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English Civil War.- Saltmarsh (John) Wonderfull Predictions Declared in a Message, as from the Lord, To his Excellency Sr. Thomas Fairfax and the Councell of His Army, first edition, title with 2 curious woodcuts, trimmed close, just touching pagination on one leaf, title with upper margin repaired, slightly soiled and stained, modern morocco-backed cloth, [Wing S507], 4to, by Robert Ibbitson, 1648.

Boyle (Robert).- St. André (Francois de) Chymical disceptations, or discourses upon acid and alkali. Wherein are examined the objections of Mr Boyle against these principles, first edition, with initial imprimatur, penultimate blank and final advertisement ff., occasional spotting or soiling, small portion of restoration to final advertisement f., ink inscriptions and stamp to endpapers, endpapers margins strengthened or restored, contemporary calf, rebacked, retaining original backstrip, [Wing A3113A; not in Duveen], 8vo, for Tho. Dawks, 1689.⁂ A rare Boyle item, we can trace only 2 copies at auction and only 9 copies on ESTC.Provenance: Thomae Whittle, 1695; John Kendrick, 1735 (ink inscriptions); E. Lodge (ink stamp).

Sarpi (Paolo) The Free Schoole of Warre, or, a Treatise, whether it be lawfull to beare armes for the service of a Prince that is of a divers religion, first edition in English, woodcut arms on title, woodcut initials and headpieces, lacking initial blank, title rather soiled, some light marginal staining, a few notes or marks in a contemporary hand to margins, contemporary ink ownership inscription to title, modern wrappers, [STC 21758], sm. 4to, by John Bill, 1625.⁂ Translated by William Bedell, the original of this rare tract is untraced. Sarpi's works and philosophy would influence the likes of Hobbes, Gibbon, Adams and Jefferson. Provenance: Hamon le Strange (1583-1654), politician and Royalist (ink inscription).

Aristotle. Aristotle's Rhetoric; or the True Grounds and Principles of Oratory, first English edition, initial license leaf, contemporary sprinkled calf, repairs to head of spine and joints, small crack at foot of upper joint, [Wing A3695], 8vo, Printed by T. B. for Randal Taylor, 1686.⁂ Ownership inscription "Shewell 1695" on front free endpaper and on pastedown the Latin motto "sum liber et non sum liber quia servio servo" above small bookplate from the Mansell family with motto "Quod vult valde vult".

Brathwait (Richard) The English Gentlewoman, drawne out to the full Body: expressing, What Habilliments doe best attire her, What Ornaments doe best adorne her, What Complements doe best accomplish her, first edition, folding leaf "The meaning of the Frontispiece" present at beginning but repaired with some loss of text, fine additional engraved title by William Marshall, small burn-hole to B2 with slight loss, Z2 torn slightly affecting text, Appendix and errata leaf present at end but washed, a few leaves trimmed affecting ruled border, occasional soiling, modern calf, rubbed and sunned, [STC 3565.5; Pforzheimer 78], 4to, Printed by B. Alsop and T. Fawcet, for Michaell Sparke, 1631.⁂ The Bradley Martin copy, sold Sotheby's NY April 30th 1990, lot 2648.

[Walker (Obadiah)] Propositions Concerning Optic-Glasses, with their natural Reasons, drawn from Experiments, first edition, engraved title-vignette, woodcut diagrams in text, some light water-staining, mostly marginal, modern calf-backed marbled boards, [Wing W409; Madan 3208], 4to, Oxford, At the Theater, 1679.⁂ "Attributed to Odadiah Walker; sometimes also attributed to Abraham Woodhead (R.H., pseudonym), and Robert Cooper." (ESTC). Apart from the Macclesfield copy in 2005, which was bound with 3 other works and made £21,000, no other copy traced at auction since 1952. Sotheby's attributed the work definitively to Cooper, suggesting that Walker was in fact the publisher.

Cartesian philosophy.- [Cordemoy (Geraud de)] "M. des Fourneillis". A Discourse Written to a Learned Frier...shewing, That the Systeme of M. Descartes, and particularly his Opinion concerning Brutes, does contain nothing dangerous..., 2 parts in 1, first edition in English, 2 advertisement leaves at end, part 2 with separate title, marginal browning, general title slightly frayed at edges, some soiling, later half sheep, rubbed, [Wing C6281], 8vo, Printed, and are to be sold by Moses Pitt, 1670.⁂ The first part looks at the six days of creation and discusses Descartes' views while part 2, entitled The General Systeme of the Cartesian Philosophy, translates an apparently lost work by Francois Bayle and appears to be his first extant printed work. The eleven sections include Metaphysicks, Logick, Physiology, Productions in the Bowels of the Earth, Meteors, Sensible Qualities, Plants, Animals, Man, Passions and Morals.

China.- Compte (Louis Daniel de) Memoirs and Observations...Made in a late Journey Through the Empire of China, first edition in English, engraved portrait frontispiece, 3 plates (2 folding), one vignette in text, folding letterpress table, contemporary sprinkled calf, rebacked, corners repaired, [Wing L831], 8vo, Printed for Benj. Tooke...and Sam. Buckley, 1697.⁂ Includes a fine folding plate of the Peking Observatory. The last several pages are devoted to a detailed description of pearl fishing.Provenance: J. Lloyd (ink name on front endpaper).

