Original map printed in the year 1739 in Nuremberg, Germany, titled in cartouche at upper left "Imperii Russici et Tartariae Universiae", published by the heirs of important cartographer Johann Baptiste Homanns. The attractive map shows most of Asia from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, and from the Arctic Ocean to India, including the Korean peninsula, Japan, and Taiwan. The map measures 20" by 22 1/2" inside the mat and 25 1/2" by 28" as framed. Condition is excellent...

An interesting view of the monumental Hagia Sophia rising above houses on either side and a man standing in a square(?) that is probably some distance from the mosque but with the perspective appears quite close. No writing in the negative and the identification of the view in pencil appears later than the image which is around 1880. It is attached to a thin paper page that from the roughness of the back side might have been an album page that was separated. The mat is protective...

An oversize albumen photograph of the exterior front of the Beylerbeyi Palace on the Bosporus Strait in Istanbul. The palace was built from 1861 to 1865 as an Imperial summer residence. The photograph is by Pascal Sebah. In the lower left in the negative, “38. Palais du Sultan a Beyler Bey,” on the lower right also in the negative, “P...

An oversize albumen photograph of the exterior of the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul by the photographer Pascal Sebah. The view is taken from outside a stone wall pierced with grilled windows. The monumental structure rises behind the wall. Pascal Sebah (1823-1886) was born in Constantinople. His photographic studio there opened in 1857. In the lower left in the negative, “68. Mosquee St. Sophia” and lower right “P. Sebah.” The image is 10 ¼ x 13 1/8 inches (26 x 33 cm)...

An albumen photograph of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque also known as the “Blue Mosque” in Istanbul (Constantinople), Turkey by Pascal Sebah taken circa 1880. The photograph is 10 ¼ by 13 ¼ inches (26 by 33.5 cm). It is mounted with clear photo corners in a 16 by 20 inch mat (40.5 by 50 cm). Printed on the photograph from the negative in the lower left, “58. Mosquee Sultan Akmed” and in the lower right “P Sebah.”

Condition; generally excellent...

A well composed albumen photograph of the Mosque of Sultan Sulieman with the Golden Horn in the distance. In the distance to the very far left of the photograph is the Hagia Sophia. In the golden Horn are both sailing ships and steamers. Written in pencil on the mount in the lower left is, “Constnatinople/Mosque of Sultan Suleyman/& the Golden Horn.” The image is 6 x8 inches (15 x20 cm)...

This is a HAND DRAWN map, not a print of any kind, probably crafted, with great care, by an American school child, who did not add his or her name, but did date this in the year 1809. The title is "A Map of SPAIN & PORTUGAL from the best Authorities". Unframed, it measures 16 1/8" by 20 3/4". The work contains amazing, loving detail, with towns, rivers, provinces, even mountain ranges, drawn in. The provinces are outlined and colored, creating a patchwork effect that adds to the appeal...

Fine antique copper engraving map of Asia from the eastern Mediterranean to the western Pacific, with hand coloring, by Dutch cartographers Gerardo and Leonardo Valk, circa 1710. The map measures 20" by 24" and is laid down to a board as is often seen. Margins are adequate...

Albumen photograph depicting the city of Damascus in the distance with a town in the middle distance and a man standing in a graveyard toward the foreground. Written in the negative lower left, “Bonfils” and lower right, “402...

Albumen photograph of the quay from across the water at Port Said with what is, I think, the light house that was built in 1869 and architecturally important because of the early, if not the first, use of reinforced concrete. Written in the negative, lower left, “Lankaki” and lower right, “Quai du Port Said.” The Zangaki brothers who often wrote Langaki were among the early photographers of Egypt. Photograph mounted on thin card and matted. Image 8 5/8 x 11 1/8 inches (22 x 28.5 cm). Mat...

