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Dear Friend,
You expect the unexpected when reading old manuscripts but Penelope Stratford’s 17th century recipe for ‘An Irish Uscabaugh’ - or whisky - is a surprising and delightful find. Not unlike the manuscript of another early Cook Book in which a Yorkshire woman put aside her ‘Pitta pattas ala Bashamell’ to draw up the constitution of a Penny Bank in Scarborough. We’ll be at Stand 21 in Chelsea Town Hall on the 1st/2nd November for this most enjoyable of fairs.
Best wishes.
Christian
NICENE CREED IN PLAINSONG: Large Manuscript on Paper in Three Singing Parts for Public Worship — Council of Nicaea — 1600
Three-part plainchant polyphonic manuscript of the Nicene Creed probably originating in Spain in the late 16th or early 17th century. This large format manuscript written on paper was produced for use by clergy during worship which, evidenced by the extensive fingermarking, certainly seems to have been happened. We have no further provenance to offer beyond the attribution to Spain in the 16th century although the clefs and bar lines suggest a slightly later date. The Nicene Creed summarises the…… Read more
THE EARL OF DERBY’S COPY: Lathoms Spaw in Lancashire: with some Remarkable Cases and Cures Effected by It — Edmund Borlase — 1670
A book dedicated to Charles Stanley, 8th Earl of Derby, with the bookplate of his distinguished successor British Prime Minister Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby - and inscribed twice by a 17th century relative of them both, ‘Robert Stanley’. Attractive 17th century binding with gilt double fillet and corner pieces, rebacked using the original red morocco label. Bookplate of Edward George Geoffrey Smith Stanley, 14th Earl (1799-1869) to the front pastedown opposite the bo…… Read more
‘AN IRISH USCABAUGH’ - ARISTOCRATIC MANUSCRIPT WITH 17TH & 18TH CENTURY WHISKY RECIPES: Penelope Stratford Her Cook [Book] 1720 — Penelope Stratford — 1685
Fit for a king: an aristocratic Irish collection of manuscript recipes and remedies from the late 17th and early 18th centuries which includes two original recipes for ‘Uscabaugh’ - the water of life in Gaelic - or whisky as it became in English. The first of these is attributed to ‘Dr Fennell’, likely the Irish Dr Gerald Fennell, which would make this a 17th century manuscript whisky recipe, a rarity indeed. Almost too poetically, the second whisky recipe concludes with Ireland’s national symbo…… Read more
SAMUEL LD BP OF OXON, HIS CELEBRATED REASONS FOR ABROGATING THE TEST AND NOTIONS OF IDOLATRY Answered by Samuel, Arch-Deacon of Canterbury — John Philips [Samuel Parker] — 1688
John Philips’ rejoinder to the Bishop of Oxford’s plea for a sort of religious tolerance or ‘repeal’ of ‘his most bitter Invectives against the Nonconformists’. Quarto size publication bound in quarter sheepskin over renewed marbled boards. The title page has been laid down, now facing the first page of text; some loss to lower inner corner, paper repair along gutter to verso. The text collates complete: ii, pp22; a couple of old creases to leaves and a couple of leaves trimmed close affecting p…… Read more
BRITANNIA DEPICTA or Ogilby Improv’d Being a Correct Coppy of Mr Ogilby’s Actual Survey of all ye Direct & Principal Cross Roads in England and Wales — John Ogilby; Emanuel Bowen — 1720
First edition of this early 18th century British atlas, attractively rebound in good imitation panelled calf. Marbled endpapers and new flyleaf followed by an engraved title page with the earliest version of the imprint, ‘next ye King of Spain’; four pages of tables and 273 (complete) engraved county maps and strip road maps, printed back to back; two thirds of the county outlines with early colour. A little toning to paper stock but a very good copy. This copy appears to have the first issue po…… Read more
MARTHA SMITH HER BOOK, 1756: Handwritten Recipes & Remedies including Cures for Piles, Palsy and Gnat Bites — Martha Smith — 1756