Hungary.- The Present State of Hungary... To which is added, A short Account of Transylvania, first edition, with 2 final advertisement ff., adhesion tearing to margin of title and B1 affecting a few letters, a good copy generally, contemporary specked calf, light staining to foot, [Wing P3266], 12mo, for H. Rhodes, 1687.⁂ Rare. We can trace only 2 copies at auction in the last 50 years.

Duelling.- Comber (Thomas) A Discourse of Duels, shewing the Sinful Nature and Mischie vous Effects of Them And Answering the Usual Excuses made for them by Challengers, Accepters and Seconds, first edition, with initial imprimatur and final advertisement ff., occasional light marginal soiling, hinges strengthened, later boards, rebacked, rubbed, some wear to extremities, sm. 4to, by Samuel Roycroft, 1687.⁂ Scarce at auction.

Machiavelli (Niccolò) Machiavels Discourses upon the first Decade of T. Livius, first edition in English, translated by Edward Dacres, lacking initial and final blank leaf, with 'animadversions' on title in italics, B1 cancelled, slight worming to lower margin throughout, largely a single small hole but occasionally extending and just touching text or ruled border, slight stain to first few leaves,19th century half morocco, gilt, t.e.g., joints and corners slightly rubbed, [STC 17160], 12mo, Printed by Thomas Paine for William Hills and Daniel Pakeman, 1636.⁂ "Machiavelli founded the science of modern politics on the study of mankind - it should be remembered that a parallel work to The Prince was his historical essay on the first ten books of Livy" (PMM 63).Provenance: William Carr (bookplate).

Cavendish (William, Duke of Newcastle) The Triumphant Widow, or the Medley of Humours. A Comedy, first edition, lacks initial license leaf, corner of B1 defective, upper edge shaved, occasionally affecting pagination, some staining, title with a couple of marginal tears, modern calf, upper cover slightly sunned, [Wing N891], 4to, Printed by J. M. for H. Herringman, 1677.⁂ Scarce Restoration comedy with only very occasional appearances at auction.

Massinger (Philip) and Nathaniel Field. The Fatall Dowry: A Tragedy, first edition, a couple of repairs/flaws to upper margin, 20th century red crushed morocco by Riviere & Son, inner gilt dentelles, g.e., upper cover cleanly detached, corners slightly rubbed, [STC 17646; Pforzheimer 678; Greg II, 464], 4to, Printed by John Norton, for Francis Constable, 1632.⁂ Massinger and Field are both supposed to have acted in this play, which was probably performed as early as 1619. No copy at auction for over 25 years.

Horology.- Holwell (John) Clavis Horologiae; or, A Key To the whole Art of Arithmetical Dyalling , 2 parts in 1, first edition of main text, second edition of appendix, with list of subscribers/advertisement leaf at end of appendix, 39 engraved plates in total (21 in first part, 18 in appendix), 5 folding, one bound upside down in appendix, title soiled and with small hole to upper margin, 18th century ink ownership inscription on paper pasted onto verso, browned, light water-staining to fore-edge of some plates and appendix affecting some images, slight worming to lower margin of a few leaves, contemporary mottled calf, rubbed, rebacked preserving old spine with red morocco label, recornered and with large patch on lower cover repaired, [Wing H2517a & H331; Tardy p.133; cf.Houzeau & Lancaster 11582, 1712 edition only], small 4to, Printed by Will. Bonny, for Tho. Howkins, 1686.⁂ Scarce. The appendix is a reprint of Francis Hall's (or Line's) An explication of the diall sett up in the Kings garden at London, an. 1669 with separate title dated 1685. It is a description of his pyramidical dial at Whitehall.

Kirby (Richard) The Marrow of Astrology, 3 parts in 1, first collected edition, diagrams and tables, some light foxing, staining towards end causing some marginal fraying, contemporary calf, rubbed, later paper label, [Wing B3020B], 4to, Printed for William Fisher, and Richard Mount, 1688.⁂ "Part 1 is by Richard Kirby, whose name ap[p]ears on the title page of the 1687 edition. All mention of Kirby is omitted from this edition. Part 2 and the appendix are by John Bishop." (ESTC). Dedication to part 1 is to Robert Boyle - that to part 2, also to Boyle, which appears in the 1687 edition is here omitted, the prefaces rewritten and the appendix added.

Earthquakes.- [Crouch (Nathaniel)], "R. B." The General History of Earthquakes: Being an Account of the most Remarkable and Tremendous Earthquakes that have happened in divers Parts of the World, first edition, folding woodcut frontispiece depicting the 1692 earthquake in Jamaica, worm track to frontispiece and first gathering, affecting image, imprint and some text, frontispiece with portion of loss to lower corner just affecting image, A6 with chip to foot affecting a few words of text, A11 with chip to head affecting headline, browning and occasional creasing, ink ownership inscription to title and frontispiece recto, 20th century calf, spine lightly faded, [Wing C7328], 12mo, for Nath. Crouch, 1694.⁂ Rare, especially with the engaging frontispiece, we can tract no complete copy at auction in the last 40 years. Provenance: Joannis Gibson (ink inscription).

