Marias, Javier

Your Face Tomorrow: Poison, Shadow, and Farewell.

New York : New Directions, 2009.

First American edition of the author’s final volume in his brilliant trilogy. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed and dated by the author in the year of publication on the title page, “Javier Marias 30 November 2009.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket illustration by Hans Geel. Translated from the Spanish by Margaret Jull Costa.

Goodall, Jane with Gail Hudson

Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the World of Plants.

New York : Grand Central Publishing, 2014.

First edition of this work by the renowned naturalist and scientist. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Jane Goodall on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Tom McKeveny. Foreword by Michael Pollan.

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, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

Oxford : Printed by the University Printers, 1701.

Rare early 18th century Book of Common Prayer in a royal binding bearing the ciphers of Queen Anne. Folio, bound in full contemporary green calf with gilt royal ciphers of Queen Anne to the spine in seven compartments within raised gilt bands, rebacked, gilt paneling and scrolling to the front and rear panels with royalContinue 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, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons."

Bourdain, Anthony

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.

New York : Bloomsbury, 2000.

First edition, later printing of the legendary chef’s bestselling memoir and first work of non-fiction. Octavo, original boards. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Kathy and Ken Anthony Bourdain.” Very good in a very good dust jacket with damp-staining to a few pages at the top of the text block.Continue reading "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly."

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, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

Cambridge : Printed by Joseph Bentham, Printer to the University, 1745.

Rare 18th century Book of Common Prayer, formerly used in the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court. Folio, bound in full contemporary black morocco with gilt royal cyphers of King George II to the spine in seven compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling and elaborate gilt scrolling to the front and rear panels, giltContinue 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, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons."

Saint Augustine

Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives. [The City of God].

London : George Eld, 1610.

Rare first edition in English of Augustine’s monumental work. Translated by John Healey. Folio, bound in full brown calf, gilt titles to the spine, morocco spine label, raised bands. Large woodcut printer’s device on title (McKerrow 375). Decorative woodcut head-pieces and decorative and woodcut initials, including three twelve-line initials. In very good condition, ownership signatureContinue reading "Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives. [The City of God]."

Huxley, Aldous

The Doors of Perception; Heaven and Hell.

London : Chatto & Windus, 1954.

First British editions of Aldous Huxley’s philosophical essay The Doors of Perception and its sequel Heaven and Hell. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Each are near fine in near fine dust jackets. Jacket designs by John Woodcock. Ownership inscription to the front free endpaper of Heaven and Hell.

Atherton, Gertrude Franklin

The Conqueror: Being the True and Romantic Story of Alexander Hamilton.

New York : The Macmillan Company, 1902.

First edition of this historical novel that blends biographical narrative with romanticized fiction to construct a dramatic portrait of one of America’s founding figures. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles and detailing to the spine and front panel, top edge gilt. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Mr. WaylandContinue reading "The Conqueror: Being the True and Romantic Story of Alexander Hamilton."

Gaines, Ernest J

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.

New York : The Dial Press, 1971.

First edition of this classic novel, which depicts the struggles of African Americans as seen through the eyes of the narrator, a woman named Jane Pittman. Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Ernest J. Gaines on the title page. Also, laid in is signed photograph of Gaines laid in. Fine in a near fine dustContinue reading "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman."

Crichton, Michael [Chip Kidd]

Jurassic Park and The Lost World.

Franklin Center, PA : The Easton Press, 1990 & 1995.

Signed limited first editions of Crichton’s gripping, bestselling scientific thriller and its sequel The Lost World. Octavo, 2 volumes, original leather, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front and rear panels, raised bands, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers, ribbon bound in. Each volume is signed by Michael Crichton and each with a large originalContinue reading "Jurassic Park and The Lost World."

Frost, Robert

A Boy’s Will.

New York : Henry Holt and Company, 1915.

First American edition of Frost’s first published work. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, gilt titles to the spine and front panel. Boldly signed by the poet on the title page. In near fine condition.

Xingjian, Gao

Soul Mountain.

New York : Harper Collins, 2000.

First edition in English of the author’s magnum opus, which led to him winning the Nobel Prize in literature in 2000. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “A James Helgar Gao Xingjian le 6 Octobre 2004.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Translated by Mabel Lee.

Roosevelt, Eleanor

India and the Awakening East.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1953.

First edition, early printing of Eleanor Roosevelt’s account of her travels through the Middle East and India. Octavo, original half cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated with 32 pages of photographs. Boldly signed by Eleanor Roosevelt on the title page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.

