Authors starting with B from James Pepper Rare Books, Inc.

New York: Knopf, 1941. First Edition. Very good plus copy with a touch of edge wear. A murder mystery set in Hollywood during the Christmas holidays. ... more information

New York: Knopf, 1941. First Edition. Very good lightly used copy with a few tiny tears to the cloth at the top of the spine in a used and worn dust jacket with some dust soiling to the spine and rear panel, shallow chipping to the head of the spine and some general edge wear. This detective novel marks the second appearance of the character Hannah Van Doren, the first female hardboiled detective in American literature. As Babcock depicts her: “You wouldn’t guess it from looking at her - because she ha... more information

New York: Knopf, 1941. First Edition. 4” x 3” note taped to the front free endpaper with “born 1909 - this is his first book (he was 32).” in pencil. Very good plus copy with a touch of use to the cloth and minor darkening to the endpapers in a used and worn dust jacket with some spotting and fading to the spine, a few chips and tears, and tape repairs. A murder mystery set in Hollywood during the Christmas holidays. This detective novel features an appearance of the character Hannah Van Doren, the... more information

New York: Knopf, 1941. First Edition. Near fine very lightly used copy without dust jacket. This detective novel marks the second appearance of the character Hanna Van Doren, the first female hardboiled detective in American literature. As Babcock depicts her: “You wouldn’t guess it from looking at her - because she had the face of an angel - but Hannah Van Doren thrived on murder.” The timing of Ms. Van Doren’s debut on the literary scene is interesting, as it comes at the beginning of World War I... more information

New York: St. Martin’s, 1972. First Edition - American. Fine in dust jacket. ... more information

New York: St. Martin’s, 1972. First Edition - American. Fine in dust jacket. A delightful tale of feline celebrities, feral tigers and fatal results. ... more information

New York: Knopf, 1979. First Edition. Signed presentation copy from Lauren Bacall using her real name to her friend George Marton. Inscribed: “For Dear George, With all love. Betty. 18 January 1979.” The actress’ autobiography containing a great deal about her classic films and her marriage to Humphrey Bogart. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. ... more information

New York: Dial Press, 1938. First Edition - American. Ownership inscription. Near fine copy with a trace of edge wear in a chipped and worn dust jacket with some slight darkening to the spine. A substantial overview of Scandinavian literature which began as more of a personal reference work by Dr. Giovanni Bach, and has been expanded to serve both the academic and general reader, with additional sections by Richard Beck of the University of North Dakota, Adolph B. Benson of Yale University, Axel Johan Uppv... more information

Los Angeles: Universal Pictures, 1989. First Edition. Single sheet, folded, 11” x 14 1/4”. A special film program made by the studio for advance screenings of the film ‘Back to the Future, Part II’ for reviewers and members of the motion picture industry, specifically for Academy Award consideration. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Thomas F. Wilson, and Elisabeth Shue. Fine in printed wrappers. The film was nominated for an Osca... more information

Los Angeles: CBS Television, June 18, 1965. 41 page teleplay script for an episode of the comedy series, Gilligan’s Island, starring Bob Denver, Alan Hale, and Jim Backus. Actor Jim Backus’ personal copy, specially hardbound in blue cloth with “Gilligan’s Island” gilt stamped at the spine and “Jim Backus” gilt stamped at the lower right corner of the front board. The script, itself, is enclosed in the original printed blue paper covers (which has some minor spotting to the front cover) and ha... more information

Lyndon, KY: The Kentucky Millitary Institute, 1930. First Edition. Actor Jim (James Gilmore) Backus’ annual military high school yearbook. Contains his junior class picture and his photo among the “Kentucadet Staff” as one of the staff artists. Laid in is a 10” x 7 1/4” glossy black & white class photo. Bound in black and gold leather. Very good copy with a tear to the front spine fold and some minor edge wear. Jim Backus was a veteran of stage, vaudeville, radio, film and television - the medium... more information

New York: Stein & Day, 1984. First Edition. Signed and inscribed by the authors, Jim and Henny Backus: “To Angus Dumas, Thank you - it was all there. Jim Backus. You Bet! Again thanks & love, Henny Backus.” Illustrated. Very good plus copy with a hint of use in a used and dust soiled dust jacket with some minor spotting and a few short tears. Jim Backus was a veteran of stage, vaudeville, radio, film and television - the medium in which he is best remembered for being the voice of the cartoon character... more information

London: Cassell, 1911. First Edition. Illustrated with thirteen black & white photographs (including one with the ‘Beta’ airship) and six diagrams. With a front cover illustration of the early French aviator Roger Sommer at the controls of his Farman biplane with Gertrude Bacon as his passenger. In August of 1909 Ms. Bacon became the first reported English woman to fly, at Rheims with Sommer piloting; the story of which is included in this book. A used and lightly foxed copy with 1” pieces missing fr... more information

Chicago: Henry Regnery Co, 1976. First Edition. Signed and inscribed by the author, James Bacon: “To Paul-- The human dynamo-- Best, Jim.” Memoirs of Hollywood columnist with chapter titles such as “Welcome to the Naked City”, “ The Night I Made Love to Marilyn Monroe and Joe Schenck Didn’t”, and “Marlon Brando--The World’s Highest Paid Geek”. About fine in a lightly used dust jacket. ... more information

Hollywood: Grauman’s Egyptian Theater, July 10, 1924. First Edition. An elaborately tooled small leather book with the binding a beautiful colored Arabian design. Contains information on the film production as well as pictures of Douglas Fairbanks, Julianne Johnston, Snitz Edwards, So-Jin, art director William Cameron Menzies, and the film’s director Raoul Walsh. With wonderful Hollywood ads. This book was produced in a tiny quantity to be given only to those who attended the premiere. Very rare. Fine.... more information

New York: Fleming & Reavely, 1924. First Edition. The souvenir program book sold at first run showings of this fantasy classic film. Contains information on the film production as well as pictures of Douglas Fairbanks, Julianne Johnston, Snitz Edwards, So-Jin, art director William Cameron Menzies, and the film’s director Raoul Walsh. Paperbound. With a terrific cover featuring a color painting of Douglas Fairbanks Sr., as the Thief flying a winged horse. Near fine. ... more information

Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1992. First Edition. Fine fresh copy without dust jacket as issued. An overview of President John F. Kennedy’s political, social, and economic global vision published to commemorate the 75th anniversary of his birth. ... more information

New York: Random House, 1956. Later printing. Illustrated with scenes from the Broadway production of The Chalk Garden staged by Albert Marre with scenery and costumes by Cecil Beaton, starring Fritz Weaver and Marian Seldes. Near fine copy in a very good price-clipped dust jacket with a few tiny edge nicks and a hint of darkening at the spine. ... more information

N.p, n.d. 8” x 10” black & white photograph of the acclaimed singer and actress, Pearl Bailey, signed by the author: “Love, Pearl Bailey.” in red ink. The portrait shows Miss Bailey in casual attire wearing a scarf and brimmed hat. With a narrow strip of clear tape to the top edge, else fine. Pearl Bailey’s career in show business began at the young age of 15, having won an amateur contest, leading to her Broadway debut in the musical St. Louis Woman, for which she won an award for “most promi... more information