Household management.- North (Dudley, 4th Baron North) Observations and Advices Oeconomical, first edition, with initial and final blanks (the first mounted on stub), light damp-staining, worm track to final text f. and blank, contemporary calf, rebacked, retaining much of original backstrip, [Wing N1286], 8vo, by T. R. for John Martyn, 1669.⁂ A scarce and curious work containing essays on household affairs, trade and economics.

Coke (Sir Edward) The First Part of the Institutes of the Lawes of England, first edition, woodcut title, partially printed in triple column and black letter, folding table, lacking initial blank, 3R4 with tear running into text, damp-staining, heavier at start causing weakness to paper, title partly laid down, outer margins of first 10ff. with strengthening to outer margins, the line crossed through in heavy ink, ink inscriptions to endpapers and title, contemporary calf, rebacked, rubbed, new endpapers, [STC 15784; PMM 126], folio, Printed for the Societie of Stationers, 1628.⁂ "...a disorderly, pedantic, masterful work...the basis of the constitution of the realm" by the prosecutor of Sir Walter Raleigh and the Gunpowder Plot conspirators.Provenance: Charles Strickland (ink inscriptions).

Maritime.- Reasons For a Regular Re-Establishment of the Corporation of Shipwrights of England, first edition, drop-head title, [Wing R486A], no printer, [?1695]; bound with Case of the Free-Shipwrights of England (The), broadside with engraving of the river Tyne, short tear to text repaired, not affecting engraving [Wing C1079], no printer, [c. 1692], together in modern marbled wrappers, cloth chemise and calf-backed cloth slip-case, 4to⁂ Extremely rare. Of the first work ESTC lists 3 copies only - Senate House, Columbia University and Huntington; and of the second work, only 5 copies.

Camus (Jean Pierre) Nature's Paradox: or, The Innocent Impostor. A Pleasant Polonian History: Originally Intituled Iphigenes, first edition in English, 'Minde of the Frontispiece' leaf facing engraved frontispiece by Vaughan, title in red and black, light stain to frontispiece, upper hinge weak, later sprinkled calf, rebacked, [Wing C417; Grolier, Wither to Prior 1083], 4to, Printed by J. G. for Edw. Dod, and Math. Ekins, 1652.⁂ Translated by Major Wright who was for some time imprisoned in Newgate for supporting the royalist cause. The dedication in this work is to James, Earl of Northampton, a royalist commander. This copy has 'Nature's' on title printed in black.Provenance: June Brooke (ink inscription on title); Brent Maxfield (biro inscription on front pastedown).

Rape trial.- Castlehaven (Mervyn Touchet, Earl of) The Tryal and Condemnation...for Abetting a Rape upon his Countess, Committing Sodomy with his Servants, and Commanding and Countenancing the Debauching his Daughter, first edition, minor soiling, uncut, modern red morocco-backed cloth, [Wing T2144], 8vo, 1699.⁂ Extremely rare account of particularly sordid crimes for which the perpetrator was executed. ESTC locates only the BL, Bodleian and Nat. Library of Scotland copies, none in N. America.

Astronomy.- Greenwood (Nicholas) Astronomia Anglicana: Containing an Absolute and Entire Piece of Astronomy... chiefly intended for the Use of our English Nation; And especially Mariners, first edition, tables and diagrams, very occasional light foxing, the odd spot or small rust-hole, but a very good, wide-margined copy generally, modern half calf, light fading to spine, [Wing G1868], folio, by John Harefinch, 1689.⁂ Rare introduction to astronomy, written in the vernacular so as to be accessible to English mariners. We can trace only one complete copy at auction in the last 70 years.

Casaubon (Meric) A Treatise concerning Enthusiasme, as it is an Effect of Nature: but is mistaken by many for either Divine Inspiration, or Diabolicall Possession, second edition, some worming to lower corner, mostly marginal but affecting some catchwords, some foxing, old calf, rubbed, [Wing C813], 8vo, Printed by Roger Daniel, and are to be sold by Thomas Johnson, 1656.⁂ The first edition, published a year earlier, "...was the first separate treatise on enthusiasm, a term used for conditions attributed to possession by a superior power. Casaubon divided it into two kinds: supernatural, which was 'a true possession . . . whether divine or diabolical,' and natural, 'whereof all men are capable,' to which belonged the delusions and hallucinations of the insane"--Hunter & Macalpine, page 143.ESTC collation and pagination do not seem to tally; this copy collates A-T8, V6 [-V6], 2A2 (ie lacking V6, presumably blank, but with 2 final advertisement leaves).

Occult.- [Montfaucon de Villars (Abbé de)] The Count of Gabalis: Or, The Extravagant Mysteries of the Cabalists, first edition in English, light browning, marginal notes and the odd correction in a later hand, ink name to head of title, modern calf, light fading to spine, [Wing V386; cf. Duveen p.481 (first edition)], 12mo, for B. M., 1680.⁂ "An interesting work, largely satirical, on the Rosicrucians and other secret societies. It is said that the author's mysterious death was due to this work, as it was believed that he was murdered by a member of one of these societies who disapproved of the book." - Duveen.Provenance: Walter Johnston (ink inscription).

