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Woolley (Hannah) The Gentlewomans Companion; or, a Guide to the Female Sex, first edition, without the engraved portrait by W.Faithorne but with blank S4 and 8pp. advertisements at end, contemporary ink inscriptions to title, upper outer corner of A3 & 4 and G5 & 6 torn away with loss of a few letters, title and B8 with small portion torn away at fore-edge not affecting text (title repaired), title lightly soiled, small stains to a few leaves particularly D1 & 2, bookplate, modern calf with border in blind, morocco label, [Oxford p.36; Wing W3276a; Not in Bitting, Cagle or Vicaire], 8vo, by A. Maxwell for Dorman Newman, 1673.⁂ Rare first edition of this collection of recipes, cosmetics, remedies, and advice to women on education, governesses, servants and social conduct. The portrait by Faithorne which is found in some copies is now believed to depict not Woolley but Sarah Gilly. It is probable that Woolley died in the early 1670s, before this work was published as it was unauthorized.ESTC lists only 5 copies, all in America; COPAC likewise lists no UK copy but according to WorldCat there are 6 copies in the UK. Provenance: Elizabeth ?Polsoleile; Edmund Hopkinson (ink inscriptions); Peter Stewart Young, Tillingham (bookplate).

Hooke (Robert) An Attempt to prove the Motion of the Earth from Observations, first edition, engraved folding plate, woodcut initials and head-pieces, title a little browned, closely shaved at head, affecting a few page numbers, modern antique-style calf-backed boards, [Keynes 16; Wellcome III p.296; Wing H2613], small 4to, for John Martyn printer to the Royal Society, at the Bell in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1674.⁂ A good copy of this scarce work by Hooke in which he postulates mutual attractions between celestial bodies.

Boyle (Robert) Tracts: Containing I. Suspicions about Some Hidden Qualities of the Air... II. Animadversions upon Mr. Hobbes's Problemata De Vacuo. III. A Discourse of the Cause of Attractions by Suctions, first edition, 6 parts in 1 vol., cancel title as usual, title page "Of the cause of attraction by suction" in a different setting loosely inserted, a good, crisp copy, bookplates to title verso and endpapers, contemporary calf, [Fulton 119; Wing B4054], 8vo, by W. G. and are to be sold by M. Pitt, at the Angel against the Little North Door of St. Paul's Church, 1674.⁂ Boyle's investigation of the theory of oxidisation, published in the same year as Mayow's Tractatus Quinque and positing similar theories. Provenance: Ambrose Holbech of Mollington; Fiennes Sanderson Miller; Albert L. Mond (bookplates).

Horology.- S[mith] (J[ohn]) Horological dialogues... Shewing the nature, use, and right managing of clocks and watches: with an appendix containing Mr. Oughtred's method for calculating of numbers, first edition, 2 woodcut headpieces, title a little soiled and with corners chipped, touching first line of imprint but without loss to text, F3 with neatly repaired tear running into text, occasional light marginal browning, the odd spot, ink ownership inscription to final f., modern calf with old sheep cover and spine laid down, [ Bromley, Clockmaker's Catalogue 788; Honeyman 2860; Wing S4105], 12mo, printed for Jonathan Edwin at the Three Roses in Ludgate-street, 1675.⁂ The first and only edition of "the earliest book dealing with clocks and watches to be published in England" - Bromley.Provenance: Ri. Donkley (ink ownership inscription).

Gravity.- Wallis (John) A Discourse of Gravity and Gravitation, Grounded on Experimental Observations: Presented to the Royal Society, first edition, imprimatur f., engraved folding plate, title within double-ruled woodcut border, woodcut initial and head-piece, 20th-century roan-backed boards, spine a little rubbed and faded, [Wing W574], 4to, for John Martyn, printer to the Royal Society, at the Bell in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1675.⁂ Scarce, a response to Sir Matthew Hale's Essay, Touching the Gravitation and Non-gravitation of Fluid Bodies (1673).

Machiavelli (Niccolò) The Works, [translated by Henry Neville], first edition in English, general and divisional titles, 3ff. advertisements, titles within ruled woodcut borders, woodcut devices to titles, general title foxed, occasional light browning, the odd spot, bookplate to general title verso, contemporary speckled calf spine gilt in compartments, lacking spine label, corners bumped, [Wing M128] folio, for J. S., to be sold by Robert Boulter at the Turks-head in Cornhil, against the Royal Exchange, 1675.⁂ A very good copy of Machiavelli's collected works, comprising The History of Florence, The Prince, The Discourses and The Art of War.Provenance: Algernon Capell, 2nd Earl of Essex (1670-1710, nobleman, soldier and courtier (armorial bookplate))

Roads.- Mace (Thomas) Profit, Conveniency, and Pleasure, to the whole Nation. Being a short Rational Discourse, lately presented to His Majesty, concerning the High-Ways of England, first edition, woodcut initial and decorations, C1 upper corner restored, bookplate, 20th century half calf, [Wing M121], small 4to, Printed for a publick good, 1675.⁂ A short and rare work, in prose and verse, proposing a scheme for straighter two-lane high roads, where travellers would keep to the right-hand side, and for their improved maintenance.Provenance: The Earls of Macclesfield (bookplate).

