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Nugae Canorae Medicae – Sir Andrew Douglas Maclagan – First edition 1850 – With Additional Contemporary Manuscript Content

Translates literally “Silly Medical Songs” and they are. Andrew Douglas Maclagan (1812-1900) was an eminent Scottish surgeon and toxicologist. In his lifetime he was President of five of the mots distinguished Societies in Scotland. As a toxicologist he was called to Court to give evidence … as a young man he supported the prosecution in the Burke and Hare affair.

Printed by Thomas Constable, Edinburgh in 1850 – a first edition (it was reprinted in 1873). Effectively self published. Maclagan vaguely covered his identity as the author is names as “The Poet Laureate of the New Town Dispensary”. Octavo, bark brown embossed cloth covered boards with gilt titling to front, 82 pages with manuscript additions to rear end paper. Remnant seal to back paste down.

Given the period any reader will be pleasantly surprised how amusing the said poem/songs are … and much fun must have been had with them. Footnotes have been provided which explain the circumstances and sometimes individuals at fault or lampooned. No punches held.

What makes this copy more charming is the manuscript addition. Internally they sometimes correct the events suggested. At the rear we have in neat manuscript further ditties by Maclagan that are not in the published work. Clearly someone who knew the great man very well. 19thC press clipping re Maclagan affixed front free end.

Silly Songs by a most distinguished physician.

$180.00

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Flannel Flowers – May Gibbs c1920

Published Sydney: Angus Robertson no date but an early printing circa 1920, printer Penfold noted at the rear.

Original wrappers, unpaginated but 28 pages in total. Bound with original green cord. Colour pictorial overlay to front of several pretty flannel babies. Illustrated with coloured frontispiece and 11 full page sepia illustrations. Nice condition, apart from a couple of marks to the front and a a name papered over inside front. Otherwise pretty clean inside, free of children’s often found markings. A scarce one in early form for some reason; although later reproduced. Reference authority Muir 2742.

As well as the Flannel Babies we have the Christmas Bell Babies; Bracken Babies; Pea-flower Babies; Mushroom Babies; Fuschia Babies and Tea-tree Babies.

May Gibbs – harder to find early Flannel Babies.

$50.00

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A Law Dictionary or, the Interpreter of Words and Terms, used either in the Common or Statute Laws of that Part of Great Britain, call’d England; and in Tenures and Jocular Customs – 1708

We are told on the remainder of the title that this work was first published by the learned Dr Cowel, and (is) now very much Augmented and Improv’d, by the additions of many Thousand Words, as are found in our Histories, Antiquities, Cartularies, Rolls, Registers, and other Manuscript Records, not hitherto explain’d in any Dictionary.

Folio, unpaginated, voluminous, near 500 pages. Bound in full leather, worn and scrapped but holding together very well. Internally very clean – a good example of this important reference which takes its place in the history of published legal references.

Super Preface(s) as introduction by John Cowell. Contains an Appendix of the ancient names of places … necessary for ancient deeds, charters etc.

Printed and published by D Browne, R Sare, S Battersby, J Walthoe etc

Important Historical Law Related Dictionary – 1708

$190.00

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A Most Wanted Man – John Le Carre

A first US edition of one of John Le Carre’s later novels. After the Constant Gardener and back into the world of espionage and money.

Published by Scribner in 2008. Octavo, 322 pages before thanks and note on the author. Fine condition.

A half-starved young Russian man in a long black overcoat is smuggled into Hamburg in the dead of night … that should be enough to get your interest.

Le Carre – master spy writer

$35.00

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French Wine – Booklet on Instruments for the Examination of Red Wine Colour – J. Dujardin -1902

An interesting 24-page booklet by J. Dujardin published in Paris in 1902.

The French title “L’Examen de intensite colorante des Vin Rouges par le Vino-Colorimetre Salleron” it goes on to say the methods can be applied to Spanish wines, liqueurs etc.

The booklet describes the scientific approach to assessing wine quality and colour on a scale designed by J Salleron. At the completion is effectively a price list and description of the various accoutrements necessary to satisfy this important science

Rare red wine science – Paris 1902

$90.00

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The Picture of Kebes the Theban – Rendered into English by Hugh E Seebohm – Rare Private Printing Essex House Press [Following Kelmscott] 1906

A scarce little delight of a book by the intellectual banker Hugh Exton Seebohm (1867-1946). Seebohm’s father was expert in classical matters and his family followed in his footsteps as well as increasing significantly the value of the family pile. Small squarish octavo, 52 pages, title page printed in red and black, three page note at end printed in red. Olive grey papered boards with separate paper title to front and spine. A very good copy.

Seebohm also issued a book on the Structure of Greek Tribal Society.

The original of this work known as the “Tabula Cebetis”, an influential antique dialogue which addresses questions relating to the way of life.

A translation of the only existing book of Kebes, who was a disciple of Philolaus and a friend of Socrates.

Essex House was founded by Charles Ashbee in 1898 using printing gear from the then closed Kelmscott Press of William Morris. True Arts & Crafts style .. Ashbee regarded as a founder of the movement with his Guild. Great care was taken with the typographical design and the wild carnation motif which represented Essex House Press at the rear.

Would make a delightful gift for the thoughtful.

Essex House Printing of Seebohm’s translation of Kebes … a true book lovers delight.

$140.00

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Nugae Canorae Medicae – Sir Andrew Douglas Maclagan – First edition 1850 – With Additional Contemporary Manuscript Content

Flannel Flowers – May Gibbs c1920

A Law Dictionary or, the Interpreter of Words and Terms, used either in the Common or Statute Laws of that Part of Great Britain, call’d England; and in Tenures and Jocular Customs – 1708

A Most Wanted Man – John Le Carre

French Wine – Booklet on Instruments for the Examination of Red Wine Colour – J. Dujardin -1902

The Picture of Kebes the Theban – Rendered into English by Hugh E Seebohm – Rare Private Printing Essex House Press [Following Kelmscott] 1906

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