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ELISABETH OF VALOIS: (1545-1568) Also known as Elisabeth of France. Queen of Spain 1559-68 as third spouse of King Philip II of Spain. She was the eldest daughter of King Henry II of France and Catherine de´Medici. Elisabeth died at the very early age of 23. A very rare Autograph letter signed by the Queen, to her mother. A.L.S., `Elisabeth´, one page, folio, n.p., n.d., to the Queen of France and her mother Catherine de´Medici, in old French. Elisabeth asks for an important favour, stating in part `Madame, j'ai su le bien et faveur qu'il vous a plu faire…de certain arrêt duquel il se soit peiné bien fort, moyennant laquelle révision et fasse lui de justifier son innocence qui est cause que de nouveau je redoive vous supplier faire…il a souffert de dommage en sa personne et biens par la malice de ses ennemis. J'ai prié dieu madame qu'il vous tienne en santé très heureuse et longue vie. Votre très humble et très obéissante fille´ (Translation: "Madame, I have learned the good favour you have been kind to do... of certain judgment which he has suffered himself very much, in return for which revision and make him justify his innocence which is the cause that again I must beg you to do… he suffered damage to his person and properties by the malice of his enemies. I prayed to God madam that he keep you very healthy and long life. Your very humble and very obedient daughter") With address leaf stating `A la Reyne, Madame et mère´ (Translation: "To the Queen, Madame and mother") A very rare latter of good association. Overall age wear, with foxing and creases, mostly to edges. About G King Philip II of Spain was very attached to Elisabeth of France, staying close by her side even when she was ill with smallpox. Both were very close to their two daughters, buying them dolls and toys and both rejoiced at the birth of Isabella as if it had been the birth of a son. Elisabeth had another miscarriage on 3 October 1568, and died the same day, along with her new-born infant daughter. After the death of Elisabeth, Catherine de´Medici offered her younger daughter Margaret as a bride for Philip II, but the King declined the offer

CHARLES VIII: (1470-1498) King of France 1483-98. A rare D.S., Charles, one page (vellum), oblong folio, Lyon, 1st March 1496, in Middle French. The manuscript document is addressed to Jehan Lalemant, receiver general of finances in the Duchy of Normandy, and is a warrant to pay Charles Depontoy the sum of one hundred gold crowns, granted above and besides the pledges, pensions and benefits he already receives, in order for him to acquire a house in Paris. Signed by the King at the foot and countersigned by Hobineau. Autographs of King Charles VIII are rare in any form as a result of an accident which left him in a coma, dying nine hours later at the young age of 27. A small area of loss to the upper left edge and a second area of loss to the lower right edge of the document have been neatly replaced, and with some minor staining (slightly affecting the King's signature) and light overall age wear. Some slight, minor traces of former mounting to the upper edge of the verso, G

LOUIS XII: (1462-1515) King of France 1498-1515 and King of Naples 1501-04. D.S., Loys, one page (vellum), oblong folio, Orleans, 15th December 1499, in Middle French. The manuscript document is addressed to Jehan Lalemant, receiver general of finances in the Duchy of Normandy, and is a warrant to raise the sum of thirteen thousand one hundred and eighty-eight livres fifteen sols turnois from grain collectors and farmers, commencing on the 1st January, in order to make a payment to Jacques Petremot which has been committed to by the exchequer and further giving instructions for the amount to be allocated within the accounts. Signed by the King at the foot and countersigned by Hobineau. A large portion of the lower right of the document has been neatly excised. A few heavy creases, one just affecting the signature, and some light overall age wear and dust staining, G

HENRY II: (1519-1559) King of France 1547-59. D.S., Henry, one page (vellum), oblong folio, Montargis, 20th February 1549, in Middle French. The manuscript document is addressed to Jehan La Guette, treasurer and receiver general of extraordinary finances to the King, and is a warrant for La Guette to make a payment from funds received from the clerk of the salt store established at Beaufort-en-Vallee, 'a Nre cher et bien ame Cristofle Petit saulcier en nre cuisine de bouche La somme de Vingtcinq escuz dor sol. Vallans a Raison de xxvi ltz (?) piece' (Translation: 'to our dear and well-beloved Cristofle Petit, saucier in our kitchen, the sum of Twenty-five gold sun crowns, worth at the rate of xxvi livres tournois (?) piece'). Signed by the King at the foot and countersigned ('Par le Roy, Delaubespine') by Claude de l'Aubespine (1510-1567) Baron de Chateauneuf, French diplomat and Secretary of State. One neat slit and area of loss to the lower right and with some light staining to the right edge, affecting a few words of text, otherwise about VG

CHRISTINE OF FRANCE: (1606-1663) Daughter of King Henry IV and Marie de Medici, and sister of King Louis XIII. Duchess consort of Savoy 1630-37. Upon the death of her husband Victor Amadeus I in 1637, she acted as Regent of Savoy 1637-48. A very fine L.S., `Christinne´, one page, folio, Turin, 23rd December 1661, to Cardinal Marquis Villa, in Paris, in Italian. The letter bears the written heading `La Duchesa di Savoya - Regina di Cipro´ (“Duchess of Savoy - Queen of Cyprus”). Christine of France instructs on how to receive and attend an important visitor, stating in part `Signor Camot che risiede nella citta di Lione pensa di portarsi in coteste parti per alcuni suoi interessi,... farete cosa grattissima di assisterlo con tutta l´efficacia de nostri uffici....´ (Translation: `Mister Camot who lives in the city of Lyons thinks of travelling to our lands for some of his interests,... you will do a very kind thing assisting him with all the effectiveness of our offices…´) The letter bears at the base a large countersignature. With address leaf. Very small minor age wear and toning to the edges, otherwise G to VG The letter bears to the heading “Regina di Cipro” (“Queen of Cyprus”). Christine of France did as much as she could to ensure that her court rivalled in splendour that of her sister Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I of England. She strongly encouraged her husband to claim his right to the rather empty title of King of Cyprus and Jerusalem, a kingdom which led to him being tagged as 'a King without a Crown'. She did not keep it a secret that she would rather have been a Queen than a Duchess.

LOUIS XV: (1710-1774) King of France 1715-74. D.S., Paies, Louis, one page, folio, Versailles, 1st November 1758, in French. The manuscript document is addressed to the Royal treasurer Charles Pierre Savalette de Magnanville and is a warrant for them to pay to Charles Thomas le Pilleu (?), a former officer of the Garde Marin, the sum of three hundred livres for the year to date, being the pension granted to him by the late King. Signed by the King at the foot (to the left) with his indication that the amount has been paid and with a secretarial signature of the King to the right, originally applied to confirm the contents of the warrant. Countersigned at the base by Jean-Frederic Phelypeaux (1701-1781) Count of Maurepas, Secretary of State of the Maison du Roi. With a large, neat tear of approximately 13 cm from the base of the document, lightly repaired to the verso and only very slightly affecting Phelypeaux's signature. Some minor dust staining and a few minimal creases to the edges, G

