Fine Rare and Antiquarian First Edition Books

Raptis Rare Books is an Antiquarian Book firm that specializes in Fine First Editions, Signed and Inscribed books, and Landmark books in all fields. We have distinguished ourselves by having a reputation for handling unique and important books that are in exceptional condition.

A LETTER FROM MATTHEW RAPTIS

My love and passion for collecting books began as a young child. It was out of a devotion to preserving these incredible pieces of history and culture that this business of buying and selling rare books naturally evolved over twenty years ago. Thanks to our many great clients who share our affections, we have succeeded in building one of the world’s premier collections of signed and inscribed first editions and documents in all fields, with particular attention to the subjects of Literature, Americana, Science, Economics, and Intellectual History.

Three years ago, we moved our operations to Palm Beach, Florida, opening an exquisitely appointed gallery of fine rare books and manuscripts on historic Worth Avenue, where we have been delighted to host the clients that have made our business a success. We always appreciate the overwhelmingly positive feedback we receive for both new and returning customers, a testament to the quality of both our discerning taste and expert professionalism.

We take great pride in purveying rare books of the utmost quality and rarity, and take great care to catalog, present, and guarantee the authenticity of each important and desirable piece we present to you.

The most gratifying aspect of our business has become developing relationships with discerning collectors throughout the world and sharing our passion for rare books with each person who steps into our gallery. It is with great pleasure that we invite you to peruse our exceptional collection, and I invite you to call or visit us to allow us to assist you in building your own Collection of a Lifetime.

BROWSE OUR MOST RECENT CATALOG

Browse an exceptional selection of new acquisitions with the arrival of our latest catalog of fine rare books and historic documents: Presenting 80 Great Works. Highlights of the catalog include a rare first edition of Herodotus’ Historaie in Greek, an exceptionally rare printing of Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis, a first edition set of Charles Lucian Bonaparte’s American Ornithology, a rare first limited large paper edition of Shackleton’s The Heart of the Antarctic, a scarce first edition of Edgar Allan Poe’s Tales, a first edition of Hemingway’s masterpiece The Sun Also Rises in the scarce original dust jacket, and a first edition set of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

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Our passion, expertise, and attentive customer service will guide you on a remarkable journey with a rich history and tradition. Whether your aim is to create a beautiful personal library, start a small collection of first editions, or give a gift to a loved one, we can assist you in discovering the world of book collecting. Create your legacy and preserve culture by holding these unique items in your personal library.

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The world of rare and antiquarian books awaits you. Browse by our extensive collection by subject, view featured books, recent arrivals and more. Call us at (561) 508-3479 to speak with us about any of the books you see on this website, request a printed catalog, or if you have questions regarding adding books to your wishlist or shopping cart. We’re here to assist you.

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FEATURED ITEMS

Dracula.

First edition, first issue with the May 1897 and with no advertisements as issued and printed on thicker stock. Octavo, View product.

The Fountainhead.

Later printing of Rands’s breakthrough work. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed and dated by the author on the front free View product.

The Count of Monte-Cristo.

First edition in English of the author’s masterpiece, published just one year after the original French edition and before the View product.

To Kill a Mockingbird.

Fourth printing of the author’s Pulitzer-Prize winning novel. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the View product.

Theory of Games and Economic Behavior.

Second edition of von Neumann and Morgenstern’s landmark work. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by John Von Neumann. Near fine in View product.

Mutiny on the Bounty.

First limited edition of this epic historical drama made into the 1962 film starring Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard and Richard Harris. View product.

On Liberty.

First edition of this classic work, which remains the basis of much liberal political thought. Octavo, original cloth. In very good View product.

The Life and Letters of Captain John Brown, Who Was Executed at Charlestown, Virginia, Dec. 2, 1859, For an Armed Attack upon American Slavery; With Notices of Some of His Confederates.

First edition of one of the earliest biographies of profoundly influential American abolitionist, John Brown; published in the first year View product.

Florence Nightingale Autograph Note Signed.

Rare autograph note signed by the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. The note reads, “A verbal answer, please, by View product.

What Makes Sammy Run?

First edition of what many consider one of the most important novels on Hollywood and the film industry. Octavo, original View product.

