Mel's Black Bag Books

 Ellison, Ralph, Invisible Man , first published in 1952. Now you see me.... Hardcover , with dust jacket.  First Edition Library  (FEL). Condition: New, in original wrapping.  FEL books  are  replicas of original first editions  / first printings using identical paper size, weight and colors, each housed in a neat, custom slipcase. This is unopened.         The copy I read (1990 paperback International Edition)....

Kesey, Ken , One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest , originally published in 1962. The sanity of some labelled crazy sometimes is greater than the rest. Hardcover, with dust jacket. First Edition Library (FEL), with laid-in card. Condition: Very fine. The corner tips of the first six or seven pages appear to have sustained slight impact-bending, perhaps from manufacturing or past transport. On the rear of the slipcase, superficial horizontal grey marks appear, certainly from shelving, and Mr. Kesey's forehead has slight tan tinting. (See pictures.) FEL books are replicas of original first editions / first printings using identical paper size, weight and coloring, each housed in a neat, custom slipcase . This volume includes a laid-in informational card (pictured).              

Fantastic Mr. Fox, by Roald Dahl, 1970. "He always approached a farm with the wind blowing in his face...." Hardcover, with dust jacket. First edition, 1970, subsequent printing. First printings of this book typically were identified by a statement, "First edition" on the copyright page and the price "$3.95" on the dust jacket. This volume does not state "First edition," yet has the "$3.95" price, making it likely a first edition, subsequent printing (later-1970 / early-1971). Published by Knopf Publishing. Condition: Good to very good. Boards with foxing (reddish brown discoloration from oxidation of impurities in paper). Pages with foxing mostly at edges, few spots on printed surfaces. Text crisp and bright, pages perhaps with slight toning. Inscription on front endsheet. Dust jacket with closed tear front upper, open tear at back lower and closed tear at apex of spine. Jacket edges with mild nibbling. Staining of dust jacket presumab...

Charlotte's Web , by E.B. White, 1952 early Book Club Edition. "My webs were no miracle...." Hardcover with dust jacket, early Book Club Edition identified by blue and tan cover with silver web and Fern feeding Wilbur. Copyright 1952, printed by Harper & Row. Condition: Book itself is very good, showing mild wear to bottom corners, and a neat inscription on the front endpaper. Pages are fine, clean and crisp with light toning. Spine is tight and intact. Cover has a break-away at front bottom corner, affecting the name of the Illustrator, Garth Williams.   

Styron, William , The Confessions of Nat Turner  (1967). In 1967 a New York Times Reviewer wrote, "... more than any book in recent history, [Nat Turner] illuminates slavery as a central and inescapable fact of our history. [It is] a rich and powerful novel whose impact will be widely and... deservingly felt." Hardcover with dust jacket. First edition, first printing (1ed/1pr). United States Library of Congress Card Catalog Number 67-12732. Condition: book itself is very good to near fine with tight spine, very slight and focal front board shelf wear on bottom, trace foxing, and slightly discernible age toning of pages (as shown). Dust jacket is good with sunning at spine, closed tears and light chipping at top (as shown). A solid, nice-feeling first/first volume.