Browse rare first edition classics in American, English, world literature, poetry, and plays. View our entire collection of rare literature below, search our inventory with advanced search, or use our sorting tools to find exactly what you’re looking for. Please call with any questions you may have on a specific item or order online today.
Showing items 2376-2400 of 4655
New York : Liveright, 1933.
First edition, first issue of this humorous tale of alienation and advice in Depression era New York which was well-received, but the publisher went bankrupt almost immediately and bookshops were unable to source copies. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with light rubbing and wear. Easily one of the nicest examples extant, withContinue reading "Miss Lonelyhearts."
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New York : Random House, 1994.
First edition of “his most entertaining novel since Garp” (The New York Times Book Review). Octavo, original half cloth. Presentation copy, warmly inscribed by the author on the title page, “For Ted & Susie with my affection John Irving.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Honi Werner.
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New York : Ballantine Books, 1970.
Paperback original first edition of this classic work, which went on to win the 1970 Nebula and 1971 Hugo award for best novel. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers by Dean Ellis. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the title page, “To Tim Larry Niven.” In very good condition.
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London : Thomas Berthelet, 1549.
First edition in English of one of the most notable and popular works of the Renaissance which played an important role in the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation and swiftly brought its author international fame. First printing with ‘latine’ and the printer’s initials ‘TB.’ to the title page. Octavo, bound in full crushed levant moroccoContinue reading "In Praise of Folie: Moriae Encomium. A book made in latine by the great clerke Erasmus Roterodame. Enlightened by Sir Thomas Chaloner, knight. [In Praise of Folly]."
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London : W. Sandby, 1767-1779.
First edition set contains all eleven parts, although without all the individual dated titles. Part one is signed on the dedication page by the translator Floyer Sydenham as usual, and includes a sheet laid in with manuscript instructions to the binder. Quarto, three volumes, bound in contemporary full calf, armorial bookplate. Dated title pages inContinue reading "Plato’s Dialogues."
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London : Cambridge University Press, 1967.
First edition of Lewis’ longest piece of literary criticism, posthumously compiled by Alastair Fowler. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design by Will Carter.
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New York : Covici-Friede, 1934.
Rare review copy, of the first edition of the author’s classic third novel. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by William Cotton. Rare in this condition.
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London : Cassell & Co, 1966.
First British edition, early printing of this novel which deals with America’s first elected black president faces enormous pressures, including impeachment proceedings, soon after he takes his place in the oval office. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For General Colin Powell- with respect and admiration- alwaysContinue reading "The Man."
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London : Smith, Elder, 1867.
First edition in original 32 weekly parts of the final novel in Trollope’s acclaimed Barsetshire series. Octavo, original color pictorial wrappers. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. In very good condition. Rare in complete form.
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London : Printed by J. Okes for Jasper Emery, 1641.
First edition of “one of Heywood’s most interesting pot-boilers” (Pforzheimer). Octavo, bound in three quarter polished calf over marbled boards, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, all edges gilt, wood-engraved frontispiece portrait of Merlin “generally attributed to [Wenzel] Hollar” (Wither to Prior 448), woodcut initials, headpieces and tailpieces. In very good condition, lacking as usualContinue reading "The Life of Merlin, Sirnamed Ambrosius. His Prophesies, and Predictions Interpreted; and their truth made good by our English Analls. Being a Chronological History of all the Kings, and memorable passages of this Kingdome, from Brute to the Reigne of our Royall Soveraigne King Charles."
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New York : Grove Press, 1968.
First edition in English (preceding the British edition by one year) of the Nobel Prize-winning author’s classic work. Octavo, original cloth. Association copy, warmly inscribed by the author in Japanese on the front free endpaper to Howard Hibbett. The recipient, Howard Hibbett was a prominent Harvard scholar, translator of Japanese literature and friend of Oe’s.Continue reading "A Personal Matter."
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Raleigh : Two Morrows Publishing, 2005.
