Americana
Rare Americana Books, Manuscripts & More for Sale Online
If you’re looking for first edition books celebrating the American experience, you’ve come to the right place. At Raptis Rare Books we maintain an extensive collection of rare Americana, books, manuscripts and more. Browse through our entire collection online, use our sorting tools or search to find exactly what you’re looking for then call with any questions you may have or order online today.
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“THE MOST IMPORTANT SERIES OF AMERICAN POLITICAL DEBATES”: Exceedingly rare first edition, first issue of The Lincoln-Douglas Debates; inscribed by Abraham Lincoln to long-time political supporter and friend Martin S. Morris and accompanied by the table from the Morris household that Lincoln signed the book on
LINCOLN, Abraham .
Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen Douglas, In the Celebrated Campaign of 1858, in Illinois.
Columbus: Follett, Foster and Company, 1860.
First edition, first issue of the most famous debates in American history which cemented Lincoln as a national presidential candidate; inscribed by Lincoln in pencil to close friend Martin S. Morris and accompanied by the table from the Morris household that Lincoln signed the book on. Octavo, original cloth stamped in blind. First issue, with no advertisements, no rule above the publisher’s imprint on the copyright page, and with numeral 2 at the bottom of page 17. Association copy, inscribed by Abraham Lincoln in pencil on the front free endpaper, "M. S. Morris Esq A. Lincoln." The recipient, Martin S.…
Price: $550,000.00 Item Number: 138634
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Exceptionally rare first edition, presentation copy of Benjamin Franklin's Experiments and Observations on Electricity; inscribed by him to Prominent Philadelphia Merchant, Colleague, and friend Thomas Livezey
FRANKLIN, Benjamin.
Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Made at Philadelphia in America, by Benjamin Franklin, L.L.D. and F.R.S. To which are added, Letters and Papers on Philosophical Subjects. The Whole corrected, methodized, improved, and now first collected into one Volume, and Illustrated with Copper Plates.
London: Printed for David Henry; and sold by Francis Newbery, at the Corner of St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1769.
First complete edition of "the most important scientific book of eighteenth-century America" (PMM), inscribed by Benjamin Franklin to prominent Pennsylvania Quaker and merchant Thomas Livezey, Jr. Quarto, bound in full contemporary calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt turn-ins. Illustrated with 7 copper-engraved plates, 2 of which are folding. Presentation copy, inscribed by Benjamin Franklin on the front free endpaper, “To Mr. Livesy [sic] From his obliged Friend & humble Servant The Author.” With Thomas Livezey's ownership signature to the second free endpaper, "Thomas Livezey…
Price: $475,000.00 Item Number: 147283
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FROM THE LIBRARY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON AT MOUNT VERNON: First edition, presentation copy of Elkanah Watson's Tour in Holland; inscribed by him to George Washington
[WATSON, Elkanah] [George Washington].
Tour in Holland in MDCCLXXXIV. By an American.
Printed at Worcester, Massachusetts: Isaiah Thomas, 1790.
First edition, presentation copy of a scarce volume from George Washington's library at Mount Vernon. Octavo, bound in full contemporary sheep with pine gilt in six compartments within raised bands, burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, type-ornament title-page vignette, head and tailpieces. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author to George Washington on the front pastedown, "From the Author to General Washington" and further inscribed on the front free endpaper, "New York, Feb. 1798. Sir, Please to accept this small production which has stole its way into the world. If it can beguile one moment of that anxiety which doubtless pervades your…
Price: $275,000.00 Item Number: 143919
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"THE MOST FAMOUS AND INFLUENTIAL AMERICAN POLITICAL WORK”: EXCEPTIONALLY RARE FIRST EDITION OF THE FEDERALIST
[HAMILTON, Alexander; James Madison; John Jay].
The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, As Agreed Upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787.
New York: Printed and Sold by J. and A. McLean, 1788.
First edition of The Federalist, one of the rarest and most significant books in American political history. 12mo, bound in half calf over marbled boards, raised bands, gilt titles to the spine. In very good condition with light toning to the pages. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell and chemise box. An exceptional example of this cornerstone of Americana.
