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Biography and Autobiography

Rare Biography & Autobiography Books for Sale Online

If you are looking for rare or first edition biography or autobiography books look no further than Raptis Rare Books. Browse through our entire collection of rare biographies and autobiographies below, view details about individual books and contact us to ask a question or find out more information.

Showing items 1-24 of 1128

Alexander, Jules. [Ben Hogan]

The Hogan Mystique.

Greenwich, Connecticut : The American Golfer, 1994.

First edition of this photographic tribute to the golfing legend. Folio, original cloth, illustrated throughout with black and white photographs by Jules Alexander. Signed by Ben Hogan on the title page. Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. A desirable copy, signed by Hogan, who died inContinue reading "The Hogan Mystique."

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$3,200.00
Item Number: RRB-152269
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Morton, Andrew [Monica Lewinsky; Steve Snider]

Monica’s Story.

New York : St. Martin's Press, 1999.

First edition of Andrew Morton’s authorized biography of Monica Lewinsky, published in 1999 at the height of the scandal that led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. Octavo, original publisher’s boards, illustrated with color photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed and dated by the author in the year of publication on the page facing the titleContinue reading "Monica’s Story."

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$975.00
Item Number: RRB-152257
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Houdini, Harry

A Magician Among the Spirits.

New York : Harper & Brothers, 1924.

First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, top stain yellow, frontispiece of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Houdini, illustrated. Lengthily signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Best wishes Houdini and alls well 3/11/25 Cleveland O.” On 9 March 1925, illusionist andContinue reading "A Magician Among the Spirits."

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$8,200.00
Item Number: RRB-152249
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Gilbert, Martin. [Gary Oldman] [Winston S. Churchill]

Winston S. Churchill: Finest Hour 1939-1941.

New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1983.

First edition of this classic work, which starts with the outbreak of war in September 1939 and ends with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 7, 1941. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece of Churchill, illustrated throughout. Boldly signed by Martin Gilbert and Academy Award-winning actor Gary Oldman on the title page, who played WinstonContinue reading "Winston S. Churchill: Finest Hour 1939-1941."

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$1,600.00
Item Number: RRB-152992
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Mason, Robert. [Peter Matthiessen]

Chickenhawk.

Norwalk, Connecticut : The Easton Press, 1983.

The Easton Press edition of Mason’s classic first book, one of the finest about the Vietnam War. Octavo, bound in full leather with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in four compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels with a gilt vignette of Vietnam to the front panel,Continue reading "Chickenhawk."

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$2,500.00
Item Number: RRB-152157
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Stravinsky, Vera; Robert Craft [Charles Strouse]

Stravinsky: In Pictures and Documents.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1978.

First edition of this authoritative biography of Igor Stravinsky. Quarto, original cloth, profusely illustrated with black-and-white photographs. From the collection of Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award-winning composer Charles Strouse and his wife, choreographer Barbara Siman. Over his 50-year career, Charles Strouse wrote the music for such iconic musical theater hits as Bye Bye Birdie, Applause,Continue reading "Stravinsky: In Pictures and Documents."

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$125.00
Item Number: RRB-152209
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Cohen, Douglas J. [Charles Strouse]

How to Survive a Killer Musical: Agony and Ecstasy on the Road to Broadway.

Essex, Connecticut : Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, 2023.

First edition of the composer-lyricist’s candid memoir of bringing his musical No Way to Treat a Lady to the stage. Octavo, original publisher’s boards, illustrated with black-and-white photographs. Association copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the title page, “For Charles, In appreciation of your wonderful music, friendship, and support. AllContinue reading "How to Survive a Killer Musical: Agony and Ecstasy on the Road to Broadway."

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$400.00
Item Number: RRB-152206
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Watson, Thomas J. and Peter Petre

Father, Son & Co.: My Life at IBM and Beyond.

New York : Bantam Books, 1990.

First edition of the classic autobiography of “the greatest capitalist in history” (Fortune Magazine). Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with 32 pages of photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by Thomas J. Watson, Jr. on the front free endpaper, “For Smiley – For Ann – for a great and devoted lady who contributed in a major wayContinue reading "Father, Son & Co.: My Life at IBM and Beyond."

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$1,500.00
Item Number: RRB-152154
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Fox, Charles [Charles Strouse]

Killing Me Softly: My Life in Music.

Lanham, Maryland : Scarecrow Press, 2010.

First edition of the memoir of composer Charles Fox. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece facsimile of the music to “Killing Me Softly With His Song”, illustrated with black-and-white photographs. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page to Charles Strouse, “For Barbara & Charles with love, Charles Fox.” The recipient, Charles Strouse, was aContinue reading "Killing Me Softly: My Life in Music."

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$125.00
Item Number: RRB-152198
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Wolff, Tobias [Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire]

This Boy’s Life.

New York : Atlantic Monthly, 1988.

First edition of this “extraordinary memoir” (San Francisco Chronicle) basis for the film bearing the same name starring Robert De Niro, Ellen Barkin, Leonardo Di Caprio and Tobey Maguire. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page and additionally signed by Academy Award-winning actors Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprioContinue reading "This Boy’s Life."

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$2,800.00
Item Number: RRB-152022
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Satrapi, Marjane

Persepolis: The Story of A Childhood.

New York : Pantheon Books, 2003.

