Churchill, Winston S

The Second World War: The Hinge of Fate.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1950.

First American edition of the fourth volume in Churchill’s classic work. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.

Kennedy, John F. [Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter]

Profiles in Courage.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers , 1956.

First edition of Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning work with the publisher’s code M-E to the copyright page. Octavo, bound in full crushed levant navy morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt-ruled inner dentelles stamp-signedContinue reading "Profiles in Courage."

Blaeu, Willem and Joan

Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. [Le Theatre du Monde].

Amsterdam : Chez Jean Blaeu/Apud Guiljelmum et Johannem Blaeu, 1643-1645.

A fine French-text copy in a presentation binding. Folio, 4 volumes, contemporary Dutch vellum likely from the Blaeu workshop with gilt tooling to the spine in eight compartments within gilt bands, central gilt arabesques and fleuron corner pieces within double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, all edges gilt. Gilt presentation inscription toContinue reading "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. [Le Theatre du Monde]."

Gibbon, Edward

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

London : Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, 1776-1788.

Rare complete first edition set, including the rare first state of volume one, of Gibbon’s landmark work of historiography. Quarto, 6 volumes bound in full contemporary mottled calf, with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, gilt turn-ins, three engraved folding maps by Kitchin ofContinue reading "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."

Beerbohm, Max

The Works of Max Beerbohm.

London : William Heinemann, 1922-1928.

The Harlequin edition of the collected works of Max Beerbohm. Octavo, ten volumes bound in three quarter calf by Henry Sotheran Ltd. with gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers. One of seven hundred and eighty sets signed byContinue reading "The Works of Max Beerbohm."

Lesage, Alain-René

Histoire De Gil Blas De Santillane, Par Lesage.

Paris : De L'Imprimerie De Didot Jeune, n.d.

Finely bound example of Lesage’s famed picaresque novel. Octavo, four volumes bound in three quarter crushed levant morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, illustrated with engravings by the best artists of Paris. In fine condition. A beautifulContinue reading "Histoire De Gil Blas De Santillane, Par Lesage."

Lawrence, T.E

Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph.

London : Jonathan Cape, 1965.

Finely bound edition of Lawrence’s classic account of his role in the Arab rebellion against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. Octavo, bound in full morocco by Brentano’s, frontispiece, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, double gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, raised bands, marbled endpapers, inner dentelles, all edgesContinue reading "Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph."

Viollet-le-Duc, Eugene-Emmanuel

Dictionnaire Raisonne de Mobilier Francais de L’Epoque Carlovingienne a La Renaissance. [Dictionary of French Furniture from the Carlovingian Period to the Renaissance].

Paris : Librairie Centrale d'Architecture, n.d.

Finely bound example of Eugene-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc’s authoritative resource on the evolution of furniture styles in France from the Carolingian Period to the Renaissance. Royal octavo, 6 volumes bound in one quarter morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and stamping to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, top edge gilt, illustrated with numerousContinue reading "Dictionnaire Raisonne de Mobilier Francais de L’Epoque Carlovingienne a La Renaissance. [Dictionary of French Furniture from the Carlovingian Period to the Renaissance]."

Churchill, Winston S

Ian Hamilton’s March.

London : Longman's, Green, and Co, 1900.

First edition of Churchill’s fifth book, a continuation of his coverage of the Boer War which he began in London to Ladysmith via Pretoria. 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,Continue reading "Ian Hamilton’s March."

Schumpeter, Joseph A

Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy.

London : George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1942.

First edition of Schumpeter’s ground-breaking work. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in the original dust jacket a few small chips. Rare in the original dust jacket.

Emerson, Ralph Waldo

The Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson with a Biographical Introduction and Notes by Edward Waldo Emerson and a General Index.

Cambridge : Printed at the 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, original publisher’s cloth with printed paper spine labels, illustrated with numerous mounted photogravures, frontispiece portrait of Emerson to Vol. I with lettered tissue guard.Continue reading "The Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson with a Biographical Introduction and Notes by Edward Waldo Emerson and a General Index."

Churchill, Winston S

The River War: An Account of the Reconquest of the Sudan.

London : Longmans, Green, and Co, 1899.

First editions of Churchill’s history of the conquest of the Sudan. Octavo, 2 volumes, original cloth, illustrated with 22 maps and plans, several folding. Association copy, with signatures and annotations by E.B. Lack, who helped to supply gunboats to the Admiralty during the campaign. Woods A2(a). In near fine condition. Housed in a custom halfContinue reading "The River War: An Account of the Reconquest of the Sudan."

Churchill, Winston S

Marlborough: His Life and Times.

London : George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd, 1933.

Signed limited edition of Churchill’s magisterial biography of his notable ancestor John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough; Churchill’s only work produced as a signed limited edition. Quarto, 4 volumes in the original publisher’s full morocco bound by Leighton-Straker with gilt Marlborough family crest to the front panel of each volume, gilt titles and tooling toContinue reading "Marlborough: His Life and Times."

Durrell, Lawrence

Justine, Balthazar, Mountolive, Clea. [The Alexandria Quartet].

London : Faber and Faber, 1960-1961.

