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Japan.- Christian persecution.- Trigault (Nicolas) De Christianis apvd Iapanios trivmphis sive de gravissima ibidem contra Christi fidem persecvtione exorta anno MDCXII vsq. ad annvm MDC XX libri qvinq, first edition, fine engraved title depicting St. Francis Xavier and St. Ignatius Loyola with angels above, 17 full-page engraved illustrations depicting the torture and execution of Christians in Japan (that on Qq1 with revised engraving mounted over original), final privilege f. with engraved printer's device verso, D1 lower blank corner torn away, Gg4 marginal tear at foot, foxing, mostly lightly browned throughout, recased in contemporary limp vellum, modern black ink ms. title to spine, lacking ties, some staining to lower cover, [Cordier BJ 295; Streit V, 1305; De Backer & Sommervogel, VIII, 242.8], small 4to, Munich, Rader & Raphael Sadeler, 1623.⁂ Rare first edition of this graphically illustrated account of the persecution of Christians in Japan from 1612 to 1620; a period during which Japan closed itself off from the rest of the world and entirely suppressed Christianity. Nicolas Trigault was a member of the Jesuit mission to China, which he had joined in 1610. His account of this was the first detailed work on that empire published in Europe. In 1618, just before his departure for China, he completed four books concerning the triumphs of the Christians in the recent persecutions in Japan, to which he added a fifth books whilst in Goa, which brought the narrative up to 1616. The work was printed in 1623, with additional text filling in the years from 1617-20 and adding a list of 268 Japanese martyrs. The graphic illustrations show the torture and executions of Christians.

Rousseau (Jean Jacques) A Treatise on the Social Compact: or The Principles of Politic Law, first edition in English, 3pp. advertisements at end, contemporary annotation to pp. 2 & 3, otherwise remarkably clean internally, endpapers browned, contemporary calf, a little rubbed, lacking most of morroco spine label, [PMM 270], 8vo, for T. Becket and P. A. de Hondt, 1764.⁂ Rare philosophical treatise by Genevan philosopher instrumental in the Age of Enlightenment. "The Contrat Social remains Rousseau's greatest work... Rousseau believed passionately in what he wrote, and when in 1789 a similar emotion was released on a national scale, the Contrat Social came into its own as the bible of the revolutionaries in building their ideal state. Still in print, translated into every language in cheap editions and paperbacks, it remains a crucial document of egalitarian government" (Printing and the Mind of Man, 270, discussing the 1762 first edition).

Bible, Greek.- He Kaine Diatheke [New Testament], 'Mazarin edition', half-title, fine engraved title by Claude Mellan depicting an angel inscribing an obelisk beneath title on a scroll carried by three putti, imprint in Greek at foot, engraved head- & tail-pieces and initials including large cul-de-lampe on verso of final leaf of text featuring arms of King Louis XIII, with final blank, some light browning and offsetting, occasional spotting, marginal soiling at beginning & end and water-staining to lower outer corner towards end, bookplate removed but with old ink shelf-mark to front pastedown, handsome contemporary red morocco tooled in gilt with central royal arms and rich roll-tooled border featuring fleurs-de-lys, spine gilt in compartments with title or fleur-de-lys and seven raised bands, inner gilt dentelles, g.e, rubbed and marked, upper cover a little stained, corners slightly worn, short split to head of upper joint, [D&M 4687], folio, Paris, Royal Printers, [1642].⁂ A handsome wide-margined copy of the magnificent edition "known as the 'Mazarin edition', since it appeared under the auspices of the great Cardinal" (D&M). It is the first edition of the Greek New Testament from the Imprimerie Royale, founded by Louis XIII in 1640. It is a substantial reprint, with a few alterations, of the New Testament printed by the Elzeviers in 1624, adding a 30-page appendix of Variae lectiones. The text was set in Garamond's Greek types, used by the Estienne dynasty of printers, and which subsequently became part of the type holdings of the Imprimerie Royale.

Selden (John) Mare Clausum seu De Dominio Maris Libri Duo, first edition, initial and final blank leaf present, title in red and black with woodcut device, 2 engraved maps and several woodcut illustrations, errata leaf at end, small paper flaw to R2 just affecting side-note, occasional foxing, early 18th century panelled calf, rebacked preserving original spine, [STC 22175; Sabin 78971], folio, William Stanesby for Richard Meighen, 1635.⁂ One of the cornerstones of modern maritime law, with references to the colonisation of Newfoundland by Sir Humphrey Gilbert in 1583 and to the earlier explorations of that region by Cabot.Provenance: R. Rigby (ink name trimmed at head of title, dated 1673); W. Bayntun of Gray's Inn (ink inscription below the aforementioned); Earls of Macclesfield (South Library bookplate and ink inscription on verso of initial blank).

Dahl (Roald) Going Solo, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author on half-title, illustrations, original boards, small patch of staining to foot of spine, light creasing to spine tips and corners, near-fine otherwise, 8vo, 1986.

