Fine Bindings and Sets
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Raptis Rare Books maintains an extensive collection of fine bindings, rare book collections, and sets. Browse through our entire collection, use the available filters to sort and find the exact item you’re looking for then contact us to ask a question about a specific item or order directly online today.
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First edition of Richard Owen Cambridge's An Account of the War in India, Between the English and French; from the private library of Benjamin Franklin
CAMBRIDGE, Richard Owen [Benjamin Franklin].
An Account of the War in India, Between the English and French, on the Coast of Coromandel, From the Year 1760. Together with A Relation of the late Remarkable Events on the Malabar Coast, and the Expeditions to Golconda and Surat; with the Operations of the Fleet. Illustrated with Maps, Plans &c. The Whole Compiled from Original Papers.
London: Printed for T. Jefferys, 1761.
Benjamin Franklin's first edition copy of Cambridge's account of the progression of the Seven Years' War in India, from Franklin's private library. Quarto, bound in full contemporary calf, marbled endpapers, illustrated with 12 engraved maps and plans and 6 plates, mostly folding. From the private library of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin's contributions to science and politics were immense and his passion for making books more available to a broader audience prompted him to establish North America's first subscription library. In 1731, Franklin convinced the members of his Junto (a mutual improvement club he founded) to pool their money to purchase books…
Price: $65,000.00 Item Number: 137375
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“THE GREATEST HISTORICAL WORK EVER WRITTEN”: Rare complete first edition set of Edward Gibbon's masterpiece The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
GIBBON, Edward .
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
London: Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, In The Strand, 1776-1788.
First edition, first state of Gibbon's "masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style" (PMM). Quarto, six volumes, bound in modern half calf over marbled boards by Bayntun-Riviere with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, all edges speckled red, engraved frontispiece portrait of Gibbon by John Hall after Sir Joshua Reynolds in Vol. II, three engraved folding maps, half-titles in vols. I-III and V, all 4 errata leaves (lacking half-titles in vols. IV and VI, vol. I with half-title. Strahan predicted the popularity of Gibbon's History and doubled the print run…
Price: $22,500.00 Item Number: 145050
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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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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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Signed Limited Edition; One of 250 Copies Signed by Henry M. Stanley
STANLEY, Henry M.
In Darkest Africa or, The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of Equatoria.
London: Sampson, Marston, Searle, and Rivington, 1890.
First edition, edition de luxe, number 242 of 250 copies signed by Henry Stanley. Original half black morocco over vellum, top edges gilt, 2 volumes. Two steel-engraved portrait frontispieces, two photogravure plates on India paper, mounted, 36 wood-engraved plates on India, mounted, 6 etchings by M.G. Montbard signed by the artist in pencil, 4 coloured maps and plans; the 2 larger folding maps mounted on linen. In near fine condition with some light rubbing to the extremities, bookplate. A very nice example.
Price: $6,200.00 Item Number: 93277
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First Editions of each volume of Lewis' Narrative of Various Journeys in Balochistan, Afghanistan, The Panjab, & Kalat; from the library of Adventurer and Aviator Steve Fossett with his bookplate to each volume
MASSON, Charles [James Lewis].
Narrative of Various Journeys in Balochistan, Afghanistan, The Panjab, & Kalat, During a Residence in those Countries.
London: Richard Bentley, 1842.
First edition of this narrative of Lewis' travels between 1826 and 1838 through Balochistan, Sind, the Hazara, Afghanistan and the Punjab. Octavo, four volumes. Bound in full morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels, gilt ruled, marbled endpapers, illustrated with engravings, folding map. From the library of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown of each volume. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in 2002 in his 10-story high balloon Spirit of Freedom. He completed the 2002 trip in 13 days,…
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 95145
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The Works of Jonathan Swifts's Finely Bound
SWIFT, Jonathan .
The Works of Jonathan Swift: Including, Gulliver’s Travels.
