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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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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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
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First Edition of William Percey's The Compleat Swimmer: Or, The Art of Swimming
PERCEY, William.
The Compleat Swimmer: Or, The Art of Swimming: Demonstrating The Rules and Practice thereof, in an Exact, Plain, and Easie Method. Necessary to be Known and Practiced by All Who Studie or Desire their own Preservation.
London: Printed by J. C. for Henry Fletcher, 1658.
First and only edition of one of the earliest treatises on swimming, preceded only by Sir Everard Digby's short Latin tract, published in 1589 and translated into English in 1595; and the Dutchman Nicholas Wynman's De arte natandi, 1538. 12mo, bound in full 19th century calf with gilt titles and tooling the spine, gilt ruling to the panels, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers, engraved frontispiece. In very good condition. Exceptionally rare with only a handful of copies having appeared at auction in the past century.
Price: $22,500.00 Item Number: 125337
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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 of this account of the 1907-09 Nimrod Expedition under Shackleton. number 181 of 280 copies signed on the recto of the limitation leaf by E.H. Shackleton, James Murray and George Marston. Octavo, original blue cloth with 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, with the original dust jacket lacking the spine. A very nice example, as most copies have been rebound and we have…
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 132467
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First Edition of Bobby Fischers Games of Chess; Inscribed by Him to Friend and Chess Competitor Vic Traibush
FISCHER, Bobby.
Bobby Fischer’s Games of Chess.
New York: Simon & Schuster, 1959.
First edition of the only book ever written entirely by Bobby Fischer. Octavo, original boards. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Vic Traibush with best wishes from Bobby Fischer April 26,1964." The recipient, Vic Traibush was a friend of Fischer who played chess at the New York Chess Club, and became friends with some of the great chess players of the era. He was an accomplished player and won the Colorado State Chess Championship in 1955, 1967, and 1970. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design by Frank Pagnato. Photograph…
Price: $18,500.00 Item Number: 144098
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"This was the nursery book my mother read to me at age 1": First Edition of The Official System of Contract Bridge; Inscribed by Warren Buffett to his Bridge mentor
BUFFETT, Warren E.
The Official System of Contract Bridge, Simplified, Concise; the Official Book on the Official System.
New York: Produced by Bridge Headquarters, 1931.
First edition of this official Prohibition era manual to the game of contract bridge; warmly inscribed by Warren Buffett to his long-time bridge partner and close personal friend Sharon Osberg. Octavo, original cloth, inscribed by Buffett on the title page, "To Sharon - This was the nursery book my mother read to me at age 1. Unfortunately she emphasized Chapter 17. Love, Warren." Sharon Osberg is a close friend of both Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, and has coached both on the game of bridge, for which she has won several championships and awards. Chapter 17, which Buffett here refers…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 133119
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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: $15,000.00 Item Number: 103746
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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
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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, this is number 264. Octavo, original half vellum over green cloth, gilt titles to the spine, top edge gilt, frontispiece, illustrated. Foreword by Grantland Rice. In very good condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. Rare and desirable.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 133496
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"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 Bobby Jones
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. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Signed by Jones on the front free endpaper, "with best wishes, Robert T. Jones, Jr." Foreword by Grantland Rice. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. An exceptional example, rare and desirable in the original dust jacket and signed.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 117324
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Complete Set of The Macallan James Bond Set
The Macallan James Bond 60th Anniversary Release Decade I-VI [Full Set].
