Fine Bindings and Sets

Scudéry, Georges de

Curia Politiae: Or, The Apologies of Several Princes: Justifying to the World Their most Eminent Actions, by the Strength of Reason, And the most Exact Rules of Policie.

London : Printed for Humphrey Moseley, 1654.

First edition in English of Scudéry’s great catalogue of eminent world leaders, published early in early in Cromwell’s Commonwealth. Small quarto, bound in full contemporary tree calf with gilt tooling to the spine, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, top edge gilt, engraved frontispiece, with 11 engraved portraits including those of Emperor Charles theContinue reading "Curia Politiae: Or, The Apologies of Several Princes: Justifying to the World Their most Eminent Actions, by the Strength of Reason, And the most Exact Rules of Policie."

Burn, Richard and George Chetwynd

The Justice of the Peace, and Parish Officer.

London : Printed by A. Strahan, 1820.

Finely bound set of this monumental work. Octavo, 5 volumes, bound in contemporary full calf, morocco spine labels. In near fine condition.

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von

Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship.

London : Oliver & Boyd, 1824.

First edition in English of Goethe’s masterpiece. Octavo, 3 volumes, bound in original boards, pages uncut. In near fine condition. Exceptionally rare in the original boards, we have not seen another example.

Morrison’s Strangers Guide and Etiquette, For Washington City and Its Vicinity.

Washington : W. H. & O. H. Morrison, 1862.

Fifth edition of Morrison’s classic American etiquette guide. Octavo, original cloth elaborately stamped in blind with gilt titles to the front panel. Illustrated with wood and steel engravings, entirely re-written and brought down to the present time. In near fine condition. Ownership inscriptions.

Acts Passed at the Second Congress of the United States of America: Begun and Held at the City of Philadelphia, In the State of Pennsylvania, On Monday, The Twenty-Fourth of October, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-One: And o the Independence of the United States, the Sixteenth. [Bound With]: The Constitution of the United States of America; As Proposed by the Convention Held at Philadelphia, Sept. 17, 1787, and Since Ratified by the Several States.

Philadelphia : Printed by Francis Childs and Joseph Swaine, Printers to the United States; Printed by John Fenno, 1791-c. 1793.

First printing of the Second Acts of Congress, bound with an even more rare printing of the Constitution. Octavo, original full calf, red morocco spine label lettered gilt. From the library of the first (and longest serving) Secretary of the United States Senate, Samuel Allyne Otis with his signature to the second page. Otis wasContinue reading "Acts Passed at the Second Congress of the United States of America: Begun and Held at the City of Philadelphia, In the State of Pennsylvania, On Monday, The Twenty-Fourth of October, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-One: And o the Independence of the United States, the Sixteenth. [Bound With]: The Constitution of the United States of America; As Proposed by the Convention Held at Philadelphia, Sept. 17, 1787, and Since Ratified by the Several States."

Annals of The Club. 1764-1914.

London : Printed for The Club [by Horace Hart at the Oxford University Press, 1914.

First edition of this work on the Club in London. which was founded by Samuel Johnson and Sir Joshua Reynolds, and whose rolls would later include Oliver Goldsmith, Adam Smith, Edward Gibbon and James Boswell. Quarto, original three quarters leather, gilt titles to the spine, nine plates. In near fine condition. Rare.

Washington, George; John Adams; Thomas Jefferson; James Madison; James Monroe; John Quincy Adams; Andrew Jackson; Martin Van Buren; William Henry Harrison; John Tyler; James Polk; Zachary Taylor; Millard Fillmore; Franklin Pierce; James Buchanan; Abraham Lincoln; Andrew Johnson; Ulysses S. Grant; Rutherford B. Hayes; James Garfield; Chester A. Arthur; Grover Cleveland; William McKinley; Theodore Roosevelt; William H. Taft; Woodrow Wilson; Warren G. Harding; Calvin Coolidge; Herbert Hoover; Franklin D. Roosevelt; Harry Truman; Dwight D. Eisenhower

Autographs of the Presidents of the United States of America.

1783-1956.

Elaborately bound collection of Presidential autographs, containing the autograph of each of the first 34 Presidents of the United States from George Washington to Dwight D. Eisenhower. Quarto, bound in full red morocco by Riviere & Son with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt presidential sealContinue reading "Autographs of the Presidents of the United States of America."

Zahn, Johann

Oculus Artificialis Teledioptricus, Sive Telescopium: Ex Abditis Rerum Naturalium Et Artificialium Principiis Protractum Novâ Methodo, Eâque Solidâ Explicatum ac Comprimis e Triplici Fundamento Physico Seu Naturali, Mathematico Dioptrico Et Mechanico, Seu Practico Stabilitum.

Quirini Heyl : Herbipoli [Würzburg], 1685-1686.

First edition of the most important work on the early history and manufacture of microscopes and telescopes; particularly valuable for its illustrations of both simple and compound microscopes of the period, including the type of compound instrument used by Robert Hooke. Folio, three volumes bound into in one in full contemporary vellum, morocco spine labelContinue reading "Oculus Artificialis Teledioptricus, Sive Telescopium: Ex Abditis Rerum Naturalium Et Artificialium Principiis Protractum Novâ Methodo, Eâque Solidâ Explicatum ac Comprimis e Triplici Fundamento Physico Seu Naturali, Mathematico Dioptrico Et Mechanico, Seu Practico Stabilitum."