LESZCYNSKA MARIE: (1703-1768) Polish Princess, Queen Consort of France 1725-68 as the wife of King Louis XV. A very fine L.S., Marie, as Queen Consort, one page, large folio, Versailles, 18th June 1753, to the Prince of Sainte-Croix, in French. The Queen thanks her correspondent for his letter and states `Vous vous exprimez d´une manière satisfaisante pour ce qui me regarde que je ne forme aucun doute sur la sincérité des sentiments que vous me témoignez...´ (Translation: “You express yourself in a way that is satisfactory to me, so that I have no doubt about the sincerity of the feelings you give me testimony of…”) Countersigned at the base by Castanier, and addressed to the verso. Paper with watermark. Extremely small creases to the edges and few very small tears to the fold. G Guillaume Castanier d´Auriac (1702-1765) Counselor of state and Secretary of the Queen's commands

LOUIS XVI: (1754-1793) King of France and Navarre 1774-1791, King of the French 1791-92. The only King of France to have been executed. D.S., Louis, as King, at the conclusion, two pages (vellum), folio, Versailles, May 1786, in French. The document is a Letters Patent addressed to the Bishop of St. Brieuc, authorising him to purchase, according to the King´s derogation, some properties which were pending the decisions of the Court, and which the Bishop claims he requires, stating '..the Bishop of St. Brieuc has explained in his request of 26th March 1785 that he has begun to re-build his Epicospal Palace which is in ruins, that he would need to have enough space to create a courtyard and a second lower courtyard with a sufficient extension because at the present date he does not have the sufficient space....and that he will not be able to obtain it unless he can acquire two houses..´ further explaining `according to all said, and having seen the sale contracts, the Council has approved and permits, and we sign the present document, authorising the Bishop of St. Brieuc to exercise the feudal revocation and to purchase the aforementioned properties.' With several countersignatures at the conclusion of the document, including those of Louis Charles Auguste le Tonnelier de Breteuil and Armand Thomas Hue de Miromesnil. Some overall age wear and dust staining and some small areas of paper loss (just affecting a few words of text) to the right edge and a neat, irregular tear to the lower left corner, not affecting the text or signatures, about G Hugues-François de Regnauld de Bellescize (1732-1796) French Clergyman, Bishop of the Catholic Church of St. Brieuc from 1774. Louis Charles Auguste le Tonnelier de Breteuil (1730-1807) French Aristocrat, Diplomat, Statesman & Politician. He was the last Prime Minister of the Bourbon Monarchy, appointed by King Louis XVI just one hundred hours before the storming of the Bastille. Armand Thomas Hue de Miromesnil (1723-1796) French Minister, Keeper of the Seals under King Louis XVI.

LOUIS XVI: (1754-1793) King of France 1774-92, the last King of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. Executed by guillotine on the Place de la Revolution at the age of 38. A good D.S., Louis (a fine, large example), as King, one page, large folio (25.5 x 34 cm), Versailles, 13th November 1787, in French. The boldly penned manuscript document confirms the financial state of la Généralité de Soissons as being 'Cent quatre vingt seize mil trois cent quatre vingt cinq livres un sol six deniers' (Translation: 'One hundred and ninety-six thousand, three hundred and eighty five livres, one sol, six deniers'). The document is decreed by the Royal Council of Finances and bears five countersignatures including those of Henri Lefevre d'Ormesson (1751-1808) French politician who briefly served as Finance Minister, and later as Mayor of Paris; Claude Guillaume Lambert (1726-1794) French jurist who served as Comptroller General of Finance, executed by guillotine; Pierre-Charles Laurent de Villedeuil (1742-1828) Controller-General of Finances under King Louis XVI; and two others. Lightly tipped at the left edge to a folio page removed from an album. Some very light, minimal age wear, VGLa Généralité de Soissons was an administrative district composed mainly of countries from the province of Picardy united to the government of Ile-de-France at that time and created in 1595.

MARIE ANTOINETTE: (1755-1793) Queen consort of France 1774-92 as the wife of King Louis XVI. Marie Antoinette was the last Queen of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. Executed by guillotine on the Place de la Revolution at the age of 37. A rare D.S., Payez, Marie Antoinette, one page, large folio (24.5 x 35 cm), Versailles, 31st December 1783, in French. The manuscript document is addressed to the Treasurer General of Finances, Marc Antoine Francois Marie Randon de la Tour, and is a warrant for him to pay, from the funds set aside by the State for the maintenance and sustenance of officers, unto the Cavalcade Squire de Salveri, the sum of four hundred and fifty livres which has been granted to him, further instructing that the expense be entered into the accounts of the King at Paris. Signed by Marie Antoinette at the foot (to the left) with her indication that the amount has been paid and with a secretarial signature of the Queen to the right, originally applied to confirm the contents of the warrant. Countersigned at the foot by Jacques-Mathieu Augeard (1732-1805) French courtier and memoirist. Lightly tipped at the left edge to a folio page removed from an album. Some very light, minimal age wear, and one small tear to the lower left corner, otherwise VG

EUGENIE DE MONTIJO: (1826-1920) Empress Consort of the French 1853-71, wife of Emperor Napoleon III. Signed printed folio edition of the sheet music for the Polka favourite Stephanie by Leon Waldteufel, published by Schlosser of Paris. Bearing the ownership signature (´Eugenie´) of the Empress Consort to the upper edge of the attractively printed colour paper cover. Some light overall foxing and age wear and neat splitting of the pages at the left edge. About G

NAPOLEON III: (1808-1873) French monarch who served as the first President of France 1848-52 and as the last Emperor of the French 1852-70. L.S., Napoleon, one page, folio, Paris, 20th February 1863, to ‘Mon Cousin’, in French. The Emperor writes an official diplomatic letter, in greater part, ‘La lettre que vous m'avez ecrite a l'anniversaire des fetes solennelles de Noel, est un gage de vos bons sentiments qui m'a ete particulierement agreable, je me plais egalement a vous remercier des voeux que vous adressez au ciel pour la France et pour moi. Aussi, je ne negligerai aucune occasion de vous prouver le sincere interet que je vous porte, et de vous renouveler les assurances de mon estime et de ma constante affection’ (Translation: ‘The letter that you wrote to me on the anniversary of the solemn Christmas celebrations is a token of your good feelings which was particularly pleasant to me, I also like to thank you for the wishes that you send to heaven for France and for me. Also, I will not neglect any opportunity to prove to you the sincerest interest that I have for you, and to renew to you the assurances of my esteem and my constant affection’). Countersigned at the foot of the page by Edouard Drouyn de Lhuys (1805-1881) French diplomat and politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs 1848-49, 1851, 1852-55 and 1862-66. With blank integral leaf. Some light foxing and a minor strip of age toning at the head of the page, about VG

