History, Law, and Politics

Howard, Benjamin C. [Dred Scott]

A Report of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Opinions of the Judges Thereof, in the Case of Dred Scott versus John H. Sanford. December Term, 1856.

New York : D. Appleton and Company, 1857.

Rare first edition of the report of the Dred Scott decision which held that the U.S. Constitution was not intended to include citizenship for African Americans, published simultaneously in Washington D.C. and New York. Octavo, original wrappers with a decorative woodcut border. From the library of Judge Roland Hitchcock and signed by him from Winsted,Continue reading "A Report of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Opinions of the Judges Thereof, in the Case of Dred Scott versus John H. Sanford. December Term, 1856."

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa Signed Photograph.

1984.

Color photograph portrait of Mother Teresa with her hands clasped in prayer boldly inscribed, “God bless you M. Teresa mc.” In fine condition. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 15 inches by 12.5 inches.

Baldwin, James

Nobody Knows My Name: More Notes of a Native Son.

New York : The Dial Press, 1961.

First edition of Baldwin’s second major book of essays, featuring his powerful analyses of the politics of race and his controversial three-part essay on Richard Wright. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed and dated by the author on the front free endpaper, “James Baldwin 9/15 – 74.” Near fine in a good dust jacket with rubbingContinue reading "Nobody Knows My Name: More Notes of a Native Son."

Greely, Adolphus W

Three Years of Arctic Service: Volumes I & II.

New York : Scribners, 1886.

First edition of this narrative record of the harrowing Lady Franklin Bay Expedition. Octavo, 2 volumes, original dark blue pictorial cloth, tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of Adolphus Greely to Vol. I and Fort Conger, Grinnell Land May 20 1883 to Vol. II, heavily illustrated with engravings, charts and nine maps, two folding and one in aContinue reading "Three Years of Arctic Service: Volumes I & II."

Wullus-Rudiger, J. [Winston S. Churchill]

Les Mémoires de P. Reynaud et la Beligque: Un appel à W. Churchill et au Gl de Gaulle. [The Memoirs of P. Reynaud and Belgium: A Call to W. Churchill and to Gl de Gaulle].

Brussels : Établissements Généraux D'Imprimerie, 1946.

Rare first edition of this memoir of Belgium and Prime Minister of France, Paul Reynaud. Octavo, original wrappers. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper to Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill, “Pour Monsieur Winston S. Churchill, en témoignage de profond respect, Wullus-Rudiger, Bruxelles, le 30 mars 1946. [For Mr. Winston S.Continue reading "Les Mémoires de P. Reynaud et la Beligque: Un appel à W. Churchill et au Gl de Gaulle. [The Memoirs of P. Reynaud and Belgium: A Call to W. Churchill and to Gl de Gaulle]."

Keynes, John Maynard [J.M.]

A Revision of the Treaty. Being A Sequel To The Economic Consequences of the Peace.

London : MacMillan and Co., Limited, 1922.

First edition of Keynes’ classic work. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt ruled inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition.

Mason, Robert

Chickenhawk.

New York : The Viking Press, 1983.

First edition, early printing of Mason’s classic first book, one of the finest about the Vietnam War. Octavo, original cloth, map by David Lindroth. Lengthily inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “‘No one is more shocked than I.’ Keep ’em flying! Robert Mason.” Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket illustrationContinue reading "Chickenhawk."

Pershing, General John J

Final Report of Gen. John J. Pershing Commander-In-Chief American Expeditionary Forces.

Washington, D.C : Government Printing Office, 1920.

First edition of this final military report from the heroic Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces. Octavo, original wrappers, illustrated with sixteen folding plates of maps, diagrams, and charts. Boldly signed by General John J. Pershing on the title page. In very good condition with light wear to the extremities and a chip to theContinue reading "Final Report of Gen. John J. Pershing Commander-In-Chief American Expeditionary Forces."

Kennedy, John F

President John F. Kennedy Inaugural Event Invitations.

1961.

Group of rare invitations to events surrounding the Kennedy inauguration; from the collection of Helen Keyes, longtime personal assistant for the Kennedy family. The collection includes: An invitation to attend “The Official Distinguished Ladies” reception hosted at the National Gallery by the “Official Hospitality Committee of the Inaugural Committee 1961” on January 18th, 1961; anContinue reading "President John F. Kennedy Inaugural Event Invitations."

The Dalai Lama

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Signed Photograph.

.

Color photograph of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. Glossy color photograph of a bust portrait of His Holiness The Dalai Lama in scarlet monk’s robes, boldly signed by him. In very good condition with light creasing to the corner and a moderate crease across the center. The piece measures 7 inches by 5 inches.

McKay, Claude

Harlem: Negro Metropolis.

New York : E. P. Dutton & Company, Inc, 1940.

Scarce first edition of this intimate history of the Black Mecca of the world, authored by one of the central figures in the Harlem renaissance. Octavo, original brown cloth with gilt titles, red topstain, frontispiece of Bird’s-eye View of Harlem, illustrated with eighteen additional plates of black and white photographs. Near fine in the scarce originalContinue reading "Harlem: Negro Metropolis."

Einstein, Albert

About Zionism: Speeches and Letters.

New York : The MacMillan Company, 1931.

First edition of this volume of Einstein’s speeches and letters concerning his views on Zionism. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed and dated in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “Albert Einstein 1931.” Near fine with light toning to the endpapers in the scarce original dust jacket which is in good condition withContinue reading "About Zionism: Speeches and Letters."

