Americana

Dorr, Thomas W

Thomas Wilson Dorr Signed January 20th 1841 Democratic Republican Convention Proceedings Document.

January 20,1841.

Rare manuscript copy of the proceedings of the January 20th 1841 Democratic Republican Convention, signed by Chairman Thomas W. Dorr. Octavo, one page, the document reads, “Resolutions. Resolved, That the members of the Convention must cordially concur in the strong recommendations of William Ennis for the post of paymaster in the Army, or purser inContinue reading "Thomas Wilson Dorr Signed January 20th 1841 Democratic Republican Convention Proceedings Document."

[Earhart, Amelia]

Amelia Earhart Signed Oldsmobile Girls Club Christmas Party Program.

[Lansing, Michigan] [1928].

Rare original program from the holiday luncheon held for female employees of Olds Motor Works held on December 19th 1928, signed by legendary aviator Amelia Earhart. Octavo, bound in handmade tissue paper with a red ribbon, illustrated with a tipped in portrait of Amelia Earhart. Signed by Earhart in pencil beneath her portrait. In veryContinue reading "Amelia Earhart Signed Oldsmobile Girls Club Christmas Party Program."

Kennedy, John F

The Strategy of Peace.

New York : Harper & Brothers, 1960.

First edition of the selected foreign policy speeches and statements on defense, peace, and national security delivered by Kennedy during his 1960 presidential campaign. Octavo, original pictorial wrappers. From the library of John F. Kennedy with his ownership stamp to the half-title page, “Senator John F. Kennedy.” In near fine condition. Housed in a customContinue reading "The Strategy of Peace."

King, Jr., Martin Luther

Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1958.

First edition, early printing of Dr. Martin Luther King’s first book. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with 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 edgesContinue reading "Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story."

[Smucker, Samuel Mosheim]

The Yankee Slave Driver; or, The Black and White Rivals.

Philadelphia : G.G. Evans, 1858.

Early printing of this early American abolitionist novel set in Louisiana and attributed to Samuel Smucker. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, recased, illustrated. In very good condition. Reinforced interior hinges. Rare.

Collins., Mrs. Jane S

Free At Last.

Pittsburgh : Press of Murdoch, Kerr & Co., Incorporated, 1896.

First edition of this semi-historical civil rights narrative by Jane S. Collins, whose husband ran the first racially-integrated school in Indiana during the Civil War. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, illustrated with frontispiece and 15 plates. In very good condition. Ownership inscription. Rare.

Nielsen, Svend Aage. [John F. Kennedy; Rose Kennedy]

Kennedy’s Philosophy of Life: Revolution of Love and Visions of Peace.

New York : Vantage Press, 1981.

First edition of this work by the founder of The Kennedy Society of Denmark. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Association copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Toreby Denmark February 2, 1982. Dear Mrs. Rose Kennedy, President John F. Kennedy cared so much for peace. Therefore I hope, you will find thisContinue reading "Kennedy’s Philosophy of Life: Revolution of Love and Visions of Peace."

Plimpton, George. [Editor]. Interviews by Jean Stein [Edward M. Kennedy]

American Journey: The Times of Robert Kennedy.

New York : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc, 1970.

First edition of this remarkable biography of Robert F. Kennedy, based on interviews by Jean Stein and edited by George Plimpton. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by George Plimpton on the front free endpaper to Robert Kennedy’s youngest brother, Ted Kennedy, “To Senator Kennedy with great admiration and best wishes, George.” The recipient, TedContinue reading "American Journey: The Times of Robert Kennedy."

Washington, George

George Washington Signed Partial Document.

January 21, 1799.

Rare partial document signed by George Washington on January 21, 1799, eleven months before his death on December 14, 1799. Octavo, the partial manuscript document reads, “I do acknowledge that this is the Platt referred to in the Deeds made for the Lands of George Mercer.” Signed by Washington, “Go. Washington” and countersigned by three witnesses. AccompaniedContinue reading "George Washington Signed Partial Document."

Mifflin, Thomas; Thomas McKean; William Findley; Joseph Hiester; et al

Collection of 28 Autographs of the First Governors of Pennsylvania.

c. 1798-1908.

Rare collection of printed and manuscript documents, signed by the first 28 (of 29) Governors of Pennsylvania, being a near continuous representation of the office from its establishment in 1790 with the first Governorship of Thomas Mifflin, up until the 1930s with the 29th Governorship of Gifford Pinchot. Quarto, each document is tipped in to a paperContinue reading "Collection of 28 Autographs of the First Governors of Pennsylvania."

