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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 120-144 of 1128

Cavett, Dick

Talk Show: Confrontations, Pointed Commentary, and Off-Screen Secrets.

New York : St. Martin's Griffin, 2010.

First paperback edition of this collection of essays by legendary talk show host Dick Cavett. Octavo, original pictorial wrappers. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Bill & Tom – Dick Cavett.”  The recipient, Bill Zwecker, was a longtime entertainment and celebrity journalist. A Chicago native and second-generation newspaper star (hisContinue reading "Talk Show: Confrontations, Pointed Commentary, and Off-Screen Secrets."

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$95.00
Item Number: RRB-148114
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Kirk, Charlie

The MAGA Doctrine: The Only Ideas that Will Win the Future.

New York : Broadside Books, 2020.

First edition of this work by the best-selling author and founder of Turning Point USA. Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Charlie Kirk on the front free endpaper. This was signed in Palm Beach, Florida. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Milan Bozic.

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$2,800.00
Item Number: RRB-150617
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Buckley Jr., William F

On The Firing Line: The Public Life of Our Public Figures.

New York : Random House, 1989.

First edition of this reflective and incisive collection of interviews. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on a bookplate affixed to the front free endpaper, “For Sidney Hook – with admiration – William Buckley.” The recipient, Sidney Hook, was an American philosopher and public intellectualContinue reading "On The Firing Line: The Public Life of Our Public Figures."

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$150.00
Item Number: RRB-149551
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Lewis, John

Walking with the Wind. A Memoir of the Movement.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1998.

First edition of Congressman Lewis’ pivotal account of the Civil Rights movement that transformed America. Octavo, original half cloth, with 16 pages of black-and-white photographic illustrations.  Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Lee, Keep the faith. Best Wishes, John Lewis 2-28-04.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design byContinue reading "Walking with the Wind. A Memoir of the Movement."

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$750.00
Item Number: RRB-150607
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Wilkerson, Marcus M. [William Tecumseh Sherman]

Thomas Duckett Boyd: The Story of a Southern Educator.

Baton Rouge : Louisiana State University Press, 1935.

First edition of this biography of a Louisiana State University professor; from the library of Philemon Tecumseh Sherman. Octavo, original boards, top stain red, tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of Thomas Duckett Boyd, illustrated with eight additional black and white photographs. Inscribed by the subject’s daughter Anne Boyd Grayson on the front free endpaper, “To Hon P.Continue reading "Thomas Duckett Boyd: The Story of a Southern Educator."

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$475.00
Item Number: RRB-145960
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Kissinger, Henry

White House Years and Years of Upheaval.

Boston : Little, Brown & Company, 1979-1982.

Signed limited editions of Kissinger’s White House Years and Years of Upheaval. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with 48 pages of photographs, ribbons bound in. Both volumes are signed by Henry Kissinger. Both volumes are in fine condition and housed in the original slipcases.

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$1,500.00
Item Number: RRB-139305
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King Jr., Martin Luther

Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?

New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1967.

First edition of King’s “last grand expression of his vision” (Cornel West). Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with eight pages of black-and-white photogravures. Association copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Cass Canfield For whom I have great respect and admiration Martin Luther King, Jr.” The recipient, Cass Canfield, wasContinue reading "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?"

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$28,000.00
Item Number: RRB-149391
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Keyes, E.D [William Tecumseh Sherman]

Fifty Years’ Observation of Men and Events Civil and Military.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1884.

First edition of this memoir of a Union soldier and civilian; from the library of General William Tecumseh Sherman. Small octavo, original cloth. General William Tecumseh Sherman and his son P.T. Sherman’s bookplates to the front pastedown. In good condition with some rubbing to the spine, front and rear panels. General Sherman’s library was inheritedContinue reading "Fifty Years’ Observation of Men and Events Civil and Military."

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$850.00
Item Number: RRB-145752
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Reiss, Johanna

The Upstairs Room.

New York : Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1972.

First edition, early printing of this poignant autobiographical novel that recounts the author’s experiences as a Jewish child. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To…Franklin from Joanna Reiss June 27 ’73 Las Vegas.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Kiyo Komoda.

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$275.00
Item Number: RRB-149806
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Einstein, Albert

Out of My Later Years.

New York : Philosophical Library, 1950.

First edition of Einstein’s collection of social science-related articles, addresses and speeches. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Einstein on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “A. Einstein. 1950.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box by the Harcourt Bindery.

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$14,000.00
Item Number: RRB-149463
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King Jr., Martin Luther

Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1958.

First edition of Dr. Martin Luther King’s first book. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Best Wishes Martin Luther King, Jr.” This book was signed at Coe College in October 1962, with a picture laid in of him there when he lectured there. From the libraryContinue reading "Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story."

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$16,000.00
Item Number: RRB-150588
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Reddick, L.D. [Martin Luther King, Jr.]

Crusader Without Violence: A Biography of Martin Luther King, Jr.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1959.

First edition of one the earliest biographies of “the American Gandhi.” Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Boldly signed “Best Wishes Martin Luther King, Jr.” on the front free endpaper. This book was signed at Coe College in October 1962, when King lectured there. From the library of a Civil RightsContinue reading "Crusader Without Violence: A Biography of Martin Luther King, Jr."