Through a behind the scenes exploration of the James Bond archives this release celebrates 007 and The Macallan as modern innovators linked by their Scottish heritage. The Macallan and James Bond are bound together by our shared Scottish heritage, innovative nature and the pursuit of excellence. We have created a remarkable collection comprising six limited edition bottles inspired by each of The Six Decades of Bond, telling the story of innovation over 60 years and the pioneering character attributes of James Bond and The Macallan. The packaging of each bottle features an original illustrative design and colour to denote the…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 145007
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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, this is number 29. Octavo, original half vellum over green cloth, gilt titles to the spine, top edge gilt, frontispiece, illustrated. Foreword by Grantland Rice. In very good condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. Rare and desirable.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 145952
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“Wherever I live, I shall feel homesick for Tibet": First American Edition of Seven Years in Tibet; Lengthily Inscribed by Heinrich Harrer and By His Holiness the Dalai Lama
HARRER, Heinrich [His Holiness The Dalai Lama].
Seven Years in Tibet.
New York: E.P. Dutton & Company, 1954.
First American edition of Harrer's classic account, signed by Harrer and The Dalai Lama. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with over 40 photographs. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by Heinrich Harrer in both English and Tibetan on the half-title page, "To Mrs. Rosser with best wishes in remembrance of my lecture in Philadelphia from H. Harrer Jan. 1955." Additionally signed by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, who was tutored by Harrer while he living in Tibet. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Translated by Richard Graves. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare and desirable signed by…
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 112165
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First edition of The White House Gardens: A History and Pictorial Record; inscribed by Jacqueline Kennedy to her mother-in-law Rose Kennedy
NIXON, Patricia. [Preface]; [Jacqueline Kennedy; Rose Kennedy].
The White House Gardens: A History and Pictorial Record.
New York: Great American Editions, 1973.
First edition of the first book to trace the history of and fully illustrate the grounds of the White House gardens. Oblong quarto, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with color plates by Harold Sterner. Association copy, inscribed by Jacqueline Kennedy on the half-title page, "For Grandma with love Jackie." The recipient, Rose Kennedy, was the matriarch of the Kennedy family: the wife of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., mother of John F. Kennedy and his eight siblings, mother-in-law of Jacqueline Kennedy, and grandmother of the children of John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy. She was a devout catholic and deeply embedded in…
Price: $12,000.00 Item Number: 142435
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First Edition of the Walt Disney's The Art of Animation; Inscribed by Him to director Ralph Hulett and other Disney Artists
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. Association copy, inscribed by Walt Disney opposite the title page, "To Ralph All Best Walt." The recipient, Ralph Hulett was a director, known for Sleeping Beauty, Lady and the Tramp and Peter Pan. Additionally signed by many of "Walt's Nine Old Men" animators throughout the book, including Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston as well as Disney Legends John Hench, Al Dempster, Xavier "X" Atencio, Collin Campbell, and other noted artists and animators from the Disney Studio. Near fine in a near fine…
Price: $11,000.00 Item Number: 142096
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“Rivers and the inhabitants of the watery elements are made for wise men to contemplate and for fools to pass by without consideration": Izaak Walton's The Compleat Angler; elaborately bound by Bayntun-Riviere in a cosway style binding
[WALTON, Izaak].
The Compleat Angler or The Contemplative Man’s Recreation Being a Discourse of Fish and Fishing Not Unworthy the Perusal of Most Anglers. [Cosway].
Chiswick: The Caradoc Press, 1905.
Finely bound example of Walton's classic work. Octavo, bound in full crushed levant green morocco by Bayntun Riviere in an elaborate Cosway-style binding with a hand painted miniature ivorene portrait of Walton (likely rendered by Stanley Hardy, who was painting for Bayntun at this time) under a thin pane of glass to the front panel within an elaborate gilt vignette, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt-ruled turn-ins and wide gilt stamp-signed inner dentelles, all edges gilt, watered silk endleaves, illustrated, tissue-guarded engraved…
Price: $11,000.00 Item Number: 142395
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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…
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 96787
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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 FIRST EDITION OF MAN ON THE MOON: A PICTURE CHRONOLOGY OF MAN IN SPACE EXPLORATION; INSCRIBED BY THE FIRST MAN TO TOUCH THE MOON NEIL ARMSTRONG
ARMSTRONG, Neil.
