Byron, George Gordon [Lord]

The Poetical Works of Lord Byron. [Fore-edge Painting].

London : John Murray, 1850.

Finely bound edition of the complete poetical works of Lord Byron. Octavo, bound in full crushed red morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, quadruple gilt ruling and fleuron cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-in and inner dentelles, patterned endpapers, illustrated, frontispiece portrait of Byron. Decorated with a fore-edge paintingContinue reading "The Poetical Works of Lord Byron. [Fore-edge Painting]."

King Jr., Martin Luther

Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?

New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1967.

First edition of King’s “last grand expression of his vision” (Cornel West). Octavo, bound in full morocco, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. An exceptional presentation.

Gibbon, Edward

Miscellaneous Works of Edward Gibbon, Esquire. With Memoirs of His Life and Writings, Composed by Himself: Illustrated from His Letters, with Occasional Notes and Narrative by John Lord Sheffield.

London : Printed for A. Strahan, and T. Cadell Jun. and W. Davies, 1796.

First edition of Gibbon’s memoirs, letters, and additional works, posthumously collected and published by his closest friend, John Baker Holroyd, 1st Earl of Sheffield. Quarto, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, engraved frontispiece portraitContinue reading "Miscellaneous Works of Edward Gibbon, Esquire. With Memoirs of His Life and Writings, Composed by Himself: Illustrated from His Letters, with Occasional Notes and Narrative by John Lord Sheffield."

Eisenhower, Dwight D

The White House Years: Mandate for Change 1953-1956 and The White House Years: Waging Peace 1956-1961.

Garden City, NY : Doubleday and Company, 1963-65.

Signed limited first editions of Eisenhower’s memoirs, each one of 1500 copies. Thick Octavo, two volumes, original tan cloth with green morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, cartographic endpapers. One of 1500 numbered copies signed by the author. Association copy, Waging Peace is an Advance presentation copy, inscribed by Eisenhower to Secretary of Defense, Thomas S. Gates,Continue reading "The White House Years: Mandate for Change 1953-1956 and The White House Years: Waging Peace 1956-1961."

Withering, William

An Account of the Foxglove, and Some of its Medical Uses: With Practical Remarks on Dropsy, and Other Diseases.

Birmingham : Printed by M. Swinney, 1785.

Rare first edition of this classic work in pharmacology. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, folding frontispiece of hand-colored folding frontispiece plate of a foxglove plant. In very good condition with the plate in fine condition. Rebacked.

Dunton, John

John Dunton’s Letters From New-England.

Boston : Printed For the Society, 1867.

The Prince Society edition of Dunton’s letters from New England. Octavo, bound in three quarters morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt. One of twenty numbered copies printed on large paper, this is number 5. In very good condition.

Bacon, Sir Francis

The Historie of the Raigne of King Henry the Seventh.

London : Printed by Stansby for Matthew Lownes and William Barret, 1622.

Scarce first edition, first issue of Sir Francis Bacon’s influential history of the reign of King Henry VII with “Highnesse” at the conclusion of the dedication and “souldiers” (3, line 12) (Pforzheimer 32; STC 1159). Quarto, bound in three quarters calf over marbled boards with tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands,Continue reading "The Historie of the Raigne of King Henry the Seventh."

Maugham, W.Somerset

A Maugham Reader.

Garden City, NY : Doubleday & Company, 1950.

First edition of this collection by the author of The Razor’s Edge. Octavo, bound in full morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, frontispiece of Maugham, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, double gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, all edges gilt. With an introduction by Glenway Wescott. In fine condition.

Cutler, Carl C

Greyhounds of the Sea: The Story of the American Clipper Ship.

New York : Halcyon House, 1930.

First edition of Cutler’s masterwork on the history of the American clipper ship. Quarto, bound in three quarters morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, frontispiece. In near fine condition.

Report From The Secretary of War, Transmitting, In Compliance with a Resolution of the Senate, the Report of the Commissioner to Investigate Claims Against the Miami Indians, with a Statement of Expense of Said Commission, &c. March 2, 1839.

1839-1886.

Rare sammelband collection of three Congressional Reports regarding the Miami Indian Treaties. Octavo, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt to the spine and front panel, marbled endpapers. The collection includes: Report From The Secretary of War, Transmitting, In Compliance with a Resolution of the Senate, the ReportContinue reading "Report From The Secretary of War, Transmitting, In Compliance with a Resolution of the Senate, the Report of the Commissioner to Investigate Claims Against the Miami Indians, with a Statement of Expense of Said Commission, &c. March 2, 1839."

Cobbe, Frances Power

Why Women Desire The Franchise.

London : Spottiswoode & Co., Printers, 1869.

First edition of prolific Anglo-Irish suffragette Frances Power Cobbe’s feminist treatise. Octavo, bound in half morocco over marbled boards with gilt ruling to the spine, burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Accompanied by an original albumen carte-de-visite of Frances Power Cobbe by Philip Crellin signed by her. In near fine condition. Library stamp toContinue reading "Why Women Desire The Franchise."

Dickens, Charles

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

London : Chapman and Hall, 1843-48.

Complete set of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Books containing first editions of each volume in the series with the exception of A Christmas Carol. Octavo, five volumes elaborately bound in full crushed red morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt rulingContinue reading "The Christmas Books: A Christmas Carol; The Chimes; The Battle of Life; Cricket on the Hearth; The Haunted Man and The Ghost’s Bargain."

Victor, Orville J

The History, Civil, Political & Military of the Southern Rebellion, From its Incipient Stages to its Close.

New York : James D. Torrey, Publisher, [1861].

Complete first edition set of one of the earliest histories of the American Civil War. Octavo, four volumes, original publisher’s full pebbled morocco decorated in gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, illustrated with steel engraved plates, additional vignette title pages. frontispieces, and maps. In good condition. A rare complete set, we have never seen anotherContinue reading "The History, Civil, Political & Military of the Southern Rebellion, From its Incipient Stages to its Close."

Dickens, Charles

The Uncommercial Traveller.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1861.

First edition in book form of Dickens’ classic collection of personal vignettes. Octavo, bound in full polished calf by Tout, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, ribbon bound in, all edges gilt. In near fineContinue reading "The Uncommercial Traveller."

Hugo, Victor

The Works of Victor Hugo: Including [Les Misérables, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, The Contemplations and The Legend of the Ages].

Boston : George H. Richmond & Co, 1892.

Finely bound complete set of the Cabinet edition of the Works of Victor Hugo, one of 1000 numbered sets produced. Octavo, 40 volumes bound in three quarters morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in three compartments within raised gilt bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt with others untrimmed, illustrated with tissue-guarded engravingsContinue reading "The Works of Victor Hugo: Including [Les Misérables, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, The Contemplations and The Legend of the Ages]."

Blake, William O

Pictorial National Records: Embracing Descriptions of European and Asiatic Nations: A Statistical View of the United States of America; and a History of the Great Rebellion.

Columbus, Ohio : Gilmore and Brush, 1863-1866.

Complete first edition set of Blake’s scarce history of the American Civil War. Quarto, two volumes, original publisher’s gull morocco, elaborately decorated in gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, illustrated. In good condition. A rare complete set of this scarce work, far more rare than Blake’s better-known History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.

Norton, Thomas. [John Calvin]

The Institution Of Christian Religion, Written In Latin By M. John Calvine, Translated Into English According To The Authors Last Edition; With Sundry Tables To Finde The Principall Matters Intreated Of In This Booke.

London : John Norton, 1611.

Rare 1611 edition of Calvin’s seminal work on systematic theology, regarded as one of the most influential works of Protestant theology. Quarto, bound in three quarter calf with five raised bands to the spine, elaborate architectural borders to the title page, woodcut headpieces and tailpieces. In good condition. Upper portion of title page removed.

Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de

The History of the Most Renowned Don Quixote of Mancha: And his Trusty Squire Sancho Pancha, Now Made English according to the Humour of our Modern Language. And Adorned with several Copper Plates.

London : Printed by Tho. Hodgkin, and are to be sold by John Newton, 1687.

First edition of the first illustrated edition in English of Don Quixote. Folio, bound in three quarters calf over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands. With copper-engraved frontispiece and eight copper-engraved plates, each bearing two images. Translated by John Phillips. In very good condition with all plates present, signature trimmed. A veryContinue reading "The History of the Most Renowned Don Quixote of Mancha: And his Trusty Squire Sancho Pancha, Now Made English according to the Humour of our Modern Language. And Adorned with several Copper Plates."

Schumpeter, Joseph A

Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy.

London : George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1942.

First edition of Schumpeter’s groundbreaking work. Octavo, bound in full morocco, gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panel, raised bands, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition.

Maugham, W. Somerset

The Razor’s Edge.

Garden City, NY : Doubleday Doran & Company, 1944.

First American edition, which precedes the British edition of Maugham’s 20th-century manifesto for human fulfillment. Octavo, bound in full morocco, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition.

[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. Housed in a custom cloth chemise and slipcase.

Dickens, Charles

The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit.

London : London: Chapman and Hall, 1839.

First edition of this classic work. Octavo, bound in contemporary three quarters calf over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, illustrated with 40 plates. In near fine condition, contemporary name to the front free endpaper.

Gandhi, Mahatma [Mohandas K.]

Mahatma Gandhi: His Own Story.

London : George Allen& Unwin, 1930.

