First UK edition, printed in Spain the previous year and here appearing in a translation by Lucia Graves (the daughter of Robert Graves). One of the books in Zafon's 'Cemetery of Forgotten Books' series, which are designed to be read in any order. One of this bookseller's favourite books, the novels seamlessly blend mystery, romance and gothic horror on the streets of Barcelona.

Jana Lenzová (illustrator). 8vo., bright yellow boards, lettered in navy blue to spine with publisher's device to foot; yellow endpapers; together in the unclipped printed dustwrapper (£25 to front flap); pp. [viii], 351, [i]; fine, unread, in fine wrapper. First UK edition, third printing. This copy signed by both the author and his wife, (and illustrator of the book), Jana Lenzová, to the half title. A ticket to the signing is also loosely laid in. Dawkins' most recent evolutionary work, which is filled with "fascinating examples of the power of Darwinian natural selection to build exquisite perfection, paradoxically accompanied by what looks like gross blunders" (dust wrapper). Fabled to be his final work, this copy was signed during the Hay Festival, one of the last signings he vowed to undertake as part of his 'final bow'.

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. MOORE, Roger Last Man Standing. Tales from Tinseltown. London: Michael O'Mara Books Ltd., 2014 8vo., black publisher's boards, lettered in silver to backstrip with publisher's device to foot; in the photographic dustwrapper (priced £20.00 to lower panel); pale blue endpapers; pp. [vi], 7-272; proliferated throughout with numerous black and white photographs, as well as 16 pages in full colour on glossy paper; a clean and apparently unread copy, slightly pushed at spine tips with minor shelf-lean and the odd spot; still near-fine, in near-fine wrapper, just a little marked at the lower panel. First edition, with full number line 1-10. A fascinating insight into the Bond star's seven decades in the show business industry.

Hardcover. Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. FAULKS, Sebastian. The Seventh Son. London: Hutchinson Heinemann, 2023. 8vo., cream publisher's boards lettered in gilt to spine; unclipped photographic dust jacket (£22.00), blue endpapers; pp. [x], 3-356, [iv]; fine. First edition, signed by the author in black felt pen to the title page. Laid in loosely is a flyer from the Hatchards Christmas Customer Evening, where the book was signed. A thought-provoking work and Sunday Times Bestseller, from the writer of Birdsong. Signed by Author(s).

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. SAUNDERS, George. Lincoln in the Bardo. London: Bloomsbury, 2017 8vo., white publisher's cloth, lettered in metallic green to spine with publisher's device to foot; marble-effect endpapers; in the original unclipped dustwrapper (£18.99) designed by Greg Heinimann; pp. [xiii], 4-341, [xvii]; near-fine, some light dents and compression to edges of boards; jacket a tad creased. First edition, seventh impression, signed and dated by the author to the title page in the year of publication, along with 'XOX' and a doodle in red felt pen. An experimental novel, revolving around Abraham Lincoln's son William, and set in the 'Bardo' - an intermediary space between life and death. The work won the Booker Prize in 2017, with many publications later ranking it one of the best novels of its decade. Signed by Author(s).

8vo., black publisher's boards lettered with devices in shiny black to spine; together in the unclipped pink dustwrapper (£18.99 to front flap); decorative endpapers; pp. [vi], vii-xvii, [iii], 3-372, [x]; fine in fine wrapper, with a Topping & Company 'Signed First Edition' wraparound band. First, signed edition, with Anderson's signature to the specially-printed ffep. A collection of anonymous entries by women on their deepest sexual fantasies, containing Anderson's own contribution. Written shortly after her portrayal of therapist Dr Jean Milburn in the hugely successful series Sex Education, the work has already been compared to Pauline Réage's 'Story of O' for its frank and honest portrayal of female desire.

