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Biography and Autobiography

Rare Biography & Autobiography Books for Sale Online

If you are looking for rare or first edition biography or autobiography books look no further than Raptis Rare Books. Browse through our entire collection of rare biographies and autobiographies below, view details about individual books and contact us to ask a question or find out more information.

Showing items 1-24 of 1152

Martin, Pete. [Marilyn Monroe]

Will Acting Spoil Marilyn Monroe?

Garden City, New York : Doubleday & Company, Inc, 1956.

First edition in book form of the famed actress’s ghostwritten piece for Pageant magazine, often considered the closest thing to an autobiographical work published during her lifetime. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with 43 photographs. Signed by Marilyn Monroe on the front free endpaper. Although Monroe was an avid reader—as demonstrated by the celebrated 1999 Christie’sContinue reading "Will Acting Spoil Marilyn Monroe?"

$17,500.00

Item Number: RRB-151580

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Starr, Ringo

Photograph.

Surrey, England : Genesis Publications, 2014.

Signed limited edition of this curated photographic memoir from the drummer of the Beatles, Ringo Starr. Thick quarto, bound in three-quarters Italian leather with gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt decorations to the front panel, all edges gilt, illustrated with 250 rare and unseen photographs. One ofContinue reading "Photograph."

$2,750.00

Item Number: RRB-151562

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Franklin, Benjamin

The Works of Benjamin Franklin.

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."

$15,000.00

Item Number: RRB-151459

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[Livingstone, David]

The Life and Explorations of David Livingstone, LL.D. Carefully Compiled From Reliable Sources.

London and Newcastle : The Tyne Publishing Company, Limited, c. 1875.

First edition of this magnificently illustrated and bound compendium of David Livingstone’s life and explorations. Folio, bound in full black morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, gilt titles and elaborate pictorial gilt decorations to the front and rear panels, engraved brass-mounted edges and double clasps toContinue reading "The Life and Explorations of David Livingstone, LL.D. Carefully Compiled From Reliable Sources."

$2,800.00

Item Number: RRB-151484

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Trump, Donald J. with Tony Schwartz

Trump: The Art of the Deal.

New York : Random House, 1987.

First edition of Trump’s first book. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in a contemporary hand on the front free endpaper, “To Dale Donald J. Trump.” Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design by Robert Aulicino. Jacket photograph by Michele Singer.

$2,000.00

Item Number: RRB-151438

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Earhart, Amelia

20 Hrs. 40 Min. Our Flight in the Friendship: The American Girl, First Across the Atlantic by Air, Tells Her Story.

New York : Grosset & Dunlap, 1928.

Early printing of Earhart’s thrilling account of her experience as a passenger aboard the Friendship, which made her the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by air in 1928. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, top stain orange, with 61 illustrations. Boldly signed by Amelia Earhart on the front free endpaper. Very good in the rareContinue reading "20 Hrs. 40 Min. Our Flight in the Friendship: The American Girl, First Across the Atlantic by Air, Tells Her Story."

$3,800.00

Item Number: RRB-150000

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Dershowitz, Alan M.

Reversal of Fortune: Inside the von Bülow Case.

New York : Random House, 1986.

First edition of this detailed legal narrative of the highly publicized trial and appeal of Claus von Bülow, basis for the 1990 film directed by Barbet Schroeder, starring Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close and Ron Silver. Octavo, original publisher’s half cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by Alan M. Dershowitz to televisionContinue reading "Reversal of Fortune: Inside the von Bülow Case."

$475.00

Item Number: RRB-150619

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Robinson, Jackie; Alfred Duckett

Breakthrough to the Big League: The Story of Jackie Robinson.

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."

$7,800.00

Item Number: RRB-151428

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Burrough, Bryan [Michael Mann and Christian Bale]

Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34.

New York : The Penguin Press, 2004.

First edition of this work, basis for the 2009 film, directed by Michael Mann, starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Bryan Burrough, Michael Mann and Christian Bale. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Evan Gaffney.

$1,250.00

Item Number: RRB-151493

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Bird, Kai and Martin J. Sherwin [Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy]

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer.

New York : The Easton Press, 2005.

Signed limited first edition of this Pulitzer Prize-winning work, basis for the Academy Award-winning film directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Cillian Murphy, which won both an Academy Award. Octavo, bound in full leather, gilt titles to the spine, front and rear panels, all edges gilt, raised bands, silk endpapers, illustrated. Boldly signed by Kai Bird,Continue reading "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer."

$1,600.00

Item Number: RRB-151499

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Welty, Eudora

One Writer’s Beginnings.

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."

$975.00

Item Number: RRB-151399

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Graves, Robert

Good-Bye To All That.

London : Jonathan Cape, 1929.

First edition, first issue of Graves’ classic autobiography with Siegfried Sassoon’s poem on pp. 341-343. Octavo, original red cloth, frontispiece of Graves, illustrated with maps and photographs. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with a couple of small closed tears. Jacket design by Len Lye. Photography by Alfred Cracknell. An exceptional example, uncommonContinue reading "Good-Bye To All That."

