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Rare 1888 MKI 1st Type Regimentally Stamped Norfolk Regiment Bayonet12 inch, double edged blade.  Forte marked with crowned VR over "1/90" and reverse with broad arrow "W.D.".  Steel crossguard, muzzle ring and pommel which is marked "N.R. 78. 114".  Wooden slab grips secured by 3 brass rivets.  Contained in its leather scabbard with steel mounts.  Complete with white buff leather, 1888 pattern, Slade Wallace frog.   PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

Rare American M4 Knife Bayonet By "ACC"6 3/4 inch, single edged blade with back edge sharpened point.  Blackened steel muzzle ring crossguard.  Marked "US. M4. ACC" and flaming grenade.  Oval, steel pommel with double locking catch.  Leather washer ribbed grip.  Contained in its green fibre scabbard with steel throat stamped "US M8. BM.Co".  Green webbing belt loop.  ACC were one of the scarcer WW2 manufacturers.   PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

Fine Early 18th Century Plug Bayonet Converted To a Naval Fighting Dirk13 3/4 inch, double edged, heavy set blade.  Darkened bronzed crossguard with turn up ball ends.  Darkened brass ferrule.  Turned wooden grip using a Naval wheel spoke or splicing fid.  Contained in its rare, period, leather scabbard with rear belt loop.This pattern of fighting dirk was often made by sailors using obsolete or broken weapons.  PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

WW2 1st pattern Fairbairn Sykes Commando Fighting Knife. good and rare example. The hilt with nickel grip of chequered design. Double edged, spear point blade, the ricasso with etched panel Wilkinson Sword Ltd. London, the reverse side the F-S Fighting Knife (part missing). Recurved crossguard. Housed in an early pattern, brown leather scabbard with nickel rounded chape. Tailored with leather and stud retaining strap. The overall condition is good clean bright, with minor age wear. Blade length 17 cm PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

Cold War Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife MOD Issue Original Wrapping. A rare official Ministry of Defence issue, 3rd Pattern FS fighting knife.  175mm, double edged, spear point blade. The hilt with ring turned grip and the pommel stamped RF693 and a number 1. Complete with square chape leather scabbard with 4 tangs and with elasticised retaining strap. Complete with original wax paper wrapping with MOD label. Unissued PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

WW1 British Robbins of Dudley Fighting Knife Grip. A rare example, but now only the allow grip and steel knuckle guard. The base of the grip with clear cutler's details. ... Accompanied by a WW1 Pattern British issue pocket pen knife by H.G. Long Sheffield (2 items) PLEASE NOTE NO BLADE OR SCABBARD PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

Rare American M3 Combat Trench Knife by Boker6 3/4 inch, single edged blade with back edge sharpened point.  Steel crossguard stamped "US. M3. Boker".  Grey steel oval pommel, this with flaming grenade stamp.  Leather washer ribbed grip.  Contained in its green fibre scabbard with steel throat stamped "US. M8. BM. Co".  Green webbing belt loop. PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

Boer War City Imperial Volunteers Silver Mounted Swagger Stick. A rare Boer War example with silver thimble pattern top HM London 1900. Top embossed with the Arms of the City of London and CIV 1900. Slight wear and some dents. PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

Rare 1760/78 Royal Forrester's Regimentally Marked Flintlock Pistol10 inch, .65 inch bore, smoothbore barrel.  Breech with proof stamps and barrel engraved "1st R.I.GDS" over "1" and "L".  Chamfered edge lock plate with line edge lines.  Crowned GR cypher and tang marked "Tower".  Swan neck cock with line edge engraving.  Steel frizzen.  Polished full stock woodwork with shell carving around the barrel tang.  Brass, long ear butt cap, trigger guard, side plate, ramrod pipe and escutcheon which is engraved "4" over "1".  Wooden ramrod.  See British Ordnance Single Shot Pistols by Davies, Chisnall & Brook.  PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

Rare Jacobs "Swinburn & Son 1860" Double Barrel Rifled Carbine.577, four groove rifled, 23 1/2 inch double barrels.  Front blade foresight.  Top rib with three flip up V sights and long flip up ladder sight.  Front side of barrel with bayonet lug, stamped "S & S. B327".  Steel back action lock plates marked "Swinburn & Son 1860".  Military pattern percussion hammers.  Polished half stock woodwork.  Circular, steel patchbox marked "Jacob Rifles".  Steel butt plate, double scroll trigger guard and single barrel band.  Steel ramrod pipe retaining its steel ramrod.  Leather rifle sling.   PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

Rare Victorian Royal Navy Artillery Volunteers Officer's Sword31 3/4 inch, double edged blade with two narrow central fullers.  Etched Victorian coat of arms, Victorian fouled anchor with "R.N.A.V." and foliage scroll panels.  The forte with retailer "G. Lake Storehouse Plymouth".  Gilt brass guard with folding rear panel.  Victorian fouled anchor with "RNAV" cartouche.  Gilt brass lion mask pommel and backstrap.  Shagreen grip with twist wire binding.  Contained in its leather scabbard with gilt brass mounts. Complete with later, correct pattern sword knot.   PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

Honourable Artillery Company Napoleonic War Period 1796 Light Cavalry Sword. A rare example. The single edged, 29 inch curved blade with etched decoration of a crowned GR cypher, the crest of the HAC and a Stand of Arms. The hilt of regulation pattern with gilt single bar guard and leather covered grip. Complete with original black leather and gilt mounted scabbard. The etching to the blade is clear, but the blade with areas of deep pitting. Gilt worn to base metal. Blade fully fits into the scabbard. PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

Honourable Artillery Company Light Cavalry Officer?s Sword. rare regimental example of the 1821 Light Cavalry Pattern sword. The blade etched with a crowned VR cypher, HAC entwined initials, Light Cavalry scroll and the original owner's name of E. Duckworth. The forte with the retailer's details of Kirby of London. The hilt with three bar open guard and shagreen grip. Complete with scabbard. Some overall age wear, etching clear. PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

Rare Honourable Artillery Company Officer's (Cavalry) 1821 Pattern Sword 35 inch, single edged, slightly curved blade with large fuller.  Etched foliage scroll panels and entwined "HAC".  The reverse with entwined "L.C."  Forte with maker "Fletcher & Co. New Bond St London".  Steel, three bar guard with downturn quillon.  Stepped pommel and part checkered backstrap.  Shagreen grip with twist wire binding.  Steel now with dark patina.   PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

Sowerby, James The Mineral Conchology of Great Britain Or Coloured Figures and Descriptions of those Remains of Testaceous Animals or Shells, which have been preserved at Various Times and Depths in the Earth. London: Benjamin Meredith [and others], 1812-29. First edition, 6 volumes, 8vo (23 x 14cm), later half morocco by Riviere & Son for Henry Sotheran, engraved portrait frontispiece, 611 hand-coloured engraved plates (numbered 1-609: including 33 and 184 bis; 22 folding; plate 231 misnumbered 131), index at rear of each volume, volume 6 with Systematic, Stratigraphical, and Alphabetical Indexes to the First Six Volumes ... To which is added a Short Account of the Life of the Author (with separate title-page dated 1834) at rear, the stratigraphical indexes apparently each headed 'Supplementary Index' and bound separately into the relevant volumes, volume 2 with addenda leaf ('Additional Localities to Shells Described in Vols. I. and II', volumes 4-6 each with corrigenda leaf, volumes 5-6 without the 'Supplementary Index' or the 'Life of the Author' (these not found in other copies examined), spines sunned and marked, consistent light offsetting, occasional spotting (generally light), volume 1 pp. 45/6 with section reattached [Nissen ZBI 3917; Ward & Carozzi 2093] (6)Note: Sets of the first six volumes with all the plates as here are notably rare. A seventh volume, containing 39 plates and never completed, appeared much later, in 1846. Provenance: 1) Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), Scottish-American industrialist and benefactor (bookplates). 2) Sir Alexander Stone (1907-1998), Scottish financier and benefactor.