English Civil War.- Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, or, A Discovery of the main Grounds; Originall Cause of all the Slavery in the World, but chiefly in England, first edition, 1648; bound with More Light Shining in Buckingham-shire..., first edition, 1649, some light foxing and soiling, later half roan, spine faded, [Wing L2047 and M2709], 4to⁂ Both rare, the second particularly so, with ESTC recording 7 copies, only 2 of which (John Carter Brown and Union Theological Seminary) are in the U.S.

Cryptography.- [Wilkins (John)] Mercury, or the Secret and Swift Messenger: Shewing How a Man may with Privacy and Speed communicate his Thoughts to a Friend at any distance, first edition, woodcut illustrations/diagrams, lacking initial and final two blank leaves, upper edge trimmed with some loss to ruled border, occasional foxing and marginal browning, contemporary speckled sheep, rebacked, repaired and with some wear to extremities, [Wing W2202], 8vo, Printed by I. Norton, for John Maynard, and Timothy Wilkins, 1641.⁂ "The most important of early English works...contains valuable information concerning processes of cipherment...deciphering and especially details concerning the History of Cryptography. Wilkins gives a long list of classical authorities for...devices used in ancient times for concealing communications..." (Galland, Bib. of Cryptography, 199). Wilkins (1614-72), was bishop of Chester and warden of Wadham College, Oxford. The work includes a cryptographical translation of speech into musical tones and a new logical grammar based on speech sounds, a fore-runner of Russell, Carnap, and Wittgenstein. These ideas were expanded in his Essay towards a real character, 1668.Loosely inserted are 2 letters, dated 1893 and 1894 to Charles Strachey concerning the loan of this book to James Cary, who was working on Baconian ciphers.Provenance: "Ex dono Erskine [?]", (ink inscription partially crossed out on title); Charles Strachey (ink inscription dated 1887 to front endpaper).

Holy Land.- Bünting (Heinrich) Itinerarium totius Sacrae Scripturae. Or, The Travels of the Holy Patriarchs, Prophets, Iudges, Kings, our Saviour Christ... With a Description of the Townes and Places to which they Travelled, translated by Richard Brathwait, first edition in English, title with woodcut ornament, woodcut initials and headpieces, some occasional light browning to faint staining, but a good copy generally, contemporary calf, rebacked, retaining much of original backstrip, wear to corners, pastedowns renewed, [STC 4017], small 4to, Adam Islip, 1619.⁂ Includes an account of the author's 1579 visit to Cyprus on p. 525.

Hondius map.- Broughton (Hugh) A Concent of Scripture, first edition, first issue, engraved title with wording "Come, and see" at top, woodcut initials and decorations, double-page engraved map of the world attributed to Jodocus Hondius the elder, 5 engraved plates, without the folding map of Judea ("north part of the equinoctial") and folding letterpress explanation as often, later panelled calf, gilt, with gilt arms to upper cover, rebacked, rubbed, one corner worn, [STC 3850], 4to, for Gabriell Simson and William White, [1587-91].⁂ A very good copy of this work, in essence a chronology of scriptural history, by Broughton (1549-1612), a divine and rabbinical scholar. It was seen through the press by John Speed. Ben Jonson satirised the author in Volpone and The Alchemist; and Sir John Harington mentions the work in his 'advertisement' to his translation of Orlando Furioso: "..a treatise set foorth by Maister Broughton, the last year, upon the Revelation, in which there are some 3 or 4 pretie figures (in octavo) cut in brasse verie workemanly."This is the first major work of cartographer Hondius (1563-1612/3), who came to England in 1583 as a Protestant refugee. The map of the world is based on Ortelius; the missing map is found in very few copies and the leaf of letterpress by R. Field, dated to c.1590, may represent a later issue. This copy has the chain lines in gathering F horizontal, denoting a first issue.Provenance: Henry Villiers Stuart, Baron Stuart de Decies (1803-74) - his arms on upper cover. Bookplate of Tempsford Hall; ink stamp of Bradford City Library to rear pastedown.

First book written in North America.- Ovidius Naso (Publius) Ovid's Metamorphosis Englished by G[eorge] S[andys], engraved additional title by T. Cecill (a little browned with edges frayed), engraved portrait of Ovid to [a]3 verso by William Marshall, with the initial "The minde of the frontispiece" f. and final imprimatur f. with woodcut device, damp-staining towards end, occasional light browning and some marking, the odd pencil note or glossing, ink ownership inscriptions to endpaper, contemporary calf, sympathetically rebacked, some chipping and wear, [Sabin 76456; STC 18964], sm. folio, [by William Stansby], 1626.⁂ The first edition of Sandys' translation of Ovid, written in part whilst he was employed as treasurer for the colony of Virginia. Provenance: Ralph Barsham (ink inscription dated 1700).

More (Henry) Philosophicall Poems, first collected edition, woodcut device on title, woodcut illustrations at end, errata leaf present, some worm-tracks repaired, to lower margin at beginning, becoming single worm-hole through most of book, occasionally in text block, another track repaired in text around gathering Bb with small holes in text block to a few leaves before and after, title soiled and inner margin repaired, later panelled calf, rebacked, corners rubbed, [Wing M2670], 8vo, Cambridge, Printed by Roger Daniel, 1647.⁂ The woodcuts, in the chapter entitled Notes upon Psychathanasia, relate to astronomy and planetary motion, including 'Tycho's System of the World' and 'Copernicus System of the World as it is described in Galileo'.

