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Click here to subscribeLitke (Admiral Count Fyodor Petrovich, German-Russian navigator, cartographer and geographer, 1797-1882) Autograph Letter signed to F.H. Schnitzler in Strasbourg, in French, 2pp. with conjugate blank, embossed armorial stamp to upper left corner, 4to, St Petersburg, 14/26 December 1869, applauding his work on behalf of Russian geographers, a few notes in ink to verso of blank, folds, tipped-in to modern burgundy morocco-backed boards, spine gilt.
Secret Speech denouncing Stalin.- Khrushchev (Nikita Sergeyevich) O Kulcie Jednostki I Jego Nastepstwach, first edition, first issue, original paper wrapper, ink-stamp '3083' to upper cover, minor creasing to spine, light sunning to edges, 8vo, Warsaw, Marzec, 1956.⁂ Rare and important copy of the first issue of Khrushchev's speech, given to a closed session of Communist Party delegates on 25 Feburary 1956, in which he openly denounced the deceased dictator Joseph Stalin (who died in March 1953). "Khrushchev recalled Lenin's Testament, a long-suppressed document in which Vladimir Lenin had warned that Stalin was likely to abuse his power, and then he cited numerous instances of such excesses" (Encyclopaedia Britannica Online). This Polish translation of the speech was the only version that circulated during the Cold War, the official Russian text being unknown until its publication in 1989. The CIA counterfeit edition, with false imprint Moscow 1959, was in fact a translation into Russian from the present Polish text, which was smuggled out of Moscow and leaked, via Israel, to the USA.
Mathematics.- Newton (Sir Isaac) Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, 3 vol., first 'Jesuit's' edition, titles in red and black with engraved vignette, illustrations and diagrams, half-title in vol.2 only (ie lacking from vol.1), final 2 preliminary leaves misbound at end of vol.1, foxing and browning to vol.1 and 2, damp-staining and mottling to vol.3, old ink stamp to titles, contemporary sheep, spines gilt, worn, [Babson 30], 4to, Geneva, Barrillot & Filii, 1739-42.⁂ "The first of the so-called Jesuit's edition, although its editors were Minims [Thomas le Seur, and Francois Jacquier], and valued for its copious commentary" (Babson).
Melville (Herman) Moby-Dick or the White Whale, second English edition, a few spots to fore-edge, light browning to endpapers, Lord Rosebery's copy with his "Durdans" blind-stamp to to title and pp.99 and 101 and the odd pencil note or marking to margins and endpaper, original pictorial cloth, light toning to spine, spine ends and corners slightly bumping, small patch of fraying to foot of upper cover, some slight rubbing or faint marking, but a bright, crisp copy generally, 8vo, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1892.⁂ The second English edition of one of the Great American Novels and a key work of 19th century literature. This second English edition is both rare (we have traced not like example at auction) and significant as it is the first English edition to include the missing epilogue as well as a number of other passages and phrases that were omitted for the Bentley first edition (an edition that was famously mutilated by self-appointed censors).
Pullman (Philip) The Haunted Storm, first edition, signed by the author on title, light toning to text margins, ink library stamp to title verso, original boards, light bumping and rubbing to spine tips and corners, dust-jacket, sunning to spine, minor chipping to spine tips and corners, light rubbing and some creasing to upper and lower edge, but an excellent example overall, 8vo, 1972.⁂ The author's rare first novel. Though ex-library a far better copy than might be expected.
Imaginary voyages and utopias.- [Legrand (Marc-Antoine)] Les Avantures du Voyageur Aerien, first edition, ink stamp to title, ink ownership inscriptions to title and pastedown, contemporary wrappers, spine chipped at foot, uncut, housed within a drop-back box, 8vo, Paris, Andre Cailleau, 1724.⁂ A very early fantasy of air travel, to an imaginary land; the novel is of great significance for the history of flight, and also appeared in Garnier's anthology of imaginary travel along side Paltock's flying adventurers and Voltaire's science-fiction work, Le Micromegas.
