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Hungary.- Historical Description (An) of the Glorious Conquest of the City of Buda, first edition, later half morocco, a little rubbed, [Wing H2102], 4to, Printed for Robert Clavell, 1686.⁂ A translation from the French of an eye-witness account written in diary form of the Battle of Buda, the Holy League retaking the city from the Ottoman Empire after a 78-day siege.

Witchcraft.- F. (H.) A true and exact Relation Of the severall Informations, Examinations, and Confessions of the late Witches, arraigned and executed in the County of Essex, first edition, title within typographic border, woodcut initials and headpieces, title and verso of final leaf soiled, some foxing, water-stained, later calf, gilt, a little rubbed, head of spine nicked, [Wing F23], 4to, Printed by M.S. for Henry Overton, and Benj. Allen, 1645.⁂ Rare work that relates the "severall murthers, and devillish Witchcrafts committed on the bodies of men, women, and children, and divers cattle" tried before Robert, Earl of Warwick at Chelmsford. ESTC calls for a frontispiece, however we can trace no example of a copy that includes one at auction.

Shirley (Henry) The Martyr'd Souldier, first edition, lacks final blank, browned, interleaved throughout, later blue half calf, joints and spine ends rubbed, [STC 22435; Greg II, 533], 4to, Printed by I. Okes, and are to be sold by Francis Eglesfield, 1638.⁂ Dedicated to Sir Kenelm Digby.

Casaubon (Meric) Of Credulity and Incredulity, In things Natural, Civil and Divine..., first edition, imprimatur to A1 verso, ink corrections to title (scoring out, and additions to text), ink inscription to A8 regarding errata, contemporary calf, rebacked, with further later repairs to joints, scuffed, [Wing C807], 8vo, for T. Garthwait, 1668.

[Scribonius (W.A.)] Natural Philosophy: or A Description of the World, namely, Of Angels, of Man, of the Heavens, of the Ayre, of the Earth, of the Water: and of the Creatures in the whole World, first edition, woodcut head-pieces and initials, upper edge trimmed affecting first word of title and a few headlines, some browning and staining, early ink marginalia, contemporary sheep, rebacked, [STC 22111], 4to, Printed by I.D. for John Bellamie, 1621.⁂ A translation and abridgment, by Daniel Widdowes or Woodhouse, of "Rerum naturalium doctrina methodica" by Wilhelm Adolf Scribonius, which is a revision of his "Rerum physicarum juxta leges logicas methodica explicatio" (ESTC). Rare, with ESTC locating only 4 copies in B. Isles and 5 in N. America. Seemingly no auction appearances with RBH citing only a copy in a Maggs catalogue in 1919 (under Widdowes and dated 1631).Scribonius (fl. 1576-83) was a follower of Ramus, and practised as a physician. He is also remembered for attempting to revive the cold water test for witches. This work covers herbs, the senses, sleep and dreams, conception, the four humours, the vital organs, the classification of all creatures and the nature of man.Provenance: Edmund Pitt (ink ownership inscription at foot of title).

Greece.- Pelopennese.- Coronelli (Vincenzo) An Historical and Geographical Account of the Morea, Negropont, and the Maritime Places as far as Thessalonica..., first edition in English, translated by R. W. Gent, 42 folding engraved maps, plans and views (of which 1 with closed tear from top edge affecting image and 1 with small nick to blank margin), final advertisement leaf, various ink ownership inscriptions, some light spotting and staining, affecting some plates, upper hinge cracking at B1, contemporary calf, lower cover nearly detached, [Atabey 286-8; Blackmer 408; Wing C6342], large 12mo, for Matth. Gillyflower, 1687.

Inspired Milton.- Fletcher (Phineas) Locustae, vel Pietas Jesuitica, 2 parts in 1, first edition, first part in Latin, second part in English, lacks initial blank, single worm-hole to lower margin near beginning, repaired worm-holes to lower margin of later leaves sometimes affecting ruled border, later burgundy morocco, gilt, by Stikeman & Co., g.e., [STC 11081; Pforzheimer 375 (also lacking initial blank); Grolier, Langland to Prior 100], 4to, [Cambridge], Thomas & John Buck, 1627.⁂ Fletcher (1582-1650) acquired a reputation as a poet while a student at Cambridge and from 1621 to the end of his life served as rector at Hilgay, Norfolk. This work, an attack on the Jesuits, involved him in a dispute with some of his neighbours. The English part is said to have inspired Milton and some relevant lines/passages are marked in pencil.Provenance: Arthur A. Houghton (monogramed bookplate).

Bacon (Sir Francis) The Twoo Bookes...Of the proficience and advancement of Learning, divine and humane, first edition, lacks blank leaf 3H2 and final 2 errata leaves "Most copies were evidently issued without these" (ESTC), small burn-hole Pp3-Qq2, slightly affecting text, occasional spotting and soiling, later calf, gilt, [STC 1164; Gibson 81; Pforzheimer 36], 4to, Printed for Henrie Tomes, 1605.⁂ A very good copy of Bacon's first published philosophical work. This copy a variant with C4r line 5 reading "maniable" (not "amiable").Provenance: Isabella Douglas; Montrose; P. Rutherford (all with ink inscriptions to title).

