McGuffey, William

The Eclectic Fourth Reader: Containing Elegant Extracts in Prose and Poetry, From the Best American and English Writers. With Copious Rules for Reading, and Directions for Avoiding Common Errors.

Cincinnati : Published by Truman and Smith, 1838.

Finely bound sixth edition of the fourth McGuffey Reader. Octavo, bound in full contemporary mottled calf with gilt ruling to the spine, morocco spine label lettered in gilt. In very good condition.

Goldsmith, Oliver

Essays by Mr. Goldsmith.

London : Printed for W. Griffin, in Fetter-Lane, 1765.

First edition of the collected essays of Oliver Goldsmith which paid the author a profit of only 20 guineas but greatly extended his reputation. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf, rebacked retaining the contemporary spine label, copperplate vignette to the title page. One of two 1765 editions; Scott argues for the priority of this cheaperContinue reading "Essays by Mr. Goldsmith."

de'Medici, Cosimo II

Statuti dell’Ordine De’ Cavalieri di S.to Stefano.

Florence : Pietro Cecconcelli, 1620.

Rare early 17th century printing of the Statutes of the The Order of Saint Stephen; founded by Cosimo I de’ Medici in 1561. Octavo, bound in full contemporary vellum, engraved title page by Jacques Callot, engraved portrait of Cosimo II de Medici, printer’s woodcut vignette on colophon, woodcut initials. From the library of Italian editor andContinue reading "Statuti dell’Ordine De’ Cavalieri di S.to Stefano."

Dickens, Charles

Complete Set of the Works of Charles Dickens Nonesuch Press.

London : The Nonesuch Press, 1937-38.

The complete set of Charles Dickens by the Nonesuch Press, one of only 877 sets. Octavo, 24 volumes, original cloth, woodcut illustrations, original variously colored buckram by Leighton Straker. Edited by Arthur Waugh, Hugh Walpole, Thomas Hatton and Walter Dexter. In near fine condition. A very sharp set.

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David.

University of Oxford : Printed by John Baskett, 1716.

Rare 18th Century Oxford Book of Common Prayer printed by John Baskett. Octavo, bound in full contemporary morocco richly decorated in gilt with gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling and scrolling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers,Continue reading "The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David."

Hesketh, Henry

Piety the Best Rule of Orthodoxy. Or, an Essay Upon this Proposition: That the Conduciveness of Doctrines to Holiness or Vice, is the best Rule for private Christians to judge the Truth or Falshood of them by.

London : Printed by Walter Kettilby, at the Bishops-Head in S. Paul's Church-yard, 1680.

Rare first edition of Hesketh’s classic essay. 12mo, bound in full contemporary mottled calf with gilt tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, gilt turn-ins, all edges marbled. In very good condition. Rare.

Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical, Treated Upon by the Bishop of London, President of the Convocation For the Province of Canterbury, and the Rest of the Bishops and Clergie of the said Province: And Agreed upon with the Kings Majesties License in their Synod begun at London, Anno Domini 1603.

London : Printed by the Assigns of John Bill Deceas'd: And by Henry Hills, and Thomas Newcomb, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty, 1683.

Rare 17th century printing of the Ecclesiastical Constitutions of the Province of Canterbury. Quarto, bound in full contemporary mottled calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, engraved armorial frontispiece. In very good condition. Rare.

Willmott, Robert Aris [Editor]

The Poets of the Nineteenth Century. [Fore-Edge Painting].

London : Frederick Warne and Co, 1869.

Finely bound example of Willmott’s compilation of the great nineteenth century poets. Octavo, bound in full pebbled morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, central gilt emblem and fleuron cornerpieces within triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbledContinue reading "The Poets of the Nineteenth Century. [Fore-Edge Painting]."

Goldsmith, Oliver

The Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith, M.B. and Professor of Ancient History in the Royal Academy of the Arts. [Fore-edge Painting].

London : Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 1846.

