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Oxford.- Ackerman (Rudolph publisher) The History of the University of Oxford, 2 vol, first edition, second issue, engraved portrait of Lord Grenville, 33 hand-coloured portraits of founders, 64 hand-coloured aquatint plates by Bluck, Stadler, Hill & others after Pugin, Mackenzie, Westall & others, 17 hand-coloured plates of academic costume, half-titles, list of subscribers, ink ownership inscription to both vol, bookplates of Sterling Edwin Edmunds, some offsetting and light foxing, very occasional tears to margins, later black half morocco, rebacked preserving original spines, gilt, spines in gilt compartments, some rubbing, [Abbey, Scenery 279; Tooley 5], 4to, Harrison and J. C. Leigh, 1814.*** The second issue of this attractive history of the University of Oxford, expanded to include founders' portraits alongside the existing views of Oxford and academic costumes.

Falkner (J. Meade) The Nebuly Coat, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to front pastedown, extensive pencil notes to rear endpaper, light browning to endpapers and half-title, original cloth, spine darkened, marking and toning to covers, some chipping to spine ends, rubbing and fraying to joints, 8vo, Edward Arnold, 1903.*** Falkner's scarce third novel. We can trace no other signed copy at auction. 

Radioactivity.- Becquerel (Antoine Henri) Recherches sur une Propriété Nouvelle de la Matière. Activité Radiante Spontanée ou Radioactivité de la Matière, first edition, in Mémoires de l'Académie des Sciences, vol.46, 13 plates at end, original blue printed wrappers, slightly chipped and faded at edges and spine, preserved in modern cloth drop-back box, 4to, Paris, Firmin-Didot, 1903.*** The first edition of Becquerel's definitive work on radioactivity. In 1903 he won the Nobel Prize for Physics with the Curies "in recognition of the extraordinary services he has rendered by his discovery of spontaneous radioactivity."

Maritime.- Ralfe (James) The Naval Chronology of Great Britain, first edition in original 12 parts, 60 aquatint plates, all but 2 hand-coloured, one frontispiece printed in 2 colours as issued, list of subscribers, publisher's slip in part 6 regarding missing plate (subsequently included in a later part), a few minor tears and creases to edges, original printed wrappers with part numbers, price and 'Col.' in manuscript to upper covers, some foxing and browning to wrappers and occasional chipping to extremities, preserved in cloth chemises in 2 full blue crushed morocco drop-back boxes, gilt, spines in compartments with gilt ship motifs (a little faded), [Abbey Life 342; Bobins 1290; Howes R-21; Sabin 67602; Tooley 392], 8vo, Whitmore and Penn, 1818-19.*** An exceptional set, as issued in the original parts, and in generally superb condition. Individual parts of the Naval Chronology were offered both uncoloured for 10 shillings, 6 pence and coloured, as here, for 15 shillings. A lesser copy was offered at Christie's as part of the Bobins collection last year, with backstrips renewed, some covers in facsimile, and one plate supplied and with ink stamp, supposedly the first coloured copy in parts since 1959.

Butler (Samuel) Hudibras, 3 vol., first editions of vol.1 and 2, mixed copy of vol.3, vol.1 and 2 with woodcut vignettes and initial imprimatur leaf, vol.3 with title verso with license to print (second issue) and errata leaf at end supplied from another copy and with text uncorrected (first issue), all three vol. washed and pressed with some browning and soiling, uniformly bound in modern dark brown crushed morocco, gilt, by Riviere, all neatly rebacked with gilt spines, g.e., vol.1 Printed by J.G. for Richard Marriot, vol.2 Printed by T.R. for John Martyn, vol.3 Printed for Simon Miller, [Wing B6300, B6309, B6313], 8vo, 1663-64-78.*** The bibliography of this work is complex due to its immediate popularity and numerous printings (of vol.1, 9 in 1663 alone, of which 4 were piracies) and each subsequent part was also reprinted and plagiarised. In PBSA vol.60 (1966) Thorson makes sense of the issue points and this set has vol.1 in his 'A' edition (first authorised edition), vol.2 his 'N' edition (first printing) and vol.3 with title-page of his 'S' (second printing) and text of his 'R' (first printing) edition - the errata leaf is probably supplied from another copy of the 'R' edition.Provenance: Z. Isham (inscription to vol.3 title, possibly Zacheus Isham (1651-1705), clergyman and book hunter); N. Hole (another ink inscription to vol.3 title); Robert Walsingham Martin (bookplate); Richard Campbell (bookplate)

Ballard (J. G.) The Atrocity Exhibition, first edition, signed by the author on title, original boards, dust-jacket, light surface marking to spine, upper edge a little creased but overall fine, 8vo, 1970.

Mediavilla (Richardus de) Commentum super quarto libro Sententiarum Petri Lombardi, collation: aa8 bb10 cc10 a-z10 ɿ10 ͻ10 ψ10 A10 B-D8, double column, 320ff., 50 lines, gothic type, a single 27 line initial in blue and red on a1, as well as 2-5 line initials and paragraph marks in red and blue throughout, manuscript chapter numbering and pagination in black ink to upper margins, a few scattered leaves lightly browned, and a few scattered instances of faint marginal damp-stains or finger-soiling, but overall clean and bright, in contemporary vellum, spine with manuscript title lettering in ink and later paper label at foot, spine head chipped and bumped, while foot and upper joint with some signs of wear, ink lettering to top and bottom edge, folio (c.265 x 183mm.), Venice, Christophorus Arnoldus, [not after 1477].*** First edition of a Franciscan commentary which addresses economic theory. Teaching at Paris university, Mediavilla was an active participant in the debate over 'poverty' which subsumed the Franciscan Order for much of the 13th century and eventually led to the breaking-away of the heretical Fraticelli sect in 1296. In his commentary on the fourth book of Lombard's Sentences, Mediavilla expounds some interesting comments on the ethics of contracts and annuities against those who viewed them as usurious, and draws out more elaborate arguments about wider economic systems.  Literature: BMC V 206; Goff M-423; HC(+Add) 10984*; GW M22509; BSB-Ink R-170; ISTC im00423000.

