11. Poe, Edgar Allan / Clarke, Harry.

Tales of Mystery and Imagination. Illustrated by Harry Clarke. [With eight tipped-in-plates in colour, 24 black-and-white illustrations and several illustrations throughout the text].

Fourth Edition of the 1919 publication. London / Bombay / Sydney, George G. Harrap & Co., 1928. 4°. (21.5 cm wide x 27.7 cm high). 381 pages with all the stunning colour-plates and black-and-white-plates in place but page 15/16 and the relevant illustration cleanly detached. Hardcover with restored original dustjacket / Original full cloth-binding with gilt lettering/illustrated spine. Top edge gilt. A stunning, absolutely unusually firm and clean binding, nearly with no flaws, very unusual for the original 1928-edition. Tight and clean example of one of the most beautiful macabre art nouveau-publications. All illustrations by Harry Clarke in excellent condition. The restored dustjacket in protective Mylar. When we speak of “restored” we mean in this case parts of the original dustjacket’s spine and frontcover were pasted on black paper in style of the time. The absolutely best example of this work we ever handled, despite the detached layer of pages.

12. [Masereel, Frans] Verhaeren, Émile / Uzanne, Octave.

Quinze Poèmes d’Émile Verhaeren. Illustrés de 57 Gravures sur Bois, Dessinees et Gravées par Frans Masereel et suivis d’un Souvenir a Verhaeren par Octave Uzanne.

Paris, Edtions Georges Cres & Cie, 1917. 4°. CIII pages. Hardcover / Full leather with gilt lettering to spine and gilt decorated boards. Boards with some stronger signs of wear. One of 1350 exemplaires sur papier anglais.

13. Helprin, Mark / Allsburg, Chris van.

A City in Winter. Illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. [Signed Twice / Including an Extra Suite with 13 colour-illustrations]

New York, Viking, 1996. 4°. 147 pages. Original Softcover. Published before the initial publishing of this book. The Suite with illustrations signed by Chris van Allsburg. The book itself signed again by Allsburg in 2006.

14. Preißler, Johann Daniel / Preißler, Georg Martin.

Die durch Theorie erfundene Practic, Oder Gründlich-verfasste Reguln deren man sich als einer Anleitung zu berühmter Künstlere (sic) Zeichen-Wercken bestens bedienen kan (sic). [Drei Werke in sechs Teilen auf zwei Bände verteilt !] Vier Theile inclusive dem vierten “Fortsetzungsband”. Zwei Anhänge angebunden – Anhang I: L’Anatomia Deipittori del Signore Carlo Cesio, das ist: deutliche Anweisung und gründliche Vorstellung von der Anatomie der Mahler (sic), wie in den Gliedern des menschlichen Leibs die vornehmste Gebeine und Musculn, nach ihren Namen, Stellen, Anfängen und Enden, auch fordersten Verrichtungen, bey ihren unterschiedlichen Bewegungen und Handlungen zu erkennen, anzusehen und vorzustellen seyn; anfänglich von dem Kunst=berühmten Meister Carlo Cesio in netten und deutlichen Tabellen, auch kurtzen, doch gründlichen in Italiänischer Sprache beygefügten Erklärungen an das Licht gegeben: Nun aber zu mehrern Aufnahm der Mahler= und Zeichen=Kunst in das Teutsche getreulich übersetzet mitgetheilet von Johann Daniel Preißlern, der Nürnbergischen Kunstmahler=Academie Directore bey welchem sie auch zu finden. / Anhang II: Gründliche Anleitung welcher man sich im Nachzeichnen schöner Landschafften oder Prospecten bedienen kan (sic), den Liebhabern der Zeichen-Kunst mitgetheilet und eigenhändig in Kupfer gebracht, von Johann Daniel Preißler. Mit 104 Kupfertafeln von Georg Martin Preißler.

Mischauflage (vierte bis siebente Auflage). 5 Teile in 2 Bänden (vollständig). Nürnberg, Kunst-Mahler-Academie, 1747-1780. Folio. Band I enthält die Teile 1-3 mit der Vorrede und dem “Nöthigen Vorbericht” aufgeteilt auf die ersten zwei Teile. Paginierung: Teil I: (2 Bll.), 19 ganzseitige Kupfertafeln / Teil II: (5 Bll.), 18 ganzseitige Kupfertafeln / Teil III: (4 Bll.), 17 ganzseitige Kupfertafeln, (3 Bll.). Eine Kupfer in einer Ecke minimal beschmutzt. Band II enthält den vierten “Fortsetzungs” – Band und im Anhang das Werk von Carlo Cesio. Paginierung: Teil IV: (4 Bll.), 18 ganzseitige Kupfertafeln / ANHANG I: L’Anatomia Deipittori / Anatomie der Mahler – Paginierung: (2 Bll.), 16 ganzseitige Kupfer (im Stile Vesalius’ und Eustachius’) / Anhang II: Nachzeichnen schöner Landschaften – Paginierung: (2), 16 ganzseitige Kupfertafeln // Wunderschöne Halblederbände des späten 18.Jahrhunderts oder frühen 19.Jahrhunderts. Das Halbleder auf fünf unechten Bünden mit zweifarbigen Rückenschildchen und reicher Rückenvergoldung. Exzellenter Erhaltungszustand mit nur einem der Kupferstiche mit minimaler Verschmutzung. Eine der schönsten Ausgabe einer Malerschule die wir je gesehen haben.