[Society of the Cincinnati]

Proceedings of the General Society of the Cincinnati [with] Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati, Formed by the Officers of the American Army of the Revolution, 1783.

New York : Printed for the Society by Douglas Taylor, 1886/ Philadelphia: Review Printing House, 1887.

First editions of two official publications of the Society of the Cincinnati, a valuable resource on the Revolutionary institution. Quarto, two volumes uniformly bound in three quarter contemporary morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edges gilt, marbled endpapers. The two-volume collectionContinue reading "Proceedings of the General Society of the Cincinnati [with] Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati, Formed by the Officers of the American Army of the Revolution, 1783."

Truman, Harry S

Dewey Defeats Truman Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper.

1948.

Signed Chicago Daily Tribune with the headline “Dewey Defeats Truman”, signed by both Truman and Dewey as follows, “Truman hasn’t found it out, Harry S. Truman” and “Thomas E. Dewey.” It was an incorrect banner headline on the front page of the Chicago Daily Tribune on November 3, 1948, the day after incumbent United States President, Harry S. Truman,Continue reading "Dewey Defeats Truman Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper."

Stowe, Harriet Beecher

Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly.

Boston : John P. Jewett & Company. Cleveland: Jewett, Proctor & Worthington, 1852.

First edition, first issue of Stowe’s classic American novel, widely considered the book that precipitated the American Civil War. Octavo, two volumes in the original publisher’s cloth stamped in blind with gilt titles and vignettes to the front panels, illustrated with title vignettes and six wood-engravings. BAL’s binding B (no priority). Portrait of Stowe tippedContinue reading "Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly."

Mayer, Brantz

Captain Canot; or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver. Being an Account of the Career and Adventures on the Coast, in the Interior, on Shipboard, and in the West Indies.

New York : D. Appleton and Company, 1854.

First edition, first issue of the historian’s detailed account of the African slave trade. First issue with with page 191 misprinted as 19. Octavo, recased with the original publisher’s cloth laid down, additional vignette title. In very good condition, hinges reinforced and rebacked.

Walter Browning; or, The Slave’s Protector. Founded on Fact.

Cincinnati : American Reform Tract and Book Store, 1856.

First edition of this anti-slavery tract. 12mo, original publisher’s cloth, yellow endpapers, engraved frontispiece. In very good condition. Ownership inscription. Uncommon.

Harper’s Weekly, A Journal of Civilization. [Harper’s Weekly’s Complete Coverage of the American Civil War: January 1, 1861-December 30, 1865].

New York : Harper & Brothers, January 1, 1861-December 30, 1865.

Rare continuous run of 260 issues of Harper’s Weekly, covering the entirety of the American Civil War. Folio, five volumes, bound in full buckram with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, illustrated with hundreds of wood-engraved illustrations, many from noted American illustrators including portraits of Union and Confederate Army Generals and Officers, battlefield scenes, maps, cityContinue reading "Harper’s Weekly, A Journal of Civilization. [Harper’s Weekly’s Complete Coverage of the American Civil War: January 1, 1861-December 30, 1865]."

Edwards, Jonathan

Two Dissertations, I. Concerning the End For Which God Created the World. II. The Nature of True Virtue.

Boston : S. Kneeland, 1765.

First edition of this important work by Edwards. Small octavo, bound in half calf over marbled boards, raised bands, morocco spine label. In very good condition. Rare.

Crane, Stephen. Irving Bacheller, Post Wheeler, John Langdon Heaton

The Lanthorn Book: Being a Small Collection of Tales and Verses Read at The Sign o’ the Lanthorn.

New York : 126 William Street, 1898.

Signed limited edition, this is number 47. Quarter, original half cloth. Signed by Stephen Crane at the conclusion of his contribution, The Wise Men. Also signed by the other contributors. While it was the intention of the club to have each contributor sign his piece, Crane did not sign all 125 examples, as he diedContinue reading "The Lanthorn Book: Being a Small Collection of Tales and Verses Read at The Sign o’ the Lanthorn."

Webster, Daniel

The Works of Daniel Webster.

Boston : Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1851.

The subscriber’s edition of the works of Daniel Webster, signed by Webster in the first volume. Octavo, 6 volumes, bound in original cloth, frontispiece, and one other plate. In near fine condition.

Washington, George

George Washington Autograph Letter Signed.

January 24, 1790.

Rare autograph letter signed by George Washington as the first President of the United States. Quarto, one page, the letter reads in full, “New York Jany 24th 1790 Sir Capt. Burnett delivered me your letter of the 18th and is so obliging as to take charge of this answer – It is my sincere opinionContinue reading "George Washington Autograph Letter Signed."