Franklin, Benjamin

Oeuvres.

Paris : Chez Quillau, Esprit, et l'Auteur, 1773.

First French edition of Franklin’s complete works on electricity, based on the fourth and best British edition. Quarto, two volumes bound in one, contemporary calf, illustrated with engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin in his study and twelve full-page plates. In very good condition. Uncommon.

[Goepp, Charles]

E Pluribus Unum. A Political Tract on Kossuth and America.

Philadelphia : Published by F. W. Thomas, 1852.

Rare first edition of Goepp’s criticism of Kossuth. Octavo, bound in full cloth. Deaccessioned from the Library of Congress with the library’s bookplate and stamp to the pastedown. In good condition. Rare.

Armstrong, Neil

Neil Armstrong Signed Delaware Evening Journal.

Wilmington : Delaware Evening Journal, July 21, 1969.

Rare original Delaware Evening Journal featuring the headline “Eagle Jets Safely Off Moon; In Orbit for Rendezvous”, a front page article on the Apollo 11 moon landing, and large photograph of Neil Armstrong collecting dirt on the lunar surface. Boldly signed by Neil Armstrong on his photograph. Below the headline is Armstrong’s famous quote, “That’sContinue reading "Neil Armstrong Signed Delaware Evening Journal."

Jackson, Andrew

Andrew Jackson Signed United States Patent.

Washington D.C. June 22, 1832.

Rare United States Patent signed by Andrew Jackson as the 7th President of the United States. One page, partially printed, the patent is dated June 22, 1832 and is issued to inventor Henry Koon for a fly net. In the nineteenth century, fly nets were protective mesh coverings designed to shield horses from flies andContinue reading "Andrew Jackson Signed United States Patent."

Callender, James Thomson

The American Annual Register, or, Historical Memoirs of the United States, for the Year 1796.

Philadelphia : Printed and Sold by Bioren & Madan, January 19, 1797.

First edition, first issue in book form of Callender’s searing exposé. Octavo, bound in three quarter contemporary calf over marbled boards, morocco spine label lettered in gilt. In very good condition. Housed in a custom cloth chemise and half morocco slipcase. Ownership inscriptions. The first printing of this work is exceedingly scarce as it wasContinue reading "The American Annual Register, or, Historical Memoirs of the United States, for the Year 1796."

Gilman, Charlotte Perkins

Human Work.

New York : McClure, Phillips & Co, 1904.

First edition of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s ground breaking work and what she considered “her greatest work” (New York Times). Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To a friend of mine and of progress, Alva Adams, with good will of the author, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, 1905.” The recipient Alva AdamsContinue reading "Human Work."

Thomas, Isaiah

The History of Printing in America.

Worcester : Isaiah Thomas, 1810.

First edition of this work by the famed printer. Octavo, bound in contemporary sheep, morocco spine labels, illustrated with five engraved plates (four folding). Gift inscription of Thomas’s grandson, Benjamin Franklin Thomas, on each of the front free endpapers, as well as his signature on title page in first volume. Benjamin Franklin Thomas was aContinue reading "The History of Printing in America."

Barton, Clara

The Story of My Childhood.

New York : The Baker & Taylor Co., 1907.

First edition of the founder of the American Red Cross, American Civil War nurse Clara Barton’s childhood memoirs. 12mo, original publisher’s full red sheep with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, frontispiece portrait of Barton. Presentation copy, inscribed by Barton on the half-title page, “To Lena Hubbell Chamberlin [sic], in the truth thatContinue reading "The Story of My Childhood."

Holmes, Jr., Oliver Wendell

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Signed Photograph.

1928.

Autographed photograph of Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, signed and dated February 2, 1932. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 14.5 inches by 13 inches.

The Massachusetts Centinel. Wednesday, October 21, 1789.

Boston : Russell, Benjamin, October 21, 1789.

