An attractively bound travel diary of an Englishman's journey to the United States, including Niagara Falls. Robert Sutcliff, a silversmith and owner of the table knives company Sutcliff, Sporle & Co, registered a trademark 'SS & Co' at King Street. He sailed to New York in 1804 for trade purposes, taking notes during his journey. In 1811, he returned to settle in Philadelphia as a merchant but tragically succumbed to the flu in November 1811. The book is notable for its descriptions of black slavery in the Northern states. Text in English. In 12mo. 17,5x10,5 cm. XI+293pp. 6 monochrome engravings. Blind stamp and stamp to the flyleaf: Withdrawn from Mark Skinner Library, Manchester, Vermont. Occasional foxes. Contemporary ¾ red morocco. Five raised bands with golden embossing. Marble endpapers. Ex-owner memo [description by Rullon-Miller book]. Near fine condition.
MARINI, Filippo de [author], Bosio, Antonio [engraver]
An early record of a Jesuit mission to South-East Asia, including Vietnam (Tonquin and Cocincina), Cambodia, Thailand (Siam), Guangdong (Canton) and Japan. Filippo de Marini (1608-1692) left Rome and embarked in Lisbon in 1640 for his long-term evangelistic mission. By that point, starting from 1639 to be more precise, Japanese ports were already closed for the Portuguese ships. The book was first published in Rome in 1663 in five volumes and had a great success for its great attention to the philosophical ideas of the non-Christian religions. The second Venetian edition was revised with focus on Japan and Vietnam, especially its Northern part Tonquin. Later in 1666 he made a short treatise on baptism in the Tumkinese language. The illustrator of the book Antonio Bosio (ca1575 1629) was a Maltese scholar and author of legendary Roma Sotterranea . In Italian. 2 volumes in 1 book. Complete. In duodecimo. XXIV+640pp. Frontispiece etching, head- and tailpieces, initials. Pages uncut. Few tears and losses on the corners. Water stains and wavings. Vellum binding. Very good condition.
MERCIER, Louis Sebastien
An exciting document from the French Revolution era is a letter written by the French writer Louis-Sébastien Mercier (1740-1814), famous for being one of the first science-fiction authors and for his novel LAn 2440. The letter is addressed to Pierre-Louis Ginguené (1748-1816), also a writer and biographer of Robespierre and Rousseau. More importantly, Ginguené was a member of the "Institut National," an ideological institution established after the French Revolution, which united the French Academies and is now known as the Institut de France. The key figure in that institution was the philosopher Antoine Destutt de Tracy (1754-1836), an ideologist of republicanism, who was later dubbed by Karl Marx as a "fish-blooded bourgeois doctrinaire." In this letter, Mercier mentions De Tracy in an unpleasant way, referring to him as a bad metaphysicist. Additionally, the letter documents a deal between the Institut National and the author for the publication of his memoirs. The letter from the collection of Louis Deriard. The text is in French. Letter. One folio sheet, creased. 26x19,5cm. 4 pages. Blue paper, uncut. Brown ink. Brown sealing wax, removed. Few tears on the previously sealed corners. The sheet is slightly soiled. Otherwise in near fine condition regarding the age. Comes with a National Convention official folder, with a stamp from the private collection of Louis Deriard. Grey paper, handwritten in black and red ink, with private ownership blue stamp. Address: Institut national; Mercier auteur du tableau de Paris Louis Sébastien Mercier(1740-1814) Au Citoyen Giunguené, membre de l'Institut national, Rue de Grenelle Faubourg St.Germain, No.27 près celle de Guillaume Letter: Citoyen-Collègue, Je désire que cet extrait de mon mémoire intitulé. De lacte du moi, soit imprimé purement et simplement tel que je vous l'envoye. Il y a deux ans que le malin l'évêque