Kubrick, Stanley & Anthony Burgess

Stanley Kubrick’s Clockwork Orange.

New York : Abelard-Schuman, 1972.

First edition of the book recreation of Stanley Kubrick’s epic film adaptation of Anthony Burgess’ dystopian 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 HarcourtContinue reading "Stanley Kubrick’s Clockwork Orange."

Carson, Rachel

The Edge of the Sea.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1955.

First edition of Carson’s classic work, which explores marine life that takes us into “a truly extraordinary world” (The Atlantic Monthly). Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “Inscribed for Miss Mary Lindsay with best wishes of Rachel Carson.” Illustrated by Bob Hines. Near fine in a veryContinue reading "The Edge of the Sea."

Joyce, James

Ulysses.

New York : Random House, 1934.

First American edition of Joyce’s masterpiece. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in four compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt signature of Joyce to the front panel, gilt ruled inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery,Continue reading "Ulysses."

Beard, Peter and Alistair Graham

Eyelids of Morning: The Mingled Destinies of Crocodile and Men.

New York : Graphic Society, 1973.

First edition, second printing of this classic work. Quarto, original cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author and with an original painting and cutouts done by Beard across two pages, “To Renny from the compiler in Lake Rudolf Rue Balzac (+ Rue Berryer), Les Bains Douches (Helsinki) + Morton’s etc Stay in touch!Continue reading "Eyelids of Morning: The Mingled Destinies of Crocodile and Men."

Apcar, Amy

Melodies of Five Offices in Holy Week According to the Holy Apostolic Church of Armenia: Being the Offices for Palm Sunday Evening for the Third, Sixth, and Tenth Hours of Holy Thursday and for the Tenth Hour of Good Friday Together with the Office for Candlemas Eve.

Leipzig : Printed by Breitkopf & Haertel, 1902.

Early edition of this rendering of sacred melodies into modern musical notation. Octavo, written in English and Armenian, bound in full brown cloth with gilt titles to the spine, gilt cross vignette to the front panel, musical stanzas throughout. Written down in modern musical notation by Amy Apcar. In good condition with rubbing and lossesContinue reading "Melodies of Five Offices in Holy Week According to the Holy Apostolic Church of Armenia: Being the Offices for Palm Sunday Evening for the Third, Sixth, and Tenth Hours of Holy Thursday and for the Tenth Hour of Good Friday Together with the Office for Candlemas Eve."

Wright, Lawrence

The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2006.

First edition of this Pulitzer Prize-winning work, which was named one of the New York Times’ 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Lawrence Wright on the title page and three times by Chip Kidd, on the front panel, on the title page and on the rear flap.Continue reading "The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11."

Roosevelt, Theodore

Through the Brazilian Wilderness.

New York : Charles Scribners Sons, 1914.

First edition of this classic adventure taken by Theodore Roosevelt. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, top edge gilt, tissue-guarded frontispiece. Illustrated from photographs taken by Kermit Roosevelt and other members of the expedition, and with 3 maps, including 1 folding in the rear. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the authorContinue reading "Through the Brazilian Wilderness."

Silverstein, Dr. Charles; Edmund White

The Joy of Gay Sex.

New York : Crown Publishers, Inc, 1977.

First edition of this classic bestselling guide. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated throughout in color and sepia. Boldly signed by co-author Edmund White on the title page. Fine in a very good dust jacket with a small loss to the front panel and a few small closed tears. Illustrated by Michael Leonard, Ian Beck, andContinue reading "The Joy of Gay Sex."

Benson, Arthur Christopher [John Maynard Keynes] [J.M.]

The Leaves of the Tree: Studies in Biography.

London : Smith, Elder, & Co, 1911.

First edition of this work on the challenges of writing biography. Octavo, bound in full synthetic leather with gilt titles to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands. Association copy, inscribed twice by John Maynard Keynes to his mother Florence Ada Keynes, once on the title page without the date and once onContinue reading "The Leaves of the Tree: Studies in Biography."

Clarke, Arthur C. and Stanley Kubrick [Keir Dullea]

2001: A Space Odyssey.

London : Hutchinson, 1968.

First British edition of the novel of the landmark “proverbial good science fiction movie” he and Stanley Kubrick created, starring Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Keir Dullea on the title page and additionally signed by him on the front panel of the jacket. Near fine in a nearContinue reading "2001: A Space Odyssey."

[Charlie Kirk]

The U.S. Constitution and Other Writings.

San Diego : Canterbury Classics, 2017.

