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Click here to subscribeClassical Interest: A large and fascinating collection of approximately 300 lp's from the 'Alan Kelly' collection (discographer of the 'Gramophone Company') - all operatic vocal historical recordings on scarce labels, Club "99" Rococo, O.A.S.I, Cantilena, Rubini, Libendige (LV) etc, published in the 1960's/70's - rare vocals of the early XX Century - mostly ex condition and unplayed.
Led Zeppelin Interest: Seven L.P titles to include 'Houses of the Holy' L.P (Atlantic, earliest matrix A2/B2 with Master signature 'Sterling' in deadwax sides 1 and 2; with HOTH OBI sash (rare) and textured lyric inner; Led Zeppelin 'I' (silver bar on front sleeve, plum label; 'III' (working wheel plum label), 'IV' (plum); 'Stairway To Heaven' (white label promo L.P, recorded 1972 BBC with John Peel), 'Physical Graffiti' and 'In Through The Outdoor'. (2)
Fourteen Gold proof full sovereigns - a complete run from 2006 to 2019, all boxed or cased with certificates, a rare opportunity to acquire a complete run of gold proof sovereigns including 2012 and 2017 with special reverse designs Condition Report Click here for further images, condition, auction times & delivery costs
Rare coin error - 20p coin dated 1993 struck in copper-plated steel rather than the intended cupro-nickel, it is accompanied by a letter from The Royal Mint acknowledging that it is a genuine error and confirming its composition, the letter is signed by G P DYER (Librarian & Curator) Condition Report Click here for further images, condition, auction times & delivery costs
A Rare Early 19th Century Tasmanian Sampler Titled 'Lines on a Lady' made by a student at 'The Queens Female Orphagn School Van Diemens Land, 1838' worked on a fine hemmed gauze. This exceptional sampler needs to be seen to appreciate its dainty proportions and finely executed stitching, displaying decorative motifs as hearts, crowns, flowering trees, stars etc, 15cm by 16.5cm Van Diemens Land or Tasmania as it was later known, was mainly occupied by convicts and many felt at the time that it was one of the most fearsome and terrible of destinations. The orphanage (1833-79) was the first purpose built institution on the island for orphaned, destitute and neglected children in the New Town, many were born to convict women. A quote from the period on the conditions; 'the children are cold comfortless, and ill arranged upon a most mistaken system of parsimonious economy...the prevalence of stone pavement, throughout the lower apartments of the building is, in our humble opinion, highly detrimental to the health of the inmates, in one room we saw five little fellows blue and shivering with cold, there was it is true a fireplace in the room, but no fire....We have seen many assemblages of children in our time...but never did we see two hundred human beings, that exhibited so squalid an appearance, as did the majority of the Queen's Orphans' Needlework was seen as a way of importing a work ethic and self discipline. In 1838 a flat basket made up of embroidered circular panels, in the same style as our sampler, was presented to Lady Jane Franklin who was wife of the Lt Governor at the time, Sir John Franklin. This basket is now owned by the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
A large quantity of 35mm and 2.75" colour slides. Subjects include quality images of Austria/German, Lake District and civil aircraft. Glass slides from 1950's Holland include rare advertising shots of flourescent Coca Cola and Heinekan slides. Also 2 small boxes of Victorian magic lantern story slides (several hundreds).
Dibdin (Rev. Thomas Frognall) The Bibliomania; Or, Book-Madness; Containing Some Account of the History, Symptons, and Cure of this Fatal Disease, first edition, title with woodcut vignette, the odd spot, occasional light browning, original boards, spine a little chipped, preserved in folding chemise and slip-case, 1809; An Introduction to the Knowledge of Rare and Valuable Editions of the Greek and Latin Classics, 2 vol., third edition, folding engraved plate, bookplate of Hon. Marmaduke Dawnay, 19th century polished calf, gilt, spines gilt in compartments with morocco labels, a handsome set, 1808, both works with leather book-label of Haven O'More, 8vo (3)
Agrippa (Henricus Cornelius) De Incertitudine et Vanitate Scientiarum, [Cologne], 1539; Apologia adversus calumnias, [?Antwerp], 1533, together 2 works bound in 1 vol., collation: A8 a-z aa-bb8; A-M8, first work with woodcut portrait on title and 2 woodcut initials, second work with errata leaf at end, small leather book-label of Haven O'More, contemporary blind-stamped calf over wooden boards, metal clasps intact, spine ends and corners worn, 8vo (144 x 94mm.)⁂ Two rare works bound together in an attractive contemporary binding. Literature: Second work Adams A377.Provenance: "Gregorii Helsi et amicorum" (early ink inscription at foot of title, with further inscription at head).
Joyce (James) Finnegan's Wake, first edition, number 41 of 425 copies signed by the author in turquoise ink, title mounted on stub, leather book-label of Haven O'More, original brick red buckram, spine titled and ruled in gilt, t.e.g., others uncut, the extremely rare original transparent wrapper present but torn and frayed at spine, original yellow cloth slip-case, a fine copy, [Slocum & Cahoon 49], 8vo, London and New York, 1939.⁂ A superb example of Joyce's masterpiece and his final complete work.