Glapthorne (Henry) The Ladies Priviledge, first edition, title soiled, some light foxing and marginal light staining, 19th century roan-backed marbled boards, slightly rubbed, [STC 11910; Pforzheimer 409; Greg II, 590], 4to, Imprinted...by J. Okes, for Francis Constable, 1640.⁂ Bookplate of Thomas Jolley "a forgotten collector whose seven sales lasted from 1843 to 1853" (de Ricci). Very few auction records, the last copy appearing in 1984 (£160).

South America.- Lasso de la Vega (Garcia) The Royal Commentaries of Peru, 2 parts in 1, first edition in English, translated by Sir Paul Rycaut, engraved portrait frontispiece by R. White after Lely, 10 engraved plates, the last with brown stain along centre, 6F3 with paper flaw causing small hole with slight loss of text, title printed in red and black, lacking 3 preliminary ff., contemporary panelled calf, rebacked, corners worn, [Wing G215; Palau 354801; Sabin 98760], folio, Printed by Miles Flesher, for Samuel Heyrick, 1688.⁂ One of four variant imprints, printed for different booksellers, this with fewer institutional holdings and so likely the scarcest. ".. [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).Provenance: Robert Spearman of Oldacres, Durham (armorial bookplate)

Biondi (Giovanni Francesco) Donzella Desterrada. Or, The Banish'd Virgin, first English edition, translated by James Hayward, title within fine woodcut border, lacking final blank leaf 2G4, O4 and P1 with small hole causing slight loss of text, outer edge of P4 torn away with loss to ruled border but not text, occasional soiling, contemporary sheep, spine gilt, a little rubbed, joints/spine worn at head and foot, [STC 3074], folio, Printed...by T. Cotes, for Humphrey Mosley, 1635.⁂ Provenance: Grace Strode (ink inscription to title). Grace Strode, the daughter and heiress of Sir George Strode and Grace FitzJames, married Henry Thynne (1675-1708), the heir to Longleat House, and brought him a fortune of £20,000 on 29 April 1695.

Mathematics.- Hatton (Edward) Arithmetick; or, The Ground of Arts, 2 parts in 1, first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece by R. White with a few small ink crosses to face and repair to verso along torn plate-mark, some foxing and soiling, a few ink stains and annotations, contemporary panelled calf, rubbed and soiled, rebacked, [Wing R649 and H1145 for 2nd part], 4to, Printed by J. H. for Charles Harper...and William Freeman, 1699.⁂ The second part, with a separate title-page Decimals made Easie, is recorded separately by Wing but called a 'Ghost' by ESTC; while the first work is listed under Robert Recorde as the author, though this is practically a new work by Hatton.

Social satire.- [Neville (Henry)] Newes from the New Exchange, or the Commonwealth of Ladies, Drawn to the Life, in their severall Characters and Concernments, first edition, upper corner of many leaves repaired, just touching a couple of words of text and one typographic ornament on verso of final leaf, later green half morocco, gilt, [Wing N510], 4to, Printed in the year, of Women without Grace, 1650.⁂ Scurrilous attack on the wives and daughters of eminent political figures of the interregnum. Henry Neville, M.P. (1620-94) was a strong parliamentary republican opposed to Cromwell, who was arrested in 1663 on suspicion of involvement in the so-called "Yorkshire rising". This issue with p.22 unpaginated and with pp.18/19 mis-paginated 10/11.

Donne (John) Letters to Severall P:ersons of Honour, first edition, engraved portrait frontispiece by Lombart, with initial and final blank leaves, small burn-hole on Aa2 just affecting a couple of letters, water-staining, mostly marginal, contemporary sheep, rebacked, corners repaired, [Wing D1864; Pforzheimer 295; Keynes 55], 4to, Printed by J. Flesher, for Richard Mariot, 1651.⁂ Very good, crisp copy of this collection of 129 letters compiled by Donne's son and published 20 years after his father's death. Many are undated and the ordering is irregular but they contain important literary and biographical information.

Drink.- Worlidge (John) Vinetum Britannicum: or, A Treatise of Cider, and such other Wines and Drinks that are extracted from all manner of Fruits Growing in this Kingdom, first edition, initial licence leaf, engraved frontispiece a little trimmed and chipped at fore-edge, 2 engraved plates, some marginal browning, some leaves trimmed close with slight loss to headline, modern calf 'antique style' , [Wing W3608; cf. Simon BG 1632 (1678 edition, mistakenly dated 1676)], 8vo, Printed by J. C. for Tho. Dring, 1676.⁂ First separate edition of Worlidge's work on cider production, originally issued as part of his Systema agriculturae (1669).

Anacreon. Anacreon Done into English Out of the Original Greek, first edition, a couple of minor marginal defects, occasional slight foxing, contemporary calf, spine gilt, very slightly rubbed but a lovely copy, [Wing A3046; Pforzheimer 224], 8vo in 4s, Oxford, Printed by L. Lichfield...for Anthony Stephens, 1683.⁂ Translated by Francis Willis, Abraham Cowley, John Oldham and Thomas Wood. Bookplate of John Lowe.

