Art and Architecture

Betjeman, John; David Gentleman

The Illustrated Poems of John Betjeman. [WITH] Autograph Letter Signed by David Gentleman.

London : John Murray, 1995.

First edition of this humorous collection of intimate poems, illustrated with charming watercolors by one of England’s most familiar artists. Medium octavo, original boards, illustrated throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by the artist, “For Gill Sandilands with all good wishes from David Gentleman.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Accompanied by an autograph letter signedContinue reading "The Illustrated Poems of John Betjeman. [WITH] Autograph Letter Signed by David Gentleman."

North America XIV Florida: Published Under the Superintendence of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.

London : Baldwin & Cradock, 1834.

Rare 19th century English map of the state of Florida, published by Baldwin & Cradock under the superintendence of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. One page, the map shows the placements of Indian lands just before the second Seminole war and contains full margins showing all of the Florida Keys. In near fineContinue reading "North America XIV Florida: Published Under the Superintendence of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge."

Ruscha, Edward

Every Building on the Sunset Strip.

Los Angeles, California : Edward Ruscha, 1966.

First edition, first issue of Ruscha’s self-published 27-foot accordion-folded photographic panorama of the iconic Los Angeles boulevard, a milestone in the history of artist’s books. First issue with a small flap as the final leaf. Octavo, original publisher’s white wrappers with titles printed in silver to the spine and front panel, single accordion-folded panorama ofContinue reading "Every Building on the Sunset Strip."

Richardson, John; with the collaboration of Marilyn McCully

A Life of Picasso Volume II: 1907-1917: The Painter of Modern Life.

New York : Random House, 1996.

First edition of the second volume in Richardson’s four-volume biography of the famous artist. Small quarto, original publisher’s white embossed cloth, frontispiece of a self-portrait photograph by Picasso 1912, illustrated throughout with black-and-white photographs. Boldly signed by John Richardson on the title page. Fine in a very good dust jacket.

Phillips, Lloyd

Beyond Borders. [WITH] A Collection of Eighty Lloyd Phillips Photographs.

Malibu : Scan Shop, 2002.

First edition of this collection of photographs taken during the filming of Martin Campbell’s ‘Beyond Borders,’ starring Angelina Jolie. Oblong octavo, original pictorial wrappers, illustrated with black and white photographs throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the dedication page, “Arthur ‘J’, Thanks for keeping me alive and being such a good friend. LloydContinue reading "Beyond Borders. [WITH] A Collection of Eighty Lloyd Phillips Photographs."

DeCarava, Roy; with essays by Sherry Turner DeCarava and Radiclani Clytus

The Sound I Saw: Improvisation on a Jazz Theme.

New York : First Print Press / Davis Zwirner Books, 2019.

First edition of this expressive celebration of jazz with essays by his wife Sherry Turner DeCarava and American literary historian Radiclani Clytus. Folio, original cloth, illustrated with impressive full-size black and white photographs throughout. Fine in a near fine dust jacket.

Nehru, Jawaharlal

Jawaharlal Nehru Postcard Signed.

Dariba, Delhi : Lal Chand & Sons, Photographers, n.d.

Rare autograph postcard signed by the first prime minister of India. Octodecimo, Lal Chand & Sons postcard featuring a photograph of the Taj Garden Agra from General View. Signed by Jawaharlal Nehru on the righthand side. In very good condition.

Fitzgerald, Edward; Introduction by A. C. Benson; Illustrated by E. Geddes

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

London : Siegle, Hill & Co, c. 1919.

Finely bound edition of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, rendered into English Verse by Edward Fitzgerald and reproduced from a manuscript written and illuminated by F. Sangorski & G. Sutcliffe. Quarto, bound in full deerskin with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, gilt borders and blind stamping toContinue reading "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam."