Law, John Money and Trade Considered with a Proposal for Supplying the Nation with Money. Edinburgh: Heirs and Successors of Andrew Anderson, 1705. First edition, small 4to, 120pp. [A2 misnumbered as '1' instead of '3'], stamps of the Institute of Bankers in Scotland to A2, ornament on the title page of eagle and vines, errata printed at foot of p. 120, early inscription on title 'By Mr John Law Gent.', contemporary calf, rebacked, early inscription on endpaper of 'Wat Paterson' and bookplate of the Library of the Institute of Bankers in Scotland, corners slightly rubbed [ESTC T097650 - 20 copies UK, 14 N. America; JISC 10 copies UK; Kress 2463]Note: First edition of John Law’s seminal work on banking and monetary theory; rare, with only one copy traced at auction since 1975 (Sotheby's June 30, 1983, lot 604). Published anonymously in Edinburgh after Law’s return from exile on the continent (he had been sentenced to death at the Old Bailey in 1694 for killing a man in a duel), the work’s chief argument is that ‘an expansion in the money supply would produce an expansion in output, which [Law] considered erroneously would lead to an export surplus’ (ODNB). In the same year as Money and Trade Law unsuccessfully presented his idea of a land bank to the Scottish parliament; he eventually found approval for the idea in France, where a general bank was established at his prompting in 1716. The following year he oversaw the establishment of the Compagnie d’Occident, known to posterity as the Mississippi Company. The collapse of the resulting bubble in 1720 led to Law’s resignation and disgrace, and he died in poverty in Venice in 1729. Adam Smith presented the Mississippi Bubble as a lesson in the perils inherent in Law’s advocacy of the unlimited expansion of paper money. Modern authorities from Schumpeter onward have emphasised the originality and importance of Law’s contributions to monetary theory. A major recent study of John Law concluded that: ‘Money and Trade is a majestic work towering over the contemporary writings of the early eighteenth century … Law … produced a highly innovating approach to macroeconomic theorizing embracing such new discoveries as: 1) The money-in-advance requirement. 2) The circular flow of income. 3) The further analysis of international inflation in a money supply and money demand framework. 4) The formulation of the law of one price for a small open economy. These are all major theoretical contributions which … entitle Law to consideration as an exceptional monetary theorist’ (Murphy, John Law: Economic Theorist and Policy-Maker, 1997, p. 77).

Methodism 18th century works comprising: Wesley, John. A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the People called Methodists. London: J. Paramore, 1780. First edition, 12mo (16.2 x 9.4cm), contemporary sprinkled calf, gilt fleurons to spine, contemporary gift inscription to front free endpaper, head of spine chipped [ESTC T28513]; Idem. Sermons on Several Occasions: in Three Volumes. Bristol: printed by William Pine, c.1770. Second edition, volume 3 only, 12mo (16.8 x 9.8cm), contemporary calf, half-title, worn, contemporary bookplate and annotations to front free endpaper, [ESTC N37142 for volume 3 only, 2 copies in libraries world-wide; ESTC lists volume 1 separately and contains no record of volume 2]; Idem. A Survey of the Wisdom of God in the Creation: or a Compendium of Natural Philosophy. In Two Volumes. Bristol: William Pine, 1763. First edition, volume 2 only, 12mo (16.2 x 9.8cm), contemporary sprinkled calf, covers detached, errata leaf, two lines of contemporary annotations on slip mounted to front free endpaper ('True cause of gravity & of all motion - 81.19. Ligthening hurts not a person when wet. 114', ascribed in a pencilled note to John Wesley [ESTC T16609: 7 copies in UK libraries]; Wesley, Charles. Short Hymns on Select Passages of the Holy Scriptures. London: by G. Paramore, and sold by G. Whitfield, 1794-6. Third edition, 2 volumes, 12mo (17.2 x 10cm), contemporary sheep, 350, 360 pp., rubbed, front covers detached, volume 2 lacking spine-label, slightly browned, and with ink-stamps of the Allan Library (i.e. Thomas Robinson Allan, 1799-1886, barrister and Methodist) to title-page and final page, related presentation plate to front pastedown [ESTC T53201]; Wesley, John & Charles. Hymns and Sacred Poems. Bristol: Felix Farley, 1743. Fourth edition, 12mo (16.4 x 9.6cm), disbound, lacking leaf 2C2 and the 2 advertisement leaves at rear, occasional soiling, last few leaves chipped [ESTC N17359: 6 copies in UK libraries]; Cennick, John. Sacred Hymns for the Use of Religious Societies. Generally compos'd in Dialogues. Part II. Bristol: Felix Farley, 1743. First edition, small square 8vo in 4s (12.8 x 8.6cm), old half calf, rubbed, front joint cracked, final leaf repaired [ESTC T73575]; [Wesleyan Methodist Church]. Minutes of Several Conversations, between the Rev. John Wesley, A. M. and the Preachers in Connection with him. Containing the Form of Discipline established among the Preachers and People in the Methodist Societies. London: for G. Whitfield, 1779 [1797]. 12mo, 19th-century half calf, lacking front cover, first few leaves detached [ESTC T17943], bound with 4 others similar (Minutes of Several Conversations at the Sixty-Seventh [Sixty-Eighth ... Sixty-Ninth ... Seventieth] Annual Conference ... 1810-13); Purdy, Victory, 'the Kingswood Collier'. Poetical Miscellanies. Bristol: John Wansbrough, 1825. First edition, 8vo, original roan-backed boards, engraved frontispiece (manuscript facsimile), spine cracked, front cover detached, with approx. 25 pp. manuscript notes in envelope annotated 'Autograph M. S. of Victory Purdy', comprising hymns and notes on the Wesleyan conference, 1744; together with 3 other books (not collated, not Methodism-related including Robert Traill, Eleven Sermons, 1778, lacking cover, and Histoire entiere et veritable du procez de Charles Stuart, roy d'Angleterre, London: J. G., 1650, front cover detached), and ephemera including 6 autograph letters from Wesleyan ministers, manuscript note in envelope annotated 'J Wesley's autograph', 17 Wesleyan Methodist Society quarterly tickets, and manuscript will and testament of Samuel Williams, coalminer, of Oldland, Gloucestershire (12 volumes and 1 folder)Note: A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the People called Methodists is notably rare, no other copies traced in action records.

Brereton, Henry Newes of the Present Miseries of Rushia: occasioned by the Late Warre in that London: for John Bache, 1614. First edition, 8vo (18.4 x 11.5cm), modern quarter leather, [4] 56 pp., woodcut title-device, headpiece and initials, text mainly in black letter, loss to head of title-page partly affecting words 'Newes of', lower margins extended throughout with loss of all catch-words and signature-marks and frequently obscuring at least part of last line of text [ESTC S114176; STC 3609]; Molesworth, Robert, Viscount Molesworth. An Account of Denmark, as it was in the Year 1692. London: printed in the year 1694. First edition, 8vo (18 x 11cm), contemporary panelled calf, rebacked and recornered, browning [ESTC R29546; Wing 2832A]; Vertot, René-Aubert. The History of the Revolutions in Portugal. Translated from the French. London: Sam. Buckley, 1712. First edition in English, 8vo (18.8 x 11.5cm), contemporary panelled calf, G1-3 fore margins extended at an early date [ESTC T81951]; Idem. The History of the Revolution in Sweden. London: for James and John Knapton [and others], 1729. Sixth edition in English, 8vo (19.5 x 11.8cm), contemporary panelled calf, B2 with extensive closed tear and marginal repairs, light damp-staining towards rear, marginal loss to final leaf [ESTC 006352494]; Burnet, Gilbert. Some Letters containing an Account of what seem'd most Remarkable in travelling thro' Switzerland, Italy, some parts of Germany, etc. In the Years 1685 and 1686. London: J. Lacy, 1724. 8vo (19.4 x 12cm), contemporary calf, rubbed, front joint cracked [ESTC T144978]; Lyell, Charles. Travels in North America; with Geological Observations on the United States, Canada, and Nova Scotia. London: John Murray, 1845. First edition, 2 volumes, large 12mo (19.3 x 11.5cm), contemporary green half calf, 7 lithographic or engraved plates and maps (3 hand-coloured), advertisements discarded [Ward & Carozzi 1431]; [Gleig, George Robert]. A Narrative of the Campaigns of the British Army at Washington and New Orleans. London: John Murray, 1826. Second edition, 8vo (21.2 x 12.5cm), contemporary half vellum, ex libris Matthew Aylmer Whitworth, 5th Baron Aylmer (1775-1850), British soldier and colonial governor in North America, with his bookplate and ownership inscription ('Aylmer 1827') (8)Note: Brereton's work, an account of the Polish-Russian war of 1609-18, is rare, ESTC tracing eight copies only in libraries world-wide, and no copies found in auction records. Provenance: Professor G. E. Aylmer FBA (1926-2000), historian of 17th-century England and sometime master of St Peter’s College, Oxford (with his bookplates).

Abbott, Henry Antiquities of Rome London: Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy, 1820. First edition, large folio (57.6 x 41.6cm), contemporary half calf (front board gilt-lettered 'Charleton' and with gilt calf title-label 'Rome' to centre), letterpress title-page, etched panorama of Rome on 4 folding sheets, 24 sepia aquatint plates, descriptive text-leaf to each plate, tissue-guards, backstrip perished, panorama with faint spotting and offsetting in places and first sheet with faint crease across one corner, plates faintly offset onto text-leaves through tissue-guards [Abbey Travel 179]Note: Rare. The work seems often to have been broken up for its spectacular plates, here all present and in excellent condition. Provenance: Charleton House, Fife.

[Ballet] The Works of Monsieur Noverre, translated from the French London: G. Robinson [and others], [1782]-3. First edition in English, 3 volumes in 1, 8vo (21.1 x 12cm), recent blue half morocco, half-title to each volume, engraved portrait frontispiece, pp. [9] vi-lxviii 227 [5], [4] 258, [6] vii-xi [3] 3-330, toning, light spotting, ownership inscription effaced from half-title, frontispiece browned and more heavily spotted, occasional pencil-markings [ESTC N25828]Note: Very rare: ESTC traces nine copies in libraries world-wide; two copies traced at auction, the last in 1985. Jean-Georges Noverre's concept of ballet d'action revolutionised the performance of classical ballet. Volumes 1-2 comprise a translation of his Lettres sur la danse et sur les ballets, first published in 1760; the third volume contains treatments of his ballets The Danaides, Rinaldo and Armida, Adela of Ponthieu, The Graces, The Horatii and Curiatii, Agamemnon Revenged, and Apelles and Campaspe.

