Americana
Rare Americana Books, Manuscripts & More for Sale Online
If you’re looking for first edition books celebrating the American experience, you’ve come to the right place. At Raptis Rare Books we maintain an extensive collection of rare Americana, books, manuscripts and more. Browse through our entire collection online, use our sorting tools or search to find exactly what you’re looking for then call with any questions you may have or order online today.
Showing 1–24 of 523 results
-
Browse by Category
- Browse All
- Americana
- Art and Architecture
- Autograph Letters Signed
- Biography and Autobiography
- Children's Books
- Economics and Finance
- Featured Rare Books
- Fine Bindings and Sets
- First Edition
- First Edition>Signed
- Food and Wine
- Framed Autographs and Historical Documents
- Geography
- Gifts
- Gifts - For Her
- Gifts - For Him
- Gifts - Graduation and Celebrations
- Gifts - Holidays
- History, Law, and Politics
- Literature
- Music
- New Arrivals
- Philosophy
- Photography
- Poetry
- Presidents and World Leaders
- Religion
- Science and Natural History
- Science Fiction and Mystery
- Signed
- Signed & Autographed Books
- Sports and Leisure
- Travel and Exploration
- Uncategorized
-
"Second only to Gilbert Stuart's Athenaeum portrait": Rembrandt Peale's "George Washington, Patriae Pater"
PEALE, Rembrandt. [George Washington].
“George Washington, Patriae Pater” Rembrandt Peale Original Oil Painting.
Rembrandt Peale's famed painted portrait of George Washington, "George Washington, Patriae Pater", considered by many second only to Gilbert Stuart's iconic Athenaeum portrait of the first president and variations of which hang in the Oval Office and Old Senate Chamber. Oil on canvas. In 1795, 17-year-old Rembrandt Peale was invited by his father, famed American painter Charles Willson Peale, to accompany him to a portrait sitting with President George Washington. Although young Rembrandt was not entirely satisfied with the resulting portrait of the aging Washington, it was well-received and made his debut as a portraitist. In 1822, after a trip…
Price: $350,000.00 Item Number: 135084
-
"CANDY MAKING, AS A PASTIME FOR YOUNG FOLKS, IS NOT TO BE SURPASSED": FIRST EDITION OF AUNT BABBETTE'S HOME CONFECTIONERY
KRAMER, Bertha F.
“Aunt Babette’s” Home Confectionery.
Chicago and Cincinnati: Bloch Publishing & Printing Co, 1893.
First edition of this early collection of confectionery recipes published as a companion to the author's first book, Aunt Babette's Cook Book, the first American Jewish cookbook to become a best-seller in 1889. Also published by Bloch Publishing Company, the oldest Jewish printing house in the United States, Aunt Babette's Cook Book was perhaps so successful because of the extensive inclusion of non-Kosher recipes, reflecting the early assimilation tendencies of the 19th-century Reform Jewish movement. Small octavo, original cloth. In good condition.
Price: $3,800.00 Item Number: 75073
-
Rare Civil War era Confederate States of America Flag
11-Star “Stars and Bars” Confederate States of America Flag.
1861.
Rare Civil War era Confederate States of America Flag, in use between July 2 and November 28, 1861 commemorating the admittance of Tennessee and North Carolina into the Confederacy. Cotton, hand-sewn and double-sided. The entire piece measures 36 inches by 50.5 inches. In near fine condition.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 133072
-
Rare 17th century John Seller map of New England and New York, from Daniel Fenning's A New System of Geography
SELLER, John.
17th Century John Seller Map of New England and New York.
London: Seller, Price & Senex, 1703.
Rare 17th century John Seller map of New England and New York from Daniel Fenning's A New System of Geography. One page, with intricate topographical details and hand-colored borders, the map displays the eastern portion of New York and New England and includes Long Island, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Block Island, and Rhode Island. In near fine condition.
Price: $1,800.00 Item Number: 123177
-
Rare 1940s Westover Schoolgirl Scrapbook
[PRINCE, Marie].
1940s Westover Schoolgirl Scrapbook.
Rare scrapbook from the collection of Marie Prince, documenting her tenure at The Westover preparatory school for girls in the early 1940s. Quarto, bound in three quarters morocco, the scrapbook contains several letters, notes, and large format photographs. In near fine condition.
Price: $2,250.00 Item Number: 116294
-
"FOR IN THE END, IS IT NOT FITTING THAT A BOOK ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD CLOSE BY STUDYING WHAT THE CONSTITUTION IS NOT ABOUT?" The 1979 Supplement to American Constitutional Law; inscribed by Laurence H. Tribe
TRIBE, Laurence H.
1979 Supplement to American Constitutional Law.
Mineola, New York: The Foundation Press, Inc, 1979.
