History, Law, and Politics

Bush-Brown, Henry Kirke. [Ulysses S. Grant]

Ulysses S. Grant Bronze Bust.

New York : Henry-Bonnard Bronze Co., [c. 1885].

Attractive bronze bust of of Ulysses S. Grant as General of the Army by famed American sculptor Henry Kirke Bush-Brown. The adopted nephew of sculptor Henry Kirke Brown, Henry Kirke Bush-Brown was revered for his accurate realist sculptures illustrating American history. He produced three equestrian bronze sculptures erected at the Gettysburg battlefield depicting General GeorgeContinue reading "Ulysses S. Grant Bronze Bust."

Durant, Will

Transition: A Mental Autobiography.

New York : Simon and Schuster, 1927.

First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by Will Durant on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a very good dust jacket.

Franklin, Benjamin

Philosophical and Miscellaneous Papers. Lately written by B. Franklin, LL. D. Fellow of the Royal Society of London; Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris; President of the American Philosophical Society at Philadelphia.

London : Printed for C. Dilly, in the Poultry, 1787.

First edition of the last collection of Franklin’s writings to appear during his lifetime; a major collection of his political, philosophical and scientific writings, a second volume of which was planned but never published. First issue with page 25 mispaginated “52.” Octavo, bound in full contemporary tree calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine,Continue reading "Philosophical and Miscellaneous Papers. Lately written by B. Franklin, LL. D. Fellow of the Royal Society of London; Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris; President of the American Philosophical Society at Philadelphia."

Roosevelt, Theodore and Edmund Heller

Life-Histories of African Game Animals.

New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1914.

First edition of Roosevelt’s final work on big-game hunting. Octavo, 2 volumes, original buckram cloth with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, tissue-guarded engraved frontispieces, with illustrations from photographs and drawings by Philip R. Goodwin and with forty faunal maps. In very good condition. A nice example.

Franklin, Benjamin

Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces; Arranged under the Following Heads and Distinguished by Initial Letters in each Leaf: General Politics; American Politics before the Troubles; American Politics during the Troubles; Provincial or Colony Politics; Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces.

London : Printed for J. Johnson, 1779.

First edition of “the only edition of Franklin’s writings (other than his scientific) printed during his lifetime” (Ford). Octavo, bound half diced calf over marbled boards with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. With the engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin, three engraved plates (one folding), and folding tableContinue reading "Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces; Arranged under the Following Heads and Distinguished by Initial Letters in each Leaf: General Politics; American Politics before the Troubles; American Politics during the Troubles; Provincial or Colony Politics; Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces."

Washington, George

George Washington Letter Signed.

April 10, 1781.

Highly important letter signed (“Go: Washington”), as Commander-in-Chief, 2 pages folio, “Head Quarters New Windsor April 10 [17]81”, to his French ally Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, the body of the letter in the hand of his trusted aide-de-camp, Alexander Hamilton; horizontal fold separation repaired, minor tears and chips along margins. In theContinue reading "George Washington Letter Signed."

Chang, Iris

The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II.

New York : Basic Books, 1997.

First edition of this “powerful, landmark book” (Richard Rhodes). Octavo, original half cloth. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Rick Pracher.

Moses, Robert

Working for the People: Promise and Performance in Public Space.

New York : Harper & Brothers, 1956.

First edition of this work by the legendary Robert Moses. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Janet Hooper Ostahn, the daughter of an old and valued friend, from Robert Moses.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Foreword by Herbert Bayard Swope. Books signed byContinue reading "Working for the People: Promise and Performance in Public Space."

Polanyi, Karl

The Great Transformation.

New York : Farrar & Rinehart, Inc., 1944.

First edition, first printing of Polanyi’s landmark work, widely considered one of the twentieth century’s most incisive and prophetic works of scholarship. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in the scarce original dust jacket which is in very good condition with some chips to the extremities. Scarce and exceedingly so in the original dust jacket.

Wollstonecraft, Mary

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects.

London : Printed for J. Johnson, 1792.

Rare first edition of this landmark work in both Enlightenment philosophy and the history of feminism. Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco over marbled boards by Randolph & English. From the library of Virginia chancery lawyer Henry G. Cannon with his ownership inscription to the pastedown and that of his father, the book’s previous owner,Continue reading "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects."

Webster, Daniel

Daniel Webster Autograph Letter Signed.

1836.

Rare autograph letter signed by one of the most prominent American lawyers of the 19th century, Daniel Webster written in anticipation of the opening of the American west. One page, folded, text in the hand of an amanuensis, the letter stipulates which types of land Webster and Perkins wish the recipient, Joseph R. Williams ofContinue reading "Daniel Webster Autograph Letter Signed."

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. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing to the extremities. Jacket design by Paul Bacon. An exceptional example.

Victoria, Queen

Queen Victoria Royal Military Appointment Signed.

1898.

Rare large format Royal Military Appointment signed by Her Majesty Queen Victoria. One vellum leaf, partially printed. The document is dated 9th April 1898 and appoints Francis Duncombe Astley-Russell to the position of Quarter Master in Her Majesty’s Land Forces. Boldly signed by Queen Victoria in the upper right corner, “Victoria R.” Retaining the blue RoyalContinue reading "Queen Victoria Royal Military Appointment Signed."

Machiavelli, Niccolo. Translated by Edward Dacres

Machiavels Discourses upon the First Decade of T. Livius translated out of the Italian; With some marginall animadversions noting and taxing his errors. [Machiavelli’s Discourses].