Theosophy.- [Walton (Christopher, editor)] Notes and Materials for an Adequate Biography of the Celebrated Divine and Theosopher, William Law, comprising an Elucidation of the Scope and Contents of the Writings of Jacob Boehme, and of his great Commentator, Dionysius Andreas Freher, ink corrections and notes to margins throughout, woodcut folding plate at end, ink ownership inscriptions to endpapers, leather book-label of Haven O'More, contemporary calf, upper cover lettered in gilt, joints repaired, extremities rubbed and bumped, 8vo, Privately Published, 1854.⁂ Very rare.
Aristotle. Libri Quatuordecim qui Aristotelis esse dicuntur, de Secretiore parte divinae sapientiae secundum Aegyptios, collation: a4 A-L4 M2 N-Pp4 a4 e4 i2, complete with blank leaf Pp4, title with small woodcut device, woodcut initials and decorations, water-staining towards end, mostly marginal, 17th century ink annotations to endpapers, small leather book-label of Haven O'More, modern calf-backed marbled boards, 4to (222 x 160mm.), Paris, ex officina Jacobi du Puys, 1571.⁂ Rare work purportedly by Aristotle, "said to have been found at Damascus, and to have been translated from Greek into Arabic, and from Arabic into Latin...it is in great measure compiled from the works of Plotinus, though what is extracted from the writings of that philosopher is barbarized, as is usual with the Arabians." (Thomas Taylor, A Dissertation on the philosophy of Aristotle, 1812).Literature: Adams A1969.Provenance: "Ex libris Julii Caesaris Ballivi" on title - probably Sir Julius Caesar, English judge, lawyer and politician, c.1558-1636.Saleroom notice: The provenance should be Giulio Ballino, an Italian judge (not Sir Julius Caesar as stated in the catalogue).
Iamblichus. In Nicomachi Arithmeticam Introductionem, et de Fato, large paper copy, additional engraved title, printed title in red and black, woodcut diagrams, text in Greek and Latin, some leaves browned, small leather book-label of Haven O'More at front and rear, contemporary vellum, gilt, spine soiled and lacking label, silk ties lacking, 4to, Arnhem, Johann Friederich Hag, 1668.⁂ First edition of Iamblichus' commentary on Nicomachus' "Introduction to Arithmetic," considered in antiquity to be an indispensable aid to the deeper study of Plato. Very rare in such format, measuring 227 x 170mm.
Bohr (Niels) On the Theory of the Decrease of Velocity of Moving Electrified Particles on Passing Through Matter, first edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author on front cover, offprint from the Philosophical Magazine, 6th series, vol.25 no.145, pp.10-31, original printed wrappers, preserved in modern cloth drop-back box with small leather book-label of Haven O'More, 8vo, 1913.⁂ A fine and rare presentation copy of the foundation of Bohr's atomic theory. Calculating the decrease in velocity of Alpha particles fired at atoms, Bohr here shows that the decrease depends on the electron structure of the atoms (and in particular their number and frequencies) - a theoretical result in agreement with the empirical data about the atoms.
Bohr (Niels) On the Constitution of Atoms and Molecules, first edition, 3 author offprints from the Philosophical Magazine, 6th series, vol.26, pp.1-26, 476-502 and 857-875 bound together in contemporary wrappers with presentation inscription from the author to Kasimir Fajans on upper cover, rebacked in cloth, preserved in modern cloth drop-back box with leather book-label of Haven O'More, [PMM 411], 8vo, 1913.⁂ The birth of modern atomic theory - a rare presentation copy of Bohr's foundational work on the structure of the atom. Building upon the general theory of the Rutherford model and applying Planck's Quantum Theory, Bohr introduced three postulates: 1. An electron can revolve around its nucleus only in certain special orbits; 2. the ordinary electron revolves about its nucleus in an invariable orbit, without radiating or absorbing energy; and 3. radiation takes place when and only when the electron falls from an orbit of greater energy to one of less energy. The theory was first applied to the hydrogen atom which has only one electron revolving around the positive nucleus, but has an indefinite number of allowable orbits that were mechanically possible.
Bohr (Niels) On The Quantum Theory of Line Spectra, 3 parts, first edition, part 1 presentation copy inscribed by the author on upper cover, offprints from Memoires de l'Academie Royale des Sciences et des Lettres de Danemark, original printed wrappers with "Separate Copy" in upper left corner of each front cover, very slightly toned and chipped, preserved together in modern cloth drop-back box with small leather book-label of Haven O'More, 4to, Copenhagen, 1918-22.⁂ Rare in such condition and with an autograph presentation inscription, here to Kasimir Fajans. One of Bohr's most important papers and the basis for Bohr's Nobel Prize. These papers give the first clear formulation of his 'correspondence principle' establishing the limit agreement of quantum and classical physics.
