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Click here to subscribeBeer and coffee.- Lightbody (James) Every Man His Own Gauger ... to which is added The Art of Brewing Beer . . . together with The Compleat Coffee-Man, ?first edition, title within ruled woodcut border, tables, occasional spotting, 19th century roan, [Wing L2048; cf. Simon 959 & 960], 12mo, printed for G.C. at the Ring in Little-Brittain, price 1s, [?1695].⁂ Rare, we can trace only a handful of copies at auction, ESTC lists 3 copies only in the UK.
[Godfrey (Michael)] A Short Account of the Bank of England, 8pp., the full sheet folded to quarto, last f. repaired at foot, light discolouration, creasing, disbound, unopened, preserved in custom chemise, [cf. Goldsmiths 3118; Wing G925A], 4to, [c.1695].⁂ A seemingly unrecorded variant with 8pp. as per. G925 but without an imprint and folded into quarto as opposed to folio.Michael Godfrey (1658 - 1695) helped establish the Bank of England in 1694 and was elected its first deputy governor later the same year. He was tragically killed the next year while visiting the king during the siege of Namur when he was hit by a stray cannonball from the besieged town. Godfrey wrote the present work to reassure the public over that the new endeavour "is one of the best Establishments that was ever made for the Good of the Kingdom."
Robinson (Thomas) New Observations on the Natural History of This World of Matter, and This World of Life: in two parts, being a philosophical discourse, grounded upon the Mosaick system of the creation, the flood, to which are added some thoughts concerning paradise, the conflgration of the World, and a treatise of meteorology..., first edition, 2 folding engraved plates, 2pp. advertisements, a crisp, clean copy, contemporary panelled calf, neat and sympathetic repairs to head of spine and corners, [Wing R1719], 8vo, for John Newton at the Three Pigeons over against the Inner-Temple-gate in Fleet-street, 1696.⁂ 'Robinson became entangled in controversies about the origins, structure and fate of the earth. His brief 'Anatomy of the Earth' (1694) was expanded into 'New Observations on the Natural History of This World of Matter and This World of Life' (1696). The earth is portrayed as a living animal in an engaging but dated alchemical and mystical model which features 'animal spirits' flowing within, a central fire, and a variety of 'damps' exuded to cause earthquakes, volcanoes, and winds. Living organisms are considered to be capable of generation from dead matter, fossils not to have live origins, and metals to be capable of transmutation. Divine providence is represented as being evident in all the natural processes and structures described, which were designed to benefit mankind.' - DNB.
Jeake (Samuel) Logistikhlogia, or Arithmetick surveighed and reviewed, title within double-ruled woodcut border, woodcut diagrams and tables, large folding mathematical table (with neatly repaired tear), lacking initial advertisement f., a very good, clean copy, ink ownership inscription to endpaper, contemporary panelled calf, sympathetically rebacked retaining much of original backstrip, [Wing J499], folio, by J.R. and J.D. for Walter Kettilby at the Bishops-Head in St. Paul's Church-Yard, and Richard Mount on Tower-Hill, near the Postern, 1696.⁂ A very good copy of Jeake's first published work. Jeake (1623-90) was a puritan, non-conformist antiquary who wrote extensively on arithmetic, theology, astrology and various antiquarian matters, none of his works was published in his lifetime. This work was edited by Samuel Jeake the younger, best known for his attempts to build a flying machine and other eccentric schemes. Provenance: John Lamb (ink ownership inscription).
Astronomy.- Huygens (Christiaan) The Celestial Worlds Discover'd: or, Conjectures concerning the Inhabitants, Plants and Productions of the Worlds in the Planets, first English edition, 5 engraved plates, all but one folding, small hole to third plate, affecting image, very occasional scattered spotting, but a very good, clean copy overall, library label to pastedown, contemporary calf, gilt 'EB' monogram to covers, rebacked and recornered, rubbed, [Honeyman 1732; Wing 3859], 8vo, printed for Timothy Childe at the White Hart at the west-end of St. Paul's Church-yard, 1698.⁂ First English edition of Huygens's treatise on the planets published the same year as the Latin edition, and including his ideas on the possibility of extraterrestrial life.Provenance: Elizabeth Scott, Duchess of Buccleuch (1743 - 1827, monogram stamps to covers).