An albumen photograph of the Kas Mahal, the Royal residence inside the Red Fort at Agra built by Shah Jahan from 1632 to 1640. The photo shows the building and in the distance on the right the Taj Mahal. Signed in the negative, “Rust,” and possibly with the number 8. Also, on the reverse is the photographer’s stamp. Thomas A. Rust (English, 1841-1904). The image is 8 x 9 7/8 inches (20.5 x 25 cm). the mat is 16 x 20 inches (40.5 x 51 cm).

Condition: generally good with some internal c...

An albumen photograph by Felis Bonfils (French 1829-1885) showing a group of dahabiya moored on Gezira Island with the original Kasr el Nil bridge over the Nile at Cairo showing in the background. The bridge opened in 1872. Dahabiya were boats for tourists cruising up the Nile to either Luxor or Aswan on trips lasting respectively about forty or fifty days. These were luxury tourist accommodation and the central experience of a tour of Egypt in the late 19th century. At the time of this photogr...

A sepia toned silver print of a Bedouin shepherd with his flock grazing on sparsely covered ground below a hill. In the lower right corner is the blind stamp, “American Colony/Jerusalem.” The original dates from around 1920 and this would appear to be a print of roughly that age. The Number 161 is stamped on the back. The photograph is 8 ¼ x 11 ¼ inches includes a thin margin.

Condition: excellent. There are a few minor creases in the interior of the image, probably from being rolled ...

A handwritten letter mounted on an old board, along with old photographic reproductions of two of the artist's works, by well listed French 19th century artist JEAN-JACQUES HENNER (1829-1905). The letter is entirely in French, written in old brown ink, on one page (though there are three other unused sides), and is undated. An old mat with hand-drawn and painted borders (removable) is fitted over openings made for the letter and photos. Henner is renowned for his portraits and depictions of a...

Very nicely presented, wall-ready antique map centered on the Americas, 1784, by Paris-based late 18th century cartographer Jean Janvier. The map, 19" by 25 3/4"inside the mat and 30 3/4" by 36 3/4" in new black ornate frame, is generally in fresh, clean condition, with center fold and some unevenness of the paper, which photographs as shadows or brown areas. The map features an interesting cartouche at upper left, including a beaver dam along a stream, which is bordered by palm trees on one s...

An albumen photograph of the Ghats from across the River Ganges. On the shore below the photographer is a man in the stern of a small boat and another boat to the far left with a large expanse of river dividing them from the bathing Ghats lined up on the far bank of the Ganges. The studio stamp for Thomas A. Rust (English, 1841-1904) is on the back. Also, on the back in pencil, “General view of Bathing Ghats Benares.” 8 1/8 x 10 7/8 inches (20.5 x 28 cm). Unmounted.

Condition: Foxing ...

An unsigned albumen photograph titled in the negative in the lower left, “590. Shachem (Nablous).” The photograph depicts trees in the foreground, a crumbling square stone tower, the city of Nablus and the hills beyond. It is mounted on tan paper. The image is 6 1/8 x 8 1/8 inches (15.5 x 20.5 cm) mounted in a 10 x 13 inches (25 x 33 cm) mat.

Condition: Good with small surface imperfections and a little discoloration along the left edge.

An albumen photograph of the Swedish flagged Olga on the Nile river. The riverboats were known as dahabiya and typically travelled from Cairo upriver to either Luxor or Aswan on a forty or fifty day journey. Travel on one of these dahabiya was usually luxurious, for the times. The flag on the stern mast is that of Sweden, the one on the foremast is that of Egypt, then part of the Ottoman Empire. Very faintly signed in the negative lower left, “Lengaki” and in the lower right, “No. 613. Dah...

An original copper plate engraved map, with hand coloring of country outlines, and also in the cartouche, titled there, at lower left, "A Map of Turky, Arabia and Persia", the first edition by Georges de l'Isle in 1701, this being the somewhat later revised 1721 edition by noted cartographer of the day John Senex (1678-ca. 1740). This map, 19" by 23" (22 1/2" by 26 1/2" as framed) was considered to be the first modern map of the Arabian Peninsula before the middle of the 18th century. The geog...

