Search Results: First Editions by oliver wendell holmes

Boston: Ticknor, Reed & Fields, 1850. First Edition. Hardcover. Dampstain to slightly more than the lower half of nearly all of the pages but not affecting the inscription. Spine, as is usually the case, partly eroded. Still Very Good. One could not hope for a better association. BAL 8757: First Printing, State B (A?), Binding A of original glazed boards; 39 pages: 2500 copies printed of this poem delivered at the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Yale College on 14 August 1850. INSCRIBED and SIGNED by the author on the front endpaper: "H. W. Longfellow/With the compliments of/O. W. Holmes." An absolutely superb presentation copy linking two giants of nineteenth century American Literature. With the bookplate of the Longfellow Collection of Harvard College Library on the front pastedown, deaccessioned.

1918. Presentation Copies from Oliver Wendell Holmes and Felix Frankfurter Inscribed to Harlan Fiske Stone Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr. [1841-1935]. Speeches. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1918. [vi], 103 pp. Original printed paper boards. Light soiling, somewhat heavier on spine, moderate rubbing to extremities with some wear to spine ends and corners. Moderate toning to text, author inscription to front free endpaper. [Boxed with] Frankfurter, Felix [1882-1965]. Mr. Justice Holmes and The Supreme Court. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1938. 137 pp. Frontispiece. Original cloth, gilt title to spine. Light rubbing to extremities with light wear to spine ends and corners, light fading to spine. Moderate toning to interior, author inscription to front free endpaper. Books, each in a cloth flap folder, housed in handsome two-compartment cloth slipcase, quarter morocco spine with raised bands, gilt ornaments and gilt title reading: Of Holmes Frankfurter & Stone, Books and Inscriptions. $7,500.… Read More

Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1838. 8vo. xiv, (2), 371 pp. Folding map frontispiece, state borders outlined by hand in colors. Brown ribbon-embossed cloth (oak-leaf and acorn pattern), gilt spine title. A couple of short closed splits at the spine extremities and a few scattered spots of light foxing in the text. A handsome, near fine copy. First edition. Holmes's first book of prose and first book in medicine, comprising three essays: "Dissertation on Intermittent Fever in New England" (which the map accompanies), "Dissertation on Neuralgia," and "Dissertation on Direct Exploration." On the front free endpaper, this copy is inscribed by the author, "Mr. W.H. Page from his friend O.W. Holmes," for William Hussey Page, a prominent Boston physician of the time who later moved west. Beneath the inscription the recipient added a date "Feb. 18, 1852." and "Vol. 98"; the latter designation he repeated and added his name "Wm. H. Page" on the final text leaf. The Boylston Prize awards helped the… Read More

Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1838. Hardcover. Fine. First edition. Octavo. 8vo. xiv, (2), 371pp. Folding map frontispiece with the state borders outlined by hand in colors. Brown ribbon-embossed cloth (oak-leaf and acorn pattern), gilt spine title. A couple of short closed tears at the spinal extremities and a few scattered spots of light foxing in the text. A lovely, very near fine copy. Holmes's first book of prose and first medical book, comprising three essays: "Dissertation on Intermittent Fever in New England" (which the map accompanies), "Dissertation on Neuralgia," and "Dissertation on Direct Exploration." This copy is Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper to William Hussey Page, a prominent Boston physician of the time who later moved west: "Mr. W.H. Page from his friend O.W. Holmes." Beneath the inscription the recipient has added a date "Feb. 18, 1852." and "Vol. 98"; the latter designation he repeated and added his name "Wm. H. Page" on the final text leaf. The… Read More

Boston: Ginn, Heath, and Company, 1884. First Edition. Wraps. Browning to the paper, wear to the very upper right corner. Very Good, important, and scarce. Reprinted from the Boston Daily Advertiser, by the Author's permission. First Separate Edition in self-printed stitched wraps (5" x 7-1/2"), 12 pages, of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.'s first printed speech, a celebration of his comrades, Union and Confederate, who gave their lives in the War Between the States, interwoven with themes of conciliation and high moral purpose, as well as the shadow the war still cast upon those who survived it. INSCRIBED to Mrs. Lockwood and SIGNED by the future Supreme Court Justice at the top of the front with "DEAD, YET LIVING" crossed out twice by Holmes. "Such hearts--ah me, how many!--were stilled twenty years ago; and to us who remain behind is left this day of memories. Every year--in the full tide of spring, at the height of the symphony of flowers and love and life--there comes a pause, and through the silence… Read More

Cambridge: Houghton Mifflin & Co. The Riverside Press, 1886. Grouped among the fireside poets, American physician and poet Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. was acclaimed by his peers as one of the best writers of the day. His most famous prose works are the "Breakfast-Table" series, which began with The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table (1858). He was also an important medical reformer. In addition to his work as an author and poet, Holmes also served as a physician, professor, lecturer, inventor, and, although he never practiced it, he received formal training in law.

1928. Autographed photograph of Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, signed and dated February 2, 1932. Double matted and framed. The entire piece measures 14.5 inches by 13 inches.

