Two anatomical engravings by J. G. Seiller, showing a standing male figure whose major muscles are made visible and labeled with their Latin name, each figure oriented in relation to a tree. The engravings numbered "Tab. VI" and "Tab VII" at the upper right. The first shows the figure turned to the left, with one arm raised, and with a framed image at the left showing details of internal organs; the second shows the figure from behind, with a framed image showing a hand and leaves. Toning and foxing, and wear around the edges; overall fine. 11 x 17.5 inches (28 x 44.5 cm). Read More...
3 page stapled typed plan to "Lose Weight The 'Satchmo' Way by Lucille Armstrong & Louis Armstrong, signed and inscribed in green fountain pen on the first page: "Satchmo /Louis Armstrong." Further inscription to foot of final leaf: "P.S. Satchmo Slogan / the more you shit / the thinner you'll git / no shit." 8.5 x 11 inches (21.5 x 28 cm). Somewhat wrinkled; stains to foot of third page. Read More...
Amusing vintage flyer for the "delicious 1/2 lb Hamburger" available 24 hours at Broadway's Cafe Expresso, "Home of the Burger Queen." Toning and edge wear; overall very good. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.5 x 27.8 cm).
Oslo: H. Ashehoug. 1959. Norwegian edition of Lerner's classic play, adapted from George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, signed by the legendary American chef, author, and television personality. Text in Norwegian and with photos of cast members from a Norwegian production of the play. Signed by Julia Child on the front cover and further signed "P. And J. Child, Oslo, 19 Jan 60" on front free endpaper. This date corresponds with the time that the Childs lived in Oslo during Paul's waning years as an American diplomat. Amusingly, the dialogue entries for Henry Higgins and Eliza, pp. 49 - 58, have been "X"-marked in the margins, beginning with the line "En perfekt siggarett gir sollid appetit," which corresponds to and here replaces the famous line in which Eliza mispronounces her vowels, leading then to the celebrated song "Just you wait, Henry Higgins." It is charming to imagine the Childs together hamming it up in this scene, perhaps entertaining friends in their Norwegian home. Read More...
19194. Chomsky, Noam. (b. 1928). "I'm afraid that the next few months seem, if anything, even more full than when I wrote you last" - Typed Letters Signed
Collection of four TLS from the American linguist and public intellectual to Professor Irma Antonetto of the Associazione Culturale Italiana, regarding various invitations to speak in Italy. In the first (21 January 1970; 1 pp. on Massachusetts Institute of Technology stationary), Chomsky writes in part "I'm afraid that the next few months seem, if anything, even more full than when I wrote you last." A note handwritten to the bottom, likely written by Antonetto, indicates that Chomsky should be invited again for the 1971–72 season. That invitation would fare no better, though not for lack of interest on Chomsky's part, as his next letter (Feb.11,1971; 1 pp. on MIT stationary) indicates. "The best time for me would be early April, or if that is impossible, late March...it is still a bit indefinite, and of course depends on how the plans develop more explicitly from your end." Fifteen years later (May 11, 1986; 1 pp. on paper with computer-printed MIT header), their correspondence continues. "Thank you very much for renewing the ACI invitation for 1986–87. I really wish it were possible for me to consider it...as usual, I am booked up long in advance, through 1988 at the moment. I'm very sorry I cannot manage it." In the final letter (June 17, 1986; 1 pp. on paper with computer-printed MIT header) Chomsky writes, "I feel a bit embarrassed by now at being so reluctant to arrange a visit under the sponsorship of the Associazione. I do appreciate the long-term invitation you sent in your later of May 25. What I would suggest is that I wait to see if I have a trip to Europe that can be extended for a few days." Alas, it was not to be. The ACI website shows no record of Chomsky ever coming to speak. Expecting mailing creases, two holes to left side of each letter, else fine, 8.5 x 11 inches (21.3 x 27.9 cm.). Read More...
New York: Simon and Schuster. 1988. First Edition . Signed copy of the actor, comedian, producer, and chef's cookbook. DeLuise has signed and inscribed ("To Paul / Love / Dom DeLuise / '88"), adding a small apparently self-portrait drawing, on the half-title to Paul McMahon. 240 pp. Hardcover; dust jacket with very slight tear at top back; overall in fine condition. 7.5 x 9 inches (19.5 x 24.5 cm). Read More...
New York: Atheneum. 1983. First Edition . Signed copy of the autobiography by the American mezzo-soprano and Jane Scovell. Horne has signed and inscribed ("To Paul, / All the best, / Marilyn / Horne / 11/83") on the t.p. to Paul McMahon. 258 pp. Hardcover; dust jacket with slight wear; ownership signature on the ffe, else overall in fine condition. 6.25 x 9.5 inches (16 x 24 cm). Read More...
New York: William Morrow & Co. . 1984. Stated First U.S. Edition. Hardback in dustjacket. 223pp with index, b&w and color photos. Jacket with price, small tear to lower inside corner, overall a very fine copy in a fine dj. Sophia Loren's highly amusing book on beauty and fashion for women.
New York: Random House. 1995. First Edition . Signed copy of the autobiography of the Olympic diver and activist, with Eric Marcus. Louganis has signed and inscribed ("Paul, / Believe in yourself! / Greg / Louganis") the front flyleaf to Paul McMahon. 290 pp. Hardcover; dust jacket fine; overall in fine condition. 6.5 x 9.5 inches (16 x 24.5 cm). Read More...
