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W. (J.) The Valiant Scot, first edition, woodcut device on title, modern crushed morocco by Riviere & Son, inner gilt dentelles, [STC 24910; Greg II, 520], 4to, Printed by Thomas Harper for John Waterson, 1637.⁂ A tragedy based on Blind Harry's life of William Wallace. Scots bookplate of the Clan Davidson.

Italy.- [Dallington (Sir Robert)] A Survey of the Great Dukes State of Tuscany. A Survey of the Great Dukes State of Tuscany, first edition, first issue, woodcut ornament on title, woodcut initials and headpiece, light toning to title, some light damp-staining to upper corner, 1 short closed marginal tear, modern antique-style calf, [STC 6200], sm. 4to, for Edward Blount, 1605.⁂ Scarce. Darlington's part travelogue, part guide-book was also a searing critique of the Medici regime. It concludes with the punning motto "qui sub Medici vivit, misere vivit".

Radford (John) A Directorie Teaching the Way to Truth... Where-unto is added, A short Treatise against Adiaphorists, Neuters, and such as say they may be saued in any Sect, first edition, woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces, title chipped and frayed with some loss to text and imprint, V7 with very short tear running into text, hinges broken, contemporary limp vellum, lacking ties, [STC 20602], small 8vo, Printed with licence [by the English secret press], 1605.⁂ Scarce and attractive work by the Catholic Radford who would join the Jesuits in 1608. We can trace no copy at auction since 1976.

Witchcraft.- Glanvill (Joseph) A Blow at Modern Sadducism In some Philosophical Considerations about Witchcraft, fourth edition, G2 holed with slight loss of text, advertisement leaf at end, a few ink stains, some marginal light browning, contemporary sheep, rebacked, rubbed, corners worn, [Wing G800], 8vo, Printed by E. Cotes for James Collins, 1668.⁂ First published in 1666 but much of the edition lost in the Great Fire and then reprinted in 1667 and twice in 1668. The second and third parts concern the case of the Drummer of Tedworth, who was supposed to be a vagabond who had been turned out of the house and avenged himself by causing drumming noises and other strange phenomena. These parts are first issued here. Glanvill (1636-80) was a philosopher, chaplain in ordinary to Charles II and a Fellow of the Royal Society.

George Steevens' copy.- Coryate (Thomas) Coryats Crudities Hastily gobbled up in five Moneths travells in France, Savoy, Italy, Rhetia...Switzerland, some parts of high Germany, and the Netherlands, first edition, woodcut of badge of Prince of Wales bound as frontispiece, engraved title by William Hole incorporating portrait of the author and figures representing various countries, 4 engraved plates (1 folding) and 2 illustrations in text, plate of the Venetian courtesan facing p.261 remargined, lower edge of e5 restored with loss to rule and about 5 words of text, small restoration to corner of G3 and hole in lower corner of Ii4, rust-holes in 2N3 and 2O1 slightly affecting text, tiny rust-hole in 3A2, some minor worming to inner margin, occasionally touching text or plate, a few other rust marks and minor staining, errata leaf at end, 19th century green straight-grain morocco, gilt, hinges reinforced, joints and extremities a little rubbed, g.e., [STC 5808; Pforzheimer 218], 4to, Printed by W. S[tansby], 1611.⁂ A superb, complete copy of this major travel guide. Coryate (?1577-1617) studied at Oxford without taking a degree and ended up at the court of James I, where he gained considerable popularity as a wit and buffoon. He used money inherited from his father to travel, setting off in 1608 and visiting some 45 cities in 7 countries in 5 months on foot, by cart, boat and horse. It is reckoned he covered almost 2,000 miles, over half of which was accomplished in one pair of shoes, mended only once and, on his return, hung up in the church at Odcombe in Somerset (his place of birth), where they remained for over a century. Despite his achievements, he found it difficult to get the account of his journies published and so appealed to all he knew to write commendatory verses about himself and the book. Among the more than 60 contributors of mock-heroic verse were Ben Jonson (acrostic on b4), John Donne, Inigo Jones, George Chapman and Michael Drayton. Provenance: George Steevens (1736-1800, commentator on Shakespeare, friend of Samuel Johnson, ink stamp on title verso); Dudley C. Marjoribanks (leather bookplate).

Crahan copy.- Short (Richard) Peri psychroposias (graece), Of Drinking Water, Against our Novelists, that prescribed it in England...whereunto is added Peri thermoposias (graece) Of Warm Drink, 2 parts in 1, first edition, lacking final blank leaf M8, some faded early ink annotations, later calf stamped in gilt and blind, [Wing S3528; Krivatsy 11072; Norman 1943; Simon BG 1381], 8vo, Printed for John Crook, 1656.⁂ The Crahan copy of this scarce little work on the benefits of cold water versus hot water, beer and wine.Provenance: William Constable (bookplate); Marcus [and Elizabeth] Crahan (bookplate, this copy sold at Sotheby's NY, October 1984, lot 213 $425)

World.- Moll (Herman) Thesaurus Geographicus, A New Body of Geography, or a Compleat Description of the Earth, first edition, 58 engraved maps and plans, comprising 2 full-page and 56 printed within the text (24 maps and charts, 32 plans of fortified towns), including map of American with California as an island, pagination and collation erratic but seemingly complete, 2S4 torn at head running into text, last 2 ff. with loss to upper margin affecting a few words of text, occasional light browning, the odd marginal tear, a few ff. fore-margin a little creased and frayed, bookplate to title verso, ink ownership inscriptions to pastedowns, contemporary panelled calf, some chipping to spine ends, rubbed, [Wing T869], folio, for Abel Swall, 1695.⁂ Provenance: John Hogg, Lincoln's Inn (bookplate and inscription).

