Joyce Cary collection
Date Published: 1936 to 1962
Binding: No binding & hard cover
Joyce Cary was an Anglo-Irish novelist and artist with a place in three literatures (English, Irish, Nigerian) His most well-known book was The Horse's Mouth. He developed a trilogy form in which each volume is narrated by one of three protagonists. Cary is often identified with Modernism. “Mr. Cary…has actuality like Defoe, humor and energy like Dickens, hand-made prose and improvisation like both these great writers.” - The New York Times
The collection includes 31 items dating from 1936 to 1962, specifically 10 Letters, 8 lobby film cards, and 13 books.
10 Letters - 4 Autographed Letter Signed (ALS) and 6 Typed Signed letters (TLS):
• ALS to the American writer J.C. Furnas, 11 August 1952, thanking him for a book that he sent. “I don’t think you can import democracy anywhere -….” On Cary’s stationery (4.5" × 7") written on two sides and signed in full. One crease in the middle of the sheet. Headed paper, 12 Parks Road, Oxford.
• 3 ALS and 5 TLS - 26 November 1953, 19 December 1953, 3 March 1954, 8 March 1954, 3 April 1954 (2 letters), 12 April 1954, and 29 July 1954, re his lecturing in the United States, returning to England, accepting an invitation to lecture in Italy (Turin), and asking Lord David Cecil, T.S. Eliot (“impossible for him to accept”), and Graham Greene to come to Italy to lecture.
• TLS to Irma Antonetto, Associazione Culturale Italiana, 26 October 1956, re Lord David Cecil and his vivid memories of the warm hospitality he received in Italy.
8 Ephemera:
• The Horse’s Mouth. 8 colour lobby cards, 11" × 14", advertising the 1958 film, based on Cary’s novel. Directed by Ronald Neame, released by United Artists, and starring Alec Guinness who also wrote the screenplay.
13 Books:
• The African Witch. London: Victor Gollancz Ltd, 1936. Black cloth with gilt lettering on spine, tiny piece missing at the top of the spine. In very good dust jacket, dark spine panel, small pieces missing at the top of the spine panel. Signed by Cary on the title page. With a newspaper review of the book inserted.
• A House of Children. London: Michael Joseph, 1941. Black cloth in very good dust jacket. Signed on the title page and “For Gillian Mais | by hers most sincerely | the author.” written on the front free endpaper.
• Salig i sin tro (Aissa Saved). Oslo: H. Aschehoug & Co. (W. Nygaard), 1956. Trans. Helge Simonsen. First Norwegian edition. Colour pictorial paper covers. Very good
• Marching Soldier. London: Michael Joseph, 1945. Dark brown cloth in 2 dust jackets. Fine condition. Signed by Cary on title page: “Sylvia Lynd from her | old friend the author, | May 7, 1945.
• E. Fisher. Men of Two Worlds, the Book of the Film. London: World Film Publications Limited, 1946. Paperback, previous owner’s name on verso of the cover. Novelization of a 1946 British movie about a Black musician who returns to his native village after 10 years in London. There he finds a British doctor trying to cure sleeping sickness and an evil witchdoctor who is not pleased that either have arrived in his village. Adapted from the screenplay by Herbert W. Victor and Thorold Dickinson from an original story and dialogue by Cary.
• Mister Johnson. London: Michael Joseph, 1947. Red cloth, endpapers slightly browned, otherwise very good in very good dust jacket. Signed on the title page and “with the author’s | best wishes.” written on the front free endpaper.
• A Fearful Joy. London: Michael Joseph, 1949. Red cloth in very good dust jacket. Previous owner’s name on the front free endpaper,
• The African Witch. London: Michael Joseph, 1950. Uncorrected proof copy in paper covers. The 2nd edition of the novel.
• Prisoner of Grace. London: Michael Joseph, 1952. Red cloth in very good dust jacket. Signed on the title page and “with the author’s | best wishes” written on the front free endpaper.
• Except the Lord. London: Michael Joseph, 1953. Blue cloth, endpapers slightly browned, otherwise very good in very good dust jacket. Signed on the title page and “with the author’s very | good wishes. Nov. ‘54” written on the front free endpaper.
• Gulley Jimson Och Syndafallet (The Horse's Mouth). Stockholm: Fahlcrantz & Gumælius1945. Trans. Bjõrn Palm. First Swedish edition. Colour pictorial paperback with artwork of Adam and Eve, snake, and fruit. Back cover a bit grubby but very good nonetheless. The gatherings have not been slit at the top.
• Spring Song and Other Stories. London: Michael Joseph, 1960. Second Impression March 1960. Green cloth in chipped dust jacket. A label from Harper & Brothers is pasted on to the front free endpaper, noting that this is an uncorrected proof copy and that the book will be published in the USA on 9 November.
• The Case for African Freedom and Other Writings on Africa. Austin: University of Texas, 1962. Introduction by Christopher Fyfe. Light green cloth in very good dust jacket.
Collection on consignment with LDRB.
Good. Item #8138
$1,250.00 USD
$1,677.96 CAD