Number II, of Vol. XII of “the most influential and enterprising paper in Massachusetts after the Revolution”, Benjamin Russell’s Massachusetts Centinel, issued on Wednesday, October 21, 1789 (Hudson, 147). Folio, one page, folded. The issue includes front-page articles on recently enacted acts allowing compensation for Members of the Senate and House of Representatives and theContinue reading "The Massachusetts Centinel. Wednesday, October 21, 1789."

Kramer, Bertha F

“Aunt Babette’s” Home Confectionery.

Chicago and Cincinnati : Bloch Publishing & Printing Co, 1893.

First edition of this early collection of confectionery recipes published as a companion to the author’s first book, Aunt Babette’s Cook Book, the first American Jewish cookbook to become a best-seller in 1889. Also published by Bloch Publishing Company, the oldest Jewish printing house in the United States, Aunt Babette’s Cook Book was perhaps soContinue reading "“Aunt Babette’s” Home Confectionery."

Ward, James

A History of Gold as a Commodity and as a Measure of Value Its Fluctuations both in Ancient and Modern Times with an Estimate of the Probable Supplies from California to Australia.

London : William S. Orr & Co, c. 1850.

First edition of Ward’s extensive survey of gold and gold mining, published at the height of the California Gold Rush. Octavo, original wrappers bound in full goatskin, retaining a section of the hand-colored folding map of the Gold Regions of Victoria and New South Wales. In near fine condition. Ownership inscription to the front panelContinue reading "A History of Gold as a Commodity and as a Measure of Value Its Fluctuations both in Ancient and Modern Times with an Estimate of the Probable Supplies from California to Australia."

Felton, Cornelius C.; [Fred Fraley]; [Ino Welsh]

Centennial International Exhibition Capital Stock Certificate.

Philadelphia : Centennial Board of Finance, 1877.

Rare Centennial International Exhibition lithographic capital stock certificate. Elephant folio, one page, the certificate is dated April 24, 1877 and grants one share of stock in the Centennial Board Finance to Cornelius C. Felton, illustrated with impressive engraved vignettes of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a Native American mourning the progress of industrialization, RomanContinue reading "Centennial International Exhibition Capital Stock Certificate."

[William Tecumseh Sherman]

Journal of the Twentieth Annual Session of the National Encampment Grand Army of the Republic, San Francisco, California.

Washington : Gibson Bros., Printers and Bookbinders, 1886.

First edition of this record of post-war social meetings by members of the army; from the library of General William Tecumseh Sherman. Octavo, original green cloth stamped in blind with gilt titles and military insignia, tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of Commander in Chief S. S. Burdett. General Sherman and his son’s bookplates to the front pastedown.Continue reading "Journal of the Twentieth Annual Session of the National Encampment Grand Army of the Republic, San Francisco, California."

Grant, Ulysses S

Collection of documents signed by President Grant and eight members of his presidential administration.

1860-1891.

A collection of eleven letters and documents signed and hand-written by the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, and eight members of his presidential administration. Contents include a printed warrant for the pardon of John and Jerome Whisonant who were held at the Albany Penitentiary in 1874 signed by Grant, an 1860Continue reading "Collection of documents signed by President Grant and eight members of his presidential administration."

Gardner, Alexander. [Abraham Lincoln]

Abraham Lincoln Portrait.

c. 1860.

Rare original painting of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. After a photograph by Civil War photographer Alexander Gardner. Scottish photographer Alexander Gardner immigrated to the United States in 1856 where he became best known for his photographs of the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln, and the execution of the conspiratorsContinue reading "Abraham Lincoln Portrait."

Paine, Thomas

A Letter Addressed to the Abbe Raynal, on the Affairs of North-America. In Which the Mistakes in the Abbes Account of the Revolution of America Are Corrected and Cleared Up.

London : Printed for J. Ridgway, 1791.

1791 London edition of Paine’s passionate reply to the Abbe Raynal, preceded by the 1782 Philadelphia and London editions Octavo, bound in half diced calf over marbled boards, all edges speckled red. In very good condition. Bookplate to the pastedown. Ownership name to the title page. Rare.

