Borman, Frank

Countdown.

New York : Silver Arrow Books, 1988.

First edition of the astronaut’s classic autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Marge and Bill With Friendship and very Best Wishes! Frank Borman.” Fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Mike Stromberg. Written with Robert J. Serling.

[Florida]

Carte De La Louisiane Et De La Floride. [18th Century French Map of Florida].

Paris : Rigobert Bonne, [1797].

Rare 18th century map of North America by Royal Hydrographer Rigobert Bonne. One page, the engraved map extends from Illinois to Florida with one of the earliest insets of Kansas City. Born in the Lorraine region of France, French cartographer Rigobert Bonne (1727-1794) was a skilled cartographer and hydrographer and succeeded Jacques Nicolas Bellin as RoyalContinue reading "Carte De La Louisiane Et De La Floride. [18th Century French Map of Florida]."

Kaplan, Joseph; Wernher Von Braun; Heinz Haber; Willy Ley; Oscar Schachter; Fred L. Whipple

Across the Space Frontier.

London : Sidgwick and Jackson Limited, 1953.

First edition of this early collaborative exploration of the scientific, technical, and legal possibilities of space travel. Royal octavo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in three compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling and the motif for the Royal Air Force St. Athan stamped in gilt toContinue reading "Across the Space Frontier."

Cooke, Francis B

Single-Handed Cruising.

London : Edward Arnold, 1919.

First edition of this essential early manual on single-handed cruising by one of the greatest yachting writers of the 20th century. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. From the library of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the front pastedown. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstopContinue reading "Single-Handed Cruising."

Morris, James. [Jan Morris]

Pax Britannica Trilogy: Pax Britannica: The Climax of an Empire, Heaven’s Command: An Imperial Progress, and Farewell the Trumpets.

London : Faber and Faber , 1968-1978.

First editions of each volume in the author’s highly acclaimed Pax Britannica Trilogy: Pax Britannica: The Climax of an Empire (1968), Heaven’s Command: An Imperial Progress (1973), and Farewell the Trumpets (1978). Octavo, three volumes, original publisher’s cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated. Each volume is very good in a near fine dust jacket. Spotting to theContinue reading "Pax Britannica Trilogy: Pax Britannica: The Climax of an Empire, Heaven’s Command: An Imperial Progress, and Farewell the Trumpets."

Cunningham, Walter

The All-American Boys.

New York : Macdonald and Co, 1977.

First edition of “the best of all the astronaut books” (Los Angeles Times). Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Signed by Walter Cunningham on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket, owner name to the front free endpaper. Jacket design by Robert Silverman. Written with the assistance of Mickey Herskowitz.

Antique Post Card Album.

.

Antique postcard collection containing dozens of vintage postcards postdated in the early 1900s. From the collection of Dora Sims. Oblong octavo, bound in decorated cloth. The collection includes postcards with scenic views of Cleveland, Yellowstone National Park, Niagara Falls, the Columbia River Highway, and the Mississippi River, In very good condition. A charming collection.

Valens, E.G. [Jill Kinmont]

A Long Way Up: The Story of Jill Kinmont.

New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1967.

First edition of this powerful biography of Jill Kinmont. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with photographs by Burk Uzzle and others. Presentation copy, inscribed by Kinmont on the front front free endpaper, “To Dr. Robinson, Thank you for your nice letter. Best Wishes- Jill Kinmont 2-27-67.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket designContinue reading "A Long Way Up: The Story of Jill Kinmont."

Grierson, John

Sir Hubert Wilkins: Enigma of Exploration.

London : Robert Hale Limited, 1960.

First edition of John Grierson’s biography of fellow Arctic pioneer Sir Hubert Wilkins. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with photographs and maps. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “to my distinguished Namesake from John Grierson 5.10.60.” From the library of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with hisContinue reading "Sir Hubert Wilkins: Enigma of Exploration."

Ellis, Leonard Bolles

History of New Bedford and its Vicinity 1602-1892.

Syracuse : D. Mason & Co., Publishers, 1892.

First edition of Ellis’ profusely illustrated history of New Bedford. Large octavo, 2 volumes bound in three quarters morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, illustrated with a profusion of fine tissue-guarded steel-engraved portraits. In near fine condition.

Hillary, Edmund; Tenzing Norgay; James Lumbers

Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Signed “Hillary Conquers Everest May 29, 1953” Print.

Toronto : Newport Edition Limited, 1992.

Limited edition color lithograph commemorating one of the great achievements of human stamina and will: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s summit of Mount Everest. One page, the color lithograph is signed by Edmund Hillary and artist James Lumbers. One of 1953 numbered copies this is number 771. In fine condition.

Bellow, Saul

To Jerusalem and Back: A Personal Account.

New York : The Viking Press, 1976.

First edition of the Nobel Prize-winning author’s account of his journey to Jerusalem. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “To Mr. Bergstrom, who asks excellent questions Chicago, Nov 1, 76 Saul Bellow.” The recipient was journalist Goran Bergstrom. Fine in aContinue reading "To Jerusalem and Back: A Personal Account."

