New York: Bantam Books, 1964-1965. Mass Market Paperbacks. A virtually unique collection of Salinger's complete published works, gathered by a Dartmouth student, with each book individually inscribed to him over Christmas break by the author: "To Michael Groden with good wishes J. D. Salinger Hanover, N.H. Dec. 28, 1966." Catcher in the Rye with extensive underlining and signs of use, the other books in Near Fine condition. All inscribed similarly in red ink on the first leaf. With a signed letter of provenance from Michael Groden and now housed in a custom clamshell case. We could find no other set of Salinger's works all inscribed to the same person either currently for sale or in the auction record.

While attending Dartmouth College from 1965 - 1969, Michael Groden worked as a student assistant at the campus library. A devotee of J.D. Salinger's work, he had been told by Senior Librarians that the author occasionally visited during winter break. Though Groden would himself be home for the holidays, he hoped to get Salinger's autograph; and he left this group of books, his personal copies of Salinger's works, with his colleagues. It was an act of optimism that paid off. On Groden's return to campus, all four of his books were inscribed to him personally by J.D. Salinger. (Item #4140)