Tennyson (Alfred, Lord) In memoriam, first edition, first issue with "the" for "thee" p.2 & "baseness" for "bareness" p.198, bookplate of Frank L.Babbott, bound in brown morocco with strapwork design inlaid in tan calf and elaborately tooled in gilt with title and Hallam's & Tennyson's initials within central oval frame surrounded by leafy branches, spine titled in gilt with decorative compartments and five raised bands, red morocco doublures and endpapers, doublures with gilt leafy sprays to corners and central wreath, that to front containing Hallam's initials and date of death, t.e.g., others uncut, spine a little faded, preserved in board slip-case (rubbed), c.175 x 110mm., 1850; The Foresters, first edition, bound in dark blue morocco inlaid with brown, tan & beige morocco forming design of two deer below an oak tree richly tooled in gilt with birds flying above the tree and acorns on the ground, spine titled in gilt with compartments of oak leaves & acorns and five raised bands, rust silk endpapers and dark brown doublures bordered with gilt oak leaves and inlaid hunting horns around a panel of tan morocco filled with quivers of arrows and acorns, t.e.g., others uncut, neatly rebacked preserving spine (slightly rubbed), c.180 x 110mm., 1892, 8vo (2)

Middle East.- Sherley (Sir Antony) Sir Anthony Sherley his Relation of his Travels into Persia, first edition, title with loss to upper corner and paper repair (affecting one letter of text, supplied in ink manuscript), ink manuscript date to A4 and few instances of underlining or passage-marking, K1 tiny rust-hole within text, printed side-notes a few times cropped, few neat repairs, mostly to margins but affecting few letters to Sig. K, ex-library copy with bookplate, small ink-stamp to title, later morocco, quite worn, g.e., [STC 22424], small 4to, for Nathaniell Butter and Joseph Bagset, 1613. *** First edition of this important Elizabethan work on Persia. This copy is without the portrait of Sherley, which is seldom found with the book and appears to have been issued separately. Sherley left Venice in 1599 with his brother Robert and John Manwaring, journeying to Persia with the intention of promoting Persian trade with England. He returned to Europe in 1608 as an envoy of the Shah.

Kelmscott Press.- Morris (William) The Story of the Glittering Plain, one of 250 copies on paper, printed in red and black, 23 wood-engraved illustrations after designs by Walter Crane, ornamental woodcut borders and initials by William Morris, original limp vellum, silk ties (one lacking), [Peterson A221], 4to, Kelmscott Press, 1894.*** "This has the odd distinction of being the only title printed twice... Morris was so eager to get the first edition [i.e. 1891] into print that he would not wait for Crane's illustrations" but later related by Morris's secretary Sydney Cockerell that "Morris was no less dissatisfied than [Philip] Webb with Crane's illustrations to his Glittering Plain & thought this volume his one Kelmscott Press Failure" (Peterson).

Botany.- Ruel (Jean) De natura stirpium libri tres, first Basel edition, the second edition overall, woodcut printer's device to title and final otherwise blank f., woodcut historiated and decorative initials, occasional early ink marginalia, spotted, occasional light staining (including title), lightly browned, contemporary vellum, later leather label to spine, spine lightly soiled, some marking, folio, Basel, [Hieronymus Froben & Nikolaus Episcopius], [March], 1537. *** Rare second edition. The author was physician to Francis I. The text contains descriptions of about 600 plants, based on the works of Theophrastus and Pliny, with the addition of vernacular names where Ruel had been able to obtain them from locals during his plant-hunting expeditions. Literature: Adams R873; Pritzel 7885 (note); VD 16 R 3499.  

Bindings.- Olcott (Mary) Poems, first edition, bound in attractive crushed burgundy morocco, covers finely tooled in gilt with screen of flowers & leaves incorporating small cream onlays, spine titled in gilt, t.e.g., front turn-ins signed "P.M. 1910" and with "Parker Maule Leeds School of Art" in pencil on front pastedown, 1902 § Tennyson (Alfred, Lord) Tiresias and other poems, first edition, bound in crushed brown morocco, covers with three vertical leafy sprays tooled in gilt with small onlaid red hearts, t.e.g., 1885; and 2 others, similarly bound, 8vo (4)*** An attractive group of bindings in the style of T.J.Cobden-Sanderson, presumably executed by a competent trainee bookbinder at Leeds School of Art. Although the remaining bindings are unsigned the use of similar tools and onlays, and the almost identical style of lettering to the spines of three suggest that they were all bound by the same person.

