History, Law, and Politics

Begin, Menachem [Vidal Sassoon]

The Revolt: The Story of the Irgun.

Tel Aviv : Steimatzky Limited, 1983.

English edition of Begin’s classic first book. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Mr. Vidal Sassoon with my best wishes M. Begin.” The recipient, Vidal Sassoon was a British hairstylist and entrepreneur who revolutionized modern hairdressing through his emphasis on geometric precision, simplicity, and wash-and-wearContinue reading "The Revolt: The Story of the Irgun."

Gagarin, Yuri

Дорога в космос. [Road to Space].

Moscow : Military Publishing House of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR, 1961.

First edition of this autobiographical account by the first man in space, a cosmonaut’s early life, aviation training, and historic 1961 mission aboard Vostok 1. Octavo, written in Russian, original publisher’s boards with titles and stars in silver, frontispiece, illustrated with black and white photographs throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the frontContinue reading "Дорога в космос. [Road to Space]."

[Jefferson, Thomas]

Constitution of the United States of America: Rules of the House of Representatives, Joint Rules of the Two Houses and Rules of the Senate, with Jefferson’s Manual.

Washington : Thomas Allen, Printer to the House, 1837.

First edition of the official compilation of United States congressional procedures, incorporating Thomas Jefferson’s Manual of Parliamentary Practice together with the governing rules of the House of Representatives, Senate, and the joint rules of Congress. Royal octavo, bound in full contemporary calf, black morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Sabin 16106. In very good condition,Continue reading "Constitution of the United States of America: Rules of the House of Representatives, Joint Rules of the Two Houses and Rules of the Senate, with Jefferson’s Manual."

Key, Francis Scott

Francis Scott Key Autograph Document Signed.

c. 1801.

Rare autograph legal document signed by Francis Scott Key as defense attorney. One page, portion and draft handwritten legal document, docketed on verso, circa 1801. The document is signed by Francis Scott Key and his co-counsel, Roger Nelson (1759-1815), to defend a man named John, Jr. in a case relating to an unpaid debt. Framed. InContinue reading "Francis Scott Key Autograph Document Signed."

Bush, George H.W. & Scowcroft, Brent [Jean Chretien]

A World Transformed.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1998.

First edition of this stimulating reflection on American foreign policy during the Bush administration. Octavo, original half-cloth. Association copy, inscribed by President George H.W. Bush to Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on the half-title page, “To my friend Jean With great respect for your leadership and service to Canada George Bush 6-5-99.” Jean Chrétien servedContinue reading "A World Transformed."

Colmache, M. [Édouard]

Revelations of the Life of Prince Talleyrand.

London : Henry Colburn, Publisher, 1850.

Second edition of this biographical and anecdotal account of the influential French diplomat Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord. Octavo, bound in three-quarters orange morocco by Bayntun with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, tissue-guarded frontispiece portraitContinue reading "Revelations of the Life of Prince Talleyrand."

Poincare, Raymond; Sir George Arthur [Translator]

The Memoirs of Raymond Poincaré 1912-1914.

New York : Doubleday, Page & Company, 1926-1929.

First American edition of this first-hand, detailed account of French foreign policy, diplomacy, and the events leading to World War I. Octavo, the first three volumes out of four, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles to the spines, facsimile signature of Raymond Poincaré stamped in gilt to the front panels, tissue-guarded frontispiece to volume one.Continue reading "The Memoirs of Raymond Poincaré 1912-1914."

Chamich, Father Michael; Johannes Avdall [Translator]

History of Armenia.

Calcutta : Printed at Bishop's College Press, 1827.

First edition of the English translation of the history of Armenia from B.C. 2247 to A.D. 1780. Octavo, volume one only out of two, bound in full tree calf with gilt titles and elaborate tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, morocco spineContinue reading "History of Armenia."

Kroc, Ray

Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald’s.

Chicago : Henry Regnery Company, 1977.

