Much Marginalia & Interlinear Notes — A PMM Incunable Title
Augustinus Aurelius (St. Augustine, of Hippo). Augustinus De ciuitate Dei cum commento. [Freiburg im Breisgau : Kilianus Piscator (Fischer), 1494]. Folio in 6s (30.5 cm, 12"). [256] ff. $18,750.00
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The City of God is St. Augustine's fifth-century response to assertions that Christianity had caused the decline of Rome: In defending Christianity, this Church Father delves deeply into many profound questions of theology, including the suffering of the righteous, the existence of evil, the conflict between free will and divine omniscience, and the doctrine of original sin. It is considered one of the saint's most important works, a cornerstone of Western thought, and a long-established work in the traditional canon of the “great books.”
The text of thisFreiburg, Fischer incunable is printed in double-column format in gothic type, surrounded by the commentary of Thomas Wallensis (1287? –1350?) and Nicholas Trivet (1258?–1328). Its capital spaces have guide letters and a few of those spaces have been completed. The imprint is from the colophon (leaf T25) and the printer is as given by Goff.
Evidence of readership: Chiefly one, but clearly at least three, early readers have added marginalia on more than 125 leaves of the text, chiefly in books 1 through 9 (i.e., those dealing with the polytheism of Rome [books 1–5] and Greek philosophy [books 6–10]); and one reader with a micro-mini script has added red-inked interlinear comments, additions, and/or corrections to the saint's text in those same books. Opposite the title-page is an information tree (illustration available). And on the title-page, one of the above-mentioned annotators, most likely an Augustinian friar, has added a lengthy quotation from Cassiodorus (<https://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost06/Cassiodorus/cas_i133.html>), but at the end attributed it to the saint (“Explicit oratio Dni Augustini”). We thank Sara Trevisan for help in identifying the quoted text.
Provenance: 16th-century ownership indicia on title-page of the Augustinian Abbey of Neustift bei Brixen (Novacella). Pasted to the front pastedown, a partially removed Spanish dealer's description; a German bookseller's description of this copy, probably pre-1928 as it doesn't cite GKV; below that a post-1964 Anglo-American dealer's description (citing Goff); the bookplate of Walter Goldwater (and sold at his sale, Swann Galleries, 1 December 1983). Acquired by Dr. Wolfgang Scholz at the Goldwater sale, and sold by his widow via an agent to PRB&M in 2019.
Goff A1246; Hain-Copinger 2068*; GKW 2890; BMC, III, p. 695 (IB. 14206); ISTC ia01246000; Printing & the Mind of Man 3 (for the first edition, 1467). Late 19th- or early 20th-century half brown leather with tan paper paper sides and endpapers; binding lightly worn and covers with a bit of loss to paper. Fore- and part of upper margins of the first eight leaves damaged with loss and repaired many years ago. Some soiling to the text, chiefly in the margins; old waterstaining; pin-hole worming. Not a rare edition of this text but a nice copy of it withconsiderable added scholarly importance. (40533)
Becquerel, Antoine César, & Alexandre Edmond Becquerel. Traité d'électricité et de magnétisme. Leurs applications aux sciences physiques, aux arts et a l'industrie. Paris: Librairie de Firmin Didot Frères, 1855–56. 8vo (22.7 cm, 9"). 3 vols. I: xvi, 456 pp.; 3 fold. plts. II: [4], 475, [1] pp. III: [4], 412 pp.; 14 fold. plts. (incl. maps). [SOLD]
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First edition, uncut copies in publisher's original wrappers of this three-volume set, comprising Electricité — Principes généraux, Électro-chimie, and Magnétisme et électro-magnétisme, with vols. II and III bearing Traité d'électricité et de magnétisme, et des applications de ces sciences à la chimie, à la physiologie et aux arts on their title-pages. The authors were a pioneering father–son pair of scientists and professors; the senior Becquerel was a prominent researcher in electrochemistry and thermoelectricity, and the younger (known as Edmond) was responsible forinventing the photovoltaic cell in 1839. Here, they follow up their earlier treatises on electricity and magnetism — some written together, some separately, several with misleadingly similar titles — with the latest information on “les travaux les plus récents” in the field.
The chapters include numerous in-text engravings and tables, and at the backs of vols. I and III area series of 17 oversized, folding engraved plates, including six maps.
