Biography and Autobiography Archives

Newcomb, Raymond Lee

Our Lost Explorers: The Narrative of the Jeannette Arctic Expedition as Related by the Survivors, and in the Records and Last Journals of Lieutenant De Long.

Hartford, Conn. : American Publishing Company, 1882.

First edition of Newcomb’s account of the Jeannette Arctic Exploration. Octavo, original illustrated cloth, tissue-guarded frontispiece, illustrated with maps, portraits, and numerous engravings. Introduction by Rev. W. L. Gage. In good condition.

$300.00

Item Number: RRB-126900

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Muir, John

The Story of My Boyhood and Youth.

Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1913.

First edition, first issue of Muir’s autobiography of his youth 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) . Octavo, original illustrated green cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine and front panel,Continue reading "The Story of My Boyhood and Youth."

$2,250.00

Item Number: RRB-126377

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Poitier, Sidney

This Life.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1980.

First edition of this work by the Academy Award-winning actor. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Mr and Mrs Charles Blackwell With Love and affection Sidney Poitier.” The recipient, Charles Blackwell wrote the screenplay for the film A Piece of the Action, starring Poitier andContinue reading "This Life."

$750.00

Item Number: RRB-126051

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Nicklaus, Jack with Herbert Warren Wind

The Greatest Game of All: My Life in Golf.

London : Hodder & Stoughton, 1969.

First British edition of the golfer’s autobiography, which includes six full chapters on instruction. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Jack Nicklaus on the frontispiece and by co-author Herbert Warren Wind on the dedication page, “To Bobby Burt Who knows his golf and understands why the champions win. Herb Wind.” Fine in a nearContinue reading "The Greatest Game of All: My Life in Golf."

$2,000.00

Item Number: RRB-126499

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[Chavez, Cesar] Jacques E. Levy

Cesar Chavez. Autobiography of La Causa.

New York : W.W. Norton & Company, 1975.

First edition of this biography of the famous labor activist. Octavo, original cloth, photographic endpapers, illustrated with 33 pages of photographs. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by Chavez on the half-title page, “To Marian Schroeder personal best wishes on this Christmas season Peace Cesar Chavez 12/15/78 LA PAZ.” Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket.Continue reading "Cesar Chavez. Autobiography of La Causa."

$750.00

Item Number: RRB-126731

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Kipling, Rudyard

Lettres du Japon.

Paris : Rene Kieffer, 1925.

Deluxe limited edition of Kipling’s collected letters written during his 1889 travels in Japan. Octavo, original wrappers, decorated by H. Tirman. One of 50 copies printed on Japan paper. Translated into French by Louis Fabulet and Arthur Austin-Jackson. Very good in the rare original richly decorated dust jacket. Rare.

$1,250.00

Item Number: RRB-122943

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Mandela, Nelson

Long Walk To Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela.

South Africa : MacDonald Purnell, 1994.

First South African edition of this classic autobiography, which has went on to sell over six million copies worldwide. Octavo, original black cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated with photographs. Boldly signed on the title page by the author, “NMandela 28.2.96.” Fine in a fine dust jacket.

$4,500.00

Item Number: RRB-126733

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Fuller, Buckminster

Ideas and Integrities: A Spontaneous Autobiographical Disclosure.

Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice-Hall, 1963.

First edition of this work by Fuller. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Ed Westhoff in friendship Buckminster Fuller.” Edited by Robert W. Marks. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket.

$500.00

Item Number: RRB-125971

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Kalashnikov, Mikhail

Conversation With A Gunsmith.

2012.

Octavo, original illustrated boards, illustrated throughout. Boldly signed by Mikhail Kalashnikov on the title page. In near fine condition. Books signed by Kalashnikov are uncommon.

$1,750.00

Item Number: RRB-125159

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Schuyler, George S

Slaves Today: A Story of Liberia.

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 William M. Stein from George S. Schuyler January 10,1932.” In very good condition. Laid in is an original program from 1938 Charter Day at Howard University.

$2,500.00

Item Number: RRB-125792

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Durant, Will

Transition: A Mental Autobiography.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1927.

First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by Will Durant on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.

$750.00

Item Number: RRB-125898

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Franklin, Benjamin

Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces; Arranged under the Following Heads and Distinguished by Initial Letters in each Leaf: General Politics; American Politics before the Troubles; American Politics during the Troubles; Provincial or Colony Politics; Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces.

