Caesar, Gaius Julius

Commentaires de César, avec des Notes Historiques, Critiques et Militaires [Caesar’s Comments, with Historical, Critical and Military Notes].

Paris : A Montargis, 1785.

First edition edited and translated by Lancelot Turpin de Crissé. Quarto, three volumes, bound in full contemporary calf, morocco spine labels, gilt titles to the spine, engraved title pages, two portraits and 40 folding plates, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers. In near fine condition. An exceptional example.

Cook, Captain James; Captain James King

A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Undertaken, By The Command of His Majesty For Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. [Cook’s Third Voyage].

London : Printed by H. Hughs, for G. Nicol, Bookseller to His Majesty, in the Strand; and T. Cadell, in the Strand, 1785.

Finely bound example of Cook’s Third Voyage, “one of the most important English books published in the last quarter of the eighteenth century… considered typographically superior to the first edition” (Forbes). Quarto, three volumes bound in three quarter morocco over marbled boards by Bayntun with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, nautical gilt stamping toContinue reading "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Undertaken, By The Command of His Majesty For Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. [Cook’s Third Voyage]."

Paine, Thomas

Dissertations on Government, the Affairs of the Bank, and Paper-Money.

Philadelphia : Printed by Charles Cist, 1786.

First edition of Paine’s defense of the Bank of North America. Small octavo, bound in three quarters leather over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine. Rare.

Edwards, Jonathan

A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections. In Three Parts.

Elizabeth-Town, NJ : Printed by Shepard Kollock, for Robert Hodge, 1787.

Early edition of Edwards’ Great Awakening classic. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt titles to the spine in six compartments within raised bands. In very good condition with wear, bookplates to the front pastedown, signature to the title page.

[Hamilton, Alexander; James Madison; John Jay]

The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, As Agreed Upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787.

New York : Printed and Sold by J. and A. McLean, 1788.

First edition of The Federalist, one of the rarest and most significant books in American political history. 12mo, two volumes bound into one in half calf over marbled boards with raised bands, gilt titles to the spine. In very good condition with light toning to the pages. Text blocks trimmed. Housed in a custom halfContinue reading "The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, As Agreed Upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787."

Biblia, Das ist: Die ganze Heilige Schrift Des Alten und Neuen Testaments. Bie Foide von Herrnn Doctor Martin Luther. [18th Century German Martin Luther Bible].

Nuremberg : Endter, 1788.

Eighteenth century printing of the Martin Luther Bible; the first Bible in the German language originally translated by Martin Luther in 1534, considered the foundation of the modern German language. Folio, bound in full pig elaborately stamped in blind with brass cornerpieces, illustrated with numerous engravings in-text, including many 1/3 page and a number ofContinue reading "Biblia, Das ist: Die ganze Heilige Schrift Des Alten und Neuen Testaments. Bie Foide von Herrnn Doctor Martin Luther. [18th Century German Martin Luther Bible]."

de Vargas Ponce, José

Relacion Del Ultimo Viage al Estrecho de Magallanes de la Fragata De S. M. Santa Maria de la Cabeza en los Anos de 1785 y 1786. [Account of the Last Voyage to the Strait of Magellan by His Majesty’s Frigate Santa María de la Cabeza in the Years 1785 and 1786].

Madrid : Por La Viuda de Ibarra, Hijos y Compania, 1788.

First edition of this important work on the Strait of Magellan. Quarto, two volumes bound into one in contemporary calf-backed marbled boards with gilt tooling to the spine, morocco spine label lettered in git, engraved frontispiece portrait of Magellan, 5 large folding maps on heavy paper and 5 folding tables. An important work on theContinue reading "Relacion Del Ultimo Viage al Estrecho de Magallanes de la Fragata De S. M. Santa Maria de la Cabeza en los Anos de 1785 y 1786. [Account of the Last Voyage to the Strait of Magellan by His Majesty’s Frigate Santa María de la Cabeza in the Years 1785 and 1786]."

