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"This is what I gave voluntarily at the risk of my life to keep my promise to the Government": Exceptionally rare document containing the fingerprints of Mohandas K. Gandhi; signed and inscribed by him
GANDHI, Mohandas K. [Mahatma].
Mohandas K. Gandhi Signed Fingerprint Document.
1909.
Early 20th century South African government document containing the fingerprints of Mohandas K. Gandhi, signed and inscribed by him, "This is what I gave voluntarily at the risk of my life to keep my promise to the Government. Phoenix, Natal, 15th February 1909, M.K. Gandhi." In April 1893, Gandhi aged 23, set sail for South Africa to practice law in the colony of Natal, which, like India was part of the British Empire. The racial discrimination he experienced in his first year of residence inspired him to found the Natal Indian Congress which opposed several proposed discriminatory legislations and molded the Indian…
Price: $850,000.00 Item Number: 132138
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HAYEK'S PERSONAL COPY OF HIS MAGNUM OPUS THE ROAD TO SERFDOM; ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOKS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY; SIGNED BY HIM, WITH HIS CORRECTIONS AND MARGINALIA, AND IN THE SCARCE ORIGINAL DUST JACKET
HAYEK, Friedrich August von [F.A.].
The Road To Serfdom.
London: Routledge & Sons, 1944.
Friedrich August von Hayek's first edition personal copy of one of the most influential books of the twentieth century and the most popular exposition of classical liberalism ever published. Octavo, original cloth. Hayek's personal copy with his ownership name to the front free endpaper, "F.A. Hayek" and notation, "published March 10th, 1944" and list of 12 early critical reviews of the book to the verso of the rear endpaper, "Reviews: Tablet 11/3/44 (Douglas Woodruff); Sunday Times 12/3 (1 or 2 volumes) Harold Hobson 2. 9/4 (G.M. Young); Birmingham Post 14/3 (T.W.H); Yorkshire Post 29/3; Financial News 30/3; Listener 30/3; Daily…
Price: $450,000.00 Item Number: 135374
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"To Dr Karl Popper a fellow struggler for freedom": Rare First English Edition of The Road To Serfdom; Inscribed by F.A. Hayek to Karl Popper
HAYEK, Friedrich August von [F.A.] [Karl Popper].
The Road To Serfdom.
London: Routledge & Sons, 1944.
First edition of one of the most influential and popular expositions of classical liberalism ever published. Octavo, original black cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Dr Karl Popper a fellow struggler for freedom with friendly greetings from F.H. Hayek." Also included is a letter signed by Karl Popper to his assistant Melitta Mew, presenting her with this book as a birthday gift ("...It is the copy he sent me to New Zealand on publication of the book, with a beautiful dedication. And thank you for everything you are doing for my work (and…
Price: $400,000.00 Item Number: 123960
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"THE MOST FAMOUS AND INFLUENTIAL AMERICAN POLITICAL WORK”: VERY RARE AND IMPORTANT FIRST EDITION OF THE FEDERALIST; from the library of American Revolutionary War Commissioner William Bedlow
HAMILTON, Alexander; James Madison; John Jay.
The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, As Agreed Upon by the Federal Convention: September 17, 1787.
New York: Printed and Sold by J. and A McLean, 1788.
First edition of The Federalist, one of the rarest and most significant books in American political history, which “exerted a powerful influence in procuring the adoption of the Federal Constitution.” 12 mo, two volumes bound in full contemporary tree calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spines, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, Greek key ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers. From the library of William Bedlow with his bookplate to each pastedown and ownership signature dating back to the year of publication, and subsequently his descendant, William Bedlow Crosby (1786-1865) with…
Price: $400,000.00 Item Number: 131486
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"The greatest and finest atlas ever published": Willem and Joan Blaeu's magnificent Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, or, Le Theatre du Monde
BLAEU, Willem and Joan.
Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. [Le Theatre du Monde].
Amsterdam: Chez Jean Blaeu/Apud Guiljelmum et Johannem Blaeu, 1643-1645.