Mines.- Waller (William) An Essay on the Value of the Mines, Late of Sir Carbery Price, first edition, 2 folding woodcut plates, title detached, faint ink stamp to title, partially erased, final f. chipped and with 2 repairs to verso, spotted and browned, a few neat ink numberings to front free endpaper, lacking rear endpaper, contemporary panelled calf, contemporary calf, gilt, rebacked, corners chipped, [Wing W552A; Goldsmiths 3480; Kress 2102; Sabin 101116], 8vo, 1698.
Savery (Thomas) Navigation Improv'd or the art of rowing ships of all rates, in calms, with a more easy, swift and steady motion also a description of the engine that performs it, first edition, folding engraved plate, engraved illustrations, with final advertisement f., browning, pencil note to pastedown, 20th century crushed cyan morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, light rubbing to joints, [Wing S773], small 4to, printed and sold by James Moxon, at the Atlas in Warwick-Lane, 1698.⁂ First edition of this early work by Savery, rare complete with the folding plate. The machine described by Savery here is a mechanism involving paddle-wheels and a capstan to allow automated rowing of ships. Ultimately the invention would be dismissed by the Admiralty on the advice of Edward Dummer, whose criticisms the author here attempts to answer. Provenance: C. E. Kenney (pencil note).
Comparative morphology.- Tyson (Edward) Orang-Outang, sive Homo Sylvestris; or, the Anatomy of a Pygmie, 2 parts in 1, first edition, 8 folding engraved plates (bound after second item), imprimatur f. bound after title, advertisement f. and additional blank f. bound mid-way through Preface, ink library stamp to title, pi3, L4 and O4, G2 with tear running into text, [Wing T3598; PMM 169; Garrison & Morton 153 and 300; Osler 4138; Waller 9727], for Thomas Bennet and Daniel Brown, 1699, bound with an extract from the second edition, together 2 works in 1 vol., spotting, occasional short tears to margins, 19th century calf, lower cover detached, upper cover becoming loose, rubbed, 4to.⁂ "The first really important work on comparative morphology....Tyson compared the anatomy of man and monkeys and between the two he placed the chimpanzee, which he regarded as the typical pygmy. This was the origin of the idea of a 'missing link' in the ascent of man from the apes" (Garrison and Morton).This copy includes the third part of the second edition, covering the anatomy and description of the rattle snake, musk hog and round worm with the plates, not originally included in the first edition.
Buccaneers.- Hacke (William, editor) A Collection of Original Voyages: I. Capt. Cowley's Voyage Round the Globe. II. Captain Sharp's Journey over the Isthmus of Darien, and Expedition into the South Seas, Written by himself. III. Capt. Wood's Voyage thro' the Streights of Magellan. IV. Mr. Roberts's Adventures among the Corsairs of the Levant; his Account of their Way of Living; Description of the Archipelago Islands, Taking of Scio, &c. London, first edition, title within double-ruled woodcut border, 3 engraved folding maps by Herman Moll (folding world map tipped onto A8 fore-edge) and 3 engraved plans, 3pp. advertisements at end, D8 blank outer margin foreshortened, bookplate to front free endpaper, contemporary half calf, sympathetically rebacked, [Blackmer 771; Sabin 29473; Wing H168], 8vo, for James Knapton, at the Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1699.⁂ First edition of an important source book for contemporary accounts of piracy. Hacke here claims to be a buccaneer himself but was in fact a map maker based in Wapping. Provenance: William Alexander (bookplate).
Grafton (Richard) A Chronicle at Large and meere History of the affayres of Englande and Kinges of the same, 2 vol. in 1, black letter, titles within decorative woodcut borders, vol. 1 first 6 ff. and vol. 2 last 6ff. supplied from a 19th century edition, vol. 1 table misbound at start, headlines occasionally cropped or shaved, occasional staining, heavier towards start of vol. 1 and end of vol.2, a few marginal tears and repairs occasionally touching text or affecting printed side-notes, light worming towers end of vol. 2, bookplates, 19th century straight-grain dark blue morocco, light rubbing to extremities, [STC 12147], folio, Henry Denham for Richard Tottell and Humphrey Toye, 1568-9.⁂ Provenance: Sneyd Library; C. W. Dyson Perrins (bookplates).