Shakespeare.- Shadwell (Thomas) The History of Timon of Athens, the Man-Hater, first edition, paper flaw in sig. I1 slightly affecting text, occasional light soiling and staining, later red straight-grain morocco, gilt, by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, rebacked preserving original gilt spine, 2 corners slightly rubbed, [Wing S2846; Pforzheimer 917; ESTC 18723], 4to, Printed by J. M. for Henry Herringman, 1678.⁂ The Mortimer L. Schiff copy of this Shakespeare adaptation. There are two distinct settings of the title-page and leaf A4 - this copy has the reading 1678/7 and verso of leaf A4 blank; the other setting has the reading 1677/8 and leaf A4v bears "Persons names". No priority is given.

Bees.- Rusden (Moses) A Further Discovery of Bees. Treating of the Nature, Government, Generation & Preservation of the Bee..., first edition, engraved frontispiece and 3 folding plates (a little creased), frontispiece chipped, final f. lower corner repaired and restored, ink inscriptions to verso of frontispiece and to final leaf, occasional damp-staining to lower margin, a little browned, contemporary calf, joints splitting at head, spine ends chipped, 1 corner worn, the rest repaired, [British Bee Books 55; Walker Catalogue p.61; Wing R2313], 8vo, for the Author, 1679.⁂ An apothecary by trade Rusden was appointed "Beemaster to the King's most excellent Majesty" at the instigation of John Evelyn.

Sri Lanka.- Knox (Robert) An Historical Relation of the Island of Ceylon, in the East-Indies: together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity of the Author and Divers other Englishmen now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape, first edition, title within double-ruled woodcut border, engraved folding map and 15 plates, license f. before title, without the portrait (as usual), advertisement f. at end, B1 with old paper tab tipped onto fore-edge, very occasional light damp-staining to lower corners, the odd spot, bookplate to title verso, contemporary calf, joints splitting at ends, corners bumped, rubbed, [Wing K742], folio, by Richard Chiswell, printer to the Royal Society, at the Rose and Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard, 1681.⁂ The first account of Ceylon in English, and one of the sources for Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. While sailing for Persia in 1658, Knox's ship lost its mast in a storm and was forced to put ashore on Ceylon. Knox, along with his elder brother and crew, was captured by King Rajasinha II of Kandy and refused permission to leave the kingdom. Knox and a companion eventually escaped after 19 years of captivity and fled to a Dutch fort on the north of the island. Provenance: Charles Viscount Bruce (armorial bookplate).

Food and drink.- Rose (Giles) A Perfect School of Instructions for the Officers of the Mouth: shewing the Whole Art of a Master of the Houshold [sic], a Master Carver, a Master Butler, a Master Confectioner, a Master Cook, a Master Pastryman..., first edition in English, woodcut illustrations, rather browned and a little damp-stained, tears to I1 & 2 but no loss (second repaired), one or two leaves slightly frayed at fore-edge, hole to front free endpaper repaired, 19th-century calf, rubbed, rebacked, corners repaired, new endpapers, preserving old inscribed endpaper, [Bitting p. 407; Cagle 970; Oxford p.42; Wing R1933], 12mo, printed for R. Bentley and M. Magnes, in Russel-street in Covent-Garden, 1682.⁂ A very good copy of this translation of l'Escole Parfaite des Officiers de Bouches, 1662. Bitting notes that the 'translation is much scarcer than the original'. We can trace only 3 copies at auction, one of which was defective. Includes frog and tortoise tarts and directions for folding napkins.Provenance: "Diana Dormer her book [?]1691" & "Mrs Eliz. Holford her book" to front free endpaper and date "1719" in margin of title; Pamela and Raymond Lister (bookplate); The Cetus copy, sold Bloomsbury Auctions, 22nd September 2011, lot 326.

Economics.- Petty (Sir William) Another Essay in Political Arithmetick, concerning the Growth of the City of London, first edition, occasional light browning, the odd spot, 20th century cloth, upper cover lettered in gilt, [Goldsmiths' 2515; Wing P1915], small 8vo,H.H. for M. Pardoe, 1683.⁂ Sir William Petty (1623-82) was the first person to carry out a statistical survey on a large scale when he made the Down Survey in Ireland on behalf of the Commonwealth. The implication of the title is that a previous work on political arithmetic had already been published. In fact, this essay was the first to be printed: Keynes points out that the 1686 reprint explains that 'an extract of a Letter' was incorrectly thought to have been another essay. This is thus Petty's first work on political arithmetic and his calculations and ingenious deductions set the tone for his later statistical analysis. Another Essay is a landmark in the history of statistical analysis, leading towards Babbage's Analytical Engine.