Provenance: From the residue of the stock of the F. Thomas Heller bookselling firm (est. ca. 1928).
Wheeler Gift 1320. Publisher's printed green paper wrappers; spines and edges chipped, vol. I sunned and vol. III slightly darkened, vol. III front wrapper torn with old tape repairs. Signatures unopened; some mild age-toning and occasional spots of foxing. Vol. I with final signature and plates starting to separate. Important, and unusual in original wrappers. (40236)
Bible. Latin & German. Selections. 1712. Historiae celebriores Veteris [– Novi] Testamenti iconibus repraesentatae et ad excitandas bonas meditationes selectis epigrammatibus exornatae in lucem datae à Christophoro Weigelio. Noribergae: 1712. Folio (38.3 cm, 15.125"). 2 vols. in 1. I: [1], 150 [of 151] plts.; II: [1], 108 plts.; lacking the last plate of vol. 1. [SOLD]
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Representingall-in commitment to fully graphic embodiment of The Word, thisentirely engraved pictorial Bible by Christoph Weigel depicts hundreds of famous stories and incidents central or dear to the Christian faithful, from the temptation of Adam and Eve, to David slaying Goliath; to scenes of Christ's teaching and emblems of His parables; to portrayals of His agony and taking in the garden, and His trial and crucifixion, and more. (At the end are some notably striking visions of, and from, Revelation.) Below each spacious image is its chapter source and abrief didactic poem printed in both Latin and German.
Faber du Faur notes the large illustrations were designed by Jan Luyken, Casper Luyken, F.A. Meloni, and anonymous contributors before being engraved by Weigel. Brunet gives the plate count for the 1712 edition as 261, but there are no Worldcat records with that number of plates, all records showing either 258 or 260, the latter apparently when the cataloguer has counted the engraved title and half-title as engravings. In this copy, the Iast plate (#151) of the O.T. containing an image from ch. 9 of the second book of Maccabees is not present.
In total, this folio volume contains two engraved title-pages and 258 full-page engraved illustrations — 150 from the O.T. and 108 from the N.T. — all extremely well done, as is all calligraphy. This is not what one typically thinks of, as an “illustrated Bible”; that is, it is not “embellished text” — it represents, rather, the Bible IN pictures.
Provenance: The Howell Bible Collection, Pacific School of Religion (properly released).
Brunet, V, 350; on the 1708 edition, see: Faber du Faur, German Baroque Literature, 1843; see also: Graesse, Trésor de Livres Rares, VI, pt. 2, 429. 18th-century rust and ochre paste paper–covered boards, gilt black leather spine label, all edges stained red; rubbed, especially edges and corners; one plate lacking as above. Light age-toning and some leaves with soiling to edges or marginal spotting; some lower corner tips with an old limited inkstain; these things by no means calamitous. Ex-library with pictorial bookplate at front, a few rubber-stamps not within plates, library pencillings, and booklabel and circulation materials at back. An emjoyable and instructive copy of a captivating, ambitious, and beautiful work. (40489)
Plates by Leclerc, Sole Elzevir Edition, Olshki Provenance
Bonarelli della Rovere, Guidubaldo. Filli di Sciro, favola pastorale. Amsterdam: nella stamperia del D. Elsevier; et in Parigi si vende apresso Thomaso Jolly, 1678. 24mo (10.5 cm; 4.125"). Engr. title-page (included in pagination), 168 pp., 5 engr. plts. $575.00
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Sole Elzevir edition, with an added engraved title-page and five engraved plates by Sebastien Leclerc. The text is a pastoral drama, a remake of the medieval legend of Florio and Biancofiore. It was extremely popular in the 17th century because of the musicality of its language.
Provenance: Bookseller label of Leo S. Olschki. Most recently in the collection of Albert A. Howard, small booklabel (“AHA”) at rear.
Searches of NUC and WorldCat find fewer than a dozen North American libraries reporting ownership.