Doyle (Sir Arthur Conan) My Friend the Murderer, first edition, later issue, original printed wrappers, soiled, spine darkened, chipped and repaired, cloth chemise and morocco-backed cloth slip-case, with accompanying A.L.s., New York, Lovell, Coryell & Company, 1893; and a copy in original cloth of the earlier issue, 8vo (2)*** The later issue has publisher's address in imprint as "310-318 Sixth Avenue" whilst the earlier has "5 and 7 East Sixteenth Street". The 1-page letter from the author, on Reform Club headed paper, dated November 13, 1893, complains [to a newspaper editor] "Would you have the goodness to allow me to state in your columns that the book is published without any sanction of mine, and that the tales in it were written many years ago, and were meant to have the ephemeral life that they deserve...it is slightly annoying to an author when work which he has deliberately suppressed is resuscitated against his wish". 

Christie (Agatha) Curtain: Poirot's Last Case, first edition, signed by the author, original boards, corners slightly bumped, dust-jacket (apparently supplied from another copy) a little rubbed at edges and with short tear to lower panel, lower panel a little soiled, 8vo, 1975.*** Presentation copy signed by the author in a frail hand for her secretary, amanuensis and close friend Charlotte 'Carlo' Fisher. Also with two versions of the author's initials in a similarly shaky hand. This book published in September 1975 was the last published during Christie’s lifetime and this copy must be one of the last few books signed by Christie before her death on the 12 January 1976.'Collins approached Christie for permission to published one of the two books she had written during the Blitz and kept aside as a legacy for her daughter Rosalind. After some resistance, William Collins persuaded Christie that she should have the last word with Poirot' (Wagstaff and Poole).Provenance: Charlotte 'Carlo' Fisher (small book label); Charlie Watts (his sale at Christie's, September 2023, lot 352).

Gothic novel.- Mudford (William) The Five Nights of St. Albans, 3 vol., first edition, half-titles, contemporary ink ownership inscription of Frances Price, Rhiwlas, bookplate of Richard John Lloyd Price to front pastedowns, original cloth-backed boards, paper labels to spines, Rhiwlas library reference labels to head of spines, spines a little faded, corners a little bumped, a bright and excellent set overall, 8vo, William Blackwood and T.Cadell, 1829.*** A superb example of this scarce late-gothic novel. Mudford was a noted influence on Edgar Allen Poe and the present work even received a good review from the famously stern critic William Mudford. 

Kerr (Judith) When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Betty, but for whom this book would have no illustrations! with love from Judy | 28.10.71" on front free endpaper, illustrations by the author, one or two marks to margins, light toning to endpapers, original boards, lettered in silver, slightly bumped at foot, spotting to top edge, dust-jacket, light nicks to spine ends and edges with slight chipping to laminate, lower panel chipped at top edge, very faint surface marks, light toning to top edge,  8vo, 1971. *** Betty Willingale was a BBC TV Drama Producer who worked regularly with the Judith Kerr’s husband Nigel Neal, and became a close friend of Kerr.

Greece.- Archeology.- Evans (Arthur) The Palace of Minos: a Comparative Account of the Successive Stages of the Early Cretan Civilization as Illustrated by the Discoveries at Knossos, 4 vol. in 6, first edition, plus Index vol. (reprint), together 7 vol., numerous plates (some colour), illustrations and folding maps and plans, some foxing, mainly to folding maps or plans (these also browned) occasionally to colour plates and also scattered elsewhere mainly to peripheral leaves, some hinges starting, original pictorial cloth, gilt, spines slightly discoloured with ends bumped and rubbed, likewise corners and edges with some light rubbing, t.e.g., 4to, Macmillian and Co., 1921-36.*** A complete set of this monumental work on the excavation and restoration of the ruins at Knossos on the island of Crete, which dating from the Bronze Age, is often called the oldest European city. Provenance: John Bryan Ward-Perkins (1912-81) the classical architectural historian, archeologist and director of the British School Rome [ink ownership inscriptions, 'J.B. Ward-Perkins' presumably the same]

Architecture.- Tipping (H. Avray, editor) English Homes, 9 vol., all but 3 first edition, 2 copies of Period III vol 1., very occasional light staining to some vol, ink ownership inscriptions on endpapers of 2 vol., one with bookplate of Sir S. P. M. Maryon-Wilson, original blue buckram-backed cloth, spines fading, some staining, spines and edges bumped, 4 vol. g.e, 1921-37; English Homes: Early Renaissance, vol 1 only (of 3), first edition, light foxing to endpapers, bookplate of Sir S. P. M. Maryon-Wilson on front pastedown, ink ownership inscription on half-title, original blue cloth, some staining, worn edges and corners, g.e, [1912],  folio, Country Life(11).*** A complete collection of English Homes, in varying editions, accompanied by English Homes: Early Renaissance.

India.- Fifty-One Photographic Illustrations taken by order of the Government of India of some Selected Objects...of Native Fine and Industrial Art, first edition, introduction by H.H. Cole, 51 woodburytype prints (images approximately 250 x 190mm.), mounted one to a page, printed captions beneath, some marginal soiling to first mount but plates generally clean and rich in tone, some foxing to endpapers and text leaves, hinges weak, original buckram, soiled and with splash stains, 4to, 1883.*** Fine examples of Indian art and manufactures.

