Blaeu, Willem and Joan

Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. [Le Theatre du Monde].

Amsterdam : Chez Jean Blaeu/Apud Guiljelmum et Johannem Blaeu, 1643-1645.

A fine French-text copy in a presentation binding. Folio, 4 volumes, contemporary Dutch vellum likely from the Blaeu workshop with gilt tooling to the spine in eight compartments within gilt bands, central gilt arabesques and fleuron corner pieces within double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, all edges gilt. Gilt presentation inscription toContinue reading "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. [Le Theatre du Monde]."

Volney, Constantin Francois. [Napoleon Bonaparte: His Copy]

Voyage en Syrie et en Egypte, Pendant Les Annees 1783, 84, et 85. [Travel to Syria and Egypt, During the Years 1783, 84, and 85].

A Paris : Chez Dugour et Durand, Libraires, Rue et Hotel Serpente, 1799.

Volney’s important work on Egypt and Syria, from the library in exile of Napoleon Bonaparte with his annotations and corrections throughout, several made as he was dictating details from the Egyptian Campaign for his own Memoirs. This copy may also have accompanied him during his Egyptian Campaigns; it is known that Napoleon brought along aContinue reading "Voyage en Syrie et en Egypte, Pendant Les Annees 1783, 84, et 85. [Travel to Syria and Egypt, During the Years 1783, 84, and 85]."

Melville, Herman

Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life. During a Four Months’ Residence in A Valley of the Marquesas.

New York : Wiley and Putnam, 1846.

First edition of Melville’s first book and his most popular during his lifetime. Octavo, two volumes bound into one in the original cloth stamped in blind with gilt titles to the spine, frontispiece map, both half-titles and 6 pages of publisher’s advertisements at rear. BAL 13653. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the frontContinue reading "Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life. During a Four Months’ Residence in A Valley of the Marquesas."

Bardin’s New British Terrestrial and Celestial Globes. [Nineteenth Century English Globes].

c. 1800.

Fine pair of two large Regency period globes produced by William and Thomas M. Bardin, two of the most highly regarded globemakers of the period. Both the celestial and terrestrial globe measure 18 inches in diameter and are mounted on the original mahogany tripod stands with central compasses mounted on raised brass casters. Fitted withContinue reading "Bardin’s New British Terrestrial and Celestial Globes. [Nineteenth Century English Globes]."

Cambridge, Richard Owen [Benjamin Franklin]

An Account of the War in India, Between the English and French, on the Coast of Coromandel, From the Year 1760. Together with A Relation of the late Remarkable Events on the Malabar Coast, and the Expeditions to Golconda and Surat; with the Operations of the Fleet. Illustrated with Maps, Plans &c. The Whole Compiled from Original Papers.

London : Printed for T. Jefferys, 1761.

Benjamin Franklin’s first edition copy of Cambridge’s account of the progression of the Seven Years’ War in India, from Franklin’s private library. Quarto, bound in full contemporary calf, marbled endpapers, illustrated with 12 engraved maps and plans and 6 plates, mostly folding. From the private library of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin’s contributions to science and politicsContinue reading "An Account of the War in India, Between the English and French, on the Coast of Coromandel, From the Year 1760. Together with A Relation of the late Remarkable Events on the Malabar Coast, and the Expeditions to Golconda and Surat; with the Operations of the Fleet. Illustrated with Maps, Plans &c. The Whole Compiled from Original Papers."

Hillary, Edmund Percival and Tenzig Norgay

Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Signed Ice Axe and Expedition Bag.

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Rare original cotton equipment bag used in the 1953 Everest expedition, inscribed “Hillary Expedition.” The expedition bag measures 34 inches by 16 inches. Accompanied by an ice axe boldly signed by twice by Edmund Hillary and his mountaineering partner Tenzig Norgay, the first two people to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Circa 1955. WoodContinue reading "Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Signed Ice Axe and Expedition Bag."

De L'Isle, Joseph Nicolas

Russischer Atlas welcher in einer General-Charte und neunzehen Special-Charten das gesamte Russische Reich und dessen angräntzende Länder.vorstellig macht.

St. Petersburg : Entworffen bey der Kayserl. Academie der Wissenschaften, 1745.

Rare first edition of the first atlas printed of Russia. Folio, bound in full leather, 19 double-page maps, one large folding general map. In excellent condition with light toning. An exceptional example.

Twain, Mark. [Samuel L. Clemens]

Roughing It.

Hartford : American Publishing Company, 1874.

