Rare books from CraigsClassics

This is a complete 19 Volume set of "HOUSEHOLD WORDS" - A Weekly Journal by Charles Dickens. The volumes span the years 1850 (Volume I) to 1859 (Volume XIX). The significance of this set is that Volume IX contains the 1st appearance of the Dickens classic "HARD TIMES" (please see photos). "Hard Times was first published serially in "Household Words" in the April 1, 1854 issue (volume IX), followed shortly thereafter by the 1st edition in book form in the same year. Seldom found complete in 19 Volumes."Household Words" was an English weekly magazine edited by Charles Dickens and was published every Saturday from March 1850 to May 1859. This set contains 19 hardcover volumes which contain the complete run of individual issues. To boost slumping sales, Dickens serialized his classic novel "Hard Times" in weekly parts between April 1st and August 12th 1854. It had the desired effect, more than doubling the journal's circulation and encouraging Dickens, who remarked that he was "three parts mad, and the… Read More

This is a nice condition lot of 6 volumes of "LITTELL'S LIVING AGE" from 1850-1851. Littell's Living Age was a magazine comprising selections from various British and American magazines and newspapers. Generally, the magazine was published on a weekly basis, and was in print from 1844 to 1941.The issues contain reviews, articles and announcements about emerging literary works of the time - here are a few examples: The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, "The Authors of Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Agnes Gray," Nathaniel Hawthorne "The Scarlet Letter", Ralph Waldo Emerson "Representative Men", Herman Melville "White Jacket" and "Omoo - A Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas", the Letters of Benjamin Franklin, Charles Dickens' "Household Words" weekly publication, The Works of John Adams, Hans Christian Andersen "Jenny Lind".Each issue is loaded with poetry and articles on a variety of interesting topics, such as: Baloon Explosion, Death of James Fenimore Cooper, Insect Life, Ascent of Mont Blanc,… Read More

"Speeches and Forensic Arguments" by DANIEL WEBSTER, complete in 3 volumes. 1846; Charles Tappan, Publisher; Boston. Affixed to the frontispiece portrait of Webster in Volume I is the stem of a flower taken from Webster's grave in 1891. Additionally, a remark has been made in pencil below his portrait stating that "The above picture does not bear the slightest resemblance to Mr. Webster - it is a libel." Volume I contains 26 speeches; Volume II contains 22 speeches; Volume III contains 39 speeches.From the Preface:"...several of the speeches and addresses contained in this volume, possessing a character of more permanent and general interest, have been translated and published in most of the languages of Europe. And we are not without authority for saying, that they have been regarded, by men of elightened judgments and cultivated taste, as fine examples of forensic and popular eloquence. In the language of one of the most eminent statesmen of England, some of these speeches have been read in that… Read More

This is a historically significant lot of 11 volumes (of 12) from the 1819 3rd edition of "STATE PAPERS AND PUBLICK DOCUMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES" - From the Accession of George Washington to the Presidency, Exhibiting a Complete View of Our Foreign Relations since that Time"; "Including Confidential Documents." Published in 1819 by Thomas B. Wait in Boston. Some of the volumes feature a presidential frontispiece portrait. Volume IX contains an Index of contents for volumes I-IX; Volume XII contains an Index of contents for volumes XI and XII. The collection contains important and interesting papers and letters from the first few decades of the early United States government from George Washington's administration up to the administration of James Monroe (to the year 1818), including the inaugural addresses of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and James Madison, George Washington's letter to Congress regarding the death of Benjamin Franklin, the "Louisiana Acquisition" (Louisiana Purchase),… Read More

"The History of the Puritans in England" (by W.H. Stowell) and "The Pilgrim Fathers" (by D. Wilson) - complete in one volume. Three-quarter leather binding with marbled boards and marbled end papers; gilt top edge. The red ribbon page marker is present (but detached). With 2 frontispiece illustrations. Please see the photos for the complete list of contents.From the Preface:"This volume is intended to compress, within narrow limits, the story of the English Puritans, by weaving into the tissue of the general narrative some biographical details respecting the men who bore that name. The writer has spared no pains in consulting the best authorities on both sides of the great controversy of which Puritanism was the result. He can conscientiously present the history to the public as authentic; and he hopes it will not be condemned by any intelligent and candid reader as wanting in fairness towards the opponents of the Puritans."Condition:Some rubbing and light scratches to the marbled boards; scuffs to… Read More

