Anthony Powell has been for many years one of my favourite writers, and also one of my main interests as collector. The following bibliography linked to available first editions will be of use to those interested in Powell or current values for first editions. I have not included for the moment books about Powell or multi-author books with contributions from him. I will post more on him in future, but please feel free to email me with any questions. And don't forget the Anthony Powell Society!
Novels
Afternoon Men (Duckworth, 1931). Print run probably around 2000 copies. Very expensive in Misha Black dustwapper!
Venusberg (Duckworth, 1932. Print run probably 3000 or less. Also very expensive in Misha Black dustwrapper.
From a View to a Death (Duckworth, 1933). Print run again probably 3000 or less, and also very expensive in Misha Black dustwrapper. By a strange quirk of collecting fate, I have two copies of this in dustwrappers - clearly one more than I need. However, I am open to offers (including swaps for either of the two above or the one below!).
Agents and Patients (Duckworth, 1936). Print run probably 3000 or less. The last of the pre-war books in Misha Black dustwrappers. Not surprisingly, expensive!
What's become of Waring (Cassell, 1939). A switch of publisher for Powell, and the last of the pre-war novels. Alegedly 999 copies were sold before the remainder wer destroyed in the blitz. Generally held, presumably for this reason, to be the least common of Powell's novels and perhaps the most valuable.
A Question of Upbringing (Heinemann, 1951). The first novel in the Dance to the Music of Time sequence, on which Powell's reputation as a novelist is chiefly based. First edition 7500 copies at 9s 6d, exisiting in two states. The book has two half titles - it was Powell's intention that the second of these, on the page preceeding the narrative, should be "The Music of Time". However, early in the print run "A Question of Upbringing" was used by mistake, and this is the first state of the first edition. There are also two states of the dustwrapper, priority unclear - the book was a Book Society Recommendation, and this is printed on the bottom of the front flap in some cases. Regardless of state however, any decent copy in a dustwrapper is likely to cost several hundred pounds.
A Buyer's Market (Heinemann, 1952). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 2. First edition 7500 copies at 12 s 6d. There are two states of the dustwrapper - the second state differs from the first issue in that the front flap has been clipped along the edge to remove the original price and has then been printed with ''cheaper edition 6s net''; on some copies seen this price has also been clipped.
The Acceptance World (Heinemann,1955). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 3. First edition 7500 copies at 12s 6d.
At Lady Molly's (Heinemann, 1957). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 4. 10 000 copies at 15s.
Casanova's Chinese Restaurant (Heinemann, 1960). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 5. 12 500 copies at 16s.
The Kindly Ones (Heinemann, 1962). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 6. 12 000 copies at 18s.
The Valley of Bones (Heinemann, 1964). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 7. 10 000 copies at 18s.
The Soldier's Art (Heinemann, 1966). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 8. 12 000 copies at 21s.
The Military Philosophers (Heinemann, 1968). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 9. 12 000 copies at 25s.
Books do Furnish a Room (Heinemann, 1971). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 10. 10 000 copies at £1.75.
Temporary Kings (Heinemann, 1973). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 11. 12 000 copies at £2.25.
Hearing Secret Harmonies (Heinemann, 1975). The twelth and final volume of A Dance to the Music of Time. 13 000 copies at £3.10.
O, How the Wheel Becomes It! (Heinemann, 1983. 10 000 copies at £6.95.
What's become of Waring (Cassell, 1939). A switch of publisher for Powell, and the last of the pre-war novels. Alegedly 999 copies were sold before the remainder wer destroyed in the blitz. Generally held, presumably for this reason, to be the least common of Powell's novels and perhaps the most valuable.
A Question of Upbringing (Heinemann, 1951). The first novel in the Dance to the Music of Time sequence, on which Powell's reputation as a novelist is chiefly based. First edition 7500 copies at 9s 6d, exisiting in two states. The book has two half titles - it was Powell's intention that the second of these, on the page preceeding the narrative, should be "The Music of Time". However, early in the print run "A Question of Upbringing" was used by mistake, and this is the first state of the first edition. There are also two states of the dustwrapper, priority unclear - the book was a Book Society Recommendation, and this is printed on the bottom of the front flap in some cases. Regardless of state however, any decent copy in a dustwrapper is likely to cost several hundred pounds.
A Buyer's Market (Heinemann, 1952). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 2. First edition 7500 copies at 12 s 6d. There are two states of the dustwrapper - the second state differs from the first issue in that the front flap has been clipped along the edge to remove the original price and has then been printed with ''cheaper edition 6s net''; on some copies seen this price has also been clipped.
The Acceptance World (Heinemann,1955). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 3. First edition 7500 copies at 12s 6d.
At Lady Molly's (Heinemann, 1957). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 4. 10 000 copies at 15s.
Casanova's Chinese Restaurant (Heinemann, 1960). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 5. 12 500 copies at 16s.
The Kindly Ones (Heinemann, 1962). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 6. 12 000 copies at 18s.
The Valley of Bones (Heinemann, 1964). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 7. 10 000 copies at 18s.
The Soldier's Art (Heinemann, 1966). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 8. 12 000 copies at 21s.
The Military Philosophers (Heinemann, 1968). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 9. 12 000 copies at 25s.
Books do Furnish a Room (Heinemann, 1971). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 10. 10 000 copies at £1.75.
Temporary Kings (Heinemann, 1973). Dance to the Music of Time, volume 11. 12 000 copies at £2.25.
Hearing Secret Harmonies (Heinemann, 1975). The twelth and final volume of A Dance to the Music of Time. 13 000 copies at £3.10.
O, How the Wheel Becomes It! (Heinemann, 1983. 10 000 copies at £6.95.
The Fisher King (Heinemann, 1986). 12 500 copies at £9.95.
Other books:
Caledonia (Duckworth, 1934) A humorous poem, lampooning the Scots, illustrated by Edward Burra. Many copies annotated by hand. 100 copies only were printed privately & presented to the author as a wedding present.
John Aubrey and his Friends (Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, 1948) A biography -3000 copies in the first printing. Although the print run was small the book is currently relatively cheap.
Two Plays; The Garden God and The Rest I'll Whistle (Heinemann, 1971). 950 copies at £3.15.
John Aubrey and his Friends (Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, 1948) A biography -3000 copies in the first printing. Although the print run was small the book is currently relatively cheap.
Two Plays; The Garden God and The Rest I'll Whistle (Heinemann, 1971). 950 copies at £3.15.
Infants of the Spring (Heinemann, 1976). First volume of autobiography. 6000 copies at £5.00.
Messengers of Day (Heinemann, 1978). Second volume of autobiography. 6000 copies at £6.00.
Faces in my Time (Heinemann, 1980). Third volume of autobiography. 5000 copies at £8.50.
The Strangers are all gone (Heinemann, 1982). Fourth and final volume of autobiography. 5200 copies at £9.50.
Under Review (Heinemann, 1992). Further criticism. 2000 copies at £25.
A Reference for Mellors (Moorhouse & Sorensen, 1994). Powell's only limited edition - a short story originally published in the New Savoy. 26 lettered and signed copies (A-Z), 100 numbered and signed copies and 200 numbered copies.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment