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."

Churchill, Winston S.; Aldous Huxley; Hilaire Belloc; Jacob Epstein; Eric Gill; Mark Gertler; David Low; John Lavery; Rudyard Kipling; Laura Knight; William Nicholson; Paul Nash; Charles Ricketts; Edith Sitwell; Vita Sackville‑West; Stanley Spencer; W. Heath Robinson; W. H. Davies; Rebecca West; P. G. Wodehouse et al. Edited by Captain James Humphrey Cotton Minchin

The Legion Book.

London : Privately printed by The Curwen Press for H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, 1929.

First and limited deluxe edition of the monumental Legion Book; one of only one hundred numbered copies printed for private distribution by the Prince of Wales and signed by a remarkable array of British writers and artists, as well as four prime ministers. Quarto, original publisher’s full deluxe pigskin over boards elaborately decorated in blindContinue reading "The Legion Book."

The Author W. P. [Penn, William]

The Great Case of Liberty of Conscience Once More Briefly Debated & Defended, by the Authority of Reason, Scripture, and Antiquity.

[London] 1670 [i.e. 1671].

Rare second edition of one of the most persuasive defences of liberty and “the free and uninterrupted exercise of our consciences”(William Penn). Quarto, bound in full modern morocco, gilt titles and ruling to the spine, inner dentelles elaborately stamped in blind. A powerful argument for toleration and against the intrusion of civil authority into religiousContinue reading "The Great Case of Liberty of Conscience Once More Briefly Debated & Defended, by the Authority of Reason, Scripture, and Antiquity."

Fleming, Ian [Roger Moore]

Live and Let Die.

London : Jonathan Cape, 1954.

First edition of the second James Bond novel, Octavo, bound by in full morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, inscribed to two-time Oscar winner Leslie Bricusse by Roger Moore and the director, Guy Hamilton. Association copy, inscribed on the versoContinue reading "Live and Let Die."

Franklin, Benjamin

Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces; Arranged under the Following Heads and Distinguished by Initial Letters in each Leaf: General Politics; American Politics before the Troubles; American Politics during the Troubles; Provincial or Colony Politics; Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces.

London : Printed for J. Johnson, 1779.

First edition of “the only edition of Franklin’s writings (other than his scientific) printed during his lifetime” (Ford). Octavo, bound half diced calf over marbled boards with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. With the engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin, three engraved plates (one folding), and folding tableContinue reading "Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces; Arranged under the Following Heads and Distinguished by Initial Letters in each Leaf: General Politics; American Politics before the Troubles; American Politics during the Troubles; Provincial or Colony Politics; Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces."

Franklin, Benjamin

The Works of Benjamin Franklin.

New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1887.

The Federal edition, number one of 1000 numbered copies, signed by the publisher of the works of Benjamin Franklin. Octavo, 12 volumes, bound in full morocco with gilt titles to the spine, blue morocco doublures framed by elaborate gilt tooling, complemented by matching blue moiré silk free endpapers raised bands, top edge gilt, illustrated withContinue reading "The Works of Benjamin Franklin."

French Military Artillery and Fortification Manual.

Metz : Ecole Royale de l'Artillerie et du Genie, 1818-19.

Rare early 19th century French military manual created in manuscript for the Ecole Royale de ‘Artillerie et du Genie (School of Application of Artillery and Engineering of Metz) containing lessons and technical drawings in the mechanics of artillery and construction of temporary and permanent military fortifications. Quarto, ten volumes bound in three quarters morocco overContinue reading "French Military Artillery and Fortification Manual."

[Caesar, Julius]. William Duncan

The Commentaries of Caesar, Translated into English. To Which is Prefixed a Discourse Concerning The Roman Art of War.

London : Printed for J. and R. Tonson, et al, 1753.

First edition of Duncan’s famous translation of Caesar’s Commentaries, sumptuously illustrated with frontispiece portrait of Caesar, six double-page maps, and 78 splendid plans and plates (most double-page). This copy with the famed double-page bull plate, often not present. Thick folio, contemporary full brown calf rebacked with elaborately gilt-decorated calf spine, raised bands. In very good condition.Continue reading "The Commentaries of Caesar, Translated into English. To Which is Prefixed a Discourse Concerning The Roman Art of War."

Burney, Capt. James

A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. Illustrated with Charts.

London : Printed by Luke Hansard, 1803.

Rare first edition of “the most important general history of early South Seas discoveries, containing practically everything of importance on the subject; collected from all sources, with the most important remarks concerning them. Many of the early voyages to California would be inaccessible were they not collected herein” (Hill). Quarto, 5 volumes bound in fullContinue reading "A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. Illustrated with Charts."

Churchill, Winston S

My Early Life; Thoughts and Adventures; Great Contemporaries; Step by Step.

London : Odhams Press Limited, 1936-1939.

First Odhams press edition of four of Churchill’s best-known works. Octavo, 4 volumes, original cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page in My Early Life, “To E.T. Vassallo from Winston S. Churchill, 1948. ” With a typed letter signed by Nina Edith Sturdee, Churchill‘s privateContinue reading "My Early Life; Thoughts and Adventures; Great Contemporaries; Step by Step."

Swift, Jonathan [Robert R. Livingstone]

The Works of Jonathan Swift: Including, Gulliver’s Travels.

