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A miscellaneous collection of books to include The Feathered Tribes of the British Islands, by Robert Mudie, third edition in two volumes, illustrated with beautifully hand-coloured plates, London: Henry G. Bohn, 1841, octavo, publisher's pebble cloth lettered in gilt, spine lifting on first volume; Jack the Giant Killer, by Richard Doyle, London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1842, quarto, publisher's illustrated cloth, internally bright, binding worn; Robin Hood: A Collection of All The Ancient Poems, Songs and Ballads Now Extant, by Joseph Ritson, limited edition numbered 135/300, illustrations after Thomas Bewick plus nine etchings after A. H. Tourrier, London: John C. Nimmo, 1885, half parchment & cloth boards, head of spine worn; Master Humphrey’s Clock, by Charles Dickens, in three volumes, illustrated by G. Cattermole and H. K. Browne, original cloth, worn; Bradshaw’s Railway Map of Great Britain & Ireland, sectional & linen-backed, c. 1895, and others, condition varied, sold with all faults (10)

Livingstone, David. Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa, first edition, London: John Murray, 1857. Octavo, publisher's embossed cloth lettered in gilt, complete with all illustrations, plates & maps, as called for. ix, 687pp., 4pp. publisher's advertisements dated 1 November 1857, 8pp. other advertisements. The book includes a quantity of loosely-inserted newspaper clippings, 1869-72, reporting on the disappearance, safety, and death of Livingstone, with one article stating that he has been murdered, and another claiming he 'has been killed and burnt by the natives'. There is also a letter dated 1864 regarding an order of wool, recipient unknown, which has presumably been used as a bookmark with notes referring to the text, and a later inscription on ffep stating that the book was 'rescued from an unoccupied house in Helgoland, via a requisitioned German warship'. Contents generally good, but the text-block detached from its worn cloth binding, the map in rear wallet is very well-preserved, sold as found with all faults

Forde, Emanuel. Parsimus. The Renowmed [sic] Prince of Bohemia. His Most Famous, delectable and pleasant Historie. Containing His Noble Battailes Fought Against the Persians, His Love to Laurana, The Kings Daughter of Thessally and His Strange Adventures in the Desolate Island, two parts in one, London: Thomas Creed [or Creede], 1604-05. Small quarto, full vellum with repairs & old vellum re-laid, pp. 224 [part one], 254 [part two], the second part with some damaged leaves and slight loss to top edges, part two ends abruptly with the final word “Parsimus” [a later edition of 1649 has 287pp. in the second part, but we’re unable to locate this 1604-05 edition to ascertain if anything is lacking], thus sold as found with all faults. Thomas Creede was an Elizabethan and Jacobean London printer, publishing works in c. 1593 to 1617 from Thames Street and The Eagle and Child in Exchange Street, London. Considered the best printer of his time, he was the printer of five first editions of Shakespeare, as well as Greene’s “Groat’s Worth of Wit”. This title and edition of this “Court” romance isn’t listed in the printer’s bibliography. The 1598 first and a 1608 edition are both held in parts by the British Library, but no copies with this date were located at time of cataloguing

Forensic Medicine.- The Hertford Letter: containing Several Brief Observations on a late Printed Tryal Concerning the Murder of Mrs. Sarah Stout, first edition, browned, [Wing D75], Printed, and Sold by the Booksellers of London and Westminster, 1699; bound with A Reply to the Hertford Letter..., penultimate leaf shaved at foot with loss of catchword to recto and last line of text to verso, browned, [Wing R1074], Printed for, and sold by M. Fabian...and J. Nutt, 1699, together 2 works in 1, modern cloth, upper cover creased, 4to⁂ An early work on forensic medicine, the trial hinging on whether the woman was already dead when she entered the water. Numerous expert witnesses were called to testify concerning death from drowning, including for the defence Sir Hans Sloane, Dr. Samuel garth and the surgeon William Cowper. There is a reference on p.12 of the first work to slaves who have died being thrown overboard "without any weight to their feet, and these Float immediately." The trial started with damning circumstantial evidence against Spencer Cowper but he was ultimately acquitted.Provenance: Thomas Foley of Great Witley Court, Worcester (armorial bookplate to verso of first title).

Caesar (Gaius Julius) The Commentaries..., of his Wars in Gallia; and the Civil Wars Betwixt him and Pompey... also the Art of our Modern Training by Clement Edmonds, engraved frontispiece and 14 plates, several folding, letterpress title in red and black, light damp-staining throughout, frontispiece neatly backed with tissue on recto and with some restoration to margins, some chipping to upper margin of title and first few ff., modern calf, [Wing C201], folio, Edward Jones for Mathew Gillyflower, 1695.⁂ A scarce edition.

Shadwell (Thomas) The History of Timon of Athens, the Man-Hater, first edition, margins of title trimmed, preliminaries with water-staining at head, foxed, lightly browned, 19th century half calf, rather worn, upper cover detached, [Wing S2846; Pforzheimer 917], small 4to, Printed by J[ohn] M[acock] for Henry Herringman, 1678.⁂ In this setting the licensing date on the title reads "1678/7" and leaf A4v is blank. Another setting has licensing date "1677/8" and leaf A4v bears 'Persons names'.