Euclid.- Proclus (Diadochus) In Primum Euclidis Elementorum librum Commentariorum, first edition in Latin, translated by Francisco Barozzi, collation: *-**4 A-Z a-o4 complete with final colophon leaf, woodcut vignette of Hermes and Athena holding a phoenix on title with full-page woodcut portrait of the translator within historiated border on verso, woodcut initials and fine decorative woodcut chapter-headings, diagrams, woodcut printer's device on colophon, old blue ink stamps to title, generally a clean and crisp copy, small leather book-label of Haven O'More, modern boards, spine ends chipped, folio (296 x 198mm.), Padua, Gratiosi Perchacini, 1560.⁂ Rare and important commentary on the first book of Euclid: 'the earliest contribution to the history of mathematics' (DSB). It was translated into Latin by Francesco Barozzi, a humanist, mathematician and astronomer, whose translation provides a text substantially more complete and correct than the editio princeps, printed at Basel in 1533, since it is based on superior manuscripts. Barozzi finished the translation at the age of only 22, having already lectured on Sacrobosco's Sphaera at the University of Padua in 1559. Later he translated the work of Hero and Archimedes and wrote a Cosmographia, but was condemned for sorcery by the Inquisition in 1587 for having caused torrential rainstorms in his native Crete. Literature: Adams P2138; Mortimer, Italian 403; Riccardi I, 82; EDIT 16 CNCE 33726Provenance: "Del Colleg. de C.R.M. di S. Gio: di Duce d'Anagni" (ink inscription on title).
Röntgen (Wilhelm Conrad) Ueber eine neue Art von Strahlen, 2 parts, rare offprints of both parts, offprints from the Sitzungsberichten der Wurzburger Physik-medic. Gesellschaft, in original yellow and orange printed wrappers, preserved in modern cloth chemise with small leather book-label of Haven O'More, morocco slip-case, [PMM 380; Garrison Morton 2683; Norman 1841-42], 8vo, Wurzburg, 1895 & 1896. ⁂ First editions of two of the most influential and far-reaching medico-scientific papers ever published. Extremely rare to find both papers together and in such good original condition. "Their importance in surgery, medicine and metallurgy is well known. Incomparably the most important aspect of Roentgen's experiments, however, is his discovery of matter in a new form, which has completely revolutionized the study of chemistry and physics. Laue and Braggs have used the X-rays to show us the atomic structure of crystals. Moseley has reconstructed the periodic table of elements. Becquerel was directly inspired by Roentgen's results to the investigation that discovered radio-activity. Finally J.J. Thomson enunciated the electron theory as a result of investigating the nature of X-rays." (PMM). He was awarded the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.
Rutherford (Ernest) The Scattering of Alpha and Beta Particles by Matter and the Structure of the Atom, first edition, offprint from the Philosophical Magazine 6th series, vol.21, pp.669-688, disbound with old tape marks and repairs/reback to spine, 1911; The Structure of the Atom, first edition, presentation copy inscribed "With the author's compliments" on upper cover, offprint from the Philosophical Magazine 6th series, vol.27, pp.488-498, original printed wrappers, slight abrasions from removal of tape to both covers near to spine, 1914; together preserved in modern cloth drop-back box with small leather book-label of Haven O'More at front and rear, [PMM 411], 8vo⁂ The discovery of the atomic nucleus and the structure of the atom. "In 1911, as a result of bombarding goldfoil with alpha particles, Rutherford formulated the hypothesis of the nuclear construction of the atom which is the basis of all subsequent work in atomic physics and chemistry. Most of the alpha particles passed through the foil, but some bounced back. Rutherford interpreted the bouncing in terms of his theory. Those that went through were simply passing through the planetary systems of electrons, while those that bounced back had hit, or interacted with, a nucleus." (PMM).The second paper, a rare presentation copy, deals with certain points in connection with the nucleus theory of the atom which he had purposely omitted from the 1911 paper.The first appearance in print of two of the most far-reaching discovery reports ever published, both from the library of Kasimir Farjans, the first with his name in pencil on upper cover, the second with some pencil annotations ?in his hand.
Rutherford (Ernest) Collision of Alpha Particles with Light Atoms, first edition, very rare offprint from the Philosophical Magazine 6, vol.37 pp.537-587, original printed wrappers with cloth spine, preserved in modern cloth drop-back box with small leather book-label of Haven O'More, [PMM 411], 8vo, 1919. ⁂ The splitting of the atom and the discovery of the proton - the first report of atomic fission. Rutherford here reports that hydrogen nuclei were released in the collision of Alpha particles with nitrogen atoms. Rutherford conceived these hydrogen nuclei to be elementary particles and called them "Protons". Very rare in offprint form.A fine association copy of this ground-breaking work - from the library of Kasimir Fajans (Polish American physical chemist, 1887-1975). With the misprint "hydrogen" instead of "nitrogen" on upper cover.