Fernandez de Avellaneda, Alonso The Life and Exploits of the Ingenious Gentleman, Don Quixote, de ... With Illustrations and Corrections by the Licentiate Don Isidro Perales y Torres. And now first translation from the Spanish. Swaffham: D. Sudbury, 1805. 3 volumes, 12mo (17.5 x 9.5cm), contemporary 'Spanish' calf, neatly rebacked to style, Greek-key roll and twin fillet frame gilt to covers, marbled endpapers and edges, [2] 4 xliv 340, [2] 4 286, [2] 4 233 pp., engraved armorial bookplates (Thomas J. Woodward) (3)Note: Rare provincial English edition of the unauthorised continuation of Don Quixote, first published in Spanish in 1614, and in English in 1705; Library Hub traces three copies only.

World War I writers Collection of works by Edward Thomas, Rupert Brooke and others comprising: Thomas, Edward. Rose Acre Papers. London: Lanthorn Press, 1904. First edition, small 8vo, original blue quarter cloth: Idem. The Woodland Life. London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1897. 4to, original cloth (second state of binding, slightly marked); Idem. These Things the Poets Said. Flansham: Pear Tree Press, 1935. First edition, one of 150 copies, 8vo, original quarter cloth, glassine dust jacket, woodcut title-page, initials and head- and tailpieces in colours, unopened, dust jacket chipped at head of spine, endpapers browned; Idem. Poems. London: Selwyn & Blount, 1917. First edition, 8vo, original boards, photogravure portrait frontispiece; Idem. A Literary Pilgrim in England. London: Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1917. First edition, 8vo, original cloth, with the rare dust jacket (the statement 'second edition' on front flap apparently referring to Thomas's work Maurice Maeterlinck, advertised below), all plates as called for; Brooke, Rupert. 1914 and other Poems. London: Sidgwick & Jackson, Limited, 1915. First edition, third impression, 8vo, original cloth, bookplate of Naomi Mitchison (1897-1999), B. H. Blackwell compliments slip inscribed 'sent by instruction of Mr G. R. Mitchison' mounted to front free endpaper; and 17 others, all in original cloth or boards unless stated, including: 5 by Edward Thomas (e.g. The Life of the Duke of Marlborough, 1915, first edition, with the rare dust jacket, chipped); Rupert Brooke, 1914 and other Poems, 1915 (first edition, first impression, front free endpaper excised); Wilfred Owen, Poems, 1921 (first edition, second impression); Siegfried Sassoon, Counter-Attack, 1918 (first edition, contemporary cloth); 'Restalrig', War Blasts and Other Poems, Edinburgh: Leith Printing and Publishing Co., Ltd., 1915 (2 copies, both inscribed by the author); Vignettes of War from the Notebook of a Journalist in Arms, by the Late Lieutenant Hugh G. Garland, Adelaide: W. K. Thomas & Co., c.1920; If I Goes West! By a Tommy, 1918 (review copy blind stamp); Ballads of Battle, by Lance-Corporal Joseph Lee 1st/4th Battalion Black Watch, 1916 (dust jacket); and similar (23)

Dudley, Robert, 1st Earl of Leicester (1532-1588) Letter Signed 'R. Leycester', and Subscribed One page, the text in French, in the hand of a secretary to Mademoiselles Francoise and Sabine d'Egmont in the Hague, bidding them farewell on his return to England where he has been summoned back by the Queen because of rumours of preparations being made against her kingdom "ou je suis rapelle par sa ma[jesti]e a l'occasion des bruites qui courent de quelques grand preparatifs qui se font contre son Estat", thanking them for the honour and courtesies he had received from them, and hoping he can serve them in turn should they wish anything of the Queen, Flushing, 29th November 1587, paper seal, despatch slits, some dampstaining, 32 x 21cm.Note: The Earl of Leicester returned home from the Netherlands on 4th December 1587 having suffered ill health through the summer. Once home he took part in the great debates over intelligence of the Spanish preparations for the Armada which he was convinced was coming. These being presumably the "bruites qui courent de quelques grands preparatifs" referred to in this letter. The recipients were members of one of the noblest of Flemish families. Lamoral Count of Egmont (1522-68) had married Sabine de Baviere (1528-78) who bore him 13 children. He is one of the great heroes of the Dutch struggle against Spain and the introduction of the Spanish Inquisition into the Netherlands. He nevertheless remained a staunch Catholic and remained loyal to Philip. He was found guilty of treason and beheaded on 4th June 1568. This event is usually taken as marking the beginning of the revolt by the Dutch against Spanish rule. There are a handful of references to Sabine and Francoise [Franchoyse] D'Egmont, two daughters of Lamoral d'Egmont, in the English State Papers, as early as 1581, and they are described as "The Ladies of Egmont". They seem to have written to Queen Elizabeth in support of English policy in the Low Countries of which their assistance to Leicester must have been a visible part. Leicester's signature on official papers appears on the market from time to time, personal letters are rare.

Raleigh, Sir Walter (1554-1618) Document signed, Isle of Wight, 15th August 1580 Single sheet of laid paper (29.2 x 21.2cm), 14 lines written in brown ink in a secretarial hand, with Ralegh's autograph signature 'W Rawley' at foot, the text reading 'Memorand[um] that I Walter Rawley Gent have had and received this day and yere abovesaide of Sr Edwarde Horsey knight capteyne of the Isle of Wighte for victuall and lodginge for our hundred souldeyrs under my conduction for her Ma[jesties] service in Ireland during the tyme of myne and their aboode in the saide Isle of Wighte. That is to saie from the xxx daye of July in the yere abovesaide untill the xv daie of Auguste viz for fiftene daies at vi s a man by the daye the some of xxxvii ls xs', docketed in a contemporary hand, toned, spotting, old folds, repaired closed tears, faint pencilled annotations to lower half rectoNote: The young Raleigh makes preparations to travel to Ireland to help crush the Desmond rebellion, the venture which rescued him from likely obscurity as the wayward second son of a Devon country family, and propelled him instead into the favour of Elizabeth I, setting him on the path to becoming the soldier, courtier, explorer, scholar and poet, 'the Renaissance man par excellence' (ODNB) perhaps more emblematic of the Elizabethan golden age than any other figure except the sovereign herself. Ralegh's signature is extremely rare; this example notably pre-dates his 'earliest surviving letter, written to William Cecil, Baron Burghley, lord treasurer, from Cork in February 1581' (ibid.). In early 1580 Raleigh served two spells of imprisonment for violent affray. Through the intercession of friends he received a captain's commission in the reinforcements being despatched to Ireland, and there oversaw the reduction and massacre of the garrison at Smerwick, co. Kerry. Among the possessions of the dead he discovered a collection of secret letters, and was ordered to return to London to present his findings at court. Once permanently back in England (after a brief return to Ireland) he quickly established himself as a leading light at Elizabeth's court, and concerned himself with the projected colonisation of the New World.

Constantinople Rare Panorama Panorama, Leicester Square. The Lower Circle of Observation exhibits a View of Constantinople and the Surrounding Country. Westminster: [R. Barker], printed by J. Adlard, 1801. Broadside, 370 x 313mmNote: The text continues 'The Preservation of this Sheet is recommended, as it, with the Map and Reference-book- will at all Times keep in Recollection, this View of Constantinople. The Book with the Map, to be had at the Panorama, Price 6d. ' For the copy in the E. Maurice Bloch Archive of the Getty Museum: https://primo.getty.edu/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=GRI&docid=GETTY_ALMA21122385400001551&context=L

Gilbert & George (1942- & 1943-) Red Boxers London: Art for All, 1975. 8 greetings cards (20.2 x 12.8cm), in red or black, illustrations in gilt to front covers, each signed inside in red or black ink ('Gilbert [and] George' or 'George [and] Gilbert'), retaining one original envelope with 'Red Boxers' printed to front, with name of addressee (apparently in the same hand as the signatures)Note: A rare complete set.

Stirling-Maxwell, Sir William (publisher) Solyman the Magnificent going to Mosque From a Series of Engravings on Wood published by Domenico de'Franceschi at Venice in M D LXIII. Florence & Edinburgh: privately printed for Sir William Stirling Maxwell, 1877. Large folio, original green quarter roan, green cloth sides, illustrated throughout with facsimiles of engravings and woodcuts, including 2 portraits, decorative head-and tailpieces and initials, and 9 plates (all but one double-page), wear and loss to spine, sides rubbed and cockled, half-title spottedNote: One of Stirling-Maxwell's 'pioneering books of facsimile prints using the new photolithographic methods' (ODNB), of which 100 copies were printed. 'Intended, apparently, for the decoration of walls, these woodcuts are exceedingly rare. Only two sets have fullen under my eye, one in the Print Room of the British Museum, and another in the Royal Collection at the Uffizi at Florence ... The Florentine set appears to have been made up from two or more impressions of the work. From that set the following photo-lithographic copies, of the full size of the original, were made for me by Signor pIetro Corrado Smorti in 1875' (Stirling-Maxwell, introduction). Provenance: 1) Christie’s, The Property of Archibald Stirling of Keir, 22-24 May 1995, lot 712. 2)The Late Lord David Douglas-Hamilton (1952-2020).