MIlitary.- Dallington (Sir Robert) Aphorismes ciuill and militarie: amplified with authorities, and exemplified with historie, out of the first quarterne of Fr. Guicciardine, 2 parts in 1, first edition, titles with woodcut printer's device, first title first word is xylographic and with engraved portrait of dedicatee Prince Charles verso, woodcut head-pieces and decorative initials, with initial but lacking final blank, ink ownership inscription to head of title, contemporary calf, gilt, neatly and sympathetically rebacked, rubbed, corners repaired, [STC 6197], folio, [R. Field] for Edward Blount, 1613.⁂ In 1609 Dallington presented Prince Henry with a manuscript Aphorismes civill and militarie, comprising pieces selected from the Italian historian Guicciardini. Following the prince's death in 1612 Dallington reworked these, which were published in 1613 with a new dedication to Prince Charles, later King Charles I.

Medicine.- Edwards (Edward) The Cure of all sorts of Fevers, both generall, and particular, with their Definition, Kindes, Differences, Causes, Signes, Prognostication, and Manner of Cure, first edition, woodcut device on title, woodcut decorations, final imprimatur leaf present, some fore-margins trimmed close with occasional loss of text, modern mottled half calf over marbled boards, [STC 7512], 4to, Printed by Thomas Harper, and are to be sold by William Sheeres, 1638.⁂ The main text is set out in tabular form rather than prose. The preface condemns the quacks "an inundant deluge of over-whelming make-shifts or smoothing sychophants, fit to be unmasked, and repressed, worthy punishment, being a rabble of idle droans...practising Physick and Chyrurgerie, making it a sanctuarie of idlenesse to the dishonour of God, and great hurt to the people..."

Langford (Thomas) Plain and Full Instructions to Raise all sorts of Fruit-Trees that Prosper in England, second edition, 2 engraved plates, 1 with key opposite, 6pp. advertisements, worming to lower margin, plate 2 with small section of outer margin torn away, lightly browned, a few spots, British Museum duplicate stamp to verso of title, Royal Agricultural Society of England bookplate to front pastedown, 20th century half calf, upper cover detached, rubbed, [Henrey 216; Wing L389], 8vo, Printed for Richard Chiswell at the Rose and Crown in St.Paul's Church-Yard, 1696. ⁂ John Evelyn praises this work in a one-page letter printed after the 'To the Reader', in which he states that he knows 'of nothing extant which exceeds it'. The second edition adds for the first time a section headed 'Of Greens and green-houses in general' and 'A Catalogue of Choice Fruits...greens and blossoming shrubs: to be had at Brompton Park, near Kensington'. Includes the making of cider, perry and liquors.

Dryden (John).- Revolter (The). A Trage-Comedy Acted between the Hind and Panther, and Religio Laici, &c., first edition, final blank leaf present, a few leaves with headlines shaved, some foxing, later calf-backed boards, [Wing R1206], 4to, 1687.⁂ One of two variants - the other, presumably earlier, has "Revoltex" in line 2 of the title. The work is an anonymous satire on the work of John Dryden, written in verse and with extracts from his poetry. Scarce at auction.

Calvin (John) Sermons of Master Iohn Calvin, upon the Booke of Iob, ?first edition in English, translated by Arthur Golding, title within woodcut architectural border, woodcut decorative initials, colophon to verso of final text f. with woodcut device, a few instances of early ink marginalia, with a few ink scribbles to foot of 2*6v, 2H6 & 2K7 with portion of fore-margin torn away, touching printed side-note to 2H6, a few very short marginal tears, including to head of title, water-staining, mostly marginal and concentrated at beginning and end, scattered foxing, the odd leaf lightly browned, modern polished calf, rubbed, [STC 4444], folio, by [Henrie Binneman] for Lucas Harison and George Bishop, [1574].⁂ One of two variants published in the same year, with identical imprint.

Tracts.- Wright (Leonard) The Hunting of Antichrist. With a caveat to the contentious, first edition, woodcut device on title, largely printed in black letter, upper edge cropped affecting first line of title and headlines/pagination throughout, A2 torn, leaves at end frayed with some loss of text, [STC 26031], Imprinted by John Wolfe, 1589; bound with History (The) of the Damnable Life, and deserved Death of Dr. John Faustus, title and first leaf supplied in pen and ink facsimile, lacking at least one leaf at end, [?Printed by C. Brown for M. Hotham, 1700]; bound with [Warner (John)] The Devilish Conspiracy, Hellish Treason, Heathenish Condemnation, and Damnable Murder, Committed and executed by the Jewes..., ?first edition, A3 with short tear, water-stained, [Wing W902], 1648 [ie 1649]; bound with Alarme to England (An): or A Warning-Piece to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, 8pp., caption title, soiled, [Wing A828], Printed for W. Ley, 1647; bound with At a meeting in Amounderness, in the County of Lancaster..., 6pp., lacks title, [c.1643], together 5 works in 1, later half calf, rubbed, head of spine torn, 4to⁂ A curious assembly of tracts, mostly of a religious flavour. Wright (fl. 1591) was a religious controversialist who advocated the cause of prelacy in this work, subtitled "A briefe description of the Church of Rome from the time of Antichrist until our present age." The Faust legend was first published in English around 1590 and was so popular that numerous subsequent editions appeared. Warner (1581-1666), bishop of Rochester and chaplain to Charles I, was a staunch adherent of established church and monarchy against puritans and parliamentarians. This sermon was preached and published anonymously within a week of the execution of the king and inveighs against the regicides, treating the king as a personification of Christ. The "Alarme" is a call to repentance. The final pamphlet, apparently not in Wing, describes a meeting to assess the rates for the payment of troops and to appoint commissioners for each of the hundreds in the district round Lancashire.

