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Laugh a Little — Cringe a Little — Carrington Curiosa
Cabanès, Augustin. The secret cabinet of history peeped into by a doctor. Paris: Charles Carrington, 1897. 8vo. x pp., [2[ ff., 3–239, vii, [1 (blank) pp., [4 (ads)] ff.
$100.00
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W.C. Costello's translation of Cabanès' Cabinet secret de l'histoire (première série), the sole edition in English and an interesting, if at times gruesome, complication of medical anecdotes, medical humor, celebrity lore, and titillation.
Cabanès (1862–1928) was a medical doctor, historian, and successful writer of a goodly number of works of fiction and history, with a subspecialty of historical medical mysteries. Carrington was a leading British publisher (“abroad”) of late-Victorian and Edwardian pornography/erotica for “bibliophiles,” much of it flagellatory; there have been significant essays on him and his works, but
Wikipedia provides one irresistible sentence: “Carrington went blind as a result of syphilis and the last few years of his life were spent in poverty as his mistress stole his valuable collection of rare books.”
The chapters in this publication are: A youthful indiscretion of Louis XIV, The fistula of a great king, The maladies of Louis XV, The semi-impotency of Louis XVI, The first pregnancy of Marie-Antoinette, Louis XVI in private life, One of the judges of Marie-Antoinette: the surgeon Souberbielle, What was Marat's disease, Talleyrand and the doctors, The accouchement of the empress Marie-Louise, The ancestors of Marshal Mac-Mahon, and Gambetta's eye.
Nicely printed, with title-page in black and red and text block issued untrimmed, this is a copy of the trade edition: There was a deluxe issue on Japan vellum limited to 30 copies.
Provenance: “Virginia Pritchard Hilton-Green, my father's book.”
Publisher's blue cloth stamped in blind. Minor rubbing; small tear at base of front joint (outside). Inside clean. (35372)
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As Bibliographies Go, Delicious!
Cagle, William R., & Lisa Killion Stafford, comps. American books on food and drink: A bibliographical catalog of the cookbook collection housed in The Lilly Library at the [sic] Indiana University. New Castle, DE: Oak Knoll Press, 1998. 8vo. xviii, 794 pp., illus.
$60.00
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Essential for all collections — institutional or private — that include American cookbooks. The Lilly has one of the great collections in this field; Cagle is Lilly Librarian Emeritus and Stafford is a former Lilly Library editorial employee. Temporal coverage here is 1739 to 1950 and all items are given professional bibliographical treatment, including collation. The work also includes illustrations.
New, in dust jacket. (29379)
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A New Battle of Frogs & Mice
Calenzio, Eliseo. Croacus Elisii Calentii Amphraten. De Bello Ranarum. In quo Adolescens iocatus est. [colophon: Argentorat{um}]: in aedibus Schurerianis, MDXII {1512}]. 4to (19.5 cm, 7.5"). [18] ff.
$1950.00
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Calenzio (1430–1503) was a 15th-century Italian Neo-Latinist, humanist, poet, tutor of Frederick of Naples, and friend of Jacopo Sannazaro. His writings include fables, satires, and epigrams.
De Bello Ranarum is an imitation of Batrachomyomachia (i.e., “The Battle of the Frogs and Mice”) previously attributed to Homer. A comic fable in verse intended for a young audience, it was first published by Schurer in the year before the current example and we find no editions prior to that, although the work seems to have been written in Calenzio's young adulthood (ca. 1452).
The title-page contains an early example of bookseller salesmanship: Below the title is printed “Lector eme, lege, et probabis — “Reader, buy [it], read [it], and you'll approve [of it].”
As is to be expected of Renaissance children's books, this is scarce. NUC and WorldCat locate only two copies of this edition in U.S. libraries (Columbia, Folger) and none of the 1511.
Provenance: From the library of American collector Albert A. Howard, small booklabel (“AHA”) at rear.
Adams H806; Schmidt, Schurer, 91; VD16 C221; Index aurel. 129.351; Benzing, Strasbourg, 313; Graesse, II, 15. Recent full dark tan calf, plain antique style; front cover showing pressure marks of writing done on paper resting on the volume (these last being so unobtrusive as not to show in our photograph). Title-page a little dusty; very faint soiling or staining on a few leaves. Nice margins. (38027)
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(California Statehood). Report of the Committee on the Judiciary, with the views of the minority of that committee on Bill S.350, for the admission of California into the Union as a state. Washington: Pr. by Wendell & Van Benthuysen, 1849. 8vo (22 cm; 8.5"). 18 pp.
$400.00
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Illustrated
A–Z of the BIBLE
Calmet, Augustin. Dictionarium historicum, criticum, chronologicum, geographicum, et literale sacrae scripturae .... Augustae Vindelicorum [Augsburg]: Sumptibus Martini Veith bibliopolae, 1738. Folio (33.5 cm, 13.2"). 2 vols. I: [9] ff., 200 pp.; 762 pp.; 11 plates. II: [2], 688 pp.; 180 pp.; 19 plates.
$1750.00
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Second German edition of Calmet's great dictionary of the Bible, first published at Paris in 1722 in his native French, followed by a supplement in 1728; Augustin Calmet (1672–1757) was a renowned exegetist and Benedictine priest who completed the present work shortly after the massive Bible commentary that made him famous (Commentaire littéral, 23 vols., Paris, 1707–16).
The text here is from the Latin translation by Giovanni Domenico Mansi (1692–1769), and gives
definitions for hundreds of words and where to find them in Scripture; it is printed double-column in roman and italic, with a few woodcut initials, head-
and tailpieces, and with the printer's device on both title-pages. Select entries from the dictionary are illustrated by
seven fold-out engraved plates including five maps and 23 full-page engraved plates (some folded at the fore-edge to fit), of places, apparatuses for religious rituals, numismata, dress, and musical instruments described in Scripture. Many of these are signed by Augsburg engravers Johann Gottfried Kolb and Andreas Ehman, who himself contributed
eight new plates to Kolb's set (used in the 1729 ed.). Two maps are ascribed to A.P. Starckman.
Additionally appearing are various tables and charts, including genealogical tables; a chronological register of Hebrew high priests; a comprehensive chronology of general Bible history; a Jewish calendar; and an extensive index of authors' names included in the
bibliography of the best sources on Scripture that precedes the dictionary in vol. I. The second volume closes with a “Dissertatio de tactice hebraeorum” by D. Equite Volard.
Bindings: Contemporary blind-tooled alum-tawed pigskin over beveled wooden boards, tooled using a variety of rules and foliate rolls and stamps in concentric rectangular panels to frame a central lozenge (constructed of multiple stamps) on each cover. Each volume bears remnants of two clasps, and both spines have raised bands with author and title written in early ink in the upper two compartments. Blue edges.
Provenance: Discalced Carmelite Convent at Schongau, Bavaria (early ink inscription, title-pages, both volumes).
Graesse, II, 20n. See Brunet, I, 1495; and Vancil, pp. 44–45. Binding as above, scuffs and dust-soiling; spine of vol. II pulled and lower spines speckled with ink. Ex-library: bookplates of two collections on front pastedowns and fly-leaves, stamp on bottom edges and rear pastedowns, call number on spines (crossed out), and penciling from a third library on front pastedowns. Clippings from old booksellers' descriptions on front pastedown of vol. I. Both title-pages trimmed just grazing print; title-page in vol. I tipped onto following leaf, with tear in outer margin and another starting near printer's device; otherwise the odd small marginal tear or isolated stain only, and occasional light foxing in both volumes including to plates. Very minor worming to one plate in vol II.
An indispensable reference and an illuminating “browse.” (30573)
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CALVIN on the
Book of Daniel
Calvin, Jean. Praelectiones Ioannis Calvini in librum prophetiarum Danielis, Ioannis Budaei & Caroli Ionvillaei labore & industria exceptae. Additus est è regione versionis Latinae Hebraicus & Chaldaicus textus. [Lugduni]: Apud Bartholomaeum Vincentium, 1571. Folio (31.4 cm, 12.35"). [8], 171, [10] ff. (lacking one internal blank).