Morocco.- Pidou de Saint Olon (François) Present State of the Empire of Morocco; With a faithful account of the manners, religion, and government of that people, first edition in English, engraved frontispiece, folding map and 8 plates of costumes, occasional browning but a good copy generally, book label and ink inscription to pastedown, contemporary speckled calf, upper joint cracked but holding firm, chip to head of spine, [Wing P2159], 8vo, by R. Bentley, 1695.⁂ Pidou de Saint Olon led a 1693 embassy to the Sultan of Morocco in the hopes of securing a treaty. The mission was unsuccessful and returned after only a month. Provenance: Wiston Old Rectory (book label); Reynold and Janet Stone (ink inscription "Found and given to Janet Stone by her husband Reynolds in memory of a stay in Morocco March 1970").

Foundational work of American Independence.- Sidney (Algernon) Discourses Concerning Government, first edition, possibly washed leaving cockling effect to sheets, some light toning, mark to title, sig. B with 1-3 only (as often) but catchwords and pagination correct bookplate to pastedown, contemporary panelled calf, neatly and sympathetically rebacked, retaining original spine label, later endpapers, [Wing S3761], folio, printed, and are to be sold by the booksellers of London and Westminster, 1698.⁂ Sidney's most important work and the one the cost him his life. An attack on the divine right of kings, Discourses Concerning Government argued that individuals should have the right to choose their own form of government. Along with Locke's Two Treatises on Government, the present work was studied by Thomas Jefferson in particular and is regarded as a critical text in the founding of the United States of America. Provenance: Coker Court (bookplate).

Oliver Cromwell.- Perrinchief (Richard) The Sicilian Tyrant: or, the Life of Agathocles, first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece, vignette title and double-page plate, occasional light foxing and browning, a couple of small ink stains, upper edge trimmed close in places, contemporary calf, rebacked, [Wing P1607], 8vo, Printed by J. Grover for R. Royston, 1676.⁂ First edition of a polemic against Cromwell under this title - it first appeared in 1661 under the title The Syracusan Tyrant. Provenance: Robert Pigott (contemporary ink inscription on rear free endpaper; Earl Fitzwilliam (bookplate).

Provincial theatre in the 17th century.- Rowe (John) Tragi-Comoedia. Being a Brief Relation of the Strange, And Wonderful hand of God discovered at Witny, in the Comedy Acted there February the third, where there were some slaine, many hurt, first edition, the Halliwell Phillips-Folger copy, woodcut initials and headpieces, woodcut illustration of the building layout in text, title a little soiled, B2 shaved at foot affecting signature, last 2ff. lower corner restored, a good copy generally, crush half morocco by Bedford, rubbing to spine tips and corners, g.e., [Wing R2067], Oxford, by L. Lichfield, 1653.⁂ A rare tract that gives an account of the collapse of a building during a performance of of the play "Mucedurous" that caused the death of 6 people and the injury of 60. The account is rather detailed and provides an unusually intimate contemporary description of the state of provincial theatre in England. Provenance: James Halliwell-Phillips (1820-1889, Shakespearean scholar, antiquary and collector, with his characteristic initials to rear endpaper); Folger Library (ink stamp along with "Dupl." and "Released" stamps to rear endpaper).

Goffe (Thomas) The Tragedy of Orestes, first edition, some leaves cropped at head or foot, with loss of date and bottom line of imprint on title and shaving text in places, tears in title and following leaf, some damp-staining, later maroon morocco, gilt, slightly rubbed, [STC 11982; Greg 485(a)], 4to, Printed by I[ohn] B[eale] for Richard Meighen, 1633.⁂ Sir Walter Greg's copy with his ink inscription dated 1907 to front endpaper. Bookplate of Percy Fitzgerald (1834-1925), author, critic and artist who wrote considerably on the history of the theatre.

Seeing a Fairy.- Aubrey (John) Miscellanies, first edition, woodcut diagrams, lacking initial; blank leaf, title becoming loose, some water-staining, hinges broken, contemporary calf, rebacked, corners worn, [Wing A4188], 8vo, Printed for Edward Castle, 1696.⁂ The only book published during his lifetime by the antiquary who is perhaps best know for his Brief Lives. This work which covers 'supernatural history' includes an anecdote about William Harvey being prevented by the governor of Dover from boarding a ship to cross the channel, which subsequently went down in a storm drowning all on board, owing to a premonition the governor had the night before. There is also the famous account of the sighting of a fairy: "Anno. 1670, not far from Cyrencester, was an Apparition: Being demanded whether a good Spirit, or a bad? returned no answer, but disappeared with a curious Perfume and most melodious Twang. Mr W. Lilly believes it was a Fairie" (p.67)

John Evelyn.- Langford (Thomas) Plain and Full Instructions To raise all sorts of Fruit-Trees That prosper in England, second edition, 2 engraved plates, the first with leaf of explanation bound before it, 3 advertisement leaves at end, bookplate removed from title verso causing 2 small holes just slightly affecting text, some foxing and soiling, some light water-staining, a few contemporary ink annotations, contemporary sheep, rebacked, rubbed, [Wing L389; Henrey 216], 8vo, Printed for Richard Chiswell, 1696.⁂ First published in 1681, this second edition is enlarged with additions including green-houses and their plants, and "a catalogue of choice fruits...and also of greens and blossoming shrubs to be had at Brompton Park" the famous nursery run by George London and Henry Wise. The preliminaries include a commendatory poem by J.S. and a letter to the publisher from John Evelyn in praise of the work (see Keynes' Evelyn Bibliography 126 note).