One of the "greatest and finest atlas ever published" (Koeman). Folio, 4 volumes, original full vellum 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 to the front panel of vol. I dated July 3, 1646 dedicating the set to Omer Talon, avocat-général to the French Parliament with the compliments of François du Monstier, rector of the University of Paris. Illustrated with 335 magnificent hand-colored engraved maps of the world and four continents including,…
Price: $350,000.00 Item Number: 126307
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"Second only to Gilbert Stuart's Athenaeum portrait": Rembrandt Peale's "George Washington, Patriae Pater"
PEALE, Rembrandt. [George Washington].
“George Washington, Patriae Pater” Rembrandt Peale Original Oil Painting.
Rembrandt Peale's famed painted portrait of of George Washington, "George Washington, Patriae Pater", considered by many second only to Gilbert Stuart's iconic Athenaeum portrait of the first president and variations of which hang in the Oval Office and Old Senate Chamber. Oil on canvas. In 1795, 17-year-old Rembrandt Peale was invited by his father, famed American painter Charles Willson Peale, to accompany him to a portrait sitting with President George Washington. Although young Rembrandt was not entirely satisfied with the resulting portrait of the aging Washington, it was well-received and made his debut as a portraitist. In 1822, after a…
Price: $300,000.00 Item Number: 135084
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“The constancy of the laws of nature, or the certainty with which we may expect the same effects from the same causes, is the foundation of the faculty of reason”: Rare First Edition of Malthus' An Essay on the Principle of Population; With An autograph Note from Him
MALTHUS, Thomas Robert.
An Essay on the Principle of Population, as It Affects the Future Improvement of Society.
London: J. Johnson, 1798.
First edition of this cornerstone text of modern economics. Octavo, bound in three quarters calf. Laid in is a clipping from an original manuscript signed by Malthus and entirely in his hand which reads in part, "If at one time such a given product would make an effectual demand for certain commodities the conditions of the supply of which are supposed to remain the same, it would immediately cease to make such effectual." Signed by Malthus in the lower right corner, "Malthus." The verso features two further partial lines of text relating to supply and demand. In near fine condition.…
Price: $200,000.00 Item Number: 116955
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Exceptionally rare autograph letter signed by George Washington to revolutionary war ally Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau
WASHINGTON, George. [Alexander Hamilton; Rochambeau].
George Washington Autograph Letter Signed.
April 10, 1781.
Exceptionally rare autograph letter signed by George Washington as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army to French ally Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, whose military assistance in the Siege of Yorktown essentially ended the Revolutionary War. The body of the letter is entirely in the hand of Alexander Hamilton and dated 10 April 1781. In the spring of 1781, officials from Massachusetts approached Rochambeau with a proposal to attack the British post at the mouth of the Penobscot river which had been established in June 1779 to secure timber for shipyards in Halifax and to protect Nova Scotia from…
Price: $175,000.00 Item Number: 125872
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"Linking three leaders of the Enlightenment": Exceptionally rare Benjamin Franklin presentation copy of Halley's edition of Menelaus's Spherics; presented by him to famed Scottish Mathematician Robert Simson
HALLEY, Edmond. [Benjamin Franklin].
Menelai Sphaericorum Libri III. Quos olim, collatis MSS. Hebraeis & Arabicis, Typis exprimendos curavit Vir Cl. Ed. Halleius L.L.D. R.S.S. & Geometriae Professor Savil. Oxoniensis. [Menelaus’ Spherics].
Oxonii [Oxford]: Sumptibus Academicis, 1758.
Exceptionally rare Benjamin Franklin presentation copy of Halley's edition of Menelaus's Spherics. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Presentation copy, presented by Benjamin Franklin to Scottish mathematician Robert Simson with Simson's inscription to the second free endpaper noting that the book was presented to him by Franklin, "Ex dono viri praestantissimi et mihi amicissimi Benjamin Franklin 12mo Martii A.D. 1760, Robert Simson." Franklin toured Scotland in 1759, the precise year that Halley's Comet reappeared as predicted, leading French astronomer Nicolas-Louis…
Price: $175,000.00 Item Number: 130904
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“I’ve just had the happiest day of my life”: The Companion of Honour Medal: Awarded to Friedrich von Hayek by Queen Elizabeth II; with the royal appointment signed by Queen Elizabeth II
HAYEK, Friedrich von [F.A.]. [Queen Elizabeth II].
