Gifts - Holidays

Sondheim, Stephen; James Lapine; Adapted and Illustrated by Hudson Talbott

Into The Woods.

New York : Crown Publishers, 1988.

First edition of this classic work, the basis for the Broadway musical and subsequent film. Quarto, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. Lengthily signed by James Lapine on the half-title page, “‘Once Upon A Time…’ James Lapine.” Additionally lengthily signed by the illustrator on the half-title page with an original drawing of a bean stock growingContinue reading "Into The Woods."

Rowling, J.K

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

London : Bloomsbury, 1997.

First paperback edition, later impression of the rarest book in the Harry Potter series, a cornerstone of young adult literature, and one of the best-selling books of all time. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers. Presentation copy, inscribed by J.K. Rowling on the half-title page, “To Ashleigh Innes with best wishes JK Rowling.” Additionally signed by coverContinue reading "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone."

Austen, Jane

The Works of Jane Austen.

London : Eveleigh Nash & Grayson, 1927.

The Georgian edition of the works of Jane Austen. Octavo, five volumes bound in three quarter contemporary calf by Riviere & Son with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, top edges gilt, marbled endpapers, title pages in red and black. In very good condition. Housed in a custom slipcase.

Kazantzakis, Nikos

Christ Recrucified.

Athena 1954.

First Greek edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Nikos Kazantzakis on the copyright page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Rare and desirable signed.

Newton, Isaac

Isaac Newton Document Signed.

January 25 [1698-1699].

Rare vellum manuscript signed by Sir Isaac Newton as Warden of the Royal Mint, in which he makes a case against his nemesis, coin counterfeiter William Chaloner, soon to be hanged for high treason. One page, vellum manuscript document signed by Isaac Newton,  “Is. Newton,” January 25 [1698-1699]. Recognizance bond issued by Isaac Newton asContinue reading "Isaac Newton Document Signed."

Dickens, Charles

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1838-39.

First edition in the original monthly parts, mixed issue of this titular hero’s journey through hardship. Octavo, original blue-green wrappers, 20 parts in 19 volumes, dated April 1838-October 1839. Illustrated with an engraved portrait of Dickens by Finden after Daniel Maclise, and 38 out of 39 black and white etched plates by “Phiz” or HablotContinue reading "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby."

Rusha, Ed

Make New History.

Los Angeles : MOCA, 2009.

Signed limited edition of this rare artist’s book, or “art object” published on the occasion of the Gala of the 30th Anniversary of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. Oblong octavo, the text block of the book is entirely blank, the artist’s intention being for its owner to write their own history inContinue reading "Make New History."

Seuss, Dr. [Theodor Geisel]

The Seven Lady Godivas.

New York : Random House, 1987.

Signed limited commemorative edition of this classic Dr. Seuss title. Folio, original publisher’s cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. One of 300 numbered copies of the first printing of the reissued edition signed by Dr. Seuss on the limitation page, this is number 266. Fine in the original publisher’s slipcase which is in near fine condition.

Seuss, Dr. [Theodor Geisel]

You’re Only Old Once!

New York : Random House, 1986.

Signed limited edition of the author’s satirical commentary on aging and later life. Quarto, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles to the spine, pictorial endpapers, illustrated. One of five hundred numbered copies signed by Dr. Seuss on the limitation page, this is number 417. Fine in the publisher’s original slipcase which is in fine condition.

Carroll, Lewis. [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson]

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

London : Macmillan and Co, 1885.

Finely bound early printing of Carroll’s beloved children’s classic. Octavo, bound in full dark green crushed levant morocco by Kelliegram with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, all edges gilt, yellow silkContinue reading "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland."

The Author W. P. [Penn, William]

The Great Case of Liberty of Conscience Once More Briefly Debated & Defended, by the Authority of Reason, Scripture, and Antiquity.

[London] 1670 [i.e. 1671].

Rare second edition of one of the most persuasive defences of liberty and “the free and uninterrupted exercise of our consciences”(William Penn). Quarto, bound in full modern morocco, gilt titles and ruling to the spine, inner dentelles elaborately stamped in blind. A powerful argument for toleration and against the intrusion of civil authority into religiousContinue reading "The Great Case of Liberty of Conscience Once More Briefly Debated & Defended, by the Authority of Reason, Scripture, and Antiquity."

Dickens, Charles

The Personal History of David Copperfield.

London : Bradbury and Evans, May 1849-November 1850.

First edition in the original parts of “the most perfect of all the Dickens novels” (Virginia Woolf). Complete set of the original parts, with all of the etched plates and most of the advertisements. Octavo, original blue-green illustrated serial issue wrappers being twenty parts in nineteen, 624 pp. plus xiv pp. of preliminaries, errata leafContinue reading "The Personal History of David Copperfield."

Bryant, Jacob

A New System, or, an Analysis of Ancient Mythology: Wherein an Attempt is made to divest Tradition of Fable; and to reduce the Truth to its Original Purity. [Bryant’s Mythology].

London : Printed for T. Payne, Mews-Gate; P. Elmsly, in the Strand; B. White, in Fleet-Street; and J. Walter, Charing-Cross, 1774-1776.

First edition of Bryant’s Mythology, one of the most ambitious eighteenth-century attempts to reconcile classical mythology with biblical and historical truth. Royal quarto, three volumes bound in full period calf, rebacked, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spines in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling and scrolling toContinue reading "A New System, or, an Analysis of Ancient Mythology: Wherein an Attempt is made to divest Tradition of Fable; and to reduce the Truth to its Original Purity. [Bryant’s Mythology]."

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

London : Printed by Thomas Baskett, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty, 1751.

Elegantly bound 18th century English Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, printed by Thomas Baskett and from the library of John Bird Sumner (1780-1862), Archbishop of Canterbury from 1848 to 1862. Folio, bound in full contemporary dark green grain morocco with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in seven compartments within raisedContinue reading "The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons."

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Proper Lessons for Sundays and Other Holy-Days, and a New Version of the Psalms of David.

Oxford : Printed at the Oxford University Press, 1861.

Finely bound Oxford University printing of the Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments. Duodecimo, bound in full pebbled morocco richly decorated in gilt with gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, gilt ruling and scrolling to the front and rear panels with a brass appliqué in hoc signoContinue reading "The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Proper Lessons for Sundays and Other Holy-Days, and a New Version of the Psalms of David."

Dickens, Charles

The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.

London : Chapman and Hall, 1837.

First edition in book form of Dickens’ first novel and one of his greatest works. Octavo, bound in full morocco with elaborate gilt 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, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled. Forty-threeContinue reading "The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club."

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church. According to the Use of the Church of England. Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

Oxford : Printed by the University Printers, 1701.

Rare early 18th century Book of Common Prayer in a royal binding bearing the ciphers of Queen Anne. Folio, bound in full contemporary green calf with gilt royal ciphers of Queen Anne to the spine in seven compartments within raised gilt bands, rebacked, gilt paneling and scrolling to the front and rear panels with royalContinue reading "The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church. According to the Use of the Church of England. Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons."

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of The Church of England: Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

Cambridge : Printed by Joseph Bentham, Printer to the University, 1745.

Rare 18th century Book of Common Prayer, formerly used in the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court. Folio, bound in full contemporary black morocco with gilt royal cyphers of King George II to the spine in seven compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling and elaborate gilt scrolling to the front and rear panels, giltContinue reading "The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of The Church of England: Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons."

Frost, Robert

A Boy’s Will.

New York : Henry Holt and Company, 1915.

First American edition of Frost’s first published work. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, gilt titles to the spine and front panel. Boldly signed by the poet on the title page. In near fine condition.

Hawthorne, Nathaniel

The Scarlet Letter.

New York : Random House Inc, 1928.

Random House limited edition of Hawthorne’s masterpiece. Octavo, original publisher’s half morocco with gilt titles to the spine, illustrated with wood blocks designed and engraved by Valenti Angelo. One of 980 numbered copies, this is number 895. In very good condition. Printed by Edwin and Robert Grabhorn. A nice example.

Dickens, Charles

The Mudfog Papers, Etc.

London : Richard Bentley And Son, 1880.

First edition of Charles Dickens’ anthology about a parody of a fictional society. Octodecimo, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles to the spine, detailing stamped in black and gilt to the spine, front, and rear panel. In very good condition, bookplate.

Dickens, Charles

The Old Curiosity Shop: A Tale.

London : Chapman And Hall, Strand, 1841.

First edition of Dickens’s classic novel. Octavo, bound in half calf, full morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, all edges gilt, with illustrations by George Cattermole and Hablot K. Browne. In very good condition, bookplate to the front pastedown.

The Holy Bible Containing the Old Testament and The New. Newly Translated out of the Original Tongues. And With the former Translations dilligently compared & revised. [with] The Book of Common Prayer, And Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to Use of the Church of England; Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David.

London : Printed by Charles Bill and Thomas Newcomb, Printer to the King and Queens most Excellent Majesties, 1692-1693.

Rare 17th century Holy Bible and Book of Common Prayer uniformly and exquisitely bound. Octavo, two volumes uniformly bound in full crushed levant morocco with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling and scrolling to the front and rear panels with fleuron cornerpieces, engraved silver central ornamentContinue reading "The Holy Bible Containing the Old Testament and The New. Newly Translated out of the Original Tongues. And With the former Translations dilligently compared & revised. [with] The Book of Common Prayer, And Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to Use of the Church of England; Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David."

Friedman, Thomas L. [Madeleine Albright]

The Lexus And The Olive Tree.

New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1999.

First edition of this groundbreaking work about globalization. Octavo, original publisher’s half cloth, bookplate to the front pastedown from “The Private Collection of Secretary Madeleine K. Albright.” Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Secretary of State Albright, warmest regards and admiration! Thomas L. Friedman.” The recipient, Madeleine K. Albright, wasContinue reading "The Lexus And The Olive Tree."