Newgate prisoner.- Bayly (Thomas) Herba Parietis: or, The Wall-Flower As it grew out of the Stone-Chamber belonging to the Metropolitan Prison of London, called Newgate, first edition, additional engraved title, printed title in red and black, some repairs to margins of both titles, A2 repaired to verso with slight silking of text, D1 torn at inner margin, some damp-mottling, some worming, with single hole running through text on all leaves, becoming slightly larger on last few leaves, final blank leaf present but corner defective, modern calf, spine slightly sunned, [Wing B1511], folio, Printed by J. G. and are to be sold by John Holden, 1650.⁂ Fine engraved depiction of Newgate. Bayly, a royalist divine, was a vigorous assenter of the royal cause and attended King Charles I in the field. After the King's departure, he assisted in the defence of Raglan Castle but was later imprisoned for his writings against the new Commonwealth.

Johnsoniana.- Floyer (Sir John) Pharmako-Basanos, or the Touch-Stone of Medicines. Discovering the Vertues of Vegetables, Minerals, & Animals, by their Tastes and Smells, 2 vol., first edition, imprimatur f., both vol. with general title and separate title, addenda/errata f., 3pp. advertisements, library ink stamp to lower corners of titles, a few spots, contemporary calf, spines in compartments and with later paper labels at head, vol.1 upper cover almost detached, spine ends chipped, corners worn, rubbed and scuffed, [Wing F1388], 8vo, Printed by W. D. for Michael Johnson, 1687- [1690].⁂ Scarce. Floyer was a physician at Lichfield in Staffordshire. It was on his advice that Dr. Johnson when a child, was taken by his mother to be touched by Queen Anne for the king's evil (scrofula) on March 30, 1714. He is best known for introducing the practice of pulse measurement, for which he created a special watch.Provenance: The Cetus copy, sold Bloomsbury Auctions, 22nd September, 2011, lot 139.

Ward (Samuel) The Wonders of the Load-Stone. or, The Load-Stone newly reduc't into a Divine and Morall Use, first edition in English, engraved frontispiece a little browned and chipped at fore-edge, D3 tear partially repaired, with blank leaf B12 present but lacking the 2 final blanks, a couple of outer margins trimmed, with loss to ruled border, some light browning, contemporary sheep, joints split, [STC 25030], 12mo, Printed by E[lizabeth] P[urslowe] for Peter Cole, 1640.⁂ A translation of Magnetis reductorium theologicum tropologicum by Sir Harbottle Grimston. "Not in fact by Samuel Ward of Ipswich, but attributed instead to Samuel Ward of Cambridge by STC, the British Library General Catalogue and other sources. However, this reattribution can be called into question, with Samuel Ward of Ipswich bequeathing a collection of lodestones in his will and probable confusion between the two being caused by both of them being at Sidney College, Cambridge at the same time (cf. DNB and Alumni Cantabrigenses)" (ESTC).

Bawdy-houses in London.- Tryals (The) Of such Persons as under the Notion of London-Apprentices were Tumultuously Assembled in Moore-Fields, and other Places, on Easter Holidays last, under Colour of pulling dowm Bawdy-housres, first edition, slight soiling, modern morocco-backed boards preserving some of older morocco backstrip, [Wing T2262], 4to, Printed for Robert Pawlet, 1668.⁂ This issue with 'dowm' uncorrected on title-page. Last at auction in 1993. A pencil note on front pastedown "From Pierpont Morgan sale."

Milton (John).- Hume (Patrick) Annotations on Milton's Paradise Lost. Wherein the Texts of Sacred Writ, relating to the poem, are Quoted; the Parallel Places and Imitations of the most Excellent Homer and Virgil, cited and compared, first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece of Milton by R. White (not called for), rust-hole to L2 affecting 1 or 2 letters of text, light browning and some soiling, 19th century half calf, sympathetically rebacked, rubbed, [Wing H3663], folio, for Jacob Tonson, 1695.⁂ First edition of the first exhaustive commentary on Paradise Lost. ESTC lists 3 copies only in the UK, not in BL.

Botany.- Coles (William) Adam in Eden: Or, Natures Paradise. The History of Plants, Fruits, Herbs and Flowers, first edition, title in red and black, a little creased with some browning to lower margin, 3C1 margin holed without loss to text, 3P1 and final 2ff. margins frayed without loss to text, occasional soiling and light browning, contemporary reverse calf, rebacked and recornered, rubbed, later endpapers, [Hunt 269; Wing C5087], folio, by J. Streater, 1657.⁂ "This is Coles' complete statement of his beliefs in the Doctrine of Signatures [the identifying of the curative uses of plants according to the body part they most resemble] which he had first discussed in his controversial and ill-fated little Art of Simpling, London, 1656." - Hunt 269. See lot 169.

Fletcher (John) The Tragoedy of Rollo, Duke of Normandy. Acted by His Majesties Servants, woodcut device on title, leaves somewhat fragile with chipping and fraying to margins but without loss to text, worming to lower corner, later in notes to verso of final f., disbound and loose, preserved in custom folding chemise, lettered in gilt on upper cover, [Madan, I, p. 220; STC 11065], sm. 4to, Oxford, Leonard Lichfield, 1640.⁂ The second edition although the first published under this title. Preceded by the unauthorised 1639 edition titled "The Bloody Brother" which was taken from a different manuscript.