First editions of each of the novels comprising the author’s acclaimed Alexandria Quartet. Octavo, original cloth, 4 volumes. Each volume is very good in a very good to near fine dust jacket. A very bright set of Durrell‘s acclaimed novel cycle.

Dumas, Alexandre. [Alexander]

The Works of Alexandre Dumas.

Boston : Dana Estes & Company Publishers, 1894-1904.

The Artists’ Edition of the complete works of Alexander Dumas. Octavo, 46 volumes bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and botanical decorations to the spine in four compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, photogravure frontispieces in 2 states to each volume, one hand-colored and the otherContinue reading "The Works of Alexandre Dumas."

Smollett, Tobias

The Novels of Tobias Smollett.

Stratford-Upon-Avon : Printed at the Shakespeare Head Press, 1926.

The Large Paper edition of the novels of Tobias Smollett. Octavo, 8 volumes bound in three quarter morocco at the Riverside Press with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt with others untrimmed, ribbons bound in,  Illustrated with frontispieces and several inserted plates each withContinue reading "The Novels of Tobias Smollett."

Christie, Agatha

Towards Zero.

London : Collins Crime Club, 1944.

First edition of this classic Agatha Christie title and one of her favorites. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in 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 edgesContinue reading "Towards Zero."

Conrad, Joseph

The Works of Joseph Conrad.

Garden City, NY : Doubleday, Page & Company, 1920-1928.

The Sun-Dial edition of the works of Joseph Conrad. Octavo, 24 volumes bound in three quarters morocco by Frost & Co., with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, frontispiece portrait of Conrad to vol. I. OneContinue reading "The Works of Joseph Conrad."

Eliot, George

The Works of George Eliot.

Boston : Dana Estes & Company, n.d..

The Arbury edition of the works of George Eliot. Octavo, 24 volumes bound in three quarter half russet crushed morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, hand-colored tissue-guarded frontispiece and photogravure plate printed on cream velin to each volume.Continue reading "The Works of George Eliot."

Palmer, Arnold

Arnold Palmer’s Golf Book “Hit It Hard!”

New York : The Ronald Press Company, 1961.

First edition of Arnold Palmer’s first book. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in 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. In fine condition.

Benavente, Jacinto

Cartas de Mujeres.

Madrid : Librería Y Casa Editorial Hernando, 1932.

Finely bound example of this work from the Nobel Prize-winning dramatist. Duodecimo, bound in full marbled calf with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, patterned endpapers, engraved headpieces throughout. In very good condition.

Spenser, Edmund

The Fairy Queen. With a Glossary, Explaining the Old and Obscure Words.

London : J. and R. Tonson, 1758.

Finely bound edition of this classic work. Octavo, 2 volumes, bound in full calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, with nine full page engraved plates by Louis du Geurnier. In very good condition, with the ownership signature on title page of a W. A. Watson and occasional marginalia, rebacked. A veryContinue reading "The Fairy Queen. With a Glossary, Explaining the Old and Obscure Words."

[Parrish, Maxfield] SAUNDERS, Louise

The Knave of Hearts.

New York : Charles Scribners Sons, 1925.

First edition of “one of the greatest of American illustrated books” (Porter, 84), the last and most lavish children’s book illustrated by Maxfield Parrish, with mounted cover design, pictorial endpapers, 14 full-page color plates, and nine in-text color illustrations. Folio, original black cloth, mounted cover illustration, pictorial endpapers. In near fine condition.

Maugham, W. Somerset

Of Human Bondage.

London : William Heinemann, 1915.

First edition, first printing which includes list of other “Works” by Maugham facing half-title, plus publisher’s ad page for works by other authors on half-title verso, with the misprint on page 257, line 4 (“help”) of Maugham’s masterpiece. Octavo, original cloth. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom clamshell box. An exceptional example.

Hugo, Victor

Les Miserables.

New York : Carleton, Publisher, 1862.

First American edition and first edition in English of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece. Octavo, bound in contemporary three quarters calf over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, five volumes complete in one volume. Translated by Charles E. Wilbour. In near condition, previous owners names. Uncommon in this condition.

Joyce, James

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

London : The Egoist Ltd, 1917.

First English edition of Joyce’s classic stream-of-consciousness work, his first novel, one of about 1000 copies. Octavo, original cloth. In very good condition. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise clamshell box.

Travers, P.L

Mary Poppins.

New York : Reynal & Hitchcock, 1934.

First American edition of this children’s classic. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and ruling to the spine, raised bands, double gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition, bookplate. An exceptional example.

Dabit, Eugene

L’Hotel du Nord.

Paris : Robert Denoël, 1929.

First edition of the author’s immensely popular novel. Octavo, bound in full crushed levant morocco by Valmard with gilt titles to the spine, marbled endpapers and additional patterned silk endleaves, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by Valmard, with two illustrations signed by Dabit mounted to the front and rear pastedown. Presentation copy, inscribed by the authorContinue reading "L’Hotel du Nord."

Powell, Anthony

The Valley of Bones.

London : William Heinemann Ltd, 1964.

First edition of this classic work in the author’s Dance to the Music of Time series. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Broom-Lynne. Housed in a custom half morocco and folding chemise slipcase.