Armstrong, Neil; Robert White

Neil Armstrong and Robert White Signed Photograph.

c. 1960.

Rare photograph of a North American X-15 aircraft signed by Neil Armstrong and Robert White. Color matte photograph of Neil Armstrong, fellow-test pilot Robert White, and four others posing in front of a North American X-15 aircraft. Boldly signed along the lower margin below their figures “Neil Armstrong” and “Robert M. White,” respectively. The groupContinue reading "Neil Armstrong and Robert White Signed Photograph."

Grant, Ulysses S.; Hamilton Fish; Leonard Wood; Joseph Wheeler

Ulysses S. Grant, Hamilton Fish, Leonard Wood and Joseph Wheeler Autographs.

: N.p., [1874-1902].

Autographs of President Ulysses S. Grant, Secretary of State Hamilton Fish, and United States Army Generals Leonard Wood and Joseph Wheeler. Octavo, one page. Signed by Grant, “U. S. Grant.” Additionally signed and dated by Wheeler (“Joseph Wheeler Genl. USA. Apl. 11. 1902″), Wood (Leonard Wood Army Genl USA June 30th 1902”), and Fish (“HamiltonContinue reading "Ulysses S. Grant, Hamilton Fish, Leonard Wood and Joseph Wheeler Autographs."

[Earhart, Amelia]

Amelia Earhart Signed Oldsmobile Girls Club Christmas Party Program.

[Lansing, Michigan] [1928].

Rare original program from the holiday luncheon held for female employees of Olds Motor Works held on December 19th 1928, signed by legendary aviator Amelia Earhart. Octavo, bound in handmade tissue paper with a red ribbon, illustrated with a tipped in portrait of Amelia Earhart. Signed by Earhart in pencil beneath her portrait. In veryContinue reading "Amelia Earhart Signed Oldsmobile Girls Club Christmas Party Program."

Acts of the General Assembly and Journals of the House of Delegates of the State of Virginia, from 1861 to 1863.

1861-63.

Rare collection of the official legislative acts passed by the General Assembly and House of Delegates of Virginia, CSA, from 1861 to 1863. Octavo, seven volumes, bound in contemporary calf and tan cloth. Eleven Confederate imprints, in seven volumes. Rare and desirable.

Ames, Nathaniel. [Benjamin Franklin]

An Astronomical Diary or Almanack, for the Year of Our Lord Christ 1771.

Boston : Printed and Sold by the Printers and Booksellers, [1770].

First edition of Nathaniel Ames’ 1771 Almanack, containing the first known printing of “the most famous of American epitaphs” (Mark Van Doren). 12mo, original wrappers stitched as issued. In very good condition. Housed in a custom cloth chemise and half morocco slipcase. An exceptional example of this scarce early almanac.

Harris, Joel Chandler

Uncle Remus and His Friends: Old Plantation Stories, Songs, and Ballads with Sketches of Negro Character.

Boston and New York : Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1892.

First edition of the fourth collection of “Uncle Remus” tales. Octavo, original pictorial cloth with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, illustrated with frontispiece and 11 plates by A.B. Frost. Presentation copy, inscribed by the illustrator on the flyleaf, “To Doctor Eugene S. Hoyt with the warmest regards of his friend A. B.Continue reading "Uncle Remus and His Friends: Old Plantation Stories, Songs, and Ballads with Sketches of Negro Character."

[Armstrong, Neil]

Neil Armstrong Class of 1947 Signed Yearbook.

Wapakoneta, Ohio : Blume High School Class of 1947, 1947.

Rare Blume High School Class of 1947 yearbook, signed by Neil Armstrong as a graduating senior. Quarto, original leatherette. Signed by Neil Armstrong beneath his senior portrait on page 12 of the yearbook. Armstrong is also featured in a number of additional photographs throughout the book: on page 44 as a Band Officer, page 52Continue reading "Neil Armstrong Class of 1947 Signed Yearbook."