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 632
Burbank, CA : Warner Bros. Records, Inc, 1962.
First pressing of the classic first album of Peter, Paul, and Mary. Long play record, monophonic recording. Boldly signed by Peter Yarrow on in silver felt tip at the top of the front panel. In near fine condition. Original record included.
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New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1887.
The Federal edition, number one of 1000 numbered copies, signed by the publisher of the works of Benjamin Franklin. Octavo, 12 volumes, bound in full calf, gilt titles to the spine, blue leather doublures framed by elaborate gilt tooling, complemented by matching blue moiré silk free endpapers raised bands, top edge gilt, illustrated with engravedContinue reading "The Works of Benjamin Franklin."
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New York : Exeter Books, 1986.
First edition of this work on the development of human space exploration during the first quarter-century of the space age. Quarto, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated with color photographs throughout. Boldly signed by over 100 astronauts from all of NASA’s storied programs: Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and the Space Shuttle. Six of the original Mercury astronauts:Continue reading "The Astronauts: The First 25 Years of Manned Space Flight."
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: The Peter Gruber Foundation, .
Original offprint of Jerome J. Shestack’s Leadership and the Legal Profession in a Democratic Society. Octavo, original wrappers. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front wrapper, “To Justice Ginsburg. Ah, would that we had leaders like you! With esteem, Jerry.” The recipient, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, served as an associate justice of the SupremeContinue reading "Leadership and the Legal Profession in a Democratic Society."
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New York : D. Appleton and Company, 1892.
First edition, second state of Osler’s magnum opus with Plato’s “Gorgias” corrected on page vi. Thick octavo, original publisher’s three quarter deluxe leather binding with gilt titles to the spine, illustrated with charts and graphs. In good condition.
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New York : Harper and Row, Publishers, 1965.
First edition of this autobiography detailing Robinson’s journey as the first Black player in Major League Baseball. Octavo, original pictorial boards, frontispiece, illustrated with 21 black and white photographs. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by Jackie Robinson in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “4-18-65 To Robert Weiss with best wishes. Thanks forContinue reading "Breakthrough to the Big League: The Story of Jackie Robinson."
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New York : Charles L. Webster & Company, 1887.
Rare first edition of this classic work on the genesis of The Civil War. Octavo, bound in full green leather with gilt titles to the spine in four compartments within raised bands, vignette stamped in gilt to the front panel, marbled endpapers, silk ribbon bound in, illustrated with tissue-guarded frontispiece, plans, and map. The publishingContinue reading "Genesis of the Civil War: The Story of Sumter 1860-1861."
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Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press, 1984.
First edition, early printing of this reflective memoir. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Boldly signed byContinue reading "One Writer’s Beginnings."
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A pair of original photographs of Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan. The first photograph is of Kagan being sworn in and is signed by her in blue felt tip. The second is of Kagan signing documents and is inscribed by her, “All best wishes Elena Kagan.” Accompanied by a typed letter signed by her onContinue reading "Elena Kagan Collection of Signed Photographs and Typed Letter Signed."
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1870.
Autograph document signed by Ulysses S. Grant as President of the United States of America. Octavo, one page, partially printed. The document reads in full, “I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of State to affix the Seal of the United States to a Warrant for the pardon of John Thrasher, Jr., dated this dayContinue reading "Ulysses S. Grant Document Signed as President."
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New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1967.
First edition of this historical and cultural study of Florida that traces the region’s development from early exploration through the modern era. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, cartographic endpapers. Signed by the author on the half-title page, “With best wishes, Marjory Stoneman Douglas.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Uncommon in this condition and signed.
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New York : Random House, 1972.
First edition of this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Boldly signed by EudoraContinue reading "The Optimist’s Daughter."
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[Boston : John Murray Forbes, 1862].
First and only printed pamphlet of the Emancipation Proclamation, produced for distribution to Union soldiers and African Americans (both enslaved and free) in December of 1862; the month preceding the issuance of the executive order. 16mo, original salmon wrappers as issued. In 1899, the publisher’s daughter recalled the genesis of this pocket-sized edition: “With the view of placing the Proclamation of Emancipation in the hands of the negroes themselves, my father had printedContinue reading "The Proclamation Of Emancipation, By The President Of The United States, To Take Effect January 1st, 1863."
