Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Tennessee Williams. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions Books, New York, 1959.
Price: US$19.24 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Red cloth with white titles to spine. Scribbled inscription to free ep. Some edge dusting else very good. Clipped jacket has some edge wear and tear, a little scruffy but complete. Cast list includes Paul Newman. A nice copy in a fair only jacket.
Seller: Neil Holliday, Dymock, United Kingdom
Tennessee Williams. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, New York, U.S.A., 1959.
Price: US$25.55 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Hardback. 1st edition 1959. Clean & tight. book. Neat & brief inscription. Jacket has edge wear. Jacket spine ends have minor loss. Jacket is now under clear removable covers. Dispatched with TRACKING next working day or sooner securely boxed in cardboard. ref O706
Seller: SAVERY BOOKS, Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom
Williams, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, New York, 1959.
Price: US$30.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First printing of first edition. Very Good Minus in like dust jacket. Book is unmarked and in nice shape, but for some browning and light foxing to endpapers. Jacket has several short tears (longest is one-quarter-inch), plus some small chips. Publisher's original price intact on front flap. 114 pages.
Seller: Brazos Bend Books, Houston, TX, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. A New Directions book, New York, 1959.
Price: US$35.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: Hardcover. Soiling to dust jacket, chips head and heal of spine, large closed tear top back panel, small closed tear bottom back panel of dust jacket, toning to spine of dust jacket. Book bright orange.
Seller: Lyons Fine Books, Neenah, WI, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, 1959.
Price: US$40.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: Previous owner name. Title on spine of jacket almost completely faded. $3.25 price on jacket.
Seller: Jay W. Nelson, Bookseller, IOBA, Austin, MN, U.S.A.
Price: US$45.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: [moderately worn, short separation of front cover at bottom of spine (less than one inch), miscellaneous minor creasing to covers]. (B&W/color illustrations, ads, etc.) The highlight of the issue is the first publication of the Williams play. (The original Broadway production, starring Paul Newman and Geraldine Page, had only just opened in March, and the New Directions hardcover edition of the play wasn't published until December.) A small-print notice informs us that "this is the author's original working script and is subject to production changes." Another significant piece contained in this issue is a frank assessment by Richard H. Rovere of John F. Kennedy's Presidential prospects, entitled "Kennedy's Last Chance to be President." Also of interest: a cartoony pictorial essay (by Harvey Kurtzman, of all people) about a visit to Ireland by James Cagney; an article by Sybille Bedford about the 1957 murder trial of Dr. John Bodkin Adams, a sort of condensed version of her book "The Trial of Dr. Adams"; an article looking into the newest advances in the area of genetics; and book reviews by Dorothy Parker, who finds much to admire in three novels, including Romain Gary's "Lady L," and in Ms. Bedford's book about the Adams trial. NOISBN
Seller: ReadInk, ABAA/IOBA, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, [New York], 1959.
Price: US$45.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Orange cloth; dust jacket designed by Dan Shapiro; 8vo; pp. xi, [1], 114, plus b/w frontispiece. Spine-faded dust jacket a bit foxed, but presents nicely in mylar; not price-clipped ($3.25).
Seller: Sanctuary Books, A.B.A.A., New York, NY, U.S.A.
WILLIAMS, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, New York, 1959.
Price: US$45.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: First edition. Offsetting on front endpapers from clippings else near in soiled and spine faded very good or better dust jacket.
Seller: Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc. ABAA, Gloucester City, NJ, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions Books, NY, 1959.
Price: US$50.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: DJ is chipped and scuffed with slightly worn edges. Pgs. are clean & tight. Size: 8vo - 7¾" - 9¾" Tall
Seller: Top Notch Books, Tolar, TX, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, New York, 1959.
Price: US$50.00 + shipping
Description: Red cloth, fine in slightly faded dust jacket.
Seller: Thomas A. Goldwasser Rare Books (ABAA), CHESTER, CT, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee.. SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH. NEW DIRECTIONS NY 1959, NY, 1959.
Price: US$50.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: VG/VG-light dustsoil, and edgwear to dj.
Seller: Abracadabra Books 50% Off Sale!, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
WILLIAMS, Tennessee.. Sweet Bird of Youth.. New Directions,, NY:, 1959.
Price: US$50.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: First edition. Very good in a very good (title lettering faded out along the spine, minor edge wear with a few short closed edge tears) dust jacket.
Seller: Grendel Books, ABAA/ILAB, Springfield, MA, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, New York, 1959.