Price: $250,000.00 Item Number: 143916
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Elaborately bound collection of Presidential autographs; containing the autograph of each of the first 34 Presidents of the United States from George Washington to Dwight D. Eisenhower
WASHINGTON, George; John Adams; Thomas Jefferson; James Madison; James Monroe; John Quincy Adams; Andrew Jackson; Martin Van Buren; William Henry Harrison; John Tyler; James Polk; Zachary Taylor; Millard Fillmore; Franklin Pierce; James Buchanan; Abraham Lincoln; Andrew Johnson; Ulysses S. Grant; Rutherford B. Hayes; James Garfield; Chester A. Arthur; Grover Cleveland; William McKinley; Theodore Roosevelt; William H. Taft; Woodrow Wilson; Warren G. Harding; Calvin Coolidge; Herbert Hoover; Franklin D. Roosevelt; Harry Truman; Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Autographs of the Presidents of the United States of America.
1783-1956.
Elaborately bound collection of Presidential autographs, containing the autograph of each of the first 34 Presidents of the United States from George Washington to Dwight D. Eisenhower. Quarto, bound in full red morocco by Riviere & Son with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt presidential seal to the front panel with white and blue morocco onlays, gilt arms and motto of George Washington to the rear panel with white and blue morocco onlays and his gilt signature in facsimile, centerpieces within quintuple gilt ruling with star emblems at each corner, blue…
Price: $80,000.00 Item Number: 125384
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“Give me liberty, or give me death": Scarce 1776 separate edition of Large Additions to Common Sense
PAINE, Thomas.
Large Additions to Common Sense; Addressed to the Inhabitants of America.
Philadelphia: Printed and sold, by R. Bell in Third-Street, 1776.
Scarce 1776 separate edition of the Large Additions to Common Sense. The title reads in full: Large Additions To Common Sense: Addressed To The Inhabitants Of America On The Following Interesting Subjects. I. The American Patriot’s Prayer. II. American Independancy, defended by Candidus. III. The Propriety of Independancy, by Demophilus The dread of Tyrants, and the sole resource Of those that under grim Oppression groan. Thomson. IV. A Review of the American Contest with some Strictures on the King’s Speech. Addressed to All Parents in the Thirteen United Colonies by a Friend To Posterity And Mankind. V. Letter to Lord…
Price: $50,000.00 Item Number: 106523
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Samuel Johnson Pratt's Family Secrets; from the library of President George Washington; with a small note in his hand tipped in
PRATT, Samuel Johnson. [George Washington].
Family Secrets: By Mr. Pratt. Volume III. [From the Library of George Washington].
London: Printed for T.N. Longman, Paternoster-Row, 1798.
Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with a burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine. Vol. III of the original five volumes. Tipped in to the pastedown is a small clipped note in the hand of George Washington which reads, "with the said" and the bookplate of Benjamin Lincoln Lear. The set in which this volume originated was listed in a manuscript by Washington's private secretary Tobias Lear titled 'Catalogue of Books received from Washington' and bears the bookplate of Lear's son Benjamin Lincoln Lear. Tobias Lear served as Washington's personal secretary from 1784 until…
Price: $30,000.00 Item Number: 139518
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"The first surgical work by an American and printed in North America": John Jones' Plain Concise Practical Remarks, on the Treatment of Wounds and Fractures
JONES, John.
Plain Concise Practical Remarks, on the Treatment of Wounds and Fractures.
Philadelphia: Robert Bell, 1776.
Exceptionally rare edition of the first surgical work by an American and printed in North America. Octavo, bound in nineteenth century three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, frontispiece. Jones' work was the accepted guide to surgical practice during the American Revolutionary War" G&M 2155; Austin 1843; Evans 15100 and 14814; Sabin 94063 and 36524. In near fine condition.
Price: $25,000.00 Item Number: 91322
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First edition of the second book on architecture published in America: Owen Biddle's The Young Carpenter's Assistant
BIDDLE, Owen.
The Young Carpenter’s Assistant; Or, A System Of Architecture, Adapted To The Style Of Building In The United States.
Philadelphia: Benjamin Johnson, 1805.
First edition of the second book on architecture published in America, second only to Asher Benjamin's Country Builder's Assistant' published in 1797( Shaw & Shoemaker, 8018). Quarto, bound in full calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, illustrated with 44 engraved plates, 2 folding. In very good condition. Scarce with only 2 copies having appeared at auction in the past 50 years.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 117672
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"THESE ARE THE TIMES THAT TRY MEN'S SOULS": First collected edition of Thomas Paine's The American Crisis and a Letter to Sir Guy Carleton
PAINE, Thomas.
The American Crisis, and a Letter to Sir Guy Carleton, on the Murder of Captain Huddy, and the Intended Retaliation on Captain Asgill, of the Guards.
London: Printed and Sold by Daniel Isaac Eaton, 1788.
