"There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. "
— Oscar Wilde
Gift Books & Fine Bindings
The Second World War.
London: Cassell and Co., 1948-54. [Military History] SMARTLY BOUND FIRST EDITIONS. Six volumes. Octavo (22 x 15 x 27cm), pp.xv; 640; pp.xvii; 684; pp.x; 818; pp.xviii; 917; pp.xviii; 673; pp.xviii; 716. With numerous maps and plans, some folding. Attractively bound in burgundy half morocco with matching cloth over boards, blue..... More
The Second World War.
London: Cassell and Co., 1948-54. [Military History] SMARTLY BOUND FIRST EDITIONS. Six volumes. Octavo (22 x 15 x 27cm), pp.xv; 640; pp.xvii; 684; pp.x; 818; pp.xviii; 917; pp.xviii; 673; pp.xviii; 716. With numerous maps and plans, some folding. Recently bound in navy half calf with matching cloth over boards, red..... More
The Two Last Pleadings of Marcus Tullius Cicero against Caius Verres; Translated and Illustrated with Notes, by Charles Kelsall, Esq., author of a Letter from Athens. To which is added a Postscript, containing remarks on the state of Modern Sicily.
London: Printed by T. Bensley for White, Cochrane, and Co., 1812. [Classics in Translation] FIRST KELSALL EDITION. Octavo (22 x 14cm), pp.xii; 365; [3]. With four engraved plates, including one folding. Contemporary tan polished calf with raised bands, gilt titles to a red label on the spine, and further gilt..... More
The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England, Begun in the Year 1641. With the Precedent Passages, and Actions, that Contributed There Unto, and the Happy End and Conclusion Thereof by the King's Blessed Restoration, and Return Upon the 29th of May, in the Year 1660. Together with : The Life of Edward Earl of Clarendon,..., containing: I. An Account of the Chancellor's Life from his Birth to the Restoration in 1660. II. A Continuation of the same, and of his History of the Grand Rebellion, from the Restoration to his Banishment in 1667. Written by himself. Printed from his Original Manuscripts,...
Oxford: Printed at the Theater, 1707, 1759. 4 volumes; Folio (50 x 33cm). A superb presentation of 3 volumes of the Rebellion, 1707, Large Paper, one of only 6 copies said to have been printed according to Lowndes, together with a volume of Clarendon's Life, 1759, First Edition, in large..... More
A History of the Protestant Reformation in England and Ireland; showing how that event has impoverished the main body of the people in those countries. In a Series of Letters addressed to all sensible and just Englishmen. Containing also, a List of the Abbeys, Priories, Nunneries, Hospitals, and other Religious Foundations in England and Wales, and in Ireland, confiscated, seized on, or alienated, by the Protestant "Reformation" Sovereigns and Parliaments.
London: Catholic Publishing and Bookselling Company, no date [circa 1850]. [Social History] FINELY BOUND, a stereotyped edition. Two volumes bound as one. Octavo (18 x 11cm), pp.[4]; 333; [1]; pp.[2]; xxxiv; 192; [2]. With occasional wood engraved plates, including a frontispiece. Contemporary black half calf with raised bands and gilt..... More
The Romance of the Echoing Wood.
Newport: R.H. Johns, the "Directory" Press, 1937. [Welsh Fairy Tale] SIGNED LIMITED EDITION. Small quarto (26 x 20cm), pp.[8] 43 [5]. Number 50 of just 220 copies, SIGNED by all the contributors, including the publisher, to the limitation page. With wide marginal illustrations and three full page plates all engraved..... More
After Dark.
London: The Gresham Publishing Co., n.d. [c.1900]. [Classic Literature]. FIRST THUS. Octavo (21 x 14cm), pp.xxiv; 355 [1]. With six wood engraved plates by Browne, including a frontispiece. Publisher's blue cloth with gilt titles to spine and upper board, along with distinctive white and green decoration. Grey endpapers. Black ink..... More
The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments,... Together with The Psalter or Psalms of David,... and the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining and Consecrating Bishops, priests, and Deacons; and the Thirty-Nine Articles of religion: with Notes Explanatory, Practical, and Historical, from approved Writers of the Church of England, Selected and Arranged by the Reverend Richard Mant.
Oxford: Printed by W. Baxter, 1820. 4to. (30 x 6 cm). Contemporary full black morocco with gilt titles and gilt decorative flat raised bands to spine, blind and gilt panelling to boards; marbled end papers; all edges gilt. With an Appendix. Beautiful binding, a little rubbed; later repair to upper..... More
The Book of Common Prayer. The Book of Common Prayer; And Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the use of the Church of England; Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, pointed as they are to be Sung or Said in Churches.