MAURICE. PRINCE OF ORANGE: (1567-1625) also known as Maurice of Nassau. Maurice was “Stadtholder” of the Dutch Republic 1585-1625. L.S. `Votre bien affectionné ami a vous faire service´, one page, folio, Arnhem, 30th December 1602, to Sieur de Roybourg, in old French. Maurice acknowledges receipt of his correspondent´s letter and states in part `Monsieur le capitaine Baptiste porteur de cette [sic] m’a donné vos lettres avec l’instruction et modèle que vous lui aviez donnés charge de me présenter ici à Arnhem. J’ai assez connu tant par vos dites lettres comme aussi par le rapport dudit capitaine la bonne volonté laquelle vous continuez de porter tant à cet Etat comme à moi dont je vous en remercie bien affectueusement, et d’autant que le sujet duquel vous m’avez écrit est d’importance, j’ai trouvé nécessaire de le communiquer avec les Etats Généraux aussitôt que je serai de retour à La Haye. Et vous ferai savoir leur résolution…´ (Translation: “Captain Baptiste, bearer of this letter, gave me your letters with the instructions that you had given him in charge of presenting to me here in Arnhem. I have known enough, both through your said letters and also through the report of the said Captain the good will which you continue to bring supporting both this State and my person, for which I thank you very affectionately, and especially as the subject of which you have written is of importance, I found it necessary to communicate it with the General States as soon as I return to The Hague. And will let you know their resolution…”) Accompanied by a folded contemporary manuscript letter in the hand of a secretary, saying ` Ici est une lettre de monsieur le Prince Maurice de Nassau, que je me contenterai de présenter seule (en ayant beaucoup d’autres de lui, et de plusieurs seigneurs et princes étrangers) qui témoignent, toutes de plus en plus, comme le sieur de Roybourg pour avoir été toute sa vie passionnément serviteur du feu roi. Et pour l´avoir fidèlement servi, en toutes bonnes et grandes occasions, il a acquis l’amitié de tous les dits princes et seigneurs étrangers avec lesquels il a pratiqué et a eu des affaires pour le service dudit feu sieur roi´ (Transcription: “Here is a letter from Prince Maurice of Nassau, which I will be satisfied to present personally (having many others from him, and from several foreign Lords and Princes) which testify, all of them and more and more, like the Sieur de Roybourg, for having been a passionate servant of the late King all his life. And for having faithfully served him, on all good and great occasions, he acquired the friendship of all the said Princes and foreign Lords with whom he practiced and had business for the service of the said late King”) With address leaf. G,2

ERNST II: (1745-1804) Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg 1772-1804. D.S., as reigning Duke, one page, folio, Gotha, 24th June 1799, in German. The manuscript document is addressed to the Duke’s Chamber Councils and regards the inheritance of the spouse of Lotze zu Rada. With integral address leaf (small area of the lower edge neatly excised) and bearing a good red wax seal. About VG

Michael Ignaz Mildorfer (Innsbruck, 1690 - 1747) Austrian School The fire at Ruhelust Castle, Innsbruck, Austria (15th-16th March, 1728) Oil on panel Inscribed extensively verso Michael Ignaz Mildorfer was born into an esteemed family of painters. His father ran a successful etching, engraving and printing workshop, having come to Innsbruck from Straubing brandishing his own family crest and a charter allowing him to work unhampered by the need to join any local guild. Michael's sister Maria Elisabeth found fame as a miniaturist and spent most of her life in Rome. Michael himself worked, together with the more established painter Josef Waldmann, on prestigious projects such as the decorations and frescoes for the splendid Herkulessaal in the Imperial Palace and the Servitenkirche in the centre of Innsbruck. He was also active as an engraver and printer. In 1712 Michael Ignaz married Ursula, the widow of his colleague Josef Waldmann; this alliance further enhanced his position among Tyrolean artists. The fact that an Innsbruck nobleman by the name of Michael de Lama acted as godfather at the christening of the couple's son, Josef Ignaz, confirms this impression. Of their six children only three survived into adulthood: Maria Susanna (1714-1753) who would since marry the Innsbruck painter Joseph Pögl; Maria Anna, who was sickly and confined to a hospital and, lastly, Josef Ignaz (1719-1775) who would go on become a famous painter in his own right. Ruhelust castle was built in 1522 by Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor of the Habsburg dynasty, within the vast formal gardens around his Innsbruck Palace. His successor, Ferdinand II, appointed architect Giovanni Lucchese in 1567 to refit the castle for him in the Italian Renaissance style for use as a summer residence. Made up of several smaller buildings, Ruhelust was built from timber (a deliberate choice of material to make it withstand recurring earth quakes), and consisted of an upper and a lower section with ample space to accommodate the royal baths, the Archduke's offices, his antiquities collection, a chapel, a designated ball house and workshops. Later additions would include a hall for dressage riding displays curiously combined with an opera house-cum-theatre. By 1582 the lengthy and costly building work had been completed. Having neglected the Hofburg, their main residence, in the process and having expended vast sums on warfare during the 30 Years' War, the imperial family made Schloss Ruhelust their private residence. However, in 1636 Ruhelust was ravaged by fire and suffered extensive damage. It was eventually reconstructed, but the Habsburg dynasty had moved to Vienna by 1665, shifting the focus of its power to that city. In 1728 Ruhelust succumbed to a second fire, which entirely destroyed it. According to the inscription on the reverse, our painting depicts this last fire, which occurred in the night of 15-16 March 1728. Mildorfer appears to have witnessed the actual event, recording in paint the turmoil and destruction. Another, much larger and more comprehensive, version of this painting is in the collection of The Ferdinandeum, the Tiroler Landesmuseum, in Innsbruck. Interestingly, (not least because none of the other figures seem to be repeated from one painting to another), the figure of one well-dressed gentleman appears in the lower middle ground in both paintings. In Mildorfer's allegorical etching and engraving of Charles VI, circa 1726, a similar figure is seen presenting a folio to the Emperor. This would indicate that all three depictions could be self-portraits of the artist. Dimensions: (Panel) 12 1/4 in. (H) x 15 3/4 in. (W)

A set of 22 Canaletto etchings produced by J.G. Links With a catalogue and foreward by John R. Hale 12 framed and 10 loose in folio Etching on paper To be sold without reserve Property of a Nobleman Framed: [a] Le Porte del Dolo [b] La Torre di Malghera  [c] Prato della Valle [d] Ale Porte del Dolo  [e] A Town on a River Bank [f] Sistina in Pra della Valle [g] The Portico with a Lantern [h] Al Dolo [I] Mestre [j] Imaginary View of a Walled Town [k] Imaginary View of Venice [l] Title-Page Folio: [a] View of a Town with a Bishop's Tomb [b] La Libreria V and La Piera del Bando V [c] Le Procuratie Niove e S. Ziminian V and Le Person. V. [d] Market on the Molo and Market at Dolo [e] Landscape with Tower and Two Ruined Pillars and The Terrace [f] Imaginary View of San Giacomo di Realto, Venice and Landscape with Ruined Monuments [g] Landscape with a Pilgrim at Prayer and Mountainous Landscape with Five Bridges [h] The Equestrian Monument and Imaginary View of Venice [I] Landscape with a Woman at a Well and two views of a bridge [j] view of mountains with two pillars to the right Dimensions: (Paper) 16.5 in. (H) x 21 in. (W) (Frame) 18.75 in. (H) x 24 in. (W)

Piranesi (Giovanni Battista).- Barbieri (Giovanni Francesco) Raccolta di Alcuni Disegni del Barberi da Cento detto Il Guercino, first edition, printed title in red and black with engraved vignette by Ottaviani, additional etched title by Piranesi with dedication to Thomas Jenkins, 32 etchings in black and sanguine on 28 sheets, including 23 after Guercino (12 by Bartolozzi, 2 by Nevay, 6 by Ottaviani, 2 by Piranesi and one double-page by Piroli), one large folding plate depicts Christ bearing the cross (torn at fold), occasional foxing and marginal soiling, contemporary half vellum over blue boards, covers foxed, a couple of tears to spine, [Hind p.86; cf. Berlin Kat 1878; Wilton-Ely 1015-1018], large folio, Rome, Giovanni Generoso Salomoni, 1764.⁂ Rare collection of plates seemingly conceived by Piranesi in 1764 when he purchased twelve etchings after Guercino from Francesco Bartolozzi, who left for London that year. Before publication, Piranesi added several additional plates, including his own work. At least one of the original Guercino drawings after which these plates were designed was from Piranesi's own collection, whilst the depiction of the old man asleep which is reproduced on the additional title-page belonged to the sculptor Cavaceppi. Wilson-Ely notes: "the group is particularly notable for Piranesi's attempt to reproduce the pictorial quality of Guercino's brush drawings by applying two coloured inks, red and black, simultaneously to the copper plate".

