Search Results: Curious, Rare & Obscure from Ironwood Hills Books

First edition, "A", 1998, softcover. This modest paperback is difficult to find 1st edition and easily confused with later printings. This copy is complete and has been well read. There is a 3/4 inch tear to lower spine and a stain on the rear cover. What makes this collectible is that it is a true 1998 first edition preceding the much more common 1999 hardcover edition. Now in protective wraps. WorldCat (40847135) lists only 16 copies of the 1998 edition. Please see the scans of the book you will receive. ISBN: 0307988791. Please see images of the book you will receive. Notes: Scarce true 1st edition.

1848, third edition, hardcover, Boston. Brown blindstamped cloth with gilt decoration on spine. Condition is Very Good: modest wear to boards, most at spine tips and corners. Interior has some pencil notes of prior owner on title page. Minimal foxing, no tears or folds. Binding is sound. Paginates: blanks, 162, blanks. 8 plates included in pagination. An uncommon book. Please see images of the book you will receive. Notes: First edition is 1845. (Bounty)

First edition bound in vellum. Munich, 1647. Condition is Good. Primary condition issue is missing spine. Text block binding remains sound. Vellum boards with Yapp style fore-edges and typical vellum warp. Interior has modern stamp (R151) on interior front pastedown, ffep with pencil notation and older ink info, title page with old library stamp, prior ownership inscription dated 1699, half title has pencil note at bottom. No other interior markings or problems. Quite decent old paper remains supple. Paginates: [24], map, 480, [12] with original blanks. This is a small format book (12 mo) approximately 12.5 x 7 cm. See Alden European American 647/28. A cool old book with a 17th century map of the Americas. Please see images of the book you will receive. Feel free to inquire. Notes: Alden states this is historical fiction based on Gobeo's shipwreck narrative of 1610 (EA 610/115). It does not read like that to me (I observe and make no claim to authority). This is a description of Central and South… Read More

First UK edition, first printing, hardcover with dust jacket in archival cover. Condition of dust jacket is Good: shows much general wear especially along edges but no large chips or tears. Price clipped. Volume is Very Good: boards with slight bow, edges toned, prior seller's pencil note on front blank, binding is sound. An uncommon UK edition of this title. WorldCat locates 5 copies. See OCLC: 314953396 & 774529897. A collectible book. Please see images of the book you will receive. Notes: This same book has appeared under a variety of titles and authors. Here is the story: Gordon Donald Shirreffs is author's true name. He often wrote as 'Gordon Donalds.' True first edition is Avalon, hardcover w/ dj, 1956 by 'Gordon Donalds.' Book appeared with title of "The Desperate Donigans" as ACE double novel (D-204) with "John Law, Keep Out!" in 1957. More Notes: I find UK editions of American westerns to be a real hoot. More Notes: not to be confused with book of the same name by Stuart Hardy published in… Read More

Rare first Japanese edition. Tokyo, 1969. 156 pages. 11 x 8.5 inches. Printed in Finland. Front cover is gone. All other pages are present. Spine is decaying. Some pencil notes on back blank pages. One copy found in WorldCat (OCLC: 43726244) but I am not sure it is the same. Hard to know what to say about all this. An exceedingly rare item with serious condition issues. I have provided scans. Please feel free to ask questions.

First edition hardcover. 1866, New York. Condition is Very Good: Library sticker on spine, pencil note on copyright page, no other library markings. Some pencil notes on front blank, none elsewhere. Occasional foxing in text. Binding is sound. Light general wear to boards. A nice copy of an uncommon book. Author aims to offend as many people as possible and succeeds. Paginates: blanks, frontis, 312, [2], blanks, plus 11 unpaginated plates. Extremely obscure item. Please see images of the book you will receive. Notes: Author is brother of Samuel Comstock - infamous mutineer of the whaleship Globe. Such a lovely family. More notes: Satire aimed at (?) Charles Farrar Browne who was a humorist working under the name Artemus Ward. Browne (Ward) was reportedly a favorite of Abraham Lincoln. More notes: Most, but not all, first editions of this time period have the date on the title page and this copy does not. I have looked at WorldCat, online libraries and sale copies; I cannot locate any copy with a date… Read More

First, last and only edition of this softcover pamphlet. Condition is Very Good: Covers show signs of general use. Interior is unmarked. 28 pages. A collectible item. I am unable to locate the existence of another copy anywhere. Not in WorldCat, not found in any search, none found for sale. Probably acquired new by my father. A great item for those interested in history of medicine, Alaska, ephemera, North slope oil exploration and more. Gives radio frequencies for Mobil Oil at Deadhorse, BP, Atlantic Richfield and more. Please see images of the book you will receive.

