Science and Natural History
Showing 25–48 of 333 results
-
Browse by Category
- Browse All
- Americana
- Art and Architecture
- Autograph Letters Signed
- Biography and Autobiography
- Children's Books
- Economics and Finance
- Featured Rare Books
- Fine Bindings and Sets
- First Edition
- First Edition>Signed
- Food and Wine
- Framed Autographs and Historical Documents
- Gifts
- Gifts - For Her
- Gifts - For Him
- Gifts - Graduation and Celebrations
- Gifts - Holidays
- History, Law, and Politics
- Literature
- Music
- New Arrivals
- Philosophy
- Photography
- Poetry
- Presidents and World Leaders
- Religion
- Science and Natural History
- Science Fiction and Mystery
- Signed
- Signed & Autographed Books
- Sports and Leisure
- Travel and Exploration
- Uncategorized
-
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 illustrations throughout text. In near fine condition. Perforated library stamps to the title pages. Rare and desirable, published in a format intended to complement Cook’s Voyages on the library shelf.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 117105
-
"No one quality by itself makes a good man or woman; many are essential; but three especially - courage, straightforward honesty, and common sense": Rare autograph quotation book lengthily inscribed by Theodore Roosevelt as President in addition to many others including William Howard Taft, John Muir, John Burroughs, and Bernard Baruch
ROOSEVELT, Theodore; William Howard Taft; John Muir; John Burroughs; Bernard Baruch et al. [Olga Roosevelt].
Theodore Roosevelt Signed and Inscribed Autograph Quotation Book.
c. 1903.
Olga Roosevelt’s autograph book, lengthily inscribed and signed by Theodore Roosevelt as President of the United States, William Howard Taft as Vice President of the United States and several other famous figures of the era, including naturalists John Muir and John Burroughs and financier Bernard Baruch. Octavo, bound in full vellum with hand painted decorations to the spine and panels, patterned endpapers. Inscribed and signed by Theodore Roosevelt with a lengthy quotation, “No one quality by itself makes a good man or woman; many are essential; but three especially – courage, straightforward honesty, and common sense. Theodore Roosevelt July 23rd 1903.” Inscribed by William Howard Taft “For Miss Olga Roosevelt with best wishes of William H. Taft May 23 1910.” Inscribed by American naturalist John Burroughs, “The most precious things of life are without money & without price John Burroughs Sept 8, 1903.” Inscribed by the President of Cornell University and United States Ambassador to Germany Jacob Gould Schurman, “Beauty, graceful manners, good temper, common sense, and a kind heart: these are the qualities that make a woman to be beloved and powerful. J.G. Schurman East Hampton September 14th 1903.” Additionally inscribed by Alfred W.S. Garden, American diplomat Robert Underwood Johnson, American screenwriter Daniel Carson Goodman, and American naval officer Leigh Carlyle Palmer. Signed by John Muir and signed and dated by Bernard Baruch “B. Baruch Jan 20th 1920.” From the collection of Theodore Roosevelt’s niece, Olga Roosevelt. Roosevelt was the heiress to a fortune of several million dollars left her by her mother. She made her debut in Washington in 1908 and married Dr. Breckenridge Bayne in 1911. In very good condition. An exceptional collection of signatures with noted provenance.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 116342
-
SIGNED LIMITED EDITION OF ALBERT EINSTEINS "ONE AND ONLY INTELLECTUAL BIOGRAPHY": SIGNED AND DATED BY HIM; IN THE ORIGINAL PUBLISHER'S CARDBOARD
EINSTEIN, Albert.
Albert Einstein: Philosopher-Scientist.
Evanston: Library of Living Philosophers, 1949.
Signed limited first edition, one of 760 copies signed and dated “Albert Einstein ‘49”, this is number 499. Octavo, original brown cloth, top edge gilt, original slipcase. The book is in fine condition, the slipcase is in fine condition. Housed in the original publisher’s cardboard. An absolute pristine example, which has been stored in the original cardboard box since publication. Edited by Paul Arthur Schilpp. Frontispiece portrait of Einstein by Yousef Karsh. Rare and desirable in this condition.
