1. Abraham, George D.

First Steps to Climbing. With 24 Special Copyright Illustrations by Messrs. G.P. Abraham, Ld., Kerswick.

London, Mills & Boon Limited, 1923. 13 cm x 18.8 cm. 126 pages. 24 illustrations. Hardcover [publisher’s original green cloth] with lettering on spine and front board. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. Some light foxing occasionally to an otherwise clean and bright interior.

2. Anonymous / Medicinal – Medical Manuscript.

18th century Medical Manuscript for Treatment of Gout and other ailments. The chapters of this manuscript are often divided into “causa” and “curatio”. Including a recipe called “Acqua della Regina d’Ungheria”, which was historicall y used for treatment of Gout and to fight dermatological inflammation. The Manuscript is titled: “De signis morbi salutaris et lethalis” – With five separate chapters, listing recipes in latin and french. [Titled: “I. De signis morbi salutaris et lethalis / II. Praxis medica / III. “Pour faire un cotignac purgatif” etc. etc.].

[France], c. 1750-1780 (?). Octavo. 208 unnumbered pages of which 188 pages have entries and the other are left blank. Flexible Vellum of the 18th century. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear.

3. [Cygnet Press / Hofer, Philip / Winship, George Parker] Matteo da Ferrara.

Vita de Sancto Hieronymo [with original manuscript letter by Philip Hofer, later Curator of the Department of Printing and Graphic Arts at Harvard’s Houghton Library, discussing his work at the [Pierpont] Morgan Library and the first product of Cygnet Press, “Vita de Sancto Hieronymo”, which he and George Parker Winship had produced 6 years earlier: “The little book which accompanies this note is one which George Parker Winship and I set by hand and printed a few years ago. It amused us, and, I hope, will amuse you. Of course we would do it differently now – that is always the way !”. The letter, on Hofer’s stationery with his address at 14 East Ninetieth Street, is addressed to one Dr. Collija in Stockholm, on June 25, 1934 and Hofer reminisces about the wonderful time he had there and how he wants to return to Sweden.

Cambridge (Massachusetts), Cygnet Press, MCMXXVIII [1928]. Small Octavo (13.3 cm x 17 cm). [35] pages. Original Hardcover with Label. Housed in its original, protective box from Cygnet Press. Excellent condition with some minor signs of wear only. The four-page-letter (on one sheet), signed by Philip Hofer in full.

4. Dante Alighieri / Cockerell, Douglas / North, John William / Ashendene Press Circle /

Original Devotional Manuscript to Dante [La Divina Commedia / The Divine Comedy – Manoscritto dell’inizio del XX secolo della Divina Commedia di Dante – con strofe manoscritte da “L’Inferno / Inferno” – “Purgatorio” – “Il Paradiso / Paradiso”] – The Manuscript is titled: “Pictures Illustrating The Pilgrimage of the Divine Poet Through The Realms of Punishment of Penance and Peace” – Illuminated Devotional Manuscript of section of “L’Inferno / Inferno” – “Purgatorio” – “Il Paradiso / Paradiso” – with excerpts of Dante’s Divina Comedia, in the style of medieval illuminated manuscripts. The manuscript is a strictly themed Dante Devotion and is of magical quality if one considers the fantastic, original calligraphy artwork, the composition of the manuscript and the coded meaning to the composer of this manuscript. The Folio – size manuscript is massive and has 216 pages, of which 109 pages are with illuminated, original watercolour-paintings in the style of the medieval masters, sometimes collages with watercolour and original etchings, engravings etc. The miniature paintings are juxtaposed with 105 vintage 19th century photographs of famous Italian Art – pieces that are somehow related to Dante’s world or have an allegorical assoziation. Besides the early photographs other juxtaposed artwork or integrated artwork to the illuminations are: an original watercolour depicting the dying Dante, a sensational copper-engraving, depicting an allegorical Dante-scenario, possibly referring to the Divine Comedy, a small photograph of the famous Michelino Fresco encapsulated in one of the illuminations, an artprint attributed “Burne-Jones”, two lithographs, a large steel-engraving, a smaller steel-engraving. Most of the photographs show allegorical sculpture or art by famous italian artists like Giotto, Carpaccio, Andrea Castagna, Luca delkla Robbia, Bellini, Titian, Dosso Dossi, Orgagna, Andrea del Sarto, Fra Angelico, Paul Veronese, Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bonifazio, Neri dei Bicci, Francesco Traini, Benozo Gozzoli, etc. etc. and other juxtaposed refer in code to Dante’s Divina Comedia or even depict himself in artform. The photographs also include some breathtaking 19th century Albumen prints of Verona, Lake Garda, Mantua and other Italian landscapes.

