Landau, Henry.

All’s Fair. The Story of the British Secret Service Behind the German Lines.

New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1934.

Early printing of Landau’s biography of his time in the British Secret Service. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Captain Henry Landau.” Near fine in a good dust jacket with some wear and tear. Uncommon signed.

Goldberg, Isaac; Introduction by George Gershwin.

Tin Pan Alley.

New York: The John Day Company, 1930.

First edition of this work on American popular music. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Introduction by George Gershwin. Boldly signed “Sincerely George Gershwin” on the dedication page. Additionally signed by conductor Charles Previn and tenor James Melton. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Previn was an American film composer who was highly active atContinue reading "Tin Pan Alley."

Bush, C. Fred. Edited Slightly by Barbara Bush (George Bush).

C. Fred’s Story: A Dog’s Life.

New York: Doubleday, 1984.

First edition of First Lady Barbara Bush’s children’s book about the adventures of White House dog C. Fred Bush. Large octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with photographs throughout. Inscribed by Barbara Bush, “To Edna Pryn – With love and affection to a dear friend – Warmly – Barbara Bush” and President George Bush, “WithContinue reading "C. Fred’s Story: A Dog’s Life."

Boswell, James.

The Life of Johnson.

London: Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry, 1791.

First edition, first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language, which was published on May 16, 1791 in a print run of only 1,750 copies. Quarto, bound in contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson, engraved by J. Heath after the Sir Joshua Reynolds (1756) painting. Volume one isContinue reading "The Life of Johnson."

Voltaire (Arouet, François-Marie).

Vie de Moliere.

Lausanne: Chez Francois Grasset & Comp, 1772.

Early edition of Voltaire’s biography of one of the most influential and widely translated writers of all time. Octavo, bound in full sprinkled sheepskin. Gilt titles and tooling to the spine, pictorial endpapers, all edges red, ribbon bound in. In very good condition with some rubbing to the extremities. Tasteful period bookplate.

Goldman, William.

Tinsel.

New York : Delacorte Press, 1979.

First edition, second printing of Goldman’s novel regarding Hollywood. Octavo, original cloth. Inscribed by William Goldman opposite the title page. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Richard Huebner.

Valtin, Jan (aka Richard Julius Herman Krebs).

Out of the Night.

New York: Alliance Book Corporation, 1940.

First edition of Valtin’s bestselling autobiographical narrative. Octavo, original blue cloth. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “For Ben Mandel, who helped. Jan Valtin November 1940.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket art by George Salter.

James, Henry.

English Men of Letters: Hawthorne.

London: Macmillan an Co, 1879.

First British edition of James’ classic biographical study of his great predecessor Nathaniel Hawthorne. Octavo, original scarlet cloth. In very good condition with light rubbing. Edited by John Morley.    

Reagan, Nancy.

My Turn: The Memoirs of Nancy Reagan.

New York: Random House, 1989.

First edition of Nancy Reagan’s memoirs. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly inscribed by Nancy Reagan on the half-title page. Laid in is a note from her office thanking the recipient for the letter. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Robert Aulicino. Written in collaboration with William Novak.

Zagajewski, Adam.

Another Beauty.

New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1998.

First edition of the author’s memoirs. Octavo, original half cloth. Lengthily signed by the author on the title page with the following line from this work, which reads, “We find comfort only in another beauty, in others music Adam Zagajewski.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Marc J. Cohen. Translated by ClareContinue reading "Another Beauty."

Kennedy, John F.; Robert Kennedy.

As We Remember Joe.

Cambridge, MA: University Press, 1945.

First edition, second issue (of only 250 copies), of this tribute to the eldest of the Kennedy brothers. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece, illustrated throughout. Inscribed by Robert Kennedy on the front free endpaper, “For Bill Walton Bob Kennedy Christmas 1945.” American journalist William Walton was a confidant of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy and playedContinue reading "As We Remember Joe."

Johnson, Lady Bird.

The White House: An Historic Guide.

Washington, DC: White House Historical Association, 1964.

First edition of this wonderfully illustrated work on The White House. Octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Inscribed by Lady Bird Johnson on the title page, “To Bill Walton with appreciation Lady Bird Johnson February 17, 1965.” The recipient William Walton was a painter and confidant of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy, and chaired the U.S. CommissionContinue reading "The White House: An Historic Guide."

Fowler, Gene.

Schnozzola: The Story of Jimmy Durante.

New York: The Viking Press, 1951.