8vo., olive-green cloth, prettily blocked in black, yellow and brown with text and beaver illustrations to upper cover and spine; pp. [vi], 3-245, [v]; with title page in black and red; frontis showing a bull moose startling two boys, and numerous other charming illustrations in black throughout; text contained inside black borders; endpapers a little browned and offset; boards a tad pushed and rubbed to edges and tips; a very good to near fine example. First UK edition of this charming tale reintroducing characters who first appeared in Dugmore's 'Adventures in Beaver Stream Camp', where they were similarly lost in Newfoundland. The plot follows Jack Sylvester and Charlie Mason as they explore the Canadian wilderness, and is designed as "a story for Boys, both young & old & for Girls, who are interested in the lives & habits of the wild creatures & in the wonders of the open air, Life among the sweet scented firs & placid lakes & where the sparkling rivers bid us come away from the restless cities?" Scarce in this condition.

Soft cover. Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. VAN SANDWYK, Charles Six Bookplates, Four Bookmarks, & One Lovely Poem Vancouver: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, [2014] Small 8vo., gold sewn wraps, with onlaid paper label printed in black, red, green and brown; unpaginated [pp. iv]; with poem and two images of a dragon in full colour printed on pale blue-grey paper; envelope pasted to inside front cover containing the bookmarks and bookplates; fine. First edition, signed by van Sandwyk in black ink to p. [i]. The poem 'Long ago in Bangalore', describes a fearful dragon who one day comes ashore to promote the joys of reading to the folk of Bangalore, and dispel boredom by picking up books instead. The final image shows the dragon reading a tome entitled 'Playing with Fire'. First printed in a limited edition by the Black Stone Press for the Alcuin Society's General Meeting on June 9th 2014, also included here are the six blank bookplates and five bookmarks (instead of the four stated), which show reproductions of images including wise owls, anthropomorphised trees, and a rather befuddled-looking lion. Signed by Author(s).

Soft cover. Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. VAN SANDWYK, Charles Here Follows a Collection of Little People Common to the Natural Forest Vancouver: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, [2018] 8vo, sparkly-brown card wraps with integrated sewn marbled dustwrapper; onlaid paper label bordered in red, with title in black and a watercolour illustration showing a dancing owl; pp. [iv], with two colourful illustrations, a sepia reproduction of The original guide to the little folk found neatly folded beneath a Toadstool forest in 1627 ; marbled paper envelope housing the recent enlarged edition , folding to show twelve colour portraits on both sides; fine. First edition thus, signed by van Sandwyk to p. [i]. The book was first issued in a very rare edition in 1983. The portraits of fairy folk are diverse, and show some holding lamps, barrels and baskets of eggs, others playing lutes or carrying letters, and one wearing a particularly fetching mushroom hat. Signed by Author(s).

Soft cover. Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. VAN SANDWYK, Charles Yours Truly Vancouver: The Fairy Press, [2021] Small 8vo., yellowy-green sewn card wraps with onlaid paper label showing an illustration of a nest with sails and paintbrushes; decorative borders in copper and brown; [unpaginated], bound gatefold at the centre portion, with three pages of calligraphic text, frontis self portrait and a further four full-colour illustrations, two within a smaller tipped-in booklet entitled 'The Child Within'; fine, as issued. First edition, signed by van Sandwyk to the inside front cover. The book was issued in four variant colours. A wonderful, concise biography of Charles van Sandwyk, compiled by Kenneth Budd and Elaine Jones using the author's own papers. It describes stories of van Sandwyk's early life creating clay animals on the banks of African Rivers, his education in Canada, his experiences in a remote abode in Fiji, and what he has learned from his inner child. Many of his friends and colleagues are depicted in animal form in a charming illustration to the gatefold. "Life is very short; life is fleeting; but life is grand". Signed by Author(s).

