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!
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Large Signed Portrait Photograph Signed by Charles Dickens
DICKENS, Charles.
Charles Dickens Signed Portrait Photograph.
1868.
Signed "Charles Dickens (with a large flourish) Washington, D.C. Seventh February 1868." Large oval portrait photograph measures 13 inches by 13 inches. Matted in a walnut frame which measures 24 inches by 27 inches. On his Washington tour Dickens met President Andrew Johnson and signed this photograph on the date of that meeting, February 7, which also happened to be Dickens' birthday. He discussed in a letter to his friend and agent John Foster regarding that day, "This scrambling scribblement is resumed this morning, because I have just seen the President: who had sent to me very courteously asking me to make…
Price: $42,000.00 Item Number: 5825
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Rare large format photograph of American cultural icon James Dean; inscribed by him to his photographer Sanford H. Roth
DEAN, James. [Sanford H. Roth].
James Dean Signed Photograph.
Rare large format Sanford H. Roth photograph of cultural icon James dean playing table tennis. Inscribed beneath his image, "To Mr. Roth best wishes James Dean." The recipient, renowned American photographer Sanford H. Roth, was a close friend of Dean's and photographed him frequently. Dean visited Roth's home in California frequently and treated him and his wife Beulah almost as adoptive parents. Poignantly, Roth was in Dean's Ford station wagon driving behind Dean's new Porsche Spyder on the way to the Salinas Road Races on September 30, 1955, when Dean was killed in a late afternoon traffic accident. Roth took…
Price: $35,000.00 Item Number: 124398
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"In this brief life of ours, it is sad to do almost anything for the last time": Large Signed Portrait Photograph Signed by Charles Dickens
DICKENS, Charles.
Charles Dickens Signed Portrait Photograph.
1868.
Large oval portrait photograph measures 20 inches by 16 inches. Matted in a contemporary frame which measures 25.5 inches by 29.5 inches. Signed "Charles Dickens (with a large flourish) Boston Sixth March 1868." In 1867, Charles Dickens began his second American reading tour at Boston's Tremont Temple, where an enthusiastic audience delighted in some of his most notable works, members of the audience included legendary literary stars such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Although Dickens was in declining health, he embarked on an ambitious travel schedule across the United States. Dickens returned to Boston once more before concluding…
Price: $30,000.00 Item Number: 74030
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"The Roaring Lion": Rare large format gelatin print of Yousuf Karsh's iconic portrait of Winston S. Churchill; signed by Karsh
KARSH, Yousuf. [Winston S. Churchill].
Yousuf Karsh Signed Winston S. Churchill Portrait.
Rare large format silver gelatin print of Karsh's iconic portrait of Churchill, “The Roaring Lion” which in May 1941 was featured on the cover of Life magazine and brought Karsh international fame. Signed by Karsh "Y. Karsh." In fine condition. Matted and framed. The photograph measures 21 inches by 17 inches. The entire piece measures 32 inches by 27 inches. An exceptional piece.
Price: $28,000.00 Item Number: 139477
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Rare First Edition of Peking the Beautiful; With 70 Photographic Plates; in the rare publisher's wooden slipcase
WHITE, Herbert C.
Peking the Beautiful.
Shanghai, China: The Commercial Press, 1927.
First edition of this work comprising photographic studies of the celebrated monuments of China’s northern capital with descriptive and historical notes. Folio, original embroidered silk pictorial boards, original publisher's wooden box. In fine condition without wear. Contains 70 photographic plates mounted, numerous illustrations in text. Contains an introduction by Hu Shih, professor of Philosophy at the National University of Peking. Rare and desirable in the original publisher's wooden box.
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 107644
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"Humanity is the same the world over in whatever garb or colour she may be clothed": Signed Photograph of Mahatma Gandhi
GANDHI, Mohandas K. (M.K.).
Mohandas K. Gandhi Signed Photograph.
Rare signed photograph depicting Mohandas K. Gandhi in profile with his palms pressed together, inscribed in Gujarati ("[Truth at all costs]") and signed in English M.K. Gandhi on the image in blue ink. With an autographed letter signed from Amrit Kaur, the secretary to Gandhi and later Health Minister of India, to Sgt. John McAleer, written on Gandhi's behalf, enclosing the signed photograph and responding to his letter ("...Humanity is the same the world over in whatever garb or colour she may be clothed..."), 2 pages, Poona, 5 March 1946, with envelope; photograph of Gandhi and another in rickshaws being…
Price: $13,500.00 Item Number: 100048
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First Editions of William Klein's New York, Rome, Moscow, Tokyo; Each signed by Him
KLEIN, William.
New York, Rome, Moscow, Tokyo.
Various Places: 1956-1964.
First editions of each of the photographers famed city books. Tall quarto, 4 volumes. Each are signed by William Klein, with the caption booklet of New York signed as well. Very good to near fine books in original dust jackets showing some light rubbing and wear. A very sharp set of these volumes.
