Antiquarian
The Workes of Geffray Chaucer
CHAUCER, GeoffreyLondon: Wyllyam Bonham. n.d. [1550].Third collected edition, ESTC describes it as one of four variants of this date with different publisher's names in the colophon. The text is the version edited by William Thynne. Folio. 295x197mm. ff. [8], cxciii, cxciii-cc, ccii-ccvii, ccx-cclxxi, cclxxiii-cclxxvii, cclxxix-ccclv. Lacking final blank leaf. Printed in double columns, woodcut initials and woodcuts of the Knight and the Squire. The Romaunt of the Rose has a separate title. Full brown sheep, single fillet border to covers, with corners decorated with crowned garlands framing dolphins. Spine with five raised bands, compartments decorated in gilt. Red edges.
View full detailsDionis Nicaei Rerum Romanarum
DIO CASSIUS [John Xiphilin]Lutetiae [Paris] Ex officina Roberti Stephani [Robert Estienne]. 1551.First edition. 4to. 252x166mm. pp. 357, [3]. Red morocco, single fillet gilt border, spine lettered in gilt. Gauffered edges. Marbled endpapers. Verso of front free end paper has the book label of John Sparrow and a manuscript shelfmark and, in pencil (in Sparrow's hand) the inscription "The editio princeps from the Lamoignon Library". This was one of the great French libraries belonging to generations of the Lamoignon family of statesmen, lawyers and scholars with close connections to the French monarchy.
View full detailsAntiquities, historical and monumental, of the county of Cornwall.
BORLASE, WilliamLondon: Printed by W. Bowyer and J. Nichols. 1769.Second edition, extensively revised and regarded as the best. Folio (367x230mm), pp. xvi, 464. Two maps (one double page), twenty-five plates (one double page) and ten vignettes in the text (a total of thirty seven illustrations, all engraved). Contemporary diced russia, gilt, panelled spine with double raised bands. Marbled endpapers, front pastedown has bookplate of Robert Frederick Green dated 1909. Light spotting to maps and slight offsetting from plates, otherwise very clean and fresh. A handsome copy in excellent condition throughout.
View full detailsPictura Loquens;
SMIDS, LudolphAmsterdam: ex Officina Hadriani Schoonebeek. 1695.Only edition. 8vo. 180x112mm. [16], 240, [16]. Engraved frontispiece, engraved portrait on verso of title page and sixty engravings by Adriaan Schoonebeeck. Slightly later full calf, borders in blind and gilt, spine with five raised bands, compartments decorated in gilt and blind and lettered in gilt. Turn ins decorated with gilt roll. All edges gilt with delicate gauffering. Internally near fine save for a closed tear to E7 (not affecting text).
View full detailsA Discourse of Fish and Fish-Ponds
[NORTH, The Hon. Roger]London: Printed for E. Curll. 1713.First edition. 8vo. 176x110mm. pp. [8], 79, [1]. Contemporary panelled calf, spine with four raised bands, second compartment with red morocco label lettered in gilt. In excellent condition. Internally very good with some browning and foxing, slightly heavier to title page. Attractively decorated with a variety of head and tailpieces and wood engraved initials. Front pastedown has ownership inscription: "E.Kynaston. 1743". A very nice copy of "the principal English work of early date on fish culture".
View full detailsColumnensis Familiae Nobilissimae S.R.E. Cardinalium
UGHELLUS, Abbas FerdinandusRome: Typis Hæredum Corbelletti. 1650.First edition. 4to. 237x180mm. ff. [40]. Engraved title page and nineteen engraved portraits. Contemporary limp vellum, small hole to bottom edge of upper cover and a very small hole to foot of spine and some slight soiling but otherwise in very good condition. Front pastedown has the bookplate of Sloley Hall in Norfolk. Internally, there is some staining, quite heavy in places but overall a very attractive copy of a rare book: a nice example of an attractively printed Italian seventeenth century book with particularly good and striking illustrations.
