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Rare First Edition of Works of Alexander Hamilton; Including an early edition of The Federalist
HAMILTON, Alexander.
The Works of Alexander Hamilton; Comprising His Most Important Official Reports; An Improved Edition of The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in 1788; and Pacificus.
New York : Williams and Whiting, 1810.
The first collected edition of the works of Alexander Hamilton, with an early printing of The Federalist. Octavo, 3 volumes, bound in full calf, three engraved portraits of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay. The first volume contains five of Hamilton's reports as Secretary of the Treasury, volumes II and III are devoted primarily to the Federalist Papers, and include significant additions, incorporating changes based on Hamilton's own notes. Edited by John Wells. In very good condition.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 129659
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“A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment": Rare First Edition of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
AUSTEN, Jane.
Pride and Prejudice.
London: Printed for T. Egerton, 1813.
First editions of all three volumes of Jane Austen's second novel and most popular. Octavo, three volumes, bound in contemporary three quarter calf over marbled boards with gilt titles to the spine. In very good condition. Armorial bookplates to each pastedown. Period gift inscription from the year of publication to the title page of Vol. I.: "Mary Anne King given her by her mother April 1813." An exceptional example of this landmark work in English literature, rare and desirable bound in contemporary calf.
Price: $175,000.00 Item Number: 133221
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"The Highest of distinctions is service of others": Royal Coronation Edition of The Book of Common Prayer; Used at the Magnificent Coronation of King George IV at Westminster Abbey in 1821
KING GEORGE IV,.
The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments.
Oxford: Bensley, Cooke, and Collingwood, 1816.
Royal Coronation edition of The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments used at the Coronation of King George IV on July 19th, 1821. Quarto, bound in full dark blue velvet, gilt arms of George IV to both front and rear panels, all edges gilt, housed in a custom locking full morocco clamshell box. From the library of American banker Mortimer L. Schiff, whose renowned collection of fine bindings was sold by Sotheby's in 1938, with his gilt leather bookplate on the front free endpaper. Laid in is a printed copy of Martin Luther's Hymn used in the…
Price: $6,800.00 Item Number: 79456
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Rare French Military Artillery and Fortification Manual with text in manuscript and technical drawings throughout
French Military Artillery and Fortification Manual.
Metz: Ecole Royale de l'Artillerie et du Genie, 1818-19.
Rare early 19th century French military manual created in manuscript for the Ecole Royale de 'Artillerie et du Genie (School of Application of Artillery and Engineering of Metz) containing lessons and technical drawings in the mechanics of artillery and construction of temporary and permanent military fortifications. Quarto, ten volumes bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles to the spine and front panels, text in manuscript with technical drawings throughout. In near fine condition, internally exceptionally clean. A rare and desirable piece of 19th century French military history.
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 109852
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“When you get an idea into your head you find it in everything": Rare First Edition of Victor Hugo's Notre-Dame de Paris; One of only 1100 examples
HUGO, Victor.
Notre-Dame de Paris.
Paris: Charles Gosselin, 1831.
First edition, first printing of Hugo's masterpiece, one of only 1,100 examples. Octavo, 2 volumes, bound in half calf. The publisher Charles Gosselin published the novel on 16 March 1831 in an edition of 1,100 copies as was his usual practice. It was such a sensation that an additional three printings had to be published the same year. The first impression of 1100 copies was separated into four groups, each bearing a fictitious edition statement on the title-page, a scheme designed to make the public believe that the novel was selling rapidly. "This first edition is the rarest of all…
Price: $48,000.00 Item Number: 139559
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"Poetry makes life what lights and music do the stage": FIRST EDITION in book form OF DICKENS The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club
DICKENS, Charles.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1837.
First edition in book form of Dickens' first novel and one of his greatest works. Octavo, bound in three full quarter morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers, with 43 engraved plates by Seymour and Browne. In very good condition.
Price: $2,800.00 Item Number: 121789
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"Poetry makes life what lights and music do the stage": FIRST EDITION in book form OF DICKENS The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club; finely bound
DICKENS, Charles.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1837.
First edition in book form of Dickens' first novel and one of his greatest works. Octavo, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, marbled endpapers, with the first state Veller title page, with 43 engraved plates by Seymour and Browne and five Buss plates which Dickens requested to be removed in subsequent printings. In very good condition.
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 99840
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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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Le Globe Classique, Nouvelle Edition: Rare 19th Century French Terrestrial Globe
DIEN, Charles.
Globe Classique, Nouvelle Edition: Rare 19th Century Charles Dien Terrestrial Table Globe.
Paris: Sold by W. & S. Jones, 1844.
Rare mid-19th century French terrestrial table globe: Charles Dien's The Globe Classique, Nouvelle edition. The globe measures 10 inches in diameter with an engraved longitude ring and brass latitude ring. Mounted on brass and mahogany stand. The globe is composed of hand-colored paper gores over a plaster sphere. The entire piece measures 20 inches in height. French astronomer and cosmographer Charles Dien published highly detailed atlases, works on astronomy, and both celestial and terrestrial globes in Paris throughout the 1840s and 1850s. Dien was also renowned for the sophisticated engravings he designed for the many books produced by his father's…
Price: $6,200.00 Item Number: 96538
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"AH, DISTINCTLY I REMEMBER IT WAS IN THE BLEAK DECEMBER; AND EACH SEPARATE DYING EMBER WROUGHT ITS GHOST UPON THE FLOOR": First Editions of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven and Tales; in the rare original publisher's cloth
POE, Edgar Allan.
The Raven and Other Poems. [Bound With] Tales.