Ascham (Roger) A Report and Discourse... of the affaires and state of Germany and the Emperour Charles his court, duryng certaine yeares while the sayd Roger was there, black letter, title within woodcut typographic border, woodcut initials and decorations, endpapers spotted, 19th-century red morocco, gilt, by Francis Bedford, small chip to head of upper joint, very light rubbing to joints, [Pforzheimer 14; STC 830], by John Daye, dwelling over Aldersgate, [?1570].⁂ A very good copy of the first edition of Ascham's account of his time in Germany as secretary to Sir Richard Morison, ambassador to the court of Emperor Charles V, which appears infrequently at auction. The report takes the form of a letter to the courtier John Astley and gives a first-hand account of events during the closing years of the Emperor's reign, before his abdications.
[Boaistuau (Pierre)], "Chelidonius Tigurinus". A most excellent Hystorie, Of the Institution and firste beginning of Christian Princes, and the Originall of Kingdomes: Whereunto is annexed a treatise of Peace and Warre, and another of the dignitie of Mariage, first edition, black letter, title within elaborate typographical woodcut border with coat of arms of Elizabeth I to verso, woodcut historiated initials, head- and tail-pieces, occasional damp-staining, 2D1 to end (4ff.) with minor worming to text with loss to a few letters, occasional marginal staining or soiling, early ink inscriptions to title and elsewhere, disbound, loose in contemporary limp vellum (lower cover with much torn away), preserved in morocco-backed drop-back box, [STC 5113], small 4to, by H. Bynneman dvvelling in Knightrider streat, at the signe of the Marmayd, 1571.⁂ A rare work by Boaistuau, we can trace only 2 copies at auction, including this one. Pierre Boaistuau (c.1517 - 1566) was a French Renaissance humanist writer, best known for his Le Théâtre du Monde (1558).Provenance: Humphrey Warren; Geo. Mackenzies (ink inscriptions).
A CHINESE DAGGER, FIRST MILLENIUM B.C. AND TWO BRONZE SPIKES in excavated condition, the first with tapering leaf-shaped blade formed with a medial ridge and short tang; the third of tapering conical form, decorated with low raised bosses at the based and pierced for attachment to a haft; and another spike the first: 24.5 cm; 9 3/4 in overall (3)
˜TWO BURMESE DHA DAGGERS, LATE 19TH CENTURY AND TWO CEREMONIAL DAGGERS the first with curved blade decorated with silver scrolling foliage within a fuller over the greater part of its length, silver ferrule and carved ivory grip (pommel replaced); the second with plain blade, silver ferrule and ivory grip; the third a carved ivory phurba type dagger, decorated with mythical beasts and deities, and the fourth of similar form, of wood, fitted with a conical iron spike the first: 20.3 cm; 8 in blade (4)
TWO CHINESE EATING SETS, QING DYNASTY, LATE 19TH CENTURY the first with single-edged fullered blade, horn grip and silver pommel set with turquoise and coral in raised settings, (losses), in its shagreen scabbard with mounts en suite with the pommel and complete with a single chop stick (the other missing); the second with slender knife, polychrome grip, in its matching scabbard complete with chopsticks the first: 18.0 cm;7 1/8 in overall (2)
‡ A MALAYSIAN DAGGER (KRIS), LATE 19TH/20TH CENTURY, A SILVER SCABBARD FOR A BALKAN DAGGER (BICHAQ), 19TH CENTURY AND A DECORATED FIBULA the first with double-edged blade of pattern welded iron, and faceted grip with two carved panels of scrollwork; the second chased with scrolls, bouquets, a stylised cityscape, the terminal formed as a monsterhead, and complete with its suspension chain; and the third of iron, of characteristic form, decorated with gold scrollwork the first: 35.5 cm; 14 in blade (3)
˜A PERSIAN DAGGER (KHANJAR), DATED (12)57 AH, CIRCA 1842 the first with curved double-edged blade formed with a medial ridge, marine ivory hilt carved with figures in traditional dress within an architectural framework and with the date (rubbed, age cracks), in a green fabric-covered scabbard; the second with recurved blade and green stone hilt carved with a horse's head, in its scabbard, the third with wavy blade, in its engraved brass scabbard; and five further daggers the first: 26.4 cm; 10 3/8 in blade (8)
