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Lot 302

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)

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Lot 144

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).

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Lot 253

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).

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Lot 193

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.

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Lot 11

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.

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Lot 33

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.

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Lot 246

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).

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Lot 124

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.

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Lot 262

[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.

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Lot 101

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.

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Lot 187

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).

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Lot 123

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).

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Lot 205

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.

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Lot 139

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).

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Lot 12

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).

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Lot 13

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.

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Lot 277

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) .

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Lot 233

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

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Lot 94

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).

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Lot 288

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).

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Lot 219

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.

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Lot 335

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).

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Lot 50

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.

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Lot 112

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).

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Lot 46

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.

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Lot 67

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.

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Lot 77

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).

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Lot 215

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).

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Lot 26

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.

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Lot 66

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.

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Lot 125

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.

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Lot 244

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).

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Lot 250

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).

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Lot 237

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.

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Lot 214

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).

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Lot 118

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.

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Lot 83

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.

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Lot 58

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.

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Lot 228

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).

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Lot 252

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.

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Lot 232

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.

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Lot 75

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).

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Lot 192

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]

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Lot 129

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.

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Lot 186

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.

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Lot 45

Bacon (Sir Francis) The Historie of the Raigne of King Henry the Seventh, first edition, first issue with errata uncorrected, engraved portrait frontispiece by John Payne, title within engraved architectural border, woodcut initials and headpieces, lacking initial blank, occasional scattered foxing, ink ownership inscription to endpaper, contemporary calf, neatly and sympathetically rebacked, wear to corners, some rubbing and surface wear to covers, [Gibson 116a; STC 1160; Pforzheimer 32], small folio, by W. Stansby for Matthew Lownes, and William Barret, 1622.

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Lot 9

Bees.- Heresbach (Conrad) Foure Bookes of Husbandry, largely printed in black letter, woodcut decorations on title and with full-page woodcut arms to verso, woodcut initials and decorations, illustration on R4 verso, lacking colophon leaf 2A2, worming to first third, mostly to inner margin but occasionally just touching text, paper flaw to Q8 with slight loss of text, contemporary limp vellum, [STC 13199], 4to, Printed for John Wright, 1578.⁂ The 1578 title-page has been inserted into this copy, but the rest is in fact from a later edition, probably 1596 (with preliminaries signed A-C4). Nevertheless an important early work, described thus by Fussell: "This work, written in the form of a discussion between four persons, aims at collecting all the available information from classical and Biblical sources, and adding to that the information that more modern writers had gleaned, together with the experience of various friends of the author, who may have been practical farmers as he claims, although several of them seem to have been primarily soldiers who held various government posts." The final c.20ff cover Bees.

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Lot 264

Music.- Playford (Henry and John) The Theater of Music: Or a Choice Collection of the newest and best Songs Sung at the Court, and Public Theaters, The Words composed by the most ingenious Wits of the Age, and set to Music by the greatest Masters in that Science... The First Book, first edition, engraved vignette on title, woodcut initials and music notation, occasional light staining, ink ownership inscription and a few annotations to title in a contemporary hand, modern cloth, a few marks to upper cover, [Wing P2438], folio, J. Playford, for Henry Playford, 1685.⁂ With music by Henry Purcell, John Blow, Grabu and others.

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Lot 44

[Burton (Robert)] "Democritus Junior". The Anatomy of Melancholy, first edition, title soiled, lacks errata leaf at end, trimmed close at head with occasional loss to headlines, some water-staining at beginning and end, occasional foxing and soiling, occasional marginalialater diced russia, gilt, joints repaired, preserved in modern cloth drop-back box, [STC 4159; Madan II, 493; Pforzheimer 119; PMM 120; Grolier, English, 18; Grolier, Langland to Wither, 30], 4to, Oxford, Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, 1621.⁂ The first appearance of this celebrated work, which includes some passages not found in later editions. "One of the most popular books of the 17th century. All the learning of the age as well as its humour - and its pedantry - are there." (PMM)Provenance: Harriet D. Schermerhorn (bookplate of Carolands, and her sale April 1957)

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Lot 146

Voyages.- Pinto (Fernand Mendez) The Voyages and Adventures of ... during his Travels, first English edition, title printed in red and black, engraved head-pieces and initials, title and front free endpaper detached, heavy spotting, bookplate of C. W. H. Sotheby, contemporary calf, rebacked retaining original backstrip, joints splitting at spine head but holding firm, rubbed, [Wing M1705], small folio, by J. Macock for Henry Cripps, and Lodowick Lloyd, 1653.

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Lot 86

Jonson (Ben).- Jonsonus Virbius: or, The Memorie of Ben: Johnson revived by the Friends of the Muses, first edition, [edited by Bishop Brian Duppa], lacks final blank, first couple of gatherings trimmed close at lower edge with loss of signatures and catchwords, ink annotations to endpapers and text, occasional foxing, later green calf, gilt, a little soiled, [STC 14784; Pforzheimer 562], Printed by E.P. for Henry Seile, 1638.⁂ This elegiac collection, collected in tribute to Ben Jonson who had died in August of the previous year, includes works by Francis Beaumont, Henry King, William Cartwright, Owen Feltham and John Ford. It also includes Edmund Waller's first appearance in print on d3/4.Scarce at auction with only two appearances since 1964.Provenance: The Earl of Northesk (bookplate); G. Furman (ink name to front endpaper and extensive notes throughout)