View full detailsFables Choisies, Mises en Vers par J. de la Fontaine
LA FONTAINELeiden: Chez Luzac & van Damme. 1786. First edition with these illustrations. Three volumes. 8vo in 4s. 195x115mm. Vol. 1, Tome Premier (1786), Tome Second (1764): pp. xxiv, [4], 79 [1bl], two engraved frontispieces, 45 engraved plates; [4], 78, 50 engraved plates. Vol. 2, Tome Troisieme (1770) and Tome Quartrieme (1775): pp. [4], 69 [1bl], 43 engraved plates; [8], 108, 45 engraved plates. Vol. 3, Tome Cinquieme (1786) and Tome Sixieme (1786): pp. xliv, II, 89 [1bl], 42 engraved plates; iv, 152, 50 engraved plates. Beautifully bound by P.
View full detailsBallads in Imitation of the Antient
IRELAND, W.H.London: Printed for T.N.Longman and O.Rees. 1801.Only edition. Small 8vo. pp. [6], 201, [1bl]. Contemporary calf, double fillet borders to boards, rebacked to style with gilt decoration and black morocco label lettered in gilt. Edges and corners rubbed with a little wear to the latter. All edges speckled. Internally near fine. A very nice copy of the first book published by Ireland following his exposure as a forger. Rare in commerce, only two copies appearing at auction in the last fifty years.
View full detailsExperiments and Observations on the Atomic Theory and Electrical Phenomena
HIGGINS, WilliamDublin: Printed by Graisberry and Campbell. 1814.First edition. 8vo. pp. [6], 180. Original grey-brown paper covered boards, rebacked, original paper label to spine (torn and missing left and right edges), lettered in black. Edges of boards slightly worn. Internally very good with some foxing in places, leaves uncut. Front free endpaper has ownership inscription of A.M. Perkins. Upper cover has a gift inscription (only partially legible) "To. Perkins Esqr, 7 Hereford [?] Street, Red Lion Square, London or [...] Regents Park. W.J [...ins] Compliments [.....] Dublin". Rare in commerce, the last copy appearing at auction in 1980.
View full detailsThe History and Antiquities of The Parish of Halifax, in Yorkshire. Illustrated with Copper-Plates.
WATSON, The Reverend JohnLondon: Printed for T.Lowndes. 1775.First edition. 4to. 265x210mm. pp. iv, 764, [10, index]. Ten engraved plates (frontispiece portrait of the author and a further nine). The verso of the second leaf of preliminaries is numbered vi. Some foxing in places but otherwise, internally very good with the plates in excellent condition. Handsomely bound in slightly later red straight-grained morocco, upper and lower covers decorated with two double fillet borders in gilt enclosing a continuous "drawer-handle" design in blind and framing a continuous swag and drop border in blind.
View full detailsHUETIANA
HUET, M.n.p. 1794.Unpublished manuscript translation into English of Huetiana ou Pensees Diverses de M. Huet, Evesque d'Avranches. 257x190mm. pp. [1], lxviii, 376, [8, Table of the Articles], [1, Approbation]. Contents: An Historical Eulogium on the Author by the Abbé Olivet; Life of Huet from Bayle; Huet's Life from the New and General Biographical Dictionary 1761; A Tour to Stockholm translated from the Latin of M. Huet by J. Duncombe; Anecdotes from the Latin of M. Huet. The Historical Eulogium and the Huetiana themselves are translations from the French published in 1722 as Huetiana ou Pensees Diverses de M.
View full detailsTabule Ioa. lanchini Bononiensis cum plerisqu additionibus ac novis tabellis nup impresse per L. Gauricū Neapolit, castigate Venetijs.
BIANCHINI, GiovanniVenice: Lucantonio Giunta. 1526.Second edition, edited by Luca Gaurico (first edition, 1495) 4to. [28], 398 leaves. Contemporary vellum, yapp edges, small wormholes on covers (one on upper and three on lower) and some waterstaining on lower cover, ties missing. Manuscript lettering to spine (partly covered by label reading "A-b") and on bottom edge of text block. Internally very good, some waterstaining to a few of the early leaves (1i (title page)-2ii and 2vii-3ii), marking to leaf r3. Previous ownership inscription on front free endpaper crossed out. Overall in excellent condition. Introductory text in gothic type.
