English History

La Grande Bretagne et Ireland – Chatelain – 1717

An original copper engraved map of the British Isles by Zacharie Chatelain and published in Amsterdam in 1717.

A nice example with simple outline simple outline colouring. Engraved area 17 cm by 14cm a good strong plate mark.

Henri Abraham Chatelain (1684-1743) born in Paris but lived variously in Paris, London, the Hague and later Amsterdam. This intriguing map of the British Isles was published as part of “La Science des Personnes de la Cour … “ a monumental work covering religion, astronomy, geography, war and fortifications etc.

Chatelain’s reputation is that of a skilled artist with delicate engraving and an uncomplicated composition. It is considered that Chatelaine primarily used De L’Isle as his reference for maps and we would agree with that view in regard to this little beauty.

Price $280.00 framed in Voyager miniature map style with gilt fillet, burgundy mat and beaded gilt frame.

Attractive 300 year old map of the British Isles

$280.00

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The Northern Hero – being a faithful Narrative of the Life, Adventures, and deceptions, of James George Semple, Commonly called Major Semple. Scarce Ferguson 18 – Published 1786.

Extremely scarce, despite being introduced as a “New Edition” with the circumstances of Each Fraud, and the Names of the Parties injured.

The lengthy title continues major Semple .. alias Major Harrold, Major Maxwell, Major Grant, Major Cunningham, Major Winter etc. With and account of his Devices at lord Salisbury’s, Sir Thomas Dundass’s, and Mr Pitt’s. Also the various Inventions by which he obtained Goods of Tradesmen. The Whole supported by indisputable Authority, with the Names of the Persons who were the Objects of his Depredations. Likewise … and Account of his Trial Before Mt Justice Gould and the Recorder at the Old Bailey on Saturday September 2 for defrauding Mr John Lycett, Coach-maker, in Whitechapel, of a Post-chaise, value fifty Guineas, of which he was Convicted.

Published by G. Kearsley, Fleet Street and sold by Bookseller, 1786. Octavo 90 pages after half title, frontispiece with engraving by Barlow of Semple in the dock, full title, book advertisements 2 pages, dedication from Compiler 1 page, blank 1 page, list of content 5 pages and Errata 1 page.

Bound in later quarter mottled polished leather with lavish marbled paper covered boards. Carries previous distinguished ownership bookplates of Nanyce Kent Perry and before that Dr George Mackaness. This being Ferguson No 18 and a manuscript note on the front pastedown “Ferguson Bibliography cites only the copy in Ferguson Collections.

Some evidence of professional repair to the margin on the frontispiece and some aging occasionally in the text but really a very good copy of a desirable early Ferguson book that cannot be found elsewhere.

Least to say the Major Semple was a bit of a rogue and a classy one at that. His final comeuppance rested on the fact the it was found that he intended to steal the coach … his defence was that it was a debt that he couldn’t pay … he lost and was sentenced to be taken to Botany Bay. He slipped ship at Rio!

Priceless Semple … off to Botany Bay in 1786 … or maybe not!

$390.00

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The Story of Nell Gwyn And the Sayings of Charles the Second – Cunningham – Private Printing 1927 Fine Condition

The Story of Nell Gwyn And the Sayings of Charles the Second – Related and Collected by Peter Cunningham with an introduction by John Drinkwater.

Privately printed in London for the Navarre Society 1927. Very good if not fine condition. Original red cloth binding, octavo 194 pages after preliminaries on thick fine bright paper, red silk page ribbon. Top edge rich gilt very clean. Frontispiece of Nell in all her glory and a folding reproduction of Hollar’s view of London and thirty-eight portraits and views from rare contemporary (and relevant) prints.

Nell Gwyn in all her finery – Private Printing 1927

Nell Gwyn (1650–1687) actress and mistress to Charles II. Samuel Pepys referred to her as “Pretty witty Nell”. She was a great comedian and started as an “orange girl” at what is now the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. She had two sons by Charles II one who died young and the other lived long and was granted an Earldom after she remarked when Charles approached “come on you little bastard here is your father”

$70.00

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Horatio Lord Nelson – Brain Lavery

The British Library and the National Maritime Museum combine to produce this fine book on the great man. Published in 2003 a very good copy in a complete dust jacket.

Illustrations not found elsewhere in the Nelson library.

The flash line is just our scanner with the Brodart dust jacket protector

Nelson done well

$20.00

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Map of England – Isaak Tirion – 1730

An original copper engraved map by Dutch cartographer Isaak Tirion (1705-1765) of England. Published in Amsterdam around 1730. Original centrefold as issued. Incredible detail throughout. Hilly areas shown pictorially and wooded areas marked by little tiny trees.

Generally, in very good condition. Map dimensions 37cms by 32 cm.

Tirion produced several Atlases and Dutch town plans. Some suggest that his maps were based on those of Guillaume de L’isle although we see them as being much more detailed than de L’ísle’s standard.

Price $120.00 unframed.

Nice map of England from the early 18th century with many place names and points of detail.

$120.00

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The Doctrine of Gold and Silver Computations – Snelling – 1766

The Doctrine of Gold and silver Computations
Thomas Snelling – 1766

A First Edition of Snelling’s book title continues … in which is included, that of the par of money; the proportion in value between gold and silver; and the valuation of gold, silver, and parting assays; with useful tables and copper plates.

Full calf with six compartments to spine each with elaborate giltwork and a separate black leather title label. Complete with 144 pages after preliminaries including assay tables followed by 10 pages of copper engravings of coins all quite beautifully executed showing the printers plate mark for each coin pair.

Technically a book of high standard with comprehensive workings and tables allowing for a proper understanding of the difficulties of assay in the 18th century.

Thomas Snelling (1712-1773) was a leading English numismatist of the period. He carried on business as a coin dealer at 183 Fleet Street next door to the Horn Tavern. His collection was sold off after his death and the catalogue is held in the Medal Room at the British Museum. There are three portrait medals of Snelling in the British Museum, one by Pingo who also did the Cook Medal commissioned by the Royal Society.

First Edition of Snelling’s Book on Gold, Silver and Coins

$340.00

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La Grande Bretagne et Ireland – Chatelain – 1717

The Northern Hero – being a faithful Narrative of the Life, Adventures, and deceptions, of James George Semple, Commonly called Major Semple. Scarce Ferguson 18 – Published 1786.

The Story of Nell Gwyn And the Sayings of Charles the Second – Cunningham – Private Printing 1927 Fine Condition

Horatio Lord Nelson – Brain Lavery

Map of England – Isaak Tirion – 1730

The Doctrine of Gold and Silver Computations – Snelling – 1766

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