Fuller, Alexandra

Leaving Before the Rains Come.

New York : The Penguin Press, 2015.

First edition of the author’s fifth work. Octavo, original half cloth. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Suzanne Dean.

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."

Sibley, David

The Birds of Cape May.

New Jersey : New Jersey Audubon Society's Cape May Bird Observatory, 1993.

First edition of Sibley’s comprehensive field guide to bird species. Octavo, original pictorial wrappers. Boldly signed by David Sibley on the front title page. In near fine condition. Cover photograph by Mitchell Smith.

Reiss, Johanna

The Upstairs Room.

New York : Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1972.

First edition, early printing of this poignant autobiographical novel that recounts the author’s experiences as a Jewish child. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To…Franklin from Joanna Reiss June 27 ’73 Las Vegas.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Kiyo Komoda.

Drexler, Rosalyn [Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman]

I Am the Beautiful Stranger; The Line of Least Existence: and Other Plays; To Smithereens.

New York : Grossman Publishers; Random House; The New American Library, 1965-72.

First editions of this collection of works from the Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and professional wrestler. Octavo, three volumes, original publisher’s cloth and half-cloth. To Smithereens is a presentation copy, inscribed by the author to American football sportswriter Paul Zimmerman, “To Paul, in admiration, Rosalyn Drexler.” The recipient, Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman (1932–2018), was a pioneeringContinue reading "I Am the Beautiful Stranger; The Line of Least Existence: and Other Plays; To Smithereens."

Williams, Greg. [Daniel Craig] [Ian Fleming]

Bond on Set: Filming 007 Casino Royale.

New York : DK Publishing, 2006.

First edition of the renowned photojournalist’s work on the filming of Casino Royale, the highest-grossing James Bond film until the release of Skyfall in 2012. Quarto, original pictorial boards, illustrated with photographs. Signed on the title page by Daniel Craig (James Bond), Eva Green (Vesper Lynd), Martin Campbell (the film’s director), Mads Mikkelsen (villain LeContinue reading "Bond on Set: Filming 007 Casino Royale."

McCarthy, Cormac

The Road.

London : Picador, 2006.

First British edition of McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of a post-apocalyptic world, a work of “stunning, savage beauty,” adapted to the screen in 2009 starring Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed by Cormac McCarthy on a bookplate to the front free endpaper. Fine in a fine dust jacket.

Seuss, Dr. [Theodor Geisel]

Oh Say, Can You Say? “Oh my brothers! Oh my sisters! These are Terrible Tongue Twisters!”

New York : Random House, 1979.

First edition of this book of tongue twisters by Dr. Seuss. Octavo, original laminated boards, pictorial endpapers, illustrated throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author opposite the title page, “With Best Wishes to Chuck Meeks Dr. Seuss.” In near fine condition, without dust jacket as issued. Uncommon signed and inscribed.

Watson, Richard

An Apology for the Bible; In a Series of Letters, Addressed to Thomas Paine, Author of a book entitled The Age of Reason, Part the Second, Being and Investigation of True and of Fabulous Theology.

Philadelphia : Printed for W. Young, Mills & Son, 1796.

Rare early printing of this response to Thomas Paine’s ‘The Age of Reason.’ Duodecimo, original full leather with gilt titles and ruling to the spine. In very good condition with rubbing to the extremities, front panel, and spine, some toning throughout, a small loss to the front flyleaf, and bookplates to the front free endpaperContinue reading "An Apology for the Bible; In a Series of Letters, Addressed to Thomas Paine, Author of a book entitled The Age of Reason, Part the Second, Being and Investigation of True and of Fabulous Theology."

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."

Linnaeus, Carl

Flora Zeylanica. [The Flora of Ceylon: Being a Description of the Indian plants of the Island of Ceylon].

Amsterdam : J. Wetstenium, 1748.

Early edition of this cornerstone in the history of early modern botany and colonial natural history. Octavo, written in Latin, bound in full speckled calf  with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments with raised bands, all edges speckled red, illustrated. In very good condition.

Linnaeus, Carl

Philosophia Botanica: In Qua Explicantur Fundamenta Botanica Cum Definitionibus Partium, Exemplis Terminorum, Observationibus Rariorum. [In Which Are Explained the Foundations of Botany, Together with Definitions of the Parts, Examples of Terms, and Rare Observations].

Vienna : Printed by Johann Thomas, Nobleman of Trattner, 1783.

Rare second edition of this foundational text of modern botany. Octavo, written in Latin, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles to the spine in six compartments within gilt bands, illustrated at the rear. In very good condition. Bookplate to the front pastedown and front free endpaper.

Armorial Binding.

[France] c. 1690.

