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Lot 23
Culloden – the Highland Rebellion The Principal Acts of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland convened at Edinburgh the day of May 1746 printed by Mr James Davidson and Robert Fleming Edinburgh 1746. Printed on 30pp folio plus 1p Table of Printed Acts and 14pp index or abridgment of Acts not printed at full length. An extremely rare primary source of information on the Highland Rebellion of ‘Bonnie’ Prince Charlie which ended in the Battle of Culloden in April 1746. Included is the King’s most Gracious letter to the General Assembly in which he refers to the Rebellion and thanks them for their support for the Protestant Succession together with the General Assembly’s answer; the Congratulatory Address to his Majesty upon the Victory obtained by his army under the Command of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland over the Rebels in this Country; the Congratulatory letter to his Royal Highness William Duke of Cumberland; an Act for Thanksgiving for the defeat of the Rebels and the letter from his Royal Highness William Duke of Cumberland to his Grace the Commissioner. The Acts are followed by a 4pp Warning and Exhortation of the Commission regarding the Rebellion which has been cropped with resulting loss of text. Title page torn without loss across the centre which in our estimation can be restored.
Lot 195
Ephemera – Advertising broadside rare advertising broadside for ‘The Old Soldier’ a clearly satirical journal. No date but clearly from around the 1830s (references to the Duke of Wellington turning to politics). The broadside features three woodcut cartoons. Three close tears to edges (easily repaired in our view) a little browning but otherwise in good order. Scarce.
Lot 196
Ephemera – Wales – Richard Robert Jones fine colour example dated 1823 of the famous print of Jones the famous Welsh linguist also known at the time as ‘Dick of Aberdaron’ and also as ‘Dirty Dick’ from his somewhat unconventional appearance. With printed biography issued at the same time as the print attached. Rare
Lot 210
Ephemera – Horology a rare colour advertising broadside for Johann Baptiste Homann’s striking carriage clock c1720. The Clock is shown at the centre of the engraving with explanatory text to either side. Some damage and old ms replacement of a few words of text which have been removed. The clock was actually built by Zacharias Landteck in Nuremberg and featured a view of the world and heavens as a centre piece produced by Homann one of Germany’s leading cartographers in the late 17th/early 18th c. This broadside is considered of extreme rarity.
Lot 222
India – autograph – Warren Hastings document in the Indian language signed by Hastings written out on 1p folio paper with gilt decoration. Small areas of erosion to right hand edge not affecting text one small hole affecting two letters of the signature. Framed and glazed with two ownership signatures to verso of frame. A rare document in the Indian language signed by Warren Hastings. This document doubtless dates from the period when Hastings was Governor General of India from 1773-1785
Lot 234
Maritime a rare letter written by a wife on behalf of her husband who had been seized by the notorious Press Gang dated 1813 : ‘...I have taken the liberty to inform you of the misfortune of my husband Robert Alder he being impressed and is at present on Board of the Tender at Shields. I have made application to several Gentlemen who employed him ...but without any effect. I also have applied to Captain Rothman’s lady and she got him detained at Sheilds in the Guard Ship...I have applied to Attorney Cockrall for to write to the Board for a Protection during the War which will cost eighty-five pounds which sum I am not able to raise...’ A rare letter. The notorious Press Gangs mostly operated in coastal areas forcibly taking men especially merchant seamen and pressing them into the navy.
Lot 286
Books – music – George Butterworth a scarce copy of the privately published biography of George Butterworth 1918. Bearing the signature of the composer and musical scholar Cyril Rootham ‘d.d. Sir A Kaye-Butterworth’ (George Butterworth’s father). An extremely rare book. We have not been able to trace another copy on the market at present. Butterworth was one of the greatest casualties of WWI. A brilliant composer who had already shown his considerable prowess with the orchestral works ‘A Shropshire Lad’ and ‘The Banks of Green Willow’ – both firm favourites in the concert repertoire today – he was destined to be one of the greatest British composers of the 20th c. He was killed on the Somme in September 1916 leading his man from the Durham Light Infantry in a trench which today is known as ‘The Butterworth Trench’. He has no known grave but his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial on the Somme. The present volume was produced by his grieving family and comprises extracts from his diary letter both by him and to him and a series of appreciations by his friends – including a long passage written by Vaughan Williams who had dedicated his London Symphony to Butterworth.
