First Edition
First Edition Books for Sale Online
Raptis Rare Books maintains an extensive collection of rare and first-edition books from a variety of authors and publishers. Navigate through our full selection of first-editions below to find a particular item you're looking for, ask a question, or order online today!
Showing 1–20 of 22 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- Framed Autographs and Historical Documents
- Geography
- 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
-
"I'd come from a long ways off and had started a long ways down": First edition of Bob Dylan: Chronicles: Volume One; signed by Bob Dylan
DYLAN, Bob.
Bob Dylan: Chronicles.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004.
First edition of Dylan's revealing autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed by the author on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Coco Shinomiya. PSA/DNA LOA and sticker to the title page. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box by the Harcourt Bindery.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 143531
-
First edition of Leonard Bernstein's The Joy of Music; inscribed by him to his personal assistant and editor Jack Gottlieb who facilitated the book's publication
BERNSTEIN, Leonard.
The Joy of Music.
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1959.
First edition of Bernstein’s first collection of essays and conversations on the world of music; a national best-seller on its publication, this copy from the personal collection of his personal assistant Jack Gottleib. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece portrait of Bernstein conducting by Roy Stevens. Association copy, inscribed by Bernstein in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, "This copy is for Jack, who may not have written this book, by might as well have- with thanks and affection, Lenny 28 Oct '59." The recipient, Jack Gottlieb, was not only Bernstein's personal assistant, but a trained composer and musician…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 135190
-
"This is a book that needed to be written": First Edition of Tin Pan Alley; Signed by George Gershwin, Charles Previn and James Melton
GOLDBERG, Isaac; Introduction by George Gershwin.
Tin Pan Alley.
New York: The John Day Company, 1930.
First edition of this work on American popular music. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Introduction by George Gershwin. Boldly signed "Sincerely George Gershwin" on the dedication page. Additionally signed by conductor Charles Previn and tenor James Melton. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Previn was an American film composer who was highly active at Universal in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. Before going to Hollywood, Previn had arranged music for over 100 Broadway productions. Melton was a popular singer in the 1920s and 1930s and later began a career as an operatic singer when tenor voices went out…
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 84308
-
“Music, of all the arts, stands in a special region, unlit by any star but its own": First Edition of The Joy of Music; Inscribed by Leonard Bernstein
BERNSTEIN, Leonard .
The Joy of Music.
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1959.
First edition of this classic work, a national best-seller on its publication, Bernstein's first collection of essays and conversations on the world of music. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the the author on the front free endpaper, "For Ed Hiller Sincerely Leonard Bernstein." Fine in a good dust jacket. Jacket design by Ronald Clyne. Rare and desirable signed by Bernstein.
Price: $4,500.00 Item Number: 129577
-
Rare signed limited edition of David Bowie's Moonage Daydream: The Life and Times of Ziggy Stardust; signed by him and photographer Mick Rock
BOWIE, David. Photographs and Captions by Mick Rock.
Moonage Daydream: The Life and Times of Ziggy Stardust.
Guildford: Genesis Publications Limited, 2002.
First edition, signed limited issue of this profusely illustrated homage to one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century, David Bowie. Folio, original quarter leathers over illustrated boards, photographic endpapers, all edges silver, illustrated with photographs by Mick Rock. One of 2,500 numbered copies signed by David Bowie and Mick Rock, this is number 683. Housed in the original publisher's decorative lidded box. In fine condition.
Price: $3,250.00 Item Number: 138421
-
Louis Armstrong's Satchmo: My Life in New Orleans; lengthily inscribed by him
ARMSTRONG, Louis.
Satchmo: My Life in New Orleans.
New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc, 1954.
First edition, second printing of the autobiography of one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz, Louis "Pops" Armstrong. Octavo, original half cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the musician on the half-title page, "To Josh: The Old Dixie Jazz-hound from New Orleans!! Your friend, Louis Armstrong ("Satchmo")." The recipient, Joshua B. Glassel was a fellow Dixieland jazz musician and friend of Armstrong's in New Orleans. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket. With Glassel's ownership signature to the half-title page.
Price: $2,500.00 Item Number: 137133
-
First edition of Bowie by O'Neill; inscribed by Terry O'Neill
O'NEILL, Terry [David Bowie].
David Bowie: A Photographic Memoir. Through the Lens of Terry O’Neill. [Bowie by O’Neill].
Dublin and St. Albans: Iconic Images and Red Engine Media Ltd, 2016.