Salts.- Mackaile (Matthew) The Diversitie of Salts and Spirits mantained. Or, the imaginary volatility of some salts and non-entity of the alcali, before cremation and identity of all alcalies, all volatil salts, and all vinous spirits... together with... scurvie alchymie discovered, first edition, folding letterpress table, title within woodcut ruled border, woodcut initials and decorations, ink ownership inscriptions to title and pastedown, contemporary calf, upper half worn with loss, lower half rebacked, extremities a little worn, [Wing M144], small 8vo, Aberdeen, by John Forbes, 1683.⁂ First edition of this rare treatise on salts and attack on the physicians and surgeons of Aberdeen. Provenance: James Paton (ink inscription to title).

Metallurgy.- Pettus (Sir John) Fleta Minor. The Laws of Art and Nature, in Knowing, Judging, Assaying, Fining, Refining, and Inlarging the Bodies Confin'd Metals, 2 parts in 1 vol., first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece, numerous engraved illustrations, woodcut initials, occasional light spotting or finger-soiling, but a very good copy generally, contemporary calf, sympathetically rebacked, rubbed, [ESTC R5570; Wellcome II 527], folio, for the author, by Thomas Dawks, his Majesty's British printer, at the West-end of Thames-street, 1683.⁂ The first part comprising the first edition in English of Lazarus Ercker's 1574 treatise on ores. The second part is a dictionary of metallurgical terms by Pettus.

Witchcraft.- Bovet (Richard) Pandaemonium, or the Devil's Cloyster. Being a further Blow to Modern Sadduceism, Proving the Existence of Witches and Spirits, first edition, engraved frontispiece by J. Sturt (trimmed close at fore-edge), some leaves trimmed close occasionally affecting headline, catchword or signature, occasional light spotting and browning, later calf, gilt, spine faded, small nick to head of lower joint, [Wing B3864], 12mo, Printed for J. Walthoe, 1684.⁂ Scarce work by Bovet, an investigator of psychic phenomena, who was greatly influenced by the works of Joseph Glanvil. According to Montagu Summers (in his introduction to the 1951 reprint of this work) this was "one of the most extraordinary works in the immense library of occult research", using examples from scripture and the writings of the ancients to support the existence of spirits, and providing accounts "never before printed" of supernatural apparitions and phenomena followed by his own corroboration of their reliability. No copy at auction since the Lenkiewicz copy in 2003.

Sporting.- H[owlett] (R[obert]) The School of Recreation, or, The Gentleman's Tutor, to those Most Ingenious Exercises of Hunting, Fishing, Racing, Shooting..., first edition, engraved frontispiece, advertisement leaf at end, browned, frontispiece and title a little frayed at edges, frontispiece laid down, light water-staining to lower margin, a few head-lines shaved, book-label to pastedown, modern calf, gilt fish motif in centre of boards and triple gilt rule border, spine gilt in compartments with creel motifs, [Thacher p.451; W&S p.110; Wing H3194], 24mo, for H. Rodes, 1684.⁂ Rare; covering hunting, racing, hawking, riding, cock-fighting, fowling, shooting, bowling, tennis, ringing and billiards as well as fishing.Provenance: Arthur Howard Thompson (morocco book-label); George Miskin (sold his sale, Bloomsbury Auctions, 3rd May, 2012, lot 178)

More (Sir Thomas) The Apologye of Syr Thomas More Knyght, first edition, printed entirely in black letter, title within pictorial woodcut border, woodcut initial, early ink underlining and marginal annotations, final blank leaf laid down, about a dozen leaves with corners or margins restored, some light water-staining, later blind-stamped morocco by Zaehnsdorf, g.e., [STC 18078; Gibson, More 46], 8vo, Prynted by W. Rastell, 1533.⁂ A very good copy with a distinguished provenance of this important defence of his own actions and those of the clergy in general, published in response to a 1532 treatise, generally ascribed to Christopher St. German, entitled A Treatise concerning the Division between the Spirituality and Temporality, in which the anonymous author argued for the supremacy of the King and for the drastic limiting of church power. No copy at auction since this one last appeared in 1990.Provenance: John Ravens (ink name on title); Montacute House (ink annotation on front free endpaper); John Burns (ink name, dated 1916, on front free endpaper); H. Bradley Martin (bookplate - his sale at Sotheby's NY, April 30th 1990, lot 3064 $2,500)

Thomas (William) Principal rules of the Italian grammer, with a dictionarie for the better vnderstandynge of Boccace, Pethrarcha, and Dante, third edition, title within woodcut architectural border, woodcut initials, worm hole to last 3ff., but a remarkably clean and excellent copy otherwise, 19th century half calf, spine gilt with monogram stamp to head, [STC 24022], small 4to, in aedibus H.Wykes, 1567.⁂ An excellent copy of this scarce work. he third edition of the first Italian dictionary and book of grammar published in England. Thomas did much to popularise the language and history of Italy with this work and his Historie of Italie. He was later hanged, drawn and quartered for his alleged part in Wyatt's rebellion of 1553-1554.Provenance: Arthur Blundell Sandys Trumbull Hill, 3rd Marquess of Downshire (1788-1845, Anglo-Irish peer, strong supporter of the Irish language (gilt monogram stamp)).

