Gifts - Holidays

Thomas, Dylan; Illustrated by Fritz Eichenberg

A Child’s Christmas In Wales.

New York : New Directions Publishing Corporation, 1969.

Signed limited first edition of Thomas’ beloved Christmas reverie, one of 100 copies signed by illustrator Fritz Eichenberg, accompanied by an extra suite of five plates on large paper, each signed in pencil by the artist, illustrated by Fritz Eichenberg. Oblong folio, original publisher’s quarter leather and cloth and publisher’s black paper portfolio with printedContinue reading "A Child’s Christmas In Wales."

Dylan, Bob

Bob Dylan: Chronicles.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 2004.

First edition of Dylan’s revealing autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Bob Dylan on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Coco Shinomiya. PSA/DNA LOA and sticker to the title page. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box by the Harcourt Bindery.

Waters, Alice

Chez Panisse Menu Cookbook.

New York : Random House, 1982.

First edition, early printing of Waters’ first book. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Alice Waters on the half-title page. Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket, name to the front free endpaper. Written in collaboration with Linda P. Guenzel. Recipes edited by Carolyn Dille. Designed and illustrated by David Lance Goines.Continue reading "Chez Panisse Menu Cookbook."

Watson, James D. [Francis Crick]

The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA.

New York : Atheneum, 1968.

First edition of Watson’s ground breaking work regarding the discovery of DNA for which the author, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1962. Signed by both James Watson and Francis Crick on the title page. Lengthily signed with a quote written by Watson on the half-title page, “IContinue reading "The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA."

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."

Baum, L. Frank

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus.

Indianapolis : The Bowen-Merrill Company, 1902.

First edition of this Christmas classic, inscribed by Baum to the W.W. Denslow, who illustrated The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Octavo, original publisher’s bright red pictorial cloth decorated in in green, white and tan, pictorial endpapers, illustrated by Mary Cowles Clark with 20 plates, 6 in full color including frontispiece. Association copy, inscribed by theContinue reading "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus."

Wright, J[ohn]. [Alexander Hamilton]

The American Negotiator, or the Various Currencies of the British Colonies in America; As well the Islands, and the Continent. The Currencies of Nova Scotia, Canada, New England, New York, East Jersey, Pensylvania, West Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, &c.

London : Printed for the Proprietors, by J. Smith, Wellclose-Square, 1765.

Third edition of Wright’s important 18th-century reference work which standardized colonial currencies and transformed transatlantic trade, from the library of Alexander Hamilton with his ownership signature and bookplate. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, rebacked, double gilt ruling to the front andContinue reading "The American Negotiator, or the Various Currencies of the British Colonies in America; As well the Islands, and the Continent. The Currencies of Nova Scotia, Canada, New England, New York, East Jersey, Pensylvania, West Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, &c."

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."

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."

Smith, William

A Concise Dictionary of the Bible, For the Use of Families and Students.

London : John Murray, 1865.

First edition of Smith’s Concise Dictionary of the Bible. Octavo, bound in full dark green leather with gilt titles to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, gilt inner dentelles, all edges gilt, illustrated throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by former Prime Minister Arthur Balfour on the front flyleaf, “John Hewy Havadine, with all goodContinue reading "A Concise Dictionary of the Bible, For the Use of Families and Students."

Rowling, J.K

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

New York : Arthur A. Levine Books: An Imprint of Scholastic Press, 1999.

First American edition, early printing of the second book in Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter series. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated by Mary Grandpré. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Thea (yet again!) J.K. Rowling.” Very good in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket art by Mary Grandpré. Jacket designContinue reading "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."

Schedel, Hartmann

Liber Chronicarum. [The Nuremberg Chronicle].

Nuremberg : Anton Koberger for Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister, 1493.

First edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle, the most extensively illustrated book of the 15th century, from the St. Petersburg library of William Tooke. Imperial folio, bound in three quarter calf over paper-covered boards, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, five gilt-tooled raised bands, rebacked, decorated with 1809 woodcut illustrationsContinue reading "Liber Chronicarum. [The Nuremberg Chronicle]."

Van Allsburg, Chris [Tom Hanks]

The Polar Express.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1985.

First edition of Van Allsburg’s lushly illustrated classic, enchanting tale of childlike wonder and hope, winner of the 1986 Caldecott Medal, basis for the 2004 animated film starring Tom Hanks in six distinct roles. Oblong quarto, original cloth, illustrated throughout. Boldly signed by Chris Van Allsburg and Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks on the titleContinue reading "The Polar Express."

Davies, Valentine

Miracle On 34th Street.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1947.