Price: $12,800.00 Item Number: 115672
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"I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands": Large Signed Photograph of Nelson Mandela upon his return to Robben Island; Signed by Him and Jurgen Schadeberg
MANDELA, Nelson; Photograph by Jurgen Schadeberg.
Nelson Mandela Silver Gelatin Print.
Silver Gelatin Print of Nelson Mandela's 1994 return to Robben Island with Mandela looking through the bars in deep contemplation. Boldly signed by both Nelson Mandela and the photographer, Jurgen Schadeberg, who has signed on the bottom right panel and signed and stamped the verso. Schadeberg's image was voted as one of the 50 most memorable images of the 20th century by The Photographers Gallery in London. The image measures 11 inches by 14 inches. Matted and framed. The entire piece measures 17.5 inches by 21.5 inches. This photograph has been used numerous times in publicity; providing the cover image…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 979
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Yousuf Karsh Photograph of the First Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru; Signed by Both Nehru and Karsh
NEHRU, Jawaharlal; Yousuf Karsh.
Jawaharlal Nehru and Yousuf Karsh Signed Photograph.
Black and white photograph of the first prime minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru. Signed Jawaharlal Nehru March 1951 and also signed by the photographer Yousuf Karsh. Karsh was one of the most notable photographers of the 20th century. His work included portraits of celebrities, military and political figures, such as Winston Churchill, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Martin Luther King. Jr., Audrey Hepburn, and many others. The photograph measures 10 inches by 12.75 inches. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 17 inches by 19.5 inches. Rare and desirable signed by both Nehru and Karsh.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 67092
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"Go win another one for the Gipper" Signed Print of President Reagan; From the library of Nancy Reagan's Brother
REAGAN, Ronald.
Ronald Reagan Signed Portrait.
1988.
Signed print of Ronald Reagan of him in one of his most famous roles George Gipp in the film Knute Rockne, All American, signed on the matte below in Reagan's hand, "Go win another one for the Gipper Ronald Reagan." Reagan's character was based on the true life of a college football player who died at the tender age of 25 from a streptococcal throat infection and pneumonia just two weeks after being elected Notre Dame's first All-American by Walter Camp. In the movie, the legendary coach Knute Rockne tells his team, "The last thing George said to me, 'Rock,'…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 132431
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Rare black-and-white photograph of Lieutenant General George S. Patton; inscribed by him to General Royal B. Lord
PATTON, George S.
George S. Patton Signed Photograph.
Rare black-and-white photograph of Lieutenant General George S. Patton, inscribed by him to General Royal B. Lord. Black-and-white matte-finish photograph of Lieutenant General Patton in his military uniform. Inscribed by Patton on the lower portion of the photograph, "To Gen. R.B. Lord, with warm thanks for much valuable assistance. G. S. Patton, Jr., Lt. Gen." The recipient, General Royal B. Lord was appointed Chief of Staff of S.O.S 'Service of Supply' and Communications following the invasion of Normandy. Headquartered in Paris, his duty was to procure and distribute supplies, equipment, and armament for the European Theater. As the war progressed,…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 145055
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Original Silver Gelatin Print of Sir Winston Churchill by Walter Stoneman; Signed by Churchill
CHURCHILL, Winston S.
Winston S. Churchill Signed Walter Stoneman Photograph.
1942.
Silver gelatin print portrait of Winston Churchill by Walter Stoneman, boldly signed and dated by him, "Winston Churchill 1947" on the mount. Photographer's stamp on verso. The photograph measures 9 inches by 6 inches. Celebrated war-time portrait of Churchill taken on 1 April 1942, by Walter Stoneman, self-styled "The Man's Photographer." In June 1897, he was the only one of fourteen photographers working for J. Russell & Sons who succeeded in taking four pictures of Queen Victoria in her golden state landau on the occasion of her diamond jubilee. Working for J. Russell & Sons, he took numerous photographs of royalty, aristocracy, members of high society and other…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 132579
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Rare First Edition of Robert Frank's The Lines of My Hands; Inscribed by Him to Yuichi Hibi
ROBERT FRANK,.
Lines of My Hands.
Tokyo: Yugensha, 1972.
Limited first edition of Frank’s memorable autobiography in photographs, one of 500 copies. Folio, original black cloth, slipcase with mounted cover photograph. Association copy, inscribed by the photographer on the title page, "To Yuichi, getting ready to travel East. Good Luck. Robert. NYC Dec. 5, 1996" with a line drawing of a fish below a surface line. The recipient Yuichi Hibi is a well-known photographer who in 2005 issued a signed, limited edition of a work entitled A Weekend with Mr. Frank. Includes 30 pp. Japanese booklet cataloguing the 160 images which comprise the book. Fine in a fine slipcase. An exceptional…
Price: $12,000.00 Item Number: 121798
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Rare First Edition of Robert Frank's The Lines of My Hands; Inscribed by Him
ROBERT FRANK,.
