[Literature] [Benchley, Robert], Group of 10 Volumes from the Library of Robert Benchley

Lot 69

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Books & Manuscripts

By Freeman's

Feb 18, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-02-18 10:00:00 2021-02-18 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Books & Manuscripts https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/freemans/books-manuscripts-6379 A collection of important books and manuscripts curated by Darren Winston, Head of Department Books, Manuscripts, Photographs & Photobooks at Freeman's. Freeman's info@freemansauction.com

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Lot Description

[Literature] [Benchley, Robert]
Group of 10 Volumes from the Library of Robert Benchley
1. Bennett, Sir Ernest
Apparitions and Haunted Houses
London: Faber and Faber Limited, (1939). First edition. 8vo. 396 pp. With Benchley's "From the Library/of/Robert Benchley" book-plate on front paste-down. Assorted clippings laid in, most likely by Benchley's wife, Gertrude.

2. Fitzgerald, F. Scott
The Vegetable or from President to Postman
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1923. First edition. 8vo. 145 pp. With Benchley's ownership inscription: "Robert C. Benchley/1425 Broadway" in pencil on front free endpaper.

Years after this book was published, Benchley and Fitzgerald were neighbors at the iconic Garden of Allah Hotel in West Hollywood. Fitzgerald reportedly met Sheilah Graham, the young gossip columnist with whom he had a controversial love affair, at a party hosted by Benchley in 1937. Bruccoli A10.1.a

3. Huxley, Aldous
Limbo
New York: George H. Doran Company, (1920). Second impression. 8vo. 292 pp. With Benchley's ownership inscription: "Robert C. Benchley/The N.Y. World" in pencil on front free endpaper.

In the early years of his career, Huxley was a frequent contributor to Vanity Fair. Benchley wrote for the magazine on and off between 1916 and 1920, and served as managing editor from 1919 to 1920. "Limbo,"
Huxley's first short story collection, was reviewed by Benchley in his "Books and Other Things" column in the July 12, 1920 issue of the New York World.

4. Huxley, Aldous
Mortal Coils
New York: George H. Doran Company, (1922). First edition. 8vo. 223 pp. With Benchley's ownership inscription: "Robert C. Benchley/1425 Broadway/N.Y. City" in pencil on front free endpaper.

Huxley's second short story collection.

5. Huxley, Aldous
Crome Yellow
New York: George H. Doran Company, (ca. 1922). Early printing. 8vo. 307 pp. With Benchley's ownership inscription: "Robert C. Benchley/1425 Broadway" in pencil on front free endpaper.

Huxley's first novel.

6. Kipling, Rudyard
The Five Nations
New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1907. Early printing. 8vo. 215 pp. With Benchley's "From the Library/of/Robert Charles Benchley" book-plate on front paste-down.

7. Leacock, Stephen
Humor: Its Theory and Techniqueâ€¦
New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1935. First edition. 8vo. 268 pp. "Benchley" in pencil in Robert's wife Gertrude's hand on front free endpaper.

Leacock was a favorite writer of Robert's and vice versa. They had a brief, but affectionate, correspondence and admired each other's work and attitude about humor. Benchley (1889-1946) gave much credit to the crazy comedy influence of the older humorist and comedy historian Leacock (1869-1944). Leacock wrote the introduction for the English edition of Benchley's first book, Of All Things! (1922), published one year after the first American edition.

8. Milne, A.A.
First Plays
New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1920. First edition. 8vo. 222 pp. With Benchley's ownership inscription: "Robert C. Benchley/1425 Broadway" in blue pencil on front free endpaper. Review of Milne's autobiography, from the World-Telegram, October 2, 1939, laid in.

With a few notes in pencil to the play "Belinda" in Benchley's hand.

9. Nicolson, Harold
Some People
New York: Oxford University Press, (ca. 1934). 16mo. 223 pp. With Benchley's ownership inscription: "Robert Benchley/44 W. 44th St." in pencil on front free endpaper and with his "From the Library/of/Robert Benchley" book-plate on front paste-down.

44 West 44th Street was the address of the Hotel Royalton, where Benchley had his infamous suite for many years.

10. [Twain, Mark] Paine, Albert Bigelow (editor)
Moments with Mark Twain
New York and London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, (1920). First edition. 12mo. (299) pp. With Benchley's ownership inscription: "Robert C. Benchley" in blue pencil on front free endpaper. Review copy, slip laid in.

Benchley was a great admirer of Twain. He reviewed "Moments with Mark Twain" under the title, "The Brow-Elevation in Humor" in the New York World's April 14, 1920 issue, in his column Books and Other Things. It was reprinted in Benchley's book, "Love Conquers All," in 1922.
Condition varies.
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