1. [Clerke, Agnes Mary].

Collection of eight publications by and about Agnes Mary Clerke plus one autographed / signed manuscript-letter by Agnes Clerke [The letter answers the request of a fellow german Astronomer who complimented her on her History of Astronomy and asked for her permission to translate her latest work). The recipient is possibly german astronomer R.Engelmann who wrote about Nebula. The letter dates from 1891 and is written in perfect german (Agnes Clerke was known to have written reviews and letters in French, German, Greek and Italian). This rare collection includes the following books: 1. A.M.Clerke – Geschichte der Astronomie während des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts. Gemeinfasslich dargestellt. (Autorisierte deutsche Ausgabe von H.Maser) – First german edition of “A popular History of Astronomy during the 19th century” from 1889 – with a signed, contemporary manuscript letter by Agnes Clerke in german (!) regarding this publication / 2. Agnes Clerke – Familiar Studies in Homer (London, 1892) / 3. Agnes Clerke – “The Herschels and Modern Astronomy” (with a loosely inserted portrait of Sir William Herschel) (London, 1895) / 4. Agnes Clerke – “A popular History of Astronomy during the 19th century” (The important Fourth Edition, revised and corrected by the author) (London, Adam and Charles Black, 1902) – Famously: With the vintage photographs pasted to frontispiece and titlepage / 5. Agnes Clerke – “The System of the Stars” – Second Edition (London, 1905) / 6. Agnes Clerke – Modern Cosmogonies (London, 1905) / 7. Agnes Clerke – “A popular History of Astronomy during the 19th century” 1908-Reprint of the important Fourth Edition, revised and corrected by the author) (London, Adam and Charles Black, 1908) / 8. Mary Brueck / Mary Brück – Agnes Mary Clerke & The Rise of Astrophysics (Cambridge University Press, 2002).

A mixture of first and later editions. Berlin / London, Springer / Cassell / Longmans & Green and others, 1889 – 1908. Octavo. More than 2500 pages with many illustrations and diagrams etc. / The vintage letter has two pages filled and signed by Clerke in ink / The only modern publication within the collection is a very important monograph on Clerke by scientist Mary Brueck / Mary Brück, published by Cambridge University Press (275 pages). Original Hardcovers in bespoke protective collector’s Mylar. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. A stunning collection of all the major publications by this important woman astronomer. Agnes Clerke paved the way for women in science and must be seen as the pioneer female astronomer. The price includes worldwide free shipping of the collection per UPS Express Courier.

2. [Levin, Harry] Barzun, Jacques.

Three Talks by Jacques Barzun at Northern Kentucky University. [What are the Cracks in our Civilization ? / Language and Life: On the Necessity of a Common Tongue / This Business of Humanities]

Heighland Hights, Northern Kentucky University, 1980. 8°. 58 pages. Softcover. With a 9-line handwritten complimentary note by Jacques Barzun to Harry Levin.

3. [Liddell Hart, Captain B.H. / Sir Basil Liddell Hart / Adrian John Liddell Hart]

Collection of seven (7) manuscript postcards; correspondence between Captain B.H.Liddell Hart and his son Adrian.

Namur / Stockholm / Panama / Gibraltar / Tarjeta, etc. 1950 – 1965. Small Oblong Octavo. 7 postcards. Softcover. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Content of the postcards mainly of private nature (about travel etc.)

4. [Family History of Sir Harry Luke / de Zander] – [Luke, Harry] Zander, C.L.v. / Bielitz / Bielsk / Lemberg / Polish Ancestry with Louis de Zander (Deutsch Eylau/Old Prussia) and connections to the swedish “Zander” – family].