Handsome, fine-binding edition of "THE GEORGIAN ERA: Memoirs of the Most Eminent Persons, Who Have Flourished in Great Britain, from the Accession of George the First to the Demise of George the Fourth." The volumes are dated 1832, 1833 and 1834; Vizetelly, Branston and Co.; London. Complete in four volumes. Three-quarter leather bound with marbled covers, page edges and end papers. Each volume contains a frontispiece portrait. The volumes contain dozens of biographical sketches of prominent English men and women including Adam Smith, Isaac Newton, Jonathn Swift, Robert Burns, Thomas Paine, Captain James Cook, Daniel Defoe, Thomas Gainsborough, etc. The contents are grouped into the following categories:VOLUME I: The Royal Family, The Pretenders and Their Adherents, The Church, The Senate, DissentersVOLUME II: The Army, The Navy, Jurisprudence, Medical ScienceVOLUME III: Voyagers and Travellers, Science, LiteratureVOLUME IV: Political Economists, Rural and Domestic Economists, Painters, Sculptors,… Read More

This is a unique school edition of "THE GREAT GATSBY" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 1961; Charles Scribner's Sons; New York. At the back of the book is a biographical sketch of Fitzgerald, as well as a "Study Guide" for the chapters. The Study Guide contains questions about the story, "Notes on the Text," "Interesting Expressions," "Significant Words," and "Other Words Worth Knowing." There are also sections titled "Topics for Discussion or Writing," "The Characters," "The Novel and American History," "Biography and Criticism," "History of the Twenties," "Picture History," "Fiction of the Era," and "Fitzgerald's Own Works."Condition:Clean front cover and spine; there are a couple stains on the back cover as well as a small cloth tear; sharp corners. Tight binding. No cracks. No loose pages. Light foxing to the top edge of the text block. The pages have small blue check-marks next to random lines of text throughout the book, and occasionally a word circled or underlined...otherwise clean with only a… Read More

This is a scarce, very early Charles Dickens book that was published when he was only 25 years old. "PUBLIC LIFE OF MR. TULRUMBLE, ONCE MAYOR OF MUDFOG" by Boz ("Boz" was the pen name of Dickens). 1837; Carey, Lea and Blanchard; Philadelphia. The book contains "Other Tales and Sketches, from Bentley's Miscellany, and the Library of Fiction" including a story by James Fenimore (spelled "Fennimore" on the contents page) Cooper titled "An Evening of Visits." There are 11 stories in all - please see the photos for the complete list of contents. This is one of the first stories by Dickens published in book form in the United States.Condition:Worn corners (the tips of the boards are exposed); 1/2" cloth tears at the top edge of the spine, small cloth tears at the bottom edge. The front board bows at the center just a bit. There is a crack at the front hinge between the end papers. The pages are in good condition with only some occasional light foxing (heaviest on the title page - see photo) and staining.… Read More

This is a scarce, bound volume of POLO magazine ("The Magazine for Horsemen") that contains 8 issues from January to August, 1931 with wonderfully illustrated color covers. "Volume V" is printed on the spine. Red, hardcover cloth binding with gilt lettering and decorations on the spine (and the name "J.L. Lundean" in gilt at the base of the spine). Published by Quigley Publishing Company in the United States. The magazine was "obtainable by subscription only." Oversized - the volume measures 14 1/8" tall x 10 1/4" wide. "Hunting ~ Steeplechasing ~ Horseshows" - contents include general horsemanship, horse show results, sailing, steeplechase, polo and foxhunting, with many illustrations from photographs and drawings. The issues include great illustrated advertisements (some in color) for companies such as Brooks Brothers Clothing, Duesenberg, Abercrombie & Fitch, Izod, A.G. Spalding & Bros., Johnston & Murphy Shoe, Firestone, Fortune Magazine, and many more.The following 8 issues are included:VOLUME… Read More

This is a scarce, early copy of "Taintor's Route and City Guides" - this particular guide is for "New York to Saratoga, Buffalo, and Niagara Falls, via Hudson River and New York Central Railroads." Published in 1867 by Taintor Brothers in New York. The guide features 20 color maps in all. "With descriptive sketches of the cities, villages, stations, and scenes and objects of interest along the route." There are illustrated advertisements at both the front and back. The guide is divided into 2 sections, as follows:* Hudson River Railway Route - New York, Albany, Troy, Saratoga (with 7 color maps)* The New York Central Railway and its Branches (with 13 color maps)ConditionThe top-right corner of the front cover is torn; surface paper tear at the bottom-right edge of the back cover. The front cover is separated 1.5" down from the top and 1" up from the bottom of the spine (though holding fine at the center) - similar with the back cover. No loose text pages. The pages are in very good condition - mostly… Read More

