Gifts - Holidays

Davies, Valentine

Miracle On 34th Street.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1947.

First edition of this modern Christmas classic. Octavo, original red cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with the first edition point of “Double Your Enjoyment” on the rear panel. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box by the Harcourt Bindery. An exceptional example.

Translated by Rabbi Isidore Epstein

The Babylonian Talmud.

London : The Soncino Press, 1935-1952.

First complete English translation and first Soncino edition of the Babylonian Talmud, a revered and significant work of Jewish scholarship. Octavo, 52 volumes in the original publisher’s deluxe full pebbled morocco with gilt titles and raised bands to the spine, gilt Soncino Press insignia to each front panel, gilt-ruled turn-ins and inner dentelles, top edgeContinue reading "The Babylonian Talmud."

Van Allsburg, Chris [Tom Hanks]

The Polar Express.

Norwalk, CT : The Easton Press, 1985.

Signed limited edition of Van Allsburg’s lushly illustrated classic, enchanting tale of childlike wonder and hope, winner of the 1986 Caldecott Medal, basis for the 2004 animated film starring Tom Hanks in six distinct roles. Oblong quarto, original cloth, illustrated throughout. Boldly signed by Chris Van Allsburg and Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks. In fineContinue reading "The Polar Express."

Baum, L. Frank

The Road to Oz.

Chicago : The Reilly & Britton Co, 1909.

First edition, first printing of the fifth book in L. Frank Baum’s classic Oz series, from the library of Nobel Laureate George Snell. Quarto, original publisher’s light green pictorial cloth variant A binding with the illustration on the rear board and the spine imprint reading “Reilly & Britton” in upper- and lowercase letters, tan pictorial endpapers printed in red andContinue reading "The Road to Oz."

Churchill, Winston S.; Dwight D. Eisenhower; William M. Tuck; Lewis Preston Collins II; Henry Maitland Wilson

Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower Allied Leaders Signed Photograph.

: Colonial Studios, 1946.

Black and white photograph of Winston Churchill delivering a speech before the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia on March 8, 1946, with General Dwight D. Eisenhower seated to his left. Signed in the lower margin of the photograph, “Winston S. Churchill” and “Dwight D. Eisenhower.” Additionally signed by Virginia Governor William M. Tuck,Continue reading "Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower Allied Leaders Signed Photograph."

Alison, Sir Archibald [Millard Fillmore]

History of Europe: From the Fall of Napoleon in MDCCCXV to the Accession of Louis Napoleon in MDCCCLII Vol VIII.

Edinburgh and London : William Blackwood and Sons, 1859.

Early edition of this influential work chronicling European events from the French Revolution to the mid-19th century. Sir Archibald Alison was a Scottish historian, writer, and advocate whose most notable contributions were in the realm of historical and philosophical writing. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, floral border details stamped in blind.Continue reading "History of Europe: From the Fall of Napoleon in MDCCCXV to the Accession of Louis Napoleon in MDCCCLII Vol VIII."

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."

Davies, Valentine

Miracle On 34th. Street.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1947.

First edition of this modern Christmas classic. 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 Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. AnContinue reading "Miracle On 34th. Street."

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."

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."

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."

Sondheim, Stephen; James Lapine; Adapted and Illustrated by Hudson Talbott

Into The Woods.

New York : Crown Publishers, 1988.

First edition of this classic work, the basis for the Broadway musical and subsequent film. Quarto, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Lengthily signed by James Lapine on the half-title page, “‘Once Upon A Time…’ James Lapine.” Additionally lengthily signed by the illustrator on the half-title page with an original drawing of a bean stock growingContinue reading "Into The Woods."

Rowling, J.K

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

London : Bloomsbury, 1997.

First paperback edition, later impression of the rarest book in the Harry Potter series, a cornerstone of young adult literature, and one of the best-selling books of all time. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers. Presentation copy, inscribed by J.K. Rowling on the half-title page, “To Ashleigh Innes with best wishes JK Rowling.” Additionally signed by coverContinue reading "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone."

Austen, Jane

The Works of Jane Austen.

London : Eveleigh Nash & Grayson, 1927.