Americas.- Pirates.- Exquemelin (Alexandre Olivier) Bucaniers of America: Or, a true Account of the Most remarkable Assaults Committed of late years upon the Coasts of The West-Indies, 3 parts in 1 vol., first edition in English, 9 engraved plates, 3 folding (including folding map of Panama), 1 plate with lower margin restored, occasional light soiling or marginal damp-staining, but a good copy generally, ink ownership inscription to title, contemporary calf, rebacked and recornered, [Sabin 23479; Wing E3894], 4to, for William Crooke, at the Green Dragon without Temple-bar, 1684.⁂ One of the most popular and widely imitated of the accounts of piracy in the Americas. The lives of the buccaneers included in the work were liberally embellished to such an extent that Captain Morgan, one of the most notorious of those featured, successfully sued for slander and was awarded £200.Provenance: Roger Mostyn (ink inscription).

Cider.- "Lover of Planting". The Compleat Planter & Cyderist: or, Choice Collections and Observations for the Propagating all manner of Fruit-Trees, And the most Approved Ways and Methods yet known for the Making and Ordering of Cyder, and other English-Wines first edition, woodcut ilustrations, title tightly bound in, occasional browning or marginal water-staining, a few ink notes in a contemporary hand to margins, contemporary ink ownership inscription to title, contemporary sheep, rebacked, corners worn, rubbed, hinges strengthened, [Henrey 36; Wing C5649], 8vo, printed for Tho. Basset, at the George near St. Dunstans Church in Fleet-street, 1685.⁂ Provenance: 'Wm. Plumbe...de Aston' (contemporary ink inscription to title); The Cetus copy (sold Bloomsbury Auctions, 22nd September, 2011, lot 236).

Behn (Aphra) and others. Miscellany, being a collection of Poems by several hands. Together with reflections on morality, or Seneca unmasqued, first edition, lacking a4 blank f., very occasional light marginal damp-staining, R2 with upper corner torn away with loss to a few words of text, a few ff. closely shaved at head, affecting page numbers, contemporary panelled calf, rebacked, [Wing 2230], 8vo, for J. Hindmarsh, at the Golden Ball over against the Royal Exchange in Cornhil, 1685.⁂ A scarce collection of poetry with much by Behn, other poets featured include Thomas Creech and John Wilmot.

America.- Treaty of Peace, Good Correspondence & Neutrality in America, between the most Serene and Mighty Prince James II ... and ... Lewis XIV, first edition, title within double-ruled woodcut border, woodcut initial, title and last f. browned, last f. with short marginal tear, ink staining to top corner, 20th century wrappers, [cf. Sabin 96532; Wing J393], by Thomas Newcomb in the Savoy, 1686.⁂ First edition of James II's first treaty. The Treaty of Whitehall was an attempt to maintain peace in North America between France and England. The treaty specifically prohibited each nation from fishing or trading in the other's territory or from aiding any Native American tribes ("wild and barbarous Inhabitants") that the other power may be at war with. The rarer of the two imprints with the date in Arabic numerals, ESTC lists 5 copies (not in BL).

Shakespeare (William) Titus Andronicus, or the Rape of Lavinia, edited by Edward Ravenscroft, final gathering trimmed at foot, just affecting signature, catchwords and 'Finis', lightly browned, modern calf, gilt, [Wing S2949], 4to, Printed by J.B. for J. Hindmarsh, 1687.⁂ The first edition to be edited by Ravenscroft and the fourth quarto edition overall. Believed to be the first time that doubt was cast on Shakespeare's authorship of this play, in his prefatory note, Ravenscroft states: "I should acquaint you that there is a Play in Mr. Shakespears Volume under the name of Titus Andronicus, from whence I drew part of this. I have been told by some anciently conversant with the Stage, that it was not Originally his, but brought by a private Author to be Acted, and he only gave some Master-touches to one or two of the Principal Parts or Characters; this I am apt to believe, because 'tis the most incorrect and indigested piece in all his Works; It seems rather a heap of Rubbish then a Structure..."

Behn (Aphra).- Tallemant (Paul) Lycidus: or the Lover in Fashion. Being an account from Lycidus to Lysander, of his voyage from the Island of Love. [Translated by Aphra Behn] From the French...together with a miscellany of new poems. By several hands, first English edition, title in red and black within double-ruled woodcut border, d1 with tear running into text, a few other ff. with short tears to margins, I1 to end with marginal worm hole, occasionally touching text, occasional light browning, contemporary ink ownership inscription to title and notes to endpaper, contemporary calf, splitting to head of upper joint, some wear to corners, rubbed, [Wing T129], 8vo, for Joseph Knight, and Francis Saunders, at the Blew Anchor in the lower walk of the New-Exchange, 1688.⁂ Behn's translation of Le Second Voyage de l'Isle d'Amour, concluding with a number of poems by Behn and others. Provenance: Lewis Borthwick (ink inscription).

