Gifts
Looking for a unique and personal gift? A rare book is a gift they will treasure for a lifetime. 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.
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"He expressed the unconquerable spirit of the nation": rare limited edition Spode bone china Winston Churchill plate
[CHURCHILL, Winston S.].
The Churchill Plate.
Stoke-on-Trent, England: Spode, .
Rare limited edition Churchill Spode bone china plate. One of a limited edition of five thousand numbered plates commissioned by Thomas Goode and Co. Ltd. of London, this is number 860. The plate features a portrait of Churchill flanked by rampant lions and surrounded by a botanical gilt border. Founded by Josiah Spode in 1770, Spode pottery is renowned for perfecting the technique for transfer printing in underglaze blue on fine earthenware and credited with developing, around 1790, the formula for fine bone china that was generally adopted by the industry. In fine condition. The plate measures 10.5 inches in diameter.
Price: $200.00 Item Number: 117035
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"I would rather travel thousands of miles in peace than take a single step toward war": The Book of Common Prayer; Uniquely signed by President Gerald Ford
[GERALD R. FORD],.
The Book of Common Prayer Together With The Psalter of Psalms of David.
New York: The Seabury Press, 1953.
The Book of Common Prayer, boldly signed by President Gerald Ford as follows, “I would rather travel thousands of miles in peace than take a single step toward war. Gerald R. Ford.” Octavo, bound in full leather, all edges gilt. In fine condition. The famous phrase “I would rather walk a thousand miles for peace than to have to take a single step for war” was first spoken by President Gerald Ford at an Air Force commissioning ceremony in Arizona on November 14, 1974. It was subsequently used the following week as Ford departed for Japan, becoming the first president to make an official trip to the island nation and marking Ford’s first trip as president. During the trip, President Ford met with Emperor Hirohito and worked to improve trade relations. The now-famous phrase was used during the trip, upon departure from the South Lawn of the White House and at the Japan Press Club. A unique piece.
Price: $1,850.00 Item Number: 122598
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From the Library of John Steinbeck
[STEINBECK, John].
Two Russian Books From the Library of John Steinbeck.
Moscow: Various, c. 1960.
Two volumes in Russian from the library of American literary master John Steinbeck. Quarto, two volumes including a book of early Russian Orthodox paintings with many in color and a folio of loose plates featuring artwork from the Hermitage Museum. From the library of John Steinbeck. In very good condition.
Price: $950.00 Item Number: 117588
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First Edition of Berenice Abbott's Changing New York; Inscribed by Her in the Year of Publication
ABBOTT, Berenice.
Changing New York.
New York: E.P. Dutton & Company, 1939.
First edition stated on copyright page; first issue with blue topstain of Abbott’s landmark work on New York. Quarto, original cloth, illustrated with 97 halftone plates that display “the historical importance of the documentary mode… its power as a medium of personal expression” (Parr & Badger). Text by Elizabeth McCausland. Inscribed by the photographer in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “To Mrs. Susan Sherman With most cordial regards Berenice Abbott April 4, 1939.” Some rubbing to the corners of the cloth, an excellent example in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing and wear. Scarce and desirable, especially signed and inscribed in the year of publication.
Price: $7,000.00 Item Number: 57048
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First Edition of Berenice Abbott's Changing New York
ABBOTT, Berenice.
Changing New York.
New York: E.P. Dutton & Company, 1939.
First edition stated on copyright page; first issue with blue topstain of Abbott’s landmark work on New York. Quarto, original cloth, illustrated with 97 halftone plates that display “the historical importance of the documentary mode… its power as a medium of personal expression” (Parr & Badger). Text by Elizabeth McCausland. In excellent condition with light rubbing to the extremities.
Price: $600.00 Item Number: 79465
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"Animals don't behave like men,' he said. 'If they have to fight, they fight; and if they have to kill they kill. But they don't sit down and set their wits to work to devise ways of spoiling other creatures' lives and hurting them. They have dignity and animality": First Edition of Watership Down; Signed by Richard Adams
ADAMS, Richard.
Watership Down.
London: Rex Collings, 1972.
First edition of the author’s first and most beloved work. Octavo, original brown cloth, folding map. Boldly signed by Richard Adams on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of shelf wear. An exceptional example.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 100548
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First Edition of Watership Down; Inscribed by Richard Adams to Madeleine L'Engle
ADAMS, Richard [Madeleine L'Engle].
Watership Down.
London: Rex Collings, 1972.