London : Printed for Thomas Paine for William Hills and Daniel Pakeman, 1636.

Rare first edition in English of Machiavelli’s fundamental work of political history and philosophy. 12mo, bound in one quarter morocco over marbled boards with an earlier morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Translated by Edward Dacres. Ownership signature. Rare and desirable.

Roosevelt, Eleanor

When You Grow Up to Vote.

Boston and New York : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1932.

First edition of Eleanor Roosevelt’s first book, published the same year Franklin Delano Roosevelt won his first presidential election. Octavo, original cloth, with illustrations by Manning de V. Lee. Signed by Eleanor Roosevelt on the front free endpaper. In good condition with some spotting to the cloth. First editions are rare, signed copies exceptionally so,Continue reading "When You Grow Up to Vote."

Clinton, Bill [Ruth Bader Ginsburg]

My Life.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2004.

First edition of President Clinton’s autobiography. Large octavo, original blue boards, illustrated with 32 pages of photographs. Boldly signed on the title page by Bill and Hillary Clinton and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Bader Ginsburg was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993 by President Clinton. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design byContinue reading "My Life."

Schuyler, George S

Black and Conservative: The Autobiography of George S. Schuyler.

New Rochelle, NY : Arlington House Publishers, 1966.

First edition of this work by the Harlem renaissance writer. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Richard Beam from George S. Schuyler 2/17/69.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.

Purple, N. H. [Abraham Lincoln; William Herndon]

A Compilation of the Statutes of the State of Illinois, of a General Nature, In Force January 1, 1856. Collated with Reference to Decisions of the Supreme Court of Said State, and to Prior Laws Relating to the Same Subject Matter.

Chicago : Published by Keen & Lee, 1856.

First edition of Purple’s Statutes from the law library of Abraham Lincoln and William Herndon. Large octavo, 2 volumes, bound in full contemporary calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt. With Herndon’s ownership signature on behalf of the firm to the front pastedown of Vol. I, “A. Lincoln W. Herndon Lincoln & Herndon Springfield”Continue reading "A Compilation of the Statutes of the State of Illinois, of a General Nature, In Force January 1, 1856. Collated with Reference to Decisions of the Supreme Court of Said State, and to Prior Laws Relating to the Same Subject Matter."

Wells, H.G

A Short History of the World.

London : Cassell and Company, Ltd, 1922.

First edition of Wells’ classic work, which Albert Einstein recommended for the study of history as a means of interpreting progress in civilization. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Association copy, inscribed by H.G. Wells on the half-title page, “Maurice, from H.G. Nov. 1922.” The recipient, English man of letters Maurice Baring, enjoyed a period of successContinue reading "A Short History of the World."

[Livingstone, David]

David Livingstone: The Great Missionary Explorer.

New York : The Walter Scott Publishing Co., Ltd, n.d. c. 1908.

Finely bound example of this anonymous work on the life of David Livingstone. Octavo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, frontispiece. In near fineContinue reading "David Livingstone: The Great Missionary Explorer."

Franklin, Benjamin

Mémoires de la Vie Privée de Benjamin Franklin, Écrits Par Lui-Même, et Adressés à Son Fils, Suivis d’un Précis Historique de Sa Vie Politique, et de Plusieurs Pièces, Relatives à Ce Père de la Liberté. [Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin].

A Paris : Chez Buisson, Libraire, 1791.

True first edition of Franklin’s famed autobiography, which preceded the first English edition by two years, in the scarce original wrappers. Octavo, original wrappers, with the original publisher’s paper spine label present. With page 204 misnumbered 360, lacking the three final leaves and rear wrapper. Ownership inscription to the verso of the front wrapper. InContinue reading "Mémoires de la Vie Privée de Benjamin Franklin, Écrits Par Lui-Même, et Adressés à Son Fils, Suivis d’un Précis Historique de Sa Vie Politique, et de Plusieurs Pièces, Relatives à Ce Père de la Liberté. [Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin]."

Williams, George S

The Constitution of The United States. For the Use of Schools and Academies.

Cambridge : Welch, Bigelow, and Company, 1861.

First edition of Williams’ Civil War era printing of the United States Constitution, intended for use in both public schools and private academies. Octavo, original cloth elaborately stamped in blind with gilt titles to the spine, gilt American flag and eagle vignette to the front panel. In near fine condition with rubbing to the crownContinue reading "The Constitution of The United States. For the Use of Schools and Academies."

Victoria, Queen

Queen Victoria Royal Military Appointment Signed.

1842.

Rare Royal Military Appointment signed by Her Majesty Queen Victoria. One vellum leaf, partially printed. The document is dated 14th November 1842 and appoints John Aeneas Duncan to the position of Lieutenant in the 29th Regiment on foot. Signed by Queen Victoria in the upper right corner, “Victoria R.” Retaining the white Royal paper seal. InContinue reading "Queen Victoria Royal Military Appointment Signed."

Act of Parliament for Erecting the Bank in Scotland.

Edinburgh : [Royal Bank of Scotland], 1695-1719.

Rare 17th century printing of the Act of the Scottish Parliament erecting the Bank of Scotland. Octavo, original wrappers, the act is dated July 17, 1695 and approved a joint stock amounting to the sum of 120,000 pounds to be raised by a company thereby established to manage the first public bank of Scotland. BoundContinue reading "Act of Parliament for Erecting the Bank in Scotland."