Willems 1542. 19th-century maroon calf, plain but with raised bands beaded; rose-color endpapers. Fly-leaf with old, largely obliterated inscription; a few preliminary leaves with old faded waterstains along the outer and top margins. An attractive copy of a nice little Elzevir. (37778)
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Beautifully Bound BCP with Plentiful Options forPsalms — Bound by HAYDAY
Church of England. Book of Common Prayer. The book of common prayer, and administration of the sacraments, and other rites and ceremonies of the Church, according to the use of the Church of England: Together with the psalter or psalms of David, pointed as they are to be sung or said in churches. Cambridge: John Baskerville & B. Dod, 1762. 12mo (16.9 cm, 6.7"). [392] pp. [with] Bible.O.T. Psalms. English. 1762. Sternhold & Hopkins. The whole book of Psalms, collected into English metre . . . Birmingham: John Baskerville, 1762. 12mo. [122] pp. [and] Bible. O.T. Psalms. English. 1762. Tate & Brady. A new version of the Psalms of David, fitted to the tunes used in churches. Birmingham: John Baskerville, 1762. 12mo. [104] pp. $1450.00
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One of the last of Cambridge University printer John Baskerville's great series of printings of the Book of Common Prayer, including the Psalter, the articles of religion, and state prayers for George III. The BCP is followed by two versions of the Psalms — the older rendition by Sternhold and Hopkins, and the newer by Tate and Brady.
Provenance: Front pastedown with armorial bookplate of collector William Gott (1797–1863, father of John Gott, Bishop of Truro) with motto “Nec temere nec timide.” Neat note on rear free endpaper indicating book was purchased from the Pickering firm and then rebound by Hayday.
Binding:Signed binding done by James Hayday (1796–1872), an eminent London binder: Early 19th-century dark blue morocco, spine gilt extra. Covers framed in gilt rolls surrounding central gilt-stamped composed medallions; board edges and turn-ins with gilt roll. All edges gilt. Front free endpaper stamped “Bound by Hayday.”
BCP: Griffiths, Bibliography of the Book of Common Prayer, 1762:8; Gaskell 20; ESTC T87226. Sternhold & Hopkins: ESTC T87252; Gaskell 21. Brady & Tate: ESTC T107540; Gaskell 22. Binding as above, light rubbing to extremities, small scuffs to covers; back free endpaper with small inked annotations regarding purchase and binding costs. First few leaves browned, varying degrees of mild to moderate foxing elsewhere. A handsome example of both Baskerville's printing and Hayday's binding skills. (35341)
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Journalism? Historical Fiction? Defoe on the Plague
Defoe, Daniel. History of the plague in London, in 1665. Edinburgh: Pr. by James Ballantyne & Co. for John Ballantyne & Co.; Brown & Crombie; Longman, Hurst, Rees, & Orme; and John Murray, 1810. 16mo (18.2 cm, 7.2"). [2], 288 pp. (vol. 12 only, of 12). [SOLD]
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Early 19th-century Scottish edition of this riveting account of the Great Plague of London. Originally published in 1722 as A Journal of the Plague Year, the text presents itself as the first-person memoir of one H. F. (likely inspired by Defoe's uncle Henry Foe), a well-to-do saddler who remains in the city during the worst of the plague's devastation. Defoe biographer James Runcieman Sutherland made note of how the author, himself only five years old in 1665 and writing 57 years after the event, was able to weave fact and fiction into “an utterly convincing narrative”; efforts by modern critics and researchers to untangle the two have continued to reinforcethe essential accuracy of a work often categorized as a novel.
This is the final work in Ballantyne's 12-volume “Novels of Daniel De Foe” series. At the back of the book is “A List of De Foe's Writings, as Far as They Have Been Ascertained.”
NSTC D721. Later quarter brown calf and brown buckram, spine with gilt-stamped black leather title and author labels (no indication of “volume” status); leather and corners with minimal shelfwear. Page edges untrimmed. One leaf with short tear from lower margin, not touching text; one leaf with small hole touching two letters. Minor to moderate foxing, most notably in first and last few pages, otherwise clean. Attractive on the shelf and a good solid antiquarian book for avid reading. (40346)
Dostoevsky, Feodor; Fritz Eichenberg, illus.; Constance Garnett, trans.; Konstantin Mochulsky, intro.
A raw youth. Verona: Limited Editions Club, 1974. 4to (29 cm, 11.375"). 2 vols. I: xviii, 264 pp.; 8 plts., illus. II: x, [2], 265–514, [2] pp.; 7 plts., illus. $135.00
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The Limited Editions Club presents a two-volume set of Dostoevsky's novel exploring a father and son's relationship and the conflicts that arise between them. Designed by Martino Mardersteig at the Stamperia Valdonega in Verona, Italy, the volumes feature text set in Monotype Bembo, along with15 full-page wood engravings and three smaller engravings to introduce the beginning of each part of the novel; the engravings were done by German-American artist Fritz Eichenberg, who had previously illustrated several of Dostoevsky's works. His bold visions impressively demonstrate the array of emotions endured by the characters.