First edition of Richard Adams’ timeless classic novel. Octavo, original brown cloth, folding map. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page to fellow bestselling children’s author Madeleine L’Engle, “Yours sincerely, For Madeleine, on a very special occasion Richard Adams.” From the library of Madeleine L’Engle. Both Adams and L’Engle were unknown in the publishing world until their singular best-selling award-winning children’s novels were finally published after numerous rejections. Both authors’ works were also published in their mid-lives after they had married and had children. At the insistence of his daughters, Adams began writing the story he had told them on a car trip in 1966 at the age of 46 and after four publishers and three writers’ agencies turned down the manuscript, Rex Collings agreed to publish the work in 1972. The book gained immediate international acclaim and went on to win the Carnegie Medal, Guardian Prize, and was adapted into several feature films and television series. L’Engle’s best-selling work A Wrinkle in Time was also initially rejected by at least 26 publishers. It was not until a close personal friend of L’Engle’s mother introduced her to John C. Farrar of Farrar, Straus and Giroux that the work was finally published in 1962. L’Engle was 44 years old at the time of publication and A Wrinkle in Time went on to win the Newbery Medal, the Sequoyah Book Award, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, and inspired two film adaptations, both by Disney: a 2003 television film directed by John Kent Harrison; and a 2018 theatrical film directed by Ava DuVernay. Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket with light shelf wear. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional association.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 99338
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“I've got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen": Rare FIRST EDITIONS OF BOTH PARTS OF LITTLE WOMEN, IN ORIGINAL CLOTH
ALCOTT, Louisa May.
Little Women and Little Women, Part the Second.
Boston: Robert Brothers, 1868-69.
First editions of both volumes of Alcott’s most coveted work. Octavo, two volumes in the original green cloth with gilt titles and decorations to the spine and front panel, each volume illustrated with four plates including frontispiece; those in the first part created by the author’s sister, May. Little Women is first issue with all points including Little Women priced at $1.25 in terminal advertisements. Little Women, Part Second is mixed state, with notice about Part First on page iv and lacking terminal advertisements. Both volumes in very good to near fine condition with rubbing to the extremities. Rare and desirable in the original cloth, as most examples have been rebound.
Price: $25,000.00 Item Number: 111053
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"Here, at home inside a Jane Austen novel, I passed my college weekends, carving Sunday roasts and getting the station wagon serviced, explaining the double finesse in bridge, lacing up ice skates, sharing by radio the fall of Paris and the night bombings of London. . . having fallen not just in love but into a family": First Edition of Roger Angell's autobiography; Signed by Him
ANGELL, Roger.
Let Me Finish.
New York: Harcourt, 2006.
First edition of Angell’s autobiography of his early years growing up in New York. Octavo, original boards. Inscribed by Roger Angell on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Cooley Design Lab.
Price: $225.00 Item Number: 7412
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FIRST EDITION OF ROGER ANGELL’S THE SUMMER GAME; INSCRIBED BY HIM
ANGELL, Roger.
The Summer Game.
New York: The Viking Press, 1972.
First edition of Angell’s first book. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “For Michael yours in baseball! Roger Angell.” Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket that shows light wear. Jacket drawing by James Stevenson.
Price: $750.00 Item Number: 47345
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First Edition of A Song Flung Up to Heaven; Inscribed by Maya Angelou
ANGELOU, Maya.
A Song Flung Up To Heaven.
New York: Random House, 2002.
First edition of the final volume in Angelou’s autobiography series. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “Ann Sherry, Joy! from Wendy and Maya Angelou.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Andy Carpenter. Jacket photograph by Dwight Carter.
Price: $200.00 Item Number: 88974
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"One of the classics of the history of philosophy and one of the most influential works of Western literature"; Rare 17th century example of Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica
AQUINAS, Thomas.
S. Thomae Aquinatis Summa Totius Theologiae (Summa Theologica).
Ex Officina Guilielmi Riverii: Atrebati [Arras, France], 1610.
Rare 17th century example of Thomas Aquinas’ “most perfect work, the fruit of his mature years, in which the thought of his whole life is condensed.” Folio, bound in full period calf with elaborate tooling to the front and rear panels, red morocc spine label lettered in gilt, raised bands to the spine, woodcut printers device to the title page, woodcut initials, title vignettes, head and tail pieces. Printed in double columns with marginal notes and double lines. Contains the three parts of the Summa theologica, followed by the Supplement as well as the indexes. In very good condition. A desirable example of this important and influential work.