Milton (John) Of Prelatical Episcopacy, first edition, lacking initial blank leaf, modern dark blue crushed morocco by Riviere & Son, lettered in gilt, inner gilt dentelles, g.e., joints rubbed, [Wing M2133], 4to, Printed by R. O. and G. D. for Thomas Underhill, 1641.⁂ This copy with line 5 of title reading "VVhither" (another variant has "Testmonies" line 6/7). The second of Milton's pamphlets written in support of the five Protestant ministers in the Smectymnus controversy.Provenance: E.C. Simpson (bookplate).

Metallurgy.- Barba (Albaro Alonso) The First Book of the Art of Mettals, In which is Declared the manner of their Generation; and the concomitants of them [- The Second Book of the Art of Mettals Wherin is Taught the... Refining of Silver by Quicksilver], 2 parts in 1 vol., second edition in English, engraved plate in second part showing a furnace and related vessels, part 1 I6 with rust-hole affecting 2 or 3 letters, some light soiling to titles, ink ownership inscription to head of preface, bookplate to pastedown, contemporary panelled calf, rebacked, later endpapers, [Duveen, p. 42; Ferguson I:70-71 note; Norman 115 (variant title); Wellcome II, p. 96; Wing B680 & B682], 8vo, for S. Mearne, 1674.⁂ Rare. Second edition of the Earl of Sandwich's translation of the first book on metallurgy in the Americas. "The first significant treatise on metals to be written in Spanish, and the only seventeenth-century work on its subject that was largely original" - Norman.Provenance: Robert Carl Sticht (1856-1922, metallurgist and mining engineer, a dominant figure in Tasmanian industry and a book collector of note, his bookplate to pastedown and ink ownership inscription).

California as an island.- Burnet (Thomas) The Theory of the Earth, 2 parts in 1 vol., first edition in English, engraved additional title and 2 folding plates including one of America depicting California as a large island, engraved illustrations in text, small rust-hole to E1 affecting 1 letter of text, 2H1 with repaired tear to foot running into text, light browning, the odd spot, a few earlier and later ff. with fraying to margins, ink stamp to title, ink ownership inscription to endpaper, modern antique-style calf with contemporary calf panels laid down onto covers, [Wing B5950], by R. Norton, for Walter Kettilby, 1684.⁂ Provenance: Edward Norris Junior (ink inscription dated 1703); New York Historical Society (ink stamp).

Cotton (Charles) The Wonders of the Peake, first edition, lacking initial and final 2 blank leaves, some staining and soiling, ink correction to misprint on verso of final leaf, modern calf, [Wing C6400], 8vo, Printed for Joanna Brome, 1681.⁂ Joanna Brome, wife of Henry Brome, who continued his book publishing business after his death in 1681 for a further 3 years. Their son Charles then took over the business until about 1711-12.

Shakespeare & Jonson.- Drayton (Michael) The Battaile of Agincourt, second edition, ink name erased from title with resultant slight stain, trimmed close, occasionally affecting side-notes, last 2 leaves with marginal repairs, a little soiled, modern dark blue morocco, gilt, by Riviere & Son, g.e., [STC 7191], 8vo, Printed by A. M. for William Lee, 1631.⁂ First published in 1627. Preliminaries include laudatory verses by Ben Jonson, J. Vaughan and John Reynolds. The section of Elegies at the end includes one 'To Master George Sandis Treasurer for the English Colony in Virginia' and one 'To my most dearley-loved friend Henry Reynolds...' in which he opines on various contemporary poets such as Shakespeare, Jonson, Spencer etc.

Ascham (Anthony) A Discourse: Wherein is examined, What is particularly lawfull during the Confusions and Revolutions of Government, first edition, some contemporary ink marginalia and underlining with some resultant staining, some light marginal water-staining, contemporary speckled and blind-stamped calf, lower cover soiled, [Wing A3920], 8vo, 1648.⁂ One of two variants of the first edition, this without "printed for Humphrey Moseley" in imprint.

Great Fire of London.- Stockton (Owen) Counsel to the Afflicted: or Instruction and Consolation for such as have suffered Loss by Fire... in the City of London, in the Year 1666, first edition, lacking initial blank, O8 with small hole to text, R5 torn at foot running into text, A11 with very short tear to head, browning, minor worming to foot towards end, ink ownership inscriptions to title and endpapers, front free endpaper detached, contemporary calf, spine rubbed, spine ends chipped, upper cover detached, wear to corners, [Wing S5698], 8vo, by E. Cotes, 1667.⁂ Rare, we can trace only this copy at auction. Provenance: Thos. Phillips; Robt. Heiskitt, 1777; A Boroford; J Smith, 1819 (ink inscriptions).

Torture.- Taylor (John) The Liar. Or, A Contradiction to those who in the titles of their Bookes affirmed them to be true, when they were false although mine are all true, yet I terme them lyes, first edition, 4ff., title with woodcut illustration (border trimmed at fore-edge), title torn at upper inner corner, modern red morocco-backed cloth by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, [Wing T475], 4to, 1641.⁂ Rare work, attributed to John Taylor, the Water Poet. The title woodcut depicts a contraption for torture - "a great high thing raised to the hight of twelve or fourteene yards, made of Iron, whereon he was seated, with two great weights on his toes, and the like on his hands where he sate in great paine, if he should chance to ease himself upwards, there were sharpe nails over his head which would prick him, thus he sate, and thus he suffered, till they had sufficiently made a laughing stock of him." ESTC locates only 6 copies; no copy traced at auction, Rare Book Hub only citing a copy in a Maggs catalogue in 1932 and again in 1941.