Man on the Moon: A Picture Chronology of Man in Space Exploration.
Dallas: Galina, 1969.
First edition of the pictorial history of the American space program, from the establishment of NASA to the Apollo XI mission. Oblong octavo, original boards, profusely illustrated with black and white and full color photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by Neil Armstrong on the front free endpaper, "To Kevin Stern- With The Best Wishes Of A Fellow Space Enthusiast Neil Armstrong." In fine condition.
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 144136
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First Edition of Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter; Signed by Theodore Roosevelt in the year of publication
ROOSEVELT, Theodore.
Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter.
New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1905.
First edition of Roosevelt's important collection of first-hand hunting accounts, including a lengthy description of newly created wilderness reserves. Octavo, original cloth, gilt titles to the spine and front panel, frontispiece portrait of Roosevelt with tissue guard present, illustrated with photographs. Signed by the author in the year of publication on the second preliminary leaf, "with regards of Theodore Roosevelt Dec 11th 1905." In near fine condition, crease to the front free endpaper. Trade editions are uncommon signed, especially in the year of publication.
Price: $8,000.00 Item Number: 125172
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Rare 1957 financial statement signed by both Hollywood Icon Marilyn Monroe and playwright Arthur Miller
MONROE, Marilyn and Arthur Miller.
Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller Signed Financial Statement.
Rare original 1957 Woodbury Savings Bank financial statement signed by both Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller in the beginning of their five-year marriage. One page, partially printed, the statement is dated September 9, 1957 and lists the couple's joint annual income as $50,000+, total expenses as $30,000+ or -, and amount of life insurance as $50,000+. The preparer has also listed Monroe as self-employed and President of Marilyn Monroe Production with a suit pending against the company as a corporation. Monroe and Miller's ages are also listed respectively as 31 and 41. Signed at the conclusion of the document, "Arthur…
Price: $7,500.00 Item Number: 114025
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Rare First Edition of Guest and Boulton's Memorials of the Royal Yacht Squadron; Inscribed to Sir Ernest Shackleton
GUEST, Montague and William B. Boulton [Ernest Shackleton].
Memorials of the Royal Yacht Squadron.
London: John Murray, 1902.
First edition of the standard history of the Royal Yacht Squadron and Solent yachting in the 19th century, with a complete list of member and their yachts. Octavo, original cloth, top edge gilt, with 46 illustrations. Presentation copy, inscribed on the front free endpaper, "To Sir Ernest Shackleton from Philip Hunloke, 1921." Major Sir Philip Hunloke GCVO was a British sailor and courtier. He served as a Groom in Waiting to King George V from 1911 to 1936 and also served in the Boer War and First World War. 1921 was the year Shackleton was elected to the Royal Yacht Squadron and embarked on…
Price: $7,500.00 Item Number: 136030
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Rare Early Twenty-four Year Run of Bugantics: Bugatti Owner's Club Manuals
BUGATTI,.
Bugantics: Bugatti Owner’s Club.
London: Bugatti Owner's Club, 1931-1955.
One Hundred Issues of Bugantics. Octavo, 9 Volumes, bound in the original publisher's cloth, gilt titles and decorated tooling. Profusely illustrated with photographs, tables, brilliant period advertising and drawings. These bound volumes, prepared by the Bugatti Owner's Club by special subscription, were compiled without covers, the design of which has remained the same since its inception. The run extends: Volume 1 No.2 (September 1931); Volume 18 No. 4 (December 1955). The last pre-war issue was Volume 8 No. 6 (November 1939). Publication was then halted due to the Second World War and resumed publication with Volume 9 No. 1 in…
Price: $6,500.00 Item Number: 22082
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"I hope you will live to be a hundred, because guys like you come along so seldom": Autograph Letter Signed by Bobby Jones to fellow golf legend Walter Hagen
JONES, Robert Tyre [Bobby]. [Walter Hagen].