Fermor, Patrick Leigh

Between the Woods and the Water.

London : John Murray, 1986.

First British edition of the author’s second book in the author’s trilogy that began with A Time of Gifts. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by Patrick Leigh Fermor on the title page. Fine in a fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design by John Craxton. A very sharp example.

Aldrin, Buzz

Return to Earth.

New York : Random House, 1973.

First edition of this work by the second man to walk on the moon. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Boldly signed by Buzz Aldrin on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Robert Aulicino. Written with Wayne Warga.

Benuzzi, Felice

No Picnic on Mount Kenya: The Story of Three P.O.W.S Escape To Adventure.

London : William Kimber, 1952.

First edition in English of this mountaineering classic recounting the 1943 attempt of three escaped Italian prisoners of war to reach the summit of Mount Kenya. Octavo, original cloth, map endpapers. Very good in a very good dust jacket with some chipping to the crown and overall wear, tape repair to the verso. Rare inContinue reading "No Picnic on Mount Kenya: The Story of Three P.O.W.S Escape To Adventure."

Graham, Commander R.D. Introduction by Claud Worth

Rough Passage.

Edinburgh and London : William Blackwood & Sons Ltd, 1936.

First edition of Graham’s narrative of his solo voyage across the Atlantic to Newfoundland, Labrador, and Bermuda on the Yacht Emanuel. Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, with maps and illustrations including frontispiece. From the library of of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett becameContinue reading "Rough Passage."

Borman, Frank

Countdown.

New York : Silver Arrow Books, 1988.

First edition, second printing of the astronaut’s classic autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Bob Best wishes Frank Borman.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Mike Stromberg. Written with Robert J. Serling.

Zatto, Antonio [China]

Impero Della China Colle Isole Del Giappone. [Eighteenth Century Antonio Zatta Map of the Empire Of China and Islands Of Japan]

Venice : Presso Antonio Zatta, 1784.

Large eighteenth century hand-colored map of China and Japan by Venetian cartographer Antonio Zatta. One page, hand-colored with a fine botanical cartouche. In near fine condition. The entire piece measures 19.5 inches by 23.5 inches.

Fletcher, Colin

The Thousand-Mile Summer in Desert and High Sierra.

Berkeley, CA : Howell-North Books, 1964.

First edition of Fletcher’s classic first book. Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated with photographs from the author. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Dean Well from Colin Fletcher.” Fine in a very good dust jacket. Uncommon signed.

Aldrin, Buzz and Malcolm McConnell

Men From Earth.

New York : Bantam Books, 1989.

First edition of Aldrin’s autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by Buzz Aldrin on the half-title page, :To Bob Best Wishes Buzz Aldrin” and by the co-author opposite the title page, “To Bob – Best regards Malcolm McConnell.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by One Plus Studio.Continue reading "Men From Earth."

Langello, Charles J. [Harry S. Truman]

Log of the President’s Vacation Cruise: August 16, 1946 to September 2, 1946.

1946.

Rare keepsake book of President Truman’s 18-day vacation cruise, known as “A Journey into Nowhere.” The log records activities including games, fishing, and reports of members, featuring visits to Quonset Point, Rhode Island; Hamilton, Bermuda; and Hampton Roads, Virginia. Octavo, pictorial front cover, blue plastic comb binding, illustrated with black and white photographs. Unlike someContinue reading "Log of the President’s Vacation Cruise: August 16, 1946 to September 2, 1946."

New Orleans Souvenir Album and Travel Brochure Collection.

: Various, 1938-1960.

Rare collection of 5 souvenir albums and nine pictorial travel brochures printed between 1938 and 1960. The souvenir albums include a “Souvenir Condensed History of New Orleans for the Tourist” (c. 1955), a “Souvenir du Restaurant Antoine”, “New Orleans, America’s Most Interesting City”, an early accordion-style pictorial album, and “Winter in New Orleans: Season 1908-1909”Continue reading "New Orleans Souvenir Album and Travel Brochure Collection."

Hartmann, William K.; [James Lovell]

A Traveler’s Guide to Mars: The Mysterious Landscapes of the Red Planet.

New York : Workman Publishing, 2003.

First edition of this complete and accessible guidebook to Mars. Octavo, original pictorial wrappers, illustrated with color photographs and a folding map of Martian markings charted by Earth-based telescopes in the 1960s. Association copy, boldly inscribed by the author to James Lovell on the title page, “For Jim Lovell with admiration! William K Hartmann.” TheContinue reading "A Traveler’s Guide to Mars: The Mysterious Landscapes of the Red Planet."

Jocelyn, Nathaniel and Simeon Smith

Asia. [Nathaniel and Simeon Smith Jocelyn Nineteenth Century Engraved Map of Asia].

c. 1825.

Rare hand-colored engraved map of Asia by American cartographers Nathaniel and Simeon Smith Jocelyn. One page, hand-colored. In very good condition. Matted and framed. The entire piece measures 13 inches by 11.5 inches.