$1000.00
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Early edition of Calvin's lectures on Daniel, edited by Charles de Jonvilliers and Jean Budé and first published in 1561. Leaders like Luther, Calvin, and Melanchthon played a role essential to the Reformation in both legend and reality in interpreting the Bible for its readers; yet while (like the others) he championed the reading of the Scriptures in the vernacular, Calvin chose to present his notes on and explanations of various books of the Bible in the language of scholars — Latin. In other words, effectively, he still expected the mass of believers to
rely on the intermediation of the clergy to assist them; but his works were
placed on the Index nonetheless, including this book, one of his many exegeses of the Old Testament.
The Latin text here is printed in roman and italic with intermittent Hebrew, with decorative woodcut initials throughout. The title-page features the
large printer's device of Bartholomew Vincent. Curiously, most library records for this edition give Geneva as the place of printing, which is wrong. No place is given in the book itself; Vincentius, however, never printed anywhere except in Lyons. Thus, this is the first printing of the Latin text outside of Geneva, for the 1561, 1562, and 1569 edition all appeared there (the 1570 edition was an English-language translation from a London press).
Provenance: Front pastedown with armorial bookplate of lawyer and historian Guido Kisch (1889–1985, son of Rabbi Alexander Kisch and brother of medical historian Dr. Bruno Kisch), with inked inscription beneath: “Letztes Geburtstagsgeschenk des M. Bruno, '75.”
Adams C302; Index Aurel. 130.118. Contemporary vellum, spine with early hand-inked title replacing now-absent title-label; worn, especially at extremities, and cocked with vellum split over front joint (sewing holding) and front cover with insect holes. Endpapers slightly ragged; one internal blank leaf lacking. Some corners bumped; pages age-toned with occasional spotting and staining.
A used but very usable copy, with interesting provenance. (37849)
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Camerarius, Joachim. Narratio de H. Eobano Hesso, comprehendens mentionem de compluribus illius aetatis doctis & eruditis uiris, composita à Ioachimo Camerario Pabebergensi. Epistolae Eobani Hessi ad Camerarium & alios quosdam, familiari in genere .... Norimbergae: Ioanne Montano & Ulrico Neubero, 1553. 8vo (16.3 cm, 6.4"). A–Z8a–b8 (O4 bound in after O5); [200] ff. [bound with] Hessus, Helius Eobanus. Libellus alter, epistolas complectens Eobani et aliorum quorundam doctissimorum virorum, necnon versus varii generis atque argumenti.... Lipsiae: Ex officina Papae, 1557. 8vo. A–K8 (-A8); [79] ff. (last leaf of preface/errata lacking). [and the same author’s]. [Tertius libellus epistolar. Eobani et aliorum.] [colophon:] Lipsiae: M. Ernesti Voegelini Constantiensis, 1561. 8vo. A–T8 (-A1, -T8 [final blank]); [150] ff. (title-page and final blank lacking).
$2000.00
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Three first editions, all uncommon: Joachim Camerarius the elder’s life of the German neo-Latin poet Helius Eobanus Hessus (1488–1540), followed by books two and three of Hessus’s correspondence as edited by Camerarius. All books were issued separately. The Protestant humanist Camerarius was a member of Hessus’s circle and an associate of Melanchthon’s, as was Johannes Crato von Crafftheim, the royal physician and friend of Martin Luther to whom Camerarius dedicated the final volume of letters; Melanchthon, Euricius Cordus, Justus Menio, Mutiano Ruffo, and others appear with letters sometimes wholly in Greek, others with extensive passages in that language.
Binding: Contemporary alum-tawed pigskin, dated 1567 in blind; binding with bevelled edges, covers blind-embossed using rolls: faith, hope, justice, and charity. One metal clasp is present, the other perished.
Narratio: Adams C436; Brunet, II, 1009; VD16 C480 / VD16 C408. Libellus: Brunet, II, 1009; VD 16 C409; not in Adams. Tertius libellus: Brunet, II, 1009; VD16 C410. Binding as above, spine with later hand-inked paper label; binding much darkened and somewhat rubbed, one clasp intact and the other lacking. First title-page with ownership inscription dated 1559 inked in lower margin; Libellus alter lacking last leaf of preface (with errata on reverse) and Tertius libellus epistolar lacking title-page. Some corners dog-eared; two leaves with outer corners torn away, without loss to text. Early inked underlining and lining through of text, with a few marginalia, mostly in Narratio and occasionally in other two works. Last few leaves of final work with light waterstaining to lower outer corners. (18853)
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Angels — Witchcraft
Camfield, Benjamin. A theological discourse of angels, and their ministries, wherein their existence, nature, number, order and offices, are modestly treated of: with the character of those, for whole benefit especially they are commissioned, and such practical inferences deduced, as are most proper to the premises. Also an appendix containing some reflections upon Mr. Webster's displaying supposed witchcraft. By Benjamin Camfield, rector of Aylston neer Leicester. London: Pr. by R. E. for Hen. Brome, 1678. 8vo. [16], 214, [2] pp.
$700.00
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On angels indeed, but also in part a reply to John Webster's “The displaying of supposed witchcraft,” with the “appendix” treating of this having a separate dated title-page (pagination and register are continuous). With a preliminary imprimatur leaf and a final advertisement leaf (with errata).
Provenance: Front pastedown rubber-stamped by the Library of the Colgate Rochester Divinity School. Remnants of a private library bookplate on front pastedown.
ESTC R18390; Wing (rev. ed.) C388. A “poor scholar's copy”: rebinding would help immensely. 19th-century half leather over marbled paper-covered boards; very worn, covers detached, text split into sections. Previous owner's signature at top of title-page, ink numeral at bottom margin of p. [5], first (blank) page and last page reinforced with archival tape at inner edge, covering a portion of the errata and advertisement. Staining and a little soiling; marginal chips and tears. Volume now housed in a simple, acid-free phase box. (17726)
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English Camões in Green Morocco
Camões, Luís de. Poems, from the Portuguese of Luis de Camoens. London: J. Carpenter (pr. by C. Whittingham), 1805. 8vo. Frontis., [4], 160 pp.
$250.00
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Fourth edition: Sonnets and canzones by the legendary Portuguese poet and playwright, translated into English by Percy Clinton Sydney Smythe, Viscount Strangford, a notable Lusophile who served as a diplomat in Lisbon.
Binding: Contemporary dark green straight-grain morocco, spine with gilt-stamped rules, rolls, and devices. Covers framed with a delicately curly gilt-rolled border; the center panels, within, accented by gilt-stamped corner fleurons. A bit of additional filigree in blind appears both within the rules of the gilt border and within the border on each center panel, to nice subtle effect. Gilt inner dentelles. All edges gilt.
NSTC C355. Binding as above, leather rubbed at edges and joints, spine a bit dimmed. Front pastedown with armorial bookplate of John Allan Powell; front fly-leaf with inked inscription dated 1922. A few spots of foxing, pages otherwise clean.
A pretty and very English production for this Portuguese poet. A charming volume. (23077)
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Defending
French Rights & Religion from the POPE
Camus, Armand-Gaston. Observations sur deux brefs du pape, en date du 10 Mars & du 13 Avril 1791; par M. Camus, ancien homme de loi, membre de l'Assemblée nationale. Paris: De l'Imprimerie Nationale, 1791. 8vo (21.7 cm, 8.5"). [2], 58 pp.
$120.00
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First edition, untrimmed copy of Camus's response to two missives from Pius VI — a controversial piece which prompted a flurry of replies.
Removed from a nonce binding, with stab holes, signatures intact but sewing gone; title-page with paper shelving label in lower inner corner, early pencilled inscriptions in upper portion. Edges uncut. Occasional light spotting, most to front wrapper, otherwise clean; some bits unevenly/lightly inked. (30928)
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This is in the GENERAL
MISCELLANY click here.