Europe.- Howell (James) Instructions for Forreine Travell. Shewing by What Cours, and in What Compasse of Time, One May Take an Exact Survey of the Kingdomes and States of Christendome, and Arrive to the Practicall Knowledge of the Languages, to Good Purpose, first edition, with imprint on printed title-page, additional engraved title by W. Hollar, engraved portrait of Charles II as a boy signed G.G., 19th century polished calf, gilt arms of Henry Miller to covers, lower cover detached, upper joint cracked, g.e., [ESTC R38986; Grolier 479], 12mo, Printed by T.B. for Humprey Mosley, 1642⁂ Charming work, regarded by many as the first companion guide to European travel.

Medicine.- Bruele (Gualtherus) Praxis Medicinae, or, The Physicians Practice, first edition in English, bookplate of Royal College of Physicians with ink stamp to front pastedown and title, bookplate of Gordon W. Jones to front endpaper, title with chip to upper corner just touching woodcut border, trimmed close at head, shaving the odd headline, paper flaw hole to N4 with loss to a few letters, printing flaw to 2B4v, 3D4 with portion torn away at foot with loss to a few words, occasional light spotting or soiling, a couple small marginal holes to final f., contemporary calf, rebacked and with corners repaired, new endpapers, [STC 3929], 4to, John Norton, for William Sheares, 1632.

Cookery & Husbandry.- Markham (Gervase) A Way to get Wealth, 6 parts in 1, tenth edition, divisional titles, woodcut illustrations, general title and first divisional title holed with slight loss of imprint, general title also with first word obscured by abrasion, final part lacks sig.K, some ink annotations, foxed and soiled, contemporary calf, upper cover and first 2 titles detached, [Wing M678], 4to, Printed by William Wilson, for George Sawbridge, 1660.⁂ Provenance: Charles Otway of Romden, Kent (armorial bookplate).

Medicine.- Stubbe (Henry) The Miraculous Conformist: or An account of severall marvailous cures performed by the stroaking of the hands of Mr Valentine Greatarick, first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece, title with hole to blank portion under 7th line of text (touching letters), both title and frontispiece trimmed to ruled borders and laid down to sheets, woodcut head-pieces, extra-illustrated with an engraved plate at end, trimmed and laid down to sheet, ink inscription to front endpaper, ?lacking final blank (F4), light damp-staining to lower corners, nineteenth century half calf, upper cover nearly detached, rubbed, [Wing S6062], 4to, Oxford, H. Hall, 1666.⁂ This work by Stubbe is the first scientific account by a doctor, of the apparent healing gift of Valentine Greatrakes, a former county magistrate of Ireland, who was famed for "stroking" scrofula, ague and other diseases.

Bacon (Sir Francis) Sylva Sylvarum: or A Naturall Historie, edited by William Rawley, 2 parts in 1, first edition, second issue (with printed title dated 1627), fine engraved portrait frontispiece and additional pictorial title, woodcut devices on titles, initials and headpieces, with blanks L3, 2A1, 2D4, 2M1 and g4, occasional light soiling to margins, 18th century ink ownership inscription to endpaper, contemporary calf, rebacked, retaining upper half of original backstrip, [Gibson 171; STC 1168], folio, Printed by I[ohn] H[aviland and Augustine Mathewes] for William Lee at the the Turks Head in Fleet-street, next to the Miter, 1627.⁂ Scarce at auction. The second part is Bacon's Utopian work New Atlantis.

Glanvill (Joseph) Essays on several Important Subjects in Philosophy and Religion, first edition, perforated library stamp to margin of title and H1, ink library stamp to title verso and also margin of H1, small burn-holes to Q3 with slight loss of text, contemporary blind-stamped calf, rubbed, rebacked and corners renewed, [Wing G809; Norman 908], 4to, Printed by J.D. for John Baker...and Henry Mortlock, 1676.⁂ An important collection of essays including reviews of works by Robert Boyle and an attempt "to establish a scientific and philosophical basis for a belief in the supernatural... [Glanvill] is generally considered to be the founder of psychical research' - Norman.

[Charleton (Walter, translator)] Epicurus. Epicvrvs's morals, collected partly out of his owne Greek text, in Diogenes Laertius, and partly out of the rhapsodies of Marcvs Antoninus, Plvtarch, Cicero, & Seneca, first edition in English, engraved portrait frontispiece, title in red and black and with small woodcut ornament, woodcut head-pieces and decorative initials, e2 verso shaved at foot, occasional light marginal soiling or toning, contemporary sheep, neatly rebacked, some wear to corners, [Wing E3155], 8vo, Printed by W. Wilson, for Henry Herringman, 1656.⁂ Walter Charleton (1620-1707) English physician, Harveian Librarian and friend of Thomas Hobbes.

