Search Results: Authors starting with W from George Robert Minkoff, Inc.

With an original holograph double-sided, fold-out manuscript leaf written in ink by Emerson bound into Volume I. The leaf, measuring approximately 8 by 10 inches on blue paper, is from Emerson's 1856 essay "English Traits." It begins "French have no . . . romances have no comedy since Moliere because they have no manners which only free peoples can have." Emerson has drawn a line through three lines of manuscript, and placed a vertical line down the center of each page, possible because he transcribed it onto a fair copy.Frontispieces. Illustrated with 56 engravings and photogravures. Large 8vo. ¾-green leather; spines with gilt letters and gilt decoration, 5 raised bands; gilt tooling to the front and rear panels; top edge gilt; marbled end papers and boards. Cambridge, Printed at the Riverside Press, 1903-4. First Edition. 12 volumes. Limited to 600 numbered sets, signed in Volume I by "Houghton Mifflin Co." This is set #197. This edition includes all of Emerson's poems, lectures, biographical… Read More

Soft cover. Fine. 8vo. Original printed wrappers. Washington: Printed by J.T. & L. Towers 1854. First Edition. An important speech against the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, which prohibited slavery in the former Louisiana Territory. Not only will the repeal of the Missouri compromise be, in my judgment, a direct violation of good faith, and in entire contravention of the avowed understanding between leading men at the South and compromise men of 1850 at the North, in pursuance of which the measures of that year in Congress were to be acquiesced in as a final settlement of the slavery question, and further agitation and discussion of this subject were to be discountenanced; but it will of necessity impair confidence, and renew agitation of a more decided and alarming character than his hitherto existed. . . And I say, further, that after all those measures had been passed, a strong desire was expressed by Mr. Clay, and other leading statesmen of both political parties, North and South, that the… Read More

Carey & Lea, Philadelphia, 1826. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Very Good. 8vo. Contemporary calf. Philadelphia: Carey & Lea, 1826. First American Edition. 2 volumes. Carey & Lea bribed someone in the printing house in England to send advance proofs of Walter Scott's books to them in Philadelphia, so they could put out first American editions of each book. As a result, the Carey & Lea publications actually contain the early proofs of each novel. With the name Wm. Chase on the title page of both volumes; volume I with faded damp stain to the first 11 pages; o/w Very Nice

SCOTT, SIR WALTER. Halidon Hill; A Dramatic Sketch, From Scottish History. 8vo. Original printed wrappers, untrimmed. Printed for Archibald Constable and Co., Edinburgh; And Hurst, Robinson, and Co. London, 1822. First Edition. Presentation copy inscribed on the front free endpaper, "To Sir Alexr Keith Knight Marischal Ravelston from His Affectionate Kinsman The Author." Sir Alexander Keith, a close friend of Scott, was founder of the Keith Prize, a biennial prize for the most important discoveries in science made in any part of the world.
Although this lesser-known work is written as a dramatic sketch, Scott tells us in the preface that it is not intended to be produced on the stage. Halidon Hill tells the story of the reconciliation between two feuding Scottish chiefs before they die valiantly in the fight against Edward III of England. The Eclectic Review of September 1822 says, "This is a 'sketch,' but it is from the hand of a master; and there is a chasteness and simplicity in the poetry, such… Read More

No Binding. Fine. The letter reads in full: Believe it or not, I am not a Communist, in spite of having become a member of the S.C.R. during the war, as many people did. In fact I had quite forgotten that I did belong to it, and your letter comes as a welcome reminder that I should cease to do so. Not that I think it does any harm to belong to these things, so as to be able to keep an eye on their goings on. Yours faithfully, [signed] William Walton. Usual fold, one pin hole and with some staining to the lower right. William Walton (1902-1983) took leave from military service in the second world war to produce scores for propaganda films such as The First of the Few (1942) and an a morale-boosting version of Shakespeare's Henry V (1944). Waltons broad musical compositions included orchestral, choral, chamber, solo, and film scores.

