SAMUEL JOHNSON
The Prince of Abissinia.
R. and J. Dodsley
- $4,950
JOHNSON, SAMUEL. The Prince of Abissinia. A Tale in Two Volumes. Small 8vo. Contemporary full calf, 4 raised bands, gilt title labels on spines; gilt rule on covers. London: Printed for R. and J. Dodsley in Pall-Mall; and W. Johnston, in Ludgate-Street, 1759. First Edition. Second Corrected State. Leaf A2, vol. II, reads "Contents of the Second Volume;" "Indiscerpible" page 161; all blanks present. The Second State is almost identical with the extremely rare first edition issued a few weeks before it, on April 19, 1759. (Fleeman, I, 785-8; Courtney & Nichol Smith, p. 87; Chapman & Hazen, pp. 142-3; Rothschild 1242; Liebert 73).The Prince of Abissinia, Samuel Johnson's only novel, was written in the evenings of one week in an effort to raise funds for his mother's care, and eventually, to pay for her funeral. Its rapid execution is said to have been due to the fact that he had been pondering its chief topics all his life. It was published anonymously, and soon became his most popular work. Boswell says it contains "all the force and beauty of which the English language is capable."The novel describes the life of Prince Rasselas and Nekayah, his sister, who are kept in a place called the Happy Valley in the land of Abissinia. The Valley is a place free of problems, where any desire is quickly satisfied. The constant pleasure, however, does not lead to satisfaction; and, with the help of a philosopher named Imlac, Rasselas escapes and explores the world to witness how all aspects of society and life in the outside world are filled with suffering. They return to Abissinia, but do not wish to return to the state of constantly fulfilled pleasures. With 2 bookplates; one of Richard Adams in volume 1. Hinges weakened; head and heel of spines slightly chipped; leather worn; missing a small portion (approximately 2-inches) of the leather on the cover of volume I; staining to edges of endpapers; slight chipping to endpapers of volume I; interiors clean. A very nice copy.
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Deed
DEED FOR LAND CLOSE TO, OR ABUTTING GEORGE WASHINGTON'S FATHER'S PLANTATION True copy of a November 28, 1737, deed for property adjoining Pope's Creek, Westmoreland County, VA, sold by Morrice Veal II to Edward Bush. Circa 1743.3 pages, holograph, on folded sheet, 7½ by 12½ inches. The deed is docketed: "Veal to Bush Copy Deed F[or] Colo. Washington." This is Augustine Washington, Sr. (1694-1743) father of George Washington, who was often referred to as "Colonel Washington." Augustine had moved to Pope's Creek in 1718. Wakefield, the Manor House built by Augustine at Pope's Creek Plantation in 1722, was the birthplace of George Washington. By 1737 Edward Bush owned 80 acres of land on Pope's Creek that formerly belonged to Augustine Washington. Thus, the property referenced in this deed is likely land owned by Veal that bordered Washington's land and Bush was expanding the land he had earlier purchased from Washington. This true copy is signed by Colonel George Lee (1714-61) as County Clerk [of] Westmoreland, thus dating this true copy between April 1742 (when Lee became Clerk of the County) and April 1743 (the month Augustine Washington died). Interestingly, George Lee and his wife, Ann Fairfax Washington Lee, (George Washington's former sister-in-law) owned Mount Vernon and leased it to George Washington. The deed reads, in part: "THIS INDENTURE made the 28th day of November [1737] in the 11th year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the grace of God of Great Britain, France & Ireland, King, Defender of the faith &c., Between MORRICE VEAL of Prince William County of one part and EDWARD BUSH of Westmorland County of other part; Witnesseth that MORRICE VEAL for the sum of five thousand pounds of good, Tobacco in hand paid him. confirm unto the said EDWARD BUSH. One hundred acres of land be the same more or less situated in County of Westmorland & Washington Parish being part of a parcel of land formerly granted to MORRICE VEAL, Father of the aforesaid VEAL for two hundred acres, beginning at the head of POPES CREEK with all houses, out houses, and Tobacco houses, with all Orchards, fences, and gardens thereon In Witness the parties above mentioned have interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year above written MORRIS VEAL. . . .