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 1104-1128 of 1170
London : William Heinemann, 1906.
First edition of the author’s first book. Octavo, original cloth. With the author’s signature on the front pastedown on the Lemperly bookplate. Also, included is the author’s visiting card. In near fine condition, contemporary bookplate. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise case.
Read more
New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1934.
Early printing of Landau’s biography of his time in the British Secret Service. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Captain Henry Landau.” Near fine in a good dust jacket with some wear and tear. Uncommon signed.
Read more
New York : The John Day Company, 1930.
First edition of this work on American popular music. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Introduction by George Gershwin. Boldly signed “Sincerely George Gershwin” on the dedication page. Additionally signed by conductor Charles Previn and tenor James Melton. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Previn was an American film composer who was highly active atContinue reading "Tin Pan Alley."
Read more
New York : Doubleday, 1984.
First edition of First Lady Barbara Bush’s children’s book about the adventures of White House dog C. Fred Bush. Large octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with photographs throughout. Inscribed by Barbara Bush, “To Edna Pryn – With love and affection to a dear friend – Warmly – Barbara Bush” and President George Bush, “WithContinue reading "C. Fred’s Story: A Dog’s Life."
Read more
Oroville, California : Butte College Press, 1999.
First edition of this work on the Bush administration. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Dan Ostrander and President George Bush on the half-title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Cover design by Patty Melron. Uncommon signed by President Bush.
Read more
London : Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry, 1791.
First edition, first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language, which was published on May 16, 1791 in a print run of only 1,750 copies. Quarto, bound in contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson, engraved by J. Heath after the Sir Joshua Reynolds (1756) painting. Volume one isContinue reading "The Life of Johnson."
Read more
Lausanne : Chez Francois Grasset & Comp, 1772.
Early edition of Voltaire’s biography of one of the most influential and widely translated writers of all time. Octavo, bound in full sprinkled sheepskin. Gilt titles and tooling to the spine, pictorial endpapers, all edges red, ribbon bound in. In very good condition with some rubbing to the extremities. Tasteful period bookplate.
Read more
New York : Delacorte Press, 1979.
First edition, second printing of Goldman’s novel regarding Hollywood. Octavo, original cloth. Inscribed by William Goldman opposite the title page. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Richard Huebner.
Read more
San Francisco : Cato Institute, 1979.
First edition of this collection of writings on Keynesian economics by the Nobel Prize-winning economist. Octavo, original wrappers as issued. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To George Meyer with best wishes 1-12-82 F.A. Hayek.” Compiled and introduced by Sudha R. Shenoy. With a foreword by Leland B. Yeager. In fine condition.Continue reading "A Tiger by the Tail: The Keynesian Legacy of Inflation."
Read more
New York : Alliance Book Corporation, 1940.
First edition of Valtin’s bestselling autobiographical narrative. Octavo, original blue cloth. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “For Ben Mandel, who helped. Jan Valtin November 1940.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket art by George Salter.
Read more
London : Macmillan an Co, 1879.
First British edition of James’ classic biographical study of his great predecessor Nathaniel Hawthorne. Octavo, original scarlet cloth. In very good condition with light rubbing. Edited by John Morley.
Read more
New York : Random House, 1989.
First edition of Nancy Reagan’s memoirs. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly inscribed by Nancy Reagan on the half-title page. Laid in is a note from her office thanking the recipient for the letter. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Robert Aulicino. Written in collaboration with William Novak.
Read more
New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1998.
First edition of the author’s memoirs. Octavo, original half cloth. Lengthily signed by the author on the title page with the following line from this work, which reads, “We find comfort only in another beauty, in others music Adam Zagajewski.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Marc J. Cohen. Translated by ClareContinue reading "Another Beauty."
Read more
Cambridge, MA : University Press, 1945.
First edition, second issue (of only 250 copies), of this tribute to the eldest of the Kennedy brothers. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece, illustrated throughout. Inscribed by Robert Kennedy on the front free endpaper, “For Bill Walton Bob Kennedy Christmas 1945.” American journalist William Walton was a confidant of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy and playedContinue reading "As We Remember Joe."
