1. [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.

2. Wells, Percy A. (1867-1956) / [Letter by Morris, Mary ‘May’ (Designer)] / [Letter by Allom, Sir Charles Carrick (english decorator)] / [Letter by Garnett, Prof. William (Experimental Physics)] / [Letter by Henry, Jacob Solomon (Furniture Maker)] / Letter by Hems, Harry (English architectural and ecclesiastical sculptor)] / [Letter: Image, Selwyn (British Artist & Designer of the Arts & Crafts Movement)] / [Letter: Russell, Sir Sydney Gordon (English Designer & Craftsman) / [Letter: Quennell, Marjorie (Courtney) (British historian, illustrator and Museum Curator at The Geffrye Museum) //

Small Archive / Manuscript Material, Letters, Designs, Books and Pamphlets as well as vintage photographs of Furniture like Chairs (Percy A. Wells Chair), Wardrobe, Advertising of Exhibitions [chaired for example by Christopher Hussey], etc. etc. This material all originates from Percy A. Wells’ personal collection and sensationally also includes a manuscript notebook / sketchbook with his drawings, designs and a detailed, typescript with autobiographical memories in which Wells details his decades of being involved in Furniture Design. Loosely inserted in the manuscript notebook / sketchbook, is a signed manuscript letter on stationery of Kelmscott Manor by Mary ‘May’ Morris, daughter of the Pre-Raphaelite artist and designer William Morris and his wife and artists’ model, Jane Morris [included is ephemeral material which for example informs about a pair of Episcopal Gloves, designed by William Morris’s daughter [May Morris] and the clipping continues: “Those who remember Morris’s attitude towards the Church will smile and reflect upon time’s revenges”]. The collection includes an abundance of information which easily can lead to a monograph on the life of Percy A. Wells. Detailed description of the Archive and all materials contained below (more details will be listed constantly).

Dulwich / Shoreditch / London a.o., Percy A.Wells Private Library, c.1900-c.1920. Octavo / Quarto / Folio. Hardcover Folder with loosely inserted material like letters and photographs, envelopes, signed and inscribed books and rare pamphlets with designs etc. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Fantstic Archive and lots of unpublished material of one of the more eminent Cabinet, Furniture and Chair – Designers which resulted from inspiration by William Morris’ Kelmscott – School. Percy A. Wells Chairs are still in regular demand today and sell for stunning prices (3000 £ etc.).

3. [Anonymous] Dante Alighieri / Cockerell, Douglas / North, John William / Ashendene Press Circle /

[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.

4. [Gore-Booth, Colum Robert] / [Lady Eva Selina Laura Gore-Booth] / [Constance Georgine Markievicz née Gore-Booth] / [Lissadell House County Sligo].

Two Manuscript Sketch-Books [12” x 10”] bearing the Bookplate “Lady Gore Booth – Lissadell, Sligo [No.43]”. Both Folio-Size Sketch Books titled ‘The “Wood” Sketch Book’, both issued by ‘St. John’s Wood Art School’: 29, Elm Tree Road, London, NW 8. [Founded 1878]. Each Sketch-Book has 50 pages and most pages have manuscript sketches with a few loose sketches tipped in. The very accomplished drawings all appear to be in pencil and show landscapes, trees, horses, portraits, male and female figures, skulls. They all appear to be in the same hand. Also, tipped in is a b/w photo, 6” x 4” mounted on a card. It is signed in pencil by Roberts of Paris. Stamped on the back is “Roberts” 11, Rue du Havre. In pencil, it states “Elizabeth aged 11, May 1922”. From our research it is certain, that Colum Robert Gore-Booth (1913-1959) attended St.John’s Wood Art School and these appear to be his Sketch-Pads, the only other member of the Gore-Booth family who went to London in order to become an artist was Colum’s aunt, Constanze Markiewicz, who attended Slade School of Art at the turn of the century but the drawings do not fit her style.

Two Volumes. London, St.John’s Wood Art Schools / Lissadell House County Sligo, c.1920 – 1930. Folio. Volume I: 118 pages (59 perforated sheets), with 87 studies, often with sketching on both sides of the sheets / Volume II: 100 pages (50 perforated sheets), with 46 studies inside the sketch-book plus two portrait-sketches loosely inserted, plus the photograph of one “Elizabeth”, dated May 1922 and signed by photographer “Roberts” 11, Rue du Havre, Paris. Publisher’s illustrated Hardcover. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear.

5. Le Brocquy, Louis.

Personal copies of an early set of 18 photographs [contacts] of works by Louis le Brocquy, mostly titled and annotated / explained by Louis le Brocquy himself verso. Some of the photographs refer to very early works of le Brocquy. Some have no entries by le Brocquy verso, some have quite extensive information like “Sold to:…..” / Also included is an original, very early exhibition catalogue (Louis le Brocquy’s personal copy of the catalogue) for an exhibition in Mayfair/″Gimpel Fils” – November 1959. The catalogue has several annotations and underlinings in le Brocquy’s hand and included are most of the original photographs of works le Brocquy selected for the printing of the catalogue.

Loandon / Mayfair, Gimpel Fils, 1959. Octavo. 12 pages plus four photographs directly related to the exhibition catalogue / 18 photographs of earlier works. Original Softcover. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. A stunning, really original set of interesting ephemera from the artist’s personal collection, given to his friend John Montague. Provenance: From the private collection of John Montague’s papers in his recently sold West Cork Home.

6. Rinpoche, Lama Zopa / Lama Yeshe / Schultheis, Rob / Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan.

Collection of belongings from a british citizen who was a follower of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche and who became a Tibetan Monk / Buddhist Monk in the 1970’s under Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe.

Bodhgaya, c.1972. Octavo. Softcover. Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. From the library of a tibetan / buddhist monk.