Biography, Autobiography, True Stories from Louise Aird

Henry O. Studley (1838–1925) was a New England organ and piano maker, carpenter and stonemason who built a very famous mahogany cabinet for 250 of his tools. His cabinet and workbench are privately owned and this book is the only way of seeing Studley's masterpiece. This book is the first in-depth examination of one of the most beautiful woodworking tool chests… Read more about this item

This is first English edition of The Life, History and Magic of the Dog, by the French veterinarian and animal rights activist Fernand Mery (1897-1984). It was published in France in 1969; in Britain and the US in 1970. It is a comprehensive study of dogs through art, literature and history. It discusses their physiology, psychology, services to mankind, their role… Read more about this item

This is a copy of the first English trade paperback edition of The Desire of My Eyes: The Life and Work of John Ruskin, by the German art historian Wolfgang Kemp. The critically-acclaimed best-seller examines the life and work of the prolific, visionary writer, painter and critic. 513 pages, with lots of illustrations. The cover has a little wear, from improper storage, but… Read more about this item

This is a boxed set of non-fiction travel books written by Robert Louis Stevenson. It was published by the Folio Society in 2004; these copies have clearly not been read, or even opened. They are pristine. All have illustrated covers and some illustrations inside, by the English artist Nick Hardcastle. As would be expected from the Folio Society, they are… Read more about this item

This is a First Edition (1924) of Memoirs of an Editor, the autobiography of Edward P Mitchell (1852-1927), who was editor of the New York daily The Sun, and a successful science fiction writer. He had a fascinating life and I'm told this book is a very good read. 457 pages. Navy blue boards with a gold design on the cover… Read more about this item

This is the first edition, first printing, of The Spycatcher Omnibus, the first collection of the works of Lt. Col. Oreste Pinto (1889-1961), the Dutch counter-intelligent agent who worked for MI5. He was very successful and his activities led to the capture of at least 8 spies. His books were made into a radio series, then a TV series, of… Read more about this item

In 1933, the great Irish writer George Bernard Shaw made his one and only visit to the United States, and addressed a gathering of the Academy of Political Science in New York. He made the speech entitled "The Political Madhouse in America and Nearer Home". In it, rather than use flattery to persuade, he used ridicule, shock and irritation to… Read more about this item

This is a first edition (1994) of Nelson and Emma, the story of one of history's great, and most tragic, romances--between Admiral Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton. It chronicles their life and times, and their letters, with lots of maps, illustrations and photographs. It was produced by the Folio Society, so it is a gorgeous book. 7" x 9 3/4",… Read more about this item

This is a first edition (American printing) of Mistress to an Age: A Life of Madame de Stael, published in 1958. It is the biography of Germaine de Stael, the 18th-century French intellectual, writer, and salon hostess who was so influential, and so vigorously in opposition to Napoleon, that she was kicked out of France. This copy is in near-mint condition.… Read more about this item

This is a mint-condition copy of English Eccentrics, written in 1933 by the English poet and critic Dame Edith Sitwell (1887-1964). It is a series of mini-bios about the great English eccentrics--hermits, quacks, mariners and men of learning. This is the Folio Society's edition of the book, which is illustrated by the English artist Roland Pym. It comes in a slipcase which… Read more about this item

This is a pristine copy, and first printing, of The Folio Society's version of Memoirs of a Georgian Rake, a book known for its excellent portrayal of British society in the late 1700s and early 1800s. It is the memoir of the English lawyer William Hickey (1749-1830); it was written in 1810 but not published until 1913. The Folio Society published… Read more about this item

The is a mint-condition copy of the Folio Society's version of St Joan of Arc, the superb biography of the saint written by the British author Vita Sackville-West (1892-1962). On gorgeous paper, with lots of maps and letters and illustrated with woodcuts by the English artist Chris Daunt. The book comes in a slipcase which has a little wear. But the book… Read more about this item

This is an unwrapped copy of A Painter's Kitchen, Recipes from the Kitchen of Georgia O'Keeffe. It was published in 2009. Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986) remains America's most famous female painter. In the kitchen, she took pride in a healthy, natural culinary style. This book, written by her friend and personal chef, is 70 of O'Keeffe's recipes--Salads, Soups, Vegetables, Main Dishes, Breads,… Read more about this item

This is a stated first edition, and first US printing, of Last Essays, by Joseph Conrad. It was published in 1926 and includes 'Legends', the essay he was working on when he died (of a heart attack). It also includes a photo of the hand-written text of 'Legends'; these are the last words he wrote. As you can see, this book… Read more about this item

This is a first edition, stated eighth printing, of Soul on Ice, the brilliant memoir and collection of essays written by the American activist Eldridge Cleaver (1935-1998). At the time of its writing, Cleaver was serving time in Folsom Prison. He would go on to become a highly influential member of the Black Panthers, as well as a Muslim, a… Read more about this item

This is a pristine First American Edition (1975) of Napoleon by the English author John Bowle. It is the biography of the great general, going from birth to death. It was first published in the UK in 1973. This copy was also printed in the UK, then shipped to the US for marketing by a Chicago publisher. Laminated covers. Unclipped dust jacket.… Read more about this item

This is an unread first US edition of The Six: The Lives of the Mitford Sisters, written by the British writer Laura Thompson and publisher in 2015. It is the biographies of the ever-fascinating six Mitford girls, all of whom lived incredibly interesting lives. This is an unread copy. It is in mint condition.

This is a mint-condition first edition of The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery, Volume III, 1921-1929. It is volume 3 of 5 of the diaries of the Canadian writer Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942), who is best known for writing the Anne of Green Gables series. It is 443 pages, including 98 photographs, a map and 2 drawings. This copy is pristine: there… Read more about this item

This is a copy of the second printing of Israfel: The Life & Times of Edgar Allen Poe. It was written by the American writer and educator Hervey Allen and first published in 1926. At 750 pages, this is a thick heavy book with loads of illustrations and a thorough index. Cream boards with a gold and black foil design on the… Read more about this item

This is a first edition (1929) of The Bellamy Trial, by the American writer Frances Noyes Hart (1890-1943). It is the first legal drama written by an American author and defined the genre of the court-room mystery dramas. It was made into a film in 1929. Noyes wrote the book in 1927. In 1929, it became part of the Front Page Mystery… Read more about this item