Read more
Washington, DC : White House Historical Association, 1964.
First edition of this wonderfully illustrated work on The White House. Octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Inscribed by Lady Bird Johnson on the title page, “To Bill Walton with appreciation Lady Bird Johnson February 17, 1965.” The recipient William Walton was a painter and confidant of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy, and chaired the U.S. CommissionContinue reading "The White House: An Historic Guide."
Read more
New York : The Viking Press, 1951.
First edition of Gene Folwer’s warm and entertaining story of Jimmy “Schnozzola” Durante, from the library of Barrett C. Kiesling. Octavo, original boards. Inscribed by Jimmy Durante on the front free endpaper, “To my pal, Barrett Kiesling – This is a Pleasure, Jimmy Durante my Best to you & yours Jimmy.” Also laid in isContinue reading "Schnozzola: The Story of Jimmy Durante."
Read more
Indianapolis : Bowen-Merrill Company, 1898-99.
First editions of Anthony’s classic biography. Octavo, 2 volumes, original cloth, gilt titles to the spine, gilt medallion to the front panels of both volumes. Volume one is lengthily inscribed by Susan B. Anthony on the front free endpaper as follows, “To Mrs. Grace Bartholomew, Pioneer, Michigan, I present these volumes because of dear Mr.Continue reading "The Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony."
Read more
New York : Reynal & Company, 1960.
First edition of this collection of thoughts from Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “For Leonard Maill, who helped confirm my anglophilism, with the warm regards of Felix Frankfurter July 19, 60.” The recipient, Rowland Leonard Maill,Continue reading "Felix Frankfurter Reminisces: Recorded in Talks With Dr. Harlan B. Phillips."
Read more
Boston : Little Brown, 1994.
First American edition of the autobiography of one of the greatest moral leaders of the twentieth century. Octavo, original half cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with photographs. Signed by the author on the title page, “NMandela 12.5.05.” It was signed in New York City by Mandela during a visit upon receipt of an honorary doctorate fromContinue reading "Long Walk To Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela."
Read more
London : Methuen & Company, 1906.
First British edition of Conrad’s first volume of autobiographical non-fiction. Octavo, original cloth, gilt titles and tooling to the spine. In very good condition.
Read more
New York : Simon & Schuster, 1971.
First edition of the tennis great’s autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Inscribed by Rod Laver on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing.
Read more
New York : Doubleday, Doran & Company, 1941.
First edition of the story of Alfred P. Sloan’s rise to become General Motors executive. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece of Alfred P. Sloan. Boldly signed and dated by the author on the front free endpaper, “Alfred Sloan P. Sloan Jr New York July 22, 1964.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket with someContinue reading "Adventures of a White-Collar Man."
Read more
New York : Prentice-Hall, Inc, 1950.
First edition of Sarazen’s classic autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Foreword by Robert T. Jones, Jr. Inscribed by the author opposite the title page, “To Dick Garlington My best wishes from his friend Gene Sarazen.” The recipient Dick Garlington was a golfer and a close friend of Sarazen and Bobby Jones, who along with JonesContinue reading "Thirty Years of Championship Golf: The Life and Times of Gene Sarazen."
Read more
Garden City, NY : Doubleday, Doran and Company, 1937.
First edition of this autobiography of Chiang Kai-shek. Octavo, original cloth. Signed on the half-title page in Chinese by Chiang Kai-shek and in English by Mei-ling Soong Chiang, former First Lady of the Republic of China, 1948-1975. Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket with light rubbing. Exceptionally rare signed by both Chiang andContinue reading "General Chiang Kai shek: An Account Of The Fortnight In Sian."
Read more
Biography and Autobiography
Biography and Autobiography
Biography and Autobiography
Biography and Autobiography
Biography and Autobiography
Biography and Autobiography