[Witnessed by] NICHOLAS MINOR. GERRARD DAVIES, and WILLIAM BERKLEY. Recorded the Seventh day of December 1737, pr. G. TURBERVILLE, C. C. W. Copy Test: George Lee C.C. W." John Washington, the grandfather of Col. Augustine Washington (and great-grandfather of George Washington) initially acquired Pope's Creek from his father-in-law, Nathaniel Pope (who is the namesake of Pope's Creek). Colonel Augustine Washington eventually inherited 150 acres of the Pope's Creek property and moved there in 1718. He began acquiring adjoining property and in 1722 began work on a manor house (named Wakefield). The manor house at Pope's Creek Plantation was located less than a mile south of the creek's confluence with the Potomac River thus it was "at the head of Pope's Creek," as is the Veal/Bush property described in this document. Colonel Washington's manor house eventually controlled a plantation of 1,300 acres with several outbuildings and 20 to 25 slaves. George Washington was born at this manor house in February 1732. Edward Bush (b. 1714) was a carpenter who was born and raised in Westmoreland County. Given where he lived, it is likely that he did carpentry work for Augustine Washington at the Pope's Creek Plantation. In 1742 Edward sold his Pope's Creek property and moved to Culpepper, VA. Those witnessing that deed were relatives and close friends of the Washington family. Less is known about Morrice (aka Maurice or Morris) Veale II (c. 1676-1750). He was the son of Morrice Veale I. In 1707 Morrice Veale II (and John and William Veale) sold an acre of land to Nathaniel Pope (1st cousin of Augustine Washington) upon which Pope built a grist mill. In 1728 Augustine purchased- $5,500
- $5,500
L’Arte De Cenni Con la Quale Formandos: Favella Visibile, Si Tratta Della Muta Eloquenza, che non e’ altro che un Faccondo Silento / Divisa in Due Parti
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOKS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SIGN LANGUAGE 4to. Bound in 20th century rustic boards, with marbled paper spine. In Vicenza, Appresso Francesco Grossi, 1616. First Edition. (Norman 264, Garrison-Morton 3344, and Krivatsy 1516). "Bonifacio's 'book is one of the earliest to be published in Europe that is devoted exclusively to gesture. It was published in Vicenza in 1616 under the following title which, as will be seen, provides a good summary of the aims and contents of the work: "'The Art of Signs with which a visible language is formed, deals [dealing] with the mute expressiveness that is none other than an eloquent silence. It is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the signs that are made by us by the parts of our body, revealing their meanings which are confirmed by famous authors. In the second part it is shown how all the liberal and mechanical arts make use of this knowledge. New material pertinent for all men and particularly for Princes who, because of their dignity, make themselves understood more with signs than with words.'" Adam Kendon Gesture: Visible Action as UtteranceGiovanni Bonifacio practiced as a lawyer and magistrate in several cities, including Venice. He wrote plays, some poetry, and a history of the city of Treviso, several legal treatises, a short book on the Republic of the Bees … (1627) and a book on the Liberal and Mechanical Arts as they have been Demonstrated by Irrational Animals to Humans (1628). L'Arte de Cenni …, aside from his history of Treviso, remains his most original (and curious) book. "L'Arte de Cenni …is an attempt to describe all the signs that it is possible to make with the body, and it also considers significations made through clothing. Bonifacio believed that 'as one knows the will of the master through the actions of his servants, so from bodily actions one can comprehend the inclinations of the soul, and from the acts, gestures, and bearing of bodily members our internal feelings can be conjectured" (p. 17, trans. Kendon). He believed that bodily signs reveal more clearly and truthfully than words a person's feelings and intentions. At the same time, however, he believed that if one can master the art of using the body to make signs one can control the impression that one makes on other people. Title page with minor toning, o/w leaves are clean, with full margins; pages untrimmed with deckle edges throughout.- $1,100
- $1,100
Rapport Fait au Nom de la Commission Chargée de L’examen des Papiers Trouvés Chez Robespierre et Ses Complices
REPORT ON THE PERSONAL PAPERS OF ROBESPIERRESEIZED FROM HIS HOUSEFirst Edition of this report on the personal papers of Robespierre, intended to be evidence of his guilt8vo 19th century leather-backed marbled boards, gold lettering on spine A Paris, De L'Imprimerie Nationale Des Lois (1794 or 1795)Spine worn, boards scuffed; title page toned; tear to page 51/52 missing some text; small tears to margins of a few pages- $650
- $650
Cobbett’s Paper Against Gold:
Written while in Prison for Treasonous LibelCobbett's Paper Against Gold: containing the History and Mystery of the Bank of England, the Funds, the Debt, the Sinking Fund, the Bank Stoppage, the lowering and raising of the value of Paper-Money; and shewing that Taxation, Pauperism, Poverty, Misery and Crimes have all increased, and ever must increase, with a Funding system8vo Original ¼-paper-backed gray boards Printed by William Molineux Published by William Cobbett ND (1817) First Edition An English pamphleteer, farmer and journalist, William Cobbett gained a reputation as a rabble rouser, famed for his political publications aimed at working class readers He believed that reforming Parliament and abolishing the rotten boroughs would help to end the poverty of farm laborers, and he attacked the borough-mongers, sinecurists and "tax-eaters" relentlessly He was found guilty of treasonous libel on 15 June 1810 after objecting in his Weekly Political Register to the flogging at Ely of local militiamen by Hanoverians He was sentenced to two years imprisonment in Newgate Prison While in prison he wrote the pamphlet Paper against Gold, warning of the dangers of paper money, as well as many essays and letters On his release a dinner was given in his honor in London, Attended by 600 people Head and heel of binding chipped; edges chipped; boards stained; foxing and toning to many pages; uncut- $375
- $375
The Statesman’s Manual; or The Bible the Best Guide to Political Skill and Foresight:
COLERIDGE'S PROPOSAL FOR NATIONAL EDUCATION A polemic on the political divisions in English society, which put forth an important proposal for national education. Coleridge explored the necessary conditions for social stability - what he termed Permanence, as distinct from Progress, in a polity - stressing the importance of a shared public sense of community, and national education.It also contains his thoughts on the use of The Bible as a guide for political administration. Written as a reaction to the post-Waterloo depression in England, The Manual and was not particularly well received. It is, however, a useful tract for studying Coleridge's political and religious thoughts. Coleridge was a profound political thinker. He began his life as a political radical, and an enthusiast for the French Revolution; but over the years he developed a more conservative view of society, somewhat in the manner of Burke. He had a major influence on Ralph Waldo Emerson and on American Transcendentalism. Small 8vo. Modern grayest-blue boards, paper label on spine. London: Printed for Gale & Fenner .1816. First Edition. First Printing. (Tinker 695; NCBEL III, 218).Light staining to front cover; a few small stains to title page; o/w Very Nice.- $850
- $850
BIBLIA, ad vetustissima exemplaria nunc recens castigata, in quibus praeter ea quae subsequens praefatio indicat, capita singula ita versibus distincta sunt ut numeri praefixi lectorem non remorentur et loca quaesita tamquam digito demonstrent.
ILLUSTRATED WITH OVER 600 WOODCUTS BIBLIA, ad vetustissima exemplaria nunc recens castigata, in quibus praeter ea quae subsequens praefatio indicat, capita singula ita versibus distincta sunt ut numeri praefixi lectorem non remorentur et loca quaesita tamquam digito demonstrent. Edited by Johannes Hentenius. Title page illustrated with an elaborate architectural woodcut border incorporating several scenes: St. Jerome in his study, Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac, and Cain slaying Abel; plus over 600 text woodcuts after Hans Holbein, Bernard Salomon and Pierre Eskrich. Thick 4to. Bound in 16th- or 17th-century full vellum over semi-rigid boards; spine titled "Biblia Sacra" in an early hand. Printed in Venice [by Altobello Salicato] for heirs of Niccolò Bevilacqua & assoc., 1574. The Latin text of this Venetian edition is of Hentenius' influential 1547 Louvain Bible, which closely follows the Estienne Bible of 1538-40, with some modifications of the text and marginal matter. "The artist of these illustrations worked from various sources, notably the three sets of woodcuts by Hans Holbein, Bernard Salomon, and Pierre Eskrich, introduced at Lyons from 1538 to 1562 and widely used in Bibles and picture books [.]. This Venetian set also has scenes not usually illustrated." (Mortimer/Harvard, Italian Books, No. 62, describing a 1576 ed. with the same woodcuts). The Vulgate Bible is an early 5th century Latin version of the Holy Scriptures, translated from the Hebrew and Aramaic by St. Jerome between 382 and 405 A.D., on the orders of Pope Damasus I. It takes its name from the phrase versio vulgata, "the translation made public." and was written in a common fourth-century style of literary Latin in conscious distinction from the more elegant Ciceronian Latin. The Vulgate improved upon several translations then in use, and became the definitive and officially promulgated Bible version of the Roman Catholic Church. Its Old Testament is the first Latin version translated directly from the Hebrew Tanakh rather than from the Greek Septuagint. In terms of its importance to the culture, art, and life of the Middle Ages, the Vulgate stands supreme. Preliminaries include Lenten's preface to the 1547 Louvain Bible, St Jerome's prologues, Index testimoniorum a Christo et apostolis in Nouo Testamento, Ordo librorum, and another preface by Francesco Antonio Faccini. At the end of the Bible are Interpretation of the Hebrew, Chaldaic and Greek names, Index of Subjects and Sentences, Index of Epistles and Gospels, as well as Proprium Sanctorum and Commune Sanctorum. Binding slightly rubbed and soiled, with light wear to extremities, minor tears at joints. Title-page somewhat soiled with chipping around edges, neatly backed on its blank verso with old paper at an early date (minor loss to top outer corner of the woodcut border). Some scattered soiling; occasional light water-staining; a small stain to bottom outer corners of several leaves. A short, thin worm-track to inner margin of a few leaves at the end. 2 leaves with minor repairs to inner margin affecting just a few letters, woodcuts not affected. 