Pied Piper of Hamelin.- [Rowlands (Richard)] "Richard Verstegan." A Restitution of Decayed Intelligence: In antiquities, first edition, title in red and black with engraved vignette of the Tower of Babel, engraved illustrations, R1 and Pp2 with small burn-hole slightly affecting text, some marginal worming, some light browning, later vellum preserving older covers and spine, soiled, [STC 21361], 4to, Antwerp & London, Printed at Antwerp by Robert Bruney, And to be sold at London...by John Norton and John Bill, 1605.⁂ Amongst many other anecdotes and curious tales, this work includes the first printing in English of The Pied Piper of Hamelin (pp.85-87), dating the episode to 22nd July 1376.Provenance: John Thomson of Kenfield (Kent) (ink inscription at head of title, dated 1650). 2 pages notes relating to the Thompson family tipped in at beginning.

Sprat (Thomas) The History of the Royal-Society of London, For the Improving of Natural Knowledge, first edition, first issue, imprimatur leaf A1 with Society's arms to verso, folding engraved frontispiece of a bust of Charles II by Wenceslaus Hollar, 2 folding engraved plates, errata leaf at end, some light water-staining, contemporary calf, corners bit worn, rebacked by Bernard Middleton, [Wing S5032; Norman 1989; Keynes, Evelyn 178; Hooke 28], 4to, Printed by T. R. for J. Martyn...and J. Allestry, 1667.⁂ First issue with "of" repeated on p.85 lines 6/7. This copy also with the rare frontispiece by Hollar, missing in many copies.

America.- Franck (Richard) A Philosophical Treatise of the Original and Production of Things, Writ in America in a Time of Solitudes, first edition, foxed throughout, heavily so in margins, stain to first 3 leaves, a couple of marginal defects, modern calf-backed marbled boards, [Wing F2065; Sabin 25467], 8vo, Printed by John Gain, and are to be sold by S. Tidmarsh...and S. Smith, 1687.⁂ Scarce work written by a captain in Cromwell's army who lived for a while in New England, and regarded by some as the first work of philosophy written in North America. Although it is primarily a philosophical or theological work Franck also writes about natural history with some references to America.

Mathematics.- Leybourn (William) Arithmetick, Vulgar, Decimal, and Instrumental, first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece after R. Gaywood, woodcut diagrams and decorations, lacking engraved tables, ink annotations, some foxing and soiling, contemporary sheep, rebacked preserving original spine, recornered, new spine label and lettering, [Wing L1891], 8vo, Printed by R. and W. Leybourn, and are to be sold by George Sawbridge, 1657.⁂ Rare, with ESTC locating only 5 copies (Huntington copy only in N. America) and the last copy at auction in 1971.Provenance: George Moore of Castle Witton, Yorkshire (ink name in several places, dated 1733 and later; one at end reading "Francis Gill not his book but George Moor book at East Witton"; J. Smith (ink name at head of A6).

Raleigh's jailer and Guradian of Pocahontas' infant son.- Stucley (Sir Lewis) To the Kings most Excellent Maiestie. The humble petition and information...touching his owne behaviour in the charge committed unto him, for the bringing up of Sir Walter Raleigh, and the scandalous aspersions cast upon him for the same, first edition, first issue, with drop-head title preceded by original blank leaf A1, woodcut decorations, old marbled boards, rebacked, [STC 23401; Sabin 93235; Church 374A], 4to, Imprinted...by Bonham Norton and John Bill, 1618.⁂ The scarce true separate first issue, issued with a drop-head title not a title-page. Stucley, Vice-Admiral of Devon, guardian of the infant son of the famous Pocahontas, and apparently King's spy, was appointed keeper of Raleigh on the latter's return from the Orinoco. Because of his supposedly unfair conduct, he became hugely unpopular and known as Sir Judas Stucley. He issued this pamphlet in his own defence. He also refers to the old grudge he had against Raleigh for deceiving his father on a voyage to Virginia in 1584. A year after this was published Stucley was convicted of clipping coin and, despite being pardoned by the King, he died a social outcast, raving mad, on the island of Lundy.

Lithgow (William) A True and Experimentall Discourse, upon the beginning, proceeding, and Victorious event of this last siege of Breda, first edition, lacking initial blank leaf, minor foxing, 19th century dark blue roan, gilt, [STC 15717], 4to, Printed by I. Okes for I. Rothwel, 1637.⁂ Very good copy of this eye-witness account of the great Spanish conquest of the heavily fortified Dutch city of Breda, in 1624-25, during the 80-years war. Provenance: Hugh Davidson of Braedale (bookplate).

Chemistry.- [Boyle (Robert)] An Essay Of the Great Effects of Even Languid and Unheeded Motion, 2 parts in 1, first edition, first issue, blank leaves I7 and 8 present at end of part 1, some light foxing, small ink stains to fore-edge just encroaching into margin of some leaves, modern half calf over marbled boards, [Wing B3948; Fulton 163], 8vo, Printed by M. Flesher, for Richard Davis, 1685.⁂ "This oddly named tract . . . gives Boyle a place in the early history of thermodynamic concepts, and it is among the most important of his later writings" (Fulton).

