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THE FIRST JEWISH TRANSLATION OF THE PENTATEUCH INTO ENGLISH
LEESER, Isaac.
The Law of God.
Philadelphia: C. Sherman, 5605, 1845-46.
First edition of the “first English translation of the Pentateuch in America,” the 1845 Hebrew-English Bible by one of the most prominent and influential figures in American Jewish history. Octavo, 5 volumes. Translated by Isaac Leeser. Bound in full contemporary calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine. In near fine condition. A nice example, rare in contemporary binding.
Price: $18,500.00 Item Number: 78547
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"When you come to observe faithfully the changes of each humblest plant, you find that each has sooner or later its peculiar autumnal tint, or tints": The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of Henry David Thoreau; In the Original Binding
THOREAU, Henry David.
The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of Henry David Thoreau.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin and Company, 1906.
The manuscript edition of the writings of Henry David Thoreau. With the original manuscript sheet by Thoreau from his journal tipped-in to volume 1. The two page manuscript fragment comprises 58 lines from "Autumnal Tints," in altered form, published in the Atlantic Monthly, October 1862, and collected in Excursions the following year. The fragment concludes with the line containing the title phrase: "When you come to observe faithfully the changes of each humblest plant, you find that each has sooner or later its peculiar autumnal tint, or tints [...]." Octavo, 20 volumes. Bound in the publisher's three-quarter green morocco over…
Price: $18,500.00 Item Number: 97590
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“THE MOST AMBITIOUS PUBLICATION EVER UNDERTAKEN, UP TO THAT TIME, UPON AMERICAN SOIL… RICHLY DESERVING OF ITS GREAT REPUTATION AT HOME AND ABROAD”: First edition of Noah Webster's landmark American Dictionary of the English Language
WEBSTER, Noah.
An American Dictionary of the English Language.
New York: Published by S. Converse. Printed by Hezekiah Howe - New Haven, 1828.
First edition of pioneering lexicographer Noah Webster's monumental American Dictionary, arguably the most popular American book ever published and one of only 2500 copies printed. Thick quarto, bound in three quarter polished calf over marbled boards with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, engraved portrait of Webster after Samuel F.B. Morse, unpaginated text in triple columns, pages untrimmed and hence a copy once in boards, the 44 preliminary leaves in Vol. I containing Webster's preface on the history of the dictionary, his introductory dissertation, "on the origin, history and connection of the languages of western Asia and of Europe. With…
Price: $18,500.00 Item Number: 143614
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Rare Portfolio of The Coronation of Tsar Nicholas II by Photographer G. Lazovsky
LAZOVSKY, G. [Tsar Nicholas II].
The Coronation of Tsar Nicholas II.
Kiev: 1896.
Rare portfolio of photographs by G. Lazovsky depicting the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II. Quarto, original publisher's blue cloth with black and silver titles and tooling to the front panel, 31 albumen prints on card mounts with the embossed blind stamp of the photographer and the mounts captioned in Cyrillic with printed slips, each image 6.25 inches by 9.125 inches. The series of photographs in this album cover the coronation festivities from the 10th to the 26th of May 1896. Only two of the images are from the Coronation day itself, the 12th, which are of the procession, as there was…
Price: $18,500.00 Item Number: 147804
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"A Major Source for Shakespeare": Second and preferred edition of Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland
HOLINSHED, Raphael.
The First and Second Volumes of Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland With: The Third volume of Chronicles, beginning at Duke William the Norman [Holinshed Chronicles].
London: John Harrison, George Bishop, Rafe Newberie, Henrie Denham, and Thomas Woodcocke, 1587.
Preferred second edition of the greatest Elizabethan repository of English history which served as an important source for Shakespeare's plays. Folios, 3 volumes bound into 2, bound in full calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, red morocco spine labels, gilt ruled, woodcut initials and title pages. Separate title pages and pagination for The Description and Historie of England, The Description and Historie of Ireland, and The Description and Historie of Scotland comprising volume 1. When this expanded second edition of the Chronicles appeared in January 1587, the Privy Council, responding to Queen Elizabeth’s displeasure at certain passages, ordered the Archbishop…
Price: $18,000.00 Item Number: 95438
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"Rousseau's greatest work... the precursor of the French revolution": Rare first edition of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's magnum opus Principes Du Droit Politique, or Treatise on the Social Compact
ROUSSEAU, Jean-Jacques.
