Antiquarian

Horace – the Satires, Epistles and Art of Poetry – Translated William Boscawen – First edition 1797

I very nice copy of the single volume first edition translation published in 1797. Boscawen, the authority, had brought out the “Odes” a few years earlier – must say we prefer the “lighter” satires.

Octavo, 559 pages, contemporary full speckled leather binding with lavish gilt ruling to front and back, five raised bands to spine with separate black leather label titled gilt. Marbled endpapers, gilt design along inside edge.

Book label of Rev H Strangeways likely the original owner and explains lavish binding. Only fault is some loss of leather top of spine from presumably frequent reference.

Horace – it’s never too late to become acquainted.

$180.00

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Admiral Byng – A Letter to a member of Parliament in the Country, from His Friend in London relative to the Case of Admiral Byng – with some Original Papers and Letters which Passes during the Expedition – First Edition 1756

Admiral Bying was famously executed on his ship at Plymouth having been found guilty of retiring against the enemy [cowardice].

It was a terrible set-up and much information was withheld during his Trial and much more was bent out of shape – noting much changed there!

An anonymous author but obviously with many contacts relevant to the matter.

A pamphlet printed by J Cooke at the King’s Arms, Great Turnstile, Holborn [London] in 1756. Saddle stiched as original 31 pages, pretty good condition, very clean.

Contains extracts from numerous contemporary reports and letters and a set of tables that prove the assertion that Byng retreated from and “inferior” force to be very wrong.

Byng a through rebuttal of the case against him – but too late.

$150.00

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Poems by Charles Kingsley – 1884 – Superb Fine Binding Deep Blue Leather

Published by Macmillan. London, the collected edition, in 1884. Octavo, 326 pages. Bound in deep blue polished calf with five raised bands to spine separate red leather title label and elaborate gilt work to each compartment, gilt outline to boards, marbled end papers and edges etc – really nice.

Starts with the drama “The Saints Tragedy” based on the life of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary … who struggled with the dilemma of coming from and living a life of nobility whilst wishing to live a life of service to those that struggle … and also, the deeply emotional, Andromeda, chained to the rocks until rescued by Perseus.

Charles Kingsley was a friend of Darwin and early supporter of the theory of evolution (Darwin mentions his view in later editions). Author of the Water Babies and Westward Ho and a collection of beautiful poems, songs and ballads beautifully presented here.

Victorian Poetry bound in blue

$60.00

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A Voyage to New Guinea, and the Moluccas from Balambangan: including and Account of Magindono, Sooloo and other Islands … performed in the Tartar Galley, during the years 1774,1775 and 1776 – Thomas Forrest -First Edition 1779

A rare first edition published by Robson, Donaldson et al London 1779. Quarto, 388 pages, and with 32 copper engraved maps and plates, many double page or folding. Offsetting to plates, as usual. A good copy in original full calf re-backed and re-cornered to style.

Scottish born Thomas Forrest (1729-1802) was a brilliant sailor and navigator. He was a midshipman by sixteen and soon spent most of his time in the “Indian waters”. He was commissioned by the British East India Company in 1762. By 1770 he was engaged in forming a new settlement, Balambangban, Borneo … an idea fostered by Alexander Dalrymple.

He was soon involved in plans to explore the islands to the east in the direction of New Guinea. He sailed on 9^th December 1774 in the Tartar a garay boat from Sulu of about ten tons. His crew comprised two English officers and eighteen Malays. He was accompanied part of the voyage by two even smaller boats. The expedition, the subject of this book pushed as far as Geelvink Bay, New Guinea having explored and charted the Sulu Archipelago, Mindanao, Mandiolo, Batchian and Waiego, returning to Achin in the March of 1776.

This volume with its sumptuous array of plates was produced to a very high standard. A well written account published quite speedily after the events reflects the support and standing offered the author Forrest.

Forrest went on to publish further works relating to navigation in the east such as “A Treatise on the Monsoons in East India”.

Forrest exploring and charting the eastern islands of the East Indies and Northern Coastline of New Guinea.

$1,280.00

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The Antiquities of Warwick, and Warwick Castle – Extracted from Sir William Dugdale’s Antiquities of Warwickshire – 1786

Title goes on … To which is added, from an ancient Manuscript in the Possession of the Corporation of Warwick, a Detail of the Earl of Leicester’s Arrival in Warwick, and Celebrating the French Order of St Michael, in the Year 1571: And also, an Account of Queen Elizabeth’s Reception in Warwick, in 1572. Embellished with a Copper Plate Print of St Mary’s Church.

Printed by and for J. Sharp; and Sold by Messrs. Rivingtons, St Paul’s Church-yard, London MDCCLXXXVI [1786].

Octavo, 163 pages, large folding plate of the South East Prospect of St Mary’s Church by B Cole. Bound half leather over marbled boards, gilt embellishments to spine. Top of spine “pulled” a little age, otherwise a pretty good antiquarian copy.

Dugdale’s earlier book is the major reference on early Warwickshire and Warwick. Here we have a reduced version which made it accessible. The additions make the book, and the descriptions of Elizabeth I visit a highlight.

Warwick one of the more fascinating Castle Towns of England and a visit from Elizabeth I.

$170.00

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Lives of Twelve Good Men – John Burgon – Lavish Relfe Brothers Binding – 1891

Published by Murray, London 1891. A new edition now including portraits of each of the illustrious subjects. Large Octavo, 483 pages plus index.

Bound by Relfe Brother in full rich red polished calf with, five raised bands to spine with separate black leather title label. Gilt work to spine and board edges and gilt shield of Malvern College to front. Marbled end papers continuing to all page edges.

A superb biographical record of these influential 19th Century men …..
1. Martin Joseph Routh
2. Hugh James Rose
3. Charles Marriott
4. Edward Hawkins
5. Samuel Wilberforce
6. Richard Lynch Cotton
7. Richard Greswell
8. Henry Octavius Coxe
9. Henry Longueville Mansel
10. William Jacobson
11. Charles Page Eden
12. Charles Longuet Higgins

Relfe bookbinders were one of the great late 19thC London bookbinders servicing Royalty and all the very best establishments and posh schools and colleges.

A substantial book about substantial people!

$60.00

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Horace – the Satires, Epistles and Art of Poetry – Translated William Boscawen – First edition 1797

Admiral Byng – A Letter to a member of Parliament in the Country, from His Friend in London relative to the Case of Admiral Byng – with some Original Papers and Letters which Passes during the Expedition – First Edition 1756

Poems by Charles Kingsley – 1884 – Superb Fine Binding Deep Blue Leather

A Voyage to New Guinea, and the Moluccas from Balambangan: including and Account of Magindono, Sooloo and other Islands … performed in the Tartar Galley, during the years 1774,1775 and 1776 – Thomas Forrest -First Edition 1779

The Antiquities of Warwick, and Warwick Castle – Extracted from Sir William Dugdale’s Antiquities of Warwickshire – 1786

Lives of Twelve Good Men – John Burgon – Lavish Relfe Brothers Binding – 1891

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