Burne-Jones (Sir Edward) The Flower Book. Reproductions of Thirty Eight Watercolour Designs, first edition, number 164 of 300 copies, 38 colour plates after Burne-Jones, text printed in red and green, 4-page facsimile list of flower names at end, very light browning to free endpapers, handsome contemporary green morocco, gilt, by the W.H.Smith bindery, spine gilt in compartments, t.e.g., others uncut, preserved in the original velvet-lined drop-front green cloth box with metal catch (slightly rubbed at edges), 4to, Henry Piazza et Cie., for the Fine Art Society, 1905.*** An excellent copy of these typically Arthurian-themed Pre-Raphaelite designs executed by Burne-Jones as a form of relaxation from other projects. "The pictures in this book are not of flowers themselves, but of subjects suggested by their names...All the pictures take the same form, a circle about six inches in diameter - a kind of magic mirror in which the vision appears - and he wished them not to be separated, because, wide as is their scope, one spirit, that of pure fantasy, unites them." (Georgiana Burne-Jones in preface).

Vanvitelli (Luigi) Dichiarazione dei Disegni del Reale Palazzo di Caserta, first edition, half-title, engraved title, head- and tail-pieces and initials, 13 double-page engraved plates (of 14, lacking plate 9) by Nolli, Pozzi, Orazi and F. Morghen, some foxing and soiling, contemporary half calf, worn, folio, Naples, nella Regia Stamperia, 1756.*** Magnficent work depicting the royal residence of the Bourbons at Naples, the castle of Caserta, often considered the Italian Versailles.

Whistler (Rex) Engravings...for Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, Introduction by Anthony Rota, out-of series copy (not for sale) from an edition limited to 100 copies on hand-made paper, this one of 26 unnumbered copies with one of the original copper plates, engraved title-vignette and 25 engraved sheets comprising 12 plates, 5 maps, 4 head- & 4 tail-pieces by Rex Whistler, the 12 plates hand-coloured, loose as issued, with copper plate in recessed panel inside rear board and printer's original paper wrapping featuring the engraving mounted inside front board (soiled), a little oxidisation to plate and loose from panel, together in original half viridian morocco drop-back box, very slight discolouration to spine, large 4to, Harrison's for H.M. Fletcher, 1970.*** Whistler's illustrated version of Swift's Gulliver's Travels was his magnum opus, first published by the Cresset Press in 1930 with 195 copies on hand-made paper and 10 on vellum, and one of the most magnificent English illustrated books of the 20th century. It was apparently inspired by Richard Bentley's Designs for Six Poems by Mr T.Gray of 1753 and Whistler drew the illustrations within elaborate rococo frames, each one different, many reflecting his love of Baroque architecture. He spent months on the detailed pen and ink drawings; according to his brother Laurence he sat up all night drawing one wheatsheaf. The original copper plates were bought by bookseller H.M.Fletcher who issued this suite of the illustrations in 1970.The copper plate is for "In the lowest gallery he beholds some people fishing with long angling rods and others looking on."

Hunt (Leigh) The Story of Rimini, first edition, half-title, bookplate of Frank S.Hatch, bound in later brown morocco, gilt, by Rivière & Son, covers inlaid with red morocco shaped central panel and corner-pieces intricately tooled in gilt with pointillé volutes & circles and small gilt dots, the background with inlaid tulips and other flowers in tan & red with leafy stems in gilt, spine gilt in compartments and five raised bands, neatly rebacked preserving spine, slight wear to corners and lower joint, c.160 x 100mm., 1816 § Wilcox (Ella Wheeler) Poems of Pleasure, portrait, bound in brown morocco elaborately tooled in gilt with central wheel and fan corner-pieces against a background of small flowers and dots, by J.Bumpus Ltd., spine gilt in compartments with five raised bands, ivory silk moiré doublures & endpapers, wavy gilt-tooled turn-ins, g.e., a little faded and rubbed at edges, c.190 x 125mm., Chicago, 1897 § Epictetus. The Golden Sayings, bound in dark green morocco blocked in gilt with decorative strapwork design against a hatched background, by Rivière & Son, spine gilt in compartments, inner gilt dentelles, g.e., joints rubbed, c.155 x 100mm., 1920, 8vo et infra (3)

Joyce (James) Finnegans Wake, first edition, slight foxing to front free endpaper, original cloth, slight bumps to corners, dust-jacket nibbled at foot of spine and part of bottom edge of upper panel, some repaired tears, two small scores to lower panel, small hole to fold of front flap, a few minor marks, not price-clipped, overall a very good copy, 8vo, 1939.*** A very good copy of Joyce's final complete prose work.

Spain.- Escosura (Patricio de la) España Artística y Monumental, 3 vol., first edition, additional lithographed title and 143 tinted lithographed plates, text in double-column of Spanish and French, tissue-guards, plates with publisher's subtle embossed stamp, few very small marginal nicks or tears, some light marginal soiling, scattered foxing, creasing to first few leaves vol. 2 and endpapers, armorial bookplate of Sir C.C.W. Domvile Bart., ex-library copy with bookplate, small ink-stamp to titles, contemporary red half morocco, spines tooled in gilt, small library sticker to foot of spines, extremities quite worn, g.e., [Palau 82011], folio, Paris, Alberto Hauser, 1842-50.

India.- Watson (John Forbes) The Textile Manufactures and the Costumes of the People of India, first edition, 12 plates, of which 9 mounted composite albumen prints (8 hand-coloured), 2 lithographed and one chromolithographed, title with shallow chipping to fore-edge, loss to few blank corners of text leaves, some light soiling, ex-library copy with bookplates, small ink-stamp to title, modern library cloth, folio, Printed for the India Office, by Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1866.

