Rare Books – a Meaningful and Unique Christmas Gift Idea

We love Christmas here at Raptis Rare Books. I have to admit, our Pandora Christmas station is already playing and it probably will not stop until after the New Year. There is just something so magical about the holidays.

As the shopping season approaches though, its easy to get overwhelmed by the crowds at the shopping malls. We all want to find that perfect gift, but sometimes it is just so difficult. There are many options to choose from, but we want to find something that our loved ones will appreciate and that will be special or unique.

Perhaps you have already found the joy in giving rare books as gifts, or maybe you have been the recipient of a treasured volume. There are few gifts that are as lasting and appreciated as a rare book. They hold within its pages not only historical and cultural significance, but often also a personal significance to the recipient. Whether it is a beloved childhood book that turned them on to the joys of reading or a favorite title they read in high school or college, people treasure these books like a close friend.

We once had a customer purchase a rare book as a gift for a colleague. They mentioned to us that another colleague was receiving a flat screen television because this is what he wanted. While the television was also quite a nice present, the customer mentioned what a unique gift the rare book was and how happy they were to purchase it. The rare first edition book will continue to be a treasured item for many many years to come, which the flat screen is sadly most likely now outdated and probably in a landfill.

So, you know you want to bless your friends and family with a meaningful rare book… but where to start? First edition books come in a wide range of subjects and price ranges, suitable for any budget. We suggest to first find out what some of the recipients favorite books, authors, or genres are if you don’t already know. Once you have put together a list of ideas, now its time to find a book that fits your budget and find a reputable dealer. If you need help with this, you can email us at mail@raptisrarebooks.com or give us a call at 802.579.1580. We can often find just what you are looking for.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Children’s Picture Books:

The Circus is Coming illustrated by Hilary Knight. Signed first edition. $35

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Signed later printing. $275.

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. Inscribed first edition. $9,500

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Inscribed first edition. $20,000

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Beloved Children’s/ Young Adult Literature:

Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery. First edition. $350

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Signed first edition. $12,500

The Hobbit by J.R. R Tolkien. First UK edition. $50,000 or first US edition, rebound. $4000

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Classics in Literature:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Signed first edition. $350

Old New York, 4 volume first edition set by Edith Wharton. $1,250

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. First edition $6,500

Don Quixote by Cervantes. First complete English edition. $30,000

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. First edition in dust jacket. $165,000

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Fine Binding Literature Sets:

The Works of Guy de Maupassant. $450

The Complete works of Nathaniel Hawthorne. $1,000

Complete set of George Eliot first editions. $9,500

The Iliad and The Odyssey of Homer. $32,500

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For the History Buff:

The Good War by Studs Terkel. Inscribed first edition. $125

A History of the English Speaking Peoples by Winston Churchill. 4 Volume Set, First American editions. $250

A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn. Inscribed first edition. $2,250

The California and Oregon Trail by Francis Parkman. First edition. $6,000

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For the Traveler or Explorer:

Vivid Spain by Joe Mitchell Chapple. Inscribed first edition. $75

Daring Deeds of Polar Explorers by G. Firth Scott. First edition. $125

I Married Adventure by Osa Johnson. Inscribed first edition in rare dust jacket. $750

West with the Night by Beryl Markham. Signed first edition. $4,250

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Books for the Businessman:

The Businessman’s Book of Quotations by Ralph Woods. Signed first edition. $55

Where the Money Grows by Garet Garrett. First edition. $275

The Constitution of Liberty by Friedrich Hayek. First edition. $750

The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money by J.M. Keynes. First edition, finely rebound. $2,500

Security Analysis by Graham and Dodd. First edition. $22,000

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For the Science or Nature Lover:

What Bird is That? by Frank Chapman. First edition. $200

Quantum Electronics by Charles Townes. Signed first edition. $475

The Molecular Biology of the Gene by James Watson. Signed first edition. $850

Fractals by Benoit Mandelbrot. Inscribed first edition. $2,250

Relativity by Albert Einstein. Inscribed first edition. $35,000

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For the Sports Enthusiast:

Cousy on the Celtic Mystic by Bob Cousy. Inscribed first edition. $35

Tennis for the Bloody Fun of It by Rod Laver and Roy Emerson. Inscribed first edition. $175

The Summer Game by Roger Angell. Inscribed first edition. $275

A Round of Golf with Tommy Armour. Inscribed first edition. $750

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There are many more book titles we could suggest… those for the cook, wine lover, photographer, musician and many more, but this post may never end. Just browse our inventory by subject or do an advanced search. We also often have many titles that have not been cataloged, so just because we don’t have it online doesn’t mean we either don’t have it or can’t get it for you, so let us help you in any way we can.

We also offer a variety of gift services, such as free gift wrapping and rush delivery. Handmade protective custom leather clamshell boxes can be made for any book as well. If you still can’t narrow down the perfect item, we offer gift certificates for any amount. It is our aim to make we give you the highest quality customer service and make your experience with us as stress-free as possible.

We hope that you have a wonderful holiday season filled with love, blessings….and rare books.

If you are new to book collecting, we suggest you read a previous post, 3 Mistakes to Avoid when Buying First Editions and Rare Books