It’s that time of year when many of us begin to get that itch to get away. Summer is right around the corner, and with it the mystical promise of summer travel. If you’re stuck at home this holiday season, or looking for a little inspiration for this year’s travels, you may find help from a seemingly unlikely source: Mark Twain. That’s right: this titan of American literature got his start as a travel writer.
Searching for Adventure
From a young age, Samuel Clemens (Twain’s given name) was on the hunt for adventure. His family lived in Hannibal, Missouri, a bustling town right on the Mississippi River. The city had a shiny veneer of excitement, with performers and merchants constantly coming into town—but it also had a dark underbelly. By the time he was 10, Samuel had already witnessed two murders. The city of Hannibal would serve as the backdrop for both The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, albeit under the name of “St. Petersburg.”
Though Clemens’ first job was working for his older brother’s newspaper, he soon found another calling: piloting steamboats. By 1859, he had his license and loved the work. The position was exciting, lucrative, and rather high status. Clemens had managed to find his adventure—in his own back yard. (The pseudonym Mark Twain is steamboat slang for “twelve feet of water.”)But when the Civil War broke out in 1861, travel up and down the river halted. Clemens had to look for a new source of excitement.
Exploring New Frontiers
Naturally he headed out West to Nevada and California. Clemens fully expected to strike it rich panning for gold or silver. Instead, he ended up penniless by mid-1862. In September he took a job writing for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise. It was here that he first adopted his pen name. It was also while working here that Twain got his first big break. In 1865, “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog” was published in newspapers and magazines across the country (often under different tiles). The tale of mining life was one of Twain’s first forays into travel writing. From then on, Twain’s travel writing gained nationwide attention:
In 1869, Twain published The Innocents Abroad. This account of his five-month cruise through Europe and the Holy Land was a bestseller, largely because of Twain’s irreverent tone toward both European and American tourists. It remains one of the best selling travel books of all time!
Twain then further capitalized on his adventures to the American West with Rouging It (1872). The semi-autobiographical novel was written as a prequel to Innocents Abroad.
Twain later returned to Europe and used the trip as material for A Tramp Abroad(1880;).Twain’s reporting style completely overturned conventional travel writing—making it an almost instant success.
Twain went on a lecture tour around the world to raise money and pay his debts. The resulting book, Following the Equator, was published in 1897.
Twain’s works are considered some of the greatest travel works of the 19th century and are still widely read today. Rare book collectors and travel enthusiasts alike appreciate Twain’s wit and ingenuity.
Among our latest acquisitions are several exceptional works by JRR Tolkien. The author has been lionized (and rightfully so) among readers around the world. Though Tolkien was a member of academia himself, his works are often snubbed by experts in the field. His contributions to literature have set him apart as a legendary author and made him a favorite among rare book collectors.
Childhood and Youth
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was the son of Arthur Tolkien and Mabel Suffield Tolkien, and he was known as Ronald among the family. His father, Arthur, was a bank clerk who moved with wife Mabel to South Africa. Ronald and his younger brother Hilary were both born there. When Arthur died of rheumatic fever in 1900, the family relocated to Birmingham with Mabel’s parents.
Mabel died only a few years later, in 1904, leaving her sons essentially destitute. Their priest, Father Francis did his best to oversee their care, placing them first with an aunt, and then at a boardinghouse. Meanwhile, Ronald had already begun to excel in languages and writing. He attended King Edward’s School, and then Exeter.
Soldier, Author, and Professor
When World War I broke out, Tolkien didn’t rush to enlist like most of his peers. He continued with his education, graduating in 1915. He was eventually drafted just in time for the Battle of the Somme. Most of his college friends were killed during battle. Tolkien himself contracted “trench fever” and was sent home to recover.
By the end of the war, Tolkien had already been looking around for a job in academia. He (miraculously) obtained a position at Leeds. While there he collaborated with EV Gordon on the celebrated edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and on Songs for Philologists.
Tolkien later was appointed to a fellowship at Oxford. He was not particularly prolific as a writer of scholarly publications. However, Tolkien was one of the founding members of a group called “The Inklings.” The group met often to drink and discuss writing. The Inklings included many of Tolkien’s prominent contemporaries, most notably CS Lewis. The two would develop a lifelong friendship.
While Tolkien kept company of writers, he’d also begun writing stories himself. He began with stories for his children, many of which were published posthumously. But The Hobbit really launched Tolkien’s career as a writer of fantasy. The story was inspired by one of his students’ examination papers. Written on a blank page was the single sentence “In a hole in a ground there lived a hobbit.” The sentence inspired Tolkien to figure out what a Hobbit was and why it lived in a hole. The novel grew from there and was published in 1937. The entire Lord of the Rings series took about 16 years to finish.
A few events really vaulted The Hobbit to unexpected mainstream success. First, the book received mixed reviews from a number of prominent writers. Next, the BBC condensed the story into 12 episodes and broadcast it on the Third Programme. The resulting book sales made Tolkien wish he’d taken early retirement. Finally, a pirated paperback edition was published in 1965. This edition made the book a possible impulse buy—and the resulting copyright battle brought new awareness of the title throughout the US.
