Fine Books and Manuscripts

Thompson, Hunter S.—Steadman, Ralph Archive of correspondence related to the publication of a piece on the Honolulu marathon for Running magazine, including Thompson's Amex card, and an original drawing by Steadman, 28 May 1980-15 September 1984 Comprising: 3 autograph letters signed and 5 typed letters signed by Hunter S. Thompson ("HST"), 1 American Express credit card issued to Thompson; 4 autograph letters signed by Ralph Steadman ("Ralph," "Ralph Steadman"), and 1 drawing by Ralph Steadman on spiral notebook paper (captioned " Duncan Macdonald | 7.Dec.80. | Prince Kuhio Hotel Honolulu" and signed "Ralph Steadman." Overall 15 1/2 pages from HST and 7 pages from Steadman, various places (Owl Farm, Kona, Kent), on Rolling Stone, Woody Creek Rod & Gun Club, and Running Magazine letterheads, most with their original envelopes. Includes the April 1981 issue of Running Magazine, with the published piece "The Charge of the Weird Brigade." Overall very good condition, with the expected condition issues (old folds, staple and paperclip marks, and a few short closed tears from handing). The origins of The Curse of Lono. After the successes of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72, Hunter S. Thompson's journalistic output had begun to falter, when he was approached by Paul Perry of Running magazine about covering the 1980 Honolulu Marathon. It may seem like an unlikely fit, but Running was a literary-focused publication, and HST found himself published alongside other writers such as Ken Kesey and Israel Horowitz. The present archive of unpublished correspondence traces their project from its nascent stages, through to its reworked publication in book form as The Curse of Lono. The earliest letter dates from May 28, 1980, and captures Thompson's initial intrigue with the idea: "Okay. What the fuck is the Honolulu Marathon? And when does it happen? This whole gig about 'running' strikes me as sort of mental illness ... Hot Damn! I think you’re onto something here, Paul. We can cover this goddamn thing in a style that will make a lot of people wish that wolves had stolen them from their cradles … it’s weird, but it interests me and it might even be fun." Running magazine was funded by Nike, and HST's humorous and glib reviews of their shoes are peppered throughout the archive ("They are ugly beyond reason"; "...these things look like the kind of footwear you’d see under the stands at a cockfight”). Thompson's humor is on full display in a letter from August 25, where, in response to Perry's comment that writers are a credit risk, the Gonzo journalist has enclosed a cancelled Amex to prove his own credit-worthiness: “Stick the enc. On yr. souvenir mirror and let’s not have any more of this snide rich-editor’s gibberish about the realities of my American Express gig." Thompson requests that his longtime collaborator— the illustrator Ralph Steadman—be brought in: "Can we get Ralph over from London for some art? He works cheap and fast; don’t worry about it – I’ll handle him.” Writing to Perry from Kona on December 26th, he encloses Steadman's portrait of the winner of the Honolulu Marathon, Duncan MacDonald, executed in Hawaii on race day. The present lot also includes four letters from Steadman to Perry, rounding out the archive's documentation of the editorial process. Notwithstanding his legendary volatility, Thompson was happy with the piece, writing to Perry following the publication on March 3, 1981: "Your Honolulu idea was a good one, and (more important), it was also a good, weird workout … and it was a bit of fun, despite all my bitching and raving & even the social problems.” HST and Perry kept in touch over the next couple years, maintaining a professional relationship that came just shy of bringing him on board during the fraught process of expanding the Honolulu piece into book form (The Curse of Lono. New York: Bantam Books, 1983). Thompson touches on this in a letter from September 9, 1982: "The Lono book has become a definite problem – a once-simple spin-off that got caught in Bantam’s best-seller machine, where it was never meant to be in the first place. I am sitting here now with a 200-pg. ms. That I don’t want to publish + cant afford not to." A compelling archive of unpublished correspondence between Thompson and his editor. PROVENANCE: Paul Perry (Author of Fear and Loathing: The Strange and Terrible Saga of Hunter S. Thompson, and former Executive Editor of Running magazine)

