History & culture
A wide selection of rare first editions, signed and inscribed copies, deluxe and collectible editions of books, pamphlets, and ephemera relating to history, archaeology, anthropology, folklore, occult, and religion.
From the blog: Magna Carta: Evolution and Emblem
A Noiseless Flash: Hiroshima by John Hersey
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EMERSON, Ralph Waldo. Autograph letter signed to Elizabeth Hoar.Concord, : 1856
RWE returns a book of newly published poems written by a neighbour (" which I have kept longer than was right, from liking & because one is always expecting a better day & mood to read these pastoral verses. I find them always pleasing, with a solid honesty quite free from prettiness or showiness And whilst they particularly please me that he praises... Learn More£4,500.00Stock Code: 70151
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PRESCOTT, William H. The Works.[1904]
The Aztec edition, limited to 250 numbered sets. A stunning set beautifully bound and well illustrated. Includes his History of the Conquest of Mexico, History of Ferdinand and Isabella, History of the Conquest of Peru, History of the Reign of Philip the Second, plus his biographical and critical miscellanies. Learn More£4,750.00Stock Code: 69123
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MACAULAY, Catharine. The History of EnglandLondon : 1769-72
First octavo edition, complete to that date (the first four volumes are dated 1769, while the fifth bears no edition statement and is dated 1772). Catharine Macaulay's history was published episodically, the first volume in 1763, the fourth in 1768, and the fifth (covering events to the Restoration) in 1772. Her decision to leave London for Bath in... Learn More£1,750.00Stock Code: 68942
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WINSOR, Justin (ed.). Narrative and Critical History of America.1889
This Riverside Press edition, one of a limited edition of 550 numbered copies of what was for a century the standard reference work on American History. The editor, Justin Winsor (1831-1897) was a writer and prominent librarian at the Boston Public Library and later at Harvard University, where he professionalized library management and became one of... Learn More£1,500.00Stock Code: 68725
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(WEREWOLVES.) The Romance of William of Palerne:1867
First edition thus, no 1 in the extra series of publication by the Early English Text Society (formed 1864). The French verse romance was composed c. 1200, commissioned by Countess Yolande (who is generally identified to be Yolande, daughter of Baldwin IV, Count of Hainaut). The English poem in alliterative verse, commissioned by Humphrey de Bohun,... Learn More£350.00Stock Code: 68780
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MACLAUCHLAN, Henry. The Roman Wall,1857-64
First editions. The first named with the inscription, "Presented to Henry Lawes Long Esq., by The Duke of Northumberland, Syon 27th August 1859" to the first blank and circular, sepia lithographed Long armorial bookplate to the front pastedown; the second inscribed "With the Duke of Northumberland's Compliments" verso of the first blank. In 1804 Henry... Learn More£1,250.00Stock Code: 68827
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HEARD, Gerald. These Hurrying Years.London : 1934
First edition, first impression; rare in the dust jacket. Gerald Heard (1889-1971) was a British author and philosopher whose innovative works examined history in the context of humankind's evolving consciousness. This book is his attempt to write a "history of our own times" and to determine the underlying causes of modern events. His conclusion, that... Learn More£375.00Stock Code: 68865
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BANCROFT, Hubert Howe. The Works.San Francisco : 1886
First edition, the complete set of what is still considered by historians to be the most important single source of early Western American history. "Colossal co-operative undertaking; nothing approaching it has ever been attempted in this country" (Howes). Although the first title-page is dated 1886, the set was published 1883-90. Vols. 11 and 33 were... Learn More£7,500.00Stock Code: 68597
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QUINE, Willard Van Orman. Los Métodos de la Lógica.[1980s]
Second edition, Spanish language translation. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "a Burt un saludo de Van". The recipient was Burton Dreben, an influential Harvard professor and Quine's "closest philosophical ally". Learn More£175.00Stock Code: 68123
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QUINE, Willard Van Orman. Manuale di logica.1960
First Italian language edition, first impression. Originally published in the US in 1959. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "a Burt coi migliori vuoti, Van". The recipient was Burton Dreben, an influential Harvard professor and Quine's "closest philosophical ally". Learn More£175.00Stock Code: 68127