Butler (Charles) The Feminine Monarchie: or The Historie of Bees, second edition, woodcut frontispiece, woodcut illustrations, initials and decorations, 4pp. musical notation, sig. A with 6ff., final blank leaf present, foot of K4 trimmed with slight loss of last line of text, hole in Y3 with loss to a few words on both sides, [British Bee Books 18; STC 4193; Walker Catalogue p.11], Printed by John Haviland for Roger Jackson, 1623; bound after Lawson (William) A New Orchard and Garden, 4 parts in 1, largely printed in black letter, woodcut illustration on title, woodcut illustrations including 10 of knot gardens, final blank leaf present, lower edge of G1 slightly defective with loss to one word of text, C2 side-notes shaved with slight loss, [STC 15330], Printed...by I. H. for Roger Jackson, 1623; bound after [i.e. part 4 of] Markham's The Way to Get Wealth, 1623, substantially complete but lacking general title-page, parts misbound and with some defective leaves, together in 1 vol., contemporary limp vellum, binding almost detached, soiled and lacking ties, 4to⁂ A good collection of works on husbandry and bee-keeping. The Butler is particularly important, being "...the greatest early British bee book and contains the best account of skep beekeeping which is available today" (British Bee Books). It is the first edition to contain both the woodcut frontispiece and the 4-part madrigal which was an attempt to capture the piping of the queen at swarming time. The Walker catalogue calls it "the most readable Edn.".

Shadwell (Thomas) The Sullen Lovers: or, the Impertinents. A Comedy, first edition of the author's first book, trimmed at upper edge affecting first word of title and several headlines and pagination occasionally, inner margin of final leaf defective, just touching one letter of text, modern full red morocco by Riviere & Son, spine slightly sunned and extremities very slightly rubbed, inner gilt dentelles, g.e., [Wing S2878], 4to, In the Savoy, Printed for Henry Herringman, 1668.⁂ Based on Moliere's Les Facheux. Shadwell's wife starred in the first production. Samuel Pepys' diary entry for Saturday 2 May, 1668 reads: "...and thence to the Duke of York's playhouse, at a little past twelve, to get a good place in the pit, against the new play, and there setting a poor man to keep my place, I out, and spent an hour at Martin's, my bookseller's, and so back again, where I find the house quite full. But I had my place, and by and by the King comes and the Duke of York; and then the play begins, called "The Sullen Lovers; or, The Impertinents," having many good humours in it, but the play tedious, and no design at all in it. But a little boy, for a farce, do dance Polichinelli, the best that ever anything was done in the world, by all men's report: most pleased with that, beyond anything in the world, and much beyond all the play."

The genesis of Gulliver's Travels.- Boyle (Robert) Occasional Reflections upon several Subjects, first edition, initial imprimatur leaf, title printed in red and black, small burn-hole in B4 slightly affecting text, later portrait mounted on rear endpaper, occasional foxing, later speckled calf, [Wing B4005; Fulton 64; Westwood & Satchell p.40], 8vo, Printed by W. Wilson for Henry Herringman, 1665.⁂ Boyle's generally upbeat work, written largely while on holiday at Stalbridge, describes how he felt and thought - as he listened to a lark singing; as he picked up a horse-shoe; as he watched boys swimming with 'bladders'; as he fished with a 'counterfeit fly'; and as he listened to a lute being tuned and then 'excellently play'd on'. A reflection entitled 'The Eating of Oysters' is often considered to have been Swift's inspiration for Gulliver's Travels.Provenance: J. C. Lynn (bookplate Bibliotheca Piscatoria Lynniana, sale of his Angling library, Sotheby's October 1959).

Herbal.- Gerard (John) The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes, edited by Thomas Johnson, third edition, engraved architectural title by Jo. Payne, numerous woodcut illustrations throughout, lacking initial and final blanks, engraved title trimmed at foot, 2M1 with repaired tear to foot running into text, very occasional light foxing or browning, several contents ff. at end with fraying or loss to fore-margin, affecting text of 7A1 & 2, ink note in an 19th century hand bound at front, ink ownership inscriptions to preliminaries, contemporary calf, covers with central gilt lozenge with floral and foliate tooling, neatly rebacked, retaining much of original backstrip, light wear to extremities, rubbed, [Henrey 156; Hunt 230; Nissen BBI 698; STC 11752], folio, by Adam Islip, Joice Norton and Richard Whitakers, 1636.⁂ A very good copy of the second Johnson edition, corrected and greatly expanded from the first. Provenance: Dorothy Brokesby; H. E. Hall, 1776 (ink inscriptions)

Speed (John) An Epitome of Mr. John Speed's Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain, 2 parts in 1, additional engraved title (trimmed and laid down), 90 engraved maps (2 folding) by Pieter van den Keere after Speed, occasional foxing and staining, contemporary calf, rebacked and corners repaired, [Wing S4879; Skelton 93], oblong 8vo, Printed for Tho. Basset, and Ric. Chiswel, 1676.⁂ Enlarged and last edition, which includes for the first and only time the maps of Virginia, New England, Jamaica, Barbados, Carolina, East Indies, and Russia. The 'Prospect' has separate title with imprint 'Printed by W. G. 1675'.

Botany.- Coles (William) The Art of Simpling: an Introduction to the Knowledge and Gathering of Plants, 2 parts in 1 vol., first edition, first issue, B5&6 with staining to lower corner, I3 with short marginal tear, just touching text, light browning, ink ownership inscription to title and head of B1, bookplate to pastedown, 19th century half calf, joints cracked, [Hunt 266; Wing C5089], 12mo, by J. G. for Nath. Brook, 1656.⁂ A scarce work whose publication proved disastrous for the author. Throughout the work Coles engaged in attacks on Nicholas Culpeper and astrology in general. Unbeknownst to the author however, his choice of dedicatee for this work, Elias Ashmole, was himself an astrologer. In an attempt to save face Cole excised some of the offending portions as part of a second issue of the text, but the damage had been done. Provenance: Cha. Walmsley (possibly the bishop and astronomer, 1722-1797); Tho. Golborn (in inscriptions); Charles Walmsley, Westood (bookplate).

