Leeser, Isaac

The Law of God.

Philadelphia : C. Sherman, 5605, 1845-46.

First edition of the “first English translation of the Pentateuch in America,” the 1845 Hebrew-English Bible by one of the most prominent and influential figures in American Jewish history. Octavo, 5 volumes. Translated by Isaac Leeser. Bound in contemporary polished calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, rebacked. Lightly rubbed, moderate wear. A veryContinue reading "The Law of God."

Bunyan, John

The Holy War, made by Shaddai upon Diabolus.

London : Printed for Dorman Newman and Benjamin Alsop, 1682.

Exceptionally rare first edition of this allegorical epic, which Macaulay said “if The Pilgrim’s Progress had not been written, The Holy War would have been the greatest English allegory” (Cambridge History of English Literature). Octavo, engraved portrait frontispiece by R. White. In very good condition, final advertisement leaf present, sig.B damp-stained at lower outer corners, cornerContinue reading "The Holy War, made by Shaddai upon Diabolus."

King, Jr. Martin Luther. Editor's note by Ed Clayton

The SCLC Story in Words and Pictures.

Atlanta, Georgia : Southern Christian Leadership Conference, 1964.

First edition, first printing of The SCLC Story containing one of the first appearances in print of Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream Speech. Quarto, original illustrated wrappers as issued, illustrated with photographs including a full-page photograph of King, photographs of the officers, executive board, regional, and secretarial staffs of the SCLC. SignedContinue reading "The SCLC Story in Words and Pictures."

Van der Hooght, Everardo

Biblia Hebraica, Secundum Ultimam Editionem Jos. Athiae, a Johanne Leusden, Denuo Recognitum, Recensita Variisque Notis Latinis Illustrata, ab Everardo Van Der Hooght. Editio Prima Americana, Sine Punctis Masorethicis.

Philadelphia : Printed by William Fry for Thomas Dobson, 1814.

Very rare first edition of the first Hebrew Bible published in America. Octavo, 2 volumes, bound in full contemporary calf, including half-titles and front and rear blanks, as well as scarce publisher’s notice in volume one (not found in all examples); Van der Hooght’s four leaf Preface bound in at front of second volume, moroccoContinue reading "Biblia Hebraica, Secundum Ultimam Editionem Jos. Athiae, a Johanne Leusden, Denuo Recognitum, Recensita Variisque Notis Latinis Illustrata, ab Everardo Van Der Hooght. Editio Prima Americana, Sine Punctis Masorethicis."

Einstein, Albert

About Zionism: Speeches and Letters.

New York : The MacMillan Company, 1931.

First edition of this volume of Einstein’s speeches and letters concerning his views on Zionism. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed and dated in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “Albert Einstein 1931.” Near fine with light toning to the endpapers in the scarce original dust jacket which is in good condition withContinue reading "About Zionism: Speeches and Letters."

Marbecke, John

A Concordace, that is to saie, a work wherein by the ordre of the letters of the A.B.C. ye maie redely finde any worde conteigned in the whole Bible, so often as it is there expressed or mentioned.

London : Richardus Grafton, 1550.

Rare first edition of the first concordance in English to the Bible. Quarto, bound in full polished calf with raised bands and gilt titles to the spine, trimmed and mounted engraved title page. In near fine condition with some leaves supplied and mounted and restoration to the margins. One of the finest and most completeContinue reading "A Concordace, that is to saie, a work wherein by the ordre of the letters of the A.B.C. ye maie redely finde any worde conteigned in the whole Bible, so often as it is there expressed or mentioned."

Saint Augustine

Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives.

London : George Eld, 1610.

First edition in English of Augustine’s monumental work. Translated by John Healey. Folio, bound in full contemporary English panelled calf with gilt titles to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, central ornament tooled in gold to the front and rear panels, rebacked. Decorative woodcut head-pieces and decorative and woodcut initials, including three twelve-lineContinue reading "Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives."

Opera Omnia. Ed. Jac. Sirmond (Volumes 1-4), and J. Garnier (Volume 5).

Paris : Sebastian and Gabriel Cramoisy, 1682-84.

A fine set of the works of Theodoretus, Bishop of Cyrus, beautifully painted on each panel. Quarto, five volumes, bound in full 17th-century vellum, both covers on each volume fully painted with a scene from the life of Christ, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, brown and black morocco lettering pieces. The first fourContinue reading "Opera Omnia. Ed. Jac. Sirmond (Volumes 1-4), and J. Garnier (Volume 5)."