Medicine.- Culpeper (Nicholas) Culpeper's Last Legacy: Left and bequeathed to his dearest Wife, for the publicke good, 2 parts in 1, first edition, wood-engraved portrait frontispiece frayed and stained, title slightly frayed affecting ruled border and one word of text, does not collate as per ESTC pagination but complete according to Quaritch pencil note at end, longitudinal half-title misbound in middle, final signature K (index and advertisements) not called for by ESTC, piece missing from lower margin of I3 slightly affecting signature, corner of second H1 torn and defective just affecting a few words of text, small marginal rust hole in second H2, soiled and stained, ink inscriptions to recto of frontispiece and around the image, many ink side-notes, contemporary calf, worn and spine repaired at head and foot, [Wing 7518], 8vo, Printed for N. Brooke, 1655.

Staffordshire.- Plot (Robert) The Natural History of Stafford-shire, first edition, title with engraved vignette, engraved folding map, 37 engraved plates by Burghers, 26 double-page (mostly houses), 4pp. list of subscribers at end, lacking the "Armes Omitted" plate (as often), gathering A working loose, a few plates with marginal repairs or neatly repaired tears, one double-page view with tear running into image, occasional light marginal staining or soiling, bookplate to title verso, bookplate to pastedown, contemporary calf, joints cracked, corners bumped, rubbed and scuffed, [Wing P2588], folio, Oxford, Printed at the Theater, 1686⁂ With two chapters on minerals and stones, including fossils; by the first keeper of the Ashmolean Museum.Provenance: Bridgman family; J. Fairfax Best (bookplates).

Shakespeare et al.- Speed (Samuel) Fragmenta Carceris:or, The Kings-Bench Scuffle; with the Humours of the Common-Side, first edition, title with engraved vignette of a drunken brawl, trimmed close with slight loss of imprint and repair to outer edge on verso, several other leaves shaved affecting catchword and/or signature, title soiled, some light foxing and staining, later diced calf, spine ends nicked, [Wing S4900], 4to, Printed by J.C. for S.S., 1674.⁂ Scarce. ESTC records British Isles copies in BL, Magdalen College Oxford, and Brotherton Library. Includes references to Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Donne, Chaucer, Spenser and Camden. Ink note in a 19th century hand on front free endpaper reads "This work is marked in the Bibliotheca Anglo-Poetica at £3.13.6 Very rare" In another hand a list of the poets/authors etc mentioned and the page references on facing endpaper. Armorial bookplate of Edward Hailstone (1818-90), book collector and the self-acknowledged "biggest Hailstone that ever dropped."

Civil War.- Warwick (Robert Rich, Earl of) The Remonstrance and Declaration...concerning the King, Parliament, Army, and Kingdome, first edition, ink annotations [by John Rushworth], interleaved, inner margins repaired with tape, modern vellum-backed boards, [Wing W1009], 4to, Printed for John Woolridge, 1648.⁂ Very rare; ESTC locates the BL and Yale copies only. Provenance: Fairfax of Cameron (bookplate, sale at Sotheby's December 14th 1993, lot 352)

D'Avenant (William) The Witts. A Comedie, first edition, licence leaf misbound after title, dedication leaf A3 misbound after prologue, lower corner of K3 torn away with some slight loss of text, trimmed affecting headline on many leaves, a couple of small stains, 19th century green half morocco, gilt, over marbled boards, rubbed, [STC 6309; Greg II, 507a], 4to, Printed for Richard Meighen, 1636.⁂ Rare at auction. "Ranks as D'Avenant's comic masterpiece and may compare for humour and merit with any piece of its epoch" (DNB). ESTC calls for a half-title, though it would appear that this may have been confused with the licence leaf.Provenance: J.O. Halliwell (bookplate, recording it as a gift to Penzance Library, and small ink stamp of the latter on title).

Hayward (Sir John) The Lives of the III. Normans, Kings of England, first edition, 2 woodcut decorations on title, other woodcut decorations and initials, cropped with loss to one title decoration, some headlines and pagination and occasionally to signature/catchword, lightly water-stained, modern calf-backed boards, spine a little faded, [STC 13000], 4to, Imprinted...by R. B., 1613.⁂ Some early ink marginalia, often cropped. Ink name "Doddridge" on title."King Harold about the closing of the evening, as he was busie in sustaining his armie, both with voyce and with hand, was strooke with an arrow through the left eye into his braines, of which wound hee presently died." p.73

Strange (Richard) The Life and Gests of S. Thomas Cantilupe, Bishop of Hereford, and some time before L. Chancellor of England, first edition, errata f. at end, some light foxing, ink ownership inscription to head of title, contemporary vellum, gilt arms to covers, a little soiled, [Wing S5810], small 8vo, Ghent, Robert Walker, 1674⁂ Provenance: ?Sami Montgomery (ink inscription); Signet Library (gilt arms).

