Fine Bindings and Sets

MacKay, Charles

Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds.

London : Richard Bentley, 1841.

First edition of this classic study of crowd psychology, a compilation of human folly throughout the ages. Octavo, three volumes, illustrated. Bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands. With an autographed letter signed by Charles MacKay in 1867 laid in. In near fine condition with light rubbingContinue reading "Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds."

Various Authors

Olympia Press Collection.

Paris : Paris, Various Dates.

First editions of a selection of works from Olympia Press, which was based in Paris and specialized in English-language books which could not be published elsewhere without risking legal action. Octavo, 44 volumes, original wrappers. In near fine condition.

Defoe, Daniel

The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; Serious Reflections During the Life And Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.

London : Printed for W. Taylor at the Ship in Pater-Noster-Row, 1719-1720.

Exceedingly rare complete first edition set of all three books in Defoe’s classic Robinson Crusoe series, including the scarce first and only printing of the third book in the series. Octavo, three volumes bound in full crushed red morocco by Francis Bedford with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raisedContinue reading "The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; Serious Reflections During the Life And Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe."

Hume, David

An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals.

London : Printed for A. Millar, 1751.

First edition, first state of what Hume, himself, considered his masterpiece with leaf L3 uncancelled and with the catchword “than” on recto. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with five raised bands to the spine, burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt-turn ins. Half-title, errata, and advertisements at rear. In very good condition. OwnershipContinue reading "An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals."

Buchan, William [William Safire]

Domestic Medicine: Or, A Treatise on the Prevention and Cure of Diseases by Regimen and Simple Medicines.

London : Printed for A. Strahan; T. Caldwell and W. Davies, Strand; and J. Balfour, and W. Creech, Edinburgh, 1803.

Early printing of the book that brought detailed descriptions of the causes and prevention of diseases to the domestic home for the first time. Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco with gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Title page, advertisement and prefaceContinue reading "Domestic Medicine: Or, A Treatise on the Prevention and Cure of Diseases by Regimen and Simple Medicines."

Henderson, W. A. [William Safire]

The Housekeeper’s Instructor; Or, Universal Family-Cook: Being a Full and Clear Display in all its Branches… To Which is Added, The Complete Art of Carving.

London : Printed for Thomas Kelly, [1823].

Early printing of Henderson’s bestselling English cookery book. Octavo, bound in three quarter contemporary calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, illustrated with engravings, lacking the frontispiece, one plate and with loss to another plate. Corrected and revised by Jacob Christopher Schnebbelie. From the library of William Safire, although not marked. William SafireContinue reading "The Housekeeper’s Instructor; Or, Universal Family-Cook: Being a Full and Clear Display in all its Branches… To Which is Added, The Complete Art of Carving."

Boccaccio, Giovanni

The Decameron.

London : Isaac Jaggard, 1620.

First edition in English of Boccaccio’s masterpiece, published by Jaggard published three years prior to his printing of the Shakespeare First Folio. Boccaccio’s masterpiece. Folio, 2 volumes, bound in full morocco by Riviere, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, all edges gilt, errata leaf at end of volume one, B1 is a cancellans, woodcutContinue reading "The Decameron."

Translated by Edward Fitzgerald. Illustrated by Will Pogany

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

London : George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., n.d..

Elaborately bound example of Pogany’s finely illustrated Rubaiyat. Octavo, bound in full crushed red morocco by Banytun Riviere with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, quadruple gilt ruling, fleuron cornerpieces, and central gilt arabesque to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers,Continue reading "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam."

Dickens, Charles

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.

London : Oxford University Press, 1968.

Elaborately bound Oxford illustrated edition of one of Dickens’ most popular novels. Octavo, bound in full crushed blue morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling and fleuron cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles,Continue reading "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby."

Machiavelli, Niccolò

Discorsi Di Nicolo Machiavelli Pra La Prima Deca Di Tito Livio [bound with] Il Prencipe di Nicolo Machiavelli. [Machiavelli’s Discourses bound with The Prince].

Palermo : Apresso gli heredi d'Antoniello degli Antonielli, 1584 [London: John Wolfe].

Rare 16th century printing of John Wolfe’s famed fictitious Italian editions of Machiavelli’s fundamental works of political history and philosophy. Octavo, elaborately bound in full crushed morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling and central motifs to the front and rear panels, giltContinue reading "Discorsi Di Nicolo Machiavelli Pra La Prima Deca Di Tito Livio [bound with] Il Prencipe di Nicolo Machiavelli. [Machiavelli’s Discourses bound with The Prince]."