Finely bound example of the Constitution of the United States. Octavo, bound in full leatherette, illustrated endpapers, all edges gilt. Boldly signed by Charlie Kirk on the half-title page. Kirk signed this in Palm Beach in December of 2024. In fine condition. Rare and desirable signed.

Frankl, Viktor E

The Doctor and the Soul: An Introduction to Logotherapy.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1955.

First edition of Frankl’s classic work which explores topics on the meaning of life in general as well as the meaning of specific areas of one’s life, such as work and personal relationships. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Mr. Stettner with the kindest regardsContinue reading "The Doctor and the Soul: An Introduction to Logotherapy."

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."

Hawthorne, Nathaniel

The Scarlet Letter.

New York : Random House Inc, 1928.

Random House limited edition of Hawthorne’s masterpiece. Octavo, original publisher’s half morocco with gilt titles to the spine, illustrated with wood blocks designed and engraved by Valenti Angelo. One of 980 numbered copies, this is number 895. In very good condition. Printed by Edwin and Robert Grabhorn. A nice example.

Smith, James Edward; Edited by Lady Smith

Memoir and Correspondence of the Late Sir James Edward Smith, M.D.

London : Printed for Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman, 1832.

First edition of this comprehensive biographical portrait of one of Britain’s most influential botanists and founders of the Linnean Society, compiled by his widow Pleasance Smith. Octavo, two volumes, bound in half-cloth with paper titles to the spine. In near fine condition. Edited by Lady Smith.

Johns, Jasper

Jasper Johns: 17 Monotypes.

New York : Universal Limited Art Editions, Inc., 1982.

First edition of this exhibition catalog highlighting a series of Johns’ experimental works. Quarto, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles, illustrated with 17 lithographic monotypes of the work Savarin (1977-81), and black and white reproductions of Johns works. Presentation copy, inscribed by Johns in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “For ClariceContinue reading "Jasper Johns: 17 Monotypes."

[de las Casas, Bartolomé]

Colleccion de Libros Espanoles: Varias Relaciones del Peru y Chile; De Las Antiguas Gentes del Peru.

Madrid : Miguel Ginesta/Manuel G. Hernandez, 1879-1892.

Finely bound Spanish printings of Bartolomé de las Casas’ histories of Peru and Chile. Octavo, two volumes bound in one half morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, all edges untrimmed, original wrappers bound in. In fine condition.

Hardy, Thomas

Return of the Native. [and] The Woodlanders.

Chicago and New York : Rand, McNally & Company, .

Early editions of Thomas Hardy’s famous sixth and eleventh published novels. Octavo, original pictorial cloth with gilt titles, top edges gilt, frontispieces, with black and white illustrations. In very good condition with light toning, signature to the front pastedown of Return of the Native.

Rhodes, Richard

The Making of the Atomic Bomb.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1986.

First edition of the author’s classic work which won the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Lengthily signed by the author on the title page with a quote from the book opposite the title page, “Richard Rhodes ‘IContinue reading "The Making of the Atomic Bomb."

Maris, Roger; Jim Ogle

Roger Maris At Bat.

New York : Duell, Sloan and Pearce, 1962.

First edition of this baseball legend’s autobiography. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, signed by Roger Maris and inscribed by co-author Jim Ogle on the front free endpaper. Very good in a very good dust jacket. Rare and desirable signed.

Darwin, Charles; Edited by James D. Watson

Darwin: The Indelible Stamp.

Philadelphia : Running Press, 2005.

First edition of this compilation of Charles Darwin’s most influential works in their entirety contained for the first time in one volume. Thick octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by James Watson on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Text includes commentary by Nobel laureate James Watson.

Benchley, Robert

Benchley-Or Else!

New York : Harper & Brothers, 1947.

First edition of Benchley’s collection of humorous essays. Octavo, original cloth, bookplate to the front pastedown from “The Library of Robert B. Gray.” Illustrated with unique drawings by Gluyas Williams. Very good in a very good dust jacket. Author photograph by Ben Pinchot.

Hardy, Thomas

Tess of the d’Urbervilles. [and] The Woodlanders. [and] The Well-Beloved.

New York : Harper & Brothers Publishers, c. 1904-1905.

Finely bound editions of Thomas Hardy’s famous works. Octavo, original pictorial cloth, tissue-guarded frontispieces, with black and white illustrations in Tess of the d’Urbervilles, and a map of Wessex to the rear of The Well-Beloved. In very good condition, ownership signatures to the front free endpapers of Tess of the d’Urbervilles and The Woodlanders, bookplateContinue reading "Tess of the d’Urbervilles. [and] The Woodlanders. [and] The Well-Beloved."

