Ruth Rendell collection
Date Published: 1984 to 1992
Binding: No binding & hard cover
Ruth Barbara Rendell, Baroness Rendell of Babergh was a prolific English author of thrillers and psychological murder mysteries, best known for the recurring character of Chief Inspector Wexford. She also wrote more than a dozen novels under the pseudonym of Barbara Vine.
The collection is comprised 21 items dating from 1984 to 1992, specifically, 11 books, 3 letters, 4 commemorative envelopes, 1 note, 1 photo, and 1 typescript excerpt.
3 Letters:
• TLS (form letter) to Ben B. Braude, 25 June 1985, with envelope, telling Braude that he can get a list of her works by writing to Pantheon.
• ALS, 22 April [1992], to an unknown correspondent with reference to the BBC productions of The House of Stairs and Fatal Inversion.
• TLS to Gil Moody, 17 January 2011, apologizing for the difficulty in getting books sent to her for her autographing.
1 Note:
• Note on Rendell’s letterhead, “It’s a pleasure to sign your first-day covers. Ruth Rendell”.
1 TypeScript Excerpt:
• Signed ts. on Rendell’s letterhead, 1 p., first paragraph (“Scorpio is metaphysics….”) of The Lake of Darkness (1980).
11 Books:
• The Killing Doll. New York: Pantheon Books, 1984. Black paper boards, quarter bound in silver cloth, in dust jacket (minor tear), signed first American edition in very good condition.
• Live Fresh. London: Hutchinson, 1986. Dark blue paper boards in dust jacket, signed first English edition in mint condition.
• The Bridesmaid. New York: Mysterious Press, 1989. Softcover in fine condition. Advance reading copy of the first American edition. One of 500 copies signed by the author on a tipped in card affixed to the verso of the front cover. With a promotional leaflet about the book.
• Barbara Vine, Gallowglass. New York: Harmony Books, 1990. Brownish purple boards, quarter bound in black cloth. First American edition. Fine in fine dustwrapper. Inscribed by the author.
• Kissing the Gunner’s Daughter. New York: Mysterious Press, 1992. Dark grey and black paper boards in dust jacket, signed first American edition in mint condition.
• Simisola. New York: Crown Publishers, 1995. Black paper boards in dust jacket, signed first American edition in mint condition.
• Barbara Vine, Astapäevaraamat [Asta’s Book]. Tallinn: Eesti Raamat, 1996, trans. Matti Piirimaa, pictorial paperback, signed by Rendell on the title page and also with the signature of Greg Gatenby, the Canadian author and founder of the Harbourfront Reading Series and International Festival of Authors.
• A Sight for Sore Eyes. New York: Crown Publishers, 1998, publication date March 1999, uncorrected softcover proof copy, signed on the title page, with an editorial promotional squib written on the front free endpaper.
• Harm Done. London: Hutchinson, 1999. Black paper boards in dust jacket, first English edition in almost mint condition, with an undated and signed ALS addressed Dear Brian (probably Brian Mackenzie, Baron Mackenzie of Framwellgate) re his getting well, sending him reading matter, and looking forward to seeing him in the House.
• Barbara Vine, The Minotaur. New York: Shaye Areheart Books, 2005. Dark orange and light grey paper boards in dust jacket, signed first American edition in mint condition.
• The Monster in the Box. New York: Scribner, 2009. Red and black paper boards in dust jacket, signed first American edition in mint condition.
4 Commemorative Envelopes:
• Commemorative envelope signed, Famous Personalities (4 women authors) Europa 1980, post-marked 9 July 1980.
• 2 Commemorative envelopes (“The first in First Day Covers”), crime novelist Ruth Rendell, Colchester 6.8.96, signed by Rendell, cover nos. 479 and 2172 (with card issued by Benham) of 2500, 2 copies.
• Commemorative envelope re 20th century women of achievement portraits of genius, Cupar, Fife, RNLI official postmark, signed by Rendell.
1 Colour Photo:
• Colour photo of Rendell, verso has biographical information about her, issued by Benham circa 1991.
Collection on consignment with LDRB.
Item #8693
$1,125.00 USD
$1,553.62 CAD