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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 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
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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
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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
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"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
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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
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"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
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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
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"I would advise anyone who wants to get to the kernel of the life of a Polar explorer to read the book": Edition De Luxe of Antarctic Days; Signed by Shackleton, Murray and Marston
SHACKLETON, Ernest; James Murray and George Marston.
Antarctic Days. Sketches of the Homely Side of Polar Life by Two of Shackleton’s Men: Introduced by Sir Ernest Shackleton.
London: Andrew Melrose, 1913.
Limited edition de luxe, numbered 85 of 280 copies signed on the recto of the limitation leaf by E.H. Shackleton, James Murray and George Marston. Octavo, original blue cloth, gilt titles to the spine and front panel with a mounted color illustration, top edge gilt, 4 mounted color plates after watercolors by C. Day, 34 photo illustrations on 28 plates. In near fine condition with a light rubbing. A very nice example, as most copies have been rebound. Introduced by Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 103746
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Ice Axe Signed by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
HILLARY, Edmund and Tenzing Norgay.
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Signed Ice Axe.
Ice axe boldly signed by both Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the first two people to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Circa 1955. Wood and steel shaft measures 35 inches; steel blade measures 12 inches.
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 104783
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"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. One of only 750 numbered copies, this is number 461. Octavo, 10 volumes, bound in the original green with morocco spine labels with gilt titles, containing the original gelatin silver photographic frontispiece to each volume with tissue guards present, illustrated with numerous photogravure and halftone plates; folding map in volume two. Edited by William Frederic Badè. 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, the text begins, “…are more & more ancient, & more & more obscured by vegetation & all kinds of post-glacial weathering. These studies invariably show, that the soils on which the forests are growing were not produced by the…” In near fine condition. An exceptional example, rare with the original silver gelatin prints.
Price: $7,200.00 Item Number: 96258
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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 are not contained in other contemporary works. 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 for both the Longest Distance Flown Solo in a Balloon and Fastest Balloon Flight Around the World. Fossett was also one of sailing’s most prolific distance record holders set the Absolute World Speed Record for airships with a Zeppelin NT in 2004. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career including aviation’s highest award, the Gold Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which he was awarded in 2002. Fossett disappeared on September 3, 2007 while flying a light aircraft over the Great Basin Desert, between Nevada and California. Rare with no copies recorded in libraries in the United States or in Great Britain. Brockett 1263.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 111835
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FIRST EDITION OF WE SEVEN, SIGNED BY John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra, Gordon Cooper, Bill Dana aka Jose Jimenez
CARPENTER, M. Scott; Gordon L. Cooper; John H. Glenn; Virgil I. Grissom; Walter M. Schirra; Alan Shepard; Donald K. Slayton .
We Seven. By the Astronauts Themselves.
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1962.
First edition of this first-hand account of the genesis of America’s manned space program. Octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Signed on the half-title page by John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra, Gordon Cooper, and comedian Bill Dana aka Jose Jimenez. Jiménez was a fictional character created and performed by comedian Bill Dana on The Steve Allen Show in 1959 and who became increasingly popular during the 1960s, and is cited in this volume on several occasions. This character introduced himself with the catch phrase: “My name… José Jiménez”. The character of José Jiménez caught on with the seven real Mercury astronauts, and Dana became good friends with them: “Okay, José, you’re on your way!” Deke Slayton quipped as Alan Shepard’s famous first flight launched. José became the program’s unofficial mascot, and Dana was even made an honorary Mercury astronaut. (Coincidentally, there was a real test pilot named Bill Dana, who flew as high as 59 miles up and qualified for NASA’s Astronaut Badge. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Paul Bacon. A unique signed example.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 102763
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Apollo Astronauts Signed Reunion Poster; signed by 18 Apollo Astronauts and from the collection of Frank White
ALDRIN, Buzz; Charles Conrad.
Apollo Astronauts Signed Reunion Poster.
1986.
Rare original poster from The Apollo Reunion July 16, 1986 in Washington D.C. Signed by 18 Apollo Astronauts: Buzz Aldrin, Charles Conrad, Ron Evans, Stuart Roosa, Richard Gordon, Charlie Duke, Michael Collins, Walt Cunningham, James Lovell, Donn Eisele, Bill Anders, Alan Bean, Jim Irwin, Al Worden, Rusty Schweickart, Alan Shepard, Gene Cernan, and Harrison Schmitt. From the collection of Frank White, author of ‘The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution’, a seminal work in the field of space exploration and development based on White’s interviews with 31 astronauts. The term “Overview Effect” describes the cognitive shift in worldview that astronauts experience when they see the Earth from space and in space. Framed. The entire piece measures 22 inches by 17 inches.
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 105483
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Rare first edition in English of A General History of the Turks, Moguls, and Tatars, Vulgarly called Tartars
EBÜLGÂZÎ BAHADIR HAN, Khan of Khorezm.
A General History of the Turks, Moguls, and Tatars, Vulgarly called Tartars. Together With a Description of the Countries They Inhabit.