Principes Du Droit Politique. [Du Contrat Social].
Amsterdam: Marc Michel Rey, 1762.
Rare first edition, type B, of Rousseau's greatest work. Octavo, bound in full contemporary sheepskin, gilt tooling to the spine in eight compartments within raised bands, burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, stamped turn-ins, marbled endpapers, engraved vignette of Liberty to the title page by Boily after Bolomey, all edges red, ribbon bound in. Provenance: Perrotin-Grandville, notary in Le Mans (ownership inscription to the title page). In very good condition with scuffing to the boards, splitting to the rear lower hinge. Exceptionally rare in a contemporary binding.
Price: $18,000.00 Item Number: 149605
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“Undoubtedly, philosophers are in the right when they tell us that nothing is great or little otherwise than by comparison": Rare First Edition of Jonathan Swifts's Classic Work Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World
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 each volume. Both volumes are the Teerink B edition. A very nice example of this classic in English literature.
Price: $18,000.00 Item Number: 95317
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Rare Association Copy of Arthur Rackham's Illustrated edition of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens; signed and inscribed by J.M. Barrie, George Frampton, Princess Beatrice, Princess Marie Louise, Nadejda Mountbatten, and Arthur Rackham with an original drawing
BARRIE, J.M. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham.
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens.
London: Hodder & Stoughton Limited, n.d.
New edition of Rackham’s highly-sought-after masterpiece, which established his reputation as one of England’s premier illustrators. Quarto, original publisher's green cloth elaborately decorated in gilt, illustrated by Arthur Rackham with 50 mounted color plates complete with captioned tissue guards including frontispiece. Association copy, signed by author J.M. Barrie on the verso of the front free endpaper, signed by Arthur Rackham on the recto of the frontispiece with an original drawing as well as Nadejda "Nada" Mountbatten, Marchioness of Milford Haven, signed by the sculptor of the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens, George Frampton on front pastedown, and signed by Princess…
Price: $18,000.00 Item Number: 142267
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The most important work on the early history of microscopes and telescopes: Rare first edition of Johann Zahn's Oculus Artificialis Teledioptricus
ZAHN, Johann.
Oculus Artificialis Teledioptricus, Sive Telescopium: Ex Abditis Rerum Naturalium Et Artificialium Principiis Protractum Novâ Methodo, Eâque Solidâ Explicatum ac Comprimis e Triplici Fundamento Physico Seu Naturali, Mathematico Dioptrico Et Mechanico, Seu Practico Stabilitum.
Quirini Heyl: Herbipoli [Würzburg], 1685-1686.
First edition of the most important work on the early history and manufacture of microscopes and telescopes; particularly valuable for its illustrations of both simple and compound microscopes of the period, including the type of compound instrument used by Robert Hooke. Folio, three volumes bound into in one in full contemporary vellum, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, with extra engraved title and over 200 engraved or woodcut illustrations, many full-page and some folding tables.
Price: $18,000.00 Item Number: 125830
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“The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!": Rare second edition of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility
BY A LADY. [AUSTEN, Jane].
Sense and Sensibility: A Novel.
London: Printed for the Author and Published by T. Egerton, 1813.
Second edition of the first novel published during Austen's lifetime. Small octavo, three volumes bound in full crushed morocco by Riviere & Son, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Title and half-title pages supplied in facsimile. Bookplate to the pastedown of Vol. I. In near fine condition. A very attractive example of this desirable rarity.
Price: $17,500.00 Item Number: 135337
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Winston S. Churchill's My Early Life, Thoughts and Adventures, Great Contemporaries, and Step by Step; inscribed by Churchill to his trusted financial adviser T.E.R. Harris
CHURCHILL, Winston S.
My Early Life; Thoughts and Adventures; Great Contemporaries; Step by Step.
London: Odhams Press Limited, 1936-1939.
First Odhams press edition of four of Churchill's best-known works. Octavo, 4 volumes, original cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, illustrated. Presentation set, inscribed by Churchill to his financial adviser on the front free endpaper of My Early Life, "To T.E.R. Harris from Winston S. Churchill Christmas 1947" and initialed by Churchill in the three other volumes. The recipient, T.E.R. Harris was Churchill’s financial adviser at the Pall Mall branch of Lloyds bank in London from 1943 to 1948. For many years Churchill relied heavily on his press articles and book deals to assuage his financial worries…
Price: $17,500.00 Item Number: 131601
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“One day, you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again": COMPLETE FIRST EDITION SET OF C.S. LEWIS' THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA; FINELY BOUND BY THE HARCOURT BINDERY
LEWIS, C.S.
