One of the largest collections of John Updike material in private hands has hit the market.
The collection, which was amassed over a 30 year period consists of:
126 Signed works,
267 “A” items representing almost 90% of his primary publication titles,
Extensive “B” items and numerous other appearances, including a 29 year (1980-2009) run of his “New Yorker” work.
Two signed letters from Updike and multiple uncorrected proofs.
Highlights of the collection include:
- Dance of the Solids, inscribed.
- Earthworm, first and second state.
- Lovelorn Astronomer.
- The Angels.
- Bath After Sailing.
- Rabbit, Run, First Edition.
- A Rabbit Omnibus, twvo volumes signed.
- Chaste Planet, signed.
- Couples, first edition review copy
- Dog’s Death, framed and signed.
- Carpentered Hen.
- Flying to Florida, signed by Updike and Roth.
- Happy Birthday, Kurt Vonnegut.
- Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu, signed.
- Hugging the Shore, with TLS by Updike to Doris Grumbach
(literary editor of “The New Republic”) laid in. - Review copy of Parini’s Robert Frost with copious notes by Updike for his New Yorker review, and also includes a poem written by Updike on the inside back cover.
- The Indian.
- January, limited signed edition.
- Poem Begun on Thursday, October 14, 1993, signed broadside.
- Query, inscribed.
- Radiator, signed limited issue in wrappers.
- 75 Aromatic Years of Leavitt & Peirce.
- Sixteen Sonnets.
- Warm Wine.
- Witches of Eastwick, uncorrected proofs (first and second state)
- English Train Compartment, broadside.
The collection, out of Portland, Oregon, is being offered by Charles Seluzicki Fine & Rare Books. All items are in Very Good or better condition. A complete list of material included in the collection- over 500 books and broadsides plus a generous sampling of periodical appearances- is available upon request.
Asking price: $60,000.