Edinburgh Town Council 3 rare broadsides Act anent the Cleansing of the Streets of Edinburgh, &c. Edinburgh, March 30, 1687. Edinburgh: Andrew Anderson, 1694, 48 x 31cm, [ESTC R174857, NLS copy stained and creased with loss of text]; Act of Council against Unfree Traders. Edinburgh, 29th February 1729, 41 x 33cm, [ESTC T19153, 4 copies UK, 2 in N. America], slight wear at folds affecting a few letters; Edinburgh November 1st, Anno 1716. Rectified Table of the Shore Dues, Merk per Tun and other Duties payable for all Goods imported to and Exported from the Harbour of Leith... [not on ESTC], 45 x 35cm (3)Provenance: Seemingly from the personal collection of Robert Mein; see other items relating to him and Edinburgh Council in this sale.

Edinburgh Town Council and other rare Edinburgh items comprising: Scotland. Commissioners for Regulating the Judicatories Articles, for Regulating of the Judicatories, &c., set down by the Commissioners, thereunto authorized by His Majesty, under the Great Seal. Edinburgh: E. Tyler, 1670. Folio, 19pp., sewn, [ESTC R222486 - 10 copies UK, 7 N. America]; Edinburgh, Gild Court Constitutions and By-Laws of the Gild Court of Edinburgh, that are ratified in Parliament, Ja VI Par.13, Act. 180. [Edinburgh, 1732], folio, 4pp., [ESTC T220470 - Aberdeen University Library only]; [Scotland, Charles II] Act Rescinding two Acts, past in the last Session of Parliament, the one for excepting of persons from publick Trust. Edinburgh, 9th Sept. 1663. Edinburgh: E. Tyler, 1663. Folio, 3pp. (one folded sheet), [ESTC R472825 - California State Library only]; Scotland. Court of Session Acts of Sederunt of the Lords of the Session, past since February 1681. Edinburgh: Heir of Andrew Anderson, 1691, folio, 24, [iv] pp., sewn as issued, some dust-soiling, [ESTC R34035 - 7 copies UK, 5 N. America]; Edinburgh Town Council Edinburgh, first May, One thousand six hundred and seventy four years. The Which day, the Lord Provost, Baillies, Council and Deacons of Crafts being conveened in Council... [relating to Prevention of Fires], [Edinburgh, 1674], folio, 3pp., folio, [ESTC R218200 - 4 copies in UK]; General Convention of the Royal Burghs of Scotland To the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury. Additional Memorial of the General Convention of the Royal Boroughs of Scotland, relating to Culm. [Edinburgh, 1777], folio, 15pp., sewn as issued, [ESTC N41307 - National Archives copy only]; General Convention of the Royal Burghs of Scotland Memorial, to the General Convention of the Royal Boroughs, from the Merchants, Brewers, Bakers and other Traders in Edinburgh and Leith. Edinburgh, Dec. 27th 1780. Folio, 7pp., slightly stained, final leaf with small holes at folds affecting a few letters, sewn as issued, [ESTC T118501 - British Library only]; [Ferguson, John] Unto the Right Honourable the Lords of Council and Session, the Petition and Complaint of John Ferguson, one of the Captains of the Town-Guard of Edinburgh. July 18th 1740. Folio, 3pp., one sheet folded, somewhat stained and a few holes from folds to p.3, [Not on ESTC]; [Jackson, Gideon] Unto the Right Honourable, the Lords of Council and Session, the Petition of Gideon Jackson late Writer to the Signet, now on the Roll of Pensioners. [Edinburgh, July 19th 1749], folio 2pp, with the printed name at end of George Brown scored through and 'Gideon Jackson' supplied in ink, torn at fold but complete, some dust-soiling, [not on ESTC] (9)Provenance: Seemingly from the personal collection of Robert Mein; see other items relating to him and Edinburgh Council in this sale.

Good, Frank Mason Selected Photographs of the Nile and its Scenery including some of its most Ancient Temples, etc. etc. London: A. Shapcott, [1874]. First edition, oblong 4to, original cloth, tinted lithographic title-page, 20 albumen print photographs (10 x 16.5cm), on linen-hinged card mounts as issued, mounts with lithographic captions and borders, tissue-guards throughout, covers sunned, front inner hinge cracked, initial blank spotted [Gernsheim 584]Note: Rare: no copies traced in libraries. 'Frank Mason Good is best known for his series of views of the Middle East taken on four separate tours of the area in the 1860s and 1870s. He first travelled to Egypt as assistant to Francis Frith in late 1857. He joined the Photographic Society in 1864, and in 1880 served as a judge of its annual exhibition' (National Portrait Gallery, online). Provenance: Contemporary prize plate to front pastedown, awarded to A. Yuille, address at head 56 Penywern Road; 'Yuille' is possibly a misspelling, as the orientalist Sir Henry Yule (1833-1885) is known to have lived on the same street. Images of the binding and all plates are available on the Lyon & Turnbull website.

Paris Paris moderne Grand album représentant les vues et les monuments les plus curieux de Paris et les sites les plus remarquables des environs. Paris, Martinet, c.1860. Oblong folio, original red cloth, tinted lithographic title-page, 24 tinted lithographic plates all with additional hand-colouring, erratically numbered (from 1 to 69), all but one by Charles Rivière, contemporary ownership inscription dated 1864 to front pastedown, wear to binding, a few tissue-guards torn, one plate ('Salle à manger du grand hôtel) with tissue-guard adhesion [cf. Bobins, The Exotic and the Beautiful, 949], together with a 19th-century scrap album, c.1856-7, containing original watercolours and pencil sketches (e.g. 'chien couchant', 'Hornsey church, Middlesex', 'A mill near Vauxhall Bridge, June 16th 1833', 'Highgate church from Hampstead Heath, 1833'), loose and mounted, transcribed poems, and prints (2)Note: Rare. Library Hub traces two copies, one at Cambridge with 25 plates (probably including the lithographic title-page and therefore matching the present copy), and one at Oxford, with 59 plates and presumably representing another issue; the Bobins copy had 30 plates. The erratic numbering of the plates suggests that Martinet published various issues comprising different selections from the full stock of Riviere's plates.

Scotland Collection of pamphlets and proclamations, 17th-18th century including: [Monipennie, John]. Certayne Matters concerning the Realme of Scotland. London: for John Flasket, 1603. Second edition, 4to (18.1 x 13.2cm), 20th-century boards, spine defective, light browning, occasional staining, headlines often shaved, repairs to title-page (A1) and B1-2 obscuring a few letters, title page with contemporary annotations and a pen trial, final leaf N1/A2 with closed tear in gutter [ESTC S112838]; Hamilton, James, 1st Duke of Hamilton. [Incipit:] Whereas some have given out that by the Act of Councell [...]. Edinburgh: Robert Young, printer to the Kings most excellent Majestie, 1638. 4to (18.5 x 13.2cm), modern boards, typographic headpieces, woodcut initials, retaining final blank (C4), book-label of noted bibliographer F. S. Ferguson (1878-1967), slight toning [ESTC S103719]; Charles I. [Incipit:] Charles, by the grace of God, King of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith. To our lovits [blank] messengers, our sheriffs [...], greeting. Edinburgh: Robert Young, 1638. 4to (17.8 x 13cm), modern boards, woodcut headpiece (royal arms) and initial, F. S. Ferguson book-label [ESTC S116895]; Ward, Richard. The Analysis, and Application of the Sacred and Solemne League Covenant. London: J. Dollam, 1643. First edition, 4to (19.5 x 15.3cm), disbound, slightly dust-soiled, tide-mark to foot, edges nicked [ESTC R5685]; [Covenanters]. A True and Impartial Account of the Examinations and Confessions of the several Execrable Conspirators against the King and his Government in Scotland. London: Andrew Forrester, 1691. First edition, folio (28.7 x 18.7cm), disbound, final 2 leaves near detached and with closed tears [ESTC R21336]; [Medicine]. [Drop-head title:] Unto the Right Honourable the Lords of Council and Session the Petition of John Monro Chirurgeon Apothecary in Edinburgh humbly sheweth that where in the competition betwixt your petition, as executor to the deceast Lieutenant Nisbet, and Janet Nisbet, executrix ... debated last week before the Lord Justice Clerk, 7 February 1701. Folio, 3 [1] pp., disbound, deckle edges, stitched together with an apparent continuation of the petition and 'Answers for Janet Nisebet and Peter Bell Merchant in Slagow her Husband ... to the Petition of John Monro against them], 2 and [2] pp., one with closed tear, [Defoe, Daniel]. Observations on the Fifth Article of the Treaty of Union, humbly offered to the Consideration of the Parliament, relating to Foreign Ships, [Edinburgh: no printer, 1706]. 4to (19.3 x 15.2cm), 20th-century quarter skiver, 4 pp., browned, bookplate of Robert A. S. Macfie (1868-1935), authority on the Roma [ESTC T55499: 10 UK copies, of which 7 in the National Library of Scotland]; Idem. A Short View of the Present State of the Protestant Religion in Britain, Edinburgh: [no printer], 1707. 8vo (18.4 x 11.4cm), 20th-century quarter skiver, a few page-numbers shaved, Macfie ownership inscription [ESTC T55491: 7 UK copies]; Almanac. Perth's True Almanack; or a New Prognostication for the Year of our Lord 1719 ... Calculated exactly (according to Art) for the Meridian of the Town of Perth ... by Mr. Patrick Stobie, Edinburgh: John Moncur, 1719. 8vo (14.8 x 9.4cm), A-B8, [32 pp.], eclipse woodcut on A4 r., detailed contemporary annotations to rear blanks, stitched in contemporary marbled wrappers (split along spine but remaining attached), final 2 leaves closely trimmed at head; and 12 others similar (these not collated), including 5 Acts of Parliament, 18th century (e.g. To prevent the infamous Practice of Stock-jobbing, 1734; For Settling and Establishing a Court of Exchequre in the North Part of Great Britain called Scotland, 1708; For rebuilding the Tron Church of the City of Glasgow [...], 1793, etc.; all disbound) (21)Note: Item 1 (Monipennie) was first published c.1594. Item 2 concerns the continuance of episcopal government in Scotland and was later published with other works as An Explanation of the Meaning of the Oath and the Covenant. No editions of The Petition of John Monro Chirurgeon Apothecary in Edinburgh or Perth's True Almanack traced in ESTC. The two Defoe pamphlets are notably rare in commerce.