15. [Chester Beatty, Sir Alfred] Holme, Charles (Charles Rennie Mackintosh / Charles Voysey and others).

The Studio: an illustrated magazine of fine and applied art. Alfred Chester Beatty’s personal set of “The Studio”; 97 volumes bound in 69 books with the Register for Vols 1-29 [Lacking Volume 61]. With original artwork by James McNeill Whistler and other important artists of the Belle Époque and Art Nouveau Movement.

97 Volumes (bound in 69 Volumes). London, Offices of The Studio, 1893 – 1929. Quarto. c. 20000 pages with illustrations, photographs, original lithographs, engravings. Contemporary private Hardcover (Uniform deep blue buckram with gilt lettering on spinelabels). Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. Only a few of the Volumes a little shaky. With the handwritten entry “A. Chester Beatty – 24 Kensington Palace Gardens – W. 8”.

16. [Chiari, Giovanni] Vascellini, Gaetano.

Statue di Firenze [incluso: “Catalogo delle Statue del R. Giardino di Boboli colla Notizia dei Loro Autori”, “Catalogo delle Statue nel R. Palazzo de Pitti”, Catalogo delle Statue colla Notizia dei Loro Autori ec.” ec.]

Tres Parti (complete) [Tutto dichiarato come prima parte]. Firenze, Presso Giuseppe Volpini Cartolaro, no year [c. 1765]. Octavo. Collation complete. Pagination: Part I (Primo): Frontispiece copper-engraving with Florence in the background, 8 pages of text with introduction by Giovanni Chiari and the catalogue of statues in Boboli Garden, 25 plates each with 4 copper-engravings of Statues in Boboli Garden. Part II (Seconda): Frontispiece copper-engraving with Florence in the background, 8 pages of text with catalogue of Statues in Palazzo Pitti, 41 plates each with 4 copper-engravings of Statues in Pitti Palace. Part III (Terza): Frontispiece copper-engraving with Florence in the background, 8 pages of text with catalogue of Statues [″Catalogo delle Statue colla Notizia del Loro Autori ec. (incl. Michelangelo Buonarotti, Donatello etc.). Hardcover / Original bookblock rebound by Bayntun in Bath in a subtle and charming modern cloth with gilt lettering on new spine-label. Original endpapers preserved. Exceptional condition of this rare 18th century publication with only very faint signs of foxing. Provenance: Richard Meade, Ballymartle (with the Meade Family – crest as library stamp).

17. Gilpin, William. [Castle-Freke Library Bookplates]

Collection of four Volumes (bound in two) by Gilpin – All from the historical library at Castle Freke (Castlefreke, West Cork / Ireland). The Volumes include: I. & II. Observations Relative Chiefly to Picturesque Beauty, Made in the Year 1776, on Several Parts of Great Britain; particularly the High-Lands of Scotland. [Second Edition, with an “Account of the Prints” bound to the rear] / III. Observations on the River Wye and several Parts of South Wales &c. relative chiefly to Picturesque Beauty; Made in the summer of the Year 1770 (Third Edition). / IV. An Essay on Prints – [″The chief intention of the following work was to put the elegant amusement of collecting prints, on a more rational footing; by giving the unexperienced collector a few principles and cautions to assist him”] (Fourth Edition with the printed dedication “To the Honorable Horace Walpole in Deference to his Taste in the Polite Arts; and the Valuable Researches he has made to improve them; the following work is inscribed by his most obedient and very humble servant, William Gilpin”). [Volumes I & II with 40 original illustrations and vintage 18th century maps [correctly 39 illustrations and one table], for example of Loch Lomond and the Firth of Forth/ all illustrations are vintage mezzotint-plates].

Mixed Editions. Four Volumes (bound in two). London, Printed for R. Blamire, Strand, 1792. Octavo. Pagination: Volume I: XI, [1], 221 pages with 24 mezzotints / Volume II: 195, XVI pages with 16 mezzotints and an “Account of the Prints” as well as “Translations of Latin Passages” / [Volume III]: [River Wye]: XVI, 152 pages with 16 (of 17) full – page mezzotints / [Volume IV]: [An Essay on Prints]: XIII, [3], 174 pages plus XI pages Index and 1 page Errata. Hardcover / Early 19th century quarter – morocco with gilt lettering and ornament on spine. Both volumes bound in unison. Very good + condition with only minor signs of external wear. Pages 185 – 191 of Volume I with some stronger browning. Otherwise the interior very clean. All mezzotints in very good or even better condition. This is the original copy from the historical Castle-Freke Library in West Cork (Ireland), with two armorial bookplates to front and rear pastedown with the family’s motto ‘Pro Patria’. With two pages of manuscript annotations by a contemporary hand with a reference between the common name “Tarbet” in Scotland and a place-name in County Kerry in Ireland” (pages 13 of Volume II) / another entry is on page 12 of Volume II regarding the name-sake “Loch-Loung” for a Lake of ships in Scotland and Ireland.