Bank of England. An Abstract of the Charter to the Governour and Company of the Bank of England, 6pp., drop-head title, first leaf with neat ink number at head and tiny rust hole affecting a couple of letters of text, trace of library stamp at foot, outer margins a little soiled and frayed at edges (repaired), inner margins reinforced, modern half calf over marbled boards, red morocco label, [Goldsmiths' 3018; Horsefield 91; Kress S.1797; Wing A127], folio, n.p. [1694].⁂ Very rare. The earliest printed form of the charter of the Bank of England. The full charter was not published until 1721, the present publication was issued in small numbers to be circulated between the proprietors and directors as part of its foundation in 1694. We can trace only this copy at auction, (sold in these rooms in 2020); ESTC lists only 5 UK copies in 4 locations (not in BL) and 2 others in America.
Doyle (Sir Arthur Conan) The Sign of Four, first edition, first issue, with misprints "13" on contents p. and "w shed" on p.56, frontispiece by Charles Kerr (lacking tissue-guard), without publisher's catalogue at end, bookplate to pastedown and embossed bookseller's stamp to front free endpaper, one or two very light spots but a very good, clean copy generally, original first issue cloth with "Spencer Blackett's Standard Library" to foot of spine, spine and covers a little darkened, ends and corners a little bumped and creased, or two light marks to covers, but still a bright and excellent copy, [Green and Gibson A7], 8vo, Spencer Blackett, 1890.⁂ The second Holmes novel, rare in the first issue cloth in such bright condition.
Magens (Nicholas) An Essay on Insurances, explaining the Nature of the various Kinds of Insurance practised by the different Commercial States of Europe..., 2 vol., first edition in English, vol.1 lacking final blank & vol.2 initial & final blanks, pagination of pp.433-466 in vol.2 corrected by pasted-over printed slips, some foxing, ex-library copy with ink stamp to titles & a few other leaves, also bookplate and gilt stamps to boards, contemporary calf, rebacked, repairs to corners and edges, rubbed, new endpapers, [Goldsmiths' 9045; Higgs 975; Kress 5453], 4to, by J. Haberkorn [for] W. Baker, 1755.⁂ Magens settled in London in the early 1700s, where he became an insurance trader and director of the London Assurance Company. His Essay on Insurances is a much amended and expanded translation of his Versuch uber Assecuranzen, Hamburg, 1753, produced because of the lack of any work on mercantile and maritime insurance in England. Adam Smith quotes him with respect (as "Mr Meggens") in Wealth of Nations and he owned a copy of Magens's explanations to his well-known Universal Merchant.
Poor in Scotland.- M'Farlan (John) Inquiries concerning the Poor, first edition, John Cator's copy with his engraved bookplate, contemporary sprinkled calf, gilt, rubbed, rebacked preserving old label, [Goldsmiths' 12347; Kress B.483], Edinburgh, for T.Longman, 1782 § Tod (T., merchant, treasurer to the Orphan Hospital) Observations on Dr.M'Farlan's Inquiries concerning the State of the Poor, first edition, modern morocco-backed marbled boards, gilt library stamp to foot of spine but no other stamps, Edinburgh, James Donaldson, 1783, 8vo (2)⁂ John M'Farlan, a minister at Canongate, was for many years closely associated with almost all the charitable foundations of Edinburgh. His book is one of the most substantial early contributions to the study of the poor in Scotland. It contains considerable reference to other authorities, Richard Burn, John Gilbert and John Howard the prison reformer. John Cator (1728-1806), wealthy timber merchant and landowner responsible for the layout of much of the areas around Blackheath and Beckenham, now in south-east London. One of his first acts as a property developer was to commission Beckenham Park Place, a Palladian-style mansion much admired by Samuel Johnson.
Swimming.- Frost (J.) Scientific Swimming; being a Series of Practical Instructions, on...the Art of Swimming, first edition, 12 folding engraved plates, advertisement leaf at end, title with price at foot corrected in ink and slightly soiled, some light foxing to plates, mostly marginal, traces of embossed stamp to a few margins, modern calf-backed marbled boards, uncut, 8vo, 1816.⁂ Scarce work on swimming. The author describes himself as "many years teacher of the art at Nottingham". He lived at a house on Middle Pavement, Nottingham, where his principal business seems to have been as a "surveyor of chimneys in all cases of annoyance by smoke", but it is this pioneering work on swimming that remains his more enduring legacy.