Fuller (Thomas).- Viccars (John) Decapla in Psalmos: sive Commentarius ex decem linguis, first edition, double-column text in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Coptic and Arabic, additional engraved title by Hollar depicting the ten races of mankind, woodcut device on printed title depicting King David, woodcut decorations and initials, contemporary dark blue morocco, gilt, g.e., spine faded, corners rubbed, [STC 24696], folio, Robert Young, 1639.⁂ A lovely copy in contemporary binding of this work on the Psalms, dedicated to Archbishop Laud, and apparently the only known work from the library of Thomas Fuller, with gift inscription on front free endpaper "Liber Guil Howell Cranfordensis Ex dono ela. viri Thomas Fuller T.B. ob id: Pastoris reverendi" (Fuller was rector of St. Dunstan's in Cranford, 1658).Provenance: Alberry Merter of Arundel (early ink inscription on front pastedown); Thomas Fuller (see note above); Robert S. Pirie (bookplate).

Voyages.- Anson (George).- Thomas (Pascoe) A True and Impartial Journal of a Voyage to the South-Seas. . . Under the Command of Commodore George Anson, first edition, list of subscribers, from the library at Mount Congreve, Waterford with ink signature of Ambrose Usher Congreve to head of title & front free endpaper and engraved armorial bookplate of John Congreve, some light browning, contemporary calf with double gilt fillet border, rubbed, spine repaired, [Sabin 95437; Hill 1693; Palau 331781], 8vo, S. Birt [& others], 1745.⁂ A scarce account of the Anson expedition, preceding the official account by three years.

Law.- Intrationum excellentissimus liber, first edition, printed in black letter, title in red and black with large woodcut arms on verso, woodcut initials and typographic devices at end of paragraphs, fine large woodcut device on verso of final leaf, some foxing, marginal browning, 19th century russia, the covers with large panels with lozenge shaped hatching incorporating Tudor roses, all within gilt and blind rules, joints and spine ends repaired, a little rubbed, [STC 14116; Ames II p.441 "very rare book"], folio, Richard Pynson, 1510.⁂ Rare and important English legal post-incunable with evidence of contemporary ownership. It comprises the precedents for most forms of legal proceedings then in use, in real, personal and mixed actions, civil and criminal, as well as valuable information on the preparation of writs and execution.Provenance: W. Crofton (contemporary signature at head of title, and with his 2-line acquisition note beneath printer's device at end recording his purchase from the London bookseller and printer Robert Redman on 15 February 1539 for the (then very substantial) sum of ten shillings.

McCarthy (Cormac) Child of God, first English edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to title, original boards, slight bumping to spine tips, dust-jacket, very light toning, light creasing to foot of spine, a fine copy, 8vo, 1975.⁂ McCarthy's second novel, this edition seemingly far more difficult to find inscribed than its American counterpart.

Pufendorf (Samuel) Histoire du Regne de Charles Gustave Roy de Suede, 7 parts in 2 vol., first French edition, additional engraved title, portrait of the author and another of Charles XI both by Blesendorff, 10 single-page engraved portraits and 114 double-page or folding engraved plates and maps (?of 115), and one folding letterpress table (trimmed), engraved decorations, some browning to text ff., occasional foxing, later half calf over marbled boards, a little rubbed, folio, Nuremberg, Knorz for Christophe Riegel, 1697.⁂ First published in Latin the previous year, this impressive work covers the history of Carl Gustav's reign from 1654-60, much of which involved the Second Northern War in Poland/Lithuania. As well as maps, town-views and battle-plans and scenes, the plates include a large multi-folding depiction of the King's funeral procession in Stockholm.

Churchill (Sir Winston Spencer) The River War, An Historical Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan, 2 vol., first edition, half-titles, plates, maps and illustrations, vol.1 final map torn, foxing, vol.2 slight repaired tears and abrasion to front endpapers, original pictorial cloth, gilt, a little rubbed, [Woods A2a], 8vo, London, New York and Bombay, 1899.⁂ A very good copy overall of Churchill's second book. He served in the 21st Lancers and was part of the last great cavalry charge of the British Army.

Mathematics.- Euclid. Elementorum liber decimus, translation and commentary by Pierre Mondoré, first edition of this translation and commentary, Roman and italic type, woodcut diagrams, some water-staining, mostly to lower margins, occasional spotting, lightly browned, contemporary limp vellum, yapp edges, head of spine repaired, some staining and creasing, housed in a modern red morocco-backed drop-back box, spine gilt, spine spotted and faded, [Thomas-Stanford XII; Adams E1013], 4to, Paris, Michel de Vascosan, 1551.⁂ Rare copy at auction of the first Mondoré edition of the tenth book of Euclid's Elements. Mondoré was a mathematician, poet, and Royal Librarian. The preface contains an attack on Ramus, whose Latin version of the Elements had appeared in 1545. Provenance: 16th century ink signatures to title; 'R.Hill' (?Sir Rowland Hill, ink signature to front free endpaper); engraved armorial bookplate to front pastedown; armorial blind-stamp to second front free endpaper.

