Search Results: Authors starting with M from Timeless Tales Rare Books

Signed with gift inscription by Thomas Alva Edison, "the Wizard of Menlo Park". Early edition of Edison's only authorized biography.
Two volumes in publisher's red cloth with the spine decorated and lettered in gilt. Edison's autographed dedication with signature reads- "To the father of our esteemed artist Albert Spalding / ThosAEdison." Small mounted photo portrait of Spalding present on the inside cover of the first volume.
Albert Spalding (1888-1953) was a famous American violinist and composer, a longtime friend and collaborator of Edison. Thomas Edison declared Spalding's tone to be more pure than any other living violinist and signed him to a twenty year recording contract with Edison Records.

Monuments Anciens et Modernes de l'Hindoustan, First Edition, 1821, Paris.
2 volumes, folio (416 x 290mm).
Half-titles present, first volume with large engraved vignette by Henry Salt on title, double-page letterpress table - "Tableau des factoteries Européennes", 3 maps hand-coloured in outline and all 143 plates present, of which 16 are in colour or sepia (some foxing and browning, mainly to text leaves, not affecting images).
Original Marbled boards, title in gilt on red label, uncut copy; some wear and chips to spine, specially at the head.
Vol 1 needs recasing (ask if needed, additional charges will be required); otherwise the overall binding is in good condition.
Provenance: G. Botta (bookplates).
An uncut copy of this interesting illustrated work dedicated to India/Hindostan. The author, Langles, left his military career to study oriental cultures and this unfinished work is considered a rare masterpiece on ancient Indian monuments. The volumes explore the archaeological and aesthetic aspects… Read More

First Edition, Large Folio, recently bound in beautiful half-leather marbled boards, with gilted spine. With the magnificent views of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Kidron Valley, etc. in stunning engraved, hand-colored plates, with virtually no blemish. Text in English and French; Overall, a very nice and wide-margined copy. German-Italian orientalist artist Luigi Mayer (1755-1803) was the most accurate artist making drawings of the Near East before David Roberts.

First edition of the lavishly illustrated presentation of the Spanish classic of Don Quixote! London: J. and R. Tonson and R. Dodsley, 1742. 4to, 2 volume set. 10.75" x 9". With engraved portrait of Cervantes and 68 fine engraved copperplates by Gerard Vander Gucht after drawings of John Vanderbank. xxiv, [8], xxv-xxxii, vi, [2], 90, [14], 355, [1]; xii, 388 pp.
Includes the reimpression of the Life of Cervantes, with title dated 1738. Bound here in modern 1/4 calf over marbled boards. The first edition of this translation by Jervas, here with the scarce 8-page "Supplement to the Translator's Preface" inserted between pages xxiv and xxv (not found in all copies; some call this a second issue-point). A handsome edition, presented in a large quarto format with finely engraved plates. The translation was by Charles Jervas, whose name was consistently misspelled on editions of his translation as "Jarvis." ESTC T59882.
The portrait of Cervantes by G. Kent, engraved by George Vertue, is opposite to the… Read More