Doves Press.- Pollard (Alfred W.) Cobden-Sanderson and the Doves Press, number 2 of 27 copies with a specimen leaf on vellum, from an edition limited to 339, printed in red and black in cloister Lightface, specimen leaf from the Doves Press 'Hamlet' (printed in red and black with a large initial "W" in green supplied by hand by Edward Johnston) tipped in at beginning, leather book-label of Haven O'More, original vellum, ruled in gilt, by Hübel & Denck of Leipzig, t.e.g., others uncut, spine very slightly soiled, with 11pp. prospectus in original blue printed wrappers preserved in later Japanese paper-covered drop-back box, folio, San Francisco, John Henry Nash, 1929.⁂ An excellent copy with one of the choicest specimens on vellum, in this case the first page of Hamlet featuring the entry of the ghost of Hamlet's father. Very rare in deluxe format.
Nash (Paul).- Genesis: Twelve Woodcuts by Paul Nash..., number 44 of 375 copies, printed in Rudolf Koch's Neuland type, 12 woodcuts by Nash, Desmond Coke's copy with A.L.s. from Nash concerning proofs for 'Genesis' tipped in, also John Carter's copy with his signature in red ink and note on one of the proofs on front free endpaper, with invitation to private view of Paul Nash Memorial Exhibition loosely inserted, original black boards, gilt, uncut, very slight wear to spine ends and bumping to corners, with the rare orange dust-jacket, spine faded and with a couple of small water stains, a little frayed at edges, 4to, printed by the Curwen Press for the Nonesuch Press, 1924.⁂ Nash's superb woodcuts make this one of the most collected of Nonesuch Press items, particularly scarce with the notoriously fragile dust-jacket.Desmond Coke (1879-1931), schoolmaster and author of school tales similar to early P.G.Wodehouse. He was obviously a close friend of Nash's and owned several of his paintings and other works. The letter from Nash accompanied 3 proofs from Genesis sent as a birthday present (not included here) "...my signed proofs are few and only for a select number of special friends...You will come to the show Desmond - I've sweated to get what is there...".
Fables.- Dialoges of Creatures Moralysed (The), collation: [flower]4 A-X4 2A-2T4, first edition in English, this copy lacking all before C1 (but for B2) and Q1, upper half of T2, Aa2-4, Pp1-4 and Tt1-4 (in total most of 23 leaves), printed in black letter, woodcut initials and numerous illustrations, with illustrated title and penultimate leaf with colophon supplied in good facsimile, most missing leaves replaced with blank leaves, soiled and water-stained, C3 defective at lower edge with loss to signature and large initial on verso, D1 with ink stains and torn at foot (repaired without loss), M signature slightly torn and defective at upper outer corner just touching text (old repairs), wormhole to Ss3 & 4 affecting a couple of letters, cropped, with early 20th century manuscript notes loosely inserted, modern black morocco, upper cover slightly marked, [STC 6815], small 4to (170 x 115mm.), [Antwerp, Jan van Doesborch], [c.1530]; sold not subject to return⁂ Rare collection of Italian 14th century fables, usually found incomplete.
Doves Press.- Strouse (Norman H.) and John Dreyfus. C-S: The Master Craftsman. An account of the work of T.J.Cobden-Sanderson, letter G of 12 special copies with 2 original leaves from the Doves Press on vellum and signed by the printer Leonard F.Bahr, from an edition limited to 329, printed in red, blue and black, with loosely-inserted T.L.s. from the author to Duncan Andrews concerning the 12 copies on vellum, also prospectus and reproduction of a photograph of Emery Walker and Cobden-Sanderson outside the Doves Press, leather book-label of Haven O'More, original vellum-backed marbled boards, uncut, original cloth slip-case, a fine copy, folio, Harper Woods, Mich., Adagio Press, 1969.⁂ A very desirable special copy, containing two specimen leaves on vellum, one from Iphigenie auf Tauris with an initial in gold (4to), and an exceptionally rare leaf from the Bible, Isaiah 38, with an initial in red on recto and two on verso (folio).