Milton (John) Paradise lost. A poem in ten books, first edition, with title in Pforzheimer's fifth state ('Angel' in imprint in roman), our copy with 'The Printer to the Reader' before 'The Argument' and with five lines excluding headline, woodcut head-pieces and decorative initials, A4 small repair to lower inner gutter, closely trimmed at head, very occasionally just touching a ruled border or headline, some spotting and staining, lightly browned, antique style blind-ruled calf, spine in compartments and with red morocco label, [Pforzheimer 718 & cf.716 (note); Grolier, Wither to Prior 603; Wing M2142], small 4to, Printed by S. Simmons, and are to be sold by T. Helder at the Angel in Little Brittain, 1669.⁂ 'One of the greatest, most noble and sublime poems which either this age or nation has produced.' (John Dryden). In more recent times it was a great source of inspiration for Philip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Materials.Provenance: 'H. Meen, 1782' (ink inscription to title); Robert Ball (modern bookplate to front pastedown).

Milton (John) Paradise Lost. A Poem in Twelve Books, fourth (first illustrated) edition, lacking engraved portrait but with all the 12 engraved plates, mostly by M.Burghers and P.P.Bouche after Medina, list of subscribers at end, ink annotations to first leaf of text, tear to lower margin of Oo4, by Miles Flesher, for Jacob Tonson, 1688; Paradise Regain'd...to which is added Samson Agonistes, third (first folio) edition, light water-staining to outer margin, R.E[veringham]...to be sold by Randal Taylor, 1688, together 2 works in 1 vol., some light browning or soiling but a good wide-margined copy, contemporary mottled calf, rubbed, wear to edges, rebacked preserving old roan label, corners repaired, new endpapers, [Pforzheimer 720 & 721; Wing M2147 & 2154], folio

Dahl (Roald) Fantastic Mr Fox, first edition, signed by the author on neatly tipped-in title, illustrations by Donald Chaffin, original pictorial boards, very light sunning to spine, light creasing to spine tips and corners, light marking to upper cover, 4to, 1970.

Peçevi (Ibrahim) Tarih-i Peçevî [Pechevi's History], 2 vol., first edition, vol. 1 printed on yellow paper and with previous owner's manuscript notes to blank, vol. 2 lacking free endpapers, title in manuscript to early blank, faint ink-stamp and small loss to final ff. not affecting text, vol. 1 in contemporary calf, gilt, a little rubbed, slight bumping to corners and extremities, vol. 2 in calf-backed boards, backstrip split at joints with crude tape repairs, rubbed, bumping to corners and extremities, 8vo, Istambul, Matbaa-i Âmire, 1866 [AH. 1283].⁂ Ibrahim Peçevi (1572-1650) was famous for this work on the history of the Ottoman Empire, the main reference for the period 1520-1640. The information about older events was taken from previous works and the narrations of veterans. Peçevi's times are described first hand and from tale of witnesses. He carefully referenced all quotations. Peçevi was also one of the first Ottoman historians who used European written sources, and makes reference to Hungarian historians.

Runyon (Damon) Guys and Dolls, first edition, slight marginal creasing to fore-margin of a few pp., ink ownership inscription to front free endpaper, hinges tender, original cloth, very slight toning to spine, extremities, a little rubbed, slight fraying to spine tips and corners, an excellent example, [Queen's Quorum 84], 8vo, New York, 1931.

James (M.R.) A Warning to the Curious and other Ghost Stories, first edition, pencil musical notation to rear endpaper, original cloth, light mottling and soiling to covers, spine ends and joints frayed, dust-jacket, spine ends and corners chipped, chip to head of upper panel affecting 2 letters of title, a few short nicks or small chips to head and foot with light creasing, very light surface soiling but a very good copy overall, [Tymn 3-128], 8vo, 1925.⁂ M. R. James' last collection, and one of his bleakest. Rare in the macabre dust-jacket in good condition.

[Tyrwhitt-Wilson (Gerald Hugh, Lord Berners)], "Adela Quebec". The Girls of Radcliff Hall, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Noël Coward on half-title, pencil note on last page in later hand, original wrappers, light water-staining, lightly toned, small mark to upper cover, 8vo, Printed for the Author for Private Circulation Only, [c.1935].⁂ Superb association copy of a very rare lesbian satirical novella. Set in a girls fictional school of Radcliff Hall - a derisive nod to The Well of Loneliness written by the British author Radclyffe Hall 7 years before - the story follows a series of assignations, affairs, and treacheries among a group of adolescent lesbians. With a key to the roman à clef written at the back of this copy in pencil by a later hand, the reader understands the analogous turbulent liaisons between the people of whom it is satirising, those being the artistic set known for their salacious parties held at Farington House throughout the 1930s. Among the friends subject to Berners's mockery are Cecil Beaton (Cecily), Oliver Messel (Olive), Pavel Tchelitchew (Madame Yoshiwara), Christian Bérard (Mademoiselle Gousse), Peter Watson (Lizzie), David Herbert (Daisy), and Robin Thomas (May Peabody), with the author styled as the voyeuristic headmistress Miss Carfax. The dedicatee Noël Coward, though part of this set, is not featured among the characters, yet Coward's lover Jack Wilson was not spared Berner's caustic portrayal, and is characterised as the insipid Helene de Troy. Only around 100 copies were printed, and after an uproar amongst the set, most were destroyed by the author's lover Robert Heber-Percy, denoted as Millie in the novel. Library Hub locates just four copies in institutions: The British Library, Oxford (two copies), and Eton College.