Shakespeare (William) [The Tragedy of Richard the Third], 2 leaves from the first folio edition, comprising pp.197-200, tipped in to a facsimile edition of the entire play published in 2012, a little toned and soiled, repaired at foot, the second leaf with tear and slight loss of a few words, folio, [Printed by Isaac Jaggard, and Ed. Blount, 1623].⁂ The leaves include the confrontation between the recently crowned Richard and his sister-in-law Queen Elizabeth where she curses him with the words "Bloody thou art, Bloody will be thy end: Shame serves thy life, and doth thy death attend." She also laments that she has no more sons for him to kill and continues "For my Daughters (Richard) They shall be praying Nunnes, not weeping Queenes" before he begins his suit for her daughter Elizabeth.

Shakespeare (William) The Winters Tale, from the second folio, the complete play, comprising 14 leaves (pp. 277-303, verso blank), occasional foxing and marginal toning, small burn-hole to final leaf but not affecting text, modern russet morocco-backed marbled boards by Maurin, a little rubbed, folio, by Tho. Cotes, for Robert Allot, 1632.⁂ One of Shakespeare's last plays which was first published in the first folio edition of 1623.

Shakespeare (William) Collection of 13 leaves from the 2nd and 4th folios, comprising: second folio, Anthony and Cleopatra, 3ff. (pp.371-376); King Henry the Fourth Part 1, 5ff. (pp.63-72); fourth folio, The Winter's Tale, 1f. (pp.251-252); King Henry the Fourth Part 1, 1f., (pp.47-48); King Henry the Eighth, 2ff. (pp.219-222); Love's Labour's Lost, 1f. (pp.123-124), all defective to some degree with holes, burn-holes, worming or tears causing loss of some text, folio, 1632 and 1685.

Livius (Titus) The Romane Historie Written by T. Livius of Padua, translated by Philemon Holland, first edition in English, large woodcut device on title and portrait of Queen Elizabeth I on verso, portrait of Livy on verso of A4, numerous woodcut initials, lacks last f. (blank), slight brown stain in margin of title, 3F6 and 5X6 small tear in lower margin, 17th century ink signature of Robert Gregge on title, bookplate of Sir Joseph Radcliffe Bart on front pastedown, later endpapers, contemporary calf, gilt centrepieces of arabesque design with initials WRE and single line gilt borders on both covers, slightly rubbed, brass clasps, rebacked, [STC 16613; Pforzheimer 495.], folio, Printed by Adam Islip, 1600.⁂ A good, clean copy of the first edition in English of Livy's Roman History translated by Philemon Holland. "Holland's first book, the first complete rendering of Livy into English, was published in 1600 when he was nearly fifty. It was a work of great importance, presented in a grand folio volume of 1458 pages, and dedicated to the queen. The translation set out to be lucid and unpretentious, and achieved its aim with marked success. It is accurate, and often lively, and although it does not attempt to imitate the terseness of Latin, it avoids prolixity." - Oxford DNB.

Piranesi (Francesco) Il Teatro d'Ercolano, first edition, double-page engraved title and 9 double-page plates, some minor foxing and toning, contemporary half vellum over plain boards, some foxing to covers and upper cover with water-stain patch, folio, Rome, Stamperia Salomoni, 1783.

Pufendorf (Samuel) Histoire du Regne de Charles Gustave Roy de Suede, 7 parts in 2 vol., first French edition, additional engraved title, portrait of the author and another of Charles XI both by Blesendorff, 10 single-page engraved portraits and 114 double-page or folding engraved plates and maps (?of 115), and one folding letterpress table (trimmed), engraved decorations, some browning to text ff., occasional foxing, later half calf over marbled boards, a little rubbed, folio, Nuremberg, Knorz for Christophe Riegel, 1697.⁂ First published in Latin the previous year, this impressive work covers the history of Carl Gustav's reign from 1654-60, much of which involved the Second Northern War in Poland/Lithuania. As well as maps, town-views and battle-plans and scenes, the plates include a large multi-folding depiction of the King's funeral procession in Stockholm.

Selden (John) Mare Clausum seu De Dominio Maris Libri Duo, first edition, initial and final blank leaf present, title in red and black with woodcut device, 2 engraved maps and several woodcut illustrations, errata leaf at end, small paper flaw to R2 just affecting side-note, occasional foxing, early 18th century panelled calf, rebacked preserving original spine, [STC 22175; Sabin 78971], folio, William Stanesby for Richard Meighen, 1635.⁂ One of the cornerstones of modern maritime law, with references to the colonisation of Newfoundland by Sir Humphrey Gilbert in 1583 and to the earlier explorations of that region by Cabot.Provenance: R. Rigby (ink name trimmed at head of title, dated 1673); W. Bayntun of Gray's Inn (ink inscription below the aforementioned); Earls of Macclesfield (South Library bookplate and ink inscription on verso of initial blank).

Fuller (Thomas).- Viccars (John) Decapla in Psalmos: sive Commentarius ex decem linguis, first edition, double-column text in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Coptic and Arabic, additional engraved title by Hollar depicting the ten races of mankind, woodcut device on printed title depicting King David, woodcut decorations and initials, contemporary dark blue morocco, gilt, g.e., spine faded, corners rubbed, [STC 24696], folio, Robert Young, 1639.⁂ A lovely copy in contemporary binding of this work on the Psalms, dedicated to Archbishop Laud, and apparently the only known work from the library of Thomas Fuller, with gift inscription on front free endpaper "Liber Guil Howell Cranfordensis Ex dono ela. viri Thomas Fuller T.B. ob id: Pastoris reverendi" (Fuller was rector of St. Dunstan's in Cranford, 1658).Provenance: Alberry Merter of Arundel (early ink inscription on front pastedown); Thomas Fuller (see note above); Robert S. Pirie (bookplate).

Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino. Loggie di Rafaele nel Vaticano, engraved title, large double-folding plate of the corridor (torn), 2 plates of doors lettered A and B, 14 folding engraved plates (numbered I-XIV), 26 aquatint plates (numbered I-XIII twice), the last holed and repaired to verso (mostly to margin but with 2 small holes affecting plate), contemporary reversed half calf over boards, extremities worn, lower cover abraded, large folio, Rome, [c.1770-76].⁂ Wonderful impressions of Raphael's magnificent decorations of the Vatican loggias in the Imperial folio format.

