Americana

The First Spelling Primer; or an Easy Introduction to the Art of Reading Adorned with Emblematic Pictures.

London-Derry : Published by G. Douglas, 1795.

Second edition of this scarce 18th century spelling primer. 16mo, original limp paper boards, illustrated with twenty-six small text woodcuts illustrating the Prince’s Alphabet, followed by an ABC poem, The Alphabet in Rhime, syllables of two and three letters, easy words, easy reading lessons, the Lord’s Prayer, and a publisher’s advertisement leaf aimed at childrenContinue reading "The First Spelling Primer; or an Easy Introduction to the Art of Reading Adorned with Emblematic Pictures."

Hamilton, Alexander

Alexander Hamilton Treasury Department Circular Signed.

March 30, 1793.

Partially printed United States Treasury Department circular signed by Alexander Hamilton as the first secretary of the treasury. Folio, partially printed, the document is dated March 30th 1793 addressed to Henry Marchant, Judge of the Rhode Island District Court. The document reads in full: Sir, I take the liberty to inform you, that the President,Continue reading "Alexander Hamilton Treasury Department Circular Signed."

Victor, Orville J

The History, Civil, Political & Military of the Southern Rebellion, From its Incipient Stages to its Close.

New York : James D. Torrey, Publisher, [1861].

Complete first edition set of one of the earliest histories of the American Civil War. Octavo, four volumes, original publisher’s full pebbled morocco decorated in gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, illustrated with steel engraved plates, additional vignette title pages. frontispieces, and maps. In good condition. A rare complete set, we have never seen anotherContinue reading "The History, Civil, Political & Military of the Southern Rebellion, From its Incipient Stages to its Close."

Stevens, Charles Augustus

The Battle of Gettysburg. 1863, From “Sharpshooting and Skirmishing,” (By the Berdan Sharpshooters.) In the Army of the Potomac.

Shakopee, MN 1890.

First separate edition of Captain C.A. Stevens’ account of the The Battle of Gettysburg. Octavo, original wrappers. In very good condition. Scarce.

Franklin, Benjamin

Oeuvres.

Paris : Chez Quillau, Esprit, et l'Auteur, 1773.

First French edition of Franklin’s complete works on electricity, based on the fourth and best British edition. Quarto, two volumes bound in one, contemporary calf, illustrated with engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin in his study and twelve full-page plates. In very good condition. Uncommon.

Blake, William O

Pictorial National Records: Embracing Descriptions of European and Asiatic Nations: A Statistical View of the United States of America; and a History of the Great Rebellion.

Columbus, Ohio : Gilmore and Brush, 1863-1866.

Complete first edition set of Blake’s scarce history of the American Civil War. Quarto, two volumes, original publisher’s gull morocco, elaborately decorated in gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, illustrated. In good condition. A rare complete set of this scarce work, far more rare than Blake’s better-known History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.

Hess, George

History of the Antietam National Cemetery and A Descriptive List of All the Union Soldiers Buried Therein: Together with the Ceremonies of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons in Laying the Corner-Stone of the Soldier Monument, September 17th, 1867.

Harrisburg, PA. : Daily Independent Print, 1890.

Rare second printing of Captain George Hess’s history of the Antietam National Cemetery, first published in Baltimore by J.W. Woods in 1869. Octavo, original wrappers, illustrated. In good condition. Scarce.

Ferguson, J. and E. Blunt

Coast Chart No. 120, New York Bay and Harbor, New York.

Washington, D.C : U.S. Coast and Geodesic Survey, 1910.

Rare 1910 reissue of the 1866 U.S. Coast Survey Chart of New York City; one of the first 19th century charts to depict modern New York City including Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island. One page, color map of New York Harbor with an inset view of the Navesink Highlands. Includes harbors, channels,Continue reading "Coast Chart No. 120, New York Bay and Harbor, New York."

[Abraham Lincoln] George Bissell

Bust of Abraham Lincoln.

.

Patinated bronze portrait bust of Abraham Lincoln, marked “GEO. E. BISSELL Sc GORHAM CO. FOUNDERS copyrighted,” and stamped “G 47.” This is one of a series of popular desktop busts of Lincoln produced by the Gorham foundry in the early part of the 20th century. In fine condition. The piece measures 18 inches in height.Continue reading "Bust of Abraham Lincoln."

Sidney, J.C

Map of the City and Vicinity of Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston : J.B. Shields, 1852.

A stunning and uncommon large map of Boston with a fine depiction of the harbor. Two small vignettes in the upper border provide views of the State House and Faneuil Hall. Lithographed map with hand-color on two large sheets joined. The map is in very good condition with areas of dampstaining. Framed. The entire pieceContinue reading "Map of the City and Vicinity of Boston, Massachusetts."

[Washington, Martha; George Washington]

Martha Washington Silk Wedding Dress Fragment.

1759.

Original swatch from Martha Washington’s golden yellow silk wedding dress, given by her as a gift to Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, Elizabeth, and handed down through generations of the Hamilton family. The silk swatch measures roughly 2.75 inches by 2 inches, mounted on a stiff paper card inscribed in pencil on the verso, “A bit ofContinue reading "Martha Washington Silk Wedding Dress Fragment."

Bigelow, Jacob

Florula Bostoniensis. A Collection of Plants of Boston and Its Vicinity, With Their Generic and Specific Characters, Principal Synonyms, Descriptions, Places of Growth, and Time of Flowering, and Occasional Remarks.

Boston : Published by Cummings, Hilliard & Co, 1824.

Enlarged and second edition of Bigelow’s authoritative work on the flora of Boston and its vicinity. Octavo, original boards, rebacked, greatly enlarged and with a significant glossary of botanical terms. In very good condition. Period ownership inscriptions and notations.