Lines of My Hands.
Tokyo: Yugensha, 1972.
Limited first edition of Frank’s memorable autobiography in photographs, one of only 500 examples. Folio, original black cloth, slipcase with mounted cover photograph, original shipping carton. Presentation copy, inscribed by Robert Frank. In fine condition, with the shipping carton in fine condition.
Price: $11,000.00 Item Number: 2706
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RARE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH SIGNED BY GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON
PATTON, George.
General George S. Patton Signed Photograph.
Rare original gelatin silver print photograph of General George Patton in military uniform, signed by him, "G S Patton Jr." From the collection of Colonel Nicholas Campanole, Patton's Assistant Chief of Staff, with a collection of typed letters and postcards addressed to him. Colonel Nicholas Campanole was aide to Gen. John J. Pershing during the Mexican campaign of 1914 and served on his staff during World War I. Physically retired in 1937, Gen. George Patton recalled him to active duty in 1942 and he remained with Patton as assistant chief of staff throughout World War II. In very good condition.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 139221
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“Be daring, be different, be impractical; be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers": First Edition of Cecil Beaton's Fair Lady; Inscribed by Cecil Beaton to Actress Vivien Leigh
BEATON, Cecil [Vivien Leigh].
Cecil Beaton’s Fair Lady.
New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1964.
First edition of Beaton's Fair Lady, a witty compilation of his personal diary entries recorded while managing the costume and set design of the 1957 Warner Brothers film starring Audrey Hepburn. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated throughout. Association copy, inscribed by the author to actress Vivien Leigh on the front free endpaper, "For Vivien With Blessings from Cecil." Beaton met Vivien Leigh on the set of The Doctor's Dilemma in Edinburgh, Scotland in November of 1941. He was working as a photographer for Vogue magazine at the time and after attending the play took the first of what would become…
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 65071
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Rare United States Air Force Photograph of aviator Howard Hughes, Major General Oscar Westover, and General of the Air Force Henry H. Arnold; signed by all three
HUGHES, Howard.
Howard Hughes Signed Photograph.
Rare United States Air Force photograph of legendary aviator Howard Hughes, Major General Oscar Westover, and General of the Air Force Henry H. Arnold. Signed and inscribed by each aviation pioneer, "O. Westover Maj. Gen. A.C. Chief of the Air Corps", "Howard Hughes", and "H. Arnold Brig Gen. A.C." Major General Oscar Westover succeeded Benjamin Foulois as Chief of the Air Corps in 1935 and, on September 21, 1938, perished in an air crash at Burbank, California. Henry H. Arnold succeeded Westover as Chief of Air Corps on September 29, 1938. Arnold rose to command the Army Air Forces immediately…
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 109582
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Rare silver gelatin print of French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre; inscribed by him
SARTRE, Jean-Paul .
Jean-Paul Sartre Signed Photograph.
Rare silver gelatin print of French philosopher, novelist, and playwright Jean-Paul Sartre. Inscribed by him in the upper left corner of the image, "A M. Satoru Yamano, sympatheque hommage, Jean-Paul Sartre." In near fine condition. Matted and framed. The entire piece measures 14 inches by 11 inches.
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 123541
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“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality": First Sphere edition of Yoko Ono's Grapefruit; Signed by Yoko Ono and John Lennon
ONO, Yoko; Introduction by John Lennon.
Grapefruit.
London: Sphere Books Limited, 1971.
First Sphere edition of Ono's seminal piece of conceptual art. 12mo, original illustrated wrappers. Signed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono on the front free endpaper. The uncommon Sphere edition of Ono's Grapefruit integrates the 'cheeky' subject matter of her 1966 short film Bottoms. Rare and highly sought-after signed by both Ono and Lennon.
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 142829
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“Of all the means of expression, photography is the only one that fixes a precise moment in time": First Edition of Henri Cartier-Bresson's The Decisive Moment; Inscribed by Him
CARTIER-BRESSON, Henri.
The Decisive Moment.
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1952.
First edition of Cartier-Bresson's classic work, with 126 photographs by “the Raphael of 20th-century photographers." Folio, original illustrated boards. Association copy, inscribed by Cartier-Bresson on the title page, "à Joan et Eliot, 'The Decisive Moment' de l'amitié, Henri, 19 Jan 57, la vraie patrie c'est l'amitié." The recipient was Eliot Elisofon, a fellow photographer and a founding member of the Photo League in 1936. He was one of the most active and productive members: he gave guest lectures (1938–43); co-organized the Men at Work project with Lewis Hine (1940); served periodically as president between 1939 and 1941; taught courses on…
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 117546