Hayley, William

The Triumphs of Temper; A Poem: In Six Cantos.

London : Printed For T. Cadell, 1788.

Finely bound sixth edition of Hayley’s popular work. 16mo, bound in full contemporary calf, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panel, gilt-ruled turn ins, marbled endpapers, illustrated with fine engraved plates by Stothard. Elegant period ownership inscriptions.

Goldsmith, Oliver; Edmund Burke; Sir H. Walpole; et al

A Collection of Poems, Mostly Original, by Several Hands.

Dublin : Printed for the Editor by M. Graisberry, 1789.

First edition of this rare collection of early English literature. Octavo, bound in full calf, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, ribbon bound in, illustrated with engraved vignettes, lists of subscribers. In near fine condition. An attractive binding.    

Smith, Adam

An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.

London : Printed for A. Strahan and T. Cadell, in the Strand, 1789-1793.

Mixed early edition set of Adam Smith’s magnum opus and cornerstone of economic thought. Octavo, 3 volumes bound in one quarter modern calf over cloth-covered boards with gilt titles and five raised bands to the spine. Volumes I and III are seventh editions (1793), Vol. II is a fifth edition (1789). In near fine condition.Continue reading "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations."

Edwards, Jonathan

Twenty Sermons, on Various Subjects.

Edinburgh : Printed for M. Gray, 1789.

Rare early Edinburgh printing of Jonathan Edwards theological collection of sermons. Octodecimo, bound in full contemporary calf. In good condition.

[Watson, Elkanah] [George Washington]

Tour in Holland in MDCCLXXXIV. By an American.

Printed at Worcester, Massachusetts : Isaiah Thomas, 1790.

First edition, presentation copy of a scarce volume from George Washington’s library at Mount Vernon. Octavo, bound in full contemporary sheep with pine gilt in six compartments within raised bands, burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, type-ornament title-page vignette, head and tailpieces. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author to George Washington on the frontContinue reading "Tour in Holland in MDCCLXXXIV. By an American."

Acts Passed at the Second Congress of the United States of America: 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: And o the Independence of the United States, the Sixteenth. [Bound With]: The Constitution of the United States of America; As Proposed by the Convention Held at Philadelphia, Sept. 17, 1787, and Since Ratified by the Several States.

Philadelphia : Printed by Francis Childs and Joseph Swaine, Printers to the United States; Printed by John Fenno, 1791-c. 1793.

First printing of the Second Acts of Congress, bound with an even more rare printing of the Constitution. Octavo, original full calf, red morocco spine label lettered gilt. From the library of the first (and longest serving) Secretary of the United States Senate, Samuel Allyne Otis with his signature to the second page. Otis wasContinue reading "Acts Passed at the Second Congress of the United States of America: 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: And o the Independence of the United States, the Sixteenth. [Bound With]: The Constitution of the United States of America; As Proposed by the Convention Held at Philadelphia, Sept. 17, 1787, and Since Ratified by the Several States."

Paine, Thomas

Droits de L’Homme; En Reponse a L’Attaque de M. Burke Sur La Revolution Francois. [Rights of Man: Part the First Being An Answer to Mr. Burke’s Attach on the French Revolution].

Chez F. Buisson : Paris, 1791.

First French edition of Thomas Paine’s classic statement of faith in democracy and egalitarianism. Octavo, bound in contemporary one quarter calf over marbled boards. In very good condition. From the library of Virginia bibliophile and historian Christopher Clark Geest with his bookplate to the pastedown. Rare and desirable.

Boswell, James

The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. Comprehending an Account of his Studies and Numerous Works, in Chronological Order…

London : Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry, 1791.

First edition, first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language, which was published on May 16, 1791 in a print run of only 1,750 copies. First issue with “gve” for “give” at line 10 of p.135 in Vol. I, where MM4 and NN1 are cancels. Vol. I with Pottle’s misprints: upon repeatedContinue reading "The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. Comprehending an Account of his Studies and Numerous Works, in Chronological Order…"

House of Commons

An Abstract of the Evidence Delivered Before a Select Committee of the House of Commons in the Years 1790, and 1791; On the Part of the Petitioners for the Abolition of the Slave-Trade.