Barker (Jane) and others. Poetical Recreations: consisting of original poems, songs, odes, &c. With several new translations, first edition, with initial licence f. with publisher's woodcut device, title within double-ruled woodcut border, H2 with small hole to blank lower margin, 2S7 and 2T7 with small holes and some tearing with minor loss to text, occasional spotting, contemporary calf, rebacked and recornered, [Wing B770], 8vo, for Benjamin Crayle, at the Peacock and Bible, at the west-end of St. Pauls, 1688.⁂ First edition of the author's first book, a scarce collection of poetry by the first woman author to publish in both manuscript and print. The first part consists of poems by Barker addressed to her circle and the second part of poems addressed to Barker herself, the collection was published by Crayle, apparently without the author's permission.

[Pepys (Samuel)] Memoires relating to the State of the Royal Navy of England, for Ten Years..., first edition, issue with Griffin-Keble imprint, engraved portrait after Kneller, title in red and black, folding table of accounts mounted on stub, title, frontispiece, and front free endpapers detached, occasional light spotting or browning, contemporary speckled calf, neatly and sympathetically rebacked, retaining original backstrip, upper joint cracked at foot, rubbed, [Pforzheimer 793; Wing P1450], 8vo, for Ben Griffin, by Sam.Keble, 1690.⁂ Pepys' only work published in his lifetime with an interesting provenance.Provenance: Sir Paul Methuen, K.C. P.B. (c.1672 - 1757, diplomat, Whig politician and Lord of the Admiralty (bookplate)).

Osteology.- Havers (Clopton) Osteologia Nova, or Some New Observations of the Bones, and the Parts belonging to them, with the Manner of their Accretion and Nutrition, first edition, 2 engraved plates (one folding with some light wear along fold), imprimatur f. before title, advertisement f. at rear, title a little soiled, last f. foxed, minor worming to foot of inner margin, contemporary calf, rebacked, retaining part of original backstrip, [Garrison-Morton 387; Norman 1024; Wellcome III p.225; Wing H1162], 8vo, for Samuel Smith, at the Princes Arms in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1691.⁂ First edition of the first complete and systematic study of the structure of bones. This work also included the first account of the vascular canals of long bones that now bear the author's name.

South East Asia.- La Loubère (Simon de) A New Historical Relation of the Kingdom of Siam, 2 vol. in 1, first English edition, title in red and black, 2 engraved maps and 9 plates, title a little soiled, occasional browning, lacking rear endpaper, ink inscription to front endpaper, bookplate to pastedown, contemporary panelled calf, rebacked, lower cover with portion repaired, [Wing L201], folio, by F.L. for Tho. Horne, Francis Saunders and Tho. Bennet, 1693.⁂ A good copy of La Loubère's account of his voyage to modern Thailand, difficult to find complete. Notable for its publication of the 'Siamese method' of constructing magic squares and for one of the earliest accounts of a parachute. Provenance: Thomas Silvester (ink inscription dated 1758); Essex Archaeological Society (bookplate).

[H.(N.)] The Ladies Dictionary; being a General Entertainment for the Fair-Sex: A Work Never attempted before in English, first edition, small section of lower corner of 2C2 torn away, no loss of text, 2C3 outer margin a little frayed, lightly browned, a few small, mostly marginal, water-stains, occasional spotting, front free endpaper with 2 ms. notes, 1 (dated 1782) dealing with the mis-pagination present in the volume, the other (a later note) a general critique of the work, upper joint broken, contemporary calf, rebacked, preserving original backstrip (with loss to ends and 1 edge), rubbed, [Wing H99], 8vo, Printed for John Dunton at the Raven in the Poultrey, 1694. ⁂ A scarce dictionary dealing with all aspects of life deemed of interest to women, including long entries on fashion, clothing, cosmetics and beauty, courtship, men and "keeping house", together with sections on issues of morality titled "Secret lovers", "Women in men's clothing", "Books" ("The forbidding of idle books makes young people more curious to read them"), "Virgins", "Womens phancies in child-bearing", "Whoring" ("causes a man to spend flesh for silver, till he becomes so lank and lean, that his legs are scarce able to support their late portly master"), and "Night-walkers and Divers" ("she opens her shop-windows when all other trades about to shut them").

Fossills.- Woodward (John) An Essay Toward a Natural History of the Earth: and Terrestrial Bodies, especially Minerals, first edition, initial imprimatur f., title within ruled woodcut border, 2pp. advertisements at end, small indistinct blind stamp to a few ff., occasional worming to head of inner margin, some splitting to gutter, occasional light soiling or staining to margins, lengthy ink ownership inscription to final f., lacking endpapers, contemporary paneled calf, spine chipped at head, light wear to lower cover, [Wing W3510], 8vo, for Ric. Wilkin, 1695.⁂ Scarce. Woodward believed that the Earth had originally been submerged under a universal deluge suspending stones, minerals and animals, which then subsided into a stratigraphic succession dependent on the gravity of the individual components. His work, despite its flaws, helped to create a wider interest in fossils and earth sciences.