Hardy, Thomas

Desperate Remedies. [and] The Mayor of Casterbridge.

Chicago and New York : Rand, McNally & Company, c. 1900.

Early editions of Thomas Hardy’s first and tenth published novels. Octavo, original pictorial cloth with gilt titles, top edges gilt, frontispieces, with black and white illustrations. In very good condition. Ownership inscriptions to the front pastedown and front free endpaper of Mayor of Casterbridge.

Hardy, Thomas

Desperate Remedies. [and] Far from the Madding Crowd.

Chicago and New York : Rand, McNally & Company, .

Alpha Library editions of Thomas Hardy’s famous works. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles, top edges gilt. In very good condition.

Stowe, Harriet Beecher

Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands.

London : Sampson Low, Son, & Co, 1854.

First British author’s edition of this travel narrative that records Stowe’s observations during a tour of Europe in the wake of her international fame from Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Duodecimo, bound in three-quarters morocco with gilt titles to the spine in five compartments within gilt bands, engraved frontispiece, with black and white illustrations throughout. In veryContinue reading "Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands."

Woodward, Bob [Gerald and Betty Ford]

The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate’s Deep Throat.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 2005.

First edition of this reflective memoir of the Watergate scandal. Octavo, original boards. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To President Ford & Betty. With greatest regard Bob Woodward.” The recipient, President Gerald R. Ford, who assumed office following the Watergate scandal, sought to restore public trust in government through aContinue reading "The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate’s Deep Throat."

Wells, H.G

All Aboard for Ararat.

London : Secker & Warburg, 1940.

First edition of the last of Wells’ utopian novels. Octavo, original cloth. Very good in a very good dust jacket. From the collection of British science fiction author Christopher Priest with his ownership signature to the front free endpaper. Priest’s most famous works include The Inverted World (1974), the interconnected “Dream Archipelago” series, and The Prestige (1995),Continue reading "All Aboard for Ararat."

Einstein, Albert

Relativity: The Special And General Theory.

London : Methuen & Co. Ltd, 1920.

First British edition of Einstein’s ground-breaking work. Octavo, original red cloth, frontispiece of Einstein, illustrated with five diagrams. In very good condition with toning to the spine. Translated by Robert Lawson.

Schlesser, Thomas

Mona’s Eyes.

New York : Europa Editions, 2025.

First edition of this international bestselling debut novel. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, with a fold-out dust jacket depicting all 52 masterpieces. Boldly signed by Thomas Schlesser on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Translated from the French by Hildegarde Serle. Jacket design by Ginevra Rapisardi. Author photograph by Pascal Ito.

Maugham, W. Somerset

On A Chinese Screen.

London : William Heinemann, 1922.

First edition of this classic travel book by the author of The Razor’s Edge. Octavo, original publisher’s gilt-decorated cloth. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Herbert M. Meyer from W. Somerset Maugham These notes were made in China, most of them (in pencil) on paper bought by theContinue reading "On A Chinese Screen."

Ambrose, Stephen; Douglas Brinkley

Witness to America: An Illustrated Documentary History of the United States from the Revolution to Today.

New York : Harper Collins Publishers , 1999.

First edition of this collection of eyewitness accounts and illustrations chronicling the American experience. Thick quarto, original publisher’s half-cloth, black and white illustrations throughout, with an audio CD bound in at the rear. Boldly signed by both Stephen Ambrose and Douglas Brinkley on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Based on theContinue reading "Witness to America: An Illustrated Documentary History of the United States from the Revolution to Today."

Buchan, John

A Prince of the Captivity.

London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1933.

First edition of this complex novel set during the aftermath of World War I. Octavo, bound in three-quarters leather over pictorial boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands. In very good condition.

Catlin, George W

North American Indians: Being Letters and Notes on Their Manners, Customs, and Conditions, Written During Eight Years’ Travel Amongst the Wildest Tribes of Indians in North America, 1832-1839.

London : Published by the Author, 1841.

First edition, first issue of this detailed anthropological history. Royal octavo, two volumes, original publisher’s cloth, frontispiece, with 400 black and white illustrations carefully engraved from the author’s original paintings by Catlin, three maps, and errata slip present at the front of the first volume. In very good condition.

Varnedoe, Kirk [Jasper Johns]

Jasper Johns: A Retrospective.

New York : The Museum of Modern Art, 1996.