Bobby Jones Autograph Letter Signed to Walter Hagen.
1965.
Autograph letter signed by Bobby Jones to golfing rival and friend Walter Hagen. One page, typescript the letter is dated December 17, 1965 and reads, "Dear Walter: A little bird (not to be confused with birdie) whispered to me that on December 21st you are celebrating your seventy-third birthday. I very definitely want to be counted among those sending best regards and best wishes for many happy returns. I hope you will live to be a hundred, because guys like you come along so seldom. I sent a message to you not long ago by young Walter. I hope he…
Price: $6,500.00 Item Number: 114012
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"Here's How": First Edition of The Savoy Cocktail Book; inscribed by Harry Craddock
CRADDOCK, Harry.
The Savoy Cocktail Book.
London: Constable & Company, 1930.
First edition of this iconic, definitive text on cocktails. Octavo, original half black cloth, pictorial endpapers. Illustrated by Gilbert Rumbold. Presentation copy, inscribed by Harry Craddock on the verso of the dedication page and first page of the Preface, "Here's How" Harry Craddock To my dear friend Myra October '30." Rare and desirable signed by Craddock.
Price: $6,500.00 Item Number: 132103
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“A man who can putt is a match for anyone”: First Edition of Willie Park's The Art of Putting; Inscribed by Him
PARK, Willie.
The Art of Putting.
Edinburgh: J. & J. Gray & Company, 1920.
First edition of the author's rare book on putting. Octavo, original cloth, top edge gilt, illustrated with plates from photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, "To C.A.J. Ament Esq. With Compliments, Willie Park." Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare signed an inscribed.
Price: $6,000.00 Item Number: 26009
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"the strategy of the golf course is the soul of the game": First Edition of Golf Architecture in America; inscribed by the author's mentor A.W. Tillinghast in the rare original dust jacket
THOMAS, George C..
Golf Architecture in America: Its Strategy and Construction.
Los Angeles: The Times-Mirror Press, 1927.
First edition of one of the most comprehensive books on the fundamentals of golf course construction written by one of the field's leading architects. Octavo, original green cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated throughout. Association copy, lengthily inscribed by the author's mentor A.W. Tillinghast on the second free endpaper, "To Theodore LeVino with the compliments of A.W. Tillinghast, April 13th 1941. George Thomas was one of my proteges, of whom I am proud. Too bad he had to pass on so soon." 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…
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 95896
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Il Flobert; Signed and dated by Enzo Ferrari
FERRARI, Enzo.
Il Flobert: Enzo Ferrari.
Modena: Arbe, 1976.
Rare limited first edition, one of one 1000 copies given to family and friends of Ferrari, full of his history and Enzo's personal dedications to people who played a special or important role in his life. Signed and dated by Enzo Ferrari on the half-title page, "Ferrari 78 28/9." In near fine condition.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 144088
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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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First Edition of Dorothy Hartley's Food In England; Lengthily Signed by Her
HARTLEY, Dorothy.
Food In England.
London: Macdonald, 1954.
First edition of this classic work by the social historian Dorothy Hartley, which is both a cookery book and a history of English cuisine. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with Hartley's own strong, detailed and lively illustrations. Lengthily signed by the author on the front free endpaper, "D. Hartley. the author- with remembrances of our meetings-at the National!" Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket. Exceptionally rare signed, we trace no other examples.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 131335
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"This is a book that needed to be written": First Edition of Tin Pan Alley; Signed by George Gershwin, Charles Previn and James Melton
GOLDBERG, Isaac; Introduction by George Gershwin.
Tin Pan Alley.
New York: The John Day Company, 1930.
First edition of this work on American popular music. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Introduction by George Gershwin. Boldly signed "Sincerely George Gershwin" on the dedication page. Additionally signed by conductor Charles Previn and tenor James Melton. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Previn was an American film composer who was highly active at Universal in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. Before going to Hollywood, Previn had arranged music for over 100 Broadway productions. Melton was a popular singer in the 1920s and 1930s and later began a career as an operatic singer when tenor voices went out…
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 84308
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"Perhaps the most widely read golf tutorial ever written": First Edition of Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf; Inscribed by Legendary golfer Ben Hogan
HOGAN, Ben with Herbert Warren Wind.
Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf.
New York: A.S. Barnes and Company, 1957.
First edition of one of the best-selling golf books of all-time. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Paul Jenkins with all good wishes. Ben Hogan." The recipient, Paul Jenkins was Bob Hope’s stock broker and chairman of the Bob Hope Classic as well as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Betty Ford Center, as well as a Founding Trustee of the Eisenhower Medical Center. Fine in a very good dust jacket. Illustrated by Anthony Ravielli. Rare and desirable signed.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 142460
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Signed Photographs of Mickey Mantle and Rogers Maris; Inscribed to Teammate Billy Gardner
MANTLE, Mickey and Roger Maris.
Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris Signed Photographs.
1961.
Two black and white photographs from circa 1961 of Mickey Mantle and Rogers Maris. Each are inscribed to their 1961 teammate Billy Gardner. The Mantle photograph is signed, "To Billy My Best Wishes, Mickey Mantle." The Maris photograph is signed, "To Bill, Best wishes to a hell of a nice guy, Roger Maris." Matted and framed. A nice association linking these teammates from the World Series champions. The 1961 Yankees are often mentioned as a candidate for the unofficial title of greatest baseball team in history.
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 32061
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Signed Limited Edition of GOAT: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali; Signed by Ali and Jeff Koons
ALI, Muhammad.
GOAT: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali.
New York: Taschen, 2004.
Signed limited edition of tribute to Ali. XXL sumo format with over 3,000 images of photographs, art and memorabilia, much of it published for the first time by over 150 photographers and artists. Boldly signed by Muhammad Ali and Jeff Koons. Fine in a very good silk covered box illustrated with Neil Leifer's iconic 1966 photograph of Ali vs Williams. With essays and interviews on Ali over five decades.
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 130332
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Robert Clark's Golf: A Royal & Ancient Game; from the library of A.W. Tillinghast with a letter written to him by golf legend Harry Vardon laid in
CLARK, Robert. (Harry Vardon).
Golf: A Royal and Ancient Game.
London: Macmillan and Co, 1899.
Third edition of this rare and early work on golf. Quarto, original red cloth with gilt titles to the spine, gilt vignette to the front panel, top edge gilt. Illustrated with numerous plates from photographs and wood engravings throughout the text. Association copy, affixed to the verso of the front panel is a letter signed and entirely in the hand of Harry Vardon to golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast. 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…
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 90412
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First Edition of The Savoy Cocktail Book; Inscribed by Harry Craddock to the Headwaiter of Sovrani's Restaurant
CRADDOCK, Harry.
The Savoy Cocktail Book.
London: Constable, 1930.
First edition of this iconic, definitive text on cocktails. Octavo, original half cloth, pictorial endpapers. Illustrations by Gilbert Rumbold. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "To Robert Best Wishes and luck with the shaking - Harry C. 1931." The recipient was a personal friend of Harry's and Headwaiter employed in the 1920s at Sovrani's Restaurant. Giovanni Sovrani was employed at The Savoy in London which he left in 1927 to open his own restaurant in Jermyn Street in 1927. Laid in is a note of provenance from the recipient's son explaining the casual nature of…
Price: $4,800.00 Item Number: 96515
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First Edition of Drives and Puts in the original dust jacket; Inscribed by Walter Camp in the year of Publication
CAMP, Walter and Lilian Brooks.
Drives and Puts.
Boston: L.C. Page, 1899.