Beer and coffee.- Lightbody (James) Every Man His Own Gauger ... to which is added The Art of Brewing Beer . . . together with The Compleat Coffee-Man, ?first edition, title within ruled woodcut border, tables, occasional spotting, 19th century roan, [Wing L2048; cf. Simon 959 & 960], 12mo, printed for G.C. at the Ring in Little-Brittain, price 1s, [?1695].⁂ Rare, we can trace only a handful of copies at auction, ESTC lists 3 copies only in the UK.

Robinson (Thomas) New Observations on the Natural History of This World of Matter, and This World of Life: in two parts, being a philosophical discourse, grounded upon the Mosaick system of the creation, the flood, to which are added some thoughts concerning paradise, the conflgration of the World, and a treatise of meteorology..., first edition, 2 folding engraved plates, 2pp. advertisements, a crisp, clean copy, contemporary panelled calf, neat and sympathetic repairs to head of spine and corners, [Wing R1719], 8vo, for John Newton at the Three Pigeons over against the Inner-Temple-gate in Fleet-street, 1696.⁂ 'Robinson became entangled in controversies about the origins, structure and fate of the earth. His brief 'Anatomy of the Earth' (1694) was expanded into 'New Observations on the Natural History of This World of Matter and This World of Life' (1696). The earth is portrayed as a living animal in an engaging but dated alchemical and mystical model which features 'animal spirits' flowing within, a central fire, and a variety of 'damps' exuded to cause earthquakes, volcanoes, and winds. Living organisms are considered to be capable of generation from dead matter, fossils not to have live origins, and metals to be capable of transmutation. Divine providence is represented as being evident in all the natural processes and structures described, which were designed to benefit mankind.' - DNB.

Astronomy.- Huygens (Christiaan) The Celestial Worlds Discover'd: or, Conjectures concerning the Inhabitants, Plants and Productions of the Worlds in the Planets, first English edition, 5 engraved plates, all but one folding, small hole to third plate, affecting image, very occasional scattered spotting, but a very good, clean copy overall, library label to pastedown, contemporary calf, gilt 'EB' monogram to covers, rebacked and recornered, rubbed, [Honeyman 1732; Wing 3859], 8vo, printed for Timothy Childe at the White Hart at the west-end of St. Paul's Church-yard, 1698.⁂ First English edition of Huygens's treatise on the planets published the same year as the Latin edition, and including his ideas on the possibility of extraterrestrial life.Provenance: Elizabeth Scott, Duchess of Buccleuch (1743 - 1827, monogram stamps to covers).

Mines.- Waller (William) An Essay on the Value of the Mines, Late of Sir Carbery Price, first edition, 2 folding woodcut plates, title detached, faint ink stamp to title, partially erased, final f. chipped and with 2 repairs to verso, spotted and browned, a few neat ink numberings to front free endpaper, lacking rear endpaper, contemporary panelled calf, contemporary calf, gilt, rebacked, corners chipped, [Wing W552A; Goldsmiths 3480; Kress 2102; Sabin 101116], 8vo, 1698.

Savery (Thomas) Navigation Improv'd or the art of rowing ships of all rates, in calms, with a more easy, swift and steady motion also a description of the engine that performs it, first edition, folding engraved plate, engraved illustrations, with final advertisement f., browning, pencil note to pastedown, 20th century crushed cyan morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, light rubbing to joints, [Wing S773], small 4to, printed and sold by James Moxon, at the Atlas in Warwick-Lane, 1698.⁂ First edition of this early work by Savery, rare complete with the folding plate. The machine described by Savery here is a mechanism involving paddle-wheels and a capstan to allow automated rowing of ships. Ultimately the invention would be dismissed by the Admiralty on the advice of Edward Dummer, whose criticisms the author here attempts to answer. Provenance: C. E. Kenney (pencil note).

Comparative morphology.- Tyson (Edward) Orang-Outang, sive Homo Sylvestris; or, the Anatomy of a Pygmie, 2 parts in 1, first edition, 8 folding engraved plates (bound after second item), imprimatur f. bound after title, advertisement f. and additional blank f. bound mid-way through Preface, ink library stamp to title, pi3, L4 and O4, G2 with tear running into text, [Wing T3598; PMM 169; Garrison & Morton 153 and 300; Osler 4138; Waller 9727], for Thomas Bennet and Daniel Brown, 1699, bound with an extract from the second edition, together 2 works in 1 vol., spotting, occasional short tears to margins, 19th century calf, lower cover detached, upper cover becoming loose, rubbed, 4to.⁂ "The first really important work on comparative morphology....Tyson compared the anatomy of man and monkeys and between the two he placed the chimpanzee, which he regarded as the typical pygmy. This was the origin of the idea of a 'missing link' in the ascent of man from the apes" (Garrison and Morton).This copy includes the third part of the second edition, covering the anatomy and description of the rattle snake, musk hog and round worm with the plates, not originally included in the first edition.

