LACORDAIRE, JEAN-BAPTISTE HENRI (1802-1861)
Three funeral eulogies given by the great Dominican preacher and restorer of the Dominican order in France, Jean-Baptisite Lacordaire. The most interesting of the three is that given for the Irish patriot Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847) at a Requiem Mass organized by Parisian Catholics on February 10, 1848 and celebrated at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. The theme for the eulogy was taken from the Gospel of St. Matthew: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied". O'Connell, of course, is famous for having fought for and obtained rights for Catholics in Ireland. Three works bound together. The other eulogies were given at Nancy Cathedral and are dated the 28th of August, 1844 and the 25th of May, 1847, respectively. 8vo, 35pp., 46pp., 48pp. Bound in contemporary full calf. The original wrappers were not bound in to this volume. A bit of light foxing.
SUN-TZU (544-496 B.C.), ET AL. [DE CHASTENET, ARMAND- MARIE-JACQUES (1751-1825); AMIOT, JEAN-MARIE-JOSEPH, S.J. (1718-1792)]
Rare and interesting work on Chinese military strategy by the young French aristocrat Armand-Marie-Jacques de Chasenet. The source material de Chasenet draws from for his work is rather complex, but the publication of his book seems to have been spurred by the recent publication of Jesuit and China missionary Father Amiot's translation of Sun-Tzu's Art of War [Didot, 1772] the year prior. Amiot's translation was the first into a European language. De Chastenet refers repeatedly to Amiot's translations of Chinese military works, and probably had access not only to the publications translated by Amiot but also unpublished manuscript material. Aside from Sun-Tzu, other works from the classic "Seven Military Classics" or "Wu ching ch'i shu' are cited, such as 'The Methods of the Sima' and 'Wu Qi'. As stated in the title of the book, he refers Chinese lessons to modern European warfare. Although de Chasenet shows great knowledge of military history and strategy, he was to focus his life's attention not on military matters but rather the phenomenon of Mesmerism. A lovely and important book pivotal to the early assimilation of Chinese works in Europe. 12mo (17 x 10cm), 288pp. & 9 folding plates. Several small engravings in text of troop formations. Alternate publication slip pasted on front endpaper (Chez Claude Antoine Jombert). Bound in contemporary mottled calf, gilt spine, all edges red. Spine and joints rubbed, small chip to morocco label and small cracks to joints. Overall in excellent condition. I was able to locate six copies in the United States. Uncommon on the market. [Cordier Sinica II, 1555; Mollendorff 2127; see Barbier.]
TOZER, HENRY [RESTORATION BINDING]
Devotional book from the "Golden Era" of English bookbinding. The beautiful gilt-tooled on red goat skin binding does not seem to fit nicely into any particular Restoration Era binding style, although it is very similar to the copy at the British Library cataloged as BL C.65.e.9, 1669 [Biblia Sacra] in its use of 'drawer handle' tools and proximity to the date of production. Our little book is ornately decorated using a wide array of binder's tools, including the drawer handle, floret stars, and pointelle work, giving the impression of a fancy lace. The endpapers are done in the comb-marbled style popular at the time. A comparison with other binding rubbings at the British Library indicates that the workshop that produced the binding most likely belonged to the group known as the "Queen's Binder A." 12mo (12.5 x 7cm), [viii], 193pp., [i]. Binding is rubbed, more so on spine, and the front joint shows a few small cracks. A very light scoring appears visible with light on the covers. Covers a bit darkened. Ownership inscription of M. Compton on front blank and again on front paste-down. All edges gilt.
LESLIE, JOHN (1527-1596)
An important work on Scotland, by the exiled John Leslie, that covers the period from the time of its first king (here the legendary King Fergus of the 4th century B.C.) through the reign of Queen Mary. "John Leslie was an esteemed historian and astute politician. Appointed by Mary, Queen of Scots, as her ambassador to Queen Elizabeth, Leslie was involved in secret plans to restore Mary to the throne of England. During the exposure of this conspiracy, he barely escaped with his life. The fine map published in this history of Scotland significantly advanced topographic knowledge of the country." [Sotheby's]. And the DNB notes: "The description of the counties and islands is.to a considerable extent founded on independent observation and information." Included are letters written by Queen Mary while abroad in Paris. With 11 full-page engraved genealogical charts and a two-page engraved map of Scotland based on the 1546 map of George Lily. The first separate map of Scotland to be found in any book. 4to (22.5 x 17cm), [40], 588, [32]. Title-page with ownership inscription at head and a library stamp. A few small antique ink corrections/annotations in text. Bound in contemporary vellum, soiled, front hinge broken with text block beginning to detach. Interior, including the double-page map, is overall in excellent condition. [Cfr. Brunet III 1012; Adams L541.]