Boston: Phillips, Sampson and Company, 1859. First edition, Large Paper printing. 8 plates, integral but not reckoned in pagination. Title-page in black and red. [ii], viii, 373 pp. 1 vols. Tall 8vo (8-5/16 x 5-1/2 inches). Publisher's beveled maroon pebbled cloth, spine lettered in gilt, blindstamped frame to covers, a.e.g. Head of spine repaired, front joint split, inner hinges strengthened with binder's tape. Neat contemporary ownership marks to preliminaries. Internally fine. First edition, Large Paper printing. 8 plates, integral but not reckoned in pagination. Title-page in black and red. [ii], viii, 373 pp. 1 vols. Tall 8vo (8-5/16 x 5-1/2 inches). Signed by Holmes, Jr. Signed in blue ink and dated May 23, 1930, by then Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. BAL 9093, binding A; Currier-Tilton pp 73-4

1920. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Howe, 1920. 1st ed.. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Howe, 1920. 1st ed. Inscribed by Holmes to a Former Clerk Who Became a Prominent Lawyer, Businessman and Philanthropist Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr. [1841-1935]. Collected Legal Papers. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Howe, 1920. vii, 316 pp. Original cloth, printed paper title label to spine, deckle edges. Light fading to spine and joints, a few chips to edges of spine label, spine ends and corners bumped and lightly worn, hinges cracked. Moderate toning to interior, inscription "Irving S. Olds/ from his affectionate friend/ Oliver Wendell Holmes/ March 5, 1924" to front free endpaper. Book housed in later lightly edgeworn slipcase, quarter morocco over cloth, raised bands and gilt title to spine, which has a bit of fading, a few minor smudges to cloth. An appealing copy in an attractive slipcase. $3,500. * First edition. A valuable compilation, this volume contains Holmes's most famous speeches and papers from 1885… Read More

Boston: Philips Sampson; Ticknor; Osgood, 1858, 1860, 1872. First editions of the work that gained Oliver Wendell Holmes international fame. Octavo, three volumes, original cloth. With full page illustrations and vignettes by H.M. Brock throughout including tissue-guarded frontispieces. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom case. A beautiful set. A member of the Fireside poets, American physician, poet, and polymath Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. was acclaimed by his peers as one of the best writers of the day. His most famous prose works are the "Breakfast-Table" series, which began with The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table (1858), which first appeared in Atlantic Monthly and later became a three volume series.

Boston: Phillips, Sampson and Company, 1858. First Edition. 1st edition, 1st issue, with period after Company and vignette title present. Octavo, attractively rebound in brown calf, with the original cloth (with three fleur-de-lis) preserved at rear, gilt-decorated spine, morocco labels, silk endpapers, top edge gilt, uncut, viii, 373 pp. Frontis. portrait, vignette title. (BAL 8781; Grolier American 100, 69.) With a four-page Autograph Letter Signed by the author laid-in. The letter is dated Oct. 19, 1877, and is addressed to his then publisher, "Dear Mr. Osgood," with Holmes' comments regarding "Miss [Elizabeth Stuart] Phelps's Story of Avis." Holmes' observations include, "She writes with power, with analytical insight, with passion and frightens one almost with her lifts of aspiration... and it is refreshing to get a few wild-notes of humanity from it, such as she gives now and then." At the time of the letter, James Osgood was both Holmes' and Phelps' publisher. The Phelps title has been… Read More

Boston: Phillips, Sampson and Company, 1858. First Edition, First Issue, with period following the word “Company,” in the imprint and vignette title; binding with three fleur-de-lis (BAL 8781; Grolier, American 100, 69). Duodecimo, rebound in modern goat, preserving the original pebbled brown cloth that is decorated in blind with curved borders, circular device at center and four ringed fleur-de-lis, morocco labels, top edge gilt, silk endpapers, [i-ii], [i]-373 pp. BAL 8781; Grolier American 100, 69). With Holmes’ Impressions of Elizabeth Stuart Phelps’ Classic, The STory of Avis. Laid-in this copy is a 4-page Autograph Letter Signed by Holmes, dated Oct. 19th, 1877, opening, “Dear Mr. Osgood // My small dual house - / hold has been reading / Miss [Elizabeth Stuart] Phelps’s Story of Avis / with very great interest. / I was the last of the two / to read it, having been / much occupied when it / came. I am very willing / to let others criticise its / details and will content /… Read More

1932.

Boston: Phillips, Sampson & Company, 1858. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine. BOOK IS IN NEAR FINE CONDITION BEAUTIFULLY BOUND BY ROWFANT IN FULL CRUSHED MOROCCO WITH BRIGHT GILT RULE AND DETAILS TO BOARDS, SIX COMPARTMENTS AND FIVE RAISED BANDS TO SPINE WITH BRIGHT GILT DETAILS AND TITLE. BINDING AND HINGES ARE VERY GOOD, MARBLED END PAPERS, PASTE DOWNS AND BRIGHT GILT END PAGES. NO LOOSE OR MISSING PAGES, PAGES ARE BRIGHT AND CLEAN, WITHOUT MARKS AND MINIMAL FOXING. ILLUSTRATED, BOOK MEASURES 7.25"x4.75". FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING, ALS TIPPED IN FRONT OF BOOK SIGNED BY OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES. 165 YEARS OLD. A STUNNING EXAMPLE IN SCARCE ROWFANT BINDING..

