Poems: Written by Wil. Shake-speare. Gent.. London: Printed by Tho. Cotes, and are to be sold by Iohn Benson, 1640

First collected edition of Shakespeare’s poems and the earliest obtainable edition of Shakespeare’s sonnets.

Please inquire

Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies … the Second Impression. London: Printed by Tho. Cotes, for Robert Allot, 1632

This is an excellent example of the Second Folio, the second edition of Shakespeare’s collected plays. This is “incomparably the most important work in the English language” (Jackson, Pforzheimer Catalogue).

$475,000

The Holy Bible, Conteyning the Old Testament, and the New: Newly Translated. London: by Robert Barker, 1613-1611

The Great “She” Bible, the “authorized version” or King James Bible, one of the greatest monuments of English literature.

$270,000

Redburn: His First Voyage. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1850

“An association copy linking two of the greatest figures in American literature” (Reese), this is Nathaniel Hawthorne’s copy of Herman Melville’s Redburn. A remarkable association highlighting not only Melville’s greatest creative period but also his fall to obscurity.

$72,000

A Dictionary of the English Language. London: W. Strahan for J. & P. Knapton, 1755

First edition of this enduring classic of English literature. This is Johnson’s “audacious attempt to tame his unruly native tongue … combining huge erudition with a steely wit and remarkable clarity of thought” (Hitchings).

$65,000

Moby-Dick; or, the Whale. New York: Harper, 1851

FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. From Jonah to Jaws, the Great Fish stories have fascinated readers for thousands of years. Melville’s masterpiece is perhaps the foremost of these tales.

Please Inquire

Autograph letter signed to his sister [together with] “To the Sun-Set Breeze” Original printer’s proof, signed by Whitman.. Camden, 1890; 29 June 1891

In this fine, warm letter to his sister, Whitman writes, “Love to you sister dear. The day has got along & I have just time to hurry this off to catch this evng’s mail. Much the same with me— hot wave here again. Am anchor’d here at my window as usual. 2 enc’d.” The latter comment may refer to Whitman’s enclosure of the accompanying broadside (see next item). Several well-known photographs capture Whitman in his final years seated at his window at a table overflowing with his papers.

$40,000

The Complete Writings. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1902

First edition of “the first comprehensive collection of Whitman’s work.” This is the rare deluxe issue printed on Japan vellum, number 2 of only 10 such sets, in the magnificent original morocco binding.

$38,000

Flowers from My Garden. Sketched and Painted from Nature. [New York], [1864]

FIRST EDITION, a unique pre-publication copy with 18 fine watercolors, the original art used as the basis for the lithographs in the published edition.

$37,500

Tender is the Night. New York: Scribner’s, 1934

FIRST EDITION, the extremely rare advance issue in wrappers.

Please Inquire