Search Results: Authors starting with V from Back Creek Books LLC, ABAA/ILAB

Washington: J. & G. S. Gideon, 1845. Disbound. Octavo. 24 pages. Very Good. Lacking the original wraps. Mild browning and circular stains at fore edge of text.. Wood engravings. Vail was an engineer and inventor who collaborated with Samuel B. Morse in the development and practical application of the telegraph. Some have argued it was actually Vail who invented the telegraphic alphabet named after Morse, but Vail seems to put that to rest in this pamphlet, to wit: "This conventional alphabet was originated on board the packet Sully, by Prof. Morse..." (p. 23).<br /> <br /> Illustrated with 14 wood engravings showing the various components of the telegraphic system. Also includes one of the earliest printings of the 1844 revision of the telegraphic alphabet which, under the name "American Morse," became standard in the United States and Canada. <br /> <br /> SABIN 98292; HOWES V5.

Philadelphia: David McKay Company, 1944. First edition. Hardcover. Duodecimo. 31 pages. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Tiny rubs to lower fore corners of boards. Jacket has a tiny closed tear at head of spine, and spine is slightly sunned, extending about 1/2" into rear panel. Very clean and bright overall.. Illustrations by Rafaello Busoni. Scarce first edition of the story that was adapted into the beloved holiday classic film, "It's a Wonderful Life." Philip Van Doren Stern was an accomplished Civil War historian and author but perhaps his most enduring work is this little story about a man transformed by a visit from an angel who, granting the man's own wish that he'd never been born, shows him what that would mean for his town and those he loved.<br /> <br /> Stern wrote the story out in about 4,000 words, which he continued to revisit until 1943 when he sought to have it published. Despite his reputation as an established author, he could not find a… Read More

Annapolis, 1865. Folded sheets, with original envelope. Near fine, with original envelope. Incredible 6 page manuscript letter from a Civil War Chaplain posted at Annapolis, discussing St. John's College Hospital Chapel, visiting hospitals, and the work of the U.S. Christian Commission in Annapolis during the war.<br /> <br /> Partial transcript: <br /> "At 2 P.M. I preached in St. Johns College Hospital Chapel & there visited some of the wards. In the evening we had preaching in the U.S.C.C. Chapel Tent [which is my headquarters] at College Green Barracks...Annapolis is, or course, a secesh town. The churches were nearly broken up by the war but now begin to look more flourishing. There is a large Episcopal Ch. here pastor of wh. is a Chaplain in hospital & a very nice sort of fellow."<br /> <br /> An unusually descriptive letter from a young man stationed at Annapolis and serving as a chaplain at the College Green Hospital Chapel. Van Wagenen… Read More