First collected edition and first edition in book form of the thirteen issues of Paine's legendary call to arms, the first five issues having appeared originally as separate tracts and the last eight issued only in newspapers. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. In near fine condition. Ownership inscriptions. Rare and desirable.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 111055
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Rare collection of Rough Riders Photographs and Documents; Twice signed and inscribed by Theodore Roosevelt
ROOSEVELT, Theodore.
Theodore Roosevelt Rough Riders Era Document Collection.
c. 1898.
Rare collection of original signed documents and photographs taken during President Theodore Roosevelt's days as Colonel of the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, or Rough Riders. The collection includes an original mounted photograph of Roosevelt in full uniform with his campaign hat; two cabinet card photographs of Albert S. Johnson, a member of the Cavalry; an endorsement dated September 7, 1998 which reads in part, "This officer did not serve in Cuba but remained in Florida with the squadron left behind" signed, "T. Roosevelt" which is affixed to the verso of of Albert S. Johnson's 5 September 1898 application for 60-days leave;…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 95371
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"We miss you very much. Love from Caroline & Mummy" Postcard from Jacqueline Kennedy to her son John, Jr.
KENNEDY, Jacqueline and John.
Jacqueline Kennedy Signed Postcard to John Kennedy, Jr.
Postcard from Jacqueline Kennedy to her son John F. Kennedy, Jr. It reads, “Dearest John, Every day we say where is John-John – Away!! – We ride in this cart & the horse has feathers – & we play on a beach like this & I found a sea horse – & we go up this hill to our house. That is a tower to look out for pirates – We miss you very much. Love from Caroline & Mummy.” Written on a postcard from Amalfi which she has addressed to “Master J.F. Kennedy Jr.” The verso shows a colorful illustration…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 65095
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Scarce first edition of Frederick Studebaker Fish's A Hunting Trip in Jackson's Hole, Wyoming, October 1913; in the original wrappers
FISH, Frederick Studebaker.
A Hunting Trip in Jackson’s Hole, Wyoming, October 1913.
South Bend, Indiana: Privately Printed, 1913.
Scarce first edition of this detailed narrative of a month-long hunting trip throughout Jackson's Hole, Wyoming. Octavo, original pictorial wrappers with gilt titles as issued, 8 engraved plates incorporating captioned photographs and illustrations. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom quarter morocco and chemise slipcase. Scarce, Worldcat locates only 2 other copies.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 95343
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Rare Civil War Era Carte-de-visite of Robert E. Lee; Signed by Him
LEE, Robert E.
Robert E. Lee Signed Carte-de-Visite.
Rare Civil War era carte-de-visite portrait of General Robert E. Lee in uniform, boldly signed "RE Lee". In fine condition. Quadruple matted and framed. The entire piece measures 19 inches by 17 inches.
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 103675
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“World peace, like community peace, does not require that each man love his neighbor—it requires only that they live together in mutual tolerance": First edition of John F. Kennedy's The Strategy of Peace; from the personal collection of John F. Kennedy
KENNEDY, John F.
The Strategy of Peace.
New York: Harper & Brothers, 1960.
First edition of the selected foreign policy speeches and statements on defense, peace, and national security delivered by Kennedy during his 1960 presidential campaign. Octavo, original pictorial wrappers. From the library of John F. Kennedy with his ownership stamp to the half-title page, "Senator John F. Kennedy." In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. Edited by Allan Nevins. An exceptional example with noted provenance.
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 142889
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“Learning the secret of flight from a bird was a good deal like learning the secret of magic from a magician”: First Edition of The Wright Brothers; Inscribed by Orville Wright
KELLY, Fred C.; Introduction by Orville Wright.
The Wright Brothers.
New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1943.
First edition of this classic American biography authorized by Orville Wright and long considered the definitive Wright biography. Octavo, original blue cloth, illustrated with 16 pages of photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by Orville Wright in the year of publication on the half-title page, "To Edward with affectionate regards. Orville Wright May 4, 1943." Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Introduction by Orville Wright.
Price: $7,200.00 Item Number: 142422
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“I do not wish any reward but to know I have done the right thing": First Edition of Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
TWAIN, Mark [Samuel L. Clemens] .
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn [Tom Sawyer’s Comrade].
New York: Charles L. Webster and Company, 1885.