Bristol School.- Women artists.- Carpenter (Mary, English educational, penal and social reformer, 1807-1877) An album of twenty watercolours, ten by Carpenter herself from the years 1832 to 1838, and others by Bristol School artists, including a landscape by George Arthur Fripp (1813-1896), a view of the Acropolis by James Johnson (1803-1834), a view of Odsey House, Hertfordshire, by A. Needham, a "composition" landscape watercolour by Anna Russell [née Worsley] (1807-1876) the noted Bristol botanist, a monochrome study of a valley by Samuel Jackson (1794-1869), a maritime view, possibly in [?]South America, with a sailing ship at anchor and a second boat with slaves rowing, by Nathaniel Neal Solly (1811-1895), the biographer of Bristol-based artist William James Müller, and four others unattributed but probably by a slightly later hand, 20 watercolours, pen and black ink title page that reads 'Mary Carpenter/ Early Sketches taken chiefly from the years 1832 to 1838', watercolours with pen and ink attributions and dates, all but five of the works are neatly tipped onto album leaves, some minor spotting and surface dirt, occasional light browning, original burgundy straight-grain morocco, gilt, rubbed and worn, small folio, circa 1832-1838.⁂ Rare. Fine early watercolours by the leading female advocate of deprived and delinquent children in mid-nineteenth-century England, and one of the first philanthropists to see the need to provide special facilities for their care. Carpenter was based in Bristol from 1829, and the present watercolours by her and various associates are from the ensuing decade. We have traced only four watercolours by Carpenter herself, all of which are held in the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery collection."Mary developed a compulsion to set the world to rights. Apart from watercolour painting, which expressed a sensitivity to the beauty of her surroundings, she had little interest in female accomplishments" [Frank Prochaska, Oxford DnB, 23 September 2004] List of works with attributions inscribed (four further works included, but not listed below, are without an attribution):1. George Arthur Fripp (1813-1896) - Valley landscape with farmhouse and cattle2. Mary Carpenter (1807-1877) - Lake Marathon, Greece3. James Johnson (1803-1834) - The Acropolis 4. Mary Carpenter (1807-1877) - Composition from the Hemlock Stone, Nottingham5. A. [?] Needham - Odsey House near Royston, Herts.6. Mary Carpenter (1807-1877) - Swansea Works7. Anna Russell [née Worsley] (1807-1876) - Composition8. Mary Carpenter (1807-1877) - Bolton Abbey9. Mary Carpenter (1807-1877) - Snuff Mills near Stapleton10. Mary Carpenter (1807-1877) - Composition 11. Mary Carpenter (1807-1877) - Lynmouth12. Mary Carpenter (1807-1877) - Study from Claude13. Samuel Jackson (1794-1869) - Lynmouth 14. Nathaniel Neal Solly (1811-1895) - Maritime scene with sailing ship at anchor, and a second boat with slaves rowing15. Mary Carpenter (1807-1877) - Cheddar Gorge16. Mary Carpenter (1807-1877) - The Dart near Ashburton
[Habington (William)] Castara, 2 parts in 1, second edition, variant with title of second part dated 1636, woodcut ornaments and initials, with the uncancelled leaf F12 'To his Muse' which should have been cancelled as it is repeated at p.145, title lightly soiled, modern half dark green morocco, by Rivière & Son, g.e., spine very slightly faded, [STC 12584a], 12mo, by B.A. & T.F. for Will.Cooke, 1635-36.⁂ Rare, particularly with the uncancelled leaf. ESTC lists 3 UK copies of this variant (BL, Bodleian and Innerpeffray by Crieff) and 3 in America.
Golden Cockerel Press.- Chaucer (Geoffrey) Troilus and Criseyde, edited by Arundell del Re, number 66 of 225 copies, wood-engraved pictorial title, decorative borders, illustrations and initials by Eric Gill, initials printed in red, blue and black, leather book-label of Haven O'More, original morocco-backed patterned-paper boards, by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, t.e.g., others uncut, spine very lightly faded, slight wear to corners (as usual), [Chanticleer 50], small folio, Waltham St.Lawrence, Golden Cockerel Press, 1927.⁂ One of the major books from the Golden Cockerel Press, and one of Eric Gill's finest works, printed in a small number and thus always rare.
Education.- Tryon (Thomas) A New Method of Educating Children: or, Rules and Directions for the Well Ordering and Governing Them, during their Younger Years, first edition, title foxed, a little browned, cropped affecting head-lines and occasionally with slight loss to first lines or fore-edges, mostly to preface or 'Further Thoughts...' at end but without loss to sense, final leaf with author's name Andrew Prime to 'Further Thoughts' crossed out in ink, modern panelled russet calf, spine titled in gilt, [Wing T3190], 12mo, for J.Salusbury...and J.Harris, 1695.⁂ Rare work by Thomas Tryon (1634-1703), a hatter who founded a mystical movement known as 'Tryonism' which promoted temperance, pacifism and vegetarianism, influencing Benjamin Franklin in his youth. One of many books he wrote, this work on education concerns language training, diet for "breeding women" and children, and a liberal attitude towards discipline. ESTC lists 7 copies in the UK and 6 in America.
Married Man's Answer (The) to the Batchelor's Estimate of the Expences of a Married Life, first edition, 10pp., slight soiling, disbound, folio, Printed for T. Payne, 1729.⁂ Extremely rare. ESTC locates the Boston Public Library copy only; WorldCat locates UCLA copy only. A second edition of the same year seems almost as rare. The Batchelor's Estimate was written by Edward Ward.