Milton (John) Paradise Lost. A Poem in Twelve Books, fourth (first illustrated) edition, lacking engraved portrait but with all the 12 engraved plates, mostly by M.Burghers and P.P.Bouche after Medina, list of subscribers at end, ink annotations to first leaf of text, tear to lower margin of Oo4, by Miles Flesher, for Jacob Tonson, 1688; Paradise Regain'd...to which is added Samson Agonistes, third (first folio) edition, light water-staining to outer margin, R.E[veringham]...to be sold by Randal Taylor, 1688, together 2 works in 1 vol., some light browning or soiling but a good wide-margined copy, contemporary mottled calf, rubbed, wear to edges, rebacked preserving old roan label, corners repaired, new endpapers, [Pforzheimer 720 & 721; Wing M2147 & 2154], folio

Saurin (Jacques) Discours Historiques, Critiques, Theologiques, et Moraux, sur les Evenemens les plus Memorables du Vieux et du Nouveau Testament, 6 vol., titles in red and black with engraved vignettes, 2 engraved frontispieces, dedication and 212 plates (some double-page) after Hoet, Houbraken and Picart, engraved illustrations including one full-page, engraved decorations and initials, some plates in vol.5 slightly smaller, occasional light browning, contemporary sprinkled calf, spines gilt, g.e. with partial gauffering, rubbed, some wear to spine ends, folio, The Hague, Pierre de Hondt, 1728-39.

Colebrooke (Sir Henry Thomas) A Grammar of the Sanscrit Language, vol. 1 [all published], first edition, text in English and Sanskrit, 4pp. errata at end, ink ownership inscription and stamp of College of Fort William to verso of title (some show-through), title repaired at gutter, p.185 torn at inner margin, light browning, a little heavier at points, some small marginal worming, with some old tape repairs at beginning and end, single tiny wormhole within text of last c.50 leaves, becoming very small worm trace towards end, modern half calf over marbled boards, spine gilt, small folio, Calcutta, Printed at the Honorable Company's Press, 1805.⁂ "The first European work to be based on the indigenous linguistic tradition" (ODNB). Colebrooke, a noted Orientalist, first arrived in India in 1782. Devoted to the study of Sanskrit, he was appointed as honorary professor of Hindu law and Sanskrit at Fort William College in Calcutta in 1801.

Mathematics.- Euclid. Elementorum Geometricourm Libri Tredecim, first edition in Arabic, title in Latin and Arabic, text entirely in Arabic, woodcut decorations and numerous diagrams, title trimmed and laid down, lacking 4ff. (pp.17-24), some ff. browned, occasional spotting, upper hinge broken, contemporary vellum, folio, Rome, In Typographia Medicea, 1594.⁂ "Possibly the most remarkable of all printed editions of Euclid" (Thomas-Stanford). Important and rare, despite the faults in this copy, it is from the more complete of the 2 issues, having all 13 chapters and ending on p.454 (as opposed to 12 chapters and only 400pp.). It was printed at the press established in Rome by Ferdinando de' Medici under the auspices of Pope Gregory XIII, devoted to Eastern languages and overseen by mathematician and head printer Giovanni Battista Raimondi.Literature: Adams E990; Honeyman 1015; Mortimer Italian 175; EDIT 16 CNCE 18366.

Antiquities.- V[ogel] (J.P.N.M.) Collection des Pierres Antiques dont la Chasse des Ss.Trois Rois Mages est enrichie dans l'Eglise Metropolitaine a Cologne, engraved pictorial title by Dupuis and 12 plates, 4 folding, [Bonn, Imprimerie Electorale de la Cour], [1781] § Boucher (François) Livre de Vases, pictorial title and 11 plates, title browned, [Berlin Kat. 1063], Huquier, n.d. bound with 4e. Suite de Vases d'après Petitot et autres, pictorial title and 11 plates, plate 9 trimmed at outer edge and remargined, Basan, n.d. and Vien (Joseph Marie) Suite de Vases composée dans le Goût l'Antique, pictorial title and 12 plates, one numbered in manuscript, [Berlin Kat. 1075], 1760, together 3 works in 1 vol., all engraved throughout, Paris § Fauris Saint-Vicens (J.-F.-P.) Recueil de divers Monuments d'Antiquités trouves en Provence, 19 engraved plates on 17 leaves, Paris, Debure, 1805 § Recueil d'Antiquités Romaines ou Voyage d'Italie..., engraved throughout with title and 60 plates, 2 double-page, contemporary ink signature to title, one plate torn, another loose, [Berlin Kat. 478], Paris, Basan, [c.1770], all with some soiling or browning, occasional spotting, contemporary half calf or sheep, rubbed, 4to & small folio (4)⁂ The first work describes the great reliquary kept in Cologne Cathedral, known as the Shrine of the Three Kings, built at the end of the 12th century and attributed to Nicolas of Verdun.

Ocean Liner.- Two photograph albums of the Greek Line T.S.S.Olympia, 86 gelatin silver prints, c.220 x 290mm. or vice versa, each stamped W.Wralston, Glasgow on verso with negative number in pencil, mounted on 43 blank leaves with corner mounts, captions in black ink below, a couple of corner mounts missing, contemporary cloth faux snakeskin ring-binders titled in black on upper cover, rubbed, a few leaves loose, oblong folio, [Glasgow], 1953.⁂ Fascinating record of the luxurious and ultramodern interiors of the Clyde-built passenger ship T.S.S. Olympia in the year of its maiden voyage, with upholstery designed by Tibor Reich and the interior design by Emmanuel Lazaridis. Unpopulated by either passengers or staff, the precision of the large black & white photographs complements the bold post-war contrasts and angles, such as in the jazzy 'Mycenaean' and 'Derby' rooms. Vibrant upholstery and geometry in the 'Bookworm' reading room and 'The Scribe' writing room are balanced against a classic wood-panelled library and card room. Other photographs record the gymnasium, children's play areas 'Wonderland' and 'Neverland', cabins, and even a First Class 'stateroom toilet'. Having changed hands and been renamed several times, the ship was finally broken up in early 2010.

Botany.- Allen (John Fisk) Victoria Regia; or The Great Water Lily of America, Boston, 6 chromolithograph plates by William Sharp, some worming, affecting first 4 plates, at blank margin of gutter head but also within image, worst affected frontispiece and plate 1, with only small holes within image continuing through to 2nd and 3rd plates, same worm holes also affecting letterpress title, dedication leaf, first few text leaves, front endpaper and plate paper guards, but no text loss, all worming with paper repairs, otherwise light damp-staining from gutter head, including to plates but most noticeable in margins and on verso, original printed boards, ?early reback in cloth, neat repairs upper cover corners, toned, water and other stains, a little rubbed, [Nissen BBI 16; Great Flower Books (1990) p.69], folio, for the author by Dutton & Wentworth, 1854⁂ A masterpiece of colour lithography. Allen's work on the giant lilies of the Amazon river is brought to life by William Sharp's large-format chromolithographed plates; recognised as some of the finest botanical images ever produced in America, they are also some of the earliest to employ the multi-stone printing process.

Bibiena (Ferdinando Galli) L'Architettura Civile, 5 parts in 1 vol., first edition, woodcut decoration on title, woodcut initials and decorations, full-page engraved portrait and 72 plates, errata leaf at end, all leaves guarded, water-stain to upper and lower margin throughout, some soiling, a few short tears, contemporary vellum, worn and rebacked, early ink writing to both covers, [Berlin Kat. 2628; Fowler 134, variant title mentioning Bologna; Millard Italian 45], folio, Parma, Paolo Monti, 1711.⁂ "The five parts of this work treat of geometry, civil architecture in general, perspective, painting, theatrical scenes and the mechanics of lifting and moving objects. As an author Ferdinand is perhaps the most important of the five members of the great Italian architectural family of Galli da Bibiena, known for their theater designs and decorations in the full baroque style". (Fowler).