2 early ownership inscriptions to title-page, and a later ownership name to front pastedown. Some tearing to pastedowns due to lifting vellum turn-ins. In all, a clean, well-preserved example of this scarce, sumptuously illustrated Vulgate Bible.- $3,500
- $3,500
Polyhistor, Rerum toto Orbe Memorabilium Thesaurus Locupletissimus.
WITH THE EARLIEST REPRESENTATION OF THE NORTH-WEST COAST OF AMERICA Gaius Julius Solinus. Polyhistor, Rerum toto Orbe Memorabilium Thesaurus Locupletissimus. Together with: Pompanius Mela. De Situ Orbis. Edited by Sebastian Münster, with his copious notes updating the accounts of Solinus and Mela with more recent geographical information. Text in Latin, with some passages in Hebrew and Greek. Preliminaries include a Life of Solinus by Johannes Camers, and an extensive index.Illustrated with 20 woodcut maps (probably by Sebastian Münster), including 2 fold-out double-page woodcut maps hors text; and 18 woodcut maps or topographical views in text, 2 of which are full-page. Woodcut device on title-page. Numerous fine woodcut initials of various sizes, both decorative and historiated, including a fine large 10-line initial 'C' at the opening of Solinus showing Adam and Eve's expulsion from Paradise. Folio. Bound in full 17th-century semi-rigid vellum with yapp edges; blind-stamped ornamental arabesque centerpiece on both covers; flat spine. Basel: Michael Isingrin and Heinrich Petri, 1538. First Münster Edition. Complete, including the rear blank. With the celebrated Asia Maior folding map (bound after p. 149) which contains "The earliest representation of the north-west coast of America on a printed map." (Burden). It is shown in the upper right corner of this map as a land mass labeled "Terra Incognita," and depicted with a small bay, trees, and hills. The map is also noteworthy for showing the first delineations of a strait between Asia and America, some two hundred years before Bering's voyage.(Burden) At the time of publication, scholars and voyagers were still debating the plausibility of a land mass connection between the Asian and American continents. It has also been noted that "this is one of the earliest obtainable maps devoted solely to the continent of Asia." This edition of Polyhistor also includes a detailed folding map (bound after p. 38 and labeled "Typus Graeciae") of the Greek Isles, showing parts of modern day Turkey, Cyprus and Eastern Europe including the Black Sea. The 2 full-page maps depict: the continent of Europe (p. [158]), including Asia Minor and parts of Russia; and the northern half of the continent of Africa (p. [83]) based upon Ptolemy and some modern sources, and prominently showing the "Mountains of the Moon" (Montes Lunae), a mountain range in central Africa that is the source of the White Nile, including the Holy Land and Arabia. Among the smaller maps within the text are: a map of Russia (p. 48), especially "noteworthy on account of the river-system of Russia being here for the first time represented with tolerable accuracy - even more correct than on the maps of Antonius Wied and Herberstein. [.] it appears to be founded on communications from Herberstein and from the learned canon in Cracow, Mathias a Michou." (Nordenskiöld) The book also contains maps of: England, India, Italy, Morea, Rhodos, Rhetia and Helvetia, Black Forest, etc. The editor, Sebastian Münster, provided his own commentary to the text of Solinus and Mela, and probably also served as its cartographer (although there is still some doubt about this). Münster was a German cartographer, cosmographer, and a Christian Hebraist scholar. His work, the Cosmographia from 1544, was the earliest German description of the world. In 1540 he published his own "updated" edition of Ptolemy's Geography, which included maps of the new or modern world. Münster was also one of the first cartographers to create space in the woodblock for the insertion of metal-cut place-names. His decision to refer to the New World as "America" in his 1544 edition of the Cosmographia greatly contributed to the name's endurance. "In 1538 Münster produced an edition of Solinus and Mela which called upon his skills as an artist, linguist and his connections with the Basel printers. His editions served the humanist's urge to bring classical writers to honour by supp- $10,000
- $10,000
Resolutions des Quatre Principaux Problemes d’Architecture par M. Blondel. Et Ouvrages de Mathematique de M. Frenicle.
