Fine Bindings and Sets

Kingsley, Charles

Two Years Ago.

Cambridge : Macmillan and Co, 1857.

First edition of the author’s classic work, containing some of his most profound passages of descriptive imagery. Small octavo, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards by Tout & Sons with gilt titles and floral tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels,Continue reading "Two Years Ago."

Buchan, John

The Courts of the Morning.

London : Hodder and Stoughton LTD, 1929.

First edition of this classic adventure thriller. Octavo, bound in half morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles to the spine in five compartments within gilt bands, illustrated with a map. In near fine condition.

Roosevelt, Theodore

The Wilderness Hunter: An Account Of The Big Game Of The United States And Its Chase With Horse, Hound And Rifle.

New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1905.

Finely Bound Standard Library edition of Theodore Roosevelt’s American big game epic. Octavo, bound in three-quarters red morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and detailing to the spine in two compartments in raised bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, silk ribbon bound in, tissue-guarded frontispiece, withContinue reading "The Wilderness Hunter: An Account Of The Big Game Of The United States And Its Chase With Horse, Hound And Rifle."

Bond, Michael; Illustrated by Peggy Fortnum

A Bear Called Paddington.

London : Collins, 1958.

First edition of the first book in the Paddington series. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. SignedContinue reading "A Bear Called Paddington."

Adams, John Quincy

Oration on the Life and Character of Gilbert Motier de Lafayette. Delivered at the Request of Both Houses of the Congress of the United States, Before Them, In the House of Representatives at Washington on the 31st December, 1834.

Washington : Printed by Gales and Seaton, 1835.

First edition of John Quincy Adams’ biography of military hero Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. Octavo, bound in full contemporary red morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine. Association copy, inscribed by John Quincy Adams on the tipped in presentation leaf, “Patrick H. Pope from John Quincy Adams.” The recipient, Patrick Hamilton Pope wasContinue reading "Oration on the Life and Character of Gilbert Motier de Lafayette. Delivered at the Request of Both Houses of the Congress of the United States, Before Them, In the House of Representatives at Washington on the 31st December, 1834."

Boswell, James

The Life of Johnson.

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 full calf, gilt titles to the spine, morocco spine labels. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson, engraved by J. Heath after the Sir Joshua ReynoldsContinue reading "The Life of Johnson."

Groom, Winston [Tom Hanks, Gary Sinise, Sally Field]

Forrest Gump.

New York : Doubleday & Company, Inc, 1986.

First edition of this modern classic, basis for one of the most iconic films of the twentieth century, starring Tom Hanks, Gary Sinise and Sally Field. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rearContinue reading "Forrest Gump."

Ovid

Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Latin and English Translated by the Most Eminent Hands.

Amsterdam : Printed for the Wetsteins and Smith, 1732.

First English edition of Ovid’s Metamorphoses with Picart’s illustrations. Folio, two volumes in one, bound in full in early mottled calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in seven compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins, engraved title vignette. Illustrated with a copper-engraved frontispiece, 130Continue reading "Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Latin and English Translated by the Most Eminent Hands."

Jones, James Athearn

Traditions of the North American Indians: Being a Second and Revised Edition of ‘Tales of an Indian Camp’.

London : Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1830.

The second and best edition of this firsthand account of Native American traditions and folklore. Duodecimo, three volumes bound in contemporary three quarter green morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, beautifully etched frontispieces by W. H. Brooke in each volume, illustrated withContinue reading "Traditions of the North American Indians: Being a Second and Revised Edition of ‘Tales of an Indian Camp’."

[Pewtress, Percy L.]

An Address To Percy L. Pewtress Esq. Organist at Lee Chapel 1883 – 1922.

London : From the Congregation, April 1922.

Rare 20th century elaborately illuminated address to Percy L. Pewtress Esq. organist at Lee Chapel 1883 – 1922. Octavo, bound in full green morocco by G. E. Strong, Lee, S.E. with gilt fleur-de-lis and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, central lozenge with monogram “P.L.P.” to the front panel surrounded byContinue reading "An Address To Percy L. Pewtress Esq. Organist at Lee Chapel 1883 – 1922."

Fitzgerald, Edward [Translator]

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyám; and the Salámán and Ábsál of Jámí; Rendered Into English Verse.

London : Bernard Quaritch, 1879.

Finely bound edition of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, rendered into English Verse by Edward Fitzgerald. Octavo, bound in full green crushed morocco with gilt titles and floral tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, elaborate gilt borders with red inlay flowers to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and innerContinue reading "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyám; and the Salámán and Ábsál of Jámí; Rendered Into English Verse."

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques

The Confessions of J.J. Rousseau: With the Reveries of the Solitary Walker.

London : Printed for J. Bew, 1783.

Rare first edition in English of the author’s classic work. Duodecimo, 2 volumes, bound in three-quarters contemporary calfskin over marbled boards with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, morocco spine labels. In very good condition, signatures to the front pastedowns.

Fitzgerald, Edward. With illustrations by Edmund Dulac

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

London : Hodder and Stoughton, c. 1910.