Quadrants.- Stirrup (Thomas) The Description and use of the Universall Quadrat, first edition, longitudinal half-title, title within typographic border with woodcut ornament, tables and diagrams in text, occasional browning, but a good copy generally, ink inscription to endpaper, contemporary calf, sympathetically rebacked, [Tomash & Williams S192; Wing S5687], sm.4to, by R. & W. Leybourn, 1655.⁂ Rare at auction and often defective. This copy agrees with that in the Folger Library, the half-title is present and A4 appears to have been cancelled. Provenance: Johannes Prior (ink inscription).

Markham (Francis) The Booke of Honour, first edition, with initial blank, woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces, occasional light foxing, ink inscription to endpaper, contemporary limp vellum, spine stitched, chipping to extremities, [STC 17331], folio by Augustine Matthewes, and John Norton, 1625.⁂ An attractively-printed work on the origin and status of the various ranks of nobility and knighthood. Francis Markham (1565-1627), served as a soldier in France, Ireland and the Low Countries, he was brother of Gervase Markham. Provenance: Robert Bell, Kildale (ink inscription).

Jesuits.- Pascal (Blaise) Les provinciales: or, the Mysterie of Jesuitisme, discover'd in certain Letters, written upon occasion of the present differences at Sorbonne, between the Jansenists and Molinists, first edition in English, engraved additional title (fore-margin shaved), light toning throughout, ink notes in near-contemporary hand, 20th century boards, [Wing P643; PMM 140], 12mo, by J.G. for R. Royston, 1657.⁂ "Pascal's counter-attack took the form of a brilliant exposure of the casuistical methods of argument employed by the Jesuits. . . after which the Jesuits never recovered their former position in France. . . a noble defence of thought in religious faith" - PMM p.83.

Irish Rebellion of 1641.- Temple (Sir John) The Irish Rebellion: or an History of the Beginnings and first Progresse of The Generall Rebellion raised within the Kingdom of Ireland... Together with the Barbarous Cruelties and Bloody Massacres which ensued thereupon, first edition, title within double-rule border, woodcut initials and headpieces, occasional light marginal marking or finger-soiling, but a good copy generally, bookplate to pastedown, contemporary calf, hinges and joints strengthened and repaired, [Wing T627], sm. 4to, by R. White, 1646.⁂ First edition of this important contemporary history that did much to inflame English opinion against the Irish.Provenance: Fairfax of Cameron (armorial bookplate).

Rainolds (John) The Discovery of the Man of Sinne, first edition, title soiled and repaired, trimmed affecting sidenotes on many pages and occasionally headline or pagination, light water-stain, later dark blue half morocco, gilt, by Lloyd, slightly rubbed, [STC 20609; Madan I, p.99], 4to, Oxford, Printed by Joseph Barnes, 1614.⁂ It was largely as a result of the influence of the Hebraist John Rainolds that King James ordered the new translation of the Bible (to which Rainolds contributed). The editor's preface is signed: William Hinde.

Blount (Thomas) De Re Poetica: or, Remarks upon Poetry. With Characters and Censures of the most Considerable Poets, 2 parts in 1 vol., first edition, S2 misbound after dedication, occasional browning and some light marginal damp-staining, notes in blue pencil to two ff. regarding misbound leaf, contemporary panelled calf, neatly and sympathetically rebacked, [Wing B3347], 4to, by Ric. Everingham, 1694.⁂ A study of 67 poets, both ancient and contemporary with biographical sketches and critical opinions of contemporary critics. Those surveyed include Shakespeare, Beaumont and Fletcher, Milton, Donne, Sidney and Spencer.

Turkey.- Caoursin (William) and Rhodgia Afendy. The History of the Turkish war with the Rhodians, Venetians, Egyptians, Persians, and other Nations, first edition, marginal browning to first and last few ff., title with small hole to foot of imprint, touching date, blind-stamp to title and a few other ff., front free endpaper working loose, lacking rear endpaper, contemporary calf, neatly rebacked, rubbed, [Wing B3824D; not in Blackmer or Koç], 8vo, for Will. Whitwood, 1683.⁂ Rare. ESTC lists 5 copies with only the BL copy in the UK.

Demonic possession.- Taylor (Zachary) The Surey Impostor: being an Answer to a late Fanatical Pamphlet, Entituled The Surey Demoniack, first edition, woodcut frontispiece, one woodcut illustration, errata slip pasted to verso of title, A3 trimmed with slight loss of text, occasional soiling, modern half calf over marbled boards, [Wing T601], 4to, Printed for John Jones and Ephraim Johnson, 1697.⁂ The 'impostor' was Richard Dugdale, a gardener from Surey, near Whalley, Lancashire, subject to fits and hallucinations, claimed by some to be a demoniac and by others to be an imposter.

Bohun (Edmund) The Character of Queen Elizabeth...Together with the Characters of Her Principal Ministers of State, first edition, half-title with engraved portrait frontispiece of Elizabeth and Mary to verso, contemporary calf, rebacked, [Wing B3448], 8vo, Printed for Ric. Chiswell, 1693.⁂ A good, clean copy of this work largely drawn from R. Johnstone's Historia rerum Britannicarum, 1655.

Roscommon (Wentworth Dillon, Earl of) An Essay on Translated Verse, first edition, lacking blank a4 (although possibly moved to front), some light spotting, speckled calf by Riviere & Son, morocco spine labels, [Wing R1930], for Jacob Tonson, 1684.⁂ With commendatory poems by Dryden and Chetwood among others. Chetwood's poem includes a reference to Shakespeare in line 11.

