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.
Showing items 1-24 of 682
Warren, Robert Penn
Audubon: A Vision.
New York : Random House, 1969.
First edition of this original work by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Richard Perry all the best Robert Penn Warren.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket.
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Stephens, Alexander. Edited by Frank Moore
Cornerstone Speech. IN: The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events, with Documents, Narratives, Illustrative Incidents, Poetry, Etc.
New York : G. P. Putnam, 1861.
Rare first printing in book form of Stephens’ extemporaneous March 21, 1861 Cornerstone Speech delivered in Savannah shortly before Fort Sumter, published the same year, presenting a reporter’s transcription from a Savannah newspaper, with Stephens calling the U.S. Constitution “a compact built on sand” and declaring the Confederate Constitution a “cornerstone” that rests on “theContinue reading "Cornerstone Speech. IN: The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events, with Documents, Narratives, Illustrative Incidents, Poetry, Etc."
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McGrath, Amy with Chris Peterson. {Madeleine Albright}
Honor Bound: An American Story Of Dreams And Service.
New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2021.
First edition of McGrath’s adventurous autobiography Honor Bound. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated with color photographs of author throughout the years. Presentation copy, inscribed by author on the front free endpaper, “Secretary Albright, Thank you for your service + for your love for our democracy. You remain an inspiration! Live your courage! Amy McGrath 2021.”Continue reading "Honor Bound: An American Story Of Dreams And Service."
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Shapiro, David L. [Ruth Bader Ginsburg]
Indiana Law Journal; Supplemental Jurisdiction: A Confession, an Avoidance, and a Proposal.
Indiana University School of Law/Bloomington : Indiana Law Journal, 1998.
Original Winter 1998 offprint of the Indiana Law Journal containing David L. Shapiro’s Supplemental Jurisdiction: A Confession, an Avoidance, and a Proposal. Octavo, original wrappers, Indiana Law Journal Volume 74, Number 1, Winter 1998. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front wrapper, “Ruth – As my contribution to a Symposium, a war storyContinue reading "Indiana Law Journal; Supplemental Jurisdiction: A Confession, an Avoidance, and a Proposal."
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Freeman, Douglas Southall
R.E. Lee: A Biography.
New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1934-1951.
First editions of the first two volumes of Douglas Southall Freeman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Robert E. Lee. Octavo, four volumes, original publisher’s cloth, top stain red to volumes 3 and 4, illustrated. A mixed set, the first two volumes are first printings from 1934 with “A” on copyright page, while volumes 3 & 4Continue reading "R.E. Lee: A Biography."
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Cooke, William. [Alexander Hamilton]
The Bankrupt Laws.
London : Printed for E. and R. Brooke, Bell-Yard, near Temple-Bar, 1793.
Third edition of this important late-eighteenth-century legal treatise from the library of Alexander Hamilton, signed twice by him and additionally by his eldest son Philip Hamilton. Octavo, bound in full calf with stamping to the spine and panels in blind. Signed by Alexander Hamilton on the title page, “A. Hamilton” and again on the finalContinue reading "The Bankrupt Laws."
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Shapiro, David L. [Ruth Bader Ginsburg]
Wrong Turns: The Eleventh Amendment and the Pennhurst Case.
Cambridge, Massachusetts : The Harvard Law Review Association, 1984.
Original November 1984 offprint Harvard Law Review containing David L. Shapiro’s “Wrong Turns: The Eleventh Amendment and the Pennhurst Case.” Octavo, original publisher’s wrappers, Volume 98, Number 1. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front wrapper, “For Ruth, With all best regards, David.” The recipient, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, served as an associate justice ofContinue reading "Wrong Turns: The Eleventh Amendment and the Pennhurst Case."
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Katzmann, Robert A. [Ruth Bader Ginsburg]
Induction Proceedings for Robert A. Katzmann.
New York : United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 1999.