Hopkins (Charles) Pyrrhus King of Epirus. A Tragedy, first edition, lacking half-title, penultimate leaf with epilogue/advertisement and final blank, E1 paper flaw with slight loss of text at foot, repair to outer margin of several leaves at end, some light foxing and soiling, modern reversed calf, spine sunned, [Wing H2726], 4to, Printed for Samuel Briscoe...Peter Buck...and Daniel Dring, 1695.

Otway (Thomas) The Poet's Complaint of his Muse; or, a Satyr Against Libells. A Poem, first edition, title trimmed at head slightly affecting first word, foxing, later half morocco over marbled boards, slightly rubbed, [Wing O556; Grolier Wither to Prior 649; Pforzheimer 777], 4to, Printed for Thomas Norman, 1680.⁂ Thomas Otway (1652-1685), the son of a Sussex clergyman, lived in constant poverty despite having no shortage of noble patrons, and may even have died of starvation. He also suffered from an unrequited love for the Earl of Rochester's mistress, the actress Elizabeth Barry. Copies of this work rarely appear on the market.Provenance: Edmund William Gosse (bookplate).

Doddridge (Sir John) The History of the Ancient and Moderne Estate of The Principality of Wales, Dutchy of Cornewall, and Earldome of Chester, first edition, lacks final blank leaf, trimmed close with occasional loss of headlines, signatures and catchwords, some browning, later half calf, head of spine chipped, [STC 6982], 4to, Printed by Tho. Harper, for Godfrey Emondson, and Thomas Alchorne, 1630.

Sicily.- Seller (Abednego) The Antiquities of Palmyra, first edition, 2 folding engraved plates, 1 with split to foldline, bookplate, near contemporary panelled calf, slight rubbing to corners, small tear to spine head, [Wing S2448], 8vo, for S. Smith and B. Walford, 1696.

Chalkhill (John) Thealma and Clearchus. A Pastoral History, In smooth and easie Verse, first edition, second issue, lacks initial blank leaf, title and a few other leaves slightly chipped and many with short tear in upper margin, some toning, later calf, gilt, by Riviere, rebacked preserving original spine, g.e., [Wing C1795], 8vo, Printed for Benj. Tooke, 1683.⁂ A re-issue, with correct spelling "Edmund" Spencer (first issue has "Edward"). Edited with a preface by Isaac Walton who knew Chalkhill and included two poems by him in The Complete Angler.

Herbert (George) Herbert's Remains. Or, Sundry Pieces Of that sweet Singer of the Temple, 2 parts in 1, first edition, titles within typographic borders, woodcut head- and tail-pieces and decorative initials, some marginal ruling and underlining in red ink,upper edge trimmed occasionally affecting upper printed rule but not text, 18th century ink inscriptions to front endpapers, later blind-stamped calf, spine with gilt lettering rubbed and chipped at head, [Wing H1515; Pforzheimer 464], 12mo, Printed for Timothy Garthwait, 1652.⁂ Part 2 is entitled Jacula Prudentium. Or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. Provenance: William Stirling Maxwell (bookplate and blind-stamped monograms to covers).

[Killigrew (William)] Pandora, A Comedy, first edition, imprimatur leaf, title with woodcut crown device, a few scattered spots, modern wrappers, [Wing K464], 8vo, by T. Mabb, for John Pleyfere, 1664.

Scientific Instruments.- Gunter (Edmund) The Works...Conteining The description and use of the Sector, Cross-staff, and other Instruments...in Astronomie, Navigation, Dialling...with a new Treatise of Fortification, 'third edition', engraved frontispiece, woodcut illustrations, diagrams and plates, lacking additional engraved title, title and frontispiece frayed at fore-edge, first few leaves working loose, some water-staining, contemporary calf, rubbed, [Wing G 2239A], 4to, Printed by F.N. for Francis Eglesfield, 1653.⁂ In this edition the letter press title page has: no comma following "Quadrant" in the 14th line; no comma following "corrected" in the 20th line; and the last 'n' in "London" is swash.

Fuller (Thomas) Andronicus, or, The Unfortunate Politician. Shewing, Sin; slowly punished. Right; surely rescued, first edition, title within typographic border, final blank leaf present with ink annotations to verso, A4 with short repaired tear, trimmed close at upper edge with some loss to headlines, later endpapers, contemporary limp vellum, red leather spine label, small old repair to upper cover, [Wing F2406], 8vo, Printed by W.W. for John Williams, 1646.⁂ Rare. No copy at auction since 1979. Provenance: John Burns (ink inscription dated 1916 on front free endpaper).

Leybourn (William) The Art of Dialling, first edition, folding engraved plate, engraved illustration, numerous woodcut illustrations and diagrams, lacks engraved portrait frontispiece, title a little toned, some light foxing and minor staining to lower margin, modern calf, [Wing L1900; Tomash & Williams L89], 4to, Printed by S.G. and B.G. for Benjamin Tooke and Thomas Sawbridge, 1669.⁂ This issue has "dialling," in line 2 of title, and the imprint date 1669; another issue has "dialling:" and is undated.