First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original leather, gilt titles to the spine, all edges gilt, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Allen Stults with every good wish Ray.” The recipient Allen Stults was a close business partner of Ray Kroc and a member of the Board ofContinue reading "Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald’s."

Hoover, Herbert

The Memoirs of Herbert Hoover: Years of Adventure 1874-1920; The Cabinet and the Presidency 1920-1933; The Great Depression 1929-1941.

New York : The Macmillan Company, 1951-1952.

First editions of each volume in Hoover’s memoirs. Octavo, three volumes, illustrated with black and white photographs. Boldly signed by Herbert Hoover on the front free endpaper of The Cabinet and the Presidency, “The good wishes of Herbert Hoover.” Years of Adventure and The Great Depression are first printings, The Cabinet and the Presidency isContinue reading "The Memoirs of Herbert Hoover: Years of Adventure 1874-1920; The Cabinet and the Presidency 1920-1933; The Great Depression 1929-1941."

Isaacson, Walter; Evan Thomas

The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1986.

First edition of this biography on how six influential American statesmen shaped U.S. foreign policy and the global order during the Cold War. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Presentation copy, inscribed by Walter Isaacson on the front free endpaper, “To Norm Olean, Best wishes, Walter Isaacson.” Near fine in aContinue reading "The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made."

Ford, Gerald R. [Betty Ford]

A Vision for America.

Northridge, California : Lord John Press, 1980.

First limited edition of President Gerald R. Ford’s address to the Republican National Convention in Detroit, Michigan in 1980, inscribed by Ford to his son. Octavo, bound in full blue leather with gilt titles to the spine and front panel, frontispiece portrait of Gerald R. Ford. Betty Ford’s own personal copy as stated on theContinue reading "A Vision for America."

Windsor, Duke of [King Edward]; Duchess of Windsor [Wallis Simpson]

A King’s Story: The Memoirs of the Duke of Windsor and The Heart Has Its Reasons: The Memoirs of the Duchess of Windsor.

New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons / David McKay Company, Inc., 1951 and 1956.

First edition of A King’s Story, King Edward’s classic autobiography. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth with coat of arms stamped in gilt to the front panel, top stain red, cartographic endpapers, frontispiece, illustrated with black and white photographs. Inscribed note by the Duke of Windsor on his official monogrammed stationary laid in, “To Harry Evans withContinue reading "A King’s Story: The Memoirs of the Duke of Windsor and The Heart Has Its Reasons: The Memoirs of the Duchess of Windsor."

Reagan, Ronald

An American Life.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1990.

First edition of the 40th President of the United States’ memoir. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author in the year of publication, “For The Thomsen Family- With appreciation and Warmest Regards Ronald Reagan Nov. 21/1990” on the half-title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by RobertContinue reading "An American Life."

Reagan, Nancy

My Turn: The Memoirs of Nancy Reagan.

New York : Random House, 1989.

First limited edition of Nancy Reagan’s memoirs. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated, in the original publisher’s unopened shrink wrap. One of 300 numbered copies. Boldly signed by Nancy Reagan on the limitations page. In fine condition. Written in collaboration with William Novak.

Sunderland, Jabez T. [Mohandas Gandhi [Mahatma], Charlie Chaplin, and Madeleine Slade]

India in Bondage: Her Right to Freedom and a Place Among the Great Nations.

New York : Lewis Copeland Company, 1929.

First edition of this political critique of British colonial rule in India. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles to the spine, vignette of India stamped in gilt to the front panel, frontispiece of Nobel Prize-winning Indian author Rabindranath Tagore, illustrated with black and white photographs throughout. Boldly signed by Mohandas Gandhi and comic actor,Continue reading "India in Bondage: Her Right to Freedom and a Place Among the Great Nations."

Studies in History, Economics and Public Law. Volume LXIV.

New York : Columbia University, 1915.