Lot 297
WWII – The Holocaust ‘Trau keinem Fuchs auf gruner heid und keinem Jud bei seinem eid’ [Don’t trust a fox on the green heather nor a Jew by his oath] by E Bauer. This excessively rare book is considered by far the worst anti-Semitic book every published mainly for its naked and aggressive attack on the Jews via lurid illustrations in garish colours but also because it’s author was an 18 year old girl – and of course it was produced as a children’s book. The publisher was Julius Streicher whose anti-Semitic excesses were so awful that they even enraged leading Nazis such as Goering. The book contains a total of 21 full page cartoons somewhat crudely drawn but each with a powerful message to children that the Jew was not to be trusted and the Jewish people were responsible for the ills and depravations of the German people – images include a top hated fat man walking away with a fair haired German girl with promises of trinkets – but from the look on his face with clear sexual intent on his mind. There is also the Jewish butcher selling substandard meat in his filthy shop and the Jewish accountant who swindles the hard working German farming couple. Streicher couldn’t resist a part in all of this and two of the illustrations are blatant examples of self propaganda – one showing children gathering around a public display of his vile newspaper ‘Der Sturmer’ and the other showing him in Nazi uniform being greeted by a throng of delighted children. Each illustration is accompanied by a suitably worded message written in verse so that the average German child could easily get the bed-time message. Copies of this vile book are naturally excessively rare on the market. At the downfall of Hitler it would not have been wise to have kept a copy and as such it remains one of the rarest books available.
Lot 298
Nazi Propaganda – American Fascists Look to Germany the Heart of Europe by Stanley McClatchie from the USA 1st edition 1937 published by Heinrich Hoffman pictorial boards and a large qty of photographic illustrations to accompany the English text extolling the virtues of Hitler and the Nazis. Extremely rare. “Look to Germany” was written in 1936 by American Stanley McClatchie who had lived in Germany prior to the NSDAP’s ascent to power in 1933 & was impressed by the industrial technical & social revolution under the Nazis. He knew that his book would be seen as Nazi propaganda & it certainly was. To this day the book is considered to be too dangerous to be read in Germany & other European countries. Nearly all copies were destroyed by the Allies thus it became generally unavailable. Original examples are very scarce.
Lot 313
Nazi Propaganda How the World Madness was Engineered by Ferdinand Avenarius 8vo paper covers no date but early 1920s. An attack in English on British and allied propaganda during WWI which sought to absolve the German army from any charge of anti- Semitism and atrocities during that period. Many illustrations taken from allied newspapers and publications. A rare work.
Lot 314
Nazi Propaganda The Riddle of the Jew’s Success by F. Roderich-Stoltheim translated by Capel Pownell yellow cloth boards 290pp 8vo with loosely inserted pamphlet promoting other anti-Semitic literature. A rare and seminal work in English which engendered considerable anti Semitic feeling in Britain
Lot 337
British American and Canadian Fascists Gothic Ripples – an occasional report on the Jewish Question issued for the Jew-wise by Arnold Leese’s Anti-Jewish Information Bureau. Edition 86 for March 17th 1952 in the wake of the death of George VI attacking the dead King for having been a Freemason. Copies of Gothic Ripples are rare.
Lot 359
British Fascists The Bedford Fascist Vol 1 No 1 edited by G St G M Compertz dated November 1924 12pp 4to. This is believed to be the only known copy of this excessively rare publication which we gather never made it to No 2. It is listed in A Bedfordshire Bibliography by L R Conisbee Bedfordshire Historical Record Society p59.
Lot 48
A rare Second World War Nazi German Cross in silver with black enamel Swastika to centre and red enamel band with silver wreath, with institution date 1941, designed by Professor Klein of Munich, stamped with maker`s mark 1 on the obverse of the pin bar (made by Deschler & Sohn), with four domed rivets on verso, the cross 6.5 cm wide, together with German 3rd Reich, Nazi sparge for iron cross 1939 1st class, silver plate on brass, makers reference and ribbon on verso; a 1941/42 Eastern Front Medal with ribbon, inscribed to the reverse "Winterschlacht Imosten 1941/42"; two Third Reich merit crosses (non combatant) and another medal (6).