The Chronicles of Narnia Set: The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and His Boy, The Magician’s Nephew, The Last Battle.
London: Geoffrey Bles, 1950-1956.
First editions of each book in the author's classic Chronicles of Narnia series, which has sold over 100 million copies in 47 languages. Octavo, 7 volumes, illustrated by Pauline Baynes, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, gilt signature to each front panel, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. The set comprises of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew, and The Last Battle. Each are…
Price: $17,500.00 Item Number: 140690
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"the first novel in the English language": Rare complete set of all three books in Defoe's classic Robinson Crusoe series
DEFOE, Daniel.
The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; Serious Reflections During the Life And Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.
London: Printed for W. Taylor, 1719-1720.
Rare complete set of early editions of all three books in Defoe's classic Robinson Crusoe series. The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe is a stated second edition. Small octavo, three volumes bound in full period paneled calf with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, ornamental blind stamping to the front and rear panels, illustrated with an engraved frontispiece portrait of Robinson Crusoe in Vol. I, folding engraved world map in Vol. II, folding engraved frontispiece of Crusoe's island in Vol. III, decorated headpieces, tailpieces, and initials throughout. In very good…
Price: $17,500.00 Item Number: 145589
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COMPLETE SET OF DICKENS' CHRISTMAS BOOKS, INCLUDING FIRST EDITIONS OF THE CHIMES, THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH, THE BATTLE OF LIFE, AND THE HAUNTED MAN AND THE GHOST'S BARGAIN; elaborately bound in full morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe
DICKENS, Charles.
The Christmas Books: A Christmas Carol; The Chimes; The Battle of Life; Cricket on the Hearth; The Haunted Man and The Ghost’s Bargain.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1843-48.
Complete set of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Books containing first editions of each volume in the series with the exception of A Christmas Carol. Octavo, five volumes elaborately bound in full crushed red morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, all edges gilt, illustrated. The set includes a second edition of A Christmas Carol and first editions of The Chimes, The Battle of Life, Cricket on the Hearth, The Haunted Man and The Ghost’s…
Price: $17,500.00 Item Number: 135440
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"the most celebrated biography in the English language": Rare First Edition of Boswell's The Life of Johnson
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 is the first state with the word “give” reading on page 135, line 10. First state of volume two, with two engraved illustrations, “The Round Robin” at p. 92, and the “facsimiles” of Dr. Johnson's handwriting on p. 588. In near fine condition with light toning,…
Price: $17,500.00 Item Number: 80005
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The Artists' Edition of the Works of Alexander Dumas, one of only 100 numbered copies; Finely Bound
DUMAS, Alexandre. [Alexander].
The Works of Alexandre Dumas.
Boston: Dana Estes & Company Publishers, 1894-1904.
The Artists' Edition of the complete works of Alexander Dumas. Octavo, 46 volumes bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and botanical decorations to the spine in four compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, photogravure frontispieces in 2 states to each volume, one hand-colored and the other on Japan vellum, each with lettered tissue guard, title-pages printed in red and black on Japan vellum, illustrated with numerous photogravures. One of 100 numbered copies of the Artists' edition, this is number 9. In near fine condition. An exceptional set.
Price: $17,500.00 Item Number: 144834
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"the most celebrated biography in the English language": Rare First Edition, First Issue of Boswell's The Life of Johnson
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 full morocco by Birdsall, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, inner dentelles, all edges gilt. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson, engraved by J. Heath after the Sir Joshua Reynolds (1756) painting. Housed in a custom clamshell box. In fine condition. An excellent example of this landmark work.
Price: $16,500.00 Item Number: 120374
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Rare First Edition of Leonardo Da Vinci's Trattato della Pittura di Lionardo da Vinci
DA VINCI, Leonardo.
Trattato della Pittura di Lionardo da Vinci. [Leonardo da Vinci].
Paris: Jacques Langlois, 1651.