English recipe book containing hand-written receipts and a large number of household remedies and prescriptions written from the mid eighteenth century onwards. Place names in the Midlands and Home Counties suggest a southern English place of origin for Martha Smith of whose work around 15 remedies were published in the 1950s. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Small quarto (16.5x20.5cm) 74 pages of manuscript entries, 200 receipts, plus around pp60 blanks, ‘GR’ watermark; bound in brown paper-covered 20th c…… Read more
18TH CENTURY SCARBOROUGH RECIPE COLLECTION & CONSTITUTION OF A PIONEERING FEMALE-RUN PENNY BANK: Receipts Approved and Experienc’d 1783 — Scarborough Woman — 1783
Collection of 240 recipes and medical remedies written by a Scarborough woman in the 1780s, ‘90s and early 1800s, many of them supplied by friends in the town who included Jane Osbaldeston, wife of the local MP. Written at the other end of the manuscript is the constitution of a ground breaking financial institution, the ‘Penny Society’ set up entirely by women, one of them no doubt the writer of this manuscript. The Scarborough Penny Society - or Penny Bank - is recorded here as being founded o…… Read more
CHAPBOOK The True-Born Englishman: Satire — Daniel Defoe — 1787
Undated chapbook edition of Defoe’s satire on William III’s xenophobic critics with the ownership signature of ‘Ja[me]s Norie 1787’ on the title page. Norie (probably) has retained the sugar paper pink original wrappers of the chapbook (old pencil signature on upper wrapper of ‘W R Sorley’) and had them bound into a pre-existing case of half vellum over marbled boards. The chapbook is now loose within this binding and the stab sewing still visible in the pamphlet and outer case. The book collate…… Read more
A SERIES OF MAPS of the Principal Lakes of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire — Peter Crosthwaite — 1800
6 engraved folding maps of the Lakes together with one double-page engraved map of Pocklington's Island, each illustrated to margins with images of important buildings & landmarks. Large octavo format bound in contemporary quarter sheepskin over marbled boards. Ownership signature of Christopher Sutcliffe of Horton in Ribblesdale to front pastedown. The 7 maps in this their 1800 revised form comprise: Lake of Derwent, Broadwater or Bassenthwaite, Buttermere, Lake of Ulls-Water, Lake of Windermer…… Read more
The Life of John Metcalf, Commonly Called Blind Jack of Knaresborough with Many Entertaining Anecdotes of his Exploits in Hunting, Card Playing, &c. Some Particulars Against the Rebels in 1745… And Also A succinct Account of his various Contracts for Making Roads, Erecting Bridges…. In Lancashire, Derbyshire and Cheshire — Anonymous — 1801
Second edition rebound in a very good, decorative, brown diced calf with panelling and gilt lettering to spine. Binder’s ticket to rear pastedown: ‘Stephen Conway, Bradford’. Front and rear endpapers also later additions, clean and crisp with small mark to top right of front loose endpaper. Original text block sound in good condition, leaves slightly browned. Full page striking half-length portrait in b/w of John Metcalf Aged 85, 1801 to verso of first flyleaf. Handwritten pencil correction by p…… Read more
Laurie and Whittle’s New Map of the County of York, laid down from Astronomical Observations, as Published in the Philosophical Transactions and divided into its Ridings; with their Sub-Divisions; exhibiting ….. Cross Roads, Navigable Canals, Rivers, &c. &c. Dedicated to Th Rt. Hon. Edward Lascelles Baron Harewood of Harewood. Nathaniel Coltman published by Laurie and Whittle. — Nathaniel Coltman — 1809