First edition of Twain's masterpiece, with the first state of the frontispiece portrait. Octavo, original publisher's decorated green cloth gilt to the spine and front panel. With frontispiece portrait of Twain inserted at front (with the imprint of the Heliotype Printing Co., but the cloth is not visible). This example exhibits the following issue points: title leaf is conjugate. Copyright notice dated 1884; the illustration captioned "Him and another Man" [p.13] listed as p.88 (first state); 11th line from bottom of p.57 reads "...with the was..." (first state); p. 283 is an integral leaf with the corrected engraving; the final…
Price: $7,200.00 Item Number: 85975
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Rare Signed Carte-de-Visite of Ralph Waldo Emerson
EMERSON, Ralph Waldo.
Ralph Waldo Emerson Signed Carte-de-Visite.
Carte-de-visite of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Boldly signed by Ralph Waldo Emerson below the photograph. In near fine condition. Matted and framed. Rare.
Price: $6,800.00 Item Number: 67039
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“I do not wish any reward but to know I have done the right thing": First Edition of Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
TWAIN, Mark [Samuel L. Clemens].
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn [Tom Sawyer’s Comrade].
New York: Charles L. Webster and Company, 1885.
First edition of Twain's masterpiece, photogravure plate of a portrait bust of Clemens by Karl Gerhardt, title-leaf a cancel with copyright notice dated 1884; illustrated captioned "Him and another Man" listed on page 88 in contents; eleventh line from bottom of page 57 reads "with the was";"5" final five on page 155 is slightly larger; page 283/284 on a stub, without additional final blank leaf, In near fine condition with light rubbing to the extremities. Housed in custom chemise and full morocco clamshell box. A very nice example.
Price: $6,500.00 Item Number: 100058
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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.…
Price: $4,000.00 Item Number: 100158
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“Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good": Finely bound sammelband collection of Paine's Rights of Man Part the First and Part the Second
PAINE, Thomas.
Rights of Man: Part the First Being An Answer to Mr. Burke’s Attack on the French Revolution and Part the Second Combining Principle and Practice.
London and New York: London, Printed: New-York: Reprinted for Berry, Rogers, and Berry, no. 35, Hanover-Square, 1792-1793.
Finely bound sammelband collection of Paine's Rights of Man Part the First and Part the Second. Octavo, elaborately bound in full calf with gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt Greek-key ruling to the panels, gilt turn-ins and topstain, marbled endpapers. With the textual error to the date of publication to Part the First reading 1742. In near fine condition.
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 114494
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First Edition of Theodore Roosevelts Rare First Book The Naval War of 1812
ROOSEVELT, Theodore.
The Naval War of 1812 or the History of the United States Navy During the Last War With Great Britain.
New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1882.
Rare first edition of Theodore Roosevelt’s landmark first book. Octavo, original blue cloth, titles the spine in gilt, gilt vignette to the front panel.
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 92868
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John F. Kennedy Engraved Portrait; Signed by Ronald Reagan as Governor of California and 24 State and Lieutenant Governors
REAGAN, Ronald. [John F. Kennedy].
Ronald Reagan Signed John F. Kennedy Engraved Portrait.
1967.
Original engraved portrait of President John F. Kennedy signed by President Ronald Reagan as Governor of California and 24 State and Lieutenant Governors including: Nelson Rockefeller, John B. Connally, Tim Babcock, Jack Williams, Don Samuelson, John J. McKeith, Walter J. Hickel, and others. With a 13-cent "John F. Kennedy" stamp, cancelled on the anniversary of JFK's birthday, May 29th 1967. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 19.5 inches by 16.5 inches. In fine condition.
Price: $3,200.00 Item Number: 94707
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Signed Photograph of Presidents Herbert Hoover and Harry S. Truman
HOOVER, Herbert & Harry S. Truman.
Signed Photograph of Presidents Herbert Hoover & Harry S. Truman.
1946.
Photograph of Presidents Herbert Hoover & Harry S. Truman, signed by both Presidents. Double matted and framed, the entire piece measures 11.25 inches by 9.5 inches. Rare and desirable signed by both Hoover and Truman.
Price: $2,600.00 Item Number: 102878
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Autographed Letter Signed by Ralph Waldo Emerson
EMERSON, Ralph Waldo.
Ralph Waldo Emerson Autographed Signed Letter.
1864.
Autograph letter signed by Ralph Waldo Emerson. The letter reads, "Concord 8 Feb. 1864 Dear Mrs. Botta, In obedience to your request sent to me through my daughter, I enclose this paper. Yours faithfully, R.W. Emerson." Double matted and framed with a photograph of Emerson. The entire piece measures 14.5 inches by 17.5 inches. A very attractive piece.
Price: $2,500.00 Item Number: 64045