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 364 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- Framed Autographs and Historical Documents
- 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
-
Rare first edition of one of the earliest chess manuals; Pietro Carrera's Game of Chess
CARRERA, Pietro.
Il Gioco De Gli Scacchi Di D. Pietro Carrera Diviso in Otto Libri. (The Game of Chess).
Militello: Giovanni de' Rossi, 1617.
Rare first edition of one of the early chess manuals, and the first book printed in Militello at Prince Francesco Branciforte’s private press. Octavo, bound in full contemporary vellum with ink titles to the spine, large engraving of the Branciforte coat of arms opposite the dedication page, woodcut illustrations throughout the text. In near fine condition. First editions are of exceptional rarity, with only three appearing at auction in the past 90 years.
Price: $25,000.00 Item Number: 96172
-
"I WILL FIRST ENDEAVOR TO GIVE SOME INFORMATION AS TO THE MANNER OF STRICTLY KEEPING A JEWISH HOUSE": Rare First Edition of The First Jewish Cookbook Printed in America
LEVY, Esther.
Jewish Cookery Book, on Principles of Economy, Adapted for Jewish Housekeepers, with the Addition of Many Useful Medicinal Recipes, and Other Valuable Information, Relative to Housekeeping and Domestic Management.
Philadelphia: W.S. Turner, 1871.
Rare first edition of the first Jewish cookbook published in America, with extensive instructions on keeping a kosher household in addition to recipes. Octavo, original cloth. In very good condition, rebacked. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. First editions are exceptionally scarce of this milestone in American Jewish history.
Price: $22,000.00 Item Number: 74060
-
Rare Official American League Baseball signed by baseball legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig
RUTH, Babe and Lou Gehrig.
Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig Signed Baseball.
Rare Official American League Baseball signed by baseball legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, the dynamic duo of Muderers’ Row. Signed by Babe Ruth on the sweetspot and Gehrig on the west panel. In very good condition.
Price: $18,500.00 Item Number: 109536
-
Signed Limited Edition of the "Greatest Golf Book Of the 20th Century" Down the Fairway
JONES, Robert (Bobby) T..
Down the Fairway: The Golf Life and Play of Robert T. Jones, Jr.
New York: Minton, Balch & Company, 1927.
Signed Limited edition, preceding the first trade edition of what many consider the greatest golf book of the 20th century. One of 300 numbered copies, signed by both Robert T. Jones and O.B. Keeler, and again by Jones beneath his frontispiece. Octavo, original half vellum over green cloth, gilt titles to the spine, top edge gilt, frontispiece, illustrated. Foreword by Grantland Rice. In fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 83088
-
Rare Presidential Commission appointing Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Dimaggio as a member of the Conference on Physical Fitness and Sports; signed by President Richard Nixon
NIXON, Richard; Joe DiMaggio.
Joe DiMaggio Presidential Commission Signed by Richard Nixon.
Washington, D.C: 1970.
Rare Richard Nixon Presidential Commission appointing Baseball Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio as a “Member of the Conference on Physical Fitness and Sports.” Dated September 25th, 1970 the appointment is signed by President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State William Rogers with the Presidential seal. Double matted and framed. In fine condition. From the personal collection of Joe DiMaggio. Included is letter of provenance from DiMaggio’s estate signed by his two granddaughters. An exceptional association linking two American icons. Double matted and framed.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 95202
-
Signed Limited Edition of the "Greatest Golf Book Of the 20th Century" Down the Fairway
JONES, Robert (Bobby) T..
Down the Fairway: The Golf Life and Play of Robert T. Jones, Jr.
New York: Minton, Balch & Company, 1927.
Signed Limited edition, preceding the first trade edition of what many consider the greatest golf book of the 20th century. One of 300 numbered copies, signed by both Robert T. Jones and O.B. Keeler, and again by Jones beneath his frontispiece. Octavo, original half vellum over green cloth, gilt titles to the spine, top edge gilt, frontispiece, illustrated. Foreword by Grantland Rice. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom three quarters morocco clamshell box.
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 99657
-
“Talk to someone about themselves and they'll listen for hours”: First Edition of Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People
CARNEGIE, Dale.
How to Win Friends and Influence People.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 1936.
