History, Law, and Politics

Farago, Ladislas

Patton: Ordeal and Triumph.

New York : Ivan Obolensky, 1963.

First edition of “the best Patton biography” (Military Bookman), a classic basis for the Academy Award-winning film, starring George C. Scott. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed Ladislas Farago on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Tony Post. Rare and desirable signed.

Lewis, John

Walking with the Wind. A Memoir of the Movement.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1998.

First edition of Congressman Lewis’ pivotal account of the Civil Rights movement that transformed America. Octavo, original half cloth, with 16 pages of black-and-white photographic illustrations.  Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Lee, Keep the faith. Best Wishes, John Lewis 2-28-04.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design byContinue reading "Walking with the Wind. A Memoir of the Movement."

Gibbon, Edward

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

London : Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, in the Strand, 1846.

Finely bound second edition set of Gibbon’s masterpiece. Octavo, 6 volumes bound in full calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, red and brown morocco spine labels, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, illustrated with numerous folding maps in each volume. In very good condition, antiquarianContinue reading "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."

Wilkerson, Marcus M. [William Tecumseh Sherman]

Thomas Duckett Boyd: The Story of a Southern Educator.

Baton Rouge : Louisiana State University Press, 1935.

First edition of this biography of a Louisiana State University professor; from the library of Philemon Tecumseh Sherman. Octavo, original boards, top stain red, tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of Thomas Duckett Boyd, illustrated with eight additional black and white photographs. Inscribed by the subject’s daughter Anne Boyd Grayson on the front free endpaper, “To Hon P.Continue reading "Thomas Duckett Boyd: The Story of a Southern Educator."

Churchill, Winston S

The Second World War: The Gathering Storm; Their Finest Hour; The Grand Alliance; The Hinge of Fate; Closing the Ring; Triumph and Tragedy.

London : Cassell & Co. Ltd, 1948-1954.

First editions of each volume in Churchill’s World War II masterpiece. Octavo, six volumes, original black cloth with spines lettered in gilt, patterned endpapers, illustrated with in-line and folding maps and documents. Boldly signed by the author on the half-title page of Vol. V, “Winston S. Churchill.” Each volume is near fine in a veryContinue reading "The Second World War: The Gathering Storm; Their Finest Hour; The Grand Alliance; The Hinge of Fate; Closing the Ring; Triumph and Tragedy."

Cain, Alfred E. [Martin Luther King Jr.] [Sammy Davis, Jr.]

The Winding Road to Freedom: A Documentary Survey of Negro Experiences in America.

Yonkers : Educational Heritage, Inc, 1965.

First edition of this comprehensive anthology that compiles historical documents, speeches, and firsthand accounts to trace the evolving struggle for African American freedom and equality. Quarto, original publisher’s orange cloth boards, with black and white illustrations. Association copy, inscribed by Martin Luther King Jr. to Sammy Davis Jr. on the front free endpaper, “To myContinue reading "The Winding Road to Freedom: A Documentary Survey of Negro Experiences in America."

Shirer, William L

The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1960.

First edition of “one of the most important works of history of our time” (Orville Prescott, New York Times). Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panel, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signedContinue reading "The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany."

Morris, Jan

Hong Kong.

Franklin Center, Pennsylvania : The Franklin Library, 1988.

Signed limited first edition of this incredibly vibrant history of Hong Kong, privately printed exclusively for members of The Signed First Edition Society. Octavo, Smyth-sewn and bound in full top-grain leather specially processed for fine books by the Cromwell Leather Company with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands,Continue reading "Hong Kong."

Churchill, Winston S

The Second World War: The Gathering Storm; Their Finest Hour; The Grand Alliance; The Hinge of Fate; Closing the Ring; Triumph and Tragedy.

London : Cassell & Co. Ltd, 1948-1954.

First editions of each volume in Churchill’s World War II masterpiece. Octavo, six volumes, original black cloth with spines lettered in gilt, patterned endpapers, illustrated with in-line and folding maps and documents. Boldly signed by the author on the half-title page of Vol. IV, “Winston S. Churchill.” Each volume is near fine in a veryContinue reading "The Second World War: The Gathering Storm; Their Finest Hour; The Grand Alliance; The Hinge of Fate; Closing the Ring; Triumph and Tragedy."

Waddington, David. [Winston S. Churchill]

Winston Churchill Signed Royal Air Force Portrait.

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Rare color transfer print of Winston Churchill in his Royal Air Force (RAF) uniform by David Waddington, one of five known examples produced. Boldly signed by Winston Churchill in the lower border in ink, “Winston S. Churchill.” Additionally with Waddington’s signature printed in facsimile. While serving in the Royal Air Force, photographer David Waddington was assignedContinue reading "Winston Churchill Signed Royal Air Force Portrait."

[Hill, Tex; Ken Jernstedt; Paul J. Greene; Robert T. Smith; Dick Rossi; Erik Shilling; Bob Layher; Ed Rector; Charlie Bond; Robert M. Smith; Edward F. Gallagher; Frank Losonsky; Rolland Richardson; Carl Quick; Al Kaelin; John Richard Rossi]

Chennault’s Flying Tigers: A Commemorative History of the American Volunteer Group.

Minnesota : Flying Tigers 14th Air Force Association, Inc, 1982.

First edition of this detailed and richly illustrated tribute to American Volunteer Group’s pivotal role in early World War II air combat. Quarto, original blue boards with an inlay of a flying tiger and Claire Lee Chennault, pictorial and cartographic endpapers, illustrated with black and white photographs throughout. Boldly signed on a Flying Tigers bookplateContinue reading "Chennault’s Flying Tigers: A Commemorative History of the American Volunteer Group."