[Scotland]. Evans, Revd Thomas. Account of a Tour from Dunham [Massey] to Scotland and back Monday 8th August 1763 to Wednesday 28th September 1763. Manuscript, small octavo, bound in reversed calf, spine very worn, inner joints weak, one page looseProvenance: The late Lord David Douglas-Hamilton. With the book-label of Mrs A StodartNote: The author, who was Rector of Severn Stoke and Archdeacon of Worcester (d. 1815) was accompanying the Hon. John Grey (1743-1802), third son of the 4th Earl of Stamford. Evans, either as tutor or companion, undertook similar journeys with John Grey’s elder brother Harry (later the 5th Earl of Stamford). Some fifteen journeys are recorded in a diary, now in the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University (RL.00372). This journal is similarly arranged to the Scottish tour, providing a list of destinations, the number of miles between each, the total mileage for excursions, and occasionally the duration of each stage of the trip with extensive description of towns and the county seats of noblemen, with particular details regarding local architecture, furniture, paintings, and gardens. The Scottish tour comprises a brief diary of the journey and the itinerary taken pages 1-33, giving mileage in English miles: the author noting that while measurements in Scotland were more or less the same all over, two Scotch miles were generally the equivalent of three English ones. Folios 34-81 comprise (rectos only for the most part) fuller descriptions of places visited and things done. Country houses, in particular, are described, with historical details of the families who owned them. However, the journal stops with the visit to Dunkeld on 5 September. The rest of the volume is blank. Their itinerary provided them with the opportunity to meet numerous distinguished people including the Dukes of Portland and Athol, the Duchess of Gordon, Lord Kaimes, the Earl Marischal, etc. They stayed at the ‘elegantly furnished ’ Dumfries House, breakfasted with Lord President Dundas at Arniston and were summoned to dinner at Hopetoun house ‘by the sound of a Chinese Gong.’ Both Glasgow and Aberdeen gave them the freedom of their cities. While it has not been possible to find the awards in the Glasgow records, those of Aberdeen record the awards along with those given at the same time to Patrick Heron of Heron and Kirroughtrie and to Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville. Selkirk saw their sleep disturbed by ‘drunken lairds.’ The diary provides interesting information about numerous Scottish houses. Dr Godfrey Evans, the Principal Curator of European Decorative Art, National Museums of Scotland, and whose kind assistance is acknowledged, notes that the author has picked up on the extent of the 6th Duke of Hamilton’s debts, after he died of alcoholism and cold in January 1758, and the need to resolve these problems by selling/buying back works of art. The author’s choice of pictures then hanging in Hamilton Palace is also of interest as many of the Palace’s paintings were later dispersed and are still unlocated. Important too is his account of Inveraray Castle where he states categorically that ‘The large Rooms on the first floor’ were not yet fitted up in 1763. Dr Evans considers the journal to be ‘really interesting and important’ and that ‘There is more detailed, privileged information than in some other well-known accounts of 18th century tours of Scotland.

Sykes, Mark Through Five Turkish Provinces London: Bickers and Son, 1900. First edition, 8vo, original red cloth lettered in gilt, photographic onlays to boards, top edge gilt, others untrimmed, photogravure frontispiece, 20 halftone plates, folding map, bookplate (Adrian Sykes), spine sunned and rolled, markings to fore edge of front board, tips bumped, endpapers brownedNote: The author's first book, describing a journey from Damascus to Batumi (modern-day Georgia) via Aleppo, Baghdad, Mosul, Lake Van and Tbilisi. Rare at auction and in libraries.

Rare 19th century tin mould, possibly used for crushed and coloured ice, with original wooden handled layer compactor, 16cm atll

Rare 19th century leather and brass dispatch case, engraved "W.H. Allies Esquire, Alfrick?", 22.5cm wide

Collection of 19th century treen items, to include a rare masher or plunger, lignum vitae salt, beer keg tap, small ladle, and an X print marker (5)

HERGE: (1907-1983) Georges Prosper Remi. Belgian cartoonist, best known as the creator of The Adventures of Tintin. An excellent original pencil drawing executed and signed by Herge, one page, small oblong 8vo (approximately 12 x 7.5 cm), n.p., n.d. (early 1960s). Herge’s preparatory sketch depicts Tintin and Captain Haddock in three-quarter length poses together as they angrily watch a young girl, Miarka, running away from them (the girl having just bitten the Merchant Marine Captain’s hand). Signed (‘Herge’) in pencil to the left of the panel, the final version of which was published in the comic album Les Bijoux de la Castafiore (1963; The Castafiore Emerald) and had previously been serialised in the weekly Tintin magazine from July 1961 to September 1962. Rare and desirable in this form. Some very light, minor age wear, otherwise VG In the published comic album version of Les Bijoux de la Castafiore the final version of the present drawing appears on page 2 (panel C1) with Captain Haddock declaring ‘Mille milliards de mille sabords!’ in an angry reaction to having just been bitten on the hand by Miarka, the young Romani girl.  Les Bijoux de la Castafiore was the twenty-first volume in Herge’s comic album series The Adventures of Tintin and is the only book in the series where the characters remain at Captain Haddock’s family estate, Marlinspike Hall. The story has been described as ‘the most surprising of Tintin’s adventures’.

DAGUERRE LOUIS: (1787-1851) French Artist and Photographer. One of the fathers of photography who created the daguerreotype process of photography. Best known as developer of the diorama theatre. Rare and very interesting A.L.S., `Daguerre´, one page, 8vo, Paris, 11th February 1828, to Monsieur Le Comte, in French. The document bears the printed heading ''Diorama'', and printed address ''Direction rue des Amrais -Maison du Diorama''. Daguerre is determined to send a letter to the `S.A.R. Madame la Dauphine´ who was interested in supporting his project and development of his invention, and waits for his correspondent´s answer, stating `J´ai l´honneur de vous adresser la lettre confirmant les details dont je vous avais parlé. De votre réponse dépendra le succès étant dans l´intention de la présenter a S.A.R. Madame la Dauphine. Veuillez je vous prie Monsieur le Comte me la rendre favorable..´ (“I have the honour to send you the letter confirming the details of which I had spoken to you. The success of it is based on your response, the intention being to present it to H.R.H. Madame la Dauphine. Please, Monsieur le Comte, return it to me with your favourable opinion...”) A letter of very interesting content. With blank integral leaf. Two extremely small holes at the base of the page, not affecting the text or signature. Small overall minor age wear, otherwise G to VG Marie-Thérese Charlotte (1778-1851) Eldest child of King louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette of France, and the only child to reach adulthood. Known as Duchess of Angoulême and Dauphine of France after her marriage with Louis Antoine, Duke of Angoulême, and eldest son of King Charles X. She was the niece and daughter-in-law of the King.