America.- Mante (Thomas) The History of the Late War in North-America, and the Islands of the West-Indies, 1 vol. bound in 2, first edition, errata f. at end, 17 folding engraved maps and plans only (of 18), of which 8 linen-backed, few very small ink marks and some soiling to title, *3D1 small repair to lower margin, few early ink corrections to text, linen-backed maps with corners clipped, some tears at folds and into image repaired with very small loss, few maps trimmed, some light offsetting and browning, surface soiling and spotting, ex-library copies with bookplate, small ink-stamp to title, modern half morocco, spine gilt, map vol. in modern cloth with library label to upper cover, [Sabin 44396], 4to, for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1772. *** An important contemporary account of the French and Indian Wars. "It is probable that but few were printed" (Sabin). The second volume contains 8 of the folding maps, all linen-backed. 

Beechey (Capt. Frederick William) and others. The Zoology of Captain Beechey's Voyage...to the Pacific and Behring's Straits Performed in His Majesty's Ship Blossom...In the Years 1825-28, first edition, half-title, 44 hand-coloured engraved plates after E. Lear, G.B. and J.D.C. Sowerby and J.C. Zeitter, 3 hand-coloured geological plans and elevations, of which one folding, p.*13 tear repaired affecting some letters, few other short marginal tears, few plate numerals slightly cropped, occasional light soiling, light spotting to few plates, some foxing to text, bookplate of John Stansfeld, ex-library copy with bookplate, shelfmarks to title, ink-stamp to title and plates, 19th century green half morocco, spine slightly darkened with small library sticker to foot, spine and extremities rubbed, t.e.g., [Hill 96; Nissen IVB 961 & ZBI 285; Sabin 71032; Wood p. 229], 4to, Henry G. Bohn, 1839. *** An important collection noted for its striking hand-coloured plates of birds, reptiles, mammals, fishes, crustacea &tc. The 2 plates of mammals and 12 of birds are after Edward Lear.

Cornwell (Bernard) Sharpe's Gold, original typescript with autograph corrections by the author, c.300 pp. with numerous autograph corrections and taped over 'B' pages of corrections, loose in box, this with signed presentation inscription "Andrew Gardner L & K Bernard" on upper lid (slightly torn along perforated edge and to one corner), few finger-soiling marks, 1980; and a first edition copy of the book, also with signed presentation inscription from the author "for Margaret and Andrew, all love, Judy and Bernard Cornwell | Publication Day, Sept 17th 1981" on front free endpaper, additionally signed on title, 1981, v.s. (2) *** A unique dedication copy of the original typescript of Sharpe's Gold. See previous lot for details. 

Melville (Herman) Moby Dick or the Whale, first Rockwell Kent edition, half-title, IE Exeter Bookbinders "Certificate of Authenticity" leather label to rear pastedown, modern white morocco lettered in gilt on spine and upper cover, upper cover with onlayed prosthetic eye and leather eyelid blind-stamped design replicated the gaze of the whale, 8vo, New York, 1930. *** This copy number 21 from the binder's limited edition of 100 copies.

Voyages.- Anson (George) A Voyage round the World, first edition, list of subscribers, 42 folding engraved plates and maps, a couple with tears/holes, some light soiling and offsetting, later half calf, rubbed, spine ends worn, 4to, Printed for the Author; by John and Paul Knapton, 1748.

Seneca (Lucius Annaeus) Tragoediae, edited by Girolamo Avanzi, collation: a4 b-z8 A-D8 E4, woodcut printer's device to title and verso of final f., initial spaces with guide-letters, o2 lower margin little chipped, t2 small repair to lower margin, water-stained, spotting or mostly light foxing, occasional very small wormholes, lightly browned, later vellum, spine gilt and with black morocco label, little marked, 8vo (162 x 88mm.), [Venice], [House of Aldus & Andrea Torresani], [October, 1517].  *** First Aldine edition, here with ‘Seneca’ misspelt on title. Avanzi was professor of philosophy at Padua.Provenance: ‘Purchased March, 1960, Alan G. Thomas’ (pencil note to rear endpaper).Literature: Adams S903; Ahmanson-Murphy 155; Renouard 80:4; EDIT 16 CNCE 37581.

Wodehouse (P.G.) Tales of St Austin's, first edition, first issue without closing quotation marks on title, 2pp. advertisements, bookplate of James Heineman, light foxing on endpapers and first few pages, the odd spot on fore-edge, original pictorial cloth, split down lower joint, nicks and fraying to spine ends, 1cm split down upper joint of spine head, still overall a sharp example, 8vo, 1903.

Adams (Douglas) The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, first edition, signed by the author on upper inner wrapper, The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy LP purchase slip from the publisher loosely inserted, the fractional marks to extremities, otherwise fine, almost mint, 8vo, 1979. *** The true first edition of this keystone of 20th century sci-fi literature, rare in commerce, especially signed in this exceptional condition.The conceit was originally a radio series, broadcast in 1978 on BBC Radio 4, with Adams later developing the Hitchhiker's Guide into a "trilogy" of five books which sold more than fifteen million copies during his lifetime. Soon after this paperback release, the first hardback edition was released by Arthur Barker Publishers, noted by collectors for its appearance or lack of the "Capricorn One" advert on the rear panel.

