Fine Bindings and Sets

Doyle, Arthur Conan

The Great Boer War.

London : Smith, Elder, & Co, 1901.

New edition, being the fourteenth impression, of Arthur Conan Doyle’s work on the Boer War, which he revised sixteen times throughout the course of the war. Octavo, bound in full morocco for the Edinburgh Angus Club with their insignia stamped in gilt to the front panel, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt toolingContinue reading "The Great Boer War."

Schreiner, Olive [as Ralph Iron]

The Story of an African Farm: A Novel.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1883.

First edition of this highspot of African literature. Octavo, 2 volumes bound in three quarters contemporary morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers. Published under the pseudonym ‘Ralph Iron’, the entire printing of this first edition has been estimated toContinue reading "The Story of an African Farm: A Novel."

Conrad, Joseph

The Collected Works of Joseph Conrad. [Almayer’s Folly, An Outcast of the Islands, The Nigger of “Narcissus”, Tales of Unrest, Lord Jim, The Inheritors, Youth: and Two Other Stories, Romance, Typhoon and Other Stories, Nostromo, The Mirror of the Sea, The Secret Agent, A Set of Six, Under Western Eyes, Some Reminiscences, ‘Twist Land & Sea Tales, Chance, Victory, Within the Tides, The Shadow Line, The Arrow of Gold, On Day More, The Rescue].

London : Various Publishers, 1895-1920.

Rare finely bound first edition collection of the writings of Joseph Conrad including a first issue of Almayer’s Folly. Octavo, 23 volumes bound in full crushed crimson levant morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt banes, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, top edgeContinue reading "The Collected Works of Joseph Conrad. [Almayer’s Folly, An Outcast of the Islands, The Nigger of “Narcissus”, Tales of Unrest, Lord Jim, The Inheritors, Youth: and Two Other Stories, Romance, Typhoon and Other Stories, Nostromo, The Mirror of the Sea, The Secret Agent, A Set of Six, Under Western Eyes, Some Reminiscences, ‘Twist Land & Sea Tales, Chance, Victory, Within the Tides, The Shadow Line, The Arrow of Gold, On Day More, The Rescue]."

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches.

Cambridge : Printed by John Archdeacon, 1771.

Rare 18th century Book of Common Prayer. Small octavo, bound in full contemporary calf tie gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruing and cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers. In very good condition. Ownership inscriptions. Desirable in a contemporary binding.

Hall, Norman James and Charles Bernard Nordhoff

The Collected Works of Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall.

Boston and New York : Various Publishers, 1918-1942.

Rare first edition set of the works of Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall, including a first edition of Botany Bay signed by the authors. Octavo, 13 volumes, original cloth. Botany Bay is signed by the authors opposite the copyright page. Doctor Dogbody’s Leg is inscribed by James Norman Hall on a tipped-in note, “ForContinue reading "The Collected Works of Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall."

Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft

Valperga: or, the Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca. By the Author of ‘Frankenstein’.

London : G. and W.B. Whittaker, 1823.

Rare first edition of Shelley’s second novel, which has been called “a meditation on political, psychological, and sexual power” and is considered by many to be her finest work.  12mo., bound in 19th century three quarter calf over marbled boards by Bumpus, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels, raised bands. InContinue reading "Valperga: or, the Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca. By the Author of ‘Frankenstein’."

Hearn, Lafcadio. Edited by Elizabeth Bisland

The Writings of Lafcadio Hearn.

Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1922.

The Large Paper Edition of Lafcadio Hearn’s collected writings. Octavo, 16 volumes bound in full blue levant morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, elaborately gilt citron levant morocco doublures, watered silk endleaves, top edge gilt withContinue reading "The Writings of Lafcadio Hearn."

Poe, Edgar Allan

The Works of Edgar Allan Poe. [Including: The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Gold Bug, Raven, Eureka].

New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, [1884].

The Amontillado edition of the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Octavo, 8 volumes bound in full morocco by P.B. Sanford with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in 6 compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, tissue-guarded engraved frontispiece toContinue reading "The Works of Edgar Allan Poe. [Including: The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Gold Bug, Raven, Eureka]."

Salinger, J.D

J.D. Salinger Autograph Letter Signed.

1944.

Scarce autograph note signed by J.D. Salinger on April 4, 1944, two months and two days before he saw combat at Utah Beach on D-Day. One page from an oblong octavo autograph album bound in full leather, the note is dated 4/4/44 and reads, “Dear Molly – I just don’t have anything bright to say.Continue reading "J.D. Salinger Autograph Letter Signed."

Burney, Capt. James

A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. Illustrated with Charts.

London : Printed by Luke Hansard, 1803.

Rare first edition of “the most important general history of early South Seas discoveries, containing practically everything of importance on the subject; collected from all sources, with the most important remarks concerning them. Many of the early voyages to California would be inaccessible were they not collected herein” (Hill). Quarto, 5 volumes bound in fullContinue reading "A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. Illustrated with Charts."

Stowe, Harriet Beecher

Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly and A Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

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."

Bellow, Saul

The Adventures of Augie March.

New York : The Viking Press, 1953.

First edition of Bellow’s first National Book Award winning novel. Octavo, bound in full morocco, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, handmade Italian marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Boldly signed by Saul Bellow. In fine condition.

Douglas, Norman

Nerinda.

Florence : G. Orioli, 1929.

Signed limited edition of this work, one of 475 numbered copies, this is number 272. Octavo, original cloth. In near fine condition.

Ruskin, John. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham

The King of the Golden River.

London : George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd, 1932.

Signed limited edition. Octavo, original limp vellum, gilt titles and decoration to front cover, illustrated endpapers, top edge gilt, color frontispiece and three plates, illustrations in the text, all by Rackham. Signed by Arthur Rackham, one of 570 copies of which 550 were for sale, this is number 549. Near fine in the the rareContinue reading "The King of the Golden River."

Kipling, Rudyard

Rudyard Kipling with The British Fleet.

Boston : For the Boston American, 1915.

The Boston American’s complimentary reprint of Kipling’s Fringes of the Fleet which first appeared in England in The Daily Telegraph, and in the United States in the Hearst newspapers. Octavo, original pictorial wrappers. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise case. Rare.

de Bourrienne, Fauvelet. [Napoleon]

Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte.

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."

Martin, Theodore. [Queen Victoria]

The Life of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort. With Portraits and Views.

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."

Dickens, Charles

The Personal History of David Copperfield.

London : Bradbury and Evans, 1850.

First edition in book form of “the most perfect of all the Dickens novels” (Virginia Woolf). Octavo, bound in three quarters calf over marbled boards with black morocco spine label lettered in gilt tooling to the spine and raised gilt bands, frontispiece, pictorial title page and 38 etched plates by H. K. Browne. In veryContinue reading "The Personal History of David Copperfield."

Dickens, Charles

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1839.

First edition in book form of one of Dickens’ most popular novels. Octavo, bound in three quarters calf over boards, gilt titles to the spine. First issue points with “visiter” for “sister” on p. 123, “latter” for “letter” p.160, “flys” for flies on p. 245, and “visiters” for “visitors” on p. 272. First issue pointsContinue reading "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby."

Gleig, G. R. [Arthur James Balfour]

The Life of Arthur Duke of Wellington.

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."