This is numbered copy 733 of 2000 printed, beingsigned by the artist at the colophon. The monthly newsletter and prospectus in the original envelope are laid in.
Binding: Bound at the Stamperia Valdonega in a silk-finish gray-green cloth with green gilt-stamped spine labels.
Bibliography of the Fine Books Published by the Limited Editions Club, 482. Bound as above, without the glassine dust jackets (as usual); occasional light bumping to edges, light rubbing to spine-label of vol. II, and small faint stain to box label. Notably bright volumes, inside and out! (38938)
An Heir of Hippocrates — A Pioneer Forensic Psychiatist
Esquirol, Etienne. Aliénation mentale. Des illusions chez les aliénés. Question médico-légale sur l'isolement des aliénés. Paris: Librairie Medicale de Crochard, 1832. 8vo (22 cm, 8.5"). [2] ff., 83, [1] pp. $2500.00
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Esquirol's work on mental disorders including hallucinations and illusions, and the treatment of the same, secured him a prominence among early practitioners of forensic psychiatry. “Along with Philippe Pinel (1745–1826), Jean-Étienne Esquirol (1772–1840) is often considered one of the fathers of clinical psychiatry. While his indebtedness to the views of his teacher, Pinel, is indisputable, his own later contributions to the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorder are often considered to be clinically superior and more sophisticated than those of his mentor. Esquirol's contributions to the psychopathology of affectivity are especially important and differ in many important respects from those of Pinel, who also stressed the role of the passions in mental disorder (Louis C. Charland's entry for Esquirol in the Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology). “Like Pinel, Esquirol did not attempt to analyze mental illness from a philosophical standpoint but sought to classify and describe the various kinds of insanity he encountered in his practice. Esquirol coined the term 'monomania,' a concept which anticipated the modern view of schizophrenia, and he was the first to distinguish hallucination from illusion” (Heirs, emphasis ours).
Offered here is his landmark work known in English as “Observations on the illusions of the insane, and on the medico-legal question of their confinement.” It originated as a “Memoire lu a l'Institut, le 1er octobre 1832" (p. 1) and is here reprinted in the first book edition from the Annales d'hygiène et de médecine légale.
Provenance: From the library of Robert Sadoff, M.D.
Searches of NUC and WorldCat locate fewer than ten U.S. libraries reporting ownership (ClobS, CLU, CtY-M, MH-M, DNLM, MnRM, CCCP, TxU-M, ViW) and COPAC finds only the copy at Cambridge. WorldCat adds one other British library reporting ownership (University of Essex).
On Esquirol see: Heirs of Hippocrates 766; The Haskell F. Norman Library of Science & Medicine 721. Original wrappers. Uncut, unopened. An excellent copy. (39178)
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Getting Started with SWEETS
Everybody's confectionery book; containing the whole art of making cakes, buns, tarts, biscuits, pies, custards, cheesecakes, gingerbread, bride cake, &c., &c. London: William Nicholson & Sons Ltd., [ca. 1865–70]. 16mo (14.8 cm, 5.82"). 128 pp. $225.00
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“Of beneficial advantage, not only to Confectioners, but also to Ladies, Housekeepers, &c.”: recipes for everyday baked goods (including some savory items) for the middle-class household, along with various fruit jellies, flavored creams, marmalades, blanc-manges, trifles, sugar candies, and fruit wines. Our estimated date of publication is based on the binding style and on other Nicholson items giving this Ivy Lane address.
This conveniently pocket-sized cookbook is now uncommon, with WorldCat locating only one U.S. institution reporting a copy (University of Pennsylvania) along with a scant handful of U.K. institutions.
Provenance: Front free endpaper with early pencilled gift inscription to Miss M. Robertson of Loch Croft.
