Showing items 168-192 of 293
London : John Murray, 1871.
First edition of both volumes (with “transmitted” the first word on p. 297 in the first volume; in the second, the printer’s note on the verso of the half-title, errata on title verso, and the postscript leaf after p. viii. both volumes have the January ads). Octavo, two volumes, original green cloth with gilt titlesContinue reading "The Descent of Man."
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Boston : Little Brown and Company, 1951.
Early printing, printed in the year of publication of the author’s classic novel. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “December 24, 1951 To Elizabeth Fueller- with best wishes J.D. Salinger.” Salinger’s signature is scarce and signed examples of The Catcher in the Rye are rare.Continue reading "The Catcher In The Rye."
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London : W. Sandby, 1767-1779.
First edition set contains all eleven parts, although without all the individual dated titles. Part one is signed on the dedication page by the translator Floyer Sydenham as usual, and includes a sheet laid in with manuscript instructions to the binder. Quarto, three volumes, bound in contemporary full calf, armorial bookplate. Dated title pages inContinue reading "Plato’s Dialogues."
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Philadelphia & New York : J. B. Lippincott Company, 1960.
First edition of one of the most important American novels of the 20th century which had an initial first printing of 5,000 copies and went on to earn Harper Lee the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Octavo, original half cloth. With an autograph postcard signed by and entirely in the hand of Harper Lee laidContinue reading "To Kill A Mockingbird."
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New York : Simon and Schuster, 1951.
Later printing of this classic work, which traces the development of ideas in physics. Octavo, original blue cloth. Boldly signed by both authors on the front free endpaper, “A. Einstein. 53” and “L. Infeld 1958.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. We have never seen another example signed by both authors. Rare and desirable.
Read more![The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book. [Fore-edge Painting].](https://i0.wp.com/raptisrarebooks2.bvbeta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/RRB-139448.jpg?fit=1024%2C819&ssl=1 "The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book. [Fore-edge Painting].")
London : Macmillan, 1978.
Finely bound edition of both volumes of The Jungle Book, with an exceptional fore-edge painting. Octavo, bound in full morocco by Bayntun Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, all edges gilt, engraved frontispiece with tissue guard present. Illustrated by J. L. Kipling, W.H. Drake and P. Frenzeny. In near fine condition. Rare andContinue reading "The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book. [Fore-edge Painting]."
Read more![The Raven and Other Poems. [Bound With] Tales.](https://i0.wp.com/raptisrarebooks2.bvbeta.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RRB-139816.jpg?fit=1024%2C819&ssl=1 "The Raven and Other Poems. [Bound With] Tales.")
New York : Wiley and Putnam, 1845.
Rare first editions of Poe’s two great collections of stories and poems, bound together in the original publisher’s cloth. Octavo, original publisher’s dark green cloth elaborately stamped in blind with gilt titles to the spine, publisher’s advertisements at rear of each volume which are most often lacking with both volumes bound together. Wiley and PutnamContinue reading "The Raven and Other Poems. [Bound With] Tales."
Read more![Family Secrets: By Mr. Pratt. Volume III. [From the Library of George Washington].](https://i0.wp.com/raptisrarebooks2.bvbeta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/RRB-139518.jpg?fit=1024%2C819&ssl=1 "Family Secrets: By Mr. Pratt. Volume III. [From the Library of George Washington].")
London : Printed for T.N. Longman, Paternoster-Row, 1798.
Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with a burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine. Vol. III of the original five volumes. Tipped in to the pastedown is a small clipped note in the hand of George Washington which reads, “with the said” and the bookplate of Benjamin Lincoln Lear.Continue reading "Family Secrets: By Mr. Pratt. Volume III. [From the Library of George Washington]."
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New York : Harper & Brothers, 1942.
First edition of this classic work which details Huxley’s experience with and views on the controversial Bates method, which according to him improved his eyesight. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “For Gordon Ross, Sincerely, Aldous Huxley 1942.” Near fine in aContinue reading "The Art of Seeing."
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Columbus : Follett, Foster and Company, 1860.
First edition, first issue of the most famous debates in American history which cemented Lincoln as a national presidential candidate; inscribed by Lincoln in pencil to close friend Martin S. Morris and accompanied by the table from the Morris household that Lincoln signed the book on. Octavo, original cloth stamped in blind. First issue, withContinue reading "Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen Douglas, In the Celebrated Campaign of 1858, in Illinois."
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Glasgow : Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis, 1763.
First edition in English of Plato’s Republic, marking the first appearance in the English language of Plato‘s profoundly influential dialogue concerning the nature of justice. Quarto, bound in full polished calf with raised gilt bands to the spine, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, all edges speckled red. Harry Spens was a minister at theContinue reading "The Republic of Plato In Ten Books."
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c. 1855.
Rare autograph letter signed and entirely in the hand of great American novelist Herman Melville. One page, the letter reads in full, “Pittsfield Aug 26 Osmond Tiffany Esq. My dear Sir, With pleasure I comply with your request, but hardly think that any letter will further your object; still, if the accompanying one can beContinue reading "Herman Melville Autograph Letter Signed."