First edition of Gene Folwer’s warm and entertaining story of Jimmy  “Schnozzola” Durante, from the library of Barrett C. Kiesling. Octavo, original boards. Inscribed by Jimmy Durante on the front free endpaper, “To my pal, Barrett Kiesling – This is a Pleasure, Jimmy Durante my Best to you & yours Jimmy.” Also laid in isContinue reading "Schnozzola: The Story of Jimmy Durante."

Harper, Ida Husted [Susan B. Anthony].

The Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony.

Indianapolis: Bowen-Merrill Company, 1898-99.

First editions of Anthony’s classic biography. Octavo, 2 volumes, original cloth, gilt titles to the spine, gilt medallion to the front panels of both volumes. Volume one is lengthily inscribed by Susan B. Anthony on the front free endpaper as follows, “To Mrs. Grace Bartholomew, Pioneer, Michigan, I present these volumes because of dear Mr.Continue reading "The Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony."

Frankfurter, Felix.

Felix Frankfurter Reminisces: Recorded in Talks With Dr. Harlan B. Phillips.

New York: Reynal & Company, 1960.

First edition of this collection of thoughts from Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “For Leonard Maill, who helped confirm my anglophilism, with the warm regards of Felix Frankfurter July 19, 60.” The recipient, Rowland Leonard Maill,Continue reading "Felix Frankfurter Reminisces: Recorded in Talks With Dr. Harlan B. Phillips."

Mandela, Nelson.

Long Walk To Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela.

Boston: Little Brown, 1994.

First American edition of the autobiography of one of the greatest moral leaders of the twentieth century. Octavo, original half cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with photographs. Signed by the author on the title page, “NMandela 12.5.05.” It was signed in New York City by Mandela during a visit upon receipt of an honorary doctorate fromContinue reading "Long Walk To Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela."

Conrad, Joseph.

The Mirror of the Sea: Memories and Impressions.

London: Methuen & Company, 1906.

First British edition of Conrad’s first volume of autobiographical non-fiction. Octavo, original cloth, gilt titles and tooling to the spine. In very good condition.

Laver, Rod with Bud Collins.

The Education of a Tennis Player.

New York: Simon & Schuster, 1971.

First edition of the tennis great’s autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Inscribed by Rod Laver on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing.

Sloan, Alfred P.

Adventures of a White-Collar Man.

New York: Doubleday, Doran & Company, 1941.

First edition of the story of Alfred P. Sloan’s rise to become General Motors executive. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece of Alfred P. Sloan. Boldly signed and dated by the author on the front free endpaper, “Alfred Sloan P. Sloan Jr New York July 22, 1964.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket with someContinue reading "Adventures of a White-Collar Man."

Sarazen, Gene with Herbert Warren Wind.

Thirty Years of Championship Golf: The Life and Times of Gene Sarazen.

New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc, 1950.

First edition of Sarazen’s classic autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Foreword by Robert T. Jones, Jr. Inscribed by the author opposite the title page, “To Dick Garlington My best wishes from his friend Gene Sarazen.” The recipient Dick Garlington was a golfer and a close friend of Sarazen and Bobby Jones, who along with JonesContinue reading "Thirty Years of Championship Golf: The Life and Times of Gene Sarazen."

Kai-shek, Chiang and Madame.

General Chiang Kai shek: An Account Of The Fortnight In Sian.

Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Doran and Company, 1937.

First edition of this autobiography of Chiang Kai-shek. Octavo, original cloth. Signed on the half-title page in Chinese by Chiang Kai-shek and in English by Mei-ling Soong Chiang, former First Lady of the Republic of China, 1948-1975. Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket with light rubbing. Exceptionally rare signed by both Chiang andContinue reading "General Chiang Kai shek: An Account Of The Fortnight In Sian."

Bernays, Edward L.

Biography of an Idea: Memoirs of Public Relations Counsel Edward L. Bernays.

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1965.

First edition of the father of public relations’ biography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Edward L. Bernays on the front free endpaper. Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design by Alfred Zalon.

Stevenson, Robert Louis.

Robert Louis Stevenson Autographed Signed Letter.

One page autographed signed letter from Robert Louis Stevenson to his biographer, Louise Imogen Guiney. Matted and framed with a portrait of Stevenson. The letter reads, “Dear Miss Guiney I have waited long upon the muse, for I thought your song should be answered in kind. But I must wait no longer, and the versesContinue reading "Robert Louis Stevenson Autographed Signed Letter."

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."