England, [Douglas Cockerell / John William North], no year [c.1910]. Folio (34 cm wide x 42.5 cm high). 216 pages. Hardcover / Binding in full green morocco with lettering and Dante’s head as bronze sculpture per inlet to front cover. Binding by Douglas Cockerell, signed “WHS”, during his directorship of W.H.Smith & Son (1905 – 1914). The manuscript is on excellent paper, watermarked O.W.P. & A.C.L. [O.W. Paper & Arts Co. Ltd., established by English painter John William North (1842-1924) in 1895]. The binding rubbed and with some small damages, in need of some minor restoration but overall still very good. The interior, the paper and the artwork all in excellent condition besides one of the juxtaposed photographs (Filippina Lippo) removed from the manuscript with some residue of the photograph remaining and some of the photographs with some dogears and minimal discoloration. All the original artwork in spectacular and fresh condition. The manuscript is a spectacular find and the quality of its execution is of utmost interest for any lover of rare books, manuscripts and special bindings. The circle of Douglas Cockerell, his involvement in one of the most beautiful books ever printed: the Ashendene Press Dante, as well as Cockerell being the binder of this unique manuscript, the fantastic paper used for the manuscript by one of the idyllist movement’s central figures, John William North, and the wonderful Dante – theme of the manuscript with illuminated poetry from the Divine Comedy and the unique style of collage art, lets us rightfully dream that the anonymous composer of the manuscript was an important or at least peripheral member to either the Arts and Crafts Movement, the Ashendene Press or it was someone who worked in the style of the calligraphy schools that were inspired by William Morris or even earlier epigones like Owen Jones.

5. [Finger Ring Jewellery Design History ] – Beck, Reverend James.

A Manuscript Study on the History of Finger Rings / Finger Ring Jewellery Design written and researched by a scholarly Victorian clergyman in Suffolk.

[Suffolk], c.1872. 69, 11 pages. Hardcover / Half Morocco with gilt lettering to spine. Very good condition.

6. Fry, Christopher.

Autographed Manuscript Dialogue from “Venus Observed” – One full – page manuscript, signed.

England, c. 1990. Octavo. 1 pages. Original Softcover. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear.

7. Grossman, Henryk / Grossman, Henryk / Meyer, Gerhard.

Originales, hektagrophiertes Typoskript mit Manuskript – Eintraegen und handschriftlichen Ergaenzungen von Henryk Grossmann: “Marx und die Klassische Oekonomie oder Die Lehre vom Kapitalfetisch” – Von Henryk Grossmann signiert und an seinen Exil – Kollegen, den Ökonom Gerhard Meyer gesendet. [Beiliegend: 11-seitige Kritik von Meyer an Grossman’s Arbeit / Meyer (dokumentiert wurde der Erhalt der Kritik mit einem handschriftlichen Vermerk “received July 3, 1937) / Auf dem Typoskript der Kritik befinden sich bereits auf der ersten Seite handschriftliche Anmerkungen z.B. zu Grossmann’s Buch “Akkumulations- und Zusammenbruchsgesetz des kapitalistischen Systems” nimmt] /

[New York], [1937]. A 4. Paginierung: Das Typoskript hat 192 Seiten, die Arbeit von Gerhard Meyer 11 Seiten, ausserdem beiliegende handschriftliche Aufgabenstellung (3 Seiten). Original Softcover. Sehr selten ! Es handelt sich hier wahrscheinlich um einen Vorlaeufer des hektographierten Typoskripts “Marx, die klassische Nationalökonomie und das Problem der Dynamik” (New York: Institut für Sozialforschung, 1941).

8. Horological Illustration of the 18th century – [Scanavacca, Bartolomeo] Horologium / Orologio / Horology.

Original, 18th century italian manuscript on how to build a vertical clock with sound: “Come si Dissegni in practica un Orologio Verticale Italiano a suonodella Campana secondo le regole del Scanavacca” [Translates: “How to Draw an Italian Vertical Clock with the sound of the Bell in practice according to the rules of [Bartologmeo] Scanavacca”].

Italy, c.1750. A4. 22 pages with text, diagrams or drawings (partly in colour). Original Softcover Folder with original manuscript papers and drawings inside. Majority of the pages with damages and some with loss of text to outer margins. Extremely rare and interesting manuscript, also dealing with “Orologi a Sole Guili”.

9. Jasinski, René.

Original Manuscript of Jasinski’s work ‘Molière et le Misanthrope’ together with 4 pages of conclusion to the chapters with annotations and extensive corrections by Jasinski.

[Cambridge, Massachusetts], no year [c.1948-1949] Octavo. 94 pages of manuscript notes and chapters 1, 2 and 4 of the final work with the 4 pages of conclusions in an envelope titled “Professor Rene Jasinski – 25 Little Hall, Cambridge 38 – Massachusetts”. With the dedication page planned and outlined: “A ma soeur Cécile affectueusement – R.J.”. Softcover. The paper brittle and several of the pages held together by paperclips. Some of the pages with tears and stronger signs of fraying. The defining work that secured Jasinski a place at Harvard.