First edition of one of the best-selling books of all time. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To George Chisholm with fond memories of the days when we used to ride the Chisholm Trail Dale Carnegie.” In near fine condition, with the original Simon & Schuster reply card. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. First printings are scarce, signed examples exceptionally so.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 98465
-
"Every strike brings me closer to the next home run": First Edition of The Babe Ruth Story; Warmly Inscribed by Him
RUTH, Babe.
The Babe Ruth Story.
New York: E.P. Dutton & Company, Inc, 1948.
First edition of Ruth’s autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated, pictorial endpapers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To my good friend Ed Tillman From Babe Ruth.” Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. As told to Bob Considine. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Uncommon signed and inscribed as Ruth passed away in the year of publication.
Price: $11,000.00 Item Number: 95879
-
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
-
"the first book of golf instruction": Exceptionally Rare First Edition of The Golfer's Manual
FARNIE, Henry Brougham (A Keen Hand).
The Golfer’s Manual: Being an Historical and Descriptive Account of the National Game of Scotland; with an Appendix. By A Keen Hand.
Cupar, Scotland: Whitehead and Orr, 1857.
First edition of the first book of prose written on golf and the first book of golf instruction. Small octavo, original blindstamped red cloth, gilt titles and tooling to the front panel, all edges gilt. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell and chemise. Rare, with only a handful of copies appearing at auction in the last 80 years.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 84030
-
First Edition of Theodore Roosevelt's African Game Trails; Inscribed by Theodore Roosevelt to General Sir Reginald Wingate
ROOSEVELT, Theodore.
African Game Trails. An Account of the African Wanderings of an American Hunter-Naturalist.
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1910.
First edition of Theodore Roosevelt’s classic work. Octavo, original cloth, gilt top edge, photogravure frontispiece, illustrated, 48 plates, map of Roosevelt’s route and hunting trips in Africa. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To General Sir Reginald Wingate with the high regard of Theodore Roosevelt April 21st 1911.” The recipient, Reginald Wingate was a British general and administrator in Egypt and the Sudan. He earned the nom de guerre Wingate of the Sudan. In December 1899, on Lord Kitchener being summoned to South Africa, Sir Reginald Wingate succeeded him as Governor-General of the Sudan and Sirdar of the Egyptian Army, being promoted to local major general on 22 December 1899. His administration of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, between 1899 and 1916, achieved the colonial goals of the British Empire, with the colony regaining a degree of prosperity and its infrastructure being rebuilt and expanded. In near fine condition with light rubbing and wear to the extremities. Housed in a custom half calf clamshell box. A nice association, signed trade editions of African Game Trails are rare.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 62035
-
First Edition of Harry Vardon's My Golfing Life; In the Rare Original Dust Jacket and from the library of Albert W. Tillinghast with a letter to him signed by Vardon laid in
VARDON, Harry.
My Golfing Life.
London: Hutchinson & Co, 1933.
First edition of Vardon’s autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. From the library of golf architect A.W. Tillinghast with his handwritten library index card laid in. A.W. Tillinghast was one of the most prolific architects in the history of golf; he worked on more than 265 different courses and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2015. Affixed to the front free endpaper is a three-page autograph letter signed and entirely in the hand of Vardon to Tillinghast on Vardon’s letterhead dated February 19th 1914 which reads in part, “Dear Mr. Tillinghast, I thank you very much for clipping & also letter. I fail to understand American people. They ask for my candid opinion of things…then they slate you for doing so…” During his career, Vardon made three visits to North America, 1900, 1913 and 1920. During all three trips he competed in the U.S. Open finishing 1st, 2nd and tie 2nd, becoming golf’s first international celebrity in 1900 when he toured the United States and Canada. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 96787
-
First Edition of My 60 Memorable Games; Signed by Chess Legends Bobby Fischer and Larry Evans
FISCHER, Bobby.
My 60 Memorable Games.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 1968.
First edition of this classic work, which is regarded as one of the great pieces of chess literature. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Bobby Fischer and Larry Evans on the front free endpaper. Introduction by Grandmaster Larry Evans. Fine in a near fine dust jacket, review copy with the slip to the front pastedown. Jacket design by Carl Smith. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional example, we have never seen another example signed by these two legendary grandmasters. From the library of Fischer’s coach William Lombardy.
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 112798
-
"Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots - but you have to play the ball where it lies.": First Edition of Down the Fairway; Signed by Jones and Keeler
JONES, Robert T..
Down the Fairway: The Golf Life and Play of Robert T. Jones, Jr.