Illustrated with numerous tables and diagrams, engraved vignette and 21 folding engraved plates.Thick 4to. Later ½-backed marbled boards. Amsterdam, Pierre Mortier 1736. Memoires de l'Academie Royale des Sciences, tome II. The volume contains Blondel's influential treatise solving four principal problems of architecture: 1. du Contour de l'enflure & dimunition des Collones; 2. L'Apollonius François des Tactions;3. des Joints de tête des Arcs rampans; 4. de la Coupe des Poutres. Also present are four separate mathematical works by Frénicle de Bessy: Methode pour Trouver la Solution des Problemes par les Exclusions; Traité des Triangles Rectangles en Nombres; Abrégé des Combinations; Table Generale des Quarez Magiques de quatre côtez (re. "magic squares"). Binding with light wear and rubbing; spine leather darkened and dried; faint toning/dust-soiling to the top edge of the text block; o/w a clean, bright copy.- $150
- $150
Encyclopedie Automobile
SATIRICAL LITHOGRAPHS OF EARLY FRENCH CARSEncyclopédie Automobile: La Belle Epoque et Les Pionniers de L'Automoile. Illustrated with 16 original color lithographs by Guy Sabran. Oblong Folio. Original pictorial olive green folding cover; title in a frame representing the entrance to the Parisian metro station. Guimard, Champrosay, Editeur, Paris, 1956. First Edition.Loose illustrations, as issued, inserted in folding cover. A wonderful series of color lithographs satirizing early French car culture. Illustrations are: Coupé de Ville Renault 1905; Zèbre 1904; Double Phaéton Morse 1903; Double Phaéton Delaunay-Belleville 1911; Landaulet d'Amédée Bollée 1878; Phaéton Panhard Levassor 1891; Léger George Richard 1893; Peugeot Grand Luxe 1895; Delahaye 1897; Le Petit Phaéton Renault 1898; Cabriolet Chenard et Walker 1904; Le Phaéton Bardon 1899; LA "Jamais Contente" de Jenatzy 1899; Phaéton Grand Sport Panhard 1899; - La Limousine de Ville de Léon Bollée 1899; Taxi Renault 1905. Covers slightly soiled; spine and corners worn; some slight warping to a few lithographs; some with tape at corners, having been crudely hung, not in any way damaging the images; o/w bright and clean.- $275
- $275
Le Bateau Ivre. (The Drunken Boat).