London: Printed for J. and J. Knapton, J. Darby, A. Bettesworth, et. al., 1729-1730.
Rare first edition in English of one of the earliest sources on the Turks, Moguls, and Tartars. Octavos, two volumes. Bound in full polished calf with red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spines in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt turn-ins, all edges speckled red, engraved headpieces and tailpieces, folding map to each volume. From the library of Reginald C.L. Powys-Lybbe with his bookplates to the pastedowns. In very good condition.
Price: $4,800.00 Item Number: 109632
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Rare Portrait of the first man to walk on the moon Neil Armstrong; boldly signed by him
ARMSTRONG, Neil.
Neil Armstrong Signed Portrait.
Portrait of American astronaut Neil Armstrong, boldly signed by him. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 13 inches by 11.75 inches. Rare and desirable signed and uninscribed by Armstrong.
Price: $4,800.00 Item Number: 117764
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John Muir's The Mountains of California; Lengthily inscribed by him
MUIR, John.
The Mountains of California.
New York: The Century Co, 1904.
Early printing of John Muir’s classic work. Octavo, original illustrated cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Mr. H. H. Smith, with best wishes & many pleasant memories, John Muir, August 1906.” In near fine condition. Rare and desirable signed.
Price: $4,500.00 Item Number: 92812
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"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind": Rare Original July 21st 1969 Delaware Evening Journal Front Page; Signed by legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong
ARMSTRONG, Neil.
Neil Armstrong Signed Delaware Evening Journal.
Wilmington: Delaware Evening Journal, July 21, 1969.
Rare original Delaware Evening Journal featuring the headline “Eagle Jets Safely Off Moon; In Orbit for Rendezvous”, a front page article on the Apollo 11 moon landing, and large photograph of Neil Armstrong collecting dirt on the lunar surface. Boldly signed by Neil Armstrong on his photograph. Below the headline is Armstrong’s famous quote, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Articles featured on the front page include, “Neil, Buzz Leave Prints on Moon”, “Kennedy Charged in Crash”, and “Luna 15 Lands On Moon, 500 Miles from LM.” In very good condition. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 29 inches by 21 inches. Rare a desirable signed by Armstrong.
Price: $4,000.00 Item Number: 100158
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Rare collection of Soviet Space Program books; signed by over 20 Russian Cosmonauts
BEREZOVOY, Anatoly; Vladimir Dzhanibekov; Vladimir Kovalyonok; Leonid Popov; Pavel Popovich; Gennadi Strekalov; Vyacheslav Zudov et al.
Small Stories About Big Destiny and The Star: Russian Cosmonauts Signed Collection.
Moscow: Various publishers, 1976-1982.
Rare collection of two books documenting the Soviet Space Program, signed by over 20 Russian Cosmonauts. Octavo, two volumes, illustrated with photographs and drawings. The Star, published in 1982, is signed on the title page by Russian cosmonauts Kovalyonok, Strekalov, Berezovoy, Zudov, Popovich, Malyshev, Demin, Rozhdestvensy, Artyukhin, Gorbatko, Popov, Savynikh, Kizim, Bykovsky, Sarafanov, Serebrov, Lyakov Glazkov, Dzhanibekov, and Lazatev. Small Stories about Big Destiny, published in 1976, is signed on the front free endpaper by Popovich, Leonox, Volynov, Filipchenko, Lazarev, Klimuk, Gorbatko, Zholobov, Gubarev, Zudor, Bykovsky, Shonin, and Demin. In fine condition, with a description affixed to the front pastedown of Small Stories about Big Destiny. Both volumes are in near fine condition. An exceptional collection of historic signatures.
Price: $4,000.00 Item Number: 117176
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"Charmer of serpents - why not try the birds?": First Edition of Roger Tory Peterson's First Book A Field Guide to the Birds; Warmly Inscribed by Him
PETERSON, Roger Tory.
Field Guide to the Birds: Giving Field Marks of All Species Found in Eastern North America.
Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1934.
First edition, third state with the date on the copyright page of Peterson’s first book. Octavo, original green pebbled cloth, illustrated with 4 color plates with printed overlays, 32 monochrome plates. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Claire Kelly, charmer of serpents – why not try the birds? – Roger T. Peterson (Dictator) – C.M. Beal (Interpreter).” The recipient Claire Kelly, while a student at Cornell dated Peterson’s personal assistant C.M. Beal and at the time she was also working with snakes at the Museum of Natural History. In very good condition with some light dampstaining.
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 102012
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Rare HOMANN HEIRS Americae Mappa Generalis
HOMANN, Johann Baptist.
Americae Mappa Generalis. [Homann’s Second Map of the Western Hemisphere].
1746.
Rare 18th century Homann Heirs map of the Western Hemisphere. One page, the map depicts in detail North and South America as well as western portions of Europe and Africa with a large decorative cartouche. Homann’s second map of the Western Hemisphere, the present map provided new details in the interior of North America particularly along the Mississippi River. At the time of publication the Northwest coast of America and the Northwest Passage were still undiscovered. In fine condition.
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 120497