Obama, Barack

Barack Obama Speeches.

San Diego : Canterbury Classics, 2020.

First edition of this collection of speeches by the 44th president of the United States. Octavo, original illustrated boards, photographic endpapers. Boldly signed in full on a notecard, “Barack Obama.” In fine condition. Introduction by Ken Mondschein. Cover design by James Dean Johns and Rusty von Dyl. Rare.

[Van Buren, John]

The Constitutions of the United States and State of New-York and Articles of Confederation; Together with the Rules and Orders, Standing Committees, List of Members of the Senate and Assembly for 1831, List of Counties, &c. &c. &c.

Albany : Printed by Croswell and Can Benthuysen, 1831.

John van Buren‘s first edition copy of this early American government handbook. 16 mo, bound in full morocco for Van Buren with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, illustrated with 3 folding plates and 3 folding maps including: a folding map of the City of Troy (with manuscript notes locating landmarks), folding floor plan of the assembly; small hand-coloredContinue reading "The Constitutions of the United States and State of New-York and Articles of Confederation; Together with the Rules and Orders, Standing Committees, List of Members of the Senate and Assembly for 1831, List of Counties, &c. &c. &c."

Kennedy, John F

The Honey Fitz Presidential Yacht Copy of Profiles in Courage.

New York : Pocket Books, Inc, 1957.

Cardinal edition of Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning work; the Honey Fitz Presidential Yacht Copy; signed by John F. Kennedy. Octavo, original pictorial wrappers. Boldly signed by John F. Kennedy on the verso of the front panel. Accompanied by a photograph album of various locations within the yacht. Housed in a custom clamshell box. An exceptional exampleContinue reading "The Honey Fitz Presidential Yacht Copy of Profiles in Courage."

Paine, Thomas

Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Burke’s Attack on the French Revolution.

Albany : Re-Printed by Charles R. & George Webster, n.d.

Fourth American edition of Paine’s classic work. Octavo, disbound. In near fine condition. A rare and desirable American separate printing.

Paine, Thomas

The Age of Reason. Part the Second. Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology.

London : Printed for Daniel Isaac Eaton, 1796.

1796 London edition of the second part of Paine’s landmark Age of Reason—“his great work of this period” (ANB). Preceded by the first edition in English, which Paine had printed in Paris for distribution in America. Octavo, disbound. In very good condition. Rare.

Paine, Thomas

A Letter Addressed to the Abbe Raynal, on the Affairs of North-America. In Which the Mistakes in the Abbes Account of the Revolution of America Are Corrected and Cleared Up.

London : Printed for J. Ridgway, 1791.

1791 London edition of Paine’s passionate reply to the Abbe Raynal, preceded by the 1782 Philadelphia and London editions Octavo, bound in half diced calf over marbled boards, all edges speckled red. In very good condition. Bookplate to the pastedown. Ownership name to the title page. Rare.

Thomas, Isaiah

The History of Printing in America.

Worcester : Isaiah Thomas, 1810.

First edition of this work by the famed printer. Octavo, bound in contemporary sheep, morocco spine labels, illustrated with five engraved plates (four folding). Gift inscription of Thomas’s grandson, Benjamin Franklin Thomas, on each of the front free endpapers, as well as his signature on title page in first volume. Benjamin Franklin Thomas was aContinue reading "The History of Printing in America."

Johnson, Lyndon B. and Hubert Humphrey

Lyndon B. Johnson and Hubert Humphrey Signed Inaugural Ceremonies Program.

January 20, 1965.

Original Inaugural Ceremonies Program from 1965 of Lyndon B. Johnson and Hubert Humphrey, boldly signed by both on the front panel. Octavo, original wrappers, presidential seal in gilt, ribbon bound in, eight pages. In fine condition. Rare and desirable signed.

James, William

The Naval History of Great Britain, From the Declaration of War by France, in February 1793; to the Accession of George IV. In January 1820; With An Account of the Origin and Progressive Increase of The British Navy; Illustrated, From the Commencement of the Year 1793, by A Series of Tabular Abstracts, Contained in a Separate Quarto Volume.

London : Printed for Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy, 1822.

First edition of James’ naval history of Great Britain. Five octavo volumes and one quarto volume of tables bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, folding plate in volume I. Sabin 35720. In near fine condition. Uncommon.

Toner, Joseph Meredith [George Washington]

George Washington as an Inventor and Promoter of the Useful Arts. An Address Delivered at Mount Vernon, April 10, 1891, by J.M. Toner, M.D.

Washington, D.C. : Press of Gedney & Roberts Co, 1891.

First separate edition of Turner’s address delivered at Mount Vernon on the occasion of the visit of the officers and members of the Patent Centennial Celebration. Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco over marbled boards by Stikeman & Co. with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spineContinue reading "George Washington as an Inventor and Promoter of the Useful Arts. An Address Delivered at Mount Vernon, April 10, 1891, by J.M. Toner, M.D."

Truth, Sojourner

Narrative of Sojourner Truth, A Northern Slave, Emancipated From Bodily Servitude by the State of New York, in 1828 and The Book of Life.

Boston : Published By The Author, 1875.

Rare first revised edition of the book that brought Truth’s remarkable story to the world and the first edition of The Book of Life. Octavo, original cloth, gilt titles to the spine, illustrated frontispiece portrait of Truth. In very good condition, contemporary ownership inscription on front free endpaper. Rare and desirable.

Douglass, Frederick

My Bondage and Freedom.

New York & Auburn : Miller, Orton, & Mulligan, 1855.

Rare first edition of Douglass’ second autobiography. Octavo, original publisher’s brown cloth, with three engraved plates, including the engraved frontispiece from the classic daguerreotype of Douglass. In very good condition. A very nice example, uncommon in this condition.