Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov (also known by his pen name Vladimir Sirin) was a Russian-born writer, entomologist and political contributor. Although Nabokov's first novels were published and written in Russian, he was soon recognized internationally. He is also a well-known chess master. Nabokov's most renown novel is Lolita, written in 1955. Lolita is also considered his finest English novel. Nabokov's writing style portrays his love of intricate word play and synesthetic detailrevered by his audience.
This novel's collectability is apparent through its number four ranking on the Modern Library's 100 Best Novels list. Rarelibrary.com has an eclectic collection of rare Nabokov finds including a pristine condition copy of Lolita published by Olympia Press in France around 1958Heritage Auctions has a similar unique find of Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita published by Olympia Press in Paris in 1955. This book is a first edition; first issue (from Lot: 36179) which sold for $3,250.00 on April 11, 2012. The UK published editions from 1959 with black textured paper covered boards stamped in silver sell for considerably less. In contrast, a first edition, fourth printing version of the renowned novel sells for significantly less, highlighting the value of first printings versus later ones.
Another novel written by Nabokov, Ada, or Ardor: A Family Chronicle (1969) is currently available from Abebooks for $55,000. This dedicated copy was signed and inscribed for Vera (Nabokov's wife) with a delicately drawn color butterfly sketched by Nabokov himself. The uniqueness of this edition qualifies it as a valuable collection piece. Speak Memory (1966), a memoir of Nabokov's life from childhood to the moment he escapes France weeks before the 1940 German invasion has been estimated for roughly $26,000 to $50,190 through Christie's Auction House in New York in 2002. Christie's has also held auctions for Nabokov's Pnin (1957), a comic novel reflective of human nature during cruel times estimated at between $4,686 - $7,810. Nabokov's literary talent has produced a legacy of great works, astounding reads and valuable collectibles
Nabokov, Vladimir. Konig Dame Bube. Berlin, Ullstein (1930).
Nabokov, Vladimir. La Course Du Fou. Paris,Univers, A Fayard, 1934. (1934). 75 copies; Translated into French from the original Russian by Denis Roche; Seven-page introduction by Andre Levinson
Nabokov, Vladimir. CAMERA OBSCURA. Wahlstrom and Widstrand, Stockholm (1935).
Nabokov, Vladimir. CAMERA OBSCURA. John Long, London (1936). with DESPAIR; Translated from the Russian by Winifred Roy and the first translation of any of Nabokov's books into English
Nabokov, Vladimir. Despair. John Long, London (1937). Translated from the Russian by the author.
Nabokov, Vladimir. Laughter in the Dark. Bobbs, Merrill, Indianapolis (1938).
Nabokov, Vladimir. The Real Life Of Sebastion Knight. New Directions, Norfolk (1941). 750 copies.
Nabokov, Vladimir. Nikolai Gogol. New Directions (1944). The Makers of Modern Literature; translated By Dmitri Nabokov in Collaboration with the author; First State with five titles to advertisement page and four titles to rear flap of the Alvin Lustig designed dustwrapper which is also first state with the $1.50 price unclipped
Nabokov, Vladimir. Three Russian Poets. New Directions, Norfolk (1944). Selections from Pushkin,Lermontov,and Tyutchev in New Translations By Vladimir Nabokov
Nabokov Vladimir. The Real Life of Sebastian Knight. Editions Poetry, London (1945).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Bend Sinister. Henry Holt and Company, New York (1947). A novel of man under the tyrant state.
Nabokov, Vladimir. Nine Stories. New Directions, New York (1947). Direction Two
Nabokov, Vladimir. Conclusive Evidence. Harper and Brothers, New York (1951).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Speak, Memory. Gollancz, London (1951).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Lolita. Olympia Press, Paris (1955). 5000 copies printed.
Nabokov, Vladimir. Lolita. Putnam (1955).
Vladimir Nabokov. L?Affaire Lolita. Olympia Press, Paris (1957). F. W. Dupee, Jean Desternes, Daniel Becourt; 5000 copies printed.
Nabokov, Vladimir. Pnin. Doubleday (1957).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Pnin. Heinemann, London (1957).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Lolita. G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York (1958).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Lolita. Olympia Press, Jerusalem (1958). 2 volumes; 1000 copies printed.
Nabokov, Vladimir. Lolita. Olympia Press, Paris (1958).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Nabokov's Dozen. Doubleday, New York (1958).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Nabokov's Dozen. Garden City, Doubleday and Company (1958).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Invitiation to a Beheading. G. P. Putnam, New York (1959).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Lolita. Weidenfield and Nicolson, London (1959).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Lolita. Olympia Press, Paris (1959).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Poems. Doubleday and Company, Garden City (1959). Drawings by Robin Jacques.
Nabokov, Vladimir. The Song of Igor's Campaign. Weidenfeld and Nicolson, London (1961). An Epic of the Twelfth Century; Translated from the Old Russian by Vladimir Nabokov
Nabokov, Vladimir. Pale Fire. Putnam, New York (1962).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Pale Fire. Weidenfeld and Nicolson, London (1962).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Notes on Prosody. Bollingen Foundation, New York (1963). From the Commentary to His Translation of Pushkin's Eugene Onegin; 200 copies
Nabokov, Vladimir. The Gift. G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York (1963). Translated by Michael Scammell in collaboration with the author who provides a new Foreword.
Nabokov, Vladimir. The Gift. Weidenfeld and Nicolson, London (1963). According to the author the first chapter was translated by his son Dimitri, the other four by Michael Scammel, and allcarefully revised by Nabokov
Pushkin, Aleksandr. Eugene Onegin. Bollingen Fountation, New York (1964). A Novel in Verse; Four Volume Set in Slipcase; Translation and Commentary by Vladimir Nabokov
Nabokov, Vladimir. Despair. G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York (1966).
Nabokov, Vladimir. King,Queen,Knave. McGraw-Hill, New York (1968). Translated from the Russian by Dmitri Nabokov in collaboration with the author
Nabokov, Vladimir. Ada. Weidenfeld and Nicolson, London (1969). or Ardor: A Family Chronicle.
Nabokov, Vladimir. Poems and Problems. McGraw-Hill, New York (1970). Thirty-nine Russian poems with English translations, fourteen poems in English, eighteen chess problems with solutions, and a bibliography
Nabokov, Vladimir. Nabokov. Viking Adult (1971). Page Stegner
Nabokov, Vladimir. Poems and Problems. Weidenfeld and Nicolson, London (1972).
Pushkin, Aleksandr. Eugene Onegin. Routledge Kegan Paul, London (1975). A Novel in Verse; Nabokov, Vladimir (trans.)