CUBA LAND OF ROMANCE. [cover title]
Color illustrated paper wrappers, stapled. 23.5 cm. 40pp., illus. No OCLC. Promotional for A. Valdes and Sons, offering "unequalled sightseeing service" to Havana's visitors. Numerous car tours and rentals balanced with advertisments for hotels, cigars, restaurants, bars, and liquor. Stamp of a Providence, RI travel company on wrapper.- $125
- $125
Martial Raysse
Catalogue de l'importante rétrospective organisée à Beaubourg du 14 mai au 22 septembre 2014, sous la direction de Catherine Grenier. Avant-propos d'Alain Seban. Préface de Bernard Blistène. Textes de Catherine Grenier, Françoise Viatte, Dimitri Salmon, Anaël Pigeat et Cécile Debray. Poésie de Martial Raysse. In fine chronologie, bibliographie et liste des oeuvres. Nombreuses illustrations et photographies en noir et en couleurs. 304 pp. >Bel exemplaire- $100
- $100
PRAGMÁTICA DEL TIEMPO, EN DEFENSA DE LA BUENA ASTROLOGÍA, CONTRA EL JUIZIO FINAL DE LA ASTROLOGÍA, QUE ESCRIVIÒ EL DOCTOR DON MARTÍN MARTÍNEZ / SU AUTOR . DON JULIÁN SALINERO
JULIAN SALINERO Materia: Libro antiguo del siglo XVIII. Astrología - Julián Salinero. Publicación: Sevilla, Diego López de Haro, c. 1730. Descripción física: Octavo mayor (19 cm). Portada, 6 páginas. Guardas de papel Conservación: Muy buen estado. BS1 Este artículo necesita permiso de exportación / This item needs an export permission.- $278
- $278
A Letter to Sir Robert Ladbroke, Knt. Senior Alderman. With an attempt to shew the good Effects which may reasonably be expected from the Confinement of Criminals in Separate Apartments
[DENNE Rev Samuel] 1730-1799 In modern full black cloth, no spine title. Internally, [3], 4-84 pp, ink ms name to tp, some light offsetting to tp, modern endpapers, errata at bottom of p84. (200*124 mm). (ESTC T12821. Bailey 19cC crime & punishment) Denne's aim in the letter was to persuade the Aldermen of the City of London to allow Newgate prison, then being re-built, to be designed on a cellular pattern.- $357
- $357
In Petra Being a sequel to ‘Nisi Dominus,’ together with a preface and notes
GILL Eric 1882-1940. PEPLER Hilary [Douglas Clarke] 1878-1951 In the uncommon special dark blue basket woven cloth, printed title to upper board, spine lightly faded. Internally, 9 illustrations and ornaments , 11 poems. Number 40 of S. Dominic's publications, with 6 wood engravings by Gill & 3 by David Jones. (164*121 mm). (Gill 87. Taylor and Sewell A111. Sewell 636.76).- $325
- $325
A Christmas Carol in Prose; The Chimes; The Cricket on the Hearth.
DICKENS Charles In attractive red printed cloth with circular gilt Anglo Norman motto. Spine, faded slightly, edges lightly bumped. Internally, publishers limitation (Collection of British Authors Vol. XCI), advert to verso, [9], 10-342 pp, [1], title page with upper strip removed (sig removal?), brown floral endpapers, marbled text block edges. The Copyright Edition. (152*111 mm). Motto - Honi Soit Qvi Mal Y Pense- $130
- $130
The Religion of a Sceptic
POWYS John Cowper 1872-1963. VG, First Edition, 1925, boldly signed by the author. In quarter black cloth over decorative blue paper boards, edges worn. Spine with gilt titles, edges bumped. Internally, authors signature to fep, half title, title within red & black ink borders, [8], 51 pp, limited to 1000 copies, lacks DJ, top edge cut, remainder not. Was not published in the UK until 1975 (Viking Press) then Italy in 2010. (183*115 mm). (JCP Society). ‘The aim of this book,’ he declares, ‘is to narrow down a vague and somewhat evasive conception, which hitherto, like ”aristocracy” or ”liberty”, has come to imply a number of contradictory and even paradoxical elements, and to give it, not, of course, a purely logical form, but a concrete, particular, recognizable form, malleable and yielding enough and relative enough, but with a definite and quite unambiguous temper, tone, quality, atmosphere, of its own.’ The book is in two parts: Analysis of Culture which deals with, in separate chapters, Philosophy, Literature, Poetry, Painting and Religion: Application of Culture which covers Happiness, Love, Nature, The Art of Reading, Human Relations, Destiny and Obstacles to Culture.- $104
- $104
Melius Inquirendum. Or A Sober Inquiry into the Reasonings of the Serious Inquiry:
ALSOP Vincent 1629/30--1703 In modern full calf to style, raised bands, gilt titles to red & green calf labels. Internally, [10], 11-396 pp, [1] adverts, [1] ms index, ms ink authors name & initials (JB) to title, new endpapers, binders gilt stamp to fpd (?? Williams), authors ink name to fore-edge. First published in 1678. (180*111 mm). [ESTC, R29588. Wing; A2914; McAlpin Coll.; III 759]. Rare, only 1 copy sold at auction since 1918 and that was defective. Alsop was an English Nonconformist clergyman. His Mischief of Separation and Melius Inquirendum became landmarks in the history of religious nonconformity. [this title was a response to John Goodman's - A serious and compassionate inquiry into the causes of the present neglect and contempt of the Protestant religion and the Church of England.] Title continues: wherein the inquirers cavils against the principles, his calumnies against the preaching and practises of the non-conformist are examined and refelled, and St. Augustine, the Synod of Dort and the Articles of the Church of England in the quinquarticular points, vindicated- $975
- $975
Observations on the Cheltenham Water, and the Diseases in which they are recommended. To which is anexed, An Analysis of the Salts and Waters, by Several Very Eminent Chemists
M'CABE James M.D. First edition, 1820, inscribed by the author. In modern, to style, half calf over marbled boards. Spine, gilt tooling & titles. Internally, [5], (vi-xviii), 231[1] advert, authors ink dedication to ffep, text block edges uncut, some leaves not cut. Uncommon, OCLC list 4 copies in the US & 4 in the UK only. (227*140 mm). M'Cabe (fl. 1820's) was a little-known physician at Cheltenham- $390
- $390
V.P.F. Balduni Iunii, Ordinis S. Francisci Regularis Observantiae, In Dominicas totius Anni Conciones III.
JONGE Boudewyn de -1634 Three Sermons on the Gospels of the Sundays throughout the Year. First Edition, 1616, in contemporary vellum, faint ink ms title to spine Internally, [16], 379, [1] index. A-37 pp, [4] index, (Signatures: *4, **4, A- Bbb2. A-Aaa4), interesting printers device to title, numerous initial letters & headers, occasional mis-numbering but complete. (200*157 mm). Very rare, OCLC showing 8 copies worldwide, 6 Germany, 1 Netherlands, 1 Switzerland. (none in the UK or USA!)- $975
- $975
The History of the rebellion and civil wars in Ireland, with the true state and condition of that kingdom before the year 1640 ; and the most material passages and actions which since that time have contributed to the calamities it has undergone.