Universal language.- Wilkins (John) An Essay Towards a Real Character, And a Philosophical Language, 2 parts in 1 vol., first edition, imprimatur f., title within double-rule border and with engraved arms of the Royal Society, woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces, 2 engraved plates, 2 folding letterpress tables, 2 engraved illustrations, with blank leaf 3M4 but lacking final blank, contemporary calf, upper joint repaired, lower cracking, [Wing W2196; Alston VII 290], folio, Printed for Sa: Gellibrand, and for John Martyn Printer to the Royal Society, 1668.⁂ The first full exposition of a universal language in English, contains sections on the origin of languages and letters, the theory of grammar and phonetics and their relation to universal language, and the proposed alphabet for Wilkins's devised universal language.Provenance: Bishop of Chester (in ink capitals on title)

Woman printer.- Higford (William) The Institution of a Gentleman, first edition under this title, title within typographic border, B3 torn just touching one letter, lacking final blank, old sheep, rebacked, slightly bowed, [Wing H1946], 8vo, Printed by A[lice] W[arren] for William Lee, 1660.⁂ Issued in 1658 under the title Institutions or Advice to his Grandson. This edition has a new title and dedication leaf; this copy has both dedication leaves and the stub of what is presumably the original 1658 edition title-page, so a total of 14 preliminary pages (as in National Library of Australia copy), not 16 as called for by ESTC. Both editions are rare, with ESTC locating 7 copies of the first and 6 of this one.Provenance: Arnold Muirhead (bookplate).

Law.- Fortescue (Sir John) A learned commendation of the politique lawes of Englande, first edition in English, partially printed in black letter, double column with English and Latin text, ink annotations and underlining, modern blind-stamped calf, [STC 11194; Beale T357], 8vo, Imprinted...by Rychard Tottill, 1567.⁂ Fortescue had been appointed Chief Justice of the king's bench in 1442, but after Henry VI was deposed, and the Duke of York's son proclaimed himself King Edward IV, he accompanied Queen Margaret and Henry's son, the Prince of Wales, abroad, where he devoted himself to the education of the young prince, and where he wrote De Laudibus legum Angliae for his instruction c.1470. It was first published in about 1537 abroad, and this is the first English translation, by Robert Mulcaster, the great Elizabethan educationalist. It is written in the form of a friendly dialogue between Fortescue and the Prince, which Coke described as worthy "of being written in letters of gold."Provenance: Tho. Disney (ink name at head of title); Gilbert Peterson (ink inscription in Latin at foot of title).

Licentious behaviour.- M. (A.) The Reformed Gentleman: or, the Old English Morals Rescued from the Immoralities of the Present Age, first edition, partially printed in black letter, 5pp. catalogue of books at end, lacks engraved frontispiece, contemporary mottled sheep, head and foot of spine defective, [Wing M6], 8vo, Printed for T. Salusbury, 1693.⁂ Rare at auction with only one copy (in a lot of 4 books) traced, in 1960. An energetic indictment of the vices of the age (indeed any age!) - "If you are Wise keep out of Eye-shot, and come not near the fair Enemy; for there is much in a Painted Face, in a loose Garb, in Wanton Gestures, and in Naked Breasts to work upon the unguarded Eye, and render the Heart prisoner...You would do well to abstain from all publick Balls, Shews and Stage-Plays, which may be apt to administer Fuel to your Fire."

Fireworks.- Babington (John) Pyrotechnia or, A discourse of artificiall fire-works: in which the true grounds of that art are plainly and perspicuously laid downe... Whereunto is annexed a short Treatise of Geometrie, 2 parts in 1 vol., first edition, charming engraved additional title surrounded by author's portrait and elaborate pyrotechnic devices, engraved full-pages illustrations and 2 folding plates, woodcut initials and diagrams, engraved title and folding plates mounted on stubs, folding plates closely shaved, one with short repaired tear just running into image, some light foxing, bookplates of Victor de Pontigny and Mark Dineley to front pastedown, contemporary calf, sympathetically rebacked, loss to head of spine, rubbed, [Philip B010.1; STC 1099], folio, Thomas Harper for Ralph Mab, 1635.⁂ The first English treatise to deal exclusively with fireworks. "This book is without doubt the most important in Firework bibliography." - PhilipSoldier and mathematician Babingdon was a gunner in the service of the Earl of Newport, to whom he dedicates the present work. The first part comprises detailed descriptions and instructions concerning firework displays with much on firework automata. The second part was intended for the use of artillery officers and includes extensive early logarithmic tables.