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CASTANEDA, Carlos. The Eagle's Gift.New York : 1981
First edition, first printing. Inscribed by the author on the title page, "To Amy, with all the best, Carlos Castaneda". The recipient, Amy Wallace, was the author of The Sorcerer's Apprentice: My life with Carlos Castaneda. Books inscribed by Castaneda are scarce. Learn More£875.00Stock Code: 67878
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ELIOT, T. S. Religious Drama: Mediaeval and Modern.New York : 1954
First edition, signed limited issue, number 153 of 300 copies signed by the author. This work presents the text of an address Eliot gave to the Friends of Rochester Cathedral in 1937. The work was never published in the UK. Learn More£675.00Stock Code: 67843
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WAUGH, Evelyn. The Holy Places.London & New York : 1953
First US edition, signed limited issue, number 36 of 50 specially bound copies, signed by both the author and illustrator, from a total edition of 1,000 copies. The Holy Places is based on an article Waugh wrote for Life magazine, "The Plight of the Holy Places," (24 December 1951) after visiting Israel Palestine in 1951 with his friend Christopher... Learn More£2,750.00Stock Code: 67863
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LEENHARDT, Maurice. Notes d'Ethnologie Néo-Calédonienne.Paris : 1930
First edition. A Protestant pastor to the Kanak people of New Caledonia, Leenhardt became fascinated with their way of life and dedicated more than 30 years of his life to the study of their culture. The founder of oceanic ethnology, he established the Société des Oceanistes in 1927, and was closely involved with the Musée de l'Homme. Ownership inscription... Learn More£185.00Stock Code: 67564
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(MUIR, Edwin.) MOORE, Edward. We Moderns: Enigmas and Guesses.1918
First edition, first impression. Inscribed by Moore on the front free endpaper, "To Mrs. Stobo from Edward Moore in memory of many charming hours. 31st May, 1918". Learn More£975.00Stock Code: 67586
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LYSONS, Rev. Daniel. The Environs of London:London : 1795-1811
Large paper edition. The first edition was published in 1792-1800. The principal work of the topographer Daniel Lysons (1762-1834), produced with the keen support of Horace Walpole, to whom the work is dedicated. Many areas which were "environs" to Lysons are now firmly inside London, including Battersea, Bermondsey, Camberwell, Lambeth, Chelsea, Finchley,... Learn More£2,500.00Stock Code: 66054
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HAINES, William Amos. Mission San Juan Bautista.[c. 1910]
One of a series of photos taken by William Amos Haines (1877-1953), who travelled through the United States in the first decades of the 20th century making early panoramas with a rotating Kodak Cirkut camera. He was particularly interested in California's Spanish missions, and took photographs of a number of these sites around 1910. Mission San Juan... Learn More£300.00Stock Code: 64948
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HAINES, William Amos. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tulsa.[c. 1910]
One of a series of photos taken by William Amos Haines (1877-1953), who travelled through the United States in the first decades of the 20th century making early panoramas with a rotating Kodak Cirkut camera. He was particularly interested in California's Spanish missions, and took photographs of a number of these sites around 1910. Mission San Luis... Learn More£375.00Stock Code: 64969
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HAINES, William Amos. Mission San Francisco de Solano.[c. 1910]
One of a series of photos taken by William Amos Haines (1877-1953), who travelled through the United States in the first decades of the 20th century making early panoramas with a rotating Kodak Cirkut camera. He was particularly interested in California's Spanish missions, and took photographs of a number of these sites around 1910. Founded in 1823,... Learn More£375.00Stock Code: 64970
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MERULA, Gaudenzio. Memorabilium Gaudentii MerulaeLyon : 1556
First edition published in France, the third and most extensive overall. Gaudenzio Merula (1500-1555) was born of a humble family in Borgolavezzaro, near Novara. He held teaching appointments in Milan, at the Academy in Novara, and subsequently at Vigevano and Turin. In 1554 he was charged with Protestant heresy, first before the bishop of Novara and... Learn More£1,500.00Stock Code: 63754
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CRAWLEY, Ernest. Dress, Drinks, and Drums.1931
First edition, first impression. Learn More£85.00Stock Code: 63432