Canals.- Whitworth (Richard) The Advantages of Inland Navigation...to shew that an Inland Navigation may be easily effected between the three great Ports of Bristol, Liverpool, and Hull, first edition, presentation copy from the author to John Turton with Turton's ink inscription at head of title (and others to front free endpaper), folding engraved portrait of the Duke of Bridgewater, 4 folding tables of furnaces & forges, manufactures & merchandizes, expenses, & landowners, large folding engraved map with routes supplied in red or green, browned and soiled, slight worming to map, bookplate of John Turton of the Inner Temple, contemporary calf, rubbed, rebacked preserving old morocco label, corners repaired, worming to lower corners and edges, 8vo, for R.Baldwin, 1766.⁂ Rare work by the High Sheriff of Staffordshire 1758/9 and MP for Stafford from 1768 to 1780.
Naval.- Wilson (Lt. Robert) The Seaman's Manual, containing all the Technical Words and Phrases used at Sea...With the Duty of a Midshipman, first edition, contemporary ink signature "J.Hill Jun." at head of title and "J.Hill Down House Bristol" on front free endpaper, with pencil sketch of captain welcoming a lady and child on board ship on front free endpaper and a ship on rear, bookseller's ticket of J.Harvey of Weymouth, contemporary sheep-backed marbled boards, rubbed, joints split, spine rather worn and defective at head, 12mo, for the Truslers, at the Literary-Press, [c.1790].⁂ Rare; ESTC records only the BL copy but Library Hub adds those in the University of St.Andrews and the Wellcome libraries.
Food and drink.- [Moore (Hannah)] The Cottage Cook, or Mrs. Jones's Cheap Dishes, Shewing the Way to do Much Good with Little Money, woodcut illustrations, unbound, 12mo, by J.Evans, [c.1795].⁂ A rare little work, we can trace only 1 copy at auction and only the Cambridge University copy on ESTC. Includes 4 recipes at the end as well as a section titled "Friendly Hints".
Chapbooks.- Transportation.- The Gamester, J. Marshall, [1796] § [Moore (Hannah)] Tawney Rachel; or, the Fortune-Teller: With Some Account of Dreams, Omens, and Conjurers, J. Evans, [c.1800] § The History of Charles Jones, the Footman, J. Marshall, [c.1800], woodcut illustrations, unbound; and c.25 other chapbooks with c.65 ballad sheets including The Convict's Farewell, The Laundry Ghost, St. Patrick's Day, Stark Naked Robbery, The Flashy Lace Makers, Wellesley's Victory and The Russian Bear, v.s. (c.90)⁂ A good and varied group with many rare titles, in The Gamester and The Convict's Farewell both of the subjects are transported to Botany Bay, neither listed in Ferguson.
Lamb (Charles) A Tale of Rosamund Gray and Old Blind Margaret, first edition, ?second issue, cancel title with London imprint and mounted on stub, with final blank leaf, spotting to signature C, original boards, uncut, a little rubbed and soiled, rebacked, preserved in modern dark blue morocco drop-back box, 8vo, for Lee and Hurst, 1798.⁂ Written during Lamb's temporary estrangement from Coleridge and his association with Charles Lloyd, the novel was published simultaneously in Birmingham and London, copies with the Birmingham imprint being very rare. ESTC lists 4 UK copies with the London imprint (BL, Bodleian, Senate House Library, and Wisbech and Fenland Museum).
Child's New Spelling Primer (The); or, First Book of Children. To which is added the stories of Cinderella, and the Little Red Riding Hood, 2 full-page woodcut illustrations, original wrappers, rubbed, 16mo, Dublin, T. Wilkinson, 1799.⁂ Rare. ESTC lists 6 copies, only 3 of which are in the UK (BL, Cambridge and National Library of Ireland).
Circus.- The Tailor's Journey to Brentford; a Comic Extravaganza for Young Minds, 12 hand-coloured engraved plates, final f. torn, soiling, original wrappers, rubbed and soiled, spine worn, 12mo, G. Stevens, [c.1815].⁂ Rare, we can find no recorded copies at auction, online or on Library Hub. The Tailor's Journey to Brentford (also called Billy Buttons) was adapted by the Circus owner Philip Astley into the first circus clown act.
Culmann (Leonhard) Sententiæ Pueriles, Anglo-Latinæ, woodcut decorations, 1p. advertisements, contemporary calf, label to spine, by J. Janeway, for the Company of Stationers, 1734 § Exempla Moralia: or, a Second Book of New English Examples to be Rendered into Latin, woodcut coat of arms to title, ink underlinings, occasional ink staining, lacking rear endpaper, bookplate, later buckram, Eton, T. Pote, 1793; and 6 others, Children's educational works, 8vo & 4to (8)⁂ Both rare, ESTC lists only the Folger copy for the first, and only 3 copies for the second (not in BL or Eton).