Dahl (Roald) Fantastic Mr Fox, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "Alastair, love Roald Dahl 1971" on front free endpaper, pastedowns a little speckled, otherwise internally fine, original pictorial cloth, brightly gilt, one or two marks, dust-jacket priced $3.95 on upper flap, light chips to extremities, very fragile splitting along joints but holding firm, a few splash marks to lower panel, light speckled discolouration and toning on spine, but overall a sharp and unrestored example of a very fragile jacket, 4to, New York, Knopf, 1970. *** A lesser-known Dahl association.At the age of only 4 months, Dahl's son Theo was hit by a taxi in New York City in 1960 and developed hydrocephalus, a build up of fluid on the brain. The usual shunt that was initially inserted was causing ongoing issues, and Dahl was determined to fix the medical issue. He approached Stanley Wade, a toymaker who specialized in making small hydraulic pumps that supplied fuel to model airplane engines. Meanwhile Theo’s treatment was taken over by paediatric neurosurgeon Kenneth Till at Great Ormond Street Hospital who invited both Dahl and Wade in his operating room so they could see how the shunts were used in clinical practice. Together, they designed a new shunt for the ventricular catheter and a valve for the treatment of hydrocephalus in young children – still used and known as the Wade-Dahl-Till valve.Inscribed to Kenneth Till's son as a thank you for the collaborative work. 

Wilde (Oscar) The Sphinx, first edition, one of 200 copies, printed in green, red and black, illustrations and decorations by Charles Ricketts, original pictorial vellum, gilt, designed by Ricketts, uncut, lightly spotted and soiled, [Mason 361; Ray 262], 4to, 1894.*** Scarce first edition of one of the landmarks of 1890s book production, overseen at the author's request by his friend the artist and typographer Charles Ricketts. Ricketts considered the designs for the illustrations and the vellum binding amongst his best illustrative work. 

India.- Hendley (Thomas Holbein) The Rulers of India and the Chiefs of Rajputana, 1550 to 1897, first edition, 26 plates, of which 18 colour, frontispiece and title (with short tear to inner margin) detached, ink stamp to front free endpaper, hinges reinforced, original pictorial cloth, gilt, small repair to upper joint at head otherwise a very good copy, folio, W. Griggs, 1897.

Martialis (Marcus Valerius) Martialis, collation: A-Z8 &8, italic type, initial spaces with guide-letters, &7 colophon recto otherwise blank, lacking final blank, some spotting, lightly browned, 20th century brown straight-grain morocco, spine in compartments and with gilt title and date, little rubbed and marked, g.e., 8vo (157 x 95mm.), [Venice], [Aldus Manutius], [December, 1501].  *** First Aldine edition, and one of Aldus' first pocket editions of the classics. Provenance: Charles George Milnes Gaskell (1842-1919), English lawyer and Liberal Party politician (oval gilt armorial book label to front pastedown); 'Rare. Coll & Perf. Acheson, 1824' (ink inscription to front free endpaper); Philip C. Duschnes Rare Books (gilt book label to rear pastedown). Literature: Adams M689; Ahmanson-Murphy 47; Renouard 30:7; EDIT 16 CNCE 36108.

Waugh (Evelyn) Brideshead Revisited, third edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "Diana from Evelyn | Sournir de Paris, Londres, Bogna, Edinly, Glasgow, Birmingham... partout, tourjous | April 1946" on front free endpaper, foxing and spotting to first few pages and endpapers, slight mottling to rear endpapers, fore-edge spots with the odd creeping onto margin, original cloth, light surface marks, extremities bumped, 8vo, 1945.*** A presentation copy of one of Waugh's most celebrated works to one of his longest-standing companions, Lady Diana Cooper. 

Colour printing.- Byrne (Oliver) The First Six Books of the Elements of Euclid, first edition, colour-printed illustrations, criblé initials, foxed throughout, original cloth, lettered in gilt on upper cover, corners worn, covers detached and spine defective, g.e., 4to, William Pickering, 1847.*** An icon of Victorian book design, considered 'one of the oddest and most beautiful books of the whole century' (McLean).

Mycology.- Micheli (Pietro Antonio) Nova Plantarum Genera iuxta Tournefortii Methodum Diposita, first edition, title in red and black with engraved vignette, engraved initials, head- and tail-pieces, 108 plates, small stain to H1 causing small hole with slight loss of text, contemporary calf, spine gilt, rubbed, head od spine nicked, [Hunt 480; Nissen BBI 1363; Stafleu & Cowan 5974], 4to, Florence, Bernardi Paperini, 1729.*** A very good copy of this important work by the "father of modern mycology." Stafleu calls this is "the best work on fungi produced in the late Tornefort era, from a systematic point of view as well as from a general biological standpoint." In this work he gives "descriptions of 1900 plants, of which about 1400 were described for the first time. Among these were 900 fungi and lichens, accompanied by 73 plates. He included information on 'the planting, origin and growth of fungi, mucors, and allied plants,' and was the first to point out that fungi have reproductive bodies or spores." Provenance: Coward College Library (bookplate); Arpad Plesch (book label).

Dahl (Roald) Danny Champion of the World, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To all Tills everywhere, love Roald | 1976" on front free endpaper, illustrations by Jill Bennett, original cloth-backed boards, fore-edge lightly spotted, light surface marking on boards, dust-jacket, spine faded, extremities very lightly bumped, overall excellent, New York, Knopf, 1975. *** A lesser-known Dahl association.Inscribed to the Till family, of Kenneth Till, the paediatric neurosurgeon who collaborated with Dahl to invent the medical apparatus known as the Wade-Dahl-Till valve.See previous lot for more details. 

