Halley, Edmond

Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets.

London : Printed for William Innys, 1752.

First edition in English of Halley’s classic work. Quarto, bound in contemporary full calf, gilt titles to the spine, gilt embossed stamp of The Society of Writers to the Signet on the front and rear panel, copper-engraved frontispiece portrait. Edited by John Bevis. In very good condition with light rubbing and wear.

Dahl, Roald

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1964.

First edition, first issue with the six line colophon on the last page of the author’s classic work. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by theContinue reading "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory."

Twain, Mark. [Samuel Clemens]

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Tom Sawyer’s Comrade).

New York : Charles L. Webster and Company, 1885.

First edition, first issue of Mark Twain’s masterpiece. Octavo, bound in full dark green morocco with morocco spine label lettered in gilt, raised bands to the spine, mar top edge gilt, with 174 illustrations by Edward W. Kemble. With all of the agreed upon first issue points for the clothbound book: page 9 with “Decided”Continue reading "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Tom Sawyer’s Comrade)."

[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."

Stevenson, Robert Louis

The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson [Including Treasure Island; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; Kidnapped].

Edinburgh : Printed by T. and A. Constable for Longmans, Green and Company, 1894.

Edinburgh edition of the Works of Robert Louis Stevenson, often considered the finest edition of Stevenson due to the paper quality used. Octavo,  complete set, 34 volumes, bound in full contemporary morocco, gilt titles to the spine, top edges gilt, gilt turn-ins. In fine condition. An exceptional set.

Molière. [Poquelin, Jean-Baptiste]

Oeuvres de Moliere. Nouvelle Edition.

Paris : [Pierre Prault], 1734.

First edition, first issue of one of the greatest French illustrated books of the first half of the eighteenth century. First issue with “Comteese” in vol. VI, p. 360, line 12. Quarto, six volumes bound in full calf with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, morocco spine labelsContinue reading "Oeuvres de Moliere. Nouvelle Edition."

Shakespeare, William. Revised by George Steevens

The Dramatic Works of Shakespeare.

London : Printed by W. Bulmer and Co. for John and Josiah Boydell, George and W. Nicol., 1802.

Rare finely bound complete set of “by far the largest single engraving enterprise ever undertaken in England”, John Boydell’s magnificent illustrated folio edition of the dramatic works of Shakespeare. Folio, 9 volumes. Bound in three quarters morocco with gilt titles to the spine, all edges marbled. Elaborately illustrated with 96 plates engraved by the mostContinue reading "The Dramatic Works of Shakespeare."

Rossetti, Lucy Madox. [Mary Shelley]

Mrs. Shelley.

London : W. H. Allen & Co, 1890.

First edition of Lucy Madox Rossetti’s biography of Mary Shelley; extra-illustrated and with an autograph letter signed by Mary Shelley laid in. Octavo, bound in full crushed levant morocco by Bayntun with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, quadruple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels,Continue reading "Mrs. Shelley."

Joyce, James; Henri Matisse

Ulysses.

New York : The Limited Editions Club, 1935.

The Limited Editions Club signed limited edition of Joyce’s landmark Ulysses, widely recognized as the first illustrated edition. Large quarto, original gilt-stamped pictorial brown cloth, with 26 illustrations. One of 1,500 numbered copies, this is number 1,476. Boldly signed by Henri Matisse in pencil on the colophon page at the rear. In near fine condition.Continue reading "Ulysses."

Emerson, Ralph Waldo

The Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Cambridge : Riverside Press, 1903.

The Autograph Centenary edition of the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of 600 numbered copies containing a double sided manuscript in Emerson’s hand bound into volume one. Octavo, 12 volumes, publisher’s original three quarter morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, top edgeContinue reading "The Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson."

Rand, Ayn

The Fountainhead.

London : Cassell, 1947.

First British edition of Rands’s breakthrough work and her first major literary success. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, allContinue reading "The Fountainhead."

Illuminated Astrological Sign Symbol Painting Collection.

.

Rare collection of illuminated paintings depicting the twelve signs of the Zodiac. Quarto, bound in full calf with gilt tooling to the spine, elaborate gilt ruling to the front and rear panels with fleuron cornerpieces surrounding a gilt-bordered morocco onlay displaying a coat of arms, patterned endpapers, twelve vellum leaves. The illuminated paintings include: theContinue reading "Illuminated Astrological Sign Symbol Painting Collection."

Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft

Valperga: or, the Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca. By the Author of ‘Frankenstein’.

London : G. and W.B. Whittaker, 1823.

Rare first edition of Shelley’s second novel, which has been called “a meditation on political, psychological, and sexual power” and is considered by many to be her finest work.  12mo., bound in 19th century three quarter calf over marbled boards by Bumpus, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels, raised bands. InContinue reading "Valperga: or, the Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca. By the Author of ‘Frankenstein’."

Carroll, Lewis. [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson]

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

London : Macmillan and Co, 1885.

