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 1100-1120 of 2245
New York : Harcourt, Brace & Company, 1997.
Signed limited edition of this children’s classic, one of 100 numbered copies, this is number 37. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated by Mary Shepard. In fine condition. Additionally signed “God bless! Dick Van Dyke” on the front free endpaper, who starred in the 1964 film adaptation. A unique example.
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London : Privately Printed, 1901.
First edition, privately printed by the author (preceding all other editions) one of only 250 copies of this children’s classic. 12 mo, original cloth, illustrated, leaf patterned end-papers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “for Mrs Oliver, from Beatrix Potter– with kind regards and best wishes forContinue reading "The Tale of Peter Rabbit."
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New York : Bantam Books, 1991.
First edition of the sequel to the author’s prize-winning memoir, Home Before Dark. Octavo, original half cloth, pictorial endpapers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “Miami Fla. March 1991 For Erica and Ken with love Susan.” The recipients, American writer Erica Jong and lawyer Kenneth David Burrows were married inContinue reading "Treetops: A Family Memoir."
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Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company, 1984.
First edition of Cheever’s candid portrait of her father, John Cheever. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “New York City October 1984 To Burrows with love from his old friend Susan.” The recipient, American litigator Kenneth David Burrows married American novelist Erica Jong in 1989. Jong remainsContinue reading "Home Before Dark: A Biographical Memoir of John Cheever by His Daughter."
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New York : Simon & Schuster, 1999.
First edition of Cheever’s frank and moving autobiography. Octavo, original half cloth. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper in the year of publication, “New York City January 1999 For Erica and Ken What can I say? No words could begin to express mt gratitude, my fond memories, my affection andContinue reading "Note Found in a Bottle: My Life as a Drinker."
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June 1945.
Rare typed letter signed “Geo. Orwell“, to Gerry Byrne announcing that “my wife died three months ago, very suddenly and unexpectedly”, writing about the aftermath of her death including his relief that their son Richard was too young to to miss her (“…He is now 13 1/2 months old and is extremely well. He hasContinue reading "George Orwell Typed Letter Signed."
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June 1944.
Rare autographed letter signed by George Orwell signed to Amy Charlesworth Byrne detailing his usual weekly routines between his home and the offices of Tribune, in order to make lunch arrangements to meet her and her husband, also promising her a book (“…I’ll try & find a copy of ‘Burmese Days for you. These PenguinsContinue reading "George Orwell Autographed Letter Signed."
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Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott Company, 1934.
First edition of the author’s first book. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, raised bands, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In near fine condition, name to the title page. With an introduction by Fanny Hurst. Rare andContinue reading "Jonah’s Gourd Vine."
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Philadelphia : J.P. Lippincott Company, 1938.
First edition of Hurston’s personal experiences in Haiti and Jamaica. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, raised bands, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, 26 illustrations. In fine condition. An exceptional presentation.
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Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott Company, 1935.
First edition of Hurston’s classic work, “the most engaging, genuine, and skillfully written book in the field of folklore” (Alan Lomax). Octavo, original cloth, with 10 illustrations by Miguel Covarrubias. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, raised bands, innerContinue reading "Mules and Men."
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New York : J. B. Lippincott Company, 1939.
First edition of this classic retelling of Moses’ exodus. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, raised bands, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. A very sharp example.
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New York : Doubleday, 1990.
First edition of the fifth book in Asimov’s Black Widowers series. Octavo, original half cloth. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by James Steinberg.
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New York and London : G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1902.
The Annabel edition of the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe. Octavo, ten volumes, bound in three quarters crushed levant morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers, illustrated with 60 photogravures, each with a lettered tissue guard. In very good condition. AContinue reading "The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe."
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London : Printed for J. Dodsley, 1774.
First edition of one of the great classics of English letters. Quarto, period quarter calf over marbled boards with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, engraved portrait frontispiece. Second state of volume one, page 55 (line 16 corrected to “qui auroit”). From the library of Sir Edwyn Francis Stanhope with his bookplate to the pastedownContinue reading "Letters Written by the Late Right Honourable Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, to His Son, Philip Stanhope, Esq; Together with Several Other Pieces on Various Subjects."
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New York : Printed and Published by the Author, 1918.
First edition of Shaw’s appreciation of Wilde. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. From the library of young Ernest Hemingway with his ownership name and address to the pastedown of each volume, “Ernest Hemingway Windemere Walloon Lake Michigan” and additional ownership name to volume one, “Hemingway.” Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, in Oak Park, Illinois,Continue reading "Oscar Wilde: His Life and Confessions."
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New York : 126 William Street, 1898.
Signed limited edition, this is number 47. Quarter, original half cloth. Signed by Stephen Crane at the conclusion of his contribution, The Wise Men. Also signed by the other contributors. While it was the intention of the club to have each contributor sign his piece, Crane did not sign all 125 examples, as he diedContinue reading "The Lanthorn Book: Being a Small Collection of Tales and Verses Read at The Sign o’ the Lanthorn."
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Boston : Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1851.
The subscriber’s edition of the works of Daniel Webster, signed by Webster in the first volume. Octavo, 6 volumes, bound in original cloth, frontispiece, and one other plate. In near fine condition.
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New York : Simon & Schuster, 2003-2009.
First editions of each volume in the author’s acclaimed series, basis for the 2008 film starring Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker and Sarah Bolger, with Nick Nolte, Seth Rogen, and Martin Short in voice roles. Octavo, 5 volumes, original illustrated boards. Each volume is signed by each author on the title page. In fine condition.
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Camden, Maine : Down East Books, 1996.
First printing of the second edition. Octavo, original wrappers, as issued. Inscribed by Tim Sample on the title page. Additionally signed by Stephen King, who wrote the introduction to this volume. In very good condition.
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New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1976.
First edition of this collection of essays. Octavo, original cloth, sketches by the author. Boldly signed by Tom Wolfe on the front free endpaper. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Janet Halverson.
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Biography and Autobiography
Biography and Autobiography
First Edition
Biography and Autobiography
Americana
![The Spiderwick Chronicles Complete Set [The Field Guide, The Seeing Stone, Lucinda’s Secret, The Ironwood Tree, The Wrath of Mulgarath; The Care and Feeding of Sprites; Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You; The Spiderwick Chronicles: Notebook for Fantastical Observations].](https://raptis.bvbeta.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RRB-141589.jpg)
Children's Books
First Edition