The Georgian edition of the works of Jane Austen. Octavo, five volumes bound in three quarter contemporary calf by Riviere & Son with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, top edges gilt, marbled endpapers, title pages in red and black. In very good condition. Housed in a custom slipcase.

Kazantzakis, Nikos

Christ Recrucified.

Athena 1954.

First Greek edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Nikos Kazantzakis on the copyright page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Rare and desirable signed.

Newton, Isaac

Isaac Newton Document Signed.

January 25 [1698-1699].

Rare vellum manuscript signed by Sir Isaac Newton as Warden of the Royal Mint, in which he makes a case against his nemesis, coin counterfeiter William Chaloner, soon to be hanged for high treason. One page, vellum manuscript document signed by Isaac Newton,  “Is. Newton,” January 25 [1698-1699]. Recognizance bond issued by Isaac Newton asContinue reading "Isaac Newton Document Signed."

Dickens, Charles

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1838-39.

First edition in the original monthly parts, mixed issue of this titular hero’s journey through hardship. Octavo, original blue-green wrappers, 20 parts in 19 volumes, dated April 1838-October 1839. Illustrated with an engraved portrait of Dickens by Finden after Daniel Maclise, and 38 out of 39 black and white etched plates by “Phiz” or HablotContinue reading "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby."

Rusha, Ed

Make New History.

Los Angeles : MOCA, 2009.

Signed limited edition of this rare artist’s book, or “art object” published on the occasion of the Gala of the 30th Anniversary of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. Oblong octavo, the text block of the book is entirely blank, the artist’s intention being for its owner to write their own history inContinue reading "Make New History."

Seuss, Dr. [Theodor Geisel]

The Seven Lady Godivas.

New York : Random House, 1987.

Signed limited commemorative edition of this classic Dr. Seuss title. Folio, original publisher’s cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. One of 300 numbered copies of the first printing of the reissued edition signed by Dr. Seuss on the limitation page, this is number 266. Fine in the original publisher’s slipcase which is in near fine condition.

Seuss, Dr. [Theodor Geisel]

You’re Only Old Once!

New York : Random House, 1986.

Signed limited edition of the author’s satirical commentary on aging and later life. Quarto, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles to the spine, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. One of five hundred numbered copies signed by Dr. Seuss on the limitation page, this is number 417. Fine in the publisher’s original slipcase which is in fine condition.

Carroll, Lewis. [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson]

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

London : Macmillan and Co, 1885.

Finely bound early printing of Carroll’s beloved children’s classic. Octavo, bound in full dark green crushed levant morocco by Kelliegram with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, all edges gilt, yellow silkContinue reading "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland."

The Author W. P. [Penn, William]

The Great Case of Liberty of Conscience Once More Briefly Debated & Defended, by the Authority of Reason, Scripture, and Antiquity.

[London] 1670 [i.e. 1671].

Rare second edition of one of the most persuasive defences of liberty and “the free and uninterrupted exercise of our consciences”(William Penn). Quarto, bound in full modern morocco, gilt titles and ruling to the spine, inner dentelles elaborately stamped in blind. A powerful argument for toleration and against the intrusion of civil authority into religiousContinue reading "The Great Case of Liberty of Conscience Once More Briefly Debated & Defended, by the Authority of Reason, Scripture, and Antiquity."

Dickens, Charles

The Personal History of David Copperfield.

London : Bradbury and Evans, May 1849-November 1850.

First edition in the original parts of “the most perfect of all the Dickens novels” (Virginia Woolf). Complete set of the original parts, with all of the etched plates and most of the advertisements. Octavo, original blue-green illustrated serial issue wrappers being twenty parts in nineteen, 624 pp. plus xiv pp. of preliminaries, errata leafContinue reading "The Personal History of David Copperfield."

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.

London : Printed by Thomas Baskett, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty, 1751.

Elegantly bound 18th century English Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, printed by Thomas Baskett and from the library of John Bird Sumner (1780-1862), Archbishop of Canterbury from 1848 to 1862. Folio, bound in full contemporary dark green grain morocco with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in seven compartments within raisedContinue 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."