Early printing of Twain’s first semi-autobiographical work of travel literature, essentially a prequel to The Innocents Abroad. Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco with gilt titles to the spine, fully illustrated by eminent artists with wood engravings throughout. Association copy, inscribed by Mark Twain on the fly-leaf, “For Mrs. P. T. Barnum with kindest wishesContinue reading "Roughing It."

Cary, George; John and William Cary

Cary’s New Terrestrial and Celestial Library Globes.

London : J. & W. Cary: 1818; G. & J. Cary, 1833.

Fine pair of early 19th century celestial and terrestrial table globes published by John and William Cary, generally regarded as the greatest British globe makers of the late Georgian period. Comprised of Cary’s New Terrestrial Globe, Drawn from the most recent Geographical works, shewing the whole of the New Discoveries with the Tracks of theContinue reading "Cary’s New Terrestrial and Celestial Library Globes."

Yan, Liu (Liu Dezhi). [Ye Zipei]

Complete Map of the World with All Nations.

China : Wanguo Dadi Quantu, 1851 [Xianfeng period].

Exceptionally rare second edition of Ye Zipei’s complete map of the world, one of only two known copies produced by terrestrial globe expert Liu Yan. The terrestrial map is comprised of six accordion-style albums bound in handmade paper with white titular labels lettered in hand to each front panel. A woodblock print in red andContinue reading "Complete Map of the World with All Nations."

Giuseppe de Rossi

Giuseppe de Rossi’s Globus Coelest. [Seventeenth Century Italian Celestial Globe].

Rome : Giuseppe de Rossi, [1615].

Rare early seventeenth century Italian celestial globe produced by Roman cartographer Giuseppe de Rossi, the founder the most important and active printing press of 17th century Rome, the Rossi firm. Laid horizontally and mounted on a turned mahogany stand, the celestial globe measures 8 inches in diameter and is comprised of 12 hand-colored engraved goresContinue reading "Giuseppe de Rossi’s Globus Coelest. [Seventeenth Century Italian Celestial Globe]."

Armstrong, Neil; Buzz Aldrin; Charles Conrad, Jr; Alan L. Bean; Alan Shepard; Edgar Mitchell; Dave Scott; Jim Irwin; John Young; Charlie Duke; Jack Schmitt; Gene Cernan

Apollo Moonwalkers Complete Collection of Signed Photographs.

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Complete set of 12 photographs of the Apollo Moonwalkers. Set of 12 photographs, all of which are official NASA lithographs with the exception of the Alan Shepard photo. Each is individually signed in ink or felt tip as follows, “Neil Armstrong,” “We Came in Peace, Buzz Aldrin, Apollo XI,” “Charles Conrad, Jr.,” “Alan L. Bean,”Continue reading "Apollo Moonwalkers Complete Collection of Signed Photographs."

Cherry-Garrard, Apsley

The Worst Journey in the World.

London : Constable & Company, 1922.

First edition of this classic memoir of the 1910–1913 British Antarctic Expedition. Octavo, two volumes, original half white cloth, gray paper boards. Inscribed by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in each each volume. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. In near fine condition with light rubbing to the extremities. First editions signed and inscribed are ofContinue reading "The Worst Journey in the World."

Staunton, Sir George. [Sir George Macartney]

An Authentic Account of an Embassy from the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China; Including Cursory Observations Made, and Information Obtained, In Travelling Through That Ancient Empire, and a Small Part of Chinese Tartary.

London : Printed by W. Bulmer and Co. for G. Nicol, 1797.

Rare first edition of the official account of Lord Macartney’s voyage and embassy to the Qianlong emperor in 1792-94, the failure of which led to the establishment of the British trading post at Hong Kong. Three volumes (two quarto volumes of text and one folio atlas volume of plates) bound by Clarke Preston in full diced calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raisedContinue reading "An Authentic Account of an Embassy from the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China; Including Cursory Observations Made, and Information Obtained, In Travelling Through That Ancient Empire, and a Small Part of Chinese Tartary."

Armstrong, Neil; Michael Collins; Edwin [Buzz] E. Aldrin, Jr.; Epilogue by Arthur C. Clarke

First On The Moon: A Voyage With Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr.

Boston : Little, Brown and Company, 1970.

First edition of this work, signed by each of the Apollo XI and XII astronauts, which describes the events leading up to and during the Apollo 11 mission, the first manned landing on the Moon. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Signed by each astronaut of both Apollo XI and Apollo XII to two time Oscar winnerContinue reading "First On The Moon: A Voyage With Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr."