View 1 of Lot 1100: Thompson, Hunter S.—Steadman, Ralph | "The Charge of the Weird Brigade" — Thompson on the Honolulu Marathon

thompson, hunter s.—steadman, ralph | "the charge of the weird brigade" — thompson on the honolulu marathon

Thompson, Hunter S. — Ralph Steadman Archive of correspondence related to the publication of a piece on the Honolulu Marathon for Running magazine, including Thompson's Amex card, and an original drawing by Steadman, 28 May 1980–15 September 1984 Comprising: 3 autograph letters signed and 5 typed letters signed by Hunter S. Thompson ("HST"), 1 American Express credit card issued to Thompson; 4 autograph letters signed by Ralph Steadman ("Ralph," "Ralph Steadman"), and 1 drawing by Ralph Steadman on spiral notebook paper (captioned " Duncan Macdonald | 7.Dec.80. | Prince Kuhio Hotel Honolulu" and signed "Ralph Steadman." Overall 15 1/2 pages from HST and 7 pages from Steadman, various places (Owl Farm, Kona, Kent), on Rolling Stone, Woody Creek Rod & Gun Club, and Running magazine letterheads, most with their original envelopes. Includes the April 1981 issue of Running magazine, with the published piece "The Charge of the Weird Brigade." Overall very good condition, with the expected condition issues (old folds, staple and paperclip marks, and a few short closed tears from handing). The origins of The Curse of Lono. After the successes of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72, Hunter S. Thompson's journalistic output had begun to falter, when he was approached by Paul Perry of Running magazine about covering the 1980 Honolulu Marathon. It may seem like an unlikely fit, but Running was a literary-focused publication, and HST found himself published alongside other writers such as Ken Kesey and Israel Horowitz. The present archive of unpublished correspondence traces their project from its nascent stages, through to its reworked publication in book form as The Curse of Lono. The earliest letter dates from 28 May 1980, and captures Thompson's initial intrigue with the idea: "Okay. What the fuck is the Honolulu Marathon? And when does it happen? This whole gig about 'running' strikes me as sort of mental illness ... Hot Damn! I think you’re onto something here, Paul. We can cover this goddamn thing in a style that will make a lot of people wish that wolves had stolen them from their cradles … it’s weird, but it interests me and it might even be fun." Running magazine was funded by Nike, and HST's humorous and glib reviews of their shoes are peppered throughout the archive ("They are ugly beyond reason"; "...these things look like the kind of footwear you’d see under the stands at a cockfight”). Thompson's humor is on full display in a letter from 25 August, where, in response to Perry's comment that writers are a credit risk, the Gonzo journalist has enclosed a cancelled Amex to prove his own credit-worthiness: “Stick the enc. On yr. souvenir mirror and let’s not have any more of this snide rich-editor’s gibberish about the realities of my American Express gig." Thompson requests that his longtime collaborator—the illustrator Ralph Steadman—be brought in: "Can we get Ralph over from London for some art? He works cheap and fast; don’t worry about it – I’ll handle him.” Writing to Perry from Kona on 26 December, he encloses Steadman's portrait of the winner of the Honolulu Marathon, Duncan MacDonald, executed in Hawaii on race day. The present lot also includes four letters from Steadman to Perry, rounding out the archive's documentation of the editorial process. Notwithstanding his legendary volatility, Thompson was happy with the piece, writing to Perry following the publication on 3 March 1981: "Your Honolulu idea was a good one, and (more important), it was also a good, weird workout … and it was a bit of fun, despite all my bitching and raving & even the social problems.” HST and Perry kept in touch over the next couple years, maintaining a professional relationship that came just shy of bringing him on board during the fraught process of expanding the Honolulu piece into book form (The Curse of Lono. New York: Bantam Books, 1983). Thompson touches on this in a letter from 9 September 1982: "The Lono book has become a definite problem – a once-simple spin-off that got caught in Bantam’s best-seller machine, where it was never meant to be in the first place. I am sitting here now with a 200-pg. ms. That I don’t want to publish + cant afford not to." A compelling archive of unpublished correspondence between Thompson and his editor. PROVENANCE: Paul Perry (Author of Fear and Loathing: The Strange and Terrible Saga of Hunter S. Thompson, and former Executive Editor of Running Magazine)