The 1979 supplement to Tribe's American Constitutional Law. Octavo, original wrappers. Signed by the author on the front free endpaper, "Best wishes, Laurence Tribe 2/09." In near fine condition. Ownership name to the front panel.
Price: $200.00 Item Number: 118015
-
Fine collection of autograph letters and cards signed by a number of prominent 19th and 20th century American clergymen including Henry Ward Beecher, Henry van Dyke, Charles Spurgeon, and Dwight L. Moody
[BEECHER, Henry Ward; Newman Hall; Dwight L. Moody; Charles Spurgeon; Henry van Dyke; et al].
19th and 20th Century American Clergymen Autograph and Signed Letter Collection.
Extensive collection of over forty cards and letters signed by a number of prominent 19th and 20th century American Clergymen including Henry Ward Beecher, Henry van Dyke, Charles Spurgeon, and Dwight L. Moody. The collection includes: an autograph letter dated January 25 1866 signed by Henry War Beecher; four typed letters and on autograph letter signed by Henry van Dyke between October and November 1912; a card signed by Dwight L. Moody; a card dated November 14 1887 signed by William Taylor; a card dated March 6 1874 signed by Charles H. Parkhurst; a card signed by Russell Conwell dated…
Price: $5,000.00 Item Number: 126098
-
First edition of Henry N. Hudson's A Chaplain's Campaign with Gen. Butler
[HUDSON, Henry].
A Chaplain’s Campaign with Gen. Butler.
New-York: Printed For The Author, 1865.
First edition of Henry Hudson's account of his imprisonment after publishing his hostile criticism of Butler's military policy in the New York Evening Post. Octavo, modern cloth. Hudson served during the Civil War from 1862 to 1865 as chaplain of the 1st New York Volunteer Engineers, as well as war correspondent for the New York Evening Post. In very good condition.
Price: $175.00 Item Number: 139497
-
Rare first edition of N.H. Purple's A Compilation of the Statutes of the State of Illinois; from the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office Library with Herndon's ownership signature for the firm to both volumes
PURPLE, N. H. [Abraham Lincoln; William Herndon].
A Compilation of the Statutes of the State of Illinois, of a General Nature, In Force January 1, 1856. Collated with Reference to Decisions of the Supreme Court of Said State, and to Prior Laws Relating to the Same Subject Matter.
Chicago: Published by Keen & Lee, 1856.
First edition of Purple's Statutes from the law library of Abraham Lincoln and William Herndon. Large octavo, 2 volumes, bound in full contemporary calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt. With Herndon's ownership signature on behalf of the firm to the front pastedown of Vol. I, "A. Lincoln W. Herndon Lincoln & Herndon Springfield" and Vol. II, "Lincoln-Herndon." Additionally with what are likely Lincoln's scribbles to several pages including page 531 and 590-591. Lincoln was known to doodle in squiggly lines in his books and papers; in 2006 David Greenberg published Presidential Doodles: Two Centuries of Scribbles, entirely devoted…
Price: $20,000.00 Item Number: 124498
-
First Edition of Elliot G. Stokes' A Complete History of the Great American Rebellion
STORKE, Elliot G.
A Complete History of the Great American Rebellion Embracing Its Causes, Events, and Consequences, with Biographical Sketches and Portraits of its Principal Actors, and Thrilling Incidents of Land and Naval Heroes.
Auburn, N.Y: The Auburn Publishing Company, 1863-1865.
First edition of Storke's history of the American Civil War. Octavo, two volumes, original publisher's deluxe full morocco, illustrated with maps, plans of battles, and portraits. In good condition. Rebacked. Rare.
Price: $1,250.00 Item Number: 133070
-
First edition of Stephens' A Constitutional View of the Late War Between the States
STEPHENS, Alexander H.
A Constitutional View of the Late War Between the States; It’s Causes, Character, Conduct and Results. Presented in a Series of Colloquies at Liberty Hall.
Philadelphia: National Publishing Company, 1868.
First edition of the “most elaborate—and best—argument for the constitutional validity of the doctrine of state sovereignty and the right of secession” (Howes), featuring 16 full-page steel engraved portraits, several facsimiles and a map of Manassas. Octavo, two volumes bound in full cloth with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, illustrated with 16 full-page steel engraved portraits including two frontispieces, three facsimiles of letters between the author and Abraham Lincoln, index, publisher's advertisements. Eicher 174. Howes S938. In near fine condition.
Price: $850.00 Item Number: 132870
-
Jonathan Edward's A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God in the Conversion of Many Hundred Souls in Northampton
EDWARDS, Jonathan.