me fit une niche, il défigura ce que j'avais écrit; ou si en apperçut très bien en Allemagne, car c'est là que ma Muse est un peu connue. Le bon Dieu nous ménage à tout un petit coin de jouissance, soit dans un Empire, soit dans un journal; ma pauvre Muse! Elle a d'après beaux yeux pour les gens d'Allemagne, C'est pour la renommée, un Pays de Cocagne. Quant au premier mémoire, vous m'avez dit que vous seriez simplement rapporteur et c'est aussi ce que je ferai, si j'étais à votre place. Je vous certifie que je n'imagine par une plus mauvaise métaphysique que celle qui passe par la bouche de Tracy. Je suis confondu d'étonnement d'entendre de pareilles choses. L'Ecole transcendantale plane si au-dessus de l'École Empirique, que celle-ci ne me paraît plus quune logomachie Sorbonnique. Ne croyez pas pour cela que le nom de Kant me subjugue; j'apporte dans ces discussions l'amour sincère de la Vérité et je crois que mes adversaires la cherchent aussi de leur côté et de bonne foi. Un peu de temps mettera tout à la véritable place. Salut, fraternité. 7 Messidor [June] Mercier
SOMEI, Yuki
Yuki Somei (1875-1957) was a Japanese painter who achieved recognition as an established artist and professor of arts at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. During the years 1923-1925, he dedicated time to studying academic oil painting in Europe. The catalog, titled "My Stay in Paris," showcases his collection of woodcuts. This compilation is devoted to capturing the sketchy everyday life of a foreigner in Parislong stretches along the Seine River, book dealers on the bridges, café chantants, and more. Somei's artistic style can be characterized as a beautiful and unique fusion of two distinct traditions. Here, Japanese woodblock printing intersects with European expressionism, creating a composition where rustic monochrome volumes are complemented by thick, ragged contours and an almost photographic depth of shadows. No text. Very rare (only one copy in Waseda University Library). 2/200, limited edition. In folio. 33x26 cm. 8 linocuts. 9 pages. Spine detached. Paper wrappers slightly soiled and chipped to the top edge. Very good condition.
This book contains an early translation of an excerpt from Giovanni Boccaccio's masterpiece, 'Decamerone.' The editor, Shinkei Takase (1853-1927), led a fascinating and diverse life. He was not only a master of the sword but also the owner of a bookstore, a dramaturgist, and even served as a priest in prison. Additionally, he founded an experimental clinic for mental diseases and practiced polygamy, making his life story as intriguing as the stories from 'Decamerone' itself. The illustrations in this book were created by Georges Bigot (1860-1927), a French illustrator with a deep fascination for Japanese culture. It's a rare and unusual case where a foreign artist was invited to illustrate a Western translation into Japanese. The text of this book is in Japanese. 1 vol. complete. 18,5x12,4cm. 2+46ll. 3 copperplate ills. One single hole and one horizontal worm track. Two red stamps on the front page and frontispiece. Traditional fukuro toji binding. Paper wrappers. Original title slip soiled. Hanagire rubbed. Spine with a tiny worm hole. Near fine condition.
WILSON, Angus, SITWELL, Edith, CONNOLLY, Cyril, LEIGH FERMOR, Patrick, WAUGH, Evelyn, SYKES, Christopher, AUDEN, W.H. [texts], FLEMING, Ian [foreword], MORTIMER, Raymond [intro]
First American edition of a famous literary project inspired by Ian Fleming (1908-1964) involved commissioning seven essays from renowned modernist writers. These essays explored the themes of deadly sins: envy, pride, covetousness, gluttony, sloth, lust, and anger. The result was a creative iconography that captured the essence of post-war Western civilization. Text in English. 1 volume. 21,5x14cm. 87 pp. Illustrations in text. Red cloth hardcover binding. Dust jacket slightly sunburned. Near fine condition.
