Philosophy

Castaneda, Carlos

The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge.

Berkeley and Los Angeles : University of California Press, 1968.

First edition of this classic account of spiritual knowledge in the West. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “For James Shipounoff with best wishes Carlos Castaneda.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.

Lewis, C.S

The Screwtape Letters.

London : Geoffrey Bles, 1942.

First edition of Lewis‘ classic novel of spiritual conflict, one of his most celebrated works. Octavo, original cloth. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket which is in very good condition. Housed in a custom folding chemise and half morocco slipcase. An excellent example, rare in this condition.

Paley, William [William Tecumseh Sherman]

The Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy.

New York : Collins, Keese, & Co, 1839.

Later edition of this classic book on moral and political philosophy; used by William Tecumseh Sherman while a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Octavo, original calf. General Sherman and his son’s bookplates to the front pastedown. Intentionally scratched with “S” multiple times on the front panel by General Sherman. InscribedContinue reading "The Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy."

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques

Principes Du Droit Politique. [Du Contrat Social].

Amsterdam : Marc Michel Rey, 1762.

Rare first edition, type B, of Rousseau‘s greatest work. Octavo, bound in full contemporary sheepskin, gilt tooling to the spine in eight compartments within raised bands, burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, stamped turn-ins, marbled endpapers, engraved vignette of Liberty to the title page by Boily after Bolomey, all edges red, ribbon bound in.Continue reading "Principes Du Droit Politique. [Du Contrat Social]."

Yergin, Daniel

The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World.

New York : The Penguin Press, 2011.

First edition of this exploration of global energy. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Inscribed by Daniel Yergin on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacker design by Tal Goretsky and Darren Haggar.

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques

A Treatise on the Social Compact: or The Principles of Politic Law.

London : Printed for T. Becket and P.A. De Hondt, in the Strand, 1764.

First edition in English of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s magnum opus; a seminal treatise on political philosophy and precursor of the French revolution. Twelvemo, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, triple gilt ruling to the front andContinue reading "A Treatise on the Social Compact: or The Principles of Politic Law."

Kahneman, Daniel

Attention and Effort.

Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice-Hall, 1973.

First edition of the Nobel laureate’s influential first book, which claimed that attention can be identified with effort, cemented the association as a research paradigm in the cognitive sciences. Octavo, original cloth. Lengthily signed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To an unusually thorough reader, with appreciation! D. Kahneman 4/17/2015.” Near fine inContinue reading "Attention and Effort."

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 collected edition of “the only edition of Franklin’s writings (other than his scientific) printed during his lifetime” (Ford). Octavo, bound in three quarter olive crushed levant morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in three compartments within raised bands, all edges speckled blue, engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin, three engraved plates (oneContinue 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."

Herzl, Theodor

Theodor Herzl Autograph Letter Signed.

Vienna March 10, 1902.

Rare autograph letter signed by one of the founders of modern political Zionism. Octavo, one page on Herzl’s personal stationary, the letter reads in full (translated), “Since our children’s current teacher told us that it was difficult for him to find a replacement in the middle of the school year, we have decided to keepContinue reading "Theodor Herzl Autograph Letter Signed."

Van der Hooght, Everardo

Biblia Hebraica, Secundum Ultimam Editionem Jos. Athiae, a Johanne Leusden, Denuo Recognitum, Recensita Variisque Notis Latinis Illustrata, ab Everardo Van Der Hooght. Editio Prima Americana, Sine Punctis Masorethicis.

Philadelphia : Printed by William Fry for Thomas Dobson, 1814.

Very rare first edition of the first Hebrew Bible published in America. Octavo, 2 volumes, bound in full contemporary calf, including half-titles and front and rear blanks, as well as scarce publisher’s notice in volume one (not found in all examples); Van der Hooght’s four leaf Preface bound in at front of second volume, moroccoContinue reading "Biblia Hebraica, Secundum Ultimam Editionem Jos. Athiae, a Johanne Leusden, Denuo Recognitum, Recensita Variisque Notis Latinis Illustrata, ab Everardo Van Der Hooght. Editio Prima Americana, Sine Punctis Masorethicis."

