Gifts

Bradbury, Ray [Yousuf Karsh; Estrellita Karsh]

The Art of Playboy.

New York : Alfred Van Der Marck Editions, 1985.

First edition of this curated collection of art commissioned by Playboy magazine, showcasing the magazine’s effort to blend “high” and “low” art and highlighting visual legacies from artists like Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol. Quarto, original publisher’s cloth, profusely illustrated with over 170 pieces of art. Association copy, inscribed by Ray Bradbury on the frontContinue reading "The Art of Playboy."

Twain, Mark. [Samuel L. Clemens]; Caroline B. Le Row

English As She Is Taught.

London : T. Fisher Unwin, 1887.

First edition of this humorous essay on hilarious answers from school children’s examination questions. With a commentary by Mark Twain. Duodecimo, original cloth with titles stamped in black, top edge gilt. In near fine condition, bookplate to the front pastedown.

Bamberger, Rabbi Dr. S.; Rabbi Dr. S. Adler; Rabbi Dr. L.C. Lilienthal

The Soul of Life: A Collection of Speeches, Sermons, Laws, and Regulations Pertaining to the Jewish Religion.

New York : P. Friedman, 1897.

First edition of this work about the Jewish religion. Duodecimo, original cloth with gilt titles, floral endpapers. In very good condition wear to the spine.

Sedaris, David

When You Are Engulfed in Flames.

New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2008.

First edition of this collection of 22 autobiographical essays by humorist David Sedaris. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth. Boldly signed by David Sedaris on the title page. Boldly signed three times in the year of publication by jacket designer Chip Kidd: on the front panel, on the title page, and the rear jacket flap. Fine inContinue reading "When You Are Engulfed in Flames."

Borman, Frank

Frank Borman Signed Photograph.

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Crew portrait of astronaut Frank Borman. Semi-glossy photograph of Borman wearing a suit and posing next to a model United States spacecraft. Boldly signed by Borman in black felt tip. In near fine condition with a small area of discoloration to Borman‘s left arm. The piece measures 8 inches by 10 inches.

De Land’s Automatic Playing Cards. [with] Mental Pictoria.

New Jersey/ Ohio : S.S. Adams Co./ S.W. Reilly, 1913/1914.

Two rare early twentieth century antique magicians card decks. The first deck is De Land’s Automatic Playing Cards, a standard 52-card deck with a De Land’s Card Locator that has an affixed spinning wheel, “What the Deland Dollar Deck does for you” instruction pamphlet, and “Stripper Tricks” instruction pamphlet. Housed in a black and whiteContinue reading "De Land’s Automatic Playing Cards. [with] Mental Pictoria."

Buergenthal, Thomas; Foreword by Elie Wiesel

A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy.

New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2009.

First edition of this “incredible tale” (The Free Lance-Star). Octavo, original boards. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For Rex, Wonderful that you are studying this subject, Best wishes Thomas Buergenthal April 2010.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Foreword by Elie Wiesel. Jacket design by Keith Hayes.

Schirra, Walter

Wally Schirra Signed Photograph.

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Rare photograph of a reentry capsule signed by Wally Schirra. Glossy photograph of Schirra exiting the Apollo 7 reentry capsule during a recovery operation, with a NASA identification number to the upper left edge. Boldly signed by NASA astronaut Wally Schirra on the capsule in black felt tip. In near fine condition. Marked on theContinue reading "Wally Schirra Signed Photograph."

Lewis, Sinclair

Arrowsmith.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1925.

First trade edition of this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Octavo, original publisher’s blue cloth stamped in orange. In near fine condition with light rubbing.

Thompson, Ruth Plumly; Founded on and continuing the Famous Oz Stories by L. Frank Baum

Pirates in Oz.

Chicago : The Reilly & Lee Co, 1931.

Early printing of Thompson’s eleventh fantastical continuation of Frank Baum’s world of Oz. Octavo, original cloth. In very good condition. Illustrated plates by John R. Neill.

Krone, Julie

Julie Krone Signed 1989 Sports Illustrated.

New York : The Time Inc Magazine Company, 1989.

