$195.00

[Poetry] [Illustrated Classics]

In full, beveled dark olive cloth-covered boards with gilt medallion on both covers featuring representation of Mr. Audubon's pheasant painting; lettering in gilt on spine. Top edges gilt. With numerous b&w plates, including a section at rear of volume two featuring facsimiles of certificates and awards presented to Mr. Audubon. A few incidental scratches to covers and lightly penciled Christmas, 1900, presentation inscription on front pastedown of volume one. Several pages are unopened (uncut) which indicates likelihood volumes haven't been previously read. --- John James Audubon (1785-1851) emigrated from France to the United States. He worked as a naturalist, ornithologist and painter; his famous volume of paintings, 'The Birds of North America' is one the most important ornithological works ever published. His granddaughter, Marie Audubon, collected and edited Audubon's journals and diaries, written as he explored the North American continent. A handsome, well-preserved set, first published in 1897.

$185.00

[Natural History] [Birds] [Biography/Autobiography]

First edition of author's account of his world travels, written in 1897. With color illustration of elephant, framed by gilt inlays, on front cover. Titling and decorations in gilt on spine. Includes frontis photo of Twain, as well as many, many additional photos, drawings and sketches scattered throughout the volume. With mild edgewear and slightly bumped corners. Front hinge cracked, but does not significantly affect the firmness of the volume. With penciled notes on front free endpaper, prev. owner's rubberstamping, front pastedown. An often-humorous look at author's round-the-world trip from Paris to the US and thence via Hawaii to various tropical destinations. A charming addition to the bookshelf of the Twain aficionado.

$450.00

[Travel and Exploration] [Memoir/Autobiography]

Very early printing of the great novel of China, but likely not the first state. Nearly meets the points for a first state: 1) Statement on publisher's page: 'for the John Day Publishing Co.' (instead of the actual name, 'John Day Company'); 2) Typo on line 17 of page 100 wherein the word 'fleas' is misspelled as 'flees'; 3) Statement on publisher's page is: 'Copyright 1931 by Pearl S. Buck'. However, the top edge is painted in bright orange on this volume; some have maintained that the color brown is the only acceptable color for the first state. This copy in full mustard cloth-covered boards with heavily deckled fore edge. Green endpapers feature illustrations of peasants in procession. The author's name and title are bright on front cover in gilt, along with blindstamped farm field and sun decoration. Spine is very slightly faded, but the gilt titling is very readable. Interior has inked signature on the half title page; otherwise pages are clean and unmarked. Volume is firm and tight, with no looseness. Front cover cloth very slightly abraded. Lacks the scarce dust jacket. --- This winner of the 1932 Pulitzer Prize makes for a handsome addition to the booklover's library. This novel tells the epic story of Wang Lung and his wife O-Lan and their life as peasants in pre-revolutionary China.

$275.00

[Classic Fiction]

Illustrated with 154 drawings etched by Férat Barbant. Undated but early edition of author's famed work, in French language. Likely published c.1890-1930. Hefty volume, in half green leather and half green cloth-covered boards with chafed points and edges. Titling on spine clear and readable. Interior bears pasted private library plate, frt. pastedown; is otherwise unmarked. A few pages with foxing, and some pages yellowed. Textblock edges browned. The book in firm, intact condition. --- Overall, a marvelously illustrated copy of Jules Verne's classic, first published in 1874, following his 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea'.

$125.50

[Classic Fiction] [Illustrated Classics]