Click here for a database including 
not in PRB&M's illustrated catalogues . . .
entering the number 16244
as keyword calls up *many* more
FRENCH REVOLUTION, FIRST REPUBLIC
PAMPHLETS Voilà!

The Broadway (of New Haven) Broadsides — Scarce Small Press Items
Capet, Uther [pseud. of Arthur Head]. [20 pieces from the Profile Press.] An adventure achieved by one, Sigismondo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini, about the year 1430 A.D. being at that time thirteen years old. New Haven: The Profile Press, 1930. 8vo (22 cm, 8.65"). [4] ff. (2 copies of the above). [with (all following the same author's, unless specified; all New Haven: The Profile Press, 1930)] The American scene. 8vo (25 cm, 9.9"). [4] ff. [and] Apologia pro arte poetica sua. 8vo (25 cm, 9.9"). [4] ff. [and] B., R.T. The ballad of Tuttle's. 8vo (24.5 cm, 9.65"). [1] f., fold. [and] The color: A retelling of some well-known tales of the American Negro. 16mo (22.2 cm, 8.75"). [4] ff. [and] Colourations: Four sonnets. 16mo (21.7 cm, 8.5"). [4] ff. [and] Ex: Four characters of mooted fame with prologue & epilogue. 8vo (24.8 cm, 9.75"). [4] ff. [and] Field, Eugene. Little Willie. Folio (32 cm, 12.6"). [1] f. [and] Four English stories drawn from contemporary sources. 8vo (25 cm, 9.9"). [2], 4, [2] pp. [and] Four stories from the Jewish-American. 16mo (22 cm, 8.65"). [2], 4, [2] pp. [and] Four stories from the modern American. 16mo (22 cm, 8.65"). [2], 4, [2] pp. [and] Four stories from the old Spanish. 16mo (22 cm, 8.65"). [2], 4, [2] pp. [and] Hot from Hollywood. 8vo (25 cm, 9.9"). [4] ff. [and] Ode in imitation of Horace. 8vo (24.6 cm, 9.7"). [1] f., fold. [and] On the menstrual phase of literature and art. 16mo (20.4 cm, 8"). [1] f., fold. [and] Pullman recreations. 16mo (21.2 cm, 8.4"). [2], 4, [2] pp. [and] Stenographic sallies. 16mo (21.5 cm, 8.4"). [2], 4, [2] pp. [and] A Western fairy tale. Folio (32 cm, 12.65"). [1] f. (2 copies).
$475.00
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Collection of largely humorous verse and prose pieces in broadsides and small pamphlets, printed for the author and “issued at odd intervals” from Head's Bookshop on Broadway in New Haven. These items were issued in limited editions that ranged from
25 to 110 copies; An Adventure is represented here by numbered copies 15 and 44 of 50 printed and signed by “Capet,” while Apologia is numbered copy 89 of 110 printed and signed. Many of the items reflect particular early 20th-century sensibilities — pretty blonde stenographers are the subject of “new position” jokes, the “American Negro” tales involve foolishness and philandering (and the word “coon”), a blustering Hollywood director thinks “Hunchback of Notre Dame” is a college play about a football hero. On the other hand, An Adventure is a Gothic fantasia about a young Malatesta's brush with the bloody ending of the tale of Paolo and Francesca da Rimini, while Colourations comprises four wholly serious sonnets.
In a more serious vein, Head (1887–1963) was the author of Antiquities of Yale and the New Yale Guide, as well as a poet and a patron and supporter of both the Brick Row Book Shop and the Yale University Library. Several of the items here make
Yale references, like the barroom ghosts who “puffed at their pipes and their stogies / And pulled at their Phantoms of Ale, / Recalling the things that were Bogies / When they were assembled at Yale”; Ex is specifically about four different gentlemen expelled from Yale for reasons including bad grades, vandalism, and bawdiness.
Folded as issued. 10 of the pamphlets with small inscription “M. Clark” or “Clark” pencilled on front wrapper. Apologia with two pencilled corrections. Upper edges of Hot from Hollywood chewed. Minor age-toning, occasional small spots and edge nicks.
Overall a clean, crisp collection of these uncommon pieces. (36453)
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CROSS-DRESSING across Two Continents — Illustrated & with a 16-Page
Dictionary of the Cant Language
Carew, Bampfylde Moore, supposed author. The surprising adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew, king of the beggars, containing his life, a dictionary of the cant language and many entertaining particulars of that extraordinary man. Tiverton: Printed for W. Salter ... and sold by Crosby's & Co. London, & the Booksellers in Exeter, Taunton Sherborne, Frome, Salisbury, Plymouth & Dock, 1812. 12mo (18.4 cm; 7.25"). Engr. frontis., engr. t.p., 288 pp., [2] plts.
[SOLD]
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Illustrated and highly readable life of Bamfylde Moore Carew, after the first edition of 1749. Carew (1693–1759), the son of a rector, supposedly met Romani (“gypsies,” but more likely a band of homeless drifters) during his teen years and quickly began a life of travel. This travel was both voluntary and forced: his wanderings around Britain and even to a cod-fishery in Newfoundland were voluntary, but his trip to the American colonies was as a transportee in punishment for vagrancy. He was famous, or infamous, for his scheming use of disguises ranging from a madman to a Quaker to various female personas. He is even said to have been at one point elected King of the Gypsies, hence the inclusion of a
16-page cant dictionary. Sabin notes the work has been ascribed to various authors including Thomas Goadby, Thomas Price, and Carew himself.
This text contains
four engraved plates bound at the beginning of the text — an engraved frontispiece of an older Carew in a fur hat, an engraved title-page with a vignette of a begging cross-dressing Carew, a view of him as an old woman begging alms from a Mr. Morrice, and a dramatic nighttime depiction of his
escape from American imprisonment (this last with a tiger in the background). All plates were designed by Craig and engraved by Middlemist.
Provenance: From the library of American collector Albert A. Howard, booklabel (“AHA”) at rear.
Sabin 93889. Half navy blue calf and textured cloth, spine with gilt green leather label and four different gilt rolls, covers decoratively rolled in blind along seams, all edges speckled red; rubbed, offsetting to endpapers from binding and sign of a removed bookplate. Binder's label of H. Steedman of Edinburgh on back pastedown. Moderate age-toning with an occasional small spot, light foxing and light marginal waterstaining to plates; one tear affecting the edge of three lines of text with loss of a few words, one missing corner, a few leaves with shorter trimming, tremoin, or crease.
A vivid read, vivid illustration, and a vivid cant dictionary. (37772)
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Illustrated LESSONS for
AMERICAN Children
Carey, Mathew. The American primer: or, an easy introduction to spelling & reading. Fourth improved edition. Philadelphia: Mathew Carey, No. 121, Chestnut-Street, 1813. 12mo (13.9 cm, 5.5"). 36 pp.
$350.00
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An educational tool for young readers, with wording spaced for the clear pronunciation of syllables, “This American Primer is not the same as that printed in Norfolk, 1803 . . . the text consists of syllabaries and reading lessons, with an alphabet
illustrated by oval woodcuts as the running headline to each page. Most of these cuts were used by Carey in his Spanish Primer, El director de los niños, 1811" (Rosenbach). The front wrapper features a different woodcut vignette from that called for by Rosenbach of the Archangel and Apollyon, which in this copy appears on the title-page; the front cover here shows two boys walking along a road nearing a house, one gesturing, and the back cover offers alphabets in hornbook form.
Provenance: From the library of American collector Albert A. Howard, small booklabel (“AHA”) at rear.
Shoemaker 27716; Rosenbach, Children's, 468. Original printed paper wrappers respined very nicely with black cloth; partially unopened. Age-toning and minor chipping on wrappers and few instances of very mild foxing in text.