A shining example of the innocent colonialist perspective on ethnographic materials is found in a letter from the woman-traveler Ino A. Reynolds to an unknown English-speaking Japanese man, Mr. Takatsu from Himeji. Since I have been in this country I have seen many sacred relics which were kept with great care and in memory of Lord Buddha, whom they worship and revere. I have traveled almost from one end of this land to the other, and among the sacred things I have been shown, was a little image of Amida Buddha which is said to have been brought from India to this country many hundred years ago, and was kept secretly in some family for some hundred years. Whether it did really come from India I cannot vouch for, but it is a beautifully carved little image much superior to any thing of the kind that I have seen in this country, and if it is what it is said to be, I hope it will find a more fitting receptacle than holds it at present. To Mr. Takat[s]u Himeji Ino A. Reynolds, 11th March 1890. Himeji, an ancient city in the south of Honshu island, is renowned for its wood carving of Buddhist sculptures (butsudan). The letter was composed during a time when Buddhism waned in favor, and the government emphasized Shinto relics. In this context, the author of the letter, a foreign woman, discusses the need for a "more fitting receptacle" to captivate the addressee, possibly an aloof antiquarian dealing with religious artifacts in the area. The letter held special significance for the recipient, prompting him to bind it into a silk scroll. The text is in English. Single sheet. Letter is 27,x52,4 cm. Scroll is 32 cm when rolled. Ink on paper. Two water stains, with no damage to the text. Mount on a silver paper. Contemporary green brocade silk with golden title slip. Later handwritten title in black ink. Silk is worn. One wooden dowel is missing. Very good to near fine. May require extra shipping due to size and weight.
VECELLIO, Cesare, CATENACCI, Hercule Louis, HUYOT, Jules
A bilingual illustrated book of theatrical costumes authored by Cesare Vecellio (ca. 1521-1601), a Venetian engraver and painter, and cousin of the renowned Titian. First published in 1590 in a large format, the book quickly gained immense popularity. It features historical costumes representing individuals of both genders, various nations, social statuses, and professions. The present copy is a second or third edition of a late reprint dating back to 1859. The engravers responsible for the reprint edition were Hercule Louis Catenacci (1816-1884) and Jules Huyot (1841-1921). Text in Italian and French. In 8vo. 2 vols. 513 plates. Plates and text ornamented with Mannerist frames. Foxing. Eco-vellum binding. Morocco title slip with golden lettering on the spine. Near fine condition. May require extra shipping due to size and weight.
Kuniichi Shima (1935-2018) was a Japanese contemporary artist whose contributions emerged in the 1970s. This book is a catalog of his artworks from that period, a time when Japan sought to establish a post-war self-representation as a country of Western values and welcoming to foreigners. While his practice aligns with the era of Gutai and Mono-ha, Shima garnered less success. He gained recognition for founding the avant-garde art collective "Group Han'' and for a notable project involving stamping 10,000 stones and returning them to the ocean. Rare. The text is in Japanese. 1 volume. 24,5x25,5cm. Frontispiece signed to Miss Toki on 21st of November, 1978. 112 full page photo plates, printed in monochrome. 6 pages with the index of 78 graphic works. 15 pages with curriculum vitae in English and Japanese. Unpaginated. Cloth binding. Comes with original signed silkscreen print in colour, 24x25 with margins, image 18,5x20cm. Original slip case has faint foxes. Fine condition.
Sir Arthur Lasenby Liberty (18431917) was a prominent owner of the Liberty department store and the founder of the Liberty style. In 1889, together with his second wife, Emma Louise Blackmore, publisher Charles Holme and artist Alfred East he traveled to Japan to study exceptional artisanship and folk arts. The album emerged as a collaborative effort of this happy married couple and is based on the photo archive that Emma Louise created during their trip. It encompasses the best sightseeing places, such as Kyoto, Nara, Nikko, and Kamakura. The descriptive notes are made based on the studies of the prominent specialists such as those of Mr. B.H. Chamberlain, Captain F. Brinkley, Mr. J.J. Rein et al. The book features a charming inscription: "I know, David, you have a soft spot for rare editions, so I am hoping this volume will interest you, despite the rather naive quotation from William Adams! Xmas 1943." Text in English. N. 143, limited to 200. 1 volume. 25,3x34,5cm. 50 photogravures with descriptions on the protection leaves. Page 2 has some ink soiling. And the flyleaf has little spots. The inscription is placed to the top of the title and written in black ink and fountain pen. Edges guilt. Original paper cloth binding. Golden lettering and stamping. Near fine condition. May require extra shipping due to size and weight.