Antiquarian and Collectors’ Books

POETRY. – W.H. AUDEN. A Certain World. London: Faber and Faber, 1971. Second impression, 8vo (215 x 132mm.) (Mild toning.) Original red cloth, dust-jacket. – And a further seven volumes related to poetry (including ‘The Collected Poems of Wallace Stevens’, 1971, 8vo, and Gary Snyder’s ‘A Range of Poems’, second edition, signed by the author, 1967, 8vo, and Gary Snyder’s ‘Six Sections From Mountains and Rivers Without End’, signed by the author, 1967, 8vo) (8).

ICELANDIC POETRY. – [Thomas PERCY, translator.] Five Pieces of Runic Poetry Translated from the Icelandic Language. London: R. and J. Dodsley, 1763. 8vo (196 x 124mm.) Runic quotations from Egill and Regner engraved to the title-page, initial blank mounted on the front-free endpaper. (Toning, occasional spotting.) Later brown cloth (endpapers replaced).

DUFF, Charles. A Handbook on Hanging. London: Cayme Press, 1928. First edition, 8vo (165 x 100mm.) (Browned, spotting to first leaves and fore-edge.) Original boards (spine repaired, browned). – And a further four volumes (including Montague Summers’ ‘The Vampire, his Kith and Kin’, first edition, 1928, 8vo, and Steve Fielding’s ‘The Hangman’s Record’, 3 vols., 1995-2005, 8vo) (5).

BINDINGS. – Edward BULWER-LYTTON. [The Works:] London: George Routledge and Sons, [circa 1850.] 23 vols., New Edition, 8vo (163 x 100mm.) (Spotting to preliminaries.) Contemporary half calf over marbled paper-covered boards, red and green morocco lettering pieces to the spines (some rubbing to spines, some loss to lettering piece of ‘Last Days of Pompeii’, remains of bookplates to front pastedowns) (23).

WINE. – George Adolphus WIGNEY. A Philosophical Treatise on Malting and Brewing. London: R.N. Rose, 1823. First edition, small 4to (222 x 136mm.) Half-title, glossary. (Spotting to half-title, light browning, stamps to title and text, lacking blanks.) Later green cloth (endpapers replaced). Note: scarce. George Wigney lived and worked as brewer in Ship Street, Brighton. Provenance: Worthing Public Library (bookplates to pastedowns).

MAHOMED, Sake Dean. Shampooing; or, Benefits Resulting from the use of the Indian Medicated Vapour Bath. Brighton: Creasy and Baker, 1826. Second edition, 8vo (212 x 136mm.) Engraved portrait frontispiece, tissue-guard, 2 aquatint plates, including one of Mahomed’s Baths in Brighton, 40pp. list of appreciative users (or ‘subscribers’) to rear, 6pp. ‘Index’. (Blanks replaced, stamps verso title.) Later green cloth, gilt reference to spine. Provenance: Worthing Public Library (bookplates to pastedowns).

[HARLEY, Melinda.] The History of Melinda Harley, Yorkshire. London: G. Robinson, 1779. First edition, 12mo (158 x 96mm.) Title. (Damp-stain in gutter and throughout, text-block loosening, lacking two leaves of text at rear.) Contemporary calf (worn). Note: scarce. The preface ends with the initials ‘M.E.’ so it’s possible the anonymous writer of this epistolatory novel was ‘Melinda Hartley’. On publication it received dismissive reviews. While the plot is thin the two ladies discuss various topics of the time, including the colonies, the foolishness of duelling, the rationality of women, and deciding that ‘marriage is not necessary for happiness’.

MEDICINE. – Henry BANYER. Pharmacopoeia Pauperum: or, The Hospital Dispensatory: Containing the chief Medicines Now used in the Hospitals of London. London: T. Warner, 1721. Second edition, 12mo (158 x 100mm.) Title, detailed contemporary annotation to the text, and front and rear blanks, 8pp. ‘Index’. (Rear blanks loose, occasional browning, corner damp-stain to most leaves.) Contemporary calf (rebacked, extremities rubbed, corners creased). Note: scarce. This was a working copy for more than one doctor from the 1720’s to the 1770’s. On the second blank reference is made to Theophile Bonet’s ‘A Guide to the Practical Physician’. Provenance: R. Wetherald (ink name verso title and A3, dated 1777).

MAHOMED, Sake Dean. Shampooing; or, Benefits Resulting from the use of the Indian Medicated Vapour Bath. Brighton: William Fleet, 1838. Third edition, 8vo (213 x 135mm.) Engraved portrait frontispiece, 1 aquatint plate, 27pp. list of subscribers, 9pp. ‘Index’. (Lacking 1 plate, crease to frontispiece, stamps to preliminaries, offsetting to title, first quire loosening.) Contemporary cloth (upper cover detached). Provenance: West Sussex Reference Library (stamps to pastedowns). – And a further three volumes (John Gibney’s ‘Practical Observations on the Use and Abuse of Cold and Warm Sea-Bathing, in Various Diseases’, second edition, 1814, small 4to, and [John Feltham’s] ‘A Guide to all the Watering and Sea Bathing Places’, [circa 1820], 12mo, and J.D. Parry’s ‘An Historical and Descriptive Account of the Coast of Sussex’, 1833, 8vo) (4).