Beardsley, Aubrey; Sir Thomas Malory; William Caxton; John Rhys; Aymer Vallance

[Morte D’Arthur]. The Birth Life and Acts of King Arthur of His Noble Knights of the Round Table Their Marvellous Enquests and Adventures the Achieving of the San Greal and in the End Le Morte Darthur with the Dolourous Death and Departing Out of This World of Them All.

Edinburgh : Turnbull & Spears, 1927.

Limited Beardsley illustrated edition of perhaps the best-known work of Arthurian literature in English, containing two additional illustrations not appearing in the second edition, in addition to the 10 further illustrations published in the second edition that did not appear in the first. Quarto, original publisher’s cloth with gilt art-deco botanical design by Aubrey Beardsley,Continue reading "[Morte D’Arthur]. The Birth Life and Acts of King Arthur of His Noble Knights of the Round Table Their Marvellous Enquests and Adventures the Achieving of the San Greal and in the End Le Morte Darthur with the Dolourous Death and Departing Out of This World of Them All."

Chagall, Marc

My Life.

New York : The Orion Press, 1960.

First edition in English of artist Marc Chagall’s early autobiography. Oblong octavo, original cloth, illustrated with twenty drawings by the author. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “For Lillian Friedman Marc Chagall 1960.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Translated by Elizabeth Abbott

Groening, Matt

Love is Hell.

New York : Pantheon Books, 1986.

Special New Mini-Jumbo edition of this comical cartoon book that were the source material for The Simpsons by the creator of ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘Futurama.’ Oblong quarto, original illustrated wrappers. Boldly signed by the author on the front pastedown, “Matt Groening, 11/21/88,” below a full-length sketch of his character Binky holding a heart with twoContinue reading "Love is Hell."

[Reeves, James H.]; Ferdinand Foch

Brigadier General James H. Reeves WWI Awards and Appointment Collection.

20th c..

Rare collection of WWI memorabilia with regard to Commander of the 353rd United States infantry regiment (89th division), Brigadier General James H. Reeves. The collection includes: From the Government of the French Republic, a large photographic print of General Reeves, inscribed to him by General Ferdinand Foch, “Together with their valor it is this disciplineContinue reading "Brigadier General James H. Reeves WWI Awards and Appointment Collection."

Schedel, Hartmann

Liber Chronicarum. [The Nuremberg Chronicle].

Nuremberg : Anton Koberger for Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister, 12 July 1493.

Exceptionally rare colored example of the first edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle, the most extensively illustrated book of the 15th century. Imperial folio, bound in full 17th-century pigskin over bevelled wooden boards with elaborate blind tooling and scrolling to the spine and panels, brass cornerpieces, 2 fore-edge clasps, 325 leaves (of 328, without blank 55/6Continue reading "Liber Chronicarum. [The Nuremberg Chronicle]."

Tennyson, Alfred

The Lover’s Tale. [Fore-Edge Painting].

London : C. Kegan Paul & Co, 1879.

First authorized edition of this classic poem, following the small “pirated” edition of 1870. Octodecimo, bound in red morocco by Sotheran & Co. with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, elaborate gilt tooling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, all edges gilt,Continue reading "The Lover’s Tale. [Fore-Edge Painting]."

Kane, Bob; [Cork Millner]

Bob Kane and Cork Millner Signed Original Oversized Batman Sketch.

Biltmore Hotel, Santa Barbara 1994.

Rare original oversized Batman sketch. One page on off-white cardstock, original felt tip sketch of Batman, Robin, and the Penguin, boldly inscribed by Bob Kane, “For my friend Cork, write on! Bats wishes, Bob Kane, ’94.” Additionally  annotated and signed on the reverse by writer Cork Millner, “Personally drawn for Cork Millner at the Biltmore Hotel,Continue reading "Bob Kane and Cork Millner Signed Original Oversized Batman Sketch."

Venturi, Robert

Robert Venturi Typed Letter Signed.

Philadelphia : Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, Inc, August 11, 1999.

