Gifts - Holidays

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."

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."

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."

[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."