The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.. London: Strahan and Cadell, 1776-1788

First editions of all six volumes of the most celebrated historical work in English literature. Gibbon’s Decline and Fall covers the thirteen centuries from the age of Trajan to the fall of Constantinople with unmatched erudition, clarity, and organization. “Gibbon brought a width of vision and a critical mastery of the available sources which have not been equaled to this day; and the result was clothed in an inimitable prose” (PMM).

$48,000

The Haggadah. London: Beaconsfield Press, [1940]

FIRST EDITION of the greatest Haggadah of the 20th century, finely printed in color on vellum, one of only 250 numbered signed copies.  The entire edition of the celebrated Szyk Haggadah, was printed on vellum and signed by both Szyk and Roth.  The trade edition did not appear until 1956.

$48,000

Critik der reinen Vernunft. Riga: Johann Friedrich Hartknoch, 1781

FIRST EDITION. The Critique of Pure Reason, Kant’s greatest work, represents the starting point of modern philosophy.

$45,000

This Boke Sheweth the Maner of Measurynge All Maner of Lande, as Well of Woodlande, as of Lande in the Felde and Comptynge the True Nombre of Acres of the Same. [edited by Thomas Paynell.]. Southwark: James Nicolson, [1537 or 1538?]

FIRST EDITION of “the first English textbook on geometrical land-measurement and surveying” (Buisseret, Monarchs, Ministers, and Maps). The book focused on practical methods calculating everything from the amount of stone needed to pave a chamber floor to the size of a pasture or field” marking “the beginning of a new interest in measuring not just the assets of the land, but the land itself” (D. K. Smith, Cartographic Imagination in Early Modern England).

$35,000

Theory of Games and Economic Behavior. Princeton: University Press, 1944

FIRST EDITION. Inscribed by Oskar Morgenstern: “To Dan Maxim, with esteem and warm regards Oskar Morgenstern July 1971 Have you found the set-theoretical hiding in this book?”

$28,000

Principes du Droit Politique [Du Contract Social]. Amsterdam: Michel Rey, 1762

FIRST EDITION, type B, the definitive authorized version. Observing in his opening words that “man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains,” Rousseau offered this work as a yardstick with which to judge existing governments. He argued that the central problem is to “find a form of association which can defend and protect with all the power of the community the person and possessions of each associate, and by which each person unites himself with all, but only obeys himself and thereby remains as free as before.”

$28,000

Genes, Girls and Gamow. Oxford: University Press, 2001

First edition. A tremendous presentation copy inscribed by James Watson to Francis Crick: “For Francis from Jim.”

$25,000

Enquiry Concerning Political Justice and Its influence on General Virtue and Happiness. London: Robinson, 1793

FIRST EDITION. In Political Justice, his most famous work, Godwin responds to Burke’s attacks on the French Revolution and Thomas Paine. He applies the principles of the Revolution to inquire into the philosophical basis of government. Believing that political and social institutions are tyrannical and corrupt, Godwin calls for reason to guide human affairs and advocates individual liberty.

$25,000

American Mahogany Butler’s Desk from the Holmes family home at 296 Beacon Street, Boston. American, ca. 1930

Justice Holmes’s butler’s desk from the family home on Beacon Street.

$22,000

The Papers of James Madison purchased by order of Congress; being his correspondence and reports of debates during the congress of the confederation and his reports of debates in the federal convention . . . [edited by Henry Gilpin]. Washington: Langtree & O’Sullivan, 1840

FIRST EDITION of Madison’s papers, consisting of his correspondence relating to the Constitution and his journal of the Federal Convention. A very rare presentation copy from Dolley Madison, with a letter by her and inscriptions from the recipient, a friend and leading American diplomat.

$18,000