Hofland (Barbara Hoole) A Descriptive Account of the Mansion and Gardens of White-Knights, a Seat of His Grace the Duke of Marlborough, large paper copy, 8 aquatint and 15 etched plates after T.C.Hofland, all on india paper and mounted, all hand-coloured, tissue guards, some light foxing to plate mounts and text towards end, original half parchment over drab boards, roan label to spine, uncut, a little worn, spine defective at head and worn at foot, spine and some patches to boards repaired, [Abbey, Scenery 425, ordinary paper; Tooley 268], folio (435 x 330mm.), privately printed for the Duke of Marlborough, [1819].⁂ Scarce large paper copy with all the plates on india paper and all hand-coloured rather than just the 8 aquatints. Tooley describes it as "extremely rare in this state".Whiteknights, near Reading, was a seat of the Marquis of Blandford (later 5th Duke of Marlborough) who entertained there lavishly. As well as a magnificent library and collection of paintings the estate was renowned for its gardens, full of rare and unusual plants. In 1819 the Duke went bankrupt and retired to Blenheim, causing the estate and contents to be sold off and the house demolished. This work, commissioned but not paid for by the Marquis, almost bankrupted the Hoflands as well.

Wood (Robert) Les Ruines de Balbec autrement dite Heliopolis dans la Coelosyrie, first French edition, 46 engraved plates by Fourdrinier and Major after Borra, some folding, plate 3 as one continuous plate not in 2 parts as often, occasional foxing, blue endpapers, contemporary French red morocco, gilt, g.e., slightly scuffed, folio, 1757.⁂ A superlative copy of the first French edition which appeared in the same year as the English.

Holbein (Hans) Imitations of Original Drawings... in the Collection of His Majesty, for the Portraits of Illustratious Persons of the Court of Henry VIII. With Biographical Tracts, 83 engraved plates on 82 sheets (of 84 called for by Abbey, without the portrait of Sir John Godslave), nos. 76 & 77 misbound at front, these on one sheet, hand-coloured), all printed in colours by Bartolozzi, C. Metz and C. Knight after Holbein, 71 printed on pink paper, of which 53 on thick paper mounted, occasional faint spotting, some nicks to page edges, some renewed tissue-guards, contemporary calf, rubbed, recornered and rebacked, hinges reinforced, [Abbey Life 205, Lowndes I 405], folio, Printed by W. Bulmer and Co..., 1792[-1800].⁂ "This magnificent work is surely the finest early example of English color printing." - Ray.The originals, in chalk heightened with pen and metal-point, were made by Holbein during his two sojourns to England. They constitute preliminary studies for several of his most famous oil paintings. The drawings were originally in a volume now preserved in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle, called the Great Booke.

Blake (William) Illustrations to the Bible: A Catalogue compiled by Geoffrey Keynes, letter R of 26 copies reserved for the Trustees of the William Blake Trust and the Publishers, from an edition limited to 506, tipped-in colour lithograph frontispiece, tissue guard, collotype plates, some colour, Kathleen Raine's copy with her ink signature to front free endpaper, original morocco-backed marbled boards, a little rubbed at edges and spine ends, folio, Trianon Press, 1957.⁂ Kathleen Raine (1908-2003), poet and scholar, particularly of William Blake about whom she wrote several books including the two volume biography Blake and Tradition, 1969.

Blake (William) William Blake's Water-Colour Designs for the Poems of Thomas Gray, Introduction by Geoffrey Keynes, number 386 of 352 copies, from an edition limited to 518, collotype plates hand-coloured through stencil, loose sheets in original wrappers, tan morocco-backed marbled board folder, spine titled in gilt, original tan morocco-backed marbled board drop-front box, folio, Trianon Press, 1972.

Alken (Henry).- Paul (Sir John Dean) A Trip to Melton Mowbray, set of 14 scenes on 12 strips, first state with Fuller imprint, all finely hand-coloured aquatints by Henry Alken after J.D.Paul, c.90 x 6630mm. overall, mounted on blank leaves, very occasional spotting or soiling, engraved label mounted on leaf at beginning as title, bound in handsome later crushed olive green morocco, by Rivière & Son, with triple gilt-ruled border, spine gilt in compartments with floral motif and five raised bands, g.e., inner gilt dentelles, very slightly browned and rubbed at edges, one or two scratches, upper joint repaired, [Abbey, Life 488; Bobins 1309; Schwerdt III p.3; Siltzer p.193; Snelgrove p.128-129; Tooley 363], narrow oblong folio, S. & J.Fuller, 1822.⁂ Issued as both separate prints for binding/framing or conjoined as a continuous panorama on a drum. Melton Mowbray has been closely associated with fox-hunting since the 18th century. Sir John Dean Paul, Bt. (1775-1852) was from a family of bankers and amateur sporting artists.

Dore (Gustave).- Coleridge (Samuel Taylor) The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, second edition, half-title, title in red and black with vignette, 38 wood-engraved plates by Doré, mounted on stubs, multiple stubs torn at foot but holding firm, some spotting, original blind-stamped red cloth, gilt, some faint stains to upper cover, folio, Hamilton, Adams and Co., 1876.

Ukraine.- [Cathedral of Prince Vladamir the Saint of Kyiv (The)], first edition, printed in red and black, chromolithographed title, 42 plates, 2 of which double-page (one in colour and gilt), illustrations, some in colour and gilt, some after the designs of Viktor Vasnetsov and Mikhail Nesterov, decorative endpapers, light rusting to staples at gutter, occasional light offsetting, final few leaves with very small damp-stain to lower margin, original decorative cloth, gilt, highly skilful repairs to spine ends and corners, some very light rubbing to joints and extremities, else excellent, custom morocco-edged slip-case, folio, Kiev, Kulzhenko, 1898.

Papermaking.- Lalande (Joseph de) The Art of Papermaking, translated by Richard MacIntyre Atkinson, number 211 of 405 copies signed by the paper-maker/publisher, plates printed on pale blue paper, one folding, typed "Charte artistique/technique" signed by the binder dated 2018 loosely inserted, bound by Joëlle Bocel in light blue leather, hot-stamped in grey-black ink using a zinc plate made by Stéphane Gangloff to mimic the lines of a laid paper mould, spine titled in silver, black suede-lined chemise backed and edged in blue leather, cloth slip-case, folio (binding 360 x 285mm.), Mountcashel Castle, Kilmurry, Ashling Press, 1976.

Esoterica.- Guillermus Alvernus, Bishop of Paris. De fide et legibus, collation [a-o10], 139 ff. (of 140, lacking initial blank), 37-43 lines, Gothic type, initial spaces, f.45 with later ink marginalia and large ink smudges (text perfectly legible), occasional spotting or light staining, 19th century polished speckled calf by J. Mackenzie (small stamp to front free endpaper), gilt, spine in compartments and with red morocco label, head of spine with small chip and repaired, corners worn, rubbed and little marked, folio (273 x 183mm.), [Augsburg], [Günther Zainer], [1475-1476].⁂ A wide-margined copy of the first edition of one of the portions of William of Auvergne's Magisterium divinale, an explanation of the natural world, which was composed between about 1231 and 1236. Includes heresy, demonology, the errors of the Jews, the dangers of transvestism, superstition and magic, cults, the errors of Islam (especially in relation to astrology and sex), the causes of 'idolatories' such as witchcraft, conjuring, divination, and necromancy. Literature: BMC II, 323; Goff G-711; H 8317*; GW 11863; Bod-inc G-297; BSB-Ink G-471; ISTC ig00711000; Thorndike II, pp.219-20, 279-81 and chapter lii. Provenance: Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica (bookplate to front pastedown).

