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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.

Sandford (Francis) The History of the Coronation of the Most High, Most Mighty, and Most Excellent Monarch, James II... and His Royal Consort Queen Mary, first edition, imprimatur f. signed Norfolke & Marshall, title in red and black with engraved coat-of-arms, engraved head-pieces, initials, text illustrations and 30 engraved plates by William Sherwin and others, all but one double-page and mounted on stubs, several plates with repairs to foot of central fold, repairs to text margins, not affecting text, rust-hole to S2 affecting a few letters of text, 1 plate with tear running into image, coronation plate with repaired tear, creasing and split to foot of central fold, banquet plate with split to foot of central fold, damp-staining to foot, contemporary calf, 19th century reback, spine ends chipped, joints cracked, gilt ownership stamp to foot of spine, later endpapers, [Wing S652A], folio, by Thomas Newcomb, 1687.⁂ Magnificent record of James II's lavish coronation which set the model for subsequent coronations.Provenance: Possibly Sir Charles Bagot (1781-1843, gilt stamp of a goat's head out of a ducal coronet).

P[eacham] (H[enry]) A Paradox, in the Praise of a Dunce, to Smectymnuus, first edition, 4 leaves, trimmed close affecting some headlines and pagination, light foxing, later half calf over marbled boards, spine faded, [Wing P948], 4to, Printed for Thomas Paybody, 1642.⁂ The Huth copy (with bookplate) of this satire on episcopacy; this the only copy to appear at auction (1993, £300) since 1939. ESTC records only 5 copies in British Isles and 8 in N. America.

Panegyric on women.- Austin (William) Haec Homo: Wherein the Excellency of the Creation of Woman is described, third edition, engraved portrait frontispiece trimmed at fore-edge, additional engraved title, printed title within typographic border, 4 small woodcuts to text, initial and final blank leaf present, minor marginal repair to penultimate leaf, small defects to lower margin of H1 and H12, contemporary sheep, rebacked, rubbed, [STC 976], Printed by R.O. for R.M. and C.G. and are to be sold by Nicholas Fussell, 1639.⁂ The author argues the superiority of women on moral, intellectual and also physical grounds. The first edition appeared in 1637 and a second a year later; all three early editions are rare and some institutional copies lack the engraved title. The last copy of this edition to appear at auction was in 1988, although it was defective. This copy, with ownership inscription of Egidio Trimnell, last appeared in 1982, bought by Quaritch for £280.

Astrology.- Lilly (William) Christian Astrology modestly Treated of in Three Books, first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece by Marshall, woodcut diagrams and illustrations, light soiling and staining, closely shaved at head and foot, affecting several headlines and catchwords, 2Y2 burned at head with loss to several words of text, numerous ink inscriptions to endpapers, later calf, gilt, spine gilt with red morocco label, rebacked, retaining original backstrip, [Wing L2215], sm. 4to, by Tho. Brudenell for John Partridge, 1647.⁂ First edition of Lilly's most important work, a lengthy study and compendium of astrology up to the time of writing. Provenance: John Devell, 1683; John John Son, 1690; Daniell Dale; Georgii Bagnold 1699; Richard Goodwin, 1713 (ink inscriptions).

La Martiniere (Pierre Martin de) A New Voyage into the Northern Countries...of the Norwegians, Laponians, Kilops, Borandians, Siberians, Samojedes, Zemblians, and Islanders, first edition, lacking initial blank leaf, some marginal browning, modern calf, [Wing L204], 12mo, Printed for John Starkey, 1674.⁂ Rare account of travels to the arctic regions by a French surgeon. His father died when he was young and he left home and became a battlefield surgeon's assistant in various campaigns during the Thirty Years War. At the age of 12 he was captured by pirates until liberated by the Knights of Malta four years later. Of the Laplanders he writes: "Every house has belonging to it a great black Cat, of which they make great accompt, talking and discoursing to it as it were a rational Creature. They do nothing but they first communicate with their Cat, as believing she assists them highly in all their enterprizes. Every night they go out of their Cabanes to consult their dear puss, nor can they expect a blessing upon their sports either Hunting, Fishing, Fouling, &c. unless their good Angel goes along with them..."

[Payne (Henry Neville)] The Morning Ramble, or, the Town-Humours: A Comedy, reissue of first edition, woodcut device on title, D3 & 4 cancelled with only stubs remaining, trimmed close, just touching first word on title and a few headlines/pagination, G3 with small burn-hole slightly affecting text, occasional soiling and staining, modern red morocco-backed cloth by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, [Wing P892], 4to, Printed for Thomas Dring, 1673.⁂ A reissue, with the title reset, of the first edition which has simply "The Morning Ramble, a comedy...". The last copy at auction was in 1980.

Sandford (Francis) A Genealogical History of the Kings of England and Monarchs of Great Britain, first edition, title in red and black, 5 double-page engraved plates, illustrations, 57 full-page, the odd short repaired marginal tear, 3Y2 with longer repaired tear, but a very good, clean copy generally, bookplate to pastedown, red morocco, gilt, by Bedford, spine gilt in compartments with crown motifs, light rubbing to extremities, g.e., [Wing S651], folio, Savoy, by Tho. Newcomb for the Author, 1677.