BOCCACCIO, Giovanni. Geneologia de gli dei… Tradotti e adornati per M. Giuseppe Betussi da Bassano. Venice: Comin da Trino, 1553. 4to (211 x 144mm.) Title within woodcut border, woodcut initials, 1 full-page woodcut, woodcut bust verso last leaf. (Light damp-staining to first leaves, leaf *viii loosening, marginal staining M8-O2 and also from HH to last leaf.) Near contemporary calf (rebacked, extremities rubbed with minor loss, slight insect damage). Note: Boccaccio’s book on the lineage of the classical gods was considered, during his lifetime and for two hundred years afterwards, his most important work. Provenance: Peter and Linda Murray, art historians (bookplate to front pastedown).

WHATLEY, Stephen. England’s Gazetteer; or, an Accurate Description of all the Cities, Towns, and Villages of the Kingdom. London: J. and P. Knapton, D. Browne et al., 1751. 3 vols., first edition, 8vo (170 x 100mm.) Titles. (Light browning.) Contemporary calf, brown morocco lettering pieces to the spines (rubbing to extremities, minor loss to spine ends, hinges slightly weakened). Provenance: Archibald Grant, M.P. (armorial bookplates to front pastedowns, and ink name to titles) (3).

THEATRE. – J. Brewer NORRIS. Histrionic Topography: or, The Birth-Places, Residences, and Funeral Monuments of the Most Distinguished Actors. London: J. Cole, 1818. First edition, 8vo (224 x 137mm.) Engraved frontispiece, 13 engraved plates, including additional title. (Heavy spotting to first and last leaves, toning, illegible ink name and pencil marks to front pastedown.) Original boards (spine lacking, rubbed, minor stains).

TRACTS. – Nathaniel JEFFERYS. A Review of the Conduct of the Prince of Wales in His Various Transactions with Mr. Jeffreys, During a Period of More than Twenty Years, Containing a Detail of Many Circumstances Relative to the Prince and Princess of Wales, Mrs. Fitzherbert, &c. London and Brighton: for Mr. Jeffreys, [circa 1806.] Eighth edition. (Toning, stamps to title and verso.) [Bound with:] ‘CLAUDIO’. An Antidote to Poison: or, a Full Reply to Mr. Jeffreys’ Attack Upon the Character and Conduct of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. London: Mathews and Leigh, 1806. (Stamp to title, toning.) [Bound with:] Brief Remarks on the Licentiousness of Certain Details, Political and Private, Tending to Degrade High Public Characters. London: S. Highley, 1806. (Toning.) [Bound with:] ‘PHILO-VERITAS’. Diamond Cut Diamond; or, Observations on a Pamphlet, Entitled ‘A Review of the Conduct of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales’. London: C. Chapple et al., 1806. Fifth edition. 1p. publisher’s advertisements. (Spotting, browning, stamp to title.) [Bound with:] ‘PHILO-VERITAS’. The Diamond New Pointed; Being a Supplement to Diamond Cut Diamond. London: B. McMillan, 1806. (Browning.) [Bound with:] The Patriot’s Review of Mr. Jeffreys Pamphlet ‘Respecting the Conduct of the Prince of Wales’. London: J. Blacklock, 1806. (Browning, marginal loss to last leaf.) [Bound with:] Jefferys Refuted!! A Letter to Nathaniel Jefferys… on the Subject of his Extraordinary Pamphlet. London: J. Mawman, 1806. (Toning.) [Bound with:] Strictures on the Conduct of Nathaniel Jeffreys, Respecting the Publication… London: for the Author, [circa 1806.] (Toning.) [Bound with:] Nathaniel JEFFREYS. A Letter Addressed to Mrs. Fitzherbert, an Answer to A Complaint, That Her Feelings May Have Been Hurt… London: for Mr. Jeffreys, [circa 1806.] (Browning.) [Bound with:] A Complete Vindication of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Relative to his Creditors. London: E. Greenland and W. Norris, 1806. A Plain Letter to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales Upon His Plain Duties… London: H. Blanford, 1806. (Toning.) [Bound with:] An Admonitory Letter to the H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, on the Subject of the late Delicate Inquiry. London: Tipper and Richards, 1806. (Toning.) [Bound with:] Delicate Inquiry! Prince of Wales. A Letter to the Earl of Moira. London: J.F. Hughes, 1806. (Toning.) [Bound with:] ‘ARISTIDES’. An Answer to an Admonitory Letter Addressed to his Royal Highness… London: J. Johnson, 1806. (Spotting.) [Bound with:] Strictures on Cobbet’s Unmanly Observations, Relative to the Delicate Investigation… London: Tipper and Richardss, 1806. (Browning). 8vo (205 x 124mm.) Contemporary half calf (upper cover detached). Provenance: West Sussex Reference Library (labels to front pastedown).