Price: $1,500.00 Item Number: 90392
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Early Venetian edition of Bernardo Segni's translation of Aristotle's poems and rhetoric; from the library of Dr. Thomas C. Oden
ARISTOTLE. TRANSLATED BY BERNARDO SEGNI,.
Rettorica et Poetica D’Aristotile.
Venice: per Bartholomeo detto l'Imperador & Francesco suo genero, 1551.
Early Venetian edition of Bernardo Segni’s translation of Aristotle’s poems and rhetoric. Small octavo, bound in full 19th century calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels, gilt ruled, gilt turn-ins, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers. From the library of one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century, Dr. Thomas C. Oden. Regarded as the founder of the paleo-orthodox movement, Oden taught with a mission “to prepare the postmodern Christian community for its third millennium by returning again to the careful study and respectful following of the central tradition of classical Christianity.” In very good condition. A unique association.
Price: $1,250.00 Item Number: 95873
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“The Ambassador of Jazz": Rare original Louis Armstrong Poster; inscribed by him and his road manager Pierre 'Frenchy' Tallerie
ARMSTRONG, Louis.
Louis Armstrong Autograph Signed Poster.
Rare original “Louis Armstrong and His Concert Group” poster inscribed by him, “To Pat From Louis Armstrong.” Additionally signed by him as “Satchmo” and inscribed by his road manager on the verso, “May you always enjoy the best of Health. Pierre Tallerie, Mgr. Louis Armstrong.” In near fine condition.
Price: $850.00 Item Number: 117083
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From the Library of John Updike; Inscribed by the author to Him
ARTHUR, Anthony (John Updike).
Literary Feuds.
New York: St. Martins Press, 2002.
First edition. Octavo, original cloth. Inscribed by the author on the half title page, “For John Updike, with admiration- Anthony Arthur.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Updike is featured in this volume of feuds.
Price: $350.00 Item Number: 5767
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First Edition of Jean Auel's The Valley of Horses; Signed Twice by Her
AUEL, Jean M.
The Valley of Horses.
New York: Crown Publishers, Inc, 1982.
First edition of the sequel to The Clan of the Cave Bears. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Curbert Thambimuttu- All my best Jean M. Auel Oct 19 ’95 Oregon.” Additionally signed by Auel on the rear dust jacket flap above her photograph. Laid in is a typed letter signed by Delores M. Rooney, assistant to Jean M. Auel. From the collection of Cuthbert Christian Thambimuttu of Columbus, Ohio, well-know book collector. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket painting by Hiroko. Jacket typography by Paul Bacon.
Price: $300.00 Item Number: 117826
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Rare original program invitation from the 1975 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Program
AXELROD, Julius; Adolf Butenandt; Gerald Edelman; Ernst Otto Fischer; Werner Forssmann; Alfred Hershey; Bernard Katz; Feodor Lynen; Rudolf Mössbauer; Severo Ochoa; Lars Onsager.
1975 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Program.
Einladung: Tagung der Preistrager fur Medizin, 1975.
Rare original program invitation from the 1975 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Program. Octavo, original wrappers. Signed by 11 Nobel Laureates in Physics or Medicine, including: Julius Axelrod, Adolf Butenandt, Gerald Edelman, Ernst Otto Fischer, Werner Forssmann, Alfred Hershey, Bernard Katz, Feodor Lynen, Rudolf Mössbauer, Severo Ochoa, and Lars Onsager. In fine condition.
Price: $750.00 Item Number: 115948
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Inscribed by Richard Bach
BACH, Richard.
Stranger To The Ground.
New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1983.
First edition of the re-issue. Octavo, original half cloth. Warmly inscribed by the author on the half title page, who has drawn a sun and birds. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Introduction by Gil Rob Wilson.
Price: $100.00 Item Number: 12047
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First Edition of Walter Bagehot’s Classic work Lombard Street
BAGEHOT, Walter.
Lombard Street: A Description of the Money Market.
london: Henry S. King, 1873.
First edition of this “undying classic” (J.M. Keynes). Octavo, original cloth. In very good condition, contemporary bookplate to the pastedown. A very nice example.
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 116258
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"Life is a compromise of what your ego wants to do, what experience tells you to do, and what your nerves let you do": First Edition of Walter Bagehot’s Classic work Lombard Street
BAGEHOT, Walter.
Lombard Street: A Description of the Money Market.
New York: Scribner, Armstrong and Co, 1873.
First edition of this “undying classic” (J.M. Keynes). Octavo, original cloth. In very good condition. First editions are scarce.
Price: $1,350.00 Item Number: 58995
