Association Copies
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When an author places their signature in a book then it is described as signed. When there is a message attached to that signature then it is described as inscribed. However, if the person receiving the inscription happens to be famous or important in some way then that book is described as an association copy.
A book that has been owned by someone of significance is also classified as an association copy but this feature concentrates on association copies where there is an inscription from one person of significance to another person of interest.
An association copy can be anything from Eudora Welty dedicating a book to her editor in thanks for a job well done to T.S. Eliot giving a presentation copy to his sister on the day of publication.
Rare book collectors are fascinated by association copies because of their rarity. These books also shed light on cultural and literary relationships ranging from publishers to other writers and public figures.
Amazing Association Copies
The Homecoming
by Harold Pinter - inscribed to the lead (and only) actress in the play, his wife Vivien Merchant. “June 1965 to Vivien. Thank you! David.” (Pinter also acted and is using his stage name - David Baron) - $45,000
Twelve Stories and a Dream
by H.G. Wells inscribed to Lord Jim author Joseph Conrad. “To Joseph Conrad / this mixture / from H. G. Wells” - $35,000
Works of George Bernard Shaw in 33 volumes
Each one is inscribed to Shaw's favorite actress Lillah McCarthy. “This one is Lillah's/G. Bernard Shaw” - $31,250
Boxing in Art and Literature
by Ernest Hemingway inscribed to his boxing coach George Brown. “For George, from his pal, Ernie” - $25,000
This I Remember
signed and inscribed by the author to the editor of the original manuscript, Frank Carothers. Astor was a very popular actress, most remembered for her role in The Maltese Falcon (1941) - $10,000
T.V. Baby Poems
by Allen Ginsberg inscribed to Paul McCartney. “For Paul McCartney, That, all fantasies, harmonise sweetly & also Hari Krishna! Allen Ginsberg Aug, 16, 1967, Albion” - $14,543
Run to Daylight
by Vince Lombardi inscribed to the Milwaukee Journal sports editor. “To Chuck Johnson / with fond memories / & from a ‘pauper’ in my / field to a ‘prince’ in his / Vince Lombardi”- $14,500
Hawaiian Surfboard
by surfing guru Tom Blake inscribed to the book’s main photographic contributor M. Arthur Robinson. “Aloha nui to a great artist - Robinson - / Tom Blake / 1936” - $12,500
Sunrise with Seamonsters: Travels & Discoveries
by Paul Theroux inscribed to V.S. Naipaul. “For Vidia, To mark twenty years of friendship - if you only knew how your good influence has kept me on the straight and narrow, with love, Paul” - $15,000
Extract from Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven
by Mark Twain inscribed to fellow humorist and “The Monkey’s Paw” author William Wymark Jacobs. “To W. W. Jacobs / with compliments / Mark Twain / October 1909” - $11,500
The Circle Game
by Margaret Atwood inscribed to former University of Toronto alumni and her close friend Alan Walker. “To Alan Walker / the president of the / Dracula Society / from / Margaret Atwood / 1967” - $11,500
Pansies
by D.H. Lawrence inscribed to fellow English writer Norman Douglas. “Norman Douglas from D. H. Lawrence. All the little pansy faces” - $11,481
Reach for Tomorrow
by Arthur C. Clarke inscribed to rocket scientist Frederick C. Durant III and his wife. “For Fred & Pip, with my / very best wishes- / Arthur / Concord, 25 October ‘56” - $9,500
The Log from the Sea of Cortez
by John Steinbeck inscribed to East of Eden playwright Paul Osborn. “For Paul these questions - John Steinbeck” - $6,000
Hareta Hi / A Fine Day
by Kishin Shinoyama inscribed to equally renowned Japanese photographer Kitai Kazuo. “Kitai Kazuo Sama / Shinoyama Kishin” - $4,500
Jack of All Trades
by Jack Warner inscribed to scriptwriter of The Blue Lamp and Dixon of Dock Green, Ted Willis. “To Ted & Audrey - With my grateful thanks for the LAMP & the GREEN. Affectionately - Mollie & Jack” - $4,213
Elliott's Last Legacy: Secrets of the King
by Harry Houdini inscribed to the illustrator Oscar S. Teale’s who in turn inscribed the book to fellow magician Gertrude Elliott. ”Presented by the Author -- Houdini -- to the Magician Artist ….." - $4,000
Animal Stories
by George Duplaix signed by Truman Capote to his younger cousin Cecilia Ingram. “To Cecilia, the cutest girl who ever sat in my lap, with love, Truman, Christmas, 1944” - $3,500
The Stand
by Stephen King inscribed to horror writer Stanley Wiater. “All best, and thanks for coming by" - $3,000
The Atlas
by William Vollmann inscribed to Kurt Vonnegut with a drawing depicting Vonnegut and Vollmann as a two-headed snake - $2,750
The Wasted Generation
by Owen Johnson inscribed to the 1920s novelist Hugh Walpole. “Dear Hugh / Here's the book, and with it my loyal friendship. It is dedicated to you in a sort of stiff formal way... ” - $1,850
A Transatlantic Tunnel Hurrah!
by Harry Harrison inscribed to science fiction legend Philip José Farmer. “For / Good Old Phil - / Harry /Harrison” - $1,850
The World Does Move: An Autobiographical Narritive
by Booth Tarkington inscribed to funnyman Groucho Marx. “For Groucho Marx, with greetings and warm good wishes (including due for other meetings). Booth Tarkington. Indianapolis. March 19, 1930” - $1,250
Imperial Earth
by Arthur C. Clarke inscribed to Psycho’s Robert Bloch. “Dear Bob - this / is the novel! / all the best / Arthur” - $1,250
Double Blossoms
by Helen Keller inscribed to three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning New York World cartoonist Rollin Kirby. “To: Rollin Kirby/ with every good wish/ Helen Keller” - $750
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