Second edition, 1809, very attractive, hand coloured, detailed and scarce map of the County of York in its original slip case in very good condition. Published as a loose sheet map segmented and pasted on folding linen in twenty sections measuring 69 cm by 54 cm. Folds to 18 cm x 12 cm. All panels sound and intact, a little age toned. Visually the print is clear and clean. Original colour still vibrant. Map includes a dedication to Th Rt. Hon. Edward Lascelles Baron Harewood of Harewood. Slip ca…… Read more
A New Map of the County of York, divided into its Ridings and their Subdivisions, Exhibiting the whole of the Mail, Direct and principal Cross Roads, Navigable Canals, Rivers &c. &c. by Thomas Dix — Thomas Dix — 1830
1830 map in very good condition. Attractive, hand coloured, very detailed and scarce map of Yorkshire in its original slip case. Published as a loose sheet map segmented and pasted on folding linen in twenty sections measuring 74 cm by 61 cm. All panels sound and intact, a little age toned. Strengthened to rear with later addition white linen fixed strip to middle section. Visually the print is clear and clean. Map includes an engraving of the South East view of York and lists of the Principal H…… Read more
BILL OF SALE OF THREE SLAVES. State of Louisiana, City of New Orleans. 6th December, 1833. Presented by Mr J R Fulton — William Boswell, ‘Jouran’, ‘Elias’ and ‘Scye’ — 1833
A bill of sale for ‘Three Slaves’ - in fact three enslaved children of 15, 14 and 13 - who were sold by Roswell Beebe, future benefactor of Little Rock in Arkansas, to John Gusman, owner of huge tracts of land on the west side of the Louisiana river Bayou Bonfouca. Prepared for and signed by the New Orleans notary William Boswell, the document records the result of the auction sale and the sums involved as well as detailing the age, abilities and characters of the three youths at the centre of t…… Read more
JOURNAL OF A CUMBRIAN COBALT MINING MAGNATE: The Gentleman’s Annual Diary with Almanack for 1849 — Stephen St Peter Langton — 1849
Journal and business records of Stephen Langton (1814-1851) as he attempted to establish cobalt mining in Cumbria. In his 30s when he wrote this diary, Langton reveals himself to be frantically busy securing investment, dealing with technical problems and business partners, industrial injuries and even collecting his Oxford degree in February. Involved in mines at Barrow, Stoneycroft, Thornthwaite and his ill-fated Cobalt Mine, Langton would be dead only two years later. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: sm…… Read more
WAGNER MAKES PLANS FOR HIS JOINT CONCERT WITH FUTURE FATHER-IN-LAW FRANZ LISZT — Richard Wagner — 1856
Detailed autograph letter from Richard Wagner making arrangements for a joint concert with his future father in law Franz Liszt at St Gall in Switzerland where Wagner conducted Beethoven’s Eroica symphony and Liszt his Orphee on the same programme. This concert had a deep impact on Wagner allowing him to study Liszt’s development as a harmonic composer with particular effect on the composition of Tristan and Isolde. The letter reveals Wagner’s near obsessive attention to detail as he sets out th…… Read more
CHRONICLE OF A MARRIAGE IN TATTERS WRITTEN BY THE CONDUCTOR OF THE PREMIER OF TRISTAN & ISOLDE — Hans von Bulow [Richard Wagner] — 1863
Series of 27 letters written by the preeminent German conductor - friend, musical collaborator and cuckold of Richard Wagner - to his friend Dr Carl Gille in Jena. These letters from the 1860s date from a period of great professional success for Von Bulow as well as the breakdown of his marriage to Cosima von Bulow whose transformation into Cosima Wagner is chronicled in these letters. A time of unceasing musical activity for Von Bulow, the letters deal with his constant travel, concert plans an…… Read more
SPECTACULAR PAPIER MACHE BINDING: Sentiments and Similes of William Shakespeare — William Shakespeare; Henry Noel Humphreys (editor) — 1863
