Author Archives: rdavies

(1929 1st  edition djs  of Knister’s first novel; left: U.S. Harcourt, Brace; right: U.K.–Jonathan Cape–illustrated by Drake Brookshaw; also used for Canadian ed.: Macmillan) (the book which nearly was not published after Knister’s death–small printing 1934 Ryerson, available in U.K. and Canada; illustration–Abbey) (edited … Continue reading →

(a G-G winner for poetry; Ryerson, 1938) (rare signed copy of above book) (the title poem) (1971, Ladysmith Press dj–photos of author, blurb on back cover; photo by Eva Andai) A child prodigy, Kenneth Leslie (1892-1974) was born on Halloween … Continue reading →

  (dj 1946, Ryerson; cover illustration by de Garthe) Will R. Bird–Will Richard Bird (1891-1984) was born in East Mapleton. He wrote 15 novels, 2 memoirs, 6 historical books, and 3 travel books. Well-thought of, he was also a President … Continue reading →

(earliest available signature of Salverson in 1907; she would have been about 17 at the time; signature on a book plate pasted into the following title) (The Last Robin: Lyrics and Sonnets by Ethelwyn Wetherald, a popular poet of the … Continue reading →

(1st ed. dj, Lovat Dickson & Thompson, 1935, bought in U.K.–where he was very popular) (his signature, same book) (the back cover, same book; note info about his tour) (same book: laid in U.K. newspaper article of the day) (same … Continue reading →

(Chatelaine, Mar., 1960 issue, short story) (in my opinion, one of the weakest 1st ed. dust jackets ever issued on a significant Canadian book; Macmillan, 1947) (the 1967 Alcuin Society ed. with effective lino-block engravings by Gus Rueter) (the limitations … Continue reading →

(scarce 1922  hardcover poetry book published by McClelland & Stewart, 1922; cover by Harris) (decorated endpapers by Harris) (right: example of one his theme-divider pages) (rare, from the library of Lawren Harris, his handwriting in first three lines; Harris signatures … Continue reading →

(a beautiful overview of Phillips’ work, life, and style) (a nice book he illustrated for Thomas Nelson, 1947) (his rare signature in a/this book) (Bow Falls, Banff, AB) (Lake Louise: Dawn) (Kicking Horse River, AB) Walter J. Phillips–Joseph (1884-1963) was … Continue reading →

(rare autograph poem and photo from Canadian Singers and Their Songs ed. Edward S. Caswell, McClelland & Stewart, 1919) (scarce clean hardback of Marjorie Pickthall: A Book of Remembrance by Lorne Pierce– one of her champions; Ryerson, 1925) (title page … Continue reading →

(Rare signed copy of Chez Nous decorated by A. Y. Jackson, McClelland & Stewart, 1924) (signed page) (Scarce copy of CNR’s Jasper National Park, illustrated by Group of 7 artists, 1927, 6 color plates by A.Y. Jackson) (Mt. Robson plate) … Continue reading →