The Companion of Honour Medal: Awarded to Friedrich von Hayek by Queen Elizabeth II.
1984.
Exquisite Companion of Honour Medal, awarded by Queen Elizabeth II to Friedrich von Hayek on June 16th 1984 at Buckingham Palace. Measuring 2.5 inches by 1.75 inches, the medallion is surmounted by the royal crown decorated in red and green enamel and features a mounted knight and oak tree with the shield of the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom within a blue oval frame bearing the gilt motto, "In Action Faithful and In Honor Clear." On the verso is Queen Elizabeth's royal insignia. Presented on a red ribbon with gold thread borders and housed in a custom velvet blue…
Price: $150,000.00 Item Number: 117452
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"Sail on O Ship of State! Sail on, o union, strong and great!" One of the two broadsides specially printed and carried by Churchill to the Atlantic Conference signed by both him and Franklin Delano Roosevelt
ROOSEVELT, Franklin Delano; Winston S. Churchill. [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow].
Sail On, O Ship of State! The Longfellow Verse in Mr. Roosevelt’s Message to Mr. Churchill.
Raphael Tuck & Sons, Ltd., [1941].
Rare lithographic broadside signed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt as the thirty-second President of the United States and Winston S. Churchill as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the Atlantic Conference; one of only two known examples of this broadside specially printed at Churchill's direction and signed by both world leaders at their first wartime conference. One page, the lithograph features the famed Henry Wadsworth Longfellow verse first used by FDR in a letter of support to Churchill before the United States entered the war and a galleon at sea. The letter, sent the day before Roosevelt's third inauguration on…
Price: $150,000.00 Item Number: 125419
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Rare Isaac Newton Manuscript highlighting his controversial theological views, which were kept hidden for hundreds of years
NEWTON, Isaac.
Isaac Newton Original Manuscript.
Rare full page folio autograph manuscript entirely in the hand of Isaac Newton, father of physics and modern science and author of important texts such as the Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, Opticks, and many more. One folio page with Newton's handwriting and emendations on both the recto and verso. While Newton is mostly known for his scientific and mathematical pursuits and is considered to be one of the most influential scientists of all time, his controversial theological views, which were kept hidden for centuries, were as brilliant as his science and an extension of his search for truth. Many believe…
Price: $150,000.00 Item Number: 119750
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First edition of Alhazen's fundamental Book of Optics
ALHAZEN (HASAN IBN AL-HAYTHAM),.
Opticae Thesaurus Alhazeni Arabis. [Alhazen’s Book of Optics].
Basel: Eusebius Episcopius , 1572.
First edition of Alhazen's fundamental work on optics and vision, which influenced Galileo and Kepler and paved the way for the modern science of physical optics. Folio, bound in full contemporary Basel vellum with central arabesques blind-stamped to the front and rear panels, titles stamped in black and five raised bands to the spine, woodcut printer's device to the title page, woodcut initials, diagrams and full page illustration to the verso of the title page. Translated from Arabic into Latin by Gerard of Cremona. In very good condition. From the library of American physician Chester Tilton Stone with his bookplate…
Price: $142,000.00 Item Number: 90395
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Exceptionally Rare 200-page autograph manuscript entirely in the hand of Israeli military commander Moshe Dayan documenting his years as a journalist in Vietnam
DAYAN, Moshe.
Moshe Dayan ‘Vietnam Diary’ Original Autograph Manuscript.
1966.
Rare autograph manuscript consisting of roughly 200 pages entirely in the hand of Israeli military commander Moshe Dayan, published one year later as part of Dayan's "Yoman Vietnam" or "Vietnam Diary." Folio, approximately 200 pages handwritten by Dayan on a variety of paper mounts with numerous edits, margin notes, and cross-outs which suggest an intensely involved and meticulous writing process, an original map showing military movements on page 220, and a drawing or other schematic on page 367. With English language terms throughout which provide especially revealing snapshots of what Dayan was observing during his Vietnam War experience including: "Lt.…
Price: $125,000.00 Item Number: 134059
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"The longest letter signed and entirely in the hand of John Adams obtainable": Exceptionally rare 16-page autograph letter signed by Founding Father John Adams defending the ultimate necessity of American sovereignty
ADAMS, John.
