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May We Borrow Your Husband? and Other Comedies of the Sexual Life – Graham Greene – First Edition – 1967 Fine Condition

Published by the Bodley Head, London in 1967, a first edition.

Octavo, 188 pages, with super dust jacket designed by Stephen Russ. Very good if not better condition with a fine complete dust jacket

Twelve short stories by Greene – “Comedies of the Sexual Life” many of which rank among his best.

The subtitle we are told not to be interpreted too narrowly … and we agree. Many different characters and settings, from the South of France to the Caribbean. The title piece is really super and packs in so much in just 40 pages.

We also like the reality of “The Over-night Bag” and the Invisible Japanese Gentlemen

Greene wit at its best .. makes a great and thoughtful gift.

$60.00

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“Rugby” – Fine and Striking Pochoir by George Barbier – April 1914

An original hand coloured “Pochoir” by George Barbier (1882-1932) the most desirable artist of the Paris Gazette du Bon Ton published in 1914.

A very early Bon Ton April 1914.

Rugby and “Costume tailleur de Redfern” … a stylish outfit by English designer John Redfern (1853-1919), in snowy cheviot (a soft luxurious wool weave from the Cheviot sheep, with a small black vest in the finest silk Ottoman, fastened with braided black frogs.

The ultimate in fashion print from a perfect era.

Price $120.00 unframed.

Much sought after “sporty” George Barbier

$120.00

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Vintage Quality Science Specimen Jar

A good example of a good quality vintage (circa 1930’s) specimen jar.

Hard glass design vertical sides, stopper same width as jar, nice ground glass stopper a beautiful fit, some age but authentic. Heavily fluted base for stability. No chemical residue apart from slight “eau de naphthalene” so likely used to store biological / botanical specimens.

Unusual scientific sample jar of upmarket design

$45.00

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Victorian Spectroscope – Adam Hilger c1890

A superb quality late Victorian brass Direct Vision Spectroscope, of the “Rainband” variety.

The device includes a “train” of alternating crown and flint glass prisms.

Made by Adam Hilger and his brother Otto who operated from Tottenham Court Road London from 1875 until 1916 when the business was taken over with the backing of Vickers. Nicely engraved A Hilger London and in near fine condition protected in its original custom brass canister.

Interestingly, Adam Hilger supplied one of the most advanced spectroscopes of the day to the Sydney Astronomical Observatory in 1878 to be used in conjunction with their Merz 7 ¼ inch refractor. Three prisms alternating quartz and flint glass provide spectral quality clear of aberration.

Neat Victorian Spectroscope top maker clear and true spectrum

$280.00

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Sete – Images of Provence – Seven Poems by Count Potocki of Montalk; Five Drawings by Marjorie Jackson- Pownall – Limited Numbered Eccentric Private Press

A scarce work by the rather odd Count Potocki of Montalk. Number sixty five of 120 copies set by hand by Count Potocki of Montalk, [which] have been printed by hand and foot by him.

Produced in the aforementioned style at The Melissa Press, Villa Vigoni, Chemin de St Martin, Draguignan, Var France – the authors home – 1972.

Printed on Fabriano watermarked paper – we are told in the introduction that “we went to Italy expressly to buy the art paper on which to print Marjorie Jackson-Pownall’s charming drawings, with their unambiguous clarity” ….

Large octavo, 18 pages, bound quarter green cloth over papered [wallpaper?] boards – a fine copy.

Copyright and limitation page, title, charming rather haphazard introduction, the poems and drawings – hints of risqué … see below authors background – artwork neat.

The Count was born in New Zealand in 1903. He is generally described as a poet, polemicist and pretender to the Polish throne – he did genuinely have connections. In 1926 he deserted his wife and child for Europe and the arts. First, to England where he developed his extreme right-wing views knew Mosley but, appears to have been more interested in Mosley’s wife. Moved to Draguignan in southern France after WWII mixed with fellow arty folks in the region and printed several unusual private press items. Backtrack – in England in the 1930’s he was sent to prison for attempting to publish what was then regarded as obscene literature – “the Lament of Sir John Penis” along with translations of Rabelais and Verlaine. He was supported in court by Leonard and Virgina Woolf. Aldous Huxley later arranged bail for another skirmish with the law and funded the purchase of Potocki’s first printing press.

Potocki was a truly odd one – often went about dressed in what he thought was medieval garb – tights, satin pyjamas all wrapped up in velvet curtains etc.

The eccentric Count Potocki of Montalk – a unique item

$120.00

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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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All products

May We Borrow Your Husband? and Other Comedies of the Sexual Life – Graham Greene – First Edition – 1967 Fine Condition

“Rugby” – Fine and Striking Pochoir by George Barbier – April 1914

Vintage Quality Science Specimen Jar

Victorian Spectroscope – Adam Hilger c1890

Sete – Images of Provence – Seven Poems by Count Potocki of Montalk; Five Drawings by Marjorie Jackson- Pownall – Limited Numbered Eccentric Private Press

Portraiture of Socrates – Catherall – 1717

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