Gifts

Gershwin, George

George Gershwin Inscribed Special Detroit Symphony Concert Display Program.

Detroit January 20, 1937.

Special Detroit Symphony Concert display program featuring Gershwin as conductor and pianist. One page, small octavo, Special Detroit Symphony Concert display program, selections of ‘Porgy and Bess’ and ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ clipped and adhered to the front, advertisements to the rear. Presentation copy, inscribed by George Gershwin, “to Charlotte Good wishes George Gershwin.” In near fineContinue reading "George Gershwin Inscribed Special Detroit Symphony Concert Display Program."

Sherman, William T

William T. Sherman Autograph Letter Signed.

St. Louis, Missouri May 21, 1885.

Autograph letter signed by William T. Sherman to the widowed Mary Audenried, whom he is rumored to have had a decade-long affair with. In this personal letter, William T. Sherman advises Mary Audenried, the widow of his former aide-de-camp Joseph C. Audenried, on how to manage her underage daughter’s restless behavior. He shares that hisContinue reading "William T. Sherman Autograph Letter Signed."

Thackeray, William M

William M. Thackeray Autograph Letter Signed.

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Autograph letter signed by William M. Thackeray to Lady John Russell, wife of the Prime Minister. One page, the letter reads, “I have an engagement contracted 3 weeks ago unfortunately, or I should have had the greatest pleasure in coming to Richmond on Friday.” Matted and framed with two engravings, one of Thackeray and theContinue reading "William M. Thackeray Autograph Letter Signed."

Burrows, Edwin G. and Mike Wallace

Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898.

New York : Oxford University Press, 1999.

First edition of this vast and varied epic of New York’s past, which won the Pulitzer Prize. Super octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with black-and-white images. Boldly signed by Mike Wallace on the title page. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Kathleen M. Lynch. Jacket illustration hand-coloring by Cathy Saksa.Continue reading "Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898."

Abbott, Berenice

Changing New York.

New York : E.P. Dutton & Company, 1939.

First edition stated on copyright page; first issue with blue topstain of Abbott’s landmark work on New York. Quarto, original cloth, illustrated with 97 halftone plates that display “the historical importance of the documentary mode… its power as a medium of personal expression” (Parr & Badger). Text by Elizabeth McCausland. Presentation copy, inscribed by the photographer in the yearContinue reading "Changing New York."

Schorr, Jonathan [William Safire]

Hard Lessons: The Promise of an Inner City Charter School.

New York : Ballantine Books, 2002.

First edition of this journalistic analysis of charter school life from the library of American journalist William Safire. Octavo, original half cloth. Autographed letter to American journalist William Safire laid in. As thanks for his thoughtful announcement in the word column, the note reads in part, “I am touched by the effort and generosity thatContinue reading "Hard Lessons: The Promise of an Inner City Charter School."

Uyenishi, S.K. [Raku]; Word Portrait of the author by Percy Longhurst

The Text-Book of Ju-Jutsu As Practised in Japan: Being a Simple Treatise on the Japanese Method of Self-Defence.

London : Athletic Publications Ltd, c. 1940.

Later edition of this comprehensive wrestling text-book. Octavo, original green cloth with black lettering and decoration, illustrated with several black-and-white plates. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Uncommon in the original dust jacket.

Garcia Marquez, Gabriel. Translated by Gregory Rabassa

One Hundred Years of Solitude.

New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1970.

First American edition of the author’s magnum opus. Octavo, original green cloth. Near fine in a very good first issue dust jacket with the exclamation point at the end of the first paragraph on the front flap of the jacket. Jacket design by Guy Fleming.

Lee, Harper [Gregory Peck]

To Kill A Mockingbird.

New York : HarperCollins, 1995.

First edition, early printing of the 35th Anniversary edition of the author’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, basis for the classic film starring Gregory Peck. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed and dated by Academy-Award winning actor Gregory Peck on the dedication page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Suzanne Noli.

Vardon, Harry

Progressive Golf.

London : Hutchinson & Company, 1920.

Third edition of this work by the legendary golfer. Octavo, original green cloth, illustrated with six folding plates containing a total of thirty action-shot photographs. Very good in a good dust jacket. Uncommon in the original jacket.

Saramago, Jose

Blindness.

New York : Harcourt Brace & Company, 1997.

First edition of the author’s masterpiece. Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed twice by jacket designer Claudine G. Mansour on the front jacket panel and the rear flap. Translated from the Portuguese by Giovanni Pontiero. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.

Powell, Anthony

The Military Philosophers.

London : William Heinemann Ltd, 1968.