London : Printed for J. Johnson, 1779.

First edition of “the only edition of Franklin’s writings (other than his scientific) printed during his lifetime” (Ford). Octavo, bound half diced calf over marbled boards with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. With the engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin, three engraved plates (one folding), and folding tableContinue reading "Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces; Arranged under the Following Heads and Distinguished by Initial Letters in each Leaf: General Politics; American Politics before the Troubles; American Politics during the Troubles; Provincial or Colony Politics; Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces."

$15,000.00

Item Number: RRB-125035

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Chang, Iris

The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II.

New York : Basic Books, 1997.

First edition of this “powerful, landmark book” (Richard Rhodes). Octavo, original half cloth. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Rick Pracher.

$400.00

Item Number: RRB-125001

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Fuller, R. Buckminster

Nine Chains to the Moon.

Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott Company, 1938.

First edition of Fuller’s first book. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author to his sister on the front pastedown, “To Rog and K With dearest love Bucky.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. An exceptional association.

$3,000.00

Item Number: RRB-124952

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Cooper, William

From Early Life.

London : Macmillan, 1990.

First edition of Cooper’s collection of early recollections. Octavo, original maroon cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page in the year of publication to Sally Soames, “For Sally – Super-artist with the camera. With love from Harry William Cooper August 1990.” The recipient, British photojournalist Sally Soames, worked for The SundayContinue reading "From Early Life."

$850.00

Item Number: RRB-124537

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Diamond, John

C: Because Cowards Get Cancer Too…

London : Vermilion, 1998.

First edition of Diamond’s story of his battle with throat cancer. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To dearest Sally with thanks and – well you know. With love John Diamond.” The recipient, British photojournalist Sally Soames, worked for The Sunday Times from 1968 until 2000 and wasContinue reading "C: Because Cowards Get Cancer Too…"

$200.00

Item Number: RRB-124373

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Buchwald, Art. [William Safire]

We’ll Laugh Again.

New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2002.

First edition of this work by the Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist. Octavo, original half cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on a bookplate affixed to the half-title page, “Aug 22, 2002 To Bill, you were expecting “War and Peace?” Yours, Art Buchwald.” The recipient, William Safire was an important American author, columnist, journalist, and presidentialContinue reading "We’ll Laugh Again."

$200.00

Item Number: RRB-127932

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Clinton, Bill [Ruth Bader Ginsburg]

My Life.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2004.

First edition of President Clinton’s autobiography. Large octavo, original blue boards, illustrated with 32 pages of photographs. Boldly signed on the title page by Bill and Hillary Clinton and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Bader Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993 by President Clinton. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design byContinue reading "My Life."

$15,000.00

Item Number: RRB-124933

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Fuller, Buckminster

Buckminster Fuller: An Autobiographical Monologue Scenario.

New York : St. Martin's Press, 1980.

First edition of this autobiographical work. Quarto, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by Fuller on the front free endpaper, “To: Harriet Nichols In warmest friendship Bucky Buckminster Fuller.” Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design by Kadi Tint. Documented and edited by Robert Snyder.

$400.00

Item Number: RRB-124719

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Schuyler, George S

Black and Conservative: The Autobiography of George S. Schuyler.

New Rochelle, NY : Arlington House Publishers, 1966.

First edition of this work by the Harlem renaissance writer. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Richard Beam from George S. Schuyler 2/17/69.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.

$600.00

Item Number: RRB-124598

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Biography and Autobiography

Rare Biography & Autobiography Books for Sale Online

Our Lost Explorers: The Narrative of the Jeannette Arctic Expedition as Related by the Survivors, and in the Records and Last Journals of Lieutenant De Long.

The Story of My Boyhood and Youth.

This Life.

The Greatest Game of All: My Life in Golf.

Cesar Chavez. Autobiography of La Causa.

Lettres du Japon.

Long Walk To Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela.

Ideas and Integrities: A Spontaneous Autobiographical Disclosure.

Conversation With A Gunsmith.

Slaves Today: A Story of Liberia.

Transition: A Mental Autobiography.

The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II.

Nine Chains to the Moon.

From Early Life.

C: Because Cowards Get Cancer Too…

We’ll Laugh Again.

My Life.

Buckminster Fuller: An Autobiographical Monologue Scenario.

Black and Conservative: The Autobiography of George S. Schuyler.

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