London: Various Publishers, 1751-67.
Finely bound volumes of the works of Jonathan Swift. Octavo, 19 volumes, bound in contemporary calf, red morocco spine labels, gilt titles to the spine. In near fine condition, with the Cornwell House ink stamp to front free endpaper. A very sharp set.
Price: $4,000.00 Item Number: 140938
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First Editions of Henry Yule's The Book of Ser Marco Polo, the Venetian, Concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East; finely bound in full morocco by sangorski and sutcliffe
YULE, Colonel Henry.
The Book of Ser Marco Polo, the Venetian, Concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East.
London: John Murray, 1871.
First edition of Yule's important work which correlated Polo's travels with their present-day locations. Octavo, two volumes. Bound in full morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, gilt ruling and vignettes to the front panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, all edges gilt, patterned endpapers, with maps and engraved illustrations many folding and in color. From the Adventure and Exploration collection of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown of each volume. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in…
Price: $3,800.00 Item Number: 111068
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"A Pike is a Prince of his own liquid country, and like a universal monarch, can command all the regiments of the scaled army": Scarce first edition of the art of trolling from the library of Alfred Dennison
NOBBES, Robert.
The Compleat Troller, or, The Art of Trolling.
London: Printed for T. James for Tho. Helder, 1682.
Rare first edition of Nobbes' authoritative work on the history and methods of trolling. First issue with the engraved hook on page 37 pointing to the right and two woodcut illustrations in the text. Small octavo, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, marbled endpapers. Lord Spencer's copy with his ownership inscription on the verso of the front free endpaper, "From Lord Spencer's Library 18/". From the library of renowned angling collector Alfred Denison with his gilt leather bookplate to the verso of the front panel. Denison's angling collection of over…
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 89160
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First edition of T. E. Lawrence's Seven Pillars of Wisdom; elaborately bound in full morocco
LAWRENCE, T. E.
Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1935.
First trade edition of Lawrence’s classic account of his role in the Arab rebellion against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. Quarto, bound in full morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front and rear panels, raised gilt bands, marbled endpapers. Illustrated with photographic plates, portraits from sketches and four folding maps. In fine condition. An exceptional example.
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 131695
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Rare early 17th century printing of the Statutes of the The Order of Saint Stephen; founded by Cosimo I de'Medici in 1561
DE'MEDICI, Cosimo II.
Statuti dell’Ordine De’ Cavalieri di S.to Stefano.
Florence: Pietro Cecconcelli, 1620.
Rare early 17th century printing of the Statutes of the The Order of Saint Stephen; founded by Cosimo I de' Medici in 1561. Octavo, bound in full contemporary vellum, engraved title page by Jacques Callot, engraved portrait of Cosimo II de Medici, printer's woodcut vignette on colophon, woodcut initials. From the library of Italian editor and bibliophile Gustavo Camillo Galletti with his small library stamp. In very good condition. Housed in a custom clamshell box.
Price: $2,500.00 Item Number: 140375
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“You cannot surprise an individual more than twice with the same marvel": First Edition, first state of Mark Twains Life On The Mississippi in the publisher's original full sheep
TWAIN, Mark [Samuel L. Clemens].
Life On The Mississippi.
Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1883.
First American edition, first state of this provocative portrait of the great Mississippi River with tailpiece of Twain in flames on p. 441 and “The St. Louis Hotel” caption on p. 443. Octavo, original publisher's deluxe full sheep with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, illustrated. In very good condition, rebacked. Uncommon.
Price: $2,500.00 Item Number: 142314
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Rare Complete First edition set of William James' Naval History of Great Britain; with the quarto volume of tabular abstracts
JAMES, William.
The Naval History of Great Britain, From the Declaration of War by France, in February 1793; to the Accession of George IV. In January 1820; With An Account of the Origin and Progressive Increase of The British Navy; Illustrated, From the Commencement of the Year 1793, by A Series of Tabular Abstracts, Contained in a Separate Quarto Volume.