Shakespeare (William).- Prynne (William) Histrio-Mastix. The Players Scourge, or, Actors Tragedie...Wherein it is largely evidenced...That popular stage-playes...are sinfull, heathenish, lewde, ungodly spectacles, and most pernicious corruptions, first edition, state with errata on 3*4v, blank leaf 5N4 present but lacking initial blank, woodcut head-pieces and decorative initials, X2 with paper flaw/tear just into text block, corner of 4X4 torn away slightly affecting headline rules, occasional foxing, later half morocco over marbled boards, [Pforzheimer 809; STC 20464a], small 4to, Printed by E. A[llde]. [Thomas Cotes, Augustine Mathewes,] and W[illiam]. I[ones]. for Michael Sparke, 1633.⁂ Prynne's vehement attack on the theatre, with his disgraceful epithet on actresses, widely supposed to have been directed at Henrietta Maria, who was at that time taking part in a ballet rehearsal. For this Prynne was sentenced to life imprisonment, a fine of £5,000, and to stand in the pillory and lose both of his ears (all commuted). It includes his famous remark on Shakespeare that "Shackpeers Plaies are printed in the best Crowne paper, far better than most Bibles." The title is falsely dated 1633: the book appeared in late 1632 and its sale was already prohibited by January 1633 and many copies were publicly burned.Provenance: Arthur B. Spingarn (bookplate).

Heywood (Thomas) The Hierarchie of the blessed Angells, first edition, with initial licence f., engraved allegorical title, 9 engraved plates included in pagination, lacking final blank f., occasional light browning or damp-staining, some light soiling, armorial bookplate of Frederick WIlliam Cosens to front pastedown, contemporary calf, rebacked, extremities a little worn, later endpapers, [STC 13327], folio Adam Islip, 1635.⁂ Heywood's long poem, containing a passage discussing early dramatists including Shakespeare.

Fossils.- Ray (John) Miscellaneous Discourses Concerning the Dissolution and Changes of the World, first edition, initial imprimatur leaf, contemporary sheep, joints and extremities a little worn, [Wing R397; Keynes 81], 8vo, Printed for Samuel Smith, 1692.⁂ A very good copy of Ray's important work on fossils, in which he also discusses volcanoes, earthquakes and other natural phenomena. He looks at how marine fossils came to be in rocks now far from the sea. Hook had suggested physical changes in the rocks caused by earthquakes at the time of the biblical flood. Ray suggests changes in the earth's centre of gravity, and enlarges on the importance of running water on land, and the encroachment of the sea on the shore.Provenance: George Fleury (ink name and library location numbers on title)

Ussher (James) The Annals of the World, first edition in English, engraved portrait frontispiece, additional engraved title, printed title in red and black, lacks advertisement leaf at end, foxing at beginning, contemporary calf, rebacked preserving old spine, corners bit worn, [Wing U149], folio, Printed by E. Tyler, for J. Crook...and for G. Bedell, 1658.

M[eteren] (E[mmanuel Van]) A True Discourse Historicall, of the Succeeding Governours in the Netherlands, and the Civill warres there begun in the yeere 1565, first edition in English, translated by Thomas Churchyard, mostly black letter, title with woodcut ornament, woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces, title shaved at foot with loss to much of date, lacking A2-3 (dedicatory prelims) and final blank f., closely shaved at head, touching a few headlines, soiling and occasional staining, 19th century red straight-grain morocco, gilt, spine gilt in compartments, extremities a little rubbed, [Palau 166946; STC 17846], small 4to, for Matthew Lownes, 1602.⁂ Includes references to America as well as an account of Drake's 1589 expedition to Portugal and the Low Country campaigns in which Sir Philip Sidney, Gascoigne, and Barnaby Rich were engaged, with an account of the death of Sidney.

Locke (John).- Wynne (John) An Abridgment of Mr. Locke's Essay concerning Humane Understanding, first edition, occasional light marginal staining, contemporary calf, gilt, rubbed, corners worn, rebacked, [Wing L2735], 8vo, Printed for A. and J. Churchill...and Edw. Castle, 1696.⁂ Dedicated to and approved by Locke himself, Wynne's work played an important role in spreading Locke's philosophy, appearing in over a dozen editions during the 18th century and being translated into French, Italian and even Greek.Provenance: Clayton ?Marcun (ink inscription on title).

Richelieu (Armand Jean du Plessis, Duc de) The Political Will and Testament Of that Great Minister of State, 2 parts in 1, first edition in English, light foxing, modern blue morocco, gilt, [Wing R1423], 8vo, Printed, and are to be Sold by the Booksellers of London and Westminster, 1695.⁂ Also issued in the same year under the title The Compleat Statesman, and with a different imprint (no priority given). The first edition, in French, was published in 1688.

Gildas. The Epistle of Gildas, the Most Ancient British Author, first edition in English, translated by Thomas Abington, engraved portrait frontispiece, early ownership inscription to title head and verso, f2 with marginal loss touching text, occasional faint staining, marginal worming, lacking P8 (blank), modern panelled calf, [STC 11895], 12mo, by T. Cotes , for William Cooke, 1638.

Anatomy.- GIbson (Thomas) The Anatomy of Humane Bodies Epitomized, first edition, initial imprimatur f., 13 engraved plates, small portion of loss to head of P1 margin with some surface tearing affecting letters on verso, small rust-hole to 2E5, a few ink and pencil notes to rear endpaper, ink ownership inscription and book label to front pastedown, contemporary calf, splitting to head of joints, [Wellcome III, 113; Wing G672], for M. Flesher, 1682.⁂ The last leaf (Kk8) is signed Z4, being a cancel for Z4 (pp. 343-344) which is present in its original position.

