Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - December - 2005 Issue
Latest Update from Manhattan Rare Books
Electronic offering of latest titles from the Manhattan Rare Book Company.
By Michael Stillman
We have received the most recent electronic update to the catalogues published by The Manhattan Rare Book Company. For those not familiar, Manhattan Rare Book is a New York dealer offering titles in a wide range of subjects. Included among its many fields are science and technology, pre-1900 literature, modern firsts, history and politics, Americana, art, medicine, and children's books. The common thread is that Manhattan does specialize in top tier books. This is a bookseller you should consult if looking for the most important works in these fields. Here are a few of the items on their latest electronic list of new offerings.
Annalen der Physik, by Albert Einstein. This 1905 paper (offered is a first printing in rare, original wrappers) led to his discovery expressed in the famed equation, E =mc2, something we all know even if we don't really understand it. Priced at $8,500.
The Collected Poems of Robert Frost, published in 1930. It is in fine condition with a virtually fine rare original dust jacket. It is signed by Frost, dated 1930, and noted as signed in Amherst. $3,000.
A first edition of The Christopher Robin Birthday Book. This A.A. Milne 1930 classic contains quotes and words of wisdom from the creatures who inhabited the Hundred Acre Wood. Not really, of course. Milne made them all up himself. $2,800.
A 1905 typed and signed letter from Thomas Edison to James W. Caples concerning the purchase of cobalt ore. Edison believed he could use metallic cobalt to construct a better battery. $2,600.
Walt Whitman's Democratic Vistas, an 1871 first printing in original wrappers. It combined Whitman's optimism for America with post-Civil War reality. Don't be fooled by the "75 cents" price on the cover. It now goes for $2,800.
The 27-page commentary between Mission Control in Houston and the crew of the lunar landing module Eagle during their landing on the moon. It was issued to reporters by Mission Control shortly after the landing took place. It includes Neil Armstrong's famous words, "That's one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind." $1,400.
The Photographic History of the Civil War, a 10-volume set produced by Francis Trevelyan Miller. This set remains one of the best sources of photographs from that terrible conflict. This is a first edition from 1911. $1,800.
The six-volume The Second World War, by Winston Churchill, published 1948-54. Churchill said, "History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it." We think history would have been kind to Churchill even if he didn't write it. Nonetheless, it is quite amazing to find a complete history of such a major event written by someone who was a critical participant. Who knows what the world would be today were it not for this great man. $1,850.
You may find the Manhattan Rare Book Company online at www.manhattanrarebooks.com or call them at 212-326-8907.