Buccaneers.- Hacke (William, editor) A Collection of Original Voyages: I. Capt. Cowley's Voyage Round the Globe. II. Captain Sharp's Journey over the Isthmus of Darien, and Expedition into the South Seas, Written by himself. III. Capt. Wood's Voyage thro' the Streights of Magellan. IV. Mr. Roberts's Adventures among the Corsairs of the Levant; his Account of their Way of Living; Description of the Archipelago Islands, Taking of Scio, &c. London, first edition, title within double-ruled woodcut border, 3 engraved folding maps by Herman Moll (folding world map tipped onto A8 fore-edge) and 3 engraved plans, 3pp. advertisements at end, D8 blank outer margin foreshortened, bookplate to front free endpaper, contemporary half calf, sympathetically rebacked, [Blackmer 771; Sabin 29473; Wing H168], 8vo, for James Knapton, at the Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1699.⁂ First edition of an important source book for contemporary accounts of piracy. Hacke here claims to be a buccaneer himself but was in fact a map maker based in Wapping. Provenance: William Alexander (bookplate).

Grafton (Richard) A Chronicle at Large and meere History of the affayres of Englande and Kinges of the same, 2 vol. in 1, black letter, titles within decorative woodcut borders, vol. 1 first 6 ff. and vol. 2 last 6ff. supplied from a 19th century edition, vol. 1 table misbound at start, headlines occasionally cropped or shaved, occasional staining, heavier towards start of vol. 1 and end of vol.2, a few marginal tears and repairs occasionally touching text or affecting printed side-notes, light worming towers end of vol. 2, bookplates, 19th century straight-grain dark blue morocco, light rubbing to extremities, [STC 12147], folio, Henry Denham for Richard Tottell and Humphrey Toye, 1568-9.⁂ Provenance: Sneyd Library; C. W. Dyson Perrins (bookplates).

Ascham (Roger) A Report and Discourse... of the affaires and state of Germany and the Emperour Charles his court, duryng certaine yeares while the sayd Roger was there, black letter, title within woodcut typographic border, woodcut initials and decorations, endpapers spotted, 19th-century red morocco, gilt, by Francis Bedford, small chip to head of upper joint, very light rubbing to joints, [Pforzheimer 14; STC 830], by John Daye, dwelling over Aldersgate, [?1570].⁂ A very good copy of the first edition of Ascham's account of his time in Germany as secretary to Sir Richard Morison, ambassador to the court of Emperor Charles V, which appears infrequently at auction. The report takes the form of a letter to the courtier John Astley and gives a first-hand account of events during the closing years of the Emperor's reign, before his abdications.

[Boaistuau (Pierre)], "Chelidonius Tigurinus". A most excellent Hystorie, Of the Institution and firste beginning of Christian Princes, and the Originall of Kingdomes: Whereunto is annexed a treatise of Peace and Warre, and another of the dignitie of Mariage, first edition, black letter, title within elaborate typographical woodcut border with coat of arms of Elizabeth I to verso, woodcut historiated initials, head- and tail-pieces, occasional damp-staining, 2D1 to end (4ff.) with minor worming to text with loss to a few letters, occasional marginal staining or soiling, early ink inscriptions to title and elsewhere, disbound, loose in contemporary limp vellum (lower cover with much torn away), preserved in morocco-backed drop-back box, [STC 5113], small 4to, by H. Bynneman dvvelling in Knightrider streat, at the signe of the Marmayd, 1571.⁂ A rare work by Boaistuau, we can trace only 2 copies at auction, including this one. Pierre Boaistuau (c.1517 - 1566) was a French Renaissance humanist writer, best known for his Le Théâtre du Monde (1558).Provenance: Humphrey Warren; Geo. Mackenzies (ink inscriptions).

A selection of military cap badges, buttons and other items, along with a book 'Private Breger in Britain' with cartoons by Dave Breger, published London The Pilot Press Ltd May 1944 First Edition

A complete set of first edition cordon bleu cook books, books on coins and a signed Spinks book

ϒA. Lange & Söhne, Lange 1, Limited Edition of 100 pieces for Sincere Singapore, ref. 112.049, a platinum wrist watch, no. 148440, circa 2003, manual wind movement, 53 jewels, cal. L 901.0, no. 33230, adjusted to 5 positions, white gold guilloché dial, off-centre chapter ring with Roman numeral quarters and lozenge hour markers, subsidiary seconds dial to 5 o’clock, double date aperture to 1 o’clock, power reserve indicator to 3 o’clock, date pusher to 11 o’clock, screwed down display case back with 6 screws, stamped 950 with poinçon, on a non-original brown alligator strap with platinum pin buckle, case back, dial, movement and crown signed, diameter 39mm As one of the first four models that marked the re-birth of the brand, presented in 1994, the Lange 1 is now the most recognisable watch from A. Lange & Sohne. With its idiosyncratic off-centre chapter ring and a double date aperture modelled on the five-minute clock in Dresden’s Semper Opera House, the Lange 1 is the template on which numerous complications have been based. In 2003, the Sincere Watch Boutique in Singapore commissioned a limited edition of 100 examples of the Lange 1. In a change to the simple dial typified by the brand, the ref. 112.049 a pin-stripe guilloché to the dial background with sunburst detail to the sub-dial centres. ϒ Indicates that this lot may be subject to CITES regulations when exported. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more information.