Lot 8
A fine and rare George II brass screw-barrel portable microscope Attributed to Thomas Wright, London, 2nd quarter of the 18th century The decoratively pierced and moulded barrel with objective lens opposing threaded insert fitted with an condensing lens, the interior section moving against a spring loaded horn specimen clamp for focusing, with finely turned threaded baluster-shaped ivory handle and in plush-lined fishskin covered box, with an extensive series of accessories including four additional spare objectives, simple microscope attachment, turned ivory talc box, four ivory sliders, and a set of tweezers, the box 15.5cm wide; together with original printed booklet THE DESCRIPTION and USE Of a SET of Portable MICROSCOPES with fold-out page engraved with A View of the Several Parts of a Portable Microscope and incorporating trade label Sold by THOMAS WRIGHT, Mathematical Instrument Maker to His Royal Highness the PRINCE of WALES, at the Orrery & Globe next ye Globe & Marlborough head Tavern in Fleet Street, London. Thomas Wright senior is recorded in Clifton, Gloria Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851 as working form The Orrery and Globe, Fleet Street, London 1718-47. He received a Royal appointment to the Prince of Wales, and then to George II in 1727. The screw-barrel microscope was invented at the end of the 17th century by the Dutchman Nicolaas Hartsoeker (1654-1725) and was introduced to England by James Wilson. An account of the screw-barrel microscope first appears in John Harris`s 1704 publication Lexicon Technicum.
Lot 26
A very rare mahogany cased aneroid barocyclonometer or `Typhoon Barometer` Schmidt & Ziegler, Remscheid, to a design by Jose Algue, Manilla, early 20th century The box opening to reveal Faura pattern aneroid barometer with 6 inch circular silvered register calibrated in both barometric inches and millibars and inscribed TYPHOON-BAROMETER by JOSE ALGUE S.J. Director of MANILLA OBSERVATORY, SCHMIDT & ZIEGLER, REMSCHEID to centre, within adjustable outer scale annotated for the Northern hemisphere with latitudes 0-25 opposing 25-32 grouped with appropriate pressure readings for different seasons to the lower half, the upper half annotated with typhoon predictions, the whole set into brass plate numbered 317, the lid of the box applied to the inside with patinated brass and glass CYCLOMETER with central bevelled glass plate scribed with direction arrows and applied with two pointers one engraved with scale 0-100 the other with pivoted direction indicator, the whole rotating within a circular plate annotated with the points of the compass and with repeat signature, the exterior of the box with shaped brass nameplate to top and visible dovetail joints to corners, 22cm wide, 12cm high. This remarkable instrument was the culmination of the efforts of two successive Jesuit Priest directors of the Manilla Observatory, Federico Faura and Jose Algue. The problem of predicting destructive typhoons, which took dozens of lives each year in the Phillipines, led to Faura`s research and eventual publication of his paper Senales precursoras de un temporal in 1882. He then went onto develop the `Faura` pattern barometer which through use of a carefully devised scale could predict with a fair degree of accuracy the proximity of a typhoon. Jose Algue, who succeeded Faura in 1897, undertook further research to devise a method of forecasting the direction from which a typhoon would approach. This led to the development of his `cyclonometer` or `wind disc`. The incorporation of both instruments into one unit was termed a `baroclclonometer`, examples of which were utilised throughout the Phillipines saving countless lives during the opening years of the 20th century. In 1912 Jose Algue was invited by the U.S. government to devise a version of his tried and tested barocylonometer for use in the Northern hemisphere in order to assist in the prediction of Hurricanes and Atlantic storms. In August 1912 he visited New York and Washington where it was agreed that a model calibrated for the Northern hemisphere would be made in Germany for trial onboard Connecticut flagship of Rear Admiral Osterhaus -commander of the Atlantic Squadron for U.S. Navy. By January 1913 Algue was in London where discussions regarding the production of further models in London took place. An account of his visit to New York was published in The New York Times August 18th 1912, and a review of the instrument was published in Popular Mechanics January 1913 issue. The current lot is probably from the very early series of German made models as specified for the order for the U.S. Navy. Another later model (dating to circa 1928) by H. Hughes & Son, London is in The National Maritime Museum collection in Cornwall.
