Travel and Exploration

Slocum, Joshua

Voyage of the Liberdade.

Boston : Press of Robinson & Stephenson, 1890.

First edition of Slocum’s account of his fifty-five days at sea with his wife and sons aboard the 35-foot junk-rig The Liberdade. Small octavo, original cloth with gilt title to the front panel, patterned endpapers. Association copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Mr. Don C Seitz Brooklyn Eagle with complimentsContinue reading "Voyage of the Liberdade."

Gagarin, Yuri; Gherman Titov

Yuri Gagarin and Gherman Titov Signed Postcard.

[Soviet Union] c. 1961.

Rare Soviet postcard featuring a colorized portrait of Yuri Gagarin to the right and Gherman Titov to the left wearing their military uniforms without caps while looking at a newspaper. Boldly signed by cosmonauts Gagarin and Titov beside their respective images. Additionally inscribed by Gagarin in Cyrillic along the upper margin, translated it reads, “ToContinue reading "Yuri Gagarin and Gherman Titov Signed Postcard."

[Conder, Josiah] [Millard Fillmore]

The Modern Traveller. A Popular Description, Geographical, Historical and Topographical, of the Various Countries of the Globe: Volume VII Mexico and Guatimala. Volume X Russia.

Boston and Philadelphia : Wells & Lilly and Thomas Wardle, 1830.

Early American editions of these travel and reference volumes with accessible accounts of world geography and culture. Duodecimo, volumes VII and X, bound in full calf, rebacked with archival cloth tape, frontispieces, illustrated with plates and maps. From the library of President Millard Fillmore with his ownership signature in pencil to the front pastedowns andContinue reading "The Modern Traveller. A Popular Description, Geographical, Historical and Topographical, of the Various Countries of the Globe: Volume VII Mexico and Guatimala. Volume X Russia."

Borman, Frank

Frank Borman Signed “Apollo 8 On Pad” Photograph.

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Photograph of “Apollo 8 On Pad” signed by Frank Borman. Satin-finish photograph showing the Apollo 8 spacecraft on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center. Boldly signed by Borman in black felt tip to the bottom left. In fine condition. Official NASA photograph with a NASA identification number to the top right edge and aContinue reading "Frank Borman Signed “Apollo 8 On Pad” Photograph."

Loomis, Alfred F. [George S. Patton]

Ocean Racing: The Great Blue-Water Yacht Races 1866-1935.

New York : William Morrow and Company, 1936.

First edition of this classic yachting work, signed twice by General George S. Patton. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth stamped in blind and gilt, illustrated. From the library of General George S. Patton with his ownership signatures to the front panel, “G.S. Patton, Jr.” and front free endpaper, “G S Patton June 27 1936.” In 1936,Continue reading "Ocean Racing: The Great Blue-Water Yacht Races 1866-1935."

Armistead, Wilson

A Tribute For The Negro: Being a Vindication of the Moral, Intellectual, and Religious Capabilities of the Coloured Portion of Mankind; with Particular Reference to the African Race.

Manchester : William Irwin [and London, Charles Gilpin; New York, William Harned; Philadelphia, H. Longstreth and G. W. Taylor], 1848.

First edition, deluxe issue of Armistead’s best known work, containing possibly the most extensive collection of nineteenth-century slave narratives and biographies. Octavo, original publisher’s deluxe plum morocco gilt, flat spine decorated gilt, with a vignette depicting a pleading slave and the legend “Am I not a man and a brother” to the front board, allContinue reading "A Tribute For The Negro: Being a Vindication of the Moral, Intellectual, and Religious Capabilities of the Coloured Portion of Mankind; with Particular Reference to the African Race."

Stevengraph Mounted Picture Card “Ye Views of Olde London.”

c. 1885.

Rare Stevengraph mounted picture card of “Ye Views of Olde London.” Jacquard-woven from silk with “International Inventions Exhibition, 1885” at the top and “Ye Views of Olde London” in decorative letters at the bottom with four picture windows, three depicting scenes from “Ye Church of all Hallows”, “Ye Olde London Streete”, and “Ye Olde Bishopsgate”,Continue reading "Stevengraph Mounted Picture Card “Ye Views of Olde London.”"

