Stanley, Henry M

Magdala: The Story of the Abyssinian Campaign of 1866-7.

London : Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1896.

First edition of the second part of the ‘Coomassie and Magdala’ volume. Octavo, original leather binding, illustrated with a map of the British expedition and numerous drawings by Melton Prior and other artists. In very good condition. Library bookplate to the front pastedown with the Latin motto ‘Vicilans Non Cadet’ – ‘The vigilant man fallsContinue reading "Magdala: The Story of the Abyssinian Campaign of 1866-7."

McPhee, John

Giving Good Weight.

New York : Farrar Straus Giroux, 1979.

First edition of this collection of McPhee’s classic essays. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by John McPhee on the title page. Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design by Lawrence Ratzkin.

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. In very good condition, bookplate to the front pastedown.Continue reading "Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life. During a Four Months’ Residence in A Valley of the Marquesas."

Burton, Richard F

The Book of The Thousand Nights and a Night: A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights Entertainments Made and Annotated by Richard Burton.

New York : The Heritage Press, 1962.

The Heritage edition of Burton’s monumental masterpiece. Octavo, six volumes bound into three, original publisher’s half cloth over illustrated paper-covered boards, decorated with illustrations by Valenti Angelo. Each volume is near fine and housed in the publisher’s original slipcase. Ownership stamp to the front free endpaper of each volume.

Burton, Richard

The Thousand and One Nights: The Arabian Nights Entertainments. With an Introduction Illustrative of the Religion, Manners, and Customs of the Mohammedans.

London : J. C. Nimmo and Bain, 1883.

The Nimmo edition of Burton’s monumental masterpiece. Octavo, four volumes bound in three quarter maroon crushed levant morocco over marbled boards by Bayntun with gilt titles and five raised bands to the spine, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, illustrated with nineteen original etchings by Lalauze. One of 150 numbered copies printed on laid paper withContinue reading "The Thousand and One Nights: The Arabian Nights Entertainments. With an Introduction Illustrative of the Religion, Manners, and Customs of the Mohammedans."

Hillary, Edmund

High Adventure.

London : Hodder & Stoughton, 1955.

First British edition of Hillary’s account of his ascent of Everest. Octavo, original blue cloth, with maps by A. Sparks and sketches by George Djurkouic. Boldly signed by the author in a contemporary hand on the frontispiece, “E.P. Hillary.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket.

Morris, James [Jan]

Sultan in Oman: Venture Into The Middle East.

New York : Pantheon, 1957.

First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.

Lindbergh, Charles A

Of Flight and Life.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons , 1948.

First edition of this prophetic discourse on weapons of mass destruction. Association copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the half-title page, “To Elizabeth Bartky with much affection, and best wishes from Charles A. Lindbergh August 1948.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. An excellent association.

Carpenter, M. Scott; Cooper, L. Gordon, Jr., Glenn, John H., Jr., Grissom, Virgil I., Schirra, Walter M., Jr., Shepard, Alan B., Jr., Slayton, Donald K.

We Seven. By the Astronauts Themselves.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1962.

First edition, early printing of this first-hand account of the genesis of America’s manned space program. Octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by Mercury Seven Astronauts on the front free endpaper, “Bob Best wishes- Scott Carpenter and John Glenn. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design by PaulContinue reading "We Seven. By the Astronauts Themselves."

Irwin, James B. with William A. Emerson Jr

To Rule The Night: The Discovery Voyage of Astronaut Jim Irwin.

Philadelphia : A. J. Holman Company, 1973.

First edition of the autobiography of Jim Irwin, who served as the Lunar Module pilot for Apollo 15. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To William Stanhope my very best wishes for your life in Him. James Irwin.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket designContinue reading "To Rule The Night: The Discovery Voyage of Astronaut Jim Irwin."

Schmitt, Harrison. Foreword by Neil Armstrong

Return to the Moon: Exploration, Enterprise, and Energy in the Human Settlement of Space.

New York : Copernicus Books in Association with Praxis Publishing, 2006.

First edition of the author’s visionary plan for humankind’s future in space. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Bob Harrison Schmitt Apollo 17.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Jordan Rosenbum.

Blixen, Karen. [Isak Dinesen]

Out of Africa.

London : Putnam, 1948.

