“Present Indicative” from Shapero Rare Books

Shapero Rare Books presents a new catalogue entitled Present Indicative. In case it isn't entirely clear what such a catalogue contains, they provide a table of contents. Here it is: Fiction, Poetry & Prose, Children's & Illustrated, Visual & Performing Arts, Special Interest & Sports, Judaica, Russian, Near East & Islamic, and Modern Prints. Here are a few selections from that list.

Looking for the right word? Here are 42,773 from which to choose. This is the granddaddy of all dictionaries, and it must have been quite a task to sit down and write the first one. A lot of memory jogging here. This one came from the obnoxious lexicographer Samuel Johnson (obnoxious to Americans since he attacked Americans' desire not to be taxed and free of their British masters). The title is A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are Deduced from their Originals, and Illustrated in Their Different Significations by Examples from the Best Writers, published in 1755. Johnson wrote it “alone,” with some help from six assistants. They must have been doing a little more than just taking dictation. And there were some previous dictionaries of sorts from which he borrowed, but all that said, this was a masterful achievement. It took Johnson eight years to complete it. Item 31. Priced at £12,500 (British pounds or approximately $16,875 in U.S. currency).

This book is an account of what were possibly the most significant interviews ever of an American President. The interviewer was British journalist David Frost, the interview subject former President Richard Nixon. Nixon had resigned office three years earlier in disgrace, a result of Watergate. It was the first time Nixon agreed to an interview. Nixon consented in the hopes he could repair his reputation. He was also paid a boatload of money. It is likely Nixon figured Frost was a fairly soft interviewer whom he would be able to handle. Frost persisted and in over 28 hours of interviews, Nixon finally sort of admitted to wrongdoing by saying he had let the American people down. It took a lot of questioning to get that much from Nixon. The book is I Gave Them a Sword. Frost on Nixon. Behind the Scenes of the Nixon Interviews by David Frost, published in 1978. The sword comment comes from a statement Nixon made, followed by, “and they stuck it in, and twisted it with relish.” But he then admitted that had he been in their position he would have done the same. This is a signed presentation copy given to British Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Item 115. £1,800 (US $2,429).

This is a photobook of London shortly before the Second World War. Photographer Bill Brandt was born in Germany but his father was English. That enabled him to readily move to London in 1933 as things got dicey in Germany. In 1936, he published a book of photos from his travels all over England. He photographed the rich and the poor, and those in between. Two years later in 1938, he published this book, A Night in London. Story of a London Night in Sixty-four Photographs. It followed a path similar to that of a 1936 French book by Brassai on Paris. One sees everything from maids serving their wealthy employers to those on the street. As Brandt said, “I photographed pubs, common lodging houses at night, theatres, Turkish baths, prisons and people in their bedrooms.” Item 81. £3,250 (US $4,388).

In 1995, Seamus Heaney won the Nobel Prize in Literature. It took time, as it usually does. In 1966, he published this, his first book, preceded only by a small pamphlet. Heaney was a poet as well as a playwright. This first book is entitled Death of a Naturalist. It is a collection of 34 poems. They focus on his childhood, growing up to becoming a young man, and the deeper thoughts of adulthood. The title poem deals with his experiences with frogs that turns sour, hence the title “Death of a Naturalist.” This is a first edition, first impression signed by the author. Shapero says that it looks like the signature may date to the time of publication. Item 26. £2,850 (US $3,846).

Next up is a magnificent large poster, approximately 22” x 28”. It promoted “the fight of the century.” This was Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali, their first of three boxing matches. Never before had two undefeated heavyweight champions faced each other in the ring. Frazier was the current champion, Ali the retired undefeated former champion, stripped of his title because he refused to fight in the Vietnam War. That war tore the country apart as many people opposed it and would not fight, admiring Ali's principles, while war supporters despised Ali who already had a reputation for being a loud mouth and showboating. More was at stake in the fight than just each fighters' personal reputations when they stepped into the ring on March 8, 1971. It was a brutal fight and in the end, Frazier won by a decision, though he ended up in the hospital from the beating. The fight was the most watched televised event around the world ever at the time, and the gate receipts were enormous. Eventually, Frazier lost the title to George Foreman, Ali defeated Foreman, and they met for the championship, now Ali's, again... and again. Ali won both of the next two fights. The poster announces, Madison Sq. Garden. 15 Rounds for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali. £3,000 (US $4,049)

Shapero Rare Books may be reached at +44 (0)20 7493 0876 or rarebooks@shapero.com. Their website is www.shapero.com.