Gifts - For Her

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.

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."

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The Entry of Christ into Jerusalem Devotional Painting.

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."

Mitchell, Margaret.

Gone With the Wind.

New York: The Macmillan Company, 1936.

First edition of Margaret Mitchell’s masterpiece which remains one of the fastest selling novels in the history of American publishing, with 50,000 copies sold in a single day. Octavo, original cloth. First printing, with “Published May 1936” on the copyright page and no mention of other printings. Boldly signed by Margaret Mitchell on the frontContinue reading "Gone With the Wind."

Bennett, Tony. [Anthony Dominick Benedetto] [Doris Day].

Tony Bennett Original San Francisco ‘Cityscape’ Painting.

Rare original oil painting by legendary singer Tony Bennett, presented by him to famous actress and singer Doris Day, who hung this painting in her home in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Oil on artist board, the painting depicts an overhead view of the North Beach area of San Francisco, with sundry buildings, a nearby harbor, and the side ofContinue reading "Tony Bennett Original San Francisco ‘Cityscape’ Painting."

Parker, Dorothy.

Not So Deep as a Well: The Collected Poems of Dorothy Parker.

New York: The Viking Press, 1936.

First edition of the collected poems of Dorothy Parker. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a very good dust jacket, inscription to the front free endpaper.

Swinnerton, Frank. [Raymond Chandler].

The Cats and Rosemary.

London: Hamish Hamilton, 1950.

First edition of Swinnerton’s keen observation to present a nuanced portrayal of human nature, delving into emotional complexities, personal growth, and societal expectations. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, with unique black and white illustrations. From the library of Raymond Chandler with his library stamp to the front free endpaper: Raymond Chandler 6005 Camino de la CostaContinue reading "The Cats and Rosemary."

Webb, Charles. [Dustin Hoffman; Katharine Ross; William Daniels].

The Graduate: A Novel of Today’s Youth, Unlike Any You Have Read.

New York: The New American Library of World Literature, Inc., 1963.

First edition of the “brilliant… sardonic, ludicrously funny” (The New York Times) story of an aimless college graduate in 1960s America that inspired of the iconic 1967 film starring Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross, Anne Bancroft and William Daniels. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed by Charles Webb and Academy Award-winning actor Dustin Hoffman (Benjamin Braddock) onContinue reading "The Graduate: A Novel of Today’s Youth, Unlike Any You Have Read."

Kelly, Grace Patricia. [Princess Grace of Monaco].

Princess Grace of Monaco Signature.

Fine signature of Princess Grace of Monaco, regally framed with Yousuf Karsh’s iconic portrait of her. Signed, “Grace de Monaco.” The signature page measures 4.5 inches by 2 inches. Double-matted and framed with a Yousuf Karsh portrait. The entire piece measures 16 inches by 22 inches. In very fine condition.

Lichine, Alexis.

Alexis Lichine’s Guide to the Wines and Vineyards of France.

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1979.

First edition of America’s foremost wine connoisseur’s comprehensive guide to the wines of France. Octavo, original half cloth, with 8 pages of photographs and 22 maps. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Ian White who was able to see at Chat. Prieure-L that the 1980’s will be quite promising. Best wishes,Continue reading "Alexis Lichine’s Guide to the Wines and Vineyards of France."

Conrad, Joseph.

Last Essays.

New York: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1926.

First edition of this posthumous collection of twenty essays. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, frontispiece facsimile of “The Last Words That Conrad Wrote.” Near fine in the original dust jacket with the portrait of Conrad and large ad for Kipling’s works to the verso.

McLean, Don.

Don McLean: American Pie.

New York: United Artists, 1971.

Don McLean’s personal test pressing of American Pie before mass production, gifted in 1971 to his former sister-in-law. A 12-inch vinyl test pressing with paper labels on both sides and the album itself etched with the word “Peace” and codes “UAS-5535A” and “UAS – 5535B”. Signed by Don McLean on both paper labels, and datedContinue reading "Don McLean: American Pie."

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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."

Child, Julia; Simone Beck.

Mastering the Art of French Cooking: Volume Two.

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1970.

First edition of the second volume of this classic work. Folio, original illustrated boards, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Loretta – Julia Child.” Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket with a small area of removal to the front panel. Illustrations by Sidonie Coryn, based onContinue reading "Mastering the Art of French Cooking: Volume Two."

Lee, Harper.

To Kill A Mockingbird.

Philadelphia & New York: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1960.

First edition, the finest association copy of one of the most important American novels of the 20th century which had an initial first printing of 5,000 copies and went on to earn Harper Lee the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Octavo, original half cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaperContinue reading "To Kill A Mockingbird."

Disney, Walt; Ward Greene.

Lady and the Tramp: The Story of Two Dogs.

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1953.

First edition of this classic work, basis for the Walt Disney film. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt illustration to the front panel, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed byContinue reading "Lady and the Tramp: The Story of Two Dogs."

Morrison, Toni.

A Mercy.

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008.

First edition of “one of Morrison’s most haunting works yet” (The New York Times). Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Toni Morrison on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Barbara de Wilde.