Later printing of the author’s classic memoir, recounting her seventeen years in Kenya. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Karen Blixen Je Responderai March 1957.” While in Africa, Blixen took as her motto “Je Responderai,” “I will answer,” from the family crest of her lover, Denys Finch-Hatton. She explained:Continue reading "Out of Africa."

West, Rebecca

Black Lamb and Grey Falcon: The Record of a Journey Through Yugoslavia in 1937.

New York : The Viking Press, 1941.

First American editions of Rebecca West’s masterpiece. Octavo, 2 volumes, original cloth, cartographic endpapers. Association copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “But the journey would have been better if Beatrice and Bruce had been there. Rebecca West 1962.” The recipients, Bruce Gould and Beatrice Blackmar Gould were co-editors of the Ladies’Continue reading "Black Lamb and Grey Falcon: The Record of a Journey Through Yugoslavia in 1937."

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."

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]."

Rickenbacker, Captain Edward V

Seven Came Through: Rickenbacker’s Full Story Including His Message to America.

Garden City, NY : Doubleday, Doran and Company, Inc, 1943.

First edition, early printing of Rickenbacker’s autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket.

The Macallan James Bond 60th Anniversary Release Decade I-VI [Full Set].

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Through a behind the scenes exploration of the James Bond archives this release celebrates 007 and The Macallan as modern innovators linked by their Scottish heritage. The Macallan and James Bond are bound together by our shared Scottish heritage, innovative nature and the pursuit of excellence. We have created a remarkable collection comprising six limitedContinue reading "The Macallan James Bond 60th Anniversary Release Decade I-VI [Full Set]."

West, Rebecca

The Vassall Affair.

London : Sunday Telegraph, 1963.

First edition of this work by the author of Black Lamb and Grey Falcon. Octavo, original wrappers. Association copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the half-title page, “My love to Bruce and Beatrice Rebecca West 1963.” The recipients, Bruce Gould and Beatrice Blackmar Gould were co-editors of the Ladies’ HomeContinue reading "The Vassall Affair."

Lindbergh, Charles A

Of Flight and Life.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons , 1948.

First edition of this prophetic discourse on weapons of mass destruction. Association copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the half-title page, “To Dean Walter Bartky with affection, and best wishes from Charles A. Lindbergh August 1948.” The recipient, Walter Bartky was an American educator and mathematician and friend of theContinue reading "Of Flight and Life."

Lawrence, T.E

Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph.

London : Jonathan Cape, 1965.

Finely bound edition of Lawrence’s classic account of his role in the Arab rebellion against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. Octavo, bound in full morocco by Brentano’s, frontispiece, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, double gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, raised bands, marbled endpapers, inner dentelles, all edgesContinue reading "Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph."

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."

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.

White, E.B

Here Is New York.

New York : The Curtis Publishing Company, 1949.

First edition of this classic meditation on the City of New York. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece. Presentation copy, signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “E.B. White Dec. 1949.” Presented above by Katherine White, “Merry Christmas from the Whites.” White was a writer and wife of the author. She was the fiction editorContinue reading "Here Is New York."

Twain, Mark. [Samuel L. Clemens]

The Innocents Abroad, Or The New Pilgrims’ Progress.

New York : Harper & Brothers, 1905.

Uniform edition of the author’s second book, one of the best-selling travel books of all-time. Octavo, original cloth, gilt titles to the spine, engraved frontispiece and photographic portrait with facsimile signature. Signed by the author “Truly yours Mark Twain” to the front pastedown. In very good condition, name to the front free endpaper. Housed inContinue reading "The Innocents Abroad, Or The New Pilgrims’ Progress."

Krakauer, Jon

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster.

New York : Villard, 1997.

First edition, early printing of the author’s classic work. Octavo, original half cloth, cartographic endpapers by Anita Karl, illustrations by Randy Rackliff. Association copy, inscribed by the author to his teacher on the half-title page, “For Loretta Smith- With Lasting Gratitude For All You Taught Me, And For Planting The Seeds Of My Literary Career.Continue reading "Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster."

Lindbergh, Charles A

Of Flight and Life.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons , 1948.

First edition, early printing of this prophetic discourse on weapons of mass destruction. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Gen. Huebner with best wishes from Charles A. Lindbergh.” The recipient, General Clarence R. Huebner was the commander of the 1st Infantry (“The Big Red One”) at Normandy and one of World WarContinue reading "Of Flight and Life."

