Collectors of first editions ordinarily would steer clear of books marked up and full of scribbled notes — but it depends who’s doing the scribbling. For the 75 books on auction at the PEN American Center’s “First Editions/Second Thoughts,” they may be willing to make an exception.
For the auction, hosted by Christie’s in New York on Dec. 2, authors have revisited their works to offer new, handwritten insights in the margins of the books.
In his inscription for “Play It Again, Sam,” Woody Allen all but disavows the “commercial claptrap.” Gillian Flynn notes a deleted scene on page 201 of “Gone Girl.” Philip Roth writes that in re-reading “Portnoy’s Complaint” at 80, he is both shocked and pleased that he could have been so reckless. Tucked in to “‘A’ is for Alibi,” Sue Grafton includes a copy of an acceptance letter from her editor.
For Eric Carle, just finding a first edition of his cherished picture book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” was a challenge, but he enjoyed annotating it. “I still feel very close to it,” he said of the book, which was first published 45 years ago. “I still remember the ordinary way it started with a hole puncher and a stack of papers. It brings back fond memories of the early days with my editor Ann Beneduce, with whom I still work.
“It was fun to be able to write in the book!” he said. “I wanted to be playful and add some little interesting facts about my work. In my books, I try to entertain the child inside, the child that still exists in me.”
All auction proceeds will go to PEN America. Visit pen-auction.org.
Donald Liebenson contributes frequently to Printers Row Journal.
For the collector
The books on auction at “First Editions/Second Thoughts” are expected to fetch at least five figures each, but for the book collector on your list, rare editions are available in all price ranges.
$75
A signed edition of animator Chuck Jones’ autobiography, “Chuck Amuck.” Rare Bookworks, thebookworks.com.
$690
A special signed limited edition of Maya Angelou’s memoir, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” still in its original shrink-wrap. Books Tell You Why, bookstellyouwhy.com.
$1,100
A signed first edition of “In Cold Blood,” issued by Kroch’s & Brentano’s First Edition Circle. From Bookbid Rare Books, rareantiquarianbooks.com.
$5,500
“Walt Disney, The Art of Animation: The Story of the Disney Studio Contribution to a New Art” by Bob Thomas and inscribed by Walt Disney. John K. King Used & Rare Books, rarebooklink.com.
$10,000
Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” in a first American edition. Heritage Book Shop, heritagebookshop.com.
$35,000
A first edition of James Joyce’s “Ulysses,” published by Shakespeare and Co. in Paris in 1922. It is one of 750 numbered copies printed on handmade paper with the original blue paper wrappers. Heritage Book Shop.