John Adams Autograph Letter Signed.
1809.
Exceptionally rare 16-page autograph letter signed by and entirely in the hand of Founding Father John Adams defending the ultimate necessity of American sovereignty and its precedence over international alliances. Sixteen pages, entirely in the hand of John Adams and written on both the recto and verso of each page, the letter is dated January 9, 1809 and addressed to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Joseph Bradley Varnum. Although France and America shared a strong alliance which proved crucial to winning the Revolutionary War, at the onset of the French Revolution in 1789, Washington's fear that American involvement would…
Price: $125,000.00 Item Number: 121560
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"To J. Edgar Hoover- a public servant of the highest courage- with the admiration of the author": First Edition of John F. Kennedy's Profiles In Courage; Inscribed by Him to J. Edgar Hoover
KENNEDY, John F.
Profiles In Courage.
New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1956.
First edition of Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Octavo, original half cloth, with eight pages of black-and-white photogravures. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To J. Edgar Hoover- a public servant of the highest courage- with the admiration of the author- John Kennedy." The recipient, J. Edgar Hoover served as the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States for nearly 48 years, being first appointed director of the Bureau of Investigation – the FBI's predecessor – in 1924 and was instrumental in founding the FBI in 1935, where he remained director…
Price: $125,000.00 Item Number: 134320
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"linking America's two most renowned Founding Fathers": George Washington's Gold Frame Spectacles; given by him to Alexander Hamilton; with a letter of provenance signed by and entirely in the hand of Edward Stevens and a note of provenance signed by Hamilton's Granddaughter-in-law
[WASHINGTON, George; Alexander Hamilton; Edward Stevens; Ernst Frederik Walterstorff].
George Washington Early American Gold Frame Spectacles.
President George Washington's 18th century gold frame spectacles; gifted by him to his protégé Alexander Hamilton. The spectacles are housed in a custom period iron case. Accompanied by an autograph letter of provenance signed and entirely in the hand of one of Hamilton's closest friends since childhood, American physician and diplomat Edward Stevens, which reads in full, "The Subscriber hereby certifies, that he recollects the circumstances of General Hamilton's having made a present to General Walterstorff during his Residence in Philadelphia of a Pair of Glasses, or Spectacles, which had been the Property of General Washington the President of the…
Price: $95,000.00 Item Number: 134081
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Rare British Army XXX Corps headquarters flag signed by Winston S. Churchill as Prime Minister during an excursion to Europe at the height of WWII
[CHURCHILL, Winston S.].
Winston S. Churchill Signed WWII British Army XXX Corps Headquarters Flag.
Rare British Army XXX Corps headquarters flag signed by Winston S. Churchill as Prime Minister during an excursion to Europe at the height of WWII. Machine-stitched, the flag is signed by Churchill on a wool label affixed to the left arm of Saint George's Cross. Formed in the Western Desert in September 1941, the British XXX Corps provided extensive service in the North African and Tunisia Campaigns and later served in the Allied Invasion of Normandy in June 1944, the ultimately unsuccessful Operation Market Garden of September 1944, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Rhineland Campaign. In Normandy, XXX…
Price: $88,000.00 Item Number: 125064
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Scarce 1792 printing of An Act to extend the Time limited for settling the Accounts of the United States with the Individual States; signed by Thomas Jefferson
[JEFFERSON, Thomas].
Second Congress of the United States: At the First Session, begun and held at the City of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, on Monday the twenty-fourth of October one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one. An Act to extend the Time limited for settling the Accounts of the United States with the Individual States.
Philadelphia: Childs & Swaine, 1792.
Scarce printing of an early United States law providing for the funding of the national debt, signed by Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State. Folio, one page. The document, which also carries the printed signatures of President George Washington, Vice President John Adams, and House Speaker Jonathan Trumbull, was approved January 23, 1792. Individual acts and bills of the first Congresses were routinely printed for public consumption. A provision was made, however, to print a few copies of each act for dissemination to the states, and to have each copy signed by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. One of the…
Price: $82,000.00 Item Number: 125388