PRESENTATION COPY TO "MAJOR G. GORDON"WAUGH, EVELYN. The Loved One. An Anglo-American Tragedy. Illustrated by Stuart Boyle. 8vo. Original green cloth, gold letters on spine; top edge gilt, others untrimmed. Chapman & Hall (London 1948). Large Paper Edition. One of 250 numbered copies signed by Waugh and Boyle. This copy # 39. Inscribed by Waugh on the colophon: "Major G. Gordon's copy." The inscription is interesting in that Major G. Gordon was a character in the short story "Compassion," one of the most important of Waugh's later works. A work in which he seems to come to terms with his own antisemitism through the story of a failed humanitarian effort to help a group of displaced Italian Jews after World War II. The inscription is probably ironic. To know who was actually given the book would be an important sidelight to Waugh's biography. Spine slightly faded; some offsetting to front endpapers; o/w a fine copy.

1 ALS, 2 pages, dated March 5, 1878, New York, to [former] Ohio Gov. William Dennison, Jr., on "Studio Building" letterhead. Docketed and signed on the verso of the second page Dennison: "Respectfully forwarded to the President. W. Dennison . . ."William H. Beard was a New York City artist noted for his satirical animal. William Dennison was Lincoln's Postmaster General and Civil War Governor of Ohio. Beard addresses his letter to Dennison seeking a government position for a friend, and Dennison in turn refers the letter to President Hayes. The letter reads in part: "My dear Sir… Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting you, I almost feel like an old acquaintance, your name has become so familiar through my brother James and his family… [Dennison was a relative of James Beard's wife, Caroline Carter Beard]. I write to solicit the kindly exercise of your influence in behalf of a friend in whom I feel a great interest, Mr. Alonzo Church, whom I believe you know, and perhaps know the… Read More

First Edition. Limited to 100 numbered copies Signed by Williams. Book marked copy #5.8vo. Original beige cloth, in publisher's slipcase with paper label on cover. New Directions (New York 1956). Slipcase soiled and chipped at spine, paper label stating in error that the copy is #100. Spine of slipcase cracked; spine of book darkened; very light pencil notation; o/w Fine.

WILLIAMS, TENNESSEE. The Kingdom of the Earth with Hard Candy. 8vo. Original brown cloth-backed decorated boards, in publisher's slipcase, paper label on front of slipcase. New Directions (New York 1954). First Edition. One of 100 numbered copies signed by Williams. This copy # 93. Of the 100 copies approximately 90 copies were destroyed. There are only 10 numbered copies and 20 copies for presentation known, most of which were retained by the publishing house and by the author. One of the scarcest Williams items. Slipcase soiled, edges chipped; front hinge starting; o/w a fine copy.

1861. 1st Edition . Soft cover. Very Good. 8vo. Original yellow printed wrappers, stitched. 93 pages. Washington: M Gill & Witherow, Printers, 1861. First Edition. Sabin 15433. This was the Unions last gasp before War. Ex-President John Tyler of Virginia chaired the Convention. His career would close with his election as a representative in the Confederate Congress. All the proceedings, proposed solutions, and votes are set forth, including suggested constitutional amendments and other adjustments. Copyright slip tipped in after title leaf. Wrappers with some wear, o/w very nice

First Edition.The first book by Frances Wright (later D'Arusmont). Wright began writing the play in Scotland, but did not publish it until she moved to the United States in 1818. In the Preface she comments on the friendly reception she has received in the U.S., as a young, unknown author, and how it would have been difficult for her to publish and have performed such a play in England. Wright's sentiments were with social reform and progressive movements, and she became an influential abolitionist and promoter of feminist causes.8vo. Modern green cloth, dark green morocco label on spine, gilt lettering. Philadelphia: Published by M. Carey and Son, 1819. First Edition. (American Bibliography 50175; Wegelin, Early American Plays, page 82; Hill, American Plays, 334). Text somewhat browned and foxed.

INSCRIBED BY RICHARD WRIGHTWRIGHT, RICHARD. Espagne Païenne. (Pagan Spain). 8vo. Original wrappers, in glassine. (Paris 1958). First French Edition.Inscribed by Richard Wright, "À M. Bill Higgins Hommage de l'Auteur Richard Wright." Bill Higgins was the location manager for the film version of Native Son. A wonderful association copy. Paper aged, o/w a fine copy of a rare book.