Journal of the United States In Congress Assembled: Containing the Proceedings From the Sixth Day of November, 1786, to the Fifth Day of November, 1787. Volume XII.

New York : Published by Order of Congress, 1787.

Rare first edition of Vol. VII of the Journal of Congress; containing the first official Congressional Journal publication of the proposed Constitution of the United States. Octavo, original boards. Contains the first Congressional Journal publications of the proposed United States Constitution (pp. 149-166) and the Northwest Ordinance (pp. 85-93). In very good condition. Small lossContinue reading "Journal of the United States In Congress Assembled: Containing the Proceedings From the Sixth Day of November, 1786, to the Fifth Day of November, 1787. Volume XII."

Chesterfield, Lord. [Alexander Hamilton; Elizabeth Hamilton]

Lord Chesterfield’s Letters.

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Eighteenth century printing of Lord Chesterfield’s Letters from the library of Alexander Hamilton with his wife, Elizabeth’s ownership signature. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt ruling to the spine, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Signed by Elizabeth Hamilton on the first page of text. In good condition. Rare and desirable, booksContinue reading "Lord Chesterfield’s Letters."

Nott, Charles C

Sketches of the War: A Series of Letters to the North Moore Street School of New York.

New York : Anson D. F. Randolph, 1865.

Second edition of Charles Cooper Nott Sr.’s Civil War memoir. Octavo, original cloth decorated in gilt, top edge gilt. In very good condition.

Sherman, William T

Memoirs of William T. Sherman.

New York : D. Appleton and Company, 1875.

First edition of this memoir from one of the most well regarded generals, “oft-consulted and much-quoted reminiscences … Sherman wrote as he fought; dynamically and bluntly” (Nevins II, 89). Octavo, bound in publishers three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by General Sherman three times: on theContinue reading "Memoirs of William T. Sherman."

Boorstin, Daniel [William Safire]

United States Constitution.

Cambridge : Welch, Bigelow, and Company, 1987.

First edition of the Constitution published for the bicentennial of its adoption in 1787. Octavo, original wrappers. Association copy, inscribed by Daniel Boorstin on the title page, “For Bill and Helene with love from Dan Sept 7, 1987.” The recipient, William Safire was an important American author, columnist, journalist, and presidential speechwriter and a closeContinue reading "United States Constitution."

King Jr., Martin Luther

Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story.

London : Victor Gollancz, 1958.

First British edition of Dr. Martin Luther King’s first book. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Foreword by Trevor Huddleston.

Day, Thomas

Reflections Upon the Present State of England, and the Independence of America.

London : Printed for J. Stockdale, 1783.

Third edition of Day’s important treatise on American Independence. Octavo, bound in paper wrappers. In very good condition. Uncommon in this condition.

[Tucker, Josiah]

A Series of Answers to Certain Popular Objections, Against Separating from the Colonies, and Discarding Them Entirely: Being the Concluding Tract of the Dean of Glocester, on the Subject of American Affairs.

London : Printed by R. Raikes and Sold by T. Cadell, 1776.

First and only edition of this important Revolutionary tract in which Tucker advocates granting the colonies independence. Octavo, bound in paper wrappers. Sabin 97360. In very good condition with restoration to the extremities of the first few leaves.

Johnson, Lyndon B. [

Selected Presidential Addresses of Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965.

[Washington, D.C.] 1965.

Fine collection of the major addresses of the 36th president of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson. Octavo, 8 volumes, original wrappers. Laid in is a typed letter on White House letterhead signed by Johnson’s Special Assistant W. Marvin Watson which reads in full: December 10, 1965 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Finn: As historians beginContinue reading "Selected Presidential Addresses of Lyndon B. Johnson, 1965."

[Shaw, Robert Gould; Ralph Waldo Emerson; Harriet Beecher Stowe; James Russell Lowell; et al]

Memorial.

Cambridge : University Press, 1864.

First edition of this scarce volume dedicated to the commander of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Robert Gould Shaw, with contributions by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Harriet Beecher Stowe, William Lloyd Garrison, Edwin M. Stanton, and James Russell Lowell and with extracts from Colonel Shaw’s letters. Octavo, original publisher’s half leather over red boards with giltContinue reading "Memorial."

[Beecher, Henry Ward; Newman Hall; Dwight L. Moody; Charles Spurgeon; Henry van Dyke; et al]

19th and 20th Century American Clergymen Autograph and Signed Letter Collection.

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Extensive collection of over forty cards and letters signed by a number of prominent 19th and 20th century American Clergymen including Henry Ward Beecher, Henry van Dyke, Charles Spurgeon, and Dwight L. Moody. The collection includes: an autograph letter dated January 25 1866 signed by Henry War Beecher; four typed letters and on autograph letterContinue reading "19th and 20th Century American Clergymen Autograph and Signed Letter Collection."

Morrison’s Strangers Guide and Etiquette, For Washington City and Its Vicinity.

Washington : W. H. & O. H. Morrison, 1862.

Fifth edition of Morrison’s classic American etiquette guide. Octavo, original cloth elaborately stamped in blind with gilt titles to the front panel. Illustrated with wood and steel engravings, entirely re-written and brought down to the present time. In near fine condition. Ownership inscriptions.

[Washington, George]

A Funeral Oration in Honor of the Memory of George Washington. Late General of the Armies of the United States.

Philadelphia : Hall & Sellers, January 15, 1800.