India.- Bernier (Francois) The History of the Late Revolution of the Empire of the Great Mogol: together with the Most Considerable Passages for 5 Years Following in that Empire, translated by Henry Oldenburg, 2 parts in 1 vol., first edition in English, folding engraved map at end, title within double-rule border, woodcut initials, title browned at head, but a good, clean copy otherwise, bookplate to pastedown, hinges weak, contemporary sheep, some light wear to extremities, [Wing B2043], small 8vo, sold by Moses Pitt at the White Hart in Little Brittain, 1671.⁂ Scarce, with a section on Kashmir and map at the end covering the Indian peninsula as far south as Golconda.Provenance: Fintray House Library (bookplate).

Law.- Bacon (Sir Francis) Ordinances... For the better and more regular Administration of Justice in the Chancery, first edition, title with typographic ornament, woodcut initial and headpiece, C2 shaved at head, affecting page numbers, mottled calf by Riviere & Son, neatly rebacked, [WIng B316], sm. 4to, for Mathew Walbanke, 1642.⁂ Rare at auction, we can trace only 1 copy in the last 50 years.

NO RESERVE Co[i]gnet (Sir Martyn) Politique Discourses upon Trueth and Lying. An Instruction to Princes to keepe their Faith and Promise: Containing the summe of Christian and Morall Philosophie, first English edition, woodcut device on title, woodcut arms on title verso, woodcut decorations, lacking final blank leaf, upper edge trimmed with some loss to first 3 words of title, headlines and head-piece on preliminary leaf, small hole on recto of first leaf of contents with slight loss of text, lower edge of O1 singed with slight loss to signature and just touching text to verso, marginal browning and occasional staining, modern calf, [STC 5486], 4to, Printed by Ralfe Newberie, 1586.⁂ Translated by Sir Edward Hoby, courtier and later favourite of James I, and dedicated to his uncle Lord Burghley.

Clergy & marriage.- Gardiner (Stephen, Bishop of Winchester) A Traictise declaryng and plainly provyng that the pretensed marriage of Priestes, and professed persones, is no mariage, but altogether unlawful..., first edition, largely printed in black letter, title with woodcut architectural border, woodcut initials, that on A2 12-line and historiated, errata leaf at end, early 20th century dark blue morocco by W. Pratt, gilt, g.e., covers a little mottled, [STC 17517], 4to, In aedibus Roberti Caly, 1554.⁂ A reply to Bishop John Ponet's Defence for Mariage of Priestes, 1549, attributed on the title to Thomas Martin but most likely written by Gardiner, as also suggested by Ponet himself. The book begins with a six-page dedication to the newly crowned Queen Mary, whose virginity he praises. The new line on the celibacy of priests resulted in the deprivation of hundreds of clergymen who had married in the 1540s and in the effective discrediting of many Edwardian bishops.Provenance: Cardiff Castle (bookplate).

Education.- Woodward (Ezekias) A Childes Patrimony. Laid Out Upon the Good Culture or Tilling Over His Whole Man, first edition, first part with final blank, second part with 2 final addenda ff., first part title a little soiled and closely trimmed at head just touching first word, some foxing, spotting and occasional soiling, ink inscriptions to title and endpaper, book label to pastedown, contemporary panelled calf, upper cover detached, [STC 25971], 4to, by I. Legatt, 1640.⁂ Rare, we can trace only one other example at auction. Provenance: Arnold Muirhead (book label).

Lower (Sir William) The Phaenix in her Flames. A Tragedy, first edition, lower edge of M1 and M4 with paper flaw with loss to signature and catchword of M1, several other leaves with worm-tracks (mostly repaired) causing slight loss of text (signatures I and K), foxing and browning, especially to title, early ink annotations to title and A3v, modern calf, slightly marked at head of spine, [STC 16873; Greg II, 569], 4to, Printed by Thomas Harper, for Michael Young, 1639.⁂ Very rare at auction with this the only copy since 1956, when it last appeared. Maggs 1949 catalogue description call it "the rarest and liveliest of Lower's printed works. Genest gives an abstract of the plot which he describes as 'romantic, but interesting.'"

Greece.- Georgirenes (Joseph) A Description of the Present State of Samos, Nicaria, Patmos, and Mount Athos, first edition, without A2 & 3 (dedication in Greek) as often, corner of D4 defective (not affecting text), contemporary sheep, rubbed, spine ends slightly chipped, [Wing G536; Blackmer 672; Atabey 489], 8vo, Printed by W. G. and sold by Moses Pitt, 1678.⁂ "This is a work of particular interest because Georgirenes is describing an area he knew very well. Born in Milos, he was archbishop of Samos from 1666 to 1671..." (Blackmer). Many copies, including one of the two Atabey copies and the Macclesfield copy, lack the 2ff. of Greek dedication.

[Darby (Charles)] Bacchanalia: or a Description of a Drunken Club. A Poem, first edition, inner margin of title repaired, slight crease throughout from old fold, last leaf a little soiled, modern calf-backed boards with title label to upper cover, [Wing D243], folio, Printed by Robert Boulter, 1680.⁂ The author's first published work. The poem ends with the judgemental lines:"Think on All this: and think on't soberly,And then, perhaps you'l say, as well as I,Your Mirth is Madness: Wine is Poison fell:Your Paradise is Bedlam; if not Hell."