View full detailsThe Text of the New Testament of Jesus Christ, translated out of the vulgar Latie by the Papists of the traiterous Seminarie at Rhemes.
HOLY BIBLELondon: Deputies of Christopher Barker. 1589.First edition. Folio (274x185mm). ll. [23], 496, [5]. *⁴ A-Y⁶ 2A-2Y⁶ 3A-3Y⁶ 4A-4V⁶ 4X⁴. Text in parallel columns, 56 lines to the full column: Rheims New Testament printed in roman type on the left, the Bishops' version in italics on the right, both divided in verses, all arguments, marginal notes, and other annotations of the Rheims NT printed at the end, interspersed with the confutations, title within woodcut border, woodcut initials, head and tailpieces.
View full detailsThe Historie of the Chvrch since the dayes of Our Saviour Jesvs Christ vntill this present Age.
SYMSON, PatrickDevided into foure Bookes. 1. The first containeth the whole proceedings and practises of the emperours ... 2. The second containeth a breefe catalogue of the beginnings, and proceedings; of all the bishops, popes, patriarchs, doctors, pastors, and other learned men ... 3. The third containeth a short summe of all the heretiques ... 4. The fourth containeth a short compend of all the councels generall, nationall, and provinciall ... Devided into 16. centuries. ...
View full detailsAn Account of the Different Charities belonging to the Poor of County of Norfolk.
CLARK, ZacharyAbridged from the Returns under Gilbert’s Act, to the House of Commons in 1786; and from the Terriers in the office of the Lord Bishop of Norwich. Bury St Edmunds/London Printed by Gedge and Barker; for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown. 1811.First edition. 8vo. 220x130mm. pp. xvi, 296. Contemporary diced russia, double fillet gilt border with gilt roll border inside. A further gilt roll border to the central panel. Spine decorated and lettered in gilt. Some wear to head and foot of spine but otherwise a handsome binding in a very good condition.
View full detailsA Treatise of Gunnery
GRAY, JohnLondon: Printed for William Innys. 1731.First edition. 8vo. 200x120mm. pp. [4], xliii, [1], 94, [2pp adverts], one folding plate. Contemporary sprinkled calf, triple fillet border in gilt to upper and lower cover. Five raised bands, compartments decorated in gilt with crown, thistle and flower pattern. Second compartment with tan lettering piece, lettered in gilt. Some wear to boards, rubbing and rubbing to spine and joints. All edges red. Internally in fine condition. Diagrams throughout. Marbled endpapers.
View full detailsEhrenpforte. Arc triomphal de l'empereur Maximilien I. (The Triumphal Arch of Maximilian I.)
DÜRER, Albrecht[Vienna]: [widow of Alberti for T.Mollo]. [1799].Broadsheet (65 x 48 cm). Contemporary, probably original, pink cloth backing marbled boards. With fifty numbered woodcuts on forty three sheets, the first five sheets comprising the legend by Stabius, the last sheet also containing three woodcut inscriptions numbered fifty one to fifty three, the entire design made up from 174 original blocks and eighteen etchings by Bartsch on three sheets.
View full detailsTwo autograph manuscript volumes of the Political History of Europe.
ABBOT, Charlesn.p. n.d. c1780.Two volumes, being volumes III and IV of a four volume Political History of Europe. Manuscript on thick laid paper. 285x210mm. Paginated on verso with even numbers only. The text is on the recto of each leaf with occasional notes and references set out opposite.Vol. III: Germany [1] - 142; Switzerland: [143]-[215], 216-220 bl; Italy: [221]-372, [373]-376 bl; Turky (sic) [377]-[415]. Error in pagination at pp 114/115 but text is continuous and complete. Vol. IV.