Warhol (Andy) The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B and Back Again), presentation copy signed with soup can doodle to Stephen Spender, original cloth-backed boards, dust-jacket with a couple of short tears and chips, 8vo, New York & London, 1975.⁂ "I took this picture of Stephen Spender and Christopher Isherwood when I was over in England a while ago. Baron Rothschild took us up to Spender's house for dinner. I think that's a bottle of Rothschild wine Spender is holding. I think Isherwood was mad at us for taking pictures. I guess it was when I was a little fresher- I took pictures without even asking. I ask more now. or I don't even do it. It was a really intellectual evening. I don't think they liked us. I went with Bob Colacello." (Warhol, A Warhol Portrait Gallery, Paris Review, issue 94, Winter 1984). This copy has 'BCDE' on title-verso but does not say 'first edition'.

Women's Rights.- [Drake (Judith)] An Essay in Defence of the Female Sex. In which are inserted the Characters of a Pedant, a Squire, a Beau, a Vertuoso, a Poetaster, a City-Critick, &c...by a Lady, first edition, engraved frontispiece of 'The Compleat Beau', title within double-rule border, variant with final line on p.148 reading "the mean Performance of", contemporary ink inscriptions to title (lightly offset on frontispiece but not affecting main image), cropped slightly shaving frontispiece, also one signature on title and head-lines of a few preliminary leaves, contemporary sprinkled calf, spine gilt, rubbed, splitting to joints, spine ends worn and chipped, lacking label, [Wing D2125A], 8vo, for A. Roper and E. Wilkinson...and R. Clavel, 1696.⁂ The first English feminist tract, also attributed to Mary Astell but now generally accepted to be by Judith Drake, whose husband wrote the commendatory verses at the beginning. The treatise is a defence against male accusations of ignorance, vanity, enviousness etc. in women and also addresses the faults of men, particularly satirizing some of her contemporaries.

Dahl (Roald) Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, first edition, signed by the author "Love Roald Dahl", illustrations by Joseph Schindelman, original cloth-backed boards, light fading to spine, slight sunning to upper and lower edge, dust-jacket, price-clipped, very slight sunning to spine, light creasing to head and foot, else near-fine, 8vo, New York, 1972.⁂ The sequel to Dahl's most beloved title. Scarce signed.

Lewis (C.S.) The Screwtape Letters, first edition, first impression, neat ink ownership inscription to endpaper, original cloth with paper label to spine (label slightly browned at head), slight shelf-lean, dust-jacket, light toning to spine, upper and lower panel spotted with some light soiling, minor chipping to head of spine and corners, short closed tear to head of upper joint with tape repair to verso, short nicks to head and foot of lower panel, an excellent example, 8vo, Geoffrey Bles, 1942.⁂ Lewis' classic novel of spiritual conflict, one of his most celebrated works, rare in the dust-jacket in good condition.

Frankfurt Book Fair.- Estienne (Henri) Francofordiense emporium, sive Francofordienses nundinae, first and only edition, collation: *4 a-i8 k4, woodcut printer's device to title, decorative head-pieces and initials, f2 short marginal tear at foot, small chip to outer margin of final f., some spotting and [water-]staining (including title), lightly browned, modern vellum, spine gilt, 8vo (164 x 100mm.), [Geneva], Henri Estienne, 1574.⁂ First and only edition of the printer's own laudatory account of the Frankfurt Fair, based on his experiences selling books there the previous year. It includes descriptions of the merchandise for sale, including horses, weapons, clothing, and household goods. There are many references to food and drink - 'Besides praising the wines of Bacharach, Estienne cites a number of Greek and Roman authors who wrote for and against drunkenness' (Simon). Schreiber assesses it as 'an extremely desirable and rare book, which today seldom comes on the market.'.Provenance: 'Paul Boiteau' (19th century ink signature to head of title). Literature: Adams S1768; Renouard Estienne, 139:2; Schreiber Estienne, 189; Simon, Bibliotheca Bacchia II, 235.

Wine.- Ausonius (Decimus Magnus) [Opera], first and only Aldine edition, collation: A-N8 O4, italic type, woodcut printer's device to title and verso of otherwise blank final f., initial spaces with guide-letters, c2 piece torn from outer margin at head (not affecting text), water-stained, occasional spotting, lightly browned, later vellum over boards, lightly soiled, 8vo (157 x 93mm.), [Venice], [House of Aldus & Andrea Torresano], [November, 1517].⁂ First and only Aldine edition of the poet Ausonius, born in Bordeaux in 309 AD. His writings sing the praises of his birthplace and of the Moselle, and include much on the wines of the areas. Literature: Adams A2278; Ahmanson-Murphy 158; Renouard 80:7; Simon BG 151; EDIT 16 CNCE 3482.

Fleming (Ian) From Russia With Love, first edition, ink ownership inscription and some light spotting to front free endpaper, original boards with gun-and-rose design to upper cover in bronze and silver, slight bumping to spine tips, dust-jacket,small surface abrasion to front flap, light browning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, light foxing to lower panel, a few small nicks to head and foot of panels, extremities rubbed, a very good copy, 8vo, 1957.