Rare first edition of this classic treatise of da Vinci's work on painting, two parts in one volume. Folio, bound in full contemporary calf, gilt titles, engraved portrait of da Vinci in each part, engraved vignette on title, engraved initials, head and tail pieces, engraved text illustrations. In very good condition, marginalia, rebacked. Compiled from his original notes by his pupil Francesco Melzi. First editions are rare.
Price: $16,000.00 Item Number: 130267
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SIGNED LIMITED EDITION OF THE COMPLETE SHERLOCK HOLMES; ONE OF ONLY 147 EXAMPLES
DOYLE, Arthur Conan.
Complete Sherlock Holmes.
New York: Doubleday & Company, 1953.
Signed limited edition of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic stories starring literature’s most famous detective, number 144 of only 147 examples. Octavo, two volumes, original half morocco, buckram sides, gilt titles to the spine, top edge blue, blue endpapers, original card slipcase with printed label. Signed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as issued. Introduction by John Dickson Carr. Preface by Christopher Morley. In near fine condition. Rare.
Price: $16,000.00 Item Number: 142986
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"THE MOST FAMOUS AND INFLUENTIAL AMERICAN POLITICAL WORK”: VERY RARE AND IMPORTANT SECOND American EDITION OF THE FEDERALIST
HAMILTON, Alexander; James Madison; John Jay.
The Federalist, On The New Constitution. By Publius. Written in 1788. To Which is Added, Pacificus, On The Proclamation of Neutrality. Written in 1793. Likewise, The Federal Constitution, With All The Amendments.
New York: Printed and Sold by George F. Hopkins, 1802.
Second American edition of The Federalist, "without question the most important commentary on the Constitution, the most significant American contribution to political theory, and among the most important of all American books" (Reese). Octavo, bound in full tree calf with elaborate period-style gilt tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt scrolling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins. marbled endpapers. This is the first edition in which Hamilton, Madison, and Jay are attributed as the original authors in this Preface (though attribution for individual essays were not published until Gideon's 1818 edition) and the last…
Price: $16,000.00 Item Number: 147202
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Rare First Edition of Jonathan Edwards' The Great Christian Doctrine of Original Sin Defended
EDWARDS, Jonathan.
The Great Christian Doctrine of Original Sin Defended.
Boston: S. Kneeland, 1758.
First edition of this important work by the famed theologian. Octavo, bound in contemporary calf. In very good condition, contemporary names to the front free endpaper. First editions are rare.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 141609
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“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety": Rare First Edition of Benjamin Franklin's Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces
FRANKLIN, Benjamin.
Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces; Arranged under the Following Heads and Distinguished by Initial Letters in each Leaf: General Politics; American Politics before the Troubles; American Politics during the Troubles; Provincial or Colony Politics; Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces.
London: Printed for J. Johnson, 1779.
First edition of "the only edition of Franklin's writings (other than his scientific) printed during his lifetime" (Ford). Octavo, bound half diced calf over marbled boards with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. With the engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin, three engraved plates (one folding), and folding table of the reformed alphabet. In near fine condition. Complete with index, addenda and corrigenda. An exceptional example.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 125035
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Rare French Military Artillery and Fortification Manual with text in manuscript and technical drawings throughout
French Military Artillery and Fortification Manual.
Metz: Ecole Royale de l'Artillerie et du Genie, 1818-19.
Rare early 19th century French military manual created in manuscript for the Ecole Royale de 'Artillerie et du Genie (School of Application of Artillery and Engineering of Metz) containing lessons and technical drawings in the mechanics of artillery and construction of temporary and permanent military fortifications. Quarto, ten volumes bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles to the spine and front panels, text in manuscript with technical drawings throughout. In near fine condition, internally exceptionally clean. A rare and desirable piece of 19th century French military history.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 109852
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"Alas! the love of women! it is known To be a lovely and a fearful thing": Rare complete first edition set of Lord Byron's Don Juan; from the library of Erica Jong
BYRON, George Gordon Noel. [Lord Byron].
Don Juan.
London: Thomas Davison [i.e., John Murray], 1819-1821 (Cantos I-V, Volumes I-II)/John Hunt, 1823-24 (Cantos VI-XVI, Volumes III-VI).