First edition of this work by the artist, inscribed by him to legendary creator Stan Lee, who contributed the foreword to this volume. Quarto, original illustrated wrappers, illustrated throughout. The recipient, Stan Lee co-created iconic characters, including superheroes Spider-Man, the X-Men, Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, Ant-Man, the Wasp, the Fantastic Four, Black Panther, Daredevil,Continue reading "The Art of George Tuska."
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Philadelphia & New York : J. B. Lippincott Company, 1960.
First edition of one of the most important American novels of the 20th century which had an initial first printing of 5,000 copies and went on to earn Harper Lee the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Octavo, original half cloth. With an autograph postcard signed by and entirely in the hand of Harper Lee laidContinue reading "To Kill A Mockingbird."
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New York : Harper Collins Publishers, 1978.
First edition of this realistic children’s novel, which was ranked number 63 among all-time children’s novels in a survey published by School Library Journal. Octavo, original half cloth. Signed by Katherine Paterson on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket art by Fred Marcellino.
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Montreal : McGill Poetry Series by Contact Press, 1956.
First edition of Cohen’s first book, which explores philosophy, sexuality, death, a world of violent contrasts that would define his future literary and musical careers. Octavo, original cloth. With five full-page line illustrations by Freda Guttman. Signed by the author in the month of publication on the front free endpaper, “Leonard Cohen May 1956.” NearContinue reading "Let Us Compare Mythologies."
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New York : G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1878.
First edition of the author’s first book, considered one of the best American detective novels. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles to the spine, rebacked. In very good condition. Small ownership name. Housed in a custom half morocco and folding chemise slipcase. Rare.
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Cambridge : Macmillan and Co, 1857.
First edition of the author’s classic work, containing some of his most profound passages of descriptive imagery. Octavo, three volumes bound in three quarters morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In very good condition.
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London : John C. Nimmo, 1886.
Finely bound example of one of the most popular and widely read novels among Victorians. Octavo, bound in full crushed levant morocco by Bayntun Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, elaborate gilt ruling to the front an rear panels, central morocco onlay to the front panel,Continue reading "The Vicar of Wakefield."
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London : Routledge, Warne and Routledge, 1861.
Finely bound edition of one of the most significant works of religious English literature. Octavo, bound in full crushed teal levant morocco by Bayntun Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, quadruple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, radiant cornerpieces and central morocco onlay ofContinue reading "The Pilgrim’s Progress From This World to that Which is to Come."
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London : Chatto & Windus, 1928.
First edition of Huxley’s classic satiric novel. Octavo, original cloth. Fine in a good dust jacket with chipping to the spine, contemporary name to the front free endpaper.
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London : Macmillan and Co, 1908.
Finely bound English translation of Cervantes’ masterpiece. Octavo, three volumes, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers. In fine condition. Translated by Thomas Shelton. A very attractive set.
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New York : Limited Editions Club, 1935.
First illustrated edition of Joyce’s landmark Ulysses, one of only 250 examples signed by James Joyce in pen and Henri Matisse in pencil, with 26 illustrations by him, one of the 20th-century’s most desirable illustrated books, combining the work of two great modern artists. Large quarto, original gilt-stamped pictorial brown cloth, original slipcase. In fineContinue reading "Ulysses."
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London : Jonathan Cape, 1987.
First British edition of Saramago’s first book to be translated into English. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “For Harold with best wishes Jose Saramago 29.10.2008.” Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket illustration by Rosemary Woods. Translated from the Portuguese by Giovanni Pontiero.
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London : Library of Imperial History In association With Charles Scribner's Sons and The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, 1973-76.
Centenary limited edition of Churchill’s complete Works, one of only 3000 sets produced, with the additional four volumes usually not present. Octavo, original full vellum, 38 volumes, stamped with the Churchill arms, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers, original dark green slipcases, also gilt-stamped with the Churchill coat of arms. In near fine to fine conditionContinue reading "The First Collected Works of Sir Winston Churchill: Centenary Limited Edition."
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Fine Bindings and Sets
Fine Bindings and Sets
Fine Bindings and Sets
Fine Bindings and Sets
Biography and Autobiography
