History, Law, and Politics

Scott, Robert Falcon. Edited by Ernest Henry Shackleton, Louis C. Bernacchi and Apsley George Benet Cherry-Garrard

The South Polar Times.

London : Smith, Elder, & Co, 1907-1914.

First limited edition of the complete collection of the South Polar Times, a periodical created by Scott’s crew during his two polar expeditions on the ships Discovery and Terra Nova, with a slip signed by Ernest Shackleton and Rudolph Blakenburg Quarto, three volumes, publisher’s gilt decorated cloth, all edges gilt, frontispiece to each volume, elaboratelyContinue reading "The South Polar Times."

de Bourrienne, Fauvelet. [Napoleon]

Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte.

London : Richard Bentley and Son, 1885.

Exceedingly rare edition of M. de Bourrienne’s Life of Napoleon extra-illustrated with additional portraits and views and over 50 autograph letters and notes signed by Napoleon I,  members of his family, associates, and the author bound in. Octavo, bound in three quarters scarlet morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartmentsContinue reading "Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte."

Martin, Theodore. [Queen Victoria]

The Life of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort. With Portraits and Views.

London : Smith, Elder, & Co, 1875-1880.

Complete set of Martin’s extensive biography of Prince Albert, contracted and edited by Queen Victoria, each volume inscribed by her. Octavo, five volumes, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, stamped ruling to the panels, tissue-guarded engraved frontispiece to each volume, illustrated with 8 additional tissue-guarded plates of portraits and views; one a foldingContinue reading "The Life of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort. With Portraits and Views."

Gleig, G. R. [Arthur James Balfour]

The Life of Arthur Duke of Wellington.

London : Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1864.

The People’s Edition of Gleig’s biography of Arthur Duke of Wellington; gifted by his godson, Arthur James Balfour to his colleague at Eton. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to theContinue reading "The Life of Arthur Duke of Wellington."

Kennedy, John F

John F. Kennedy Signed Inaugural Address.

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Rare Souvenir Edition of Life Magazine’s Inaugural Spectacle commemorating the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. Quarto, original wrappers, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by John F. Kennedy on the front panel, “To Evie Symington with very good wishes John F. Kennedy.” The recipient, Evelyn Symington was the wife of Amherst, Massachusetts-born politician Stuart Symington. SymingtonContinue reading "John F. Kennedy Signed Inaugural Address."

Ward, James

A History of Gold as a Commodity and as a Measure of Value Its Fluctuations both in Ancient and Modern Times with an Estimate of the Probable Supplies from California to Australia.

London : William S. Orr & Co, c. 1850.

First edition of Ward’s extensive survey of gold and gold mining, published at the height of the California Gold Rush. Octavo, original wrappers bound in full goatskin, retaining a section of the hand-colored folding map of the Gold Regions of Victoria and New South Wales. In near fine condition. Ownership inscription to the front panelContinue reading "A History of Gold as a Commodity and as a Measure of Value Its Fluctuations both in Ancient and Modern Times with an Estimate of the Probable Supplies from California to Australia."

Mead, Margaret. Foreword by Franz Boas

Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth in Western Civilisation.

New York : The New American Library of World Literature, Inc, 1949.

First paperback edition, first printing of Mead’s pioneering work which, upon publication, established her as the most famous anthropologist in the world. Small octavo, original illustrated wrappers. Signed and dated by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “Margaret Meade November 1949.” In near fine condition. Jacket design by RobertContinue reading "Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth in Western Civilisation."

Mead, Margaret. Foreword by Franz Boas

Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth in Western Civilisation.

New York : Blue Ribbon Books, 1932.

Early printing of Mead’s pioneering work which, upon publication, established her as the most famous anthropologist in the world. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece, illustrated. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket, which is in good condition. Foreword by Franz Boas.

Gazette of the United States. No.XXXVII. Wednesday, August 19, 1789.

New York : John Fenno, Wednesday, August 19, 1789.