Anson (George).- Coyer (Abbé Gabriel François) A Supplement to Lord Anson's Voyage Round the World. Containing A Discovery and Description of the Island of Frivola, small red ink stamp to verso of final leaf, [Sabin 17318], Printed for A. Millar...J. Whiston and B. White, 1752, bound after Byron (John) The Narrative of the Honourable John Byron (Commodore in a Late Expedition round the World), second edition, half-title, engraved frontispiece, G3 with short tear to blank lower margin, [Sabin 9730], Printed for S. Baker and G. Leigh...and T. Davies, 1768, together 2 works in 1 vol., engraved armorial bookplate of Tho. Smyth, the odd spot or mark but overall clean copies, contemporary speckled calf, rebacked, with red morocco labels to spine, worn at corners, rubbed, 8vo. ⁂ The first is a satirical work on the French nation, based on the supposed discovery of the Utopian island "Frivola" by Admiral Anson during his circumnavigation.
Freemasonry.- Hutchinson (William) The Spirit of Masonry in Moral and Elucidatory Lectures, first edition, engraved frontispiece and title with masonic vignette, light spotting, later bookplate, later half roan, g.e., rubbed, rebacked, for J.Wilkie, 1775 § Smith (Capt. George) The Use and Abuse of Free-Masonry, first edition, half-title, engraved title-vignette, some foxing, [Vibert p.39], later half calf, for the Author, 1783 § Exposition (An) of the Causes which have produced the late Dissensions among the Freemasons of Scotland, first edition, half-title, light soiled, stab-holes, ex-library copy with blind-stamp to title and label, old cloth-backed boards, Edinburgh, 1808, 8vo (3)
Poetae Christiani.- Sedulius (Caelius) Mirabilium divinorum libri quatuor carmine heroico, collation: [*]8 a-c8 d4 e-i8 k10 aa-dd8 ee6 ff gg8 hh6 A-F8 G4 H-I8 K4 aaaaαα8.8 bbbbββ10.8 γγcccc8.8 δδdddd8.10 εεeeee4.4, Roman and Greek type (final part with parallel Greek and Latin text), woodcut printers device with partial hand-colouring to [*]8v (showing through recto), initial spaces with guide-letters, later ink foliation and marginalia, lacking ff1-8, gg1-3 and final blank, title with obliterated ink inscriptions in upper margin and 2 ownership stamps in lower margin, first quire and a few other ff. working loose, some marginal water-staining (including title), some spotting or mostly light foxing and staining, lightly browned (a few ff. a little heavier), upper hinge split, contemporary limp vellum, soiled, 8vo (189 x 139mm.), Venice, Aldus Manutius, [June, 1502 (colophon January, 1501)].⁂ This forms the second volume of three of Aldus' Christian Poets. Any volume from this series is rare at auction. Sedulius (Latin form of the Irish name Siadhal) was a Christian Poet of the early 5th century. Provenance: Medici Palatine Library (ink armorial stamp to lower margin of title); 'MD' (ink stamp to lower margin of title); Bibliothecae Puseianae, L.O. Bigg, April, 1888 (large bookplate with ink ms. insertions to front pastedown). Literature: Adams P1685 & S849; Ahmanson-Murphy 58 & 58.5; Renouard 39:17; EDIT 16 CNCE 36115.
Orwell (George) Animal Farm. A Fairy Story, first edition, ownership blind-stamp to front free endpaper, original cloth, very light fading to spine light sunning to spine tips, dust-jacket, Searchlight advertisement printed in red on verso, spine slightly darkened, spine ends and corners a little chipped, 2 closed tears with creasing to head of lower panel, joints rubbed, a very good, sharp copy, [Fenwick A10a], 8vo, 1945.⁂ An attractive copy of Orwell's classic satirical allegory. Increasingly scarce in good condition. Orwell struggled to find a willing publisher, eventually Secker and Warburg obliged after it was rejected by Gollancz (Orwell's usual publisher) as well as Faber and Faber and Jonathan Cape.
