CONVERSATIONS WITH NELSON ALGREN
(1964)
First printing of this series of interviews with National Book Award-winning author Nelson Algren – with postcard from Algren to his friend, publisher William Targ.
Biography & Memoir
SINGIN' AND SWINGIN' AND GETTIN' MERRY LIKE CHRISTMAS
(1976)
First edition of the third book Maya Angelou's series of literary autobiographies, covering her first marriage and the beginning of her stage career.
OFF THE COURT
(1981)
Inscribed first printing of tennis icon Arthur Ashe's memoir, an association copy presented to NAL Books marketing exec Maryann Palumbo.
JAMES WRIGHT: A Life in Poetry
(2017)
First printing of Blunk's biography of the acclaimed American poet.
GENDER OUTLAW: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us
(1994)
Inscribed first printing of this reflection on and celebration of transness by transgender performance artist, actor, and writer Kate Bornstein.
THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL.D.
1791
First edition, first state, of this landmark work in the history of biography, an engaging and humanizing account of the great critic, lexicographer, and author of the Georgian era.
A SENSE OF WHERE YOU ARE
(1965)
Inscribed first printing of this profile of "the greatest [basketball] player in the history of the Ivy League" (jacket) – who would later become a US Senator – John McPhee's first book.
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.
JUNKETS ON A SAD PLANET: Scenes From the Life of John Keats
1994
First printing of Clark's biography in verse, poetic novel, or "historical oratorio" on the life of Keats.
CAPOTE: A Biography
(1988)
First edition of the definitive biography of Truman Capote, and the basis for the 2005 film.
THE PROFESSOR, THE BANKER AND THE SUICIDE KING: Inside the Richest Poker Game of All Time
(2005)
First edition. An account of the poker game with the highest stakes of all time, initatied by Texas billionaire Andy Beal.
BRIEF CANDLE IN THE DARK
(2015)
Signed first printing of the autobiography of the (in)famous evolutionary biologist and giant of the modern atheist movement, reflecting on his career and the fame brought about by his best-selling books.
MEMORIES AND ADVENTURES
[1924]
First printing in book form of Doyle's episodic memoirs, originally published in THE STRAND and covering his life from early childhood and medical training through to his literary career and embarkation on "The Psychic Quest," a Shaw 100 title.
THE QUEST FOR SHERLOCK HOLMES
(1984)
Biographical study of Arthur Conan Doyle's formative years by the general editor of the Oxford Sherlock Holmes.
A HEARTBREAKING WORK OF STAGGERING GENIUS
(2000)
Signed first printing of this Pulitzer Prize finalist, the equally comedic and dramatic story of the deaths of Eggers's parents and assuming the guardianship of his young brother.
BUCANIERS OF AMERICA
1684; 1685
First edition in English of Exquemelin's illustrated history of famous pirates, the central primary source on the subject during its most famous era, with the continuation by Ringrose.
VLADIMIR FAVORSKY
(1967)
First printing of the most comprehensive work in English about the career of Vladimir Favorsky, a key reference of the multifaceted artist.
"SURELY YOU'RE JOKING, MR. FEYNMAN": Adventures of a Curious Character
(1985)
Scarce first printing of Feynman's first volume of highly entertaining memoirs, an unusually bright copy.
APPETITE FOR LIFE: THE BIOGRAPHY OF JULIA CHILD
(1997)
Galley proof of the biography of the iconic chef and educator, published when she was 85 years old.
GORILLAS IN THE MIST
1983
Inscribed first printing of Fossey's landmark scientific memoir.
THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL
1952
Early printing, published the same year as the first printing, of the first American edition of the diary of Anne Frank.
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.
PERSONAL HISTORY
1997
Warmly inscribed first printing of the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir of the trailblazing publisher of the WASHINGTON POST during the tumultuous period that saw the stories of the Pentagon Papers and Watergate — with signed letter from Donald Graham.