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(FULLER, Buckminster.) LÉVI-STRAUSS, Claude. Structural Anthropology.London : 1968
First UK edition, first impression. This copy from the library of Buckminster Fuller, with his ownership signature on the front free endpaper. Originally published in France in 1958. Learn More£500.00Stock Code: 63480
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BARZUN, Jacques. Race: A Study in Superstition.New York : 1965
Second edition, revised. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper "For Lionel & Diana, with ever affectionate thoughts, this dull old book that faithfully reflects the dull old friend who sends it, Jacques. Dec 22/64". Literary critic Lionel Trilling (1905-75) worked at Columbia during the same period as Barzun, and for thirty years the two... Learn More£775.00Stock Code: 61792
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JACKSON, Lady Catherine Charlotte. The Works.c.1899
Édition des Aquarelles. Limited to 26 numbered copies for England and America. Lady Jackson (1824-91) was the wife of diplomat Sir George Jackson, known for accompanying Sir Charles Stuart to Germany and entering Paris with him in 1815, and for his efforts to abolish the slave trade. After his death she edited his papers for publication and then turned... Learn More£2,500.00Stock Code: 61558
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MCLUHAN, Herbert Marshall. The Mechanical Bride. Folklore of Industrial Man.New York : 1951
First edition, first impression. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper "For Mr. Fred Allan from Marshall McLuhan". Learn More£975.00Stock Code: 61401
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APTHEKER, Herbert. To Be Free.New York : 1968
Second edition. First published in 1948; this edition with a new preface by the author. Inscribed on the half-title " Feb 1969 For Bobby Seale with best wishes Herbert Aptheker." Aptheker was an American Marxist historian and political activist. Seale was co-founder of the Black Panther Party which he formed with Huey Newton in 1966. Learn More£1,250.00Stock Code: 60782
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TARBOTTON, M. O. History of the Old Trent Bridge,1871
First edition, first impression. Learn More£100.00Stock Code: 60987
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KOESTLER, Arthur. Janus. A Summing Up.1978
First edition, first impression. Presentation copy inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, " To Tony, hopefully, from Arthur". Koestler had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in early 1976, the effects of which are evident here. Learn More£120.00Stock Code: 61022
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BRAUN, Dietrich E. A Twenty Years Struggle in South Africa. A Souvenir.[c. 1918]
Inscribed by the author on the title page "To Mrs. Walter Meyer from the author Dietrich E. Braun, 1953". Learn More£125.00Stock Code: 52085
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WISTER, Mrs O. J. [Sarah Butler], & Miss Agnes Irwin (eds.) Worthy women of our first century.Philadelphia : 1877
First edition. This copy with the bookplate of Butler Place to the front pastedown, and the publishers' presentation inscription; "Mrs. Owen J. Wister with respects of the Publishers" to the first blank. As well as co-editing, Mrs Wister contributes a piece on Deborah Logan. Sarah Butler Wister was the eldest daughter of Fanny Kemble and Pierce Butler,... Learn More£650.00Stock Code: 52144
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HARRISSON, Tom. Savage Civilisation.New York : 1937
First US edition, same year as the UK first. Uncommon, Harrisson's first book of anthropology based on the work of the Oxford expedition to the New Hebrides, for which he was officially the ornithologist; "When the rest of the Oxford party left Santo Island for home in 1934, Harrisson got to Malekula, where cannibalism was still widespread. Unarmed,... Learn More£200.00Stock Code: 51720
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[COLENSO, J.W.] Three Native Accounts of the Visit of the Bishop of Natal in September and October, 1859,Pietermaritzburg and Durban : 1901
Third edition, first published in 1860. Bi-lingual text. Colenso was consecrated Bishop of Natal in 1853 and settled there in 1855; "Unfailingly energetic, by 1857 he had completed the cathedral in Pietermaritzburg and churches in Durban and Richmond he had soon learned enough of the Zulu language to be able to teach and confirm. Colenso from the first... Learn More£150.00Stock Code: 51733
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FARRER, James Anson. Zululand and the Zulus:1879