London : Printed by James Phillips, George Yard, 1791.

Rare first edition of eye-witness testimony on the horrors of the British slave trade, containing for the first time in book form the famous large folding wood-engraving of slaves packed onto the decks of the slave-ship Brookes, intended as a gruesome test of the “humane” Dolben Bill of 1788. Octavo, contemporary full diced polished brownContinue reading "An Abstract of the Evidence Delivered Before a Select Committee of the House of Commons in the Years 1790, and 1791; On the Part of the Petitioners for the Abolition of the Slave-Trade."

Boswell, James

The Life of Johnson.

London : Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry, 1791.

First edition, first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language, which was published on May 16, 1791 in a print run of only 1,750 copies. Quarto, bound in full morocco by Birdsall, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, inner dentelles, all edges gilt. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson, engravedContinue reading "The Life of Johnson."

Webster, Pelatiah

Political Essays on the Nature and Operation of Money, Public Finances, and Other Subjects: Published During the American War, and Continued Up to the Present Year, 1791.

Philadelphia : Joseph Crukshank, 1791.

First edition of these influential essays concerning the finances and government of the fledgling United States by Webster, who took a strongly-laissez-faire position economically, and was a proponent of what would become the Constitution of the United States. Octavo, bound in full morocco, gilt titles to the spine, marbled endpapers. In very good condition. FirstContinue reading "Political Essays on the Nature and Operation of Money, Public Finances, and Other Subjects: Published During the American War, and Continued Up to the Present Year, 1791."

Boswell, James

The Life of Johnson.

London : Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry, 1791.

First edition, first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language, which was published on May 16, 1791 in a print run of only 1,750 copies. Quarto, bound in contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson, engraved by J. Heath after the Sir Joshua Reynolds (1756) painting. Volume one isContinue reading "The Life of Johnson."

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.

Boswell, James

The Life of Johnson.

London : Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry, 1791.

First edition, first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language, which was published on May 16, 1791 in a print run of only 1,750 copies. Quarto, bound in full calf, gilt titles to the spine, morocco spine labels. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson, engraved by J. Heath after the Sir Joshua ReynoldsContinue reading "The Life of Johnson."

Proprietors of Dodsley's Annual Register

The Annual Register, or a View of the History, Politics, and Literature, for the Years 1789-1790, 1793-1801.

London : Printed by J. Wright, 1792 - 1813.

Uniformly bound collection of The Annual Register, a long-established reference work, written and published each year beginning in 1758 under the editorship of Edmund Burke. Octavo, 11 out of 43 original volumes, uniformly bound in full polished calf with gilt titles and elaborate floral tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands,Continue reading "The Annual Register, or a View of the History, Politics, and Literature, for the Years 1789-1790, 1793-1801."

Wollstonecraft, Mary

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects.

London : Printed For J. Johnson, 1792.

First edition of this landmark work—among the earliest and most influential feminist manifestos—presenting a groundbreaking critique of the social and educational structures that enforced women’s subordination. Octavo, original boards, sympathetically rebacked, printed spine label. [Windle A5a; PMM 242; Goldsmiths’ 15367]. In very good condition with scattered toning. Housed in a custom clamshell box. Exceptionally rareContinue reading "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects."

Cooke, William. [Alexander Hamilton]

The Bankrupt Laws.

London : Printed for E. and R. Brooke, Bell-Yard, near Temple-Bar, 1793.

Third edition of this important late-eighteenth-century legal treatise from the library of Alexander Hamilton, signed twice by him and additionally by his eldest son Philip Hamilton. Octavo, bound in full calf with stamping to the spine and panels in blind. Signed by Alexander Hamilton on the title page, “A. Hamilton” and again on the finalContinue reading "The Bankrupt Laws."