Lot 92
A rare Italian brass grande sonnerie striking lantern/chamber clock Unsigned, early 18th century The substantial posted frame with finely turned `Doric` column posts, vase finials and compressed bun feet, enclosing three train movement with verge pendulum escapement mounted on the top plate, central train striking the quarters on two bells via a countwheel mounted between the front two movement plates, and third train striking the Italian six-hour notation every quarter on a third bell (hammers and linkages incomplete), the 12 inch brass break-arch dial with applied six-hour Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised sword-hilt half hour markers and outer minute track and replaced winged cherub head spandrels to angles, the arch with domed boss engraved Gloria Mundi Sta transit flanked by dolphin cast mounts, (lacking pendulum and weights), 42cm high overall. DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ printed in the sale catalogue or available from the auctioneers on request. The movement of the current lot demonstrates a high degree of skill in both the working out of the complex system of striking (and how to lay out the trains in an efficient manner) and in the high level of finish (from the crisp architecturally accurate turning of the frame down to the finely detailed fettling of the steelwork). The six hour dial and related striking mechanism were a throw-back to the monastic roots of Italian timekeeping, where the day was divided according to prayer times and started at midday. By the mid 18th century most of Italy had adopted the twelve hour system used throughout the rest of Europe. The inscription Gloria Mundi Sta transit engraved to the boss in the arch of the dial translates as `Thus passes the glory of the world`. This phrase was traditionally spoken as part of the Papal coronation ceremony, with the newly installed Pope being stopped three times during his procession and confronted with this phrase as a reminder of the passage of time.
Lot 93
A rare small Italo-Germanic engraved brass table timepiece with pull quarter repeat and alarm Antonio Ferci, Asti, circa 1700 The four pillar movement with engraved standing barrel and verge escapement with short bob pendulum for the going train, silent pull-quarter repeat on two bells mounted above, and separately wound alarm sounding via a vertically pivoted hammer on the larger of the two bells, the dial integral with the case and approximately 4 inches square with central alarm disc and pierced brass hands within an applied Roman numeral chapter ring with Arabic five minutes to outer track, the angles with unusual applied repousse winged mask spandrels and inscribed ANTONIO FERCI to upper margin, the case with ball finial to the foliate scroll engraved and pierced ogee shaped upstand above baluster turned three-quarter columns to angles, the right hand side panel engraved with a female figure and inscribed ASTI, the left with a figure dancing above a series of abstract hatched scrolls (the sides with holes for repeat and alarm cords) the rear panel decorated with a central female figure with sword and severed head flanked by two further figures above stylised flowering foliage, the upper left hand margin engraved JUDITE e OLO, on rectangular base with brass compressed bun feet, 20.5cm high. DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ printed in the sale catalogue or available from the auctioneers on request. The specification of the current lot with its `silent pull` repeat mechanism (which strikes the hours and quarters on demand only) and alarm suggests that this timepiece was designed predominantly for use in the bedroom chamber. Furthermore the small compact size indicates a degree of portability which suggests that this timepiece may well have been made with travelling in mind, perhaps serving the same basic purpose as a `Pendule d`Officier` of a century later. The form of the current lot, through its resemblance to a 16th century `masterpiece` table clock (of the type predominantly made in Southern Germany during the 16th and 17th centuries) suggests a Germanic influence. However the dial, with central alarm disc, applied chapter ring with Arabic five minutes and `winged mask` spandrels is almost reminiscent of English work of the late 17th century. The engraved decoration to the sides and back panel are wonderfully naive, with the rear depicting the scene of Judith carrying the head of Holo.
Lot 94
A rare Germanic iron and copper weight-driven chamber clock Unsigned, circa 1700 The posted iron movement with later verge escapement for short bob pendulum regulation (pallet arbour and pendulum lacking) and countwheel striking on a bell mounted above the movement via a vertically pivoted hammer, the central circular pewter Roman numeral dial with Arabic five minutes within repousse decorated rectangular mask relief decorated with a reclining putto with a scull and an hour glass above dial and with winged cherub head to apron, on foliate strapwork engraved copper overlaid canted iron base, (lacking side doors and weights), 25cm high. DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ printed in the sale catalogue or available from the auctioneers on request.