Original offprint of the “proceedings held on the occasion of the induction of Honorable Robert A. Katzmann as United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.” Octavo, original wrappers, dated October 25, 1999. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front wrapper, “For Ruth & Marty, with continuingContinue reading "Induction Proceedings for Robert A. Katzmann."
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[Key, Francis Scott]
The Star-Spangled Banner.
Philadelphia : Published by J. G. Klemm, n.d. [ca. 1823].
Facsimile print of The Star Spangled Banner on parchment. Double matted and framed. In very good condition. The entire piece measures 14.75 inches by 20.25 inches.
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Stowe, Harriet Beecher
Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly.
Boston and Cleveland : John P. Jewett; Jewett, Proctor & Worthington, 1852.
First edition of Stowe’s classic and vastly influential novel, “the social impact was greater than any book before or since.” Octavo, two volumes bound in mid-20th century three quarter navy morocco over marbled boards by Blackwell with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, marbled endpapers, top edgesContinue reading "Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly."
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Rogers, Kenny [Yousuf Karsh]
Your Friends and Mine.
Boston : Little, Brown and Company, 1987.
First edition of this collection of portraits and personal observations of Kenny Rogers famous celebrity friends. Folio, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated with 80 photographs. Association copy, warmly inscribed by Kenny Rogers on the front free endpaper to celebrated portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh and his wife Estrellita, “Dear Yousuf and Estrellita! You were, you are andContinue reading "Your Friends and Mine."
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Channing, William E.; Harriet Martineau
Lectures on the Elevation of the Labouring Portion of the Community.
Boston : Published by William D. Ticknor, 1840.
First edition of this collection of three important essays on slavery, the poor, and social change, written by Channing and Martineau, two major Unitarian reformers. Duodecimo, bound in nineteenth century half black sheep over marble covered boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, all edges red speckled. In very good condition.
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Smith, William A
Lectures on the Philosophy and Practice of Slavery, as Exhibited in the Institution of Domestic Slavery in the United States: With the Duties of Masters to Slaves.
Nashville, TN : Stevenson and Evans, 1856.
First edition of this proslavery argument issued shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles to the spine, ruling and floral tooling blind stamped to the front and rear panels. In very good condition, inscription to the front free endpaper.
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Sunderland, Reverend La Roy
Anti-Slavery Manual, Containing a Collection of Facts and Arguments on American Slavery.
New York : Printed by S.W. Benedict, 1839.
Rare early, improved edition of this prominent religious leader’s influential call for America to end slavery. Duodecimo, contemporary brown paper boards. In very good condition, signatures to the front free endpaper.
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Borman, Frank
Frank Borman Signed “Apollo 8 On Pad” Photograph.
.
Photograph of “Apollo 8 On Pad” signed by Frank Borman. Satin-finish photograph showing the Apollo 8 spacecraft on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center. Boldly signed by Borman in black felt tip to the bottom left. In fine condition. Official NASA photograph with a NASA identification number to the top right edge and aContinue reading "Frank Borman Signed “Apollo 8 On Pad” Photograph."
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Wood, Gordon S
The Radicalism of the American Revolution.
New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1992.
First edition of this classic Pulitzer Prize-winning work that argues the Revolution was not a conservative defense against British taxation, but a deeply radical social transformation. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth. Boldly signed by Gordon S. Wood on the title page above his name, with a lengthy quote written in his hand on the half-title page,Continue reading "The Radicalism of the American Revolution."
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[Eisenhower, Dwight D.; Richard Nixon]
Inauguration Invitation for President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon.
.
Rare original inauguration invitation for President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon. Octavo, finely printed inauguration invitation on cardstock with tissue-guarded black and white portraits of Eisenhower and Nixon, signed in facsimile. In fine condition. The piece measures 6.5 inches by 10 inches.
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Dew, Thomas R
Essays on the Restrictive System, Delivered to the Senior Political Class of William and Mary College.
Richmond, VA : Printed by Samuel Shepherd & Co., 1829.