CHARLES I. – Edward HUSBANDS (publisher). An Exact Collection of all Remonstrances, Declarations, Votes, Orders, Ordinances, Proclamations, Petitions, Messages, Answers, and other Remarkable Passages between the Kings most Excellent Majesty, and his High Court of Parliament beginning at his Majesties return from Scotland, being in December 1641, and continued until March the 21, 1643. London: Edward Husbands, 1643. 4to (183 x 139mm.) Engraved frontispiece of King Charles I in Parliament, some sections in black letter. (Title reproduced in facsimile, occasional browning, spotting to last leaves, marginal chipping to frontispiece, last leaf loosened.) 19th century half calf, red morocco lettering piece to the spine (extremities rubbed, wear to spine ends, endpapers replaced). Provenance: Nicolas Kinloch (bookplate and stamp to front-free endpaper). Note: contains the record of all the proceedings between Charles I and Parliament between 1641 and 1643.

EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED. – William JACKSON. The New and Complete Newgate Calendar, or Malefactors’ Universal Register. London: Hogg and Co., [circa 1818.] 8 vols., 8vo (210 x 126mm.) 23 engraved plates and extra-illustrated with a further 71 engraved plates, some excised and mounted, several folding and 1 in colour. (Title of vol. 1 detached, occasional leaf loose, toning, intermittent spotting, tear to 1 plate, some chipping to margins.) Contemporary brown half calf over marbled paper-covered boards, two morocco lettering pieces to the spines (inner hinge of vol. 1 weakened, lightly rubbed). Note: many macabre illustrations showing various crimes and portraits of notorious criminals from 1700 onwards. Provenance: William Eden (armorial bookplates to front pastedowns) (8).

RUSSIA. – John MOTTLEY. The History of the Life of Peter I. Emperor of Russia. London: J. Read, 1740. 3 vols., second edition, 12mo (162 x 93mm.) 10 engraved plates, including 7 folding, engraved dedications, errata, indices. (Lacking maps, intermittent browning.) Contemporary calf (extremities rubbed, scuffing, minor loss to spine ends) (3).

BAKER, Ezekiel. Remarks on Rifle Guns; Being the Result of Upwards of Fifty Years’ Practice and Observation. London: E. Baker and Son, 1829. Tenth edition, 8vo (213 x 129mm.) Half-title, engraved frontispiece with hand-colouring, partly hand-coloured engraved dedication leaf, 5 hand-coloured plates to rear, a 6pp. engraved table of ‘The Weight and Diameter of Lead Balls’. (Offsetting to title, frontispiece shaved to lower margin, illegible ink name to title.) Contemporary black half roan over marbled paper-covered boards (scuffing to covers, extremities rubbed). Provenance: William Walter Dowding (armorial bookplate to front-free endpaper).

CLIFFORD, J. (compiler). The Tunbridge Wells Guide or an Account of the Ancient & Present State of that Place. Tunbridge Wells: J. Clifford, [1827.] Fourth edition, 12mo (170 x 101mm.) Folding map with outline hand-colouring, engraved title, 17 engraved plates, including 2 folding and 2 hand-coloured. (Toning, occasional spotting.) Near contemporary full black blind-stamped morocco with Greek-key gilt border, brown morocco lettering piece to the spine (lightly rubbed extremities). Note: extra-illustrated with 6 plates that are not listed: ‘The Parade’; ‘The Sussex Hotel’; ‘Trade Card of the Royal Kentish Hotel’; ‘Mount Ephraim’; and two hand-coloured views of ‘Eridge Castle’. Provenance: B.C.T. (bookplate to the front pastedown). – And a further seven guide books to Tunbridge Wells and Hastings (including [J. Clifford’s] ‘The Tunbridge Wells Guide’, 1808, and the 1801 edition, and the 1834 edition, and John Britton’s ‘Descriptive Sketches of Tunbridge Wells and the Calverley Estate’, 1832, 8vo, and ‘Thirty Views of Tunbridge Wells’, published by R. Pelton, [circa 1870], oblong 8vo, and [James Stell’s] ‘The Hastings Guide; or a Description of that Ancient Town and Port’, third edition, 1804, 8vo) (8).

MORRIS, F.O. A History of British Birds. London: Groombridge and Sons, [circa 1870.] 8 vols., ‘Cabinet Edition’, 8vo (186 x 118mm.) 353 hand-coloured engraved plates. (Toning, occasional scattered spotting, a few quires detached, lacking 5 plates.) Original maroon gilt decorative cloth, t.e.g. (spine ends bumped, wear to vol. 8 spine ends). – And a further two volumes (Anne Pratt’s ‘Wild Flowers’, 2 vols., Series 1 and 2, [circa 1880], small 8vo) (10).