History, Law, and Politics

Keynes, John Maynard [J.M.]

The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money.

London : Macmillan & Co, 1936.

First edition of the economist’s masterpiece. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. A nice example in the uncommon dust jacket.

Stern, Philip M

The Oppenheimer Case: Security on Trial.

New York : Harper & Row, Publishers, 1969.

First edition of this early biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “For Joan and Arthur Gardner With the warmest and fondest wishes of their friend Phil S. November, 1969.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket.

von Neumann, John and Oskar Morgenstern

Theory of Games and Economic Behavior.

Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Press, 1944.

First edition of von Neumann and Morgenstern’s landmark work. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by John von Neumann on the title page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. With the original “Corrigenda” slip laid in. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery. Books signed by von NeumannContinue reading "Theory of Games and Economic Behavior."

Collins., Mrs. Jane S

Free At Last.

Pittsburgh : Press of Murdoch, Kerr & Co., Incorporated, 1896.

First edition of this semi-historical civil rights narrative by Jane S. Collins, whose husband ran the first racially-integrated school in Indiana during the Civil War. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, illustrated with frontispiece and 15 plates. In very good condition. Ownership inscription. Rare.

Nielsen, Svend Aage. [John F. Kennedy; Rose Kennedy]

Kennedy’s Philosophy of Life: Revolution of Love and Visions of Peace.

New York : Vantage Press, 1981.

First edition of this work by the founder of The Kennedy Society of Denmark. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Association copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Toreby Denmark February 2, 1982. Dear Mrs. Rose Kennedy, President John F. Kennedy cared so much for peace. Therefore I hope, you will find thisContinue reading "Kennedy’s Philosophy of Life: Revolution of Love and Visions of Peace."

Iden, V. Gilmore

The Federal Reserve Act of 1913: History and Digest.

Philadelphia : The National Bank News, 1914.

Rare first edition of this work on the Federal Reserve Act. Octavo, original cloth. In very good condition.

Plimpton, George. [Editor]. Interviews by Jean Stein [Edward M. Kennedy]

American Journey: The Times of Robert Kennedy.

New York : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc, 1970.

First edition of this remarkable biography of Robert F. Kennedy, based on interviews by Jean Stein and edited by George Plimpton. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by George Plimpton on the front free endpaper to Robert Kennedy’s youngest brother, Ted Kennedy, “To Senator Kennedy with great admiration and best wishes, George.” The recipient, TedContinue reading "American Journey: The Times of Robert Kennedy."

Clinton, Bill. [William Jefferson]

Selected Speeches of President William Jefferson Clinton 1993-2000.

Washington : The White House, 1993-2000.

Presentation edition of this selection of speeches delivered by President Bill Clinton. Quarto, 8 volumes, original publisher’s half morocco over paper-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. Each volume is one of a limited number of numbered copies. The December 1998 issue is a presentation copy, inscribed by Clinton on the title page, “ToContinue reading "Selected Speeches of President William Jefferson Clinton 1993-2000."

Washington, George

George Washington Signed Partial Document.

January 21, 1799.

Rare partial document signed by George Washington on January 21, 1799, eleven months before his death on December 14, 1799. Octavo, the partial manuscript document reads, “I do acknowledge that this is the Platt referred to in the Deeds made for the Lands of George Mercer.” Signed by Washington, “Go. Washington” and countersigned by three witnesses. AccompaniedContinue reading "George Washington Signed Partial Document."

Lucas, Robert E

Lectures on Economic Growth.

Cambridge, MA : Harvard University Press, 2002.

First edition of this collection of papers by “the economist who has had the greatest influence on macroeconomic research since 1970″ (Nobel Committee). Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To John with best wishes, Robert E. Lucas, Jr.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design byContinue reading "Lectures on Economic Growth."

Buergenthal, Thomas

A Lucky Child: A Memoir of Surviving Auschwitz as a Young Boy.

New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2009.

First edition of this “incredible tale” (The Free Lance-Star). Octavo, original boards. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For Marle Cohen appreciation and best regards Thomas Buergenthal.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Keith Hayes. Foreword by Elie Wiesel.

Peter, Laurence J. and Raymond Hull

The Peter Principle: Why Things Always Go Wrong.

New York : William Morrow and Company, 1969.

First edition, early printing of this classic #1 New York Times bestseller that answers the age-old question: Why is incompetence so maddeningly rampant and so vexingly triumphant? Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Gerald and Marie Underwood, Best wishes and please avoid the final placement syndromeContinue reading "The Peter Principle: Why Things Always Go Wrong."

Mifflin, Thomas; Thomas McKean; William Findley; Joseph Hiester; et al

Collection of 28 Autographs of the First Governors of Pennsylvania.

c. 1798-1908.