Burgess (Anthony) A Clockwork Orange, first edition, ink stamp of Rice's Bookshop, Newcastle, Australia to front free endpaper, original boards, very slight shelf-lean, light spotting to top edge, first issue dust-jacket with wide flaps, price-clipped, light toning to spine, minor chipping and light rubbing to spine tips and corners, light surface soiling to lower panel, an excellent example overall, 8vo, 1962.
Coinage.- [Lowndes (William)] A Report Containing an Essay for the Amendment of the Silver Coins, only edition, title soiled, later mottled calf, gilt, joints rubbed, [Goldsmiths' 3131; Kress 1908; Wing L3323], by Charles Bill, and the Executrix of Thomas Newcomb, 1695 § [Pratt (Samuel)] The Regulating Silver Coin, made Practicable and Easie, to the Government and Subject, first edition, [Goldsmiths' 3331; Kress 1990; Wing P3184], for Henry Bonwick, 1696 bound with [J. (R.)] A Letter of Advice to a Friend about the Currency of Clipt-Money, second edition, browned, stain to lower margin, [Goldsmiths' 3297; Kress 1973; Wing J29A], for Edw. Castle, 1696, together 2 works in 1 vol., with folding manuscript sheet titled 'A List of the Company of Monyers 11 June 1727 with the Time of their Decease' tipped in at beginning, contemporary calf, rubbed, rebacked, corners repaired § Comparative View (A) of the Nominal Value of the Silver Coin in England and France, first edition, modern cloth, [Goldsmiths' 9612; Kress 5840], J.Burd, 1760, the first two ex-Birmingham Assay Office library copies with small ink stamp to front free endpaper, 8vo (3) ⁂ By the end of the 17th century English coinage was in a poor state, with many clipped or forged coins in circulation. William Lowndes (1652-1724) was appointed Secretary to the Treasury in 1695 and his commissioned report proposed devaluation. This provoked a debate with the philosopher John Locke who advocated a full recoinage without devaluation. Samuel Pratt, an Anglican cleric, supported Lowndes's case for devaluation.
America.- Price (Richard) Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty, the Principles of Government, and the Justice and Policy of the War with America, 1776; Additional Observations on the Nature and Value of Civil Liberty..., 1777, together 2 vol., first editions, the first lacking half-title (not called for in second), the first with contemporary ink instruction to binder on title and slight worming to upper outer corner of first few leaves, both trimmed (the second slightly smaller), modern cloth-backed marbled boards with calf label to upper covers, spines faded, [Goldsmiths' 1st item 11512, 2nd item only later editions; Kress 7243 & B.71; Sabin 65452 & 65444] § Honor (The) of Parliament and the Justice of the Nation Vindicated. In a Reply to Dr. Price's Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty, only edition, lacking half-title, lightly browned, ex-library copy with small ink stamp to p.57, modern calf-backed marbled boards, [Sabin 32790], W.Davis, 1776, 8vo (3) ⁂ Essays of some significance in Anglo-American history. Price, a friend of Benjamin Franklin, had for several years before the outbreak of hostilities been sympathetic to the cause of the American colonists. As a non-conformist he had long championed the cause of the freedom of worship and he believed that government had no part to play in religion. Price's support of the American colonists made him almost at once one of the best known men in England, and provoked an extensive controversy, as evidenced in the final item which vehemently opposes Price's assertions regarding the failings of British colonial administration and displays no sympathy for those Americans seeking liberty.
Elizabeth II, Her Majesty The Queen's 95th Birthday 1926-2021, silver proof 1oz fifty pence, Isle of Man, limited edition 96/995, in original case and packing, together with UK 2021 Queen Elizabeth II Official Birthday Silver Date Stamp Issue £2, limited edition of 500, in original case and packing (2)
W A Aubrey Witham stamp collection contained within one ring binder album, the stamps handsomely presented on Witham made A4 sheets with a wealth of historic information and relevant descriptions behind the designs, the stamps spanning 1840-1975, stamps include QV 1d penny black SA plate 3 (3margin), penny reds, QV Jubilee set to 9d, ED VII set to 1s, Geo V seahorse to 10s, Geo VI corner control blocks, etc., also a small amount of mint early decimal stamps.