Illustrated with 36 color plates and text manuscript by Raymond Moretti. Folio. Cream-colored vellum binding, with Moretti illustration on cover; enclosed in ¼-leather-backed marbled board box, with vellum spine label. Chez Joseph Pardo à l'enseign du Sefer, Nice (1966). One of 350 copies on vellum pure rag, with an extra suite of 11 full-page color plates on Japan paper. Copy #298, dedicated and signed by Moretti. Laid-in is a "Certificat de Garantie" from Joseph Pardo. Spine of box chipped and frayed; edges chipped; book in fine condition, with clean, bright pages and plates. Rare- $2,750
- $2,750
Histoire des Croisades
DORÉ PROOF ILLUSTRATIONSCollection of 29 full-page proof engravings of the drawings by Gustave Doré for the French edition of Michaud's Histoire des Croisades, Furne et Jovet, 1877 28 engravings are on parchment paper; one is on Japon paper, with pencil annotations Plus proof of title page, printed in red, on parchment paper, with an engraved portrait of Doré Title page reads: "Croisades Illustrée de 100 Grandes Compositions Gustave Doré Tome Second Paris, 45 Rue Saint-André-des-Arts 45" The title page coincides broadly with that of the second volume of the Furne edition, (Leblanc Catalogue de l'oeuvre complet de Gustave Doré p 240- 241)In all, 26 loose folio sheets (some double sided), approximately 12½ by 17 inches each; engravings measure approximately 8 by 9½ inches 4 engravings are on the versos Some are duplicatesAn incomplete set of proof engravings for the first print of Michaud's Histoire des Croisades, dating back to 1877 at a preliminary stage of the production of this edition Some of the engravings are more prominent on parchment paper than they are in the published work Leblanc argues that there were no other French editions of Michaud's work with the Doré illustrations by Furne, nor of this format An interesting example of Doré proof illustrations, with clean, bright impressions  - $275
- $275
Splendid Daguerreotype Miniatures,
ES Hayden Splendid Daguerreotype Miniatures, Taken in Every Style, "His Miniatures are warranted not to be surpassed by any, for their richness of tone and life-like appearance; standing out in such bold relief, that they can be seen equally well in any light All those wishing a perfect likeness of themselves, or their friends, would do well to call soon; confident that neither the Pictures nor the Price will fail to suit "Original early letterpress broadside 10 by 12 inches Illustrated with decorated border American Office Waterbury, CT (ca 1850) Broadsides were used by itinerant practitioners who traveled from town to town in the mid-19th century taking portrait photographs of willing subjects Daguerreotypes ceased to be used by the mid-1850s This particular example belonged to E S Hayden, a well-travelled daguerreotypist in the Connecticut area (See John S Craig, Craig's Daguerreian Registry, Vol1, page 172)Some mild toning; two very tiny holes not affecting text, remnants of removed tape in two spots on verso, o/w Fine Rare Splendid Daguerreotype Miniatures,
E.S Hayden. ES Hayden Splendid Daguerreotype Miniatures, Taken in Every Style, "His Miniatures are warranted not to be surpassed by any, for their richness of tone and life-like appearance; standing out in such bold relief, that they can be seen equally well in any light All those wishing a perfect likeness of themselves, or their friends, would do well to call soon; confident that neither the Pictures nor the Price will fail to suit "Original early letterpress broadside 10 by 12 inches Illustrated with decorated border American Office Waterbury, CT (ca 1850) Broadsides were used by itinerant practitioners who traveled from town to town in the mid-19th century taking portrait photographs of willing subjects Daguerreotypes ceased to be used by the mid-1850s This particular example belonged to E S Hayden, a well-travelled daguerreotypist in the Connecticut area (See John S Craig, Craig's Daguerreian Registry, Vol1, page 172)Some mild toning; two very tiny holes not affecting text, remnants of removed tape in two spots on verso, o/w Fine Rare- $575
- $575
The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa in the Year 1805.
The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa in the Year 1805 Together with other documents, official and private, relating to the same mission To which is prefixed an account of the life of Mr Park Illustrated with folding engraved map with routes hand colored in red and blue by the geographer Major Rennell 4to Contemporary ¾-leather-backed marbled boards; spine rebacked, with original spine laid down; 2 spine labels with gilt letters London, W Bulmer and Co, 1815 Second Edition, Revised and Corrected, with Additions 2 volumes bound in one Mungo Park was the first westerner to travel to the central portion of the Niger River Until the publication of his book about his first African journey in 1799, hardly anything was known of the interior of the continent His narrative, complete with scientific observations on the botany and meteorology of the region, and the social and domestic life of the natives, has become a classic of travel literature Park made the first great practical advance in opening up central Africa, and returned to Africa for a second mission in 1805 This time he traveled on the Niger by canoe, but was stopped in his attempt to reach the source of the river by the rapids at Boussa He and his companions were killed there in a fight with the natives Fortunately, Park had sent his journals on to Gambia, and they were finally published in 1815 Some scuffing and soiling to covers; title page has been re-hinged; o/w a bright, clean copy of this classic work The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa in the Year 1805.