TWO MORO SWORDS (KLEWANG), LATE 19TH CENTURY the first with single-edged blade with a triangular point, finely carved angular wooden grip, in its carved wooden scabbard; the second with pattern welded single-edged blade, carved wooden hilt (the pommel with a small chip), in its carved scabbard bound with rattan the first: 52.0 cm; 20 1/2 in blade (2)
˜THREE EASTERN ARCHERS' RINGS the first perhaps Seljuk, of brass, engraved with patterns of concentric circles,with pronounced 'beak' at the front and the rear swelling slightly in the centre; the second Korean, of horn, with protruding extension and slightly pointed at the rear; and the third central Asian, of ivory (one small crack), pronounced 'beak' at the front the first: 3.5 cm; 1 3/8 in (3)
A SILVER-MOUNTED INDO-ARAB POWDER-FLASK AND TWO FURTHER INDIAN FLASKS, 19TH CENTURY the first with tightly curled metal body, the outer face encased in silver, with tapering nozzle, pivoting iron cut-off and a small suspension loop; the second of similar form, with leather-covered wooden body and turned wooden nozzle with stopper, and the third of leather-covered wood, with circular body formed with a convex outer face, studded with numerous decorative iron nails, and an iron suspension loop the first: 24.5 cm; 9 3/4 in high (3)
THREE INDIAN FLASKS, 19TH CENTURY the first of anatomical form, incised with exotic birds on the outer face; the second formed of two parallel horn bodies joined at the top by a leather collar feeding a horn nozzle; and the third formed as a flattened serpent and inlaid with minute brass discs the first: 21.5 cm; 8 1/2 in overall (3)
AN INDIAN ELEPHANT GOAD (ANCUS); A BRIDLE; A JAMBIYA AND FURTHER SMALL DAGGERS, 19TH CENTURY AND LATER the first formed entirely of iron, with slender faceted haft tapering to a sharp terminal spike, and formed with a characteristic hook at the front; the second of stiffened fabric embroidered with silver thread, fitted with an iron bit; the third North African, for the tourist market, in its scabbard; a small Indian dagger formed entirely of iron, with recurved knuckle-guard terminating in a bud-shaped finial; four further small daggers; and a box of dress studs the first: 51.7 cm; 20 3/8 in overall (9)
TWO ARAB DAGGERS (JAMBIYA), LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY each with broad curved blade formed with a medial ridge on each face, the first with horn grip applied with chased brass, in a scabbard and the second with horn grip fitted with a chased silver band at the base the first: 20.5 cm; 8 in overall (2)
TWO SPANISH CUP-HILT RAPIERS, LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURIES the first with tapering blade of flattened-hexagonal section, stamped with a bladesmith's mark within a short fuller on each face (indistinct), iron hilt comprising cup-guard with roped brim, a pair of straight quillons with moulded button-shaped terminals, knuckle-guard en suite, compressed bun-shaped pommel, and cord-bound grip (rusted throughout); the second with tapering blade of flattened-diamond section, with traces of a bladesmiths signature within a short fuller on each face, iron hilt comprising cup-guard engraved with a panel of scrollwork beneath a panel of openwork scrolling foliage, roped brim, embossed guardapolvo, a single straight quillon with button-terminal (the other missing), knuckle-guard en suite, and engraved bun-shaped pommel the first: 100.0 cm; 39 3/8 in blade (2)
A GERMAN ARMING SWORD, DATED 1703; A CONTINENTAL SMALL-SWORD, CIRCA 1780 AND A FRENCH MODEL 1817 EPÉE FOR AN OFFICER OF THE ROYAL GUARD the first with straight blade double-edged towards the point (rusted), struck with the bladesmith's mark, the crowned letters 'OW' above the date, iron hilt including a pair of straight quillons, outer ring-guard previously fitted with a sprung-in plate (now missing), thumb-loop, and natural staghorn grips; the second with hollow-triangular blade, iron hilt pierced with openwork designs (incomplete, rusted), and spirally carved grip; the third with hollow-triangular blade (rusted), brass hilt of regulation type (quillon missing) and wooden grip (binding missing) the first: 67.4 cm; 26 ½ in blade (3)