London: William Pickering, 1853. [Common prayer] FINELY BOUND AND ILLUSTRATED. Duodecimo (18 x 12cm). Finely printed with ornate decoration to every page. Finely bound by J. Wright in brown calf lettered and ornately decorated in gilt to spine and boards, fine gilt gauffered edges, marbled endpapers. Some spotting, ownership stamp..... More
The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the use of the Church of England: Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, pointed as they are to be Sung or Said in Churches.
Cambridge: John Baskerville, 1761 [1762]. 'PRIDE AND PREJUDICE' ASSOCIATION. Third impression of the FIRST BASKERVILLE EDITION, owned by the family of Bishop Porteus (1731-1809), notable Abolitionist, Church reformer, and basis for the character of Mr. Collins in Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. Large octavo (25 x 17cm), unpaginated. In contemporary..... More
The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the use of the United Church of England and Ireland: Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, pointed as they are to be Sung or Said in Churches; the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons; the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion; and their Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical: with Notes Explanatory, Practical, and Historical, from Approved Writers of the Church of England, Selected and Arranged by the Right Reverend Richard Mant, D.D. Lord Bishop of Down and Connor, and Late Domestick Chaplain to His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury.
London: J. G. F. and J. Rivington, 1840. FINELY BOUND, fifth edition thus. Quarto (30 x 24cm), pp.[6] 2, lxxii, 966 [4]. In two columns with very extensive notes by Rev. Mant. In contemporary dark brown diced calf with raised bands, gilt titles to spine and further blind decoration to..... More
The Pictorial Edition of The Book of Common Prayer, According to the Use of United Church of England and Ireland. Together with the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Illustrated with Many Hundred Wood-Cuts. To which are Added, Original Notes, and an Introductory History of the Liturgy.
London: C. Knight and Co., no date [1838]. [Common Prayer] FINELY BOUND ILLUSTRATED EDITION. Large octavo (27 x 18cm), pp.[2] xl; 712; [2]. Illustrated throughout with wood engravings after the Old Masters by John Jackson (1801-1848), a student of Thomas Bewick. Contemporary full morocco with gilt titles and decoration to..... More
![The Book of Common Prayer [and] The Hymnal Companion to the Book of Common Prayer. COMMON PRAYER](/pictures/thumb/50466CommonPrayer.jpg?v=1547505472)
The Book of Common Prayer [and] The Hymnal Companion to the Book of Common Prayer.
London: Thomas Yardley [and] Sampson, Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington, n.d. [c.1900]. VERY SMALL, two volumes in a leather case. Quadragesimo-Octavo (10 x 6cm), pp.448; pp.[2] 382. In publisher's horizontal grained limp morocco covers with gilt titles to spine and front covers. Presented in a contemporary open-topped leather slip-case with..... More
The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the use of the Church of England and Ireland: Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, pointed as they are to be Sung or Said in Churches; and the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1855. FINELY BOUND EDITION, with quite large print. Octavo (23 x 15cm), unpaginated. Contemporary deep burgundy full morocco by Hayday, with raised bands and gilt titles to spine. Gilt embossed decoration to boards. All edges gilt. With a gilt embossed leather monogram roundel loose to prelims..... More
The Works of James Fenimore Cooper. [Including 'The Last of the Mohicans'; 'The Pathfinder'; 'The Deerslayer' etc.] The Mohawk Edition.
New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons, no date [circa 1895]. [American Literature] FINELY BOUND COMPLETE SET. 32 volumes, ctavo (22 x 15 x 96cm). Printed by the Knickerbocker Press. Each volume with a photogravure frontispiece reproducing illustrations by F.T. Richards. Contemporary tan half calf with gilt titles to contrasting red..... More
The Pilot; A Tale of the Sea.
London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, 1832. [Classic Literature] EX LIBRIS WILLIAM GLADSTONE, a later edition. Octavo (17 x 11cm), pp.viii; 420; [2]. With an engraved frontispiece and vignette title page. Contemporary brown half calf with gilt titles and decoration to spine. Marbled boards, edges and endpapers marbled. Armorial bookplate..... More
The Works of William Cowper: His Life, Letters, and Poems. Now First Completed by the Introduction of Cowper's Private Correspondence.