Austen (Jane) Novels, 5 vol., first American collected edition, engraved frontispiece to each vol., tissue guards, lacking half-titles, vol.4 (MP) E1&2 tear at lower inner corner, within text, but without loss, some spotting or staining (including to margin of frontispiece of P&P), lightly browned, a few hinges split or splitting, contemporary dark pink calf, gilt, spines in compartments, spines faded and lacking labels, vol.1 upper cover detached, vol.2-4 piece from head of spine, all vol. corners worn, rubbed and scuffed, [Gilson pp.228-229], 8vo, London & Boston, Richard Bentley & Little, Brown, and Company, 1853. *** Rare first American collected edition, using the sheets of the 1851 London edition with cancel titles. 

Graves (Robert) Good-Bye to All That, first edition, first issue, frontispiece, plates, original cloth, light toning to spine, dust-jacket, price-clipped, spine browned, spine ends and corners a little chipped, splits to joints and fore-edge repaired on verso, a few short repaired tears to head and foot with light creasing, light toning and surface soiling, 8vo, 1929.*** The first issue, with the reference to Spiritualism on p. 290 and the unauthorised transcription of a poem from Sassoon to Graves on pp. 341-3, subsequently removed at Sassoon's request and reintroduced in the second edition.

Voyages.- Australia.- Flinders (Matthew) A Voyage to Terra Australis, 3 vol. including Atlas, first edition, text with 9 engraved plates after William Westall, lacking half-titles and final 2 leaves to vol. 2, vol. 1 title with few marginal chips and laid down, both titles with some old creases and repairs, one plate loose to vol. 2, plates lightly browned with some marginal damp-staining, modern half calf, Atlas with 16 charts, of which 9 double-page, 2 double-page coastal profiles and 10 botanical plates, first chart with chips to margins repaired, second with repair to foot of central fold, another cropped at head, one plate with repaired tear into image without loss, some reinforcement and repairs to gutter, occasional light marginal browning, modern cloth (little soiled), text and Atlas with few small marginal chips or tears repaired, some offsetting, some surface soiling, generally light, ex-library copies with bookplate, small ink-stamp to titles and plates and charts (including to Atlas), [Hill 614; Sabin 24758], 4to & large folio, W. Bulmer and Co., 1814. *** Flinders' monumental work of Australian exploration, documenting the first circumnavigation of Australia.

Laetus (Julius Pomponius) Romanae historiae compendiumab interitu Gordiani Iunioris usque ad Iusti num. III, collation: a-p4, 60 ff., 28 lines, Roman type, woodcut vine initials, a few ff. with early ink marginalia, manicules or lines marked, upper corners water-stained, occasional spotting or light marking, 19th century polished calf, gilt, small 20th century label to lower inner corner of upper cover, small piece missing from head of spine, rubbed and scuffed, g.e., 4to (201 x 148mm.), Venice, Bernardinus Venetus, de Vitalibus, 23 April, 1499. *** First edition of this Roman History, which also includes a life of the author by Marcantonio Sabellico. The Italian humanist Laetus ran a notorious academy at Rome, which often came under the scrutiny of the Papal authorities. Charges brought against him personally or his academicians included sodomy, paganism, heresy and conspiracy against the Pope.Provenance: 'Cat. Bought May 1903, H.J.F. ' (ink inscription to front free endpaper); Wigan Public Library (large bookplate to front pastedown and blind-stamp to first two and the last ff.).Literature: BMC V, 549; Goff L-24; HC 9830*; GW M16694; Bod-inc L-019; BSB-Ink P-683; ISTC il00024000.

Dahl (Roald) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, first edition, first issue with the six line colophon, fifth line reading "Paper manufactured by S. D. Warren and Co.", signed bookplate by the author laid down on title, illustrations by Joseph Schindelman, some adhesion marking to front pastedown, original cloth, dustjacket, repairs and restorations to head and foot, small hole repair on spine, but in effect a near fine example, 8vo, New York, 1964.

*** Please note, the description of this lot has changed ***China.- [Attiret (Jean Denis)] A particular Account of the Emperor of China's Gardens near Pekin, first English edition, translated by Sir Harry Beaumont [Joseph Spence], lacks half-title, repair to title margin, endpaper detached, modern cloth with paper label to upper cover, [Henrey 427; Hunt 543], 8vo, Printed for R. Dodsley, 1752.*** Description of the Emperor Ch'ien Lung's summer palace outside Beijing, by a Jesuit missionary. The Chinese style became popular in England in the late 18th century for garden pavilions and rustic architecture, mainly as a result of such works. Rare, the only copy sold at auction in the last 40 years was the Rothamsted copy in these rooms in July 2018 (£900).

Chandler (Raymond) The Lady in the Lake, first Black Widow Thriller edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Joe Messick on front free endpapers, endpapers toned, original blind-stamped boards, spine lightly faded, dust-jacket, the odd spot to panels, light chipping and creasing to spine ends and extremities, 8vo, New York, 1948.*** Scarce signed, inscribed to the husband of Chandler's secretary Juanita Messick. 

Spain.- Goury (M. Jules) and Owen Jones. Plans, Elevations, Sections and Details of the Alhambra, 2 vol., first edition, additional chromolithographed titles, 102 plates, of which 67 chromolithographed, 2 hand-coloured plans and rest uncoloured (1 folding, 3 double-page), occasional very light offsetting, some very slight marginal toning and surface soiling, ex-library copy with bookplate, small ink-stamp to titles, 19th century dark red half morocco, spines with library sticker to foot, chipping to spine foot vol. 1, rubbed with wear to spines and corners, g.e., [Abbey, Travel 156], folio, Owen Jones, 1842-45.