P.G. Wodehouse Blandings Castle and Elsewhere published Herbert Jenkins fifth printing in original cloth and colour pictorial dust-wrapper, Rake’s Progress The Gay and Dramatic Adventures of Major Denis Rake MC the Reluctant British War-Time Agent by Denis Rake, published Leslie Frewin 1968 first edition in colour dust-wrapper, Oh! To Be In England by W.E. Bates published Michael Joseph 1963 first edition in illustrated dust-wrapper  (3)  

[Signed] The Rev. W. Awdry James The Red Engine with illustrations by C. Reginald Dalby published Edmund Ward original boards and dust-wrapper signed on title, Thomas The Tank Engine Man by Brian Sibley 1995 first edition, with an Enid Blyton Mary Mouse book by Brockhampton Press in colour illustrated card covers (3)

[Beatrix Potter] The Tale of Mr. Tod, Frederick Warne 1912 first edition illustrated with colour plates & black and white text illustrations in boards with colour pasted label & lettering, with a first edition copy of The Tale of Pigling Bland, Frederick Warne 1913 (lacking frontispiece) in boards with colour pasted label & lettering (2)  

Howard Pyle The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood of Great Renown in Nottinghamshire, written and illustrated by Howard Pyle, published Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington 1883 first edition, publisher's illustrated cloth lettered in gilt 

Biggles Flies North by Captain W.E. Johns, illustrated by Howard Leigh and Will Narrraway OUP 1939 first edition in original illustrated cloth, with Biggles Goes To School Hodder & Stroughton 1951 (2) 

Silver Magic, A Collection of the Worlds Best Fairy Tales by Romer Wilson with illustrations in colour & line by Violet Brunton, Jonathan Cape 1929 first edition in silver printed cloth and original dust wrapper, The Magic Ink-Pot by The Marchioness of Londonderry illustrated 1928 original gilt cloth and Kenilworth by Sir Walter Scott illustrated by H.J. Ford in colour pictorial cloth and dust wrapper (3) 

[Signed] As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee illustrated by Leonard Bosoman, published Andre Deutsch 1969 first edition in original cloth and dustwrapper signed and dated by Laurie Lee on front fly leaf  

London Goldsmiths 1697-1837 Their Marks and Lives from the Original Registers at Goldsmith’s Hall & other sources by Arthur C. Grimwade, published Faber 1976 first edition in gilt cloth

Charles Dickens Little Dorrit with illustrations by H.K. Browne (Phiz), published Bradbury & Evans 1857 first edition with engraved title, printed title and 38 plates (complete) bound in contemporary half leather with raised bands, gilt stamped panels and lettering  

Constable’s Hand Atlas of India, A New Series of Sixty Maps and Plans prepared under direction of J.G. Bartholomew published Archibald Constable 1893 first edition with double-page colour plates and bound in leather backed cloth boards 

Picasso Paintings 1939-1946 with Introduction by John Russell, published Lindsay Drummond 1946 first edition with mounted colour plates in original colour wrappers, Pablo Picasso Man & His Work illustrated hardback, Van Gogh by L. Goldscheider and W. Uhde 1945 with full-page plates in dust-wrapper, Ruseckis, Stanley Spencer, David Hockney and Edward Lear books (8)  

Munro Leaf The Story of Ferdinand Illustrated by Robert Lawson, published Hamish Hamilton 1937 first edition in publisher's cloth backed boards, with illustration on centre of both covers and preserved in original colour dust-wrapper   

Ida Rentoul Outhwaite Blossom A Fairy Story published A & C. Black 1928 first edition with 8 plates in colour, 8 in black & white and numerous text illustrations, bound in cloth backed patterned paper boards with pictorial title label on front and gilt lettering spine   

Charles Dickens The Mystery of Edwin Drood with 12 Illustrations by S.L. Fildes and a portrait, published Chapman & Hall 1870 first edition comprising a complete set of the 6 monthly parts (issued April to September) in their original illustrated wrappers (with title page, portrait and contents lists bound in part 6)  

Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien with Foreword and Notes by Christopher Tolkien published George Allen & Unwin 1979 first edition with colour portrait and 48 plates in cloth bound boards with gilt monogram on cover – housed in brown & cream glazed slipcase 

[Signed] Emett’s Domain, Trains, Trams & Englishmen The Best of Rowland Emett Published Harcourt, Brace 1953 first edition illustrated throughout, cloth backed boards in original colour pictorial dust wrapper - signed presentation copy from Rowland Emett on half-title page   

Two books illustrated by Cecil Aldin Just Among Friends Pages From My Sketch Books 1934, with drawings in black, brown & white on tinted paper bound in cloth, A Dozen Dogs Or So by Patrick Chalmers with 12 colour plates by Cecil Aldin 1928 first edition in lettered cloth binding (2)