For the collector of Victoriana or autographs of noted writers, here is an authentic signature of the English 19th century novelist and satirist WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY (1811-1863), found on what appears to be a library slip. The writing on the slip refers to the borrowing of the book "Histoire de la Reine Zarah et les Zarasiens", 1712. This little piece of history gives some indication of the reading habits of the famous author. Condition of the slip is typical of what would be expected...

An albumen photograph of the Arc de Triomphe at the top of Champs Elysée in Paris France. It is by the unknown photographer E.F.. Titled in a thin margin at the bottom of the negative, “26 (E.F.) Paris – Arc-de-Triomphe.” The photograph is mounted on thin white cardboard. On the back is stamped, November Club, presumably the owner at one time. The image is 8 5/8 x 11 1/8 inches (22 x 28.5 cm). the backing is 14 x 17 ½ inches (35.5 x 43 cm).

Condition: the image is clean and without t...

An albumen photograph of a gargoyle located high on Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Unknown photographer. Written in the negative in the lower right, “1003, Paris Notre Dame.” The gargoyle emerges from the waist up with a human torso, a dragons ridge on the back of the elongated neck, pointed ears, deep sunk eyes and a slit for a nostril in a rounded snout. 10 ½ x 8 inches (27 x 20 cm) mounted with transparent corners in a 16 x 20 inch (40.5 x 51 cm) mat. The photograph is stuck to a slightl...

An albumen photograph of an entrance and most of one wing of the Louvre from the roof of another wing. Titled in the negative 0n the lower close to center, “LE LOUVRE,” and with the photographer’s red stamped signature, “Achille Quintet” on the backboard just below the photograph on the lower right, Faintly in the lower right corner in the negative is the number 62. The photo is 7 3/8 x 9 5/8 inches (19 cm x 24. 5 cm) mounted on white thin cardboard 11 ¼ x 15 inches (28.5 x 38 cm).

...

Of considerable historical interest, a black and white photograph of renowned American late 20th century political figure EDMUND MUSKIE (March 28, 1914 – March 26, 1996), inscribed at bottom margin in felt tip pen "To Steve/with the bet wishes of a friend/Ed Muskie". Muskie was an American politician with a long record of public service. He served as a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1946 to 1951, was the 64th Governor of Maine from 1955 to 1959, a United States Senator fro...

An original sepia-toned photograph of a middle aged man and his bicycle, with pencil note on the reverse side "Taken on Riverside Park/July 1898 by Sadie Coger", and again on black backing paper "My Dad taken/N New Jersey". The bicycle certainly seems to be quite an advanced model for its time, resembling strongly today's models. There is no glass, frame is simple strip wood, and photo is loose. Small framing nail penetrates wood of frame. A charming survivor of an earlier age, from a South ...

A letter typed on US Senate stationery, dated June 3, 1966, hand signed in brown ink by Ted Kennedy (1932-2009) when he was on the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. The senator was responding to correspondence from a George McCullough of New York City, which evidently dealt with McCullough's concerns about sharply increased LSD use in the United States. This letter was written about three years before the infamy of Chappaquiddick, when Kennedy would have been a senator for only about four...

A group of 21 handwritten, typed and printed documents from northern Mexico, dating to the turn of the century, (the earliest, 1885, the latest, 1905, with most clustered between 1896 and 1901), one of those documents actually signed in ink by Porfirio Diaz, (1830-1915), the Mexican general and politician who for seven terms totaling over 30 years was the president of Mexico. Diaz led troops against the French-imposed rule of Emperor Maximilian, and his success in the 1862-1867 campaign was int...