Stamp collection held in three albums to include a Lincoln Stamp Album with some 19th century used material including USA, JAPAN, HUNGARY, SWEDEN, etc. a 1906 calendar book with used world stamps, a Capital stamp album sparsely populated with used 20th century material and a Stanley Gibbons catalogue 1952. (4)
The Royal Mail The Victorian Stamp Ingot Collection containing six silver proof stamp ingots, (each with silver hallmark, 925 grade, 102g gross), and a similar set titled The Edward VI and George V Stamp Ingot Collection containing six silver proof stamp ingots: PUC £1, British Empire Exhibition one penny, 10 shilling seahorse, £1 green and one penny, (each with silver hallmark, 925 grade 146g gross), both sets boxed (248g total), (2)
Stamp collection across numerous albums including an album of Autographed Editions first day covers to include Bobby Charlton, Francis Thompson MBE, Margaret Thatcher, Geoff Hurst and John Noakes, an album of The Royal Family 40th Anniversary of QEII Commonwealth stamps, an album of Elvis Presley first day covers and 4x8 part sheet of USA 29cent Elvis stamps, an album and stock book of used world stamps etc.
Stamp collection across numerous albums and loose to include predominantly 20th century used material, many sorted into packets or tins by country to include BAHAMAS, BRAZIL, FRANCE, CANADA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ALGERIA, BERMUDA, BHOPAL, INDIA, INDOCHINA, HONG KONG, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, CHINA, etc.
GB stamp collection to include a large number of mint stamps including presentation packs, Collectors packs and traffic light and control corner blocks, estimate FV exceeds £100, a John Pinches silver proof medallic first day cover 1975 The Railway Sesquicentennial, used world stamps, a GB first day cover collection spanning 1967-1984 in three albums, etc.
DateStamp UNITED KINGDOM Elizabeth II (1952-2022) Britannia fine silver two pounds £2 2020 capsulated with stamp cancelled Tower Hill 31JAN'20 [999 31.21 38.61 2,020mintage] in issue case with certificates of authenticity from Coin Portfolio Management CPM and DateStamp. BAILIWICK OF GUERNSEY Elizabeth II silver proof five pounds £5 2020 [925 28.28g 39.61mm 2,020mintage] in issue case with certificate of authenticity from Coin Portfolio Management CPM. BAILIWICK OF GUERNSEY Elizabeth II silver proof five pounds £5 2013 The Dambusters 70th Anniversary [925 28.28g 38.61mm 1,943mintage] in issue case with certificate of authenticity. GIBRALTAR silver proof fifty pence 50p 2019 75th Anniversary of D-Day [925 8g 27.3mm 4,950mintage] in issue case with certificate of authenticity from the Pobjoy Mint. SHETLAND one ounce fine silver Raven coin 2014 [999 31g]. (5)
Stamp collection held within 8 albums to include three albums of American stamps compiled by Janice Witham spanning 1857-1989, a thematic album of ships, an album of GB presentation packs, PHQ cards and first day covers etc., also 14 United States of America mint stamp year sets circa 1980s etc.
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![Imaginary voyages and utopias.- [Legrand (Marc-Antoine)] Les Avantures du Voyageur Aerien, first edition, ink stamp to title,](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/ed94c307-2ea5-4819-9284-afc100bd58c0/d06b5326-1a47-4196-99af-afc10103224f/468x382.jpg)
![Poetae Christiani.- Sedulius (Caelius) Mirabilium divinorum libri quatuor carmine heroico, collation: [*]8 a-c8 d4 e-i8 k10 a](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/ed94c307-2ea5-4819-9284-afc100bd58c0/8e905c3f-c42e-4681-9139-afc10103788e/468x382.jpg)
![Coinage.- [Lowndes (William)] A Report Containing an Essay for the Amendment of the Silver Coins, only edition, title soiled,](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/ed94c307-2ea5-4819-9284-afc100bd58c0/872953d6-d357-4601-bb3b-afc10102b4a1/468x382.jpg)