Beautifully bound Shakespeare selection in its third edition, with the original black papier mache binding with red paper backing (probably renewed), brown oval relief portrait of Shakespeare on upper cover and WS initialled on lower cover. Spine relaid, a little cracking to the papier mache, loss to the lower outer corner on upper cover and opposite by the spine. All edges gilt; chromolithographed decorations throughout with border decorations. Some spotting, especially to fly leaves. Gift insc…… Read more
WALTER PATER’S COPY Aids to Reflection, Edited by the Reverend Derwent Coleridge — Samuel Taylor Coleridge — 1866
Walter Pater’s copy of Coleridge’s essays, inscribed with his name on the front flyleaf, preceding the half title. Pater signs himself in blue black ink. The book is bound in Victorian tree calf with marbled edges to the text block and endpapers. The spine has been sympathetically relaid and the hinges renewed. A little browning to endpapers otherwise a very good copy. No discernible annotations to the text. CONTEXT Coleridge’s creative output was a lifelong concern for Walter Pater: ‘Coleridge’…… Read more
PIONEERING GIRLS’ EDUCATION IN 1870S LONDON: Archival Collection of Inspection Reports on a Marylebone School that Educated Katherine Mansfield and Gertrude Bell — Sidney Colvin; Edward Plumptre; Adolphus Sonnenschein; Bryan Walker; Henry Craik — 1875
The headmistress’s copies of a sequence of otherwise unrecorded Cambridge University printed and compiled manuscript reports (30 in total) on a pioneering London school for girls. Queen’s College, London in fashionable Harley Street is a girl’s school founded for governesses, and then open to any young woman, started in 1848 and numbering Gertrude Bell and Katherine Mansfield among its alumnae, still open today. It became the earliest girls schools to gain a Royal Warrant and until 2024 had alwa…… Read more
LATE VICTORIAN ENGLISH PUBLIC LIBRARIES: A Librarian’s Collection of Library Ephemera — Walter Powell (Lambeth Libraries & City Librarian of Birmingham) — 1890
A collection of public library ephemera collected in London and Birmingham by a young librarian which includes broadsides, applications for membership, library tickets (a leather one from Chelsea libraries!) reminder cards, bookplates, order slips, cataloguing sheets as well as letters and notes acknowledging Walter Powell’s requests for information. Moving between south London and his native Birmingham where he would become chief librarian in 1912 the collection traces the growth and developmen…… Read more
ROYAL SCHOOL OF ART NEEDLEWORK BINDING: Hymns Ancient and Modern — Royal School of Art Needlework — 1905
Delightful miniature (5.5cm) edition bound in vellum with embroidered decoration by a student at the 'Royal School of Art Needlework, Exhibition Road, South Kensington' whose label appears on the lower pastedown. Dark blue coated endpapers; a little wrinkling to the title page; browning to preliminaries; all edges gilt. Founded by Lady Victoria Welby in 1872, the Royal School of Art Needlework's first patron was Queen Victoria; Princess Helena her third daughter was its first president and she w…… Read more
‘HER SOUL HAS PASSED INTO YOU’ - ANNA’S COPY: Anna Karenina: A Play in Four Acts by John Pollock. (Taken from the Novel of Count Leo Tolstoy) — Leo Tolstoy - John Pollock — 1913
Unpublished play adapted from Tolstoy’s masterpiece for the London stage where it premiered at the Ambassador’s Theatre in December 1913. The playwright John Pollock’s wife, Lydia Yavorska, previously Princess Bariatinsky, played the tragic heroine for the premier and we have here an inscribed copy of that script which was annotated for dramatic use by Yavorska’s successor in the role of Anna: ‘To Barbara Couper. It is to the soul of Anna Karenina that my play should be dedicated; but since her…… Read more
FIRST EDITION Sea Garden — Hilda Doolittle; H.D. — 1916
First edition of Doolittle’s first book. Attractively bound in stiff card wrappers with maroon cloth-effect paper covering and French flaps. A little fading to the extremities and spine. Internally very good plus. An appealing copy.