8vo., maroon publisher's boards, lettered in gilt to spine with publisher's device to foot; together in the unclipped photographic dustwrapper (£14.99 to front flap) with a photograph of Montana by Jeff Foott; pp. [xii], 13-348, [iv]; a near-fine copy, spine ends lightly pushed and some faint spotting to the rear endpapers; in the near-fine wrapper just a touch sunned to spine with some light creasing to the head. First edition of Evans' debut novel, this copy inscribed by him to the title page: "To Glenys / with best wishes / Nicholas Evans". Released to great international acclaim, 'The Horse Whisperer' was developed into a 1998 film starring Robert Redford and Scarlet Johansson, and centres around Grace and her horse Pilgrim, who suffer a traumatic accident and enlist the help of Tom Booker in order to repair their lives. Evans later wrote that the character was inspired by real-life horse whisperer Buck Brannaman, stating that "his skill, understanding and his gentle, loving heart have parted the clouds for countless troubled creatures. Buck is the Zen master of the horse world." A lovely copy.

Soft cover. Condition: Near Fine. [THOMPSON, David, Trans.] Battle of the Monkey and the Crab. Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. 3 Tokyo: T. Hasegawa, 1935 12mo., printed throughout in full colour on japanese crepe paper; double-folded and sewn; the covers featuring an anthropomorphosised rice-mortar, pounder, bee and egg; unpaginated [pp. xiv]; with text and double-ruled borders in black throughout, as well as numerous woodcut illustrations, including several double-page; a particularly bright copy, a little creased as is common, with some fraying to the binding string. Later printing, first published in 1886. The third book in the Japanese Fairy Tale first series. A tale of disagreement between a money and a disgruntled crab, which dissolves into war. Helped by a rice-mortar, pounder and bee, the crab council of war seeks revenge against the money king - with brutal results. The twenty books which comprise the first Japanese Fairy Tale series were published in Japan at the turn of the century by Takejiro Hasegawa, who aimed to produce a run of educational titles which would introduce traditional stories from Japan to a wider audience. Appearing between 1885 and 1922, the books were beautifully and meticulously printed with woodcut illustrations by Japanese artists, and were printed on traditional mitsumata paper. The books remain desirable today for their intricate and novel designs, and are particularly sought after in such bright condition.

Soft cover. Condition: Fine. VAN SANDWYK, Charles Animal Wisdom Vancouver: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 2021 Oblong 8vo., dark cream sewn wraps with integrated maroon wrapper printed typographically with text and decorative borders in gilt; onlaid image showing an owl with a bow and the arrows of 'Love', 'Grace', 'Humility' and 'Joy' in his quiver; calligraphic text in brown throughout, printed on white and cream paper with 16 full-colour illustrations; fine. Fourth reprint of an edition first published in 1999. This copy signed by van Sandwyk in black ink to the inside front cover. Containing philosophical advice from the perspective of several wild animals, including the importance of remembering one's roots, the knowledge that beauty is often found in the most fleeting of things, and that even small actions have the power to make a difference. Plates include monkeys reading, elephants helping with the harvest, squirrels cracking acorns with nutcrackers, and mice closing the envelope of 'fate' with sealing wax. A wondrous collection of aphorisms from some of the most sage of counsellors. Signed by Author(s).

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. CHAMBERLAIN, B. H. [Trans.] The Silly Jellyfish. Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. 13 Tokyo: T. Hasegawa, 1891 12mo., printed throughout in full colour on japanese crepe paper; double-folded and sewn; the covers showing a monkey sitting astride a jellyfish in a raging sea, watched by two tortoises; unpaginated [pp. xviii]; with text and double-ruled borders in black throughout, as well as numerous woodcut illustrations, including several double-page; covers a little faded and creased, with an ink stain to the upper cover; else a very nice example, with previous bookseller's price sticker to the inside of rear cover. Early edition of the 13th book in the Japanese Fairy Tale first series. This story rooted in Buddhist tradition, which tells how a jellyfish, tricked by a monkey and punished by the Dragon King, comes to lose its shell. The twenty books which comprise the first Japanese Fairy Tale series were published in Japan at the turn of the century by Takejiro Hasegawa, who aimed to produce a run of educational titles which would introduce traditional stories from Japan to a wider audience. Appearing between 1885 and 1922, the books were beautifully and meticulously printed with woodcut illustrations by Japanese artists, and were printed on traditional mitsumata paper. The books remain desirable today for their intricate and novel designs, and are particularly sought after in such bright condition.