1780 softcover pamphlet in very good condition. Paginates: (iii)-viii, [2], (9)-101, blank, lacking the half-title (if it ever existed). Second edition. Pencil notes of prior book seller on title page, no other markings, creases or interior problems. Bound in quality laid paper wraps. A very nice copy. The paper is wonderful example of the paper making trade in 1780's London. Content is scathing satire and complaints about, among other things, the loss of the colonies. A nice copy. Please see scans of the item you will receive. Notes: This title may be found in the libraries of Thomas Jefferson & Benjamin Franklin. More Notes: This is how most books came from the printer and it was up to the buyer to decide on further binding. This appears to have never been bound.

First edition, first printing, hardcover with dust jacket in archival cover. Dust jacket has chips at the edges and a chunk out of the spine (see scans). Book has some foxing or stains on end papers that correspond with dust jacket. Some minor spots at top of boards. No interior markings. A decent copy of an obscure book you know you just have to have for shelf of odd and strange titles. Includes all kinds pertinent facts from the 1950's like "nobody knows why you get hangovers." I think somebody knows and has known for 7000 years - alcohol causes hangovers. There is a lot of other fun stuff in there. Please see scans of the book you will receive.

Uncommon Cook Islands magazine from 1968. Volume is used in good condition: shows moderate wear to wraps, much apparent use, no interior writing or markings. Looking at this you would expect to find quite a few of these magazines but you won't, especially in US. Notable for the photos from 1960's that will not be found elsewhere. Photos focus more on island life than on the natural beauty. The ads and business directory are wonderful sources of information. Please see scans of the item you will receive.

German language pamphlet of Gospel of John published during World War II. Condition is very good, gift inscription on inside front blank. 63 pages plus map. No date in pamphlet. I got the date from a German bookseller and it works with what I know of the provenance (Uncle Jimmy). Map of the Holy Land in back is dated 1941. Religious pamphlets are pretty worthless but the value in this one is time and place of publication. This particular pamphlet is, not surprisingly, scarce - I found a few in Germany, none in US. Please see scans of the item you will receive. (German language US imprints during WWII.)

Complete document: 2 leaves and a large (29 inches) fold out chart. Published by Congress, 1826. Document is heavily foxed but complete; if trimmed it would look much better but that is an aesthetic choice not a collectible one. This chart does not open all the way because the corner is folded into the binding; it could be cut open judiciously but again that is a choice for the next owner to make. The chart is a detailed examination of deserters and the dead. Analyzed by nationality, state of origin, age, occupation and more. A very cool and very scarce document. Please see scans of the item you will receive.

1847, first printing, 54 page pamphlet in fair to good condition. Wraps are nearly off, front is stained, title page heavily foxed with pencil notations of prior book seller. Interior is otherwise pretty good, minor to moderate foxing, no other writing or vandalism. Complete as issued. Scarce first printing of this satire on tobacco use. People have suggested for a long time that tobacco has ill effects on the health of users and those around them - here is a 19th century example of that opinion. Identification of the author is difficult - I have listed two common suggestions. I am pretty sure we can rule out Solomon Spittle. Item is rare: WordCat locates two copies of this printing (#237747794); none from this date are for sale. Please see scans of the item you will receive. Included in 'Medical' history as this pamphlet does more than hint at the health problems of tobacco users.