Cosmetics.- Jeamson (Thomas) Artificiall Embellishments. Or Arts Best Directions How to Preserve Beauty or Procure it, first edition, marginal worming, paper flaw in L3 with loss of one letter, corner of L8 torn away but not quite affecting text block, new endpapers, contemporary calf, rebacked, head of spine worn, rubbed, [Wing J503; Madan III, 2705], 8vo, Oxford, Printed by William Hall, 1665.⁂ ''A manual of cosmetics, interspersed with highfalutin' talk...There is a modicum of scientific practical medicine, and much humbug, such as a recipe to get plump (p.67), namely to take twelve or thirteen 'lizards or neuts', boil them &c., feed a hen with them, then 'kil her and eat her'. All this was written for ladies by a fellow of Wadham, who tried in vain to conceal the authorship, and was much laughed at...'' (Madan). Provenance: Archibald Spark (ink inscription and Latin verse, dated 1666 on front free endpaper); John Lloyd (ink inscription dated 1706 on another front free endpaper); Catherine Lloyd (ink inscription on rear free endpaper).

Sustainability.- T[aylor] (S[ilvanus]) Common-Good: or, the Improvement of Commons, Forrests, and Chases, by Inclosure, first edition, lower corner/edge of last 6ff. repaired with some loss of text, upper edge trimmed with occasional loss to pagination, water-staining, modern cloth-backed boards, [Wing T552; Goldsmiths 1248; Kress 860], 4to, Printed for Francis Tyton, 1652.⁂ With condition issues but nevertheless a rare book with the Rothamsted copy (sold in these rooms in 2018 and then subsequently re-appearing at Bonhams three years later) the only copy at auction for over 50 years. Even 350 years ago the author recognised the dangers of deforestation and argues for a huge programme of planting trees in England.Provenance: Royal Agricultural Society of England (bookplate in memory of Raymond Wheatley-Hubbard).

[Mayne (Jasper)] The Amorous Warre. A Tragi-Comoedy, first edition, lacks final blank, water-staining (heavy on C2) and foxing, slight worming to corner of several leaves, title edges slightly frayed, disbound, [Wing M1463], 4to, 1648.⁂ A 1922 Quaritch catalogue describes this scarce work as "a play of much merit, marred however by licentiousness. It contains an extremely pretty lyric, beginning, "Time is a feather'd Thing," which was noticed by F. T. Palgrave and reprinted by Professor Henry Morley in The King and the Commons (1868)."

Baillet (Adrien) The Life of Monsieur Des Cartes, Containing the History of his Philosophy and Works, first edition in English, translated by S.R., final advertisement leaf, foxed, modern calf, [Wing B451A], 8vo, Printed for R. Simpson, 1693.⁂ Quite rare at auction with only the Macclesfield copy (2008, with another book on Descartes in the lot) and a copy in 1896 (!) listed on RBH.Provenance: Richard Towneley, of Towneley in Lancashire (engraved bookplate on title verso dated 1702)

French (John) The Art of Distillation: or, a Treatise of the Choicest Spagiricall Preparations...to which is added, The London-Distiller, second edition, title in red and black, woodcut illustrations, lacking M4, A3 headline shaved and final leaf with 'Finis' trimmed, a little water-staining and occasional foxing, modern blind-stamped calf, spine slightly faded, [Wing F2170; Duveen, p. 231; Ferguson, I, p. 293; Wellcome III, p. 67; ], 4to, Printed by E. Cotes, for Thomas Williams, 1653.⁂ First published in 1651, includes much on the principals of distillation as well as numerous medical receipts, recipes for raspberry and other flavoured wines and "A new invention for bathers" (essentially a small, personal sauna).

Africa.- Ludolf (Hiob) A New History of Ethiopia, being a Full and Accurate Description of the Kingdom of Abessinia, first English edition, 8 engraved plates, of which 7 folding, one bound upside down, engraved ethtiopic alphabet plate, folding letterpress table, H1 & 2Z2 with short marginal tear, 2Y3 with small hole affecting odd letter, spotting, previous owner's ink marking to title, bookplates, contemporary calf, rebacked retaining original backstrip, [WingL3468], folio, for Samuel Smith, 1682.⁂ Provenance: engraved bookplate of Walter Charles James. Bookplate of Lawrence Strangman, and bookplate of David Crampton Winfield (1929-2013).

First English Poetess.- Philips (Katherine) Poems by the most deservedly Admired Mrs Katherine Philips the Matchless Orinda, first authorised edition, engraved portrait frontispiece, b1 & 3C1 with small marginal loss not affecting text, R2 with short marginal tear, 2E2 with small rust-hole affecting odd letter, 4M1 strengthened at margins, lacking final blank, scattered spotting, occasional marginal ink mark, bookplate with early inscription below, ex-Harvard College Library with usual label, discreet blind-stamp and ink-stamp to title verso, contemporary calf, rebacked, a little rubbed, [Wing P2033], folio, by J. M. for H. Herringman, 1667.⁂ The daughter of a London merchant, Katherine Philips was probably the first English female poet to have her work published. She was best known by her pseudonym 'Orinda.' This is the first authorised edition of this work, following a 1664 pirated edition. This is perhaps the most famous English collection of poems by a woman prior to 1700.