First edition of “the most original coming-of-age story from the Middle East yet” (People). Octavo, original illustrated boards. Boldly signed by Marjane Satropi on the front free endpaper. Fine in a fine jacket. Jacket and binding design by Jean-Christophe Menu. Rare and desirable signed.

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$2,500.00
Item Number: RRB-152994
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Bergaust, Erik. [Wernher von Braun; Carol Sue Rosin]

Wernher von Braun.

Washington, D.C. : National Space Institute, 1976.

First edition of this biography on the legendary father of modern rocketry. Octavo, original cloth, astrological endpapers, illustrated with black-and-white photographs. Boldly signed by Wernher von Braun on the half-title page. Lengthily inscribed by aerospace industry pioneer Dr. Carol Sue Rosin, who worked closely with von Braun at Fairchild Corporation, on the verso of theContinue reading "Wernher von Braun."

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$6,200.00
Item Number: RRB-152093
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Laurents, Arthur [Charles Strouse]

Original Story By: A Memoir of Broadway and Hollywood.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2000.

First edition of the candid memoir of playwright and screenwriter Arthur Laurents, author of the books for West Side Story and Gypsy. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with black-and-white photographs. Boldly signed by Arthur Laurents on the half-title page. From the collection of Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award-winning composer Charles Strouse and his wife, choreographerContinue reading "Original Story By: A Memoir of Broadway and Hollywood."

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$300.00
Item Number: RRB-152199
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Millard, Candice

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President.

New York : Doubleday, 2011.

First edition of this Edgar Award-winning narrative history reconstructing the assassination of President James A. Garfield. Octavo, original publisher’s half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Candice Millard on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by John Fontana.

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$475.00
Item Number: RRB-152148
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Chernow, Ron [Lin-Manuel Miranda]

Alexander Hamilton.

New York : The Penguin Press, 2004.

First edition, early printing of this landmark biography of Alexander Hamilton, basis for the Award-winning Broadway play. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Ron Chernow on a bookplate to the half-title page and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda (who starred in the Broadway adaptation). Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by GabrieleContinue reading "Alexander Hamilton."

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$950.00
Item Number: RRB-150345
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Ruth, Babe

The Babe Ruth Story.

New York : E.P. Dutton & Co., Inc, 1948.

First edition of Babe Ruth’s autobiography. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in five compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, illustrated with 49 black-and-whiteContinue reading "The Babe Ruth Story."

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$1,500.00
Item Number: RRB-152122
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Bush, George W. [Henry A. Kissinger; Dana Perino]

Decision Points.

New York : Crown Publishers, 2010.

First edition of George W. Bush’s autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by George W. Bush, Henry Kissinger and Bush’s White House Press Secretary Dana Perino on the half-title page. Henry Kissinger was a diplomat and political scientist who served as the 56th United States secretary of state from 1973 to 1977 andContinue reading "Decision Points."

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$2,200.00
Item Number: RRB-152100
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Millard, Candice

Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, A Daring Escape and The Making of Winston Churchill.

New York : Doubleday, 2016.

First edition of this New York Times bestselling narrative history recounting the twenty-four-year-old Winston Churchill’s capture by Boer forces during the South African War of 1899. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated with black-and-white photographs. Boldly signed by Candice Millard. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by John Fontana.

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$150.00
Item Number: RRB-152133
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McGrath, Amy with Chris Peterson. {Madeleine Albright}

Honor Bound: An American Story Of Dreams And Service.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2021.

First edition of McGrath’s adventurous autobiography Honor Bound. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated with color photographs of author throughout the years. Presentation copy, inscribed by author on the front free endpaper, “Secretary Albright, Thank you for your service + for your love for our democracy. You remain an inspiration! Live your courage! Amy McGrath 2021.”Continue reading "Honor Bound: An American Story Of Dreams And Service."

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$650.00
Item Number: RRB-148448
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Walesa, Lech

A Way of Hope: An Autobiography.

New York : Henry Holt and Company, 1987.

First edition of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning leader’s autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Lech Walesa on the front free endpaper. Fine in a fine dust jacket.

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$650.00
Item Number: RRB-152092
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Dayan, Lt Yael

A Soldier’s Diary: Sinai 1967.

England : Penguin Books, 1969.

The Penguin Books edition of this firsthand account of the Six Day War written in just two weeks by Lieutenant Yael Dayan. Duodecimo, original pictorial wrappers. In very good condition. Cover design by David Pelham and Ivan Holmes.

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$20.00
Item Number: RRB-152138
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Wiesel, Elie

Open Heart.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2012.

First edition of this profoundly intimate, deeply affecting summing up of life so far, from one of the most cherished moral voices of all time. Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Elie Wiesel on the front free endpaper. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Chip Kidd. Translated from the French by MarionContinue reading "Open Heart."

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$750.00
Item Number: RRB-152096
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Buergenthal, Thomas; Foreword by Elie Wiesel

A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy.

New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2009.

First edition of this “incredible tale” (The Free Lance-Star). Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Elie Wiesel at his foreword. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Foreword by Elie Wiesel. Jacket design by Keith Hayes. We have never seen another one signed by Wiesel.

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$600.00
Item Number: RRB-152090
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Mill, John Stuart

The Subjection of Women.

London : Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer, 1869.

First edition of Mill’s classic work defending the rights of women. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth by Edmonds & Remnants with their ticket to the rear pastedown. In good condition with losses to the spine. Bookseller’s ticket to the front pastedown of S & T Gilbert.

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$1,500.00
Item Number: RRB-151867
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