Very crisp. (38477)
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Carey, Mathew. [drop title] Canal policy, no. I–III. Second edition. [Philadelphia, 1824]. 8vo (23.5 cm, 9.25"). 4, 8 pp. [bound with] Pennsylvania Society for the Promotion of Internal Improvements in the Commonwealth. Philadelphia, Jan. 13, 1825. The subscribers, the acting committee of ... respectfully submit the following address on the subject of a canal to connect the waters of
the Susquehannah with those of the Alleghany, to the consideration of their fellow citizens. [Philadelphia, 1825]. 8vo. 7, [1 (blank)] pp. [with] Carey, Mathew. Fulton—no. IV. Canals and railways. [Philadelphia, 1825]. 8vo. 4 pp. [with] Carey, Mathew. Canal policy — Fulton — no. V. [Philadelphia, 1825]. 8vo. 4 pp. [with] Carey, Mathew. Fulton, no. VI. Internal improvement. [Harrisburg, 1825]. 8vo. 6, [2 (blank)] pp.
$650.00
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Set o f pamphlets on canal construction, including “The importance of the views of the Canal policy of New York, presented by DeWitt Clinton . . . ”. “Fulton — no. IV. Canals and railways” is a continuation of the series “Canal Policy.”
The Pennsylvania Society for the Promotion of Internal Improvements in the Commonwealth was established in Philadelphia, in December 1824, to disseminate information on the latest improvements in the development of transportation systems including roads, railways, canals, bridges, etc.; William Strickland, Mathew Carey, Richard Peters, Jr., Joseph Hemphill, Stephen Duncan, and Gerard Ralston were among its members.
Shoemaker 15654, 21855, 19953, 19955, & 19949. Light blue paper–covered boards, spine with printed paper title-label. Light age-toning and spotting, more pronounced in last few leaves. Final (blank) leaf with early inked ownership signature; child’s pencilled drawings on one blank page. (18669)

A LONG-POPULAR! ILLUSTRATED Work on
Ancient Mythology
Cartari, Vincenzo. Le imagini de gli dei de gli antichi del signor Vincenzo Cartari, reggiano, nelle quali sono descritte la religione de gli antichi, li idoli, riti & ceremonie loro ... et con l'espositione in epilogo di ciascheduna & suo significato. Venetia : Appresso Euangelista Deuchino, 1625. Small 4to (19.5 cm; 7.75"). [14] ff., 418 pp., fold. plate; illus.
$850.00
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First published in 1556, Cartari's work brings together a wealth of information about Classical mythology: idols, rites, ceremonies, and practices. It was first issued with illustrations in 1571, those being by Bolognino Zaltieri, and the many in-text engravings of this edition are derived from his.
Although this was not the most rigorous of studies, its engaging style, its being in Italian rather than Latin, and its illustrations have made Cartari's Imagini popular and given it a long and successful run of editions.
Provenance: Pressure-stamp of private collector Colossio Solari of Cremona.
Brunet labels this “une des plus belle editions de cet ouvrage.”
Graesse, II, 56; Brunet, I, 1601. Mid-19th-century quarter cloth with marbled paper sides. Some staining; some gatherings probably supplied or damaged and now tipped to stubs. Light waterstaining here and there. A less than perfect copy priced very much according to its faults and still a worthy copy for an impoverished collector or a person who just doesn't need “perfect”! (34647)
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One Classic Nonfiction
BIBLIO-Who-Dunnit
Carter, John, & Pollard, Graham. An enquiry in the nature of certain nineteenth century pamphlets. London: Constable & Co.; New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1934. 8vo. xii, 400 pp., plts.
$250.00
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The first edition of the book that destroyed Thomas Wise, England's doyen of bibliographers and biblio-forgers. “This book is a fully documented exposure of a group of more than fifty 'first editions' of such eminent authors as Wordsworth, Tennyson, Dickens, Thackeray, the Brownings, Swinburne, George Eliot, William Morris, R. L. Stevenson, and Rudyard Kipling. . . . The exposure of the real character of these books introduces scientific methods which have never before been applied to bibliographical problems of this period.”
Fine copy in a very good dust jacket, jacket with minor chipping to lower area of spine, one long split at spine repaired on verso, and lower corner of ifront flap cut off; volume very clean and nice, top edge gilt. In a green cloth chemise with red leather author, title, and date labels on the spine, in an open-back slipcase. (33426)
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EARLY U.S. EDITION: An Influential Classic
Carter, Susannah. The frugal housewife: Or, complete
woman cook. Philadelphia: James Carey, 1796. 12mo (17.2 cm, 6.75"). 132 pp.; 2 plts.
$4500.00
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Second American edition (following the first of 1792, and the true London first of 1765) of this landmark work of early British cookery. Not much is known about Carter herself, but her emphasis on a variety of tasty, accessible gravies and sauces has stood the test of time. Although in its initial U.S. appearances, the Frugal Housewife was strictly oriented towards British cuisine and ingredients, it was later adapted and expanded for American housewives, and portions of the original publication directly formed the basis for the first American-authored cookbook: Amelia Simmons's American Cookery.
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ESTC W12281; Bitting 78–79; Evans 30168; Lowenstein, American Cookery, 15. Contemporary treed sheep, moderately rubbed and with some chipping; spine with gilt-stamped leather title-label (also chipped), boards slightly warped, and joints well repaired. Paper somewhat browned and foxed but quite strong, with pp. 41–44 long ago supplied from another copy; some edges ragged and corners bumped. Back free endpaper and last few leaves lightly waterstained. Inscriptions as above. Now housed in a maroon cloth clamshell case with gilt-stamped spine label of matching leather. (24689)
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A Renaissance Theories Book — With Reference to America
Castilla, Francisco de. Theorica de virtudes en coplas, y con co[n]mento. [colophon: Caragoça [Saragossa, Zaragoza]: Impresso ... por Agostin Millan impressor de libros, 1552]. 4to (20 cm, 8"). 2 parts in 1 vol. lxx, xxxiiii, [4] ff.
$9750.00
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Gathered here in its third edition, but
only the second to survive in known copies, are seven of Castilla's wide-ranging tracts covering topics that include theory of poetry, theory of empire and government, the nature of humanity, virtue, happiness, original sin, and friendship.
The work is printed in Gothic type. The title-page is executed in black and red, has a five-element woodcut border, and contains the arms of Charles V and a small woodcut shield with the Castilla family coat of arms. The verso of the title-page bears a four-element woodcut border (the elements totally distinct from those of the recto), surrounding the list of the tracts in the volume with the Castilla coat of arms repeated.
In addition to the black and red typography of the title-page, leaves ii verso (A2), vii (A7) and viii verso (A8) are also in red and black. The text is printed in double-column format within ruled borders, contains occasional, rather interesting, woodcut initials, and is supplemented with side- and shouldernotes. The “Pratica de las virtudes de los buenos reyes Despaña en coplas de arte mayor” has a sectional title-page that in its woodcut elements duplicates the main title-page, and has its own foliation and signature sequence. The work ends with two “tablas,” and the errata on the verso of the last leaf.
Of special note is a stanza on leaf 33 of the second part that refers to America: “Ganaron las islas que son de Canaría, Ganaron las Indías del mar occeano . . .”
Binding: 19th-century quarter brown sheep in ecclesiastical style with marbled paper sides; spine blind-embossed with elements of a church (rose window, arches, leaded glass window, etc.) and with gilt ruling and tooling. All edges marbled.
Binding by B. Miyar (with his ticket).
Provenance: 16th-century signature of Juan de la Torre in lower margin of main title-page.
Searches of NUC, WorldCat, and the Iberian Book Project locate only three copies of the 1519 edition in U.S. (Hispanic Society, Newberry, Huntington), no copies anywhere in the world of the 1546 (i.e., apparently a ghost), and only six U.S. copies of this 1552 (Hispanic Society, NYPL, Bancroft, Lilly, BPL, and UPenn).