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. ASIMOV, Isaac. Nine Tomorrows. London: Dennis Dobson, 1963 8vo., black publisher's boards, backstrip lettered in silver along spine; in the original dust jacket illustrated by Jennifer Armour; pp. [xiii], 14-236, [iv]; a very good to near-fine copy, internally, the boards clean and bright with only slight compression to the spine tips; upper edge a trifle dusty, and the endleaves lightly offset; ever-so-slightly bowed, with previous bookseller price in blue biro to the ffep; jacket good, a little toned and creased, with some lifting to the acetate and nicks to extremities; price crossed out in blue biro; lightly spotted internally, but otherwise unrepaired or restored. First UK edition. Originally published in the USA in 1959, Nine Tomorrows: Tales of the Near Future contains a selection of short stories originally published in a series of magazines between 1956 and 1958. The closing poem, Rejection Slips is a humorous interpretation of various responses the author received to his work. A charming collection of stories from the 'master of science fiction', which combine his classic genre with mystery and horror.

VAN SANDWYK, Charles (illustrator). An original, handmade, double-sided round christmas decoration (11cm total diameter) showing, on one side, a young fawn; and two embracing robins to the reverse; with gold ruff border, both hand-tipped in gold and red glitter, with gold string tassel; housed in the original green box which comes complete with christmas wrapping paper; new and unused.

VAN SANDWYK, Charles (illustrator). An original, handmade, double-sided round christmas decoration (11cm total diameter) showing, on one side, a mouse sitting on top of a piece of cheese holding a glass of wine; and another with christmas antlers and baubles to the reverse; with gold ruff border, both hand-tipped in gold and red glitter, with gold string tassel; housed in the original green box which comes complete with christmas wrapping paper; new and unused.

VAN SANDWYK, Charles (illustrator). An original, handmade, double-sided round christmas decoration (11cm total diameter) showing, on one side, a smiling crescent moon; and a smiling full moon to the reverse; with gold ruff border, both hand-tipped in gold glitter, with gold string tassel; housed in the original green box which comes complete with christmas wrapping paper; new and unused.

Large 8vo., navy-blue boards lettered and lined in metallic red to backstrip, with publisher's device to foot; together in the unclipped pictorial dustwrapper (£18.99 to front flap) designed by 'GHOST'; decorative endpapers showing marble statues; pp. [viii], 3-453, [v]; with each 'act' featuring a black and white photograph page; the book near-fine, with compression to spine tips; the wrapper similarly near-fine, just a touch scuffed at edges with some small nicks to ends of folds and head of spine; with oval 'Waterstones Exclusive' sticker to the upper panel. First UK edition, this copy boldly signed by the author in black felt pen to the title page. Printed in Spain the previous year and here appearing in a translation by Lucia Graves (the daughter of Robert Graves), The Angel's Game is one of the books in Zafon's 'Cemetery of Forgotten Books' series, which are designed to be read in any order. One of this bookseller's favourite novels, the series seamlessly blend mystery, romance and gothic horror on the streets of Barcelona. A lovely copy.

VAN SANDWYK, Charles (illustrator). An original, handmade, double-sided round christmas decoration (11cm total in diameter) showing, on one side, the white rabbit holding a pocket watch; and Alice at the Mad Hatter's tea party to reverse; both taken from Van Sandwyk's illustrations in the Folio society edition of 'Alice in Wonderland'; with gold ruff border, both hand-tipped in gold and green glitter, with gold tassel; housed in the original green box which comes complete with christmas wrapping paper; new and unused.