Edinburgh : Printed by Mrs. Mundell, 1778.

First of 4 issues, Scotch editions, from the library of Robert R. Livingstone, with his bookplate to the pastedown of each volume. Small octavo, bound in contemporary calf, spine compartments ruled with Greek key tooling, morocco spine labels. From the library of founding father Robert R. Livingston. As one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, LivingstonContinue reading "The Works of Jonathan Swift: Including, Gulliver’s Travels."

Tolkien, J.R.R

The Lord of The Rings Trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.

London : George Allen and Unwin, 1966.

Finely bound set of each title comprising the The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Octavo, 3 volumes, bound in full red morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front panels, folding maps. In fine condition. Housed in a custom slipcase. The first printing of the second, revised, edition (with “Second Edition 1966” on theContinue reading "The Lord of The Rings Trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King."

Edwards, Jonathan

The Great Christian Doctrine of Original Sin Defended.

Boston : S. Kneeland, 1758.

First edition of this important work by the famed theologian. Octavo, bound in contemporary calf. In very good condition, contemporary names to the front free endpaper. First editions are rare.

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.

Twain, Mark. [Samuel L. Clemens]

The Writings of Mark Twain.

New York and London : Harper & Brothers, 1929.

The Stormfield limited edition of Twain’s writings. Including his autobiography, as well as a biography by Albert Bigelow Paine. Octavo, 37 volumes, bound in three-quarter morocco by Bayntun with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, tissue-guarded frontispieces, illustrated with black and whiteContinue reading "The Writings of Mark Twain."

Dumas, Alexandre [Alexander]

The Works of Alexandre Dumas, Including: The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, and The Vicomte de Bragelonne: Ten Years Later.

Boston : Little, Brown, and Company, 1893-98.

Rare limited edition of the works of Dumas, one of only 50 copies of the Illustrated Library Edition of the complete works of Alexandre Dumas. Octavo, 60 volumes bound in three quarter blue morocco by Bumpus over marbled boards with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in four compartments within raised gilt bands, topContinue reading "The Works of Alexandre Dumas, Including: The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After, and The Vicomte de Bragelonne: Ten Years Later."

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."

Byron, George Gordon Noel. [Lord Byron]

Don Juan.

London : Thomas Davison [i.e., John Murray], 1819-1821 (Cantos I-V, Volumes I-II)/John Hunt, 1823-24 (Cantos VI-XVI, Volumes III-VI).

Scarce complete first edition set of Byron’s great work which was widely criticized as immoral upon publication and is now considered one of the greatest poems of the Romantics; from the library of American writer Erica Jong. Volume one was produced in quarto format and the subsequent 5 volumes in octavo (Davison abandoned the quartoContinue reading "Don Juan."

Dickens, Charles

Great Expectations.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1861.

First edition, second impression of Dickens’ rarest book, one of only 750 copies. Octavo, three volumes bound in full polished calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt-ruled turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbledContinue reading "Great Expectations."

Churchill, Winston S

The Second World War: The Gathering Storm; Their Finest Hour; The Grand Alliance; The Hinge of Fate; Closing the Ring; Triumph and Tragedy.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1948-53.

First American editions of Winston Churchill’s masterpiece, preceding the British editions. Octavo, six volumes, original cloth, illustrated. Triumph and Tragedy is inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “Yours sincerely Winston S. Churchill.” Each volume is very good to near fine in a very good dust jacket with chipping to the spine extremities ofContinue reading "The Second World War: The Gathering Storm; Their Finest Hour; The Grand Alliance; The Hinge of Fate; Closing the Ring; Triumph and Tragedy."

Horatius Flaccus, Quintus (Alexis de Tocqueville)

Horatii Opera (The Complete Works of Horace).

John Pine : London, 1733-37.

First Pine edition of the collected works of ancient Roman poet and political figure Quintus Horatius Flaccus (Horace), “the most elegant of English eighteenth-century books in which text and illustrations alike are entirely engraved” (Ray). French statesman Alexis de Tocqueville’s copy, inscribed to him by his father in Volume I, “Donné à mon fils AlexisContinue reading "Horatii Opera (The Complete Works of Horace)."

Churchill, Winston S

Marlborough: His Life and Times.

London : George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd, 1933-38.

First edition of Churchill’s magisterial biography of his notable ancestor John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. Octavo, 4 volumes, original cloth, top edge gilt, illustrated with hundreds of maps and plans (many folding), plates and document facsimiles. Association copy, inscribed by Winston Churchill on the front free endpaper of volume IV, “To Maurice Ashley fromContinue reading "Marlborough: His Life and Times."

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.

Marshall, John. [George Washington]

The Life of George Washington, Commander in Chief of the American Forces, During the War Which Established the Independence of His Country, and First President of the United States. [WITH] The Life of George Washington: Maps and Subscriber’s Names.

Philadelphia : C.P. Wayne, 1804-1807.

First edition, first issue of the first biography of George Washington with the scarce atlas volume and list of subscribers. Octavo, six volumes, bound in full contemporary tree calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, tissue-guarded engraved frontispiece portrait of Washington to volume I. With the scarce atlasContinue reading "The Life of George Washington, Commander in Chief of the American Forces, During the War Which Established the Independence of His Country, and First President of the United States. [WITH] The Life of George Washington: Maps and Subscriber’s Names."