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1990.
Original Christmas card inscribed by President Ronald Reagan to his daughter Patti Davis. Christmas card from 1990 featuring a festive pinecone on the front. Inscribed by Reagan in black felt tip, “Dear Patti, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, Love – Mom & Dad.” Patti Davis (b. 1952), the daughter of U.S. President Ronald ReaganContinue reading "Ronald Reagan Inscribed Christmas Card to His Daughter Patti Davis."
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Paris : Printed for Ant. Aug. Renouard, 1795.
The rare Renouard‘s bi-lingual edition of Franklin’s popular aphorisms, first published as the preface to the Poor Richard‘s Almanac. “The prettiest edition yet printed” (Ford, Franklin 135). Sabin 25596. 12mo, bound in full contemporary calf, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine, gilt turn-ins, engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin by A. Tardieu after Duplessis. This elegant ParisianContinue reading "The Way to Wealth or Poor Richard Improved."
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Rare photographs of President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan, annotated in his hand. Two color satin-finish photographs. The first is of Ronald Reagan on horseback at Camp David with his handwritten inscription to the border beneath, “A sample of what I’d do at Camp David when we spend a weekend there.” The second of RonaldContinue reading "Ronald Reagan Annotated Photographs."
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Washington, D.C. : NASA, 1974.
First edition of this work on the historic first lunar landing era. Quarto, original pictorial cloth, illustrated with color photographs. Boldly signed by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins in black felt tip on the front free endpaper. Additionally signed on the front pastedown by NASA administrators Thomas O. Paine, James C. Fletcher, andContinue reading "Apollo."
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Philadelphia : Published by Jacob Mass, Franklin Engraving Office Arcade, 1829.
First edition of this scarce pro-Jackson biography published just after he won the 1828 presidential election, with the scarce folding copper-engraved, hand-colored map of the United States. Octavo, bound in three quarter maroon leather over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, marbled endpapers, illustrated with frontispiece portrait, engraved title, four plates, threeContinue reading "The Jackson Wreath, or a National Souvenir."
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1980.
Original Ronald Reagan campaign poster from the 1980 presidential election. Official campaign poster for Republican candidate Ronald Reagan, featuring a powerful black and white portrait of Reagan with bold white writing at the top stating, “He’ll provide the strong new leadership America needs.” Boldly signed by Ronald and Nancy Reagan in ballpoint pen to theContinue reading "Ronald and Nancy Reagan Signed 1980 Campaign Poster."
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Sarasota, Florida : Pineapple Press, Inc, 1987.
First edition, early printing of this autobiography of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, detailing her life as a pioneering environmentalist, journalist, and feminist who championed the protection of the Florida Everglades. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the verso of the half-title page, “For Will DurhamContinue reading "Voice of the River."
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New York : Simon & Schuster, 2015.
First edition, early printing of this work on the second sentence of The Declaration of Independence. Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Walter Isaacson on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Math Monahan.
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San Diego : Applewood Books, 2017.
Finely bound example of the Constitution of the United States. Small octavo, bound in full leatherette, illustrated endpapers, all edges gilt. Boldly signed by Charlie Kirk on the front free endpaper. Kirk signed this in Palm Beach in December of 2024. In fine condition. Rare and desirable signed.
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San Diego : Applewood Books, 2017.
Finely bound example of the Constitution of the United States. Small octavo, bound in full leatherette, illustrated endpapers, all edges gilt. Boldly signed by Charlie Kirk on the front free endpaper. Kirk signed this in Palm Beach in December of 2024. In fine condition. Rare and desirable signed.
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Chicago : Star Publishing Company, 1895.
First edition of this historical study that examines the military careers and personal qualities of Union General Ulysses S. Grant and Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth with titles stamped in gilt to the front panel, marbled endpapers, frontispiece, profusely illustrated with maps and engravings throughout. In very good condition, name toContinue reading "The Lives and Campaigns of Grant and Lee: A Comparison and Contrast of the Deeds and Characters of the Two Great Leaders in the Civil War."
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Americana