A RONDEL DAGGER IN FIRST HALF OF THE 15TH CENTURY STYLE, LATE 19TH/20TH CENTURY with tapering blade formed with a reinforced point, iron hilt of characteristic form including engraved circular disc-pommel, the grip formed in imitation of twigs, in its iron-mounted leather-covered scabbard including locket with button for a belt 26.7 cm; 10 5/8 in blade
AN 1897 PATTERN INFANTRY OFFICER'S SWORD, SIX BAYONETS, A FRENCH MODEL 1816 INFANTRY SHORTSWORD AND A MALAYSIAN DAGGER (KRIS) the first with etched regulation blade decorated with scrolling foliage, VR crowned, signed 'Knight, Cornhill, London' and with the owner's monogram, regulation hilt, in its plated scabbard, complete with its cover and field service scabbard; the bayonets comprising three socket bayonets with hollow-ground triangular-section blades, three further bayonets, the 'coupe choux' dated 1836 and with Châtellerault arsenal inscription and the kris with long double-edged blade and later grip, and a leather holster the first: 81.0 cm; 31 7/8 in blade (10)
TWO GEORGIAN TRUNCHEONS OR SHORT STAVES, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY, THE FIRST ALDERBURGH AND THE SECOND ESSEX, each of turned hardwood and painted in polychrome with gilt details, the first inscribed 'Alderburgh', the second with coat-of-arms and '56' (small losses) 49.0 cm; 19 1/4 in and 37.0 cm; 14 1/2 in (2)
TWO VICTORIAN RAILWAY TRUNCHEONS, THE FIRST FOR THE GREAT WEST RAILWAY AND THE SECOND FOR THE LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY each of turned hardwood and painted in polychrome with gilt details, the first inscribed 'GWR', the second with the two city coats-of-arms, '75' and stamped 'Parker Holborn' on the base (small losses) 44.0 cm; 17 3/8 in and 46.0 cm; 18 1/8 in (2)
A WILLIAM IV TRUNCHEON AND ANOTHER, LATER, THE FIRST DATED 1832, AND A VICTORIAN TIPSTAFF each of turned hardwood and painted in polychrome with gilt details, the first inscribed 'J. Purchas. Mayor', dated , with the crowned Royal arms, and the arms of Cambridge and the second painted with 'WR' crowned (small losses)and the third with brass crown finial 43.0 cm; 17 in 53.5 cm; 21 1/8 in and 24.8 cm; 9 3/4 in (3)
TWO TRUNCHEONS, THE FIRST WILLIAM IV, LIVERPOOL AND THE SECOND VICTORIAN, STAFFORDSHIRE each of turned hardwood and painted in polychrome with gilt details, the first with the crowned Royal cypher, 'Liverpool' and crest, a cormorant, and the second with the crowned Stafford knot 41.0 cm; 16 1/4 in and 39.5 cm; 15 1/2 in (2)
TWO PAIRS OF CALIPERS, 17TH AND LATE18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY, PROBABLY FOR ARTILLERY of blackened iron, the first formed of a pair of straight folding arms, one fitted with a curved sliding bar passing through the other (thumb-screw missing, pitted), and with delicate filed ornament; and the second formed of a pair of curved arms of flattened section, narrowing towards the tips the first: 56.0 cm; 22 in overall (2)
‡ A FINE PUZZLE PADLOCK OF EXHIBITION QUALITY, FIRST QUARTER OF THE 19TH CENTURY, PROBABLY VIENNA formed entirely of steel, with robust pivoting hasp, the inner and outer faces each decorated with an architectural framework, complete with its key 20.5 cm; 8 in high (2) A series of related but less elaborate examples are illustrated in Thomas Hölzel's treatise, Abbildungen von Schlosserwaaren im neuesten Wiener, Pariser und Londner Geschmack, Teil 1, 1827. Padlocks with puzzles first appeared around 1800. The combination of discrete slides, flaps and bolts served to delay unwanted access. At the same time industrial mass production took over the industry with Jeremiah Chubb in England and Linus Yale in America creating designs which continue as the basis for many locks today. In the middle of the century Franz Wertheim began making fireproof safes in Vienna, with elaborate publicity stunts including setting fire to his products to demonstrate their resilience. The 20,000th Wertheim cash till was manufactured in 1869 and was celebrated by Josef Strauss's Feuerfest [fire-proof] polka.
