Gifts - Holidays

[The Bible. Translated according to the Ebrew and Greeke].

London : Robert Barker, 1605.

Rare early 17th century printing of Robert Barker’s Geneva Bible. Small quarto, bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, text in black letter, double column, lacking general title-page, New Testament title-page with woodcut border, Concordances and Psalms bound in at rear [Herbert 280]. Period family ownership inscriptions andContinue reading "[The Bible. Translated according to the Ebrew and Greeke]."

Ovid [Sandys, George]

Ovid’s Metamorphosis Englished, Mythologized, And Represented in Figures. An Essay to the Translation of Virgil’s Aeneis.

London : Printed by J. L. for Andrew Hebb, 1640.

Fourth edition of George Sandys’ revered English translation of Ovid’s Metamorphosis. Folio, contemporary paneled boards, rebacked, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, illustrated with two copies of the engraved portrait of Ovid (one opposite engraved title, the other opposite the Life), engraved title page, and 15 full-page plates (one at the beginning of each book ofContinue reading "Ovid’s Metamorphosis Englished, Mythologized, And Represented in Figures. An Essay to the Translation of Virgil’s Aeneis."

Van Allsburg, Chris [Tom Hanks]

The Polar Express.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1985.

Holiday 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. Fine in aContinue reading "The Polar Express."

The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated Out of the Original Tongues; and With the former Translations diligently compared and revised, by His Majesty’s Special Command. Appointed to be Read in Churches.

Cambridge : Printed by John Burges Printer to the University, 1798.

Exquisitely bound 18th century Cambridge University printing of the Holy Bible. Octavo, sumptuously bound in full contemporary straight grain morocco with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt border with floral scrolling, corner medallions and fleurons to the front and rear panels, tan and blackContinue reading "The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated Out of the Original Tongues; and With the former Translations diligently compared and revised, by His Majesty’s Special Command. Appointed to be Read in Churches."

Burroughs, John

The Writings of John Burroughs: Accepting the Universe.

Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1921.

Volume XXI of the Autograph edition of Burroughs’ collected writings. Octavo, elaborately bound in full crushed levant morocco by H. R. Johnson with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling and large gilt cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, gilt-ruled turn-ins, innerContinue reading "The Writings of John Burroughs: Accepting the Universe."

Sarmiento de Gamboa, Pedro

Viage al Estrecho de Magallanes Por el Capitan Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa En los anos de 1579. y 1580.

Madrid : En la Imprenta Real de la Gazeta, 1768.

Rare first edition of Sarmiento’s account of his 1579–1580 survey of the Straits of Magellan. Octavo, bound in full contemporary marbled calf with gilt tooling to the spine, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges speckled red, illustrated with 3 folding views. Headland 35. Hill 267. Sabin 77094. Stamp of Jose JimenezContinue reading "Viage al Estrecho de Magallanes Por el Capitan Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa En los anos de 1579. y 1580."

Davies, Valentine

Miracle On 34th Street.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1947.

First edition of this modern Christmas classic. Octavo, original red cloth. Boldly signed by Valentine Davies on the half-title page. Fine in a very good first-issue dust jacket with “Double Your Enjoyment” on the rear panel. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box by the Harcourt Bindery. Exceptionally rare and desirable signed.

Crowley, Aleister

The Works of Aleister Crowley.

Foyers : Society For The Propagation of Religious Truth, 1905-1907.

First collected edition, “Essay Competition” issue of the collected writings of the noted occult writer. Octavo, three volumes bound into one as issued in the original publisher’s limp linen with gilt titles to the front panel, top edge gilt with others untrimmed. Boldly signed by the author on the second free endpaper, “With Mr. AleisterContinue reading "The Works of Aleister Crowley."

Dickens, Charles. Illustrations by H.K. Browne

Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son, Wholesale, Retail, and for Exportation.

London : Bradbury & Evans, 1846-48.

First edition in the scarce original parts of Dickens tale of the fortunes of the Dombey shipping firm. Octavo, 20 parts in 19, original wrappers, with 40 etchings by Halbot Knight Brown, containing all advertisements as issued. A mixed state set with the following points: Part I with no ads on inner front wrapper, rearContinue reading "Dealings with the Firm of Dombey and Son, Wholesale, Retail, and for Exportation."

Davies, Valentine; Tomie dePaola [Illustrator]

Miracle On 34th Street.

San Diego : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1984.

First illustrated edition of this modern Christmas classic with paintings by beloved illustrator Tomie dePaola. Square octavo, original publisher’s red cloth with titles to the spine and front panel stamped in gilt, pictorial blue endpapers, frontispiece, title page vignette, with 18 full color illustrations. Presentation copy, inscribed by the illustrator on the half-title page, “ForContinue reading "Miracle On 34th Street."

Davies, Valentine; Tomie dePaola [Illustrator]

Miracle On 34th Street.

San Diego : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1984.

First illustrated edition of this modern Christmas classic with paintings by beloved illustrator Tomie dePaola. Square octavo, original publisher’s red cloth with titles to the spine and front panel stamped in gilt, pictorial blue endpapers, frontispiece, title page vignette, with 18 full color illustrations. Signed by the illustrator on the half-title page, “Merry Christmas TomieContinue reading "Miracle On 34th Street."

Tolkien, J.R.R

The Hobbit.

London : George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937.

