Philosophy

Jones, James Athearn

Traditions of the North American Indians: Being a Second and Revised Edition of ‘Tales of an Indian Camp’.

London : Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1830.

The second and best edition of this firsthand account of Native American traditions and folklore. Duodecimo, three volumes bound in contemporary three quarter green morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, beautifully etched frontispieces by W. H. Brooke in each volume, illustrated withContinue reading "Traditions of the North American Indians: Being a Second and Revised Edition of ‘Tales of an Indian Camp’."

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques

The Confessions of J.J. Rousseau: With the Reveries of the Solitary Walker.

London : Printed for J. Bew, 1783.

Rare first edition in English of the author’s classic work. Duodecimo, 2 volumes, bound in three-quarters contemporary calfskin over marbled boards with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, morocco spine labels. In very good condition, signatures to the front pastedowns.

Vanderbilt, Amy

Amy Vanderbilt’s Etiquette.

Garden City, New York : Doubleday & Company, Inc, 1972.

Later edition of this classic work, with early drawings by Andy Warhol. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, patterned endpapers, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title page, “To Tom – and the furture – Amy Vanderbilt.” In very good condition.

Hill, Napoleon

Think and Grow Rich.

Meriden, Conn. : The Ralston Society, 1937.

Rare first edition of this classic bestseller, which has sold over 100 million copies. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Napoleon Hill on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with various original ephemera relating to the original release of this title. Rare and desirable in the original dust jacketContinue reading "Think and Grow Rich."

Rand, Ayn

The Romantic Manifesto: A Philosophy of Literature.

New York : The World Publishing Company, 1969.

First edition of this collection of essays regarding the nature of art. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by Ayn Rand on the front free endpaper. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Tom Lincoln.

Watson, Richard

An Apology for the Bible; In a Series of Letters, Addressed to Thomas Paine, Author of a book entitled The Age of Reason, Part the Second, Being and Investigation of True and of Fabulous Theology.

Philadelphia : Printed for W. Young, Mills & Son, 1796.

Rare early printing of this response to Thomas Paine’s ‘The Age of Reason.’ Duodecimo, original full leather with gilt titles and ruling to the spine. In very good condition with rubbing to the extremities, front panel, and spine, some toning throughout, a small loss to the front flyleaf, and bookplates to the front free endpaperContinue reading "An Apology for the Bible; In a Series of Letters, Addressed to Thomas Paine, Author of a book entitled The Age of Reason, Part the Second, Being and Investigation of True and of Fabulous Theology."

Gordon, Thomas [George Washington]

Another Cordial for Low-Spirits. [George Washington’s Copy].

London : R. Griffiths, 1751.

From the library of George Washington of this compilation of political and religious essays regarding contemporary issues in Great Britain. Small octavo, volume two, bound in full contemporary brown calf with a gilt number two and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels,Continue reading "Another Cordial for Low-Spirits. [George Washington’s Copy]."

Huntington, Samuel P

Who Are We? The Challenges to America’s National Identity.

New York : Simon & Schuster, 2004.

First edition of Samuel P. Huntington’s last work. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the second free endpaper, “To our favorite Sherpa, This intelligent report on a most bizarre country, yours ever, Sam.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Marc J. Cohen. Books signed byContinue reading "Who Are We? The Challenges to America’s National Identity."

The Author W. P. [Penn, William]

The Great Case of Liberty of Conscience Once More Briefly Debated & Defended, by the Authority of Reason, Scripture, and Antiquity.

[London] 1670 [i.e. 1671].

Rare second edition of one of the most persuasive defences of liberty and “the free and uninterrupted exercise of our consciences”(William Penn). Quarto, bound in full modern morocco, gilt titles and ruling to the spine, inner dentelles elaborately stamped in blind. A powerful argument for toleration and against the intrusion of civil authority into religiousContinue reading "The Great Case of Liberty of Conscience Once More Briefly Debated & Defended, by the Authority of Reason, Scripture, and Antiquity."

Bryant, Jacob

A New System, or, an Analysis of Ancient Mythology: Wherein an Attempt is made to divest Tradition of Fable; and to reduce the Truth to its Original Purity. [Bryant’s Mythology].

London : Printed for T. Payne, Mews-Gate; P. Elmsly, in the Strand; B. White, in Fleet-Street; and J. Walter, Charing-Cross, 1774-1776.

First edition of Bryant’s Mythology, one of the most ambitious eighteenth-century attempts to reconcile classical mythology with biblical and historical truth. Royal quarto, three volumes bound in full period calf, rebacked, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spines in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling and scrolling toContinue reading "A New System, or, an Analysis of Ancient Mythology: Wherein an Attempt is made to divest Tradition of Fable; and to reduce the Truth to its Original Purity. [Bryant’s Mythology]."

Kirk, Charlie

The College Scam: How America’s Universities Are Bankrupting and Brainwashing Away the Future of America’s Youth.

: Winning Team Publishing, 2022.

First edition of this work by the founder of Turning Point USA. Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Charlie Kirk on the half-title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket.

Saint Augustine

Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives. [The City of God].

London : George Eld, 1610.

Rare first edition in English of Augustine’s monumental work. Translated by John Healey. Folio, bound in full brown calf, gilt titles to the spine, morocco spine label, raised bands. Large woodcut printer’s device on title (McKerrow 375). Decorative woodcut head-pieces and decorative and woodcut initials, including three twelve-line initials. In very good condition, ownership signatureContinue reading "Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives. [The City of God]."

Huxley, Aldous

The Doors of Perception; Heaven and Hell.

London : Chatto & Windus, 1954.

First British editions of Aldous Huxley’s philosophical essay The Doors of Perception and its sequel Heaven and Hell. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Each are near fine in near fine dust jackets. Jacket designs by John Woodcock. Ownership inscription to the front free endpaper of Heaven and Hell.