Price: $14,500.00 Item Number: 35020
-
First Edition of The Double Helix; Signed by Both James Watson and Francis Crick
WATSON, James D. [Francis Crick].
The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA.
New York: Atheneum, 1968.
First edition of Watson’s ground breaking work regarding the discovery of DNA for which the author, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1962. Signed by both James Watson and Francis Crick on the title page. Octavo, original blue cloth, with numerous diagrams and photographic illustrations. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Jeanyee Wong. Foreword by Sir Lawrence Bragg. Rare and desirable signed by both Watson and Crick.
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 112545
-
Etching of Albert Einstein by Erich Buttner; Signed by Both Einstein and Buttner
EINSTEIN, Albert; Erich Buttner.
Albert Einstein Signed Etching.
1917.
Rare large etching of Albert Einstein done by well-known artist Erich Buttner. Signed by both Einstein and Buttner. In fine condition. Double matted and framed, the entire piece measures 12.25 inches by 15 inches. An exceptional piece. In the 1920s he created a series of portraits of his friends and fellow artists including Lovis Corinth, George Grosz, Arno Holz and Heinrich Zille. He produced a very fine book of exlibris (bookplates) in Berlin 1921. This book contains the exlibris of Albert Einstein 1917, probably Einstein’s only bookplate. The etching measures 12.5 inches by 9.5 inches. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 18.75 inches by 15.75 inches.
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 112748
-
First Edition of The Astronauts; Signed by All of the Mercury Seven
CAIDIN, Martin; Scott Carpenter.
The Astronauts: The Story of Project Mercury, America’s Man-In-Space Program.
New York: E. P. Dutton & Company, 1960.
First edition of this introduction to Project Mercury. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with drawings by Fred L. Wolf and photographs. Signed by all seven of NASA’s original Project Mercury astronauts on the front free endpaper, using their full signatures. Signed by Walter M Schirra Jr, Donald K. Slayton, Alan B Shepard Jr, Virgil I. Grissom, John H. Glenn, Jr., M. Scott Carpenter and Leroy G. Cooper Jr. It is inscribed above by Alan Shepard: “To Lewis S. Baer with warm regards The Astronauts.” Light rubbing, near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Books with all of the Project Mercury’s signatures are rare, especially with full signatures. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $13,500.00 Item Number: 18045
-
First Edition of The Astronauts; Signed by All of the Mercury Seven and twice by Gus Grissom
CAIDIN, Martin; Scott Carpenter.
The Astronauts: The Story of Project Mercury, America’s Man-In-Space Program.
New York: E. P. Dutton & Company, 1960.
First edition of this introduction to Project Mercury. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with drawings by Fred L. Wolf and photographs. Signed by all seven of NASA’s original Project Mercury astronauts on the front free endpaper, using their full signatures. Signed by John H. Glenn, Jr., Walter M Schirra Jr, M. Scott Carpenter, Virgil I. Grissom, Donald K. Slayton, Leroy G. Cooper, and Alan B Shepard Jr. It is inscribed above: “To Pearl Salvick with best wishes from Mercury Astronauts.” Additionally signed by Virgil Grissom on the half-title page. Laid in is an original first day issue card from Cape Canaveral dated February 20, 1962. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Books with all of the Project Mercury’s signatures are rare, especially with full signatures.
Price: $12,800.00 Item Number: 95986
-
First Edition of Feynman's QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter; Signed by Him
FEYNMAN, Richard P.
QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter.
Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1985.
First edition of this work by the Nobel Prize-winning physicist regarding quantum electrodynamics. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by the author on the title page, “Richard P. Feynman.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Preface by Ralph Leighton.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 96977
-
Stephen Hawking's Black Holes and Baby Universes; signed by him with his thumbprint
HAWKING, Stephen.
Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays.
Toronto: Bantam Books, 1994.
Early printing of the Bantam Press edition of Hawking’s first collection of essays. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers. Signed by Stephen Hawking on the title page with his thumbprint in silver ink. Hawking was diagnosed with a rare early-onset slow-progressing form of motor neuron disease (MND, or Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 1963 at the age of 21, yet his fierce independence and unwillingness to make concessions for his disabilities allowed him to continue his work, even as his motor functions (including his ability to write) and ability to speak deteriorated. In fine condition. Cover photograph by Jim Wilson. Cover illustration by Richard Tuschman. From the personal collection of Stephen Hawking.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 119530
-
"One the most important works on British butterflies and moths": Rare second edition of Benjamin White's Magnificent One Hundred and Twenty Copper Plates of English Moths and Butterflies
WILKES, Benjamin.
