Browning, Robert

Dramatic Idyls.

London : Smith, Elder, & Co, 1879 & 1880.

First edition of this classic work by Robert Browning exploring dramatic monologue and narrative poetry, inscribed by Browning in each volume. Octodecimo, two volumes, bound in full levant morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within gilt raised bands, triple gilt ruling to boards, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, doubluresContinue reading "Dramatic Idyls."

Stern, Philip Van Doren

The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale.

Philadelphia : David McKay Company, 1944.

First edition of this classic Christmas story, the basis for Frank Capra’s beloved movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Small octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Philip Van Doren Stern on the pre-half-title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of wear. Illustrated by Rafaello Busoni. Housed in a custom half moroccoContinue reading "The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale."

Dickens, Charles

A Tale of Two Cities. [with] Charles Dickens Autograph Note.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1859.

First edition, mixed issue of one of Dickens’ most enduring works. Octavo, bound in three quarters modern half calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised gilt bands, all edges marbled, marbled endpapers, illustrated with sixteen plates after H.K. Browne including the frontispiece and title vignette.Continue reading "A Tale of Two Cities. [with] Charles Dickens Autograph Note."

Hemingway, Ernest

Death in the Afternoon.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1948.

Early printing of Hemingway’s masterwork on bullfighting. Octavo, original black cloth, spine lettered in gilt, frontispiece by Juan Gris, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by Hemingway on the front free endpaper, “For Nita with regards and affection (Ernest Hemingway) Mr. Papa. Finca Vigía – SF. de Paula 22/7/49.” The recipient, Juanita “Nita” Jensen was Hemingway’s secretaryContinue reading "Death in the Afternoon."

King Jr., Martin Luther

Strength to Love.

New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1963.

First edition of Dr. King’s second book, of which Coretta Scott King noted, “If there is one book Martin Luther King, Jr. has written that people consistently tell me has changed their lives, it is Strength to Love.” Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Best Wishes, Martin Luther King.”Continue reading "Strength to Love."

Kazantzakis, Nikos

Zorba The Greek.

Athens : Plateia Syntagmatos, 1946.

Rare first Greek edition, preceding all other editions of the author’s classic work, which was the basis for the beloved Oscar-winning film starring Anthony Quinn. Octavo, bound in cloth. Boldly signed by Nikos Kazantzakis on the copyright page. In near fine condition. First editions of Zorba The Greek are of legendary scarcity.

Einstein, Albert

Out of My Later Years.

New York : Philosophical Library, 1950.

First edition of Einstein’s collection of social science-related articles, addresses and speeches. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece of Einstein. Signed by Albert Einstein on a clipped signature affixed to the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Rare and desirable signed.

Milton, John

Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To Which is Added Samson Agonistes.

London : Printed by J.M. for John Starkey, 1671.

First edition, first issue of these epic poems, with the misprint “loah” on page 67 instead of “loth” in Paradise Regained. Octavo, bound in full contemporary speckled calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, all edges marbled, engraved portrait frontispiece,Continue reading "Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To Which is Added Samson Agonistes."

Gibson, William

Neuromancer, Count Zero, Mona Lisa Overdrive.

London : Victor Gollancz, 1984-1988.

First British editions and true firsts of each of the novels that comprise Gibson’s The Sprawl Trilogy. Octavo, three volumes. Each signed on the title page by William Gibson. Neuromancer is a review copy, with a slip laid into it. Each are fine in fine dust jackets. Rare and desirable signed and in this condition.

Kane, Bob; [Cork Millner]

Bob Kane and Cork Millner Signed Original Oversized Batman Sketch.

Biltmore Hotel, Santa Barbara 1994.

Rare original oversized Batman sketch. One page on off-white cardstock, original felt tip sketch of Batman, Robin, and the Penguin, boldly inscribed by Bob Kane, “For my friend Cork, write on! Bats wishes, Bob Kane, ’94.” Additionally  annotated and signed on the reverse by writer Cork Millner, “Personally drawn for Cork Millner at the Biltmore Hotel,Continue reading "Bob Kane and Cork Millner Signed Original Oversized Batman Sketch."

Kerouac, Jack

The Town and the City.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1950.

First edition of Kerouac’s first book. Octavo, original red cloth. Signed by Kerouac on the front free endpaper and with the ownership name of his close childhood friend and neighbor in Lowell, Massachusetts, Charles Dudevoir. With a note of provenance signed by Charles Dudevoir’s granddaughter which reads in part, “Phil – my mother lived inContinue reading "The Town and the City."

Halley, Edmond [Philip Schuyler]

Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets.

London : Printed for William Innys in Pater-noster Row, 1752.

First edition in English of Halley’s classic work, from the library of American Revolutionary War General Philip Schuyler and subsequently Harvard University professor Owen Gingerich. Quarto, bound in full polished calf, rebacked, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, rebacked, gilt ruling to theContinue reading "Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets."

Konigsburg, E. L

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

New York : Atheneum, 1967.

First edition of the author’s Newbery Award-winning novel. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by E.L. Konigsburg on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. An exceptional example, rare in this condition and signed.

Truman, Harry S

Radio Address to the American People on Wages and Prices in the Reconversion Period. [Harry S. Truman Advance Press Copy Signed Presidential Address].

Washington, D.C [October 30, 1945].

