Gifts - For Her

Rand, Ayn. [Annie Dillard]

Night of January 16th.

New York and Cleveland : The World Publishing Company, 1968.

First edition in book form of the successful Broadway play by the author of The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Ayn Rand on the front free endpaper. From the library of fellow writer, Annie Dillard with her bookplate to the front free endpaper. The recipient, fellow author Annie DillardContinue reading "Night of January 16th."

Rowling, J.K

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

London : Bloomsbury, 2003.

First adult edition of the fifth novel in J.K. Rowling’s enormously popular best-selling Harry Potter Series. Octavo, original cloth. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by William Webb. Jacket image by Michael Wildsmith. Author photograph by Bill de la Hey.

Waller, Robert James

The Bridges of Madison County.

New York : Warner Books, 1992.

First edition, early printing of the author’s best-selling romance novella, the basis for the 1995 film of the same name starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. Octavo, original half cloth, pictorial title page, illustrated with photographs by the author. Signed by Robert James Waller on the half-title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket.Continue reading "The Bridges of Madison County."

Waller, Robert James

The Bridges of Madison County.

New York : Warner Books, 1992.

First edition, early printing of the author’s best-selling romance novella, the basis for the 1995 film of the same name starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. Octavo, original half cloth, pictorial title page, illustrated with photographs by the author. Signed by Robert James Waller on the half-title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket.Continue reading "The Bridges of Madison County."

Beckford, William. [John Singer Sargent]

Italy; with Sketches of Spain and Portugal.

London : Richard Bentley, 1834.

Finley bound first edition of Beckford’s beautifully descriptive account of his travels through Italy, Spain, and Portugal from the library of American painter John Singer Sargent with his ownership signature and bookplates. Octavo, two volumes bound in full morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, giltContinue reading "Italy; with Sketches of Spain and Portugal."

[Lord Byron]

Don Juan. [Cantos I & II].

Philadelphia : Published by M. Thomas, 1819.

Scarce first American edition, first printing of Byron’s great work which was widely criticized as immoral upon publication and is now considered one of the greatest poems of the Romantics. Duodecimo, original publisher’s boards and printed paper spine label, half-title page. In good condition, stamp to the verso of the title page. Light dampstaining toContinue reading "Don Juan. [Cantos I & II]."

Charignon, Antoine Joseph Henri

Le Livre de Marco Polo. [The Book of Marco Polo].

Peking : Albert Nachbaur, 1924.

First edition of each volume of French sinologist Antoine Joseph Henri Charignon’s monumental work on the life and discoveries of Marco Polo. Quarto, three volumes bound in three quarter polished calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised gilt bands, text in Chinese and French, originalContinue reading "Le Livre de Marco Polo. [The Book of Marco Polo]."

Henry, Marguerite; Illustrated by Wesley Dennis

Misty of Chincoteague.

New York : Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 1997.

Signed limited edition of the author’s classic work. Octavo, original publisher’s maroon cloth with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, pictorial endpapers, illustrated by Wesley Dennis. One of two hundred and fifty numbered copies signed by the author, this is number 77. Fine in the original publisher’s matching slipcase which is in fineContinue reading "Misty of Chincoteague."

Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de

The History and Adventures of the Renowned Don Quixote.

Philadelphia : John Conrad & Co, 1803.

Rare first American edition of Cervantes’ masterpiece, translated from the original Spanish by Tobias Smollett and published as part of John Conrad & Co.’s Select Novels series (Vols. X-XIII). Duodecimo, 4 volumes, bound in full contemporary speckled calf, gilt numbers to the spine, modern morocco spine labels lettered in gilt. Translated by T. Smollett. InContinue reading "The History and Adventures of the Renowned Don Quixote."

Rushdie, Salman

Luka and the Fire of Life.

New York : Random House, 2010.

First edition of the Booker Prize-winning author’s dazzling modern classic. Octavo, original publisher’s half cloth. Boldly signed by Salman Rushdie on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Dust jacket design by Robbin Schiff and Anna Bauer. Dust jacket illustration by Niroot Puttapipat. Book design by Caroline Cunningham, who assisted as a literaryContinue reading "Luka and the Fire of Life."

Shakespeare, William

The Works of William Shakespeare.

London : Macmillan and Co., 1887.

The Victoria edition of the works of William Shakespeare. Octavo, two volumes, bound in full polished calf with gilt titles and elaborate tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, “Via Veritas Vita” pictorial vignette stamped in gilt to the front panels, allContinue reading "The Works of William Shakespeare."

Milton, John

The Works of John Milton in Verse and Prose: Printed From the Original Editions With a Life of the Author by John Mitford.

London : William Pickering, 1851.

Finely bound collection of the works of John Milton, published by William Pickering. Octavo, 8 volumes bound in full polished calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn ins andContinue reading "The Works of John Milton in Verse and Prose: Printed From the Original Editions With a Life of the Author by John Mitford."

Wells, H.G

Ann Veronica.

London : T. Fisher Unwin, 1909.