Mohandas K. Gandhi Autograph.

Rare Mohandas K. Gandhi autograph, signed at the height of the struggle for Indian Independence. Signed by Gandhi, “M.K. Gandhi 28-12-38 View product.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles Signed Christmas Card.

Royal Christmas card bearing a full-color family photograph of Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and the infant Prince William. Inscribed by View product.

Soldiers’ Pay.

First edition of Faulkner’s first book in the rare first state dust jacket with An American Tragedy as the first of five View product.

The Compleat Troller, or, The Art of Trolling.

Rare first edition of Nobbes’ authoritative work on the history and methods of trolling. First issue with the engraved hook View product.

Sometimes a Great Notion.

First edition, first issue with the publisher’s logo on the half title page of Kesey’s second novel. Octavo, original cloth. View product.

Philosophical Essays Concerning Human Understanding By the Author of the Essays Moral and Political.

First edition of this landmark of Enlightenment thought. 12mo, bound in full contemporary calf, gilt titles and tooling to the View product.

Charles Darwin Autograph Note Signed To Alfred Russel Wallace.

Rare autograph note signed by Charles Darwin to fellow naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace. The note reads, “Oct. 27 Down, Beckenham View product.

Bob Dylan Song Book.

First edition of this music collection of the songs of Bob Dylan. Quarto, original illustrated wrappers as issued, frontispiece portrait View product.

Picturesque Ceylon and Its Ruined Cities.

One volume containing four parts: Colombo and the Kelani Valley; Kandy and Peradeniya; Nuwara Eliya and Adam’s Peak and The View product.

The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train Through Asia.

First edition, first issue binding with “By Rail Through Asia”. Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers. Signed by Paul Theroux on View product.

The Godfather.

First edition of Puzo’s definitive novel of the Mafia underworld. Octavo, original half black cloth. Association copy, warmly inscribed by View product.

Autograph Album Signed by Abraham Lincoln and His Cabinet.

Exceptionally rare finely bound autograph album signed by the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln as well as View product.

Ulysses S. Grant Autograph.

Autograph boldly signed “U.S. Grant, Lt. Gen.” on a card. Double matted and framed with a photograph of Grant. The View product.

Opuscula Mathematica, Philosophica et Philologica.

First edition of the first collected edition of Newton‘s writings, which has been hailed as “a fine piece of bookmaking” (Babson). View product.

The Personal History of David Copperfield.

First edition in parts of “the most perfect of all the Dickens novels” (Virginia Woolf). Original serial issue. Twenty parts View product.

The Lost World.

First edition of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “robust adventure story,” illustrated with eight tipped-in plates, including frontispiece photographic portrait of “the members of View product.

The History of the British Empire in India.

Finley bound first edition set of Gleig’s history the British Empire in India from the library of Charles Dickens. Octavos, View product.

The Oracle of Human Destiny; Or, Book of Fate: Being an Unerring Fortune-Teller and Accurate Interpreter of Mystical Signs & Heavenly Bodies.

Rare first edition of this early book of fortune telling and divination through card reading. Octavo, bound in original cloth, View product.

Gone With the Wind.

First edition, first issue with “Published May 1936” on the copyright page of the author’s classic novel. Octavo, original gray View product.

A Compleat Collection of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven’s Symphonies, in Score, Most Respectfully Dedicated, by Permission, to H.R.H The Prince of Wales.

First editions of the first printings of the full orchestral scores of the complete symphonies of Beethoven, Mozart, and Hadyn. View product.

The Financier.

First editions of the first novel of the author’s acclaimed Trilogy of Desire. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by the author on View product.

The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA.

First edition of Watson’s ground breaking work regarding the discovery of DNA for which the author, Francis Crick and Maurice View product.

Mary Poppins.

First American edition of this children’s classic. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with 27 line cuts (13 full-page) and chapter tailpieces View product.

From Here to Eternity.

First edition of the author’s first book, one of the great novels of World War II. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation View product.

Golf Architecture: Economy in Course Construction and Green-Keeping.

Rare first edition of this important work on golf architecture by one of the world’s most influential golf architects, Dr. View product.