Piper (John) John Piper's Stowe, out-of-series Printer's copy, from an edition limited to 300 signed by the artist, with an additional page "Special copy for Iain Bain" bound after title, this page additionally signed by the artist, illustrations, some colour, original marbled cloth, lightly marked and evenly faded but an excellent copy overall, Hurtwood Press in association with The Tate Gallery, 1983; with A.L.s from the artist to Bain, thanking him for a book and to ask him to come again, 1p., a little marked, 25th April 1979; and a cut signature of the artist in marker pen, both loosely inserted; together with an extra set of proof plates in original wrappers (a little marked and rubbed, torn along lower spine edge), folio (2)⁂ Iain Bain (1934-2018) FSA was a Scottish historian of printing. He worked at Unwin Brothers and then was production manager at Bodley Head and lastly as head of publications at the Tate Gallery.

Rackham (Arthur).- Barrie (J.M.) The Peter Pan Portfolio, one of 500 copies signed by publisher and printing, from an edition of 600, 12 mounted colour plates by Arthur Rackham, captioned plate-guards with light creasing, but generally clean and fine interanlly, original half-vellum over sage green cloth, gilt, original silk ties to fore-edges, those at spine likely renewed, light mottling to upper cover, housed in original publisher's box, the lid with several neat and expert repairs and restorations, the lower portion entirely renewed with original lower cover laid onto base, preserved in custom half morocco drop-back box, large folio, [1912].⁂ Scarce in such good, fresh condition. The largest-format Rackham plates ever printed, this edition precedes the American by two years.

Golden Cockerel Press.- Omar Khayyám. The...Rubáiyát, translated by Edward Fitzgerald, number 17 of 30 specially-bound copies signed by the artist and other contributors and with 5 additional engravings and facsimiles of Fitzgerald's translation, from an edition limited to 300, 8 copper-engraved plates by John Buckland Wright, 5 additional engravings and collotype facsimiles in pocket at end, original cream morocco with cockerel in gilt to upper cover, by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, t.e.g, others uncut, boards very slightly soiled, cloth slip-case (browned), [Reid A28a], small folio, Golden Cockerel Press, 1938. ⁂ The additional engravings are of a more erotic nature and do not appear in the ordinary edition.

Wood Lea Press.- Greenwood (Jeremy) Ravilious: Engravings, number 48 of 55 specially-bound copies with additional photograph of Ravilious and 3 wood-engravings printed from the original blocks, from an edition limited to 800, 2008; The Wood-Engravings of John Nash, number 40 of 61 specially-bound copies with a facsimile of Christmas folder with 9 of the 12 engravings printed from the original blocks, from an edition limited to 811, prospectus loosely inserted, 1987, portraits, illustrations, some tipped in, a few colour, original morocco-backed patterned-paper boards, additional prints loose as issued in original card portfolios, together in original cloth drop-back boxes, spine of the second a little faded, folio, Woodbridge, Wood Lea Press (2)

Ashendene Press.- Spenser (Edmund) Spenser's Minor Poems, one of 200 copies on paper, printed in Subiaco type in red, blue and black, double column, initials designed by Graily Hewitt, the printer C.H.St.John Hornby's own copy with his pencil signature and address to front free endpaper, trial binding of original holland-backed blue boards, paper label to spine, uncut, a little rubbed, a few scuffs, [Franklin p.240; Hornby 35], folio, Ashendene Press, 1925.⁂ The last of the Ashendene folios printed in the Subiaco type, published as a companion to Spenser's Faerie Queen of two years earlier.

Ashendene Press.- Thucydides. [History of the Peloponnesian War], translated by Benjamin Jowett, [one of 260 copies], printed in red and black with text in Ptolemy type, side-notes in Blado Italic, chapter headings designed by Graily Hewitt, initials by Eric Gill, original white pigskin, by the W.H.Smith bindery, spine titled in gilt and with seven raised bands, uncut, some very light soiling, spine slightly yellowed, [Hornby XXXVII; Franklin p.242], folio, Ashendene Press, 1930.

Bible, German. Biblia, Das ist Die ganze Heilige Schrift, 2 parts in 1, general title in red and black, engraved title to NT, double-page engraved plan of Jerusalem with repaired defects, double-page engraved map, bottom half of final leaf of OT cut away with some loss of text, lacking at least one leaf of Namen-Register at end, contemporary ?German or Swedish calf over wooden boards, elaborately stamped in gilt, head of spine renewed, gilt metal clasps with crown and XII, leather straps renewed, g.e. with partial gauffering, fine decorative pastedowns, joints and extremities rubbed, folio, Tubingen, Johann Georg and Christian Gottfried Cotta, 1730.

Annotated.- Platina (Bartholomaeus Sacchi) Vitae Pontificum, double column, collation: [a10 b-r6 s8 t6 v8], 128 ff., 54-56 lines, Gothic type, initial spaces, extensive contemporary and 16th century scholarly marginalia in at least two Germanic hands (some trimmed), detailed 16th century manuscript index to verso of a2 and recto of following inserted blank, erroneous early ink pagination, extensive bibliographical notes of a J. Niefert, 1807 to front free endpapers, first f. trimmed to text and laid down, f. "70" a few mostly small holes (1 larger) with loss of text, some light water-staining, spotting and staining, lightly browned, 18th century polished calf, richly gilt spine in compartments and with chipped black morocco label, rubbed and marked, folio (308 x 200mm.), Nuremberg, Anton Koberger, 11 August, 1481.⁂ A wide-margined copy. First published in 1479, the Vitae is the first systematic history of the popes. Sacchi was appointed as Vatican librarian by Sixtus IV in 1475, shortly after the publication of his important cookbook De honesta voluptate et valetudine. Provenance: 'S-C' (early red ink monogram to foot of first f.); J. Niefert (19th century notes to front endpapers). Literature: BMC II, 420; Goff P-769; GW M33881; HC 13047; Bod-inc P-343; BSB-Ink P-566; ISTC ip00769000.

Golden Cockerel Press.- Chaucer (Geoffrey) The Canterbury Tales, 4 vol., number 90 of 485 copies on paper, wood-engraved decorative borders, illustrations and initials by Eric Gill, initials printed in red, blue and black, vol. 1, 2 & 4 with small bookseller's label to gutter foot of pastedown, original morocco-backed patterned-paper boards, by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, vol. 3 very small leather repair to spine, very slight wear to tips of corners (as usual), t.e.g., others uncut, housed within modern drop-back drab cloth box, [Chanticleer 63], small folio, Waltham Saint Lawrence, Golden Cockerel Press, 1929-31.

Hunter (Dard) The Literature of Papermaking 1390-1800, first edition, one of 190 copies signed by the author, 24 tipped-in facsimile title-pages, illustrations, light offsetting, one or two leaves wrinkled from facsimile being poorly tipped to verso (as often), occasional light toning or spotting to facsimiles, loose as issued in original half cloth folder with ties, small ink mark to foot of upper joint, a couple other very small and faint marks, folio, Chillicothe, Ohio, [Mountain House Press], 1925.⁂ The second of Hunter's hand-made books devoted to the history and art of papermaking; he hand-printed the book on hand-made paper using type that he had designed and cast. Although the limitation in the book reads 190 copies, his autobiography (p.71) states that only 180 copies were produced. Halfway through the production, Hunter experienced a haemorrhage in his left eye from an earlier accident which reduced his sight to less than half normal vision.