View 1 of Lot 160: Thompson, Hunter S. — Ralph Steadman | "The Charge of the Weird Brigade" — Thompson on the Honolulu Marathon

thompson, hunter s. — ralph steadman | "the charge of the weird brigade" — thompson on the honolulu marathon

Original Film Posters

Withnail and I (1987) Poster, British, International, Signed by Richard G. Grant and Ralph Steadman, 2012

Withnail and I (1987) Poster, British, International, Signed by Richard G. Grant and Ralph Steadman, 2012 Artist: Ralph Steadman (b. 1936) Unframed: 40 x 27 in. (101.6 x 68.6 cm) Mr. Sohal met Richard E. Grant at the China Exchange in London, and Ralph Steadman at the Barbican Centre. It is rare for anyone to have an original poster signed, as the majority of signatures are on pieces of paper, photographs, and video/DVD sleeves. This British black comedy was written and directed by Bruce Robinson. The story follows two unemployed substance-abusing actors who escape London life for the weekend and stay at a cottage owned by Withnail's (Richard E. Grant) eccentric uncle, in order to restore their health. However, a different story unfolds! This was Richard E. Grant's first full-length feature role. The film also stars Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths, and Ralph Brown. Withnail and has become a cult classic.

View 1 of Lot 134: Withnail and I (1987) Poster, British, International, Signed by Richard G. Grant and Ralph Steadman, 2012 

withnail and i (1987) poster, british, international, signed by richard g. grant and ralph steadman, 2012

Original Film Posters Online

ALMONDS AND RAISINS (1984) POSTER, BRITISH

ALMONDS AND RAISINS (1984) POSTER, BRITISH SIGNED BY RALPH STEADMAN Art by Ralph Steadman (b.1936) 40 x 27 in. (102 x 69 cm) This documentary, directed by David Elstein and Russ Karel, looks at the many Yiddish language talking films that were made in America and Europe, between the release of The Jazz Singer (1927) and the outbreak of World War II. This poster was designed by Ralph Steadman, who is an illustrator and is best known for his political and social caricatures, cartoons and illustrated books. When signing this poster at a book signing, Ralph Steadman asked where on earth this poster came from, as he didn't even have one in his collection. It is rare for anyone to have an original film poster signed, as the majority of signatures are on pieces of paper, photographs and video/dvd sleeves. It is unusual to have the film's poster with you when you try to obtain signatures. To view shipping calculator, please click here

almonds and raisins (1984) poster, british, signed by ralph steadman

Worlds within Worlds | Works from the Collection of Peter Petrou

Designed by George Rowbottom, Art by Ralph Steadman

Designed by George Rowbottom, Art by Ralph Steadman British, 1987 Withnail and I Poster linen-backed Handmade Films, in glazed box frame British quad, (visible sheet) 75 by 99cm.; 30 by 39in.

View 1 of Lot 176: Designed by George Rowbottom, Art by Ralph Steadman, British, 1987 | Withnail and I Poster

designed by george rowbottom, art by ralph steadman, british, 1987 | withnail and i poster

The Maurice Neville Collection of Modern Literature (Part III)

Silkscreen (39 ½ x 26 in; 1005x 660 mm). Numbered 68/77 and signed "Ralph Steadman" on lower right in pencil. In very good condition.

"bats over barstow"

steadman, ralph-- dodgson, charles lutwidgeâ `lewis carroll'. alice in wonderland....

