Religion

Lewis, C.S

The Abolition of Man or Reflections on Education with Special Reference to the Teaching of English in the Upper Forms of Schools.

London : Oxford University Press, 1943.

First edition of Lewis’s powerful essay, original delivered as three speeches in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1943 in which he “defends the objectivity of values such as goodness and beauty over against the modern view that these qualities are in the mind of the beholder.” Octavo, original publisher’s printed wrappers. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author onContinue reading "The Abolition of Man or Reflections on Education with Special Reference to the Teaching of English in the Upper Forms of Schools."

Bunyan, John

The Holy War, made by Shaddai upon Diabolus.

London : Printed for Dorman Newman and Benjamin Alsop, 1682.

Exceptionally rare first edition of this allegorical epic, which Macaulay said “if The Pilgrim’s Progress had not been written, The Holy War would have been the greatest English allegory” (Cambridge History of English Literature). Octavo, engraved portrait frontispiece by R. White. In very good condition, final advertisement leaf present, sig.B damp-stained at lower outer corners, cornerContinue reading "The Holy War, made by Shaddai upon Diabolus."

Bunyan, John

Bunyan’s Choice Works: The Pilgrim’s Progress, The Holy War, The Barren Fig-Tree, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, and Heart’s Ease in Heart Trouble.

Glasgow : James Semple, c.1880.

Finely bound edition of one of the most significant works of religious English literature. Quarto, bound in full morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt titles and tooling to the front panel, metal rim and double clasp to the boards, all edges gilt, profusely illustratedContinue reading "Bunyan’s Choice Works: The Pilgrim’s Progress, The Holy War, The Barren Fig-Tree, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, and Heart’s Ease in Heart Trouble."

Chinese Buddhist Watercolor Scroll of Diyu.

China c. 1880-1900.

Rare original Chinese watercolor scroll of the realm of the dead. Watercolor on paper, wooden rollers at top and bottom. The scroll measures 62.5 inches by 30.25 inches. In very good condition.

Avalos, Hector [Madeleine Albright]

Fighting Words: The Origins Of Religious Violence.

New York : Prometheus Books, 2005.

First edition of Avalos’s critical examination of religion and violence. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth. Signed and dated by the author on the front free endpaper. From the library of  Madeleine K. Albright. Madeleine K. Albright was the first woman to serve as the U.S. Secretary of State. She acted under President Bill Clinton from 1997Continue reading "Fighting Words: The Origins Of Religious Violence."

Hitchens, Christopher

God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything.

New York : Twelve/ Hatchette Book Group, 2007.

First edition, early printing of this polemic by Hitchens. Octavo, original boards. Boldly signed by Christopher Hitchens on the title page. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Anne Twomey.

Graham, Billy; Dave Iwerks

Billy Graham Signed Photograph.

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Rare original Dave Iwerks photograph of legendary American evangelist Billy Graham, warmly inscribed by Graham, “To Anthony Janak God Bless You Always Billy Graham.” Black and white photograph of Graham in profile. Mounted to board, photographer’s label at lower right, studio ink stamp on mount verso: Copyright Dave Iwerks Northridge, Calif. U.S.A. The photograph measuresContinue reading "Billy Graham Signed Photograph."

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."

Cohen, William S.; Janet Langheart Cohen; [Madeleine K. Albright]

Love in Black and White: A Memoir of Race, Religion, and Romance.

Lanham, MD : Rowman & Littlefield, 2007.

First edition of this profound story of perseverance against racial hatred and bigotry. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with black and white photographs. Association copy, inscribed by the authors on the half-title page, “For Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, with sincere Thanks for your friendship & for helping to make this story a success!Continue reading "Love in Black and White: A Memoir of Race, Religion, and Romance."

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa Signed Photograph.

1984.

Rare photograph portrait of Mother Teresa boldly signed, “God bless you M. Teresa mc.” In fine condition. The piece measures 5 inches by 7 inches.

Tutu, Desmond and The Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu Signed Photograph.

