Flaubert, Gustave

Madame Bovary: Provincial Manners.

Paris : Michel Lévy frères, 1857.

True first edition of the author’s masterpiece. Octavo, two volumes, bound in three quarters leather. In near fine condition. A very sharp example.

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.

Faulkner, William

Afternoon of a Cow Original Typed Manuscript Drafts.

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Three original typed drafts of William Faulkner’s parodical short story “Afternoon of a Cow.  By Ernest V. Trueblood.” Two complete copies, each 17 leaves; bound with brass clasps in green folders with the third copy lacking the first leaf; with 49 strikethroughs in Faulkner’s hand throughout most excising a single word. When Faulkner returned toContinue reading "Afternoon of a Cow Original Typed Manuscript Drafts."

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."

Proulx, Annie

Bird Cloud: A Memoir.

New York : Scribner, 2011.

First edition of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s magnificent memoir. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed by Annie Proulx on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Rex Bonomelli. Jacket photograph of Bird Cloud by Annie Proulx.

Gleick, James

Chaos: Making A New Science.

New York : The Viking Press, 1987.

First edition of this modern classic in the tradition of Stephen Hawking and Carl Sagan. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by James Gleick on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Neil Stuart.

Hughes, Langston and Milton Meltzer

A Pictorial History of the Negro in America.

New York : Crown Publishers, Inc, 1956.

First edition of this important compilation on the history of African Americans. Quarto, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Langston Hughes and Milton Meltzer on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket. Uncommon signed.

Mayer, Brantz

Captain Canot; or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver. Being an Account of the Career and Adventures on the Coast, in the Interior, on Shipboard, and in the West Indies.

New York : D. Appleton and Company, 1854.

First edition, early issue of the historian’s detailed account of the African slave trade without the misprint on page 191. Octavo, bound in contemporary calf, rebacked, additional vignette title. In very good condition, hinges reinforced.

McCarthy, Cormac

The Orchard Keeper.

New York : Random House, 1965.

First edition of the author’s rare first book. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Cormac McCarthy on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with some light wear to the extremities, closed tear with archival tape repair. Jacket design by Muriel Nasser. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshellContinue reading "The Orchard Keeper."

Clark, Jim

Jim Clark Signed Photograph.

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Original photograph of Formula One racing legend Jim Clark, boldly signed by him on the front, “With Best Wishes Jim Clark. From the collection of BRDC chairman and racing driver Peter Stubberfield. In near fine condition. The image measures 7.5 inches by 10 inches.

Keyes, Daniel

The Minds of Billy Milligan.

New York : Random House, 1981.

First edition of “this fascinating work” (Los Angeles Times). Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Daniel Keyes on the title page. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket, bookplate. Jacket painting and interior painting by Billy Milligan. Jacket design by Lawrence Ratzkin. Uncommon signed.

Kennedy, John F

John F. Kennedy Unsmoked Cigar.

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Rare unopened cigar given to 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy by a Philippine Ambassador to the United States, handsomely presented with a portrait of Kennedy. The Coronas Alhambra cigar is mounted in a shadowbox opening and is still stored in a cellophane sheath printed in gold lettering: “Specially Made For President Kennedy.” Under itsContinue reading "John F. Kennedy Unsmoked Cigar."

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.

Chapman, Colin

Colin Chapman Signed Lotus Photograph.

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Photograph depicting the Gold Leaf Team Lotus transporter in the paddock of the 1968 German GP, boldly signed by Colin Chapman. Team principal Colin Chapman can be seen speaking to Keith Duckworth and Emerson’s 49B is on axle stands in the foreground. From the collection of BRDC chairman and racing driver Peter Stubberfield. In nearContinue reading "Colin Chapman Signed Lotus Photograph."

Brandenburg, Jim. [Peter Matthiessen]

White Wolf: Living with an Arctic Legend.

Minocqua : Northwood Press, Inc., 1988.

First edition of Brandenburg’s landmark work in nature publishing. Oblong quarto, original cloth, illustrated with color photographs. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For Peter In admiration of your work & Looking forward to working with you. Jim Brandenburg.” The recipient, American writer Peter Matthiessen remains the only writer toContinue reading "White Wolf: Living with an Arctic Legend."

Schulz, Charles M

The Charlie Brown Dictionary.

New York 1973.

Complete set of The Charlie Brown Dictionary, volume one inscribed by Charles M. Schulz. Octavo, 7 volumes. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in volume one on the half-title page, “For Steve- Best wishes Charles M. Schulz.” In near fine condition.

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."

Kipling, Rudyard

Rudyard Kipling First Appearance Collection: The Burning of the Sarah Sands, An English School, and My Personal Experience With a Lion.

Boston : The Youth's Companion, 1898.

Rare collection of Kipling first appearances including the first appearance of The Burning of the Sarah Sands, An English School, and My Personal Experience With a Lion. Quarto. Housed in a custom folder. In near fine condition.

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."