Books

The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure, eight volumes comprising 58, 62, 63, 65, 68, 70, and 71 (1776 - 1782'; and The Universal Magazine New Series volume 2 (8)

Howell, James (I.H.) 'Dodona's Grove OR The Vocall Forrest' by I.H ESQr. Printed by TB for H. Molloy at the Priinces Armes in St Paul's Churchyard 1640. 1st edition. Bound in full leather (spine restored, leather boards possibly 18th century). This is, allegedly, according to pencil inscription: 'the author's own copy' and contains numerous probably later (18th century?) manuscript annotations on the front end-papers explaining which monarch/prince of Europe each tree represents in this allegorical essay; e.g. The Oke represents the K. of England; the pine, the K. of France; The Firre, the K. of Denmark etc. The text is annotated, mainly in pencil. A wonderful object.

Peter Beckford Esq., 'Thoughts of Hunting in a Series of Familiar Letters to a Friend', London: Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, 1820 Provenance: part of the contents of Stepleton House, Blandford, Dorset In full green leather bindings with exquisite inlaid leather design to front cover in the form of a hound standing alert on a patch of grass, the spine with embossed gilt title, fox masks and crossed hunting horns

BOOK, SCULPTURE. A massive antique volume with impressive engravings throughout. 'Raccolta di Statve Antiche e Moderne Data in Lvce Sotto I Gloriosi Avspicj Della Santita Di N.S. Papa Clemente XI da Domenico de Rossi Illvstrata Colle sposisioni a ciascheeduna immagine di Pavolo Allesandro Maffei Patrizio Vlterrano Ca. dell'ordine di s. Stefano e Della Gvardia Pontificia.' Rome 1704. Vellum. A remarkably clean survival, especially internally.

MODERN' BINDINGS, AUSTEN. A superb three vol. set of Austen's six novels bound by Hatchards of Piccadilly and fully gilt to page ends. An ink gift inscr. for 1954. From the Hamish Hamilton novel library series (1947). But the bindings are very fine.

SLAVERY: ABOLITIONIST INTEREST. A very rare miniature book. 'The Little Abolitionist; or Negroe's Friend', Darton and Clark, Holborn Hill. We believe about 1840. There is a copy in The Morgan Library on Madison Avenue, NYC. Locating another copy has been difficult.

An early 17th century 'Breeches Bible', 'The Bible: translated according to the Ebrew and Greeke', printed by Robert Barker, London, 1602, 4vo

ASTROLOGY; a very rare 19th C. publication. Professionally rebound and stamped 'The Astrologer in the Nineteenth Century'. The full title is 'The Astrologer in the Nineteenth Century or the Master Key of Futurity being a Complete System of Astrology, Geomancy & Occult Science' and also stamped: '1825'. Basically a survey of occult and supernatural practices and events with coloured plates and many other smaller and detailed illus. Knight and Lacey with many advertisements for their books before the text proper. The Seventh Edition.

POETRY. A rare and valuable book historically. PHILLIPS, Katherine, 'Poems By the Incomparable Mrs K.P.' London 'Printed by J.G. for Rich. Marriott, at his Shop under St. Dunstan's Church in Fleet-Street, 1664'. This copy has been rebound in quarter-calf at some time and stamped 'POEMS K.P.' There is a small part missing on page A3; there is a small hole on p. 242. There are some ancient 'errata' (corrections) in various places (see below). Phillips was known as 'The English Sappho' (although she was Anglo-Welsh). This is an example of the rare 'pirated' edition which was withdrawn by the publisher after Phillips's protestations that she had never intended to have her poetry printed although it had become well-known in priveleged literary circles. Hence, presumably, the corrections mentioned above.

WAITE, Arthur Edward (A.E.): CHILDREN'S BOOK. A very rare and desirable book. 'Belle and the Dragon,' Elliott, 1st ed. London 1894. In at least Good, probably VG condition throughout.