Hardcover, 1554 Paris edition. Condition is very good. 19th century full leather binding, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers. Paginates by leaves (1 leaf=2 pages): 127, plus 1 leaf index. 2 blanks front and back look like they are from the old rebind. Title page and last page of index are pages with the most wear: title page has old ownership stamp, and a few stains. All other pages are near fine or fine. Paper is excellent quality: supple, lightly toned, not fragile. Binding is sound. Front blank endpaper has two inscriptions in Spanish. One is dated April 23, 1880. The other is earlier and signed by Alfredo Chavero (same as ownership stamp). No other writing or markings. A small book approximately 4.5 x 3.25 inches. Please see scans of the book you will receive. Feel free to inquire. Notes: I think first edition of this collection is 1530 (see OCLC: 925369798). And just so you know: the English translation of the title is my own and could be completely wrong.

1858 first (and only) edition. Hardcover in original brown and gilt blindstamped boards. Overall condition is Good. Boards show moderate general wear, binding is sound. Interior has partially removed Sabbath School bookplate and old seller's pencil note. Missing one front blank. All else complete. Paginates: blank, 67, 2 blanks, with 16 plates included in pagination. The plates are on stiff white paper. Most pages show modest to moderate foxing. 6x4 inches. An uncommon item. None for sale, one found at auction (this copy). WorldCat locates 4 physical copies. See OCLC: 15031839. Please see images of the book you will receive. Feel free to inquire. Notes: Interest here is in the detailed vignettes which show Mom on fire, Junior getting his foot amputated, murder, shipwrecks and more. Then there are the elaborate borders which include snakes, skulls, skeletons and burning cups of fire. Introduction says this is intended for children. Definitely not at bedtime. [Alcoholism, Sociology]

First UK edition, first printing, hardcover with dust jacket in archival cover. 1957. Dust jacket has small chips to corners and wear at folds, not price clipped. Volume has no interior writing, marking, folds or vandalism. Please see scans of the book you will receive. Notes: While reprints are common true first UK editions are scarce especially in this condition.

First edition, first issue, hardcover, 1844, New York. True first issues are uncommon and are discussed in the Notes section below. Overall condition is Very Good but not without defects. Old plain gray paper boards, possibly original, certainly 19th century. Boards have a general patina and small ink stain on back. Binding is sound. Endpapers are an odd yellow with a waxy feel. The yellow papers have central darkening that does not affect any other leaves. Prior bookseller notes seen on ffep. Stamp of New Jersey Historical Society on title page, pp. 164, 166. No other writing or stamps seen. The half title, title and map are lacking top outside corner not affecting image or text in any way (see images). The front blanks have water injury which lightly affects map and title page (see images). Paginates: blanks (3 leaves), foldout map, viii, 166, [2 pp adverts], errata slip (21 lines), blanks (3 leaves). The errata slip is lacking a corner (see image). Complete as issued. See Field 1595. Feel free to… Read More

1616 London edition. Modern full leather fine binding by Starr Bookworks. Interior has prior owner's initials and date (1839) on title page. Paper is good and remains supple. Last page shows the most wear and is backed with rice paper; another smaller repair p.xvi. Paginates: blank, [16], 333, [3], blank. Wonderful printing work and ornamental devices. An early psychology text matching temperament with profession. Please see scans of the book you will receive. Feel free to inquire.

This is complicated so bear with me. This is a sammelband (collection) of four titles from the publisher Muir. Listed in order of binding: First title "Life of Thomas Paine" (1833) is not attributed but appears to be abridged Sherwin's biography of Paine (See OCLC: 933006301). Second title "Rights of Man" (1833) requires no explanation. Next two titles written by Peter MacKenzie are rare and make up most of the value. Third title "Exposure of the Spy System" is the 1832 first edition of this work. Includes frontis of Hardie's grave. The fourth (final) title "Trial of James Wilson" is the 1832 first edition. The whole thing paginates: 48, viii, 104, [2], 242, 48. Bound in high quality quarter leather with marbled boards fine binding by Starr Bookworks. Defects are: page 21/22 of "Rights" has a repaired hole affecting a few words (see scan); list of Paine's works has some check marks; title page of "Spy" has small edge tear not affecting anything. Feel free to inquire. Please see scans of the book you… Read More

First edition, hardcover. In original black blindstamped cloth boards. Volume professionally recased with new endpapers and reinforced spine. Interior is excellent - no markings or blemishes. Original free blank end papers front and back. Stray ink mark on bottom edge of block not affecting interior. A very nice copy. Please see scans of the book you will receive. Notes: First editions are uncommon.