LUSCINIUS, OTTMAR (1478-1537)
A later edition (the first published in 1517) of an early Greek primer by the Northern Renaissance humanist Ottmar Luscinius, also known by his alternate surname Nachtgall. Luscinius, who studied Greek in Paris, and traveled to Greece and Asia Minor, was an enthusiastic promoter of the Greek language in Strasbourg, where he taught. The book offered here is a fine example of his wide-ranging influence, as it bears two ownership signatures of previous owners from the Great Britain. On the verso of the title-page are two ownership inscriptions by John Harris of Scotland (Joannis Harrryse Scoti) dated 1561 and 1563. On the colophon are two undated signatures by one John Jeane (Johannes Jeane), presumably also from Great Britain. The influence of Greek in Great Britain has been widely documented and such luminaries as Linacre and Thomas More encouraged reading Greek literature in the original language. As book found its way to Britain at a fairly early date, it is stands as an interesting artifact of the appeal of learning Greek to a British audience. 8vo (17 x 10.5cm), [xxvi], 87pp., [xxvii]. Long dedicatory letter precedes work and mentions Erasmus and Melanchthon among others. Presumably the letter was not in the first edition as it is dated March of 1521. Several Latin notations in antique hand in the margins between pages 64 and 81. Lovely colophon on last leaf. Title-page and a few leaves with some soiling and/or light browning. Bound in later quarter calf over marbled calf covers. Light wear. [FIRST EDITION: VD 16, N 30; Proctor 1073; Benzing 1073; Schmidt 138]
The first and only edition of Henri Estienne's self-published work praising the Frankfurt Fair which he attended in person. The long-running fair had roots stretching back to at least the year 1240, when a charter by Emperor Frederick II mentions special privileges to the city relating in the fair. The city of Frankfurt enjoyed not only geographical advantages, but also the status as a "free city", thus allowing the fair to develop rapidly over the next few centuries into one of the largest commercial venues by the time Estienne visited. Estienne begins his 'encomium' by praising the city, the magistrates, and the logistical organization of the city which provided ample food and housing for everyone. He is particularly impressed that stranger and native are treated with the same consideration. He then goes on to enumerate the enormous number and variety of merchandise that he saw for sale weapons, horses, foodstuffs, works of art, and most intriguing, new mechanical inventions making their debut at the fair. For example, one marvel that Estienne witnessed was a 'mechanical spit' which served to automate some of the rotating functions of a hand-rotated spit. The last part of Estienne's encomium is dedicated to the intellectual side of the fair, which brings together not just books, but the writers themselves, drawn from the great universities of Europe. During the Frankfurt fair, Estienne notes, some of the greatest philosophers, poets, and scientists can be observed congregating in bookshops and conversing with one another in what Estienne describes as a very exciting environment. Although subject-matter of this book has often been described and marketed as treating of the 'Frankfurt Book Fair', it would be more accurate to describe the book as one about the Frankfurt Fair taken as a whole, of which bookselling is just one part. This has remained a very desirable book since its rediscovery in the 19th century, although it is not as rare as it was once thought to be. Nevertheless, it stands out for its uniqueness, both as a "privately printed" work by Estienne, as well as for its detailed and thorough insights into one of the largest commercial events of the 16th century. The second part of the book (with separate pagination) includes miscellaneous works in Latin and Greek. 8vo (17 x 10.5cm), [vi], 31pp., [i], 120pp. Title-page toned with foxing, small ownership inscription, ink spot to second leaf; toned throughout with occasional light foxing, small corner tear to Fii with no loss, last couple leaves with moderate marginal damp-staining, verso of last leaf a bit more soiled than the rest. Bound in modern vellum, new endpapers. [Adams S1768; Renouard Estienne, 139:2; Schreiber Estienne, 189; Simon, Bibliotheca Bacchia II, 235]
The third edition of a treatise on the medicinal uses of coffee, tea, and chocolate by Lyonnais pharmacist Phillipe-Sylvestre Dufour. Dufour, like his friend Jacob Spon, was interested in exotic drinks, and in addition to describing their medicinal uses, examines how they are best prepared and consumed. Two parts follow Dufour's work, including how to create high quality chocolate by Alexandre-Toussaint de Limojon de Saint-Didier, and a dialogue on chocolate between a physician, Indian, and townsman, translated by Bartolome Marradon. The volume is also adorned with an engraved frontispiece and three other engravings including an Arabian man drinking coffee, a Chinese drinking tea and a Native American consuming chocolate. 12mo (14.5 x 9cm), 404pp., [iv]. Bound in modern half calf over boards, rear hinge cracked (see photo), small nicks to a few margins. [Vicaire, 293; Bitting, 134; Oberlé, n°733 (éd. 1685); Livres en bouche, n°130 (éd. 1685)]
The first edition of an eyewitness account of the Irish Rebellion of 1641 by Sir John Temple, the Privy Councillor of Dublin at the time that the hostilities broke out. Written from the Protestant English point of view, the account is heavily biased against the Irish Catholics. There were, in fact, atrocities committed by both sides during the conflict, but the narrative of Temple strongly prejudiced the English public against the Irish for decades to come, and served to justify the harsh measures taken by Cromwell against the Irish. 4to (20.5 x 15.5cm), 136, 55pp. Good, clean copy. Bound in contemporary calf, boards worn, inner hinge endpaper split but binding firm and sound. Rebacked in with modern calf spine.
A very charming little children's book written to wile away the dreary hours of winter in Great Britain. It is written as a brief narrative of parents to children, explaining geography and world voyages, and peppered with moral advice throughout. Mom and Dad talk the about the terrible winters in Lapland and Russia, and the extreme weather in the heart of Africa. The story is punctuated throughout with lovely hand-colored wood-cuts jump-rope, rocking horse, etc. 12mo (13.5 x 8.5), frontispiece, title-page, 47pp. (12 engravings in text). Bound in original wrappers - wrappers soiled and water-stained, but interior is excellent. Spine splitting, verso of title has a effaced (second?) frontispiece engraving. Ownership inscription on title-page - "Elizabeth Beed 1811" - and gift inscription by the same Miss Beed to Fanny Knight on frontispiece - "Fanny Knight from Miss Beed 1850". Quite rare - I could locate copies only at Harvard, Princeton, and Indiana. [NUC pre-1956, 668:484 Gumuchian 5846 Cf. Osborne Coll., II, p. 957]