Not in Bitting; not in Cagle. Publisher's plain paper-covered boards, front cover and spine with title (abbreviated on spine) stamped in black; covers dust-soiled, spine and extremities rubbed, front and back joint starting from foot but holding, with hinges (inside) slightly tender. Pages age-toned; one corner dog-eared. Pleasant for reading, sound for use. (40528)
Förster, Erwin; William Kaulbach, illus. Schiller-Gallery. From the original drawings of William Kaulbach, C. Jaeger, A. Mueller, Th. Pixis, R. Beyschlag, W. Lindenschmit. New York: Stroeffer & Kirchner, [ca. 1868]. 8vo (22.5 cm, 8.85"). [4], 136 pp.; 22 plts. $200.00
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Handsome gift book, offering a glossy set of presentations of Friedrich Schiller's heroines — and a few associated heroes. Illustrated here are Mary Stuart (confronting Elizabeth), Joan of Arc, Karl and Amalia (from Die Räuber), the Bride of Messina, the Maiden from Afar, and other memorable characters from Schiller's poems and plays, in22 mounted and tipped-in albumenreproductions of drawings done by various artists after designs from “the masterly pencil of William Kaulbach” (p. 1), a.k.a. Wilhelm von Kaulbach. Explicatory text by Förster (or Foerster, as given by the title-page) accompanies the plates.
Binding: Publisher's pebbled brown leather, covers and spine with blind-stamped framework containing foliate motifs, front cover and spine with gilt-stamped title, turn-ins with border composed of several gilt rolls. Marbled endpapers; all edges gilt.
Provenance: From the library of Robert L. Sadoff, M.D., sans indicia.
Binding as above, edges and extremities mildly rubbed and refurbished. Frontispiece recto with early inked gift inscription “from F.B.H.” Internally slightly age-toned; plates clean. A luxurious production in very good condition; an aesthetically pleasing combination of art and literature. (39853)
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Didot Prints Mililtary Strategy
Frontinus, Sextus Julius. Strategematicon libri tres. Lutetie: [François Ambroise Didot] apud Guilelmum De Bure, 1763. 12mo (14.5 cm, 5.75"). [1] f., xvii, [1], 212 pp., [2] ff. $575.00
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Frontinus’ classic first century work on military art and science here printed apparently for the first time by Didot. The colophon reads, “E typographia Fr. Ambr. Didot” and Schweiger calls the edition, “Sehr sauber.” The text was informed by the author's success as a general under Domitian, when he commanded forces in Roman Britain, and on the Rhine and Danube frontiers.
Binding: Contemporary full red morocco, plain style. Side-combed nonpareil endpapers.
All edges gilt. Silk place marker.
WorldCat locates only five U.S. libraries (Society of the Cincinnati, University of Chicago, Library of Congress, University of Pennsylvania, University of Cincinnati) reporting ownership.
Schweiger, II, 369; Graesse, II, 639; Brunet, II, 1409. Bound as above; interior as “clean” as the edition. Very good copy. (40322)
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H. Estienne's FinalFOLIO Text Greek, Latin, & Impressive
Isocrates. [two lines in Greek, then] Isocratis Orationes et epistolae cvm Latina interpretatione Hier. VVolfij, ab ipso postremùm regognita. Henr. Steph. in Isocratem Diatribæ VII: quarum van obseruationes Harpocrationis in eundem examinat. Gorgiae et Aristidis quædam, eiusdem cum Isocraticis argumenti. Guil. Cantero interprete. [Geneva]: Excudebat Henricus Stephanus, 1593. Folio.
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4a.4b.6 (-b.6, blank); [14] ff., 427, [1 (blank)], 131, [1 (blank)], xxxiiii pp., [1 (blank)], [4] ff., 31, [1 (blank)] pp., [9] ff. (without the final blank). $1750.00
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Here is Henri Estienne's last major work and his final folio edition of any classical work. Schreiber considers it an “important edition” as did Dibdin. The text is Hieronymous Wolf's first published in 1551 as revised by Estienne, who also supplied seven Diatribae (Dissertations). These latter are found on pp. 331 at the end of the volume.
The texts of the orations and “letters” of the great Athenian orator (436338 B.C.) are printed in double-column format, with the Greek presented in exquisite Greek type in the inner columns and the Latin translation in roman type in the outer ones. A version of the famous Estienne printer's device graces the title-page.