COHL EMILE: (1857-1938) French caricaturist, cartoonist and animator, regarded as 'The Father of the Animated Cartoon'. A.N.S., Emile Cohl, to one side of a plain postcard, n.p. (Paris), n.d. (29th August 1887), in French. Cohl writes 'Faultless tonight - maybe zing!' and confirms that the exact time will be 12h. Hand addressed by Cohl to the verso to Jullien at 28 Rue du Sentier. Rare. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG

[VOLTAIRE] - VEUVE DENIS: Voltaire (1694-1778) French Enlightenment Writer and Philosopher. Voltaire is a pseudonym, his name being François-Marie Arouet. Voltaire is known for his attacks on Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion and expression, and separation of church and state, & Marie-Louise Mignot, Veuve Denis (1712-1790) Mistress and Secretary of Voltaire. Mignot was a niece of Voltaire. When her husband died, in 1744, she became known as “Veuve Denis” her husband´s surname (“Widow Denis”). On the return of Voltaire from Prussia in 1753, Mignot joined her uncle and since then lived with him until his death. Voltaire published under her name several pamphlets and a comedy. She was the universal legatee of Voltaire´s works. Very rare L.S., `Denis´, one page, 4to, Paris, 5th January 1779, in French. The present document is signed only few months after Voltaire passed away and is a certificate proving that Marie-Louise Mignot is alive, relating to the life annuity that Voltaire was granted by the Wurttemberg Royal court. The document states `Je sous-signé certifie que Dame Marie Louise Mignot, Veuve de M. N. Charles Denis, Commissaire Ord. des guerres, est actuellement en vie - Le Baron de Thun, Ministre Plénipotentiaire de Wurttemberg à la cour de France´ (“I, the undersigned, certify that Dame Marie Louise Mignot, widow of M. N. Charles Denis, Commissioner Ord. of wars, is currently alive - Baron de Thun, Plenipotentiary Minister of Wurttemberg at the court of France”) The letter bears beneath the text a red wax seal in fine condition. Professionally repaired to the edges, otherwise G

VOLTAIRE: (1694-1778) French Enlightenment Writer and Philosopher. Voltaire is a pseudonym, his name being François-Marie Arouet. Voltaire is known for his attacks on Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion and expression, and separation of church and state. Very rare L.S., `V´, the first half of the letter is unpublished, two pages and a half, 4to, Ferney, 16th March 1776, to Monsieur Audibert, of the Academy of Marseille, in French. A very interesting content letter, Voltaire referring to the King of France, to the parliament and to a riot in Marseille. Voltaire states in part `Vous avez de très bons principes, Monsieur, sur ces grands Seigneurs don't vous me parlez, vous valez mieux qu´eux tous… Auriez-vous entendu paler, Monsieur, d´une querelle arrive à Marseille entre des ouviers, dans laquelle il y a eu du sang répandu. Un jeune homme nommé Audiot, neveu d´une de mes citoyennes, es ten prison pour cette aventure. Je vous demande pour lui votre protection… et ce que je vous demande instamment pour moi c´est que le vieux malade de Ferney puisse encore vous embrasser dans cette colonie naissante que j´agrandis tous les jours, malgré tous ces grands Seigneurs don't j´ai tant à me plaindre´ (“You have very good principles, Sir, on these great Lords of whom you speak to me, you are worth more than all of them... Have you heard, Sir, of a quarrel happening in Marseille between workmen, in which there was bloodshed. A young man named Audiot, nephew of one of my citizens, is in prison for this adventure. I ask you for your protection... and what I ask you earnestly for me is that the old patient of Ferney can still embrace you in this nascent colony that I am expanding every day, despite all these great Lords whose I have so much to complain about”) Voltaire further refers to the Parliament and to the King of France, and states in part `Vous savez peut-être que le parlement de Paris ayant dit au roi, dans une grande députation, que Sa Majesté dégradait la noblesse de son royaume en l´invitant à payer les journées de ceux qui travaillent aux chemins de leurs terres, le roi leur a répondu: “j´ai l´honneur d´être gentilhomme aussi, je paierai dans mes domaines la confection des chemins, et je ne me crois point dégradé pour cela”. Vous savez peut-être aussi que ce parlement ayant fait brûler par son bourreau, au pied de son grand escalier, un excellent livre en faveur du people…..Sa Majesté leur a ordonné de mettre leur décrét à néant, et leur a défendu de dénoncer des livres; elle leur a dit que ces dénonciations n´appartenaient qu´à son procureur general, qui même ne pouvait le faire qu´après avoir pris ses ordres´ (“You may know that the Parliament of Paris having told the King, in a large deputation, that His Majesty was degrading the nobility of his kingdom by inviting them to pay for the days of those who work on the roads of their lands, the King replied to them: “I have the honour of being a gentleman too, I will pay in my domains for the making of the roads, and I do not believe that I am degraded for that”. You may also know that this parliament having order its executioner to burn, at the foot of its grand staircase, an excellent book in favour of the people….. His Majesty ordered them to nullify their decree, and forbade them to denounce books; he told them that these denunciations belonged only to his general prosecutor, who even could only do so after taking his orders'And before concluding states `Voila des jugements de Titus et de Marc Aurèle, mais Messieurs ne sont pas des Sénateurs de Rome´ (“There you have judgments of Titus and Marc Aurelius, but these Gentlemen are not Senators of Rome”) A letter of very interesting content. With address leaf bearing a red wax seal in fine condition with very small area of paper loss due to the seal opening. Together with an oblong 12mo receipt, dated in Ferney on the 15th March 1776, signed by Etienne Perrachon, a friend of Voltaire, in French, saying `I have asked Monsieur Audibert his protection in order to have a correspondent in Marseille who could supply…´ G to VG, 2 Voltaire refers to Louis XVI, King of France, who had only ascended to throne less than two years earlier, and who was only 21 years old at the time of the present letter.    

STEINER RUDOLF: (1861-1925) Austrian philosopher, occultist, social reformer, architect, esotericist and claimed clairvoyant. An excellent, rare vintage signed sepia 5.5 x 9 photograph of Steiner in a head and shoulders pose. Signed ('Rudolf Steiner') in dark fountain pen ink with his name alone to the lower border. Accompanied by a selection of unsigned postcard photographs and slightly larger of Steiner and the Goetheanum in Dornach, the world centre for the anthroposophical movement founded by Steiner and for which he designed the original building, named after Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The signed photograph with very slightly irregularly trimmed edges and a couple of slight corner and surface creases to the borders. Generally about VG, 14

BERENSON BERNARD: (1865-1959) American art historian who specialised in the Renaissance, a major figure in the attribution of Old Masters. A.L.S., with his initials B. B., two pages, 8vo, Florence, Italy, 23rd December 1953, to Barbara Howes Smith. Berenson thanks his correspondent for her verses ('legible & intelligible - a rare treat nowadays!') and requests more news of what she has been doing in New York, and in particular regarding her fiction, further adding 'I still pretend to be at work & publish an occasional article or booklet. It keeps me from thinking too much of senility'. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Berenson and signed ('B. Berenson') by him in the return address to the verso. VG Barbara Howes (1914-1996) American poet, wife of William Jay Smith, himself a poet.

JACOB MAX: (1876-1944) French Poet and Painter. A good A.L.S., Max Jacob, two pages, 4to, Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire, 28th October 1925, to an unidentified friend, in French. Jacob refers to the fifteen pages he is sending to his correspondent, stating in part `They are part of a volume still unfinished and which will belong (in future) to the N.R.F. but in the meantime they belong only to me…´ Further saying `I still live immersed in this solitude of the Loire. Solitude which is not relative, not because of the trips to Paris which are quite rare, but because of visitors… But can I commit myself to send you prose, me whose time is taken by the painting and by the eternal novel in course which is like the rifle for the soldier, the bed for the sick patient, the table for the gluttonous..´ Jacob also refers on two occasions to one of his paintings Tableau de la Bourgeoisie, saying to a post-scriptum written to the left border `It rains a lot. Autumn gives continuity to a sad Summer. I am finishing Le Tableau de la Bourgeoisie. I will be publishing a book of verses this winter with Kra, and have started a book without topic.´ Very small overall minor age wear, otherwise G to VG   

[MOLIERE]: (1622-1673) Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. Known by his stage name Moliere. French playwright, Actor and Poet, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language and universal literature. His plays have been translated into every major living language. His influence is such that the French language itself is often referred to as the "language of Molière". Very rare document signed by Moliere´s wife ARMANDE BÉJART (1640-1700) French Actress, one of the most famous French stage actors of the 17th century. Her mother co-founded with Moliere the theatre company Illustre Theatre. D.S., `Armande Gresinde Claire Eslisabet Bejart´, one page, oblong small 4to, vellum, Paris, 1st of March 1681, in French. The partially printed document being an annuity receipt issued by the Town Hall of Paris, stating that in presence of the Secretary Counselor of the King, House of the Crown of France, and collector of the Paris Chancellery, they acknowledge the payment of "Twenty eight pounds and fifteen sols" corresponding to the first quarter of the year paid by `Damoiselle Armande Gresinde Claire Elizabeth Bejart, widow of Jean Baptiste Pocquelin S. de Moliere´. Countersigned by a Town Hall official. Overall age wear and toning. Creasing and staining. The signature remains in fine and bold ink condition. F