Album Amicorum from the early 19th century of the De Zander Family from Poland, Bielitz, Lemberg Vienna and other areas / Album Amicorum von C.L. von Zander mit insgesamt 40 Eintraegen von Mitgliedern der Familie von Zander [de Zander] und Freunden aus der Umgebung von Bielitz, Lemberg, Biala und Wien/ Album Amicorum of C. L. von Zander (recorded in the area of Vienna, Bielitz, Biala and Lemberg between 1814 and 1822. Eintraege von Louis von Zander, Caroline de Zander (nee de Zander), Ludwig von Zander (Bielitz, 23.September 1814), Carl von Zander (Pless im Maerz, 1816), Josef Krammer, Christian Traugott Schuberth, Caroline von Zander, Caroline Schluse (Pless, 1816), Jon, Henr. Zander (Bielitz, 1818) [Johann Heinrich Zander] / Carl Johann Zander / Charlotte von Zander (Bielitz, 1814) / Friederica von Zander (Mother of the owner of this Album Amicorum – possibly Frederica Elizabeth Klimke) / etc. Weitere Eintraege von Carl Ferdinand Sennewaldt, Johann Millikowski (Lemberg, 1814), Carl Sartory, Anton Manhardt, Jacob Thomke (Biala, 1816), Franz Kuenzl, Rosalie Jeney (Lemberg, 1814), Gottfried Samuel Bauer (Bielitz, 1814) etc., Franz Krippner, (Wien, 1822).

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. Wien / Lemberg / Bielitz / Biala, [Album auf Papier von J. Pospischil], c. 1814-1822. Quer – Octavo. Mehr als 100 Blatt, davon 40 mit handschriftlichen Eintraegen. / More than 100 leaves with 40 manuscript – entries of families of the von Zander / de Zander Family. Original Hardcover / Originaler, sehr dekorativer Ganzlederband mit reicher Vergoldungund Verzierung / Stunning full morocco with extensive decorations and gilt lettering and ornament to both boards. Exzellente Erhaltung / Excellent condition of the early 19th century Manuscript – Album of a member of the “de Zander” – Family. The Album comes with a very interesting pamphlet, a historical account by Louis de Zander about his families life and genealogical histories from his ancestry in Poland to his family’s troubles in Bielsk / Bielitz. From the personal collection of Sir Harry Luke.

5. [Family History of Sir Harry Luke] – [Luke, Sir Harry] / Matthias Likeij – Freemason at St.John’s Lodge / St.Johannisloge / Carl Sörensson //

Collection of Manuscript Masonic Letters and Masonic Papers of Sir Harry Luke’s Cousin, Swedish Philosopher Matthias Likeij, Member, “Sancti Johannis Meister” of the St.John’s Lodge in Christianstad. Including eight (8) Manuscript letters between swedish Freemason Carl Sörensson, Visby, dated between the years 1899 – 1902 and Broder [Matthias] Likeij.

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. [Visby / Christiansstad], 1899 – 1902. Octavo – Folio. Two original Masonic Diplomas for Matthias Likeij and eight (often multi-page) letters. From the personal library of Sir Harry Luke (Luke was a Mason as well and a cousin of Matthias Likeij), protected in a special envelope: “On His Majesty’s Service”.

6. [Malta Content] – [Luke, Sir Harry].

Collection of nineteen (19) Letters and five (5) Congratulatory Telegrams on the occasion of Sir Harry Luke being awarded the post of Lieutenant Governor of Malta (1930 – 1938). The often very detailed and personal letters are full of praise and support for Luke and not seldom are filled with regret for seeing him not return to Palestine. Other colleagues who served in Malta, are encouraging him and promise he will like it there. Letters included are important reflections on Luke’s character and show his impeccable reputation among peers and family.

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. London / Austria / New York etc., June 1930. Octavo. From the personal library of Sir Harry Luke.

7. [Palestine Content] – [Luke, Harry / Lukach, Harry] / Pirie-Gordon, Harry.

Fantastic letter from Harry Pirie-Gordon to Sir Harry Luke’s father, helping him to solve an issue regarding a Napoleon-letter / Correspondence between Professor Jean la Cecilia (Professeur d’Anglais au Lycee de Foix), J.H.Luke, the editor of THE TIMES and subsequently a letter from J.H.Luke reporting the outcome to Sir Harry Luke, regarding an original Napoleon – letter, and Napoleon’s Services to European Peace. Interesting correspondence and newspaper – clipping of the published article as a consequence of the correspondence. With some interesting, patriotic remarks. Also included a wonderful letter from J.H.Luke to his son Harry Luke in Palestine on occasion of Luke regarding the Napoleon-letter-incident Priri-Gordon helped him with and to express his disappointment that Harry and family can not holiday with him because he is succeeding (or standing in for) Lord Plumer [that is Field Marshal Herbert Charles Onslow Plumer, 1st Viscount Plumer] in his role as High Commissioner of the British mandate in Palestine: “The one …i can find in that ‘acting’ for a man like Lord Plumer at the outset will add to your prestige…”.