Rare original armorial binding in gold and silver thread bearing a coat of arms reminiscent of the Durazzo family of Venice. Small octavo, empty, white silk with pink silk pastedowns, the outer border decorated with floral repeating motives in silver and green foil leaves, and the escutcheon crowned by a pink hat with six tasselsContinue reading "Armorial Binding."

Scopoli, Giovanni Antonio [Carl Linnaeus]

Flora Carniolica: Exhibens Plantas Carnioliae Indigenas et Distributas in Classes, Genera, Species, Varietates, Ordine Linnaeano. Volume I.

Vienna : Johann Paul Krauss, 1772.

Second edition, enlarged and revised, of one of the most important 18th-century botanical works documenting the flora of Carniola following Carl Linnaeus’s system of plant classification. Octavo, written in Latin, bound in three quarters calf over marbled boards, rebacked with cloth labels, marbled endpapers, all edges red, illustrated throughout. In good condition, bookplate to theContinue reading "Flora Carniolica: Exhibens Plantas Carnioliae Indigenas et Distributas in Classes, Genera, Species, Varietates, Ordine Linnaeano. Volume I."

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. Boldly signed by Einstein on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “A. Einstein. 1950.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box by the Harcourt Bindery.

Linnaeus, Carl

Oratio, qua Peregrinationum Intra Patriam Asseritur Necessitas. [An Oration on the Necessity of Travels within One’s Own Country].

Uppsala : Carolino Majori, 1741.

First edition of Linnaeus’s inaugural oration at Uppsala. Octavo, written in Latin, bound in half morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and elaborate tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, top edge marbled, marbled endpapers. In very good condition. Rare with only a handful of copies appearing at auction since 1950.

Samuelson, Paul A

Economics: An Introductory Analysis.

New York : McGraw-Hill, 1948.

First edition of this influential text by the father of modern economics. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by the author on the title page, “Paul A. Samuelson MIT.” Fine in the rare original dust jacket in near fine condition with a small chip to the spine. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. EasilyContinue reading "Economics: An Introductory Analysis."

Hemingway, Ernest

For Whom the Bell Tolls.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1940.

First edition, early printing of Hemingway’s third novel, a tragic exploration of love, duty, and the futility of war. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Association copy, lengthily inscribed by Ernest Hemingway to his cousin on the front free endpaper, “For Ruth and Malcolm, from their child producing house guest who is very fond of them (whatContinue reading "For Whom the Bell Tolls."

Medieval Gregorian Chant Manuscript.

.

Rare medieval Gregorian chant manuscript on vellum with the “S” for Sanctus in elaborately illuminated in gilt. One page with text and illustrations on both the recto and verso. In very good condition. Framed with both the recto and verso visible. The manuscript measures 21.5 inches by 29.25 inches. The entire piece measures 22.25 inchesContinue reading "Medieval Gregorian Chant Manuscript."

Venturi, Robert; Introduction by Vincent Scully

Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture.

New York : The Museum of Modern Art, 1966.

First edition of this essential document of architectural literature. Octavo, original gray cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Robert Venturi and Vincent Scully on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Introduction by Vincent Scully. Rare and desirable signed by both Venturi and Scully.

King Jr., Martin Luther

Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1958.

First edition of Dr. Martin Luther King’s first book. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Best Wishes Martin Luther King, Jr.” This book was signed at Coe College in October 1962, with a picture laid in of him there when he lectured there. From the libraryContinue reading "Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story."

Reddick, L.D. [Martin Luther King, Jr.]

Crusader Without Violence: A Biography of Martin Luther King, Jr.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1959.

First edition of one the earliest biographies of “the American Gandhi.” Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Boldly signed “Best Wishes Martin Luther King, Jr.” on the front free endpaper. This book was signed at Coe College in October 1962, when King lectured there. From the library of a Civil RightsContinue reading "Crusader Without Violence: A Biography of Martin Luther King, Jr."

Frost, Robert; Woodcuts by J.J. Lankes

New Hampshire.

New York : Henry Holt & Company, 1927.

First edition, seventh printing of Robert Frost’s first Pulitzer Prize-winning collection. Octavo, original half cloth, woodcuts by J.J. Lankes. Boldly signed by the author, “Robert Frost Amherst June 1924” on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with some professional restoration. Desirable signed and in the original dust jacket, fromContinue reading "New Hampshire."

Goodall, Jane with Phillip Berman

Reason For Hope: A Spiritual Journey.

New York : Warner Books, 1999.

First edition of Goodall’s moving memoir. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the title page, “For Andrew – Together we can make this a better world for all living things. Thank you so much for all you have done for us. With love Jane.” Fine in a fineContinue reading "Reason For Hope: A Spiritual Journey."