Finely bound example of Goldsmith’s complete poetical works, decorated with a fore-edge painting of a golfing scene. Octavo, bound in full pebbled morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt scrolling and fleuron cornerpeices to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, illustratedContinue reading "The Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith, M.B. and Professor of Ancient History in the Royal Academy of the Arts. [Fore-edge Painting]."

Fielding, Henry

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, in Six Volumes.

London : Printed for A. Millar, 1749.

First edition, first issue of one of the most influential English novels, one only 2,000 copies printed. Octavo, bound in full contemporary mottled calf with gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels. Armorial bookplates. In veryContinue reading "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, in Six Volumes."

Flaubert, Gustave

A Simple Heart.

Paris : Societe des Beaux Arts, n.d. [ca. 1895].

The limited Salon edition of Flaubert’s classic novella. Octavo, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling with red morocco onlays to the spine in five compartments within raised gilt bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt with others untrimmed, with tissue-guarded illustrations by Emile Adan. Limited to five hundredContinue reading "A Simple Heart."

Rodd, Rennell. Introduction by Oscar Wilde

Rose Leaf and Apple Leaf.

Philadelphia : J. M. Stoddart & Co, 1882.

First edition of Rodd’s first book of verse which was published with the assistance of Oscar Wilde. 12mo, original publisher’s vellum with gilt inner dentelles, silk watered endleaves, top edge gilt with others untrimmed, illustrated. In near fine condition. Neat ownership inscription. Rare.

Holmes, Oliver Wendell

The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table; The Professor at the Breakfast-Table; and The Poet at the Breakfast-Table.

Boston : Philips Sampson; Ticknor; Osgood, 1858, 1860, 1872.

First editions of the work that gained Oliver Wendell Holmes international fame. Octavo, three volumes, original cloth. With full page illustrations and vignettes by H.M. Brock throughout including tissue-guarded frontispieces. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom case. A beautiful set.

Bland, James

An Essay in Praise of Women: Or, A Looking-glass for Ladies to See Their Perfections In.

London : Printed for the Author, and Sold by J. Batley, 1733.

First edition of the English physician’s immensely popular early 18th century essay. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with a burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, elaborate woodcut initials, headpieces and tailpieces. There wereContinue reading "An Essay in Praise of Women: Or, A Looking-glass for Ladies to See Their Perfections In."

Wilde, Oscar

Oscar Wilde: Recollections by Jean Paul Raymond & Charles Ricketts.

Bloomsbury : The Nonesuch Press, 1932.

First edition of Ricketts’ recollections of Wilde, published posthumously with a design reminiscent of the Vale Press. “The only Nonesuch book linked in a personal way with the private press movement of those years” (Dreyfus, 81). Royal octavo, original publisher’s cloth decorated in gilt, top edge gilt with others untrimmed. One of 800 numbered copies,Continue reading "Oscar Wilde: Recollections by Jean Paul Raymond & Charles Ricketts."

King Jr., Martin Luther

Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1958.

First edition of Dr. Martin Luther King’s first book. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and ruling to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, illustrated. In fine condition. An exceptional presentation.

19th Century Victorian Era Blank Guest Book.

.

Elaborately bound 19th century Victorian era guest book. Large folio, elaborately bound in full morocco with gilt titles to the spine and front panel reading “Liber Salutatorum [Book of Salutations] London 1848,” elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling and scrolling to the front and rear panels,Continue reading "19th Century Victorian Era Blank Guest Book."

[Hughes, Thomas]

Tom Brown’s School-Days.

London : Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1897.

Finely bound example of the author’s popular and influential work. Octavo, bound in three quarters crushed levant morocco by Morrell, gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, illustrated. In very good condition.

[Bible]

The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments Translated Out of the Original Tongues: Being the Version Set Forth A.D. 1611 Compared with the Most Ancient Authorities and Revised.

Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1881-1885.

The Memorial edition of the Revised Version of the Holy Bible with a presentation slip signed by the President and Secretary of the American Committee of Revision. Royal octavo, three volumes, original publisher’s deluxe full pebbled morocco, gilt titles to the spine and front panel, gilt inner dentelles, all edges gilt. In very good condition.

Alberg, Albert

Gustavus Vasa and His Stirring Times.