New York: Wiley and Putnam, 1845.
Rare first editions of Poe's two great collections of stories and poems, bound together in the original publisher's cloth. Octavo, original publisher's dark green cloth elaborately stamped in blind with gilt titles to the spine, publisher's advertisements at rear of each volume which are most often lacking with both volumes bound together. Wiley and Putnam issued both titles separately in paper wrappers, but bound the two together for additional appeal to readers. The Raven is bound first in this copy (the order varies); that work is arguably the widest read and best-known in the American canon. Tales includes "The "The…
Price: $32,000.00 Item Number: 139816
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“All for one and one for all, united we stand divided we fall”: Rare First Edition In English of Dumas' The Three Musketeers
DUMAS, Alexandre.
The Three Musketeers; or, the Feats and Fortunes of a Gascon Adventurer.
London: Bruce and Wyld, 1846.
First edition in English of Dumas’ masterpiece. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf, gilt titles to the spine, raised gilt bands, marbled endpapers. Translated from the French by William Barrow. Barrow’s translation was the first of three English translations published in 1846 and is considered the most faithful to the original text. To conform to nineteenth century English standards other translations removed many of the explicit and implicit references to sexuality which adversely affected the readability of many scenes. Period bookplate to the front pastedown, in very good condition with some loss to a few pages. Housed in a custom half…
Price: $25,000.00 Item Number: 88658
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"Are not there little chapters in everybody's life, that seem to be nothing, and yet affect all the rest of the history?": First Edition of Thackeray's Vanity Fair, Finely Bound by Bayntun
THACKERAY, William Makepeace [Cosway].
Vanity Fair: A Novel Without a Hero. [Cosway].
London: Bradbury and Evans, 1848.
First edition, first issue of Thackeray's masterpiece. Octavo, bound in full red morocco by Bayntun Riviere in Cosway-style binding with a miniature portrait of Thackeray inset into the front panel, engraved frontispiece, engraved additional title, and 38 engraved plates, spine in gilt compartments, gilt inner dentelles, all edges gilt, ivory silk doublures. The first issue, with the headline on page one in rustic type; "Mr. Pitt" on page 453; and the suppressed woodcut of Mr. Steyne on page 336. Van Duzer 231. In fine condition. An exceptional example.
Price: $5,800.00 Item Number: 69017
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Rare Michael Faraday Signed Letter with a Carte-de-visite
FARADAY, Michael .
Michael Faraday Autograph Letter Signed.
1849.
Autograph letter signed by Michael Faraday to William Coffin answering a question regarding the chlorate reaction with sulfuric acid, "or oil of vitriol," in gunpowder. Addressed to William Coffin, it reads, "R[oyal] Institution, January 1, 1849, My dear Sir, I conclude you mean the acid which fires gunpowder - not directly but through the medium of the Chlorate mixture that and is as far as I know the strength liquid Sulfureum and or out of Vitriol. Ever Truly Yours, Michael Faraday." Matted and framed opposite a carte-de-visite of Faraday by John Watkins. The entire piece measures 11.25 inches by 14.25 inches. …
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 73081
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“It's in vain to recall the past, unless it works some influence upon the present": First Edition of Charles Dickens' David Copperfield; FINELY BOUND IN FULL CRUSHED RED MOROCCO BY BAYNTUN-RIVIERE
DICKENS, Charles.
The Personal History of David Copperfield.
London: Bradbury and Evans, 1850.
First edition of "the most perfect of all the Dickens novels" (Virginia Woolf). Octavo, bound in full morocco by Bayntun-Riviere, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, gilt medallion portrait of Dickens on the front panel, gilt signature on the back panel, inner dentelles, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers. In fine condition. Illustrated with 38 etchings by Hablot Knight Browne. An exceptional presentation.
Price: $4,500.00 Item Number: 130508
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“Do anything, but let it produce joy": RARE SECOND EDITION OF WALT WHITMAN’S LEAVES OF GRASS; ONE OF ONE THOUSAND COPIES
WHITMAN, Walt.
Leaves of Grass.
Brooklyn, New York: Fowler and Wells, 1856.
Rare second edition, one of a 1000 copies of the most important volume in American poetry, with an additional twenty poems not found in the first edition as well as a new section of correspondence and reviews entitled “Leaves-droppings” that begins with the famous letter from Emerson containing the salutation “I greet you at the beginning of a great career.” Small octavo, original green cloth. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Walt Whitman. Bookplate of Barrett Wendell to the inside panel. Barrett was an American academic and a trustee of the Boston Athenaeum, a member of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and a…
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 50052
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"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times": First Edition, First Issue of Charles Dickens' A Tale Of Two Cities
DICKENS, Charles.
A Tale of Two Cities.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1859.
First edition, first issue of one of Dickens' most enduring works, with p. 213 misnumbered "113," the signature mark "b" at the foot of the plate list, and the misspelling "affetcionately" on line 12, p. 134. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, panels decoratively triple-ruled in gilt with gilt floral cornerpieces, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Sixteen plates after H.K. Browne including frontispiece and title vignette. In near fine condition.
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 104577
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“Man selects only for his own good: Nature only for that of the being which she tends": First Edition of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species
DARWIN, Charles.
On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.
London: John Murray, 1859.
First edition of "certainly the most important biological book ever written" (Freeman), one of 1250 copies. Octavo, bound in original cloth, half-title, one folding lithographed diagram, without advertisements. In very good condition with cracks to inner hinges and a touch of shelfwear. Housed in a custom clamshell box. A fine example of this landmark work.
Price: $400,000.00 Item Number: 116380