Adams O219; Renouard (2nd ed.), Annales de l'imprimerie des Estienne, 155.1; Schreiber, Estienne, 225; Schweiger, Handbuch der classischen Bibliographie, I:181; Dibdin (4th ed.), An Introduction to . . . Greek and Latin Classics, II:126. 18th-century plain calf, recently rebacked; round spine, raised bands accented with gilt ruling. Gilt-tooled center devices in spine compartments. Two gilt-lettered spine labels. Title-page dust-soiled; a library's blind pressure-stamps; properly deaccessioned with no additional stamps. A covetable exemplar. (2129)
BANYAN PRESS: Meditations on Impermanence
Kamo, Chomei; Donald Keene, trans. An account of my hut. Pawlet, VT: The Banyan Press, 1976. 8vo (26.5 cm, 10.4"). [30] pp. $500.00
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One of the great classical Japanese essays: Kamo no Chōmei's Hōjōki, translated into English by Donald Keene and here in an elegantly minimalist fine press limited edition from Claude Fredericks of the Banyan Press. Some describe the work as “the Walden Pond of medieval Japan.” This is thefirst book-form edition of the translation, following its original appearance in Keene's Anthology of Japanese Literature; three hundred copies were set by hand in Garamond and printed on Masa paper by Fredericks and David Beeken.
Original hand-stitched wrappers resembling bamboo grain, with paper label on front wrapper, in paper overlay matching the endpapers; outer overlay with minor edge wear and with small annotation (possibly from publisher) on label. A lovely and uncommon production. (35979)
Mifflin, Samuel. Document signed on parchment, in English. “Exemplification of a common recovery with double vouchers of the messuage & plantation in Blockley late the estate of Morton Garrett.” Philadelphia, 1776. Folio (51.5 cm, 20.5"). [1] p. $850.00
Document relating to strife between John Ord and Gunning Bedford (probably not the Constitutional signer but rather his cousin; both Bedfords were born in Philadelphia, a few years apart) over a Philadelphia-area property and its rents. Written in March of the “sixteenth year of the reign of” George III and the year of the Revolution, this was filed before Samuel Ashmead, justice of the Court of Common Pleas; the document is indited in a fine, light hand, and signed by Samuel Mifflin, a merchant and landowner who in 1761 had refused election as mayor of the city. All the names involved here have powerful Philadelphia associations. A seal is affixed to the sheet, intended to be removed and used “for sealing of Writs in our Court.”
Blockley, in which the land in question was located, was a township located in West Philadelphia from about 1677 until its consolidation with the city in 1854. The name has lingered, although it has been superceded in general usage by the broader term “University City.”
Parchment crisp and untorn, with outermost folded portions lightly spotted; front with early inked title as given above, plus pencilled numerals. An evocative document connected to some very prominent names, in excellent condition, with its seal protected for its intended reuse by a diamond-shaped paper covering. (7720)
In a Wonderful,COLORFUL Slipcase withEmbossed & Chromolithographed Onlays
Picture books for little children. London: Religious Tract Society, 56, Paternoster Row, 65, St. Paul's Churchyard, and 164, Piccadilly, [ca. 1865]. 16mo (15 cm, 6"). 12 vols. Each volume 12 pp. [SOLD]
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Although published in England, some sets of these chapbooks may have been dressed for the American audience: This copy has a fine chromolithographic scene of a steam sternwheeler a short distance off shore in heavy seas, withan American flag–topped buoy between it and the shore.
The twelve stories, each one in its own little pamphlet, are: No. 1, The picture show; no. 2, The farm; no. 3, The loaf of bread; no. 4, Verses and pictures; no. 5, The scrap book; no. 6, Bible pictures; no. 7, Sea-side pictures; no. 8, The picture teacher; no. 9, The little verse book; no. 10, Picture lessons; no. 11, Bird pictures; no. 12, My own book. Each of the chapbooks is illustrated witha charming wood engraving on every page, accompanying the stories and poems about honesty, breadmaking, good habits, foreign people, birds, and conduct of life in general.
WorldCat locates only four U.S. libraries reporting ownership, and at least one of the reported sets is incomplete. The publication date given here is that suggested by the Osborne Collection.
Provenance: From the children's book collection of Albert A. Howard, sans indicia.