London: Printed for Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy, 1822.
First edition of James' naval history of Great Britain. Five octavo volumes and one quarto volume of tables bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, folding plate in volume I. Sabin 35720. In near fine condition. Uncommon.
Price: $2,000.00 Item Number: 130581
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Rare second revised and enlarged edition of Giles' monumental Chinese-English Dictionary
GILES, Herbert A.
A Chinese-English Dictionary.
Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, & Yokahama: Kelly & Walsh, Limited and London: Bernard Quaritch, 1912.
Finley bound second revised and enlarged edition of Giles' monumental work, the first Chinese–English encyclopedic dictionary published. Quarto, bound in three quarters morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, rebacked, all edges marbled. The present enlarged edition contains the original 13,848 Chinese character head entries alphabetically collated by Beijing Mandarin pronunciation romanized in the Wade–Giles system with the addition of 67 entries and numerous usage examples. In very good condition. Exceptionally clean internally. A nice example of the most complete Chinese-English dictionary ever published.
Price: $1,750.00 Item Number: 138229
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Rare Original Publisher's Morocco First Edition of Stanley's In Darkest Africa
STANLEY, Henry M.
In Darkest Africa or, The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of Equatoria.
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1890.
First edition of Stanley's classic work. Octavo, 2 volumes, bound in the original publishers three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine, marbled edges and endpapers. Two steel-engraved portrait frontispieces, three folding maps, with numerous illustrations. In near fine condition.
Price: $1,750.00 Item Number: 102433
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First Edition of Winston Churchill's London To Ladysmith Via Pretoria
CHURCHILL, Winston Spencer.
London To Ladysmith Via Pretoria.
London: Longmans, Green, 1900.
First edition of Churchill’s fourth book and personal record of his impressions during the first five months of the Second Boer War. Octavo, in original cloth, with three folding maps (one printed in color). In very good condition, owner's small name. A nice example.
Price: $1,400.00 Item Number: 140931
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“In no department can a leader spend time more profitably than in the selection of the men who are to accomplish the work”: First Editions of Sir Douglas Mawson's The Home Of The Blizzard; From the Library of Adventurer and Explorer Steve Fossett
MAWSON, Sir Douglas.
The Home Of The Blizzard: Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911–1914.
Philadelphia and London: J.B. Lippincott and William Heinemann, 1915.
First edition of this classic account of Antarctic exploration. Thick octavo, 2 volumes, original dark blue cloth, profusely illustrated with 18 color plates, hundreds of black-and-white plates, numerous in-text illustrations and three color folding maps in rear pocket of Volume II. From the library of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown of each volume. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in 2002 in his 10-story high balloon Spirit of Freedom. He completed the 2002 trip in 13 days, 8 hours, and 33 minutes and set records…
Price: $1,250.00 Item Number: 111828
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First edition of Across The Atlantic With Ara, Summer of 1924; inscribed by William K. Vanderbilt
VANDERBILT, William K.
Across The Atlantic With Ara, Summer of 1924.
New York: Brentano's, Publishers, 1925.
First edition of Vanderbilt's account of his 1924 three-month summer cruise aboard the diesel yacht Ara. Octavo, original publisher's cloth, illustrated with plates and maps. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, "To C. M. ... from W. K. Vanderbilt June 26th 1925." In very good condition. Uncommon signed and inscribed.
Price: $1,250.00 Item Number: 143551
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"I will come again and conquer you because as a mountain you can't grow, but as a human, I can": First Edition of High Adventure; Finely Bound by The Harcourt Bindery
HILLARY, Edmund.
High Adventure.
London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1955.
First British edition of Hillary's account of his ascent of Everest. Octavo, with maps by A. Sparks and sketches by George Djurkouic, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. An exceptional presentation.
Price: $1,200.00 Item Number: 144006