Johnson, Osa

I Married Adventure: The Life and Adventures of Martin and Osa Johnson.

Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott Company, 1940.

First edition of Johnson’s classic work. Octavo, original striped cloth, photographic endpapers illustrated with 83 aquatone illustrations. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Esther Bates With my very best African wishes. Affectionately Osa Johnson.” Near fine in a good dust jacket with chips and wear.

Hillary, Edmund

High Adventure.

London : Hodder & Stoughton, 1955.

First British edition of Hillary’s account of his ascent of Everest. Octavo, with maps by A. Sparks and sketches by George Djurkouic, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentellesContinue reading "High Adventure."

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.

Shea, John Galmary

Early Voyages Up and Down the Mississippi, by Cavelier, Dt. Cosme, Le Sueur, Gravier, and Guignas.

Albany : Joel Munsell, 1861.

Limited edition of Shea’s important history of the early explorers of the Mississippi, printed for subscribers. Octavo, bound in half morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles to the spine, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Bradford 4933; Field 1395; Sabin 80003. Provenance: from the library of American businessman James Phinney Baxter (1831-1921) of Portland, MaineContinue reading "Early Voyages Up and Down the Mississippi, by Cavelier, Dt. Cosme, Le Sueur, Gravier, and Guignas."

Vanderbilt, William K

Across The Atlantic With Ara, Summer of 1924.

New York : Brentano's, Publishers, 1925.

First edition of Vanderbilt’s account of his 1924 three-month summer cruise aboard the diesel yacht Ara. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated with plates and maps. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “To C. M. … from W. K. Vanderbilt June 26th 1925.” In very goodContinue reading "Across The Atlantic With Ara, Summer of 1924."

Muir, John

The Writings of John Muir: The Manuscript Edition. [Including: My First Summer in the Sierra, Travels in Alaska, The Mountains of California, The Story of My Youth and Childhood, Our National Parks, The Cruise of the Corwin, Steep Trails, Life and Letters, Etc.]

Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1916-24.

The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir, one of 750 numbered sets produced with an original autograph manuscript page bound into the first volume. Octavo, 10 volumes in the publisher’s deluxe three quarter crushed levant morocco over cloth boards with gilt titles and tulip stamping to the spine in five compartments within raisedContinue reading "The Writings of John Muir: The Manuscript Edition. [Including: My First Summer in the Sierra, Travels in Alaska, The Mountains of California, The Story of My Youth and Childhood, Our National Parks, The Cruise of the Corwin, Steep Trails, Life and Letters, Etc.]"

Rickenbacker, Captain Edward V. Introduction by W.L. White

Seven Came Through: Rickenbacker’s Full Story Including His Message to America.

Garden City, New York : Doubleday, Doran and Company, Inc, 1943.

First edition of Rickenbacker’s account of 24 days adrift in a life raft. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “With my every best wish to Gertrude Moellering Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker.” Very good in a good dust jacket.

Thesiger, Wilfred

Arabian Sands.

New York : E.P. Dutton and Company, 1959.

First American edition of the author’s masterpiece. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated, map on the rear pastedown. Very good in a very good dust jacket.

Piccard, Jacques and Robert S. Dietz

Seven Miles Down: The Story of the Bathyscaph Trieste.

London : Longmans, Green and Co., Limited, 1962.

First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by legendary explorer Jacques Piccard on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Books signed by Piccard are rare.

[Schweitzer, Albert]. Photographs by Erica Anderson. Text and Captions by Eugene Exman

The World of Albert Schweitzer: A Book of Photographs by Erica Anderson. [With] Albert Schweitzer Autograph Note and Signed Photograph.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1955.

First edition of this magnificent volume of 169 photographs recording Albert Schweitzer’s life and work; with a rare black and white photograph of Albert Schweitzer on a bank of the Ogooué River, signed by him, “Albert Schweitzer.” Also accompanied by a letter in English from Schweitzer’s nurse and personal secretary Ali Silver to Fred andContinue reading "The World of Albert Schweitzer: A Book of Photographs by Erica Anderson. [With] Albert Schweitzer Autograph Note and Signed Photograph."

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.