Lot 96
A rare George III inlaid oak musical thirty-hour longcase clock Thomas Bilbie, Chew Stoke, mid 18th century The substantial three-train posted movement with four rectangular section brass posts riveted to the base plate and secured via pinned tenons through the top plate, the going and strike trains laid-out one in front of the other and both driven via Huygen`s endless chain with a shared weight, with anchor escapement and countwheel operating the massive hammer striking the hours on a large bell via an unusual indirect cranked arrangement and with sprung-hammer stop screwed to the top plate, the music train planted to the right, playing three times a day via a 3.25in (3in diameter) pinned cylinder on eight bells with twelve hammers, the movement raised on four steel spurs and with 12 inch square brass dial with matted centre within an applied Roman numeral chapter ring with fluer-de-lys half hour markers and signed T: Bilbie, ChewStoke to lower edge, the angles with cast rococo scroll cast spandrels, the case with moulded cornice and three-quarter columns to hood above long rectangular trunk door centred with a parquetry star, on plinth base with moulded skirt and squab feet, 220cm, (7ft 3ins) high. DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ printed in the sale catalogue or available from the auctioneers on request. Provenance: The family of the late Ernest Hucker. The dial and movement is illustrated in Moore, Rice & Hucker BILBIE and THE CHEW VALLEY CLOCKMAKERS page 245, and the case on page 253. The clockmaking trade in Chew Stoke was thought to have started around 1695 when the established bell-founder Edward Bilbie I (born 1666) turned his hand to clockmaking. He is thought to have learnt the trade from Edward Webb who worked from the nearby village of Ubley. Edward Bilbie had two sons, Edward II (born 1694) who assisted his father but unfortunately died within six months of his father in 1725, and Thomas (born 1702) who inhereted his father`s business in 1725 and worked until 1768. Thomas Bilbie sought to live-up to the reputation of his father, this is demonstrated by the current lot which emulates his father`s remarkable thirty-hour musical longcase clock movement and dial included in the exhibition TIME & PLACE 1600-1840 The Antiquarian Horological Society at The Museum of the History of Science, University of Oxford, 25th November 2006 to 15th April 2007 (exhibit number 21). The case, although of relatively substantial construction, is well proportioned with the trunk door centred with a parquetry star, a detail often seen on other clocks made by the Bilbie family and other Chew Valley makers during the middle years of the 18th century.
Lot 103
A rare George III ebonised bracket timepiece with pull quarter repeat William Keys, Taunton, late 18th century The four pillar single fusee movement with rise/fall regulation for the verge escapement and silent pull-quarter repeat sounding the quarters on a small bell and the hour on a large bell, the 8.5 inch brass break-arch dial with plain centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with Arabic five minutes and signed Will. Keys, TAUNTON to lower edge, the angles applied with scroll cast spandrels beneath arch with Faster/Slower regulation dial flanked by conforming mounts, the bell top case with hinged brass handle above foliate pierced frets to upper quadrants of the front door and circular over concave-topped sound frets to sides, on shallow moulded base (some losses/repairs to both movement and case), 48cm (19 ins) high excluding handle. DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ printed in the sale catalogue or available from the auctioneers on request. William Keys appears to be unrecorded, however two makers with the same surname are recorded working in Exeter during the early years of the 19th century. The movement of the current lot incorporates a repeat mechanism which is based upon a design originally devised by Joseph Knibb to enable the clock to sound both the hours and the quarters only on demand by pulling the line exiting the case. In this form, the repeat mechanism has to power both the hour and quarter striking mechanisms rather than just the quarters before tripping the hour strike train (for striking table clocks). This type of repeating mechanism is often termed `silent pull` and is thought to have been intended for clocks destined for use in the bedchamber. Evidence in both the backplate and the dial centre suggests that the current lot was also originally fitted with an alarm mechanism further indicating bedroom use. The original owner of the current lot would have had to have been a very wealthy individual in order to be able to afford the luxury of a spring clock exclusively for use in the bedchamber.
Lot 115
A rare rack striking thirty-hour longcase clock movement and dial with strike/silent and trip repeat Unsigned, circa 1765 The posted movement with square section iron posts, large diameter ‘scape wheel with pallets spanning 10 teeth, and pivoted rack mounted on the rear of the movement with indirect lifting lever applied to the back of the dial plate and counterweight positioned between the posts, the top plate with trip repeat assembly for lines exiting above and to the right of case, the 10 inch square brass dial with matted centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with strike/silent lever at 3 o’clock and rococo scroll cast spandrels to angles (lacking hand, pendulum and weight). DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ printed in the sale catalogue or available from the auctioneers on request. Provenance: The property of a private collector. The current lot is illustrated and described in Darken, Jeff and Hooper, John English 30 Hour Clocks pages 197-199. Both the trip repeat and strike/silent features are both unusual and ingeniously simple with the latter using an intermediate pivoted lever for lifting, that can be moved out of the path of the lifting wheel by adjusting the lever positioned on the dial.
