Biography and Autobiography

Wilson, Victoria

A Life of Barbara Stanwyck: Steel-True 1907-1940.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 2013.

First edition of this first volume of a meticulously researched biography. Octavo, original publisher’s boards, illustrated with black and white photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Karen Davis – With best wishes – Vicky Wilson.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Carol Devine Carson.

Helm, Levon; Stephen Davis

This Wheel’s on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band.

New York : William Morrow and Company, Inc, 1993.

First edition of this memoir and cultural history by the legendary Levon Helm. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Association copy, inscribed by Levon Helm on the front free endpaper, “A.P. What a ball. We know how. Always a pleasure buddy. Come see me Levon Helm.” The recipient, Alan Pariser, wasContinue reading "This Wheel’s on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band."

Einstein, Albert. Edited by Paul Arthur Schilpp

Albert Einstein: Philosopher-Scientist.

Evanston : The Library of Living Philosophers, Inc., 1949.

Finely bound edition of Einstein’s singular autobiography. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, top edge gilt, frontispiece of Einstein by Yousuf Karsh. Edited by Paul Arthur Schilpp. In near fine condition.

Roosevelt, Theodore

Through the Brazilian Wilderness.

London : John Murray, Ablemarle-Street, 1914.

First British edition of this classic adventure taken by Theodore Roosevelt. Octavo, original cloth. Illustrated from photographs taken by Kermit Roosevelt and other members of the expedition, frontispiece, illustrated with 2 maps, including 1 folding in the rear. In very good condition.

Scott, Captain Robert F

The Voyage of the ‘Discovery.’

London : Smith, Elder, & Co, 1905.

First edition of this pioneering journey of the British National Antarctic Expedition of 1901–1904. Octavo, two volumes, original publisher’s navy cloth with gilt titles to the spine, front panels with gilt stamped medallions of the expedition, tissue-guarded photogravure frontispieces, and tipped-in trade slip to volume one. Profusely illustrated with 260 full-page and smaller illustrations byContinue reading "The Voyage of the ‘Discovery.’"

Shackleton, Ernest H

The Heart of the Antarctic: Being the Story of the British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909 by E.H. Shackleton, C.V.O.

London : William Heinemann, 1909.

First trade edition of Shackleton’s thrilling account of one of the earliest attempts to reach the South Pole, “the best book of polar travel which has ever been written” (Manchester Guardian). Large octavo, two volumes in the publisher’s original blue cloth with gilt-lettered spines and large silver pictorial blocks to the front panels, top edgeContinue reading "The Heart of the Antarctic: Being the Story of the British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909 by E.H. Shackleton, C.V.O."

The Political Beacon: Or the Life and Character of Oliver Cromwell.

London : Printed for the Editor, 1770.

First edition of this historical and cautionary work about revolutionary figure Oliver Cromwell. Octavo, original calf spine with paper boards. In good condition. Contains a dedication “To the Sons of Liberty, in General, Wheresover Dispersed, and However Oppressed; and to the Free-Spirited Bostonians in Particular.” Rare.

Muir, John

Steep Trails.

Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1918.

First edition of this collection of two dozen of Muir’s essays documenting his travels throughout the American West between 1873 and 1902. Octavo, original gray cloth lettered in white, colored pictorial onlay to the front panel, top edge gilt, illustrated with 12 plates. Edited by William Frederic Badè. In very good condition, name to theContinue reading "Steep Trails."

Muir, John

The Story of My Boyhood and Youth.

Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1913.

First edition, first issue with the biting criticism of his neighbor’s treatment of his son on p. 217: “…none was bold enough or kind enough to break the blacksmith’s jaw” (Kimes 315) of Muir’s autobiography of his youth. Octavo, original publisher’s illustrated cloth with gilt titles and black stamping to the spine and front panel,Continue reading "The Story of My Boyhood and Youth."

Sassoon, Siegfried; Paul Hogarth [Illustrator]

Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man.

New York : The Limited Editions Club, 1977.

The Limited Editions Club signed limited edition of the first volume in Sassoon’s semi-autobiographical Sherston trilogy. Octavo, bound in full modern morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe / Zaehnsdorf with gilt titles to the spine, all edges gilt, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, frontispiece, title page vignette, illustrated with color lithographs. Boldly signed by illustrator PaulContinue reading "Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man."

Chernow, Ron [Lin-Manuel Miranda]

Alexander Hamilton.

New York : The Penguin Press, 2004.

First edition, early printing of this landmark biography of Alexander Hamilton, basis for the Award-winning Broadway play. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Ron Chernow on a bookplate to the half-title page and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda (who starred in the Broadway adaptation). Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by GabrieleContinue reading "Alexander Hamilton."

Sassoon, Siegfried; Paul Hogarth [Illustrator]

Memoirs of an Infantry Officer.

New York : The Limited Editions Club, 1981.

The Limited Editions Club signed limited edition of the second volume in Sassoon’s semi-autobiographical Sherston trilogy. Octavo, bound in full modern morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe / Zaehnsdorf with gilt titles to the spine, all edges gilt, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, title page vignette, illustrated with color plates. Boldly signed by illustrator Paul HogarthContinue reading "Memoirs of an Infantry Officer."

Seale, Bobby

Seize the Time: The Story of the Black Panther Party and Huey P. Newton.

New York : Random House, 1970.

First edition of this classic work by the co-founder of the Black Panthers. Octavo, original illustrated cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “2-28-01 To Joe Bobby Seale.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Beckett Authentication Services sticker to the verso of the half-title page, BR#88809. Jacket design by BobContinue reading "Seize the Time: The Story of the Black Panther Party and Huey P. Newton."

