Antiquarian

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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Robinson Crusoe – Daniel Defoe – 1790 – Two Volume Illustrated Edition.

The full title of one of the world’s most famous books … “The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventure of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner: Who lived eight and twenty years all alone in an uninhabited Island on the Coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River Oroonoque, Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but himself: With An Account how he was at last as strangely delivered by Pyrates. Written by Himself.” …

The Second Volume is separately titled … “The Farther Adventures of Robinson being the Second and Last Part of his Life” … to which is appended George Chalmers’s “Life of Daniel Defoe”

Two volume large octavo set bound in contemporary calf, re-backed beautifully by Perry. Pagination Volume 1 .. viii,[iii]-iv, 493 pages – 9 full page plates: Volume 2 … [2],vi, 483 pages – 7 full pages plates. A very good and desirable Robinson Crusoe set.

This is the first edition of the Stockdale version with, by far, the best illustrations. Engraved frontispieces and plates by Thomas Stothard.

Robinson Crusoe the most popular, delightful and extraordinary of all of Daniel Defoe’s works. Loved by Dr Johnson who challenged anyone to put it down easily. By 1790 the text of Robinson Crusoe had become abused by other publishers, reduced and amended. Here, Stockdale reverted to the original text of Defoe to which he added the finest illustrations yet seen in the work.

Most may know that Defoe was a great follower of William Dampier the first person to circumnavigate the World twice and eventually three times. Dampier was embroiled in the strange goings on resulting in the leaving of Scotsman Alexander Selkirk on Juan Fernandos Island, off the coast of Chile. He also, rather strangely, was pilot on the vessel that was to pick Selkirk up many year later. The story of Selkirk’s solitary life there, goats etc is the basis of Robinson Crusoe. Defoe had the island transported to the mouth of the Orinoco, for marketing purpose one presumes.

Early and preferred illustrated Stockdale Volumes of Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe – 235 Years old.

$980.00

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A Cursory Sketch of the State of the Naval, Military and Civil Establishments, Legislative, Judicial, and Domestic Economy of This Kingdom, During the Fourteenth Century. – Bree John – Self Published London, 1791

Published in London in 1791 with a particular account of the campaign of King Edward the Third, in Normandy and France, in the years 1345 and 1346, to the taking of Calais: collected merely from the ancient manuscripts in the British Museum, and elsewhere. Volume I, [all that was published].

First Edition, printed for the author, and sold by J. Debrett (and others), 1791, quarto, pages xxxvi, 381, (30) – index and errata, pages 385 and 386 misnumbered 335 and 381.

Bound in delightful full antique tree calf, raised bands and gilt decoration to spine, gilt lettered leather labels. Contents bright and clean, binding tight and firm, a very good to better copy.

There are two sections concerning the Navy:

1) Of the General State of the Navy of England during the Fourteenth Century; and more particularly of the naval armament collected by King Edward the Third for his expedition against Normandy and France: and first of the appointment and succession of the Lord Admirals of England; and

2) Of the Size, Tonnage, and Construction of the Ships; their Complement of Men, Victualing, the Number of Officers, their Pay, and that of the Mariners and Soldiers, on board the Navy of England, during the Fourteenth Century.

A most interesting historical record in very good condition in a quality tree calf binding.

John Bree (c1734-c1796) was Rector of Rysholme in the County of Lincoln. He was a Oxford graduate – B.A. 1753, M.A. 1759 and a devout historian of the 14th Century. He must have spent years compiling the information required for this very interesting work, unmatched for its detail. His departing got in the way of any further volumes that may have been intended. Nevertheless, the book is complete and stands on its own.

$590.00

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The Accursed Thing; or The Causes of Our Public Calamities Stated and Explained – A Sermon – Rev James Robertson – 1800

Rev James Robertson was the Presbyterian Minister in the little village of Thropton Northumberland, England. This lengthy and strangely interesting sermon was published as a pamphlet by Elder of Edinburgh and others in 1800. Octavo, 35 pages, here nicely presented in a modern protective binding. Very clean for its age and well printed. Impossible to find another one we believe.

England was at war with France … the Minister has little respect for the enemy and for others that displeased higher ruling.

His concluding comment from Isiah and Psalm 69 are pertinent to now … “Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand, for God is with us. He will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah, the posterity of his saints shall inherit it, and they that love his name shall dwell therein”

Maybe some in power around the World just need to think this through.

