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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.
A fine French-text copy in a presentation binding. Folio, 4 volumes, contemporary Dutch vellum likely from the Blaeu workshop 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…
Price: $300,000.00 Item Number: 126307
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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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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…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 117105
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First Editions of Shackletons Classic Account The Heart of the Antarctic; Inscribed by Ernest H. Shackleton
SHACKLETON, Ernest H.
The Heart of the Antarctic: Being the Story of the British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909.
London: William Heinemann, 1909.
First editions of Shackleton’s fascinating account of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1907-1909. Large octavos, 2 volumes, original blue cloth, photogravure frontispiece to each volume, 12 captioned tissue-guarded colored, and 255 black and white other plates in all, 3 maps, panorama in end-pocket of volume II, and numerous illustrations and diagrams throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by Ernest Shackleton on the front free endpaper. In very good condition. Trade editions signed by Shackleton are rare.
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 141414
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"AN ORIGINAL SOURCE OF THE FIRST CLASS": LA ROCHEFOUCAULT-LIANCOURT'S TRAVELS THROUGH THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA AND CANADA, SCARCE 1799 FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH, WITH THREE MAPS OF AMERICA—A BEAUTIFUL COPY
LA ROCHEFOUCAULT-LIANCOURT, [Francois Alexandre].
Travels Through the United States of North America, the Country of the Iroquois, and Upper Canada, in the Years 1795, 1796, and 1797; With an Authentic Account of Lower Canada.
London: For R. Phillips by T. Davison, 1799.
First edition in English of "an original source of the first class for American history at the close of the 18th century" (Larned). Quarto, bound in full calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, gilt tooling to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, with three engraved folding maps of North America and six folding tables. In near fine condition. An exceptional example of this landmark work. First editions are rare.
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 112450
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Special presentation first edition of Matthew Perry's Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas & Japan; With a Note from President Ulysses S. Grant
PERRY, Matthew [Ulysses S. Grant].
Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas & Japan.
Washington, D.C: Beverley Tucker, Senate Printer, 1856.
Special presentation first edition with secretarial note signed by Ulysses S. Grant as President, sending this specially bound example to Sir Edward Thornton, "As a slight evidence of his kindness in undertaking the laborious task of arbitrating the questions between the United States and Brazil in the case of the ship Canada," signed January 14, 1871. Quarto, four volumes, bound in full contemporary morocco over beveled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, with Grant's note tipped between endpapers in volume one, illustrated throughout, the censored bathing plate present, lacking three hand colored natural history plates (one bird, one…
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 134782
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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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The Major Works of Winston Churchill; Finely Bound
CHURCHILL, Winston S.
The Major Works of Sir Winston Churchill: Centenary First Edition. Complete 25 Volume Set comprising: The Second World War: A History of the English Speaking Peoples: The War Speeches: The World Crisis: Marlborough His Life and Times: Lord Randolph Churchill: My Early Life.
London: Centenary First Edition: In arrangement with Hamlyn, Harrap, Cassell, 1974.
Finely bound set of the major works of Churchill. Octavo, 25 volumes, bound in full dark red pebble grained leather with black title panels on spines, raised bands with the initial WSC, elaborate border to the front panel, all edges are gilt, silk endpapers, illustrated with photographs and maps, frontispiece plates. In fine condition.
Price: $6,000.00 Item Number: 140428
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Rare First Edition of Des Ballons Aérostatiques, de la maniere de les construire, de les faire elever
Des Ballons Aérostatiques, de la maniere de les construire, de les faire elever [Of Balloons aerostatic, the way to build them, elevate them].
Lausanne: J.P. Heubach & Cie, 1784.
