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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 800-820 of 1089

Gunther, John

Death Be Not Proud.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1949.

First edition, later printing of this deeply moving book, a father’s memoir of a brave, intelligent, and spirited boy. Octavo, bound by the author in full morocco by “Kingsport Press,” marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, cloth slipcase. Association copy, inscribed by the author to his wife in the year of publication, “This book belongs toContinue reading "Death Be Not Proud."

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$4,000.00
Item Number: RRB-130415

Smith, James L

Autobiography of James L. Smith, Including, Also, Reminiscences of Slave Life, Recollections of the War, Education of Freedmen, Causes of the Exodus.

Norwich, CT : Press of the Bulletin Company, 1881.

Rare first edition of this autobiography describing Smith’s life as a slave in Virginia, his escape north 1838, and life as a freeman. Octavo, original cloth. In near fine condition. Blockson 9202; HSP/LCP Afro-Americana Catalog 9524.

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$3,500.00
Item Number: RRB-130414

Brown, William J

The Life of William J. Brown, of Providence, R. I. With Personal Recollections of Incidents in Rhode Island.

Providence : Agnell, 1883.

Very rare first edition of the narrative of William J. Brown, born in 1814 the son of a free Black man and Native American woman in Providence, Rhode Island. Octavo, original cloth. In near fine condition. Rare as only one example has appeared at auction in the last 80 years.

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$4,000.00
Item Number: RRB-130502

Colacello, Bob. [Andy Warhol] [William Safire]

Holy Terror: Andy Warhol Close Up.

New York : Vintage Books, 2014.

First Vintage Books edition of “by far the best of Andy Warhol’s portraits, including his own” (George Plimpton). Octavo, original illustrated wrappers, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front endpaper in the year of publication, “To Bill Zwecker, with fondness, Bob Colacello 2014 Chicago.” The recipient, Bill Zwecker, was a longtime entertainmentContinue reading "Holy Terror: Andy Warhol Close Up."

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$200.00
Item Number: RRB-133037

Von Clausewitz, Carl Philipp Gottfried

On War.

London : N. Trubner & Co, 1873.

First edition in English of arguably the most important treatise on political-military analysis and strategy ever written. Small quarto, three volumes complete in one, original cloth, frontispiece portrait of Clausewitz. Translated by Colonel J. J. Graham from the third German edition. In near fine condition. From the library of Lt. Colonel Walter Pipon Braithwaite withContinue reading "On War."

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$20,000.00
Item Number: RRB-127055

Churchill, Winston S

Lord Randolph Churchill.

New York and London : Macmillan & Co. Limited, 1906.

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

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$950.00
Item Number: RRB-130791

Aubry, Octave. [Napoleon Bonaparte]

Ecrits de Napoleon.

Paris : Editions Buchet / Chastel, 1969.

Finely bound example of Octave Aubry’s Ecrits de Napoleon. Octavo, bound in full crushed red morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt central vignette to the front panel, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles,Continue reading "Ecrits de Napoleon."

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$1,250.00
Item Number: RRB-130509

Sanders, Bernie

Our Revolution. A Future To Believe In.

New York : Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's, 2016.

First edition of Bernie Sanders’ account of his life and influences, featuring a detailed account of his campaign praised as “well worth reading… his ideas basically just as fresh to him today as when he left his native Brooklyn.” Octavo, original boards, pictorial endpapers. Signed by Bernie Sanders in facsimile. Fine in a fine dustContinue reading "Our Revolution. A Future To Believe In."

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$75.00
Item Number: RRB-130641

Tarbell, Ida M

The Life of Abraham Lincoln.

New York : Lincoln History Society, 1909.

Bound set of Tarbell’s classic biography of President Lincoln. Octavo, 4 volumes, bound in full morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, gilt facsimile signature of Lincoln to the front panel, frontispiece portraits, one in color, illustrated with reproductions of original paintings and photographs, marbled endpapers. In good condition.

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$1,750.00
Item Number: RRB-129092
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