MONTESQUIEU: (1689-1755) Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brede et de Montesquieu. French Judge, Historian and political Philosopher. Montesquieu is the main source of separation of powers which is today implemented in many constitutions all over the world. His work The Spirit of Law (1748), anonymously published, strongly influenced the Founding Fathers of the United States when drafting the Constitution. Very rare L.S., Montesquieu, two pages, 4to, Bordeaux, 19th October 1748, to monsieur Titon Dutillet, in French. A very cleanly written letter, Montesquieu stating in part `J´ai reçu Monsieur la lettre obligeante que vous m´avez fait l´honneur de m´écrire au sujet de ma nouvelle Edition de la Grandeur des Romains, il serait bien flateur pour moi qu´elle eut plû a un homme aussi connoisseur que vous et don't l´esprit est rempli de tant de belles choses…´ ("I received Sir the obliging letter that you have had the honour to write to me about my new Edition of the Grandeur des Romains, it would be very flattering for me if it had pleased a man as connoisseur as you and whose mind is filled with so many beautiful things…") Montesquieu further refers to his correspondent´s work, saying `Des que je fus arrive ici, mon premier soin fut de remettre a Mr. De Sarrau votre ouvrage immortel le Parnasse Français´ ("As soon as I arrived here, my first goal was to deliver to Mr. De Sarrau your immortal work, le Parnasse Français (the French Parnassus)") With address leaf, written in his hand, bearing a red wax seal in fine condition. VG Evrard Titon du Tillet (1677-1762) French officer under Louis XIV, Captain of the Dragoons, war Commissioner and butler to the Duchess of Burgundy. Titon du Tillet wanted to erect a monument to the glory of the King on which men of letters and artists would have figured. The project only led to the writing of "La description du Parnasse Français", rich in information on the literary and musical life of the time.

PERRAULT CHARLES: (1628-1703) French Author whose works laid the foundations for the fairy tale, a new literary genre. Well remembered are his works Le Petit Chaperon Rouge (''Little Red Riding Hood''), Cendrillon (''Cinderella''), Le Chat Botté (''Puss in Boots''). Perrault´s stories influenced the versions published by the Brothers Grimm a century later, some have been adapted to opera or ballet, such as Tchaikovsky´s La Belle au Bois Dormant (“The Sleeping Beauty''). Rare A.N.S., Perrault, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p., 18th September 1672, in French. Perrault refers to a payment related to Versailles that should be done, and states in part `Il serait necessaire que Monsieur de la Planche paya s´il lui plait… la somme de cent cinquante cinq livres…cette somme sera employée…´ (“It would be necessary that Monsieur de la Planche pays, if that is fine with him… the sum of one hundred and fifty-five pounds… this sum will be used…”) Two very small holes not affecting the text or signature, with upper edge very slightly irregular. About G Perrault served as administrative aide under Jean Baptiste Colbert, finance minister to King Louis XIV. Using his influence, he was able to get his brother Claude Perrault employed as designer of a section of the Louvre and was himself involved in business activities such as the one referred to in this document.

TURGENEV IVAN: (1818-1883) Russian Novelist and Playwright. Very rare A.L.S., `I. Tourgueneff´, one page, 8vo, St. Petersbourg, Wednesday 24th/12th March 1880, as Editor of the Messager d´Europe, to Emile Zola, in French. Turgenev apologizes for his late letter and explains that is mind is somewhere else since he came back to St. Petersburg, stating in part `Mon cher ami, il y a longtemps que j´aurais du vous écrire, et je viens vous faire mes excuses. Mais depuis que je suis ici, je n´ai vraiment pas la tête a moi, et c´est dans un tourbillon que je vis´ (My dear friend, I should have written to you a long time ago, and I come to apologize to you. But since I've been here, I really don't have my mind focused on what I should, and it's in a whirlwind that I live") Further Turgenev refers to Zola´s work, saying `J´ai parlé avec Stassioulevitch de votre proposition relativement a la biographie. Il trouve cet ouvrage trop volumineux pour une revue, et il préfere en faire des extraits pour ses lecteurs une fois qu´il aura paru´ ("I have spoken to Stassioulevitch about your proposal related to the biography. He finds this work too voluminous for a magazine, and he prefers to make extracts from it for his readers, but once it has been published") Further again Turgenev refers to Zola´s work Nana, stating `Vous savez sans doute déja que la vente de Nana a été défendue ici - On trouve que cet ouvrage offense les moeurs. Pour avoir le droit de l´acheter il faut être un haut personage ou avoir le rang de Conseiller…´ ("You probably already know that the sale of Nana has been forbidden here - they consider that this book offends morals. To have the right to buy it you must be an important person or have the rank of counselor..") Before concluding Turgenev explains to Zola his near future travelling plans, including Paris in May, and shakes his hand friendly. An extraordinary letter exchange between two of the leading novelists of the 19th century. With blank integral leaf. Edges with small remnants of former affixing, otherwise G     Emile Zola (1840-1902) French Writer. Nominated for the first and second award of the Nobel of literature in 1901 and 1902. A leading figure in the political liberalization of France. Le Messager de l´Europe was a s a Petersburg newspaper which was first published in 1802 and which appeared until the 1830s twice a month. It moved to a conservative orientation from 1815. In 1814 they published Pushkin's poem To the Poet Friend. The idea of resuming the title and making it a quarterly review, in 1866, belonged to Mr. Stassioulevitch who directed it until 1908. The review became monthly in 1869 and ceased publication in 1918. Famous writers published extracts from their works or wrote articles, such as Turgenev, Ivan Goncharov or Alexander Ostrovsky. From the 1880s, the review took a rather "bourgeois-liberal" orientation and opposed the Marxism. Nana is a novel by Emile Zola. Completed in 1880, Nana is the ninth installment in the 20-volume Les Rougon-Macquart series. The novel was an immediate success.

WELLS H. G.: (1866-1946) English writer, remembered for his science fiction novels. A good vintage signed 8 x 10 photograph of Wells seated in a full-length pose and with a pen in one hand as he writes at the table before him. Signed ('With the warmest gratitude, H. G. Wells') by Wells in dark fountain pen ink to a light area at the base of the image and dated August 1918 in his hand to the lower photographer's mount. Rare in this form. A couple of very light, minor creases to the upper left, neatly trimmed at the base of the photographer's mount and with a few small stains to the upper corners and edges of the photographer's mount, evidently caused by previous framing. About VG

FITZGERALD F. SCOTT: (1896-1940) American novelist whose works include The Great Gatsby (1925). A rare D.S., F Scott Fitzgerald, one page, 4to, Hollywood, California, 13th April 1939. The typed document is issued by Paramount Pictures Inc. and relates to Fitzgerald's proposed services 'as a writer in connection with the screenplay of the motion picture photoplay tentatively entitled Air Raid for the period commencing March 27, 1939 and ending April 12, 1939, both dates inclusive, for a total compensation of One Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($1200)' and that Fitzgerald acknowledges receipt of the payment. A light black ink cross runs through the text and one thin line runs through the centre of the signature, both most likely applied by Fitzgerald himself and certainly in the same ink as the signature. A few very light, minor creases, otherwise VG The present contract, drawn up six weeks after Fitzgerald was hired by Paramount, refers to the rewrites he was initially asked to complete, and above all confirms that the finished product was delivered.

‘Things are still so very uncertain with me’FITZGERALD F. SCOTT: (1896-1940) American novelist whose works include The Great Gatsby (1925). A rare T.L.S., Scott Fitzgerald, one page, 4to, n.p. (California), 20th October 1939, to [Isabel] Horton. Fitzgerald informs his landlady 'Things are still so very uncertain with me that I am sending you a check (no longer present) for $102.50 for the rent from October 19 to November 3rd. If things have straightened up then, I would of course like to continue on here' and concludes 'Thank you for your kindness the other day. I was really rather at my wit's end'. Some very light, minor age toning and a few extremely light creases, about VG Struggling financially amid the Great Depression, Fitzgerald had moved to California and embarked on an (unsuccessful) career as a screenwriter. Whilst in California he rented a home from Isabel Horton, the sister of actor Edward Everett Horton, in Encino. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer had terminated Fitzgerald's contract in early 1939 and whilst working as a freelance screenwriter he suffered an alcoholic relapse and his failure in Hollywood pushed him to return to drinking, consuming nearly forty beers a day in 1939.