One Hundred and Twenty Copper Plates of English Moths and Butterflies Representing Their Changes into the Caterpillar, Chrysalis, and Fly States and the Plants, Flowers, and Fruits, Wheron They Feed. Coloured with great Exactness from the Subjects themselves.
London: Printed for Benjamin White, 1773.
Rare edition of one the most important works on British butterflies and moths. Quarto, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, decorative ruling to the panels stamped in blind, illustrated with 120 exquisite hand-colored engraved plates depicting the development butterflies and moths with the plants on which the feed after drawings by George Ehret and Jacob van Huysum. With a natural history of the insects and plants, index, and the list of subscribers gleaned from the original 1747-79 edition including Joseph Dandridge who assisted Wilkes and gave him open access to his private collection of entomological specimen. In very good condition with the hand colored-plates exceptionally clean and bright. Rare and desirable.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 112674
-
Rare first edition of James Bolton's magnificently illustrated Harmonia Ruralis; containing eighty copper-plates of life-size male and female songbirds drawn, engraved, and coloured by the author
BOLTON, James.
Harmonia Ruralis; or, An Essay Towards A Natural History of British Songbirds.
London: Printed For and Sold By the Author, 1794.
Rare first edition of Bolton’s magnificently illustrated work on British songbirds. First issue with the original plates 7 and 13 which differ in later issues. Quarto, two volumes bound into one in three quarters morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, illustrated with eighty copper-plates of life-size male and female songbirds drawn, engraved and colored by the author, index. In near fine condition. First editions are rare, with only a handful appearing at auction in the last 100 years.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 111071
-
First Edition of The Astronauts; Signed by All of the Mercury Seven
CAIDIN, Martin; M. Scott Carpenter.
The Astronauts: The Story of Project Mercury, America’s Man-In-Space Program.
New York: E. P. Dutton & Company, 1960.
First edition of this introduction to Project Mercury. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with drawings by Fred L. Wolf and photographs. Signed by all seven of NASA’s original Project Mercury astronauts on the half-title page, using their full signatures. Signed by Walter M Schirra Jr. (signed twice), Virgil I. Grissom, M. Scott Carpenter, Donald K. Slayton, John H. Glenn, Jr., and Leroy G. Cooper Jr. and Alan B Shepard Jr. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Books with all of the Project Mercury’s signatures are rare, especially with full signatures.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 116879
-
First Edition of Anton Reiser's Albert Einstein: A Biographical Portrait; Signed and dated by Albert Einstein
REISER, Anton. [Albert Einstein].
Albert Einstein: A Biographical Portrait.
New York: Albert & Charles Boni, 1930.
First edition of this Einstein biography written by Rudolf Kayser, a German literary historian and husband to Albert Einstein’s stepdaughter Ilse under the pseudonym Anton Reiser. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece of Einstein. Signed and dated by Einstein on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “Albert Einstein New York 1930.” In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 110352
-
"Here the lilies were higher than my head, and the sunshine was warm enough for palms": Finely Bound Set of The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir
MUIR, John.
The Writings of John Muir: The Manuscript Edition.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1916-24.
The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir. Octavo, 10 volumes, bound in contemporary gilt paneled and gilt floral full crushed brown niger morocco, gilt floral spine compartments, top edges gilt, green and brown gilt morocco doublures with the coat of arms of Anna W. S. Keator, green silked free endpapers, raised bands. Manuscript page from Muir bound into volume one from The Mountains of California. Illustrated with numerous photogravure and halftone plates, the gravure plates, tissue guards, each with photogravure frontispiece, with the first seven hand-colored; folding map in volume two. Edited by William Frederic Badè. With a manuscript leaf from John Muir in volume one. In fine condition. An exceptional example.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 73083
-
Fifth and final edition of Andreas Vesalius' landmark treatise on human anatomy
VESALIUS, Andreas.