Silverstein, Dr. Charles; Edmund White

The Joy of Gay Sex.

New York : Crown Publishers, Inc, 1977.

First edition of this classic bestselling guide. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated throughout in color and sepia. Boldly signed by co-author Edmund White on the title page. Fine in a very good dust jacket with a small loss to the front panel and a few small closed tears. Illustrated by Michael Leonard, Ian Beck, andContinue reading "The Joy of Gay Sex."

Frankl, Viktor E

The Doctor and the Soul: An Introduction to Logotherapy.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1955.

First edition of Frankl’s classic work which explores topics on the meaning of life in general as well as the meaning of specific areas of one’s life, such as work and personal relationships. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, lengthily inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Mr. Stettner with the kindest regardsContinue reading "The Doctor and the Soul: An Introduction to Logotherapy."

Locke, John

The Works of John Locke [Including: An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Some Thoughts Concerning Education, Some Considerations of the Consequences of Lowering the Interest, and Raising the Value of Money, An Essay for the Amendment of the Silver Coin, Some Thoughts Concerning Education, Etc.]

London : Printed for A. Churchill and A. Manship, 1722.

Rare second edition of the collected works of John Locke, “the most worthy… of the indisputably great philosophers.” Folio, three volumes, bound in full speckled brown calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine with morocco spine labels in seven compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt turn-ins, all edges stained red. Frontispiece of JohnContinue reading "The Works of John Locke [Including: An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Some Thoughts Concerning Education, Some Considerations of the Consequences of Lowering the Interest, and Raising the Value of Money, An Essay for the Amendment of the Silver Coin, Some Thoughts Concerning Education, Etc.]"

Penney, J.C

View From the Ninth Decade: Jottings From a Merchant’s Daybook.

New York : Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1961.

First edition, third printing of this work of sage advice on the principles of business success from one of America’s most influential twentieth-century retailers. Octavo, original publisher’s half-cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Major Benjamin Namm – Best wishes sincerely JCPenney -.” The recipient, Benjamin Namm was theContinue reading "View From the Ninth Decade: Jottings From a Merchant’s Daybook."

Ketchum, Richard M. [Barbara Bray]

Second Cutting: Letters From The Country.

New York : The Viking Press, 1981.

First edition of this reflective portrait of New England rural life. Octavo, original half-cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author and his wife on the half-title page, “For Ruth – with warm wishes for a happy Christmas with lots of love from Barbara and Dick Ketchum Dec. 25, 2007.” Fine in a very good dustContinue reading "Second Cutting: Letters From The Country."

Ovid [Sandys, George]

Ovid’s Metamorphosis Englished, Mythologized, And Represented in Figures. An Essay to the Translation of Virgil’s Aeneis.

London : Printed by J. L. for Andrew Hebb, 1640.

Fourth edition of George Sandys’ revered English translation of Ovid’s Metamorphosis. Folio, contemporary paneled boards, rebacked, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, illustrated with two copies of the engraved portrait of Ovid (one opposite engraved title, the other opposite the Life), engraved title page, and 15 full-page plates (one at the beginning of each book ofContinue reading "Ovid’s Metamorphosis Englished, Mythologized, And Represented in Figures. An Essay to the Translation of Virgil’s Aeneis."

Locke, John

An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding: In Four Books.

London : Printed for Awnsham and John Churchil, at the Black-Swan in Pater-Noster Row, and Samuel Manship, at the Ship in Cornhill, near the Royal-Exchange, 1694.

Rare second edition of this fundamental work in the history of Western thought, the first to name Locke as the author and to include the frontispiece portrait of him. Folio, bound full paneled calf, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, elaborated diced stamping to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, engraved frontispiece portraitContinue reading "An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding: In Four Books."

Freud, Sigmund

The Interpretation of Dreams.

New York : The Basic Books, 1955.

First edition of this translation English of this cornerstone of psychoanalysis. Octavo, original cloth. Translation by James Strachey. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with some chips. Rare in the original jacket.

Biblia Cum Concordantiis Veteris et Novi Testamenti. [The Bible with Concordances of the Old and New Testaments]. [Jerome’s Latin Vulgate].

[Lugundi] : [Jacobum Mareschal], 1527.

Rare 16th century printed seminary copy of Jerome’s Latin Vulgate. Folio, bound in full elaborately blind-stamped vellum with remains of iron clasps, all edges red, finely printed in gothic letter, title printed in red and black within woodcut borders, numerous woodcuts and woodcut initials, title and a few woodcuts hand-colored. With a Seminary library catalogContinue reading "Biblia Cum Concordantiis Veteris et Novi Testamenti. [The Bible with Concordances of the Old and New Testaments]. [Jerome’s Latin Vulgate]."

Wollstonecraft, Mary

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

London : Printed For J. Johnson, 1792.

First edition of this landmark work—among the earliest and most influential feminist manifestos—presenting a groundbreaking critique of the social and educational structures that enforced women’s subordination. Octavo, original boards, sympathetically rebacked, printed spine label. [Windle A5a; PMM 242; Goldsmiths’ 15367]. In very good condition with scattered toning. Housed in a custom clamshell box. Exceptionally rareContinue reading "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects."

Crowley, Aleister

The Works of Aleister Crowley.

Foyers : Society For The Propagation of Religious Truth, 1905-1907.

First collected edition, “Essay Competition” issue of the collected writings of the noted occult writer. Octavo, three volumes bound into one as issued in the original publisher’s limp linen with gilt titles to the front panel, top edge gilt with others untrimmed. Boldly signed by the author on the second free endpaper, “With Mr. AleisterContinue reading "The Works of Aleister Crowley."