On Castilla, see: Archivo biográfico de España, Portugal, e Iberoamérica, fiche 195, frames 158–59. Brunet, I, 1632; Graesse, II, 66 & VII, 161, note; Palau 47981; Salvá, 522; Heredia, II, 1887; Wilkinson, Iberian Books, 2921; Iberian Book Project IB 2921; Sánchez, Bibliografia aragonesa, II, 332. Not in Alden & Landis; not in Harrisse. Binding as above; spine ends rubbed. Text lightly to moderately age-browned, with scattered foxing; small chipping to fore-edges of some leaves, small piece torn from blank outer margin of title to second part, last leaf with a closed tear, repaired.
Overall a very nice copy of a scarce Spanish work of the Golden Age. (38121)
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Guadalajara Achieves
Its Own Press
Catedral de Guadalajara (Mexico). Elogios funebres con que la santa iglesia catedral de Guadalaxara ha celebrado la buena memoria de su prelado el Illmô. y Rmô. Señor Mtrô. D. Fr. Antonio Alcalde. Se ponen al fin algunos monumentos de los que se han tenido presentes para formarlos. Guadalaxara: Impr. de Don Mariano Valdés Tellez Giron, 1793. Small 4to. [3] ff., xxviii pp., [1] f., 49, [1] pp., [1] f.
$5750.00
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This first production of the first press in Guadalajara, the fourth city in Mexico to have a press, commemorates the funeral obsequies of the Dominican bishop of the City, Antonio Alcalde. It begins with the Latin oration of José Appolinari de Vizcarra, Marqués de Pánuco, “Oratio in funere Illmi. D.D. Fr. Antonii de Alcalde Episcopi Guadalaxariani habita . . . quinto Idus Novembris ann. MDCCXCII. A Josepho Appolinari de Vizcarra, Marchione de Panuco. . . . “ (pp. i–xxviii and a leaf previous to first page of text). This is followed by Lic. D. Juan José Moreno's Spanish-language “Sermon predicado el dia 10 de noviembre de 1792. En las solemnes exequias que la Santa Iglesia Catedral de Guadalaxara celebró á su pastor el Illmô. y Rmô. Señor Mtrô. D. Fr. Antonio Alcalde . . . “ (pp. 1–26 and a leaf prior to first page of text). The remainder of the volume is composed of copies of documents illustrative of the generosity and goodness that characterized the bishop's life, including a long, detailed list of his gifts to various monasteries, convents, and schools. The volume ends with an embarrassingly long list of errata for the sermon and the oration.
Sometime before 1792, the authorities and well-placed private individuals in Guadalajara began soliciting among the printers of Mexico City for one of them to move with his/her press to their ever-growing city. At first there were no takers, but eventually Manuel Antonio Valdés, the editor of the Gazeta de México, accepted their offer and guarantees, and agreed to send his son, Mariano, to fill the position. The father ordered new type and equipment from Spain, and all of the necessary permissions for the establishing of the first press in Guadalajara were in place by February of 1792. Valdés Tellez Girón and his press, however, did not arrive until the beginning of the next year. As with all first presses, the work available was less than promised or envisioned, but Valdés persisted and probably did much more “job printing” than book or broadside work. His presswork is characterized by neatness and good page design.
The importance of this production is underscored by its having been reproduced in a limited edition facsimile of 50 copies in Guadalajara in 1982.
Medina, Guadalajara, 1; Palau 79207 (incorrect collation); Sabin 22362 & 29025; Beristain, I, 303. Evidence of original wrappers along inner margin of title-page, spine, and
blank rear leaf: some discoloration from glue. Some dust-soiling. No worming or tears. A very good copy, now laid (not glued) into a neat folder of marbled paper. (34568)
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How to Get Through the Rites
(Catholic Church). Manuale parrochialium sacerdotum. [colophon: Landshut: Joannem Weyssenburger, 1513]. 4to (22 cm, 8.625"). [12] ff.
$1750.00
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Uncommon handbook guiding the novice (or just uncertain) priest through performing the sacraments: baptism, marriage, confession, etc. A large, heading for full-page
woodcut on the title-page depicts the infant Jesus holding a cross, the Holy Sponge, and the Spear of the Passion surrounded by four roundels, each containing an Evangelist with his symbol. The work is printed in single-column
black letter, with headings in a larger font, paragraph marks, and initial letters for ease of use; one of the initial letters is historiated. Two tab remnants at the start and end of the text suggest this was originally bound within a larger work.
This is a later edition, following the first printing ca. 1480. Though the work appeared several times in the 15th and 16th centuries, none of these early printings are widely held, and searches of WorldCat, COPAC, and the NUC reveal
no copies of this edition in a U.S. institution.
Provenance: From the library of American collector Albert A. Howard, small booklabel (“AHA”) at rear.
VD16 M675. Modern vellum over boards, title and date neatly inked on spine; sides lightly dust-soiled. Booklabel and tabs as above, light age-toning, thin line of waterstaining along leaf edges.
A handsome — and scarce — support for an inexperienced priest. (37994)
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Timeless Hours A Medieval Manuscript Leaf
Catholic Church. Book of Hours. Manuscript. Latin. Psalms. Manuscript leaf on vellum. [Paris]: [ca. 1465]. 16mo (122 x 89 mm; 4.8 x 3.5"). [1] f.
$425.00
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These lines from Psalm 2, line 4, through Psalm 3, line 5, were copied in a fine gothic hand and decorated by a skilled illuminator with
one two-line initial “D” in blue and 14 single-line initials in alternating blue and gold, with delicate pen infills in red and black flourishing into the spacious margins.
This leaf was once part of a Book of Hours: a prayer book with eight sections corresponding to different times of day, always containing the Hours of the Virgin, as well as a calendar and selection of psalms, but more or less personalized depending on each owner's taste and social class. Illuminated Books of Hours like this signaled the owner's status and “values” at the same time — the more sophisticated the decoration, the more money spent — therefore, the more devout the scribe's patron!
Soft, white vellum, red edges, lightly soiled; tiny nicks (as usual) on one edge of the leaf where it was sometime detached from previous sewing, preserving margin except for one lower corner where a bit of vellum was cut away or naturally lacking.
Very charming. (30810)

FIRST Edition of the Council of Trent's Catechism — The Aldine Press at ROME
Catholic Church. Catechisms & creeds. Catechismus, ex decreto Concilii Tridentini, ad parochos, Pii Quinti Pont. Max. iussu editus. Romae: In aedibus populi Romani, apud Paulum Manutium, 1566. Chancery folio in sixes (30.3 cm, 12"). [2] ff., 359, [1] pp., [6] ff.
$8750.00
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First edition of this important monument of the Catholic Reformation, the first official Catholic catechism, as authorized by the council of Trent and issued by Pope Pius V. It is not a true catechism in the modern sense of the genre; it does not address the lay person. Rather, the work is a
catechistic and homiletic handbook for the parish priest. Meant to improve the theological understanding of priests during the contentious era following Luther's schism, it divides doctrine into four categories: symbols, sacraments, commandments, and prayer.
In 1551 Paolo Manuzio moved a press to Rome under the auspices of the papacy. At Rome, that Aldine press was essentially an extension of the papacy, which capitalized on its fame to disseminate — with great cachet — Vatican-approved texts in the publication war that was such an integral part of the Protestant and Catholic Reformations.
The work is printed in roman with side- and shouldernotes in italic. The title-page has a large woodcut architectural and armorial device that incorporates a small Aldine anchor and Paolo Manutius's initials.
Provenance: 19th-century bookplate of the Islington Protestant Institute; most recently in the library of American collector Albert A. Howard, small booklabel (“AHA”) at rear.