English monasteries and convents abroad.- Owen (Lewis) The Running Register: recording a True Relation of the State of the English Colledges, Seminaries and Cloysters in all forraine parts, first edition, woodcut initials and decorations, final blank leaf present with offset facing text, later blind-stamped calf, spine gilt, upper joint split, lower starting, [STC 18996], 4to, Printed [by Felix Kingston] for Robert Milbourne, 1626.⁂ Anti-Catholic work exposing the iniquities of religious establishments on the continent. The title continues "with a briefe and compendious discourse of the Lives, Practices, Coozenage, Impostures and Deceits of all our English Monks, Friars, Jesuites, and Seminarie Priests in generall."Provenance: From the library of Hugh Grosvenor, first Duke of Westminster, with his arms on covers, and bookplate dated 1884.

Ancient weights and measurements.- Greaves (John) A Discourse of the Romane Foot, and Denarius, first edition, folding engraved plate and 3 illustrations, modern calf-backed marbled boards, [Wing G1800], 8vo, Printed by M. F. for William Lee, 1647.⁂ ESTC cites Dr. N. P. Fishman reporting authorial corrections to various pages and an issue point. This copy has p.14 with reading "LXXXIV pounds" with the last two numerals inked out (?by the author). Provenance: Robert Davies (ink inscription to title); W. Sharp Ogden F.S.A. (ink name tot title verso, dated 1914).

Numismatics.- Brerewood (Edward) De Ponderibus, et Pretiis Veterum Nummorum, eorumque; cum recentioribus collatione, liber unus, first edition, title within architectural woodcut border, woodcut initials and head-pieces, text within ruled border, the odd spot or small patch of soiling, but a very good, clean copy generally, [Honeyman I, 499; STC 3612; Tomash & Williams B246]; 4to, John Bill, 1614.⁂ Comparing the weights and coinage of the Jews, Greeks, Romans and Byzantines, including chapters on the constitutions of the metals and alloys used among the ancients. The author was the first Gresham professor of astronomy and a distinguished mathematician and antiquary.

Sallustius Crispus (Caius) All the Works of that Famous Historian, first edition of this translation, initial licence leaf, engraved portrait frontispiece, small hole in T3 with loss to single word of text on each side, contemporary calf, spine and extremities worn, [Wing S403], 8vo, Printed by T.B. for Richard Wild, 1687.

Witchcraft.- Bower (Edmond) Doctor Lamb Revived, or Witchcraft condemn';d in Anne Bodenham A Servant of his, who was Arraigned and Executed..., first edition, lacks A1, trimmed slightly affecting side-notes on B1 and 2, short tear to fore-edge of title, ink underlining and marginalia, soiled and lightly stained, modern calf, [Wing B3869], 4to, Printed by T. W. for Richard Best, and John Place, 1653.⁂ Describes the circumstances of a witch trial and concludes with a postscript describing a conversation with a young woman whom Anne Bodenham was alleged to have enchanted. Few auction records, the last copy appearing in 1986.

Appellant Controversy.- [Bagshaw (Christopher, atributed)] A True relation of the faction begun at Wisbich, by... the Jesuits in England... Against us the Secular Priests their brethren and fellow Prisoners, first edition, title with typographic decoration, lacking final blank, but a very good, clean copy otherwise, bookplate and inscription to pastedown, modern half morocco, [STC 1188], sm. 4to, [by Felix Kingston], 1601.⁂ First and only edition of this scarce work relating to the Appellant Controversy. The controversy stemmed from the appointment of George Blackwell to the role of archpriest, overseeing the Catholic mission in England. His proximity to the Jesuits was seen by many of the Catholic community in England as endangering their safety and a vocal minority of priests there refused his authority. Amongst these Bagshaw was probably the most prominent leader. Provenance: Joseph Gillow (1850-1921, Catholic antiquary and author of Biographical and Bibliographical Dictionary of the English Catholics, bookplate and ink inscription).

Judaica.- Bunny (Edmund) The Scepter of Judah: Or, what maner of Government it was, that unto the Common-wealth or Church of Israel was by the Law of God appointed, first edition, title within woodcut decorated border, woodcut device on title verso, woodcut initials, title with repaired tear and slightly chipped, trimmed throughout with loss to headlines, pagination, some side-notes and just touching border on title, some soiling, modern morocco-backed cloth, [STC 4094], 8vo, Imprinted...by N. Newton, and A. Hatfield, for John Wright, 1584.⁂ No copies traced at auction; Rare Book Hub cites the same copy appearing in several Francis Edwards catalogues in the 1970s.Provenance: Bibliotheca Phillippica (book label).

Economics.- W[arre] (J[ames]) The Merchants Hand-Maide: or, A Booke containing verie necessarie and compendious Tables, for the speedie casting up, and true valuing of any Commoditie whatsoever, first edition, initial blank leaf present, woodcut ornament on title, woodcut head-piece and initials, cropped affecting some side-notes, headlines, signatures and occasional parts of tables, lower corner of final leaf defective affecting 4 boxes of table, water-stain throughout, modern blind-stamped calf, [STC 24908; Goldsmiths' 525], 4to, Printed by William Jones, 1622.⁂ A trimmed example of a very rare work. ESTC locates only the Harvard copy in America plus 6 copies in British Isles. No copy at auction since this one last appeared in 1968 at Sotheby's as part of the H. C. Drayton collection of books by Defoe and Swift and relating to the City of London, Trade and Economics (then attributed to ?John Wheeler). The tables, "very behoovefull for merchants, gentle-men, trades-men, and all such as buy, sell, or deale in any manner of accounts", aid multiplication and long division in the complex English money system.