Antique early map of central England's Oxfordshire county, by cartographer Robert Morden, originally published in 1695. This map is nicely hand colored. It measures 17" by 15" inside the green mat and 24" by 22" framed (no glass). The mat was seemingly permanently affixed over the margins of the map by the framer, but the central portion of the map does not appear to be laid down as there is play to the surface. There is central horizontal crease and slight handling creases in the field. No...

A miniature size hand written in Latin manuscript page, double sided, measuring 4 1/4" by 3", and 8 1/2" by 6 1/2" nicely framed, likely of religious content. Written neatly in brown ink with red capitals in places, much as would be seen in an antiphonal sheet. Condition of this little item, a survivor at many hundreds of years old, is excellent.

Original faded green ink pen signature and dedication by the famous heavyweight boxing champion and cultural icon of the 1920's, JACK DEMPSEY (1895-1983). The dedication reads "To the Old Boy himself my friend John Early Best Wishes Jack Dempsey Nov 22 -22 Memphis. Tenn", all written on top of a sepia-toned photo of the champ in his boxing days. Evidently the photo was long-ago cut down to become principally an outline, the top half of his body and lower legs dramatically standing out against ...

Original, HAND SIGNED AND INSCRIBED black and white photo from 1965, of the 36th president of the United States, LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON (1908-1973). Johnson became president upon the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas in 1963. He was elected to the office on his own in 1964. A Democrat, he oversaw the ramping up of the war in Vietnam and landmark social legislation. The photo is inscribed to one Ellen Oshim. The writing reads "To Ellen Oshim/with best wishes. / Lyndon B Johnson". On...

Ballpoint pen inscribed and signed black and white photograph of quarterback Bill Nelsen of the Cleveland Browns, circa early 1970's, the dedication reading "--Bob-- Best of luck in your future/your cousin Bill Nelsen". The photo measures 9 7/8" by 7". It is loose but protected in a simple inexpensive frame. Bill Nelsen (born 1941) was part of the 1962 national championship team at USC, and went on to a long career in pro football, as a player with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Br...

A black and white 1950's photo of the famous Argentine, Juan Peron (1895-1974), inscribed in ink at bottom "al senor Herbert He. Jillson, con gran afecto/Buenos Aires, 18 febrero 1955/Juan Peron". The piece measures 14" by 9" inside the mat and 18 1/2" by 13 1/2" framed (no glass, as found). This is a fascinating piece of history. Peron of course was a world-famous figure at mid century. He was three times president of Argentina from 1946-1955, and again briefly from October 1973 to July 197...

A pair of typed letters on White House vice-presidential stationery, one dated October 27, 1972, the other dated August 27, 1973, each addressed to Beverly Hills, CA friends of the 39th Vice President of the United States, SPIRO T. AGNEW (1918-1996). The first letter thanks the couple for working hard on behalf of the party for the upcoming November 1972 election (Richard Nixon/Agnew against George McGovern and Sargent Shriver); the second, written only weeks before his October 10, 1973 resigna...

Rare original handwritten letter, apparently dating to the year 1801, by the famous, iconic English-language historical novelist, playwright, poet, and judge SIR WALTER SCOTT (1771-1832). This is a folded sheet of ancient paper, measuring 8" by 5", two sides of which bear writing. When acquired it was in a frame with the engraved image of him, as autograph materials are often framed. The old tape has dried so they were moving around loose inside, and therefore I have photographed the two piec...

Early 19th century map of the world, in Mercator projection, the Pacific Ocean at center, titled at upper right "Mappemonde sur la Projection de Mercator", measuring 10" by 14 1/2" inside the double mats, and 16" by 21" as nicely framed. The map might date to about the 1820's. The United States is shown as "Etats Unis". There are numerous picturesque early geographic names like "Is. Sandwich/Owhyhee", "Othahiti", "Nouvelle Hollande" for Australia, The map is printed on old style paper. Othe...