8vo., gold sewn card wraps with integrated dust cover in brown; onlaid watercolour label showing a wise owl sitting on a branch with calligraphic titles; decorative gilt borders showing various tree folk; a further image of an anthropomorphised tree in gilt to lower cover; calligraphically printed throughout in various colours; pages of various sizes throughout, printed on a variety of coloured paper stocks including two semi-translucent with text and images in full colour showing tree folk, owls and stag beetles; fine. First edition after the limited, signed by van Sandwyk to the title page. A wonderful story, in verse, recounting the mystery of trees, which have much to tell us. From The Bible, to Shakespeare to Tolkien, trees have been anthropomorphised for centuries. The Gospel of Mark speaks of "Men as trees, walking", and perhaps most closely to the style of van Sandwyk's drawings are those of Arthur Rackham, who portrayed them as "bristly, twisted, anthropomorphic trees that appear as the guises of Elves and other supernatural beings." Here, the illustrator brings them even more to life; reading books, strumming harps, and spinning spider webs, all in his unique and intricate style. "The ghostly trees Whisper forest tales Upon pages Made of their being".

Soft cover. Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. VAN SANDWYK, Charles A Conversation with old St. Nick at the North Pole Vancouver: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, [2018] 8vo., textured and sewn blue card wraps featuring a holly design; onlaid paper label with decorative border in green and red to upper cover; [unpaginated], featuring several leaves of numerous widths including a reproduced drawing of father Christmas, a marbled paper envelope containing the calling card of Fr. Christmas, Esq.; a map of the North Pole, and a watercolour image of St. Nick accidentally spilling polar dust on his Christmas Moccasins; together with calligraphic text throughout; fine. First edition, this copy signed by the author in black ink to p. [i]. A wonderful conversation in which Father Christmas, after leaving his calling card with a young boy, now finds himself reunited with its owner - the author - and together they discuss the importance of Polar Dust. The wonderful folding triptych map to the centrefold shows the residence of St. Nick, as well as that of the Elves, together with the launchpad, Toy Workshop, the secret caverns, and other sites. A lovely Christmas keepsake. Signed by Author(s).

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. CLARKE, Arthur C. The Young Traveller in Space London: Phoenix House Ltd, 1954 Large 8vo., decorative boards in full colour showing a space scene, rocket, and astronauts beneath a planet and starry sky; together in the repeat dustwrapper (unclipped, priced 7/6 net to front flap), both illustrated by Edmund Louis Blandford; pp. [iv], 5-72, with full-colour frontis of a space station 'that may one day orbit the Earth'; along with an additional five pages of plates and six figures within text; pages evenly toned, as is common; previous ownership name in blue ink to ffep; slightly spotted to the upper edge; else an excellent copy in the like dustwrapper, just a little nicked, chipped and spotted at edges, mildly rubbed along folds. First UK edition, also issued in the same year in the USA until the title Going into Space, with some minor differences. Clarke's third work of non-fiction on the subject of rockets, space travel, and other scientific developments over the course of 300 years, from the visions of de Bergerac in 1656 through the 1954, when this book was published. With some very interesting speculation on the subject of future space travel.

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. COBLENTZ, Stanton A. Planet of the Knob Heads [in] Science Fiction Vol I, No. 5, December 1939 New York: Blue Ribbon, 1939 8vo., decorative coloured and glued card wraps featuring a semi-clad woman astride a humanoid robot being attacked by men on motorbikes with what look like laser pistols; I.C.S. advertisement to the lower cover; pp. [i], 2-96, printed on newspaper-grade paper throughout, with advertisements to the inside covers; contents headpiece and numerous tailpieces; the title story with two-page illustration; a good to very good copy for this type of publication, some rubbing to the upper cover and particularly so along spine; fragile and beginning to split with some chipping, but holding firm; pages browned, as usual. A surprisingly rare edition of Science Fiction magazine, priced 15c. This copy including the complete book-length novel of 'Planet of the Knob-heads', as well as 'The Atom Prince' by Ray Cummings, and three further short stories, one of which involves a future where WWII has killed off the majority of the world's men, women rule and enslave any remaining men in the mines. A particularly fine advertisement to the rear of the text shows Charles Atlas, the world's most perfectly developed man, promising a body like his in just seven days. "Zuwanna was only postponing the worst, I knew, until she found a suitable knob.she would examine the knobs of newly defunct citizens. But she was not easily pleased. One knob was too small, and one was too large, and one had a crease in it, and one had a spot, and one was too bony, and one was too fatty.".