London : W. Swan Sonnenschein & Co, c. 1885.

Finely bound example of Alberg’s biography of Gustav I of Sweden. Octavo, bound in full polished calf by Relfe Brothers of London with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, illustrated. InContinue reading "Gustavus Vasa and His Stirring Times."

Aikman, Lionelle. Foreword by Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson. Introduction by Bruce Catton

The Living White House.

Washington, D.C : White House Historical Association with the cooperation of the National Geographic Society Special Publications Division, 1966.

First edition of this beautiful pictorial history of the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. Octavo, bound in full pebbled dark green morocco, gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, patterned endpapers, all edges gilt, illustrated with numerous full page color photographs. One ofContinue reading "The Living White House."

Dickens, Charles

The Christmas Books: A Christmas Carol; The Chimes; The Cricket on the Hearth; The Battle of Life; The Haunted Man and The Ghost’s Bargain.

London : Chapman and Hall/Bradbury & Evans, 1845-48.

Complete set of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Books. Octavo, 5 volumes, original cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine and front panels, all edges gilt. A Christmas Carol is an eleventh edition, plates hand-colored, recased by Morrell [1845]; The Chimes: A Goblin Story is a sixth edition, recased [1845]; first edition of The CricketContinue reading "The Christmas Books: A Christmas Carol; The Chimes; The Cricket on the Hearth; The Battle of Life; The Haunted Man and The Ghost’s Bargain."

J. Leslie Dunstan [Protestantism]; George Brand [Catholicism]; Arthur Hertzberg [Judaism]; Richard A. Gard [Buddhism]; Louis Renou [Hinduism]; John A. Williams [Islam]

Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam: Six-Volume Set of Great Religions of Modern Man.

New York : George Braziller, 1961.

First editions of this classic collection of works. Octavo, original cloths, 6 volumes, original slipcase. Near fine in near fine dust jackets. Jacket design by Joseph Low.

Churchill, Winston S

The Major Works of Sir Winston Churchill: Centenary First Edition. Complete 25 Volume Set comprising: The Second World War: A History of the English Speaking Peoples: The War Speeches: The World Crisis: Marlborough His Life and Times: Lord Randolph Churchill: My Early Life.

London : Centenary First Edition: In arrangement with Hamlyn, Harrap, Cassell, 1974.

Finely bound set of the major works of Churchill. Octavo, 25 volumes, bound in full dark red pebble grained leather with black title panels on spines, raised bands with the initial WSC, elaborate border to the front panel, all edges are gilt, silk endpapers, illustrated with photographs and maps, frontispiece plates. In fine condition.

Bryant, William Cullen

A Forest Hymn [Bound with] In The Woods With Bryant, Longfellow, and Halleck. [Fore-edge Painting].

New York : Hurd and Houghton, 1860-1862.

Finely bound collection of two classic American poems; decorated with a rare double fore-edge painting. Quarto, bound in full pebbled morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, illustrated with numerous engravings by John A. Nums and John A. Hows, all edges gilt with a concealed doubleContinue reading "A Forest Hymn [Bound with] In The Woods With Bryant, Longfellow, and Halleck. [Fore-edge Painting]."

Tennyson, Alfred

Idylls of the King. [Fore-edge Painting].

London : Edward Moxon & Co, 1859.

First edition, second issue of one of the greatest and most enduring of Victorian literary works, with the imprint of Bradbury and Evans to the  verso of title. Octavo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, ribbon bound in, all edges gilt, decorated with a concealed fore-edge painting whichContinue reading "Idylls of the King. [Fore-edge Painting]."

West, Nathanael

The Day of the Locust.

New York : Random House, 1939.

First edition of West’s masterpiece. Octavo, original bound in full leather, raised bands, title to the spine and front panel. In near fine condition.

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."

By a Young Lady

Intellectual Sentiments, Explained by the Study of Sensations.

London : Printed For Joseph Booker, 1809.