First edition of one of the most consequential defenses of the Southern political and economic order to emerge from antebellum America, delivered from the lectern of the College of William & Mary by the man who would soon become its president and the intellectual standard-bearer of the proslavery argument. Royal octavo, original publisher’s brown clothContinue reading "Essays on the Restrictive System, Delivered to the Senior Political Class of William and Mary College."
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Rogers, Kenny [Yousuf Karsh]
Kenny Rogers’ America.
Boston : Little, Brown and Company, 1986.
First edition of this collection of photographs in celebration of the beauty, the drama, and the diversity of America. Square quarto, original publisher’s red cloth, illustrated with over 100 memorable black and white photographs. Association copy, lengthily inscribed by Kenny Rogers in the year of publication on the front free endpaper to celebrated portrait photographerContinue reading "Kenny Rogers’ America."
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Sanchamau, Jean-Baptiste
L’Ecole des Peuples et des Rois; ou Essai philosophique sur La Liberté, le Pouvoir arbitraire, les Juifs et les Noirs. [The School of Peoples and Kings; or Philosophical Essay on Liberty, Arbitrary Power, the Jews and the Blacks].
Paris : Chez Letellier, Libraire, 1790.
Rare first edition of French abolitionist Jean-Baptiste Sanchamau’s passionate attack on slavery and calling for the emancipation of French Jews, published in Paris in the wake of the American Revolution and amidst the upheaval of French Revolution. Octavo, beautifully bound in full period-style full speckled calf gilt, red morocco spine label, speckled edges. Text inContinue reading "L’Ecole des Peuples et des Rois; ou Essai philosophique sur La Liberté, le Pouvoir arbitraire, les Juifs et les Noirs. [The School of Peoples and Kings; or Philosophical Essay on Liberty, Arbitrary Power, the Jews and the Blacks]."
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Dirac, Paul [Behram Kursonoglu]
Paul Dirac Autograph Letter Signed.
1973.
Rare original autograph letter signed by British theoretical physicist Paul Dirac to Turkish physicist Behram Kursonoglu. One page, on Department of Physics, Florida State University letterhead, FSU watermark, and dated October 22, 1973. The letter is regarding Dirac comparing Kursonoglu’s field theory with his own, with several technical remarks. The recipient, Behram Kurşunoğlu (1922–2003), wasContinue reading "Paul Dirac Autograph Letter Signed."
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Wood, Gordon S
The Creation of the American Republic 1776-1787.
Chapel Hill : University of North Carolina Press for the Institute of Early American History and Culture, 1969.
First edition of this classic examination on how the Founders of America invented popular sovereignty, separation of powers, and judicial review. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth. Lengthily signed by the author on the half-title page, “‘The American Revolution has always seemed to be an extraordinary kind of revolution.’ Gordon S Wood.” Fine in a good dustContinue reading "The Creation of the American Republic 1776-1787."
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Baldwin, A.C.; R.B. Thurston; Timothy Williston
Liberty or Slavery; the Great National Question. Three Prize Essays on American Slavery.
Boston : Congregational Board of Publication, 1857.
First edition of this important collection of three prize-winning antislavery essays published in Boston the same year as the infamous Dred Scott decision. Small octavo, original publisher’s brown gilt- and blind-stamped cloth. Containing Reverend R.B. Thurston’s essay “The Error and the Duty in Regard to Slavery,” Reverend A.C. Baldwin’s essay “Friendly Letters to a ChristianContinue reading "Liberty or Slavery; the Great National Question. Three Prize Essays on American Slavery."
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Indiana Law Journal; Supplemental Jurisdiction: A Confession, an Avoidance, and a Proposal.
Americana
Anti-Slavery Manual, Containing a Collection of Facts and Arguments on American Slavery.
Americana
Inauguration Invitation for President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon.
Americana
Essays on the Restrictive System, Delivered to the Senior Political Class of William and Mary College.
Americana
Liberty or Slavery; the Great National Question. Three Prize Essays on American Slavery.
Americana