Renouard, Alde, p. 200, #5; Adams C1056; Mortimer, Italian, 504; EDIT16 CNCE 12057; Kallendorf & Wells, Aldine Press Books, 457; UCLA, Aldine Press: Catalogue of the Ahmanson-Murphy Collection (2001), 772. 18th-century vellum over pasteboards; top and bottom of spine defective with torn vellum and loss of part of spine label. Front hinge (inside) partially open and front board starting to detach from text block; foxing variously and some leaves browned. All edges speckled blue. (38111)
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Nahuatl Catechism, with
Provenance
Catholic Church. Catechisms. (Manuel Perez, trans.). Cathecismo romano, traducido en castellano, y mexicano por ... Manuel Perez. Mexico: por Francisco de Rivera Calderon, 1723. Small 4to (20.5 cm; 8"). [14] ff., 248 pp.
$4750.00
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The first edition of this important translation of the standard Catholic catechism. Father Pérez was one of Mexico's leading Nahuatl (i.e., Aztec) scholars of the 18th century, the period of a major rebirth of scholarship in Nahuatl studies; he held the post of professor of Nahuatl at the Royal University in Mexico City. This work was prepared for use among the Indians of Central Mexico, as well as other areas of North America into which Nahuatl had been introduced.
The catechism is
not in the accustomed question and answer format, but is composed of sermon-like discussions on the articles of faith and dogma. Additionally, Perez discusses various Biblical issues and teachings of the Fathers of the Church.
Provenance: 18th- or early 19th-century ownership note at top of title-page (partially crossed out) of Bachiller Perez Jimenez y Mendoza; bookplate of Frederick Starr, noted 20th-century scholar of Mexican languages and matters indigenous.
Viñaza 280; García Icazbalceta, Lenguas, 56; Sabin 60912; Medina, Mexico, 2719; Pilling, Proof-sheets, 2957; H. de León-Portilla, Tepuztlahcuilolli, 2135. Original limp vellum; text block almost totally loose in it. Lacking endpapers; worming at inner margins, some repaired. Stains and foxing but minor and only occasional. Withal, a solid, good, and useable copy of this significant work — with pleasant provenance both early and late. (34616)
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Small Format for
Use in the Field
Catholic Church. Catechisms.
Kalispel. (Canestrelli, trans.). Catechism of the Christian doctrine prepared and enjoined by order of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore. [Woodstock, MD]: Woodstock College, 1891. Square 16mo (14 cm; 5.5"). 102 pp.
$225.00
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The second catechism in Kalispel,
following the much shorter, basic one of 17 pages issued by the mission press at St. Ignatius Print in 1880. This one received the approval of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore and was translated into Kalispel, a Salishan language, by the Jesuit missionary Felipe Canestrelli.
Kalispel is the language of the Flathead Indians of Montana, Idaho, eastern Washington, Alberta, and portions of British Columbia.
Pilling, Salishan, 29; Newberry Library, Ayer Indians, Kalispel 2. Publisher's pale green wrappers, minor chipping or abrasion to wrappers with small loss of paper at top of spine and to one corner. A nice clean copy. (35116)
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Recovered from a Binding
Catholic Church. Liturgy. Manuscript on vellum, in Latin. France (Brittany?): ca. 1350(?). Folio (31 20 cm; 12.25" x 7.75" ). [1] f.
$525.00
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A partial leaf from a liturgical manuscript, probably a church service book. The text on the recto is in a single column of 12 lines with ten 4–line staves, ruled in red with neumes in black, and on the verso in a single column of 33 lines (no staves) ruled in red.
The recto has text and chant of prayers for celebration of the Feast of [Saint] Mary Magdalene (22 July): The rubric reading “Sancte marie ma-/-gdalene ad primas vesperas super psalmos diei. antyphon,” lines 1–2) and the text beginning “Maria pio coniuncta ihesu osculando pedes . . .” (line 3). The verso contains a list of prayers (mainly collects?) for celebrating the feasts of a number of saints and occasions, including the feasts of Saints Peter and Paul (“In Octaua Apostolorum Petri et Pauli,” lines 3–8); “Sanctorum Septem Fratrum” (“[De] Septem fratrem martirum”, lines 16–19); the translation of Saint Benedict (“[In] translacio sancti benedicti abbatis et confessoris,” lines 20–21); Saint Thuriam (“[De] Sancti thuriam episcopi et confessoris,” lines 29–30); Saint Arnulf (“[De] Sancti arnulphi episcopi et martiris,” lines 30–31); Saint Arsenius (May 8) (“[De] Sancti arsenij abbatis et confessoris,” lines 31–32); and Saint Margaret (“[De] Sancte margarete virgine et martiris” lines 32–33).
The text is written in a Gothic textura book hand of good quality in two grades of formality: the text on the recto and that of larger size on the verso is written in textualis quadrata (minims have consistently applied feet), while the text of smaller size on the verso is written in the slightly less formal textualis semi-quadrata (although some minims have feet, others are simply rounded off). As should be expected there is frequent use of abbreviations including both contractions and suspensions (“-us,” “-rum” and “-bus” abbreviations), although with a general preference for “et” in full. The music for the chant (on the recto) is written in
neumes.
The recto has a single large initial “M” in red (the height of one stave plus one line), marking the opening of the chant for “Maria pio communita oscilando. . . . “ and on the verso are six large 2–line initials in alternating red and blue (D[eus], S[anctoru(m)], P[resta], D[eus], C[onserua], and D[eus]), marking the beginning of liturgical sections; the outside portion of each initial was lost to cropping when the leaf was recycled as binding material. The rubrics and liturgical signposts (e.g., “oratio”) are in red, including antiphons on recto and Orations, Chapters, Collects, Hymns, Antiphons, Responds and Versicles on verso, with other liturgical signposts underlined in red.
This leaf was used as binding waste in making up a volume half its size, to which end it was heavily cut down to a size just smaller than the text block and rotated horizontally. A crease running horizontally across the middle of the leaf shows the mark (location) of the spine of that volume.
Instructive, and visually striking. (37285)
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Splendor of the Mass in a
Splendid Binding on a Miniature Book
Catholic Church. Liturgy & ritual. El libro de misa de los niños. Madrid: No publisher/printer, no date [ca. 1860]. Miniature (43 mm; 1.625"). 122 pp., 6 plates (including frontis.).
$500.00
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The Catholic mass is big and splendid but in this book it is made small while still maintaining splendor via the binding on a miniature book designed to guide children through the ritual.
Binding: Original wrap-around red morocco, richly gilt on back cover with a Virgin and on front one with a foliate design on a finely ruled background, spine gilt and with title; leather of rear cover extends across fore-edge onto front cover and is attached there with a tongue slipped into a strap (wallet style). All edges gilt.
Provenance: Gift inscription “Laura, from C. & S. M., June 7, 1869.”
Searches of NUC, WorldCat, COPAC, CCPBE, KVK, and the OPAC of the Spanish National Library
fail to find another copy.
Welsh, Miniature Books, 4378 for a work of same title, different place of publication, and approximately same number of pages, but with no mention of plates. Light wear to binding, gilt of rear cover faded; the tongue of the binding is rubbed under its strap and may be missing a small piece at the end. Interior clean and fresh; over all very good. (35616)
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The Year in
Four Vols. & Beautiful Bindings
Catholic Church. Liturgy & ritual. Breviaries. Breviarium romanum ex decreto sacrosancti Concilii tridentini restitutum S. Pii V. pontificis maximi iussu editum, Clementis VIII. ac Urbani VIII. auctoritate recognitum, cum officiis sanctorum novissimis usque ad SS. D.N. Pium VI, pro recitantium commoditate diligenter dispositis. [Romae]: A. Galler , 1781. 8vo (18 cm, 7.1"). 4 vols. I: [20], 632, cclxxxviii, 19, [1] pp.; illus. II: [18], 646, ccliv, 21, [1] pp.; 1 plt. III: [54], 566, cclxxvi, 26 pp.; 1 plt. IV: [20], 608, cclxx, 15, [1] pp.; illus.
$2750.00
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Beautifully printed and handsomely bound set of the Roman Breviary. The text is printed in double-column format, in black and red, with a vignette on each title-page and an engraving
in each volume.