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New York : Albert & Charles Boni, 1930.
First edition of this Einstein biography written by Rudolf Kayser, a German literary historian and husband to Albert Einstein’s stepdaughter Ilse under the pseudonym Anton Reiser. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece of Einstein. Signed and dated by Einstein in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “Albert Einstein 1930.” Near fine in a veryContinue reading "Albert Einstein: A Biographical Portrait."
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New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1967.
First edition of King’s “last grand expression of his vision” (Cornel West). Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with eight pages of black-and-white photogravures. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Carl Colodne, With Best Wishes for Peace and Justice, Martin Luther King Jr.” Fine in a fine dust jacket, smallContinue reading "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?"
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New York : The Viking Press, 1961.
First edition, presentation copy of Steinbeck’s final novel, one of only 500 examples with only a few known inscribed examples, which along with The Grapes of Wrath are considered his masterpieces. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For Charles Sulner John Steinbeck.” Near fine in a nearContinue reading "The Winter of Our Discontent."
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New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1923.
First edition of what Fitzgerald called, “undoubtedly the best thing I have ever written.” Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Dear Mr. Swelwynn (sic)- Here’s the new version of the play. Sincerely F. Scott Fitzgerald.” The recipient, prominent figure in American theatre and film in the firstContinue reading "The Vegetable: Or, From President To Postman."
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London : Longman's, Green, and Co, 1900.
First edition of Churchill’s fifth book, a continuation of his coverage of the Boer War which he began in London to Ladysmith via Pretoria. Octavo, original red cloth with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, engraved frontispiece portrait of Ian Hamilton, folding map in color and 4 pages of advertisements for Churchill’s worksContinue reading "Ian Hamilton’s March."
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Philadelphia and London : J. B. Lippincott Company, 1930.
First edition of this classic work on aeronautics by “the father of the United States Air Force” Billy Mitchell. Octavo, original cloth, with seventy-six illustrations from photographs and drawings. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To W. Walter Healy National President Society of the Fifth Division U.S.A. With the regardsContinue reading "Skyways: A Book on Modern Aeronautics."
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New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969.
First edition of Puzo’s definitive novel of the Mafia underworld, signed by him and legendary Academy Award-winning actor Marlon Brando. Octavo, original half black cloth. Boldly signed by both Mario Puzo and Marlon Brando on the front free endpaper. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket art by S. Neil Fujita. Housed in aContinue reading "The Godfather."
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London : Victor Gollancz, 1963.
First edition of le Carre’s classic work, which went on to reinvigorate the spy genre. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by the author on a tipped-in page, “John le Carre with best wishes 16 ix 64.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.
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Barnstable, MA : Crane’s Duplicating Service, for J.B. Lippincott Company,, 1960.
Rare advance reading copy of the first edition of Harper Lee’s classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel signed by three actors from the 1962 film and with a two page autograph letter signed and entirely in the hand of Harper Lee declining the invitation to participate in a documentary film about her novel. Octavo, original wrappers. PresentationContinue reading "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Read more![Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, first Surgeon, and then Captain of Several Ships. [Gulliver’s Travels].](https://i0.wp.com/raptisrarebooks2.bvbeta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/rrb-133845.jpg?fit=1024%2C819&ssl=1 "Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, first Surgeon, and then Captain of Several Ships. [Gulliver’s Travels].")
London : Printed for Benj. Motte, at the Middle Temple-Gate in Fleet-Street, 1726.
First edition of Swift’s masterpiece with Teerink-Scouten 290 (AA), with title page variant in volume II without the edition statement, but with “Vol. II”, author portrait with Latin verses beneath printed on paper with vertical chain lines. Octavo, 2 volumes, bound in full calf, illustrated with five engraved maps and one engraved table. In nearContinue reading "Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, first Surgeon, and then Captain of Several Ships. [Gulliver’s Travels]."
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London : Bantam Press, 1988.
First edition of Hawking’s groundbreaking work. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Ron Miller. Presentation copy, signed by Stephen Hawking on the title page with his thumbprint, “For John Simpson, this unique signature has been printed by Stephen Hawking.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Author photograph by David Gamble. First printings are exceptionally rare andContinue reading "A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes."
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London : George Newnes, Limited, 1892-1894.
First editions of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic stories starring literature’s most famous detective. Octavo, original pictorial black and gilt-stamped light blue and dark blue cloth, patterned endpapers, all edges gilt. First issues, the first title with the street scene vignette with no text on the street sign and with “Violent” for “Violet” on p 317. InContinue reading "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes."
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First Edition
![The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book. [Fore-edge Painting].](https://i0.wp.com/raptisrarebooks2.bvbeta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/RRB-139448.jpg?fit=1250%2C1000&ssl=1)
Children's Books
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Americana
Americana
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Gifts - Graduation and Celebrations
Fine Bindings and Sets