First edition of this collection of golf short stories by the father of American football. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece of a woman golfer by H.C. Ireland, vignette on title page, top edge gilt. Inscribed by Walter Camp in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, "Louis, with my best wishes, Walter Camp. Xmas 99." Near fine in the rare original dust jacket with light wear and restoration to the extremities. Inscribed first editions in the original dust jacket are exceptionally rare.
Price: $4,800.00 Item Number: 82458
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Collection of Presidential Letters from the Collection of Joe DiMaggio; including letters signed by Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford, an Clint Eastwood
DIMAGGIO, Joe. [Bill Clinton; Gerald Ford; Ronald Reagan and Clint Eastwood].
Joe Dimaggio Presidential Letter Collection.
Rare collection of letters and invitations sent by three United States Presidents to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio. The letters include a typewritten letter from President Bill Clinton wishing DiMaggio a happy 80th birthday, signed by Clinton; and letter on American Academy of Achievement letterhead from President Gerald R. Ford inviting DiMaggio to be a guest of honor at the 28th annual Salute to Excellence weekend program in June 1989, signed by Gerald Ford and Clint Eastwood; and an invitation to a luncheon held on Thursday, November 10, 1988 from President and Mrs. Reagan. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from…
Price: $4,800.00 Item Number: 105698
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Original Hilary Knight Vanity Fair Watercolor Illustration
KNIGHT, Hilary.
Hilary Knight Original Vanity Fair Watercolor Illustration.
Rare original watercolor fashion illustration by American artist Hilary Knight for Vanity Fair. Knight was flown to Paris by Vanity Fair in 2006 to attend Paris Fashion Week, where he illustrated models from Armani, Dior, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix and Riccardo Tischi. The present illustration features supermodel Mariacarla Boscono wearing Givenchy by Tischi at the Musee Bourdelle. In fine condition. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 22 inches by 17 inches.
Price: $4,500.00 Item Number: 95324
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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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"The Main Issue in Life is not the Victory but the fight; the essential thing is not to have won but to have fought well"; Signed Limited Edition of Seabiscuit: The Saga of a Great Champion
BECKWITH, B.K.; Introduction by Grantland Rice; Foreword by Charles S. Howard.
Seabiscuit: The Saga of a Great Champion.
USA: Wilfred Crowell, Inc, 1940.
Signed limited edition of this work on the legendary thoroughbred. Oblong quarto, original padded leather covers lettered in gilt, color frontispiece of Seabiscuit from a painting by F.B. Voss. Signed by Charles Howard at the foreword, for presentation to the friends, family and business associates of Charles Howard, the owner of Seabiscuit. Illustrations from photographs; drawings by Howard Brodie. In near fine condition, name to the front free endpaper. Exceptionally scarce.
Price: $4,200.00 Item Number: 140793
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"What the eyes see and the ears hear, the mind believes": First Edition of Harry Houdini's The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin; Signed by Him
HOUDINI, Harry.
The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin.
New York: The Publishers Printing Co, 1908.
First edition of this work by Houdini regarding his one-time idol. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece of Houdini, illustrated throughout. Boldly signed by Harry Houdini on the front free endpaper. Bookplate to the front pastedown, in near fine condition.
Price: $3,800.00 Item Number: 99655
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Rare signed photograph of major league baseball legend ty cobb playing golf
COBB, Ty.
Ty Cobb Signed Photograph.
Photograph of baseball legend Ty Cobb posing on a golf course with three other golfers, signed by Ty Cobb. Also signed by golfers M. Ridgely and Frank Robinson. In very good condition. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 11 inches by 13 inches. Photographs signed by Cobb are rare.
Price: $3,800.00 Item Number: 89005
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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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“WHY THE BUSINESS MAN SHOULD PLAY GOLF”: TRAVERS’ GOLF BOOK, SIGNED JEROME BY TRAVERS
TRAVERS, Jerome D.
Travers’ Golf Book.
New York: Macmillan Company, 1913.