Dinesen, Isak. [Karen Blixen]

Out of Africa. [with] Isak Dinesen Autograph Letter Signed.

New York : Random House, 1938.

First edition of the author’s classic memoir, which recounts events of the seventeen years when Blixen made her home in Kenya. Octavo, original pictorial half cloth, top stain green. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Together with an autograph letter signed by Blixen. Duodecimo, written in Danish, four pages on wove letter paper,Continue reading "Out of Africa. [with] Isak Dinesen Autograph Letter Signed."

Armstrong, Neil; Buzz Aldrin; Michael Collins

Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins Signed Apollo 11 Beta Cloth Swatch.

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Cut portion of NASA aerospace beta cloth used as exterior spacesuit fabric during the Apollo program. The cloth is illustrated with the Apollo 11 logo. Boldly signed by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins in black felt tip. Triple matted and framed. In fine condition. The entire piece measures 16.25 inches by 16.25 inches.Continue reading "Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins Signed Apollo 11 Beta Cloth Swatch."

Toklas, Alice B

The Alice B. Toklas Cook Book.

London : Michael Joseph, 1954.

First edition of this classic work. Octavo, original cloth, top stain green, pictorial endpapers, illustrated by Sir Francis Rose. Near fine in the rare original dust jacket with chips and wear. This work features surrealist artist Brion Gysin’s infamous recipe for hashish fudge, which was expurgated from the first American edition.

Sikorsky, Igor

The Story of the Winged-S: New Chapters and Illustrations on Recent Developements of the Helicopter.

New York : Dodd, Meade & Company, 1952.

First edition, later printing of the autobiography of the Russian-American aviation pioneer and designer of the first viable American helicopter. Octavo, original pictorial cloth, frontispiece, illustrated with black and white photographs many from the author’s collection. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, “To Dave Postle, With kindest personal regards ofContinue reading "The Story of the Winged-S: New Chapters and Illustrations on Recent Developements of the Helicopter."

Borman, Frank

Frank Borman Signed “Apollo 8 Mission – Artist Conception” Photograph.

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Rare photograph of an artist’s conception of the Apollo 8 mission signed by Frank Borman. Black and white satin-finish photograph depicting an artist’s concept of the Apollo 8 spacecraft still attached to the third stage of the Saturn V launch vehicle. Boldly signed by Borman in black felt tip to the bottom center. In fineContinue reading "Frank Borman Signed “Apollo 8 Mission – Artist Conception” Photograph."

Hung-Ming, Ku

The Spirit of the Chinese People.

Peking : The Peking Daily News, 1915.

First edition of this collection of essays discussing the history and values of the Chinese people. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the front panel, frontispiece, title printed in English and Chinese, written in English. Boldly signed by Ku Hung-Ming on the front free endpaper. In very good condition. With an essay on “TheContinue reading "The Spirit of the Chinese People."

Balkantourist. [Madeleine Albright]

Bulgaria Guide-Book Balkantourist.

Bulgaria : Balkantourist, c. 1999.

Original Bulgaria guide-book from the oldest existing Bulgarian tour operator, Balkantourist. Octodecimo, original pictorial wrappers, illustrated with black and white photographs, one folding map. From the library of Secretary Madeleine Albright. Secretary Albright went to Sofia, Bulgaria in June, 1999 for a working visit. She was the first woman to serve as the U.S. SecretaryContinue reading "Bulgaria Guide-Book Balkantourist."

Roosevelt, Theodore

Theodore Roosevelt Signed Speech.

New York 1902.

Rare speech on missionaries signed by as president by Theodore Roosevelt. Octavo, one page, dated May 20, 1902. Printed speech given by Theodore Roosevelt at the Centennial Meeting of the Home Mission Board of the Presbyterian Church in New York, New York. Boldly signed by President Theodore Roosevelt at the bottom right. The excerpt fromContinue reading "Theodore Roosevelt Signed Speech."

Rainsford, Marcus

An Historical Account of the Black Empire of Hayti: Comprehending a View of The Principal Transactions in the Revolution of Saint Domingo; With Its Antient and Modern State.

[London] : Albion Press Printed: Published by James Cundee, Ivy-Lane, Paternoster-Row, 1805.