England.- Ackermann (Rudolph publisher) The History of the Colleges of Winchester, Eton, and Westminster, first edition, 48 hand-coloured aquatint plates by Westall, Bluck, and others, list of subscribers, bookplates of James Foster Wadmore on front pastedown, offsetting and scattered foxing, contemporary green morocco, gilt, gilt spine in compartments, slightly rubbed, g.e. [Abbey Scenery 438; Tooley 3], 4to, Rudolph Ackermann, 1816.

Architecture.- Fortification.- Bisset (Charles) The Theory and Construction of Fortification, first edition, list of subscribers, 15 folding engraved plates, contemporary red straight-grain morocco, gilt, g.e., 4to, Printed for the Author, 1751.*** A beautiful copy. 

Fleming (Ian) You Only Live Twice, first edition, signed by the author "from Ian F." on front free endpaper, original boards with Japanese characters in gilt to upper cover, spine lettered in silver, one or two very light surface marks, dust-jacket, very light nicks to spine ends, light nicks to corners and a small hole to upper flap joint, one or two light spots to panels, still overall an excellent and sharp example, 8vo, 1964.*** The final James Bond book published in Fleming's lifetime. Scarce signed.

West Indies.- Jamaica.- Hakewill (James) A Picturesque Tour of the Island of Jamaica, from Drawings Made in the Years 1820 and 1821, first edition, 21 hand-coloured aquatint plates,  engraved by Sutherland, Clarke, or Fielding after Hakewill's drawings, tissue guards (some creased and foxed), plates clean and bright, margins slightly browned, plate watermarked J. Whatman Turkey Mill 1832, later half morocco, gilt panelled spine, [Abbey, Travel 683 (in parts); Sabin 29591; Tooley 240], sm. folio, Hurst and Robinson, 1825.*** A good copy with plates depicting views, landmarks and plantations in Jamaica, originally issued in 7 parts in 1824-25.  The text is of interest, giving information on slavery, trade, the planter families and other aspects of life on the island collected by the author on his visit. 

Melville (Herman) Omoo, first American edition, map frontispiece, 9pp. advertisements at end only (of 24pp.), ownership inscription in pencil of Lemuel Shaw, Melville's father-in-law, on front free endpapers, light smudging to endpapers, contemporary half calf, rebacked, extremities rubbed, 1847; and a copy of the first English edition, published a few months before, in later half-calf, 8vo (2) *** An excellent association copy, owned by Melville’s father-in-law, and the dedicatee of his first book, Typee. On 4the August 1847, Melville married Elizabeth, daughter of Lemuel Shaw, then Chief Justice of Massachusetts. Melville had first asked her father, Lemuel Shaw, for her hand in March, but was at first turned down at the time. Shaw had been a close friend of Melville's father, and Shaw's marriage with the author’s aunt Nancy was prevented only by her death, though his closeness to the family and financial support continued after his death. Melville dedicated his first book, Typee, to him. Arvin suggests that Melville's interest in Lizzie may have been stimulated by "his need of Judge Shaw's paternal presence".

Furniture.- Chippendale (Thomas) The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, second edition, title in red and black, engraved dedication leaf, 4pp. list of subscribers, 161 engraved plates, plate 26 bound upside-down, lacking half-title, some foxing and mostly marginal toning and soiling, title and final plate browned at edges, title with marginal repairs, contemporary blind-stamped reversed calf, worn, rebacked, folio, Printed by J. Haberkorn...for the Author, 1755.*** A very good copy overall of this landmark work of funiture design, first published a year earlier. The subscribers form a veritable who's who of contemporary cabinet-makers, joyners, carvers, upholders and enamellers inter alia.

Kafka (Franz) The Metamorphosis, translated by A.L. Lloyd, first edition in English, bookplate, original cloth-backed boards, very light rubbing to spine ends, otherwise excellent and extremely sharp, 8vo, paper label to upper cover, Parton Press, 1937. *** Kafka's most celebrated work in sharp condition. 

Churchill (Sir Winston Spencer) The Story of the Malakand Field Force, first edition, first issue (without errata slip), half-title, plates and maps, 32pp. publisher's catalogue at end undated, occasional foxing, original green cloth, a few marks but generally an excellent copy, [Woods A1a], 8vo, 1898.

India.- Wilkins (Sir Charles, translator) The Bhagvat-Geeta, or Dialogues of Kreeshna and Arjoon, first edition, title and few leaves at beginning and end reinforced at gutter, some spotting and light soiling, ex-library copy with bookplate, small ink-stamp to title, later library cloth, rebacked in modern cloth, covers very slightly bowed and little rubbed, 4to, for C. Nourse, 1785. *** The first direct translation of the Gita, the most revered text in Hinduism, into any Western language. Wilkins (1739-1846) was a pioneering Sanskrit scholar and co-founder of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. A printer by trade, he was instrumental in creating the first typeface for the Bengali language.

Whiston (William) A New Theory of the Earth, first edition, engraved frontispiece, 5 engraved illustrations, 7 plates, trimming to foot of plate 4, errata f. at end, light toning, very occasional surface-soiling, minor paper flaws, with very few losses to lower margin, chip to outer margin Y4, impacting side note, text amendments to N1r, tear to P1 upper margin, touching text, ink inscription to endpaper, contemporary panelled calf, rebacked, spine gilt, rubbed at corners, [Wing W1696], 8vo, by R. Roberts, for Benj. Tooke, 1696.