A Sermon with a strong message – Unique 1800

$80.00

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Portraiture of Socrates – Catherall – 1717

An extremely scarce work and one of the great 18th Century scholarly works in English re Socrates.

Longer title from front – Eikon Sokratike Or, a Portraiture of Socrates, Extracted out of Plato. In Blank Verse by Sam. Catherall, A.B. and Fellow Oriel College, Oxon.

Unbound as issued, amazing even though worn, that it has survived in this form for over three hundred years. Printed at Oxford by Lichfield and Peisley and sold by Knapton et al Booksellers in London 1717.

Title reflects the “Imprimatur” of Jo. Baron Vice-Can, Oxon Ball. [Balliol] College Oxon June 17, 1717.

Octavo, sewn as issued, 6, 53, pages, old water stain now faded. Ownership signature dated 1726 on title.

The quite lengthy Preface by the translator is so humble we could all learn from it today. He explains his approach, omissions and limitations … he is obviously a great fan of Plato and Socrates – and why not they both had a good approach to life and focussed on meaningful thought and actions.

All up there are 36 “Dialogues” by Plato that feature Socrates as the central character – here we have Socrates at the Bar (Trial); Socrates in Prison; Socrates Discoursing on the Immorality of the Soul with Crito, and Simmias; Socrates about to drink Poison, Discoursing with Crito in the Presence of all his Friends … interesting the work ends FINIS … which it did.

Socrates by Plato and then Catherall at Oxford – 1717 – the pointy bits

$290.00

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Trial of King Charles the First – England’s Black Tribunal -1737

Published by C Rivington, at the Bible and Crown in St Paul’s Church Yard (London) in 1737. Octavo, xxxi, 308 pages with adverts, index and engraved plate of Charles I as frontispiece. Bound in full contemporary leather, a bit worn but authentic antiquarian. No title label. The frontispiece is a masterpiece of stipple engraving and is often missing.

Carries the bookplate of Victorian gentleman James Barratt of Lymm Hall a magnificent pile which appeared in Twycross’s Mansions of England. later bookplate of Charles J Bewlay of Carleton Hall, partly laid over. This combination has been seen before, also se in the partial laid over manner … Bewlay must have purchased a good slice of Barratt’s library.

A sixth and very much enlarged edition. Set out in four parts. The longer title describes …

I – The complete Tryal of Kind Charles the First, by the pretended High Court of Justice in Westminster-Hall, begun Jan, 20, 1648. Together with His Majesty’s Speech on the Scaffold, erected at Whitehall Gate, on Tuesday Jan. 30, 1648.

II – The Loyal Martyrology: Or, A perfect Relation of the Sufferings and Death of the Nobility, Gentry, and others, who were inhumanly sacrific’d for their Loyalty to the Sovereigns King Charles I and II. Together with several Dying Speeches.

III – An Historical Register of the Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen, who were slain in Defence of their King and Country, during the Unnatural Rebellion, begun in 1641.

IV – The Loyal Confessors: In a brief Account of the most Eminent Sufferers, by Imprisonment, Banishment, or in Estate, for the Cause of His Sacred Majesty.

To which is added An Historical Preface, by a True Churchman.

For those unaware of the general goings on Charles I (Son of James VI of Scotland, England’s first Stuart King) thought he could rule without a Parliament and making up his own laws (read taxes) as he went along. It led to disorder, Civil War (6% of the population died) and much more. He was arrested and charged with everything in the book [interestingly his charges are an early example of being charged with murder committed by his followers]. He didn’t recognise the Court and said so often during the Trial. He was if anything very eloquent and his responses and Dying Speech are good for reading.

Charles I – Lost is Head but not his Voice – Rare engraved frontispiece.

$380.00

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

Robinson Crusoe – Daniel Defoe – 1790 – Two Volume Illustrated Edition.

A Cursory Sketch of the State of the Naval, Military and Civil Establishments, Legislative, Judicial, and Domestic Economy of This Kingdom, During the Fourteenth Century. – Bree John – Self Published London, 1791

The Accursed Thing; or The Causes of Our Public Calamities Stated and Explained – A Sermon – Rev James Robertson – 1800

Portraiture of Socrates – Catherall – 1717

Trial of King Charles the First – England’s Black Tribunal -1737

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