From The Westminster Review, Number 66

An Essay on the Genius of Cruikshank.

London : Henry Hooper, 1840.

First edition of this essay highlighting George Cruikshank’s artistic skill and cultural significance in early Victorian Britain. Octavo, bound in three-quarters morocco by J. McDonald of New York with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt stamped facsimile signature of Cruikshank on the front panel, all edgesContinue reading "An Essay on the Genius of Cruikshank."

Nasar, Sylvia [John F. Nash]

A Beautiful Mind.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1998.

First edition of this work, basis for the Academy award-winning film. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the title page, “For Adrienne, ‘The extraordinary journey of this American genius, this man who surprises people, continues,’ Sylvia Nasar December 2008.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by TimothyContinue reading "A Beautiful Mind."

Marchmont, Frederick; Isaac, George, and Robert Cruikshank

The Three Cruikshanks: A Bibliographical Catalogue, Describing More Than 500 Works.

London : W.T. Spencer, 1897.

First limited edition of this biographical catalogue that documents the prolific artistic output of Isaac Cruikshank, his sons George and Isaac Robert, and their collaborations. Octavo, bound in half modern morocco over cloth boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, top edge gilt, frontispiece, illustrated with three plates and four facsimile illustrations. OneContinue reading "The Three Cruikshanks: A Bibliographical Catalogue, Describing More Than 500 Works."

Abagnale, Frank W. [Tom Hanks and Leonardo Di Caprio]

Catch Me If You Can.

New York : Grosset & Dunlap, 1980.

First edition of the bestselling true story of the world’s most sought-after con man, basis for the Steven Spielberg film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Octavo, original black cloth. Boldly inscribed by Frank W. Abagnale on the front free endpaper and signed by Leonardo Di Caprio and Tom Hanks. Fine in a very goodContinue reading "Catch Me If You Can."

Hilton, James [Cecil B. DeMille, actors Gary Cooper, Laraine Day, Carol Thurston, Paul Kelly, Signe Hasso, Elliott Reid, Dennis O'Keefe, Barbara Britton, Renny McEvoy, Oliver Thorndike]

The Story of Dr. Wassell.

Boston : Little, Brown and Company, 1943.

First edition, early printing of this biographical narrative based on the real-life heroism of Dr. Corydon M. Wassell, basis for the classic film. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by Dr. Corydon M. Wassell at the top of the front free endpaper, “To Lorene Welton. Kind regards. Com dr. C. M. Wassell, (M.C.) U.S.N.R.Continue reading "The Story of Dr. Wassell."

Churchill, Winston S

Lord Randolph Churchill.

London : Macmillan & Co. Limited, 1906.

First editions of Winston S. Churchill’s biography of his father. Octavo, 2 volumes, original publisher’s cloth decorated in gilt, tissue-guarded engraved frontispiece portrait of Sir Randolph Churchill after a photograph by Mackintosh to Volume I, tissue-guarded engraved frontispiece portrait of Sir Randolph Churchill after a photograph by Russell and Sons to Volume II, illustrated. InContinue reading "Lord Randolph Churchill."

Beisner, Robert L. [Madeleine Albright]

Dean Acheson: A Life in the Cold War.

New York : Oxford University Press, 2006.

First edition of a comprehensive biography of Dean Acheson. Octavo, original pictorial wrappers, illustrated with black and white photographs. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To another fine Secretary of State with highest regards. Robert L. Beisner.” The recipient, Madeleine K. Albright was the first woman to serve as the U.S.Continue reading "Dean Acheson: A Life in the Cold War."

Riis, Jacob A. [Theodore Roosevelt]

Theodore Roosevelt the Citizen.

New York : The Outlook Company, 1904.

First edition of Riis’s campaign biography of President Roosevelt. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles to the spine, gilt titles and decoration to the front panel, beveled edges, top edge gilt, tissue-guarded frontispiece of Theodore Roosevelt President of the United States drawn by George T. Tobin, illustrated with seventeen plates of black and whiteContinue reading "Theodore Roosevelt the Citizen."

Pepys, Samuel; Henry B. Wheatley [Editor]

The Diary of Samuel Pepys: Volumes I-VIII 1659-1669.

London : George Bell & Sons LTD, 1926.

Finely bound example of this famous firsthand account of the Restoration period. Octavo, three volumes, bound in three quarters morocco by Bayntun-Riviere with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, tissue-guarded frontispiece, containing volumes I-VIII of The Diary of Samuel Pepys. Edited with additions by Henry B. Wheatley. In veryContinue reading "The Diary of Samuel Pepys: Volumes I-VIII 1659-1669."

Baker, Carlos [Ernest Hemingway]

Hemingway: The Writer as Artist.

Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Press, 1952.

First edition of this work on Ernest Hemingway. Octavo, original cloth, top stain red. In fine condition.

Washington, Booker T. [William Howard Taft]

The Story of the Negro: The Rise of the Race from Slavery and The Negro as a Freeman.

New York : Doubleday, Page & Company, 1909.

First edition, association copy of Booker T. Washington’s significant history of Americans of African descent, inscribed by him to William Howard Taft as his advisor in the first year of Taft’s presidency. Octavo, two volumes, original publisher’s red cloth with gilt titles to the spine, top edge gilt, tissue-guarded photographic frontispiece portrait of Booker T.Continue reading "The Story of the Negro: The Rise of the Race from Slavery and The Negro as a Freeman."