Saint Augustine

Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives. [The City of God].

London : George Eld, 1610.

Rare first edition in English of Augustine’s monumental work. Translated by John Healey. Folio, bound in full brown calf, gilt titles to the spine, morocco spine label, raised bands. Large woodcut printer’s device on title (McKerrow 375). Decorative woodcut head-pieces and decorative and woodcut initials, including three twelve-line initials. In very good condition, ownership signatureContinue reading "Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives. [The City of God]."

Brown, Sir Thomas

Christian Morals.

London : Cambridge at the University Press, 1716.

Rare first edition of this classic philosophical work. Octodecimo, bound in full leather by J & K custom binding, gilt titles to the spine, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled. In near fine condition with light rubbing and toning, some pencil underlining from previous owner, stamp on the second free endpaper. Scarce with only one exampleContinue reading "Christian Morals."

Lewis, C.S

The Abolition of Man or Reflections on Education with Special Reference to the Teaching of English in the Upper Forms of Schools.

London : Oxford University Press, 1943.

First edition of Lewis’s powerful essay, original delivered as three speeches in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1943 in which he “defends the objectivity of values such as goodness and beauty over against the modern view that these qualities are in the mind of the beholder.” Octavo, original publisher’s printed wrappers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author onContinue reading "The Abolition of Man or Reflections on Education with Special Reference to the Teaching of English in the Upper Forms of Schools."

Marshman, Joshua [Confucius]

The Works of Confucius; Containing the Original Text, With a Translation. To Which is Prefixed a Dissertation on the Chinese Language and Character. [The Analects of Confucius].

Serampore : Printed at the Mission Press, 1809.

First English translation of the Analects of Confucius complete with the rare Dissertation on the Chinese Language and Character, here bound in a separate volume. Quarto, two volumes bound in three quarter morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, illustrated with 2 foldingContinue reading "The Works of Confucius; Containing the Original Text, With a Translation. To Which is Prefixed a Dissertation on the Chinese Language and Character. [The Analects of Confucius]."

Herzl, Theodor

Das Neue Ghetto: Schauspiel in 4 Acten. [The New Ghetto: A Play in 4 Acts].

Wein : Verlag Der "Welt", 1897.

First edition of Herzl’s popular politically-charged drama, written several years before Der Judenstaat and praised by Max Nordau and Sigmund Freud. Octavo, original printed wrappers. Association copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication opposite the title page, “Herrn Heinrich Steiner zur freundlichen Erinnerung Th. Herzl.” The recipient, Hungarian author and publisher HeinrichContinue reading "Das Neue Ghetto: Schauspiel in 4 Acten. [The New Ghetto: A Play in 4 Acts]."

Mather, Cotton

Reverend Cotton Mather Autograph Manuscript of a Sermon.

[Boston] n.d. [1685–1723].

Rare late 17th to early 18th century autograph manuscript of a sermon or devotional essay in the hand of the “first American Evangelical” Puritan clergyman Cotton Mather. Duodecimo, comprising two bifolia prepared from a folded and cut sheet of paper to a total of 8 pages, penned in dark brown ink, very densely written (asContinue reading "Reverend Cotton Mather Autograph Manuscript of a Sermon."

Gandhi, Mohandas K. [Mahatma]

Mohandas K. Gandhi Autograph Note Collection.

1926.

Rare autograph note collection in the hand of the Father of the Nation of India, Mahatma Gandhi, written at the height of the struggle for Indian Independence. The collection includes two autograph notes, two autograph letters, and three autograph postcards with Gandhi’s “Blessings” inscribed at the conclusion of each. The postcards are postmarked May 27,Continue reading "Mohandas K. Gandhi Autograph Note Collection."

Lewis, C.S

The Screwtape Letters.

London : Geoffrey Bles: The Centenary Press, 1945.

Early printing of Lewis‘ classic novel of spiritual conflict, one of his most celebrated works; signed by him with his poem The Salamader in the year it was published in The Spectator. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “C. S. Lewis” and inscribed by him on the finalContinue reading "The Screwtape Letters."

Lewis, C.S

The Screwtape Letters.

London : Geoffrey Bles, 1943.

First edition of Lewis’ classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by C.S. Lewis on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco chemise and clamshell box. Exceptionally rare signed.