Anatomia: Addita nunc postremo etiam Antiquorum Anatome.
Venice: Giovanni Antonio & Giacomo de Franceschi, 1604.
Fifth and final edition of the most important and influential book in the study of human anatomy utilizing the same woodblocks as the 1568 edition (Senensis and Creigher, Venice), the fourth published in folio format. Folio, bound in period vellum-backed wrappers, elaborate woodcut title page with Vesalius performing a dissection, with over 200 woodcut anatomical illustrations including 21 full-page, woodcut headpieces, tailpieces and initials. The fifth edition was prompted by a student demand for a less costly edition than the elaborate second Opernius edition of 1555. Additions included a simpler title page handsomely engraved on copper, and an additional series of anatomical tables at the end of the text containing its own title page where is provided the date of publication which is absent from the true title page. Laid in is a period manuscript titled “Tratto de la Miologia” containing a list of the muscles of the human body and corresponding page numbers within the text (Cushing, VI. A-5). In good condition. Housed in a custom folding chemise case. Scarce and desirable. A superior example of Vesalius’ masterpiece, one of the most monumental achievements in the history of both medical education and printing.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 96213
-
"Keep close to Nature’s heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean": Finely Bound Set of The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir; With Eight Original Photographs
MUIR, John.
The Writings of John Muir: The Manuscript Edition.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1916-24.
The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir. Octavo, 10 volumes, bound in original special deluxe three quarters morocco over marbled boards, leather edges ruled in gilt, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, matching endpapers, top edges gilt. With Volumes 1 through 8 of this set each containing an original gelatin silver photograph at the front, each with a printed tissue guard. Kimes does not describe an edition with these additional real photo frontispieces. The binding matches that of Kimes 342. The scenes depicted in the inserted photographs are: The House of John Muir, Martinez, California; The Cathedral Spires, Yosemite National Park; Eucalyptus on Muir’s Ranch, Martinez, California; An Orange Tree in Front of Muir’s House, Martinez, California; The Lower Fall of the Yosemite (Telephoto view); A Cabin in the Muir Woods, on Mt. Tamalpais, California, used by John Muir, Joaquin Miller, and others; Arctic Ptarmigan; Crater Lake, Oregon. Manuscript page from Muir bound into volume one from Chapter 4 of The Mountains of California. The holograph text is written in brown ink with additional pencil emendations. The edited text begins: “I found a good camp-ground on the rim of a glacier.” Illustrated with numerous photogravure and halftone plates, the gravure plates, tissue guards, each with photogravure frontispiece, with the first seven hand-colored; folding map in volume two. Edited by William Frederic Badè. In fine condition. An exceptional example, rare with the original silver gelatin prints.
Price: $12,000.00 Item Number: 76020
-
John F. Kennedy Inscribed Photograph to Mercy 8 Astronaut Wally Schirra
KENNEDY, John F. (Wally Schirra).
John F. Kennedy Signed Photograph to Astronaut Wally Schirra.
Color photograph of President Kennedy meeting with astronaut Wally Schirra and his family in the Oval Office, affixed to its original mount. Boldly inscribed, “To Commander Walter Schirra—and his family—with esteem and best wishes, John Kennedy.” Matted and framed. The entire piece measures 16.75 inches by 16.5 inches. An exceptional piece linking these two great American icons.
Price: $12,000.00 Item Number: 80092
-
First Edition of Max Born's Einstein's Theory of Relativity; Signed by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Max Born
BORN, Max [Albert Einstein].
Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.
London: Methuen & Company, 1924.
First edition of this classic account of Born’s analysis and interpretation of Einstein’s theory of relativity. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece of Einstein. Signed by Max Born on the verso of the frontispiece. Translated by Henry L. Brose. Very good in a very good dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. First editions are uncommon, signed examples rare.
Price: $11,500.00 Item Number: 78904
-
“Man selects only for his own good: Nature only for that of the being which she tends": Rare Second Edition of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species
DARWIN, Charles.
On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.
London: John Murray, 1860.
Rare second edition, second issue, in Freeman’s binding variant “a” of Darwin’s magnum opus. Freeman 376; Norman 594. Octavo, original publisher’s green cloth. In excellent condition with the spine gilt bright, contemporary owner’s signature to the title, marginalia on pages 72 and 132. A nice example.