Education of Princes.- Elyot (Sir Thomas) The Boke Named the Governour, black letter, 4pp. faint water-staining towards end, bookplate and occasional blind-stamps of the Earls of Macclesfield, 'Godly Prayers' at beginning, first ff. with marginal hole just touching odd letter and tear into text, marginal worming to last few ff., lacking endpapers, contemporary calf, lacking ties, a little rubbed, bumping to corners and extremities, [STC 7640; PMM 61 (first edition)], 8vo, [Thomas Marsh], 1557.⁂ The present work is the most important of Elyot's writings. First published in 1531, and humanist in approach, it argues for a system where the monarch has unlimited power and discusses the educational needs of such future princes, from reading to exercise and music.

Rand (Ayn) Atlas Shrugged, first edition, light tape marking to endpapers, original cloth, first state dust-jacket with 10/57 and price of $6.95 to front flap, slight chipping to spine tips, light rubbing and creasing to spine tips and corners, rubbing to extremities, but a bright and excellent example overall, 8vo, New York, 1957.

Dahl (Roald) The Witches, first American edition, one of 300 copies signed by the author and artist, illustrations by Quentin Blake, original blue cloth, lettered and decorated in metallic red, a mint copy, original yellow slip-case, 8vo, New York, Farrar Straus Giroux, 1983.

Wood (Robert) Les Ruines de Balbec autrement dite Heliopolis dans la Coelosyrie, first French edition, 46 engraved plates by Fourdrinier and Major after Borra, some folding, plate 3 as one continuous plate not in 2 parts as often, occasional foxing, blue endpapers, contemporary French red morocco, gilt, g.e., slightly scuffed, folio, 1757.⁂ A superlative copy of the first French edition which appeared in the same year as the English.

Dahl (Roald) The Gremlins from the Walt Disney Production, first English edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Charlies Love Roald Dahl" to half-title, colour and plain illustrations throughout, some cracking to hinges, original cloth-backed boards, toning to spine, wear to corners, some fading to lower cover, rubbed, 4to, [1944].⁂ Dahl's first published work, we have been unable to trace another example of a signed first English edition.

Adams (Richard) Watership Down, first edition, folding map at end, original decorative cloth, gilt, dust-jacket, one or two very small nicks to jacket upper edge of lower panel, otherwise a remarkably crisp and near-fine copy, 8vo, 1972.

Lewis (C.S.) The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, first edition, illustrations by Pauline Baynes, small ink ownership inscription to endpaper, original cloth, light sunning to spine spine and covers with shadowing from jacket, dust-jacket, very light toning to spine, spine chipped at foot with loss affecting publisher's name, chipping to head, light surface soiling, a very good copy, 8vo, 1950.⁂ The first book in the Narnia series and one of the most celebrated Children's fantasy stories ever published, scarce in the dust-jacket.

Rushdie (Salman) Satanic Verses, first edition, signed by the author "Salman Rushdie, to Tolerance" on title, original boards, dust-jacket, light rubbing to spine tips and corners, 1988; The Satanic Verses, uncorrected proof, light marginal toning, publisher's letter enclosing proof loosely inserted, original wrappers, extremities rubbed, 1988, 8vo (2)⁂ Rushdie's celebrated exploration of the immigrant experience in Britain as well as the intersection of the Muslim and Hindu faiths. Scarce signed in such superb condition, here with Rushdie's defiant declaration against the attempts to silence him through the Fatwa and numerous assassination attempts.

Hunter (Dard) The Literature of Papermaking 1390-1800, first edition, one of 190 copies signed by the author, 24 tipped-in facsimile title-pages, illustrations, light offsetting, one or two leaves wrinkled from facsimile being poorly tipped to verso (as often), occasional light toning or spotting to facsimiles, loose as issued in original half cloth folder with ties, small ink mark to foot of upper joint, a couple other very small and faint marks, folio, Chillicothe, Ohio, [Mountain House Press], 1925.⁂ The second of Hunter's hand-made books devoted to the history and art of papermaking; he hand-printed the book on hand-made paper using type that he had designed and cast. Although the limitation in the book reads 190 copies, his autobiography (p.71) states that only 180 copies were produced. Halfway through the production, Hunter experienced a haemorrhage in his left eye from an earlier accident which reduced his sight to less than half normal vision.

Ishiguro (Kazuo) The Remains of the Day, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author dated 7th June 1989 on title, original boards, dust-jacket, very slight fading to spine, else fine, 1989; and a first edition of An Artist of the Floating World, 8vo (2)⁂ A superb copy of Ishiguro's Booker Prize winner signed and dated the month after publication.

