92-b - Group of nine books from the personal library of author Peter Benchley, primarily comprising reference works on language, literature, and British history. The collection includes two volumes by Robert Nye, The Late Mr. Shakespeare and Mrs. Shakespeare: The Complete Works, alongside standard reference texts such as Bartlett's Familiar Quotations (Sixteenth Edition), The Oxford Book of Royal Anecdotes, The Oxford Book of Literary Anecdotes, and The Kings and Queens of England. Linguistic and word-study titles include Thereby Hangs a Tale by Charles Earle Funk, Mots d'Heures: Gousses, Rames, and Mrs. Byrne's Dictionary of Unusual, Obscure, and Preposterous Words. A notable association copy is the illustrated edition of The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, which contains a handwritten inscription on the front free endpaper: for dearest Peter with everlasting love from Kate Christmas 2005. Mrs. Shakespeare is also inscribed to Mrs. Turner. The volumes are primarily hardcover with original dust jackets, with some softcover reference works included. Largest: 10 1/4" H x 8" W x 2" D.

Group of nine books from the personal library of author Peter Benchley, primarily comprising reference works on language, literature, and British history. The collection includes two volumes by Robert Nye, The Late Mr. Shakespeare and Mrs. Shakespeare: The Complete Works, alongside standard reference texts such as Bartlett's Familiar Quotations (Sixteenth Edition), The Oxford Book of Royal Anecdotes, The Oxford Book of Literary Anecdotes, and The Kings and Queens of England. Linguistic and word-study titles include Thereby Hangs a Tale by Charles Earle Funk, Mots d'Heures: Gousses, Rames, and Mrs. Byrne's Dictionary of Unusual, Obscure, and Preposterous Words. A notable association copy is the illustrated edition of The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, which contains a handwritten inscription on the front free endpaper: for dearest Peter with everlasting love from Kate Christmas 2005. Mrs. Shakespeare is also inscribed to Mrs. Turner. The volumes are primarily hardcover with original dust jackets, with some softcover reference works included. Largest: 10 1/4" H x 8" W x 2" D. From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940-2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation. Proceeds from the Peter Benchley Collection will benefit five ocean conservation organizations: Peter Benchley Ocean Awards, WildAid, Beneath the Waves, Blue Frontier and Environmental Defense Fund. CONDITION: The collection is in good overall condition. Dust jackets show minor shelf wear, including light scuffing to the surface of Bartlett's Familiar Quotations and The Oxford Book of Royal Anecdotes. The spine of The Oxford Book of Literary Anecdotes displays minor fading. Internal pages appear clean, and bindings are generally tight. Minor edge wear and light bumping to the corners of the dust jackets are present throughout the group. NOTICE TO BIDDERS: The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition. Photos are considered part of the condition report. Complete condition information is available by request, please request no later than 24 hours prior to the auction. All lots are offered and sold "as is", and Willow Auctions will not provide refunds based on condition. Timepiece movements, lighting and electrics have not been tested, and art has not been examined out of the frame unless otherwise stated.