A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God in the Conversion of Many Hundred Souls in Northampton, and the Neighboring Towns and Villages of New-Hampshire and New-England [AND] True Grace, Distinguished from the Experience of Devils.
Elizabeth-Town, NJ: Shepard Kollock, 1790.
Rare early example of this essay about the process of Christian conversion in Northampton, Massachusetts, during the Great Awakening, which emanated from Edwards' congregation in 1734, to which is added 'True Grace,' a sermon preached by Edwards before the Synod of New York. Duodecimo, original boards, rebacked. In very good condition with rubbing to the boards, some dampstaining, antiquarian ownership inscription to the rear flyleaf.
Price: $2,000.00 Item Number: 146579
-
"I always proudly said 'I am a Baptist and a Democrat' ": First Edition of Rebekah Baines Johnson's A Family Album; inscribed by Lyndon B. Johnson to white house correspondent jack horner
JOHNSON, Rebekah Baines. Introduction by Lyndon B. Johnson.
A Family Album.
New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1965.
First edition of this work documenting Lyndon B. Johnson's family tree, prepared for him by his mother as a Christmas present to her son. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated. Introduction by Lyndon Baines Johnson. Association copy, inscribed by Lyndon B. Johnson on the dedication page, "To Jack and Leota Horner from your friend and admirer Lyndon B. Johnson." The recipient, White House Correspondent Garnett D. Jack Horner, served as President of the White House Correspondents Association and covered Presidents from FDR to Gerald Ford. President Johnson often invited favored reporters to the LBJ Ranch, including Horner on multiple occasions throughout…
Price: $425.00 Item Number: 110560
-
"The inspiration for Theodore Roosevelt's The Naval War of 1812": First edition of William James' A Full and Correct Account of the Chief Naval Occurrences of the Late War Between Great Britain and The United States of America
JAMES, William.
A Full and Correct Account of the Chief Naval Occurrences of the Late War Between Great Britain and The United States of America; Preceded by a Cursory Examination of the American Accounts of Their Naval Actions Fought Previous to That Period.
London: Printed for T. Egerton, 1817.
First edition of James' naval history of the War of 1812, which inspired Theodore Roosevelt's account from the American perspective: The Naval War of 1812. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt ruling to the spine and panels, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, rebacked. In very good condition.
Price: $900.00 Item Number: 132919
-
"First in War, first in Peace, and first in the Hearts of His Countrymen": Exceedingly Rare First Appearance in Print of Washington's Funeral Oration
[WASHINGTON, George].
A Funeral Oration in Honor of the Memory of George Washington. Late General of the Armies of the United States.
Philadelphia: Hall & Sellers, January 15, 1800.
Exceedingly rare first appearance in print of Washington's Funeral Oration, featured on the front page of the Wednesday, January 15 1800 issue of the Pennsylvania Gazette. Folio, four pages, the headline reads, "A Funeral Oration in Honor of the Memory of George Washington. Late General of the Armies of the United States. Prepared and Delivered at the Request of Congress, at the German Lutheran Church, on Thursday, the 26th of December, By Major-General Henry Lee, One of the Representatives from the State of Virginia." Washington's eulogy was delivered by Major-General Henry Lee to both Houses of Congress and a crowd…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 126803
-
First edition of James Ward's A History of Gold
WARD, James.
A History of Gold as a Commodity and as a Measure of Value Its Fluctuations both in Ancient and Modern Times with an Estimate of the Probable Supplies from California to Australia.
London: William S. Orr & Co, c. 1850.
First edition of Ward's extensive survey of gold and gold mining, published at the height of the California Gold Rush. Octavo, original wrappers bound in full goatskin, retaining a section of the hand-colored folding map of the Gold Regions of Victoria and New South Wales. In near fine condition. Ownership inscription to the front panel of the original wrapper. Rare.
Price: $3,800.00 Item Number: 117088
-
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed": First Edition of A History of the 90th Division in World War II; Signed by General Dwight Eisenhower
EISENHOWER, Dwight D.
A History of the 90th Division in World War II: 6 June 1944 to 9 May 1945.
Baton Rouge, LA: Army & Navy Publishing Company , 1946.
First edition of this work on the 90th division in World II. Quarto, original leatherette boards, cartographic endpapers, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by General Dwight Eisenhower on the title page, "To Skippe Sheppard Best wishes from Dwight D. Eisenhower." The recipient, Captain Harlo John Sheppard was in the 712th Tank Division, with his name and notes throughout. In very good condition. Rare and desirable signed by Eisenhower, this is the first example we have seen.
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 140008
-
The Documentary Edition of Woodrow Wilson's The History of the American People; Finely Bound
WILSON, Woodrow.
A History of the American People.
New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1918.