‡ A FINE PUZZLE PADLOCK OF EXHIBITION QUALITY, FIRST QUARTER OF THE 19TH CENTURY, PROBABLY VIENNA formed entirely of steel, with robust pivoting hasp, the outer face decorated with an architectural framework incorporating a clock face with brass inlaid roman numerals, a pair of pierced block-shaped basal mouldings, complete with its key 18.0 cm; 7 1/8 in high (2) Literature The Antique Lock Collector, vol. 36, No. 1, 2014, pp. 16-22. The padlock is opened by the following procedure: set the time to a quarter past eleven o' clock, slide the diamond-shaped pointer beneath the clock up, slide the smaller rectangular plate beneath to the left, open the clock face, pull the ball next to the triangular block on the left down, pull the corresponding ball on the right down and simultaneously pull the central triangular block down, insert and turn the key, on the reverse of the lock slide the middle plate up, push the bottom bar left and release the shackle.
A SCOTTISH DRESS POWDER HORN, LATE 19TH CENTURY AND ANOTHER the first with cow horn body, hinged white metal basal cap decorated with thistle foliage and composition cabochon and a pair of rings for suspension; the second with cow horn body and white metal mounts including threaded stopper set with amber resin the first: 32.0 cm; 12 1/4 in (2)
A MINIATURE ARMSTRONG MUZZLE-LOADING GUN AND A MINIATURE FIELD GUN IN LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY STYLE, 20TH CENTURY the first formed in four stepped stages, with slender trunnions, and rounded cascable drawn-out to a button; on a stepped wooden carriage; the second with multi-stage barrel divided by turned bands, on its wooden carriage with trail and two spoked wheels the first: 29.5 cm; 11 5/8 in barrel 1.5 cm; 5/8 in bore (2)
AN EMBOSSED COPPER POWDER-FLASK BY JAMES DIXON AND ANOTHER, MID-19TH CENTURY the first decorated with a trophy-of-game and signed beneath in raised letters on the outer face, fitted with moulded nozzle with spring cut-off; the second with copper body decorated with an embossed design within a beadwork frame, with brass nozzle with spring cut-off 20.3 cm; 8 in For the first see Riling 1953, p. 214, no. 20, the same type illustrated.