[Richard M. Nixon]

The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated Out of the Original Tongues and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared. Commonly Known as the Authorized (King James) Version.

Nashville, TN : The Gideons International, 1974.

The 1974 edition of the Gideon Bible used to swear in President Richard M. Nixon before his voluntary deposition to the Watergate Special Prosecution Force on June 23, 1975, the only sworn testimony Nixon provided in connection with the Watergate proceedings. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, pictorial endpapers. Presentation copy, inscribed by Nixon on the frontContinue reading "The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated Out of the Original Tongues and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared. Commonly Known as the Authorized (King James) Version."

Calvin, John. Translated from the French by Thomas Stocker

Two and twentie Sermons of Maister John Calvin. In which Sermons is most religiously handled, the hundredth and nineteenth Psalme of David, by eight verses aparte according to the Hebrewe alphabet.

London : [Printed by Thomas Dawson] For John Harison and Thomas Man, 1580.

Scarce first edition in English of this collection of John Calvin’s sermons. Octavo, bound in full levant morocco with gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling and central gilt arabesques to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins, wide typographical borderContinue reading "Two and twentie Sermons of Maister John Calvin. In which Sermons is most religiously handled, the hundredth and nineteenth Psalme of David, by eight verses aparte according to the Hebrewe alphabet."

[Bible]

[The King James “She” Bible]. The Holy Bible: Conteyning the Old Testament, and the New: Newly translated out of the Originall Tongues: and with the former Translations diligently compared and reuised by his Maiesties speciall Comandement. Appointed to be Read in Churches.

London : Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings Most Excellent Majestie, 1613.

Rare 1613 folio edition of the great King James “She” Bible”, “the true 1613 folio edition of King James’ Bible; easily distinguishable from the other large folio editions by its smaller type… The preliminary leaves are set up as in the other large folio editions, but the text is printed in smaller type with 72 instead of 59 lines to the full column” (Herbert; DarlowContinue reading "[The King James “She” Bible]. The Holy Bible: Conteyning the Old Testament, and the New: Newly translated out of the Originall Tongues: and with the former Translations diligently compared and reuised by his Maiesties speciall Comandement. Appointed to be Read in Churches."

Schedel, Hartmann

Liber Chronicarum. [The Nuremberg Chronicle].

Nuremberg : Anton Koberger for Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister, 1493.

First edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle, the most extensively illustrated book of the 15th century, from the St. Petersburg library of William Tooke. Imperial folio, bound in three quarter calf over paper-covered boards, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, five gilt-tooled raised bands, rebacked, decorated with 1809 woodcut illustrationsContinue reading "Liber Chronicarum. [The Nuremberg Chronicle]."

Erasmus, Desiderius. Translated by Sir Thomas Chaloner

In Praise of Folie: Moriae Encomium. A book made in latine by the great clerke Erasmus Roterodame. Enlightened by Sir Thomas Chaloner, knight. [In Praise of Folly].

London : Thomas Berthelet, 1549.

First edition in English of one of the most notable and popular works of the Renaissance which played an important role in the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation and swiftly brought its author international fame. First printing with ‘latine’ and the printer’s initials ‘TB.’ to the title page. Octavo, bound in full crushed levant moroccoContinue reading "In Praise of Folie: Moriae Encomium. A book made in latine by the great clerke Erasmus Roterodame. Enlightened by Sir Thomas Chaloner, knight. [In Praise of Folly]."

Schedel, Hartmann

Liber Chronicarum. [The Nuremberg Chronicle].

Nuremberg : Anton Koberger for Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister, 12 July 1493.

Exceptionally rare colored example of the first edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle, the most extensively illustrated book of the 15th century. Imperial folio, bound in full 17th-century pigskin over bevelled wooden boards with elaborate blind tooling and scrolling to the spine and panels, brass cornerpieces, 2 fore-edge clasps, 325 leaves (of 328, without blank 55/6Continue reading "Liber Chronicarum. [The Nuremberg Chronicle]."

Gandhi, Mohandas K

Mohandas K. Gandhi Signed Document.

1909.

Early 20th century South African government document containing the fingerprints of Mohandas K. Gandhi, signed and inscribed by him, “This is what I gave voluntarily at the risk of my life to keep my promise to the Government. Phoenix, Natal, 15th February 1909, M.K. Gandhi.” In April 1893, Gandhi aged 23, set sail for South Africa toContinue reading "Mohandas K. Gandhi Signed Document."