Rigaud, John Francis. [Leonardo Da Vinci]

A Treatise on Painting, by Leonardo Da Vinci. Faithfully Translated from the Original Italian, and Now First Digested Under Proper Heads.

London : Printed for J. Taylor, 1802.

First edition thus of English painter and Royal Academician John Francis Rigaud’s English translation of Leonardo da Vinci’s Treatise on Painting, compiled from manuscripts written during his lifetime, but only first published in Italian in 1651. Octavo, bound in three quarter contemporary calf over marbled boards with gilt ruling to the spine, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, illustratedContinue reading "A Treatise on Painting, by Leonardo Da Vinci. Faithfully Translated from the Original Italian, and Now First Digested Under Proper Heads."

Pope Pius XI. (Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti)

Pope Pius XI Hand-Illuminated Benediction Signed.

c. 1930.

Rare hand-illuminated apostolic benediction signed by Pope Pius XI with a circular portrait of him. The blessing in elaborate script reads, “Most Holy Father, Margaret, Katherine, Regina, John, Leo and Charles Lougrhan, humbly prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness beg one special blessing.” Signed by the pope at the conclusion, “Pope PP. XI.” InContinue reading "Pope Pius XI Hand-Illuminated Benediction Signed."

Langner, Lawrence [John Steinbeck]

The Importance of Wearing Clothes.

New York : Hastings House Publishers, 1959.

First edition of this entertaining history of clothing and its impact on the human condition. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. The dedication copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To John Steinbeck-whose interest in the book when half written encouraged me to complete it. And to Elaine Steinbeck with love to youContinue reading "The Importance of Wearing Clothes."

Venturi, Robert; Introduction by Vincent Scully

Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture.

New York : The Museum of Modern Art, 1966.

First edition of this essential document of architectural literature. Octavo, original gray cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Robert Venturi who has added a drawing of his mother’s house on the dedication page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Introduction by Vincent Scully.

Breuer, Marcel

Marcel Breuer Signed Photograph.

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Black and White photograph taken by Pach Brothers of architect Marcel Breuer. Boldly signed by Breuer on the lower left. In fine condition. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 16.8 inches by 21 inches. Rare and desirable.

Catlin, George W

North American Indians: Being Letters and Notes on Their Manners, Customs, and Conditions, Written During Eight Years’ Travel Amongst the Wildest Tribes of Indians in North America, 1832-1839.

London : Published by the Author, 1841.

First edition, first issue of this detailed anthropological history. Royal octavo, two volumes, original publisher’s cloth, frontispiece, with 400 black and white illustrations carefully engraved from the author’s original paintings by Catlin, three maps, and errata slip present at the front of the first volume. In very good condition.

Schulz, Charles M

Christmas Is Together-Time.

San Francisco : Determined Productions, 1964.

First edition of this early work by the creator of Peanuts. Duodecimo, original pictorial boards, illustrated. Boldly signed by Charles M. Schulz on the front free endpaper. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Book design by Jim Young. Rare and desirable signed.

Schulz, Charles M

Snoopy: Not Your Average Dog.

San Francisco : Collins Publishers, 1996.

First edition, signed limited issue of the author’s special dedication to the beloved Peanuts character. Quarto, original illustrated boards, decorative endpapers, illustrated, ribbon bound in. Signed by the author on the limitation page. One of 2,000 copies signed by the author and with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. With the original 3-D glasses tucked intoContinue reading "Snoopy: Not Your Average Dog."

Kane, Bob

Bob Kane Signed Original Batman Sketch.

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Rare original Batman sketch signed by cartoonist and co-creator Bob Kane. One page, lightweight off-white cardstock, in fine point black marker. Sketch of Batman in his superhero suit and wearing his iconic bat cowl. Boldly signed by Bob Kane underneath. In fine condition. The piece measures 4 inches by 6 inches.

Tibbets, Paul W

Paul Tibbets Signed B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay Model.

Philippines .

Rare limited edition B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay model on stand. Hand painted 1/72 scale model of the Enola Gay with a 23.5 inch wingspan and accompanied by four attachable propellors, each measuring approximately 2.5 inches in length. Boldly signed by Paul Tibbets on the stand’s metal plaque, “Paul Tibbets, Pilot 6 Aug. 1945.” In nearContinue reading "Paul Tibbets Signed B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay Model."

Kipling, Rudyard

Collected Verse of Rudyard Kipling.

New York : Doubleday, Page & Co, 1910.

Signed limited edition of the collected verse of Rudyard Kipling, beautifully illustrated by W. Heath Robinson. Quarto, bound in three quarters crushed levant morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, top edge gilt with others untrimmed, illustrated by W. Heath Robinson with nine mounted color plates. One of one hundred andContinue reading "Collected Verse of Rudyard Kipling."

Knight, Hilary

Hilary Knight Original Vanity Fair Watercolor Illustration.

.

Rare original watercolor fashion illustration by American artist Hilary Knight for Vanity Fair. Knight was flown to Paris by Vanity Fair in 2006 to attend Paris Fashion Week, where he illustrated models from Armani, Dior, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix and Riccardo Tischi. The present illustration features model Maria Carla, Givenchy designer Riccardo Tischi’s muse. In fine condition. DoubleContinue reading "Hilary Knight Original Vanity Fair Watercolor Illustration."

[Washington; George; Benjamin Franklin]

The Apotheosis of Franklin and Washington Printed Textile.

c. 1785-1790.

