Gifts - Holidays

Bellin, Jacques-Nicolas [China]

La Chine avec La Coree et les Parties de la Tartarie. [Jacques-Nicolas Bellin Eighteenth Century Map of China with Korea and Parts of Tartary].

Paris c. 1750.

Rare eighteenth century hand-colored map of China and Korea by French cartographer Jacques-Nicolas Bellin. Matted and framed. The entire piece measures 19.75 inches by 17.5 inches.

Cavett, Dick. Foreword by Jimmy Fallon [William Safire]

Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic Moments, and Assorted Hijinks.

New York : Henry Holt and Company, 2014.

First edition, early printing of Cavett’s engaging memoir. Octavo, original boards. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Tom & Bill – Dick Cavett.” The recipient, Bill Zwecker, was a longtime entertainment and celebrity journalist. A Chicago native and second-generation newspaper star (his late mother, Peg Zwecker, was the fashionContinue reading "Brief Encounters: Conversations, Magic Moments, and Assorted Hijinks."

Bailey, D. R. Shackleton. [Bernard Knox]

Cicero.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1971.

First American edition of Baileys classic work on Cicero. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece. From the library of Bernard Knox with his ownership signature to the front free endpaper. English classicist, author, and critic Bernard MacGregor Walker Knox was the first director of the Center for Hellenic Studies. In 1992 the National Endowment for the HumanitiesContinue reading "Cicero."

Craddock, Harry

The Savoy Cocktail Book.

London : Constable & Company, 1930.

First edition of this iconic, definitive text on cocktails. Octavo, original half black cloth, pictorial endpapers. Illustrated by Gilbert Rumbold. Presentation copy, inscribed by Harry Craddock on the verso of the dedication page and first page of the Preface, “Here’s How” Harry Craddock To my dear friend Myra October ’30.” Rare and desirable signed byContinue reading "The Savoy Cocktail Book."

Hughes, Langston

The First Book of Africa.

New York : Franklin Watts, Inc., 1960.

First edition of Hughes’ concise history of Africa. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Allison, Stephen, and Alan- with the sincere regards of- Langston Hughes New York, PEN Club, October 17, 1960.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket.

Young, Jesse Bowman

What A Boy Saw in the Army: A Story of Sight-Seeing and Adventure in the War for the Union.

New York : Hunt & Eaton, 1894.

First edition of Young’s account of his experiences as a soldier boy in the armies of the Union. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. In very good condition.

Sharp, Evelyn. Illustrated by Charles Robinson

The Story of the Weathercock.

London : Blackie & Son Limited, n.d..

Early printing of Sharp’s children’s classic. Quarto, original publisher’s decorated cloth, illustrated with sixteen color plates and numerous black-and-white illustrations by Charles Robinson. In good condition.

Hartley, Dorothy

Food In England.

London : Macdonald, 1954.

First edition of this classic work by the social historian Dorothy Hartley, which is both a cookery book and a history of English cuisine. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated with Hartley’s own strong, detailed and lively illustrations. Lengthily signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “D. Hartley. the author- with remembrances of our meetings-atContinue reading "Food In England."

Sondheim, Stephen; James Lapine; Illustrated by Hudson Talbott

Into The Woods.

New York : Crown Publishers, 1989.

First edition of this classic work, basis for the Broadway musical and later film. Quarto, original cloth, illustrated throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Josh Kaiser, with very best wishes for you and your future-  Hudson Talbott 2/3/90.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. An exceptional example.

Monkshood, G. F. and George Gamble

Rudyard Kipling: The Man and His Work. An Attempt at Appreciation.

London : Greening & Co., Ltd., 1902.

Third and enlarged edition of Monkshood’s homage to the legendary man of letters. Octavo, original cloth, tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait. In very good condition.

Cornell, Louis L. [Rudyard Kipling]

Kipling In India.

London : Macmillan, 1966.

First edition of Cornell’s study of Kipling’s apprenticeship in India. Octavo, original cloth. Very good in a very good price-clipped dust jacket.

Kipling, Rudyard

The Two Jungle Books.

London : Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1932.

Later printing of Kipling’s Two Jungle Books in one volume. Octavo, original red cloth decorated in gilt with illustrations by J. Lockwood Kipling and W.H. Drake. In very good condition. Bookplate and small ownership inscription.

Kipling, Rudyard

Wee Willie Winkie and Other Stories. [Baa, Baa, Black Sheep; His Majesty the King; The Drums of Fore and Aft]

Allahabad : Published by Messrs. A. H. Wheeler & Co, n.d.

Later printing of this classic collection of Kipling’s tales for children. Octavo, original cloth. Contains Wee Willie Winkie, Baa Baa Black Sheep, His Majesty the King, and The Drums of Fore and Aft. In very good condition.

Tazewell, Charles; Illustrated by Katherine Evans

The Littlest Angel.

Chicago : Childrens Press, Inc., 1946.

First edition of this beloved Christmas classic. Octavo, original illustrated boards, illustrated endpapers. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket, small name to the front free endpaper.

Sinatra, Frank

Frank Sinatra Signed “Johnny Concho” Poster.

.

Rare magazine poster featuring a full-length portrait of Frank Sinatra as Johnny Concho, inscribed by him, “For Bonnie – Affectionately Frank.” In very good condition. Rare and desirable.

Valenti, Jack [William Safire]

Speak Up With Confidence: How to Prepare, Learn, and Deliver Effective Speeches.

New York : William Morrow and Company, Inc, 1982.

First edition of Jack Valenti’s classic work. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Bill Safire Thanks for your embrace – with the loving good wishes of Jack Valenti.” The recipient, William Safire was an important American author, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, journalist, and presidential speechwriter. HeContinue reading "Speak Up With Confidence: How to Prepare, Learn, and Deliver Effective Speeches."

Graham, Stedman [William Safire]

You Can Make It Happen: A Nine-Step Plan for Success.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1997.

First edition of the author’s nine-step plan for success. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “Bill, Congratulations on all that you do – Keep making it happen and thanks for your support! Best wishes Stedman.” The recipient, William Safire was an important American author, columnist, journalist, andContinue reading "You Can Make It Happen: A Nine-Step Plan for Success."

Austro-Hungarian Nobility Patent

Vienna 1911.

Rare Austro-Hungarian Nobility Patent bestowing upon Brunn industrialist Adolf Noble von Kurschner and his descendants a Hungarian noble title. Folio, bound in full morocco with elaborate gilt metal onlays embellished with precious stones, inner dentelles, silk-watered endleaves, tasseled ribbon bound in. The patent is richly decorated with hand-painted illuminated borders, large hand-painted coat of arms.Continue reading "Austro-Hungarian Nobility Patent"

Victoria, Queen. Edited by Arthur Christopher and Viscount Esher

Letters of Queen Victoria: A Selection from her Majesty’s Correspondence Between the Years 1837 and 1861.

London : John Murray, 1907.

First edition set of this selection of the letters of Queen Victoria, written between 1837 and 1861. Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco by Henry Southeran and Co. with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, illustrated with tissue-guarded engravings including tissue-guarded frontispiecesContinue reading "Letters of Queen Victoria: A Selection from her Majesty’s Correspondence Between the Years 1837 and 1861."

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, 4 volumes bound in three quarter morocco over marbled boards with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. The set is comprised of aContinue reading "The Christmas Books: The Chimes; The Battle of Life; Cricket on the Hearth; The Haunted Man and The Ghost’s Bargain."