First edition of the ninth novel in the ‘A Dance to the Music of Time’ series. Octavo, original red cloth. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Light rubbing to the extremities of the cloth and jacket. Jacket design by Broom-Lynne. Housed in a custom half morroco and folding chemise clamshell box.

Powell, Anthony

The Soldier’s Art.

London : William Heinemann Ltd, 1966.

First edition of the eighth novel in the ‘A Dance to the Music of Time’ series and second volume in the ‘War’ trilogy. Octavo, original red cloth. Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Light rubbing to the extremities of the cloth and jacket. Jacket design by Broom-Lynne. Housed in a custom halfContinue reading "The Soldier’s Art."

Irving, John

The Cider House Rules.

New York : William Morrow , 1985.

First edition of Irving’s sixth novel. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “For Rob with my appreciation John Irving.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket, mark to the top edge. Jacket design by Honi Werner.

Irving, John

A Prayer For Owen Meany.

Franklin Center, PA : The Franklin Library, 1989.

Signed limited first edition of the author’s seventh novel and what many consider his finest. Octavo, bound in full morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front and rear panels, all edges gilt, frontispiece by Cary Henrie. Boldly signed by John Irving. In fine condition.

Quinn, Sally

The Party: A Guide to Adventurous Entertaining.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1997.

First edition of this practical and witty guide to the party scene. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrations by Susan Davis. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the flyleaf, “To Bill and Idelene, you don’t need any guidance from me about being great hosts or great guests – you’re the best! Much love SallyContinue reading "The Party: A Guide to Adventurous Entertaining."

Walliams, David

The Boy in the Dress.

London : HarperCollins Children's Books, 2008.

First edition of the award-winning sketch actor’s first children’s book. Octavo, original pictorial boards, illustrations by Quentin Blake. Fine in a fine dust jacket.

Edwards, Phil with Bob Ottum

You Should Have Been Here an Hour Ago: The Stoked Side of Surfing or How to Hang Ten Through Life and Stay Happy.

New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1967.

First edition of this classic profile of ‘the surfer’s surfer.’ Octavo, original sky blue cloth, illustrated with full-page photographs. Lengthily signed by the author opposite the copyright page: “You should have been here …. Phil Edwards.” Very good in a very good dust jacket, with dampstaining to the book. Jacket photograph by Lynn Pelham-Rapho-Guillumette. PhotographContinue reading "You Should Have Been Here an Hour Ago: The Stoked Side of Surfing or How to Hang Ten Through Life and Stay Happy."

Miller, Arthur

The Ride Down Mt. Morgan.

New York : Penguin Books, 1992.

First American edition of this incredibly entertaining play. Octavo, original black half cloth. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket photograph by Inge Morath.

Grady, James

Six Days of the Condor.

New York : W. W. Norton & Company, Inc, 1974.

First edition of the author’s first thriller, basis for the classic film film directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson, and Max von Sydow. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the title page with a quote from the novel, “For John, ‘Don’t be soContinue reading "Six Days of the Condor."

[Chapman, John Gadsby; George Washington]

View of the Birthplace of George Washington.

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Rare nineteenth century oil painting after John Gadsby Chapman (New York/Italy, 1808-1889) depicting the birthplace of President George Washington in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Oil on canvas, the painting depicts the inlet of the Potomac River which divides the site of the Washington family home at Pope’s Creek Plantation in the foreground from the Maryland shoreContinue reading "View of the Birthplace of George Washington."

Mandela, Nelson [Desmond Tutu and F.W. de Klerk]

Long Walk To Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela.

South Africa : MacDonald Purnell, 1994.

First South African edition, early printing of the first autobiography of one of the greatest moral leaders of the twentieth century which has went on to sell over six million copies worldwide. Octavo, original black cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated with photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Clive Rudman, fulfillmentContinue reading "Long Walk To Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela."

Chaplin, Charlie

Charlie Chaplin Signed Photograph.

1914.

Rare original sepia-toned photograph of a young Charlie Chaplin, signed, “With Love Charles Aug 26th 14.” Signed along the left edge in white, “Witzel L.A.” for the photographer Albert Witzel. Framed. The entire piece measures 9.5 inches by 7 inches. Rare and desirable.

Ethiopian Coptic Ge’ez Bible.

Ethiopia C. 18th Century.

Rare illustrated Ethiopian Coptic Ge’ez Bible. Duodecimo, bound in full leather with elaborate tooling stamped in blind to the front and rear panels, parchment manuscript in black and red ink, with six full-page hand-painted miniatures depicting the Annunciation, the Madonna and child, Saint George slaying the dragon, Michael striking down Lucifer, Saint Tekle Haymanot ofContinue reading "Ethiopian Coptic Ge’ez Bible."