Walt Disney’s Fantasia. With a Foreword by Leopold Stokowski.

First edition of the lavishly illustrated companion volume to Disney’s animated musical masterpiece. Quarto, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with 16 mounted color plates. View product.

Abraham Lincoln Military Commission Signed.

Military commission boldly signed by Abraham Lincoln as President August 7, 1861, and countersigned by Simon Cameron as Secretary of View product.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Translated from the Original Runes by Hermione Granger. With Commentary by Professor Albus Dumbledore.

First edition, limited issue of this wizarding classic. Signed by J.K. Rowling on the half-title page, with the authentication hologram. View product.

QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter.

First edition of this work by the Nobel Prize-winning physicist regarding quantum electrodynamics. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by the author View product.

The Stranger.

First American edition of Camus’ first novel and masterpiece. Octavo, original beige cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on View product.

All Quiet On The Western Front.

First American edition of this landmark novel of the 20th century. Octavo, original beige cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in View product.

The Brothers Karamazov.

First American edition of Dostoevsky’s masterpiece, described by Freud as “the most magnificent novel ever written.” Octavo, original cloth, top edge View product.

The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of Henry David Thoreau.

The manuscript edition of the writings of Henry David Thoreau. With the original manuscript sheet by Thoreau from his journal View product.

The Heart of the Antarctic: Being the Story of the British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909.

Rare first edition, Special Limited Large Paper Issue of Shackleton’s account of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1907-1909, number 97 of only View product.

Big Game Hunting in the Rockies and On the Great Plains. Comprising “Hunting Trips of a Ranchman” and “The Wilderness Hunter.”

Signed limited first edition, number 122 of 1000 large-paper copies signed by Roosevelt beneath the frontispiece portrait and signed by View product.

Jurassic Park.

First edition of Crichton’s gripping, bestselling scientific thriller. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed by Michael Crichton and Steven Spielberg on View product.

Signed by Twelve Members of the Quest Expedition.

Rare autograph note signed by each of the primary members of the Shackleton–Rowett Expedition, including: Ernest Henry Shackleton, Frank Wild, View product.

Duty – Honor – Country: Two Memorable Addresses.

First edition of this collection of addresses delivered by General Douglas MacArthur to the Corps Cadets of West Point Military View product.

Joe DiMaggio Presidential Commission Signed by Richard Nixon.

Rare Richard Nixon Presidential Commission appointing Baseball Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio as a “Member of the Conference on Physical View product.

Virginia Woolf Autograph Letter Signed to Clive Bell.

Rare original postcard handwritten and signed by influential British novelist Virginia Woolf to her brother-in-law Clive Bell. The postcard reads, View product.

Ernest Hemingway Autograph Letter Excerpt Signed.

Rare letter excerpt boldly signed by Ernest Hemingway. Published by the Walden Book Shop in 1930, the introduction begins "The View product.

Common Sense; Addressed to the Inhabitants of America.

Rare early printing of Thomas Paine’s landmark work. Octavo, bound in calf over marble boards, gilt titles and tooling to View product.

The Sun Also Rises.

First edition, first issue of the first printing, with the misprint (“stoppped”) on page 181 line 26, in the first View product.

Machiavel’s Discourses upon the First Decade of T. Livius, Translated out of the Italian. To which is added his Prince: With some Marginal Animadversioms.

Rare second collected edition in English of The Prince and the Discourses on Livy, translated by Edward Dacres, Machiavelli’s first View product.

Casino Royale.

First edition of the first novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by View product.

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

Magnificent first trade edition of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, rendered into English Verse by Edward Fitzgerald and with illustrations View product.

Lolita.

First edition of Nabokov’s masterpiece, published in Paris by the Olympia Press in 1955. First issue with the price of View product.

Recollections of Full Years.

First edition of First Lady Helen Herron Taft’s autobiography, the first autobiography published by a First Lady of the United View product.

My Fair Lady: A Musical Play in Two Acts Based on Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw.

First edition of “one of the best musicals of the twentieth century” (The New York Times). Octavo, original boards, illustrated, View product.

Ulysses.