First edition of Terry O'Neill's stunning photographic tribute to one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century, David Bowie. Folio, original cloth with onlay bas-relief portrait of Bowie to the front panel, images by Terry O'Neill. Presentation copy, inscribed by the photographer on the front free endpaper, "I hope you enjoy this tribute to David, Terry O'Neill." With two signed limited edition O'Neill prints, a certificate of authenticity signed by O'Neill, and a copy of the original prospectus. Fine in the original orange satin clamshell box with window to front panel and in the original cardboard box.
Price: $2,250.00 Item Number: 143109
-
First edition of Glenn Miller's Method For Orchestral Arranging; Signed by him
MILLER, Glenn.
Glenn Miller’s Method For Orchestral Arranging.
New York: Mutual Music Society, 1943.
First edition of the great swing-era American jazz musician's guide to orchestral arranging. Royal octavo, original publisher's cloth, illustrated. Signed by the author on the front free endpaper, "Sincerely Glenn Miller." In very good condition.
Price: $1,500.00 Item Number: 141030
-
"It's all about creation and surprise. It just needs to be appreciated and watered like flowers. You have to water flowers": FIrst Edition of Open Sky; Signed by Sonny Rollins
ROLLINS, Sonny; Eric Nisenson.
Open Sky: Sonny Rollins and His World of Improvisation.
New York: St. Martin's Press, 2000.
First edition of this work on the legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins. Octavo, original boards. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by Sonny Rollins on the front free endpaper, "James- the Golden Rule works pretty good!! Sonny Rollins." Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Henry Sene Yee. Foreword by Sonny Rollins.
Price: $1,250.00 Item Number: 133491
-
"It's all about creation and surprise. It just needs to be appreciated and watered like flowers. You have to water flowers": FIrst Edition of Open Sky; Signed by Sonny Rollins
ROLLINS, Sonny; Eric Nisenson.
Open Sky: Sonny Rollins and His World of Improvisation.
New York: St. Martin's Press, 2000.
First edition of this work on the legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins. Octavo, original boards. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by Sonny Rollins on the front free endpaper, "To John- many thanks Sonny Rollins." Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Henry Sene Yee. Foreword by Sonny Rollins.
Price: $1,250.00 Item Number: 1655
-
First Edition of Brian Wilson's Wouldn't It Be Nice: My Own Story; inscribed by him, Todd Gold, and Dr. Eugene Landy
WILSON, Brian with Todd Gold.
Wouldn’t It Be Nice: My Own Story.
New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1991.
First edition of Brian Wilson's candid autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by Brian Wilson on the half-title page, "To Glen Brian Wilson", signed by Todd Gold on the title page and inscribed by Dr. Eugene Landy on the dedication page, "To Glenn Eugene E. Landy." The recipient, Glenn Goldman founded Book Soup in 1975, an independently owned bookstore on Sunset Strip in West Hollywood specializing in art, music, film, photography, design and fiction. American psychotherapist Dr. Eugene E. Landy was best known for his unconventional psychological treatments, especially for his treatment of Wilson in the 1970s and…
Price: $950.00 Item Number: 119333
-
Our New Music: Leading Composers in Europe and America; Signed by Aaron Copland
COPLAND, Aaron.
Our New Music: Leading Composers in Europe and America.
New York: Whittlesey House, 1941.
Early printing of the composer's classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Mrs. Harold Moran Aaron Copland April 1944." Near fine in a very good dust jacket.
Price: $850.00 Item Number: 116734
-
“The past is reinvented and becomes the future. But the lineage is everything": Signed Limited Edition of Music by Philip Glass
GLASS, Philip.
Music by Philip Glass.
New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1987.
Signed limited edition, one of 250 numbered copies. Octavo, original leather, in the original slipcase. Fine in a fine slipcase. With the musical score laid in, as issued. Signed by Philip Glass on the limitation page. Edited and with supplementary material by Robert T. Jones.
Price: $750.00 Item Number: 109279
-
"For Alden Who Really loves Music": First Edition of Copland on Music; Inscribed by Aaron Copland and with a signed letter
COPLAND, Aaron.
Copland on Music.
New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc, 1960.