Hoddesdon (John) Tho. Mori Vita & Exitus: or, the History of Sr. Thomas More, sometime Lord High Chancellor of England, first edition, title in red and black within single ruled border, engraved plate and later engraved portrait, engraved portraits of More and Henry VIII both defective and laid down bound in at beginning, lacking final blank, first leaves loose, D2 with repaired tear and marginal defects repaired slightly affecting text, ink annotations, some water-staining and soiling, later half calf, [Wing H2296][, 8vo, Printed by E. Cotes, for George Eversden, 1652.⁂ Provenance: Mary Rithon? (ink inscription on A5 verso); John Bridges (ink inscription on A2 recto).

Pharmacy & Medicine.- Ruscelli (Girolamo) The Secretes of the Reverende Mayster Alexis of Piemount. Conteinyng many excellent Remedies agaynst dyvers diseases, woundes, and other accidentes...Distillations, Parfumes, Confitures, dyinges, colours, fusions, and Meltynges, first edition in English, parts 1 and 2 only (of 4), largely printed in black letter, part 1 bound after part 2, part 1 final preliminary leaf blank, last leaf laid down, part 2 with woodcut architectural border (slightly trimmed and laid down), inner margin of A2 and A3 reinforced, early ink annotations throughout, often heavy, part 1 with ink diagram on verso of title and on blank leaf, trimmed close with some loss to headlines and to first word of text on a few preliminaries, occasional slight worming sometimes affecting text, soiled, modern cream morocco, gilt, by M.J.D. Lahey, [STC 295 and 300], 4to, part 1 imprint by Henry Sutton, 1559; part 2 by Jhon Kyngston: for Nicholas Englande, 1560.⁂ Important and oft-reprinted early receipt book, mostly of a medical or pharmaceutical nature, but also covering metallurgy, food, cosmetics etc.

Ireland.- Wharton (George) Bellum Hybernicale: or, Ireland's Warre Astrologically demonstrated...The Author further vindicated, from his, and Master Lilly's former frivolous, false, and malicious Aspersions, throughout the whole Discourse, first edition, woodcut headpieces and initial, astrological diagrams, B2 trimmed at foot with slight loss to signature and catchword, later calf, gilt, by Ramage, g.e., [Wing W1543], 4to, 1647 [i.e. 1646].⁂ Very rare at auction. Wharton (1617-81) was an astrologer and mathematician who studied at Oxford, published annual almanacs, and instructed Elias Ashmole in alchemy and astrology. A royalist, he was saved from hanging by the Parliamentarians by Ashmole's intervention, and after the Restoration he was appointed royal treasurer and paymaster and created a baronet. His works include essays on astrology and chronology, astrological explanations of political events, and a translation of Rothman's chiromancy. He got himself embroiled in political and professional controversies with Lilly and Booker by invariably predicting victory for the monarchists and admonishing the rebels to submit. This work was written during a visit to Yorkshire in September 1646.Provenance: Baron Barrymore (bookplate).

Diodorus (Siculus) The History... of the World until the Fall of Troy. Done into English by H[enry] C[ogan], first English edition, lacking longitudinal half-title, title tipped in with margins chipped and browned, light browning, marginal worming and damp-staining, 2 ink library stamps to fore-margins, occasional marginal chipping or tearing, 19th century ink ownership inscription on title, contemproary sheep, rebacked retaining part of original backstrip, rubbed and worn, [Wing D1513], sm. folio, By John Macock for Giles Calvert, 1653.

Law.- [Hale (Sir Matthew)] Pleas of the Crown, first edition, first issue without Hale's name on title, initial Imprimatur leaf, cancel leaf B1, final advertisement f., front free endpaper with early ink inscription Ex dono J. ?Korsby, title with early ink inscription to head, occasional light soiling, hinges repaired, contemporary calf, spine ends and extremities neatly repaired, gilt title to spine, [Wing H253], 8vo, for Richard and Jacob Tonson, 1678.

Metallurgy.- Webster (John) Metallographia: or, An History of Metals, first edition, with final advertisement f., bookplate of Herbert McLean Evans, title with small ink inscription to foot, 3B4 with very small hole in text, light browning and some scattered spotting, the odd patch of light soiling, later calf, spine gilt, rubbed at extremities, a couple small chips to spine ends, [Cole 1353; Wing W1231A], small 4to, by A. C. for Walter Kettilby at the Bishops-head in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1671.⁂ 'Webster's book is one of the earliest and most elaborate works on metallurgy and minerals written in English' (Cole). This one of two issues with variant imprint, the other with Kettilby's address given as "in Duck-lane".