Piranesi (Giovanni Battista).- Barbieri (Giovanni Francesco) Raccolta di Alcuni Disegni del Barberi da Cento detto Il Guercino, first edition, printed title in red and black with engraved vignette by Ottaviani, additional etched title by Piranesi with dedication to Thomas Jenkins, 32 etchings in black and sanguine on 28 sheets, including 23 after Guercino (12 by Bartolozzi, 2 by Nevay, 6 by Ottaviani, 2 by Piranesi and one double-page by Piroli), one large folding plate depicts Christ bearing the cross (torn at fold), occasional foxing and marginal soiling, contemporary half vellum over blue boards, covers foxed, a couple of tears to spine, [Hind p.86; cf. Berlin Kat 1878; Wilton-Ely 1015-1018], large folio, Rome, Giovanni Generoso Salomoni, 1764.⁂ Rare collection of plates seemingly conceived by Piranesi in 1764 when he purchased twelve etchings after Guercino from Francesco Bartolozzi, who left for London that year. Before publication, Piranesi added several additional plates, including his own work. At least one of the original Guercino drawings after which these plates were designed was from Piranesi's own collection, whilst the depiction of the old man asleep which is reproduced on the additional title-page belonged to the sculptor Cavaceppi. Wilson-Ely notes: "the group is particularly notable for Piranesi's attempt to reproduce the pictorial quality of Guercino's brush drawings by applying two coloured inks, red and black, simultaneously to the copper plate".

Milne (A. A.) When We Were Very Young, first edition, first state without roman numeral on contents p., illustrations by E.H. Shepard, light browning to endpapers, original pictorial cloth, slight shelf-lean, slight toning to spine, light bumping to spine tips and corners, dust-jacket priced at 7/6, spine browned, spine ends and corners a little chipped touching spine lettering at head, a few nicks or short closed tears to head and foot of lower panel, light marking and surface soiling to panels, extremities a little rubbed, an excellent example overall, 8vo, 1924.

Dahl (Roald) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, first edition, first issue with the six line colophon, fifth line reading "Paper manufactured by S. D. Warren and Co.", cut signature of the author to endpaper, illustrations by Joseph Schindelman, original blind-stamped cloth, dust-jacket with no ISBN number to rear panel, neat and expert repairs and restorations to spine ends and corners, neat retouching to spine, in effect a near-fine example, 8vo, New York, [1964].

Rowling (J.K.) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, first paperback edition, with "Joanne Rowling", no space between "Taylor" and "1997" and full 10 to 1 number line on title verso, "wand" listed twice on p.53, light soiling to margins of first and last few pages, otherwise clean internally, original pictorial wrappers with misprint "Philospher's" to lower cover, nicks to edges with laminate very slightly peeling away, still an excellent example overall, [Errington A1(aa)], 8vo, 1997.

Forster (E.M.) The Story of the Siren, first edition, one of 500 copies, original blue wrappers, second state label on upper wrapper, lower edge frayed, edges a little rubbed but still overall an excellent copy, preserved in portfolio, [Kirkpatrick A6; Woolmer 9], 8vo, Hogarth Press, 1920.

Paton (Alan) Cry, the Beloved Country. A Story of Comfort in Desolation, first edition, signed by the author on endpaper along with contemporary ink ownership inscription "A. J. Sowden, Supt. Mbuluzi Lepter Hospital", original cloth, slight toning to spine, slight shelf-lean, minor fraying to foot of spine, dust-jacket, toning to spine, spine ends a little chipped, light rubbing to corner tips, slight toning to panels with the odd nick to head or foot, but an excellent example overall, 8vo, 1948.⁂ Paton's searing indictment of South African society, published on the eve of the South African government formally institutionalising apartheid, one of the best-known and most acclaimed works in South African literature. Rare signed.

Fleece Press.- Buckland Wright (John) Surreal Times: The Abstract Engravings and Wartime Letters..., number 23 of 44 specially-bound copies signed by Christopher Buckland Wright with an additional copper engraving 'Nymphe Surprise No.II, from an edition limited to 266, original vellum-backed JBW patterned-paper, slip-case, 2000; Endeavours & Experiments...Essays in Woodcut and Colour Engraving, number 20 of 90 copies signed by Christopher Buckland Wright with an additional wood-engraving 'Cafe Dansant No,2', from an edition limited to 300, original vellum-backed patterned-paper boards, original cloth drop-back box, 2004; Sensuous Lines: A Catalogue Raisonné of the Intaglio Prints..., one of 40 specially-bound copies with 5 original engravings, from an edition limited to 366, one engraving tipped in as frontispiece, errata slip mounted on front pastedown, original vellum-backed marbled boards, the other engravings loose as issued in card folder, together in original cloth drop-back box, 2014; Bathers and Dancers, one of 180 copies from an edition limited to 206, original vellum-backed Japanese wood veneer boards, slip-case, 1993; Baigneuses, one of 240 copies, original vellum-backed marbled boards, original cloth drop-back box, 1995; To Beauty...Work with Joseph Ishill of the Oriole Press, one of 246 copies, original cloth-backed Venetian marbled paper, original cloth drop-back box, 2006 § Buckland Wright (Christopher, editor) The Engravings of John Buckland Wright, number 50 of 150 copies signed by the editor and with an additional wood-engraving on Gampi vellum paper, illustrations, original cloth, dust-jacket, Aldershot, 1990, the first six with illustrations, many tipped in, a few colour, some with prospectuses, invoices, notices from the press etc. loosely inserted, most uncut, Denby Dale, Wakefield or Upper Denby, Fleece Press; and c.15 others by, illustrated by or about Buckland Wright, some catalogues, v.s. (c.20)⁂ A complete set of the press's works devoted to John Buckland Wright, including 3 in the special edition, with many of the engravings printed from the original blocks left in the artist's studio at his death. Several copies of Bathers & Dancers were damaged in binding so in fact only 164 copies of the standard edition were issued.