Tolkien remained a prolific author, and his death hardly slowed publication. The breadth of his work includes both academic and literary pieces. Tolkien’s work also transcends literary boundaries, appealing to an incredibly wide audience. His work consistently draws interest among rare book collectors. For a definitive guide to all of Tolkien’s works, look to the Hammond bibliography.
We’re proud to present Occupied by Colour, the third in Heavenly Monkey’s color series. This fine press book goes beyond the two-dimensional page, truly engaging the reader with constructions, movements, and models.
The color project began in 2007, when Heavenly Monkey’s Barbara Hodgson (author, artist, and book designer) and Claudia Cohen (professional bookbinder) decided to explore their shared passion for color. The Temperamental Rose, the first volume, was published that year. After Image followed in 2009.
Occupied by Colour delves into color in a variety of occupations. The book, like the others in the series, require significant handiwork and a variety of artistic techniques: embellishment, cutting, and even hand coloring. The edition also features a beautifully intricate binding and box created by Cohen.
These books are so detailed and intricate that only thirty copies of each volume have been published. The final volume is set to be released in 2014.
About Heavenly Monkey
Launched as an imprint of publisher Rollin Milroy, Heavenly Monkey is a fine press “dedicated to creating books for people interested in contemporary applications of traditional book crafts,” such as letterpress printing, handmade paper, and bookbinding techniques that marry both structural and aesthetic integrity.
The press focuses on creating books as objects that can be experienced both physically and intellectually. The team consistently applies technology from multiple eras both innovatively and creatively.
To date, Heavenly Monkey and HM Editions has published 24 different titles. Heavenly Monkey publishes books based on a rather whimsical criterion: they must interest Milroy enough that he wants a copy for his own shelf. Books are chosen for HM Editions by invitation only.
The holidays have arrived, and with the season come hectic schedules. It can be easy to lose sight of the joy and celebration that also accompany this time of year. Our favorite children’s Christmas books beautifully capture those themes.
A Classic Christmas Tale
When Clement Moore penned A Visit from St. Nicholas in 1822, he had no idea that the poem would endure for over a century. In fact, the piece was first published anonymously. It was only later that Moore acknowledged authorship. We now know the poem as Twas the Night before Christmas, and many families now read it every Christmas Eve.
Children’s illustrators are frequently inspired by this beloved tale. Tasha Tudor’s rendition is particularly lovely. Renowned pop-up artist Robert Sabuda also created a wonderful limited edition of the book that people of all ages will cherish.
Modern Favorites
Modern authors and illustrators have followed in Moore’s footsteps, including many Caldecott winners. They’ve introduced new stories to our Christmas traditions:
Hilary Knight’s Christmas Nutshell Library includes Knight’s interpretation of ‘Twas the Night before Christmas, along with three other modern holiday tales.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg seized our imaginations and even inspired a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks.
Award-winning children’s illustrator Charles van Sandwyk has developed a reputation for drawings and watercolors that look like they hark from ages—and places—past. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1966, van Sandwyk grew up surrounded by art. His father was a graphic designer, and their home was filled with a wealth of antique prints and paintings.
The family emigrated to Vancouver in 1977. By that time, van Sandwyk had already developed a knack for calligraphy. During secondary school, he began experimenting with copper plate etchings. Van Sandwyk followed in his fathers footsteps, entering the graphic design program at Capilino College in Vancouver.
After completing that program in 1986, van Sandwyk departed for Fiji. His family had spent time there during his childhood, and he remained deeply connected to the place. Van Sandwyk continues to spend several months each year in Fiji.
As an illustrator, van Sandwyk looks to his childhood for inspiration: the birds and animals of South Africa and Fiji; the artwork and gardens of his parents’ home; sepia photographs of relatives; and the illustrated books he read in his youth. “To many people my work appears to have stepped out of another time and place,” he says. His works include the following:
The definitive source for information about editions of van Sandwyk’s work is Charles van Sandwyk: An Interim Bibliography. The bibliography is an indispensible resource for avid collectors of van Sandwyk and related ancillary materials.
Which children’s illustrators made an impact on you and your family?
Julian Sands’ one-man show recently closed in Edinburgh, and in September it will head on national tour. Directed by none other than John Malkovich, the play’s subject may surprise you: poet and playwright Harold Pinter.
Pinter asserted himself not only as an author, but also as an actor and political activist. The recipient of 18 honorary degrees, Pinter won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2005. Horace Engdahl, Chairman of the Swedish Academy, described Pinter as an artist “who in his plays uncovers the precipice under everyday prattle and forces entry into oppression’s closed rooms.”
Long before his literary career began in 1957 with The Room, Pinter had stood out as an exemplary student of English and literature—and as an actor. He played both Romeo and Macbeth in the late 1940’s. In 1950, his first poem was published outside of school magazines.