First edition, second issue of this four-time U.S. amateur champion’s first book. Octavo, original green cloth gilt, photographic cover portrait to the front panel, with forty eight stop-action illustrations. Signed by Jerome Travers on the front free endpaper. In very good condition.
Price: $3,800.00 Item Number: 99831
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Rare original photograph signed by both legendary sportsmen Ted Williams and Jim Thorpe
WILLIAMS, Ted and Jim Thorpe.
Ted Williams and Jim Thorpe Signed Photograph.
Rare original photograph of Olympic Gold medalist Jim Thorpe and Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams smiling together at the New England Sportsman's and Boat Show in 1952. Signed by both Williams and Thorpe. Double matted and framed; the photograph measures 9.5 inches by 7.5 inches. The entire piece measures 16 inches by 14 inches. An exceptional .
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 96152
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Bobby Jones Signed Photograph
JONES, Bobby (Robert Tyre Jones.
Bobby Jones Signed Photograph.
Photograph of Bobby Jones, boldly inscribed by him, "For Dave Christensen with warmest regards Bob Jones." The photograph measures 7 inches by 9 inches. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 15.5 inches by 18 inches.
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 92769
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"one of the earliest books on golf instruction and the impetus for all other books of instruction on the game": First edition of Hutchinson's Hints on the Game of Golf
HUTCHINSON, Horace G.
Hints on the Game of Golf.
Edinburgh: William Blackwood, 1886.
First edition one of the earliest books on golf instruction and the impetus for all other books of instruction on the game. Small octavo, original cloth, publishers advertisements before the half title page for Peile's Lawn Tennis as a Game of Skill and four books on angling. From the library of O.M. Leland with his ownership signature and library markings on the verso of the front free endpaper. O.M. Leland of Minneapolis, Minnesota assembled one of the world's finest golf libraries and collection of golf memorabilia which he donated to the USGA Golf Museum and Library, or "Golf House", in New York in…
Price: $3,250.00 Item Number: 95902
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Scarce first edition of Maxwell Knight's Talking Birds; illustrated and signed by David Cornwell aka John le Carre
KNIGHT, Maxwell. Illustrated by David Corwell [John le Carre].
Talking Birds.
London: G. Belll & Sons, Ltd, 1961.
First edition of Knight's work on the varying capabilities of talking birds; illustrated by David Cornwell (John le Carre) and one of his earliest appearances in print. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by David Corwell. Signed by him on the title page with both his real and pen name, "David Cornwell x x a.k.a. John le Carre." Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket photograph by Alec Brooksbank. Small ownership name. Scarce signed by Le Carre with not other signed copies traced in auction records.
Price: $3,200.00 Item Number: 131508
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"The real way to play golf is to take pleasure not in the score, but in the execution of strokes": Large Portrait of Legendary Golfer Bobby Jones; inscribed by him
JONES, Robert Tyre (Bobby).
Robert T. (Bobby) Jones Signed Portrait.
1954.
Attractive signed large color portrait of golfer Bobby Jones swinging his driver. Boldly inscribed by Bobby Jones, "For Will Grimsley with best regards, Bob Jones." Annotated below the portrait, "Reproduced from a painting by Thomas E. Stephens and presented by ninety-nine members of the Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta Georgia. Number 282 of a limited edition." In fine condition. Matted and framed, the entire piece measures 33.5 inches by 29.5 inches.
Price: $3,200.00 Item Number: 100047
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Rare manuscript poem signed by "The Greatest" American Boxer Muhammad Ali
ALI, Muhammad.
“The President” Muhammad Ali Signed Manuscript Poem.
Manuscript poem signed by famed American boxer Muhammad Ali. One page, the poem is titled, "The President" and reads in part, "The face of the Pres is open, The eyes of the Pres are bright, The lips of the Pres are now closed, The head of the Pres is upright, The breast of the Pres slants forward, The gaze of the Pres is bright... The soul of the Pres is flaming, the heart of the Pres is warm... The image of this Pres is truth, Wisdom's message his rod. The home of the Pres is the white house and the president's…
Price: $3,200.00 Item Number: 143204
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Rare First Edition of Spooner's The Cultivation of American Grape Vines and Making of Wine
SPOONER, Alden.