Roosevelt, Eleanor

If You Ask Me. [AND] Eleanor Roosevelt Lock of Hair.

New York : D. Appleton-Century Company, 1946.

First edition of this discussion of socio-political questions. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Olga with good wishes Eleanor Roosevelt.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Accompanied by a group of ephemera which includes: an autograph note signed by the recipient, the note readsContinue reading "If You Ask Me. [AND] Eleanor Roosevelt Lock of Hair."

Einstein, Albert

Cosmic Religion: with other Opinions and Aphorisms.

New York : Covici Friede, 1931.

First edition of this multi-subject work of non-scientific thought from one of the world’s most influential theoretical physicists in the rare original dust jacket. Duodecimo, original cloth. Near fine in a good dust jacket with some losses and a few closed tears to the extremities of the dust jacket. Rare in the original dust jacket.

Crowley, Aleister

Ambergris: A Selection From the Poems.

London : Elkin Mathews, 1910.

First edition of this scarce collection of Crowley’s poetry. Octavo, original publisher’s boards lettered in gilt, rebacked, frontispiece portrait. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the rear free endpaper, “Henry Mond from Aleister Crowley.” The recipient, Sir Henry Ludwig Mond, 2nd Baron Melchett was an English politician, industrialist and Zionist. He served as MemberContinue reading "Ambergris: A Selection From the Poems."

Buckley Jr., William F

God and Man at Yale: The Superstitions of “Academic Freedom”.

Chicago : Henry Regnery Company, 1951.

First edition of the author’s first book and seminal work. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. BoldlyContinue reading "God and Man at Yale: The Superstitions of “Academic Freedom”."

Warhol, Andy

The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B and Back Again).

New York : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1975.

First edition, early printing of this work by Warhol. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed in green by Andy Warhol on the half-title page. Additionally inscribed by Warhol on the title page, “To Bob & son Andy Warhol,” with a drawing of a can of  Campbell’s Pea Soup can. Near fine in a very good dustContinue reading "The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B and Back Again)."

Rawls, John

John Rawls Autograph Letter Signed.

Cambridge, Massachusetts January 14, 1985.

Rare autograph letter signed by one of the most influential political philosophers of the 20th century. Small octavo, one page on Harvard University Department of Philosophy letterhead, the text reads in full, “Jan 14, 1985 Dear Annette Many thanks for your review of Parfit’s Reasons & Persons with your splendid & illuminating appreciation of this work.Continue reading "John Rawls Autograph Letter Signed."

Gargaz, Pierre-André [William Tecumseh Sherman]

A Project of Universal and Perpetual Peace.

New York : George Simpson Eddy, 1922.

Early edition of this treatise on universal peace; from the library of Philemon Tecumseh Sherman. Small octavo, original half cloth, uncut, illustrated with documents in facsimile. P.T. Sherman’s bookplate to the front pastedown beneath his ownership signature. In near fine condition. Housed in the original publisher’s slipcase which is in very good condition with slightContinue reading "A Project of Universal and Perpetual Peace."

Handy, Charles

The Elephant and the Flea: Looking Backwards to the Future.

London : Hutchinson, 2001.

First edition of this memoir by the eminent philosopher. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the title page, “Les Best wishes Charles Handy 2.11.01.” Near fine in a near fine dust jacket.

Einstein, Albert

About Zionism: Speeches and Letters.

New York : The MacMillan Company, 1931.

First edition of this volume of Einstein’s speeches and letters concerning his views on Zionism. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed and dated in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “Albert Einstein 1931.” Near fine with light toning to the endpapers in the scarce original dust jacket which is in good condition withContinue reading "About Zionism: Speeches and Letters."

Ethiopian Coptic Ge’ez Bible.

Ethiopia C. 18th Century.

Rare illustrated Ethiopian Coptic Ge’ez Bible. Duodecimo, bound with twine between two wood blocks, parchment manuscript in black and red ink, with full-page hand-painted miniatures depicting the Transfiguration of Jesus, Saint Tekle Haymanot of Ethiopia, Saint George slaying the dragon, the Madonna and child, Jesus and Mary, the Annunciation, the Birth of Jesus, and theContinue reading "Ethiopian Coptic Ge’ez Bible."