Price: US$60.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Orange cloth with white titles on spine. Some light edge and corner wear, with a Christmas gift inscription from "Anne and Frank" on the ffep. Book is square and securely bound. The jacket is white with orange and lavender title and a black illustration with diagonal orange line. Cover art by Dan Shapiro. The jacket has edge and corner wear including a small closed tear on the back top and minor damage at spine ends. The spine has the usual fading, though in this case the title is almost unreadable; Williams name, however, is clear. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 114 pages; One of Williams' masterpieces.
Seller: The Ridge Books, Calhoun, GA, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee.. SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH. NEW DIRECTIONS NY 1959, NY, 1959.
Price: US$63.75 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: VG VG-SLIGHTLY SOILED
Seller: Abracadabra Books 50% Off Sale!, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee.. SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH. NEW DIRECTIONS NY 1959, NY, 1959.
Price: US$63.75 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: VG VG-SLIGHTLY SOILED
Seller: Abracadabra Books 50% Off Sale!, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee.. SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH. NEW DIRECTIONS NY 1959, NY, 1959.
Price: US$63.75 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: VG VG-SLIGHTLY SOILED
Seller: Abracadabra Books 50% Off Sale!, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, 1959.
Price: US$64.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Publisher: New Directions, New York, 1959. FINE- hardcover book in NEAR FINE+ mylar-protected dust-jacket. Tiny closed tear at bottom of DJ's rear panel. DJ's spine lightly faded. Not remainder marked. Not price-clipped ($3.25). First Edition, First Printing.
Seller: Glands of Destiny First Edition Books, Sedro Woolley, WA, U.S.A.
Tennessee Williams. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, 1959.
Price: US$75.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Tennessee Williams - Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions (1959). First Edition. Hardcover. VG; light bump at top of spine, red bleed from cloth at bottom of endpaper. In a VG jacket; large chip at back panel, sunned spine, rubbing. See images. Basis for the 1962 film directed by Richard Brooks and starring Paul Newman and Geraldine Page. Enclosed in archival quality mylar cover.
Seller: Savage Lotus Books, ATHENS, GA, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee. Sweet bird of youth. New Directions, New York, 1959.
Price: US$100.00 + shipping
Description: Octavo in white DJ, 114 pages, b&w illustrations ; 22 cm. American drama -- 20th century. || A masseur-gigolo takes a has-been actress from Hollywood to his home in the South, believing that her money and faded glamour might help him achieve a life-long dream. || DJ protected in archival mylar sleeve. Extremely mild rubbing to spine foot, spine titling partly sunned and faded; extremely faint soiling to spine head, extremely gentle rubbing to rear corners, very bright pages in tight binding, very small tear to rear-top edge to DJ, extremely light soiling to DJ, extremely mild rubbing to DJ spine head and DJ front-rear edge, else Near Fine(+) in Very Good to about Very Good(+) DJ. First edition (presumed; no earlier dates stated).
Seller: BIBLIOPE by Calvello Books, Oakland, CA, U.S.A.
WILLIAMS, TENNESSEE. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, New York, 1959.
Price: US$112.18 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Orange cloth covered boards with white lettering to spine. Black and white frontispiece. Dustjacket shows dustsoil, with some mild paper loss to the outer corners and head and heel of spine panel. Spine panel faded.
Seller: Karol Krysik Books ABAC/ILAB, IOBA, PBFA, Toronto, ON, Canada
Williams, Tennessee. SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH. New Directions, New York, 1959.
Price: US$115.00 + shipping
Description: Octavo, 114 pages. In Good plus condition with Good minus dust jacket. Off White spine with black text. Dust jacket is protected by mylar covering and has sunning to spine, chipping to spine edges, and damp staining to spine on inside and outside. Textblock has damp staining to bottom corner of first few pages, writing in pen on front endpaper, and marking in pencil on some pages. Shelved Room A. 1374358. Special Collections.
Seller: Second Story Books, ABAA, Rockville, MD, U.S.A.
WILLIAMS, Tennessee. SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH. New Directions, NY, 1959.
Price: US$121.00 + shipping
Description: 8vo, pp. 114. Frontis painting of stage setting. A nice copy in some soiled dj.that lacks a 1 inch piece at the top of the spine, top edge of flap clipped, price is here. A play.
Seller: Second Life Books, Inc., Lanesborough, MA, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, New York, 1959.
Price: US$125.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: Book has only very light, almost unnoticeable, wear. About fine. Jacket has some light age-toning on surfaces and a somewhat sunned spine. VG to VG+. This is one of Williams' group of dramatic masterpieces. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 114 pages
Seller: The Ridge Books, Calhoun, GA, U.S.A.
WILLIAMS, TENNESSEE. SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH. NEW YORK NY NEW DIRECTIONS BOOK PUB 1959., 1959.