View full detailsRemarks on the Present Defective State of Fire-Arms,
BOLTON, G[eorge]shewing The Danger to those who carry them: together with an explanation of a newly invented Patent Gun-Lock, of which All the present Disadvantages are removed, and Simplicity, Security, and Durability substituted. London: Printed for the author by T. Egerton. 1795.First edition. 8vo in 4s. (208x130mm). pp. [2], xxv, 3-88. K4 blank. Loosely inserted is a letter of 1993 from the Bodleian Library confirming that K4 in their copy is blank and setting out the full collation, this copy conforming to that. Contemporary red full grain morocco in fine condition. Decorative gilt borders to the upper and lower covers.
View full detailsThe Cenci. A Tragedy. In Five Acts
SHELLEY, Percy ByssheLondon: C and J Ollier. 1821.Second edition. pp. xvii (but xv), 104. Lacking half title. The original book has been disbound and the pages cut, very neatly and expertly and then carefully pasted at the hinge edge on a leaf of plain white paper so that the leaves of text are interleaved with the plain leaves. This is one way in which prompt books were made, allowing for notes and directions to be written on the plain leaves without disturbing the text. The leaves of text are cut to measure 151x95mm and the plain paper is 235x190mm.
View full detailsDe Legibus et consuetudinibus Angliae
BRACTON, Henry deLibri quinq; in varios tractatus distincti, ad diversorum et vetustissimorum codicum collationem, ingenti cura, nunc primu typis vulgati: quorum quid cuiq; infit, proxima pagina demonstabit. London: Richard Tottell. (apud Richardum Tottellum).. 1569.First edition. 4to. 290x195mm. [16], 172, 175-444 leaves. (leaf 439, misnumbered 437). Pagination is as called for by ESTC, collates complete. Imprimatur at foot of title page, "Cum privilegio". Early 17th century full legal calf, blind ruled to covers. Raised bands to spine, author's name in manuscript on second compartment. Foot of the spine has some worm holes and wear with loss. Some rubbing and scuffing to covers.
View full detailsThe Devil turn'd Hermit: or the Adventures of Astaroth Banish'd from Hell. A Satirical Romance.
[LAMBERT DE SAUMERY, Pierre]Exposing. With great Variety of Humour, in a Series of Conversations between that Demon and the Author, The scandalous Frauds, lewd Amours, and devout Mockery of the Monks and Nuns; the Intrigues of Courts; the Ambition, Avarice, and Cruelty of Ministers; the Insincerity, Luxury, Prostitution, and Ingratitude of many private Characters; with other Capital Vices of the present Age. Founded chiefly on real Facts, and interspersed with the Portraits and secret History of most of the considerable Persons that have lived in Europe within these thirty Years past.
View full detailsThe Plate-Glass-Book
A Glass-House ClerkLondon: Printed for the Author; and sold by W.Owen et. al. 1764.Fourth Edition, Enlarged. Third edition of the Compleat Appraiser. Tall 12mo in 4s. (198x75mm). pp. xxv, [1], 170, [2], iv, 46, 46a-h, 47-74. Twentieth-century quarter brown morocco with small arts and crafts style decorative motifs on the joints, brown cloth covered boards. Slight rubbing to the joints and mild bumping to the corners. Overall in very good condition. Internally very good, some browning to edges of title page and final leaf. Gathering Gg has been repaired affecting the text but not legibility.
View full detailsLetters
CHESTERFIELD, Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of.London: London: Printed for J. Dodsley.. 1774.Two volumes. First edition, second printing ("qui auroit" correctly printed on p55 of volume 1). 4to. 295x235mm. pp. Vol.1: [4], vii [1], 568; Vol.2: [4], 606,[2]. Contemporary calf: volume 1 joint with upper cover recently repaired, wear to joint with lower cover. Some rubbing and bumping to extremities of both volumes and slight scuffing to boards. Chipping to head and foot of spine of volume 2. Spine has five raised bands, contrasting morocco labels, lettered in gilt. The text block of both volumes is very good, in clean, crisp condition.
View full details