18. [Arabian Nights] Forster, Edward / [Provenance: Daniel Callaghan of Lotabeg].

The Arabian Nights, in Five Volumes. [Including “The History of Aladdin, or the Wonderful Lamp” / The History of Ali Baba and of the Forty Robbers, killed by one Slave” / etc.] Translated by The Reverend Edward Forster [based on the French version of Antoine Galland]. With [24] Engravings, from Pictures by Robert Smirke.

First Edition [Large Paper Quarto Edition]. Five Volumes (complete set with all engravings). London, Printed for William Miller, 1802. Quarto (21.5 cm x 27.5 cm). Volume I: LXI, (7), 385 pages with 5 copper-engravings including Errata-Leaf and “Directions for placing the Plates” for all four volumes / Volume: 432 pages with 5 copper-engravings / 405 pages with 5 copper-engravings / 461 pages with 5 copper-engravings / 474 pages with 5 copper-engravings. Hardcover / Original, early 19th century full leather with gilt lettering and date on lower spine [″London, 1802”]. Beautiful, richly ornamented master-bindings. All Volumes in strong, protective collector’s Mylar, which invites the reader/collector to use the work without fear of handling. Armorial Bookplates / ExLibris of Daniel Callaghan, Esquire of Lotabeg (MP for Cork City 1830-1849) to all five pastedowns (Motto: “Fidus et Audax”). Marbled endpapers a little dusty but beautiful. Volume 1, 2 and 5 with some weakening to the spine (slightly cracked), but holding and still firm overall. All plates present. As known and always found with this scarce edition, the original, titled tissue-guards all in place, have created stronger signs of foxing to the plates but in sharp contrast the text in all the five Volumes in bright and clean condition with only occasional faint staining. Endpapers with some minor browning. Very good+ condition overall with some rubbing and minor bumping to the Volumes but really only minor signs of external wear. Extremely sought after publication, not to be confused with the later, much more common Octavo Editions !

19. [Daniele, Francesco / Johann Josef von Wilczek / Thomasius, Christian].

Le Forche Caudine – Illustrate con due Appendici. [Compreso “Prospetto Della Valle Caudina Dalla Parte Della Campania”]. Second edition, augmented and, according to Brunet, preferable to the original first edition, which was printed in Caserta in 1778.

Seconda Edizione. Napoli, Appresso Angelo Trani, 1811. Folio (44.5 cm x29 cm). XIII, (3), 102 pages plus (6) pages advertising and Index (Indice). With 22 (twentytwo) illustrations overall. Including a large fold-out-plan (97 x 43 cm) of the Valle Caudine, several Vignettes, Allegorical/Historical Illustrations and four beautiful landscape engravings of the Valle Caudine by Alessandro d’Anna / XIII, (3), 102 pagine più (6) pagine pubblicitarie e Index (Indice). Con 22 (ventidue) illustrazioni in totale. Tra cui una grande illustrazione (97 x 43 cm) della Valle Caudine, diverse vignette, illustrazioni allegoriche / storiche e quattro bellissime incisioni paesaggistiche della Valle Caudine di Alessandro d’Anna. Hardcover / Fantastic modern, Nigerian goatskin with gilt lettering on spine and fine quality late 19th-century cloth over boards. New endpapers and all bound in style by english master-binders. Excellent condition of the binding. The stunning and most wonderful interior with only very occasional signs of an old dampstain to the outer margins and the beautiful, large fold-out-plan with some mild browning to one part of the center-fold. A typographical masterpiece of italian printmaking.

20. [Newbery & Carnan].

A Description of England and Wales [with 240 Plates] – Containing a particular Account of each County, with its Antiquities, Curiosities, Situation, Figure, Extent, Climate, Rivers, Lakes, Mineral Waters, Soils, Fossils, Caverns, Plants and Minerals, Agriculture, Civil and Ecclesiastical Divisions, Cities, Towns, Palaces, Seats, Corporations, Markets, Fairs, Manufactures, Trade, Sieges, Battles and the Lives of illustrious Men each County has produced, Embellished with two hundred and forty Copper Plates of Palaces, Castles, Cathedrals; The Ruins of Roman and Saxon Buildings; And of Abbeys, Monasteries, and other Religious Houses. Besides a Variety of Cuts of Urns, Inscriptions, and other Antiquities.

Ten Volumes (complete set). London, Newbery and Carnan, 1769. Small Octavo. Volume I: XII, 299 pages / Volume II: 286 pages / Volume III: 288 pages / Volume IV: 288 pages / Volume V: 288 pages / Volume VI: 288 pages / Volume VII: 287 pages / Volume VIII: 288 pages / Volume IX: 288 pages / Volume X: 288 pages // Hardcover / Nine Volumes in their original 18th-century full leather with gilt lettering and ornament on spine. Volume One recently bound to style by english master-binders. Faded dampstain to Volume III. Otherwise in very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. Two spine-labels slightly damaged. Bookplate of Daniel Conner to pastedowns of Volumes 2 – 9.