A 20 BORE AUSTRIAN WHEEL-LOCK SPORTING RIFLE, FIRST QUARTER OF THE 18TH CENTURY with octagonal sighted rifled barrel, grooved tang, engraved flat lock with internal wheel, fitted with sliding pan-cover, dog and flash-guard, moulded full stock inlaid with engraved staghorn plaques, brass mounts including trigger-guard with engraved strapwork terminal (the iron parts rusted, stock chipped and worn), and a portion of its ramrod 83.8 cm; 33 in barrel
‡ A GROUP OF EIGHT MINIATURE FIREARMS, 20TH CENTURY Including two percussion pocket pistols with blued barrels and engraved brass butts, a percussion revolver with engraved gilt-brass butt, a pin-fire revolver, two further revolvers and two percussion pocket pistols the first: 1.5 cm; 5/8 in barrel (8)
‡ AN 18 BORE FLINTLOCK SPORTING GUN BY JOSEPH MANTON, LONDON, NO 1180, FOR 1800 with browned twist sighted barrels numbered beneath, case-hardened patent breeches with gold-lined barrelsmith's marks, gold lines, gold-lined vent and numbered en suite with the barrels, engraved grooved tang, signed stepped locks engraved with border ornament and on the tails, fitted with rollers, rainproof pans and cocks en suite, figured walnut half-stock, chequered grip (rubbed), engraved steel mounts including trigger-guard with pineapple finial, silver escutcheon engraved with owner's initials 'WG', and associated steel-tipped ramrod 80.8 cm; 31 ¾ in barrel Provenance Reverend William Gresley, Netherscale, Leicestershire W. W. Dowding Literature William Keith Neal and David H. L. Back, The Mantons Gunmakers, London 1966, p.228 Peter Scott Edeson 2011, Dating the Firearms of John Manton and John Manton & Son: 1789-1834, in The Antique Arms Fair Guide September 2011, pp. 37-42 William Gresley (1801-1876), a Church of England clergyman and author, was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford. He was ordained deacon in 1825 and priest the following year. Gresley's first publication was Ecclesiastes Anglicanus (1835), a treatise on the art of preaching in epistolary form. He came to much wider public notice, however, with the appearance of his first work of fiction, Portrait of an English Churchman, in 1838. The Portrait virtually founded the canon of religious and social tales by which Gresley and his fellow Tractarian and friend F. E. Paget endeavoured to popularize high-church principles. Its assertion of the catholicity of the Church of England firmly aligned him with the Tractarian movement, and it ran through numerous editions. A belligerent controversialist, Gresley published numerous books and pamphlets in defence of Tractarianism and hostile to evangelicalism. He was considered a pugnacious champion of the Tractarian movement, but never belonged to its extreme wing. He died in 1876 at Boyne Hill near Maidenhead and is buried in the churchyard there. Abridged from the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, accessed April 2018.
A 12 BORE D.B. PERCUSSION SPORTING GUN SIGNED MANTON, LONDON, BIRMINGHAM PROOF MARKS, MID-19TH CENTURY AND A 10 BORE SPORTING GUN FOR EXPORT, BIRMINGHAM PROOF MARKS, MID-19TH CENTURY the first with twist sighted barrels inscribed 'London twist' on the rib (loose, repaired), engraved breech inlaid with two platinum lines and struck with proof marks beneath, signed scroll-and border-engraved locks, figured walnut half-stock, chequered grip (rubbed), engraved iron mounts (worn), vacant German silver escutcheon and engraved fore-end cap, and brass-tipped ramrod; the second with browned twist sighted barrel, scroll-engraved breech, tang and lock, figured walnut half-stock engraved iron mounts, German silver fore-end cap and ramrod (worn, ramrod-pipe missing) the first: 84.2 cm; 33 1/4 in barrels (2)
A 54 BORE BOX-LOCK PERCUSSION POCKET PISTOL, BIRMINGHAM PROOF MARKS, MID-19TH CENTURY; A 60 BORE CONTINENTAL D.B. PIN-FIRE PISTOL, CIRCA 1870 AND A 120 BORE CONTINENTAL SIX-SHOT PIN-FIRE REVOLVER, CIRCA 1860 the first with blued turn-off barrel, scroll-engraved box-lock action and flat-sided walnut butt (trigger-guard missing); the second with octagonal barrels, folding triggers and carved butt (worn) and the third with scroll-engraved fluted barrel group, frame with loading-gate on the right, folding trigger and slender blackened butt the first: 7.2 cm; 2 7/8 in barrel (3)
‡ A PERSIAN HELMET (KULAH-KHUD) AND ARM DEFENCE (BAZU BAND), QAJAR, SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY the first with hemispherical skull formed as a devil's mask, the front embossed with a nose with an engraved bushy moustache, a pair of eyes highlighted in gold koftgari and fitted with a pair of decorated horns at the top, the apex fitted with a sharply tapering spike on a moulded base, on each side at the front with a pair of tubular plume-holders with a staple between, the latter retaining a sliding nasal-bar secured by a thumb-screw, the base of the skull encircled with a series of inscriptions in gold koftgari frames, and mail neck-defence of butted iron and brass links; and the second of gutter-shaped form, pointed at the elbow, retaining its wrist-plates joined by mail of butted links, engraved and with gold koftgari en suite 34.0 cm; 13 3/8 in high, the kulah khud 38.0 cm; 15 in the bazu band (2) The cartouches on the helmet contain Persian verses mentioning heroes from the Shahnama (including Dara, Iskandar, Rustam, Bahram). A number of similarly decorated helmets are preserved in the Royal Collection and the Royal Armouries, Leeds.