Mungo Park The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa in the Year 1805 Together with other documents, official and private, relating to the same mission To which is prefixed an account of the life of Mr Park Illustrated with folding engraved map with routes hand colored in red and blue by the geographer Major Rennell 4to Contemporary ¾-leather-backed marbled boards; spine rebacked, with original spine laid down; 2 spine labels with gilt letters London, W Bulmer and Co, 1815 Second Edition, Revised and Corrected, with Additions 2 volumes bound in one Mungo Park was the first westerner to travel to the central portion of the Niger River Until the publication of his book about his first African journey in 1799, hardly anything was known of the interior of the continent His narrative, complete with scientific observations on the botany and meteorology of the region, and the social and domestic life of the natives, has become a classic of travel literature Park made the first great practical advance in opening up central Africa, and returned to Africa for a second mission in 1805 This time he traveled on the Niger by canoe, but was stopped in his attempt to reach the source of the river by the rapids at Boussa He and his companions were killed there in a fight with the natives Fortunately, Park had sent his journals on to Gambia, and they were finally published in 1815 Some scuffing and soiling to covers; title page has been re-hinged; o/w a bright, clean copy of this classic work- $1,250
- $1,250
Ford Automobile Supplies 1914.
Ford Automobile Supplies 1914. Illustrated.Oblong 8vo. J.G. Birdsell, Ossian, Iowa. First Edition. The catalogue offers parts for any brass Model T 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1915, etc. In it are all sorts of items including: headlamp, sidelight, spark plug, carburetor, timers, clock, bumper, even a full page ad for a Kellogg air starter. Stamp on inside back cover: Improved Congo Ford Special…. Fine. Scarce.- $75
- $75
Ford Automobile Supplies 1914.
Ford Automobile Supplies 1914. Illustrated.Oblong 8vo. J.G. Birdsell, Ossian, Iowa. First Edition. The catalogue offers parts for any brass Model T 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1915, etc. In it are all sorts of items including: headlamp, sidelight, spark plug, carburetor, timers, clock, bumper, even a full page ad for a Kellogg air starter. Stamp on inside back cover: Improved Congo Ford Special…. Fine. Scarce. The Iliad of Homer.
Alexander Pope. (POPE, ALEXANDER). Homer. The Iliad of Homer.Translated by Alexander Pope. London: Printed by W. Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott between the Temple-Gates, 1715-20. First Edition. Together with The Odyssey of Homer. Translated by Alexander Pope. London: Printed for Bernard Lintott, 1725-26. First Edition. Illustrated. Folios. Eleven volumes. Bound in early 18th-century calf, gilt spines; with all eleven black morocco volume labels present; title labels absent. Illustrations include the full-page engraved frontispiece portrait of Homer by George Vertue; 2 leaves of engraved antiquities; double-page map of Homeric Greece and Phrygia; full-page engraving of the Shield of Achilles; and the very rare second frontispiece of Homer which begins The Odyssey. The second volume of The Iliad lacks the plan of the plain of Troy. A very rare example of the folio Odysseywith thefrontispiece portrait. It is undoubtedly the folio issue, with gatherings of two leaves only and with the illustrations as called for in the folio issue; however, the dimensions of the volumes correspond to those of the quarto issue. It may be that this folio edition was printed on leaves in quarto, or it may be that the leaves have been trimmed in accordance with the preference of the original owner to approximate a large quarto size. Certainly, the bindings cannot date from much later than 1726. It is also possible that the original owner, having compiled the folio set, with the intention of having it bound in its present format, acquired separately a copy of the Odyssey frontispiece and had it included when the set was boundWith the exception of the plan of the plain of Troy, as noted above, the eleven volumes are complete in all respects. Edges and corners show only very minor wear; leather upon the hinges is in general lightly cracked, in several cases only very lightly, which is unusual for 18th century calf bindings. A beautiful set of this classic work. The Prince of Abissinia.