Osborne Collection, p. 765. Blue textured paper over cardboard slipcase; embossed red paper onlay on front, printed in gold and titled “Picture books”; chromolithographed paper onlay on front (as described above). One of the chapbooks has small repairs, others variously displaying a small chip, a light stain, or a bit of creasing; else and indeed, very good. (39521)
Chatty, Sophisticated, & Charmingly Illustrated High-Society Guide to SPA
Pöllnitz, Karl Ludwig, Freiherr von. Amusemens des eaux de Spa, ouvrage utile à ceux qui vont boire ces eaux minérales sur les lieux. Enrichi des tailles-douces, qui représentent les vues & les perspectives du bourg de Spa, des fontaines, des promenades, & des environs. Amsterdam: Chez Pierre Mortier, 1740. 8vo (15.1 cm, 5.94"). 2 vols. I: ix, [3], 424 pp.; 9 fold. plts. II: [2], 414 pp.; 7 fold. plts. $950.00
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“Nouvelle edition” following the first of 1734 (also published by Mortier), of this entertaining guide to the delights of Spa — thefirst work of its kind, focusing primarily on society and fashion rather than on practical descriptions of the waters and their medicinal qualities. Baron von Pöllnitz was a favorite of Frederick the Great, and published an assortment of memoirs of himself and others. His Amusemens enjoyed great success, was quickly translated into English, and went through a number of editions in both languages, launching a genre of similar works on Spa and other fashionable destinations.
Early editions of the present guide are uncommon: WorldCat findsonly one U.S. institution (New York Academy of Medicine) reporting holding this printing, and only a small handful more of the scarce first.
This attractively accomplished production features title-pages printed in red and black and16 delightful engraved plates counting the double-spread added engraved title-page serving as the frontispiece of vol. I. Offering views of the countryside and the fountains, many of the images incorporate figures such as a hunter and his hounds, riders on horseback, and well-dressed ladies and gentlemen strolling or dancing — as well as one ofa life-sized “insect” allegedly “brought away from the Kidneys of a Woman by the Drinking of the Pouhon Waters.” The unsigned plates, sometimes attributed to the author himself and sometimes to Hecquet, bearcaptions given in French, German, and English.
Provenance: Title-pages each with early inked inscription of Frances Osborn. Later in the residue of the stock of the F. Thomas Heller bookselling firm (est. ca. 1928).
Graesse, I, 109; Wellcome, IV, 407. Not in Blake, NLM 18th Century (which only lists an English-language edition). Contemporary quarter mottled calf and marbled paper–covered sides, spines with gilt-stamped leather title-labels; bindings rubbed, scuffed, and with leather refurbished. Added engraved title-page for vol. I here tipped in as a double-page spread. Vol. I with waterstaining to outer margins of first few leaves, including added title-page and title-page; vol. II with waterstaining to upper outer portions of first few leaves; some plates with waterstaining to margins, not affecting images. Pages otherwise crisp and clean. A pleasurable production, showcasing a pleasurable place! (40619)
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Author/Compiler's Presentation Copy
Rand, Silas Tertius. A first reading book in the Micmac language: comprising the Micmac numerals, and the names of the different kinds of beasts, birds, fishes, trees, &c. of the maritime provinces of Canada. Also, some of the Indian names of places, and many familiar words and phrases, translated literally into English. Halifax: Nova Scotia Printing Company, 1875. 16mo (17 cm, 6.5"). 108 pp. [also bound in] Bible.N.T. Matthew. Micmac. Rand. 1871. Pela Kesagunoodumumkawa tan tula uksakumamenoo westowoolkw Sasoogoole Clistawit ootenink. Megumoweesimk. Chebooktook: Megumagea Ledakun-weekugemkawa moweome, 1871. 126 pp. [SOLD]
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In 1854 Rand published his Ferst reding buk in Mikmak, which was entirely in Micmac and printed in the Pitman phonetic characters. By 1875 copies were no longer to be had, so — expanding his horizons — he brought out a bilingual version in hopes of educating non-Indian children in the Micmac language as well as educating the native children in English.
As with many copies of the Reading Book, this copy has bound at the end Rand's translation of the Book of Matthew in Micmac.
Provenance: Presentation copy from Rand: “To the Library of [the] Theological Institution Newton Center from the Compiler S.T.R.” With the blind pressure-stamps of the Newton Theological Institution (properly deaccessioned; i.e., rare book collection sold).