Recusant Printing.- Estella (Diego de) The Contempte of the World, and the vanite thereof, title with large woodcut Jesuit device, woodcut of the nativity to title verso, woodcut of Madonna and Child to final f. verso (a8), woodcut head-pieces and decorative initials, lacking A3, final f. defective with lower portion torn away and consequent chip to woodcut, some staining and spotting, lightly browned, nineteenth century calf, rubbed, [STC 10541], 12mo, [Rouen], [printed at Fr. Parson's press], [1584].⁂ The scarce first edition in English, printed in Rouen, at the press established by exiled Robert Parsons SJ during his sojourn there in the early 1580s.

Medicine.- Pomarius (Petrus) Enchiridion Medicum: containing an Epitome of the Whole Course of Physicke, 2 parts in 1, 'the second impression', some staining, especially towards end, upper edge trimmed occasionally affecting headlines or pagination, modern calf 'antique style', [STC 24578; Wellcome I, 5149], 4to, Printed by N[icholas] O[kes and Thomas Snodham] for John Royston, and William Bladon, 1612.⁂ Uncommon at auction. Snodham printed 2A-2Y; Okes printed the rest (STC). "The examination of a chyrurgion .. by S[tephen]. H[obbes]." has separate dated title-page; "A particular practise of phisicke" (caption title) begins new pagination on 2A1. The first edition appeared in 1609.

Rycaut (Paul) The History of the Turkish Empire, first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece and 3 plates only (of 4), also lacking 2ff. (dedication to the King and 'To the Reader'), title lower edge reinforced, c1 with slight tear just encroaching into text, small rust hole in X3 slightly affecting text, occasional foxing and soiling, later mottled sheep, upper cover scuffed, lower cover worn, rebacked, [Atabey 1074; Wing R2406. Not in Blackmer], Printed by J.M. for John Starkey, 1680; and another by Rycaut, also defective, folio (2)⁂ Provenance: James H. Williams (ink name on title); Colonel H.H. Fane (bookplate); Malin and Constantine Sorsbie (bookplate).

Herbert of Cherbury (Edward, Lord) The Life and Raigne of King Henry the Eighth, first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece, title in red and black, engraved initials and head-pieces, occasional marginal ink annotations in an early hand, E4 with small rust-hole affecting odd letter, 3R1 & 3R2 with small marginal rust-holes, 4D5 with marginal tears, lacking final blank, previous owner's ink signatures to front free endpaper, later half-calf, a little rubbed, [Wing H1504], folio, by E.G. for Thomas Whitaker, 1649.

[Dryden (John) Alexander Pope, Joseph Addison and others, contributors]. Sylvae: or, the Second Part of Poetical Miscellanies, first edition, lacking final errata f. (as often), ink ex-libris inscription "Brent Gration-Maxfield" to front pastedown, contemporary mottled calf, spine repaired at head, spine label renewed, [Wing D2379], 8vo, for Jacob Tonson, 1685.

Adam (Melchior) The Life and Death of Dr. Martin Luther, first English edition, translated by Thomas Hayne, engraved title with vignette, lacking engraved portrait, errata leaf present at end with some ink annotations, title and some other leaves soiled, later calf, rebacked, rubbed, [Wing A505], 4to, Printed by I.L. for John Stafford, 1641.

Wither (George) Ecchoes from the Sixth Trumpet. Reverberated by A Review of Neglected Remembrances, first edition, part 1 [all published], upper edge trimmed close occasionally touching headline and pagination, occasional light foxing, 19th century morocco, a little rubbed, g.e., [Wing W3155; Pforzheimer 1080], 8vo, [London], Imprinted in the Year Chronogrammically expressed in this Seasonable Prayer LorD haVe MerCIe Upon Us, [1666].⁂ Rare at auction, RBH citing the last copy in 1977 and prior to that, in 1939. With a list of Wither's published works on final page. Ink notes on front free endpaper cite a Thorpe catalogue of 1842 "One of the scarcest of Wither's poetical productions". Provenance: Thomas Gaisford (bookplate); Thomas Brooke (bookplate).

Douglas (Lady Eleanor) Strange and Wonderfull Prophesies..., first edition, 4ff., woodcut illustration on title and at end comprising 6 vignettes in total, foxing and water-staining, later half calf, a little rubbed and bumped, [Wing D2014], 4to, Printed for Robert Ibbitson, 1649.⁂ Rare. ESTC locates 10 copies. Only one copy traced at auction, in 1946. Eleanor Touchet, Lady Audley (d.1652), daughter of George, Baron Audley, married Sir John Davies (1569-1626), attorney general for Ireland, in 1609; after his death she married Sir Archibald Douglas. Her first prophecies, published in 1633 in Holland and reissued here in verse form, led to a fine of £3000 and imprisonment for seven years, first in Bedlam and then in the Tower. The last of her works was published in 1652. The reason for her imprisonment is made clear by the side-notes - she prophesied the death of Charles I and the end of the monarchy in England.Provenance: Henry Cunliffe (bookplate).

Porter (Thomas) The Villain, [second edition], title reinforced at inner margin, foxing, modern cloth, [Wing P2996], 4to, Printed for H. Herringman, 1670.⁂ The first edition of Porter's successful tragedy appeared in 1662 and was first performed at the Duke's Theatre that October. Porter (1636-80) abducted Anne Blount in February 1655 and was briefly imprisoned and the marriage declared null and void, though a subsequent valid marriage produced a son. In March of the same year he killed a man in Covent Garden, probably in a duel, and pleaded guilty to manslaughter, his punishment being branding on the hand. Twelve years later he killed his friend Sir Henry Belasyse in another duel - Samuel Pepys remarking on the "silliness of the quarrel." Porter, also injured, had to leave the country but a court later found the cause of death unknown.