Scarce complete first edition set of Byron's great work which was widely criticized as immoral upon publication and is now considered one of the greatest poems of the Romantics; from the library of American writer Erica Jong. Volume one was produced in quarto format and the subsequent 5 volumes in octavo (Davison abandoned the quarto format after disappointing sales of the first volume), six volumes uniformly bound in full morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. With an autograph letter signed…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 142573
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"I want to be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren": J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings Trilogy; Finely Bound
TOLKIEN, J.R.R.
The Lord of The Rings Trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.
London: George Allen and Unwin, 1966.
Finely bound set of each title comprising the The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Octavo, 3 volumes, bound in full red morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front panels, folding maps. In fine condition. Housed in a custom slipcase. The first printing of the second, revised, edition (with "Second Edition 1966" on the copyright page with no further printings listed). An exceptional set.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 133131
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"The foundations of American History": Rare early folio edition of the first official publication of the acts of the first Congress, including the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and bound with official publications of the Acts of the second and third sessions of Congress
Acts Passed at a Congress of the United States of America, Begun and Held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the Fourth of March, in the Year M,DDC,LXXXIX; and of the Independence of the United States, the Thirteenth. [With: Acts Passed at the Second Session of the Congress of the United States of America, Begun and Held at the City of New-York, on Monday the Fourth of January, in the Year M,DCC,XC: and of the Independence of the United States, the Fourteenth. [and] Acts Passed at the Third Session of the Congress of the United States of America, Begun and Held at the City of Philadelphia on Monday the Sixth of December, In The Year M,DCC,XC: and of the Independence of the United States, the Fourteenth].
Philadelphia: Printed by Francis Childs and Joseph Swaine, Printers to the United States, [1791].
Rare early folio edition of the first official publication of the acts of the first Congress, including the Constitution and the Bill of Rights; bound with the first official printing of the acts of the second session of Congress and an early printing of the acts of the third session of Congress (issued the same year as the first official printing). Folio, three volumes bound into one in full contemporary blind-tooled calf with raised bands to the spine, burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt. A reprint of Childs and Swaine’s first official printing, which was issued in New York…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 125641
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Rare First Edition of the First Complete English Translation of The Dialogues of Plato; Signed by Translator Floyer Sydenham
PLATO; TRANSLATED BY FLOYER SYDENHAM,.
Plato’s Dialogues.
London: W. Sandby, 1767-1779.
First edition set contains all eleven parts, although without all the individual dated titles. Part one is signed on the dedication page by the translator Floyer Sydenham as usual, and includes a sheet laid in with manuscript instructions to the binder. Quarto, three volumes, bound in contemporary full calf, armorial bookplate. Dated title pages in volumes one and two, each of eleven parts with undated flytitle and dedication leaf, Lesser Hippias and Dissertation both with additional dated part title, ad leaves at beginning of volume one and after The Banquet, as well "proposal" leaf, errata slip in volume three (a…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 140464
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First Edition of Burney's Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean
BURNEY, Capt. James.
A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. Illustrated with Charts.
London: Printed by Luke Hansard, 1803.
Rare first edition of "the most important general history of early South Seas discoveries, containing practically everything of importance on the subject; collected from all sources, with the most important remarks concerning them. Many of the early voyages to California would be inaccessible were they not collected herein" (Hill). Quarto, 5 volumes bound in full calf with red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, botanical ruling stamped in blind to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers. Containing 28 engraved maps (15 folding), 13 plates (1 folding), woodcut…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 117105
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The Stormfield Edition of the Writings of Mark Twain; finely bound
TWAIN, Mark. [Samuel L. Clemens].
The Writings of Mark Twain.
New York and London: Harper & Brothers, 1929.
The Stormfield limited edition of Twain's writings. Including his autobiography, as well as a biography by Albert Bigelow Paine. Octavo, 37 volumes, bound in three-quarter morocco by Bayntun with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, tissue-guarded frontispieces, illustrated with black and white tissue-guarded plates, some pages uncut. One of 1,024 numbered sets, this is number 175. In near fine condition, bookplate to the front pastedown. An exceptional set.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 148122
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Elaborately illustrated First pine edition of the complete works of Horace; Alexis de Tocqueville's copy, lengthily inscribed to him by his Father
HORATIUS FLACCUS, Quintus (Alexis de Tocqueville).
Horatii Opera (The Complete Works of Horace).
John Pine: London, 1733-37.
