2024 Holiday Gift Guides: Gifts for the Book Lover
From first edition printings to photoplays, early childhood favorites to 20th Century modern classics, we've rounded up some of our favorite gifts for the book lover in your life. Presented in their original dust jackets or beautifully bound in gilt-stamped leather or marbled boards, these books will make stunning additions to any rare book collection.
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, First Edition, in Original DJ, 1961
Consider this stunning first edition printing of Joseph Heller's Catch-22, presented here in its original dust jacket and boards and with a new (and giftable) clamshell case. Catch-22 was Heller’s first novel and his most acclaimed work. Set during World War II, the novel uses a unique, non-chronological third-person narration, mainly focusing on the life of a B-25 bombardier in the U.S. Army, Captain John Yossarian, and his attempts to avoid bombing runs. It became a publishing sensation thanks to the 1962 paperback edition, which set record sales and benefited from the national debate surrounding the Vietnam War. In the decades since, it has inspired a feature film, a miniseries, a 50-character stage play, and sold more than 10 million copies.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck, First Trade Edition, in Original DJ, 1952
East of Eden is considered one of Steinbeck's most ambitious works and a classic of modern American literature. Steinbeck claimed the novel “has everything in it I have been able to learn about my art or craft or profession in all these years. I think everything else I have written has been, in a sense, practice for this” (Salinas Public Library, 45). For lovers of modern literature, this first trade edition is presented with its original dust jacket and a new archival cloth slipcase. A beautiful book!
Vintage Remington Rand Typewriter, 1947
Perfect for the book lover who fashions themselves as a writer as well, this vintage Remington Rand Typewriter dates to 1947. The typewriter is the portable De Luxe Model 5, issued in a sleek carrying case. Still functional, this classic design features a black crinkle finish, and a QWERTY keyboard. Included in the set of metal rimmed black keys are fun features like a shift key, shift lock key, self-starter key, marginal release, and a back space key.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, First Edition, in Original DJ, 1951
This is a very collectible first edition, first issue printing of J. D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye. The book was published by Little, Brown and Company in Boston, on July 16, 1951. This book is presented in its original black cloth boards and original first issue dust jacket with $3.00 price on the front flap and with the Lotte Jacobi photo credit on Salinger’s portrait on the rear panel. An immediate success upon its publication in 1951, and popular with readers since, the book has sold over 65 million copies.
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, First Edition, 1943
The Fountainhead is Ayn Rand's best-selling and unforgettable celebration of the individual spirit. Perfect for holiday gifting, this book is beautifully rebound in stunning red half calf leather and marbled boards, with gilt tooling and titles to the spine, and the original dust jacket bound-in. This is an eye-catching first edition with tons of shelf appeal.
Perfect for the budding book collector or just a child at heart- Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and sequel Through the Looking-Glass, exquisitely bound together in one volume by Bayntun. A jewel of a book, this unique presentation is presented in bright red polished leather boards, gilt-stamped with the White Rabbit and Queen of Hearts. Inside, the book is elaborately illustrated by John Tenniel, with 92 illustrations in total. Bending logic and emphasizing the peculiar, Carroll’s Alice books were beloved by children and adults alike, with readers such as Queen Victoria and Oscar Wilde among Carroll’s fan base.
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, Signed by Actress Carla Laemmle, Photoplay Edition, 1925
Presented is a photoplay edition of Gaston Leroux’s best-known novel, The Phantom of the Opera. One of the most collectible Grosset & Dunlap photoplay editions, this book was published to accompany the 1925 Universal Pictures film adaptation starring Lon Channey. It is illustrated throughout with scenes from that production. The book has been beautifully rebound in handsome ¼ black leather and cloth boards, with raised bands and gilt stamps and tiles to the spine. Perfect for fans of the book, movie, or musical!
Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist
Perfect for the literary lovers, English majors, and readers everywhere who would enjoy a zippy cocktail paired with clever commentary on history’s most beloved books. This much anticipated 10th anniversary expanded edition of Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist features an updated introduction, refined drink recipes, and more than 70 delicious drinks and bar snacks. Recipes include: Big Little Limes, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margarita, The Other Cognac Girl, Gin Eyre, Call Me by Your Nectarine, The Hand-Mule's Tale, and more!
