Gifts

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.

Flower, Raymond with a foreword by Jean-Clause Killy

The History of Skiing and other Winter Sports.

New York : Angus & Robertson, 1976.

First publication by Angus and Robertson of this engaging narrative of winter sports. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. From the library of  Madeleine K. Albright. Albright was the first woman to serve as the U.S. Secretary of State. She acted under President Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2001, leading theContinue reading "The History of Skiing and other Winter Sports."

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."

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.

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.

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.

Medieval Gregorian Chant Manuscript.

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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."

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."

Watson, Thomas J. and Peter Petre

Father, Son & Co.: My Life at IBM and Beyond.

New York : Bantam Books, 1990.

First edition of the autobiography of “the greatest capitalist in history” (Fortune Magazine). Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Thomas J. Watson, Jr. on the front free endpaper. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Desirable signed.

Brothers Grimm

Household Stories from the Collection of the Brothers Grimm.

London : Macmillan and Co, 1882.

Finely bound edition of this collection of classic fairytales. Octavo, bound in full dark blue morocco by Kelliegram with gilt titles and floral tooling to the spine, floral ruling to the front and rear panels with pictorial inlays of Red Riding Hood, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, silk moire endpapers, all edges gilt, silk ribbonContinue reading "Household Stories from the Collection of the Brothers Grimm."

Caro, Robert A. [Paul Schrader]

The Power Broker.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1974.

First edition of Caro’s Pulitzer-Prize winning work on Robert Moses. Thick octavo, original black cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated with numerous photographs and maps, top stain red. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Paul Schrader – with best wishes Robert A Caro.” The recipient, Paul Schrader, is a screenwriter, director, andContinue reading "The Power Broker."

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."

Jefferson, Joseph

Rip Van Winkle: As Played by Joseph Jefferson.

New York : Dodd, Mead and Company, 1899.

The Dodd, Mead and Company trade edition of Joseph Jefferson’s play adapted to text. Octavo, original green cloth over boards with gilt-stamped lettering and illustration of the Catskill Mountains, top edge gilt, frontispiece, title page vignette, with black and white illustrations throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Ms SadieContinue reading "Rip Van Winkle: As Played by Joseph Jefferson."

Linnaeus, Carl

System Naturae. Book I Part III: Amphibia.

: Caldwell, c. 1788.

Later edition of this influential work. Octavo, written in Latin, bound in three quarters morocco over green cloth boards with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands. In very good condition.

Medieval Gregorian Chant Book.

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Rare Gregorian chant book. Elephant folio, bound in half leather over cloth boards, with sixteen pages of beautiful calligraphy of Gregorian chant on vellum. In very good condition. An exceptional presentation.

Dickens, Charles

Charles Dickens Autograph Note.

1841.

Rare autograph note by great Victorian novelist Charles Dickens. One page, dated ninth June, 1841 and signed in the third person to John Critchley Prince. The note reads in full, “From Mr. Charles Dickens in payment of his subscription to Mr. Prince’s Poems. With every friendly wish that can encourage and cheer him in his onwardContinue reading "Charles Dickens Autograph Note."

Faulkner, William

Intruder In The Dust.

New York : Random House, 1948.

First edition of this classic Faulkner novel, which explores the lives of a family of characters in the South. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by E. McKnight Kauffer. A fine example.

Gordon, Thomas [George Washington]

Another Cordial for Low-Spirits. [George Washington’s Copy].

London : R. Griffiths, 1751.

From the library of George Washington of this compilation of political and religious essays regarding contemporary issues in Great Britain. Small octavo, volume two, bound in full contemporary brown calf with a gilt number two and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels,Continue reading "Another Cordial for Low-Spirits. [George Washington’s Copy]."

Dana, Charles Anderson; [Theodore Roosevelt; General Nelson A. Miles; Admiral W. S. Schley]

Lincoln and His Cabinet: A Lecture Delivered Before the New Haven Colony Historical Society, Tuesday, March 10, 1896.

New York : Republican Club of the City of New-York, 1899.

Special limited edition souvenir of the thirteenth annual Lincoln Dinner of the Republican Club of the city of New-York, 1899. Duodecimo, original half-cloth with gilt titles to the spine, frontispiece of Abraham Lincoln, illustrated. One of 500 numbered copies, this is number 126. Boldly signed on the front free endpaper in pencil by President TheodoreContinue reading "Lincoln and His Cabinet: A Lecture Delivered Before the New Haven Colony Historical Society, Tuesday, March 10, 1896."