CLARENDON Edward [Hyde] Earl of 1609-1674 Clarendon's account of the events in Ireland after the death of Charles 1, the supplement to his famous History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England (1702-04). First edition, 1720, in worn contemporary calf, gilt edge tooling, corners bumped, joints cracked, bands holding. Spine, raised bands, worn gilt tooling, lacking the title label. Internally, portrait frontis, [16], 381 pp, [1] adverts, 1 pl (frontis), ink name to fep (Catherine Williams), some hipping to edge of fep & frontis, small area of very light staining to first few leaf margins, text block edges sprinkled red. (192*117 mm). (ESTC T 53951).- $845
- $845
Memorie sopra la direzione, utilità, ed invenzione dei globi aereostatici recitate nella R. Accademia fiorentina da D. Gabbriello Grimaldi olivetano
Grimaldi Gabriello Cartoncino coevo (piccole mancanze al ds. causate dall inchiostro del titolo manoscritto e tenui aloni). Antica nota di appartenenza al frontespizio. Ottimo esemplare in barbe. Raro trattato censito da ICCU in tre sole bibl. italiane. 8bo (cm. 21,3), 88 pp.- $891
- $891
An Account of ascents in the Nassau and Victoria Balloons, in the years 1838, 1848, & 1850. with a description of Rush s registered dials for the improved aneroid barometer; and an Appendix by W.H. Jones.
Rush George Cartoncino coevo con dorsetto in tela e titolo a stampa su tassello cartaceo applicato al piatto anteriore. Buon esemplare. Provenienza: Collezione Moretti, Roma (timbretto ex libris sulla prima carta bianca). 8vo (cm. 21,5), 36 pp. Con una tavola litografica f.t. ( Descent of the Royal Nassau Balloon in the river Thames, near the Swash Way, June 29 1850 ).- $445
- $445
Maniera di migliorare e dirigere i palloni aerei inventata e dimostrata dai fratelli Gerli milanesi
Gerli Carlo Giuseppe e Agostino Cartoncino muto. Lieve alone alle pp. 5-6, peraltro ottimo stato di conservazione. Prima rara edizione. Provenienza: Collezione Moretti, Roma (timbretto ex libris al frontespizio). 8vo (cm. 20,8), 52 pp. Con 2 tavv. calcografiche in fine.- $1,336
- $1,336
Saggio aereonautico di Giuseppe Donini tifernate
Donini Giuseppe Carta marmorizzata policroma. Tagli colorati. Minuscolo percorso di tarlo al margine interno bianco delle prime tre carte, peraltro esemplare in ottimo stato di conservazione. 8vo (cm. 18,3), 92 pp. Con quattro tavv. calcografiche più volte ripiegate f.t.- $835
- $835
Le fabbriche e i disegni. raccolti ed illustrati da Ottavio Bertotti Scamozzi. Opera divisa in quattro Tomi con Tavole in rame rappresentanti le Piante, i Prospetti, e gli Spaccati. Con la traduzione francese. Tomo primo (. Tomo quarto)
Palladio Andrea Legature coeve in piena pelle con nervi, fili e titoli oro su tassello al ds. Tagli rossi. Carte di guardia marmorizzate. Legature omogenee ma con una lieve diversità di colorazione della pelle: più scuri il primo volume di testo ed il relativo volume di tavole. Tracce di abrasioni ai piatti e qualche lieve difetto alle cuffie. Interni freschissimi. Prima edizione. Le splendide tavole furono disegnate e incise da Davide Rossi, Gaetano Testolini e Gaetano Vichi, con solo alcune delle prime incise da Cristoforo Dall Acqua, M. Sebastien Giampiccoli e Santini. Provenienza: collezione Moretti, Roma (timbretto ex libris ai frontespizi). Cfr. Fowler, 231; Cicognara (n. 598): . Ottavio Bertotti Scamozzi fece cosa nobile e grandiosa nel produrre queste grandi opere Palladiane, e nell illustrarle . Folio (cm. 50,6), 4 Voll. (i primi due di testo, il terzo ed il quarto di tavole); 84-86 pp., 1 c.nn. bianca; 59(1)-59(1) pp.; 54 pp., 1 c.nn. bianca, 55(1) pp.; 71(1)-70 pp., 1 c.nn. bianca. Ritratto del Palladio inciso da Simon François Ravenet su disegno di Davide Rossi, una tavola non numerata e 209 tavole numerate (di cui 34 a doppia pagina). Capilettera e fregi xilografici n.t.- $9,467
- $9,467
Raccolta e parallelo delle fabbriche classiche di tutti i tempi d ogni popolo e di ciascun stile. con l aggiunta di altre 300 e più fabbriche e monumenti d ogni genere antichi e moderni e della storia generale dell architettura di J.G. Legrand.
Durand Jean Nicolas Louis Legatura coeva in mz. pergamena con angoli. Fili e titolo oro su tassello in pelle rossa al ds. Minime fioriture, peraltro esemplare in ottimo stato di conservazione. Prima edizione italiana. Provenienza: collezione Moretti, Roma (timbretto ex libris al frontespizio e piccola etichetta cartacea al piatto anteriore). Brunet II, 904. Folio (cm. 50,5), 4 cc.nn., 196 pp., 1 c.nn., 260 tavole calcografiche f.t. (anche a doppia pagina). Frontespizi - con differenti vignette calcografiche - e testo su due colonne in italiano e francese.- $1,114
- $1,114
La Dalmazia, le Isole Ionie e la Grecia (visitate nel 1840). Memorie storico-statistiche
Cusani Francesco Legatura coeva in mz. pelle con fili, fegi e titoli impressi in oro al ds. (lievi tracce d usura marginali). Mancanza marginale alla carta d occhietto ed uno strappo ben riparato ad una carta geografica, altrimenti esemplare in ottimo stato di conservazione. Non comune. 8vo (cm. 19), 2 Voll. legati in uno; 320 pp., 324 pp. Con due grandi carte geografiche più volte ripiegate ( Nuova carta postale del Regno di Dalmazia e Nuova carta itineraria della Grecia e delle isole Jonie ).- $668
- $668
Decorated leaf from a Book of Hours Manuscript on vellum.