English Literature, History, Children's Books & Illustrations

i) First Folio [Steam Press Portfolio 1]. Steam Press, 1970-1972, NUMBER 9 OF 10 COPIES, each of the ten broadsheets signed by Steadman and the relevant poet, publisher’s portfolio, collector’s folding box; ii) Steam Press Portfolio 2. Steam Press, 1974, NUMBER 37 OF 50 COPIES, each of the six broadsheets signed by Steadman and the relevant poet (with the exception of Sylvia Plath), publisher’s folding box; iii) The Dogs Bodies Portfolio. Lexington: Petro III Graphics, 2000, NUMBER 32 OF 70 COPIES, complete with 1970 first edition of Dogs Bodies and a silk screen, both signed by Steadman, publisher's portfolio; iv) Modern Fiction and Art. Lexington: Petro III Graphics, 2001, ONE OF 8 ARTISTS PROOFS, complete with catalogue for the University of Kentucky Art Museum exhibition and two original signed silk screens by Steadman and Vonnegut, publisher's portfolio; v) Still Life with Raspberry. Rapp and Whiting, 1969, first edition, EMBELLISHED BY STEADMAN IN INK AND WITH A CUSTOM DUST-JACKET, original cloth, verso of half title adhered to title page as a result of the author’s embellishments; vi) Sigmund Freud. Paddington Press, 1979, NUMBER 27 OF 98 SIGNED LIMITED EDITION COPIES, original boards, edges flecked with ink, collector’s folding box; together with a signed and extra-illustrated copy of the first trade edition; vii) Still Life with Bottle. Ebury Press, 1994, first edition, SIGNED AND EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED BY STEADMAN, original cloth, dust-jacket; together with a signed and extra-illustrated copy of the first American edition; viii) Red Shark. Sylph Chapbook Number 3. Tucson: Sylph Publications, 2003, NUMBER 26 of 100 COPIES, signed by the contributors, original cloth backed marbled boards; together with 20 others, mostly folio and 4to (30)

collection of four portfolios and 26 signed books, comprising:

i) 16 titles by Steadman, first and early editions, two signed, mostly folio and 4to; ii) 16 titles illustrated and with cover art by Steadman, first, limited and early editions, four signed, mostly 8vo; iii) a broad collection of ephemera, including a sheets of 'The Plague and Moonflower Libretto', a printed typescript draft of 'The Full Stop Story', items published by the Steam Press, exhibition catalogues, periodicals, and numerous other items related to the illustrator, many items signed, together in three folding collector's boxes (qty.)

collection of books and ephemera, comprising:

i) Steadman, R. Ralph Steadman’s Jelly Book. Dobson, 1967, first edition, signed, ORIGINAL CLOTH EMBELLISHED BY STEADMAN IN COLOURED PAINTS; ii) Carroll, L. Alice in Wonderland. Dobson, 1967, first Steadman edition, original boards, decorated endpapers, dust-jacket; iii) Steadman, R. The Little Red Computer. Dobson, 1969, first editions, two copies, BOTH WITH CUSTOM COVERS PAINTED BY STEADMAN, one custom blue cloth and one red,  red cloth copy with tip-exed inscription on front endpaper, booksellers stamp on rear endpaper; iv) Steadman, R. Cherrywood Cannon. New York: Paddington Press, 1978, first American edition, original cloth, dust-jacket, dust-jacket very slightly chipped at foot of spine; v) Stone, B. Emergency Mouse. Andersen, 1978, first edition, signed by the author, original pictorial boards, pictorial endpapers; together with an extra-illustrated early edition; vi) Stephenson, R.L. Treasure Island. Harrap, 1985, unnumbered copy from the limited first Steadman edition of 250, original full leather, all edges gilt, pictorial endpapers, publisher’s slipcase; vii) Steadman, R. little.com. Andersen, 2000, number 237 of 300 limited first edition copies available for sale, signed and numbered, original pictorial silk, publisher’s slipcase; together with 25 others, illustrated by Steadman, mostly folio and 4to, occasional soiling and browning (34)

collection of books for children, comprising:

The Political Cartoon Collection of Jeffrey Archer

533 by 622mm., pen and ink, signed and dated ’85, mounted, framed and glazed, some short creases

nat west logo

533 by 622mm., pen and ink with bodycolour, signed and dated ’85, mounted, framed and glazed, some short creases

midland bank logo

lloyds bank logo

533 by 622mm., pen and ink with bodycolour, signed and dated '85, mounted, framed and glazed, some short creases

barclays bank logo

457 by 610mm., pen ink and watercolour, signed, mounted, framed and glazed

hunger

318 by 445mm., pen and ink, signed, mounted, framed and glazed

arm wrestling: ian smith and harold wilson

356 by 457mm., pen and ink, signed and inscribed with title, mounted, framed and glazed

‘it is well to expect the british officials to be on the side of the commonwealth countries they deal with, not of britain’

311 by 483mm., pen and ink, signed, mounted, framed and glazed

‘one day, my son, all this will be yours!’