First Pine edition of the collected works of ancient Roman poet and political figure Quintus Horatius Flaccus (Horace), "the most elegant of English eighteenth-century books in which text and illustrations alike are entirely engraved" (Ray). French statesman Alexis de Tocqueville's copy, inscribed to him by his father in Volume I, "Donné à mon fils Alexis le 5 septembre 1822, jour où il a obtenu le prix d'honneur en Rhétorique, le premier prix en version Latine, le second prix en discours Francais, et gratia accessis. Metz, le 5 septembre 1822 le C[om]te de Tocqueville." Alexis de Tocqueville received the gift as…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 81146
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First edition of the second book on architecture published in America: Owen Biddle's The Young Carpenter's Assistant
BIDDLE, Owen.
The Young Carpenter’s Assistant; Or, A System Of Architecture, Adapted To The Style Of Building In The United States.
Philadelphia: Benjamin Johnson, 1805.
First edition of the second book on architecture published in America, second only to Asher Benjamin's Country Builder's Assistant' published in 1797( Shaw & Shoemaker, 8018). Quarto, bound in full calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, illustrated with 44 engraved plates, 2 folding. In very good condition. Scarce with only 2 copies having appeared at auction in the past 50 years.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 117672
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"Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen": Rare First Edition in English of Leonardo Da Vinci's A Treatise of Painting
DA VINCI, Leonardo.
A Treatise of Painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Translated from The Original Italian, And adorn’d with a great Number of Cuts: To which is prefix’d The Author’s Life; Done from the Last Edition of the French.
London: Printed for J. Senex, at the Globe in Salisbury Court; and W. Taylor, at the Ship in Pater-Noster-Row, 1721.
Rare first edition in English of da Vinci's classic treatise on painting. Octavo, bound in full speckled calf, title page printed in red and black, illustrated with engraved frontispiece portrait facing title, thirty-one full page plates, and three folding (thirty-five in total), final two leaves of publisher's ads present after text. In near fine condition. A superior example. First editions are rare.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 148151
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“I feel safe in the midst of my enemies, for the truth is all powerful and will prevail": First revised edition of Narrative of Sojourner Truth and first edition of The Book of Life
TRUTH, Sojourner.
Narrative of Sojourner Truth, A Northern Slave, Emancipated From Bodily Servitude by the State of New York, in 1828 and The Book of Life.
Boston: Published By The Author, 1875.
Rare first revised edition of the book that brought Truth's remarkable story to the world and the first edition of The Book of Life. Octavo, original cloth, gilt titles to the spine, illustrated frontispiece portrait of Truth. In very good condition, contemporary ownership inscription on front free endpaper. Rare and desirable.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 133297
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FIRST EDITION OF CAESAR’S COMMENTARIES, “BEAUTIFULLY PRINTED AND RICHLY ADORNED,” WITH FAMOUS BULL PLATE, IN CONTEMPORARY CALF-GILT
[CAESAR, Julius]. William Duncan.
The Commentaries of Caesar, Translated into English. To Which is Prefixed a Discourse Concerning The Roman Art of War.
London: Printed for J. and R. Tonson, et al, 1753.
First edition of Duncan’s famous translation of Caesar’s Commentaries, sumptuously illustrated with frontispiece portrait of Caesar, six double-page maps, and 78 splendid plans and plates (most double-page). This copy with the famed double-page bull plate, often not present. Thick folio, contemporary full brown calf rebacked with elaborately gilt-decorated calf spine, raised bands. In very good condition. Period bookplate to the front pastedown and front free endpaper.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 99425
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The Napoleon Series of the Life of Napoleon; one of only five numbered copies of the extra illustrated edition exquisitely bound by Erbe, Crombie & Lamothe and Extra illustrated by the addition of 32 documents
BONAPARTE, Napoleon; Bourrienne.
Life of Napoleon Bonaparte.
London: H. S. Nichols Co., n.d.
The Napoleon Series extra illustrated edition of the Life of Napoleon, limited to five numbered copies of which this is number 2 and extra-illustrated with the addition of 32 documents and a profusion of engraved plates. Octavo, 32 volumes elaborately bound in contemporary blue crushed levant morocco gilt by Erbe, Crombie & Lamothe with a floral and fleur-de-lis motif and red and tan morocco onlays, gilt titles and tooling to the spines in five compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by Erbe, Crombie & Lamothe, navy and red morocco gilt doublures, silk ribbons bound in, top edges…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 147417
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The Works of Jonathan Swifts's From the Library of Founding Father Robert R. Livingstone
SWIFT, Jonathan [Robert R. Livingstone].