Curious Adventures (The) of a Little White Mouse; or a Bad Boy changed in a very comical manner into a Good Boy, woodcut frontispiece and 9 illustrations, first and last ff. laid onto pastedowns, gatherings becoming loose, original boards, spine defective, rubbed, 16mo, for W. Lane, at the Minerva, Leadenhall-Street, [c.1790].⁂ In this rare fairy tale the wicked boy Whitelocks is changed into a white mouse by Fairy Fidget. He is eventually returned to his original form after various adventures and becomes King of Fairyland. Only 3 copies on ESTC, we can trace no copy at auction since 1988.
Darton (William, publisher).- Death and Burial of Cock Robin, 16 copper engraved plates, coloured by hand, creasing, occasional light marking in pencil, a few letters or words crossed through in ink, loss to front free endpaper, contemporary plain stitched wrappers, upper cover mostly torn away, [Darton H255(1)], 16mo, W. Darton, Jany. 31st, 1806 [but paper watermarked 1809].⁂ Darton's rare first edition of the poem. "This form of the poem has the Beadle, instead of the Beetle, sewing the shroud and introduces three verses at the end, with the grave being filled by the hawk, the will read by the daw and the hare writing the epitaph." - Darton.
Memoirs of Dick, the Little Poney, half-title, engraved frontispiece, woodcut decorations, ink inscription to head of title, contemporary tree calf, spine gilt, [Roscoe, J241(2)], for J.Walker, 1800; and 10 others, children's, 12mo (11)⁂ A rare little work, only 5 copies on ESTC and no copies at auction.
Pretty Stories for the Amusement of Good Children: Containing the Renowned and Surprising Adventures of Jack the Giant-Killer, Ali Baba, or the Forty Thieves, and Robinson Crusoe, folding hand-coloured frontispiece, light offsetting, original printed wrappers, light surface soiling, excellent otherwise, 12mo, Derby, Thomas Richardson, [c.1834].⁂ Rare early edition of the Jack the Giant-Killer story, Library Hub lists the Cambridge University copy only.
Slavery.- Opie (Amelia) The Black Man's Lament, or How to Make Sugar, first edition, 18 wood-engraved illustrations coloured by hand, occasional offsetting and finger-soiling, a few markings in ink or pencil, original printed wrappers, price on upper cover altered by hand, wear to spine, rubbed and scuffed, [Darton G726], 8vo, Harvey and Darton, 1826.⁂ Rare, we can trace only one other copy at auction since 1978. Amelia Opie's anti-slavery tale in verse makes explicit the link between the high consumption of sugar in Britain and the continued use of slaves in the colonies.
Tales Uniting Instruction with Amusement consisting of the Dangers of the Streets; and Throwing Squibs, 3 hand-coloured engraved plates, contemporary ink ownership inscription to frontispiece recto, original printed wrappers, a little soiled, [Moon 849A], 12mo, J. Harris, [c.1810].⁂ A rare collection of cautionary tales in which the subjects meet an often overly-harsh punishment for their transgressions: Tom Tindall's mindless throwing of squibs results in the loss of sight in his left eye and the blinding of his father who subsequently dies of a broken heart at "the thought of his son's wickedness". We can trace no copy at auction or on Library Hub. Provenance: "From A. Tuer's collection of children's books" (pencil note to endpaper).
Game.- Jefferys (Thomas) The Royal Geographical Pastime; exhibiting a Complete Tour Round the World, in which are delineated the North East and North West Passages into the South Sea..., hand-coloured engraved map with columns of letterpress explanation and directions to either side, dissected and mounted on linen, c.510 x 710mm., a little soiled (mostly light but heavier to edge of some sheets from folding), folding into original marbled board slip-case with engraved label to upper cover, rubbed, worn at lower edge, [Not in Whitehouse], 8vo, Thomas Jefferys, [Printed & Sold by Wm.Faden], 1770.⁂ Very rare early board game with 103 numbered locations, each of which is briefly described in the letterpress sections with an occasional instruction to the "traveller" to stay a turn to see or experience the sights. At no.58, the North-West passage, "the traveller, who has been so fortunate to find his way through this Passage, shall be removed to Cape Horn, No.79". At no. 60 California "the inhabitants having no houses, dwell in arbours in summer, and creep into caves in the winter". Library Hub and WorldCat list one copy only (British Library). The earliest game with a tour of the world listed by Whitehouse is Wallis's 'New Geographical Pastime' of 1796.
Game.- Wallis (Edward, publisher) Game of the Star-Spangled Banner, or Emigrants to the United States, hand-coloured engraved aquatint pictorial map of central and eastern United States, dissected and mounted on linen, c.670 x 500mm., a little soiled and lightly spotted, folding into original gilt-pictorial cloth folder, a little rubbed, stained, lacking ties, [Whitehouse p.44], small 4to, E.Wallis, [c.1842].⁂ Rare game depicting the geography, inhabitants, fauna & flora, buildings and scenes of the eastern half of the United States, which Whitehouse illustrates as his frontispiece. Library Hub lists only one copy in the UK (BL); WorldCat records that and another at Yale.