Price: US$125.00 + shipping
Description: F/VG. D.J.HAS A COUPLE OF SHORT EDGE TEARS WITH A SMALL HOLE ON THE FRONT PANEL, ORANGE AND ROSE COLORS OF THE SPINE PANEL FADED BUT STILL VISIBLE, AND SMALL FAINT DAMP STAIN AT THE TOP FORE-EDGE CORNERS. A VERY NICE COPY. FIRST EDITION.
Seller: JOHN LUTSCHAK BOOKS, BURLINGTON, WI, U.S.A.
Tennessee Williams. Sweet Bird of Youth (First Edition). New Directions, New York, 1959.
Price: US$150.00 + shipping
Description: First Edition. Basis for the 1962 film directed by Richard Brooks and starring Paul Newman and Geraldine Page. Near Fine in a Very Good plus dust jacket. Jacket spine panel lightly faded, with a short closed tear to the center left edge of the front panel.
Seller: Royal Books, Inc., ABAA, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
WILLIAMS, Tennessee. SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH. New Directions, 1959.
Price: US$179.00 + shipping
Description: 8vo, pp. 114. The cloth binding is very nice, in nice dj. However, dj flap was taped to pastedown, leaving tape marks on inner cover, inner dj and on flyleaf.
Seller: Second Life Books, Inc., Lanesborough, MA, U.S.A.
WILLIAMS, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, New York, 1959.
Price: US$200.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First edition. One tiny, faint spot else fine in spine-faded else near fine dustwrapper.
Seller: Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc. ABAA, Gloucester City, NJ, U.S.A.
WILLIAMS, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, New York, 1959.
Price: US$250.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First edition. Faint, barely visible stain at the foot, else fine in spine faded very good or better dust jacket with a corresponding faint stain. Carl Van Vechten's copy with his bookplate on the front pastedown.
Seller: Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc. ABAA, Gloucester City, NJ, U.S.A.
WILLIAMS, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, New York, 1959.
Price: US$350.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: First edition. Fine in very near fine dust jacket with a tiny tear on the front panel but without the usual spine fading.
Seller: Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc. ABAA, Gloucester City, NJ, U.S.A.
Williams, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, 1959, 1959.
Price: US$1200.00 + shipping
Description: 1st edition, first printing SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR on the front free endpaper Near fine/near fine (a beautiful copy of one of his best plays; not price-clipped; no owner markings; miraculously, the dj spine is not faded at all)
Seller: Reed's Rare Books, Palm Springs, CA, U.S.A.
WILLIAMS, Tennessee. Sweet Bird of Youth.. New York: New Directions, 1959., 1959.
Price: US$1250.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: FIRST EDITION INSCRIBED. 1 vol., hardcover, with the DJ, not price clipped, inscribed by Tennessee on the front blank endleaf "for Lanford Love "Ariadne"", with Lanford Wilson's stamp to the upper left corner, VG/VG. Ariadne is a character in Tennessee Williams' work - Adam and Eve on a Ferry. Lanford Wilson's copy. Lanford developed an interest in acting and performed in his high school plays, including the role of Tom in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams which is when he said "was then I fell in love with theater". Lanford said he remembers the first time he met Tennessee Williams in the early 1960's although he'd prefer not to. In 1969, Lanford was hired for $5,000 to adapt Tennessee Williams' short story One Arm, about a male hustler, into a screenplay. The day after he finished the screenplay, he was invited to a preview of Midnight Cowboy, and after seeing the film thought 'there went that idea down the drain'". Lanford went on to write the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “The Rimers of Eldritch.”
Seller: D&D Galleries - ABAA, Somerville, NJ, U.S.A.
WILLIAMS, Tennessee. [Publisher's Galleys]: Sweet Bird of Youth. New Directions, [New York, 1959.
Price: US$4500.00 + shipping
Condition: Fine
Description: A collection of galleys of the first edition of the Tennessee Williams' *Sweet Bird of Youth* from the collection of Edwin Erbe, former publicity director for New Directions. The galleys are composed of both narrow tall folio pages with long unbroken text and oblong folio sheets with each containing four pages. All with printed rectos only, and one composed on onion skin sheets. A bit of wear at the edges of some sheets, a few of small isolated dampstains, and a couple sheets trimmed by the printer, near fine. A group of three in-house galleys of the first edition of this Williams play, first published by New Directions. The galleys have a few of corrections and scattered printer's note, such as the late addition of a stage manager credit. These three complete galleys are accompanied by two additional partial galleys. The original Broadway production of Williams's play about a gigolo and drifter who returns to his hometown as the traveling companion of a faded film star was directed by Elia Kazan and starred Paul Newman and Geraldine Page. All surviving galleys from this era are scarce with only a handful of copies being produced. We have not encountered other such copies and considering the source, suspect this represent all that survive.
Seller: Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc. ABAA, Gloucester City, NJ, U.S.A.