Dahl (Roald) Rhyme Stew, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to front free endpaper (inscription offset onto front pastedown and front flap), illustrations by Quentin Blake, original boards, dust-jacket, very small patch of staining to lower cover upper corner, very small patch of surface wear to upper panel, near-fine otherwise, 4to, 1989.

Dahl (Roald) Revolting Rhymes, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "Charles Love Roald Dahl" to endpaper, illustrations by Quentin Blake, original pictorial boards, very light toning to spine, else fine, 4to, 1982.⁂ Rare signed, we can trace no examples at auction.

[James (Sir Henry, photographer & editor)] [Domesday Book or Great Survey of England of William the Conqueror], 2 vol. comprising Great Domesday & Little Domesday, first facsimile edition, printed in red and black, short tear to fore-edge of first leaf of Great Domesday, original reversed calf, red edges, preserved in modern red cloth drop-back boxes, spines gilt with black labels, 4to (Great Domesday slightly larger), [Southampton, Ordnance Survey], [1862].⁂ Rare complete facsimile of the Domesday Book reproduced using the new process of photozincography invented by Sir Henry James. The work was transported to Southampton where it was taken apart and photographed, with the results being offered as individual county sections with introductory notes. This copy is one of only a small number with all the sections, apart from the introductions, bound together in a replica binding of the book at the time.

Forster (E.M.) A Passage to India, first trade edition, internally clean, original cloth, spine lightly dulled, otherwise fine, dust-jacket, neat and expert restoration to edges and joints, tear across upper panel neatly repaired, still in effect a very crisp and tight copy, [Kirkpatrick A10a], 8vo, 1924.

Forster (E.M.) Howard's End, first edition, first issue with "A Stepson of the Soil" featured on last page of advertisements, 4pp. advertisements at end, very light foxing to fore-edge, some straying to margins, bookseller's sticker to pastedown, original cloth, spine ends lightly bumped, fading strip along upper edge of lower panel, overall an excellent and brightly gilt example, [Kirkpatrick A4a], 8vo, 1910.

Briseux (Charles-Etienne) Traité du Beau essentiel dans les Arts, appliqué particulierement à l'Architecture..., 2 vol., first edition, engraved throughout with portrait, 2 titles within decorative borders, text with decorations, 138 plates (some double-page or folding) including pictorial divisional titles, and privilege leaf at end of vol.2, some light spotting or staining, contemporary half calf, spines richly gilt, rubbed, [Berlin Kat. 2403; Fowler 69; Millard, French 42], 4to, Paris, the author & Chereau, 1752.⁂ Featuring charming rococo decorative borders, head & tail-pieces, and ornaments. "A fine example of an entirely engraved book". (Fowler).

Le Carré (John) The Looking-Glass War, first edition, signed by the author on title, original boards, slight bumping to spine tips, dust-jacket, light rubbing to spine tips and corners, some lifting to laminate along lower joint, else fine, 8vo, 1965.⁂ The author's fourth novel, difficult to find in the present condition with the spine entirely unfaded.

Gibbon (Edward) The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 6 vol., first edition, first issue of vol.1 with errata uncorrected, [one of 500 copies], half-titles (that in vol. 1 a tipped-in later facsimile), 3 folding engraved maps, engraved portrait frontispiece after Reynolds and vol. 1 *a4-*b2 (Contents) bound in vol. 2, vol. 1 with later engraved portrait laid down as frontispiece, with all cancels and errata as called for, engraved bookplate, later ink ownership name S. de Giles to rear pastedowns, first map with tiny tear to fore-edge without loss, offsetting, some light browning and scattered spotting, a little heavier at points, the odd small stain or light soiling, vol. 1 front free endpaper renewed with old paper, hinges neatly repaired, contemporary mottled calf, spines gilt and with red morocco labels, highly skilful repairs to spine ends and joints, a little rubbed and scratched, still a handsome set, [Rothschild 948; PMM 222], 4to, for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776-88.⁂ One of the world's great historical works, rare with volume one in first state. 500 further copies were quickly printed as the work sold out in a few days. In this set, the frontispiece and Contents to the first volume seemingly always bound in the second. "This masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style has remained one of the ageless historical works...Gibbon brought a width of vision and a critical mastery of the available sources which have not been equalled to this day; and the result was clothed in inimitable prose" (PMM).

Dahl (Roald) Kiss Kiss, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to endpaper, original cloth, light sunning to spine, some foxing to covers, dust-jacket, light toning to spine, light cockling to upper panel, internal tear to spine with tape repair to verso, minor chipping to spine tips and corners, in effect a very good copy, 8vo, New York, 1960.