One of four editions published in 1879, none subsequently. A work of compilation, but an extremely timely one in a handy format which would have placed it in the pockets of many officers travelling out to Natal. "'This little volume was published during the war with the Zulus under Cetywayo, and gives a résumé of the history of the country from the... Learn More£750.00Stock Code: 51735
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TYERMAN, L. The Life and Times of the Rev. Samuel Wesley,London : 1866
First edition. Learn More£150.00Stock Code: 47716
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RAYNAL, Guillaume Thomas François. Révolution de l'Amérique.1781
One of a number of superficially similar variant editions with false imprints. Learn More£500.00Stock Code: 46380
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[CRÈVECOEUR, Michel Guillaume St. Jean de] Lettres d'un Cultivateur Américain, écrites a W.S. ecuyer, Depuis l'Année 1770, jusqu'a 1781. Traduites de l'Anglois par ***.Paris, : 1784
First edition in French, first issue with errata preceding the text in both volumes, the author's own free translation with additional material, of his Letters from an American Farmer, first published at London in English in 1782, the first literary success by an American author in Europe. Crèvecoeur served in the French and Indian War as a surveyor... Learn More£1,250.00Stock Code: 46388
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KNOX, Ronald. Let Dons Delight.1939
First Edition, First Impression. A mildly fantastical series of reveries of incidents dreamed by a sleeping don from 1588 to 1938 at periods of 50 years. Learn More£220.00Stock Code: 46803
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LEWIS, Wyndham. The Mysterious Mr Bull.1938
First edition, first impression, of this study of the British character. Learn More£300.00Stock Code: 45047
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SMITH, Logan Pearsall. Stories from the Old Testament Retold.Richmond : 1920
First edition, first impression, presentation copy with the author's inscription to someone with the same surname, i.e. "G----. Smith from the author". Woolmer notes that this is apparently bound by the Woolfs, as the wrappers appear in a number of differing colours and designs; this copy matches Woolmer's description of it. The number of copies printed... Learn More£600.00Stock Code: 46113
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BAMFORD, Francis & Viola Bankes. Vicious Circle. The case of the missing Irish Crown Jewels.1965
First edition. Mystery of the theft of the Irish regalia in 1907. From the library of eminent crime historian Jonathan Goodman. Learn More£25.00Stock Code: 44237
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[WALTER, Eugene.] Whittenbury Kaye. The Romance & Adventures of the notorious Colonel Blood,Manchester : 1903
First edition. Uncommon account of the dramatic tale of Colonel Blood's clumsy plot to steal the Crown Jewels, COPAC has just BL for this John Heywood-published standard edition and also a copy of the Subscriber's edition; OCLC adds a copy of the latter at New York University and the former at the University of Minnesota. Rev. Whittenbury Kaye was... Learn More£95.00Stock Code: 44274
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[WALTER, Eugene.] Whittenbury Kaye. The Romance & Adventures of the Notorious Colonel Blood,Manchester : [1903]
First edition, the subscribers' edition. Uncommon account of the dramatic tale of Colonel Blood's clumsy plot to steal the Crown Jewels, COPAC has just BL for this and also a copy of the John Heywood-published standard edition, OCLC adds a copy of the former at New York University and the latter at the University of Minnesota. Rev. Whittenbury Kaye... Learn More£250.00Stock Code: 44208
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"B.2.15." Among the Broad-Arrow Men. A Plain Account of English Prison Life.London : 1924
First edition. Far from common account of prison life in the 20s. The broad arrow of the title, often seen on the clothing of prisoners in period illustrations, refers to the mark used to identify government property from the thirteenth century onwards. The cloth of convict suits was thus stamped to prevent it being used for any other purpose, but also... Learn More£85.00Stock Code: 44218
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CARLYLE, Thomas. The Collected Works.London : 1887-93
A handsomely bound set. Learn More£3,950.00Stock Code: 14891
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(COSWAY STYLE BINDING.) JACKSON, Catherine Charlotte, Lady. The Court of the Tuileries from the Restoration to the Flight of Louis Philippe.London : 1883
First edition. The popular historian Lady Jackson was widely read in standard authorities (and even unpublished papers), and her narrative style - bumptious and with "a great deal of go" (Saturday Review, 25 Jan 1879, 117) - made her histories readable works of light literature. From the library of W. A. Foyle at Beeleigh Abbey, with his leather book... Learn More£6,000.00Stock Code: 15931