406 by 324mm., pen and ink, signed, mounted, framed and glazed

usa squeezes ho chi minh

527 by 387mm., pen and ink, signed, mounted, framed and glazed

de gaulle says no

Thompson, Hunter S. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream. New York: Random House, 1971 8vo. Crossed-out ownership inscription to front pastedown. Cloth-backed boards, lettered in silver; shelf wear with some loss at edges, light scratches and damp staining to boards, spine a little faded. Dust jacket; some light spotting and soiling. Collector's slipcase. First edition, signed by the author to the fly leaf, of this radical novel in the gonzo journalism style. Hunter S. Thompson based this quasi-autobiographical novel on his experiences in Las Vegas with the attorney Oscar Zeta Acosta (Doctor Gonzo). The highly stylized illustrations were produced by Ralph Steadman.

View 1 of Lot 1098: Thompson, Hunter S. | “Buy the ticket, take the ride.”

thompson, hunter s. | “buy the ticket, take the ride.”

Original Film Posters 

Artist: Ralph Steadman (b. 1936) Unframed: 41 x 27 in. (104 x 69 cm) This British black comedy was written and directed by Bruce Robinson. The story follows two unemployed substance-abusing actors who escape London life for the weekend, and stay at a cottage owned by Withnail's (Richard E. Grant) eccentric uncle, in order to restore their health. However, a different story unfolds! This was Richard E. Grant's first full-length feature role. The film also stars Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths and Ralph Brown. Withnail and I has become a cult classic.

View 1 of Lot 55: Withnail and I (1987), poster, US

withnail and i (1987), poster, us

Withnail and I (1987) Poster, US Ralph Steadman (b. 1936) Unframed: 41 x 27 in. (104 x 69 cm) To view shipping calculator, please click here

withnail and i (1987) poster, us

Withnail and I (1987) Poster, US Artist: Ralph Steadman (b. 1936) Unframed: 41 x 27 in. (104 x 69 cm) This British black comedy was written and directed by Bruce Robinson. The story follows two unemployed substance-abusing actors who escape London life for the weekend, and stay at a cottage owned by Withnail's (Richard E. Grant) eccentric uncle, in order to restore their health. However, a different story unfolds ! This was Richard E. Grant's first full-length feature role. The film also stars Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths and Ralph Brown. Withnail and I has become a cult classic.

View 1 of Lot 192: Withnail and I (1987) Poster, US

Blixen, K. ("Dinesen, I.") Out of Africa. New York: Random House, 1938, first american edition, original cloth, dust-jacket; together with 2 others--Frazier, C. Cold Mountain. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1997, first trade edition, signed by the author ("Charles Frazier | 10-8-97") on title-page, original black cloth-backed blue boards lettered in gilt on spine, illustrated endpapers, dust-jacket (with John Berendt review sticker laid down)--O'Brian, P. Master and Commander. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1969, first edition, double-page map, original blue cloth lettered in gilt, dust-jacket, slightly bumped at head and foot of spine, minor wear to upper cover--Thompson, H.S. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. New York: Random House, 1971, first edition, illustrations by Ralph Steadman, original black cloth-backed boards with lettering in silver on spine and design in blind on upper cover, dust-jacket; all 8vo (6)

six volumes, including novels adapted into modern films, comprising:

L13404

Lawrence Durrell (Bitter Lemons, inscribed presentation copy; On Seeming to Presume, multiple copies; Quinx, signed; Justine; Prospero's Cell; a record of Durrell reading Greek Poems, an LP of him reading Love Poems), Paul Claudel, George Barker (The View from a Blind I; The Golden Chains; At Thurgarton Church), Thom Gunn, Siegfried Sassoon, William Plomer, Robert Graves, George Moore (Peronnik the Fool, with engravings by Stephen Gooden, 1933, one of 525 copies signed by author and illustrator), Dorothy Wellesley (Jupiter and the Nun, Hogarth Press, 1932, one of 250 copies signed by the author and inscribed to Adelaide Livingstone; Poems of Ten Years, 1934, similarly inscribed); Aldous Huxley (On the Margin, Edward Sackville West's copy with his ownership signature and bookplate) and others; together with two further copies of Poetry in the Making (1967, one of 100 signed by the contributors including Philip Larkin), volumes in the Poetry Europe series, multiple copies of C. Day Lewis's Christmas Eve illustrated by Edward Ardizzone (in the Ariel Poems new series), The Wood Engravings of Robert Gittings (1959), the facsimile edition of T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land (1971), the facsimile edition of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984), The Liverpool Scene (1967, edited by Edward Lucie-Smith), an envelope of issues of Scottish Journal from the early 1950s, and at least one work inscribed to Stanley Eker (Mischa Damjan's Two Cats in America, illustrated by Ralph Steadman, inscribed by the illustrator with an original drawing on the front endpaper)

collection of approximately 100 volumes, chiefly twentieth century, including works by:

Grange Bin 95 South Australia 1981 (1 bt) u. bn, case includes "Rewards of Patience" book and Ralph Steadman print 1982 (1 bt) u. bn 1983 (1 bt) 1984 (1 bt) Label damaged 1985 (1 bt) 1986 (1 bt) 184 6 bts (owc) per lot: £480-620 per lot: US$800-1000

grange bin 95

Comprising 13 franked envelopes with stamps by David Hockney; Joe Tilson; Allen Jones; Edouardo Paolozzi; Ralph Steadman; Derek Boshier; and Christopher Logue; each initialled in ink, from the edition of 250; with two sheets of proof impressions of the Tilson lips and the Paolozzi Spaceman; a block of four un-used Jones stamp out art stamps; three sheets of working proofs for the rare un-published Richard Hamilton Barbara Castle stamp; artists cards; and a quantity of correspondence relating to the project, on various papers in generally good condition (a collection)

an important collection of material relating to the culture carriers - stamp out art project during the 1971 uk postal strike

8vo, first edition, SIGNED AND INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR AND THE ILLUSTRATOR WITH AN ORIGINAL SKETCH, numerous illustrations by Ralph Steadman, original black cloth backed charcoal boards with vignette in blind on upper board, dust-jacket (priced "$5.95"), folding collector’s box; together with a copy of the 1979 Paladin edition signed and inscribed by the author and illustrator with an original sketch, and a copy of the Hungarian 1993 edition, initialled by the author and inscribed by the illustrator with an original sketch (3)

fear and loathing in las vegas. new york: random house, 1971

i) The Great Shark Hunt. New York: Summit Books, 1979, first edition, signed by Steadman, original cloth backed boards, dust-jacket, dust-jacket with label over price and slightly worn at extremities; ii) The Curse of Lono. New York: Bantam Books, 1983, first edition, SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, illustrations by Steadman, original pictorial wrappers; together in collector’s slipcase with a second copy, signed by the illustrator; iii) Screwjack. Santa Barbara: Neville Publishing, 1991, first edition, NUMBER 250 of 300 SIGNED COPIES, WITH AN ORIGINAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR BY RALPH STEADMAN, original cloth; together with another copy, number 235 of 300 copies, inscribed by the author; iv) Better than Sex. New York: Random House, 1994, first edition, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR, original cloth backed boards, dust-jacket, collector’s folding box;  v) Fire in the Nuts. Woody Creek [&c.]: Gonzo International [&c.], 2004, first edition, NUMBER 83 OF 150 COPIES SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR, illustrations by Steadman, original cloth backed pictorial boards; together with 10 others; mostly 8vo (17)

collection of works, all but one, by hunter s. thompson, comprising:

8vo,  first edition, first printing (as stated on the colophon), SIGNED AND INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR, numerous illustrations by Ralph Steadman, original black cloth with skull vignette on upper board, second state dust-jacket (with no white border around image on lower panel), dust-jacket very lightly worn at extremities; together in collector’s folding box with second copy from a later printing signed and inscribed by the author and illustrator; together with a copy of the first British edition, and a copy of the first British paperback edition, signed by the illustrator with an original sketch (4)

Results for "ralph steadman"