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. London / Cap de la Ville (Foix), 1928. Octavo. Five letters in total. From the private collection / library of colonial governor, diplomat and historian, Sir Harry Luke.

8. [Pacific Content] – [Luke, Harry / Lukach, Harry / Sir Harry Luke].

Easter Island [Typescript / Manuscript – Proof – Pad of Harry Luke – with his personal note and corrections on the article on Easter Island which he prepared during and after his visit in April and May 1952 for “The Geographical Journal” (published subsequently in Volume CXX, Part 4, 1954)].

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. [London], [1952]. Octavo. 32 pages. Stapled. From the private collection / library of colonial governor, diplomat and historian, Sir Harry Luke.

9. [Pacific Content] – [Luke, Harry / Lukach, Harry / Sir Harry Luke].

Large collection of Material related to the British Western Pacific, kept by Sir Harry in a large envelope from Suva (Fiji), with manuscript-pads, Annotated Typescripts and manuscript notes by Sir Harry Luke, especially material he used to prepare for Lectures and Talks. Among these materials are two different Essays on Easter Island, recorded on June 2nd, 1958 for a broadcast in Malta, also included numerous note-pads with quotes and background-info from important writers, historians and politicians which Luke uses to illustrate the pros and cons of Colonialism, especially connected to the British Empire. From looking at the Material closely, one can clearly understand how Luke structured his lectures (Historical Background of an Island or a country, some humorous stories and a very critical but decisive stance towards the British Empire and its Imperialism, without ever losing his diplomatic loyalty to the Crown). [See full list below].

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. [London], [1952]. Octavo. 32 pages. Stapled. From the private collection / library of colonial governor, diplomat and historian, Sir Harry Luke.

10. [Malta Content] – [Luke, Sir Harry] / Pirie-Gordon, Christopher.

Long (2-page) Manuscript Letter (MLS) / Autographed Letter, signed (ALS) by Christopher Pirie-Gordon, 14th Laird of Buthlaw, “formerly Assistant-Resident in Amman and seconded for service under the Foreign Office, following the winding-up of the Palestine Administration”, to Sir Harry Luke from Pirie-Gordon’s post in Taiz (Yemen). Pirie-Gordon writes: “‘My dear Harry Charles, thank you so very much for your recent letter. Iremain almost aghast at the extent of your “wanderlust”. Brazil and Penang combined with almost permanent residence in Malta and a flat in London seem quite a good way of keeping at bay in suggestion of the humdrum or routine in life”. Pirie-Gordon describes his recent activities, including a ‘visit to stay with our Ambassador in Addis Ababa’, where he found the Ethiopians ‘a friendly courteous people’. Regarding the situation in the Yemen Pirie-Gordon writes: “We have been through a rough summer here during the Crown Prince’s period of Regency with one unpleasant afternoon in Taiz when the army ran amok”. The fact that the country did not have ‘the long awaited revolution then, when the Imam [Ahmad bin Yahya] was out of the country’, has convinced Pirie-Gordon ‘that revolutionaries of the necessary calibre are just not to be found locally’. Of the Imam he writes: “If someone bumps the old man off (no easy undertaking) or if Allah decides that he can do without him no longer then all hell will be loose and the War of the Roses will probably be declared at once.” In the meantime the country will ‘probably slide into a nice quiet anarchy’. Regarding ‘His Majesty’s gracious message’, Luke’s ‘mental imagery’ of ‘the Dragon breathing fire’ is ‘not inapt’. Pirie-Gordon now turns to his own future, which ‘remains shrouded in mystery’. His aim is to secure a ‘particular post’, despite ‘the Ambassador in the country concerned’, who is ‘anxious to have it for an old boyfriend of his own’. The letter ends with Pirie-Gordon describing his ‘highly international social life’, which, he declares, ‘suits me well’.

[This item is part of the Sir Harry Luke – Archive / Collection]. Taiz [Yemen], 8 October, 1959. Quarto. Two pages. From Sir Harry Luke’s personal library. The letter comes with a publication, edited by Hector Bolitho: “The British Empire”, in which are contained two essays on the Colonial History of the Empire by Sir Harry Luke: I.The Mediterranean Colonies and Aden” / II. “The British Islands of the Pacific”.