Soft cover. Condition: Fine. VAN SANDWYK, Charles Will O the Wisps. Observed, pictured and rhymed. Vancouver: The Fairy Press, [2024] £130 Small 8vo., blue sewn card covers with onlaid image showing bumble-bee figure in a tall hat carrying a lantern; decorative border in brown and gold with twigs and mushrooms; [unpaginated], calligraphic text printed throughout, numerous full-colour illustrations including one double page; folding panoramic plate showing a series of Will O the Wisp characters; and another, housed in a marbled paper envelope decorated with the moon and stars; fine. New edition of a work first published in 2012 in a limited edition of just 35 copies. This version with blue card covers, signed by Charles van Sandwyk to the inside front cover. In folklore, a Will O the Wisp is a fairy, ghost or spirit who appears at night carrying a light, and most often spotted over bogs or marshlands. Also known as Jack-O -Lanterns, van Sandwyk here collects together several examples of these creatures, and pictures many of them holding lanterns aloft or carrying branches with stars, some with tall hats, others with grassy hair, and more still with colourful butterfly wings. With the intention of restoring kinship between us - the Big Folk - and them, the Wee Folk , the author shows, with grace and charm, Those Will o the Wisps I have met, in the dark of weary night who have led me safely home to bed with softly shimmering light. Signed by Author(s).

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. MANTEL, Hilary The Mirror and the Light with 2 x promotional bookmarks and 'The World of Wolf Hall' London: Fourth Estate, 2020 Large thick 8vo., bright blue publisher's boards, typographically lettered in gilt to spine, with large lion emblem and publisher's device to foot; together in the original unclipped pictorial dustwrapper (£25); featuring a black and white photograph of the author by George Miles to the rear flap; decorative black and white endpapers by Ben Miles; black ribbon marker; pp. [x], ix-xiv, [v], 3-883, [xi]; a near-fine copy, light bruising to spine tips and corners; small scratch to p. [i], otherwise unmarked; in near-fine jacket, with only minimal creasing to edges and minor shelfwear to the flaps. First limited edition, signed by Mantel in black ink to a special tipped-in page, with circular 'signed by the author' sticker to the front panel. This copy together with two original 4th estate bookmarks, and 'The World of Wolf Hall', a reading guide to the first two books, Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies, which provides an introduction to the story so far, highlights key themes within the books, and includes key dates, a family tree, and bookclub questions. When Wolf Hall was published in 2009, it was to great critical acclaim. Following the life of Thomas Cromwell from humble beginnings through his rise to the court of King Henry VIII, the novel won the Booker Prize in the year of publication and was followed three years later by a sequel, Bring up the Bodies, which won the prize once again. In 2020 The Mirror and the Light concluded the series, covering the last years of Cromwell's life, including his death by execution in 1540. The Mirror and the Light was the last work published by Mantel in her lifetime, and she passed away just two years after the culmination of the trilogy. In July 2024, filming was completed for the adaptation of the same name, which is due to be released in early 2025. "Beneath every history, another history". Signed by Author(s).