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$14,000.00
Item Number: RRB-150589
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Goodall, Jane with Phillip Berman

Reason For Hope: A Spiritual Journey.

New York : Warner Books, 1999.

First edition of Goodall’s moving memoir. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the title page, “For Andrew – Together we can make this a better world for all living things. Thank you so much for all you have done for us. With love Jane.” Fine in a fineContinue reading "Reason For Hope: A Spiritual Journey."

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$750.00
Item Number: RRB-149455
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Watson, Thomas J. and Peter Petre

Father, Son & Co.: My Life at IBM and Beyond.

New York : Bantam Books, 1990.

First edition of the autobiography of “the greatest capitalist in history” (Fortune Magazine). Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Thomas J. Watson, Jr. on the front free endpaper. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Desirable signed.

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$1,250.00
Item Number: RRB-149452
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Caro, Robert A. [Paul Schrader]

The Power Broker.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1974.

First edition of Caro’s Pulitzer-Prize winning work on Robert Moses. Thick octavo, original black cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated with numerous photographs and maps, top stain red. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Paul Schrader – with best wishes Robert A Caro.” The recipient, Paul Schrader, is a screenwriter, director, andContinue reading "The Power Broker."

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$7,500.00
Item Number: RRB-149431
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Goodall, Jane with Gary McAvoy and Gail Hudson

Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating.

New York : Warner Books, 2005.

First edition of “one of those rare, truly great books that can change the world” (John Robbins). Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, lengthily and warmly inscribed by the author on the verso of the half-title page, “For Michael and Sandra Together, each doing out bit, we can change the world Jane Goodall.” FineContinue reading "Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating."

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$750.00
Item Number: RRB-149414
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Carnegie, Andrew

James Watt: Famous Scots Series.

Edinburgh and London : Oliphant Anderson & Ferrier, c. 1905.

First edition of this biographical work celebrating Watt’s refinement of the steam engine as a symbol of Scottish ingenuity and moral progress. Octavo, original publisher’s red cloth stamped in gilt and black, title page vignette. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Mr. David Anderson, Andrew Carnegie.” In very good condition.

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$1,600.00
Item Number: RRB-149388
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Haise, Fred

Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey.

Washington, D.C : Smithsonian Books, 2022.

First edition, early printing of the extraordinary autobiography of astronaut Fred Haise, one of only 24 men to fly to the moon. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “Harry Hope you enjoy the read of my blessed life and career! Fred Haise Apollo 13 LMP.” FineContinue reading "Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey."

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$475.00
Item Number: RRB-150582
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Campan, Jeanne Louise Henriette [Marie Antoinette]

Memoirs of the Private Life of Marie Antoinette to Which Are Added Personal Recollections Illustravtive of the Reigns of Louis XIV, XV, XVI.

New York : Brentano's, 1917.

Finely bound example of this personal firsthand account of the French queen’s domestic world written by her first lady-in-waiting. Octavo, two volumes, bound in full dark blue morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling and elaborate gilt tooling to the front and rear panels,Continue reading "Memoirs of the Private Life of Marie Antoinette to Which Are Added Personal Recollections Illustravtive of the Reigns of Louis XIV, XV, XVI."

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$750.00
Item Number: RRB-149367
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Muir, John

The Mountains of California.

New York : The Century Co, 1894.

First edition of Muir’s classic work on the mountains of California. Octavo, original pictorial cloth decorated in gilt, top edge gilt, frontispiece, illustrated throughout. In very good.

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$1,200.00
Item Number: RRB-149358
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Reiss, Johanna

The Upstairs Room.

New York : Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1972.

First edition, early printing of this poignant autobiographical novel that recounts the author’s experiences as a Jewish child. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Corrie with best wishes. Joanna Reiss June 27 ’73 Las Vegas.” Very good in a very good dust jacket. Bookplate to theContinue reading "The Upstairs Room."

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$300.00
Item Number: RRB-150561
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Goodall, Jane with Phillip Berman

Reason For Hope: A Spiritual Journey.

New York : Warner Books, 1999.

First edition of Goodall’s moving memoir. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “For Dorothy Hear your heart Jane Goodall.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Jackie Merri Meyer and Flag.

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$600.00
Item Number: RRB-149345
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Dickens, Charles

Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi. Edited by “Boz.”

London : Richard Bentley, 1838.

First edition of Dickens’ popular retelling of the memoirs of celebrated English clown Joseph Grimaldi. Octavo, two volumes bound in full polished calf by Root with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt titles and tooling to the spin in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt rulings to the panels, gilt turn-ins andContinue reading "Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi. Edited by “Boz.”"

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$2,500.00
Item Number: RRB-148217
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Gorbachev, Mikhail [Lech Walesa]

Memoirs.

New York : Doubleday, 1996.

First edition of Gorbachev’s autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Mikhail Gorbachev and additionally signed by Lech Walesa on the title page. Lech Wałęsa is a Polish labor leader and statesman who co-founded Solidarity, the first independent trade union in the Soviet bloc, which became a driving force in the struggle againstContinue reading "Memoirs."

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$2,800.00
Item Number: RRB-150442
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