Hobbes (Thomas) An Historical Narration concerning Heresie, and the Punishment thereof, first edition, title with woodcut decoration, light finger-soiling to title, last f. creased and a little soiled with tear to upper margin, modern wrappers, [Wing H2238], folio, n.p., 1680.⁂ A scarce Hobbes item comprising his his response to a bill proposed in the Commons that proposed an investigation of heresy and "in particular... the book of Mr. Hobbes called the Leviathan." Hobbes was so alarmed by this that he burned a number of his papers but also took to investigating the current statutes on heresy, the result of which was this text which argued that following the abolition of the High Commission Court prior to the Civil War, there remained no body in England able to rule on the committing of heresy.

Law.- Fulbecke (William) Parallele or Conference of the Civil Law, the Canon Law, and the Common Law of this Realme of England [- The Second Part of the Parallele], 2 parts in 1 vol., first edition, woodcut initials and headpieces, first title margins browned, second title a little soiled, A4 with small rust-hole affecting 1 or 2 letters, occasional light damp-staining, ink inscriptions to endpapers, contemporary calf, neatly and sympathetically rebacked,[STC 11415 & 11415a], sm. 4to, Thomas Wight, 1601-2.⁂ Scarce, Fulbecke was an English playwright, lawyer and legal scholar, who did pioneering work in the field of law.Provenance: Tho. Lane; Dr Woods; Francis Lindley Wood, Lincoln's Inn, 1794 (ink inscriptions).

Bay Psalm Book.- Mather (Richard) and William Tompson. A Modest & Brotherly Answer To Mr. Charles Herle his Book, against the Independency of Churches, first edition, title within typographic border, final blank leaf present, some soiling, marginal browning and light staining, modern calf-backed marbled boards, [Wing M1274; Sabin 46781; Church 463], 4to, Printed for Henry Overton, 1644.⁂ The author, father of Increase Mather, was one of the "thirty learned and pious Ministers" who worked on the translation of the various psalters brought to New England which became the Bay Psalm Book, printed in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1640, the first book printed in North America. Mather had arrived in New England in 1635 and became pastor of the church at Dorchester.

Shirley (James) The Wedding, second edition, title with small tear at foot with slight loss to imprint, some other marginal defects and flaws, on E2 just affecting the first letter of several lines and on K1 just touching signature, some staining throughout, later vellum-backed boards, leather spine label a little chipped, [STC 22461; Greg II, 425b], 4to, Printed for John Grove, 1633.⁂ The first edition, published in 1629, was the first of the prolific Shirley's plays to appear in print. No copy of either edition at auction since 1981.

Shirley (James) The Grateful Servant. A Comedie. As it was lately presented with good applause at the private House in Drury Lane, by her Majesties Servants, first edition, title with woodcut decoration, woodcut initials and headpieces, title with repaired tear, occasional spotting and damp-staining, light creasing, closely shaved at head, with loss to a few printed headlines, L2 with small portion of loss to upper corner, resulting in loss to 1 or 2 words of text, book-label to pastedown, later half morocco, neatly and sympathetically rebacked, retaining original backstrip, [STC 22444], sm. 4to, B[ernard]. A[lsop]. and T[homas]. F[awcet]. for Iohn Groue, and are to be sold at his shop at Furnivals-Inne gate, 1630.⁂ First edition of Shirley's second published play, we can trace no copy at auction in the last 50 years. The dedicatory verses are written by Philip Massinger, Thomas May and Thomas Randolph amongst others. Provenance: Gerald Eades Bentley (book-label).

Fasting.- Reynolds (John) A Discourse upon Prodigious Abstinence: occasioned By the Twelve Moneths Fasting of Martha Taylor, The Famed Derbyshire Damosell: Proving...that Life may be long Continued without the supplies of Meat & Drink, first edition, woodcut head-pieces and initials, modern olive green crushed morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, lettered in gilt, g.e., spine slightly sunned, [Wing R1314], 4to, Printed by R. W. for Nevill Simmons...and for Dorman Newman, 1669.⁂ Superb copy of this curious work describing the deeds of Martha Taylor who fasted for a year, remaining in bed and learning to read. ESTC calls for 5 leaves in the first quire, but this copy only has four, lacking the imprimatur leaf.Provenance: The Crahan- Moses H. Grossman-Walter T. Shirley Jr. copy (sold Sotheby's NY October 1984).

Early travel guide.- Boyle (Robert) General Heads for the Natural History of a Country, Great or Small; Drawn out for the Use of Travellers and Navigators, first edition, final advertisement leaf, slight worming to lower margin throughout, often single tiny hole, marginal browning, signature B working loose, contemporary calf, rebacked, rubbed, extremities worn, [Wing B3980; Sabin 7139; Fulton 195], 12mo, Printed for John Taylor...and S. Holford, 1692.⁂ "There are many amusing tales which Boyle and his editor had apparently received from navigators. Pages 102-6, for example, are headed 'Enquiries for Virginia and Bermudas' in which he asks for a 'particular Account of the [well known] Spider in the Bermudas, said to be Large and Beautiful for its Colours [&c.]'. He also desires further information concerning the 'Gigantick Natives of Cheasapeak' and the particulars of that sea water 'where ships do soonest rot as in the Streights of California the Sea looks red, with innumerable Worms that are in it'." (Fulton)