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 1152
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2004.
First edition of Dylan’s revealing autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Bob Dylan on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Coco Shinomiya. PSA/DNA LOA and sticker to the title page. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box by the Harcourt Bindery.
Read more
New York : Doubleday, 2025.
First edition of “the most spectacular, hilarious, and generous autobiography of the last quarter century–or ever” (The Boston Globe). Octavo, original boards, illustrated endpapers, illustrated. Boldly signed by Margaret Atwood. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Suzanne Dean, Kelly Hill, and Emily Mahan.
Read more
New York : Simon & Schuster, 1994.
First edition of this dual biography on the Roosevelts. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the title page, “For John, ‘As long as she continued to fight for his ideals, he would continue to live,’ Doris Kearns Goodwin.” Near fine in a nearContinue reading "No Ordinary Time. Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II."
Read more
Northampton : Andrew Wright for S. & E. Butler, 1804.
Finely bound edition of this biographical account of Jonathan Edwards’ life, ministry, and theological contributions. Octodecimo, bound in full calf with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, morocco spine labels. In very good condition with light rubbing and toning, annotations from the previous owner in the margins toContinue reading "The Life and Character of the Late Reverend, Learned, and Pious Mr. Jonathan Edwards, President of the College of New-Jersey. Together with Extracts From His Private Writings & Diary, and Also Seventeen Select Sermons on Various Important Subjects."
Read more
New York : James H. Heineman Inc, 1991.
First American edition of this record of Usborne’s involvement with the unmatched comedic novelist P.G. Wodehouse. Octavo, original boards. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper to his publisher, James Heineman, in the year of publication. Additionally signed by Usborne on the title page above his printed name which has beenContinue reading "After Hours with P.G. Wodehouse."
Read more
New York : Scribner, 2010.
First edition of this definitive biography authorized by Willie Mays and written by Wall Street Journal and New York Times journalist James Hirsch. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Boldly signed by Willie Mays on the front free endpaper. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Jason J. Heuer.Continue reading "Willie Mays: The Life, The Legend."
Read more
New York : AKPE, 1994.
First edition of this early Buffett biography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Warren Buffett and Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey on the front free endpaper. Bob Kerrey (born 1943) is a decorated Vietnam War Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient who went on to serve as governor of Nebraska (1983–87) and U.S. senatorContinue reading "Of Permanent Value: The Story of Warren Buffett."
Read more
New York : The Viking Press, 1972.
First edition of this seminal work on Wimbledon. Quarto, original cloth, illustrated. Inscribed by the author on the half-title page by tennis legends Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Stan Smith, John Newcombe and signed by Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. A unique example.
Read more
Boston : Little, Brown and Company, 1994.
First American edition of this classic autobiography that has went on to sell more than six million copies worldwide. Octavo, original half cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated. Signed “Nelson Mandela 25.5.95” on a Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund bookplate (not attached). Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design by Martha Kennedy.
Read more
Oxford/New York : Clarendon Press/Oxford University Press, 1994.
First edition of this historical meditation and scientific commentary on Albert Einstein. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, frontispiece, illustrated with black and white photographs throughout. Signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Best Wishes Bram Pais August 1996.” Near fine in a fine dust jacket. Front cover illustration by Will Shaman. Uncommon signed.
Read more
New York : The Electrical Engineer, 1894.
Scarce edition of Thomas Commerford Martin’s landmark work in the field of electrical engineering, detailing the research and inventions of brilliant inventor, Nikola Tesla. Octavo, original cloth, patterned endpapers, tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of Tesla, illustrated with numerous diagrams throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by Nikola Tesla in Serbian Cyrillic on the second free endpaper, “Prijatelju D.Continue reading "The Inventions Researches and Writings of Nikola Tesla. With Special Reference to His Work in Polyphase Currents and High Potential Lighting."
Read more
New York : Crown, 2020.
First edition of this riveting, deeply personal account of history in the making—from the president who inspired us to believe in the power of democracy. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Laid in is a signed in full, “Barack Obama” on a 3 by 5 card. In fine condition. Housed in the original publisher’s slipcase.
Read more
New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909.
First edition of the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer’s work on Civil War Union Army General William Tecumseh Sherman; from W. T. Sherman’s library. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, top edge gilt, tissue-guarded engraved frontispiece. Philemon Tecumseh Sherman’s bookplate adhered to the front pastedown. In very good condition. ThisContinue reading "Home Letters of General Sherman."
Read more
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2001.
First edition of the author’s second Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Octavo, original half cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Boldly signed by David McCullough and by Academy-Award winning actor Tom Hanks on the title page. Hanks was the executive producer of the 2008 television miniseries directed by Tom Hooper, starring Paul Giamatti, which went on to win four GoldenContinue reading "John Adams."
Read more
New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1938.
First edition of this biography of Shawnee chief and warrior Tecumseh; from the library of Philemon Tecumseh Sherman. Octavo, original tan cloth, cartographic endpapers, frontispiece portrait of Tecumseh. P.T. Sherman’s bookplate to the half title page. In very good condition with some rubbing to the front and rear panels. General William Tecumseh Sherman’s son P.Continue reading "Tecumseh and His Times: The Story of a Great Indian."
Read more
Philadelphia : University of Pennsylvania Press, 1938.
First edition of this biography of a United States founding father; from the library of Philemon Tecumseh Sherman. Octavo, original navy blue cloth, frontispiece portrait of Roger Sherman, illustrated with seven black and white documents, photographs, and illustrations. P.T. Sherman’s bookplate to the front pastedown beneath his ownership signature. In very good condition. General WilliamContinue reading "Roger Sherman: Signer and Statesman."
Read more
Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co, 1871.
First edition of this collection of memoirs of American statesman John J. Crittenden, edited by his daughter; from the library of General William Tecumseh Sherman. Octavo, original brick-red cloth with gilt titles, tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of John J. Crittenden to each volume. General William Tecumseh Sherman and his son P.T. Sherman’s booklates to the frontContinue reading "The Life of John J. Crittenden: With Selections from His Correspondence and Speeches."
Read more
Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1928.
First edition of this foundational work of Native American autobiography. Octavo, original publisher’s pictorial orange cloth, top stain brown, frontispiece of Chief Standing Bear at council, illustrated with black and white photographs and drawings by the author. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Lowell Groves, from Chief-Standing Bear MatoContinue reading "My People the Sioux."
Read more
London : Collins Harvill, 1987.
First edition of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning leader’s autobiography. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Lech Walesa on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.
Read more
New York : Random House, 2007.
First edition of “this compelling personal story” (The New York Times). Octavo, original boards, illustrated. Presentation copy, lengthily and warmly inscribed by the author on the title page, “Susan- You are a lovely lady to give me so much time and consideration. Keep the faith and I’ll keep my promises Joe Biden 12.20.07.” Fine inContinue reading "Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics."
Read more
New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1998.
First edition of the author’s immensely moving memoir. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page in the year of publication, “Dear Helene & Bill here is six of my nine lives – and you are amongst the few who knows the other three as well. With friendshipContinue reading "Nobody Knows the Truffles I’ve Seen."
Read more
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."
Read more
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.
Read more
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."
Read more
Biography and Autobiography
Biography and Autobiography
Biography and Autobiography
Biography and Autobiography
Biography and Autobiography
Biography and Autobiography
Biography and Autobiography