Livius (Titus) The Romane Historie Written by T. Livius of Padua, translated by Philemon Holland, first edition in English, large woodcut device on title and portrait of Queen Elizabeth I on verso, portrait of Livy on verso of A4, numerous woodcut initials, lacks last f. (blank), slight brown stain in margin of title, 3F6 and 5X6 small tear in lower margin, 17th century ink signature of Robert Gregge on title, bookplate of Sir Joseph Radcliffe Bart on front pastedown, later endpapers, contemporary calf, gilt centrepieces of arabesque design with initials WRE and single line gilt borders on both covers, slightly rubbed, brass clasps, rebacked, [STC 16613; Pforzheimer 495.], folio, Printed by Adam Islip, 1600.⁂ A good, clean copy of the first edition in English of Livy's Roman History translated by Philemon Holland. "Holland's first book, the first complete rendering of Livy into English, was published in 1600 when he was nearly fifty. It was a work of great importance, presented in a grand folio volume of 1458 pages, and dedicated to the queen. The translation set out to be lucid and unpretentious, and achieved its aim with marked success. It is accurate, and often lively, and although it does not attempt to imitate the terseness of Latin, it avoids prolixity." - Oxford DNB.

Brown (Dee) Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "For Jamake Highwater - in admiration for your literary skills and your wondrous perception of the arts of your people - sincerely Dee Brown" to endpaper, illustrations, numerous ink markings and occasional notes by Highwater to margins, upper hinge weak, original cloth, slight fraying to spine tips and corners, dust-jacket, light sunning to spine spine ends and corners creased and chipping a few short closed tears to head and foot with light creasing, 8vo, New York, 1970.⁂ A fascinating association copy of this important history of Native American life, inscribed to the author Jamake Highwater.Jamake Highwater (born Jackie Marks, 1931-2001) was of Eastern European Jewish ancestry but would mispresent himself as Cherokee for much of his life, even after his exposure as an imposter by two journalists in 1984.

Dahl (Roald) The Enormous Crocodile, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "Charles Love Roald Dahl" to endpaper, illustrations by Quentin Blake, original glazed boards, very light toning to spine, else fine, 4to, 1978.⁂ Dahl's first picture book and the first of his works to be illustrated by Quentin Blake. We can trace no other signed example at auction.

Mantel (Hilary) Wolf Hall, 2009; Bring Up the Bodies, 2012, first edition, signed by the author on titles, original boards, dust-jackets, light creasing to head and foot, "signed" price sticker to upper panels, else fine, 8vo (2)⁂ The first two books in Mantel's Thomas Cromwell trilogy, both winners of the Booker Prize.

18th Century novel by two sisters.- [Gunning (Susannah) and Margaret Minifie]. "The Miss Minifies". The Picture: A Novel, 3 vol., first edition, woodcut head-pieces, occasional light foxing, small contemporary ink ownership inscriptions to front free endpapers, contemporary speckled calf, edges very lightly rubbed, heavier to joints and extremities, but still overall a very crisp set, 8vo, printed for the authors, sold by J. Johnson and co., 1766.⁂ Rare eighteenth-century novel by sisters Susannah Gunning, née Minifie and her sister Margaret. Very scarce first edition, with seemingly only one other copy sold at auction, in 1930.

Nielsen (Kay) East of the Sun and West of the Moon, first edition, 25 tipped-in colour plates, with captioned tissue guards, black and white illustrations, 2 text ff. and 1 plate stained, otherwise some marginal browning, modern navy morocco, spine gilt, with original cloth upper cover and spine bound-in (laid down to sheet) at rear, t.e.g., 4to, [1914].

Law.- Bracton (Henry de) De Legibus & consuetudinibus Angliæ Libri, first edition, historiated initials, title with small loss to upper corner, previous owner's ink inscriptions to front free endpaper & title, front free endpaper with small chipping and loss to edges, neatly restored, occasional ink and pencil marginal notes in various hands, scattered spotting, modern calf, [STC 3475], folio, Richard Tottell, 1569.⁂ Divided into five books, each subdivided into chapters with subheadings whose contents are listed in detail in the extensive index in order of appearance, Bracton's 'De Legibus', completed in the 1250s, occupies a unique position in the history of the common law. It is the first attempt to treat the whole extent of English law in a manner both systematic and practical, it constitutes the first modern English law book and it is the outstanding legal work of any English writer of the Middle Ages.

Shakespeare (William).- Allott (Robert) Englands Parnassus: or The choysest Flowers of our Moderne Poets, with their Poeticall comparisons, first edition, woodcut device on title, woodcut decorations, lacks signature Q (8ff., pp.225-240), also lacking initial 2 and final blank leaves, final text leaf Kk7 with hole affecting a few words of text, occasional foxing and soiling, some early ink annotations, later vellum with red morocco spine label, [STC 378; Pforzheimer 358 (state A), Grolier, Langland to Wither 3], 8vo, N[icholas] L[ing], C[uthbert] B[urby] and T[homas] H[ayes], 1600.⁂ Important early anthology of English poetry with numerous references to Shakespeare as well as his contemporaries such as Ben Jonson, Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser, Michael Drayton etc. Pforzheimer's state A of the preliminaries with publishers' names in title imprint indicated only by their initials, dedication leaf (A4) uncancelled, and with dedicatory poem signed 'R.A.'Provenance: Rebecah ?Wilthen (ink name at foot of Kk7); early ink inscription on A8v "inquire for one Henry Lunn a shoomaker in Fareham"; another inscription at foot of P8v (ie before the missing gathering) "Hiatus deplorabilis".