May 1989 issue of Sports Illustrated signed by American jockey and Belmont Stakes winner, Julie Krone. Octavo, original wrappers with a portrait of Krone in her jockey gear right after a race on the front panel, illustrated with advertisements and color photographs. Boldly signed by Julie Krone in black felt tip with a smiley faceContinue reading "Julie Krone Signed 1989 Sports Illustrated."

Kissinger, Henry A

On China.

New York : Penguin Press, 2011.

First edition of Kissinger’s 13th book, in which he draws on historical records and 40 years of direct interaction with four generations of Chinese leaders to analyze the link between China’s ancient past and its present day trajectory. Octavo, original boards. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Jane Good wishesContinue reading "On China."

Clarke, Arthur C

3001: The Final Odyssey.

London : HarperCollins Publishers, 1997.

First British edition of the fourth and final book in the author’s acclaimed Odyssey Series. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Boldly signed by Arthur C. Clarke on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Cover illustration by Chris Moore.

Sedaris, David

Naked.

Boston : Little, Brown and Company, 1997.

First edition of the author’s classic work. Octavo, original illustrated boards. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Annette So sorry I missed you in person. love David Sedaris.” Additionally signed three times by jacket illustrator Chip Kidd in the year of publication: once on the front jacket panel, onContinue reading "Naked."

Carnegie, Dale

How to Win Friends and Influence People.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1937.

Early printing of one of the best-selling books of all time. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Dale Carnegie on the front free endpaper. In very good condition.

Keats, Ezra Jack

The Snowy Day.

New York : The Viking Press, 1962.

First edition of The Snowy Day, which is considered “one of the most important American books of the 20th century” (Diefendorf, ed. The New York Public Library’s Books of the Century). Oblong octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised giltContinue reading "The Snowy Day."

Frank, Anne

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl.

London : Constellation Books, 1952.

Rare first British edition of “one of the wisest and most moving commentaries on war” (Eleanor Roosevelt). Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by theContinue reading "Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl."

McIntosh, Elizabeth P

Sisterhood of Spies: The Women of the OSS.

Annapolis, Maryland : Naval Institute Press, 1998.

First edition, early printing of this historical work documenting the 4,000 women who served in America’s WWII intelligence agency, the Office of Strategic Services. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Boldly signed by Elizabeth P. McIntosh on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket.

Fleming, Ian

The Spy Who Loved Me.

London : Jonathan Cape, 1962.

First edition of the ninth novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Richard Chopping. A sharp example.

Ali, Muhammad

The Greatest: My Own Story.

New York : Random House, 1975.

First edition of Ali’s autobiography. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by Muhammad Ali on the front free endpaper, “To Danny Williams from Muhammad Ali 2-1-76 peace.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket with light chipping and a couple of small closed tears. Jacket design by Robert Aulicino. Written with Richard Durham.Continue reading "The Greatest: My Own Story."

Neale Hurston, Zora

Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Urbana and Chicago : University of Illinois Press, 1991.

University of Illinois Press edition of this seminal work of African American and feminist literature that explores themes of love, self-discovery, and voice. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth, with black and white illustrations. Presentation copy, inscribed by the illustrator in the year of publication on the title page, “To Helen From Jerry Pinkney 1991.” Fine inContinue reading "Their Eyes Were Watching God."

Priestley, J.B. [Raymond Chandler]

Bright Day.

New York and London : Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1946.

First edition of Priestley’s profound take on nostalgia and social commentary. 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 forContinue reading "Bright Day."

Lewis, Sinclair

It Can’t Happen Here.

Garden City, NY : Doubleday, Doran & Company, 1935.

First edition of Lewis’ later masterpiece. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper to novelist Alison Lurie, “To Alison with love Sinclair Lewis.” The recipient, Alison Lurie was a novelist, critic, and professor whose work occupied a distinctive niche in postwar literary culture — sharp, satirical, and quietlyContinue reading "It Can’t Happen Here."

Sterling, Bruce

The Hacker Crackdown: Law And Disorder On The Electronic Frontier.

New York : Bantam Books, 1992.

First edition of this classic work that explores the early 1990s digital underground, the clash between law enforcement and hackers, and the birth of digital civil liberties. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed twice by jacket designer Lon Kirschner, on the jacket front panel and the rear jacket flap. Fine in a near fine dustContinue reading "The Hacker Crackdown: Law And Disorder On The Electronic Frontier."