An page from a fifteenth century "Book of Hours", DOUBLE SIDED, page 6 3/4" by 4 3/4, framed with glass on both sides to facilitate viewing. There are 16 lines of text in Latin, decorative borders and capitals with extensive use of gold. According to Wikipedia, books of hours were Christian devotional books popular in the Middle Ages. They are considered the most common type of surviving medieval illustrated manuscripts. Generally they contained prayers and psalms. As the fifteenth century wore...

A hard cover book with dust jacket, "HANS ERNI", 1979, Zurich, by Walter Ruegg, edited by Ernst Scheidegger, featuring a comprehensive look at the life and work of the only recently deceased important Swiss modernist artist, HANS ERNI (1909-2015). The book contains an original soft pencil drawing of a young nude female, dedicated by the artist "Cordially to Lennye", dated 14 Juillet 2002, and signed Erni. A second original pencil drawing on a separate sheet tucked into the book, of one of Erni...

Antique small map titled "The World as known to Ptolemy", 1835, published by Joseph Thomas, London. The measurements are 5" by 6" inside the tasteful maroon map (10 1/4" by 11 1/4" framed). There is hand coloring in red outlining most of Europe. The map is very clean. Mat at lower extreme right has a bit of puckering/creasing. You could replace if so desire but most viewers would not notice this. Ptolemy was a Greco-Egyptian astronomer, geographer and mathematician who lived in Alexandria,...

An unusual item for the philatelist collector of the famous Great Britain "Penny Rose" stamp of Victorian England: 240 stamps, arranged in a rectangle 20 by 12, all used (canceled) examples, dating to 1864,at the earliest, as these are all perforated and bear the positional plating letters in each corner. I am not a devoted stamp collector so am doing my best after some internet research. The "Penny Rose" or Penny Red succeeded the Penny Black of 1841. The stamp was a mainstay of British pos...

Framed original vintage 1920's Lake View Brand label, for Pajaro Valley apples of California. The fruit was packed and shipped by Franich Brothers of Watsonville, Santa Cruz County (near Monterey). The label was printed by Olsen Lithography of San Francisco. Measures 13 1/2" by 15" in attractive gray weathered wood framing. Professionally framed (not examined out of frame). A very decorative item in excellent condition. There are some reflections that might suggest faults, but, they are in...

The Nuremberg Chronicles is considered a landmark work in the history of the printed book, and an example of incunabulum (book printed before the year 1500). Described in Wikipedia as essentially a biblical paraphrase, and a history of the known world to that date, it is one of the most extensively illustrated books of the 15th century, considered one of the first to successfully integrate illustrations and text. Printed on high quality rag paper that has survived the centuries, in both Latin an...

The Nuremberg Chronicles is considered a landmark work in the history of the printed book, and an example of incunabulum (book printed before the year 1500). Described in Wikipedia as essentially a biblical paraphrase, and a history of the known world to that date, it is one of the most extensively illustrated books of the 15th century, considered one of the first to successfully integrate illustrations and text. Printed on high quality rag paper that has survived the centuries, in both Latin ...

A clean, fresh copy of the 1983 hard cover book "Winners/My Thirty Years in Sports", hand signed and inscribed to the previous owners, by the famous late American artist of all things sports, LEROY NEIMAN (1921-2012). The 13 1/4" by 10 1/4" handsome, lavishly illustrated book is really one of the finest Neiman books, nicely organized by sport, with many paintings and drawings illustrated, most shown in color. There is no dust jacket. Only the lightest dust and soiling on the cloth covers. A ...

A signed inscribed copy of the book "courant continu", featuring the art photography of museum-level creative photographer RALPH GIBSON (1939-). The 13 1/2" by 9 3/4" book is complete with dust jacket. Photos are mostly in black and white but also in color. Gibson is an American art photographer known for his images featuring surreal juxtaposition and also erotic and mysterious undertones (as per Wikipedia). He was an assistant to Dorothea Lange in the early 1960's and worked with Robert Fra...