Rare Royal binding of this very uncommon title. Octavo, bound in full contemporary straight grain morocco by Charles Meyer of London for the Royal Family, gilt titles and Greek key ruling to they spine, elaborate gilt ruling and botanical scrolling to the front and rear panels, gilt central initial ‘A’ beneath a royal crown toContinue reading "Intellectual Sentiments, Explained by the Study of Sensations."

Lindbergh, Charles A

We.

New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1927.

Signed limited edition of Lindbergh’s autobiography, which provides the account of the life of one of the century’s greatest adventurers, the first man to complete a solo non-stop transatlantic flight. One of 1000 numbered copies, this is number 842, signed by both Charles Lindbergh and the publisher on the limitation page. Octavo, half bound salmonContinue reading "We."

Tennyson, Alfred

Idylls of the King. [Fore-edge Painting].

London : Strahan and Co., Publishers, 1869.

Finely bound example of Tennyson’s “long-meditated great task” which brought him to fame; decorated with a concealed fore-edge painting of the great court of Trinity College (Baugh, 1388). Octavo, bound in full pebbled green morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raise bands, gilt ruling and scrolled cornerpieces toContinue reading "Idylls of the King. [Fore-edge Painting]."

Shakespeare, William

The Works of William Shakespeare.

Stratford-on-Avon : The Shakespeare Head Press, 1904.

The Shakespeare Head Press limited edition of the complete works of William Shakespeare. Octavo, ten volumes bound in full crushed levant morocco by Brentanos, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, allContinue reading "The Works of William Shakespeare."

Eaglesfield, Barry [Ettore Bugatti]

The Bugatti Book.

London : Motor Racing Publications Limited, 1958.

First edition, early printing of this work on Bugatti. Octavo, bound in three quarters morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, gilt topstain, marbled endpapers, illustrated. In near fine condition.

Darwin, Charles

The Descent of Man.

London : John Murray, 1871.

First edition of both volumes (with “transmitted” the first word on p. 297 in the first volume; in the second, the printer’s note on the verso of the half-title, errata on title verso, and the postscript leaf after p. viii. both volumes have the January ads). Octavo, two volumes, original green cloth with gilt titlesContinue reading "The Descent of Man."

Stanley, Henry M

My Kalulu, Prince, King, and Slave: A Story of Central Africa.

London : Sampson, Low, Marston, Low, and Searle, 1873.

First edition of Stanley’s popular classic. Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, top edge gilt, illustrated with 16 engravings.

Carson, Rachel

Silent Spring.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1962.

First edition of Carson’s landmark work. Octavo, bound in half morocco, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands. Drawings by Lois and Louis Darling. In fine condition.

Erasmus, Desiderius. Translated by Sir Thomas Chaloner

In Praise of Folie: Moriae Encomium. A book made in latine by the great clerke Erasmus Roterodame. Enlightened by Sir Thomas Chaloner, knight. [In Praise of Folly].

London : Thomas Berthelet, 1549.

First edition in English of one of the most notable and popular works of the Renaissance which played an important role in the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation and swiftly brought its author international fame. First printing with ‘latine’ and the printer’s initials ‘TB.’ to the title page. Octavo, bound in full crushed levant moroccoContinue reading "In Praise of Folie: Moriae Encomium. A book made in latine by the great clerke Erasmus Roterodame. Enlightened by Sir Thomas Chaloner, knight. [In Praise of Folly]."

Plato; Translated by Floyer Sydenham

Plato’s Dialogues.

London : W. Sandby, 1767-1779.

First edition set contains all eleven parts, although without all the individual dated titles. Part one is signed on the dedication page by the translator Floyer Sydenham as usual, and includes a sheet laid in with manuscript instructions to the binder. Quarto, three volumes, bound in contemporary full calf, armorial bookplate. Dated title pages inContinue reading "Plato’s Dialogues."

Opera Omnia. Ed. Jac. Sirmond (Volumes 1-4), and J. Garnier (Volume 5).

Paris : Sebastian and Gabriel Cramoisy, 1682-84.