First Edition. BAL State B, lacking illustrations. Inscribed by Holmes on the front free endpaper. Very rare thus. Overall very good in publishers beveled terra-cotta, pebble, embossed cloth. All edges gilt. Tear and chipping to head and tail of spine; front and rear cover hinges starting. Some bumping to corners. Internally, text is clean, bright and unmarred. First published in 1858, this is one of Holmes' more popular literary works. The novel is a series of essays, featuring a collection of boarders who gather around a table, providing an audience for the wit and philosophy of the Autocrat. The essays take the form of conversations that generally develop into monologues. Cleverly and epigrammatically, the seemingly disconnected, is unified by the recurring themes and personalities. 8vo (8-5/16 x 5-1/2 inches. [ii], viii, 373 pp. Overall, a very good and scarce signed copy of this famous work.

1891. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1891. 1st ed.. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1891. 1st ed. Presentation Copy Inscribed by Holmes Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr. [1841-1935]. Speeches. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1891. [v], 55 pp. Octavo (8-1/4" x 5-1/2"). Original cloth, title in gilt to front board, top-edge gilt, deckle fore and bottom-edges. Light soiling and some discoloration to boards, spine darkened, rubbing to extremities with some wear to spine ends and corners, light toning to interior, faint dampstaining to upper corner of text block and rear board, light foxing to a few leaves. Presentation inscription from Holmes, clipped from shipping envelope, tipped-in to front free endpaper. Book housed in a custom clamshell box, quarter morocco over cloth, raised bands and gilt title to spine. $2,500. * First edition. The inscription reads: "Mrs. Hill/ From the Author." Holmes published two subsequent editions of this work, adding later speeches, but the 1891 version is the most… Read More

[Philadelphia]: G.W. Childs, 1864. Unbound. Near Fine. First edition, printing A. Approximately 6.5" x 12". Printed on woven paper. Hymn with both text and musical notation, with the pictorial Seal of the Great Sanitary Fair as header. Old folds with tiniest tears at the edges and a little age-toning, near fine. Presumably sold at the fair to raise funds for the relief of the troops. *BAL 8833* Printing A (three printings noted, no priority established). *OCLC* locates one copy of Printing A [on paper] and two copies of Printing B [on silk].

Boston: Phillips, Sampson and Company, 1858. First edition. 8vo. Engraved vignette title-page and 8 plates, letterpress title-page printed in red and black. viii, 373, [1] pp. Publisher's brown cloth, covers stamped in blind with ornate frame with curved inner corners, spine titled in gilt and stamped with 4 gilt rings (3 with fleur-de-lis and 1 with publisher's monogram), publisher's advertisements on endpapers (BAL binding A); small circular wormhole to cloth on rear joint, slight gouge to lower margin of first few leaves, still a remarkably fresh copy, in a custom brown cloth slipcase and chemise A fine first edition of the fictionalized table talk of Oliver Wendell Holmes, the epitome of the intellectual Boston Brahmin ethos. Contains two of his most celebrated poems, "The Deacon's Masterpiece or The Wonderful One-Hoss Shay" and "The Chambered Nautilus." The Autocrat originated with two early essays published under that title in the New England Magazine in 1831 and 1832. Holmes reused the title… Read More

1881. Boston: Little, Brown, And Company, 1881.. Boston: Little, Brown, And Company, 1881. First Edition of The Common Law in the Scarce Law-Calf Binding Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr. [1841-1935]. The Common Law. Boston: Little, Brown, And Company, 1881. [i]-xvi, 422 pp. Octavo (8-1/4" x 5-1/4"). Original law calf, rebacked retaining existing spine with raised bands and lettering piece, blind frames to boards, hinges mended. A few light scuffs to boards, a few small chips to board edges, faint creases to spine, corners bumped and moderately worn, early owner signature (Samuel L. Morris, Jr., 1/13/1908) to front and rear pastedowns. Moderate toning to interior, offsetting, light soiling and a few tiny chips to edges of endleaves. $1,750. * First edition, second issue, with the one-line printer statement reading "The University Press, Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A." at foot of the title page, verso, and foot of p. 422. As Friedman points out, "The Common Law was easily the most distinguished book on law by an… Read More

Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1881. First Edition . Russet Cloth. Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. First Edition, First Issue with the two-line printer's imprint on the copyright page repeated with an ampersand on page 422. Some shelf wear and rubbing at top and bottom of spine and corners; front hinge broken; some pencilled underlining and side-lining in text. Previous owner's signature (J. M. Davis) in pencil on rear end paper. Holmes served as chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court from 1899 until 1902. In 1902 he was appointed to the United States Supreme Court by President Theodore Roosevelt, a position he held until his retirement in 1932.