King Jr., Martin Luther

Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?

New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1967.

First edition of King’s “last grand expression of his vision” (Cornel West). Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with eight pages of black-and-white photogravures. Association copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Cass Canfield For whom I have great respect and admiration Martin Luther King, Jr.” The recipient, Cass Canfield, wasContinue reading "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?"

Keyes, E.D [William Tecumseh Sherman]

Fifty Years’ Observation of Men and Events Civil and Military.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1884.

First edition of this memoir of a Union soldier and civilian; from the library of General William Tecumseh Sherman. Small octavo, original cloth. General William Tecumseh Sherman and his son P.T. Sherman’s bookplates to the front pastedown. In good condition with some rubbing to the spine, front and rear panels. General Sherman’s library was inheritedContinue reading "Fifty Years’ Observation of Men and Events Civil and Military."

The Soldier’s Manual, For Cavalry, Artillery, Light Infantry, and Infantry.

Philadelphia : Published by James H. Nesmith, 1824.

First edition of the first American military color plate book. Quarto, original publisher’s boards, illustrated with twelve plates representing volunteer corps in the first division Pennsylvania militia. In very good condition with the plates exceptionally bright. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. Rare, one of only three known complete copies. This example was heldContinue reading "The Soldier’s Manual, For Cavalry, Artillery, Light Infantry, and Infantry."

Corbin, Jacques. [George Washington]

Le Code Louis XIII. Roy De France Et De Navarre. [From the Library of George Washington].

A Paris : Chez Pierre Billaine, 1628.

First edition of Corbin’s legal compilation of ordinances and judgments issued during the reign of Louis XIII of France, from the library of General George Washington. Folio, bound in full mottled calf, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling andContinue reading "Le Code Louis XIII. Roy De France Et De Navarre. [From the Library of George Washington]."

Watson, Richard

An Apology for the Bible; In a Series of Letters, Addressed to Thomas Paine, Author of a book entitled The Age of Reason, Part the Second, Being and Investigation of True and of Fabulous Theology.

Philadelphia : Printed for W. Young, Mills & Son, 1796.

Rare early printing of this response to Thomas Paine’s ‘The Age of Reason.’ Duodecimo, original full leather with gilt titles and ruling to the spine. In very good condition with rubbing to the extremities, front panel, and spine, some toning throughout, a small loss to the front flyleaf, and bookplates to the front free endpaperContinue reading "An Apology for the Bible; In a Series of Letters, Addressed to Thomas Paine, Author of a book entitled The Age of Reason, Part the Second, Being and Investigation of True and of Fabulous Theology."

Armorial Binding.

[France] c. 1690.

Rare original armorial binding in gold and silver thread bearing a coat of arms reminiscent of the Durazzo family of Venice. Small octavo, empty, white silk with pink silk pastedowns, the outer border decorated with floral repeating motives in silver and green foil leaves, and the escutcheon crowned by a pink hat with six tasselsContinue reading "Armorial Binding."

Medieval Gregorian Chant Manuscript.

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Rare medieval Gregorian chant manuscript on vellum with the “S” for Sanctus in elaborately illuminated in gilt. One page with text and illustrations on both the recto and verso. In very good condition. Framed with both the recto and verso visible. The manuscript measures 21.5 inches by 29.25 inches. The entire piece measures 22.25 inchesContinue reading "Medieval Gregorian Chant Manuscript."

King Jr., Martin Luther

Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1958.

First edition of Dr. Martin Luther King’s first book. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Best Wishes Martin Luther King, Jr.” This book was signed at Coe College in October 1962, with a picture laid in of him there when he lectured there. From the libraryContinue reading "Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story."

Reddick, L.D. [Martin Luther King, Jr.]

Crusader Without Violence: A Biography of Martin Luther King, Jr.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1959.

First edition of one the earliest biographies of “the American Gandhi.” Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Boldly signed “Best Wishes Martin Luther King, Jr.” on the front free endpaper. This book was signed at Coe College in October 1962, when King lectured there. From the library of a Civil RightsContinue reading "Crusader Without Violence: A Biography of Martin Luther King, Jr."

Watson, Thomas J. and Peter Petre

Father, Son & Co.: My Life at IBM and Beyond.

New York : Bantam Books, 1990.

First edition of the autobiography of “the greatest capitalist in history” (Fortune Magazine). Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Thomas J. Watson, Jr. on the front free endpaper. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Desirable signed.

Caro, Robert A. [Paul Schrader]

The Power Broker.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1974.

First edition of Caro’s Pulitzer-Prize winning work on Robert Moses. Thick octavo, original black cloth, cartographic endpapers, illustrated with numerous photographs and maps, top stain red. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Paul Schrader – with best wishes Robert A Caro.” The recipient, Paul Schrader, is a screenwriter, director, andContinue reading "The Power Broker."

Yefremyan, Z.S. [Armenia]

Patkerazharp Bnashkharhaki Bararan. [Illustrated Geographical Dictionary].

Venice : A. Ghazaryan, 1903-05.

Rare edition of volume one of this Armenian geographical reference work. Thick quarto, written in Armenian, bound in three-quarters morocco with gilt titles to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, floral endpapers, title page vignette, illustrated throughout. In very good condition with light toning.

Baldwin, James

The Fire Next Time.

New York : The Dial Press, 1963.

First edition of one of the most influential works on race relations published in the twentieth century. Octavo, original cloth. Fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Paul Bacon. Jacket photograph by Mottke Weissman.