Lot 117
A rare mahogany dial clock with passing strike Thomas Barlow, Worksop, 1st half of the 19th century The four pillar single fusee movement with anchor escapement and passing strike on an bell mounted above the tapered plates, the 12 inch circular white painted convex Roman numeral dial signed T. BARLOW, WORKSOP to centre within cast brass bezel and turned wooden surround, the rear box form case with door to right hand side and pendulum adjustment flap to the curved base, diameter 38cm (15 ins). DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ printed in the sale catalogue or available from the auctioneers on request. Thomas Barlow is recorded in Loomes, Brian Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World volume 2 as working in Worksop 1842-55.
Lot 124
An important Charles II ebonised thirty-hour longcase clock William Raynes, York, circa 1678 The four finned and latched pillar outside countwheel bell striking two-handed movement with original anchor escapement and seconds pendulum fitted with a butterfly thumb-piece and small subsidiary bob for fine regulation, the 10 inch square gilt brass dial with calendar aperture to the delicate symmetrical flowerbud and foliate engraved centre, within an applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with early pattern fleur-de-lys half hour markers and small Arabic five minutes to the outer track, with fine pieced steel hands, the angles confidently engraved with leafy sprays and with signature Will. Raynes in Yorke to lower edge, the ebonised pine caseof fine mellow colour with moulded cornice above plain frieze and spiral twist columns to hood, convex throat moulding and rectangular long door with unusual octagonal glazed lenticle to trunk, on plinth base with bun feet, 202cm (6ft 7.75ins) high. DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ printed in the sale catalogue or available from the auctioneers on request. Provenance: The property of a private collector. Exhibited TIME & PLACE English Country Clocks 1600-1840 The Antiquarian Horological Society at The Museum of the History of Science, University of Oxford, 25th November 2006- 15th April 2007 exhibit number 10. William Raines (Raynes) is recorded in Loomes, Brian The Early CLOCKMAKERS of Great Britain as being apprenticed in London to William Almond in November 1653. He gained his Freedom in January 1660/61. He initially worked from Butcher Row, East Smithfield taking on two apprentices; Joseph Sumner (in Jan. 1663/64) and William Beadle (in Jan. 1667/68). He is last recorded working in London in 1672 when it is thought that he moved up to York. He died in 1694 from a fall from his horse whilst returning from York to his home in nearby Gilling. The current lot appears to have survived in remarkably original condition. The movement retains all of its original wheelwork including the escapement, however as one would expect is showing some signs of wear. The backcock casting (complete with small casting fault) is a known London pattern used on other clocks of the period including an unsigned example with similarities to the work of John Wise senior illustrated in Darken, Jeff and Hooper, John English 30 Hour Clocks, Origin & Development 1600-1800 pages 59-63. The dial engraving echoes London work of the period although slightly differs in detail and feel to London practice, however is finely executed and is now complemented by the fine mellow colour of the dial itself. The calendar employs an engraved wheel rather than a calendar ring, this is perhaps one of the earliest examples of this detail (which became common practice in later Northern clocks) and allows the calendar aperture to placed higher up within the centre of the dial. The case is a very rare survivor as the pine construction makes it prone to dilapidation. The base is intact and, as with the rest of the case, of fine mellow colour. The trunk has a rare octagonal lenticle -often seen on cases housing movements by Edward East. The hood was originally of the rising variety (an easy restoration as little appears to have been altered) but may have originally had a crest. As the current lot can be confidently dated to the latter years of the 1670`s, it is reasonable to suggest that it is perhaps the earliest surviving longcase clock to be made in York.