Medicine.- Blankaart (Steven) A Physical Dictionary; In which, all Terms Relating either to Anatomy, Chirurgery, Pharmacy, or Chemistry, are very accurately explain'd, first edition in English, a few small rust holes slightly affecting text, occasional staining, some marginal soiling and browning, lacking front free endpaper, contemporary sheep, rubbed, [Wing B3164; Wellcome II, p.178; Garrison-Morton 6797], 8vo, Printed by J. D. and are to be sold by Samuel Crouch...and John Gellibrand, 1684.⁂ The first medical dictionary printed in England - the original Greek-Latin version was published in Amsterdam in 1679. Provenance: John Smithson (ink name at head of title).

Fennor (William) Fennors Descriptions, or a True Declaration of certaine and divers speeches, spoken before the King and Queenes most ecellent Maiestie, first edition, woodcut device on title, woodcut decorations, lacking first and last leaf (both blank), a couple of leaves slightly stained, some light foxing, modern calf, [STC 10784], 4to, Printed by Edward Griffin, for George Gibbs, 1616.⁂ Rare work, written in verse. ESTC locates 9 copies of which only 3 are in the British Isles (BL and Bodleian x2). Only 2 copies recorded at auction, the last of which was the Britwell Court copy (likewise lacking the 2 blank leaves) in 1971.

Treatment of tumours.- Browne (John) A Compleat Treatise of Preternatural Tumours, first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece by R. White and 5 engraved plates, woodcut illustration, title and frontispiece margins a little chipped, occasional library blind-stamps, title a little browned with ink inscription to recto and faint ink stamp to verso, 1 plate with neatly repaired tear, small hole to T7 affecting 1 or 2 letters of text, bookplate to pastedown, contemporary panelled calf, neatly and sympathetically rebacked, [Wing B5125A], 8vo, by S. R. for R. Clavel, 1678.⁂ Browne's first published book, rare at auction, we can trace only one copy in the last 70 years. Provenance: St. Augustine College, Canterbury (bookplate and ink inscription to pastedown); John Marshall, 1848 (ink inscription); Wigan Public Library (blind-stamps).

[Audiguier (Vital d')] A Tragi-comicall History of Ovr Times, Vnder the borrowed names of Lisander and Calista, first edition in English, title within ornamental woodcut border (rather soiled, laid down with upper margin restored), woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces, L2 lower corner torn away, not affecting text, occasional light marking or soiling, 18th century calf, rebacked, later endpapers, [STC 906], folio, H.L. for George Lathum, 1627.⁂ First edition in English of this popular early French novel.

Chemistry.- Boyle (Robert) Essays of the Strange Subtilty, Great Efficacy, Determinate Nature of Effluviums, first edition, first issue, small hole to margin of C2 just missing text, some marginal browning, especially to title and E4, modern panelled calf, [Wing B3951; Fulton 105; Duveen p.94], 8vo, Printed by W. G. for M. Pitt, 1673.⁂ The scarce first issue with lines 4-5 of title reading "Great Efficacy/ Determinate Nature" and with first line of imprint ending "little". "He investigated the effect of heating metals in the presence of air and recorded that they invariably increased appreciably in weight...He deals at length with the properties of lode-stones and with electricity, but he did not use the latter term until two years later, when he wrote the first treatise on electricity in the English language..." (Fulton)

Boyle (Robert) Tracts...containing New Experiments, touching the Relation betwixt Flame and Air. And about Explosions..., first edition, first issue, lacking initial blank leaf, signatures k-x and (*) (**) complete but misbound, (*)1 with ms. title flap stuck to foot of leaf and folded in, some foxing, contemporary calf, worn, rebacked, [Wing B4060; Fulton 101; Madan III, 2920], 8vo, Printed for Richard Davis, Book-seller in Oxon, 1672.⁂ The first issue, with date 1672, not 1673 (Fulton 102). Despite lacking the initial blank leaf, this copy is more complete than most others which appear on the market.

[Barrin (Jean)] The Monk Unvail'd: Or, A Facetious Dialogue, first edition, translated by C.V., longitudinal half-title, engraved frontispiece, final leaf with advertisement to verso, 18th century calf, gilt, rebacked, corners worn, [Wing B920A], 8vo, Printed for Jonathan Edwin, 1678.⁂ Scarce, with only 10 copies recorded on ESTC, 4 of which are located in British Isles. Only one copy located in auction records, in 1968. The title continues: "Discovering the several Intrigues, and subtil Practises, together with the lewd and scandalous Lives of Monks, Fryers, and other pretended Religious Votaries of the Church of Rome."

De Bethune (Philippe) The Counsellor of Estate. Contayning the Greatest and most Remarkable Considerations serving for the Managing of Publicke Affaires, first edition in English, translated by E[dward] G[rimeston], engraved portrait frontispiece of Charles I (slightly trimmed), title within typographic border, woodcut decorations, contemporary sheep, rebacked, corners rubbed, [STC 1977], 4to in 8s, Printed by Nicholas Okes, 1634.⁂ Detailed treatise on all aspects of public affairs; includes such topics as 'Of advantages and disadvantages of Election in a Royalty', 'Humane means for the establishing of Religion', 'Of the facility of Commerce', 'Of Taxes; and of extraordinary Levies, Imposts, and Loanes', 'Of Deceipt and Cunning', and 'Of the interiour causes of the ruine of an Estate'.