First edition, one of 750 numbered copies on handmade paper from a total edition of 1000 copies, this is number View product.

Casino Royale.

First edition of the first novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, original black cloth. Near fine in a View product.

Catch-22.

First edition of one of the most significant novels of the twentieth century. Octavo, original blue cloth. Boldly signed by View product.

El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha: Nueva Edicion, Corregida Por La Real Academia Española.

The deluxe illustrated Ibarra edition of Cervantes’ masterpiece. Quartos, 4 volumes. Bound in full 19th century green morocco with central View product.

Quicksand.

First edition of Nella Larsen’s first book. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free View product.

Young India 1919–1922.

Second edition of the first series of the writings of Gandhi. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine View product.

Illuminated Miniature Book of Hours.

Exceptionally rare miniature book of hours illuminated with 6 full-page miniatures and 30 other pages with full illuminated borders. 12mo, bound View product.

Babe Ruth Signed Photograph.

Rare original photograph of baseball legend Babe Ruth signing baseballs for four young ballplayers. Boldly signed by Ruth in the View product.

Savrola: A Tale of the Revolution in Laurania.

First British edition of Churchill’s singular attempt at full-length fiction, one of only 1,500 copies. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles View product.

Benjamin Franklin Autograph Note Signed.

Autograph note signed by American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, “I your most obedient & most humble servant B Franklin.” Affixed View product.

Anna Karenina.

Ernest Shackleton’s copy of Tolstoy’s masterpiece with his ownership signature to the pastedown of each volume. Octavo, 2 volumes, original View product.

The Feynman Lectures On Physics.

Early printings of each volume of one of the greatest physics books ever written. Quarto, original red printed wrappers. Presentation View product.

Emma: A Novel. By the Author of “Pride and Prejudice.”

First edition of the final novel published during Austen’s lifetime, with the rare half-titles present. Small octavo, 3 volumes, bound View product.

The Civil War: A Narrative: Fort Sumter to Perryville; Fredericksburg to Meridian; Red River to Appomattox.

First editions of the author’s authoritative text on The Civil War. Octavo, 3 volumes, bound in three quarters morocco over View product.

Atlas Shrugged.

First edition of one of the most influential novels of the twentieth century. Large octavo, original green cloth, frontispiece stamped View product.

Guys and Dolls.

First edition of this classic work, basis for the film starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra. Octavo, original cloth. A View product.

The Winding Stair.

Signed limited first edition of this volume of poetry and true first appearance of The Winding Stair collection, Yeats’ follow View product.

Mrs Dalloway.

First edition of one of Woolf’s best-known novels, one of only 2000 copies. Octavo, original orange cloth. Fine in a View product.

Mastering the Art of French Cooking: Volumes 1 & 2.

First editions of both volumes of this classic cook book. Quarto, 2 volumes, original illustrated boards. Volume 1 is signed View product.

Dance Me to the End of Love.

First edition of Cohen’s work, a lyrical tribute to love. Thin quarto, original illustrated boards. Paintings by Henri Matisse. Edited View product.

In His Own Write.

First edition, second printing of Lennon’s first book. Octavo, original laminated pictorial boards. Introduction by Paul McCartney. Presentation copy, signed View product.

The King James “He” Bible. (The Holy Bible, Conteyning the Old Testament, and the New).

First edition, first issue of the King James Bible; the Great King James “He” Bible which contains the erroneous phrase View product.

Atlas Shrugged.

First edition of one of the most influential novels of the twentieth century. Large octavo, original green cloth, frontispiece stamped View product.

The Commentaries of Caesar, Translated into English. To Which is Prefixed a Discourse Concerning The Roman Art of War.

First edition of Duncan’s famous translation of Caesar’s Commentaries, sumptuously illustrated with frontispiece portrait of Caesar, six double-page maps, and 78 View product.

Original Walt Disney Donald Duck Drawing Signed.

Rare original Walt Disney Studios production drawing of Donald Duck posing as a hunter. Inscribed by Walt Disney in the View product.

The Condition of the Working Class in England in 1844. With Appendix Written 1886, and Preface 1887. Translated by Florence Kelley Wischnewetzky.