Rare copperplate-printed toile fragment from the popular eighteenth-century English pattern “The Apotheosis of Franklin and Washington.” The fragment features a copper-plate printed portrait of Benjamin Franklin in academic robes and his famous cap after the famed 1777 portrait of him by Jean-Baptiste holding the ends of a banner reading “Where liberty dwells there is myContinue reading "The Apotheosis of Franklin and Washington Printed Textile."

Aarons, Slim

A Wonderful Time: An Intimate Portrait of the Good Life.

New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1974.

First edition of Slim Aarons’ masterpiece, a portrait of the glamour, luxury and exclusivity of the elite during the 1950s and 60s which remains without peer to this day. Folio, original blue cloth, profusely illustrated with photographs by Slim Aarons, many full-page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Bookplate of Joyce Allen to theContinue reading "A Wonderful Time: An Intimate Portrait of the Good Life."

Albers, Josef. [Henri Cartier-Bresson]

Despite Straight Lines.

New Haven : Yale University Press, 1961.

First edition of this work by the famed artist. Octavo, original boards. Association copy, inscribed by the author to Henri Cartier-Bresson, “For Henry Cartier-Bresson Josef Albers May 20, ‘68.” Cartier-Bresson was working for Magnum Photographers when he photographed Josef Albers at his home in Connecticut in May of 1968. An outstanding association copy, linking Albers,Continue reading "Despite Straight Lines."

Janssonius, Johannes

Rare Johannes Janssonius Map of Le Maine.

Amsterdam 1668.

Rare copper engraved, hand-colored map of the French province of Maine and its surrounds by Dutch cartographer Johannes Janssonius. One page with detailed topographical details and hand-colored borders. In near fine condition. Matted and framed. The entire piece measures 27 inches by 22.5 inches.

Armorial Binding.

[France] c. 1690.

Rare original armorial binding in gold and silver thread bearing a coat of arms reminiscent of the Durazzo family of Venice. Small octavo, empty, white silk with pink silk pastedowns, the outer border decorated with floral repeating motives in silver and green foil leaves, and the escutcheon crowned by a pink hat with six tasselsContinue reading "Armorial Binding."

Shakespeare, William

The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare with Copious Glossarial Notes and a Biographical Notice. [Fore-edge Painting].

Edinburgh and London : Gall & Inglis, n.d.

Finely bound example of Inglis’ compilation of the dramas of Shakespeare. Octavo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, all edges gilt, decorated with a concealed fore-edge painting of Shakespeare, illustrated with four engravings on steel. In very good condition.

Phillips, Mary E

Reminiscences of William Wetmore Story: The American Sculptor and Author Being Incidents and Anecdotes Chronologically Arranged. Together with an Account of his Associations with Famous People and his Principal Works in Literature and Sculpture.

Chicago and New York : Rand, McNally & Company, 1897.

First edition of Phillips’ biography of William Wetmore Story. Octavo, original publisher’s decorated cloth, gilt titles to the spine and front panel, illustrated, tissue-guarded engraved frontispiece portrait of Story. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Inscribed with cordial good will by Mary E. Phillips for a very gracious Lady toContinue reading "Reminiscences of William Wetmore Story: The American Sculptor and Author Being Incidents and Anecdotes Chronologically Arranged. Together with an Account of his Associations with Famous People and his Principal Works in Literature and Sculpture."

Lumsden, Harry and Rev. P. Henderson Aitken

History of the Hammermen of Glasgow: A Study Typical of Scottish Craft Life and Organization.

London : Alexander Gardner, Paisley, 1912.

First edition with calligraphic dedication page to Edward, Prince of Wales bound in, “Presented by The Master Court of the Incorporation of the Hammermen of Glasgow To His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales on the occasion of his admission as an Honorary Member of the Incorporation. 9th, March 1921.”  From the library of Edward, DukeContinue reading "History of the Hammermen of Glasgow: A Study Typical of Scottish Craft Life and Organization."

O'Hara, Frank, Larry Rivers and Grace Hartigan [WIlliam de Kooning]

Hartigan and Rivers With O’Hara.

New York : Tibor de Nagy Gallery, 1959.

First edition of this exhibition flyer for the 1959 Tibor de Nagy exhibition of works by Larry Rivers and Grace Hartigan inspired by O’Hara’s poetry. Octavo, original wrappers as issued, illustrated with twelve black and white lithographs. Association copy, inscribed by Larry Rivers on the verso of the front cover to fellow member of theContinue reading "Hartigan and Rivers With O’Hara."

Brooks, Donald

Dance a Little Closer: Donald Brooks Original Pencil and Watercolor Drawing.

1983.

Original Dance a Little Closer is a pencil and watercolor drawing depicting the Cynthia character in a full length pink and peach gown with a second drawing depicting the back of the gown, signed lower right by legendary designer Donald Brooks. Matted and framed. The entire piece measures 27 inches by 22 inches. Brooks was theContinue reading "Dance a Little Closer: Donald Brooks Original Pencil and Watercolor Drawing."

Rusha, Ed

Make New History.

Los Angeles : MOCA, 2009.

Signed limited edition of this rare artist’s book, or “art object” published on the occasion of the Gala of the 30th Anniversary of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. Oblong octavo, the text block of the book is entirely blank, the artist’s intention being for its owner to write their own history inContinue reading "Make New History."

Ethiopian Ge’ez Healing Scroll.

Ethiopia c. 19th century.

Rare original parchment healing scroll written in Ge’ez, the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Portable manuscript on parchment in red and black ink, with a talismanic design at the top. Typically kept rolled and stored until used, this example is unrolled, mounted on thin wooden boards, and presented under glass in a black metalContinue reading "Ethiopian Ge’ez Healing Scroll."