Soft cover. Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. VAN SANDWYK, Charles; Waisiki DOUGHTY [Intro.] Canadian Content Vancouver: Charles van Sandwyk Fine Arts, 2009 8vo., brown card wraps with integrated sewn maroon covers; decorated and caligraphically lettered in black and gilt, with an onlaid label showing a watercolour and line drawing of a grizzly bear holding a handmade rod and two salmon; decorative pine cone border in black and gold; illustrative endleaves showing Canada geese with air mail bags; [unpaginated]; printed caligraphically throughout, with decorative title, ten full-page illustrations and one double page at the centrefold, showing two beavers in their lodge; reproduced folding letter pasted to inside front cover, containing the introduction from Waisiki Doughty; fine. First edition, this copy signed to the colophon at the rear of the text, above a reproduced illustration of a beaver chewing a pencil. A homage to the homelands of both Charles van Sandwyk and Waisiki Doughty. Charles van Sandwyk was born in South Africa, and met Waisiki while living in Fiji. After emigrating to Canada, Charles invited Waisiki to join him in both work (producing the very book we have before us, and countless others at the press), and in exploration. Together, the pair began to venture outdoors, experiencing first hand the beauty of their new-found home; the Rockies, icy lakes, hot springs and coastal fjords which surrounded them, as well as the many diverse animals which inhabited the land. The book contains a poem to the country, accompanied by evocative illustrations of salmon, polar bears, cougars, and several nods to the humble beaver, along with many others. "[We] are both from distant lands", Waisiki writes, "yet we have been made to feel welcome here. We wished to find a way to speak to the heart of Canada since it has spoken so eloquently to us". The book is dedicated to the kindness and courtesy of those Canadian people. A stunning publication, and perhaps this bookseller's favourite to have been produced by the Charles van Sandwyk press. Signed by Author(s).

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. CHAMBERLAIN, B. H. [Trans.] The Serpent with Eight Heads. Japanese Fairy Tale Series No. 9 Tokyo: Kobunsha, 1886 12mo., printed throughout in full colour on japanese crepe paper; the covers featuring a wraparound image of the serpent; double-folded and sewn; unpaginated [pp. xxiv]; with text and double-ruled borders in black throughout, as well as numerous woodcut illustrations, including several double-page; very good; some creasing to page edges, particularly the last, and some splash marks to the lower cover (both internally and externally); a couple of indented marks to the upper; internally bright. Early edition of the ninth book in the Japanese Fairy Tale first series. This example tells the story of Ama, Susano and 'the moon boy', who inherit the world from a fairy creator and must rule it together. When Susa is banished, he becomes mortal, and takes it upon himself to help a family slay an eight-headed serpent, winning their daughter as prize for his bravery. The twenty books which comprise the first Japanese Fairy Tale series were published in Japan at the turn of the century by Takejiro Hasegawa, who aimed to produce a run of educational titles which would introduce traditional stories from Japan to a wider audience. Appearing between 1885 and 1922, the books were beautifully and meticulously printed with woodcut illustrations by Japanese artists, and were printed on traditional mitsumata paper. The books remain desirable today for their intricate and novel designs, and are particularly sought after in such bright condition. A very nice copy.

Soft cover. Condition: Fine. VAN SANDWYK, Charles Mr Rabbit's Symphony of Nature North Vancouver: C.V.S. Fine Arts, 2008 Small 4to., maroon card covers with integrated sewn wrapper; the latter with onlaid rabbit sticker and blocked direct in gold, silver and green foil with title and decorative border to upper cover; [unpaginated]; printed direct in browns and golds throughout, on a variety of different card stocks, some with outer edge untrimmed; with illustrations, borders and decorative devices; and a further 11 tipped-on plates in full colour; fine, as issued. Second printing of this wonderful story, concerning a conducting rabbit who brings together the spring symphony, featuring Jenny Wren and her solo, percussive squirrels, and the overarching melody of hope. "If you have ever heard the pleasant gurgling of little streams, you would know her inspiration - that last summer's delight was her music coach. Her song foretold of the season to come" A beautiful book, celebrating the joy of spring in all its diversity. Signed by Author(s).