Charleton (Walter) The Darknes of Atheism Dispelled by the Light of Nature. A Physico-Theologicall Treatise, first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece laid down and with marginal defects, final 2 leaves silked and with corners defective causing slight loss of pagination, title soiled, inner margin of first couple of leaves renewed with slight loss to woodcut initial and one word of text on par3, some foxing and staining, modern calf, [Wing C3668], 4to, Printed by J.F. for William Lee, 1652.⁂ Provenance: Kenneth Garth Huston (bookplate).

Shakespeare source book.- Fraunce (Abraham) The Lawiers Logike, exemplifying the praecepts of Logike by the practise of the common Lawe, first edition, title within typographic border, woodcut head-pieces and initials, folding table after 2I2, 2A2 blank, a few ink annotations, some light mostly marginal water-staining, modern calf, [STC 11344], 4to, Imprinted by William How, for Thomas Gubbin, and T. Newman, 1588.⁂ 'From this work Shakespeare is supposed to have acquired some of his legal knowledge'. (Sweet & Maxwell I p. 167 no. 12). One of 3 variants, with different imprints. Fraunce was a poet as well as a lawyer and this work includes quotations from poetry and prose alongside his important use of logic in legal argument.Provenance: Birmingham Law Library (circular ink stamp to title and several other leaves).

Popish Plot.- [D. (G.)] A Briefe Discoverie of Doctor Allens seditious drifts, contrived in a Pamphlet written by him, Concerning the Yeelding up of the towne of Deventer, (in Overrissel) unto the King of Spain, by Sir William Stanley, first edition, large woodcut of St. George slaying the dragon on verso of A1, later limp vellum, [STC 6166], 4to, Imprinted by I.W. for Francis Coldock, 1588.⁂ One of two variants - this with no address in the imprint and with woodcut of St. George (the other variant has a woodcut coat-of-arms). Sir William Stanley served under the Earl of Leicester in the Netherlands during the Wars of Religion. His regiment took the town of Deventer in October 1586 from the Spanish and Stanley was put in charge as governor, then in January 1587 he defected and handed the town back to the Spanish. He became acquainted with William Allen who published a defence of his actions at Deventer, which is the text being repudiated in the present work.

South America.- Vega (Garcilaso de la) "El Inca". The Royal Commentaries of Peru, 2 parts in 1, translated by Paul Rycaut, engraved portrait frontispiece, title in red and black, 10 engraved plates, a few burn-holes in text, last 26ff. with upper corner repaired with some loss of rule, headline and pagination (mostly supplied in pen and ink), occasional foxing and soiling, contemporary calf, rebacked, worn, upper cover detached, head of spine defective, [Wing G216; Sabin 98760], folio, Printed by Miles Flesher, for Christopher Wilkinson, 1688.⁂ One of 4 variants of this edition. ".. [Rycaut] had a very slight knowledge of the Spanish language and he did not scruple to make wild guesses at the meaning of sentences, and to omit whole chapters. Thus he only gives fourteen out of the twenty-six chapters in the first book, and sixteen out of the twenty-six in the second."--C.S. Markham's introd. to the First part of the Royal commentaries, 1869-71, v. 1, p. xvi. (ESTC) .

Mathematics.- Brown (John) The Practical Gauger, Arithmetical and Instrumental, first edition, one folding engraved plate only (of 3), lower edge trimmed slightly affecting date and ruled border on title and a few other catchwords in text, light foxing, 18th century marbled boards, rubbed, [Wing B5042aA], 12mo, Printed by J.D. for John Brown and Rob. Morden, 1678.⁂ Extremely rare with no copy recorded at auction and ESTC citing BL and Bodleian copies only

Shirley (James) The Opportunitie. A Comedy, first edition, later calf, gilt, by W. Pratt, modern morocco-backed cloth slip-case, [STC 22451; Greg 575; Pforzheimer 931], 4to, Printed by Thomas Cotes for Andrew Crooke, and Will. Cooke, 1640.⁂ Lovely copy with distinguished provenance of this five-act verse play which Shirley based on Tirso de Molino's El Castigo del Penseque (1634), changing the ending by leaving the hero loveless, whereas the Spanish version had him lose the Duchess but marry one of her ladies instead. Greg identifies three variants of the imprint, with no priority.Provenance: Robert Hoe (small leather book label); Herschel V. Jones (small leather book label); Harold Greenhill (bookplate).

Perfection of Military Discipline (The) After the Newest Method, As Practised In England and Ireland, first edition, folding engraved frontispiece and one folding plate, a few leaves trimmed close, occasionally touching pagination, contemporary sheep, foot of spine repaired, new spine label, rubbed, [Wing P1532], 8vo, Printed for Nicholas Boddington, 1690.⁂ Rare. ESTC locates 7 copies only. RBH gives the last auction appearance of this edition as 1967.Provenance: Field Marshal Viscount Wolseley (bookplate and ink name to inner margin of title and to head of preface).

Confidence tricksters, swindlers and vagabonds.- [Head (Richard)] Proteus Redivivus, or, The Art of Wheedling, or Insinuation, Obtain'd by General Conversation, and Extracted from the several Humours, Inclinations, and Passions of both Sexes, first edition, light browning, closely shaved at head, touching a few headlines, K8 with lower corner torn away with loss to text, X1 with tear to inner margin, light soiling to title, later 19th century tree calf, upper joint cracked, extremities a little rubbed, [Wing H1272], 8vo, by W. D., 1675.⁂ Head's exposé of fast practices, including those of apothecaries, attorneys and bail bondsmen.