Conrad, Joseph

The Collected Works of Joseph Conrad. [Almayer’s Folly, An Outcast of the Islands, The Nigger of “Narcissus”, Tales of Unrest, Lord Jim, The Inheritors, Youth: and Two Other Stories, Romance, Typhoon and Other Stories, Nostromo, The Mirror of the Sea, The Secret Agent, A Set of Six, Under Western Eyes, Some Reminiscences, ‘Twist Land & Sea Tales, Chance, Victory, Within the Tides, The Shadow Line, The Arrow of Gold, On Day More, The Rescue].

Edinburgh & London : Various Publishers, 1925.

Collection of the writings of Joseph Conrad. Octavo, 20 volumes, original cloth. Near fine in the rare original dust jackets which are in near fine condition.

Buckingham Palace Bound List of Subscribers.

1927.

Finely bound list of subscribers to Mr. J. Parr’s farewell gift, presented on his retirement , 31 March 1927. Octavo, bound by Truscott & Son in full crushed scarlet morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, quadruple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, cipherContinue reading "Buckingham Palace Bound List of Subscribers."

Percey, William

The Compleat Swimmer: Or, The Art of Swimming: Demonstrating The Rules and Practice thereof, in an Exact, Plain, and Easie Method. Necessary to be Known and Practiced by All Who Studie or Desire their own Preservation.

London : Printed by J. C. for Henry Fletcher, 1658.

First and only edition of one of the earliest treatises on swimming, preceded only by Sir Everard Digby’s short Latin tract, published in 1589 and translated into English in 1595; and the Dutchman Nicholas Wynman’s De arte natandi, 1538. 12mo, bound in full 19th century calf with gilt titles and tooling the spine, gilt rulingContinue reading "The Compleat Swimmer: Or, The Art of Swimming: Demonstrating The Rules and Practice thereof, in an Exact, Plain, and Easie Method. Necessary to be Known and Practiced by All Who Studie or Desire their own Preservation."

Fleming, Ian

Complete Set of 14 First Edition James Bond Novels: Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, From Russia with Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only [Short Stories Including A View to a Kill and Quantum of Solace], Thunderball, The Spy Who loved Me, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy and The Living Daylights.

London : Penguin Centenary, 2008.

First editions of the Penguin Centenary edition of each volume in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Octavo, 14 volumes, original boards. With an original illustration by artist Michael Gillette in Casino Royale, signed “with love Michael Gillette.” Each dust jacket is signed twice by artist Michael Gillette, once on the front panel and again onContinue reading "Complete Set of 14 First Edition James Bond Novels: Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, From Russia with Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only [Short Stories Including A View to a Kill and Quantum of Solace], Thunderball, The Spy Who loved Me, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy and The Living Daylights."

Acts Passed at a Congress of the United States of America, Begun and Held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the Fourth of March, in the Year M,DDC,LXXXIX; and of the Independence of the United States, the Thirteenth. [With: Acts Passed at the Second Session of the Congress of the United States of America, Begun and Held at the City of New-York, on Monday the Fourth of January, in the Year M,DCC,XC: and of the Independence of the United States, the Fourteenth. [and] Acts Passed at the Third Session of the Congress of the United States of America, Begun and Held at the City of Philadelphia on Monday the Sixth of December, In The Year M,DCC,XC: and of the Independence of the United States, the Fourteenth].

Philadelphia : Printed by Francis Childs and Joseph Swaine, Printers to the United States, [1791].

Rare early folio edition of the first official publication of the acts of the first Congress, including the Constitution and the Bill of Rights; bound with the first official printing of the acts of the second session of Congress and an early printing of the acts of the third session of Congress (issued the sameContinue reading "Acts Passed at a Congress of the United States of America, Begun and Held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the Fourth of March, in the Year M,DDC,LXXXIX; and of the Independence of the United States, the Thirteenth. [With: Acts Passed at the Second Session of the Congress of the United States of America, Begun and Held at the City of New-York, on Monday the Fourth of January, in the Year M,DCC,XC: and of the Independence of the United States, the Fourteenth. [and] Acts Passed at the Third Session of the Congress of the United States of America, Begun and Held at the City of Philadelphia on Monday the Sixth of December, In The Year M,DCC,XC: and of the Independence of the United States, the Fourteenth]."

Rowson, Susanna Haswell

Charlotte. A Tale of Truth.

Philadelphia : Printed by D. Humphreys for M. Carey, 1794.

Exceedingly rare first American edition (and the earliest obtainable example) of the first American bestseller. Octavo, two volumes bound into one in three quarter calf over marbled boards, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers. Although the first American edition was preceded by the first English edition published in 1791, no examples of theContinue reading "Charlotte. A Tale of Truth."

Franklin, Benjamin

Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces; Arranged under the Following Heads and Distinguished by Initial Letters in each Leaf: General Politics; American Politics before the Troubles; American Politics during the Troubles; Provincial or Colony Politics; Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces.

