Lee, Harper

To Kill A Mockingbird.

Philadelphia & New York : J.B. Lippincott Company, 1960.

First edition with the review slip of one of the most important American novels of the 20th century which had an initial first printing of 5,000 copies and went on to earn Harper Lee the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publicationContinue reading "To Kill A Mockingbird."

Beethoven, Ludwig van

Sinfonie mit Schluss-Chor uber Schillers Ode: “An die Freude” fur grosses Orchester, 4 Solo- und 4 Chor-Stimmen componirt und Seiner Majestaet dem Konig von Preussen Friedrich Wilhelm III in tiefster Ehrfurcht kugeeignet von Ludwig van Beethoven. [The Ninth Symphony].

Mainz and Paris : B. Schotts Sohnen, 1826.

Exceptionally rare first edition, first issue of one of the most frequently performed symphonies in the world, containing the subscribers’ list, but not the composer’s notorious metronome markings which were added in later issues. Quarto, bound in nineteenth-century marbled boards with a blank label to the front panel, all edges yellow, printed with plate numberContinue reading "Sinfonie mit Schluss-Chor uber Schillers Ode: “An die Freude” fur grosses Orchester, 4 Solo- und 4 Chor-Stimmen componirt und Seiner Majestaet dem Konig von Preussen Friedrich Wilhelm III in tiefster Ehrfurcht kugeeignet von Ludwig van Beethoven. [The Ninth Symphony]."

Orwell, George

Burmese Days.

New York : Harper & Brothers, 1934.

First American edition, preceding the British edition by one year of Orwell’s first novel. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author with his given name on the verso of the front free endpaper, “With very best wishes from Eric Blair.” As explained in the accompanying typed letter signed by Adrian Fierz, this copyContinue reading "Burmese Days."

Aristotle; Translated by Thomas Taylor

The Works of Aristotle.

London : Robert Wilks, 1806-12.

Exceptionally rare complete set of the first edition in English of the works of Aristotle, limited to only 50 sets, signed by the translator Thomas Taylor in volumes one and four. Quarto, 11 volumes, bound in full contemporary calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels, ribbon book marks bound in, marbledContinue reading "The Works of Aristotle."

Baum, L. Frank. Illustrated by John R. Neill. [Judy Garland; Billie Burke; Ray Bolger; Frank Morgan; Bert Lahr; Margaret Hamilton; Jack Haley; Victor Fleming

The Magic of Oz.

Chicago : The Reilly & Lee Co, 1919.

First edition, first printing of this classic work in L. Frank Baum’s celebrated Oz series, the last of the series to appear during Baum’s lifetime, as he passed away shortly before its release in 1919. First printing with the verso of the ownership page listing Baum titles through The Tin Woodman of Oz. Octavo, originalContinue reading "The Magic of Oz."

West, Nathanael

Miss Lonelyhearts.

New York : Liveright, 1933.

First edition, first issue of this humorous tale of alienation and advice in Depression era New York which was well-received, but the publisher went bankrupt almost immediately and bookshops were unable to source copies. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing and wear. Easily one of the nicest examples extant, withContinue reading "Miss Lonelyhearts."

[Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand] [Mahatma]. Edited by D.G. Tendulkar; M. Chalapathi Rau; et al. A Word for the Readers by Mohandas Gandhi; Introduction by Jawaharlal Nehru. [John Kenneth Galbraith]

Gandhiji: His Life and Work. Published on His 75th Birthday.

Bombay : Keshav Bhikaji Dhawale, October 2, 1944.

First unabridged edition of this tribute to Gandhi, with introductions by Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru and a biographical essay by Albert Einstein. Quarto, original publisher’s half cloth, patterned endpapers, illustrated with black and white photographs and tipped-in color plates, frontispiece. Boldly signed by Mahatma Gandhi on the half-title page. Association copy, additionally signed by JohnContinue reading "Gandhiji: His Life and Work. Published on His 75th Birthday."