Higgins (John) and others. The Falles of Unfortunate Princes...whereunto is added the Famous Life and Death of Queene Elizabeth, woodcut portraits, upper corner of title defective with loss to first 2 words, O4 with repaired tear through text, 2F2 holed slightly affecting one word of text to verso, without leaf 3E3 as suggested by ESTC, final leaf frayed, trimmed and laid down with some loss, upper edge trimmed close often with loss to headline and pagination, some water-staining, later vellum, one corner worn, [STC 13447.5], 4to, Imprinted by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Adams, 1619.⁂ Rare re-issue of the 1610 edition A Mirour for Magistrates. "The first part is by John Higgins, who signs the dedication; the second (which here follows the first without break) by Thomas Blenerhasset; the third by William Baldwin and others; and "A winter nights vision" and "Englands Eliza" by Richard Niccols, who also edited the whole...The third part is a continuation of John Lydgate's "The fall of princes", which is a translation of Giovanni Boccaccio's "De casibus illustrium virorum"." (ESTC).Provenance: Ernest Hamilton Sharp (bookplate).

Milton (John) The History of Britain, That Part Especially Now Call'd England, first edition, first issue with the Allestry imprint, engraved portrait frontispiece, typographic ornaments, errata f. at end, bookplate of Joannis M. Gray, frontispiece with small chip to lower outer corner, not affecting image, title with red ink underlining, numerical ink stamp to foot of B1, the same in ink manuscript to C4 inner margin, some light browning and the odd spot, a couple gatherings with damp stain to lower margin, P2 with tiny rust hole within text, upper hinge cracked, contemporary blind-stamped calf, rebacked and with corners repaired, rubbed at extremities, new endpapers, [Wing M2119; Pforzheimer 710], 4to, by J. M. for James Allestry, 1670.⁂ According to Pforzheimer, Allestry died shortly after publication and the book was reissued the following year with a cancel title by his successor Spencer Hickman.

Fletcher (Giles) Of the Russe Common Wealth, first edition, title within typographic border, woodcut initials and decorations, lacks initial leaf (blank except for signature A), a few minor repairs to title and a few other corners, some light browning, later russia, gilt, g.e., rebacked preserving original spine, [STC 11056], 8vo, Printed by T[homas] D[awson] for Thomas Charde, 1591.⁂ Scarce and important early history of the Russian Empire. Fletcher (c.1548-1611) was a poet and diplomat who was sent as an ambassador to Russia in 1588 to re-establish a treaty with Tsar Feodor I, essentially for the benefit of trade. This account which covers much about the country and its people was written on his return and borrows at least in part from other writers such as Herberstein and the accounts of English merchants.Provenance: Newberry Library (Chicago) duplicate, with de-accession note dated 8.24.93 (bookplate).

Nabbes (Thomas) Hannibal and Scipio. An historicall tragedy. Acted in the yeare 1635 by the Queenes Majesties Servants, at their private house in Drury Lane, first edition, woodcut device to title, woodcut head-piece, with final blank, occasional light foxing or browning, small rust-hole to E4 with loss to 1 or 2 letters, 19th century polished calf, gilt, spine a little rubbed, [Pforzheimer 755; STC 18341], small 4to, printed by Richard Oulton for Charles Greene, and are to be sold at the white Lion in Pauls Church-yard, 1637.⁂ The first edition of Nabbes' most celebrated work, rare in commerce. This quarto edition is unusual in being one of only 5 examples from the period that includes a cast list of the original production, the members including William Allen, Richard Perkins and Theophilus Bird.

Law.- Dugdale (Sir William) Origines Juridiciales, or Historical Memorials of the English Laws, Courts of Justice ..., first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece, imprimatur ff. at beginning, title printed in red and black, 4 engraved plates, full-page illustrations, errata at end, 3ff. with tiny rust-holes affecting odd letter, occasional faint spotting, tiny marginal worming not affecting text, lacking endpapers, bookplates, near contemporary calf, rebacked and recornered, [Wing D2488], folio, by F. and T. Warren, for the Author, 1666.

Fletcher (John) Monsieur Thomas. A Comedy, first edition, paper flaw in D1 causing slight loss of text to verso, modern dark green crushed morocco by Riviere, inner gilt dentelles, g.e., spine faded, [STC 11071; Greg II, 558; Pforzheimer 370], 4to, Printed by Thomas Harper, for John Waterson, 1639.

Evelyn (John) A Philosophical Discourse of Earth, Relating to the Culture and Improvement of it for Vegetation, and the Propagation of Plants, first edition, initial imprimatur leaf and final blank present,contemporary calf, rebacked, corners rubbed, [Keynes 93; Wing E3507], 8vo, Printed for John Martyn, 1676.⁂ Evelyn's discussion of the properties of soil. Provenance: The Evelyn family copy with bookplate of William John Evelyn and later ticket of 'J.E.'

[Ames (Richard)] The Siege and Surrender of Mons. A Tragi-Comedy, first edition, title with top corner repaired, (c)1 upper margin repaired, a few other margins trimmed close, some foxing, modern half calf over marbled boards, [Wing A2992], 4to, Printed for Richard Baldwin, 1691.⁂ Rare at auction, this being the only copy since it last appeared in 1970.

