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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 480-504 of 1152

Sherman, Thomas H.; with Introduction by Nicholas Murray Butler [William T. Sherman]

Twenty Years with James G. Blaine: Reminiscences by His Private Secretary.

New York : The Grafton Press, 1928.

First edition of this biography of American statesman, Republican politician, and Secretary of State, James G. Blaine, from the observations of his private secretary; from the library of Philemon Tecumseh Sherman. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece portrait of James G. Blaine, illustrated with black and white photographs. P. T. Sherman’s bookplate to the front pastedown beneathContinue reading "Twenty Years with James G. Blaine: Reminiscences by His Private Secretary."

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$500.00
Item Number: RRB-145741
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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. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “Inscribed to Gibson Carey ’55 with the kind regards of the author. Carlos Baker Princeton 4/24/53.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.

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$475.00
Item Number: RRB-146140
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Perkins, J. R. [William T. Sherman]

Trails, Rails and War: The Life of General G. M. Dodge.

Indianapolis : The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1929.

First edition of this biography of Union Army officer and railroad executive, General Grenville Mellen Dodge; from the library of Philemon Tecumseh Sherman. Octavo, original red cloth, frontispiece portrait of General G. M. Dodge at seventy, illustrated with black and white photographs. Signed by the author on a note laid in, wishing the recipient aContinue reading "Trails, Rails and War: The Life of General G. M. Dodge."

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$500.00
Item Number: RRB-145733
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Johnson, Ervin Magic

My Life.

New York : Random House, 1992.

First edition of the basketball legend’s autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Larry Sr. Take it easy and stay cool from your main man Ervin Magic Johnson #32.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Written with William Novak.

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$400.00
Item Number: RRB-145660
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Carlos, John with Dave Zirin

The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World.

Chicago : Haymarket Books, 2011.

First edition of the remarkable story of John Carlos, best known for raising his black-gloved fist as a salute to Black Power and human rights on the 1968 Olympic podium. Octavo, original boards, illustrated with photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Lenz We live to make history! MuchContinue reading "The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World."

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$300.00
Item Number: RRB-146175
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Darwin, Francis; [Charles Darwin]

The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin.

New York : D. Appleton and Company, 1899.

Early printing of this collection of Charles Darwin’s letters edited by his son Francis Darwin. Octavo, two volumes, original terracotta publisher’s cloth stamped in blind with gilt titles to the spines, yellow endpapers, frontispiece portraits of Charles Darwin in each volume, illustrated with four lithographic plates. In near fine condition with light rubbing to theContinue reading "The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin."

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$650.00
Item Number: RRB-145584
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Merrill, James

James Merrill First Edition Collection: Scripts for the Pageant, From the First Nine: Poems 1946-1976, The Changing Light at Sandover, Late Settings: Poems, Recitative: Prose, and A Different Person: A Memoir

: Various Publishers, 1980-1986.

Collection of six first editions of the works of James Merrill; from the library of American playwright Michael Feingold. Octavo, six volumes, original cloth and wrappers, the collection includes: Stated first edition of ‘Scripts for the Pageant’ [New York: Atheneum, 1980]; Stated first edition of ‘From the First Nine: Poems 1946-1976’ [New York: Atheneum, 1982];Continue reading "James Merrill First Edition Collection: Scripts for the Pageant, From the First Nine: Poems 1946-1976, The Changing Light at Sandover, Late Settings: Poems, Recitative: Prose, and A Different Person: A Memoir"

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$1,500.00
Item Number: RRB-145436
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Pickett, Lasalle Corbell [George Pickett]

What Happened to Me.

New York : Brentano's, 1917.

First edition of the autobiography of LaSalle Corbell Pickett, wife of Confederate General George Pickett. Duodecimo, original cloth, top edge gilt, frontispiece portrait of the author dated January 17, 1917. Lengthily signed by the author on the front pastedown, “Over the great world tragedy of today the star of Bethlehem shines with divine radiance and lights theContinue reading "What Happened to Me."

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$500.00
Item Number: RRB-145582
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Keller, Hellen

The Story of My Life.

Garden City : Doubleday, Dorian & Company, Inc, 1935.

Later printing of Keller’s autobiography of her early life, particularly detailing her relationship with Anne Sullivan. Octavo, original cloth, engraved frontispiece portrait of Keller after a photograph by Marshall, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by Helen Keller on the front free endpaper, “To Mar with sincere wishes for a Happy Christmas and New Year Helen KellerContinue reading "The Story of My Life."

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$1,250.00
Item Number: RRB-146138
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Nicklaus, Jack

My Story.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1997.

First edition of the Golden Bear’s autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Doug Good Golfing Jack Nicklaus.” Written with Ken Bowden. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Paul Smith.

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$475.00
Item Number: RRB-146131
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Roosevelt, Theodore

African Game Trails. An Account of the African Wanderings of an American Hunter-Naturalist.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1910.

First edition of Theodore Roosevelt’s classic work. Octavo, original cloth, gilt top edge, photogravure frontispiece, illustrated, 48 plates, map of Roosevelt’s route and hunting trips in Africa. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To O.K. King with the esteem and regard of his friend Theodore Roosevelt Sept 22d 1910.” TheContinue reading "African Game Trails. An Account of the African Wanderings of an American Hunter-Naturalist."

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$8,800.00
Item Number: RRB-146118
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Handy, Charles

The Elephant and the Flea: Looking Backwards to the Future.

London : Hutchinson, 2001.

First edition of this memoir by the eminent philosopher. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the title page, “Les Best wishes Charles Handy 2.11.01.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.