Deluxe Limited Edition of this most complete and authoritative book on the artist Jasper Johns. Quarto, original publisher’s cloth, profusely illustrated throughout. The endpapers are fragments of actual lithographic proofs of the print “Untitled, 1995” individually cut so that no two volumes of this deluxe edition have the same endpapers, and is reproduced in itsContinue reading "Jasper Johns: A Retrospective."

Edsel, Robert M. and Bret Witter [George Clooney; Matt Damon and Bob Balaban]

The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History.

New York : Center Street, 2009.

First edition of this work, basis for the 2014 war film directed by George Clooney, and written and produced by Clooney and Grant Heslov. The film stars an ensemble cast including Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, Hugh Bonneville and Cate Blanchett. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed byContinue reading "The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History."

Kahn, Roger

The Boys of Summer.

New York : Harper and Row, Publishers, 1972.

First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Roger Kahn on the title page. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Paul Bacon.

McCarthy, Cormac

Blood Meridian, or The Evening Redness in the West.

London : Picador , 1989.

First British edition of the author’s classic fifth novel. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Cormac McCarthy on the front free endpaper. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket illustration by George Sharp. An exceptional example, uncommon signed.

Maugham, W. Somerset

The Moon and Sixpence.

New York : The Heritage Press, 1941.

The Heritage Press illustrated edition of this classic novel. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, floral stamped detailing to the front panel, top stain brown, pictorial endpapers, frontispiece self-portrait of Paul Gauguin, with black and white illustrations and decorations. In fine condition. Illustrated by Frederic Dorr Steele and Paul Gauguin. Housed in the original slipcase.

Presbrey, Frank

The History and Development of Advertising.

New York : Doubleday, Doran and Company, Inc, 1929.

First edition of this history on the evolution of advertising. Royal octavo, original publisher’s cloth with orange titles, top stain orange, with more than 350 illustrations. In very good condition.

Kipling, Rudyard

The Absent-Minded Beggar.

England and The United States : The Daily Mail Publishing Co, 1899.

First illustrated facsimile edition of Kipling’s poem The Absent-Minded Beggar, a souvenir specially printed by The Daily Mail. Quarto, original wrappers, six pages with two pages of facsimile stanzas, cover portrait of Kipling by John Collier. Printed as a single folded sheet forming six printed pages in triptych format. The souvenir marked the 100th performance of SydneyContinue reading "The Absent-Minded Beggar."

Wells, H.G

The New America: The New World.

London : The Cresset Press, 1935.

First British edition of this sociopolitical commentary of the United States during the interwar period. Octavo, original publisher’s blue cloth. Very good in a very good dust jacket with toning and shelf wear. From the collection of British science fiction author Christopher Priest with his ownership signature to the front free endpaper. Priest’s most famousContinue reading "The New America: The New World."

[Napoleon Bonaparte]. Emil Ludwig. Translated by Eden and Cedar Paul

Napoleon. [Cosway Binding].

London : George Allen & Unwin, Ltd., 1927.

Elaborately bound Cosway style first edition in English of Emil Ludwig’s biography of Napoleon Bonaparte. Octavo, bound by Bayntun-Riviere in full Cosway style scarlet morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, inset ivorene hand-painted portrait of Napoleon depicting him with medals to the front panel, giltContinue reading "Napoleon. [Cosway Binding]."

Atherton, Gertrude Franklin

The Conqueror: Being the True and Romantic Story of Alexander Hamilton.

New York : The Macmillan Company, 1902.

First edition of this historical novel that blends biographical narrative with romanticized fiction to construct a dramatic portrait of one of America’s founding figures. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles and detailing to the spine and front panel, top edge gilt. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Ms. ArelinaContinue reading "The Conqueror: Being the True and Romantic Story of Alexander Hamilton."

Cervantes, Miguel de

Vida Y Hechos del Ingeniso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha.

Tarragona : Joseph Barber, 1757.

Eighteenth century finely bound example of Cervantes’ masterpiece “which is to Spanish literature what Shakespeare is to English” (Bloom). Duodecimo, four volumes, bound in full uniform contemporary limp parchment, woodcut title page vignettes, illustrated with woodcuts throughout. In very good condition. Housed in two custom board book boxes with morocco spine fronts. Ownership inscriptions toContinue reading "Vida Y Hechos del Ingeniso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha."

Highet, Gilbert [Raymond Chandler]

The Classical Tradition: Greek and Roman Influences on Western Literature.

New York and London : Oxford University Press, 1949.