Rare collection of printed and manuscript documents, signed by the first 28 (of 29) Governors of Pennsylvania, being a near continuous representation of the office from its establishment in 1790 with the first Governorship of Thomas Mifflin, up until the 1930s with the 29th Governorship of Gifford Pinchot. Quarto, each document is tipped in to a paperContinue reading "Collection of 28 Autographs of the First Governors of Pennsylvania."

[Society of the Cincinnati]

Proceedings of the General Society of the Cincinnati [with] Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati, Formed by the Officers of the American Army of the Revolution, 1783.

New York : Printed for the Society by Douglas Taylor, 1886/ Philadelphia: Review Printing House, 1887.

First editions of two official publications of the Society of the Cincinnati, a valuable resource on the Revolutionary institution. Quarto, two volumes uniformly bound in three quarter contemporary morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edges gilt, marbled endpapers. The two-volume collectionContinue reading "Proceedings of the General Society of the Cincinnati [with] Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati, Formed by the Officers of the American Army of the Revolution, 1783."

Nixon, Patricia. [Preface]; [Jacqueline Kennedy; Rose Kennedy]

The White House Gardens: A History and Pictorial Record.

New York : Great American Editions, 1973.

First edition of the first book to trace the history of and fully illustrate the grounds of the White House gardens. Oblong quarto, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with color plates by Harold Sterner. Association copy, inscribed by Jacqueline Kennedy on the half-title page, “For Grandma with love Jackie.” The recipient, Rose Kennedy, was theContinue reading "The White House Gardens: A History and Pictorial Record."

Churchill, Winston S

The Story of the Malakand Field Force, An Episode of Frontier War.

London : Longmans, Green, and Co, 1898.

First edition, first issue, of Winston Churchill’s first book, an account of his service with the Malakand Field Force in India, with frontispiece portrait of Sir Binden Blood and six maps, two of them folding and in color. Octavo, original cloth. In near fine condition, bookplate to the front pastedown. Housed in a custom halfContinue reading "The Story of the Malakand Field Force, An Episode of Frontier War."

Stowe, Harriet Beecher

Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly.

Boston : John P. Jewett & Company. Cleveland: Jewett, Proctor & Worthington, 1852.

First edition, first issue of Stowe’s classic American novel, widely considered the book that precipitated the American Civil War. Octavo, two volumes in the original publisher’s cloth stamped in blind with gilt titles and vignettes to the front panels, illustrated with title vignettes and six wood-engravings. BAL’s binding B (no priority). Portrait of Stowe tippedContinue reading "Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly."

Coe, Edwin Delos

The Black Hawk Tragedy: Read before the Loyal Legion at Milwaukee, May 6, 1896.

Milwaukee 1896.

First edition of this work on the Black Hawk Tragedy. Octavo, original publisher’s printed wrappers; 16pp. In very good condition with a few chips to corners of wraps, gift inscription to front free endpaper. Scarce with no examples appearing at auction since 1929.

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.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Housed in a custom slipcase. Rare and desirable signed.

Mayer, Brantz

Captain Canot; or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver. Being an Account of the Career and Adventures on the Coast, in the Interior, on Shipboard, and in the West Indies.

New York : D. Appleton and Company, 1854.

First edition, first issue of the historian’s detailed account of the African slave trade. First issue with with page 191 misprinted as 19. Octavo, recased with the original publisher’s cloth laid down, additional vignette title. In very good condition, hinges reinforced and rebacked.

Walter Browning; or, The Slave’s Protector. Founded on Fact.

Cincinnati : American Reform Tract and Book Store, 1856.

First edition of this anti-slavery tract. 12mo, original publisher’s cloth, yellow endpapers, engraved frontispiece. In very good condition. Ownership inscription. Uncommon.

Wiener, Norbert

The Human Use of Human Beings: Cybernetics and Society.

Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1950.

First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Larta Blanca Norbert Wiener.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Richard Bartlett. Rare and desirable signed and inscribed.

Roosevelt, Eleanor [Mrs. Franklin D, Roosevelt]

A Trip to Washington with Bobby and Betty.

New York : Dodge Publishing Company, 1935.

Rare second large printing of this early work by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Quarto, original cloth, illustrated. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket, name to the front free endpaper.

Stowe, Harriet Beecher

Men of Our Times or Leading Patriots of the Day.

Hartford : Hartford Publishing Company, 1868.

First edition of this work by the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Octavo, bound in contemporary calf, raised bands, morocco spine labels, illustrated with 18 engraved plates. In very good condition, rebacked. Second state with the title page corrected to “Douglass.”