First edition of the sixty-fourth volume in Columbia University’s long-running academic series. Thick octavo, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles and ruling to the spine, triple ruling stamped in blind to the front and rear panels. In near fine condition with light rubbing to the spine. Library bookplate to the front pastedown and perforations toContinue reading "Studies in History, Economics and Public Law. Volume LXIV."

Tapp, Major H. A. [Rudyard Kipling]

United Services College 1874-1911. A Short Account of Rudyard Kipling’s Old School at Westward Ho!

Aldershot : Gale & Polden, Ltd., [1933].

First edition of Tapp’s history of Westward Ho! College with Kipling’s The Song of the Exiles. Quarto, original boards with gilt titles to the front panel, marbled endpapers. Preface by Major-General L. C. Dunsterville. In near fine condition.

Wells, H.G

The Way The World is Going: Guesses & Forecasts of The Years Ahead.

London : Ernest Benn Limited, 1928.

First British edition of Wells’ forward-looking collection of social and political essays on the future of modern civilization. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. From the collection of British science fiction author Christopher Priest. Priest’s most famous works include The Inverted World (1974), the interconnected “Dream Archipelago” series, and The Prestige (1995), which was adapted into theContinue reading "The Way The World is Going: Guesses & Forecasts of The Years Ahead."

Badeau, Adam. [Ulysses S. Grant]

Military History of Ulysses S. Grant, From April, 1861, to April, 1865.

New York : D. Appleton and Company, 1885.

Finely bound editions of Badeau’s important “eyewitness estimation of Grant’s performance during the war,” a continuation of Grant’s Personal Memoirs. Octavo, Vols. II and III of three volumes, original publisher’s cloth stamped in gilt and black. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper of Vol. III in the year of publication,Continue reading "Military History of Ulysses S. Grant, From April, 1861, to April, 1865."

Saunders, Richard; Illustrated by Norman Rockwell. [Benjamin Franklin]

Poor Richard: The Almanacks for the Years 1733-1758.

New York : The Heritage Press, 1964.

The Heritage Press edition of Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack, published under the pseudonym Richard Saunders. Quarto, original pictorial cloth stamped in blind with gilt titles to the spine, with illustrations and decorations throughout. Boldly signed by the illustrator on the front free endpaper, “Sincerely Norman Rockwell.” In near fine condition with light bumping andContinue reading "Poor Richard: The Almanacks for the Years 1733-1758."

Simon, Herbert A

Models of Man: Social and Rational.

New York : John Wiley & Sons, 1957.

First edition of this pioneering and foundational text in decision theory, organizational behavior, and cognitive science by the most cited name in Artificial Intelligence. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For Richard D. Edwards with best wishes Herbert A. Simon.” The recipient, was Simon’s colleague Richard D.Continue reading "Models of Man: Social and Rational."

Locke, John

Two Treatises of Government: In the Former, The False Principles, and Foundation of Sir Robert Filmer, And His Followers, Are Detected and Overthrown

London : Printed for Awnsham Churchill,, 1690.

Exceptionally rare first edition published at the end of 1689 in an edition of likely only 1,000 copies (with quire Q in second, of two, settings. Octavo, bound in full calf, morocco spine label, gilt tooling to the spine, blind stamped to the front and rear panels. Title-page within double rule. In very good condition.Continue reading "Two Treatises of Government: In the Former, The False Principles, and Foundation of Sir Robert Filmer, And His Followers, Are Detected and Overthrown"

Atkins, Robert. [Robert Atkyns]

Parliamentary and Political Tracts, Written by Sir Robert Atkins, Knight of the Bath, and late One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas.

London : Printed for R. Gosling, at the Crown and Mitre, against Fetter-Lane, in Fleet-street, 1734.

First edition of this exceptionally rare collection of Atkyn’s political tracts. Octavo, bound in full paneled calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt turn-ins, all edges speckled red. In near fine condition. Scarce.