Gibbon, Edward

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

London : Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, In The Strand, 1776-1788.

First edition, first state of Gibbon’s “masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style” (PMM). Quarto, six volumes, bound in modern half calf over marbled boards by Bayntun-Riviere with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, all edges speckled red, engraved frontispiece portrait of Gibbon byContinue reading "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."

Shackleton, Ernest; James Murray and George Marston

Antarctic Days. Sketches of the Homely Side of Polar Life by Two of Shackleton’s Men: Introduced by Sir Ernest Shackleton.

London : Andrew Melrose, 1913.

Limited edition de luxe of this account of the 1907-09 Nimrod Expedition under Shackleton. number 181 of 280 copies signed on the recto of the limitation leaf by E.H. Shackleton, James Murray and George Marston. Octavo, original blue cloth with gilt titles to the spine and front panel with a mounted color illustration, top edgeContinue reading "Antarctic Days. Sketches of the Homely Side of Polar Life by Two of Shackleton’s Men: Introduced by Sir Ernest Shackleton."

Mawson, Douglas. [William Arthur Holman]

The Home of the Blizzard: Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914.

London : William Heinemann, 1915.

First edition of this classic account of Antarctic exploration, an exceptional association copy inscribed by the author in both volumes in the year of publication to a fellow Australian, the Premier of New South Wales. Quarto, two volumes, original dark blue cloth with gilt titles to the spine, gilt vignette to the front panels, profuselyContinue reading "The Home of the Blizzard: Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914."

Armstrong, Neil; Buzz Aldrin; Michael Collins; Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins Signed Quarantine Image..

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Rare Apollo XI quarantine image signed by President Richard Nixon and Apollo XI astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. The image shows Apollo XI crew members in quarantine being congratulated by President Nixon through a microphone. The oversized color photograph appears to be a blow-up of a contemporary magazine page, complete with printedContinue reading "Richard Nixon, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins Signed Quarantine Image.."

Scott, Robert Falcon. Edited by Ernest Henry Shackleton, Louis C. Bernacchi and Apsley George Benet Cherry-Garrard

The South Polar Times.

London : Smith, Elder, & Co, 1907-1914.

First limited edition of the complete collection of the South Polar Times, a periodical created by Scott’s crew during his two polar expeditions on the ships Discovery and Terra Nova, with a slip signed by Ernest Shackleton and Rudolph Blakenburg Quarto, three volumes, publisher’s gilt decorated cloth, all edges gilt, frontispiece to each volume, elaboratelyContinue reading "The South Polar Times."

Swift, Jonathan

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 : Benjamin Motte, 1726.

First editions of Jonathan Swift’s masterpiece, Gulliver’s Travels. Octavo, two volumes, bound in three quarters contemporary calf over marbled boards, engraved frontispiece of Lemuel Gulliver, woodcut initials, five engraved maps, gilt titles to the spine. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom cloth slipcase. Bookplate to the pastedown and period ownership signature to eachContinue 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]."

Armstrong, Neil; Buzz Aldrin; Michael Collins

Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins Signed Moonwalk Photograph.

: [NASA], 1969.

Rare photograph of the Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the moon. Octavo, color chromogenic print of Buzz Aldrin saluting the American flag after having mounted it into the solid, rocky ground of the lunar surface. Boldly signed on the mount in black ink by “Neil Armstrong,” “M. Collins,” and “Buzz Aldrin.” Mounted and framed. InContinue reading "Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins Signed Moonwalk Photograph."

von Braun, Wernher

Wernher von Braun Apollo 4 Signed Photograph.

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Rare color photograph of the launch of Apollo 4, the first uncrewed test flight of the Saturn V rocket that later carried astronauts to the Moon, lengthily inscribed by Wernher von Braun to the Leader of Germany’s V-2 Rocket Program, “To Dr. Walter R. Dornberger, who opened the road to space which is now traveledContinue reading "Wernher von Braun Apollo 4 Signed Photograph."

Armstrong, Neil; Buzz Aldrin; Michael Collins

Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins Signed Dollar Bill.

1969.

Series 1969 dollar bill from the United States of America, the year Armstrong and Aldrin touched the moon. Boldly signed by Apollo 11 crew members Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins on the portrait side in black felt tip. Mounted and framed. In fine condition. The entire piece measures 9.5 inches by 6 inches.Continue reading "Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins Signed Dollar Bill."