Exceptionally rare original advance press copy of the typed transcript of Truman’s historic October 30, 1945 prime time Presidential address: “Radio Address to the American People on Wages and Prices in the Reconversion Period” which outlines policies to be implemented by the American government following the surrender of Japan and the subsequent transition from warContinue reading "Radio Address to the American People on Wages and Prices in the Reconversion Period. [Harry S. Truman Advance Press Copy Signed Presidential Address]."

McCarthy, Cormac

Cormac McCarthy Signed Photograph.

London : John Adams Creative Photography, c. 1966.

Original gelatin silver print, three-quarter studio portrait of a young McCarthy. Inscribed by Cormac to his wife to the right of the portrait, “To my lovely Annie, Cormac.” Cormac McCarthy married Anne DeLisle in 1966, and their union, which lasted until 1981, coincided with a formative period of his career when he was still largely unknown butContinue reading "Cormac McCarthy Signed Photograph."

Biblia Cum Concordantiis Veteris et Novi Testamenti. [The Bible with Concordances of the Old and New Testaments]. [Jerome’s Latin Vulgate].

[Lugundi] : [Jacobum Mareschal], 1527.

Rare 16th century printed seminary copy of Jerome’s Latin Vulgate. Folio, bound in full elaborately blind-stamped vellum with remains of iron clasps, all edges red, finely printed in gothic letter, title printed in red and black within woodcut borders, numerous woodcuts and woodcut initials, title and a few woodcuts hand-colored. With a Seminary library catalogContinue reading "Biblia Cum Concordantiis Veteris et Novi Testamenti. [The Bible with Concordances of the Old and New Testaments]. [Jerome’s Latin Vulgate]."

Dick, Philip K

A Scanner Darkly.

New York : Doubleday and Company, 1977.

First edition of one of the author’s best-known works. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by Philip K. Dick on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket illustration by the Quays. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. Rare and desirable signed.

Dickens, Charles; John Forster

The Works of Charles Dickens and The Life of Charles Dickens.

London : Chapman and Hall and Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1873-1876.

Finely bound set of the works of Charles Dickens, uniformly bound with John Forster’s definitive biography of Dickens. Octavo, 30 volumes bound in full crushed levant morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, illustrated with numerous etchedContinue reading "The Works of Charles Dickens and The Life of Charles Dickens."

Lowenstein, Roger. [Warren E. Buffett; Burton Malkiel]

Buffett: The Making of An American Capitalist.

New York : Random House, 1995.

First edition of this landmark work on Warren Buffett. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by legendary investors Warren Buffett and Burton Malkiel on the front free endpaper. Warren Buffett (born 1930) and Burton Malkiel (born 1932) emerged as influential figures in finance during the second half of the twentieth century, particularly from theContinue reading "Buffett: The Making of An American Capitalist."

Fleming, Ian. [Roald Dahl]

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car.

1964-65 : Jonathan Cape Ltd, London.

First editions of all three volumes of Fleming’s rare children’s novel. Octavo, three volumes, original pictorial boards, pictorial endpapers, illustrated by John Burningham. Adventure Number One is signed by Roald Dahl who co-wrote the screenplay for the 1968 film adaptation opposite the half-title page, very good in a very good price-clipped dust jacket. Adventure NumberContinue reading "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car."

Hamilton, Alexander

The Works of Alexander Hamilton; Comprising His Most Important Official Reports; An Improved Edition of The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in 1788; and Pacificus.

New York : Williams and Whiting, 1810.

The first collected edition of the works of Alexander Hamilton, with an early printing of The Federalist. Octavo, 3 volumes, bound in full calf, three engraved portraits of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay. The first volume contains five of Hamilton‘s reports as Secretary of the Treasury, volumes II and III are devoted primarily to the Federalist Papers, and include significantContinue reading "The Works of Alexander Hamilton; Comprising His Most Important Official Reports; An Improved Edition of The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in 1788; and Pacificus."

Baldwin, James

Nobody Knows My Name: More Notes of a Native Son.

New York : The Dial Press, 1961.

First edition of Baldwin’s second major book of essays, featuring his powerful analyses of the politics of race and his controversial three-part essay on Richard Wright. Octavo, original half cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the dedication page, “For Morris Milgram: My ally & friend, with the prayer that we’ll keep on fighting.Continue reading "Nobody Knows My Name: More Notes of a Native Son."

Confucius

La Morale De Confucius, Philosophe De La Chine.

Amsterdam : Pierre Savouret, 1688.

Rare first edition of The Morals of Confucius preceding the English translation, regarded as the first work which introduced readers to Confucianism. Small octavo, bound in half vellum over marbled boards. In near fine condition. An exceptional example, scarce and desirable with only three examples appearing at auction in the last 90 years.

Taft, William H.; William R. Day; Joseph McKenna; Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.; Willis Van Devanter; Louis Brandeis; Mahlon Pitney; James C. McReynolds; and John H. Clarke

William H. Taft Supreme Court Signed Photograph.

c. 1921.

Large photograph of the 1920’s Taft Court, signed by nine justices. Large silver gelatin print depicting the Supreme Court in their black judicial robes. The justices are William H. Taft, William R. Day, Joseph McKenna, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Willis Van Devanter, Louis Brandeis, Mahlon Pitney, James C. McReynolds, and John H. Clarke. Matted and framed. InContinue reading "William H. Taft Supreme Court Signed Photograph."