FROM ONE HUNGER STRIKER, INSCRIBED TO ANOTHER: Days of Fear — Frank Gallager [Andrew McDonnell] — 1928
Movingly inscribed first edition from the author to another of the (at first) 65 Irish Volunteers in Dublin’s Mountjoy Prison who demanded Prisoner of War status. Accompanied by mounting demonstrations across Ireland, the British government capitulated and many of these prisoners were released before greater harm was done. This printed edition of Gallagher’s prison diary of these extraordinary days in Irish history has been inscribed on the front flyleaf: ‘To Andrew McDonnell in memory of these…… Read more
‘DAILY BEAST’ DUSTJACKET Scoop — Evelyn Waugh — 1938
First edition in first state dustjacket of Waugh’s classic satire on tabloid journalism. The book is the first edition in its second state with the dropped ‘s’ from ‘as’ at the end of page 88 but the incomplete ‘8’ in the publication date on the verso of the title page. The jacket is in the first state with the ‘Daily Beast’ masthead which had to be removed after the threat of legal action from the owner’s of the typographically similar Daily Express. The jacket is not price clipped but has been…… Read more
OXFORD ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY: Minutes, Michaelmas 1943 - Michaelmas 1948 — Fraser Darling; Ludwig Koch; Eric Ennion; Seton Gordon; Tinbergen; Landsborough Thomson — 1943
Society minutes for monthly meetings of one of the leading regional birdwatching societies of the mid-century period, given extra interest as it was based in Oxford. In addition to the manuscript entries there are printed programmes, a set of rules and a single poster tipped in. The minutes include notes on lectures by Fraser Darling, Ludwig Koch, David Lock, Eric Ennion, J. Armitage, Seton Gordon, Tinbergen, Meiklejohn, Landsborough Thomson and G. K. Yeates. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Quarto, pp180…… Read more
DIARY OF THE FIRST BRITISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE IN JAMAICA: 1945 recording his work on adult education and the development of the Jamaican Library Service. — Hugh Paget — 1945
An insight into the day-to-day life of Hugh Paget in Kingston, Jamaica including swims in the pool before breakfast, weather updates, lunch and cocktail parties at the Myrtle Bank Hotel and trips to the Palace Cinema. Education and library meetings are noted alongside dealings with Sir Harry [Governor of Jamaica]. News of the death of Hitler is recorded on May 1st 1945. Paget documents his trip back to London in July, meetings at Oriel College, Oxford and December trips to The Gambia, Portugal,…… Read more
‘THE AUTHOR’S COPY’ Poems by Raoul Pugh — Raoul Pugh - Marie Stopes — 1948
‘The Author’s copy’ - or more properly the Editor’s copy as Marie Stopes edited and anonymously wrote an introduction to this collection of poems after the young Welsh poet’s death. In addition to marking it as ‘The Author’s Copy’ Stopes seems to have used this copy to give readings, having noted down a potted biography on the first pastedown, written a list of page numbers opposite and annotated the text with sections selected for performance. Bound in faded red cloth binding, internally fine w…… Read more
ERIC IDLE’S OWN PROGRAMME RECORDING HIS ‘PROFESSIONAL COMEDY DEBUT’ - Just Wild about Henry — Eric Idle - Steven Frears, Michael Pennington etc [Henry Miller] - Cambridge University Theatre Company — 1963
Broadside programme from the estate of former Python Eric Idle which he describes as marking his ‘professional comedy debut’. Directed by Steven Frears no less at the Edinburgh Festival in 1963 this was also the British premier of Miller’s surreal and only play. A single sheet (25x15cm) printed on both sides; a little browned otherwise fine. Recently sold by Eric Idle to a US bookdealer and thence to us. Otherwise unrecorded. Frears’ Edinburgh production was mounted on a specially built revolvin…… Read more
INSCRIBED TO BERTRAM ROTA BY ABEL BERLAND AND 80 CAXTON CLUB MEMBERS: Printers’ Marks and Devices — Howard W Winger [Bertram Rota, Abel Berland etc] — 1976
Inscribed to one of the leading rare book dealers of his generation, Bertram Rota, by a host of members of Chicago’s Caxton Club. A calligraphic inscription on the front free endpaper, "Presented to Anthony Rota on the occasion of the September 28, 1988 meeting of the Caxton Club with the appreciation of the members and guests whose signatures appear below." There are 81 signatures, commencing with Charles [?] Cullen, David G. Hilliard and concluding with Harrison Hayford. A Limited Edition, no.…… Read more
Dr. Christian White
Christian White Rare Books
287 Leeds Road, Ilkley, LS29 8LL
07811 455398
info@christianwhiterarebooks.com
www.christianwhiterarebooks.com
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