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Literature

Rare & Classic, American or English Literature Books for Sale Online

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 48-72 of 4540

Blixen, Karen [Isak Dinesen]

Den Afrikanske Farm. [Out of Africa].

Copenhagen : Gyldendal, 1937.

First Danish edition of the author’s classic memoir, which recounts events of the seventeen years when Blixen made her home in Kenya. Octavo, original wrappers. In near fine condition. Rare in this condition.

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$1,600.00
Item Number: RRB-151113
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Blixen, Karen [Isak Dinesen]

Out of Africa.

London : Putnam, 1937.

First British edition of the author’s classic memoir, which recounts events of the seventeen years when Blixen made her home in Kenya. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Near fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket. An exceptional example, rare in this condition.

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$6,000.00
Item Number: RRB-151112
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le Carre, John

The Looking-Glass War.

London : Heinemann, 1965.

First edition of the author’s fourth novel. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “B. Payne best wishes John le Carré.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket with toning to the spine.

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$850.00
Item Number: RRB-151111
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Kingsley, Charles

Westward Ho!

Cambridge : Macmillan and Co., 1855.

First edition of Kingsley’s historical novel based on the Preston Somers Expedition of 1595. Small octavo, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards by Tout & Sons with gilt titles and floral tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, top edge gilt,Continue reading "Westward Ho!"

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$300.00
Item Number: RRB-151107
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Smeeton, George; Illustrated by George Cruikshank

Doings in London: or Day and Night Scenes of the Frauds, Frolics, Manners, and Depravities of the Metropolis.

London : Orlando Hodgson, c. 1830.

Finely bound example of this spirited survey of London life. Octavo, bound in three-quarters modern morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, frontispiece and title page vignette, illustrated with thirty-three black and white engravings. InContinue reading "Doings in London: or Day and Night Scenes of the Frauds, Frolics, Manners, and Depravities of the Metropolis."

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$475.00
Item Number: RRB-148883
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McMurtry, Larry

Lonesome Dove.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 1985.

First edition of the author’s Pulitzer-Prize winning novel. Octavo, original half cloth. Boldly signed by Larry McMurtry on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by George Corsillo. Jacket painting by Shannon Stirnweis.

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$2,750.00
Item Number: RRB-151090
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Boswell, James

The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. Comprehending an Account of his Studies and Numerous Works, in Chronological Order…

London : Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry, 1791.

First edition, first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language, which was published on May 16, 1791 in a print run of only 1,750 copies. First issue with “gve” for “give” at line 10 of p.135 in Vol. I, where MM4 and NN1 are cancels. Vol. I with Pottle’s misprints: upon repeatedContinue reading "The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. Comprehending an Account of his Studies and Numerous Works, in Chronological Order…"

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$8,200.00
Item Number: RRB-150970
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Nostradamus, Michael

True Prophecies or Prognostications of Michael Nostradamus Physician to Henry II. Francis II. and Charles IX. Kings of France, and one of the best Astronomers that ever were. A Work full of Curiosity and Learning.

London : Thomas Radcliffe and Nathaniel Thompson, 1672.

First edition in English of Nostradamus famous prophetical work. Folio, contemporary calf, copper-engraved frontispiece, title-page printed in red and black, morocco spine label. The predictions of the famed 16th century astrologer Michel Nostradamus, or Notredame, 1503-1566, given in the original French rhymed quatrains and in English translation. The copper-engraved frontispiece depicts the translator at hisContinue reading "True Prophecies or Prognostications of Michael Nostradamus Physician to Henry II. Francis II. and Charles IX. Kings of France, and one of the best Astronomers that ever were. A Work full of Curiosity and Learning."

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$12,800.00
Item Number: RRB-151294
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Rand, Ayn

The New Left: The Anti-Industrial Revolution.

New York : New American Library, 1971.

First edition, a paperback original of the author’s classic work. Octavo, original wrappers. Boldly signed by Ayn Rand beneath her name. In near fine condition. First editions are rare signed.

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$2,250.00
Item Number: RRB-151299
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Stephenson, Neal

Snow Crash.

New York : Del Rey, 2022.

First edition of the 30th anniversary edition of this “brilliantly realized” (The New York Times Book Review) breakthrough novel from visionary author Neal Stephenson, a modern classic that predicted the metaverse and inspired generations of Silicon Valley innovators. Octavo, original half cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with decorations. Boldly signed by Neal Stephenson on the titleContinue reading "Snow Crash."

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$450.00
Item Number: RRB-150958
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Kingsley, Charles

The Water-Babies: A Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby.

London and Cambridge : Macmillan and Co., 1863.

First edition of this Victorian moral fantasy. Octavo, bound in three-quarter Turkey morocco over marbled boards by Tout & Sons with gilt titles and floral tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, with two illustrations by J. NoelContinue reading "The Water-Babies: A Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby."

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$850.00
Item Number: RRB-151108
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Kingsley, Charles

Andromeda and Other Poems.

London : John W. Parker and Son, 1858.