Rare typed letter signed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Robert Venturi. Quarto, one page on Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates 25% cotton stationary, the letter reads in full, ‘August 11, 1999 Dear Stephen, At last, enclosed is a sketch [not present] which parallels one I’ve just made for the Las Vegas AIA! Hope you enjoyContinue reading "Robert Venturi Typed Letter Signed."

Rosenquist, James

Art in America: James Rosenquist.

February 2004.

Original magazine of Art in America, featuring the work of James Rosenquist, signed by him on page 96. In near fine condition.

[Weizmann, Chaim]; Sir Oswald Birley

Chaim Weizmann Signed Photograph of his 60th Birthday Portrait.

: n.p., n.d..

Rare signed photograph portrait of the future first President of Israel, Chaim Weizmann on his 60th birthday. Silver gelatin photograph of an original oil on canvas portrait of Weizmann done by British portrait artist Sir Oswald Birley in 1934 on the occasion of Weizmann’s 60th birthday. Signed by Weizmann in the lower right corner, “CContinue reading "Chaim Weizmann Signed Photograph of his 60th Birthday Portrait."

Adams, Douglas

The Illustrated Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

London : Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1994.

First illustrated edition of Adams’ modern classic. Folio, original illustrated boards, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Boldly signed by the author on the title page in the year of publication, “Douglas Adams 22-9-94.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Rare and desirable signed.

Warhol, Andy

The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B and Back Again).

New York : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1975.

First edition, early printing of this work by Warhol. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed in green by Andy Warhol on the half-title page. Additionally inscribed by Warhol on the title page, “To Bob & son Andy Warhol,” with a drawing of a can of  Campbell’s Pea Soup can. Near fine in a very good dustContinue reading "The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B and Back Again)."

Groening, Matt

Love is Hell.

New York : Pantheon Books, 1985.

Special New Mini-Jumbo edition of this comical cartoon book that were the source material for The Simpsons by the creator of ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘Futurama.’ Oblong quarto, original illustrated wrappers. Boldly signed by the author on the front pastedown, “Matt Groening, 9/16/87,” below a full-length sketch of his character Binky with a speech bubble inscribedContinue reading "Love is Hell."

Dean, Abner [William Safire]

Naked People: A Selection of Drawings From Four of His Books: It’s A Long Way to Heaven; What Am I Doing Here?; And On the Eighth Day; Cave Drawings for the Future.

New York : Stein and Day, 1963.

First edition of this collection of drawings from four books by American cartoonist Abner Dean. Oblong octavo, original half cloth, illustrated throughout. Association copy, inscribed by the artist on the dedication page, “To Bill Safire – the one-man Publicombine Cordially, Abner Dean.” Accompanied by an autograph letter signed by Dean to Safire thanking him forContinue reading "Naked People: A Selection of Drawings From Four of His Books: It’s A Long Way to Heaven; What Am I Doing Here?; And On the Eighth Day; Cave Drawings for the Future."

National Gallery

National Gallery Trafalgar Square Illustrations to the Catalogue Volume III: British, French, & Spanish Schools.

London : Printed for the Trustees, 1926.

First edition of the last volume in the Official Catalogue of the National Gallery, this volume featuring illustrations comprising the British, French, and Spanish Schools of art. Octavo, original wrappers, illustrated with nearly four hundred reproductions. In very good condition with some toning and light rubbing to the extremities. Accompanied by original dry mounted platesContinue reading "National Gallery Trafalgar Square Illustrations to the Catalogue Volume III: British, French, & Spanish Schools."

LE CARRÉ, John

John Le Carré Original Painting of ‘Rumpelstiltskin.’

1952.

Rare original watercolor painting by British author John le Carré of a scene from the German fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin. Gouache and watercolor painting depicting Rumpelstiltskin incensed that the nearby queen had correctly guessed his name, titled in pencil at the bottom edge “Rumpelstiltskin,” signed by le Carré in the lower right with his given name,Continue reading "John Le Carré Original Painting of ‘Rumpelstiltskin.’"