First edition of this work by the "Dean of American composers." Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Alden, who really loves music, Aaron Nov 1960." With an autographed letter signed to the same recipients by Copland on his letterhead which reads, "Dear Alden and Rolf: What a pleasant surprise to get your Encyclopedia for my birthday! Many thanks. It is full of nostalgic memories for me, especially of my student days in the teens, and those exciting twenties. Where on earth did you find such a book?? All best to you…
Price: $750.00 Item Number: 118362
-
First edition of Richie Unterberger's Turn! Turn! Turn! the '60s Folk-Rock Revolution; inscribed by him
UNTERBERGER, Richie.
Turn! Turn! Turn! the ’60s Folk-Rock Revolution.
San Francisco: Backbeat Books, 2002.
First edition of Unterberger's comprehensive survey of '60s folk-rock. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers, illustrated with photographs. Presentation copy, signed by songwriter Donovan Phillips Leitch and inscribed by the author on the half-title page, "To Glenn, Enjoy the book and thanks for all your support Richie Unterberger." The recipient, Glenn Goldman founded Book Soup in 1975, an independently owned bookstore on Sunset Strip in West Hollywood specializing in art, music, film, photography, design and fiction. In fine condition.
Price: $475.00 Item Number: 119884
-
Leonard Bernstein's assistant and editor Jack Gottlieb's personal copy of the December 1997 Sotheby's auction catalog of the estate of Leonard Bernstein
[BERNSTEIN, Leonard; Jack Gottlieb].
A Legend: Property from the Estate of Leonard Bernstein Sotheby’s December 1997 Catalog.
New York: Sotheby's, Inc, 1997.
Leonard Bernstein's assistant and editor Jack Gottlieb's personal copy of the December 1997 Sotheby's auction catalog of the estate of Leonard Bernstein. Quarto, original pictorial wrappers. With Gottlieb's notes throughout including the hammer price for each lot that sold in the auction. He has also marked the page that has a lengthy quote from him describing a French provincial walnut style folding table in the catalog, "In the inner sanctum - the staging area for super-human accomplishment - stood that table, where the Maestro marked up his performing scores in crystal-clear intricate detail, like a a fine jeweler polishing precious…
Price: $400.00 Item Number: 135684
-
"FREEDOM CAN BE OURS, HERE AND NOW": FIRST EDITION OF PAUL ROBESON'S FIRST BOOK, HERE I STAND
ROBESON, Paul.
Here I Stand.
London: Dennis Dobson, 1958.
First edition of Robeson's powerful first book. Octavo, original half cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket
Price: $350.00 Item Number: 133146
-
Henry Clay Work's Marching Through Georgia
WORK, Henry C. [William Tecumseh Sherman].
Marching Through Georgia: Written in Honor of Sherman’s Famous March From “Atlanta to the Sea”.
Boston: Ticknor and Company, 1889.
First Ticknor and Co. edition of Henry Clay Work's greatest hit, "Marching Through Georgia", inspired by Sherman's march to the sea at the end of 1864. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. In good condition.
Price: $300.00 Item Number: 132439
-
First edition of George Shearing's Lullaby of Birdland; inscribed by him to American journalist William Safire
SHEARING, George with Alyn Shipton [William Safire].
Lullaby of Birdland.
New York: Continuum, 2004.
First edition of British jazz pianist George Shearing's autobiography. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, "For Helene and Bill - Not it's my turn! Affectionately, George Shearing." The recipient, William Safire was an important American author, columnist, journalist, and presidential speechwriter. He joined Nixon’s campaign for the 1960 Presidential race, and supported him again in 1968. After Nixon’s 1968 victory, Safire served as a speechwriter for him and Spiro Agnew. He authored several political columns in addition to his weekly column “On Language” in The New York Times Magazine from 1979 until the…
Price: $175.00 Item Number: 135249
-
Rare Original Harpo press kit from Oprah's 1993 sensational primetime interview with Michael Jackson
[WINFREY, Oprah; Michael Jackson].
Michael Jackson Talks to Oprah: 90 Prime-Time Minutes with the King of Pop Live!
Los Angeles: Harpo, 1993.
Original Harpo press kit from Oprah's 1993 sensational primetime interview with Michael Jackson. Quarto, the kit contains a press release and biographies of Oprah and Michael Jackson. From the collection of Bill Zwecker. A member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, Zwecker was a longtime entertainment and celebrity journalist. A Chicago native and second-generation newspaper star (his late mother, Peg Zwecker, was the fashion editor of the Sun-Times and Chicago Daily News), Zwecker began his journalism career in the 1980s and has since interviewed some of the most renowned celebrities across a breadth of industries. He has been a frequent…
Price: $150.00 Item Number: 140126