Antiquarian and collectible books in Galveston, Texas. Explore literature, Americana, and illustrated works through the pages, bindings, and traces of their history.
A philosophical poem, accompanied here by photographs of its binding, bookplate, and annotated pages.
AMERICANA
Put’s Golden Songster
San Francisco · D. E. Appleton & Co.
California songs in an illustrated yellow wrapper, preserved in a protective enclosure.
ILLUSTRATED BOOKS · 1943
The Kit Book
Chicago · Consolidated Book Publishers · 1943
Stories, verse, and cartoons for servicemen, with a vivid illustrated cover.
ANTIQUARIAN BOOKS
De calceo antiquo (Ancient Shoes)
Benoît Baudouin & Giulio Negroni · 1667
A study of ancient footwear in a vellum binding. Explore the sandal illustration, printed pages, and armorial bookplate.
BETWEEN THE COVERS
Look a little closer.
A printed illustration. A previous owner’s bookplate. The texture of an old binding. There is more to a book than its title.
Sandal illustration · detail from the vellum-bound volume
A CLOSER VIEW
Pages & provenance
Select a photograph to view it full size.
The Kit Book · illustrated spreadThe Kit Book · title page, 1943Vellum-bound volume · bookplateVellum-bound volume · printed pageVellum-bound volume · endpaper notesVellum-bound volume · fore-edge
FROM THE COLLECTOR’S CABINET
Every volume leaves a trail.
Title pages, inscriptions, bindings, and the marks of readers past.
Queen Mab · title page, New York, 1821Queen Mab · gilt-lettered protective caseQueen Mab · paper-covered boardQueen Mab · illustrated bookplateQueen Mab · verse and marginal notesQueen Mab · printed verseQueen Mab · another view of marginal notesPut’s Golden Songster · wrapper detailBookplates bearing Alistair Cooke and Jean Hersholt’s names
WALT WHITMAN · 1860–61
Leaves of Grass
A gilt-lettered spine, embossed cloth, and a page inscribed “W. M. Rossetti / from J. C. Hotten / 1867.” The photographs preserve the visible details of this copy, including manuscript alterations to the printed text.
Gilt-lettered spine bearing “W. M. Rossetti’s Copy”Title page · Boston, Thayer and Eldridge, 1860–61Inscription naming W. M. Rossetti and J. C. Hotten, dated 1867Embossed cloth bindingPrinted verse with manuscript alterations
SIR THOMAS MALORY · AUBREY BEARDSLEY · THIRD EDITION · 1927
Le Morte Darthur
Arthurian legend in black, gold, and intricate linework. This third edition was published in 1927. Explore the decorated spine, the title page, and Beardsley’s image of King Arthur and the Questing Beast.
King Arthur and the Questing Beast · illustration by Aubrey BeardsleyBlack-and-gilt decorated spineTitle page naming Malory and Beardsley · 1927Decorative Morte Darthur title designCloser view of the Questing Beast illustration
GASLAMP BOOKS · GALVESTON, TEXAS
A curiosity for the past.
Gaslamp Books brings together antiquarian and collectible books, with interests spanning literature, Americana, maritime history, fine press, and illustrated works. We are drawn to the craftsmanship of books and the histories preserved in their pages.
This online exhibition offers a closer look at selected volumes and their details. For available books and online ordering, visit our shop on Biblio. This website presents highlights from the collection.
OUR BOOKSHOP ON BIBLIO
Continue your discoveries.
Browse available books from Gaslamp Books on Biblio, including descriptions, current prices, and ordering details.