Despite favorable reviews Pinter’s second play, The Birthday Party, was performed only eight times. However he later adapted the play for the screen, as he later did with The Homecoming and Betrayal. It was not until 1960, with The Caretaker, that Pinter found commercial success.
Why Collectors Love Harold Pinter
Harold Pinter’s wide variety of literary interests affords collectors the same wide variety of collecting opportunities.
Pinter’s beautiful poetry lends itself well to fine press editions. The 2002 Enitharmon edition of The Disappeared and Other Poems features particularly lovely illustrations by Tony Bevan.
Pinter frequently teamed up with other directors and screenwriters. For example, he famously worked with both film director Joseph Losey and Proust scholar Barbara Bray to write The Proust Screenplay: À La Recherche Du Temps Perdu. These collaborations make Pinter’s work relevant to a diverse group of enthusiasts.
Pinter’s relationship with his second wife, Lady Antonia Fraser, inspired sweet, gentle poetry. The books he gave her also make for lovely association copies.
Karnac issued wonderful limited first editions of many of Pinter’s works. The red and black cloth editions feature gold embossed lettering
Last week Frida Kahlo’s copy of Edgar Allan Poe sold at auction for $24,000. Why was the rather tattered copy so valuable? Kahlo filled the book with artistic marginalia. The price of this book reflects the value of association copies, that is, books that are affiliated with a famous person or someone close to the author.
Frida Kahlo's doodles vastly increased the value of her copy of The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe.
So why all this fuss over association copies? Collectors value association copies for a variety of reasons. Association copies are more personal than signed or anonymously inscribed copies, providing a glimpse into the author or owner’s life and environment. They can also illustrate relationships between the author and the author’s family, friends, and colleagues. Here’s a look at some of the notable association copies from our collection:
Umberto Eco inscribed a limited edition of Filosofi In Libertà for his bibliographer, James Contursi. This is one of many different books Eco inscribed for Contursi.
Both Cornelia Funke and her translator Anthea Bell inscribed an advance reader’s edition of Inkspell for award-winning author Shar Levine.
Budd Schulberg inscribed a first edition of What Makes Sammy Run? “to two of his dearest friends in all this world,” Joaquin and Karin Godoy.
Thomas Harris inscribed first editions of both Black Sunday and Red Dragon for the mother of a childhood friend.
We’ve recently been lucky enough to acquire a beautiful collection of Edgar Rice Burroughs books. Best known for his Tarzan novels, Burroughs was one of the most prolific authors of the early 20th century. His sci-fi and fantasy novels inspired a generation of writers, artists, producers, and even scientists.
A Bit about Burroughs
After graduating from the Michigan Military Academy, Burroughs enlisted in the Army. He was discharged due to a heart condition and found himself working a string of low-level jobs. Burroughs eventually took a job with his father’s firm, but after seven years of earning low wages, it was time to move on.
Burroughs took a job as a pencil sharpener wholesaler, where he found himself with plenty of time on his hands. That’s when he began reading pulp fiction magazines. Burroughs quickly realized that “…if people were paid for writing rot such as I read in some of those magazines, that I could write stories just as rotten. As a matter of fact, although I had never written a story, I knew absolutely that I could write stories just as entertaining and probably a whole lot more so than any I chanced to read in those magazines.”
What soon followed was Burroughs’ first work, Under the Moons of Mars, which was serialized. He later published it as a novel, with the title A Princess on Mars. Over the next 40 years, Burroughs went on to write over 70 novels, including the following series:
Barsoom series: The setting of this series is the planet Barsoom, a romanticized version of Mars. The series earned Burroughs the honor of a crater named after him on the red planet.
Tarzan series: After the Tarzan series gained popularity, Burroughs defied popular wisdom and used the character in comic books and other spin-offs. Burroughs even named his California ranch “Tarzana,” and it later grew into a town of the same name.
Pellucider series: Set at the core of Earth, the Pellucider series Burroughs envisions the earth as a hollow shell, with the world of Pellucider at its center. Its continents mirror the world’s oceans, and its bodies of water mirror the seven continents.
Venus series: The protagonist of the Venus series sets out for Mars, only to land on Venus. The planet turns out to be a water world whose human-like inhabitants call the planet Amtor.
Caspak series: After a series of unfortunate events, the hero Bowen Tyler finds himself in the land of Caprona, where dinosaurs still roam and the inhabitants are still in various stage of hominid development.
Burroughs also wrote multiple historical and Western novels, along with other jungle adventures not featuring Tarzan. Many of his books were first published in serial form, including the works in the Moon series. The definitive bibliography of Burroughs’ works, by Robert B. Zeuschner, is an indispensible tool for anyone who plans to assemble an outstanding Burroughs collection.
Our Edgar Rice Burroughs collection includes wonderful first editions of many of Burroughs works. If you’d like to see some of his well-known works or discover new favorites, we invite you to peruse the collection.