The Documentary edition of this classic work. Octavo, 10 volumes, three quarters morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, top edge gilt, marble endpapers, contains numerous plates and illustrations. In very good condition.
Price: $1,850.00 Item Number: 140457
-
Scarce first edition of Frederick Studebaker Fish's A Hunting Trip in Jackson's Hole, Wyoming, October 1913; in the original wrappers
FISH, Frederick Studebaker.
A Hunting Trip in Jackson’s Hole, Wyoming, October 1913.
South Bend, Indiana: Privately Printed, 1913.
Scarce first edition of this detailed narrative of a month-long hunting trip throughout Jackson's Hole, Wyoming. Octavo, original pictorial wrappers with gilt titles as issued, 8 engraved plates incorporating captioned photographs and illustrations. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom quarter morocco and chemise slipcase. Scarce, Worldcat locates only 2 other copies.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 95343
-
Rare Wrapper Edition of A Journey Through Kansas; with Sketches of Nebraska
BOYNTON, C.B. and T.B. Mason.
A Journey Through Kansas; with Sketches of Nebraska: Describing the Country, Climate, Soil, Mineral, Manufacturing, and Other Resources.
Cincinnati : Moore, Wilstach, Keys, 1855.
Rare wrapper-bound issue of the second book on Kansas. Octavo, original wrappers, with a folding map of Nebraska and Kansas by Boynton. The pictorial advertisement for the publisher on the rear wrapper features a picture of the establishment. With "Sixth Thousand!" printed at the top of the front wrapper. In good condition with some wear to the spine and extremities. Housed in a custom half morocco and chemise case. Rare and desirable.
Price: $1,600.00 Item Number: 76010
-
Rare 1791 London edition of Thomas Paine's A Letter Addressed to the Abbe Raynal, on the Affairs of North-America
PAINE, Thomas.
A Letter Addressed to the Abbe Raynal, on the Affairs of North-America. In Which the Mistakes in the Abbes Account of the Revolution of America Are Corrected and Cleared Up.
London: Printed for J. Ridgway, 1791.
1791 London edition of Paine's passionate reply to the Abbe Raynal, preceded by the 1782 Philadelphia and London editions Octavo, bound in half diced calf over marbled boards, all edges speckled red. In very good condition. Bookplate to the pastedown. Ownership name to the title page. Rare.
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 134029
-
First edition of Henry Adams' A Letter to American Teachers of History; signed by him
ADAMS, Henry.
A Letter to American Teachers of History.
Washington, D.C.: Privately Printed at the Press of J. H. Furst Co. Baltimore, 1910.
First edition of Adams' classic treatise on education. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by Henry Adams at the conclusion of the introduction. From the library of Charles H. Rammelkamp, Jr. with his ownership signature to the front free endpaper. Charles H. Rammelkamp, Jr. was an American scientist and physician. He discovered that streptococcus can cause rheumatic fever and nephritic syndrome, for which, he received the Lasker Award. He was a longtime professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. In near fine condition. Bookplate. A nice example with noted provenance.
Price: $750.00 Item Number: 131944
-
Rare early printing of Elbert Hubbard's A Message to Garcia: Being A Preachment; inscribed by First Lieutenant Andrew Summers Rowan, Elbert Hubbard and Elbert Hubbard II
HUBBARD, Elbert.
A Message to Garcia: Being A Preachment.
Aurora, New York: Done Into a Booklet by The Roycrofters, 1903.
Rare early printing of Hubbard's best-selling work on individual initiative and conscientiousness in work, signed by the author and First Lieutenant Andrew Summers Rowan. Octavo, original publisher's full limp suede, titles to the front panel stamped in gilt, watered moiré silk endleaves, wide decorative arts and crafts border to the title page. Presentation copy, inscribed on the front free endpaper by American army officer Andrew Summers Rowan (the dramatized protagonist of the essay), "Very sincerely your friend, A.S. Rowan," signed by the author, "Elbert Hubbard" and inscribed by Hubbard's son, Elbert Hubbard II on the same page, "July 1, 1961…
Price: $2,800.00 Item Number: 143282
-
Rare early printing of Elbert Hubbard's A Message to Garcia: Being A Preachment; signed by Elbert Hubbard
HUBBARD, Elbert.
A Message to Garcia: Being A Preachment.
East Aurora, New York: Done Into a Booklet by The Roycrofters, December, 1908.
Rare early printing of Hubbard's best-selling work on individual initiative and conscientiousness in work. 16mo, original publisher's full limp suede, titles to the front panel stamped in gilt, watered moiré silk endleaves. Signed by the author on a tipped in photographic frontispiece portrait, "Elbert Hubbard." In good condition.
Price: $1,250.00 Item Number: 143539