First edition of this collection centered on the Greek myth of Andromeda’s rescue from a sea monster by Perseus. Duodecimo, bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards by Tout & Sons with gilt titles and floral tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rearContinue reading "Andromeda and Other Poems."

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$350.00
Item Number: RRB-151106
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Kipling, Rudyard

Collected Verse of Rudyard Kipling.

London : Hodder & Stoughton, 1912.

First limited edition De Luxe of the definitive collection of Kipling’s verse. Royal octavo, bound in full limp vellum with gilt titles and tooling to the spine and front panel, top edge gilt, decorated with turquoise initials. One of 500 numbered copies, this is number 466. Signed by the publisher and printer on the limitationsContinue reading "Collected Verse of Rudyard Kipling."

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$750.00
Item Number: RRB-150966
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Leigh Fermor, Patrick; Artemis Cooper and Colin Thubron [Editors]; [Daphne Fielding]

A Time of Gifts; Between the Woods and the Water; The Broken Road.

London : John Murray, 1977-2013.

First editions of each volume in Leigh Fermor’s trilogy. Octavo, original cloth, pictorial endpapers, illustrated with maps. A Time of Gifts is an association copy, warmly inscribed by Patrick Leigh Fermor on the front free endpaper to Daphne Fielding with with a large ink sketch of a coastal scene with church bell tower, castle tower,Continue reading "A Time of Gifts; Between the Woods and the Water; The Broken Road."

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$12,800.00
Item Number: RRB-150875
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Dickens, Charles

The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit.

London : London: Chapman and Hall, 1839.

First edition of the last of Dickens’ picaresque novels. Octavo, bound in full pebbled morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, elaborate gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, all edges gilt, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, illustrated with by “Phiz” with  40 plates.  With aContinue reading "The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit."

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$1,850.00
Item Number: RRB-139459
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Hoyle, William [Ian Fleming]

Hoyle’s Hymns and Songs: For Temperance Societies & Bands of Hope.

London : S.W. Partridge and Co./National Temperance Publication, c. 1890.

Early edition of this collection of hymns, inscribed by legendary creator of 007 Ian Fleming. Octavo, bound in the original full black morocco with gilt titles to the spine in six compartments within stamped-in-blind bands, yapp edges, all edges gilt, silk ribbon bound in, illustrated with hymn stanzas. Boldly signed by Ian Fleming in pencilContinue reading "Hoyle’s Hymns and Songs: For Temperance Societies & Bands of Hope."

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$6,500.00
Item Number: RRB-150873
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Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel De

El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha, Compuesto por Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. [The History of Don Quixote].

New York : The Hispanic Society of America, c. 1905.

The Hispanic Society of America’s notable, limited, and highly regarded facsimile edition of Don Quixote. Octavo, three volumes, original publisher’s cloth with gilt titles to the spine, all edges deckled, volume I is a facsimile reproduction of the first edition of 1605, volume II is a facsimile reproduction the 1615 first edition of the secondContinue reading "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha, Compuesto por Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. [The History of Don Quixote]."

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$1,500.00
Item Number: RRB-150967
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Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de

The History and Adventures of the Renowned Don Quixote.

Philadelphia : John Conrad & Co, 1803.

Rare first American edition of Cervantes’ masterpiece, translated from the original Spanish by Tobias Smollett and published as part of John Conrad & Co.’s Select Novels series (Vols. X-XIII). Duodecimo, 4 volumes, bound in full contemporary speckled calf, gilt numbers to the spine, modern morocco spine labels lettered in gilt. Translated by T. Smollett. InContinue reading "The History and Adventures of the Renowned Don Quixote."

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$18,000.00
Item Number: RRB-145712
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Tolkien, J.R.R

The Lord of The Rings Trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.

London : George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1956-1960.

Complete set of each title in Tolkien’s epic Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Octavo, three volumes bound in full crushed levant scarlet morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt facsimile signature of TolkienContinue reading "The Lord of The Rings Trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King."

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$7,800.00
Item Number: RRB-150964
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Rand, Ayn

We the Living.

New York : The MacMillan Company, 1936.

First edition of Rand’s debut novel. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, 22 karat gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt stamped to the front panel, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers,Continue reading "We the Living."

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$9,800.00
Item Number: RRB-151216
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Shanken, Marvin R

Cigar Aficionado’s World of Cigars.

Philadelphia : Courage Books, 1996.

First edition, early printing of this work by the legendary founder of Cigar Aficionado. Quarto, original boards, illustrated. Boldly signed by Marvin R. Shanken on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket.

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$600.00
Item Number: RRB-150155
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Forester, C.S

The African Queen.

Boston : Little, Brown, and Company, 1935.

First edition of C.S. Forester’s beloved African adventure, the basis for John Huston’s 1951 Oscar-winning film starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. One of only 2500 copies printed. Octavo,  bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling toContinue reading "The African Queen."

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$3,500.00
Item Number: RRB-150960
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Smith, Betty

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.

New York : Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1943.

First edition of Smith’s classic first novel. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panel, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt in 22 karatContinue reading "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn."

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$3,800.00
Item Number: RRB-150893
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