‡ A PERSIAN HELMET (KULAH-KHUD) AND SHIELD (DHAL), QAJAR, SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY of burnished iron, the first with hemispherical skull formed as a devil's mask, the front embossed with a nose with an engraved bushy moustache, a pair of eyes highlighted in gold koftgari and fitted with a pair of decorated horns at the top, the apex fitted with a sharply tapering spike on a moulded base, on each side at the front with a pair of tubular plume-holders with a staple between, the latter retaining a sliding nasal-bar secured by a thumb-screw, the base of the skull encircled with a series of engraved panels filled with exotic beasts within a gold koftgari framework, early padded lining, and mail neck-defence of butted iron and brass links; and the second of low convex form, decorated with an elephant and an antelope in the centre and with further cartouche-shaped panels filled with exotic beasts and huntsman all within a gold koftgari framework, the border decorated with calligraphic panels of Persian verses en suite, with an early padded lining 31.8 cm; 12 ½ in high, the kulah khud 45.0 cm; 17 ¾ in diameter, the dhal (2)
‡ A PERSIAN HELMET (KULAH-KHUD), QAJAR, FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY with hemispherical skull fitted at its apex with a sharply tapering spike on a moulded base, at the front with a pair of tubular plume-holders with a staple between, the latter retaining a sliding nasal bar secured by a thumb-screw, decorated with a band of courtly hunting scenes around the base, the mounts enriched with gold koftgari, early padded lining, and mail neck-defence of butted iron links 32.5 cm; 12 ¾ in high
‡ A 15 BORE OTTOMAN LONG FLINTLOCK HOLSTER (KUBUR) PISTOL, BALKANS, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY, PERHAPS PRIZREN OR PEC with Italian early 18th-century barrel, chiselled and gilt at the breech with flowers and foliage and struck with the gold-lined barrelsmith's marks, the muzzle sheathed in gilt copper chased with traditional scrollwork and incorporating the fore-sight, bevelled lock encrusted with gold scrollwork, the lower edge with a brief gold inlaid Turkish inscription, full stock encased in silver gilt decorated en suite with the muzzle sheath, silver spurred pommel, trigger-guard and false ramrod 38.2 cm; 15 in barrel The lock inscription reads, 'amel-i ahmed sahib isma'il aða' ("Work of Ahmed, the owner Isma'il Agha"). In the first half of the 19th century large quantities of pistols were manufactured in Prizren (now a Kosovan city and district) for export to Turkey, Egypt, Asia Minor, Persia, Arabia and India. It is believed that they were exchanged for leather and gold, in some instance the weight of a pistol was set against the weight of gold paid. See Elgood 2009, p. 190, nos. 242, 243.
DANIEL MACLISE (1806-1870) A Royal Horse Artillery Officer in uniform with medal, signed and dated 'July 1826', pencil drawing, 25 x 19cm Note: The Waterloo medal was the first ever campaign medal issued to all ranks and was distributed in 1816. Given the relatively short time span between its issue and the date on the portrait, it is very likely that the unknown officer is wearing this medal. With Abbott & Holder
Two Gendje runners, south east Caucasus, both early 20th century, the first 13ft. X 3ft. 3.96m. X 0.91m. Overall wear with corrosion to dark brown; hole upper end right side; split to top end; losses to ends. The field of narrow diagonal stripes; hooked medallions in the light red main border; ivory floral guards. The second, (reduced) 12ft. 5in. X 3ft. 4in. 3.78m. X 1.02m. Reduced in length by horizontal cut at the lower end. Overall wear, heavy in places; corrosion to dark brown; 'bites' to sides; crease marks and losses to ends. Red field with all over floral boteh; wide ivory main border of linked serrated edge medallions; pale blue and red 's' motif guards. (2)
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