CHOBANIAN ARSHAG: (1872-1954) Armenian Writer, Poet and Playwright, considered one of the fundamental Armenian realist writers. Rare A.L.S., `A. Tchobanian´, one page, oblong 4to, n.p., 27th June 1922, to Henri Corbiere, in French. Chobanian responds to his correspondent´s question about his life motto, and beneath the question responds stating in part `La seule réelle richesse est dans le coeur, la seule vraie force est la puissance morale. La vie ne vaut qu´à la mesure du rêve a travers lequel on la voit…´ (“The only real wealth is in the heart, the only real strength is moral power. Life is only as good as the dream through which we see it…´ Further and before concluding his philosophical thoughts, Chobanian says `…et cette communion, dans les élévations de l´art, dans les actes d´héroisme, dans les efforts pour réaliser la justice, est la seule recompense parfaite..´ (“and this communion, in the elevations of the art, in acts of heroism, in efforts to make justice, is the only and perfect reward…”) Small overall minor age toning, otherwise G

LAGERLOF SELMA: (1858-1940) Swedish Author. Nobel prize in Literature in 1909. The first female writer awarded with the Nobel. Rare A.L., one page, oblong 4to, Marbacka, 3rd March 1930, to Henri Corbiere, in French. Lagerlof responds to her correspondent´s questionnaire to the verso, about her debuts, her initial incomes, her major works, and which one she considers the most important one, and states in part `Ce qui a été difficile c´était de trouver une manière juste de composer… a l ´époque de mon début je fus professeur a mon lycée de jeunes filles…´ (“What was difficult was to find a fair way to compose… at the time of my debut I was a teacher at my school for young girls..”) Further and responding to the question of which work made her known to the readers, Lagerlof answers `Gosha Berling´, and to the last question about which one of her works she considers the best, Lagerlof responds `I do not wish to respond to that question´. Small overall minor age toning, otherwise G to VG Gosta Berling´s Saga (1891) was Lagerlof´s debut novel. It was made into a silent film in 1924 starring Greta Garbo.

MONGE GASPARD: (1746-1818) Comte de Péluse. French Mathematician, widely regarded as the inventor of descriptive geometry and the father of differential geometry. Monge served as Minister of the Marine 1792-93 during the French Revolution. Key figure in the foundation of the Ecole Polytechnique. Rare L.S., `Monge´, two pages, 4to, Paris, 8th February 1793, to citizen Bleschamp, in French. Monge, in his capacity as Minister of the Marine, states in part `I announce to you, Citizen, that I have decided and ordered that the marine gendarmes, the guards of the arsenals, and those of offices and vessels will wear the uniform as explained below…´ Monge further explains and describes the uniforms, and forbids all sorts of hats. Signed to the left border by Duval confirming the registration of this order from the Havre Marine. Monge resigned as Minister two months later. With blank integral leaf. Folded. With two small pinholes to the upper border, not affecting the text or signatures, otherwise VG

FOURIER JOSEPH: (1768-1830) French Mathematician and Physicist. Best known for initiating the investigation of the Fourier series and their applications to problems of heat transfer and vibrations. The Fourier transform and Fourier´s law of conduction are named after him. He is credited with the discovery of the greenhouse effect. Rare L.S., Fourier, one page, folio, Cairo, 21st December 1799, in French. The letter being a report of state of expenses issued by the Commission of Information related to the modern state of Egypt. Signed by Fourier in his capacity as President of the Commission.The document details a small list of expenses with their individual cost, stating `Achat de neuf cartables… achat de deux registres…. Achat de diverses drogues pour faire de l´encre… faire relier un livre Arabe…´ (“Purchase of nine binders… purchase of two registers…. Purchase of various drugs to make ink… to bind an Arabic book..”) Also signed, twice, by Baudeuf, a French important representative of an important company of commerce at Cairo, in his capacity as Secretaire of the Commission. Overall age wear, mostly to edges, with very slightly trimmed edges. G

BABBAGE CHARLES: (1791-1871) English Mathematician & Inventor who originated the concept of a programmable computer. A good A.L.S., C Babbage, two pages, small 4to, n.p., 15th April 1827, to 'My dear Sir'. Babbage informs his correspondent that he feels the Royal Institution 'would be the best place for making public the views you mention respecting the illustration of mechanical subject' and adds 'I think there could be no objection to your lecturing in the same place where Davy, Dalton, Dr. Roget and Dr. Young have frequently done', further explaining that he has written to the manager of the Royal Institution 'in such a manner that they might if they chose propose some remuneration for the expense you might be at in bringing the necessary apparatus from Ireland' and also stating 'They however do not seem to have viewed it in that light, but they express a perfect willingness to allow you to give a few lectures on the subject and will make arrangements as to the time on your arrival in London'. Babbage further informs his correspondent that he is aware that the Royal Institution have a 'full supply of lectures for the season' although comments 'You however are not committed and if you disapprove of the plan can easily drop it. I think that no situation in London is so desirable with reference to your views'. Autograph letters by Babbage of this size are rare; the scientist generally preferring to use much smaller stationery for his correspondence. A few light spots of foxing and some slight traces of former mounting to the left edge, not affecting the text or signature. About VG

PASTEUR LOUIS: (1822-1895) French chemist and microbiologist, renowned for his discoveries of the principles of vaccination and pasteurisation. A good A.L.S., L. Pasteur, to one side of his correspondence card, Rue d'Ulm, Paris (the site of Pasteur's laboratory), 18th May 1886, to an unidentified correspondent, in French. Pasteur writes to certify that Mr. Metlitsky and his young child 'are undergoing at this moment the preventive treatment for rabies and that they are without resources', further proposing to pay the expenses in Paris, totalling 55 francs, for the man and his child if they do not receive any money from any Russian charitable society. Letters by Pasteur making reference to rabies are rare and highly desirable. Some light, minor splitting of the paper, otherwise VG Through his development of a vaccine for rabies, Pasteur is credited of having saved the lives of millions of people. The vaccine's first human trial was performed by Pasteur on 9-year-old Joseph Meister in July 1885. As a result of the treatment the boy was restored to good health within months and Pasteur was hailed as a hero. In 1886, the year of the present letter, Pasteur treated 350 individuals, of which only one developed rabies. The treatment's success laid the foundations for the manufacture of many other vaccines and the first of the Pasteur Institutes was also built on the success of this achievement.

EINSTEIN ALBERT: (1879-1955) German-born theoretical physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1921. A very fine, rare autograph Manuscript Signed, A. Einstein, two pages (feint rule graph paper), 4to, n.p., n.d. The working manuscript, in ink and pencil, features numerous scientific calculations in Einstein’s hand, with just a few words (including ‘rule’) alongside some of the calculations and with the letters R, G, A & B appearing regularly. Signed in ink with his name alone to the lower left corner. Whilst Einstein clearly created many such pages of scientific formulae during his career, they remain highly sought after by collectors, and signed examples are of exceptional rarity, this example having been presented to a family friend. Some very light, extremely minor age wear and one small, neat tear to one edge, otherwise VG

DROVETTI BERNARDINO: (1776-1852) Italian-born French Diplomat, Politician, Archaeologist and antiquities collector. Drovetti is best-remembered for his acquisition of the Turin Royal Canon and for his Egyptian discoveries. He remains a controversial figure for his unscrupulous behaviour in his conduct towards his discoveries in Egypt. Rare and lengthy A.L.S., `Drovetti´, three pages, 4to, Alexandria, 24th May 1804, to Monsieur Pierre Balthalas in Marseille, in French. The letter bears the printed heading "B. Drovetti, Chief of squadron, vice-Commissar of the Commercial Relations at Alexandria in Egypt". Drovetti commences his letter saying that he has to send the same letter three times without the guarantee that it is delivered, and expects that one will reach his correspondent, and complains about the clothes purchase he did, stating `… Les pantalons et culottes dans la façon desquelles j´avais bien recommandé de ne pas suivre la mode ridicule de nos jours, sont tellement hauts, et si mal coupés sur le devant qu´il me serait imposible de satisfaire au besoin d´uriner sans me déshabiller completement…´ (" The trousers and pants, in the way that I had recommended not to follow the ridiculous fashion of our days, are so high, and so badly cut to the front that it would be impossible for me to satisfy the need to urinate without completely undressing") Drovetti further refers again to his multiple letters not reaching the addressees, and comments `I have received right now a letter of my brother from Livorno, who reports to me that the General Murat asked him and General Menou in Tunisia about me, when I have been writing regularly to this good General..´ Further again Drovetti makes a very interesting report on the political and military difficult situation they are living in Egypt, stating in part `… les mamelouks associés a des hordes nombreuses d´Arabes sont a peu de distance du Caire, et empechent qu´il n´y arrive aucune espece de comestibles…. Si cela continue ainsi, une famine sera inevitable, et cette malheureuse capitale será livrée a toutes les horreurs d´une guerre intestine, car il y a tout apparence que les Beys s´en empareront de Nouveau et y exerceront des vengeances… le pillage de la ville será accordé aux Arabes en récompense de leurs travaux militaires´ ("…the mamluks associated with numerous hordes of Arabs are at a short distance from Cairo, and prevent any kind of eatables from arriving there…. If it continues thus, a famine will be inevitable, and this unfortunate capital will be delivered to all the horrors of an internal war, because there is every likelihood that the Beys will seize it again and will exert revenges there... the plunder of the city will be granted to the Arabs as a reward for their military support..") Before concluding Drovetti reports on a Turkish naval squadron they are waiting for, which will defend their position at Cairo and states `On ne peut d´apres ce tableau faire que des présages tres funestes sur le sort de ce malheureux pays..´ ("Under these circumstances, we can only make very dire omens about the fate of this unfortunate country") A letter of very interesting content. Including full transcription. Paper with watermark. Small professional repair to the centre fold, otherwise G