First edition of Gandhi’s revealing autobiography. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. Edited by Charles F. Andrews. An exceptional example.

Walton, Izaak; Charles Cotton; Harris Nicolas

The Complete Angler or the Contemplative Man’s Recreation Being a Discourse of Rivers Fish-Ponds Fish and Fishing Written by Izaak Walton and Instructions on How to Angle For A Trout of Grayling in a Clear Stream by Charles Cotton.

London : William Pickering, 1836.

First Nicolas edition of this classic of English literature. Quarto, two volumes bound in full morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, triple gilt ruling and fleuron cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers, illustrated with engravedContinue reading "The Complete Angler or the Contemplative Man’s Recreation Being a Discourse of Rivers Fish-Ponds Fish and Fishing Written by Izaak Walton and Instructions on How to Angle For A Trout of Grayling in a Clear Stream by Charles Cotton."

Smith, Adam

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

London : Printed for William Allison & J. Maynard; Edinburgh: W. Blair, 1819.

Early edition of Adam Smith’s magnum opus and cornerstone of economic thought. Octavo, 3 volumes, bound in contemporary full calf, gilt titles to the spine, red and green spine labels. In near fine condition. An exceptional set of this classic work.

von Mises, Ludwig

Theory and History. An Interpretation of Social and Economic Evolution.

New Haven : Yale University Press, 1963.

First edition, second printing of Mises’ classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Mr. Merle Gwinn Ludwig von Mises.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Uncommon signed and inscribed.

Stowe, Harriet Beecher

Uncle Tom’s Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly.

London : H. G. Bohn, 1852.

Early English printing of Stowe’s enormously influential work, published the same year as the first. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated by Leech, Gilbert, etc. In very good condition. Housed in a custom folding chemise and half morocco slipcase.

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 with some chips to the extremities. Rare in the original dust jacket.

Dickens, Charles

Bleak House.

London : Bradbury Evans, 1853.

First edition of this Dickens’ classic. Octavo, bound in three quarters calf over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, top edge gilt, marble endpapers. In near fine condition. Illustrated with engraved title page and 39 engraved plates by H.K. Browne.

Doyle, Arthur Conan

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.

London : George Newnes, Limited, 1892-1894.

First editions of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic stories starring literature’s most famous detective. Octavo, original pictorial black and gilt-stamped light blue and dark blue cloth, patterned endpapers, all edges gilt. First issues, the first title with the street scene vignette with no text on the street sign and with “Violent” for “Violet” on p 317. InContinue reading "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes."

Dickens, Charles

The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.

London : Oxford University Press, 1967.

Early printing of the Oxford Illustrated edition of Dickens’ first novel. Octavo, bound in full crushed red morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling and fleuron cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers,Continue reading "The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club."

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.

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."

Aristotle

Logica: Aristotelis Ex Tertia Recognitione. Libri Logicorumad Archetypos Recogniti.

Parisiis : Petri Vidouei, 1531.

Rare 16th century French printing of Aristotle’s third book of logic. Folio, bound in full vellum, elaborate woodcut vignette-border title-page, illustrated with numerous in-text woodcut diagrams, and woodcut initials. Ownership inscriptions, including that of American philosopher Allan Gotthelf. Gotthelf received many honors for his work on Aristotle, including in 2004 an international conference on “AristotleContinue reading "Logica: Aristotelis Ex Tertia Recognitione. Libri Logicorumad Archetypos Recogniti."

Thomas, Isaiah

The History of Printing in America.

Worcester : Isaiah Thomas, 1810.

First edition of this work by the famed printer. Octavo, bound in contemporary sheep, morocco spine labels, illustrated with five engraved plates (four folding). Gift inscription of Thomas’s grandson, Benjamin Franklin Thomas, on each of the front free endpapers, as well as his signature on title page in first volume. Benjamin Franklin Thomas was aContinue reading "The History of Printing in America."

Darwin, Charles

The Works of Charles Darwin. Including: The Origin of Species; The Descent of Man; Variation of Plants and Animals Under Domestication; Formation of Vegetable Mould; The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom; The Movement and Habits of Climbing Plants; The Various Contrivances by Which Orchids are Fertilised by Insects. Second Edition, Revised. A Naturalist’s Voyage. Journal of Researches into the Natural History and Geology of Countries Visited During the Voyage of the H.M.S Beagle; The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species.

New York : D. Appleton and Company, 1896-97.

The Authorized edition of the works of Charles Darwin. Octavo, 15 volumes, bound in original three quarters morocco, gilt titles to the spine, top edge gilt, illustrated with in-text drawings and plates, some volumes with frontispieces. In near fine condition. An exceptional set.

Dickens, Charles

Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy’s Progress.

London : Richard Bentley, 1838.