London: William Tegg and Co., 1849. [Poetical Works] FINELY BOUND. Octavo (24 x 16cm), pp.xx; 736; [2]. With six steel engraved plates by various artists including a frontispiece, as well as an engraved vignette title page. Contemporary full morocco with raised bands, gilt titles to spine and extensive gilt decoration..... More
The Peerage of Ireland: or, an exact Catalogue of the present Nobility both Lords Spiritual and Temporal, with an Historical and Genealogical account of them, containing the Descents, Creations and most remarkable Actions of them, their Ancestors, and some of their Monuments; also the Titles of Honour they now enjoy, both here and in England, their Preferments, and the time of their Promotions, with their Marriages and Issues, continued to this Time; with their Paternal Coats of Arms, and of the Archiepiscopal and Episcopal Sees, and the time of their Consecrations and Translations of each Family in Blazon, with their respective Arms, Crests, Supporters and Mottos; the whole collected from the most authentick Histories, Pedigrees, choice Manuscripts, Certificates, and other Records of this Kingdom. [Together with] The Signification of most Things that are born in Heraldry, with the Explanation of their Natural Qualities, and of those Persons that they ought properly to be born by.
Dublin: Printed by Thomas Hume, 1724 - 1725. FIRST EDITIONS. Two volumes bound as one. Folio (32 x 21cm), pp.[16]; 260; [14]; 86; [10]. In recent brown speckled full panelled calf, with raised bands and gilt titles to red label on spine. Blue ink library stamp to title page and..... More
Mistura Curiosa.
Edinburgh. Maclachlan and Stewart. 1896. First edition. 4to. Bound in publisher's dark green cloth covered bevelled boards, titled and decorated in gilt to spine and front board. Light edgewear, some slight frayiong to head of spine; bright, clean and handsome. All edges gilt. Internally clean. A bizarre and unusual collection..... More
The Music of the Poets. A Musicians' Birthday Book.
London and Felling-On-Tyne: The Walter Scott Publishing Co., Ltd., 1908. [Gift book] FINELY BOUND IN DUST-JACKET. Quarto (25 x 18cm), pp.xii; 357; [1]. The third edition, completely revised. Illustrated with twenty-six plates. Printed with excerpts of verse and song facing a page printed with dates and space for the owner's..... More
Rural Sports.
London: Bunny and Gold, no date [1801-1813]. [Hunting] FIRST EDITIONS. Three volumes, including the supplement. Quarto (27 x 22 x 17cm), pp.[10] 383 [5]; pp.[4] 520 [4]; pp.[16] 507 [25]. With 19 copper engravings and a lithographic frontispiece to volume I; 44 copper engravings and a lithographic frontispiece and decorated..... More
The Botanic Garden, A Poem. In Two Parts. Part I containing The Economy of Vegetation. Part II The Loves of Plants. With Philosophical Notes.
London: Printed for J. Johnson, 1799. [Botany]. FINE CONTEMPORARY BINDING, the fourth edition. In two volumes. Octavo (22 x 14cm), pp.[2] xiv; xvii-xx; 492 [2]; pp.[4] xii; xv-xvi; 282 [6]. With 21 etchings and copper engraved plates, including a frontispiece to each volume. Contemporary navy full diced calf with gilt..... More
Supernatural Pamphlets.
1852-54. Five important pamphlets by a leader in the Spiritualist movement. Bound in contemporary full brown calf with gilt titles and ornate gilt decoration to spine, marbled endpapers and edges. 'The Approaching Crisis: Being A Review of Dr. Bushnell's Recent Lectures on Spiritualism', New York: Published by the Author, 1852..... More
Electric Railways and Tramways, their Construction and Operation. A Practical Handbook, setting forth at length the modern application of Electricity as a Motive Power for Railways and Tramways; containing Complete Financial and Engineering Data as to Design, Construction, Equipment and Working; fully Illustrating all modern and accepted types of Machinery and Apparatus; and describing in detail the principal Installations of Europe and America.
London: Offices of "Engineering," 1897. [Engineering] FINE PRIZE BINDING, a revised and enlarged edition. Quarto (29 x 23cm), pp.[20]; xxviii; 678; [22]. With frequent in-text engraved illustrations and tables. Contemporary burgundy half morocco with raised bands, gilt titles to spine, and red cloth over boards with a UCL stamp in..... More
"Castelli Romani", an account of certain towns and villages in Latium, with an appendix containing short notices of Tivoli, Anzio, and Nettuno, illustrated with original sketches by Roman artists.
Florence: Alinari Brothers, 1904. FIRST EDITION. Small quarto, pp.158 [2]. With many monochrome reproductions of paintings by various artists. In publisher's cream cloth with red titles to upper board and significantly raised relief-decoration. Top edge green, others untrimmed. Some marks to boards and bumped corners, otherwise very good... More