Maret (Russell) Specimens of Diverse Characters, number 22 of 55 copies on hand-made paper and signed by the compiler/printer, from an edition limited to 70, printed in black and colours, specimens on rectos only, some pictorial, one or two engraved, one with image drawn directly on the page with candle smoke, original red morocco-backed patterned-paper boards, by Craig Jensen at Book Lab II, spine titled in palladium, uncut, original grey cloth drop-back box, red morocco label titled in palladium, folio, [New York], 2011.⁂ Superb production, a beautifully-designed and printed selection of texts and alphabets in a variety of types from across the ages.

Nonesuch Press.- Dante Alighieri. La Divina Commedia or the Divine Vision of Dante Alighieri in Italian & English, translated by H. F. Cary, one of 1475 copies, printed in Monotype Blado, text in Italian and English, double-page plates from drawings by Sandro Botticelli, original vellum stained orange, gilt, t.e.g., others uncut, an excellent copy without the usual fading to spine, light splaying to covers, head of spine lightly creased, [Dreyfus 50], folio, Nonesuch Press, 1928.

Columbus (Christopher).- Psalterium, Hebraeum, Graecum, Arabicum, & Chaldaeum, cum tribus latinis interpretationibus & glossis, collation: A10 B-Z8 &8 Ɔ6, title printed in red and black in five languages within fine decorative woodcut strapwork border, woodcut initials and printer's device on final colophon leaf, A4v and A5r printed in red and black, edited and with Latin commentary by Agostino Giustiniani, text printed in 8 columns across double pages in Hebrew, (literal) Latin translation from the Hebrew, Latin Vulgate, Greek Septuagint, Arabic, Chaldee or Aramaic Targum, literal Latin translation from the Chaldee, some damp-staining causing edges to be brittle, a few repairs, some worming, mostly marginal but occasionally into text block, piece cut away from lower margin of title and repaired, later blind-stamped calf, rebacked and recased, rubbed, folio (330 x 227mm.), Genoa, Petrus Paulus Porrus for Nicolai Justiniani Pauli, 1516.⁂ The first Polyglot Psalter and only the second book printed to use Arabic type, with biographical details of Christopher Columbus. "A monument of Renaissance typography, this Psalter was linguistically the most ambitious work attempted to date, and the first Polyglot work ever published. It provides the Psalms in five languages as well as a marginal scholarship based largely on rabbinic sources. The Arabic text is one of the first two texts and the first biblical text, ever printed in this language. The Hebrew types used in this book were apparently never used again." (B. Sabin Hill, Hebraica from the Valmadonna Trust, The Piermont Morgan Library (1989) no. 18).Perhaps the most interesting feature of Giustiniani's Polyglot Psalter is the lengthy scholium to Psalm xix, verse 4: "et in fines mundi verba eorum" (and their words to the ends of the world). The learned author presents a long note dealing with the life and the explorations of Christopher Columbus, who had died only ten years before the publication of the Psalter. This is, apart from the letters and journals of Columbus himself, on which it is based, the first biography of the discoverer of America. We may speculate that Giustiniani's inclusion of this material arose out of his Genoese patriotism as much as out of his clerical sense of the Providential character of Columbus's voyages in realising the implicit prophecy of the text. Except for the first sentence of the scholium, there is no further reference to God, divine Providence, or the Christian Church; Giustiniani becomes completely absorbed in relating the adventures of Columbus. He even finishes on the rather pagan note, not unusual in the Renaissance, that if Columbus had lived in ancient Greece, he would have been deified at his death.Literature: Adams B1370; Darlow & Moule 1411; Vinograd, Genoa 1.

Erasmus (Desiderius) Adagiorum opus, collation: aa-dd6, ee8, a-z6, A-Z6, Aa-Zz6, Aaa-Kkk6, Lll8; [64], 962, [2] pp., woodcut printer's device to title and verso of final leaf (errata), woodcut initials, contemporary ink marginalia to a couple of leaves (shaved), title lightly browned, slight worming to inner margin of preliminaries, a little damp-staining towards end, later bookplate of Edward Symour Foster, later panelled calf, rebacked, later endpapers, rubbed, corners worn, folio (315 x 210mm.), Basel, Jo.Froben, 1528.Literature: Adams E435; VD16 E 1939.

δ Elimithar (Elluchasem) "Ibn Butlan". Tacuini sanitatis, first edition, collation: A-M⁶ N O⁴ P⁶, with final blank leaf P6, title printed in red and black, tables and some side-notes printed in red, 40 woodcut strips by Hans Weiditz to foot of leaves, illustrating plants, animals, fruits, cookery, humours, diseases &tc, frequent contemporary underlining and annotation in red and brown inks, some skilful restoration to margins, affecting a few annotations, a few small wormholes within text throughout, some very light browning and occasional faint spotting, some faint marginal damp-staining and soiling, eighteenth century vellum-backed gilt patterned boards, possibly a remboitage, spine darkened and with early ink title to head, lightly rubbed, folio (310 x 200mm.), Strasbourg, Johann Schott, 1531.⁂ Rare treatise on health, with delightful woodcuts by Hans Weiditz. Written in the eleventh century, Ibn Butlan's guide to good health, known as 'Taqwim al Sihha' in Arabic, had been circulating in manuscript copies during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries under the Latin title 'Tacuini sanitatis' or 'Tables of Health'. This is the first printed edition. It lays out six elements necessary for good health and avoiding stress: food and drink, air and climate, activity and rest, sleep and wakefulness, the secretion and excretion of humours, and states of mind, i.e. the emotions. Provenance: Luzerne County Medical Library (ink-stamp to title); "Duplicate, 6/10, 1911. Surgeon General's Library" (ink note to foot of title).Literature: Adams I11; Cagle 243; Durling 2520; Vicaire 323-325; Simon BB 633; Wellcome 1996. δ This lot is sold subject to Artists Resale Rights, details of which can be found in our Terms and Conditions.

D'Oyly (Charles) Behar Amateur Lithographic Scrapbook, lithographed throughout with decorative title and 28 plates, all on india paper and mounted on 27 thick paper leaves, some worming to plates (mostly one or two holes but occasionally more severe), heavier worming and foxing to mounts, later half morocco, original blue paper upper wrapper with lithographed decorative label bound in (soiled and stained, frayed at edges), rubbed, [Abbey, Travel 449], oblong folio, [Patna], Behar Lithographic Press, [1828]; sold not subject to return⁂ Scarce and early lithographic views of India, one of several similar scrapbooks produced by Sir Charles D'Oyly at his amateur press in Patna during the late 1820s. D'Oyly was a civil servant in the East India Company who served as Opium Agent in Bihar and Commercial Resident in Patna between 1821 and 1831. He was also a skilled amateur artist and produced several works depicting views, life, sports, and the natural history of India but these privately-printed scrapbooks are some of his rarest works. He was greatly influenced by his friend the artist George Chinnery and a few of the plates here are after drawings by Chinnery. The plates show temples, river & village scenes, dancing girls, the 'Shunscrit College at Benares', and 'National Burmese Game' of keeping a wicker ball in the air using only the feet.