TALKING TO MYSELF
(1971)
Signed first edition of Bailey's follow-up to her successful autobiography THE RAW PEARL, with personal anecdotes and thoughts on US life.
Biography & Memoir
MEN OF MARYLAND
1914
Inscribed first printing of this collection of short biographies of prominent Black people, as well as a brief summary of Maryland history with a focus on the state's Black population, written by a formerly enslaved man – inscribed to Black suffragist Addie Hunton.
MÔME À CHEVAUX BLANCS
1969
Inscribed true first edition of the legendary actor's memoir.
CAPOTE: A Biography
(1988)
First edition of the definitive biography of Truman Capote, and the basis for the 2005 film.
SWEET AND LOW: A Family Story
2006
Signed first edition of this memoir about the author's investigations into his family's conflicts surrounding family business: Sweet and Low artificial sweetener.
MY LIFE: As Told to Howard Teichmann
(1981)
First edition of this dictated memoir, actually written by Teichmann but with source material from 200 hours of tape recordings of Henry Fonda speaking about his life.
GORILLAS IN THE MIST
1983
Inscribed first printing of Fossey's landmark scientific memoir.
THE MEADOW
(1992)
Signed uncorrected proof of this acclaimed poetic memoir.
COMMITTED: A Skeptic Makes Peace With Marriage
(2010)
Signed first printing, on Gilbert's reflections on her decision to remarry, written after the success of her memoir EAT, PRAY, LOVE.
ALONG THIS WAY
1933
First edition of this autobiography by the Harlem Renaissance leader, detailing his personal life, political career, and his involvement in the New York bohemian scene.
THE DOG SAYS HOW
(2007)
Inscribed second printing of this collection of autobiographical stories from this frequent contributor to NPR's All Things Considered.
THE CONFESSIONS OF J. LACKINGTON
1806
Scarce American edition of the bookseller's Confessions, with one of the earliest Brooklyn imprints.
WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA
(1899)
First edition of the first installment of this long-running cultural institution, containing the biographies of 8,602 prominent 19th-century Americans.
HOME LIFE ON AN OSTRICH FARM
1891
Uncommon account of the life of a South African ostrich farmer near the turn of the twentieth century.
THE MEMOIRS OF RICHARD NIXON
(1978)
First edition of the memoirs of the 37th US president, with ephemera including matchbook from the Watergate Hotel.
ROSA PARKS: My Story
(1992)
Signed first edition of this memoir for young readers by one of the most well-known figures of the Civil Rights Movement.
ACTS OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY APOSTLES
1883
Inscribed first edition of this personal history of the abolitionist movement in New England.
EVERY MAN HIS OWN DETECTIVE!
1887
Rare Victorian guide to the principles of detection, as practiced in British-administrated India by an investigator of the Calcutta Police Detective Department.
IN QUEER STREET
(1932)
Association copy first printing of this collection of essays on murderers and others, from the personal library of fellow true-crime pioneer Jonathan Goodman.
THINKING IN PICTURES : The Making of the Movie Matewan
1987
Signed uncorrected proof copy of this carefully constructed memoir about the making of Sayles' 1987 film.
SEIZE THE TIME
(1970)
First edition of this memoir by one of the founders of the Black Panthers, with a focus on his trial as one of the "Chicago 8."
FRONT ROW AT THE WHITE HOUSE: My Life and Times
(1999)
Inscribed first printing of Thomas's fascinating memoir of a life in journalism.
THE LIFE, TIMES, AND TREACHEROUS DEATH OF JESSE JAMES
1882
First edition of this controversial biography of Jesse James, "giving full particulars of each and every dark and desperate deed in the career of this most noted outlaw of any time or nation."
A TRAMP ABROAD
1880
First edition of the famous comedic memoir, a companion to the best-selling INNOCENTS ABROAD and a model for later satirical travel narratives like those of David Sedaris and Sarah Vowell – an exceptional copy.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MARK TWAIN: Volume 1
2010
First edition of the first volume of Twain's autobiography, assembled by the Mark Twain Project of The Bancroft Library and first published on the 100th anniversary of the author's death in accordance with his wishes.