Congreve (William) The Way of the World, A Comedy, first edition, half-title and final leaf a little soiled and repaired, otherwise a good, clean copy, modern calf, joints slightly rubbed, [Wing C5878], 4to, Printed for Jacob Tonson, 1700.⁂ A very good copy of Congreve's magnum opus. "...the unequalled and unapproached masterpiece of English comedy. The one play in our language that may fairly claim a place beside or but just beneath the mightiest work of Moliere..." (Swinburne).

Priestly misdemeanors.- [G. (T.)] The Friers Chronicle: or, the True Legend of Priests and Monkes Lives, first edition, woodcut device on title, woodcut decorations, occasional spotting and light water-stain, disbound, modern cloth chemise, [STC 11510], 4to, Printed for Robert Mylbourne, 1623.⁂ Rare revelation of the amorous intrigues, seductions, robberies, murders, blasphemies etc of priests and monks. The dedication to the Countess of Devonshire is signed "T.G.", who has never been properly identified, with attributions to Thomas Gainsford and Thomas Goad. This is one of two variants, the other with John Budge's name in imprint.

Wortley (Sir Francis) Characters and Elegies, first edition, woodcut device on title, woodcut decorations, lacks errata leaf, later diced russia, rubbed, rebacked, upper cover detached, [Wing W3634], 4to, Printed in the Yeere, 1646.⁂ Wortley (1591-1652), poet and baronet, actively concerned with being an 'ingenious gentleman' and a zealous royalist, was a victim of Cromwell's confiscation. Imprisoned in the Tower of London for many years, he maintained his code of hospitality and charity. He was a friend of contemporary poets, notably Ben Jonson, but died in debt and ruin. He eulogises his royalist friends such as the Earls of Northampton, Viscount Falkland, Sir C. Cavendish, the poet Francis Quarles, the Earl of Chesterfield's sons and Sir W. Wentworth with energetic verse. The Huth copy is apparently the only one known with the errata leaf present. Apart from the Huth copy, which has appeared twice since 1988, the last copy at auction was in 1985.Provenance: Earl of Wharncliffe, descendant of Wortley (bookplate).

Spanish domination.- [Scott (Thomas)] Newes from Pernassus. The Politicall Touchstone, Taken from Mount Pernassus: wheron the Governments of the greatest Monarchies of the World are touched, first edition, water-stain throughout, later half calf, rubbed, upper joint split, [STC 22080; Sabin 78367], 4to, Printed at Helicon [i.e. Holland], 1622.⁂ Strongly anti-Spanish - and therefore anti-Catholic - satire based on Boccalini's fantastical work of political intrigue and literary gossip in contemporary Italy, Pietra del paragone politico. In the setting of the Court of Parnassus where various countries come to be judged, Scott refers to Spain's loss of the "inexhaustible Mynes of Gold and Silver of Peru (p.20), and also warns against the Ottoman Empire and France but is mainly focussed on the Spanish monarchy and Philip II. Rare at auction, the last copy appearing in 1977.Provenance: Richard Gardiner (ink inscription to title). Gardiner (1591-1670) was deputy orator of Oxford at this time (and for the next 20 years), later canon of Christ Church and chaplain to Charles I.

Lithgow (William) Scotlands Welcome to her Native Sonne, and Soveraigne Lord, King Charles, first edition, woodcut decorations, last leaf laid down, upper edge trimmed with loss to some headlines and first line of text on *4v, lacking initial blank, a couple of corners repaired, some foxing, later half morocco, upper cover detached, [STC 15716], 4to, Edinburgh, Printed by John Wreittoun, [1633].⁂ Lithgow (1582-c.1645) was a Scottish traveller and poet. "He visited the Orkney and Shetland islands, Germany, Bohemia, and the Low Countries, arriving in Paris in 1609. The following year he went to Rome and began the first of his major journeys, having traveled by 1613 to Greece, the Middle East, Egypt, Malta, western Europe, and England. Between 1614 and 1618 he visited North Africa and central Europe and in 1619 went to Ireland and Spain (where he was tortured by the Inquisition). He traveled throughout Scotland in 1627-29." (Britannica.com). According to other sources he was known as "lugless Willie" after his brothers cut off his ears having discovered him in a compromising position with a Miss Lockhart.

Written from prison.- Burton (Henry) An Apology of an Appeale. Also An Epistle to the True-Hearted Nobility, first edition, lacks initial blank, D2 and 3 shaved at lower edge but no loss, marginal browning, later plain wrappers, upper cover chipped and detached, lower lacking, [STC 4134], 4to, [Amsterdam, J.F. Stam], 1636.⁂ Burton (1578-1646), a Puritan preacher, was taken into custody, where this work was written, for delivering caustic sermons attacking bishops and the church hierarchy (published secretly as For God, and the King). He was tried at the Star-Chamber along with William Prynne and John Bastwick and together the three were sentenced to the pillory in Westminster, to have their ears cut off by the hangman and to be imprisoned for life in Lancaster Castle without access to friends or family. Such was the severity of the sentence and the brutality of the public ear cropping, the three men became popular with with parliamentarian cause, symbols of Laud's brutality and Charles I's intransigence.Provenance: C.H. Radford (circular blind-stamp ex-libris on upper cover).