Windsor, Duke of [King Edward]

A King’s Story.

New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1951.

First edition of King Edward’s classic autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, frontispiece, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the his official letterhead pasted to the half-title page, “To Henry N. Taylor with best wishes and congratulations on winning the Sullivan Award of the University of Virginia Edward May 1951.” The recipient, HenryContinue reading "A King’s Story."

Tarkington, Booth

The Magnificent Ambersons

Garden City, New York : Doubleday, Page & Company, 1918.

First edition of the author’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, basis for the classic Orson Wells film often regarded as among the greatest films of all time. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front andContinue reading "The Magnificent Ambersons"

Lewis, Sinclair

Main Street.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Howe, 1920.

First edition, first printing of Lewis’ classic work. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panel, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Presentation copy,Continue reading "Main Street."

O'Neill, Eugene

The Iceman Cometh.

New York : Random House, 1946.

First edition of the Nobel Prize-winning playwright’s masterpiece. 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, all edges gilt. An exceptional presentation.

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."

Baldwin, James

Another Country.

London : Michael Joseph, 1963.

First edition of Baldwin’s classic work, nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panel, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signedContinue reading "Another Country."

Hillary, Edmund

High Adventure.

London : Hodder & Stoughton, 1955.

First British edition of Hillary’s account of his ascent of Everest. Octavo, with maps by A. Sparks and sketches by George Djurkouic, 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 dentellesContinue reading "High Adventure."

Di Maggio, Joe [DiMaggio]

Lucky To Be A Yankee.

New York : Rudolph Field, 1946.

First edition of this early autobiography by Joltin’ Joe Di Maggio. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels,  inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Introduction by James A. Farley. Foreword by Grantland Rice. In fine condition.

[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."

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

The Beauties of Mozart, Consisting of the Most Admired Sonatas Duetts and Concertos of this Esteemed Author.

London : Printed & Sold by Preston, c. 1810.

Rare edition of this compilation of Mozart’s sonatas. Quarto, bound in full diced morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, 6 parts in 1, each part engraved throughout, titles incorporating small oval portrait vignette. In near fine condition.

Malthus, Thomas R. [T.R.}

Principles of Political Economy Considered With a View to Their Practical Application.

London : John Murray, 1820.

Rare first edition of Malthus’ classic work. Octavo, bound in full diced morocco, raised bands, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front and rear panels, marbled endpapers. In near fine condition. An exceptional presentation.

Dickens, Charles

A Tale of Two Cities.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1859.

First edition, first issue of one of Dickens’ most enduring works. Octavo, bound in three quarters morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, sixteen plates after H.K. Browne including frontispiece and title vignette. In very good condition, name to the front free endpaper.

Gunther, John

Death Be Not Proud.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1949.

First edition of this deeply moving book, a father’s memoir of a brave, intelligent, and spirited boy. 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 HarcourtContinue reading "Death Be Not Proud."

Condon, Richard

The Manchurian Candidate.

New York : McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc, 1959.

First edition of this brilliant, controversial novel, basis for the 1962 film adaptation, which has been called “the most chilling piece of cold war paranoia ever committed to film” (New York Times). Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands,Continue reading "The Manchurian Candidate."

Hugo, Victor

La Légende des Siècles. [The Legend of the Ages: First Series].

Bruxelles : 1859, Edition Hetzel.

First Brussels edition and true first edition of the first series of Hugo’s epic work. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Provenance: from the library of H. Bradley Martin (his sale, Sotheby’s New York, October 16-17, 1989, lot no. 901; bookplate). “The H. Bradley Martin sale of 1989-1990 was a terribly significant sale of a stupendously variedContinue reading "La Légende des Siècles. [The Legend of the Ages: First Series]."

Elizabeth [Tonna], Charlotte

The Works of Charlotte Elizabeth. With an Introduction by H. B. Stowe.

New York : Published by M. W. Dodd, 1849.

Seventh edition of the complete works of English Victorian writer and suffragette Charlotte Elizabeth Tonna. Royal octavo, two volumes, original publisher’s full deluxe morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised gilt bands, elaborate gilt decorations to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, all edgesContinue reading "The Works of Charlotte Elizabeth. With an Introduction by H. B. Stowe."

Buck, Pearl S

The Good Earth.

New York : The John Day Company, 1931.

First edition of the author’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and masterpiece. First issue with “flees” for “fleas” on page 100, line 17. 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 dentellesContinue reading "The Good Earth."

Buck, Pearl S

The Good Earth.

New York : The John Day Company, 1931.

First edition of the author’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and masterpiece. First issue with “flees” for “fleas” on page 100, line 17. 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 dentellesContinue reading "The Good Earth."

Select Poetry: Chiefly on Subjects Connected with Religion. [Fore-Edge Painting].

London : R. B. Seeley, 1830.

Finely bound poetry collection decorated with a concealed fore-edge painting. 18mo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, gilt fleuron cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, all edges gilt, decorated with a concealed fore-edge painting of St. Saviour’s church in London. In very goodContinue reading "Select Poetry: Chiefly on Subjects Connected with Religion. [Fore-Edge Painting]."