Reading: Pilling, Proof-sheets, 318; Sabin 67755. Matthew: Darlow & Moule 6788; Pilling, Proof-sheets, 2931; Sabin 67760. Publisher's plain quarter black leather with stone pattern paper sides. Front board expertly reattached. Some age-toning, but very good. (40058)
English REFORMATION SatirePrinted in the 19th Century ON VELLUM
[Shepherd, Luke, fl.1548]. [drop-title] John Bon and mast person. [London]: [colophon: J. Smeeton, Printer], n.d. [1807 or 1808]. Small 4to (27 cm; 10.5"). [5] ff. $1950.00
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One of either 12 or 25 copies printed on vellum (as per Alston in the former case, as per Oxford cataloguer and a contemporary note on title-page in the latter). John Bon was originally printed by Daye and Seres in London in 1548 (STC 3258.5) and is here reproduced in letterpress facsimile from a copy formerly owned by Richard Forster
Attributed to Luke Shepherd by Halkett and Laing, this is a satirical poem, a dialogue in verse, on the Eucharist, and could even be seen as a short play. It is printed in gothic (black letter) type witha large woodcut of a procession of the Eucharist on the title-page.
None of the copies reported to WorldCat, COPAC, or NUC are described as printed on vellum. The copy that Alston found at the British Library is not findable via the BL OPAC.
Provenance: Early 19th-century manuscript ownership on front fly-leaf: “Thomas Briggs Esq., Edgeware Road.” Most recently in the library of American collector Albert A. Howard, small booklabel (“AHA”) at rear.
Alston, Books Printed on Vellum in the Collections of the British Library, p. 35; Halkett & Laing (2nd ed.), III, p. 192; Halkett & Laing (3rd ed.), J21 (var.) l NSTC, I, S1667. Original dun colored boards with beige linen shelfback; rebacked, and binding discolored. “25 copies Printed on chosen Parchment” written in ink in an early 19th-century hand in lower margin of the title-page. Foxing, heaviest on last three leaves; last page (a publisher's note and colophon) lightly inked and so a little faint. A nice find for the collector of printing on vellum, letterpress facsimiles, or reprints of rare 16th-century English tracts. (34699)
A Lamb Disobeys Mom . . . & . . . IS TORN TO PIECES & EATEN BY WOLF CUBS
The stray lamb. New York: Mahlon Day, [ca. 1825–33?]. Miniature (7.5 cm, 3"). 8 pp. [SOLD]
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Illustrating thisminiature chapbook are three wee wood engravings. It is a cautionary tale / fable whose purpose is to teach obedience.
Provenance: From the children's book collection of Albert A. Howard, small booklabel (“AHA”) at rear.
Shoemaker 5104; Bradbury, Miniature Books, B295. Fine in original plain green wrappers. (38779)
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Oxford, Leporello-Style — The Men *&* the Milieu
(University of Oxford). Whittock, Nathaniel. The costumes of the members of the University of Oxford. London: N. Whittock, (ca. 184050). 32mo (12.2 x 112.9 cm, 4.75 x 44.45"). [2] pp.; 17 col. plts. [SOLD]
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Marvelous Oxford memorabilium offering17 hand-colored illustrations (two with two figures) of men in various types of academic dress associated with the University of Oxford, drawn, engraved, and published by Nathaniel Whittock. The contents unfold accordion-style in one long strip, in aleporello binding.
The series (following an engraved title-page) begins with a Scholar and closes with the impressively bedecked Chancellor; the Doctor of Music is notably fetching in this rendition, with a gracefully rippled music score held in one hand. Behind the gentlemen, continuous from panel to panel, isa panorama of the University , its spires, domes, and towers rising (dreamily) beyond and above a leafy beforested middleground. Fully extended, the array of images isover three and a half feet long.
Binding:Publisher's ripple-textured green cloth (Krupp style Rip1 variant) front cover with gilt-stamped title in decorative gilt-stamped medallion and blind-stamped corner fleurons.
Provenance: Label of bookseller C.S. Bridges, High Street, Oxford, inside front cover.
Cordeaux, Printed Works Relating to the University of Oxford, 1318; Lipperheide, II, 2029. On binding cloth, see: Krupp, Bookcloth in England and America, 1823–50, Rip 1 variant. Bound as above, cloth with an unobtrusive spot or two only and hinge (inside) with paper lost; contents a bit cocked within binding affecting a few fore-edges but not images. Light soiling and action of old glue visible at two “seams” where plate sequences are joined, as seen in other copies; generally, a good exemplar. (40497)