$4,000.00

Item Number: RRB-151361

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de Lamartine, Alphonse. [William Tecumseh Sherman]

Memoirs of Celebrated Characters.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1854.

First edition of Vol. I and II of this collection of biographical portraits; from the library of William Tecumseh Sherman. Octavo, bound in contemporary three quarter calf with gilt titles to the spine in six compartments withing raised bands, all edges marbled, marbled endpapers. General William Tecumseh Sherman and his son P.T. Sherman’s bookplates toContinue reading "Memoirs of Celebrated Characters."

$1,800.00

Item Number: RRB-145750

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Makos, Adam with Larry Alexander

A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II.

New York : The Berkley Publishing Group, 2013.

First edition, early printing of “the most incredible encounter between enemies in World War II.” Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Ray! With best wishes to a fellow history buff and patriot! Onward and upward, Adam Makos.” Additionally signed byContinue reading "A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II."

$1,250.00

Item Number: RRB-151342

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Reagan, Ronald

An American Life.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1990.

First edition of the 40th President of the United States’ memoir. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Michael – Wish Very Best Wishes and Regards Ronald Reagan Feb. 8-1991.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Robert Anthony, Inc.

$2,500.00

Item Number: RRB-151315

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Bush, Barbara [George W. Bush]

Barbara Bush: A Memoir.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1994.

First edition of the first lady Barbara Bush’s memoirs. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by both Barbara Bush and President George W. Bush on the front free endpaper. Laid in is a photograph of George W. Bush at Station Square in Pittsburgh, taken during his visit on August 4, 2000, as part ofContinue reading "Barbara Bush: A Memoir."

$750.00

Item Number: RRB-151323

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Galbraith, John Kenneth. [Julia Child]

Name-Dropping From F.D.R. On.

Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999.

First edition of one of Galbraith’s later works, presented to his friend and longtime neighbor Julia Child. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For Julia It’s really your name that I drop with affection as ever J Kenneth G.” JohnContinue reading "Name-Dropping From F.D.R. On."

$850.00

Item Number: RRB-151320

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Douglas, Marjory Stoneman; John Rothchild

Voice of the River.

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."

$200.00

Item Number: RRB-151257

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Wilson, Ernest H

Plant Hunting.

Boston, Massachusetts : The Stratford Company, 1927.

Special autographed first edition of this autobiographical account of Ernest H. Wilson’s adventures and discoveries as a renowned British plant collector. Octavo, two volumes, bound in full green faux leather cloth, cartographic endpapers, frontispiece to volume one, with 128 illustrations mostly from photographs taken by the author. Boldly signed by Ernest H. Wilson on theContinue reading "Plant Hunting."

$200.00

Item Number: RRB-151387

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Odell, Samuel W

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.

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."

$475.00

Item Number: RRB-151187

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Meir, Golda

My Life.

New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1975.

First edition of Meir’s autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed on a tipped-in leaf for the 1976 United Jewish Appeal Study Conference to Abe H. Donsky and dated October, 1975. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket with toning and chipping. Jacket design by Cheryl Asherman.

$1,250.00

Item Number: RRB-151247

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Churchill, Winston S. Edited by Randolph S. Churchill

Winston Churchill’s Post-War Speeches: The Sinews of Peace, Europe Unite: Speeches 1947 & 1948, In The Balance: Speeches 1949 & 1950, Stemming the Tide: Speeches 1951 & 1952, The Unwritten Alliance: Speeches 1953-1959.

London : Cassell and Company Ltd., 1948-1961.

Rare complete first edition set of Churchill’s Post-War Speeches, each of which had a single print run and including The Unwritten Alliance, the last of Churchill’s books published during his lifetime. Octavo, five volumes, original publisher’s cloth. Each volume is near fine in a near fine dust jacket. An unusually sharp set. Churchill’s post-war speechesContinue reading "Winston Churchill’s Post-War Speeches: The Sinews of Peace, Europe Unite: Speeches 1947 & 1948, In The Balance: Speeches 1949 & 1950, Stemming the Tide: Speeches 1951 & 1952, The Unwritten Alliance: Speeches 1953-1959."

$3,500.00

Item Number: RRB-151245

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Colmache, M. [Édouard]

Revelations of the Life of Prince Talleyrand.

London : Henry Colburn, Publisher, 1850.

Second edition of this biographical and anecdotal account of the influential French diplomat Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord. Octavo, bound in three-quarters orange morocco by Bayntun with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, tissue-guarded frontispiece portraitContinue reading "Revelations of the Life of Prince Talleyrand."

$200.00

Item Number: RRB-151177

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Poincare, Raymond; Sir George Arthur [Translator]

The Memoirs of Raymond Poincaré 1912-1914.

New York : Doubleday, Page & Company, 1926-1929.

First American edition of this first-hand, detailed account of French foreign policy, diplomacy, and the events leading to World War I. Octavo, the first three volumes out of four, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles to the spines, facsimile signature of Raymond Poincaré stamped in gilt to the front panels, tissue-guarded frontispiece to volume one.Continue reading "The Memoirs of Raymond Poincaré 1912-1914."

$250.00

Item Number: RRB-151171

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