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$200.00
Item Number: RRB-145494
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Pickett, Lasalle Corbell [George Pickett]

What Happened to Me.

New York : Brentano's, 1917.

First edition of the autobiography of LaSalle Corbell Pickett, wife of Confederate General George Pickett. Duodecimo, original cloth, top edge gilt, frontispiece portrait of the author dated January 17, 1917. Presentation copy, boldly inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For my friend of many years Mr. W. W. Norman – with the sincere regardsContinue reading "What Happened to Me."

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$400.00
Item Number: RRB-145485
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Baldwin, James

Nobody Knows My Name: More Notes of a Native Son.

New York : The Dial Press, 1961.

First edition of Baldwin’s second major book of essays, featuring his powerful analyses of the politics of race and his controversial three-part essay on Richard Wright. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed and dated by the author on the front free endpaper, “James Baldwin 9/15 – 74.” Near fine in a good dust jacket with rubbingContinue reading "Nobody Knows My Name: More Notes of a Native Son."

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$5,000.00
Item Number: RRB-145473
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Barnum, P.T

Struggles and Triumphs; or, Forty Years’ Recollections of P. T. Barnum.

Buffalo : The Courier Company, 1879.

Author’s edition of this utterly engaging autobiography, revised, enlarged, newly illustrated and written up to December 1878 by the author. Duodecimo, original hard-grain cloth with gilt titles and portrait of P.T. Barnum to the spine, blind stamped triple ruled frame with ornamental corners enclosing central quatrefoil device, gray top stain, tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of PhineasContinue reading "Struggles and Triumphs; or, Forty Years’ Recollections of P. T. Barnum."

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$1,600.00
Item Number: RRB-145347
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Mason, Robert

Chickenhawk.

New York : The Viking Press, 1983.

First edition, early printing of Mason’s classic first book, one of the finest about the Vietnam War. Octavo, original cloth, map by David Lindroth. Lengthily inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “‘No one is more shocked than I.’ Keep ’em flying! Robert Mason.” Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket illustrationContinue reading "Chickenhawk."

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$975.00
Item Number: RRB-146077
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Nicklaus, Jack

My Story.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1997.

First edition of the Golden Bear’s autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Jack Nicklaus on the front free endpaper. Written with Ken Bowden. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Paul Smith.

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$475.00
Item Number: RRB-146075
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McKay, Claude

Harlem: Negro Metropolis.

New York : E. P. Dutton & Company, Inc, 1940.

Scarce first edition of this intimate history of the Black Mecca of the world, authored by one of the central figures in the Harlem renaissance. Octavo, original brown cloth with gilt titles, red topstain, frontispiece of Bird’s-eye View of Harlem, illustrated with eighteen additional plates of black and white photographs. Near fine in the scarce originalContinue reading "Harlem: Negro Metropolis."

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$9,800.00
Item Number: RRB-145357
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Gamow, George [Chester Nimitz]

Atomic Energy In Cosmic And Human Life: Fifty Years Of Radioactivity.

Cambridge : At the University Press, 1946.

First edition of this work by the legendary physicist and cosmologist. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To The Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz Cordially From The Author G. Gamow.” The recipient, Chester Nimitz was made Fleet Admiral in 1944 (a lifetime appointment) and was in chargeContinue reading "Atomic Energy In Cosmic And Human Life: Fifty Years Of Radioactivity."

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$4,000.00
Item Number: RRB-139841
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Mays, Willie

Say Hey: The Autobiography of Willie Mays.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1988.

First edition of Mays’ autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Willie Mays on the front free endpaper. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket painting and design by Wendell Minor. Written with Lou Sahadi.

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$700.00
Item Number: RRB-146025
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Bates, Daisy

The Long Shadow of Little Rock: A Memoir.

New York : David McKay Company, 1962.

First edition, early printing of this powerful work by the NAACP activist behind the successful integration of Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed and signed twice by the author on the front free endpaper, “Best Wishes Daisy Bates, God Bless you Daisy Bates 6-8-63.” Near fine in a veryContinue reading "The Long Shadow of Little Rock: A Memoir."

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$2,500.00
Item Number: RRB-146037
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Caputo, Philip

A Rumor of War.

New York : Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1977.

First edition of this classic work, which the Los Angeles Times Book Review called “heartbreaking, terrifying, and enraging. It belongs to the literature of men at war.” Octavo, original cloth. Signed by the author on the half-title page, “Feb, 2023 With best wishes, Philip Caputo.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket illustrationContinue reading "A Rumor of War."

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$475.00
Item Number: RRB-145413
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Churchill, Winston S

Steg for Steg 1936-1939. [Step by Step 1936-1939]. [Winston Churchill’s Copy]

Stockholm : Skoglunds Bokforlag, 1939.

First Swedish edition and Churchill’s own copy of the last book he published before the outbreak of the Second World War. Octavo, in the publisher’s rare full morocco presentation binding by Nordiska Bokhandelns Bokbinderi with gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt rulingContinue reading "Steg for Steg 1936-1939. [Step by Step 1936-1939]. [Winston Churchill’s Copy]"

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$2,800.00
Item Number: RRB-146028
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Lawrence, Mary Wells

A Big Life in Advertising.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2002.

First edition of the candid autobiography of one of the most influential figures in advertising history. Octavo, original boards, illustrated with 36 photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “Paul – Thank you for you great and charming … xxx Mary Wells Lawrence.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket designContinue reading "A Big Life in Advertising."

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$850.00
Item Number: RRB-146772
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