Bible. Psalms. Latin. One vellum leaf, 125 x 180 mm, with text within 80 x 95 mm guidelines. Text in manuscript recto and verso including eight capitals decorated in gold leaf and colors, and six spacers also decorated in blue, red, and gold leaf. Chapter incipit in red.- $350
- $350
Edward Abbey: An Interview at Pack Creek Ranch (With two trial binding samples)
[Edward Abbey] Hafen, Lyman; McCowan, Milo 37pp. Octavo [21.5 cm] White, black and green printed wraps, with a sewn binding. Edition of 125 numbered copies in hand-sewn wrappers and 26 hand-bound, lettered copies. This is copy 77 of 125. There are a number of small light splash stains on the wraps. "I'll not attempt to interpret, categorize, define or in any way unravel Edward Abbey. I won't call him an iconoclast, guru, anarchist, essayist, humorist, novelist, naturalist or desert rat. Why? Because Edward Abbey is Edward Abbey. Like Wendell Berry said, "No sooner has a label been stuck to his back by a somewhat hesitant well-wisher than he runs beneath a low limb and scrapes it off." - Author's preface.- $150
- $150
Grateful Dead 50th Anniversary Concert Poster
Stanley Mouse [Stanley George Miller] SIGNED. [18.5" x 12.5"]. Matted, in shrinkwrap. A few subtle scratches and one 1cm closed tear. Signed by Stanley Mouse in gold ink. Signature includes his hallmark mouse illustration. Mouse created many of his concert posters in partnership with Alton Kelley - including work for the Grateful Dead. The classic skeleton and roses artwork was inspired by the style of Art Nouveau. This poster was issued in 2015, alongside the "Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead" tour.- $500
- $500
Edward Abbey: An Interview at Pack Creek Ranch (with sample of tentative cover design)
Abbey, Edward; Lyman Hafen; Milo McCowan 37pp. Slim octavo [21.5 cm] Sewn wraps. Edited by Sally Armstrong. Book design by Spencer Maxwell and Mina Yamashita. A long interview with Edward Abbey in 1986, during his time at Pack Creek Ranch, the home of Ken Sleight (the inspiration for Seldom Seen Smith). Limited softcover edition in a trial binding, inscribed by the book designer to the editor.- $150
- $150
Where the Red Fern Grows: The Story of Two Dogs and a Boy
Rawls, Wilson SIGNED. 212pp. Octavo [21.5cm]. Brown paper over boards, with title stamped in black ink on spine. Extremities a touch scuffed, and spine rolled. Spine ends heavily bumped. In the "movie edition" dust jacket, which is a bit rubbed and creased. Several short, closed tears around edges. One small abrasion to front panel. Flaps are subtly toned, and price of "$4.95" has been faintly crossed out. Signed "Sincerely Wilson Rawls" on the front free endpaper. A beloved tale of the many joys, and the one inevitable heartbreak, of sharing your life with dogs. Since its 1961 release, this award-winning coming-of-age story has been a favorite of young people everywhere - its popularity solidified by a 1974 film adaptation. Only original printing date mentioned on copyright page, with no additional notes of publishing history.- $400
- $400
A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean: in which the coast of Asia, from the Lat of 35° North to the Lat of 52° North, the Island of Insu, (Commonly known under the name of the Land of Jesso,) the north, south, and east coasts of Japan, the Lieuchieux and the adjacent isles, as well as the coast of Corea . Performed in his Majesty’s Sloop Providence, and her tender, in the years 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798
Broughton, William Robert 4to, 270 x 205 mm. xx, 294 pp. Contemporary speckled calf, handsomely rebacked. With nine plates and maps; light browning, and faint water stains in a few corners, a very good, clean copy. Kennet of the Dene bookplate. Broughton sailed to the northwest coast of America, via Rio de Janeiro, Australia, Tahiti, and the Hawaiian Islands, and to Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island. Failing to rendez-vous with Captain Vancouver he sailed down the coast to Monterey, across the Pacific to Hawaii, and on to Japan. Where in the succeeding four years he performed much important survey work. "This voyage was one of the most important ever made to the northwest coast of America. It is on this document that Great Britain based her claim to the Oregon Territory in 1846." Hill 191; Forbes 352.- $35,000
- $35,000
A Vocabulary of Words in the Hawaiian Language
[Andrews, Lorrin] 8vo, iv,132 pp. printed in double columns. Original plain yellow wrappers, with some mild expert restoration, in excellent condition. Institutional ink stamp on front wrapper. Overall in very good condition. This copy bears the ownership signature of Dr. Josiah Kittredge, whose daughter was married to Ephraim Clark, a Hawaiian missionary, on the front free endpaper. "One of the most important works issued by the Lahainaluna press.perhaps more accurately the pioneer attempt to provide a dictionary of the Hawaiian language. It contains approximately 5,700 Hawaiian words with brief definitions and occasional examples of usage in sentences" Forbes 983. Andrews's preface is illuminative of the process whereby the work was created.- $7,500
- $7,500
Journal of Captain Cook’s Last Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, on Discovery; Performed in the Years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, Illustrated with Cuts, and a Chart, shewing the Tracts of the Ships employed in this Expedition; A new edition, compared with, and corrected from, the voyage published by authority
[Rickman, John] 8vo, 376 pp. Contemporary calf, skilfully rebacked, fine. Folding map (small tear repaired), 9 engraved plates including folding frontispiece depicting the death of Captain Cook. As in the Bishop Museum and Mitchell Library copies the folding York Island plate is lacking. "An entirely re-edited version of the 1781 Rickman text, expanded and altered in many details to conform with the official London 1784 account of the third Voyage". Forbes 106.- $5,000
- $5,000
A Companion to the Museum, (Late Sir Ashton Lever’s) Removed to Albion Street, the Surry end of Blackfriar’s Bridge
Leverian Museum 8vo, [4], [1]-53, [54] blank.197 mm x 140 mm. Engraved frontispiece (trimmed with loss from the caption (as often, says Forbes). (Part 1 only, Part 2, which was devoted to mineral specimens, was published after some years' interval.) Forbes 197. [Bound with] Portland, Margaret Cavendish Holles Harley, duchess of, 1714-1785. A Catalogue of the Portland Museum, lately the property of The Duchess Dowager of Portland, Deceased: Which will be Sold by Auction by Mr. Skinner and Co. On Monday the 24th of April, 1786 and the thirty-seven following days.London: Skinner and Co., 1786. First edition. 4to., 194 pp. Forbes 116 . Lacking the frontispiece view of the Museum and the print of the Portland Vase. Manuscript prices on pp. 138-139 ( May 28 sale: shells, corals, etc.). Modern half calf using old marbled paper over boards; old endpapers, front one detached. The front flyleaves carry four pages of contemporary manuscript notes about the collection and discussing a visit by the former American President, John Adams. The Leverian collection was particularly notable for the number, diversity, and beauty of the objects collected on Cook's third voyage.- $27,500
- $27,500
A Voyage Round the World; but more particularly to the North-West Coast of America: Performed in 1785, 1786, 1878, and 1788, in the King George and Queen Charlotte, Captains Portlock and Dixon
Dixon, George Quarto (350 x 240 mm), 360, 48 pp.,with 22 engraved maps, charts, and plates Original blue-gray paper boards, parchment spine. Printed on thick paper (4 cm.+) and with the natural history plates beautifully colored. Old public library stamps on versos of plates, minor spotting and offsetting, but a superb, completely untrimmed, copy "George Dixon's account of his trading voyage in the Queen Charlotte forms an important supplement and companion to Nathaniel Portlock's narrative of the same on the King George.It is important for its account of trading at Hawaii, Kauai, and Niihau, with considerable information on the chiefs and the political atmosphere of the period". Forbes 161.- $12,500
- $12,500
The Will of General George Washington: to Which is Annexed, a Schedule of His Property, Directed to be Sold
WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799) (6 3/4 x 3 3/5 inches). First edition. [A4] B-C4 [D4]. 16 ff. [1]-32. 32 pp. Title, Will, Schedule of Property. Contemporary ink manuscript date of "1800" added to title. Original plain blue paper wrappers folded and stab-stitched with later ink manuscript titling on front wrapper, within a black cloth chemise and black morocco clamshell box Exceedingly rare first edition of George Washington's will, published in his home state of Virginia, in its original wrappers. This is the document which emancipated Washington's slaves. "Upon the decease of my wife, it is my will and desire, that all the Slaves which I hold in my own right shall receive their freedom." - George Washington, p.4 This example of the first printing of the first edition of George Washington's will is exceedingly rare, especially so in its original publisher's wrappers, as here. "In the name of God, amen. I, George Washington, of Mount-Vernon, a Citizen of the United States, and lately President of the same, do make, ordain and declare this instrument." [p.3] Washington's will is said to have been prepared and written by Washington alone on July 9th, 1799, without the consultation of any "professional character." Washington would die only six months later, and his executors would present his will for probate at the County Court of Fairfax. The clerk of courts George Deneale recorded the will there on January 23rd, 1800. Shortly after, this pamphlet was published in Alexandria, detailing Washington's wishes. The most notable of its contents is certainly Washington's second codicil, which directs the people enslaved who were not part of his wife's dowry to be freed upon the death of his wife, Martha. It also provides for those "who from old age or bodily infirmities, and others who on account of their infancy, will be unable to support themselves." [p.4] Martha Washington did not wait for her own passing to free the people enslaved; she signed deeds of manumission for them in December of 1800. The people whom Washington enslaved officially became free on January 1st, 1801. It was not until 1810 that appraisers filed their report at the office of the clerk of the Fairfax County Court. The executors held public sales of the livestock at Mount Vernon before Martha Washington's death in 1802, and continued selling the remainder of the listed property for years afterward. Final settlement of the Washington estate was not achieved until June 21, 1847. As to the rest of Washington's will, it contains "detailed arrangements for the dispersal of Washington's property to his relatives and friends, including the Marquis de Lafayette (who received a pair of steel pistols taken from the British during the Revolution), and his nephew, Bushrod Washington, who took possession of Washington's personal papers and library. The schedule of property gives a detailed accounting of Washington's real holdings at the time of his death. The will reveals how wealthy Washington was, whose estate had a value of over a million dollars, making him one of the richest men in the country." The Alexandria pamphlet was followed in the same year by several other printings in various US cities, including a more common, and shorter, Boston edition, and Charleston, Philadelphia, New York, and Worcester. The Alexandria edition is the true first publication and has eight more pages than the Boston. ESTC W29703. Evans 39000. Howes W145. Reese, Celebration of My Country 145. Sabin 101752.- $20,000
- $20,000
DR. OX’S EXPERIMENT, and other Stories
Verne, Jules With Numerous Illustrations. London: Sampson Low, Marston, Low, & Searle, 1874. Original deep red pebble-grain cloth pictorially decorated in black and gilt, board edges beveled, all page edges gilt. First English Edition (and first fully-illustrated edition in the English language) of these four tales, three of which are among Verne's earliest: "A Drama in the Air" (appeared in a periodical in 1851, his second story), "Master Zacharius" (1854, his fourth), and "A Winter amid the Ice" (1855, his fifth). Also included (of course) is "Dr. Ox's Experiment" from 1872 -- plus "Ascent of Mont Blanc" by Jules's brother Paul Verne. "Dr. Ox's Experiment" is a great tale: Doctor Ox and his assistant Ygene come to the small quiet community of Quiquendone located in Flanders. He promises to light this town with a network of oxyhydric gas pipes. During the construction of this network, the quiet community becomes quite excitable, to the point where they are ready to go to war against a neighboring community. But what is the cause of this change in the nature of the good people of Quiquendone? Perhaps it is something in the air. .and so is "Master Zacharius". As a clockmaker in Geneva Switzlerland begins dying, all of the timepieces that he has crafted begin failing as though a part of his soul became a part of each of them. Soon only one of his timepieces remains functional, and for the clockmaker to gain possession of it, he must give his daughter's hand in marriage to a man who works for the devil himself. [quotes from Kytasaari] This fully-illustrated London edition came out in November 1874 (with "Master Zacharias" misspelled thus on front cover and spine); the gilt vignette on the spine shows the grinning character "Time," from the story "Master Zacharius." This edition was preceded by a small unillustrated edition by Osgood of Boston, and by a semi-illustrated edition titled FROM THE CLOUDS TO THE MOUNTAINS by Gill of Boston; following this British edition, in mid-1875 Osgood came out with a fully-illustrated American edition, using these British sheets. This is a copy bound without an ad catalogue at the rear, in deep red cloth (we have also handled copies in brown, blue, green, and purple -- no precedence). Its condition is very good-plus (front endpaper slightly cracked, very minor wear at the extremities, but very little other wear, and with the cover gilt brighter than usual); typically for deep red cloth, the spine is slightly faded. This is a rather uncommon edition, with a terrific binding design. Taves & Michaluk V012; Mistichelli et al. A34; Myers 16. Provenance: frontispiece recto signature and small inkstamp of Jno. A Goold.- $1,450
- $1,450
THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA. Its Cause and Conduct
Doyle, A. Conan London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1902. Original white wrappers. First Edition of Doyle's third piece of nonfiction, published two months before THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. He wrote this piece, drawing considerably from his THE GREAT BOER WAR (of 1900), in an effort "to stem the extraordinary outbreak of defamation" against Britain; it was issued in substantial numbers and was immediately translated into many languages, as a publicity campaign for Britain's purpose in the war. It is nonetheless scarce in desirable condition today, due to its fragility. This copy is remarkably near-fine, with very little soil or wear. One can see, at the top of the front wrapper, the erased signature of "L. Ropner" and the date "27.1.02" -- eleven days after publication. This was likely a member of the German-British shipbuilding / shipowner family (originally Röpner) in the UK, later elevated to the peerage. Green & Gibson B3a.- $325
- $325
TO ARMS!
Doyle, Arthur Conan With Preface by the Right Hon. F.E. Smith, K.C., M.P. London: Hodder and Stoughton, n.d. [September 1914]. Original self-wrappered 32-page booklet. First Edition. "This article, stating the British case [just weeks after the outbreak of war], was issued as a recruiting pamphlet in Great Britain, but was used abroad as a simple explanation which would enable neutrals to understand the true facts" [from Doyle's THE GERMAN WAR published three months later, quoted in G&G]. Thus there were editions in Dutch and in Danish, and it appeared in the U.S. as well. This is a near-fine copy, with little soil or wear -- remarkable for such a fragile piece, not intended to survive the moment. This original edition is so scarce that in 1999, a 400-copy facsimile edition was printed up. Green & Gibson B14.- $425
- $425
THE VITAL MESSAGE
Doyle, Arthur Conan New York: George H. Doran Company, n.d.[1919]. Original grey-green cloth, with dust jacket. First American Edition of this sequel of sorts to THE NEW REVELATION, on the subject of spiritualism -- Doyle's new focal point after losing his son Kingsley in 1918 and his brother Innes earlier in 1919; "one sees more clearly and broadly what our new relations with the Unseen may be," says Doyle in his preface. Included are plates with examples of "spirit photography." This copy is from the first issue (ending at page 160, without the later-added fourth appendix). The volume is in fine condition, unusual for such a cheaply-produced book; the uncommon dust jacket (which asks "ARE THE DEAD REALLY DEAD?") is nearly fine as well, with one tiny hole in the rear panel. Green & Gibson B25b.- $375
- $375
THROUGH THE MAGIC DOOR [signed]
Doyle, A. Conan [signed by Doyle] With Sixteen Illustrations. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1907. 6 pp undated ads. Original red cloth with cover vignette in gilt. First Edition of this group of literary essays, written as wanderings about the library in the Doyle home (which is shown in the frontispiece photograph). "Through the Magic Door" gives you glimpses of the days when Conan Doyle was a struggling beginner in literature. Discussing the books on his library shelves, he picks out certain of them, each one of which, bought in student days when he was not affluent, it had cost him a lunch to buy [Bookman, quoted in G&G]. The sixteen illustrations (all are present) are of other writers, such as Scott, Pepys, Hawthorne, Darwin and Stevenson. This is a near-fine copy with scarcely any wear or soil (red spine slightly faded as usual; atypically, there is no foxing on the leaves). Green & Gibson B7a. This copy is signed in full by the author at the top of the title page, "With kind regards | from Arthur Conan Doyle."- $1,950
- $1,950
THE MOONSTONE. A Novel
Collins, Wilkie [a handsome copy] With Many Illustrations. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1868. 4 pp preliminary undated ads (with list of Select Novels ending at No. 316). Original dark blue-green pebbled cloth. First American (and first illustrated) Edition of this classic of detective fiction, issued in the same year as the London three-decker. THE MOONSTONE marked the end of Collins's peak period as a novelist: it was preceded by THE WOMAN IN WHITE (1860), NO NAME (1862) and ARMADALE (1866), and was followed by a transition into sensation or propaganda fiction -- especially regarding marriage and inheritance laws. Commenting on T.S. Eliot's opinion of this book ("the first, the longest, and the best of detective novels"), John Carter wrote Mr. Eliot is inaccurate in his first adjective, a little rash perhaps in his second, but unlikely to meet with much disagreement over his third. If Poe created the short detective story, Wilkie Collins is the undisputed father of the full-length variety. The American edition includes 66 wood engravings interspersed throughout the text. This is a close-to-fine copy, with only the merest hint of wear at the extremities. The spine gilt remains bright, the original endpapers are clean and intact, and there is no foxing on the leaves. Gasson pp 106-108; Parrish & Miller pp 73-74; Wolff 1368a; a Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone of Mystery Fiction.- $825
- $825
THE FATE OF FENELLA. A Novel
Doyle, A. Conan [and others] New York: Cassell Publishing Company, [1892]. Original light grey cloth stamped in black, with a facsimile scrap of newspaper (touting this project) affixed to the front cover. First American Edition, published six months after the London edition, of this collaborative novel written by 24 noted authors of the day -- including (in addition to Doyle) Bram Stoker, Florence Marryat, Frances Eleanor Trollope, and G. Manville Fenn. Doyle wrote Chapter IV, "Between Two Fires," on pp 41-50. This book was the brain-child of J.S. Wood, the editor and proprietor of The Gentlewoman. To quote from the Publisher's Note: The publishers claim with no little satisfaction that in this book they offer the reading public a genuine novelty. The idea of a novel written by twenty-four writers is certainly an original one. The ladies and gentlemen who have written "The Fate of Fenella" have done their work quite independently of each other. There has been collaboration but not consultation. As each one wrote a chapter it was passed on to the next. This copy is in remarkably clean, just-about-fine condition; atypically, there is no damage to the front cover's newspaper clipping. Quite an uncommon book, particularly in this condition. Green & Gibson C1.- $725
- $725
MICAH CLARKE. His Statement
Doyle, A. Conan [a fine, bright copy] As made to his Three Grandchildren Joseph, Gervas, & Reuben during the Hard Winter of 1734. London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1889. 2 pp undated ads + 16 pp ads dated January 1889. Original very dark blue cloth, beveled edges. First Edition, consisting of only 1000 copies. This historical novel was Doyle's third book -- his first hardcover one, preceded only by the two wrappered titles A STUDY IN SCARLET and THE MYSTERY OF CLOOMBER. MICAH CLARKE was quite successful, running through several quick printings, though Doyle had had to take it to numerous publishers before Andrew Lang at Longmans finally accepted it. [Doyle] brought together his knowledge of the seventeenth century and supplemented it with months of research on detail. Then, at intervals of tramping medical rounds or studying optics at the Portsmouth Eye Hospital, he wrote the book in three months. Now the power of MICAH CLARKE, aside from its best action scenes -- the bloodhounds on Salisbury Plain, the brush with the King's Dragoons, the fight in Wells Cathedral, the blinding battle-piece at Sedgemoor -- still lies in its characterization: that other imagination, the use of homely detail, by which each character grows into life before ever a shot is fired in war [Carr]. This copy has the "standard" ad catalogue dated January 1889; there exist copies with leftover catalogues dated as early as June 1888, but the book was not actually published until February 1889. This is quite simply a fine, bright copy -- essentially no soil or wear, original patterned endpapers clean and intact. Although surprisingly not a scarce title, we have had no better copy in our ca. 45 years in business. Green & Gibson A3a.- $750
- $750
HARD TIMES. For These Times
Dickens, Charles London: Bradbury & Evans, 1854. Original blind-stamped olive-green cloth. First Edition of Dickens's novel sited in the grimy manufacturing city of Coketown; it is his only novel not to have scenes set in London. School superintendent Thomas Gradgrind tries hard to repress the children's imagination in favor of Facts: "Now what I want is Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts"; his own two sons are named Adam Smith and Malthus. In HARD TIMES Dickens was satirizing this utilitarian philosophy, and also publicizing the terrible working conditions of the industrial poor. HARD TIMES was not issued in monthly parts, but rather appeared serially in twenty weekly numbers of Dickens's "Household Words" during 1854 (Dickens wanted to give his periodical a boost, and it worked); it is one of only two Dickens novels that first appeared in book form unillustrated -- the other being GREAT EXPECTATIONS. This copy is in the first of the four binding states, in horizontally-ribbed olive-green moiré cloth with "Price 5/-" at the foot of the spine. This is a near-fine copy, with scarcely any wear to the cloth, and with the spine gilt still bright; the original pale-yellow endpapers are clean and intact. The one flaw (other than the unavoidable browning of the spine) is a glass-ring on the rear cover. Smith I pp 85-88; Carter MBV pp 7-8.- $2,650
- $2,650
Report of the Dinner given to Charles Dickens
(Dickens, Charles) in Boston, February 1, 1842. Reported by Thomas Gill and William English. Most of the Speeches revised by their Authors. Boston: William Crosby and Company, 1842. Original printed wrappers. First Edition. This is the report (written up by two reporters from the Boston Morning Post) on the dinner given in honor of Dickens in Boston, during his tour of America that formed the basis for his book AMERICAN NOTES. Included is Dickens's own speech on the International Copyright situation (pp 10-15), as well as the speeches of others assembled (such as James Russell Lowell, Oliver Wendell Holmes and Richard Henry Dana Sr., and by proxy William Ellery Channing and Washington Irving). This copy is still in its original delicate wrappers, in close-to-fine condition (a crease in the rear wrapper, very light soil, but scarcely any wear) -- quite remarkable condition for such a fragile piece 180+ years old. Podeschi (Yale) B112. Provenance: in the upper margin of the front wrapper is the inked inscription "W.H. Gardiner Esq. with respect of the Publisher". William Howard Gardiner (1796-1882) was a prominent lawyer in Boston, married to Boston Brahmin Caroline Perkins; many of his letters are now held by Harvard University and by the Massachusetts Historical Society.- $1,350
- $1,350
Autograph Letter Signed (“Mark”) to “Friend Frank [Bliss]”
Twain, Mark "Elmira [NY], Apl. 19 [1872]." One side of a sheet of lined paper, with "Saml. Clemens | Elmira | April 19/72" written (by the recipient?) on the verso. The text of this early letter reads: What is your _new_ number? I only know 149 Asylum. Wm. C. Smythe (whose letter I enclose) [not included] is a splendid old friend of mine. He is city editor of the principal Pittsburgh paper -- a city _where I drew the largest audience ever assembled in Pittsburgh to hear a lecture._ Send him a book. I want a _big_ sale in Pittsburgh. _Mark_ Francis Edward Bliss (1843-1915) was the son of Elisha Bliss, who had founded the American Publishing Company in Hartford; "Frank" left a banking career to join his father's company in the 1860s, and was soon Treasurer. In 1867 Elisha had gotten in touch with fledgling newspaper journalist "Mark Twain," and by the time of this April 1872 letter, APC had published Twain's THE INNOCENTS ABROAD (1869), and (in February 1872) ROUGHING IT; it would soon publish THE GILDED AGE (1873) and then THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER (1876). Elisha died in 1880, leaving the company in the hands of Frank and his brother Walter. By 1880 MT thought he had had enough of [Frank] Bliss, who turned out to be as good at misleading his authors as he was at misleading the public. The established Boston firm of Osgood & Company brought out two MT books -- The Prince and the Pauper and Life on the Mississippi -- but by 1884 MT had founded his own publishing house: Webster & Co. Its first book was Huck Finn [UVa]. This letter shows that even as early as 1872, Twain's swagger was evident -- underlining his entire boast (exaggeration?) of the crowd he had recently drawn in Pittsburgh (his "Roughing It" lecture, at Library Hall on January 12, 1872), and ordering his publisher to "send him a book" because "I want a big sale." The letter is in very good condition, with horizontal folds from original mailing and a vertical fold (one short split) from Bliss's filing; there are also a few pinholes probably due to Bliss's filing process. Provenance: though not so identified, this letter came from the renowned Fred Bentley Sr. collection of Mark Twain.- $3,750
- $3,750
THE HAUNTED MAN and THE GHOST’S BARGAIN
Dickens, Charles A Fancy for Christmas-Time. New York: Harper & Brothers, n.d. [1849]. 2 pp undated ads. Original brown printed wrappers. First American Edition of Dickens's fifth and last Christmas book; there had been no late-1847 Christmas book, as Dickens had then been busy with DOMBEY AND SON. Though undated, this Harper edition in wrappers came out on January 6, 1849; this is earlier in January than was the case for their four previous Christmas books, and for good reason: in December Harper had paid Dickens five pounds for advance sheets -- the first amount an American publisher paid Dickens for a Christmas book. With the earlier four books, several American publishers leapt at the chance to be first; however, for this one, since Harper had a head-start, no other American publisher bothered to make the effort. In this copy, the (inside and outside) wrapper ads are the primary ones cited by Smith; the terminal ad leaf (pp [35-36]) has "Valuable Geographic Works" (Smith's state "c") on the recto, and "Harper's Family Library" (Smith's state "f") on the verso. Smith notes that "it is not possible to prioritize the states [of the ad leaf] accurately." This copy is in near-fine condition, with the front wrapper unusually clean and the delicate spine quite intact. There are a few marks on the rear wrapper, the usual foxing on the leaves within, plus some wear at the fore- and lower edge of the wrapper -- a common problem for this booklet, as the wrapper extends past the textual leaves. There is also a little marginal damage to some leaves, due to improper opening. We do not see this book in much better condition. Smith pp 104-107; Podeschi (Yale) A120; Carr (UTexas) B426(1).- $625
- $625
The Tower Menagerie: Comprising the Natural History of the Animals Contained in that Establishment; with Anecdotes of their Characters and History.illustrated.
[BENNETT, Edward Turner] Octavo, with 107 wood-engravings; finely bound in contemporary red morocco gilt decorated, edges fully gilt, early inked manuscript note on endpaper. First edition. The menagerie in the Tower of London had been established in the mid-thirteenth century at which time it housed a white bear which bathed and fished in the River Thames. The fortunes of the zoo waxed and waned until 1822 when the new director, Alfred Cops, arrived to find no more than 'one grizzly bear, an elephant and one or two birds'. Within six years of his appointment, he had revitalised the collection and this description of some sixty species was completed each of which was drawn from life by William Harvey, friend and favourite pupil of Thomas Bewick, the fine English engraver (as borne out in the inked manuscript note of a previous owner). The collection boasted kangaroos, "yellow" crested cockatoos and emus, all of which are depicted and described in some detail. It is remarkable to think that by this date the exotic fauna of Australia - so recently discovered - was available locally: "The Emeus, like the Kanguroos, have become to a certain extant naturalised in the Royal Park at Windsor, where they breed without difficulty and with no extraordinary precautions. The pair in the Tower were obtained from this establishment, where they were bred". . A fine copy in a most attractive contemporary binding.- $1,512
- $1,512
LA GRAVURE EN FRANCE AU XVI SIECLE DANS LE LIVRE ET L’ORNEMENT
LIEURE, J., G. Vanoest, Editeur LA GRAVURE EN FRANCE AU XVI SIECLE DANS LE LIVRE ET L'ORNEMENT. Bruxelles, Librairie Nationale d'Art et d'Histoire. G Vanoest, Editeur, 1927. Large 4to. 1 volume 1 ( 1646 gr ) , 62 pages and LXXII (72pp) of illustrations hors-texte In original wraps Uncut- $200
- $200
THE PERFECT MEDIUM, PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE OCCULT
(PHOTOGRAPHY). CHEROUX, CLEMENT AND ANDREAS FISCHER New Haven and London, Yale University Press, 2005. Large 4to.Hard Cover. 280 pp. Catalogue of an exhibit that took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art . Fine condition. ISBN 10: 0300111363 ISBN 13: 9780300111361- $400
- $400
The Brothers Dalziel, 1840-1890. A record of 50 years work in conjuction with many of the most distinguished artists of the period.1840-1890
Dalziel, George and Edward Edward Dalziel (1817-1905), George Dalziel (1815-1902).Compilation of the works of several contemporary book writers and illustrators richly illustrated. 4to. xiii + 369pp. TEG. A presentation copy signed and dedicated to William F. Dalziel from George and Edward Dalziel in pen on title page. Bound in full green morocco with gold title on the spine. Illustrated throughout by Sir J.E. Millais, Sir. E. J. Poynter, Holman Hunt, Dante G. Rossetti, Sir John Tenniel, Sir E. Burne-Jones, John Ruskin, Arthur Hughes, Birket Foster, and many others. Library of Congress NE1217.D3 A3 Bound in full green morocco with gold title on the spine.- $500
- $500
SI VOUS TOUSSEZ PRENEZ DES PASTILLES GERAUDEL.
CHERET, JULES (1836-1932) Lithograph in color. Broido 911, pl. 36 in color. As issued in the supplement to the "Courrier Francaise", January 19, 1896. Imp. Chaix (Ateliers Cheret). 23 x 16 with margins. Paper is slightly toned. Colors are good.- $900
- $900
SET OF SIX ETCHINGS AND TITLE PAGE FROM ILLUSTRATIONS FOR POEMS: DRAMATIC AND LYRICAL, BY LORD DE TABLEY
RICKETTS, CHARLES (1866-1931) London, Elkin Mathews and John Lane, at the Sign of the the Bodley Head, 1893 Clark p 38. Edition of 600 Including:Title page, POEMS: DRAMATIC AND LYRICAL, BY LORD DE TABLEY, printed in red and black type, margins: 85 x 13cm:; The Honorable JB Leicester Warren, 3 1/4 cx 3 1/2; Nimrod, 3 13/16 x 3, margins 85cm x 13cm ; The Knight in the Wood, 3 x 3, margins 85 x 13cm ; The Two Old Kings, 3 x 3 ; The Defeat of Glory, 3 þ x 3 ý, margins 85cm x 12cm Ref: Charles Ricketts, Subtle and fantastic decorator Stephen Calloway Forword by Kenneth Clark, Thames Hudson All in good to fine condition.- $600
- $600
Nineteen Eighty-Four
Orwell, George; Gunn, James (Introduction); Freas, Frank Kelly (Artwork) Octavo size, 328 pp. George Orwell (born Eric Arthur Blair, 1903-1950) is renowned for his works "Animal Farm" and "1984" and his outspoken criticism of totalitarianism and authoritarian social practices. Many of the words and expressions used in his work, including "Big Brother", "Thought Police", "doublethink", and "thoughtcrime" have entered the popular culture and are routinely used today. This work, "Nineteen Eighty-Four", was published shortly before Orwell's death of tuberculosis. Made into films at least twice, it is, along with Huxley's "Brave New World", one of "the century's most famous English-language Dystopia.It is a book of hectic, devilish, claustrophobic intensity." (n.b., quote from "The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction" by John Clute and Peter Nicholls, p. 896). ___DESCRIPTION: Bound in full leather by The Easton Press, this noted on the title page as the "Collector's Edition", with gilt images and lettering on both covers and the spine, all edges gilt, white satin ribbon marker, patterened endpapers, the frontis illustration in full colour by Frank Kelly Freas (note that this version is without the interior illustrations by Alan Clark); octavo size, pagination: [i-ii] iii-xiii [1, blank] [1-2] 3-314. ___CONDITION: Fine, the leather covers supple, clean and unworn, straight corners without rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; clean, crisp, and as new. ___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.- $200
- $200
GEHENNA PRESS, THE WORK OF FIFTY YEARS, 1942-1992
small 4to. paper-covered boards, slipcase. (ii), 238, (2) pages and 14 extra leaves at the end. THE CATALOGUE OF AN EXHIBITION CURATED BY LISA UNGER BASKIN CONTAINING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE WORK OF THE PRESS BY COLIN FRANKLIN, A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE BOOKS OF THE GEHENNA PRESS BY HOSEA BASKIN & NOTES ON THE BOOKS BY THE PRINTER, LEONARD BASKIN. Limited to 2000 copies, of which this is one of 50 numbered deluxe copies bound thus by David Bourbeau, signed by Baskin, and containing the extra illustrations in color at the end. Very light scattered spotting to the clamshell box, else a fine copy. This special version is printed on Magnani paper. Filled with illustrations including a number in color. An excellent reference work for anyone interested in the privately printed book during the 20th century. This is the definitive narrative of the famed Gehenna Press' major accomplishments over the fifty year period. The national traveling exhibition was curated by Lisa Unger Baskin.- $1,194
- $1,194
ÆSOPIC
Hecht, Anthony oblong 8vo. paper-covered boards, paper spine label. unpaginated. Limited to 100 numbered copies with the mark of the Society of Printers, Boston, and an additional engraving. Signed by Leonard Baskin and the author on colophon. Twenty-four couplets by the author to accompany the Thomas Bewick wood engravings for Select Fables. An afterword on the blocks by Philip Hofer. Fine copy. paper-covered boards, paper spine label- $480
- $480
A Universal Turing Machine with Two Internal States
Shannon, Claude E. [Elwood]; McCarthy, J. (editor with Shannon) [1 (title page)], [1 (blank verso)], 157-165, [3 (blank)] pages. 10 x 7 inches. Stapled printed self-wrappers, with leaves trimmed at the spine. Light staining at foreedge The construction of this item is unusual. It consists of separate leaves of the printed paper in the original journal fonts, with a new title page "AUTOMATA STUDIES" (blank verso) and an added trailing blank leaf, all stapled at the spine. All examined copies from Shannon's files are the same, leading us to conclude it was likely an author offprint even though a reprint statement is not present. Wraps. Originally printed as an internal Bell Laboratories Memorandum: Number 54-114-38, May 15, 1954. "Automata Studies," Annals of Mathematics Studies number 34, 1956 (edited by Claude Shannon and John McCarthy), first published this Shannon paper as "A Universal Turing Machine With Two Internal States" on pages 157-165. "Our main result is to show that a universal Turing machine can be constructed using one tape and having only two internal states. It will also be shown that it is impossible to do this with one internal state. Finally, a construction is given for a universal Turing machine with only two tape symbols." (p 158 of introduction) "A Turing machine which, by appropriate programming using a finite length of input tape, can act as any Turing machine whatsoever. In his seminal paper, Turing himself gave the first construction for a universal Turing machine (Turing 1937, 1938). Shannon (1956) showed that two colors were sufficient, so long as enough states were used. [ as here ]" Wolfram Mathworld PROVENANCE: The personal files of Claude E. Shannon (unmarked). There were multiple examples of this item in Shannon's files. REFERENCES: Sloane and Wyner, "Claude Elwood Shannon Collected Papers," #93.- $110
- $110
General Treatment of the Problem of Coding [reproduced typescript]
Shannon, C. E. [Claude Elwood] [1]-6 leaves. 10 7/8 x 8 3/8 inches. Reproduced typescript, stapled upper left. Dated in type on the last page. Wraps. The "Report of Proceedings, Symposium on Information Theory" (London) first published this paper in Sept. 1950." The "Transactions of the IRE Professional Group on Information Theory" reprinted it in Volume: 1, Issue: 1, Feb. 1953, pages 102-104, Feb. 1953. We are not aware of offprints from either publication. Offered here is a reproduced typescript of the paper from Shannon's file predating the first publication. We have not compared it to the published papers. Shannon defines a typical communication system as consisting of five elements: 1) an information source. 2) an encoding or transmitting element. 3) a channel on which the signal is transmitted from transmitter to receiver. 4) a receiving and decoding device that recovers the original message from the received signal. And 5) the destination of the information. From the Abstract: ".The central problems to be considered are how one can measure the capacity of a channel for transmitting information; how this capacity depends on various parameters such as bandwidth, available transmitter power and type of noise; and what is the best encoding system for a given information source to utilize a channel most efficiently." PROVENANCE: The personal files of Claude E. Shannon (unmarked). One of three examples in Shannon's files. REFERENCES: Sloane and Wyner, "Claude Elwood Shannon Collected Papers," #61.- $660
- $660
Computers and Automata [Methodos offprint]
Shannon, Claude E. [Elwood] Later printing. 115-130 pages plus wrappers. 234 x 188 mm. (9 1/4 x 6 5/8 inches). Printed light green printed wrappers. Tanned pages, light browning to the extremities. Lower left corner bumped. Reprinted by kind permission of the Author and the Editors from the Proceedings of the I.R.E. October 1953." Wraps. First published in the famous "Computer Issue" of the Proceedings of the Institute of Radio Engineers (Vol. 41, 1953, pp. 1234-1241), we are unaware of any IRE offprints of this paper. Thus the Bell Telephone System Monograph series (#2150: March 1954) constitutes the first separate appearance. Reprinted in Methodos [as here], Vol. 6 (1954), pp. 115-130. The Methodos reprint lacks both the sample checker program game and notes by Strachey. Methodos was a quarterly serial issued by the "Centro italiano di metodologia e analisi del linguaggio" [Italian Center for Language Methodology and Analysis] which survived from 1949-1964, 16 volumes, Numbers 1 thru 62. (OCLC Acc#: 1695345) "This paper reviews briefly some of the recent developments in the field of automata and nonnumerical computation. A number of typical machines are described, including logic machines, game-playing machines, and learning machines. Some theoretical questions and developments are discussed, such as a comparison of computers and the brain, Turing's formulation of computing machines, and von Neumann's models of self-reproducing machines." (summary, p 130). "A brief review of developments in the field of automata and non-numerical computation. Included are descriptions of logic machines, game-playing machines, learning machines, Turing's formulation of computing machines, and von Neumann's models of self-reproducing machines. The paper was written for the special computer issue of the Proceedings of the IRE." (Origins of Cyberspace) In his review of this article for The Journal of Symbolic Logic (Vol 19), Alonzo Church describes it as ".an excellent descriptive non-technical article." PROVENANCE: The personal files of Claude E. Shannon (unmarked). There were seven examples of this item in Shannon's files. REFERENCES: Sloane and Wyner, "Claude Elwood Shannon Collected Papers," #82 Hook and Norman, "Origins of Cyberspace," #885.- $358
- $358
1643: English Gunnery and Fireworks
Smith, Thomas, souldier of Barwick upon Tweed. The art of gunnery, vvherein is set forth a number of serviceable secrets, and practicall conclusions, belonging to the art of gunnery, by arithmetick skill to be accomplished: both pretty, pleasant, and profitable for all such as are professors of the same faculty. Compiled by Thomas Smith of Barwick upon Tweed Souldier. Variant title Certaine additions to the book of gunnery. With a supply of fire-workes. London : [s.n.], printed in the yeare 1643. small 4to. 14 x 7.5 cm [8], 120 p., [3] folded leaves of plates (1 folding leaf at p. 57 with hadl loss) : ill. (woodcuts), diagrams, tables. Internally, some toning, a small marginal tear without loss, t.p. with minor losses and small repair to verso. Old calf, hinges repaired. General note "Certaine additions to the book of gunnery. With a supply of fire-vvorkes." has a separate dated title page on leaf L1r; pagination and register are continuous. This work by soldier and author Thomas Smith, from Berwick upon Tweed, is quite scarce in commerce, Although Smith claims to have been trained in the military from childhood by a valiant captain, there is no evidence that he saw any military action, despite the fragile peace that existed on the Anglo-Scottish border prior to 1603. In 1601, Smith published "Certaine Additions to the Booke of Gunnery, with a Supplie of Fire-Workes," which was more suitable for active soldiers. In 1628 and 1643, the two books were reissued together in a single volume . The book covers a wide range of topics related to the use of firearms and artillery, including the construction and design of guns, the types of ammunition that can be used, and the principles of ballistics and trajectory. It also includes detailed instructions on how to operate and maintain guns, as well as strategies for their effective use in battle.- $1,500
- $1,500
Printed 1575 with Stephanus’s Greek typeface
(ORATORES GRAECI.) Oratorum veterum orationes. Greek text with Latin translation by Henri Estienne and others; edited by Estienne. [Geneva]: Henricus Stephanus, 1575 [12], 213 [i. e., 208]; 191, [1]; 178, lacking final blank. Folio, 36 x 29. 19th century calf, spine largely gone, boards separating, requires some binding restoration, internally some foxing and toning, generally very good and wide-margined. First Estienne edition and second of these texts after the 1513 Aldine original edition. Hoffmann III, 15; Schreiber 192. The Oratorum Veterum Orationes is a collection of speeches by ancient Greek orators, compiled and edited by Henri Estienne and other scholars in the 16th century. The speeches included in the collection are primarily political speeches delivered in Athens and other Greek city-states during the 5th and 4th centuries BCE. The collection was originally published in Greek with Latin translations by Henri Estienne in 1563, and subsequently reissued in revised editions by other editors. The collection was highly influential in the study of ancient rhetoric and oratory, and was used as a primary source for teaching rhetoric and public speaking in schools and universities throughout Europe. The Oratorum Veterum Orationes includes speeches by notable Greek orators such as Demosthenes, Lysias, and Isocrates, as well as lesser-known orators. The speeches cover a wide range of topics, including political and legal disputes, diplomatic negotiations, and philosophical debates. Stephanus's Greek typeface, which he developed in the mid-16th century, was a significant improvement over previous attempts at Greek typography. His typeface was more elegant and legible, with clearer distinctions between characters and a more consistent weight and spacing. He also developed a system of accents and diacritical marks that made it easier to distinguish between different vowel sounds and to indicate stress and tone. Stephanus's Greek typeface was widely used in the printing of classical texts and became the standard for Greek typography throughout Europe. His editions of Greek texts, such as the Oratorum Veterum Orationes, were highly regarded for their accuracy and readability and played a significant role in the revival of classical scholarship during the Renaissance.- $1,350
- $1,350
Rare manuscript on Vellum. Pope Clement X.
Rare manuscript on Vellum. Pope Clement X, Papal Breve dated April 5, 1673. Regarding Absolution and Dispensation. Original wax seal on the reverse is still intact; rare on a document of this age. Good condition, 11 a × 16 3/4". Untranslated, signed by a member of the curia. Pope Clement (Emilio Alteri, July 13, 1590 - July 20, 1676. Papacy, April 29, 1670 - July 22, 1676) . Pope Clement X was the head of the Catholic Church from 1670 to 1676. He was born as Emilio Bonaventura Altieri in Rome in 1590, and he served as a cardinal for over 40 years before being elected as pope. In 1669 when 62 Cardinals could not agree on a successor to Clement IX and after 5 months of deliberation the conclave finally chose the elderly Emilio Altieri as the next Pope, expecting that due to his age he would not have the papacy long. Because of his age and physical frailty Clement chose Cardinal Paluzzi to manage his affairs. Paluzzi used the excuse of clement's frailty to restrict access to the pope and hold back documents that he did not want Clement to see.- $750
- $750
The Art of Simpling: An Introduction to the Knowledge and Gathering of Plants. Wherein the Definitions, Divisions, Places, Descriptions, Differences, Names, Vertues, Times of flourishing and gathering, Uses, Temperatures, Signatures and Appropriations are methodically laid down. Whereunto is added A Dictionary of the Lesser World.
Coles, William 12mo (140 x 79 mm): (24), 175, (1 blank)pp. First edition, first issue without the cancels of the second issue. The four leaf dedication-errata gathering (a4) is on paper with vertical chain lines. Small marginal worm hole affecting 14 leaves in the bottom corner. The main text block is unaffected but a few of the catch words are slightly damaged. Later full calf, spine rebacked. Coles classified plants according to the Galenic system related to parts of the body. This first issue contains a savage attack on astrology which was removed from the second issue when Coles realised that Elias Ashmole to whom he had dedicated the book was himself an astrologer. ESTC R209440; Hunt 266; Wing C-5089.- $1,619
- $1,619
DEBRETT’S HANDBOOK (2018 edition)
Wyse, Elizabeth (Editor) London: Debrett's Limited, 2018) A beautiful new copy of the famous British guide to correct form and modern manners. You can't get around upper-class Britain without this famed guide to growing up, engagements, wedding invitations, attending a funeral, table manners and hundreds of other topics (including addressing Charles III. This is a current edition in red boards with gilt lettering and decorations on the spine and front panel. pp unnumbered and issued without jacket. In the world of guides, this is the premier copy.- $100
- $100