Boyle (Robert) The Excellency of Theology, compar'd with Natural Philosophy, first edition, part 1 only (of 2), 5-line errata leaf at end, trimmed close at upper edge with some loss to headlines and pagination, 18th century calf, gilt, upper cover detached, [Wing B3955], 8vo, Printed by T.N. for Henry Herringman, 1674.⁂ Without part 2, with separate title and register, entitled Some occasional thoughts....Provenance: Sir Thomas Miller (bookplate); University College London (ink stamp to title verso and gilt lettering to spine).

Bodin (Jean) The Six Bookes of a Commonwealth, first English edition, title within woodcut border, with initial and final blanks, 3X6 with loss to lower corner, touching text, for Adam Islip, 1606 bound with Barnes (Barnabe) Foure Bookes of Offices: Enabling Private Persons for the speciall service of all good Princes and Policies, first edition, title with woodcut device, with initial but lacking final blank, [by A. Islip] at the charges of George Bishop, T. Adams, and C. Burbie, 1606, together 2 works in 1 vol., some light damp-staining to fore-margins, contemporary calf, gilt arms of the Order of the Garter to covers, spine ends repaired, corners worn, new endpapers, [STC 3193 & 1468], folio.⁂ An excellent pair of works on government. The first described by PMM as "the first modern attempt to create a complete system of political science." The second by Barnes (best-known for his Petrarchan love sonnets) contains verse by Williams Percy and Ford and is rare at auction.

Tragedy of Nero (The), [second edition], initial blank present but final blank lacking, upper corner of I3 torn away (with slight loss to a couple of words) but piece retained in loosely inserted envelope, hole in A3 slightly affecting a few words, ink underlining, light marginal water-staining at beginning, disbound, [STC 18431; Greg II, 410b; Pforzheimer 768], 4to, Printed by Aug. Mathewes, for Thomas Jones, 1633.⁂ Sometimes ascribed to Philip Massinger, first published in 1624. Rarely appears at auction.

Witchcraft.- Homes (Nathanael) Daemonologie, and Theologie, first edition, title within typographic border with printed leaf facing, C2 torn slightly affecting text, some foxing and light browning, [Wing H2562], Printed by Tho. Roycroft, and are to be sold by Jo. Martin, and Jo. Ridley, 1650; bound with God, A rich supply of all Good, first edition, [Wing H2565], Printed by Tho. Roycroft, 1650, together 2 works in 1, later blind-stamped sheep, rubbed, rebacked, 8vo⁂ These 2 works may have been issued together though the second appears much rarer than the first with ESTC citing only 8 locations. In the first the author denounces witchcraft. Only one copy on RBH (and that defective) since 1932.

Filmer (Sir Robert) Patriarcha: or the Natural Power of Kings, first edition, lacks engraved portrait frontispiece and final blank, contemporary sheep, oval inlay to upper cover blind-stamped 'Montgomery Dublin', [Wing F922], 8vo, Printed...by Walter Davis Book-Binder, 1680.⁂ Provenance: Wm. Palliser (ink name at head of title).

Shakespeare (William).- Banks (John) Vertue Betray'd: or, Anna Bullen. A Tragedy, first edition, occasional soiling, very slight worming to some lower corners, modern morocco-backed marbled boards, [Wing B667], 4to, Printed for R. Bentley and M. Magnes, 1682.⁂ Banks' most popular play, a tragedy based on the story of Anne Boleyn. Shakespeare is mentioned in the dedication.Provenance: Elizabeth Pickering (ink name on title).

Bedloe (William) The Excommunicated Prince: or, the False Relique... Being the Popish Plot in a Play, first edition, with initial imprimatur f., occasional light browning, 20th century roan-backed cloth, [Wing B1676], folio, Tho. Parkhurst, D. Newman, Tho. Cockerill and Tho. Simmons, 1679.⁂ Scarce at auction. The crediting of Bedloe as the author appears spurious and is likely, along with the reference to the Popish Plot on the title, an attempt to drum up publicity. Sometimes attributed to Thomas Walter.

Pepys (Samuel).- Moxon (Joseph) [A Tutor to Astronomy and Geography], third edition, engraved and woodcut illustrations, lacks additional engraved title, first 2 leaves with head worn away from damp causing loss of most of first line of printed title, occasional foxing, 18th century calf, rebacked and corners repaired, rubbed, [Wing M3024; Houzeau & Lancaster 8754], 4to, Printed by Tho. Roycroft, for Joseph Moxon, 1674.⁂ One of Moxon's most popular works. He had a shop in London from which he published and sold his own and others' works, and he was appointed hydrographer to the King in 1660 shortly after this work was first published. The book is dedicated to Samuel Pepys.Provenance: John Warren (ink inscription on front free endpaper).

Stapylton (Sir Robert) Musaeus, on The Loves of Hero and Leander, first edition, initial 'Argument' leaf, additional engraved title by W. Marshall, with blank leaves B4 and E7, errata on final f., bookplate of H. Bradley Martin, old ink ownership inscriptions of John Townshend ?Jun. and Sue Capell to front free endpaper, trimmed close at head, shaving headline to C2, the odd small stain, contemporary calf, rubbed, upper joint starting at head, [Wing M3134], 12mo, by F.B. for Humphrey Mosley, 1647.

Nabbes (Thomas) Microcosmus. A Morall Maske, first edition, lacking initial blank, ink stain to C1 and 2, foxed and lightly browned, later half morocco over marbled boards, [Pforzheimer 756; STC 18342], 4to, Printed by Richard Oulton for Charles Greene, 1637.⁂ Scarce, 'This allegorical morality may be the first English masque presented in a theatre with movable scenery.' - Pforzheimer.