The Works of Jonathan Swift: Including, Gulliver’s Travels.
Edinburgh: Printed by Mrs. Mundell, 1778.
First of 4 issues, Scotch editions, from the library of Robert R. Livingstone, with his bookplate to the pastedown of each volume. Small octavo, bound in contemporary calf, spine compartments ruled with Greek key tooling, morocco spine labels. From the library of founding father Robert R. Livingston. As one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Livingston played an important role in the early development of the newly formed country. He was known as "The Chancellor", after the high New York state legal office he held for 25 years. He was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence, along with Thomas…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 119642
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"In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed": The Authorized Edition of The Works of Charles Darwin; Finely Bound
DARWIN, Charles.
The Works of Charles Darwin. Including: The Origin of Species; The Descent of Man; Variation of Plants and Animals Under Domestication; Formation of Vegetable Mould; The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom; The Movement and Habits of Climbing Plants; The Various Contrivances by Which Orchids are Fertilised by Insects. Second Edition, Revised. A Naturalist’s Voyage. Journal of Researches into the Natural History and Geology of Countries Visited During the Voyage of the H.M.S Beagle; The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species.
New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1896-97.
The Authorized edition of the works of Charles Darwin. Octavo, 15 volumes, bound in original three quarters morocco, gilt titles to the spine, top edge gilt, illustrated with in-text drawings and plates, some volumes with frontispieces. In near fine condition. An exceptional set.
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 133260
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"THE KING OF PHILOSOPHERS": Exceptionally Rare First Edition of the First Complete English Translation of The Works of Plato
TAYLOR, Thomas. [Plato].
The Works of Plato, Viz. His Fifty-Five Dialogues, and Twelve Epistles, Translated From the Greek; Nine of the Dialogues by the Late Floyer Sydenham, and the Remainder by Thomas Taylor: With Occasional Annotations on the Nine Dialogues Translated by Sydenham, and Copious Notes, by the Latter Translator.
London: Printed for Thomas Taylor, By R. Wilks, Chancery-Lane, 1804.
First edition of the first complete English translation of the works of Plato. Quarto, five volumes bound in full pebbled cloth retaining contemporary black morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, half-titles, engraved frontispiece to volume I. In the words of the Prometheus Trust, "Taylor's Works of Plato, has two outstanding features which make it an essential component to the genuine philosophers library. Firstly, Taylor himself translates Plato's Dialogues from within the ancient Greek Tradition. No English translator, before or since, has been so completely at one with the Greek philosophical and religious world view: Taylor fulfills, to the highest degree,…
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 131256
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First Edition of MacKay’s Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds; With an Autograph Letter Signed
MACKAY, Charles.
Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds.
London: Richard Bentley, 1841.
First edition of this classic study of crowd psychology, a compilation of human folly throughout the ages. Octavo, three volumes, illustrated. Bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands. With an autographed letter signed by Charles MacKay in 1867 laid in. In near fine condition with light rubbing to the extremities.
Price: $13,500.00 Item Number: 129387
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Rare 17th century elaborately illuminated nobility patent of King Carlos II of Spain for Diego Merino de Bargas of Tornavacas and His Sons Rodrigo, Francisco, and Luis Merino de Bargas
CARLOS II, King of Spain.
Carta Executoria of King Carlos II of Spain for Diego Merino de Bargas of Tornavacas and His Sons Rodrigo, Francisco, and Luis Merino de Bargas.
Valladolid, Spain: 1685.
Rare 17th century elaborately illuminated nobility patent of King Carlos II of Spain for the late Diego Merino de Bargas of Tornavacas, represented by two procurators, and his sons Rodrigo, Francisco, and Luis Merino de Bargas, residents of Lugar de Cavecuela. Quarto, bound in early red velvet over pasteboards with red and yellow silk cord on the spine, the patent is comprised of 144 leaves numbered 1-145 in contemporary Arabic numerals, partially illegible ink stamps in bottom margins of each page, manuscript on vellum, written in italic Spanish script within a broad liquid gold border with decorated six-line cadel initials…
Price: $12,800.00 Item Number: 148310