First edition of this important turn-of-the-19th century work on the inhabitants of Haiti and St. Domingo which discusses at length the struggle for independence among the black colonies, slavery, and the relationship with America. Quarto, bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, marbled endpapersContinue reading "An Historical Account of the Black Empire of Hayti: Comprehending a View of The Principal Transactions in the Revolution of Saint Domingo; With Its Antient and Modern State."

Loomis, Alfred F

Ocean Racing: The Great Blue-Water Yacht Races 1866-1935.

New York : William Morrow and Company, 1936.

First edition of this classic yachting work, a richly illustrated history of major blue-water yacht races from 1866 to 1935, chronicling the development of competitive ocean racing and the personalities, vessels, and maritime traditions that shaped the sport. Octavo, original publisher’s cloth stamped in blind and gilt, frontispiece by Morris Rosenfeld, illustrated with track chartsContinue reading "Ocean Racing: The Great Blue-Water Yacht Races 1866-1935."

Armstrong, Neil; Robert White

Neil Armstrong and Robert White Signed Photograph.

c. 1960.

Rare photograph of a North American X-15 aircraft signed by Neil Armstrong and Robert White. Color matte photograph of Neil Armstrong, fellow-test pilot Robert White, and four others posing in front of a North American X-15 aircraft. Boldly signed along the lower margin below their figures “Neil Armstrong” and “Robert M. White,” respectively. The groupContinue reading "Neil Armstrong and Robert White Signed Photograph."

Borman, Frank

Frank Borman Signed “Apollo 8 Mission – Artist Conception” Photograph.

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Rare photograph of an artist’s conception of the Apollo 8 mission signed by Frank Borman. Satin-finish photograph depicting an “artist’s concept… of a phase of the scheduled Apollo 8 lunar orbit mission…” in which panels are jettisoned. Boldly signed by Borman in black felt tip to the bottom left. In fine condition. Official NASA photographContinue reading "Frank Borman Signed “Apollo 8 Mission – Artist Conception” Photograph."

Potok, Chaim

Wanderings: Chaim Potok’s History of the Jews.

New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1978.

First edition of this wonderfully illustrated work by the author of The Chosen. Quarto, original publisher’s cloth, illustrated throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author in the year of publication on the front free endpaper, “To Fred Robson, Happy Chanukkah! Chaim Potok 14 Dec. ’78.” Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Jacket design byContinue reading "Wanderings: Chaim Potok’s History of the Jews."

[Armstrong, Neil; Buzz Aldrin; Michael Collins; Lady Bird Johnson; Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy; Jacqueline Kennedy]

Apollo 11 Crew, Lady Bird Johnson, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, and Jackie Kennedy Signed Apollo Program Image.

1969.

Rare image of a painting honoring the legacy of the Apollo program including Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Mounted photograph on cardstock. Boldly signed on the cardstock below by Apollo 11 crew members Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, as well as those of Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. In near fineContinue reading "Apollo 11 Crew, Lady Bird Johnson, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, and Jackie Kennedy Signed Apollo Program Image."

Borman, Frank

Frank Borman Signed Photograph.

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Crew portrait of astronaut Frank Borman. Semi-glossy photograph of Borman wearing a suit and posing next to a model United States spacecraft. Boldly signed by Borman in black felt tip. In near fine condition with a small area of discoloration to Borman‘s left arm. The piece measures 8 inches by 10 inches.

Schirra, Walter

Wally Schirra Signed Photograph.

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Rare photograph of a reentry capsule signed by Wally Schirra. Glossy photograph of Schirra exiting the Apollo 7 reentry capsule during a recovery operation, with a NASA identification number to the upper left edge. Boldly signed by NASA astronaut Wally Schirra on the capsule in black felt tip. In near fine condition. Marked on theContinue reading "Wally Schirra Signed Photograph."

Leigh Fermor, Patrick

The Traveller’s Tree: A Journey Through the Caribbean Islands.

London : John Murray, 1950.

First edition of Leigh Fermor’s first book. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated. Boldly signed by Patrick Leigh Fermor on the title page. Near fine in a good dust jacket with wear and tear. Illustrations by A. Costa.