Scarce first edition in English of Engels’s classic account of the universal condition of the industrial working class, the forerunner View product.

Ill Met By Moonlight.

First edition of this account of the Cretan resistance during World War II. Octavo, original cloth, with fifteen plates in View product.

Fahrenheit 451.

First edition of one of the seminal works in the field of science fiction. Octavo, original red cloth. Illustrated by View product.

Nineteen Eighty-Four.

First edition of Orwell’s classic dystopian novel. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in an excellent dust jacket with some toning View product.

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Featured Subjects

Whether you are interested in building a traditional library of fine bindings, have an interest in science fiction, architecture, sports, cooking, economics, history, or any other genre, we have experience in finding the perfect books for the perfect shelf. We know that each person is unique, and our aim is to match your library with your home and it’s reflection of the owner’s personality. We have helped build some of the finest private and public libraries in the country and are here to assist you in your pursuit and to be your guide in bringing the library of your imagination to reality.

AUTOGRAPHED & SIGNED BOOKS

PRESIDENTS & WORLD LEADERS

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ECONOMICS & FINANCE

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GIFT IDEAS

There are few gifts that are as lasting and appreciated as a rare book. They hold within its pages not only historical and cultural significance, but often also a personal significance to the recipient. Whether it is a beloved childhood book that turned them on to the joys of reading or a favorite title they read in high school or college, people treasure these books like a close friend. We offer free gift wrapping and ship worldwide to ensure that your thoughtful gift arrives beautifully packaged and presented. If you are uncertain of the recipient’s preferences or unsure of where to begin, contact us and let us know about the occasion and a little about the recipient. We can often help with suggestions and also issue gift certificates.

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Shop our gallery location in Palm Beach, Florida. Experience the inspiration and beauty of holding a piece of history in your hands.

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Raptis Rare Books is an Antiquarian Book firm that specializes in Fine First Editions, Signed and Inscribed books, and Landmark books in all fields. We have distinguished ourselves by having a reputation for handling unique and important books that are in exceptional condition.

A LETTER FROM MATTHEW RAPTIS

We take great pride in purveying rare books of the utmost quality and rarity, and take great care to catalog, present, and guarantee the authenticity of each important and desirable piece we present to you.

BROWSE OUR MOST RECENT CATALOG

NEW ARRIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

DISCOVER

Advanced Search

EXPLORE

FEATURED ITEMS

Featured Subjects

Blog Posts

The 50th Anniversary of Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five.

Friedrich August von Hayek’s The Road to Serfdom

Mario Puzo’s The Godfather.

Raptis Rare Books Lecture Series: Autumn in Venice: Ernest Hemingway and His Last Muse.

Raptis Rare Books Lecture Series: Mary Lily Flagler’s Washington Birthday Ball with Ed Lamont.

Raptis Rare Books Lecture Series: At Churchill’s Table: Dining and Diplomacy with History’s Greatest Leaders.

Celebrating Black History Month and African American Literature.

Raptis Rare Books Presents: Kabbalah on Worth with Rabbi Zalman Levitin.

Raptis Rare Books Lecture Series: A Look at Transformational Presidents with Dr. Alvin Felzenberg.

Raptis Rare Books Lecture Series: Lecture and Book Signing with Margaret Wilesmith

GIFT IDEAS

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Shop our gallery location in Palm Beach, Florida. Experience the inspiration and beauty of holding a piece of history in your hands. Find Your Rare Book Author: and/or Title: Signed Advanced Search

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Raptis Rare Books is an Antiquarian Book firm that specializes in Fine First Editions, Signed and Inscribed books, and Landmark books in all fields. We have distinguished ourselves by having a reputation for handling unique and important books that are in exceptional condition.

A LETTER FROM MATTHEW RAPTIS

We take great pride in purveying rare books of the utmost quality and rarity, and take great care to catalog, present, and guarantee the authenticity of each important and desirable piece we present to you.

BROWSE OUR MOST RECENT CATALOG

NEW ARRIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

DISCOVER

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Shop our gallery location in Palm Beach, Florida. Experience the inspiration and beauty of holding a piece of history in your hands.

Find Your Rare Book

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and/or

Title:

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