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Rare photograph signed by the two Nobel Peace Prize winners. Color photograph of Archbishop of Cape Town Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama holding hands in a joyous pose. Signed by each beneath their respective portraits. In fine condition. The piece measures 7.5 inches by 5.75 inches. Rare and desirable.

Albach, J. S

Heilige Anklänge: Gebete für Katholische Christen. [Sacred Echoes: Prayers for Catholic Christians].

Germany : Julius Muller, 1850.

Rare 19th century Catholic prayer book in the German language. Octodecimo, bound in leather with stylized botanical designs stamped in blind to the spine, front and rear panels, metallic crucifixion of Jesus to the front panel, original metallic locking mechanism preserved, all edges gilt, tissue-guarded frontispiece of Mary with the cross, illustrated with six steelContinue reading "Heilige Anklänge: Gebete für Katholische Christen. [Sacred Echoes: Prayers for Catholic Christians]."

Schwartz, Steven; John Michael Tebelak

Godspell: New Testaments Sections on Which the Musical is Based.

New York : The British and Foreign Bible Society in association with Collins Fontana Books, 1966.

First edition of this collection of gospels in Today’s English Version used in Godspell the Musical by Stephen Schwartz and John Michael Tebelak as played at Wyndham’s Theatre, London. Octavo, original pictorial wrappers, illustrated. Boldly signed by Stephen Schwartz on the title page. In near fine condition. Rare, especially 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."

Schedel, Hartmann

Liber Chronicarum. [The Nuremberg Chronicle].

Nuremberg : Anton Koberger for Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister, 12 July 1493.

Exceptionally rare colored example of the first edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle, the most extensively illustrated book of the 15th century. Imperial folio, bound in full 17th-century pigskin over bevelled wooden boards with elaborate blind tooling and scrolling to the spine and panels, brass cornerpieces, 2 fore-edge clasps, 325 leaves (of 328, without blank 55/6Continue reading "Liber Chronicarum. [The Nuremberg Chronicle]."

Leeser, Isaac

Discourses on the Jewish Religion.

Philadelphia : Sherman & Co, 1866-68.

Rare first editions of one of the ‘major builders of American Judaism’, Isaac Leeser’s Discourses on the Jewish Religion. Octavo, 10 volumes, bound in full leather, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands. In near fine condition. Complete sets are of the utmost rarity.

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."

Walton, Izaak and Charles Cotton

The Complete Angler of Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton: Extensively Embellished with Engravings on Copper and Wood, From Original Paintings and Drawings, by First-Rate Artists.

London : John Major, Fleet Street, 1823.

First Major edition, large paper copy of this classic of English literature. Octavo, bound in full crushed levant forest green morocco by Zaehnsdorf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt spine ornaments and cornerpieces of fish and tackle, quadruple gilt ruling to the front and rearContinue reading "The Complete Angler of Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton: Extensively Embellished with Engravings on Copper and Wood, From Original Paintings and Drawings, by First-Rate Artists."

Bojaxhiu, Mary Teresa [Mother Teresa]; Terence Cardinal Cooke; [Pope John Paul II]

Mother Teresa and Terence Cardinal Cooke Signed ‘Visit of Pope John Paul II’ New York Times Front Page Souvenir.

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Souvenir printing of The New York Times October 3, 1979 front page commemorating Pope John Paul II’s visit to New York, signed by Mother Teresa and Terence Cardinal Cooke. One page, featuring a printed front cover of the New York Times from October 3, 1979, with images and articles commemorating Pope John Paul II’s visitContinue reading "Mother Teresa and Terence Cardinal Cooke Signed ‘Visit of Pope John Paul II’ New York Times Front Page Souvenir."

Knuth, Donald E

Things A Computer Scientist Rarely Talks About.

Stanford, CA : Center for the Study of Language, 2001.

First edition of this collection of lectures, by the legendary computer scientist. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author opposite the title page, “Best wishes, Bill! Don Knuth.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Uncommon signed.