First edition, first issue of Dickens’ classic work with “Boz” title pages and the “Fireside” plate. Octavo, three volumes bound in three quarter leather over marbled boards, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, all edges speckled red, illustrated with 24 plates by George Cruikshank. In very good condition. Text blocks trimmed, without half-titles or advertisements,Continue reading "Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy’s Progress."

James, William

The Naval History of Great Britain, From the Declaration of War by France, in February 1793; to the Accession of George IV. In January 1820; With An Account of the Origin and Progressive Increase of The British Navy; Illustrated, From the Commencement of the Year 1793, by A Series of Tabular Abstracts, Contained in a Separate Quarto Volume.

London : Printed for Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy, 1822.

First edition of James’ naval history of Great Britain. Five octavo volumes and one quarto volume of tables bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, folding plate in volume I. Sabin 35720. In near fine condition. Uncommon.

[John F. Kennedy]

Investigation of the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Washington, D.C : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1979.

First edition of the official multi-volume record on the assassination of President Kennedy. Octavo, 12 volumes. In fine condition.

Livy

The Roman History Written in Latine by Titus Livius. With the Supplements Of the Learned John Freinshemius, and John Dujatius. From the Foundation of Rome to the middle of the Reign of Augustus. Faithfully done into English.

London : Awnsham Churchill, 1686.

An exceptional early English edition of Livy’s classic Roman History. Folio, bound in period calf, illustrated with four plates, including frontispiece woodcut portraits of emperors and Hannibal, one two-page plate, and two maps of the early settlement of Rome. In very good condition, rebacked. A very sharp example.

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."

[de Carrara, Cajetau-Louis-Antoine]

18th Century French Nobility Patent.

November 13, 1710.

Rare 18th century French Patent of Nobility for Cajetau-Louis-Antoine de Carrara. Folio, bound in full velvet, the patent is comprised of five vellum leaves, the first with calligraphy within an elaborate engraved border; the third leaf with a gilt-painted armorial miniature, all edges gilt, rope bound in. Dated November 13, 1710, the patent is signed by MarieContinue reading "18th Century French Nobility Patent."

[Dalton, James]. Illustrated by George Cruikshank

The Gentleman in Black.

London : William Kidd, 1831.

First edition of Dalton’s The Gentleman in Black. Octavo, bound in three quarter navy morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, illustrated with an engraved frontispiece and four engraved plates by George Cruikshank. In near fine condition. A handsome example.

Cruikshank, George

George Cruikshank’s Omnibus.

London : Tilt and Bogue, 1842.

First edition of George Cruikshank‘s Omnibus. Octavo, bound in full morocco by Riviere & Son with elaborate gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, top edge gilt. Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece and numerous platesContinue reading "George Cruikshank’s Omnibus."

Aristotle

Aristoteles de Animalibus.

Venetiis : Octaviani Scoticiuis, 1525.

Rare early 16th century Venetian printing of Aristotle’s pioneering work on zoology which had a powerful influence on zoology for over two thousand years. Folio, bound in full vellum, illustrated with woodcut initials. In very good condition. Deaccessioned from the Harvard College Library with their stamps and bookplate.

Toner, Joseph Meredith [George Washington]

George Washington as an Inventor and Promoter of the Useful Arts. An Address Delivered at Mount Vernon, April 10, 1891, by J.M. Toner, M.D.

Washington, D.C. : Press of Gedney & Roberts Co, 1891.

First separate edition of Turner’s address delivered at Mount Vernon on the occasion of the visit of the officers and members of the Patent Centennial Celebration. Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco over marbled boards by Stikeman & Co. with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spineContinue reading "George Washington as an Inventor and Promoter of the Useful Arts. An Address Delivered at Mount Vernon, April 10, 1891, by J.M. Toner, M.D."

Truth, Sojourner

Narrative of Sojourner Truth, A Northern Slave, Emancipated From Bodily Servitude by the State of New York, in 1828 and The Book of Life.

Boston : Published By The Author, 1875.

Rare first revised edition of the book that brought Truth’s remarkable story to the world and the first edition of The Book of Life. Octavo, original cloth, gilt titles to the spine, illustrated frontispiece portrait of Truth. In very good condition, contemporary ownership inscription on front free endpaper. Rare and desirable.

Ratner, Lawrence; Designed by Balazs Szabo [Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham]

Led Zeppelin: Live Dreams.

Chicago : Margaux Publishing, 1993.

First edition of this illustrated work from the Laurance Ratner collection of photographs. Quarto, original black cloth with decorative metallic bas relief frame designed by Balazs Szabo, slipcase. No. 30 from an edition limited to 2000 copies. Signed by Laurance Ratner and inscribed by Szabo in silver ink on front free endpaper, “To Lenny TheContinue reading "Led Zeppelin: Live Dreams."