First edition, first issue of Tolkien’s classic tale, “among the very highest achievements of children’s authors during the 20th century” (Carpenter & Pritchard, 530), one of only a handful of presentation copies reserved for Tolkien to give to family members, colleagues and close friends. Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, frontispiece and 9 full-page uncolored illustrationsContinue reading "The Hobbit."

Roosevelt, Eleanor & Regina Tor

Growing Toward Peace.

New York : Random House, 1960.

First edition of this work by Roosevelt and Tor. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by both Eleanor Roosevelt and Regina Tor opposite the title page. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Laid in is a publicity photograph of both authors. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. ThisContinue reading "Growing Toward Peace."

Davies, Valentine [Buddy Adler]

Miracle On 34th Street. [with] Valentine Davies Typed Letter Signed.

New York : Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1947.

First edition of this modern Christmas classic. Octavo, original red cloth. Accompanied by a typed letter signed by Valentine Davies and regarding staging that year’s Academy Awards presentations. Octavo, one page, on Universal-International Pictures letter head, the letter reads in full, “February 5, 1957 Dear Buddy: Thank you very much for the kind words aboutContinue reading "Miracle On 34th Street. [with] Valentine Davies Typed Letter Signed."

Twain, Mark. [Samuel L. Clemens]

A Tramp Abroad.

Hartford, Conn : American Publishing Company, 1880.

First edition, first printing of Twain’s classic fictionalized account of his walking tour of central and southern Europe, with the frontispiece in the first state and misprints (p. 37, line 7 up, “fee” for “feel,” p. 46, line 11, “2oo” for “200,” p. 414, line 9 up, “spirting” for “spurting,” p. 465, line 4, “stuck”Continue reading "A Tramp Abroad."

Handel, George Frideric and Charles Jennens

Messiah. An Oratorio. As it is Performed at the Theatre Royal in the Hay-Market. Set to Music by Mr. Handel.

[London] : Sold at the Theatre only, [1769].

Rare 18th century printing of the Handel’s Messiah as it was performed at the Theatre Royal in the Hay-Market. Ocravo, bound in contemporary wrappers. Handel composed Messiah in 1741. It was first performed in Dublin in 1742 and received its London premiere a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity,Continue reading "Messiah. An Oratorio. As it is Performed at the Theatre Royal in the Hay-Market. Set to Music by Mr. Handel."

Conrad, Joseph

A Personal Record.

London : J. M. Dent & Sons LTD, 1919.

First British edition, early printing of this autobiographical work of Joseph Conrad with first edition ‘Author’s Note’. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Near fine in a very good dust jacket, bookplate to the front pastedown. Uncommon in the original dust jacket.

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 title to the front panel. Boldly signed and dated by the poet on front free endpaper, “Robert Frost Wesleyan December 1926.” Ownership signature on front pastedown of Richard Brooks in pencil. In very good condition. A charming example.

Tolkien, J.R.R

The Hobbit.

London : George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1937.

First edition, first issue of Tolkien’s classic tale, “among the very highest achievements of children’s authors during the 20th century” (Carpenter & Pritchard, 530). Octavo, original cloth, cartographic endpapers, frontispiece and 9 full-page uncolored illustrations after drawings by Tolkien. Published on September 21, 1937, the first printing of the Hobbit constituted only 1500 copies andContinue reading "The Hobbit."

Schlosser, Eric

Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal.

New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001.

First edition of this phenomenal work of investigative journalism. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Lengthily signed by the author on the half- title page, “Even in this fast food nation, you can still have it your way – Eric Schlosser.” Additionally inscribed by Schlosser on a note tipped in, “3/21/23Continue reading "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal."

Lovell, Jim; Jeffrey Kluger [Tom Hanks]

Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13.

Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1994.

First edition, early printing of this work, the basis of the 1995 film adaptation Apollo 13, directed by Ron Howard, starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Ed Harris, and Gary Sinise. Octavo, original publisher’s half cloth, illustrated endpapers, illustrated with black and white photographs. Boldly signed by James Lovell and Academy Award-winning actor TomContinue reading "Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13."

Stern, Philip Van Doren

The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale.

Philadelphia : David McKay Company, 1944.

First edition of this classic Christmas story, the basis for Frank Capra’s beloved movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Small octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Philip Van Doren Stern on the pre-half-title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of wear. Illustrated by Rafaello Busoni. Housed in a custom half moroccoContinue reading "The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale."

Shackleton, Ernest H

The Heart of the Antarctic: Being the Story of the British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909 by E.H. Shackleton, C.V.O.

London : William Heinemann, 1909.

First trade edition of Shackleton’s thrilling account of one of the earliest attempts to reach the South Pole, “the best book of polar travel which has ever been written” (Manchester Guardian). Large octavo, two volumes in the publisher’s original blue cloth with gilt-lettered spines and large silver pictorial blocks to the front panels, top edgeContinue reading "The Heart of the Antarctic: Being the Story of the British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909 by E.H. Shackleton, C.V.O."

Carroll, Lewis. Illustrated by Nicholas Parry

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland [and] Through The Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There.

Market Drayton : The Tern Press, 1997-2001.

The Tern Press signed limited edition of Lewis Carroll’s beloved children’s classic. Octavo, two volumes, original cloth-backed floral boards by Mary Parry with paper titles to the spines, illustrated with lithographs throughout. Boldly signed by illustrator Nicholas Parry and binder Mary Parry on the colophon page at the rear of volume one; also signed byContinue reading "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland [and] Through The Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There."