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Lot 226

Wycherley (William) The Plain-Dealer. A Comedy, first edition, lacks initial blank and advertisement leaf (dagger 4), small hole to C3 with slight loss of text, minor foxing, small ink stain to final leaf, modern half morocco, [Wing W3749; Pforzheimer 1102], 4to, Printed by T[homas] N[ewcomb] for James Magnes and Rich. Bentley, 1677.⁂ Wycherley (1640-1716) was one of the most popular of the Restoration playwrights and this was his most successful comedy. In this and The Country Wife (1675) he "describes a world he knew. It is not a pleasant world, and although the comic contrivance is masterly, there is no affection in the portraiture." (Cambridge Guide to English Literature). Soon after this play, Wycherley abandoned the theatre and lived a life almost like a character in one of his plays - he married the Countess of Drogheda and after she died he was imprisoned for debt on her estate. King James II paid off his debts and arranged his release; he retired to the family estate and wrote poetry, and married a second time shortly before his death, seemingly motivated by a desire to disinherit his nephew.

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Lot 333

Lotteries.- Le Clerc (Jean) Reflections Upon what the World Commonly call Good-luck and Ill-luck, With regard to Lotteries, first English edition, 3pp. advertisements at end, lacking final leaf K6 (probably blank), some foxing, modern panelled calf, spine gilt, [Wing L825], 12mo, Printed for Matth. Gillyflower, Tim. Goodwin, Matth. Wotton, and B. Tooke, 169[9].⁂ Rare at auction - the last copy appearing in 1978 and prior to that in 1920. The final number in the date not printed. Provenance: James Whatman (bookplate).

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Lot 321

[Trotter (Catharine)] Agnes de Castro, A Tragedy, first edition, title with printed advertisement along lower edge, and manuscript authorial attribution in ink, bookplate, title with two small marginal defects at top edge, touching letters of 'Castro', multiple ff. with light damp-stains to upper or lower edge, a few ff. towards end trimmed close to or touching headlines, faint foxing, modern calf-backed boards, joints rubbed, [Wing C4801], 4to, for H. Rhodes, et al, 1696.⁂ Based upon Aphra Behn's novel of the same name, itself a translation based upon Jean-Baptiste de Brilhac's original tragedy, Trotter's work was first staged by John Rich's company at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

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Lot 39

Shakespeare (William).- Williams (Sir Roger) The Actions of The Lowe Countries, first edition, initial leaf (blank except for fleuron device as signature) present, lacking final blank, woodcut device on title, decorations and initials, occasional light water-staining to lower margin, contemporary blind-stamped calf, rebacked, rubbed, [STC 25731], 4to, Printed by Humfrey Lownes, for Mathew Lownes, 1618.⁂ Williams (c.1539-1595) was a Welsh mercenary who fought for the Protestant cause against the Spanish. He has been described as 'the fiery Welshman' and some Shakespeare scholars believe the character of Fluellen in Henry V, who is pugnacious, obstreperous and fiercely loyal, may have been based on Williams. In this copy C4 is a cancel.

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Lot 114

Quarles (Francis) The Shepheards Oracles: Delivered in Certain Eclogues, first edition, lacks additional engraved title, worming especially towards end with loss of text on several leaves, modern limp vellum, [Wing Q115A], 4to, Printed by M.F. for John Marriot and Richard Marriot, 1646.

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Lot 276

Crowne (John) Darius, King of Persia. A Tragedy, first edition, title slightly trimmed, just touching a few words and date, a few other leaves also trimmed with slight loss, last leaf frayed and with small hole slightly affecting text, some foxing and browning, modern reversed calf, spine faded, [Wing C7383], 4to, Printed for Jos. Knight and Fr. Saunders, 1688.⁂ Crowne (c.1640-1712) spent some early years in Nova Scotia, whence his family had emigrated and he was educated for 3 years at Harvard (1657-60) before the family returned to England when the land granted to them by Cromwell was seized by the French.

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Lot 34

Fougasses (Thomas de) The Generall Historie of the Magnificent State of Venice, translated by W. Shute, first English edition, title with woodcut map of Venice, numerous woodcut portraits, decorations and initials, 3C4 blank leaf present but lacking initial and final blanks, a few leaves at beginning and end with marginal repairs, 2D4 with short tear just encroaching into text, 2Z4 torn into text with slight loss, slight worming to inner margin sometimes slightly encroaching into text, some foxing and staining, contemporary calf, rebacked and with corners and edges repaired, later ties, [STC 11207], folio, Printed by G. Eld, and W. Stansby, 1612.

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Lot 117

Digg[e]s (Dudley) The Unlawfulnesse of Subjects taking up Armes against their Soveraigne, first edition, additional engraved title, printed title within typographic border, last leaf with small burn-hole just touching signature, later vellum, paper spine label, [Wing D1465], 4to, 1647.⁂ Scarce at auction. A staunch royalist, he was a pamphleteer and contributed a number of poems to various collections published in Oxford, where he was a fellow of All Souls. He died at Oxford in 1643 from fever, presumably typhus, and was buried in the antechapel at All Souls.

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Lot 306

Crowne (John) The Married Beau: or, the Curious Impertinent, A Comedy, first edition, with Prologue and Epilogue leaves, foxed and browned, I1 with small burn-hole causing slight loss of a few letters, B4 trimmed close at upper edge just touching pagination, modern half calf, rubbed, [Wing C7394], 4to, Printed for Richard Bentley, 1694.⁂ Restoration comedy based on a passage from Cervantes' Don Quixote.

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