First edition of this modern Christmas classic. Octavo, original red cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with the first edition point of “Double Your Enjoyment” on the rear panel. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box by the Harcourt Bindery. An exceptional example.

Translated by Rabbi Isidore Epstein

The Babylonian Talmud.

London : The Soncino Press, 1935-1952.

First complete English translation and first Soncino edition of the Babylonian Talmud, a revered and significant work of Jewish scholarship. Octavo, 52 volumes in the original publisher’s deluxe full pebbled morocco with gilt titles and raised bands to the spine, gilt Soncino Press insignia to each front panel, gilt-ruled turn-ins and inner dentelles, top edgeContinue reading "The Babylonian Talmud."

Van Allsburg, Chris [Tom Hanks]

The Polar Express.

Norwalk, CT : The Easton Press, 1985.

Signed limited edition of Van Allsburg’s lushly illustrated classic, enchanting tale of childlike wonder and hope, winner of the 1986 Caldecott Medal, basis for the 2004 animated film starring Tom Hanks in six distinct roles. Oblong quarto, original cloth, illustrated throughout. Boldly signed by Chris Van Allsburg and Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks. In fineContinue reading "The Polar Express."

Baum, L. Frank

The Road to Oz.

Chicago : The Reilly & Britton Co, 1909.

First edition, first printing of the fifth book in L. Frank Baum’s classic Oz series, from the library of Nobel Laureate George Snell. Quarto, original publisher’s light green pictorial cloth variant A binding with the illustration on the rear board and the spine imprint reading “Reilly & Britton” in upper- and lowercase letters, tan pictorial endpapers printed in red andContinue reading "The Road to Oz."

Churchill, Winston S.; Dwight D. Eisenhower; William M. Tuck; Lewis Preston Collins II; Henry Maitland Wilson

Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower Allied Leaders Signed Photograph.

: Colonial Studios, 1946.

Black and white photograph of Winston Churchill delivering a speech before the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia on March 8, 1946, with General Dwight D. Eisenhower seated to his left. Signed in the lower margin of the photograph, “Winston S. Churchill” and “Dwight D. Eisenhower.” Additionally signed by Virginia Governor William M. Tuck,Continue reading "Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower Allied Leaders Signed Photograph."

Alison, Sir Archibald [Millard Fillmore]

History of Europe: From the Fall of Napoleon in MDCCCXV to the Accession of Louis Napoleon in MDCCCLII Vol VIII.

Edinburgh and London : William Blackwood and Sons, 1859.

Early edition of this influential work chronicling European events from the French Revolution to the mid-19th century. Sir Archibald Alison was a Scottish historian, writer, and advocate whose most notable contributions were in the realm of historical and philosophical writing. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, floral border details stamped in blind.Continue reading "History of Europe: From the Fall of Napoleon in MDCCCXV to the Accession of Louis Napoleon in MDCCCLII Vol VIII."

Baum, L. Frank. Illustrated by John R. Neill. [Judy Garland; Billie Burke; Ray Bolger; Frank Morgan; Bert Lahr; Margaret Hamilton; Jack Haley; Victor Fleming

The Magic of Oz.

Chicago : The Reilly & Lee Co, 1919.

First edition, first printing of this classic work in L. Frank Baum’s celebrated Oz series, the last of the series to appear during Baum’s lifetime, as he passed away shortly before its release in 1919. First printing with the verso of the ownership page listing Baum titles through The Tin Woodman of Oz. Octavo, originalContinue reading "The Magic of Oz."

Davies, Valentine

Miracle On 34th. Street.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1947.

First edition of this modern Christmas classic. 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. In fine condition. AnContinue reading "Miracle On 34th. Street."

Austen, Jane

Emma: A Novel.

London : Printed for John Murray, 1816.

First edition of the last of Austen‘s works to be published during her lifetime, with Cooper-Powys family provenance and in a fine contemporary binding. Duodecimo, three volumes bound in three quarter contemporary calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and Greek key ruling to the spines, rebacked with original spines laid down, half-titles. From the libraryContinue reading "Emma: A Novel."

Dickens, Charles

Great Expectations.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1861.

First edition, second impression of Dickens’ rarest book, one of only 750 copies. Octavo, three volumes bound in full polished calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt-ruled turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbledContinue reading "Great Expectations."

Hemingway, Ernest

For Whom the Bell Tolls.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1940.

First edition, early printing of Hemingway’s third novel, a tragic exploration of love, duty, and the futility of war. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Association copy, lengthily inscribed by Ernest Hemingway to his cousin on the front free endpaper, “For Ruth and Malcolm, from their child producing house guest who is very fond of them (whatContinue reading "For Whom the Bell Tolls."