JOHNSON, SAMUEL. The Prince of Abissinia. A Tale in Two Volumes. Small 8vo. Contemporary full calf, 4 raised bands, gilt title labels on spines; gilt rule on covers. London: Printed for R. and J. Dodsley in Pall-Mall; and W. Johnston, in Ludgate-Street, 1759. First Edition. Second Corrected State. Leaf A2, vol. II, reads "Contents of the Second Volume;" "Indiscerpible" page 161; all blanks present. The Second State is almost identical with the extremely rare first edition issued a few weeks before it, on April 19, 1759. (Fleeman, I, 785-8; Courtney & Nichol Smith, p. 87; Chapman & Hazen, pp. 142-3; Rothschild 1242; Liebert 73).The Prince of Abissinia, Samuel Johnson's only novel, was written in the evenings of one week in an effort to raise funds for his mother's care, and eventually, to pay for her funeral. Its rapid execution is said to have been due to the fact that he had been pondering its chief topics all his life. It was published anonymously, and soon became his most popular work. Boswell says it contains "all the force and beauty of which the English language is capable."The novel describes the life of Prince Rasselas and Nekayah, his sister, who are kept in a place called the Happy Valley in the land of Abissinia. The Valley is a place free of problems, where any desire is quickly satisfied. The constant pleasure, however, does not lead to satisfaction; and, with the help of a philosopher named Imlac, Rasselas escapes and explores the world to witness how all aspects of society and life in the outside world are filled with suffering. They return to Abissinia, but do not wish to return to the state of constantly fulfilled pleasures. With 2 bookplates; one of Richard Adams in volume 1. Hinges weakened; head and heel of spines slightly chipped; leather worn; missing a small portion (approximately 2-inches) of the leather on the cover of volume I; staining to edges of endpapers; slight chipping to endpapers of volume I; interiors clean. A very nice copy. Fables for Grown Gentlemen,
JOHN HALL-STEVENSON A CLOSE FRIEND OF LAWRENCE STERNEHALL-STEVENSON, JOHN. Fables for Grown Gentlemen: or, A Fable for every Day on the Week. 4to. Disbound. London: 1761. First Edition.Hall-Stevenson was a friend of Laurence Sterne, and was immortalized in Sterne's Tristam Shandy and Sentimental Journey Through France and England. He also claimed friendship with John Wilkes, Horace Walpole and Rousseau. Notorious for licentious verse, he published a Lyric Epistle (1760) to Sterne on the triumph of Tristram Shandy, which Gray called "absolute nonsense." Better known were his Fables for Grown Gentlemen. Horace Walpole credited Hall-Stevenson with "a vast deal of original humour and wit."Hall-Stevenson gave some financial support to his friend Sterne, who often visited him at Skelton. They liked to race chariots over the sands at Saltburn. Hall-Stevenson appears under the name of 'Eugenius' in Sterne's novels Tristram Shandy and A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy. The latter was unfinished at the time of Sterne's death, and Hall-Stevenson wrote a continuation entitled Yorick's Sentimental Journey Continued: to Which Is Prefixed Some Account of the Life and Writings of Mr. Sterne. First and last pages slightly soiled, o/w a Fine Copy. Scarce.- $950
- $950
The Succession to the Crown of England, Considered.
Daniel Defoe 4to Modern plain wrappers 38 pages London, Printed in the Year 1701 First Edition Moore 29 Note: Anonymous By Daniel Defoe Printer identified by Moore as John Darby, senior or junior Without the comma after "year" in imprint Very Nice 38 pp- $1,250
- $1,250
Sepher Masoreth
Edited by Joseph Ibn Rai. 8vo. Leather-backed red cloth. Printed by Giovanni di Gara, Venice 1607. First Edition. Text in Hebrew.The Masorah provides the number of times a particular word appears in the Bible. In his Bible commentary, the great Medieval Jewish scholar Jacob ben Asher sought to expound the significance of this phenomenon. This present work provides further studies utilizing this approach, thus reaffirming Jacob ben Asher's earlier efforts. According to many, Jacob moved to Spain with his father. It is also said that Jacob succeeded his father as the rabbi of the Jewish community of Toledo (Zacuto), while others say his brother Judah ben Asher did so. His brothers were also rabbis of different communities in Spain. He lived in abject poverty most of his life, and according to the Sephardic Community of Chios, is said to have fallen ill and died with his 10 companions on the island of Chios, in Greece, while travelling. Small repair to lower corner of title page, edges trimmed, one small closed marginal tear, generally clean internally.- $1,250
- $1,250
Twelve Sermons
WILLIAM COBBETT. Twelve Sermons.1. Hypocrisy and Cruelty. 2. Drunkenness. 3. Bribery. 4. The Rights of the Poor. 5. Unjust Judges. 6. The Sluggard. 7. Murder. 8. Gaming. 9. Public Robbery. 10. The Unnatural Mother. 11. Forbidding Marriage. 12. Parsons and Tithes. 8vo. Original ¼-brown paper over brown paper boards; paper label on spine: 1828. Printed by B. Bensley; Published by the Author . . . London 1828. "A New Edition." Boards are bumped a bit at the edges and corners; label stained; foxing to title page, endpapers and first couple pages; o/w clean and amply margined; uncut. Very Nice.- $350
- $350