A highly interesting collection of ephemera relating to amateur dramatics taking place at the Kent County Lunatic Asylum in Kent, England in the 1860's. The archive contains 15 programs, a prologue and two epilogues, a photograph of an actor, and 28 newspaper clippings, nicely laid down on scrapbook pages which are housed in a custom cloth box. Taken together, the items give a fascinating and unusual view into the Victorian treatment of the mentally ill. Read More...
Japanese Type 99 World War II gas mask, with original tubing and respirator pack, displayed on a custom stand, rendering into a striking sculptural element. The ‘99’ in its name comes from the 2599th anniversary from when the first Japanese emperor took the throne. Fine, 16 w x 17 h x 3 d inches (40.6 x 43 x 7.6 cm.). Small area of glue repaired tear to the tubing, else fine.
AP press photo, from Life magazine, dated New York, February 5, 1953, of the great violinist with yoga instructor Vithaldas practicing a lion pose. With article-length caption; in full: "Violinist In Training: Violinist Yehudi Menuhin won the raves of music critics at a recent recital in New York and he was hailed as a 'revitalized performer.' Yehudi thinks his training in Yoga (Webster: Mental discipline consisting in the direction of attention exclusively upon any object with a view to the identification of consciousness with the object) may be the answer. He has been studying for a year. Here he goes through part of the training with his instructor Vithaldas (right). The act is called a Simhasana (lion pose) and is designed to help the eyes and throat. Menuhin says Yoga is the only form of exercise convenient for a touring musician and claims it gives him a sense of 'general well-being'." Handstamp, "Library Houston Post," to verso. 8.75 x 6.5 inches (21.5 x 16.5 cm). Photo in excellent condition; caption frayed to lower edge. Read More...
Beautiful 19th century hand-carved corozo nut perfume bottle with beautifully rendered string, flutes and horn instruments and flower bouquet reliefs. Original screw cap present, decorated with flowers around the edge. In fine condition. 2.25 x 1.75 inches (5.5 x 4.5 cm.).
An amusing vintage false mustache made of card, distributed by Greystone California Wines and allowing the wearer to "make every meal a banquet / make every occasion an event." Partly split at the center; otherwise fine. 6 inches (15 cm) wide.
19058. [Propaganda]. "Food Is a Weapon - Don't Waste It!" - World War II Poster
WWII propaganda poster from the United States depicting a picked-over dinner plate and water glass on a green background framed by the words "Food is a weapon" above and "Don't waste it! / Buy wisely - Cook carefully - Eat it all" below. Text at the lower edge of the image advises "Follow the national wartime nutrition program." Offset 1943; Printed by U.S. Government Printing Office. Folds, paper loss to margin in upper corners, surface paper loss in margins, else in fine condition. 16.125 x 22.75 inches (41 x 58 cm.).
15910. [Quarantine]. Two Original Quarantine Signs
Two original quarantine signs warning against typhoid fever and scarlet fever, both issued by the Board of Health of Montoursville, PA., ca. early 20th century. Toning and edge wear. Total size 7 x 11 inches.
New York: Delacorte Press. 1984. First Edition . Signed copy of the book by the comedian, actress, writer, and television host, with illustrations by James Sherman. Rivers has signed and inscribed ("To Paul / Hugs + Kisses — / xxxx / Joan / Rivers") on the t.p. to Paul McMahon. 99 pp. Hardcover; dust jacket with slight discoloration and very small tear at edges; overall in fine condition. 5.75 x 8.5 inches (14.5 x 21.5 cm). Read More...
Collection of nine letters related to Dr. Benjamin Spock, including four typed letters signed and an autograph letter signed from the famed pediatrician himself to Professor Irma Antonetto of the Associazione Culturale Italiana in Turin, concerning speaking engagements at the Associazione. Dr. Spock gave a talk entitled "Young People in America" at the ACI in April of 1973. All in fine condition. Read More...
Amusing original press photograph showing a band, "Pa Sam Brown's Orchestra," playing in a farmyard for an audience of turkeys. Dated November 28, 1927. Chipping and wear to the edges and slight discoloration; otherwise in fine condition. 25.6 x 20.4 cm.
Three typed letters signed from the medical researcher to Professor Irma Antonetto of the Associazione Culturale Italiana, finalizing arrangements for a series of lectures he was to give in April and May of 1965. In the first letter (February 26, 1965; 1 pp. on A4 The Children's Hospital Research Foundation stationary), Sabin writes in part "It will, unfortunately, not be possible for me to go to Turin immediately after my arrival in Milan...Radiotelevisione Italiana is planning to spend several hours with me to tape an interview, and also I have made arrangements for a conference during the evening." By the time of the next letter a month later (March 20, 1965; 1 pp. on CHRF stationary), his schedule appears to have cleared, as he writes "I shall regard the arrangements that you have made as final and will go to Turin directly from the airport on my arrival in Milan." The remainder of the letter addresses the question of whether his talk should be in English with simultaneous Italian translation or in French without any translation at all. The final letter (April 5, 1965; 1 pp. on CHRF stationary) discusses further travel and hotel arrangements for the trip. Expected mailing folds, two holes to left margin, else fine. Read More...