This is a scarce "Big Little Book" copy of "LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE" by Harold Gray. Number 708. 1933 1st edition, 2nd printing (with 1928 copyright date and 3-title ad at the back of the book); Whitman Publishing Company; Racine, Wisconsin. Illustrated throughout. This title has the distinction of being the second Big Little Book ever published. The book is a reprint of the daily comic strip that appeared in the New York Daily News newspaper from October 1, 1931 to August 31, 1932. Scarce in any condition.Condition:Soiling/staining to the front cover; the spine has a stain at the left edge; small, light stain at the top-right corner of the back cover; the left and right edges of the bottom of the spine have chipped off. The top-right corner of the front cover is worn. Tight binding with no cracks. Page 234 is present but detached, and the top edge has torn off. The illustration opposite page 74 has been colored in with watercolor...the pages are otherwise clean with no other condition issues found. Tiny,… Read More

This is a scarce, vintage issue of "MOVIE WEEKLY" magazine from October 29, 1921. Special "Around the World with CHARLIE CHAPLIN" issue, featuring Chaplin on the front cover, as well as a 2-page spread titled "Around the World with Charlie Chaplin - The Great Comedian Revisits 'Merry England' the First Time in Seven Years" with numerous photographs. Complete issue with all pages.Condition:Some light soiling to the covers; the front cover has a stain near Chaplin's mustache, and a thin stain line over his right eye. The pages are in very good condition - mostly clean with only an occasional ink smudge and small stain; no writing found. The 15/16-17/18 leaf at the center of the issue is present, but detached (see photos).

This is an early fishing book - "Days and Nights of Salmon Fishing in the (River) Tweed" by William Scrope, Esq. 1843 1st edition; John Murray; London. "With an Account of the Natural History and Habits of the Salmon, Instructions to Sportsmen, Anecdotes, etc." The book features 13 full-page lithographs (some with color) and 9 wood engraving, in-text "vignettes."From the Preface:"It will be seen that in the letter-press I have attempted little more than to give a correct and faithful account of the manner and spirit in which the sport of salmon fishing is carried on in various ways where the scene is laid, and to bring before the sportsman the characters of such people as he is likely to fall in with in his excursions."Here are a few examples of the contents:* Citizen Anglers* His Powers of Swimming and Leaping* Change of Colour in Fish* Seasons of Various Rivers* Encounter with a Duck* Childish Incident* Murderous Fish* A Ponderous Salmon* Cut and Drowned* New Construction of a Salmon Reel* The… Read More

This is a scarce, antique copy of "Taintor's Route and City Guides" - this particular guide is for the "Pennsylvania Coal Regions via Morris & Essex R.R." Published in 1867 by Taintor Brothers in New York. The guide features 4 color maps; the "Map of the Anthracite Coal Regions of Pennsylvania with Connecting Railways" is larger and folds out. "With sketches of the cities, villages, stations, scenery, and objects of interest along the route." There are illustrated advertisements at both the front and back. Please see the photos for the complete list of contents.Condition:The pages are in great condition - mostly clean and white with no writing and only some very sparse light foxing; tiny tear at the outer edge of page 29. The fold-out map is clean and firmly attached. The covers are present, but have detached from the spine and are separated along the right edge of the spine; creases at the left-hand corners of the front cover; there are a few tiny stain spots on the back cover.

This is a rare "Big Little Book" copy of "The Adventures of DICK TRACY Detective" by Chester Gould. Number W-707. 1932 1st edition, 1st printing; Whitman Publishing Company; Racine, Wisconsin. Illustrated throughout. This title has the distinction of being the first Big Little Book ever published and had only one print run. The book is a compilation of the Dick Tracy daily comic strip that appeared in the Detroit Mirror newspaper from November 19 to December 28, 1931 and April 12 to May 24, 1932. Rare in any condition.Condition:The illustrations after pages 118 and 294 have been partially colored in (and some of the red ink bled onto page 294)...other than that, the pages are clean and in very good condition; some light foxing to the rear pastedown and end paper. Tight binding with no loose pages. Light soiling to the back cover; staining to the left half of the front cover and on the spine. Light corner wear. The top-right corner of the spine has chipped off; 1" tear at the top-right corner of the… Read More