Exceedingly rare first appearance in print of Washington’s Funeral Oration, featured on the front page of the Wednesday, January 15 1800 issue of the Pennsylvania Gazette. Folio, four pages, the headline reads, “A Funeral Oration in Honor of the Memory of George Washington. Late General of the Armies of the United States. Prepared and DeliveredContinue reading "A Funeral Oration in Honor of the Memory of George Washington. Late General of the Armies of the United States."

Bentsen, Lloyd Millard [Jimmy Carter]

Lloyd Millard Bentsen Autograph Letter Archive.

1981-1985.

Rare archive of autograph letters, photographs, and commemorative stamp folios from the collection of former United States Secretary of the Treasury Lloyd Millard Bentsen. The archive includes a photograph of Bentsen with Jimmy Carter, inscribed by Carter to him, “Thanks & best wishes to my good friend Lloyd Bentsen – Jimmy Carter 2-21-80”, two autographContinue reading "Lloyd Millard Bentsen Autograph Letter Archive."

Muir, John

John Muir Periodical Collection.

: Various Publishers, 1872-1977.

Rare collection of periodicals containing first and early appearances of articles by or about John Muir. Octavo, 20 volumes, original illustrated wrappers. The collection includes: The Overland Monthly. Volume 9, No. 6, Number 43 [John H. Carmany & Co., San Francisco, December 1872] which contains Muir’s “Living Glaciers of California”; The Overland Monthly. Volume 13,Continue reading "John Muir Periodical Collection."

Franklin, Dr. Benjamin

Chess Made Easy. New and Comprehensive Rules for Playing the Game of Chess.

Philadelphia : James Humphrey, 1802.

First edition of the earliest known book on chess printed in America. 32mo,bound in half leather over marbled boards, illustrated with engraved frontispiece. In very good condition with some rubbing to the extremities, frontispiece repaired, title-page repaired and dampstained. An exceptional rarity, with only one example appearing at auction in the last 75 years.

[George Washington]

George Washington Marble Bust.

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Rare marble bust of George Washington depicted as general. The entire piece measures 12.5 inches by 10.5 inches.  

Muir, John

Travels in Alaska.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1915.

First edition of the author’s classic work. Octavo, original grey cloth lettered in white, color illustrated paper cover label, top edge gilt. Illustrated with several plates from photographs, including frontispiece with tissue-guard. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket with a small chip to the front panel.

Fanning, David

The Narrative of Colonel David Fanning: (A Tory in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain): Giving an Account of His Adventures in North Carolina, From 1775 to 1783 as Written by Himself, with an Introduction and Explanatory Notes.

Richmond, VA : Printed for Private Distribution Only, 1861.

First edition of the first book printed in the Confederacy. Quarto, original stiff paper wrappers, one of approximately 50 copies issued on regular paper. Ten being issued on thick paper, and twenty copies destroyed in a fire. In very good condition, reinforcement to the hinges. Housed in a custom full morocco clamshell box. Howes F26.Continue reading "The Narrative of Colonel David Fanning: (A Tory in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain): Giving an Account of His Adventures in North Carolina, From 1775 to 1783 as Written by Himself, with an Introduction and Explanatory Notes."

Washington, George; John Adams; Thomas Jefferson; James Madison; James Monroe; John Quincy Adams; Andrew Jackson; Martin Van Buren; William Henry Harrison; John Tyler; James Polk; Zachary Taylor; Millard Fillmore; Franklin Pierce; James Buchanan; Abraham Lincoln; Andrew Johnson; Ulysses S. Grant; Rutherford B. Hayes; James Garfield; Chester A. Arthur; Grover Cleveland; William McKinley; Theodore Roosevelt; William H. Taft; Woodrow Wilson; Warren G. Harding; Calvin Coolidge; Herbert Hoover; Franklin D. Roosevelt; Harry Truman; Dwight D. Eisenhower

Autographs of the Presidents of the United States of America.

1783-1956.

Elaborately bound collection of Presidential autographs, containing the autograph of each of the first 34 Presidents of the United States from George Washington to Dwight D. Eisenhower. Quarto, bound in full red morocco by Riviere & Son with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt presidential sealContinue reading "Autographs of the Presidents of the United States of America."

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.

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano; Winston S. Churchill. [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow]

Sail On, O Ship of State! The Longfellow Verse in Mr. Roosevelt’s Message to Mr. Churchill.

: Raphael Tuck & Sons, Ltd., [1941].

Rare lithographic broadside signed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt as the thirty-second President of the United States and Winston S. Churchill as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the Atlantic Conference; one of only two known examples of this broadside specially printed at Churchill’s direction and signed by both world leaders at their first wartimeContinue reading "Sail On, O Ship of State! The Longfellow Verse in Mr. Roosevelt’s Message to Mr. Churchill."

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."

[Jefferson, Thomas]

Second Congress of the United States: At the First Session, begun and held at the City of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, on Monday the twenty-fourth of October one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one. An Act to extend the Time limited for settling the Accounts of the United States with the Individual States.

Philadelphia : Childs & Swaine, 1792.

Scarce printing of an early United States law providing for the funding of the national debt, signed by Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Folio, one page. The document, which also carries the printed signatures of President George Washington, Vice President John Adams, and House Speaker Jonathan Trumbull, was approved January 23, 1792. Individual actsContinue reading "Second Congress of the United States: At the First Session, begun and held at the City of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, on Monday the twenty-fourth of October one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one. An Act to extend the Time limited for settling the Accounts of the United States with the Individual States."