Browne (Sir Thomas) Pseudodoxia Epidemica: or, Enquiries into Very many received Tenents, And commonly presumed Truths, first edition, initial licence leaf and final blank present, outer margin of b2 and upper corner of b4 defective with loss to ruled border, several leaves with small holes from paper flaws or burns, with some slight loss of text, errata corrected in ink, contemporary calf, rebacked, corners worn or repaired, [Wing B5159; Keynes 73], folio, Printed by T. H. for Edward Dod, 1646.⁂ First edition of Browne's 'Vulgar Errors' - an "inexhaustible store of entertainment" (DNB).Provenance: John Le Conte (ink name on title).

Behn (Aphra) The Young King: or, The Mistake, first edition, foot of title trimmed just touching last number in date, a few other leaves trimmed, touching catchword or headline and last line of text of Prologue (as often seemingly), some light browning and soiling, modern red morocco-backed cloth by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, [Wing B1776], 4to, Printed for D. Brown..., T. Benskin...and H. Rhodes, 1683.⁂ Scarce work by this pioneering woman playwright, poet and fiction writer who at one time worked as a spy for Charles II in Antwerp. Virginia Woolf wrote of her: "All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Behn which is, most scandalously but rather appropriately, in Westminster Abbey, for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds." According to ESTC this play is "Based on part 8 of "Cléopatre" by Gaultier de Coste, seigneur de La Calprenède, and on "La vida es sue~no" by Pedro Calderón de la Barca."

Machiavelli (Niccolò) The Works of the Famous Nicholas Machiavel, Citizen and Secretary of Florence, second edition in English, light soiling to title, occasional light marginal soiling or marking, minor worming to outer margin of first few gatherings, occasional small marginalia, contemporary calf, sympathetically rebacked, rubbed, endpapers renewed, [Wing M129], folio, for John Starkey, Charles Harper, and John Amery, 1680.

[Lord (Henry)] A Discoverie of the Sect of the Banians, 2 parts in 1, first edition, additional engraved title by William Marshall, part 2 with separate title, lacking final blank leaf Y4, slight worming to last few leaves, occasionally affecting ruled border but no text, modern calf, [STC 16825], 4to, Printed by T. and R. Cotes, for Fra. Constable, 1630.⁂ Early work on two religious groups of India, the Hindu Bania (merchant caste) and the Zoroastrian Parsees, by the chaplain to the East India Company at Surat in Gujarat from 1624 to 1629. The engraved title reads: A Display of two forraigne sects in the East Indies vizt: The sect of the Banians the Ancient Natives of India and the Sect of the Persees the Ancient Inhabitants of Persia...

[Drue (Thomas)] The Life of the Dutches of Suffolke, first edition, lacking initial blank leaf A1, trimmed with some loss to headlines, small burn-hole to D1 affecting one word of text on each page, some soiling, 20th century red crushed morocco by Riviere & Son, inner gilt dentelles, g.e., [STC 7242], 4to, Imprinted by A.M. for Jasper Emery, 1631.⁂ Scarce at auction, the last copy appearing in 1981.

Alexander (William, Earl of Stirling) Recreations with the Muses, first edition, woodcut title foxed, trimmed and mounted, engraved portrait from another work bound in as frontispiece, divisional title to Dooms-Day repaired, Y5 possibly supplied from another copy, a few short tears, damp-stain to lower margin through much of book, occasionally encroaching on text, making paper brittle in places, some foxing, modern half calf over marbled boards, [STC 347; Pforzheimer 5], folio, Printed by Tho. Harper, 1637.⁂ The first collected edition of Alexander's poetry and plays. The portrait is rarely present and the majority of copies appear to have been issued without it.

Banks (John) Vertue Betray'd or Anna Bullen. A Tragedy. Acted at his Royal Highness the Duke's Theatre, first edition, light browning, each f. window-mounted, closely trimmed, touching first line of title and affecting a few headlines, disbound, [Wing B667], for R. Bentley and M. Magus, 1682.⁂ Scarce at auction. Banks' most popular play, a tragedy based on the story of Anne Boleyn. Shakespeare is mentioned in the dedication. Provenance: John Philip Kemble (1757-1823), great Shakespearean actor (his characteristic inlaying of leaves; inscription on title margin: "Collated & Perfect J.P.K. 1800").

Dulman (Ananias) New Orders New, Agreed upon by a Parliament of Round-Heads, first edition, 4ff., woodcut decoration on title, woodcut head-piece on A2, lightly browned, later half calf, spine faded and worn with piece of backstrip missing, [Wing N693], 4to, Printed for T. U., 1642.⁂ Very rare, with no copies traced at auction. One of two issues, this with "by a" reading at end of line 4 on title (another issue has "by the").