Exceptionally rare bound in jewelled binding, set with 37 jewels by Sangorski & Sutcliffe. Quarto, reproduced from a manuscript illuminated by F. Sangorski  G. & Sutcliffe, with miniatures after E. Geddes, original red straight-grained morocco, upper cover with central sunken oval green morocco panel and a Peacock with light green, blue, white, and brown moroccoContinue reading "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam."

Joyce, James

Ulysses.

London : Published for the Egoist Press by John Rodker, 1922.

First English edition of Joyce’s masterpiece, limited to 2,000 copies. Thick quarto, bound in three quarters green morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles to the spine, printed from the original plates in Dijon. One of 2,000 numbered copies printed on handmade paper, this is number 1528. Of the 2,000 copies printed 500 were sentContinue reading "Ulysses."

Hopkins, Samuel [Jonathan Edwards]

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.

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."

Stadius, Joannes. [Edmond Halley]

Ephemeris Anno Christi 1554.

Cologne : Apud haeredes Arnoldi Birckmanni, 1570.

Edmond Halley’s sixteenth-century copy of Flemish mathematician Joannes Stadius’ widely consulted astronomical almanac, first published in 1554. Quarto, bound in full English calf with an elaborate gilt lozenge to the center of each panel, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, printer’s device to the title page. From theContinue reading "Ephemeris Anno Christi 1554."

Fleming, Ian; Angus Wilson; Edith Sitwell; Cyril Connolly; Patrick Leigh Fermor; Evelyn Waugh; Christopher Sykes; W.H. Auden [Larry Hughes]

The Seven Deadly Sins.

New York : William Morrow and Company, 1962.

First edition of this anthology introduced by Ian Fleming. Octavo, bound in three quarters green morocco over green cloth covered boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, title page vignette, illustrated decorations forContinue reading "The Seven Deadly Sins."

Kean, Thomas H. and Lee H. Hamilton [Alvin S. Felzenberg]

Without Precedent: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Commission.

Norwalk, Connecticut : The Easton Press, 2006.

Signed limited first edition of the Easton Press edition of this work by the co-chairmen of the 9/11 Commission. Octavo, original black leather with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, gilt tooling to the front and rear panels, all edges gilt, silk moiré endpapers, silk ribbon bound in,Continue reading "Without Precedent: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Commission."

Dickens, Charles

The Christmas Books: The Chimes; The Battle of Life; Cricket on the Hearth; The Haunted Man and The Ghost’s Bargain.

London : Chapman and Hall/Bradbury & Evans, 1845-1848.

First editions of the four final novellas in Charles Dickens’ Christmas Book series. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine and front panels, all edges gilt, frontispiece, title page vignettes. The set contains: First edition, second issue of The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old YearContinue reading "The Christmas Books: The Chimes; The Battle of Life; Cricket on the Hearth; The Haunted Man and The Ghost’s Bargain."

Newton, Sir Isaac

The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended.

London : Printed for J. Tonson in the Strand, and J. Osborn and T. Longman in Pater-noster Row, 1728.

First edition of Newton’s ambitious attempt to reconstruct and rationalize the timelines of ancient history. Quarto, bound in full contemporary Cambridge calf, ruled and tooled in blind with speckled panels, gilt turn-ins, ordinary paper issue, illustrated with 3 folding engravings. From the library of Harvard University professor Owen Gingerich. Owen Gingerich (1930–2023) was an AmericanContinue reading "The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended."

The Holy Bible, Conteining the Old Testament and the New. Newly Translated out ot the Originall Tongues: and with the former Translation diligently compared and revised By his Majesties Special commandement. Appointed to be read in Churches.

Imprinted at London : Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie, 1613 [-1612].

Exceptionally rare 1613 printing of Robert Barker’s Geneva Bible. Quarto, bound in full contemporary calf with elaborate gilt decorations to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, gilt ruling and panelling to the front and rear panels with flueron cornerpieces, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, ribbon bound in. Two title pages withinContinue reading "The Holy Bible, Conteining the Old Testament and the New. Newly Translated out ot the Originall Tongues: and with the former Translation diligently compared and revised By his Majesties Special commandement. Appointed to be read in Churches."

Halley, Edmond [Philip Schuyler]

Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets.

London : Printed for William Innys in Pater-noster Row, 1752.

First edition in English of Halley’s classic work, from the library of American Revolutionary War General Philip Schuyler and subsequently Harvard University professor Owen Gingerich. Quarto, bound in full polished calf, rebacked, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, rebacked, gilt ruling to theContinue reading "Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets."

Greene, Graham

Brighton Rock.

London : William Heinemann LTD, 1938.

First British edition of Greene’s chilling expose of violence and gang warfare in the pre-war underworld is a classic of its kind. Octavo, bound in half goatskin over cloth boards with gilt titles to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels. In near fine condition.

de Balzac, Honoré [Czar Alexander II]

La Dernière Incarnation de Vautrin. [The Last Incarnation of Vautrin].

Paris : Chez Louis Chlendowski, 1848.

Finely bound edition of the final volume of ‘La Comédie Humaine’, from the library of Czar Alexander II of Russia. Octavo, three volumes bound in half crushed morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and ruling to the spines in five compartments. In very condition with some rubbing to the spines and bookplates to theContinue reading "La Dernière Incarnation de Vautrin. [The Last Incarnation of Vautrin]."