A fine set of the works of Theodoretus, Bishop of Cyrus, beautifully painted on each panel. Quarto, five volumes, bound in full 17th-century vellum, both covers on each volume fully painted with a scene from the life of Christ, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, brown and black morocco lettering pieces. The first fourContinue reading "Opera Omnia. Ed. Jac. Sirmond (Volumes 1-4), and J. Garnier (Volume 5)."

Trollope, Anthony

The Last Chronicle of Barset.

London : Smith, Elder, 1867.

First edition in original 32 weekly parts of the final novel in Trollope’s acclaimed Barsetshire series. Octavo, original color pictorial wrappers. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. In very good condition. Rare in complete form.

Heywood, Thomas

The Life of Merlin, Sirnamed Ambrosius. His Prophesies, and Predictions Interpreted; and their truth made good by our English Analls. Being a Chronological History of all the Kings, and memorable passages of this Kingdome, from Brute to the Reigne of our Royall Soveraigne King Charles.

London : Printed by J. Okes for Jasper Emery, 1641.

First edition of “one of Heywood’s most interesting pot-boilers” (Pforzheimer). Octavo, bound in three quarter polished calf over marbled boards, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, all edges gilt, wood-engraved frontispiece portrait of Merlin “generally attributed to [Wenzel] Hollar” (Wither to Prior 448), woodcut initials, headpieces and tailpieces. In very good condition, lacking as usualContinue reading "The Life of Merlin, Sirnamed Ambrosius. His Prophesies, and Predictions Interpreted; and their truth made good by our English Analls. Being a Chronological History of all the Kings, and memorable passages of this Kingdome, from Brute to the Reigne of our Royall Soveraigne King Charles."

Kingsley, Charles

Two Years Ago.

Cambridge : Macmillan and Co, 1857.

First edition of the author’s classic work, containing some of his most profound passages of descriptive imagery. Octavo, three volumes bound in three quarters morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In very good condition.

Goldsmith, Oliver. With Prefatory Memoir by George Saintsbury

The Vicar of Wakefield.

London : John C. Nimmo, 1886.

Finely bound example of one of the most popular and widely read novels among Victorians. Octavo, bound in full crushed levant morocco by Bayntun Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, elaborate gilt ruling to the front an rear panels, central morocco onlay to the front panel,Continue reading "The Vicar of Wakefield."

Bunyan, John

The Pilgrim’s Progress From This World to that Which is to Come.

London : Routledge, Warne and Routledge, 1861.

Finely bound edition of one of the most significant works of religious English literature. Octavo, bound in full crushed teal levant morocco by Bayntun Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, quadruple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, radiant cornerpieces and central morocco onlay ofContinue reading "The Pilgrim’s Progress From This World to that Which is to Come."

Cervantes, Miguel de

The History of the Valorous and Witty Knight Errant Don Quixote of the Mancha.

London : Macmillan and Co, 1908.

Finely bound English translation of Cervantes’ masterpiece. Octavo, three volumes, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers. In fine condition. Translated by Thomas Shelton. A very attractive set.

Joyce, James and Henri Matisse

Ulysses.

New York : Limited Editions Club, 1935.

First illustrated edition of Joyce’s landmark Ulysses, one of only 250 examples signed by James Joyce in pen and Henri Matisse in pencil, with 26 illustrations by him, one of the 20th-century’s most desirable illustrated books, combining the work of two great modern artists. Large quarto, original gilt-stamped pictorial brown cloth, original slipcase. In fineContinue reading "Ulysses."

Churchill, Winston S

The First Collected Works of Sir Winston Churchill: Centenary Limited Edition.

London : Library of Imperial History In association With Charles Scribner's Sons and The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, 1973-76.

Centenary limited edition of Churchill’s complete Works, one of only 3000 sets produced, with the additional four volumes usually not present. Octavo, original full vellum, 38 volumes, stamped with the Churchill arms, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers, original dark green slipcases, also gilt-stamped with the Churchill coat of arms. In near fine to fine conditionContinue reading "The First Collected Works of Sir Winston Churchill: Centenary Limited Edition."

Hemingway, Ernest

The Garden of Eden.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1986.

First edition of this classic novel by Hemingway. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and ruling to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, gilt signature to the front panel, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. An exceptional presentation.