Price: $11,000.00 Item Number: 96973
-
SIGNED LIMITED EDITION OF ALBERT EINSTEINS "ONE AND ONLY INTELLECTUAL BIOGRAPHY": SIGNED AND DATED BY HIM in the rare original dust jacket
EINSTEIN, Albert.
Albert Einstein: Philosopher-Scientist.
Evanston: Library of Living Philosophers, 1949.
Signed limited first edition, number 711 of 760 copies signed and dated “Albert Einstein ‘49.” Octavo, original brown cloth, top edge gilt. The book is in fine condition in the rare original dust jacket, which is in very good condition. Edited by Paul Arthur Schilpp. Frontispiece portrait of Einstein by Yousef Karsh. Rare and desirable in this condition.
Price: $11,000.00 Item Number: 110472
-
Silver Gelatin Print of Albert Einstein; Signed and dated by Him
EINSTEIN, Albert.
Albert Einstein Signed Photograph.
1952.
Black and white silver gelatin photograph of Albert Einstein. Signed “A Einstein 52.” Full-length group portrait showing Albert Einstein standing with Hadassah National President Rebecca Beldner Shulman and others at his Princeton home in June of 1952 during a celebration marking the commencement of building of the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem. The photograph measures 8 inches by 9.5 inches. The entire piece measures 19 inches by 20.5 inches. An exceptional piece.
Price: $11,000.00 Item Number: 72091
-
Silver Gelatin Print of Albert Einstein; Signed and dated by Him
EINSTEIN, Albert.
Albert Einstein Signed Photograph.
1952.
Black and white silver gelatin photograph of Albert Einstein. Signed “A Einstein 52.” Group portrait showing Einstein standing between Talmudic scholar Tamar de Sola Pool and Hadassah National President Rebecca Beldner Shulman at his Princeton home in June of 1952 during a celebration marking the commencement of building of the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem. The photograph measures 8 inches by 10 inches. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 13.5 inches by 15.5 inches. An exceptional photograph of Einstein, rare and desirable signed.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 51046
-
Etching of Albert Einstein by Lionel S. Reiss; Signed by Both Reiss and Einstein
EINSTEIN, Albert; Lionel S. Reiss.
Albert Einstein Signed Etching.
1921.
Etched portrait of Albert Einstein by well-known Polish-American Jewish artist Lionel S. Reiss. Signed by both Einstein and Reiss. In fine condition. Double matted and framed, the entire piece measures 13.5 inches by 16.5 inches. An exceptional piece.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 87430
-
Rare autograph letter signed and entirely in the hand of Sigmund Freud to his colleague, fellow psychiatrist Dr. Karl Fahrenkamp
FREUD, Sigmund.
Sigmund Freud Autograph Letter Signed.
1929.
Rare autograph letter signed and entirely in the hand of Sigmund Freud to his colleague, fellow psychiatrist Dr. Karl Fahrenkamp. Dated June 9, 1929 and on Freud’s personal letterhead the English translation of the German text is as follows: “Very esteemed Doctor: I accept the photos with thanks. Basically, one cannot say anything else about their representations than what once was said in a simple way by a student in an introduction to a composition: ‘Already the old Romans knew about love.’ The most beautiful picture you sent is of a drink container of the King. I myself have such a delicate piece in my possession which Prof. Delgado brought to me from Lima. Very cordially yours. Sig. Freud.” The recipient, Dr. Karl Fahrenkamp, was recognized for his work on psychosomatic illnesses. Freud and Fahrenkamp both based their theories on the functional theory of organic disorders, or the argument that external causative factors could act as a major cause of psychological imbalance. Fahrenkamp was strongly influenced by Freudian views and explored the influence of emotions upon bodily disease in his work on psychosomatic illnesses. The letter was also, notably, written the same year Freud published one of his most important and widely read books, Das Unbehagen in der Kultur (The Uneasiness in Civilization). In near fine condition. The letter measures 9 inches by 5.5 inches. Double matted and framed with a portrait of Freud, the entire piece measures 18.5 by 15.5 inches. A significant association.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 110394