Moore, Thomas

The Poetical Works of Thomas Moore. [Fore-Edge Painting].

London : Frederick Warne and Co., n.d..

The Albion edition of Moore’s poetical works. Octavo, bound in full polished tree calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, tissue-guarded engraved frontispieceContinue reading "The Poetical Works of Thomas Moore. [Fore-Edge Painting]."

Hamilton, Edward

The River-Side Naturalist: Notes of the Various Forms of Life Met With Either In, On, or By The Water, or In Its Immediate Vicinity.

London : Sampson, Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, Limited, 1890.

First edition of Hamilton’s work on riverside flora and fauna. Octavo, bound in full polished calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling and fleuron cornerpieces to the front and rear panel, central gilt insignia of Haileybury College, giltContinue reading "The River-Side Naturalist: Notes of the Various Forms of Life Met With Either In, On, or By The Water, or In Its Immediate Vicinity."

Strachey, Lytton

Eminent Victorians: Cardinal Manning, Florence Nightingale, Dr. Arnold, General Gordon.

London : Chatto and Windus, 1960.

Finely bound example of the work that placed Strachey firmly in the top rank of biographers. Octavo, bound in full crushed red morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling and fleuron cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, giltContinue reading "Eminent Victorians: Cardinal Manning, Florence Nightingale, Dr. Arnold, General Gordon."

Blishen, Edward. Illustrated by Brian Wildsmith

Oxford Book of Poetry for Children.

London : Oxford University Press, 1963.

First edition of Blishen and Wildsmith’s acclaimed illustrated compilation of children’s poetry. Quarto, bound in full crushed red morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling and fleuron cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles,Continue reading "Oxford Book of Poetry for Children."

Waugh, Evelyn

Decline and Fall.

London : Chapman & Hall, 1962.

First revised edition of Waugh’s first published novel. Octavo, bound in full crushed green morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling and fleuron cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edgesContinue reading "Decline and Fall."

Goldoni, Carlo

Le Commedie Del Dottore Carlo Goldoni Avvocato Veneziano Fra Gli Arcadi Polisseno Fegejo Prima Edizione Fiorentina Dell’ Autore correta, riveduta, ed ampliata.

Firenze : Eredi Paperini, 1753-1755.

First corrected Florentine edition of Goldoni’s comedic works. Octavo, 12 volumes, bound in full vellum, frontispiece portrait of Goldoni by Pitteri after Piazetta. In good condition. Armorial bookplates and ownership inscription. A rare set published during Goldoni’s lifetime.

Milne, A. A. Decorations by Ernest Shepard

Now We Are Six.

London : Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1960.

Finely bound example of the third book in Milne’s beloved Pooh series. Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco over marbled boards by Sangorski and Sutcliffe with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, decorations by Ernest Shepard. In near fine condition.

Roubayyat de Hafiz et d’Omar Khayyam. [The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám].

Paris : Francis LeBegue, [1921].

Finely bound example of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám. Octavo, bound in full levant morocco with gilt titles to the spine, gilt Art Deco style decorations to the front and rear panel, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, decorated borders and initials. One of 300 copies. Text in French. Translated byContinue reading "Roubayyat de Hafiz et d’Omar Khayyam. [The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám]."

Goldoni, Carlo

Nuovo Teatro Comico Dell’Avvocato Carlo Goldoni Poeta Di S. A. R. Il Serenissimo Infante di Spagna Don Filippo Duca Di Parma, Piacenza, Guastalla, ec. [New Comic Theater of the Lawyer Carlo Goldoni].

Venezi : Francesco Pitteri, 1753-1755.

Rare complete set of Pitteri’s 1757 printing of Goldoni’s works of comic theater. Octavo, ten volumes bound in full vellum with gilt tooling to the spine, engraved frontispiece portrait of Goldoni by Pitteri after Piazetta. In good condition. Armorial bookplates. A rare complete set of this scarce printing published during the author’s lifetime.

Du Maurier, Daphne

My Cousin Rachel.

London : Victor Gollancz Ltd, 1951.

First edition of Daphne du Maurier’s classic mystery-romance. Octavo, bound in full morocco to mimic a lady’s riding jacket with three jeweled buttons. In fine condition. An exceptional presentation.