Non-fiction

A White Boat from England – George Millar 1951

A first edition published by Heinemann, London in 1951. Octavo, 308 pages nicely illustrated and with several maps.

George Millar had already sailed the Mediterranean in the thirty-ton ketch Truant. Here in a new vessel, a sixteen-ton sloop Serica they take a leisurely sail down and around the coast of Portugal and Spain.

What might seem like an easy passage turns into a challenge; a near miss and then run down by a fishing boat. Later illness and injury puts them in danger, before coming across Riviera smugglers and the opportunity to save another man’s life of Cap Ferrat.

It’s not all easy going in the Mediterranean … but there are some luxuries for sure.

$25.00

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Deshasheh – Flinders Petrie – 1889

The Fifteenth Memoir of The Egypt Exploration Fund.

Hardback published by order of the Committee and sold by them at Great Russell Street and Kegan Paul and Quaritch.

Large quarto, 51 pages plus 37 pages of plates a few of which are folding. Very good condition. A heavy item that may require an Overseas postage supplement.

The great Flinders Petrie by this time has spent many years in Egypt, accomplished many great find and produced numerous memoirs in this form. The work here he describes as more varied than usual, and has fulfilled more the character of exploration than in previous years. One of the least known parts of Egypt, the western side form Faynum to Minieh, was completely traversed and examined; and two site within that area excavated.

We explore the Cemetery of Deshasheh and the Tomb of Anta, the Tomb of Shedu, the Tombs of Nenkheftka and Son.

The drawings and photographs of the findings are simply superb as usual.

Flinders Petrie – Egyptology – Highest Standard

$140.00

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Antique Medical Instruments – Wilbur

Published by Schiffer, i.e. the pen people, of Atglen, USA. The 2008 edition with updates by the distinguished Keith Wilbur MD who can trace back his descendants to Rhode Island 1636.

We mention the “pen people” as the book is rather whimsically produced in an unusual cursive font with matching line drawing of instruments.

Quarto, softcover 149 pages. Seems to be a bit under-rated for a book we really rate not just for the beginner but the serious collector too. We also like that it has a very good section on the development of the microscope often omitted from this subject matter. A semi-useful price guide at least provides perspective … 18th Century medical instruments can hardly come cheap. A list of medical museums in the USA good prove a valuable starting point for a holiday focussed on such matters. Plan your next trip.

Wilbur’s Medical Instruments a great place to start … and more

$50.00

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From Fetish to God in Ancient Egypt – Wallis Budge – First Edition 1934

First edition published by Oxford University Press in 1934. Large octavo, 545 pages with 240 illustrations. Decorated cloth covered boards and with most of the rare dust jacket, with repaired separation to rear corner and large chip to base of spine. The book rarely appears with its jacket. A very good copy. A substantial book.

A history of the progress of Egyptian religious beliefs and related mythology during ancient times.

Chapter subjects include … The Religions of Ancient Egypt; Predynastic Cults – Animism – Fetishism – Gods and Goddesses of Fetish Origin etc ; Magic the Foundation of Egyptian Religions; Magical Rituals and Spells; The Magician – His Powers and Works; The Family of Gebb and Nut; Hathor and the Hathor-Goddesses; Gods – Stellar, Borrowed and Foreign; Osiris the Rival of Ra; The Judgement of the Dead; Life Beyond the Grave etc etc

Wallis Budge (1857-1934) one of a group of top Egyptologists to be associated with the British Museum. Born into poor circumstances he made London and the British Museum as a young man. He was so well liked and he was sponsored through Cambridge by Gladstone and Smith (of W.H. Smith fame). He studied the work of Layard, knew Alfred Sayce well (see out original letter by Sayce), learned from Assyriologist George Smith (Voyager hero). It was not long until he was in charge of building the collection which he did in a grand scale. His most distinguished acquisition maybe the Papyrus of Ani “Book of the Dead”. He wrote many books on his subject. This his final and enduring work.

Budge – a lifetime devoted to Egyptology.

$160.00

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Honours Conferred by Charles II (A Catalogue of Nobility) – First Edition 1662

Printed by Robert Pawley at the Sign of the Bible in Chancery-Lane near the Temple 1662.

Full and proper title … Catalogue of Nobility – The Names and Titles of all such Dukes, Earls, Viscounts and Barons, Knights of the Garter, Knights of the Bath, and Knights Baronets, made by His Majesty K. Charles II. With the times of their Creations. Also, The Names of His Majesties Privy Council, the Bishops and Piers of the Realm as they are placed in this present Parliament. With the addition of above 40 new Honours.

Small octavo, 68 pages after title and one-page Publishers Catalogue … which include the then useful “A Collection of What is Treason by the Laws of England”.

Rebound at some date in full vellum with gilt titles to front in decorative gilt broader, nice gilt devices and lines to spine, silk ribbon added. A very nice presentation.

After the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, King Charles II quickly enhanced the “system” of privilege … the old names were there … Percy of Northumberland but many new ones were added … with all that in place his back was covered? And more time could be afforded to his greatest joy … to party.

Period record of the Honours of Charles II – 1662

$260.00

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Early 19th Century Pope Joan Card Game Staking Board

A striking example of a Pope Joan Staking Board, likely Georgian.

A red lacquered board probably made in China for the English market. The circular pot to hold counters is surrounded by eight divisions. The borders embellished to describe each of the compartments … the Nine of Diamonds (Which represents “Pope Joan”; The Ace, King, Queen and Jack of Diamonds, and the words Matrimony, Intrigue and Game with floral devices in gilt in-between. Still has the top to the pot (often missing) with more card decorations. Does not have a wooden pedestal foot which would have screwed on below. 24cm in diameter. Likely made from Birch or some other decorative light wood. A really super example.

An 18th Century round game of cards for three to eight players derived French games and related to but less elaborate than Newmarket. It did not appear in Hoyle until 1814 but had been mentioned in early dictionaries. Pope Joan refers to the suspicion that Pope John VIII was actually a woman.

Two Hundred Year Old Staking Board for Pope Joan – a lovely decorative piece

$290.00

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A White Boat from England – George Millar 1951

Deshasheh – Flinders Petrie – 1889

Antique Medical Instruments – Wilbur

From Fetish to God in Ancient Egypt – Wallis Budge – First Edition 1934

Honours Conferred by Charles II (A Catalogue of Nobility) – First Edition 1662

Early 19th Century Pope Joan Card Game Staking Board

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