London : Printed for J. Johnson, 1779.

First edition of “the only edition of Franklin’s writings (other than his scientific) printed during his lifetime” (Ford). Octavo, bound half diced calf over marbled boards with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. With the engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin, three engraved plates (one folding), and folding tableContinue reading "Political, Miscellaneous, and Philosophical Pieces; Arranged under the Following Heads and Distinguished by Initial Letters in each Leaf: General Politics; American Politics before the Troubles; American Politics during the Troubles; Provincial or Colony Politics; Miscellaneous and Philosophical Pieces."

Curiosities of Biography, or Memoirs of Remarkable Men. Illustrated by One Hundred Characteristic Portraits.

Glasgow : Printed for Richard Griffin & Company, 1845.

First edition of this classic collection of biographies. Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, illustrated. In very good condition.

Conrad, Joseph

The Collected Works of Joseph Conrad. [Almayer’s Folly, An Outcast of the Islands, The Nigger of “Narcissus”, Tales of Unrest, Lord Jim, The Inheritors, Youth: and Two Other Stories, Romance, Typhoon and Other Stories, Nostromo, The Mirror of the Sea, The Secret Agent, A Set of Six, Under Western Eyes, Some Reminiscences, ‘Twist Land & Sea Tales, Chance, Victory, Within the Tides, The Shadow Line, The Arrow of Gold, On Day More, The Rescue].

London : William Heinemann, 1921.

Signed limited edition of the complete works of the writings of Joseph Conrad, one of 780 copies. Octavo, 20 volumes, original cloth. Signed by Joseph Conrad on the limitation page of volume one. In near fine condition.

Machiavelli, Niccolo. Translated by Edward Dacres

Machiavels Discourses upon the First Decade of T. Livius translated out of the Italian; With some marginall animadversions noting and taxing his errors. [Machiavelli’s Discourses].

London : Printed for Thomas Paine for William Hills and Daniel Pakeman, 1636.

Rare first edition in English of Machiavelli’s fundamental work of political history and philosophy. 12mo, bound in one quarter morocco over marbled boards with an earlier morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Translated by Edward Dacres. Ownership signature. Rare and desirable.

Thackeray, William

The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray. [Including The History of Henry Esmond, Vanity Fair, Pendennis, The Newcomes, and The Virginians].

London : Smith, Elder and Co., 1900-1902.

The Biographical edition of the Works of William Makepeace Thackeray. Octavo, thirteen volumes bound in three quarter morocco over marbled boards by Maclehose with gilt titles and ruling to the spines in six compartments within raised gilt bands, tissue-guarded frontispiece to each volume. In very good condition.

Purple, N. H. [Abraham Lincoln; William Herndon]

A Compilation of the Statutes of the State of Illinois, of a General Nature, In Force January 1, 1856. Collated with Reference to Decisions of the Supreme Court of Said State, and to Prior Laws Relating to the Same Subject Matter.

Chicago : Published by Keen & Lee, 1856.

First edition of Purple’s Statutes from the law library of Abraham Lincoln and William Herndon. Large octavo, 2 volumes, bound in full contemporary calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt. With Herndon’s ownership signature on behalf of the firm to the front pastedown of Vol. I, “A. Lincoln W. Herndon Lincoln & Herndon Springfield”Continue reading "A Compilation of the Statutes of the State of Illinois, of a General Nature, In Force January 1, 1856. Collated with Reference to Decisions of the Supreme Court of Said State, and to Prior Laws Relating to the Same Subject Matter."

[Livingstone, David]

David Livingstone: The Great Missionary Explorer.

New York : The Walter Scott Publishing Co., Ltd, n.d. c. 1908.

Finely bound example of this anonymous work on the life of David Livingstone. Octavo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, frontispiece. In near fineContinue reading "David Livingstone: The Great Missionary Explorer."

Baxter, Richard

A Treatise of Conversion.

London : Printed by R. W. for Nevel Simmons, 1657.

Rare first edition of this book on conversion by one of the chief pioneers of English Protestantism, and also revered in the United States for his contributions to the cause of evangelism. Octavo, bound in three quarters leather over boards, morocco spine label. In very good condition, owner name to the preliminary blank and heContinue reading "A Treatise of Conversion."

Tennyson, Alfred Lord

Idylls of the King [Fore-Edge Painting].

London : Edward Moxon & Co, 1869.

Finely bound example with a fore-edge painting of Tennyson’s “long-meditated great task” which brought him to fame (Baugh, 1388). Octavo, bound in full red pebbled morocco, spine stamped in gilt in compartments, all edges and turn ins gilt, fore-edge painting with view of The Market Place, Cambridge. In very good condition.

von Clausewitz, Carl Philipp Gottfried

Vom Kriege. Hinterlassenes Werk. [On War].

Berlin : Ferdinand Dümmler, 1832-34.

Scarce first edition of arguably the most important treatise on political-military analysis and strategy ever written. Octavo, three volumes bound in contemporary half cloth over marbled boards with gilt titles and ruling to the spine. In near fine condition with light rubbing to the extremities.