A signed first edition copy of "Beyond the Boardwalk", a collection of poems by the famous poet, singer/songwriter ROD McKUEN (1933-2015). McKuen signed in brown marker, and the number "357" appears stamped nearby, perhaps hinting at the number of signed copies. This book itself is in excellent condition, mint or near mint, in a slip cover, and the book is Mylar protected. The slip cover has some soiling and light wear on the back side especially. The book was published in 1975 by Cheval Boo...

A typed letter on official stationery of the Office of the Vice President, Washington, dated August 11, 1956, signed in brown ink "Dick", by Richard Nixon. The sheet, 9" by 7", is currently unframed. Text is "Dear Randall"/This is just a note to tell you how deeply I appreciated your expression of confidence and loyalty as conveyed in the wire I received from Sacramento last Saturday./As you can imagine, I have received a considerable volume of wires and letters during the past two weeks. B...

A rare authentic Qing Dynasty cash coin in extremely fine condition , the copper is with nice original patina and in very nice coloration

Definitive stamps last day of issue, 11th July 1987

New definitive issue of stamps, QE II, 12th June 1973

2 albumen photographs pasted back-to-back on one page taken from a larger album. These are posed photographs, presumably of the teams. One is the Polo team and the other is I think the Cricket 11. Underneath both in pen is the notation, “Sandhurst 1877,” this refers to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. The polo players is 8 ¼ x 10 ½ inches and the Cricket players 8 3/8 x 10 ¾ inches.

Condition: They are clear and generally good, though both were bent before being attached to ...

18th c Mexican leather boung religious book. A Madre Santisima Madre De Dios so I dont know the date but should be early 18 th c

A stated first edition published in 2004 by Steerforth Press, VT. " Washington's Ultimate Insider from Roosevelt to Reagan."A fast-paced reading book that captures the colorful life of Thomas Corcoran, one of the first lobbyists in DC. Mint condition.

A hard cover with no dust jacket published is 1979 by the Smithsonian Institution. The cover shows light wear with mild tanning at the front left corner and there is an old price written in pencil on the front free paper. Many counties and time periods are referenced. A glossary is also included. Slightly musty. 126pp.

An exceptionally clean and fresh copy of the hard cover book "The Ghosts of Forever", published 1980 by Rizzoli, by the famous American author RAY BRADBURY (1920-2012). This is a handsome tome, 14" by 11" by 1", in original dust jacket, which shows minimal wear if any. Bradbury inscribed the book in black marker "For Lewis!/Good wishes!/From Ray Bradbury/June 24, 1981". Also included is a tipped-in print "Phobos". The book has an intellectual or metaphysical bent, addressing (from dust jacket...

Published in 2007 by the Institute, this heavy soft cover edition features some 300 works of art in full color. Like new. 328pp.

A stated first edition with woodcuts by Mary Azarian. The book is in very good condition with the exception of a tiny black spot on the side textblock and a house drawn on the bottom. The pages are uncut. Published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1981.

An oversized soft cover published by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1995. The cover shows very light wear otherwise the book is fine. 240pp including index.

A typed letter on the stationery of famous American novelist, playwright, short story writer EDNA FERBER (1885-1968), dated February 13, 1937, signed in ink by Ferber. It is addressed to a Miss Janet Cohn of Park Avenue, New York, and reads: "Dear Miss Cohn/You wrote to me about a possible dramatization of THE AFTERNOON OF A FAUN. Has the young author ever done any playwriting, or is this his first attempt? Would you be good enough to let me know a little more about him. If you prefer not to giv...

A copy of the hard cover book "Canyon Country", by author Julius F. Stone, published 1932 by G.P. Putnam's Sons. The book is signed by the author and inscribed "To Lorin C. Tarlton with all good wishers" 10/25/1945" on the inside front cover in ink. The book describes a 1909 journey down the Colorado River, tracing the famed 1869 trip by John Wesley Powell through the then very little-known region. Foreword by Henry Fairfield Osborn, the head of the American Museum of Natural History at the t...