Blanford, W.T

Observations on the Geology and Zoology of Abyssinia: Made During the Progress of the British Expedition to That Country in 1867-68.

London : Macmillan and Co, 1870.

First edition of this work dedicated to the geology and zoology of Northern Abyssinia. Octavo, bound in half morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, illustrated with a folding color frontispiece of the view of Amba, or Hill-Fort of Duga and the neighboring mountainsContinue reading "Observations on the Geology and Zoology of Abyssinia: Made During the Progress of the British Expedition to That Country in 1867-68."

Cable, George W

The Negro Question.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1890.

First edition of this key piece of social reform. Duodecimo, original maroon cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front flyleaf, “To Frederick H. Hitchcock from G.W. Cable Northampton Mass. Aug 25, 1891.” In near fine condition with some rubbing to the crown and foot of the spine. Rare and desirable signed andContinue reading "The Negro Question."

Gamow, George [Chester Nimitz]

Atomic Energy In Cosmic And Human Life: Fifty Years Of Radioactivity.

Cambridge : At the University Press, 1946.

First edition of this work by the legendary physicist and cosmologist. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To The Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz Cordially From The Author G. Gamow.” The recipient, Chester Nimitz was made Fleet Admiral in 1944 (a lifetime appointment) and was in chargeContinue reading "Atomic Energy In Cosmic And Human Life: Fifty Years Of Radioactivity."

Lincoln, Abraham

Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen Douglas, In the Celebrated Campaign of 1858, in Illinois.

Columbus : Follett, Foster and Company, 1860.

First edition, first issue of the most famous debates in American history which cemented Lincoln as a national presidential candidate. Octavo, original cloth stamped in blind. First issue, with no rule above the publisher’s imprint on the copyright page, no advertisements, and numeral 2 at the bottom of page 17. In very good condition withContinue reading "Political Debates Between Hon. Abraham Lincoln and Hon. Stephen Douglas, In the Celebrated Campaign of 1858, in Illinois."

Bates, Daisy

The Long Shadow of Little Rock: A Memoir.

New York : David McKay Company, 1962.

First edition, early printing of this powerful work by the NAACP activist behind the successful integration of Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed and signed twice by the author on the front free endpaper, “Best Wishes Daisy Bates, God Bless you Daisy Bates 6-8-63.” Near fine in a veryContinue reading "The Long Shadow of Little Rock: A Memoir."

Japanese Spy Manual.

Wuhan c.1940s-1950s.

Rare Japanese spy manual. Octavo, original wrappers printed in black and red, illustrated with photos of spy gadgets and techniques to hide them on one’s person or search for them on a suspected spy. In very good condition.

Caputo, Philip

A Rumor of War.

New York : Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1977.

First edition of this classic work, which the Los Angeles Times Book Review called “heartbreaking, terrifying, and enraging. It belongs to the literature of men at war.” Octavo, original cloth. Signed by the author on the half-title page, “Feb, 2023 With best wishes, Philip Caputo.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket illustrationContinue reading "A Rumor of War."

[Theodore Roosevelt]

Scribner’s Magazine, Volume 18 XVIII, July-December 1895 [Theodore Roosevelt].

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1895.

Finely bound volume of this early Theodore Roosevelt article. Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco over printed boards with gilt titles to the spine, raised bands. Contents include: Theodore Roosevelt article “Six Years of Civil Service Reform”; article on American posters with many examples; “Landmarks of Manhattan” with six full-page illustrations. In near fine condition.

Scott, Paul. [Charles Dance]

The Raj Quartet. [The Jewel in the Crown, The Day of the Scorpion, The Towers of Silence, A Division of the Spoils, Staying On].

London : Heinemann, 1966-1975.

Complete first edition set of “one of the most important landmarks of post-war fiction” (The Times). Octavo, five volumes, original cloth. Presentation copies, each volume inscribed by British actor Charles Dance who featured in the televised version of The Jewel in the Crown on the front free endpaper, “For Charles Swynnerton from Charles Dance!” EachContinue reading "The Raj Quartet. [The Jewel in the Crown, The Day of the Scorpion, The Towers of Silence, A Division of the Spoils, Staying On]."

Churchill, Winston S

Steg for Steg 1936-1939. [Step by Step 1936-1939]. [Winston Churchill’s Copy]

Stockholm : Skoglunds Bokforlag, 1939.

First Swedish edition and Churchill’s own copy of the last book he published before the outbreak of the Second World War. Octavo, in the publisher’s rare full morocco presentation binding by Nordiska Bokhandelns Bokbinderi with gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt rulingContinue reading "Steg for Steg 1936-1939. [Step by Step 1936-1939]. [Winston Churchill’s Copy]"

Forster, Reverend Edward

The Arabian Nights, in Five Volumes, Translated by The Reverend Edward Forster.

London : Printed for William Miller, 1802.

Large paper edition of this early translation by Edward Forster (1769-1828), based on the French version of Antoine Galland which first appeared between 1704 and 1717. Royal octavo, bound in full period calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt rulingContinue reading "The Arabian Nights, in Five Volumes, Translated by The Reverend Edward Forster."

Du Bois, W. E. Burghardt

The Study of the Negro Problems.

Philadelphia : American Academy of Political and Social Science, 1898.

Rare first edition of this early sociological essay from Du Bois. Octavo, original wrappers. In very good condition with toning, a couple closed tears to the front panel, and some loss to the edges of the wrapper. A rare and unique piece. No other copies are indicated to have ever sold at auction.