First British edition of this Edwardian era novel. Octavo, original publisher’s red cloth with titles stamped in gilt, along with “Vita sine litteris mors est” written in golden gilt on the front. This translates as “Life without learning is death,” a phrase traditionally attributed to Seneca (Epistle 82). From the collection of British science fictionContinue reading "Ann Veronica."

Alcott, Louisa May

Little Women or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. [with] Little Women or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy Part Second. [with] Little Men: Life at Plumfield with Jo’s Boys.

Boston : Roberts Brothers, 1868-1871.

First editions of Louisa May Alcott’s “outstanding achievement of 19th-century American literature” together with its sequels. Octavo, three volumes, original publisher’s emerald green gilt decorated cloth, each volume illustrated with tissue-guarded frontispiece and three plates; those in the first part of Little Women were created by the author’s sister, May. First issue of Little Women with allContinue reading "Little Women or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. [with] Little Women or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy Part Second. [with] Little Men: Life at Plumfield with Jo’s Boys."

Binet, Laurent

Civilisations.

London : Harvill Secker, 2021.

Signed limited first edition of this alternate-history novel of the Americas and Europe. Octavo, original publishers red boards, all edges red. One of 250 numbered copies, this is number 176. Boldly signed by Laurent Binet on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Translated from the French by Sam Taylor.

Woolf, Virginia

Orlando: A Biography.

New York : Crosby Gaige, 1928.

First limited edition of Woolf’s immensely popular feminist classic, one of only 800 copies signed by her in her characteristic purple ink. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth decorated in gilt, top edge gilt, engraved frontispiece portrait of Orlando as a boy, illustrated with engravings. One of 800 numbered copies, this is number 512. Boldly signed byContinue reading "Orlando: A Biography."

Blixen, Karen. [Isak Dinesen]

Isak Dinesen Autograph Note Signed.

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Rare autograph note signed by the author of Out of Africa, Karen Blixen with her pen name, Isak Dinesen. Accomplished on Cosmopolitan Club stationery in ink, the note reads in full, “With my best thanks for the lovely roses. Isak Dinesen.” The note measures 4 inches by 4 inches. Matted and framed with a color photographContinue reading "Isak Dinesen Autograph Note Signed."

Rey, H.A. [Ian Fleming]

Zebrology.

London : Chatto & Windus, [n.d.].

First edition, fourth impression of this charming children’s book by the author of Curious George, inscribed by Ian Fleming to his lover Clare Blanshard. Oblong octavo, original illustrated wrappers, tied gold thread binding, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by Ian Fleming on the verso of the front wrapper, “Clare, A Christmas thought from Ian.” The recipient,Continue reading "Zebrology."

The Entry of Christ into Jerusalem Devotional Painting.

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Rare late 18th to early 19th-century devotional painting on panel depicting the entry of Christ into Jerusalem. Oil and tempera on thick wood panel, devotional painting in the iconographic tradition. In good condition with scattered chipping and wear.

Young, George Frederic, Col. [Medici]

The Medici.

London : John Murray, 1909.

First editions of Young’s authoritative history of the Medici, extra-illustrated with 91 plates, 20 in color. Octavo, four volumes bound in full contemporary crushed levant morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, quadruple gilt ruling and fleuron cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-insContinue reading "The Medici."

Grimke, Sarah. Edited and with an Introduction by Elizabeth Ann Bartlett. [Ruth Bader Ginsburg]

Sarah Grimké: Letters on the Equality of the Sexes and Other Essays.

New Haven : Yale University Press, 1988.

First edition of this collection of essays. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the editor on the title page, “For Justice Ginsburg – with deepest respect, admiration, & gratitude, In sisterhood, Elizabeth Ann Bartlett.” From the library of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Arguably the most famous Supreme Court Justice in American history, lawyer and juristContinue reading "Sarah Grimké: Letters on the Equality of the Sexes and Other Essays."

Thackeray, William Makepeace

Vanity Fair: A Novel Without a Hero.

London : Bradbury and Evans, 1848.

First edition, first issue of Thackeray’s masterpiece. Octavo, bound in full green morocco elaborately bound by Bayntun in Cosway-style with a portrait of Thackeray inset on the front cover, elaborate gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front and rear panels, inner dentelles, raised bands, green ribbon marker, green silk moiré endpapers, all edges gilt.Continue reading "Vanity Fair: A Novel Without a Hero."

Travers, P.L

Mary Poppins.

New York : Reynal & Hitchcock, 1934.

First American edition of this children’s classic. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with 27 line cuts (13 full-page) and chapter tailpieces by Mary Shepard. Boldly signed by P.L. Travers on the front free endpaper. Very good in a very good dust jacket with a small repair to the spine. Rare and desirable signed.

Banks, Lynne Reid

The Indian In The Cupboard.

London : J.M. Dent, 1980.

First edition of the author’s classic novel and one that has went on to sell over 10 million copies. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Robin Jacques. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For Jamie Lynne Reid Banks ‘But what shall I do with the cupboard? Omri asked desperately ‘LeaveContinue reading "The Indian In The Cupboard."