Paine, Thomas

Common Sense: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America, Plain Truth, Rights of Man Parts I & II, and An Answer to Pain’s Rights of Man.

J. Almon, J.S. Jordan, and J. Stockdale : London, 1776-1793.

Finely bound collection of the works of Thomas Paine, including the rare first British editions of Common Sense and Plain Truth (London: J. Almon, 1776), second editions of Rights of Man Parts I & II (London: J.S. Jordan, 1791-1792), complete with half-titles present, and a rare early printing of John Quincy Adams’ response to Paine’sContinue reading "Common Sense: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America, Plain Truth, Rights of Man Parts I & II, and An Answer to Pain’s Rights of Man."

Einstein, Albert

Albert Einstein Signed Photograph.

1923.

Extremely rare original photograph boldly signed “Albert Einstein Jerusalem 1923” during his only trip to Palestine in 1923. Einstein’s return voyage from his tour of Japan and China took him via the Red Sea and Suez Canal which allowed him to accept the invitation of Arthur Ruppin, the director of the Palestine office of theContinue reading "Albert Einstein Signed Photograph."

Fleming, Ian

Diamonds Are Forever.

London : Jonathan Cape, 1956.

First edition of the fourth novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Lionel from Ian with affection.” The recipient is most likely British Conservative politician and newspaper proprietor Lionel Berry, 2nd Viscount Kemsley, was professionally and socially connected toContinue reading "Diamonds Are Forever."

Fleming, Ian

Goldfinger.

London : Jonathan Cape, 1959.

First edition of the seventh novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Una, who again wrote the whole thing! from Ian Fleming.” The recipient, Una Trueblood, whose surname was later appropriated by Fleming for the character of Mary TruebloodContinue reading "Goldfinger."

Graham, Benjamin & David L. Dodd

Security Analysis: Principles and Technique.

New York : Whittlesey House/ McGraw Hill, 1934.

First edition, second printing of Graham and Dodd’s seminal work, considered the Bible of modern financial analysis. Octavo, original black cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Melbourne S. Moyer with the best wishes of Benj. Graham Jan 1935.” The recipient, Melbourne Moyer was a contemporary of Graham andContinue reading "Security Analysis: Principles and Technique."

Austen, Jane

Emma: A Novel.

London : Printed for John Murray, 1816.

First edition of the last of Austen‘s works to be published during her lifetime, with Cooper-Powys family provenance and in a fine contemporary binding. Duodecimo, three volumes bound in three quarter contemporary calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and Greek key ruling to the spines, rebacked with original spines laid down, half-titles. From the libraryContinue reading "Emma: A Novel."

Lee, Harper

To Kill A Mockingbird.

Philadelphia & New York : J.B. Lippincott Company, 1960.

First edition with the review slip of one of the most important American novels of the 20th century which had an initial first printing of 5,000 copies and went on to earn Harper Lee the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “withContinue reading "To Kill A Mockingbird."

Melville, Herman

Moby Dick; Or, The Whale.

New York : Harper & Brothers, 1851.

First edition, first issue binding, with the circular Harper’s device of Melville’s masterpiece. Octavo, original purple-brown cloth (BAL’s A grain), covers stamped in blind with the publisher’s circular device at the center within a heavy blind rule frame, original orange-coated endpapers. Of the 2,951 copies printed, 125 were review copies. About 1,500 sold in 11Continue reading "Moby Dick; Or, The Whale."

Newton, Isaac

Isaac Newton Manuscript Land Indenture Signed.

November 11, 1719.

Rare and unrecorded 18th century legal document signed twice at the conclusion by Sir Isaac Newton as a witness to a land indenture. Manuscript document signed twice on the verso “Isaac Newton”, one vellum membrane, dated 11 November 1719, signed by Thomas Sturgess and with his seal, witnessed twice on the dorse (the sealing ofContinue reading "Isaac Newton Manuscript Land Indenture Signed."