Minton, Balch & Company: New York, 1927.
First trade edition of what many consider the greatest golf book of the twentieth century, signed by both Jones and Keeler. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the authors on the front free endpaper, “For Theodore P. Le Vino with best wishes, Robert T. Jones, Jr. and signed “Best of luck, always! O.B. Keeler 1941.” The original wrapping for the shipping from Jones to the recipient with labels and stamps is laid in. Foreword by Grantland Rice. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional example, rare and desirable signed by both Jones and Keeler and with noted provenance.
Price: $9,500.00 Item Number: 95650
-
"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
-
Rare First Edition of Cox's Historical and Biographical Record of the Cattle Industry and the Cattlemen of Texas and Adjacent Territory
COX, James.
Historical and Biographical Record of the Cattle Industry and the Cattlemen of Texas and Adjacent Territory.
Saint Louis: Woodward & Tiernan Printing Company, 1895.
First edition of this work, one of the big four cattle books. Quarto, illustrated with color lithographic frontispiece, 16 plates, numerous full-page black and white and half-tone photo illustrations as well as illustrations in text, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In near fine condition.
Price: $9,200.00 Item Number: 102643
-
“Chess is life”: Original Halldor Petursson Watercolor Caricature of Bobby Fischer, Boris Spassky and William Lombardy; Signed by Halldor Petursson and William Lombardy
PETURSSON, Halldor [Bobby Fischer.
Original Halldor Petursson Watercolor Caricature of Bobby Fischer, Boris Spassky and William Lombardy.
1972.
Original watercolor painting by Icelandic cartoonist Halldor Petursson depicting the outcome of the 1972 World Chess Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland. The piece features caricatures of American chess champion Bobby Fischer, challenger and Soviet grandmaster Boris Spassky, and Fischer’s coach throughout the series, grandmaster William Lombardy. Inscribed by the artist in the month of the first match to William Lombardy, “Grandmaster William Lombardy, Reykjavík, July 1972.” Additionally signed twice by Lombardy. Halldor Petursson created some of the most iconic images of the historic 1972 World Chess Championship with a series of 18 post cards featuring caricatures of the historic chess grandmasters. In Game 3 of the series, Fischer beat Spassky for the first time and went undefeated for the next six matches. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 20 inches by 24.5 inches. From the library of William Lombardy. An exceptional piece of chess history with noted provenance.
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 82344
-
First Edition of Golfing Legend J.H. Taylor's Golf: My Life's Work; With a Full Page Inscription by Him
TAYLOR, J.H. (John Henry); Introduction by Bernard Darwin.
Golf: My Life’s Work.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1943.
First edition of Taylor’s autobiography, who is considered to be one of the best golfers of all time and a pioneer of modern golf. Octavo, original cloth. Frontispiece, illustrated. Introduction by Bernard Darwin. Inscribed by the author, “The pleasures of golf are note measured by successes but by the love the player for the game. Very Sincerely Yours, J.H. Taylor. Open Champion Golfer 1894-1895-1900-1909-1913. French Champion 1908-1909. German Champion 1912.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare and desirable.
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 23064
-
First Edition of the Walt Disney's The Art of Animation; SIgned by HIm and 22 other Disney Staff
THOMAS, Bob [Walt Disney].
The Art of Animation: The Story of the Disney Studio Contribution to a New Art.
New York: Simon and Schuster, 1958.
First edition of this definitive work on the animation of Walt Disney. Quarto, original half cloth, pictorial endpapers. Boldly signed by Walt Disney opposite the title page and signed by 22 Disney staff, each on a page near the appropriate portrait. Among these are signatures by the “Nine Old Men”: Eric Larson, Ward Kimball, Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas, Les Clark, Marc Davis, Wolfgang Reitherman, John Lounsbery, and Ollie Johnston. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. A unique example.
Price: $8,500.00 Item Number: 120674
-
Signed Photograph of the 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers
ROBINSON, Jackie; Roy Campanella; Duke Snider; Pee Wee Reese.
Brooklyn Dodgers Signed Photograph.
Black and white photograph of the 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers signed by Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Carl Furillo, Dale Mitchell, and five others in ink. The silver gelatin print measures 6.5 inches by 8.5 inches. Matted and framed. The entire piece measures 14.5 inches by 16.5 inches. Rare and desirable signed by these baseball legends.
Price: $7,500.00 Item Number: 32056