Kelly, Fred C.; Introduction by Orville Wright

The Wright Brothers.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1943.

First edition of this classic American biography authorized by Orville Wright and long considered the definitive Wright biography. Octavo, original blue cloth, illustrated with 16 pages of photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by Orville Wright in the year of publication on the half-title page, “To Edward with affectionate regards. Orville Wright May 4, 1943.” Near fineContinue reading "The Wright Brothers."

[Cunningham, Walter]

Walt Cunningham Apollo 7/S-IVB Rendezvous in Space Signed Photograph.

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Rare large format glossy photograph of the historic Apollo 7/S-IVB rendezvous in space signed by Apollo 7 Pilot Walter Cunningham, “S-IVB stage during rendezvous, Walt Cunningham, Apollo 7 Pilot, October 11-22, 1968.” In near fine condition. The photograph measures 20 inches by 16 inches.

[Earhart, Amelia]

Amelia Earhart Signed Oldsmobile Girls Club Christmas Party Program.

[Lansing, Michigan] [1928].

Rare original program from the holiday luncheon held for female employees of Olds Motor Works held on December 19th 1928, signed by legendary aviator Amelia Earhart. Octavo, bound in handmade tissue paper with a red ribbon, illustrated with a tipped in portrait of Amelia Earhart. Signed by Earhart in pencil beneath her portrait. In veryContinue reading "Amelia Earhart Signed Oldsmobile Girls Club Christmas Party Program."

Twain, Mark [Samuel L. Clemens]

Life On The Mississippi.

Boston : James R. Osgood and Company, 1883.

First American edition, first state of this provocative portrait of the great Mississippi River with tailpiece of Twain in flames on p. 441 and “The St. Louis Hotel” caption on p. 443. Octavo, original publisher’s deluxe full sheep with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, illustrated. In very good condition,Continue reading "Life On The Mississippi."

Kenyon, C. R. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham

The Argonauts on the Amazon.

London and Edinburgh : W. & R. Chambers, Limited, 1901.

First edition of the author’s classic adventure tale, containing some of Arthur Rackham’s earliest illustrations. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated with 6 full-pages illustrations by Arthur Rackham. In very good condition. Bookplate.

Douglas, Norman

South Wind.

London : Martin Secker, 1917.

First edition of the author’s classic work based on the island of Capri. Octavo, original cloth. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise case.

Johnson, Osa

I Married Adventure: The Life and Adventures of Martin and Osa Johnson.

Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott Company, 1940.

Signed limited first edition of Johnson’s classic work, number 167 of 520 copies. Octavo, original half cloth, photographic endpapers illustrated with 83 aquatone illustrations. Boldly signed by the author, “Best African wishes Osa Johnson.” In near fine condition, contemporary name to the front free endpaper.

Sample, Tim; Introduction by Stephen King

The New Saturday Night at Moody’s Diner.

Camden, Maine : Down East Books, 1996.

First printing of the second edition. Octavo, original wrappers, as issued. Inscribed by Tim Sample on the title page. Additionally signed by Stephen King, who wrote the introduction to this volume. In very good condition.

Dinesen, Isak [Karen Blixen]

Out of Africa.

New York : Random House, 1938.

First American edition of the author’s masterpiece, a lyrical meditation of the years she lived in Kenya. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and ruling to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. An exceptionalContinue reading "Out of Africa."

Kennedy, John F

John F. Kennedy Signed Photograph.

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Color photograph of President Kennedy sitting in the oval office, affixed to its original mount. Boldly inscribed, “To Mrs and Dr. Jose Joquin Carrillo Castillo- with highest esteem and best wishes, John F. Kennedy.” Framed in the original Presidential frame with the seal of the President. The entire piece measures 18 inches by 13.5 inches.Continue reading "John F. Kennedy Signed Photograph."

A New and Accurate Map of East and West Florida. Drawn from the best Authorities. [18th Century Map of Florida].

London [c. 1765].

Engraved 18th century English map of the state of Florida; one of the earliest printed maps of the state which appeared in the London Magazine in March of 1765. One page, the map is divided into British East and West Florida, showing South Florida as a group of over 50 islands and a number ofContinue reading "A New and Accurate Map of East and West Florida. Drawn from the best Authorities. [18th Century Map of Florida]."