Binding: Contemporary's black goat sides with simple roll gilt border and gilt corner devices, spines gilt extra. The top panel of each volume indicates contents with abbreviation: P. V. (“Pars Vernalis”), P. AE. (“Pars Aestivalis”), etc. Block-printed decorated endpapers; all edges gilt. Silk place markers.
Not in Weale & Bohatta. Bindings as above, edges and extremities rubbed, spine leather with tiny cracks, one spine head chipped, one joint starting. Ex-library with bookplates, rubber-stamp on lower edges of pages of the closed volumes. One volume with text block separating from spine and sewing loosening; this with the most leather rubbed away and the darkest instances of the usually-light waterstaining and spots of foxing seen occasionally throughout. Endpapers bear early inked ownership inscriptions and annotations.
An elegant quartet. (12406)
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Christmas Prayers — Gorgeous Binding
Catholic Church. Offices. Officium in festo nativitatis Domini, et festorum infra octavam occurrentium, usque ad primas vesperas Epiphaniae Domini: juxta Missale & Breviarium romanarum s. Pii V. Pontif. Max. jussu editum, Clementis VIII. primùm, ac denuò Urbani VIII. auctoritate recognitum. Antverpiae: Ex architypographia Plantiniana, 1743. 12mo (16.5 cm; 6.5"). 555 pp.
$1250.00
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This richly bound breviary offers dedicated prayers for Christmas as well as the feasts of Saint Stephen, Saint John the Apostle, and Saint Thomas, among others; the title-page bears
a lovely small engraving of the holy family with baby Jesus. The text is handsomely printed in both red and black throughout with beautifully illustrated initials and emblematic tailpieces, several of the latter being
entirely printed in red.
Binding: 18th-century red morocco elaborately gilt-tooled, spine with floral and vine-stamped compartments and rules; covers framed surrounding an oval arabesque central design using a multiplicity of rules, rolls, and individual tools, one roll being of thistles and each arabesque corner stamping being surmounted by a bird. The endpapers are of floral “wallpaper” style in brown, bisque, and cream; all edges are gilt and gauffered in a floral pattern of their own. The volume is closed with two heavy, working brass clasps.
Provenance: Contemporary ownership signature of Fr. Cristobal de Parayso on verso of title-page.
Searches of OCLC, the NUC, and COPAC reveal no copies of this edition in U.S. libraries.
Bound as above, with light rubbing and some darkened leather, dust-soiling (or evidence of old polish) around clasps, and clasp attachments having a little poked through endpapers with small spots of associated discoloration but no apparent continuing danger. Moderate age-toning with a few leaves crinkled along edges from gauffering or with a small spot, one leaf with short internal tear; ownership signature as noted above and date lightly pencilled on back fly-leaf.
A lovely, ornately embellished, and lovable book. (36927)
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Florentine Decrees from the
Giunta Press in Black & Red
Catholic Church. Popes (1431–1447, Eugenius IV; 1503–1513, Julius II). [Liber sextus decretalium]. Constitutiones domini Eugenii iiii. pontificis maximi de unione Grecorum Armenorum & Jacobinorum in c[on]cilio florentino. Bulla Julii ii. de electione romani pontificis sine labe symonie ; item Bulla eiusdem de concessione testandi edificantibus in urbe vel extra per decem miliaria. Venetiis: Lucantonio de Giunta, 1514. 4to (21.7 cm, 8.5"). xi, [1] pp.
$500.00
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The fifth portion (only) of the major collection of canon law known as the Liber Sextus Decretalium, with this section comprising important documents from the reigns of Popes Eugene IV and Julius II: bulls issuing from the Council of Florence, on the reunification of the Roman Catholic Church and the Jacobite, Greek, and Armenian Churches, and on the process of papal election.
The text is printed in a small but handsome rotunda typeface with several decorative capitals, and headers and other elements are presented in red; the red fleur-de-lis Giunta printer's device appears on the title-page. This portion of the law does not include any of the woodcuts found in other portions in this edition.
Provenance: Front pastedown with the
very engaging bookplate of American private collector Mark Holstein, designed by artist Arthur Allen Lewis.
EDIT16 CNCE 13404. Not in Adams. Later quarter vellum and printed paper–covered boards; extremities slightly rubbed, vellum gently darkened. Waterstaining variously, from atmospheric to pretty severe; final eight leaves with upper margins repaired, affecting parts of captions and a few words of text; endpapers with later pencilled annotations.
A survivor souvenir of a worthy press, with pleasant provenance. (36846)
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Working Documents Produced in
Workmanlike Fashion
Catholic Church. Province of Rome. Concilium (1725). Concilium Romanum in sacrosancta Basilica Lateranensi celebratum anno universalis jubilaei MDCCXXV. Romae: Typis Bernabò, sumptibus Francisci Giannini bibliopolae, 1725. 8vo (19 cm; 7.5"). [18] ff., 464 pp., [12 (last a blank)] ff.
$300.00
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During the first year of Benedict XIII's pontificate (1725), as the bishop of Rome he hosted a concilium for the province of Rome. The assembled prelates met in the Lateran Basilica to review and revise the rules and laws regulating the clergy in and of the province, producing revisions that were numerous and important. These were promulgated promptly and published in several editions in 1725. This is one of three editions we have identified as being printed in that year, all from the press of the same printer. No priority has yet been established for their order of appearance.
Contemporary vellum over light pasteboards with slightly raised bands; the vellum used here was recovered from earlier use in a binding or some document. Some foxing and other staining/soiling in text; in all, a solid, good to good-plus copy. (36632)
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Beautifully Bound Bilingual Edition of Catullus, Tibullus, & Propertius
Catullus, Gaius Valerius. Catullo Tibullo e Properzio d'espurgata lezione tradotti dall'ab. Raffaele Pastore. Bassano: Tip. Giuseppe Remondini e Figli ed., 1823. 12mo (17 cm; 6.75"). 2 vols. in 1. I: [15], 4–297, [3] pp.; II: 317, [3] pp.
$275.00
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Bilingual edition of the works of the famous trio of Catullus, Tibullus, and Propertius, translated by poet Raffaele Pastore into Italian, here in the fifth edition. For easy comparison, the Latin original is in italic type on the left and the Italian translation is in roman on the right, with marginal notes added. The title-page notes this edition has been “ritoccata dal traduttore, accresciuta insieme e modificata in parte, e divisa in due volumi.”
Binding: Black morocco, spine lettered and tooled in gilt using six different rolls and a single and a triple rule; two compartments stamped in blind. Covers single-ruled in gilt around a frame of blind-stamped flowers with a blind-embossed “chipped” diamond design at center that incorporates two different texturings and a central circle-and-swirls motif; board edges and turn-ins gilt in zig-zag patterns. Marbled endpapers and all edges marbled in an identical design. Green ribbon place marker still attached.
Provenance: Presentation label noting “To Angelo C. Hayter, from his affectionate father, Sir George Hayter. 1864" on front pastedown; title-pages with barely legible rubber-stamp from St. Michele's in Bologna. George Hayter (1792–1871) was a noted English painter who served as Queen Victoria's Principal Painter in Ordinary. Most recently in the library of American collector Albert A. Howard, small booklabel (“AHA”) at rear.
Bound as above, gently rubbed, tailband partially detached; provenance evidence as above, four examples of a chipped margin, trimmed corner, or tremoin. Light to moderate age-toning with a handful of spots.
A clean and handsome copy. (37740)
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THREE Classics with Commentary, in a
PRIZE BINDING
Catullus, Gaius Valerius; Tibullus; & Propertius. Catullus, Tibullus et Propertius, ex recensione Joannis Georgii Graevii, cum notis integris Jos. Scaligeri, M. Ant. Mureti, Achill. Statii, Roberti Titii, Hieronymi Avantii, Jani Dousae patris & filii, Theodori Marcilii, nec non selectis aliorum. Trajecti ad Rhenum [Utrecht]: Rudolphi a Zyll, G.F., 1680. Thick 8vo (19.6 cm, 7.75"). 2 pts. in 1. [12] ff., 638, [2] pp.; 662 pp. (i.e., 672), [32] ff.