Military.- Markham (Francis) Five Decades of Epistles of Warre, first edition, woodcut initials and decorations, lacking initial blank, small burn-hole in N1 with slight loss of text, a few leaves slightly creased, some soiling and staining, mostly marginal, contemporary calf, a little rubbed and abraded, slight worming to lower cover, [STC 17332], folio, Printed by Augustine Matthewes, 1622.⁂ Markham (1565-1627) was the older brother of Gervase and this work covers the duties of each rank of soldier and their training.Provenance: Roger Anderson (ink name at head of title and another leaf).

Wales.- Taylor (John) A Short Relation of a Long Journey, Made round or ovall By encompassing the Principalitie of Wales, first edition, 48pp., trimmed to upper edge with loss to first two words of title and pagination on several leaves, title soiled, some foxing, stain from sellotape to inner margin of final leaf, later half calf over marbled boards, upper joint split, rubbed, [Wing T512], 8vo, Performed by the Riding, Going, Crawling, Running, and Writing of John Taylor, [1653].⁂ Extremely rare work by John Taylor, the Water Poet. No copy traced at auction. ESTC locates only 3 copies, none of which are in N. America. Describes the poet's journey round Wales and neighbouring regions. Towards the end of his trip he comes to Barnsley (Gloucestershire, most recently made famous by Barnsley House, the home of garden designer Rosemary Verey): "this Village of Barnsley doth most strictly observe the Lords day, or Sunday, for little children are not suffered to walke or play: and two Women who had beene at Church both before and after Noone, did but walke into the fields for their recreation, and they were put to their choice, either to pay six pence apiece (for prophane walking,) or to be laid one houre in the stocks; and the pievish willfull women (though they were able enough to pay) to save their money and jest out the matter, lay both by the heeles merrily one houre."

Richard III.- More (Sir Thomas) The Historie of the Pitifull Life, and unfortunate Death of Edward the fifth...with the troublesome and tyrannical government of usurping Richard the third, 2 parts in 1, ?first edition in English, lacking final blank, title to each part within typographical border, 2 engraved portraits (both trimmed at lower margin, the second laid down), bookplate of Milton Peterborough, part 1 title seemingly supplied from another copy, with inner margin reinforced and lower margin trimmed, part 2 title with a few ink doodles to verso (some show-through), early ink ownership inscriptions ?Margritte to verso of first portrait and To: Stringer to part 1 title, the odd leaf trimmed close with loss to ruled border, D10 and H9 with small holes in text, a couple minor chips or short tears, touching ruled border but no text loss, light browning and occasional spotting, contemporary panelled calf, rebacked, corners worn, [Wing M2688], 12mo, Thomas Payne for the Company of Stationers...to be sold by Mich: Young, 1641.⁂ One of three similar editions published by Thomas Payne in 1641. The second part comprises the first biography of Richard III, and the main source for Shakespeare's depiction of him, originally published in the 1565 collected edition of More's Latin works.

Ireland.- Walker (George) A True Account of the Siege of London-Derry, first edition, lacks initial licence leaf, foxing, later half calf, rubbed, [Wing W350], 4to, Printed for Robert Clavel, and Ralph Simpson, 1689.⁂ With advertisement beneath imprint on title for a recently published map by Captain Macullach which was issued separately and is not called for here. Signature F here has pagination 41-48 (ie no errors in sequence), one of three variants. Walker was killed a year later at the Battle of the Boyne.Provenance: Lancelot Holland (bookplate).

Barclay (John) Barclay His Argenis: Or, the Loves of Poliarchus and Argenis, first edition in English, translated by Kingesmill Long, with initial blank, title with woodcut device, woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces, occasional light soiling or very light browning, small hole to B1 and D3 with affecting a few letters of text, E4 with repaired tear to head, 2K3 with tear just running into text, ink notes to initial blank, contemporary calf, rebacked, corners repaired, upper joint cracked, later endpapers, [STC 1392], folio, G.P. for Henry Seile, 1625.⁂ Barclay's most important work, an allegory of seventeenth century European politics that touched on both Sidney's Arcadia and More's Utopia.

Italy.- Schottus (Franciscus) Italy, in its original Glory, Ruine and Revival, first edition in English, translated by Edmund Warcupp, additional engraved title, 2 double-page engraved plans, engraved initials and head-pieces, one neat old marginal manuscript note, table bound at beginning, bookplates, later calf, raised spine bands, [Wing S891], folio, by S. Griffin, for H. Twyford, Tho. Dring and I. Place, 1660.

Marcellinus (Ammianus) The Roman Historie..., translated by Philemon Holland, first edition in English, woodcut device on title, woodcut initials and headpieces, worming to lower margins, occasional light soiling, mostly marginal, bookplate of Marion and Rudolph Gottfried to front pastedown, contemporary speckled calf, neatly rebacked, later endpapers, [STC 17311], folio, Adam Islip, 1609.⁂ A good cop of the last major Roman history translated by the most celebrated Elizabethan translator of the classics.