Lot 127
A rare George II longcase clock of month duration with year calendar and equation of time John Topping, London, circa 1730 The 10 finned pillar rack and bell striking movement with integral Y shaped extensions to the plates to accommodate the rise/fall regulation and strike silent functions, with further raised central section for the anchor escapement with small diameter `scape wheel and indirect drive via a contrate wheel from the going train planted within the main body of the movement, the 12 inch wide brass break-arch dial with recessed triangular silvered signature plate John Topping, London, MEMORY MASTER above further shaped sector for the silvered year calendar with equation of time to the matted centre, within an applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with fleur-de-lys half hour markers and Arabic five minutes, the lower angles applied with fine Indian mask and scroll cast spandrels the upper with subsidiary regulation and Strike/Silent dials, the arch with large diameter silvered seconds ring centred with a recessed silvered star flanked by conforming mounts and with engraved infill beneath, the case now veneered in mahogany with moulded cornice above three-quarter columns and break-arch side windows to hood, convex moulding to throat and rectangular trunk door now applied with the original brass hinge straps to the exterior, on plinth base with moulded double skirt, (case reveneered and with alterations), 233cm (7ft 8ins) high. DESCRIPTION TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ‘IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE CATALOGUING OF CLOCKS’ printed in the sale catalogue or available from the auctioneers on request. Provenance: The family of a private collector. John Topping was born in 1677 and was apprenticed to William Grimes, gaining his Freedom of the Clockmakers` Company in 1698. Topping appeared to have specialised in producing longcase clocks to this pattern as at least two other examples are known. The first, housed in a walnut case with mirror door to the trunk, is illustrated and discussed in Robinson, Tom THE LONGCASE CLOCK pages 230-1, the second, housed in a tortoiseshell lacquer case, is illustrated in Roberts, Derek British Longcase Clocks pages 76-7. A third example, with an apparently identical dial but signed by Francis Gregg (once in the Wetherfield collection) is also illustrated by Robinson (on page 232). The presence of the third example signed by Gregg suggests that both makers had a close working relationship, with Topping probably supplying the movement and dial for Gregg to sign and retail. In addition to these examples there are perhaps two further related eight-day clocks signed by Topping known, these display similar dial layouts but incorporate a spherical `Hallifax` moon to the arch and have centre seconds. Complex dial layouts of this type appear to have been fashionable during the formative decades of the 18th century, with wealthy clients wishing to express their status with increasingly innovative and complex clocks housed in exotic cases. Some makers such as William Scafe, and perhaps John Topping, took it upon themselves to specialise in producing clocks to satisfy this demand. The presence of the equation of time within the year calendar on the current lot would enable the correct local mean time to be set from a sundial as the adjustment required for any given day of the year is clear to see. In the days before electronic communication this was the only way the time could be set with a reasonable degree of accuracy (in the absence of a local `public` timekeeper). The reason why Topping chose to sign his clocks with the phrase `Memory Master` appears to be a mystery.
Lot 3
Natura breuium in Englishe newelye corrected: with Natura breuium in Englishe newelye corrected: with diuers addicions of statutes booke cases plees in abatementes of the saide writtes black letter title torn and repaired loss of 1 letter and large portion of outer margin A2 very small hole just affecting a couple of letters water-stained antique style calf [STC 18409] 8vo [Richard Tottell] [1557]. *** Rare. The only other copy we have been able to trace at auction (1990) lacked all after U6.
Lot 74
West Indies.- Acts of Assembly passed in the Isla large paper copy title with wood-engraved coat of arms fine engraved vignette title loose and with some marginal browning [Sabin 52425] John Baskett 1740 bound with Acts of Assembly passed in the Charibbee Leeward Islands. From 1690 to 1730 title with wood-engraved coat of arms fine engraved vignette sigs. F-I loose John Baskett 1740 engraved bookplate of William Dowdeswell of Pull Court Worcestershire and M. Rockingham of Grosvenor Square contemporary panelled calf covers detached worn folio *** Both works are rare. Includes acts relating to slavery. William Dodeswell 1761-1828 General Governor of the Bahamas and print collector.
Lot 94
first edition 1(of 2) errata leaves present (both first edition 1(of 2) errata leaves present (both often missing) woodcut initials lacking 1 errata f. and final blank title re-margined with loss of part of 1 letter and with an ink stain marginal repairs to most ff. to F! (mostly corners) loss of a few page numbers supplied in ink in all cases sig. 3G upper corners repaired errata f. trimmed and repaired with some loss of text at foot preliminaries lightly soiled antique style calf [Gibson 81; STC 1164; Grolier 100 8a] small 4to for Henrie Tomes 1605. *** The `preparative or key for the opening of the instauration` (Grolier/Horblit) with one of the rare errata leaves. `In the Twoo bookes Bacon concerned himself primarily with the classification of philosophy and the sciences and with developing his influential view of the relation between science and theology` (Norman).
Lot 655
Lady Dorothy Nevill (1826-1913); three botanical pages designed and created by Lady Dorothy Nevill in 1858 using plant material from her exotic plant collection at Dangstein, Hampshire. Lady Nevill was celebrated in horticultural circles and a close friend of Sir William and Sir Joseph of Kew. She was on friendly terms with most if the leading horticulturists of the time and was able to provide Charles Darwin with a number of rare plants, each page is framed and glazed.
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