Birds.- Cotton (John) The Song Birds of Great Britain, first edition, second issue, presentation copy from the author inscribed on front free endpaper, 33 hand-coloured engraved plates, tissue guards, some soiling to plates, mostly marginal, plate 7 'The Goldfinch' with colouring a little smudged, original cloth, uncut, a little worn, rebacked, [Anker p.59; Fine Bird Books p.87; Nissen IVB 206], 8vo, [privately printed], 1836.⁂ Rare work printed for private circulation. The first 17 plates were originally issued the previous year under the title The Resident Song Birds of Great Britain but reissued with a cancel title and a further 16 plates in this second issue.
Birds.- Swainson (William) A Selection of the Birds of Brazil and Mexico, 78 hand-coloured lithographed plates, tissue guards, the last 6 plates tipped into blank leaves (as often), foxing to some plates, contemporary half roan, spine gilt, g.e., rubbed, [Anker 494; Borba de Moraes 844; Fine Bird Books p.146; Nissen IVB 912], 8vo, Henry G. Bohn, 1841.⁂ One of the scarcer works on South American ornithology, "much appreciated for the beauty of its plates". (Borba de Moraes). It was originally published in parts between 1834 and 1836 under the title Ornithological Drawings but personal misfortune persuaded Swainson to emigrate to New Zealand in 1840, and the stones and the remaining stock of the plates evidently passed to the great publishing entrepreneur Henry Bohn. He republished the work with a new title and a useful 4-page index giving the English and scientific names of the 68 Brazilian and 10 Mexican birds. The plates he reissued were, where possible, from original stock and reprinted where necessary. A handsome copy of the second edition of this important and very rare work: '. The first edition of the present work was published between 1834 and 1836.
Americas.- Accurate and Authentic Journal (An) of the Siege of Quebec, 1759. By a Gentleman in an eminent Station on the Spot, first edition, "A I" in ink in contemporary hand at head of title and "45" to verso of final leaf (p.45), lightly browned, one or two small stains, modern green morocco, spine titled in gilt and very slightly faded, [Sabin 66987], 8vo, for J.Robinson, 1759.⁂ Rare and possibly the first separately-published account of the Siege of Quebec of 1759. On 13th September the British forces under General Wolfe landed close to Quebec, at the foot of a cliff left undefended by the French in the belief that it was impregnable. "If the General should attempt to ascend the rock, it is a work of much labour and difficulty, if at all practicable; and should our troops perform this difficult undertaking, I shall for the future think little of Hanibal's leading an army over the Alps; the rock is almost steep, and the summit seems to me inaccessible to an army; this at least appears to be the Opinion of the French, who place no centinel there, and seem perfectly secure that it will never be attempted." [p.39]. The British famously climbed the cliff and defeated the French on the Plains of Abraham above, both Wolfe and the French Commander, Montcalm, being mortally wounded during the battle.ESTC records only 2 UK copies (BL and John Rylands Library, Manchester).
Americas.- Harcourt (Robert) The Relation of a Voyage to Guiana. Describing the Climate, Situation, Fertilitie, & Commodities of that Country: Together with the Manner, and Customes of the People, second edition, woodcut head-pieces and initials, cropped shaving a few head-lines and side-notes, browned, a few stains, early 19th century attractive green straight-grain morocco, gilt, glazed green paper pastedowns with border or small gilt circles and rosettes, g.e., covers a little mottled, spine rubbed and faded, [Sabin 30297; STC 12755], small 4to, by Edw: Allde, 1626.⁂ Rare treatise promoting the author's plantation in Guiana and its appeal to English settlers, first published in 1613. "Both editions are very rare...The patent for the plantation of Guiana was granted to the said Harcourt, of Stanton Harcourt, in Oxfordshire". SabinESTC lists only 3 copies in the UK (BL, Bodleian and a private collection) and a further 6 copies in America.
India.- Ramasvami (Kavali Venkata) A Digest of the Different Castes of India, with Accounts of Them compiled by C.V.Ramaswamy, Pundit, first edition, 82 charming hand-coloured lithographed plates only (of 83, lacking plate 80 'The Circar'), some light soiling and staining, mostly marginal, offsetting from previous plate to plate 38, one or two with caption or numbering shaved, old glazed red paper bookseller's ticket for Henry Gilling of Cheltenham on front pastedown, contemporary (?Indian) sheep with gilt border, rather worn and scuffed, rebacked in morocco, spine gilt, 8vo, Madras, A.Willard for C.V.Ramaswany, 1837.⁂ Very rare guide to the Indian castes and their related professions for the benefit of British employers, including household servants from butler to grasscutter, Brahmins, beggars, dancing girls, craftsmen, tradespeople and agricultural workers. The plates are in the style of an unsophisticated Company School artist but very charming and with bright and skilful colouring. Library Hub records only 3 locations (Royal Asiatic Society, V & A, and 2 copies in BL); those in the British Library contain some plates with different poses albeit the same subjects and with inferior colouring, indicating that copies may vary.
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