Finely bound early printing of Carroll’s beloved children’s classic. Octavo, bound in full dark green crushed levant morocco by Kelliegram with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, all edges gilt, yellow silkContinue reading "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland."

Poe, Edgar Allan

The Works of Edgar Allan Poe. [Including: The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Gold Bug, Raven, Eureka].

New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, [1884].

The Amontillado edition of the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Octavo, 8 volumes bound in full morocco by P.B. Sanford with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in 6 compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, tissue-guarded engraved frontispiece toContinue reading "The Works of Edgar Allan Poe. [Including: The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Gold Bug, Raven, Eureka]."

Whitman, Walt

Two Rivulets: Including Democratic Vistas, Centennial Songs, and Passage to India.

Camden, New Jersey : Author's Edition, 1876.

Scarce first edition, first issue with the blank leaf between ‘As a Strong Bird’ and ‘Memoranda’ and single leaf of advertisements for Whitman’s books inserted between the back flyleaves. One of only 100 copies. Octavo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised giltContinue reading "Two Rivulets: Including Democratic Vistas, Centennial Songs, and Passage to India."

Dickens, Charles

Oliver Twist.

London : Richard Bentley, 1838.

First edition, second printing with “By Boz” to each title page and the “Church” plate. Octavo, three volumes, bound in full brown calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, triple ruled gilt to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, inner dentelles, top edge gilt. Original cloth bound in at rear of each volume.Continue reading "Oliver Twist."

Machiavelli, Niccolò

The Florentine History in VIII Books.

London : Printed for Charles Harper, and John Amery, 1674.

Rare second edition in English of Machiavelli’s Florentine History, the first edition to appear after Thomas Bedingfield’s version in 1595. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf, morocco spine label, raised bands. In near fine condition with occasional spotting. Scarce in commerce.

Gibbon, Edward

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

London : Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, in the Strand, 1782-1788.

Rare early editions of the historian’s masterpiece. Quarto, 6 volumes, bound in full paper boards, 3 folding engraved maps. The frontispiece portrait of Gibbon is after Sir Joshua Reynolds, the three engraved folding maps are of the Western and Eastern Roman Empire, and a folding map of Constantinople (this map is in its original foldedContinue reading "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."

Harper’s Weekly, A Journal of Civilization. [Harper’s Weekly’s Complete Coverage of the American Civil War: January 1, 1861-December 30, 1865].

New York : Harper & Brothers, January 1, 1861-December 30, 1865.

Rare continuous run of 260 issues of Harper’s Weekly, covering the entirety of the American Civil War. Folio, five volumes, bound in full buckram with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, illustrated with hundreds of wood-engraved illustrations, many from noted American illustrators including portraits of Union and Confederate Army Generals and Officers, battlefield scenes, maps, cityContinue reading "Harper’s Weekly, A Journal of Civilization. [Harper’s Weekly’s Complete Coverage of the American Civil War: January 1, 1861-December 30, 1865]."

[Lely, Gilbert; Alberto Giacometti]

La Folie Tristan.

Paris : Jean Hugues, 1959.

Definitive limited edition of this 12th-century Anglo-Norman poem about the medieval legend of Tristan and Iseult. Duodecimo, written in French, bound in three-quarters bordeaux morocco with gilt titles to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, original wrappers bound in. OneContinue reading "La Folie Tristan."

Ptolomaeus, Claudius. Edited and with Commentary by Federico Commandino

Ptolemaei Planisphaerium. Iordani Planisphaerium. Federici Commandini Urbrinatis in Ptolemaei Planisphaerium Commentarius.

Venice : Paulus Manutius (Aldine Press), 1558.

First separate edition and first edition of Commandino’s commentary of Ptolemy’s Planisphaerium, the original Greek text of which is no longer extant. Octavo, two volumes bound into one in eighteenth century vellum, all edges speckled red, Aldine device on both titles and both final pages, woodcut initials, numerous woodcut diagrams. The Ptolemaei is printed inContinue reading "Ptolemaei Planisphaerium. Iordani Planisphaerium. Federici Commandini Urbrinatis in Ptolemaei Planisphaerium Commentarius."

Dickens, Charles

A Tale of Two Cities.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1859.

First edition, first issue of one of Dickens’ most enduring works, with p. 213 misnumbered “113,” the signature mark “b” at the foot of the plate list, and the misspelling “affetcionately” on line 12, p. 134. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, panels decoratively triple-ruled in gilt withContinue reading "A Tale of Two Cities."

Bloomfield, Robert. [Herman Melville]

The Farmer’s Boy.

London : Sampson, Low, Son & Co, 1858.

Later printing of the poem that made Robert Bloomfield’s reputation. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth elaborately stamped in gilt, all edges gilt, illustrated with thirty engravings from drawings by Birket Foster, Harrison, Weir, and G.E. Hicks. Presentation copy, inscribed on the verso of the front free endpaper, “Fanny Melville from Herman Xmas 1876.” Presentation inscription likelyContinue reading "The Farmer’s Boy."