History, Law, and Politics

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.

.

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.

Franklin, Benjamin

A Collection of All the Laws of the Province of Pennsylvania: Now in Force. [and] An Appendix; Containing a Summary of Such Acts of Assembly as Have Been Formerly in Force Within This Province.

Philadelphia : Published by Order of Assembly, 1742.

First edition of Benjamin Franklin’s printing of the laws of colonial Pennsylvania. Folio, bound in full modern brown calf with green morocco label in gilt, marbled endpapers. Agitation for a complete and correct edition of the laws of Pennsylvania began in 1737, and in early 1739, John Kinsey, the Attorney General of the province, was appointedContinue reading "A Collection of All the Laws of the Province of Pennsylvania: Now in Force. [and] An Appendix; Containing a Summary of Such Acts of Assembly as Have Been Formerly in Force Within This Province."

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.

Wilkinson, Clennell. [Cosway Binding]

Nelson.

London : George G. Harrap & Co. LTD., 1931.

Elaborately bound Cosway style first edition of this biography of Admiral Horatio Nelson. Octavo, bound by Bayntun-Riviere in full Cosway style full crushed green morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, inset hand-painted miniature scene depicting a British naval battle to the front panel under beveledContinue reading "Nelson."

Gordon, Thomas [George Washington]

Another Cordial for Low-Spirits. [George Washington’s Copy].

London : R. Griffiths, 1751.

From the library of George Washington of this compilation of political and religious essays regarding contemporary issues in Great Britain. Small octavo, volume two, bound in full contemporary brown calf with a gilt number two and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels,Continue reading "Another Cordial for Low-Spirits. [George Washington’s Copy]."

Major, R.H. [Christopher Columbus]

The Bibliography of the First Letter of Christopher Columbus, Describing His Discovery of the New World.

London : Ellis & White, 1872.

First limited edition of this comprehensive bibliography cataloging the various editions and translations of Columbus’s first letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella describing his initial voyage to the ‘New World’. Duodecimo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised gilt bands,Continue reading "The Bibliography of the First Letter of Christopher Columbus, Describing His Discovery of the New World."

Wood, Gordon S

The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin.

New York : The Penguin Press, 2004.

First edition of this fresh vision of Franklin’s life and reputation. Octavo, original pictorial boards, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Charlie Thomas, with best wishes, Gordon S. Wood 6/4/04.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Evan Gaffney.

Reagan, Ronald

Where’s the Rest of Me? The Ronald Reagan Story.

New York : Duell, Sloan and Pearce, 1965.

First edition, early printing of Reagan’s early autobiography. Octavo, original black cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “Best Regards Ronald Reagan 7/27/65.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design Ned Glattauer. An exceptional example.

Newton, Isaac

Isaac Newton Document Signed.

January 25 [1698-1699].

Rare vellum manuscript signed by Sir Isaac Newton as Warden of the Royal Mint, in which he makes a case against his nemesis, coin counterfeiter William Chaloner, soon to be hanged for high treason. One page, vellum manuscript document signed by Isaac Newton,  “Is. Newton,” January 25 [1698-1699]. Recognizance bond issued by Isaac Newton asContinue reading "Isaac Newton Document Signed."

Bird, Kai and Martin J. Sherwin [Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy]

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.

First edition of this Pulitzer Prize-winning work, basis for the Academy Award-winning film directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Cillian Murphy, which won both an Academy Award. Octavo, original boards, illustrated. Boldly signed by director Christopher Nolan and Academy Award- winning actor Cillian Murphy on the front free endpaper. Fine in a fine dust jacket. JacketContinue reading "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer."

Haise, Fred

Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey.

Washington, D.C : Smithsonian Books, 2022.

First edition, early printing of the extraordinary autobiography of astronaut Fred Haise, one of only 24 men to fly to the moon. Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “Harry Hope you enjoy the read of my blessed life and career! Fred Haise Apollo 13 LMP.” FineContinue reading "Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey."