TWAIN, Mark
Life on the Mississippi
Chatto & Windus, London: 1883
- $750
Frontispiece engraving of a New Orleans steamboat with tissue guard and over 300 black and white illustrations throughout. Original illustrated red publisher's cloth with title in gilt on front and illustration of a steamboat captain on the spine; brown floral endpapers, spine a bit faded but otherwise a very good copy with the ownership signature of Catherine L. Paton dated 6th June 1883 on the fly-leaf.
More from B & L Rootenberg Rare Books
Almagestum novum astronomiam veterem novamque complectens observationibus aliorum; Astronomiae reformatae tomi duo
Beautiful allegorical frontispieces in first two volumes by the Italian engraver Francesco Curti (1603-70) depicting the creation of the universe, including a set of scales weighing the Copernican system and the system of Tycho Brahe -- the latter tipping the scales (see Cinti); large armorial vignettes on the title pages and printer's device on colophons; the arms of Cardinal Grimaldi. First general title of third volume in red and black (trimmed); 2 additional titles. With four finely engraved lunar maps (3 folding), numerous woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, text diagrams and illustrations. Contemporary vellum, title in ink on spines, minimal interior browning and some faint marginal dampstains; an exceptionally nice set. Non compos mentis: or, the law relating to natural fools, mad-folks, and lunatick persons, inquisited, and explained, for common benefit
Contemporary sheep, boards with blind rule and decoration, spine with raised bands; some wear to boards, light browning and faint dampspotting, small tears to 2 leaves (F1and G2). Housed in a quarter-morocco and cloth clamshell box. A fine copy. Almagestum seu magnae constructionis mathematicae opus (bound with) Astronomicon Lib. VIII. Per Nicolaum Prucknerum Astrologum nuper ab innumeris mendis vindicati. His acesserunt. . .
I: Roman, gothic and Greek types. Title in red and black, printer's woodcut device on title and ornamental woodcut initials. Woodcut mathematical diagrams in margins. II: Woodcut diagrams and tables, woodcut historiated initials, printer's device on verso of final leaf. Contemporary blind-stamped pigskin-backed wooden boards, authors names written in contemporary ink on the fore-edge; an impressive, beautiful and large copy annotated throughout. First edition of the first translation of the Almagest from the original Greek. Until 1528, the only Latin translation was from the Arabic. George of Trebizon (d. 1485) made the present translation from a Greek manuscript in the Vatican. It was edited by the Renaissance mathematician Luca Gaurico (d. 1558), and dedicated to Pope Nicholas who had commissioned the work. George of Trebizon withdrew the dedication when his commentary was criticized by Bessarion and others. The texts were re-dedicated by his son to Pope Sixtus IV (1471-84), and the dedication manuscripts survive in the Vatican Library. "The Almagest, a masterpiece of clarity and method, was superior to any ancient scientific textbook and with few peers from any period" (DSB). In this astronomical encyclopaedia, Ptolemy gave a catalogue of the visible fixed stars based on Hipparchus' work and perfected a system explaining the movements of the planets. It was consulted by Copernicus, who derived from the Almagest many of his data, geometrical devices, and the material for his star catalogue, as well as descriptions of the latitudes of the inferior planets. The present edition of Ptolemy's Almagest was the most important of his astronomical and mathematical works; it covers every aspect of theoretical mathematical astronomy, and was the entire basis of all astronomy up to the publication of works by Tycho Brahe and Kepler. Libro del caballero Zifar [facsimile reproduction of Bibliothèque nationale de France, ms. Espagnol 36]
With 242 decorated miniatures. Full calf with gilt border on both covers, red Moroccan spine decorated in gilt insignia, laurel wreaths, and stars; painted endpaper and gilt dentelles. Preserved in a red Moroccan and gilt case. Fine, as if never opened. Die traumdeutung
With 3 text diagrams. Bound in black cloth with spine label. Small blind stamp of Dr. George B. Wilbur. THE FOUNDATION OF PSYCHOANALYSIS FREUD, Sigmund Die Traumdeutung (The interpretation of dreams). Leipzig und Wien: Franz Deuticke, 1900. 8vo. With 3 text diagrams. Black cloth, spine label; a fine copy with the small blind stamp of Dr. George B. Wilbur (1887-1976), former editor and publisher of the psychoanalytic journal American Imago. FIRST EDITION of Freud's greatest work, on the interpretation of dreams, which had an immeasurable influence on twentieth-century culture. This contains all the basic components of psychoanalytic theory and practice: the erotic nature of dreams, the "Oedipus complex", the libido, etc.; all related to the background of the "unconscious," later to be called the "sub-conscious" (see PMM, 389). $ 25,000.00. A treatise of dreams & visions. Wherein the causes natures and uses of nocturnal representations, and the communications both of good and evil angels, as also departed souls, to mankinde, are theosophically unfolded: that is, according to the word of God, and the harmony of created beeings. To which is added, A discourse of the causes, natures and cure of phrensie, madness or distraction . By Philotheos Physiologus
Modern bonded leather; title page trimmed or repaired at top. Note in pen at bottom of title indicating the name of the author and dated 1695, engraved label of Samuel Hirst, watchmaker of Leeds, pasted on verso of title, his ownership inscription to title. COMMUNICATING WITH ANGELS - UNDERSTANDING THE SERIOUSNESS OF MENTAL ILLNESS TRYON, Thomas A treatise of dreams & visions. Wherein the causes natures and uses of nocturnal representations, and the communications both of good and evil angels, as also departed souls, to mankinde, are theosophically unfolded. [London: n.p., 1689]. 8vo. Modern bonded leather. First edition. The first of two parts treats the meaning and significance of dreams, initially dealing with the nature of sleep, the causes of dreams, the meanings of certain types of dreams and how people communicate with angels through dreaming. The second part is an appendix "shewing the cause of madness, and several observables relating thereunto." He makes an analogy between dreams and madness, and thereby approaches a description of psychosis. $ 4500.00. The elements of geometrie of the most auncient philosopher Euclide of Megara
Frontispiece portrait of John Dee, large printer's device on verso of final leaf, illustrated throughout with diagrams; there are no overlays in Book XI (it appearing as if overlays were never included), and the folding table "The gound-plat of the mathematical preface of Mr. John Dee" in excellent facsimile. Overall a fine copy, the interior being clean and sharp throughout. Bound in modern calf, covers blind-tooled with gilt fleurons, spine in compartments with morocco label. INTRODUCTION OF EUCLID INTO ENGLISH EUCLID The elements of geometrie of the most auncient philosopher Euclide of Megara. London: John Day, [1570]. Folio. Frontispiece portrait of John Dee, large printer's device on verso of final leaf, illustrated throughout with diagrams; no overlays in Book XI (it appearing as if overlays were never included), the folding ground-plat table in excellent facsimile. Overall a fine copy, the interior being clean and sharp throughout. Bound in modern calf. First edition of the first complete English translation of Euclid's Elements. The importance of the present work, bringing into the English vernacular one of the foundation works of philosophy, cannot be overstated. This translation undoubtedly benefitted from the involvement of John Dee who not only wrote the âvery fruitfull preface' but contributed many annotations and additional theorems. $ 22,500.00. Religio medici
BROWNE, Thomas Engraved title by William Marshall. Beautiful nineteenth-century maroon straight-grain gilt-ruled morocco by the English bookbinder Francis Bedford (1799-1883), spine in compartments with elaborate gilt design, marbled paste-downs and endpapers. From the library of the author George Walter Steeves 1845-1915) with his small bookplate. Among other works Steeves wrote the consummate biography of Francis Bacon. THE RARE FIRST EDITION [BROWNE, Thomas] Religio medici. [London]: Printed for Andrew Crooke, 1642. 8vo. Engraved title, beautiful nineteenth-century maroon straight-grain gilt-ruled morocco by the English bookbinder Francis Bedford. From the library of the author George Walter Steeves. First edition, first printing, of one of the most famous and influential treatises in the English language. The Religio medici (A doctor's religion) represents Browne's attempt to arrive at a vital concept of faith, one with tolerance, humor and dignity. Browne's work immediately drew attention, and the first edition of Observations upon Relgio medici by Sir Kenelm Digby (1603-1665), an English virtuoso and a lover of new trends in natural philosophy, came out in 1643. $ 7000.00.- $7,000
- $7,000
Arcana naturae detecta & Continuatio arcanorum naturae detectorum
LEEUWENHOEK, Antoni van Engraved allegorical title by Jeremias van Schaak, frtsp. of author, index & errata. With 34 engraved plates (26 folding) and numerous text illustrations. Half morocco over marbled boards. Interior excellent. THE BEGINNING OF MICROBIOLOGY LEEUWENHOEK, Antoni van Arcana naturae detecta; Continuatio arcanorum naturae detectorum . . . . Delft: Apud Henricum a Krooneveld, 1695; 1697. Two volumes in one. 4to. Engraved allegorical title, frontispiece portrait of author, index and errata, plus 34 engraved plates and numerous text illustrations. Nineteenth century half-morocco and marbled boards. First edition of the Arcana and first edition in Latin of the Continuatio. Leeuwenhoek's most important discoveries are contained in this celebrated series of letters to the Royal Society of London, including his epoch making experiments with the microscope, revealing to his contemporaries a previously unknown and fascinating aspect of nature the world of microorganisms. $ 18,500.00 .- $18,500
- $18,500
Micrographia.
HOOKE, Robert With 38 folding plates; arms of the Royal Society on title. Half-calf over contemporary boards, marbled paste-downs and endpapers; a very good copy from the library of W. Cracroft with his signature dated 1804 and small stamp on title. FIRST GLIMPSE OF MICROSCOPICAL OBJECTS HOOKE, Robert Micrographia: or some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses, with observations and inquiries thereupon. London: Jo. Martyn, 1667. Folio. With 38 folding plates; Half-calf over contemporary boards, marbled paste-downs and endpapers. First edition, second issue, the same as the first except that the licence-leaf and the title page were both reset, and plate 5 was re-engraved in reverse. This was the first book printed in English on the microscope and the first large work to illustrate microscopical objects. It is of great value for the history of chemistry, physics, biology and astronomy. It contains the invention of the compound microscope and of the wheel barometer, an explanation of the twinkling of the stars, important investigations on the refraction of light, a theory of heat and the real nature of combustion. $ 60,000.00.- $60,000
- $60,000
C. Plinii Caecilii secundi novocomensis epistolarum libri decem. Nunc quidem ab innumeris mendis uariorum exemplarium collatione repurgati. Reliqua quæ in hoc habentur volumine, sequens pagina commonstrabit
PLINY, the Younger Printer's device on title, historiated capitals. Contemporary vellum, speckled edges; a few wormholes on the final leaves and back board, otherwise an excellent copy with ownership signatures on the title page.- $550
- $550
Neue grundlagen der logik, arithmetik und mengenlehre
KONIG, Julius With frontispiece portrait of the author. Contemporary cloth-backed marbled boards, author and title in gilt on spine. An excellent copy from the library of Ernest Nagel (1901-1985), an American philosopher of science known as one of the major figures in the logical positivist movement.- $250
- $250
Moyens de prevenir les crimes dans la society
MAUCLERC, Hippolyte Vivant presentation copy Bound in later marbled paper with marbled edges. Fine condition; inscribed by Mauclerc on the title page, "à Monsieur Vigaroux professeur de l'école de Montpellier. Comme preuve de reconnaissance H.V. Mauclerc.". BETTER TO PREVENT EVIL THAN TO REPAIR IT MAUCLERC, [Hippolyte Vivant] Moyens de prévenir les crimes dans la société. Bound with Au lecteur, quelle est l'influence de l'amitié sur les mÅ"urs publiques? Grenoble: Chez Ferry, An VIII de la République française [1799]. 8vo. Bound in later marbled paper with marbled edges. Fine condition; inscribed by Mauclerc on the title page, "à Monsieur Vigaroux professeur de l'école de Montpellier. Comme preuve de reconnaissance H.V. Mauclerc." First edition, the author's presentation copy. This moving essay extolls the virtues of love and friendship as central to preventing crime and violence. In general, the criminal, the author contends, has submitted to complete and total independence, distancing himself completely from community and religion. Mauclerc uses Athens and Rome as case studies to showcase how love, friendship, and a common sense of community can stop the moral decay of a society. $ 1250.00.- $1,250
- $1,250
Zur algebra der funktionaloperationen und theorie der normalen operatoren.” Offprint from Mathematische Annalen, Vol. 102, No. 3, pp. 370-427
VON NEUMANN, John Original printed wrappers. An excellent copy. INTRODUCTION OF VON NEUMANN ALGEBRAS VON NEUMANN, John "Zur algebra der funktionaloperationen und theorie der normalen operatoren." Offprint from Mathematische Annalen, Vol. 102, No. 3, pp. 370-427. Berlin: Julius Springer, 1929. 8vo. Original printed wrappers. First printing, the first introduction of Von Neumann's "Algebra of functional operations and theory of normal operators," thereafter referred to as Von Neumann algebras. This is von Neumann's paper on the spectral theorem for normal operators, with detailed discussion of the weakly closed *-subalgebra generated by a set of operators. Von Neumann algebras have found applications in diverse areas of mathematics like knot theory, statistical mechanics, quantum field theory, local quantum physics, free probability, noncommutative geometry, representation theory, differential geometry, and dynamical systems. $ 4500.00.- $4,500
- $4,500