The Cultivation of American Grape Vines and Making of Wine.
Brooklyn: A Spooner & Co, 1846.
First edition of one of the earliest American books on wine making. Small octavo, original cloth. In very goo condition condition with 12 page corners torn. Rare; the last example at auction was in 1984.
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 102334
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Rare First Edition of Richard Burton's A New System of Sword Exercise for Infantry
BURTON, Richard F.
A New System of Sword Exercise for Infantry.
London: William Clowes and Sons, 1876.
First edition of this classic text. Small octavo, bound in three quarters leather over marbled boards, illustrated. In near fine condition.
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 119468
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Large Collection of Britain in Pictures; In the Rare Original Dust Jackets
EDITED BY TURNER, W.J. [Bernard Darwin.
Britain in Pictures.
London: Collins, 1940s.
First and early editions of these works on Britain. Octavo, original cloth, approximately 125 volumes, color and monochrome illustrations. Near fine in very good to near fine dust jackets.
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 133214
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“You couldn't not like someone who liked the guitar": Rare B.C. Rich acoustic guitar signed by the King of horror, Stephen King
KING, Stephen.
Stephen King Signed Acoustic Guitar.
B.C. Rich, .
B.C. Rich acoustic guitar signed by the "King of Horror", Stephen King. In near fine condition. A very unique piece.
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 145052
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Rare First Edition of William Reid's Golfing Reminiscences: The Growth of the Game, 1887-1925; Inscribed by Him
REID, William.
Golfing Reminiscences: The Growth of the Game, 1887-1925.
Edinburgh: J. & J. Gray, 1925.
First edition of William Reid's autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Signed by the author on the front free endpaper, "With the author's compliments." Near fine in the rare original dust jacket with a few small closed tears and wear. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 26007
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"A Pike is a Prince of his own liquid country, and like a universal monarch, can command all the regiments of the scaled army": Scarce first edition of the art of trolling from the library of Alfred Dennison
NOBBES, Robert.
The Compleat Troller, or, The Art of Trolling.
London: Printed for T. James for Tho. Helder, 1682.
Rare first edition of Nobbes' authoritative work on the history and methods of trolling. First issue with the engraved hook on page 37 pointing to the right and two woodcut illustrations in the text. Small octavo, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, marbled endpapers. Lord Spencer's copy with his ownership inscription on the verso of the front free endpaper, "From Lord Spencer's Library 18/". From the library of renowned angling collector Alfred Denison with his gilt leather bookplate to the verso of the front panel. Denison's angling collection of over…
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 89160
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Photograph of Racing Legend Jim Clark; Signed by Him
CLARK, Jim.
Jim Clark Signed Photograph.
Original photograph of Formula One racing legend Jim Clark, boldly signed by him on the front, "With Best Wishes Jim Clark. From the collection of BRDC chairman and racing driver Peter Stubberfield. In near fine condition. The image measures 7.5 inches by 10 inches.
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 140277
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“A NATURAL HISTORY MUST BE A VAST COLLECTION OF RELIABLE FACTS— PLUS A PERSONALITY”: SETON’S LIVES OF GAME ANIMALS, WITH 1,500 ILLUSTRATIONS
SETON, Ernest Thompson.
Lives of Game Animals.
Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Page, 1925-28.
Signed limited first edition, number 95 of only 177 sets, of Seton’s illustrated zoology of “land animals in America, north of the Mexican border,” with 1,500 illustrations and 50 maps showing distribution, signed by Seton on the frontispiece of Volume I. Large Quarto, four volumes, original brown and tan gilt-stamped cloth, top edges gilt. In very good condition.
Price: $3,000.00 Item Number: 109233