First edition of this work, translated as, Of Balloons Aerostatic, the Way to Build Them, Elevate Them. Octavo, bound in contemporary three quarters calf over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine and gilt balloon tooling in 4 compartments, marbled endpapers. This work is often wrongly attributed to Faujas de Saint-Fond, as it reprints his "Discours preliminaire" and the first chapter of Description des Experiences de la Machine Aerostatique… (1783), with plates re-engraved from or similar to those printed in 1783. However, the remainder of the work is made up reports of the most recent experiments and findings on aerial flight, and…
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 111835
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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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Signed Limited Edition of Charles Lindbergh's We; in the original blue box with matching number
LINDBERGH, Charles A.
We.
New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1927.
Signed limited edition of Lindbergh's autobiography, which provides the account of the life of one of the century's greatest adventurers, the first man to complete a solo non-stop transatlantic flight. One of 1000 numbered copies, this is number 97, signed by both Charles Lindbergh and the publisher on the limitation page. Octavo, half bound salmon paper covered boards, frontispiece with tissue-guard, 51 black and white plates, with the publisher's note laid in. Fine in the original glassine and in the original blue box with matching number. Introduction by Myron T. Herrick. One of the finest most preserved example possible.
Price: $4,500.00 Item Number: 133274
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Rare First Edition of Travels and Researches in Crete
SPRATT, Capt. Thomas Abel Bremage.
Travels and Researches in Crete.
London: John van Voorst, 1865.
First edition of this classic work. Octavo, 2 volumes, original cloth, hand colored folding engraved maps, 14 tinted lithographed plates, 3 further plates (of inscriptions and coins), lithographed plans on india paper in the text, illustrations,
Price: $4,500.00 Item Number: 135308
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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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Signed Limited Edition of Charles Lindbergh's We; in the original blue box with matching number
LINDBERGH, Charles A.
We.
New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1927.
Signed limited edition of Lindbergh's autobiography, which provides the account of the life of one of the century's greatest adventurers, the first man to complete a solo non-stop transatlantic flight. One of 1000 numbered copies, this is number 842, signed by both Charles Lindbergh and the publisher on the limitation page. Octavo, half bound salmon paper covered boards, frontispiece with tissue-guard, 51 black and white plates, with the publisher's note laid in. Fine in the original glassine and in the original blue box with matching number. Introduction by Myron T. Herrick. Rare in the original box.
Price: $3,800.00 Item Number: 140383
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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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First Edition of John Malcolm's The History of Persia
MALCOLM, John .
The History of Persia, from the Most Early Period to the Present Time: Containing an Account of the Religion, Government, Usages, and Character of the Inhabitants of that Kingdom.
London: John Murray, 1815.
First edition of this work on Persia. Quarto, bound in three quarters leather over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine, with half-title and large folding map. In very good condition.
Price: $2,800.00 Item Number: 133295
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First Edition of Captain Basil Hall's Travels in North America in the Years 1827 and 1828; Inscribed by Him to Lady Holland
HALL, Captain Basil.
Travels in North America in the Years 1827 and 1828.
Edinburgh: Cadell and Co, 1829.
First edition of this important work. Octavo, 3 volumes, bound in full morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, volume one with the foldout map of the United States as far west as the Arkansas Territory and a part of Texas. Volume three contains a foldout chart of statistical data on the population and size each state, and on the United States government's finances. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page of volume one, "Lady Holland with the author's compliments." The recipient, Lady Holland was an English political hostess and the wife of Whig politician Henry…
Price: $2,500.00 Item Number: 128562
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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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"China, with her five thousand years of history, her vast territory and her enormous population stands like a mountain peak among the nations of the world": Photographic View Book of China, Manchuria, and Korea during the period of Japanese occupation
Photographic View Book of China, Manchuria, and Korea.
Japan: c. 1930.
First edition, oblong quarto, original boards. Gilt-lettered cloth, string-bound. Text in Japanese with captions in both Chinese and English. Illustrated with photographs throughout, large folding panorama of the Great Wall of China; folding map of Korea, Manchuria and portions of northeastern China. A unique record of history.
Price: $2,500.00 Item Number: 60076