10. Johnson, George William.

Manuscript and heavily annotated working copy of “Fortification Notes – R.M.A. [Royal Military Academy]” – “Course of Fortification”, by an english cadet, visiting the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich.

(Woolwich), Text Printed by W.P.Jackson, “Journal” Office, Wellington Street, 1858. Quarto 22.5 cm wide x 27.3 cm high. Pagination: Printed Text-Volume: XLVI, 148 pages / Manuscript – Section: 72, (1) numbered pages with text in ink and drawings throughout (some in colour), followed by 76 empty pages. Original half-leather with gilt lettering and dating on spine and front board. Binding rough and pastedowns detaching. No titlepage due to the printed part being the printed course handed out at the R.M.A. Name of G.W.Johnson signed in pencil on Introduction-page of the Text-Volume and on titlepage of the manusscript-section.

11. [Maynooth / Colehill – County Longford] – Handcock, Reverend William / Handcock, Robert Ball.

Two Manuscript Notebooks of Reverend William Handcock and his son, Robert Ball Handcock. The Notebook of William Handcock is titled: “Letters & Addresses on various subjects by Revd. William Handcock” and are of special interest since he had the habit of transcribing in it complete letters he sent and received from noteworthy people in Ireland during the Famine – years 1842 (February) – 1854. These letters are often meaningful appeals to newspapers, church administrators or clergymen like William Baillie Kirkpatrick (1802 – 1882), Irish Peers (e.g. William Trench, 3rd Earl of Clancarty) etc./ The Manuscript Notebook of William’s son, Robert Ball Handscock, was started in June of 1846 (in Maynooth) and is simply a manuscript scrapbook with poetry and stories of favourite poets of the time (including an Index).

Maynooth / Radanstown (Meath) / Cole Hill (Longford) etc., 1841-1854. Octavo. 181 pages [Diary of William Handcock] / 140 pages plus 4 pages of Index [Diary of Robert Ball Handcock]. Hardcover / Original 19th century half-leather with paper-covered boards. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear.

12. Meteorology – Anonymus –

Two Vintage, 19th century manuscript – Map – diagrams regarding Meteorology: I. “Diagram of the Winds” / II. “Curves of the mean daily variations of the Temperatures of the Air and Dew Point, shewing [sic] the greater amount of Refrigeration during the day needed to cause Dew”.

Ink on Paper. [Britain], c.1850. 24 cm wide x 30.5 cm high. Very good condition. Some mild browning. From a wonderful collection of maps at South Shields Library (tiny library stamps).

13. [René d’Anjou].

Le Livre Du Cueur D’Amours Espris [The Love Heart Book]. Introduction and Commentaries by F.Unterkircher / The National Library, Vienna.

Faksimile. London, Thames and Hudson, 1975. 19.4 cm x 28.2 cm. 48 pages. 16 colour plates with commentary opposite. Original Hardcover in illustrated card slipcase with gold draw-ribbon. Fine condition with only minor signs of external wear (minor stain to cover). Gilt decorated cloth. Number 1694 of 3000 special limited edition. From the reference library of Hans Christian Andersen-Translator Erik Haugaard.

14. Richardson, Josiah (Editor) / [J.F. Lloyd – Photographer – Carmarthen / J.C.Portnell – Carmarthen].

Song and Speech. [Unique collection of the short-lived “Song and Speech” – Magazine, edited by Josiah Richardson in 1891 and accompanied by an autograph / manuscript letter-signed by Richardson].

