Item 99 is the first American edition of a popular novel made even more popular as a movie. The African Queen, by C.S. Forester, was published in 1935, though most people may better remember the 1951 movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. The plot line involves the coupling of Bogart and Hepburn's characters as they plot to sink a German gunboat on a lake in Africa. This takes place early during the First World War, and the British subjects help their nation in its battle for colonial possessions in Central Africa. They achieve success in an unexpected manner in their mission, and, of course, the British and their allies went on to defeat the Germans in the war. It was the end of Germany as a colonial power in Africa. In time, this would prove to be a mixed blessing, as the British would have to deal with the independence revolutions which would sweep Africa after the Second World War, while the Germans would be freed from this debilitating and lost cause. Sometimes you win by losing. $12,500.

Item 61 is a signed photograph of perhaps South America's greatest writer, Jorge Luis Borges. Borges is shown seated, receiving the gold medal from the Academie Francaise in Paris in 1979. Goldwasser notes that the photograph is "signed shakily" though clearly. Borges can be forgiven. He was 80-years-old and totally blind by then. $1,750.

You may find Thomas Goldwasser Rare Books online at www.goldwasserbooks.com, telephone 415-292-4698.

You may view or search all of the items they offer for sale online through the following link: Books For Sale.