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 984-1008 of 1152
New York : Lyle Stuart, 1958.
First edition of the civil rights hero’s story of a group of conscientious objectors who were imprisoned for their beliefs during World War II. Octavo, original half cloth, top edge red. Signed by Jim Peck on the title page. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.
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London : G. Routledge & Co, 1853.
Finely bound example of Dickens’ popular retelling of the memoirs of celebrated English clown Joseph Grimaldi. Octavo, bound in full crimson crushed levant morocco by Baytun with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt titles and tooling to the spin in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt rulings and fleuron cornerpieces to theContinue reading "Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi. Edited by “Boz.”"
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London : Johnathan Cape, 1960.
First edition of the author’s autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For dear Jonathan, in memory of our long friendship & with admiration & affection Derek Patmore London Feb. 17 1961.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.
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New York : Bantam Books, 1982.
First edition of the 39th President of the United States’ memoirs. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by President Carter to former four-term United States Senator Lloyd M. Bentsen on a Presidential bookplate affixed to the front free endpaper, “To Lloyd Bentsen J. Carter.” The recipient, Lloyd Millard Bentsen, ran as the Democratic PartyContinue reading "Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President."
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New York : Doubleday & Company, Inc, 1960.
First edition of this work by the “Dean of American composers.” Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Alden, who really loves music, Aaron Nov 1960.” With an autographed letter signed to the same recipients by Copland on his letterhead which reads, “Dear Alden and Rolf: WhatContinue reading "Copland on Music."
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New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1947.
First edition of the sequel to Shirer’s acclaimed Berlin Diary. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Gareth L. Pawlowski- William L. Shirer.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Uncommon signed.
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London : Jonathan Cape, 1955.
First edition, limited issue of Lawrence’s semi-autobiographical account of his R.A.F. training days. Quarto, original quarter morocco, patterned endpapers, top edge gilt with others uncut. One of 2000 numbered copies, this is number 1039. Although not called for this example is signed by A.W. Lawrence on the limitation page (T.E. Lawrence’s brother who edited andContinue reading "The Mint: A Day-Book of the R.A.F. Depot Between August and December 1922 with Later Notes by 352087 A/C Ross."
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1960.
Rare mimeographed questionnaire sent by a graduate student of City College of New York to Jack Kerouac; completed and signed twice by him with a lengthy inscription in conclusion. Two pages, partially printed the questionnaire begins with a typed letter signed by James A. Sherlock politely requesting Kerouac’s response which reads in part: “Dear Mr.Continue reading "Jack Kerouac Autograph Questionnaire Signed."
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Philadelphia : Temple University Press, 2007.
First edition of this powerful autobiography by the Olympic gold medalist. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Michelle- Enjoy Life, it’s divine Tommie Smith 1968 Olympics.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Kate Nichols. Written with David Steele.
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New York : Crown, 2020.
First edition, early printing of this “unparalleled masterpiece of social criticism” (Imani Perry). Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Eddie Glaude on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket.
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New York : Farrar, Straus and Cudahy, 1956.
First edition of Booth Mooney’s biography of Lyndon B. Johnson. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by Lyndon B. Johnson on the front free endpaper, “For Murray Milner, outstanding public servant, from his friend, Lyndon B. Johnson.” Near fine in very good dust jacket.
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London : Cecil Palmer, 1930.
First edition of Hopkins’ biography of Rudyard Kipling. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece. Very good in a very good dust jacket.
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Philadelphia : Temple University Press, 2007.
First edition of this powerful autobiography by the Olympic gold medalist. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page in the year of publication, “6-7-07 To Philip Health and Wellness. Faith Tommie Smith.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Kate Nichols. Written with David Steele.
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New York : Simon & Schuster, 1992.
Early printing of the historian’s first Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page to fellow writer Robertson Davies, “To Robertson Davies with warm regards from one of your devoted fans David McCullough (by way of David Ken, who started me on the path withContinue reading "Truman."
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New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1989.
First edition of this work which “brings alive the history of the civil rights era. . . . Abernathy’s storytelling is gripping” (New York Times). Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Signed by the author in the year of publication on the half-title page, “God Bless You Ralph David Abernanthy10-16-89.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. JacketContinue reading "And the Walls Came Tumbling Down."
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Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1892.
Finely bound example of the author’s classic work. Octavo, bound in full morocco, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, top edge gilt, volume with title vignettes and six wood-engravings. Lengthily signed by the author as follows, “There is no death to such as thou dear Eva,Continue reading "Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly and A Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin."
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Reno, Nevada : Jack Bacon & Company, 1996.
First edition of this autobiography of Bill and Moya Lear. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by the author to Bob and Deloros Hope on the half-title page in the year of publication, “To Bob and Delores [sic] – You” remember a lot of this! With an embrace for you both Moya Olsen LearContinue reading "Bill and Moya Lear: An Unforgettable Flight."
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London : Richard Bentley and Son, 1885.
Exceedingly rare edition of M. de Bourrienne’s Life of Napoleon extra-illustrated with additional portraits and views and over 50 autograph letters and notes signed by Napoleon I, members of his family, associates, and the author bound in. Octavo, bound in three quarters scarlet morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartmentsContinue reading "Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte."
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London : Smith, Elder, & Co, 1875-1880.
Complete set of Martin’s extensive biography of Prince Albert, contracted and edited by Queen Victoria, each volume inscribed by her. Octavo, five volumes, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, stamped ruling to the panels, tissue-guarded engraved frontispiece to each volume, illustrated with 8 additional tissue-guarded plates of portraits and views; one a foldingContinue reading "The Life of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort. With Portraits and Views."
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London : Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1864.
The People’s Edition of Gleig’s biography of Arthur Duke of Wellington; gifted by his godson, Arthur James Balfour to his colleague at Eton. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to theContinue reading "The Life of Arthur Duke of Wellington."
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New York : Random House, 2007.
First edition of “this compelling personal story” (The New York Times). Octavo, original boards, illustrated. Presentation copy, signed by the author on the title page, “Thank you for supporting Delaware Technical Community College Joe Biden 1.16.08.” Fine in a fine dust jacket.
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New York : Random House, 2007.
First edition, early printing of “this compelling personal story” (The New York Times). Octavo, original boards, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page in the year of publication, “To Darlene Dolson With best wishes Joe 8.25.07.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by David Stevenson.
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London : Jonathan Cape, 1928.
First edition of this autobiography by Major-General Dunsterville. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.
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New York : Brewer, Warren & Putnam, 1931.
First edition of “the first novel about Africa written by an African American” (Aric Putnam). Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Dan John from George S. Schuyler.” In very good condition. Books signed and inscribed by Schuyler are rare.
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Biography and Autobiography
Biography and Autobiography
Americana
Biography and Autobiography