Cambridge, Richard Owen [Benjamin Franklin]

An Account of the War in India, Between the English and French, on the Coast of Coromandel, From the Year 1760. Together with A Relation of the late Remarkable Events on the Malabar Coast, and the Expeditions to Golconda and Surat; with the Operations of the Fleet. Illustrated with Maps, Plans &c. The Whole Compiled from Original Papers.

London : Printed for T. Jefferys, 1761.

Benjamin Franklin’s first edition copy of Cambridge’s account of the progression of the Seven Years’ War in India, from Franklin’s private library. Quarto, bound in full contemporary calf, marbled endpapers, illustrated with 12 engraved maps and plans and 6 plates, mostly folding. From the private library of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin’s contributions to science and politicsContinue reading "An Account of the War in India, Between the English and French, on the Coast of Coromandel, From the Year 1760. Together with A Relation of the late Remarkable Events on the Malabar Coast, and the Expeditions to Golconda and Surat; with the Operations of the Fleet. Illustrated with Maps, Plans &c. The Whole Compiled from Original Papers."

Washington, George

George Washington Autograph Letter Signed.

January 24, 1790.

Rare autograph letter signed by George Washington as the first President of the United States. Quarto, one page, the letter reads in full, “New York Jany 24th 1790 Sir Capt. Burnett delivered me your letter of the 18th and is so obliging as to take charge of this answer – It is my sincere opinionContinue reading "George Washington Autograph Letter Signed."

Twain, Mark and Charles Dudley Warner. [Samuel L. Clemens]

The Gilded Age: A Novel.

London : George Routledge and Sons, 1874.

First English edition of the rarest of Mark Twain’s works: the only novel he wrote with a collaborator and the book that gave the era its name in history. Octavo, three volumes, original publishers green cloth, gilt titles to the spine, illustrated. The only multi-volume work Clemens produced, except for the two-volume Tramp Abroad (London,Continue reading "The Gilded Age: A Novel."

Hayek, Friedrich August von [F.A.]

The Road to Serfdom.

Chicago : University of Chicago, 1944.

First edition of one of the most influential and popular expositions of classical liberalism. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by F.A. Hayek on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with a chip to the spine and to the rare panel. Foreword by John Chamberlain. Housed in a custom halfContinue reading "The Road to Serfdom."

Bronte, Charlotte; Edited by Currer Bell

Jane Eyre: An Autobiography.

London : Smith, Elder, & Co, 1847.

Rare first edition of this revolutionary feminist romance, of which reportedly only about 500 copies were printed in the first edition. Octavo, three volumes, finely bound in full calf with gilt titles and elaborate tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt tooling to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers,Continue reading "Jane Eyre: An Autobiography."

Joyce, James

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

New York : Huebsch, 1916.

First edition of Joyce’s classic stream-of-consciousness work, his first novel, in the exceptionally rare dust jacket. Octavo, original blue cloth with titles to the spine in gilt. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with small chips and wear to the extremities. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare especially in thisContinue reading "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man."

Journal of the United States In Congress Assembled: Containing the Proceedings From the Sixth Day of November, 1786, to the Fifth Day of November, 1787. Volume XII.

New York : Published by Order of Congress, 1787.

Rare first edition of Vol. VII of the Journal of Congress; containing the first official Congressional Journal publication of the proposed Constitution of the United States. Octavo, original boards. Contains the first Congressional Journal publications of the proposed United States Constitution (pp. 149-166) and the Northwest Ordinance (pp. 85-93). In very good condition. Small lossContinue reading "Journal of the United States In Congress Assembled: Containing the Proceedings From the Sixth Day of November, 1786, to the Fifth Day of November, 1787. Volume XII."

Lenin. [Ulyanov, Vladimir Ilyich]

Vladimir Lenin Signed Portrait.

1922.

Rare printed portrait signed by the father of Soviet Russia, Vladimir Lenin. One page, printed with a horizontal crease, inscribed by Lenin in the lower portion of the portrait, “VI Ulyanov (Lenin) 28.IV.1922.” In very good condition. Matted and framed. The entire piece measures 17 inches by 31.75 inches.