$950.00
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The works of Catullus, Tibullus, and Propertius were first published together in 1472. The first part here contains a section for each of these Roman poets, each with copious notes by Joseph Justus Scaliger (1540–1609); the second part is divided into
14 chapters of commentary by Muretus, Statius, and others as per the title-page. The volume's text is in Latin with some Greek, printed in roman, italic, and capital letters, with the main text single-column above Scaliger's notes, printed smaller and in double columns; the separate commentaries, paginated continuously but quite erratically, are also in double-column. Dotted throughout are attractive woodcut initials of floral, historiated, and factotum designs; ornaments and head- and tailpieces; a small woodcut diagram; and a few inscriptions printed in capitals, including one set lengthwise on a full page. The title-page features the printer's large device and is preceded by an
added engraved title-page.
Binding: Contemporary vellum
prize binding paneled in gilt on each cover with fleurons at corners, this surrounding the
coat of arms of Rotterdam, i.e., two gilt lions supporting a shield of four lions passant above a pale charge, crowned by a ducal coronet with a fleur-de-lis at the helm. Spine blind-ruled with a single floral ornament blind-stamped in each compartment, title written in early ink (now faded).
Provenance: Two different bookplates of Lebanese lawyer, writer, and translator Camille Aboussouan (b. 1919), former UNESCO ambassador to Lebanon who founded the cultural review Les Cahiers de l'Est. Pressure-stamp of Jean-François Jolibois (1794–1879), a priest at Trévoux, France, who was a member of the légion d'honneur and various literary societies. Ink inscription in French dated 25 February 1863 at Lyon, shelf number in same hand on front pastedown, and price in ink on front free endpaper.
Schweiger, II, 81; Dibdin, I, 377; Graesse, II, 87 (“fort rare”). Binding as above, with four green ribbon ties; prize assignment lacking and engraved title-page reattached; lightly soiled, gilt rubbed in places, some staining to edges of text block. Mild to moderate foxing, occasionally; a few inkstains or smudges and small dampstains; two small holes from natural paper flaws not affecting text and one sectional title-page with same taking “A” from CATULLUS; two short marginal tears. Overall, indeed, clean and crisp and pleasing. (31362)
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Peregrino Becomes “PEREGRIN” — First French Appearance, ILLUSTRATED
Caviceo, Jacopo. [Libro de Peregrino] Dialogue treselegant intitule le Peregrin, traictant de lhonneste et pudicq amour concilie par pure et sincere vertu, traduict de vulgaire Italien en langue Fra[n]coyse... Paris: [Pr. by Nicolas Couteau for] Galliot du Pré, [1527]. 4to (25 cm, 9.8"). [8], 169, [1 (facs.)] ff.; illus.
$10,000.00
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First French edition of Caviceo's best-selling, often translated, and widely influential romance. The author had a complicated life which included dropping out of law school shortly before he could be expelled, becoming a court historian and diplomat in Parma, being banished from that city for seducing a nun (and possibly more than one), voyaging in the Middle East and India, and embroiling himself in various political intrigues before working his way to the post of Vicar General in cities including Rimini, Ravenna, and Florence. His classically inspired novel, first published in 1508 and dedicated to Lucrezia Borgia, is a romance in which Peregrin tells the ghost of Boccaccio all about his globe-spanning quest to satisfy his passion for the fair Genevre — with the plot incorporating the author's own travel experiences.
This first known French edition is uncommon: WorldCat reports
only three U.S. institutional holdings. The translation from the original Italian was done by “Maistre Francoys Dassy” — François Dassi, secretary to Jean d'Albret, King of Navarre, and to Louise Borgia, Duchess of Valentinois. The text is printed in an elegant lettre bâtarde and ornamented with numerous decorative capitals, with the title-page printed in red and black. In addition, this printing features three large woodcuts: Opposite the first page of the first chapter is a split scene showing the lovers as a youthful pair in the distance and as a mature couple in the foreground (with the lady holding her angelic baby in her lap), while another scene shows the hero making preparations for pilgrimage, and the third shows his search throughout “tous les pays habitables” for his lost love. The final leaf, bearing the printer's device, appears here in facsimile.
Binding: 19th-century calf, spine with gilt-stamped title, raised bands, and small circular gilt-stamped decorations in compartments; board edges and turn-ins with gilt rolls and covers framed and panelled in blind with gilt-stamped corner fleurons. All page edges stained red, red silk placemarker present and attached. Binding done by Koehler (with his stamp on front free endpaper).
Provenance: From the library of American collector Albert A. Howard, small booklabel (“AHA”) at rear.
Brunet, I, 1701-02; Index aurel. 134.656; Moreau, Editions parisiennes du XVI siecle, III, 1158. This ed. not in Adams or Mortimer, French 16th-Century Books. Bound as above, spine and edges rubbed, sides scuffed. Endpapers with pencilled annotations and with binder's small rubber-stamp as above; title-page with date faintly inked in an early hand. Final leaf (printer's vignette) in facsimile, title-page with lower outer corner with small loss of paper in blank area repaired via excellent leaf-casting, and a similar excellent leaf-cast repair to two inner areas of last text leaf with a few letters supplied in pen and ink facsimile. One leaf with small printing flaw affecting a handful of words without loss of sense; three leaves at back with small semi-circular areas of worming touching a few letters, also without loss of sense. Pages very clean and type very clear.
A scarce and desirable volume. (37747)
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Star-Crossed Italian Lovers — Peregrino & Genevera
Caviceo, Jacopo. Il peregrino. Vinegia: Pietro di Nicolini da Sabbio, 1538. 8vo (15 cm, 5.9"). [16] pp., 271, [1 (blank)] ff.; illus.
$2250.00
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“Nuovamente ristampato, e con somma diligenza corretto, et alla sua pristina integrita ridotto”: an uncommon early edition of Caviceo's best-selling, often translated, and widely influential romance. The author had a complicated life which included dropping out of law school shortly before he could be expelled, becoming a court historian and diplomat in Parma, being banished from that city for seducing a nun (and possibly more than one), voyaging in the Middle East and India, and embroiling himself in various political intrigues before working his way to the post of Vicar General in cities including Rimini, Ravenna, and Florence. His classically inspired novel, first published in 1508 and dedicated to Lucrezia Borgia, is a romance in which Peregrino tells the ghost of Boccaccio all about his globe-spanning quest to satisfy his passion for the fair Genevera — with the plot incorporating the author's own travel experiences.
In addition to the woodcut architectural border on the title-page (previously used in the printer's 1536 edition of Boccaccio's Laberinto), the text is decorated with one large and two small woodcut illustrations, the large cut showing our lovelorn hero tormented by two satyrs playing fantastical string and wind instruments, under the banner “Ancora spero solver me.”
WorldCat locates
only three U.S. institutional holdings of this edition.
Provenance: From the library of American collector Albert A. Howard, small booklabel (“AHA”) at rear.
Adams C1190; EDIT 16 CNCE 71312; Brunet, I, 1701; Index aurel. 134.670. 19th-century half calf over marbled paper–covered boards, spine with gilt-stamped olive morocco title-label and gilt-tooled bands, all page edges speckled in brown; binding rubbed and worn, joints cracked but holding. First gathering very possibly supplied from a different copy. Front pastedown with two older cataloguing slips affixed; front free endpaper and (tipped-in) fly-leaf with later inked annotations in Latin and Italian. Occasional small spots of foxing and ink staining; a limited circle of light waterstain(?) to last leaf; a very few small early inked marks of emphasis in margins. A solid, eminently readable copy of an
important, readable, and uncommon early prose romanzo d'amore. (37524)
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