Medicine.- Bonham (Thomas) The Chyrurgians Closet: or, An Antidotarie Chyrurgicall, first edition, errata leaf at end, some ink annotations and marginalia, upper edge trimmed close, affecting woodcut headpiece on a4 and sometimes slightly affecting headlines or pagination, marginal browning, modern calf, spine with raised bands, [STC 3279], 4to, Printed by George Miller, for Edward Brewster, 1630.⁂ Rare work which seldom appears at auction. Bonham practised in London and was assistant to the Society of Medicine-Chirurgians with Edward Poeton as his assistant.

Mining.- Browne (Edward) An Account of Several Travels Through the great part of Germany, first edition, 5 engraved plates only (of 6), title, following leaf and one plate with marginal repairs, some worming, mostly marginal but occasionally slightly affecting text or plates, contemporary sheep, rebacked, rubbed and scuffed, [Wing B5109; Kress S1447], 4to, Printed for Benj. Tooke, 1677.⁂ Edward Browne (1644-1708) was the son of Sir Thomas Browne, author of Religio Medici, and was also a physician but travelled extensively throughout Europe.Provenance: J.W. Knightley (ink inscription on title).

Law.- [Care (Henry)] English Liberties: Or, The Free-Born Subject's Inheritance, containing...Magna Charta, The Petition of Rights, The Habeas Corpus Act..., ?first edition, lacks initial blank and 4 advertisement leaves at end, cropped with loss to some signatures, catchwords and occasionally text, upper corner of title chipped with loss of ruled border, some ink scribbles, foxing, modern calf, [Wing C516], 12mo, Printed by G. Larkin, for John How, [1682].⁂ One of three variant imprints on ESTC and this the only one which calls for the 4 advertisement leaves. Benjamin Franklin is believed to have helped with the printing of the first American edition in Boston in 1721.

Nedham (Marchamont) The Pacquet-Boat Advice: or A Discourse Concerning the War with France, Between some English Gentlemen and a French-Man, betwixt Calis and Dover, first edition, light water-staining to upper edge, modern half calf, gilt, over marbled boards, [Wing N399], 4to, Printed for Jonathan Edwin, 1678.⁂ Scarce at auction, the last appearance being in 1980.

May (Thomas) The Victorious Reigne of King Edward the Third, first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece trimmed and laid down, corner of M3 defective with loss of several words (supplied in ms facsimile), lacking final 2 blank leaves, several paper flaws affecting headline in sig.E, ink stain to D4, some foxing and soiling, later straight-grain morocco, g.e., spine and joints a little rubbed, [STC 17719; Grolier, Wither to Prior 544], 8vo, Printed for T. Walkley, and B. Fisher, 1635.⁂ Generally good copy of this scarce verse history of King Edward III, whose reign covered the first half of the Hundred Years War and included notable victories over the French at Crecy and Poitiers. Infrequent appearances at auction (only two in the last 35 years).Provenance: Francis Robbins (ink name in margin of F1v); Dudley Beardmore (bookplate).

Great Plague.- Thomson (George) Loimotomia [graece]: or, the Pest Anatomized, first edition, engraved frontispiece, woodcut head-pieces and initials, title with ink ownership inscription to head, and several small nicks to fore-edge (touching border), rear endpaper with manuscript notes in ink, book label front pastedown, spotting and browning, endpapers renewed and repairs to hinges,later calf with gilt arms to covers, rebacked, original back-strip laid-down, [Wing T1027], small 8vo, for Nath: Crouch, 1666.⁂ The first printed account of the autopsy of a victim of the Great Plague. Thomson also includes an account of his own contracting of and recovery from the disease. Provenance: The Society of Writers to the Signet [arms to covers]

Hobbes (Thomas) Leviathan, or The Matter, Forme & Power of a Common-Wealth, first edition, first issue with printed title with 'head' ornament and errata uncorrected, additional engraved pictorial title by Abraham Bosse, folding letter press table, occasional foxing or light browning, rust-hole to H2 with loss to 2 or 3 letters of text, contemporary calf, rebacked and recornered, covers rubbed and with surface wear and cracking, [Pforzheimer 491; PMM 138; Wing H2246], folio, for Andrew Crooke, 1651.⁂ Hobbes' most celebrated work and a landmark in political philosophy. In Leviathan Hobbes espoused the social contract theory, arguing for a strong, united government to protect society against the brute state of nature into which it might otherwise fall. The iconography of the frontispiece, created after detailed consultation with Hobbes by Parisian etcher Abraham Bosse, reflects many of the book's fundamental concepts; the gigantesque sovereign-king is composed of over 300 tiny individuals, the contractual co-signers, who face away from the viewer towards their ruler, rendering him more powerful by their consent and the double columns beneath, whose panels represent the two sources of sovereign authority, ecclesiastical and temporal.

Waterhouse (Edward) The Gentlemans Monitor; or a Sober Inspection into the Vertues, Vices, and Ordinary Means, of the Rise and Decay of Men and Families, first edition, with final advertisement f., lacking engraved portrait frontispiece and initial blank, occasional light soiling, contemporary calf, chipping to spine ends and corners, [Wing W1047], 8vo, by T.R. for R.Royston, 1665.⁂ Rare in commerce. Edward Waterhouse (1619-70) was a clergyman and writer, and great-nephew of Sir Edward Waterhouse who was Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland in the late 16th century.