Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
CUNNINGHAM, J.V.. The Helmsman. The Colt Press, San Francisco, CA, 1942.
Price: US$125.00 + shipping
Description: First edition. Hardcover. 31 pages. Cunningham's first book, a collection of poems printed in an edition of only 300 copies. A very good plus copy in paper covered boards with printed label affixed to the front panel and with some minor wear to the spine ends and corners. Internally a clean and fresh copy. No dust jacket.
Seller: Jeff Hirsch Books, ABAA, Wadsworth, IL, U.S.A.
CUNNINGHAM, J.V.. The Helmsman. The Colt Press, San Francisco, CA, 1942.
Price: US$125.00 + shipping
Description: First edition. Softcover. 31 pages. Cunningham's first book, a collection of poems printed in an edition of only 300 copies. A very good copy in floral wrappers with yapped edge with some slight chipping to the edges. Internally a clean and fresh copy.
Seller: Jeff Hirsch Books, ABAA, Wadsworth, IL, U.S.A.
Cunningham, J. V.. THE HELMSMAN. The Colt Press, San Francisco, 1942.
Price: US$148.50 + shipping
Description: Stiff paper boards in pasted into wraps of wall paper in a floral design, printed label; 8vo. 31pp. First edition of the poet's first published book, and his first collection of poems (preceded only by a prose rarity that has only appeared for sale in a Peter Howard catalog, and one the bibliographer chose not to include). One of 150 (300 sheets were printed) copies in various formats including a rare cloth issue, and wraps issues (this present copy the primary binding). Only 150 were bound by the press, the other 150 were bound by Swallow Press with another collection. Covers overlap, and thus are turned and a bit worn as usual; still easily very good, interior fine. Gullans A1. Number 2 in the Colt Press Poetry Booklets Series.
Seller: Lorne Bair Rare Books, ABAA, Winchester, VA, U.S.A.
J.V. Cunningham. The Helmsman and The Quest of the Opal. The Colt Press, 1942.
Price: US$150.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Signed by the poet on the title page. Covers shelfworn. A pairing of the poetry collection and The Quest of the Opal, a commentary on the Helmsman. 300 sets of this were printed, of which 150 were bound by Alan Swallow, publisher of the commentary.
Seller: Moe's Books, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.
J. V. Cunningham. The Helmsman and The Quest of the Opal. The Colt Press, 1942.
Price: US$150.00 + shipping
Condition: Fair
Description: 1942; San Francisco; brown cloth covered boards with green titles; covers contain rubbing and shelf wear; cloth on covers is fraying at spine area; corners are bumped; light foxing on interior; author's signature on title page; Interior is clean and unmarked; 8vo - over 7 3/4" to 9 3/4" tall
Seller: A Squared Books (Don Dewhirst), South Lyon, MI, U.S.A.
Cunningham, J. V.. THE HELMSMAN. The Colt Press, San Francisco, 1942.
Price: US$165.00 + shipping
Description: Stiff paper boards in plain gray-green covers, with orange-yellow cover label, printed in black. 8vo. First edition of the poet's first published book, and his first collection of poems (preceded only by a prose rarity that has only appeared for sale in a Peter Howard catalog, and one the bibliographer chose not to include). One of 150 (300 sheets were printed) copies in various formats including a rare cloth issue, and wraps issues on wall paper in a floral design (the primary binding) as well as this plain gray-green variant. Only 150 were bound by the press, the other 150 were bound by Swallow Press with another collection. Covers overlap, and thus are turned and a bit worn as usual; still easily very good. (In removable protective archival covers.) Gullans A1. Number 2 in the Colt Press Poetry Booklets Series.
Seller: Lorne Bair Rare Books, ABAA, Winchester, VA, U.S.A.
Price: US$170.00 + shipping
Description: 31p., very good first edition limited to 300 copies in card-stock covers and green dj affixed, yellow printed title label affixed front cover, signed by the poet on the title page. Colt Press Poetry Booklets: Number 2. Produced in various paper formats and designs with a few hardcovers this is the more common plain green paper covers with label. The Denver poet's second book.
Seller: Bolerium Books Inc., San Francisco, CA, U.S.A.
Cunningham, J. V.. The Helmsman. The Colt Press, San Francisco, 1942.
Price: US$175.00 + shipping
Description: First edition of the author's first published book. One of 300 copies. Octavo. 9¼x6 inches. 31pp. Printed letterpress. Floral-patterned paper (with overlaps) over stiff cardboard, printed paper cover label. Top and bottom edge of overlaps slightly crunched. A fine copy. Number 2 of the Poetry Booklets Series issued by the Colt Press. Cunningham was a highly-regarded American poet and antimodernist literary critic whose poems are full of sorrow and wit. "In 1938 Jane Grabhorn, with W. M. Roth, set up the Colt Press. With the advent of the War the partnership was dissolved and from 1941 all Colt Press books, while designed by Jane, were printed by the Grabhorn Press" [Magee, Fine Printing and Bookbinding from San Francisco: p.17].
Seller: Argonaut Book Shop, ABAA, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A.
CUNNINGHAM, J.V.. The Helmsman.. San Francisco: Colt Press,, 1942.
Price: US$225.00 + shipping
Description: Small 4to. [32 pp]. Very near fine in printed paper-covered boards with light wear along extrems. Pasted-on cover label. One of 300 copies, this issue in printed floral covers. Colt Press Poetry Booklets Number 2.
Seller: Jeff Maser, Bookseller - ABAA, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A.
CUNNINGHAM, J.V.. THE HELMSMAN. Colt Press, San Fraancisco, 1942.
Price: US$325.00 + shipping
Description: Wraps (PB) in very good minus condition with light wear to cover edges and slight chipping to spine. Former owners 3 line inscription inside cover.This is the Colt Press poetry booklet number two 1 of 300 copies.What makes this book so special is it contains a 4 line poem, penned by Cunningham on the FFEP as well as a 16 line poem written by Cunningham on a small piece of paper with a printed signature. 31 pages
Seller: David Gaines, Eureka, CA, U.S.A.
CUNNINGHAM, J.V.. The Helmsman. Colt Press, San Francisco, 1942.
Price: US$450.00 + shipping
Condition: Near Fine
Description: First edition, unrecorded variant binding of horizontal stripes. Octavo. Printed paper over boards with printed blue paper label on the front cover. A trifle rubbed, still fine. One of 300 copies. Cunningham's scarce first book.
Seller: Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc. ABAA, Gloucester City, NJ, U.S.A.
Cunningham, J.V. (James Vincent). The Helmsman. Colt Press, San Francisco, CA, 1942.
Price: US$1000.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: 31pp.; HB quarter-bound red/blk.spotting w/red&gilt; slight rub w/lt.wear on edges; bookplate w/'pucker',ft.endpaper; some lt.tan w/clean,tight pgs. Poetry. "This is Number Two of the Poetry Booklets Series issued by The Colt Press in January, 1942, in an edition of 300 copies." signed by Cunningham
Seller: Xochi's Bookstore & Gallery, truth or consequences, NM, U.S.A.