First Oxford University Press edition of this classic Western literature. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth From the library of Raymond Chandler with his library stamp to the front free endpaper: Raymond Chandler 6005 Camino de la Costa La Jolla, California OCT 13 1949. Raymond Chandler was a pivotal figure in 20th-century American literature, renowned for hisContinue reading "The Classical Tradition: Greek and Roman Influences on Western Literature."

Kipling, Rudyard

National Bands: A Speech by Rudyard Kipling.

London 1915.

First edition of this short patriotic speech. Quarto, unpaginated single sheet of stiff white paper folded once. Delivered at the Mansion House on January 27, 1915. In very good condition.

Wolfe, Tom [Tom Hanks]

The Bonfire of the Vanities.

New York : Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1987.

First edition of the author’s first novel, basis for the film starring Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Tom Wolfe and Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks on the half-title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Rare and desirable.

Colom, Joan Juan und Camilo Jose Cela

Izas, Rabizas Y Colipoterras.

Barcelona : Editorial Lumen, 1964.

First edition of this classic photobook of Barcelona’s underworld and working class, especially in the infamous neighborhood of Raval. Small quarto, original illustrated boards, illustrated throughout. Text by Nobel Prize-prize winning writer José Camilo Cela. In near fine condition.

Goodall, Jane with Gail Hudson

Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the World of Plants.

New York : Grand Central Publishing, 2014.

First edition of this work by the renowned naturalist and scientist. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Jane Goodall on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Tom McKeveny. Foreword by Michael Pollan.

Burroughs, Edgar Rice

Apache Devil.

Tarzana : Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., 1933.

First edition of the second book in Burroughs’ realistic historical ‘Apache’ series. Octavo, original cloth with red top stain. In very good condition.. Lacking the front free endpaper. Frontispiece and four illustrations by Studley Burroughs.

Rowling, J.K

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

London : Bloomsbury, 1998.

First edition, early printing of the second novel in Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Octavo, original illustrated boards. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Cliff Wright.

Waugh, Evelyn

The Loved One: First Apperance in Print, Published in Horizon Volume XVII, No. 98, February 1948.

London : Horizon, A Review of Literature and Art, 1948.

First appearance of Evelyn Waugh’s The Loved One, first published in the literary magazine Horizon, volume XVII, No. 98, February 1948. Octavo, original publisher’s wrappers. In very good condition.

Salinger, J.D

The Catcher In The Rye.

Boston : Little Brown and Company, 1951.

First edition of the author’s classic first book. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt stamped signature to the front panel, gilt ruled inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery,Continue reading "The Catcher In The Rye."

Wells, H.G

Meanwhile, The Picture of a Lady.

New York : George H. Doran, 1927.

First American edition of Wells’ widely translated best-selling novel. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, facsimile signature stamped in blind to the front panel. In near fine condition with toning. Bookseller’s ticket to the rear pastedown. From the collection of British science fiction author Christopher Priest. Priest’s most famous works include The InvertedContinue reading "Meanwhile, The Picture of a Lady."

Wodehouse, P. G

Pigs Have Wings.

London : Herbert Jenkins, 1952.

First edition of Wodehouse’s dreadfully funny novel. Octavo, original cloth. Very good in a good price-clipped dust jacket with loss to the front panel, rear panel, and spine of the dust jacket. Jacket illustration by R.M. Sax.

Graham, A. A; E. S. Colborn [William Tecumseh Sherman]

History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio: Their Past and Present.

Chicago : W. H. Beers & Co, 1883.

First edition of this comprehensive history of Ohio’s townships, industries, soldiers, pioneer families, and prominent men; from the library of Philemon Tecumseh Sherman. Quarto, bound in full morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the front panel, all edges marbled, illustrated with maps, diagrams, and engravings. P. T. Sherman’s bookplate to the front pastedown. InContinue reading "History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio: Their Past and Present."

Raptis Rare Books

Custom Archival Quarto Presentation Portfolio.

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Custom archival presentation portflio designed for the safe housing and elegant presentation of historic letters, manuscripts, or ephemera. Constructed with archival-quality materials to ensure long-term preservation. Octavo, bound in full navy cloth, gilt Raptis Rare Books insignia to the front panel, with a diagonal ribbon to each corner of both pastedowns. The portfolio measures 14Continue reading "Custom Archival Quarto Presentation Portfolio."

Barrett, Amy Coney

Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution.

New York : Sentinel, 2025.

First edition of this glimpse of the Supreme Court Justice’s journey to the Court and an account of her approach to the Constitution. Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Amy Coney Barrett on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Henry Nuhn.