Poetry tops reading list at PBA Galleries sale Oct. 18

 

Poetry

Image of the Brooklyn Bridge contained in Hart Crane’s ‘The Bridge With Three Photographs by Walker Evans,’ one of only 50 signed and numbered copies. Estimate: $30,000-$50,000. PBA Galleries image

SAN FRANCISCO – On Thursday, Oct. 18, PBA Galleries will be host a Modern Literature & Poetry with Books in All Fields Sale. This auction will include over 550 lots of modern literature, poetry and other fine books, with science fiction, detective fiction, manuscript material, and signed and limited editions. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

The selection of poetry and verse ranges from 19th-century icons to the beat generation and beyond. Included are novels and stories by Saul Bellow, Ray Bradbury, Raymond Chandler, Philip K. Dick, Ian Fleming, Dashiell Hammett, Robert A. Heinlein, Ken Kesey, Stephen King, H.P. Lovecraft, Larry McMurtry, Flannery O’Connor, J.K. Rowling and Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Among the poets represented are Paul Auster, Hart Crane, Robert Creeley, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Allen Ginsberg, John Hawkes, Weldon Kees and George Sterling. Additional fine books include fine bindings, historical works and finely printed books.

Highlighted in this sale is The Bridge. A Poem. With Three Photographs by Walker Evans written by Hart Crane. The Bridge was Crane’s only attempt at a long poem, inspired by his view of the Brooklyn Bridge from his Columbia Heights apartment. It consists of 15 lyric poems of varying length and scope. This edition is signed by Crane at the colophon, which makes it an extremely scarce example of one of the 50 signed and numbered copies (above).

The first edition of H.P. Lovecraft’s, The Shunned House, is also in our upcoming sale. Lovecraft’s rare first book of fiction published in an edition of 300 copies. This copy is also accompanied by a typed letter from the publisher August Derleth (below; estimate $7,000-$10,000).

Poetry

First edition of H.P. Lovecraft’s first book, ‘The Shunned House.’ PBA Galleries image

An additional highlight from the sale is The Immoral Proposition by Robery Creeley. This is a fine copy of Creeley’s scarcest publication and due to its fragility, it has rarely been since in such beautiful condition (estimate $1,200-$1,300).

Poetry

‘The Immoral Proposition’ by Robery Creeley is a fine copy of his scarcest publication. PBA Galleries image

PBA Galleries has an exceptional copy of Stephen Crane’s most enduring work, The Red Badge of Courage, in its extremely scarce dusk jacket (estimate $15,000-$25,000).

Poetry

Stephen Crane’s ‘The Red Badge of Courage’ in its scarce dust jacket. BPA Galleries image

The sale will begin Thursday, Oct. 180 at 11 am Pacific Time.

For details contact PBA Galleries at 415-989-2665 or pba@pbagalleries.com.