DUKE KAHANAMOKU'S WORLD OF SURFING
(1968)
First printing of the surfing guide and memoir of Duke Kahanamoku, published the year of the Duke's death.
Biography & Memoir
DUKE OF HAWAII
(1968)
First printing of this paperback original, the first biography of Duke Kahanamoku.
THE GREAT ESCAPE
(1950)
First American edition, first printing of the Australian RAF pilot's first-hand account of the biggest Allied prisoner-of-war escape attempt of World War II, the basis for the film of the same name.
"The 'Running' of Slaves: The Extraordinary Escape of Henry Box Brown and of Wm. & Ellen Crafts" [in] THE NEW YORK WEEKLY EVENING POST
1849
Rare newspaper account from one of Henry "Box" Brown's first public appearances, the Boston lecture where he received the nickname "Box," just two weeks after he mailed himself to freedom.
PAPILLON
1970
Inscribed first printing of the first edition in English of the powerful memoir of imprisonment and escape in the penal colony of French Guiana, the basis for the Oscar-nominated 1973 film starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman.
LIFE AS WE HAVE KNOWN IT
1931
First printing of these collected writings by members of the Women's Cooperative Guild, with a notable introduction by Woolf.
OUT OF AFRICA
(1938)
Beautiful first printing of the American edition of this evocative memoir of the author's experiences in Kenya.
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.
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.
JANE GOODALL: 50 Years At Gombe
2010
A superb association copy of this retrospective tribute to the legendary anthropologist, conservationist, and scientist, inscribed to the National Geographic Society.
84, CHARING CROSS ROAD
1970
First printing of this collection of correspondence between a "salty" American writer and the staff of an "over-mannered" London bookshop, the discovery of which has become a rite of passage for many first learning about the antiquarian book trade.
MUHAMMAD ALI
(1991)
First printing of Ali's official biography, signed by Ali.
TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION. FATHER HENSON'S STORY OF HIS OWN LIFE.
1858
Second edition, the first with Harriet Beecher Stowe's introduction, of the memoir of the famous Underground Railroad conductor and leader of the Canadian freeman settlement Dawn.
GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER
1943
First edition, scarce signed issue, one of an unknown number signed by Carver on a special leaf before the half title.
CARDS AS WEAPONS
(1977)
Uncommon hardcover first printing of actor, writer, and legendary sleight-of-hand artist Ricky Jay's first book.
A GENERAL HISTORY OF THE LIVES AND ADVENTURES OF THE MOST FAMOUS HIGHWAYMEN, MURDERERS, STREET-ROBBERS, &C.
1734
First edition in this format, sumptuously illustrated, of Johnson's celebrated biographical encyclopedia of infamous criminals.
THE LIARS' CLUB
(1995)
Inscribed first printing of this candid memoir by one of the most influential contemporary artists of the form.
FROM THE VIRGINIA PLANTATION TO THE NATIONAL CAPITOL
1894
First edition of the remarkable memoir of the first Black man elected to Congress in Virginia and the great-uncle of Langston Hughes, who was named after him.
THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS
1953
Signed limited first edition, one of an unknown limitation signed by Lindbergh as a special "presentation edition," chronicling Lindberg's journey on the first successful solo transatlantic flight.
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MALCOLM X
(1965)
First printing of one of the most powerful autobiographies in American literature.
ENCOUNTERS WITH THE ARCHDRUID
(1971)
First printing of this three-part narrative nonfiction portrait of environmentalist David Brower.
ACTS OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY APOSTLES
1883
Inscribed first edition of this personal history of the abolitionist movement in New England.
DEAD MAN WALKING
(1993)
Signed first printing of this moving and important memoir of Sister Helen's ministry on death row that was successfully adapted for the screen.