Two Volumes in One (14 Issues in Total). Strand / London, “Song and Speech”, 1891-1892. 18 cm x 24 cm. Volume 1: No.1-12, 192 pages / Followed by parts of Volume 2: No.13 – No.1: 16 pages, No.13 – No.2: 16 pages. With numerous black-and-white illustrations and photographs throughout. [The pagination of this periodical changed from original 16 pages per number at the beginning of Volume I, to 8 pages towards the end of the first Volume. With the start of Volume II , in 1892, the periodical changed again to 8 pages per issue and also changed its numbering. We were not able to verify if this magazine was published beyond the May – Issue of 1892]. Hardcover / Private, decoratived half-leather with gilt lettering and ornament on spine. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. With the very interesting provenance of two Welsh men of Carmarthen: Victorian photographer J.F.Lloyd and J.C.Portnell. Bound by: ‘The “Welshman” Newspaper and Steam Printing Co. Lt., Bookbinders, Machine Rulers, & c., Carmarthen’ – with their bookbindery-label on pastedown. Includes manuscript-draft of a speech on endpaper titled ‘John Jones Chairman’, written by photographer J.F.Lloyd, Carmarthen. The calligraphed titlepage of this privately bound compilation shows the watermark ‘Annandale Polton’, of ‘Annandale and Polton Paper Mill Company’, which operated from 1825 until after the Second World War. Contains hand-written note on Page 1, dated January 29, 1896, signed by Editor Josiah Richardson’. This note also contains the blindstamped address of Josiah Richardson at ‘Gordon House, Wandsworth Common, S.W.’. In this note, Richardson telles the recipient that “I hope soon to go on with the publication of my Journal & should then be pleased to number you among my subscribers – Faithfully your Josiah Richardson”. The date of this note leads to the assumption that by 1896, the magazine had already ceased to exist and Richardson answers to one of his fans by expressing his hope to go on. The Volume also includes a manuscript – Index to the rear of the Volume. A very rare and uncommmon compilation of this early Magazine, with very interesting articles from “Pronounciation in Singing” to “Alteration of Music by Singers” to “Vocal Physiology” (Breathing / Principle of Breathing etc.), to “Stammering” etc.

15. Schlatter, Adolf.

Der Glaube im Neuen Testament. Eine Untersuchung zur neutestamentlichen Theologie. [Manuskript-HANDEXEMPLAR SCHLATTER’S mit handschriftlichen Annotationen / Manuskript – Anmerkungen]. Eine von der Haager Gesellschaft zur Vertheidigung der christlichen Religion gekrönte Preisschrift.

Erste Ausgabe. Leiden, E.J.Brill, 1885. Gross-Oktav. Durchschossenes Exemplar welches speziell für Schlatter in zwei Bände aufgeteilt wurde. Durchgehende Paginierung. Band I: V, 304 Seiten / Band II: Seiten 305 – 591. Privates Halbleder der Zeit. Rücken teilweise angebrochen. Exlibis Schlatters in beiden Bänden (″Er trägt alles durch das Wort seiner Kraft” – Dr.Adolf Schlatter). Das Werk voller umfangreicher Annotation in Schlatter’s Hand. Einige wenige Annotationen in Stenographie.

16. Sikes, Sylvia / [Natural History of the African Elephant]

Personal Papers / Archive of Material Related to the Life and Career of Zoologist Sylvia Sikes, the Foremost African Elephant Specialist of her time. All materials from her personal collection / working copies and manuscript material. Including her extensive, two-volume-thesis: “Cardiovascular Disease in Freeliving Wild Animals with particular Reference to the African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)”. A collection of professional and academic papers, copies of Sikes’ monographs, zoological manuscripts and a plethora of photographs and personal newsletters, letters, pamphlets and manuscripts spanning seven decades of Sikes’ personal and professional life in Africa and the UK. The collection is composed of 92 specific pieces (some of which are comprised of one or more items). A detailed bibliography of the collection has been outlined in a Word Document (please request). The collection also includes personal copies of three monographs Sylvia Sikes has published, an original copy of her two-volume doctoral thesis, 37 academic articles and 5 unpublished draft manuscripts. There are also 7 booklets and a book by a third author among the collection. The collection is rounded off by a large number of vintage colour and monochrome photographs, letters, single-sheet newsletters, newspaper and magazine cuttings.

Africa and the UK, Various, 1937 – 2012. 21 cm x 26 cm – 24.5 cm x 31 cm. Circa 2,500+ pages. Numerous monochrome and colour photographs throughout the collection. Includes Hardcover book with dustjacket, softcover book, reprints of academic journal articles in paper wrappers and a variety of loose material in cellophane files. The archive, running from 1937 to 2012, is contained in two green (24.5 cm x 31 cm x 10.5 cm) boxes, four additional folders (32 cm x 24 cm) and two hardcover volumes (21.5 cm x 26cm). Very good condition.

17. Sommer, James van / Spohr, Louis / Keller, Karl / Beethoven, Ludwig van / Hummel, Johann Nepomuk / Weber, Carl Maria von / Eberwein, Traugott Maximilian / etc.

Manuscript of: “Songs &c., chiefly by German Composers. With English Words by James van Sommer, by whom also the Music was ruled and transcribed”. / 19th century Manuscript by british composer James van Sommer with transcriptions of German Lieder in poetry form and score. Marvellous original manuscript with early transcriptions into english of some unusual composers. The manuscript in a beautiful and steady hand in ink/ Originales Manuskript von Transkriptionen teilweise ungewoehnlicher Lieder deutscher und europaeischer Komponisten des spaeten 18. und fruehen 19.Jahrhunderts. Wundervolle, sehr akkurate Handschrift.

[England, possibly Hoxton], James van Sommer, 1837. Octavo. 157 pages. Modern, unsophisticated Hardcover with new endpapers. Excellent condition.