New York: The Macmillan Company, 1939. Hardcover. Drawings by Wilfred Jones. Complete 2-volume set in slipcase. 8vo. Blue cloth with gilt spine lettering, slipcase with paper spine label. 977pp. Small chapter opening wood engravings. Near fine/very good. Early (not first) printing, tight and handsome. Lovely pair of this continuation of..... More
The long-time president of the International Pressmen and Assistants' Union of North America (1907-48) was appointed U.S. senator from Tennessee by that state's governor at the death of Senator Nathan L. Bachman in 1937 to complete his term, but served only until 1938, failing in his bid for election. Printed..... More
Influential French composer and music critic. ALS in French, 2pp, 5¼" X 8¼", Paris, France, 1930 January 26. Addressed to Irving Schwerke (1893-1975), pianist and music critic. Near fine. Although only two pages, this is a lengthy content item, given Brancourís incredibly minute script. On letterhead of the "Association pour..... More
London: T. Bensley, et al. 1801. Hardcover. Annotations and preface by Zachary Grey. Complete 2-volume set. 8vo. Quarter dark green calf with gilt spine rules and lettering and marbled paper over boards. lii, 436pp; 446pp, (15pp), (1p ad). All edges marbled. Frontispiece, woodcuts, 17 full-page engraved plates. Very good. Faint..... More
He was the versatile American leading man of the '50s remembered both the comedies ("Some Like It Hot," 1959) and dramas ("Sweet Smell of Success" 1957, "The Defiant Ones" 1958, "The Boston Strangler" 1968); his wife (1951-62) appeared in numerous films over several decades, but is best remembered for her..... More
New York: Grosset & Dunlap, [1937]. Hardcover. Illustrations by Paul Laune. Small 8vo. Tan cloth with brown lettering and decoration, pictorial dust jacket. iii, 212pp, (6pp ads). Red pictorial endpapers. Near fine/very good. Mild jacket edgewear; lacks frontispiece. Tight and quite lovely first edition, second state of #16 in the..... More
Jersey City, NJ: Clark Johnson, 1873. Hardcover. 12mo. Light orange cloth with black lettering and rules. 309pp, (1p). Frontispiece, illustrations. Good only. Binding quite rough and edgeworn (especially at spine head and tail) and corner bumped, age toned and scuffed; moderately age toned and foxed internally, though hinges are decently..... More
Businessman, son of reknowned Medford (Massachusetts) rum manufacturer Benjamin Hall (1731-1817), who "more than any other individual, brought Medford to its first great period of prosperity (1750-1800) and daringly led the small community through the perils of the Revolution," almost bankrupting himself in the process. Fascinating ALS, 2pp + integral..... More
The influential English geologist is actually best known for his "Origin, History and Principles of Gothic Architecture," a 1797 lecture delivered in Edinburgh that was subsequently published in a number of editions; he was father of the noted travel writer Basil Hall (1788-1844). Excellent content ALS, 2pp, 7¼" X 8..... More
Secretary of War Harry H. Woodring's Assistant Secretary of War (1937-40) felt betrayed when President Roosevelt didn't appoint him to the cabinet after Woodring's resignation in 1940 -- but when President Truman's first Secretary of Defense (James V. Forrestal) resigned in 1948 he became this country's second Secretary of Defense..... More
The most colorful of New York's many colorful mayors was its airport-namesake 99th, a vocal Republican reformer who served in Congress (1917-19, 1923-33) and three terms as mayor (1934-45). Thick, bold signature in black ink near the bottom of a heavy stock buff 5½" X 3¼" postal card, New York..... More
(Denver: Fred and Jo Mazzulla, 1966). Hardcover. 8vo. Full red leather, gilt, brass coin inlaid. 56pp. Numerous illustrations, 4 full-page color illustrations. Near fine. A tight and superb first edition -- the deluxe "Open Hearted Edition / Limited To Twelve Copies" (so giltstamped on front board) and boldly signed by..... More
Controversial British journalist and author. TNS, 1p, 5¼" X 7", Robertsbridge, Sussex, England, 6 April 1973. Addressed to Earl G. Hunt Jr. Near fine. On personal letterhead of his "Park Cottage" home, Muggeridge sends "many thanks for your most encouraging and helpful letter. I greatly appreciated hearing from you, and..... More
Italian-born American composer and pianist. TLS, 2pp, 6½" X 8", Brooklyn, NY, 1925 May 16. Addressed to pianist John Leiser. Fine. Fascinating, lengthy explanation of how he came to write "Secrets of the Success of Great Musicians." In part: "Why was it, for instance, that some well educated, intelligent person..... More
Japanese admiral and prime minister who was assassinated in the "February Mutiny." ALS in English, 1p, 5" X 7", n.p., n.d. Addressed to "My dear General" (Adolphus W. Greeley, polar explorer). Fine. Thanks Greeley for sending "Reminiscences of Adventure and Service, which I will read with a great interest...." Uncommon..... More
British airship commander, the first to use a British airship on patrol in World War One and the first to make a transatlantic airship flight in 1919. ALS, 2pp (single leaf), 4½" X 7½", Cardington, England, 1930 February 25. Addressed to the librarian of Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry..... More
Confidant of Missouri pioneer Jonathan Bryan (1759-1846) of the noted St. Charles family whose relatives included their neighbor Daniel Boone. DS, 1p, 7½" X 12", St. Charles County, MO, 1847 February 2. Near fine. Acknowledgment that Tuter, who signs himself as "Administrator of the Estate of Johnathan Bryan," has had..... More
Particularly noted as author of the first celebrated Beadle "dime novel," the 1860 potboiler "Malaeska," this New England writer penned more than 25 novels and wrote for many popular periodicals of her day; she also served as editor for "Ladies' Companion," "Graham's Magazine" and "Peterson's Magazine." AQS, 1p, 6½" X...... More
This Declaration of Independence signer was a Maryland attorney and plantation owner; as delegate to the Continental Congress, he was a pacifist but nevertheless favored drafting the Declaration of Independence, and he also helped draft the Articles of Confederation; he died at age 44 apparently of a broken heart just..... More
This prominent Boston businessman and partner in the import/export firm Sullivan and Barbour may have been the son of the Revolutionary War general John Sullivan, according to some sources, though other evidence suggests not; he was also secretary of the United States Land Company and other similar concerns; his wife..... More
Considered one of the greatest preachers of his day, this Episcopal clergyman served as rector of St. George's Church in New York City from 1845 to 1878; it is largely due to his efforts that Sunday Schools are such an integral part of American church life, hence his moniker "The..... More
Fascinating archive of student papers from a University of Illinois engineering undergraduate, dated between 16 January 1894 and 20 March 1896. Consists of 109 "themes" (rectos only) on 130 ruled leaves, each 8" X 10½", each signed and dated on the verso by Fergus. Overall very good. Each bears a...... More
What Bill Mauldin and "Willie and Joe" were to World War Two G.I.s, "Wally" Wallgren and his "Helpful Hints" cartoons in "Stars and Stripes" were to World War One doughboys, for both poked fun and army life, army chores, army regulations and the drudgery of military life; Wallgren served with..... More
Son of Andrew and grandson of N.C., this American artist of Brandywine School legacy is best known for his evocative unofficial 1967 portrait of John F. Kennedy, but his body of work is large and diverse. Signed FDC, heavy stock pink 6½" X 5½" card, cancelled in Washington, DC on..... More