Rare original printing of the Gazette of the United States, issued during the presidency of George Washington on August 19, 1789. Folio, one page, folded, this issue includes a the following articles, many continued from previous issues: Extract of a Letter on Weights, The Bow, By Express From Paris, and Sketches of the Proceedings ofContinue reading "Gazette of the United States. No.XXXVII. Wednesday, August 19, 1789."

Gazette of the United States. No. XXXI. Wednesday, July 29, 1789.

New York : John Fenno, July 29, 1789.

Rare original printing of the Gazette of the United States, issued during the presidency of George Washington on July 29, 1789. Folio, one page, folded, this issue includes a the following articles, many continued from previous issues: Sketch of the Political State of America, Original Specimens of Eloquence, Foreign and Domestic Miscellaneous Articles, and SketchesContinue reading "Gazette of the United States. No. XXXI. Wednesday, July 29, 1789."

The Massachusetts Centinel. Wednesday, October 21, 1789.

Boston : Russell, Benjamin, October 21, 1789.

Number II, of Vol. XII of “the most influential and enterprising paper in Massachusetts after the Revolution”, Benjamin Russell’s Massachusetts Centinel, issued on Wednesday, October 21, 1789 (Hudson, 147). Folio, one page, folded. The issue includes front-page articles on recently enacted acts allowing compensation for Members of the Senate and House of Representatives and theContinue reading "The Massachusetts Centinel. Wednesday, October 21, 1789."

Roosevelt, Eleanor and Lorena A. Hickok

Ladies of Courage.

New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1954.

First edition of Roosevelt and Hickok’s tribute to women in America. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by both Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok on the half-title page. Very good in a very good  dust jacket with some wear to the extremities. Uncommon signed.

Jones, Owen

Plans, Elevations, Sections and Details of the Alhambra.

London : Owen Jones, 1841-45.

First edition of this monumental work on The Alhambra. Elephant folio,  two volumes, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards, as issued. In excellent condition with some wear to the binding, plates in exceptional condition.

Dunsterville, Major-General L. C

Stalky’s Adventures.

London : Jonathan Cape, 1928.

First edition of this autobiography by Major-General Dunsterville. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.

Bagehot, Walter

Lombard Street: A Description of the Money Market.

london : Henry S. King, 1873.

First edition of this “undying classic” (J.M. Keynes). Octavo, original cloth. In very good condition, contemporary bookplate to the pastedown. A very nice example.

Thomas, Douglas H. [John Hanson]

John Hanson Genealogical Archive.

c. 1880-1885.

Rare genealogical archive documenting the life and heritage of the first President of the Confederation Congress John Hanson, whose biographers have argued to be the true first President of the United States. The archive is composed primarily of letters, historical records and biographical documents prepared by Hanson’s ancestors, most notably several biographical volumes composed byContinue reading "John Hanson Genealogical Archive."

Atherton, Gertrude

The Splendid Idle Forties: Stories of Old California.

New York : The Macmillan Company, 1902.

First edition of the first novel in the author’s California series. Octavo, original cloth elaborated stamped in gilt, illustrated by Harrison Fisher. In near fine condition. An exceptional example.

Foner, Eric

Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution 1863-1877.

New York : Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1988.

First edition of this “smart book of enormous strengths” (Boston Globe) that has become the classic work on the wrenching post–Civil War period, an era whose legacy reverberates in the United States to this day. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To the Farham Family, WithContinue reading "Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution 1863-1877."

Civil War Era Account Book and Letter Archive.

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Rare Civil War era bookkeeper’s log and letter archive primarily documenting claims for Civil War risk premiums in the Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims. Quarto, bound in three quarters morocco. Laid in are over two dozen letters of correspondence between the the office of Glidden and Williams postdated between 1854 and 1882 and insuranceContinue reading "Civil War Era Account Book and Letter Archive."

Schweitzer, Albert

Albert Schweitzer Autograph Letter Signed.

1960.

Rare autograph letter signed by and entirely in the hand of French physician and Nobel Laureate Albert Schweitzer. One page, text in French. The letter is addressed to Miss Mary Hebe Degler of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and reads in part, “Thank you for very much for the beautiful photographs. The are very natural. All is wellContinue reading "Albert Schweitzer Autograph Letter Signed."