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Dear Friend,
For the last time in 2024 we're pleased to offer a selection of handwritten and printed baubles, more or less appropriate to the season of goodwill. At the tail of this newsletter you'll also find a couple of substantial sale items - each discounted by anything from a third to a half of their original price.
However you plan to see out this year, do so with gusto.
Best wishes,
Christian
EDWARDS OF HALIFAX VELLUCENT BOOKBINDING The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments — [Edwards of Halifax] — 1772
An appealing contemporary vellum binding by Edwards of Halifax, executed for a client in the 1770s who bore the initials ‘MA’ - will she ever be found? Contemporary vellum, covers with a gilt metope and pentaglyph roll border on a blue wash background enclosing a gilt vine-leaf border, upper cover drawing beneath the vellum of a young woman in classical dress holding a blue oval initialled ‘MA’ - the recipient of the book. The lower cover has an oval depiction under the vellum (11x7cm) showing a…… Read more
NORFOLK MANUSCRIPT MARRIAGE SETTLEMENT Mr John Cotman of Great Yarmouth’s marriage settlement alongside various additional indentures — [Robert Sayer; John Cotman] — 1703
Printed card wrapper in fair condition, age toned, worn to edges, ink marked. Hand stitched to leaves within. Interesting b/w woodcut to front titled ‘Boy Blowing Charcoal’ after the work of the Dutch 17th century printmaker Godfried Schalken. Number 5 has been written above in pink ink at a later date. Internally end papers and leaves are clean, text block entirely sound. First twelve leaves have been ruled vertically and contain a densely hand written copy of Mr John Cotman’s marriage settleme…… Read more
MANUSCRIPT ‘THE OATH OF A FREEMAN of the Town of Northampton’ — John Slater; Mayor Joseph Woolston — 1710
Handwritten oath of a freeman pledging allegiance and loyalty to the Town and authorities of Northampton in southern England in the early 18th century. John Slater made his oath to the Mayor of the town, Joseph Woolston and ultimately to the monarch, Queen Anne. Famously, the Oath of a Freeman had been adopted by the Massachusetts Bay Company nearly a century earlier and it became the first piece of printing known to have been created - though long lost - in the present day United States. Single…… Read more
TWO WORKS TOGETHER BOUND An Apology for Christianity, in a series of Letters, addressed to Edward Gibbon, Esq, sixth edition 1797 & The Catholic Doctrine of a Trinity Proved by above an Hundred Short and clear Arguments, expressed in the terms of the Holy Scripture, sixth edition 1787. — William Jones; Richard Watson [Samuel Webbe glee composer] — 1787; 1797
Attractive provenance relating to Samuel Webbe, friend of an early owner of the book whose borrowing of it lasted longer than expected. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Both works are bound as one within contemporary calf boards with gilt roll tool to all edges. Boards bruised to the corners, showing minor abrasions and wear. Spine in 6 gilt framed compartments, twin labels contain the authors’ and title details lettered in gilt on red ground. Front and rear boards cracking along spine hinges although text…… Read more
ARTHUR RAISTRICK’S COPIES The History of the Rise, Increase, and Progress of the Christian People called Quakers (in 2 volumes) combined with A History of the Rise and Progress of the People Called Quakers, in Ireland, From the Year 1653 to 1700. Bound together as a set of 3. — William Sewel / John Rutty — 1811
The History of the Rise, Increase, and Progress of the Christian People called Quakers (Fifth edition in 2 volumes) combined with A History of the Rise and Progress of the People Called Quakers, in Ireland, From the Year 1653 to 1700 (Fourth edition) bound together as a set of 3, numbered 1 -3 on spines. Contemporary tree calf boards in fair condition, bruised and bumped to edges, a little chipped. Volume 1 and volume 2 particularly worn to front bottom corner. Handsome panelled, gilt embossed s…… Read more
LONDON HOTELIER’S ANNOTATED COPY OF PUNCH’S POCKET BOOK For 1868, Containing an almanac, cash account, diary and memoranda For Every Day in the Year, and a variety of Useful Business Information as well as short stories, poetry and cartoons. — Punch Magazine, Robert Chandler, John Tenniel [Robert Chandler] — 1868
London hotelier’s copy of this offshoot of the satirical magazine Punch: ‘Punch’s Pocket Book’ was an annual publication functioning simultaneously as a ledger, diary, almanac and source of entertainment and business information. This 1868 pocket book is full of Punch’s characteristic wit and wonderfully illustrated by John Tenniel (illustrator of Lewis Caroll’s Alice in Wonderland) and George Du Maurier. It’s owner Robert Chandler was a Norfolk man who managed a hotel in Sackville Street near h…… Read more
GRAND ECOLE ENGINEERING SKETCH BOOK: Ecole Imperiale Centrale des Arts et Manufactures.... Album de Croquis: Dunin — Mr Dunin — 1869
Sketch book compiled by an engineering student at the Ecole Centrale in Paris, one of the most prestigious of the grand ecoles that trained engineers and inspired similar organisations around the world. The author of this sketch book produced his work in the academic year 1869-’70; the alumni records of the Ecole Centrale record that Dunin graduated in 1872, going on to perform military engineering work at Fort Bailly before taking on a senior role at the Compagnie du Orleans railway. Oblong ske…… Read more
Vellum Shipping Pilot’s Licence issued by Trinity House for use between Great Yarmouth and Sizewell Bank — Richard Collinson; Richard Reeve James — 1877
Pilot’s licence issued by Trinity House to a Great Yarmouth man, Richard Reeve James in January 1877, allowing him to practise his profession between Yarmouth and Southwold and extended down to Sizewell Bank. Printed on vellum and executed in black ink by Admiral Richard Collinson (explorer of the North West passage and would-be rescuer of Sir John Franklin) Deputy Master of Trinity House, the piloting and lighthouse authority, Trinity House. Overleaf the licence has been repeatedly renewed and…… Read more
LIMITED EDITION WITH A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR TO THE ARTIST JOSEPH CRAWHALL: Collectanea Curiosa or Miscellaneous Reprints of Rare Tracts &c. Relating to Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne. — Robert Robinson [Joseph Crawhall] — 1892
An 1892 collection of reprints of rare and unique 17th and 18th century tracts relating to Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne edited by Robert Robinson. Includes pastoral poems, letters, histories, notices of Newcastle worthies and excerpts from books. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown paper covered boards in good condition embossed to edges in triplicate blind rule. Gilt lettering to front. Slight wear to corners and edges. ‘Robinson - Collectanea Cvriosa’ handwritten along spine which is…… Read more
UNCOMMON FIRST EDITION: The Awakening of Women or Woman’s Part in Evolution. An important early British feminist work. — Frances Swiney — 1899
Uncommon 1899 first edition of this important early British feminist work by Frances Swiney, a feminist activist, lecturer, and writer living in Cheltenham. She co-founded the Cheltenham Women's Suffrage Society (Cheltenham WSS) in 1896; was Vice President of the Cheltenham Food Reform and Health Association; and lectured in organisations such as the Higher Thought Centre in London, Theosophical lodges, and Ethical Societies. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: In very good condition bound in green cloth boa…… Read more
A CRITIC AND FRIEND’S FIRST EDITION Brideshead Revisited. The Sacred and Profane Memories of Captain Charles Ryder by Evelyn Waugh — Evelyn Waugh; Neville Braybrooke — 1945
A first edition, first printing of Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh owned and lightly annotated by his acquaintance and occasional correspondent, the critic Neville Braybrooke. Without dust wrapper. Red cloth covered boards in fair to good condition, age worn and spotted in parts, darkened to edges. Corners bruised; spine panel showing moderate wear to top and bottom, lettered decoratively in gilt. Text block edges in good condition. Front and rear end papers clean and unmarked. Front loose…… Read more
DIRECTOR’S PROMPT COPY The Hostage — Brendan Behan - Braham Murray — 1961
Behan’s finest play massively annotated here for an Oxford University student production which was directed by the English theatre director Braham Murray during his time as an undergraduate at University College and before he went onto a successful career in stage direction. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Red quarter cloth quarto over textured paper covered boards (20x25cm) with Murray’s ownership inscription and the play’s title in biro by Murray to the upper cover. 85 page typescript cut up and mounted…… Read more
A Fortunate Man: The story of a country doctor — John Berger with photographs by Jean Mohr — 1967
Very good black paper covered boards with vibrant green cloth to spine. Silver font to front and spine. Endpapers and flyleaves unmarked and illustrated with double spread black and white photography. 157pp. Very good clean, unmarked leaves, green text block top edge with a little discolouration to foreedge, bottom edges and corners. Black and white photographs throughout. Very good clean dust jacket protected by removable, fitted plastic wrappers. Signature on p1 in an orange ink reads MA Fuggl…… Read more
THE THING OF IT IS - From Elliott Kastner’s film production archive, an original 1969 typed screenplay script of William Goldman’s adaptation of his 1967 novel The Thing Of It Is. — Elliott Kastner, William Goldman, Stephen Sondheim — 1967
Elliott Kastner (1930-2010) was a larger-than-life American film producer, whose best-known credits include Where Eagles Dare and The Long Goodbye. This original 1969 typed screenplay script of William Goldman’s adaptation of his 1967 novel The Thing Of It Is comes from Kastner’s film production archive. Robert Redford had expressed an interest in playing the main lead but Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid then came out and Redford turned into a major star, pulling out of the project. The film…… Read more
NIGHT WORK - Elliott Kastner’s film production archive relating to an unmade feature film based on Irwin Shaw’s novel Night Work. Includes original screenplay scripts and memorabilia — Elliott Kastner, Irwin Shaw, Henry Rosenbaum, David Taylor — 1975 -1985
Elliott Kastner’s film production archive spanning from 1975 - 1985 relating to an unmade feature film based on Irwin Shaw’s novel Night Work. Includes original screenplay scripts and memorabilia from the archives of Kastner’s Pinewood Studios office. Elliott Kastner was an American film producer who headed up Winkast Productions alongside Jerry Gershwin. His best-known credits include Where Eagles Dare (1968), The Long Goodbye (1973), The Missouri Breaks (1976) and Angel Heart (1987). 2 X origi…… Read more
ZAEHNSDORF-BOUND DELUXE EDITION A Centenary Tribute: Sir Alfred Munnings 1878-1959 — Stanley Booth — 1979
Beautifully designed centenary tribute to the the painter Sir Alfred Munnings, Number 64 of 100 copies, owned and inscribed by the Norfolk landscape and marine watercolourist, Kenneth Denton. Large quarto beautifully bound in crushed red morocco with gilt decoration; red silk endpapers and all edges gilt. Signed and numbered by Booth to the limitation page together with Denton’s signature below. Dedham compliments slip of the Munnings Museum with the original invoice from first purchase in 1979…… Read more
Uncle Vanya - The 1990 BBC Recording Script and associated memorabilia of Simon Curtis and Gregory Mosher’s production of David Mamet’s adaptation of Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekov. — David Mamet, Anton Chekhov, Simon Curtis, Gregory Mosher — 1990
The 1990 BBC Recording Script and associated memorabilia of Simon Curtis and Gregory Mosher’s production of David Mamet’s adaptation of Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekov. The BBC TV staging of Chekhov’s play, Uncle Vanya, was made in TC6 BBC Television Centre between August 14th – 19th 1990. Produced by Simon Curtis, directed by Gregory Mosher and starring David Warner and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. This archive includes: 1 X A5 original recording script dated 14th – 19th Aug 1990. Includes full cre…… Read more
FIFTH IMPRESSION Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone — J K Rowling — 1997
Fifth impression of the Bloomsbury first edition of the first Harry Potter novel. Number line: ‘10 9 8 7 6 5’; no gap between ‘Thomas Taylor1997’ as called for. This is a near fine example of the first UK edition of the book that started it all. Squarely bound with excellent colour to the boards; slight crumpling at the tail of the spine and slight rubbing to the corners of the boards. No ownership inscriptions; small mark on the top edge close to where it meets the foreedge. Overall near fine.…… Read more
++SALE ITEM++ MARKS IN BOOKS - 1703-1977 - A Collection of 30 Annotated Books — Many and Varied Authors — 1703
30 high quality books from nearly 3 centuries, annotated by their writers and readers including an American Presidential biography annotated by the subject’s mother; a British Prime Minister’s school text; dramatic prompt copies, review copies, books annotated for radio adaptation, a massively corrected proof by a popular novelist, an opera annotated by a leading tenor and books owned and annotated by writers such as Laurie Lee, Noel Coward and George Mackay Brown. (PLEASE REQUEST A FULL CATALOG…… Read more
++SALE ITEM++ IRISH COLLEGE MANUSCRIPT Pars Secunda Physicae — Patrick Mortimore - Patricio Mortimorer [Isaac Newton] — 1772
A document of the Irish diaspora: a physics manuscript, with strong Newtonian content, written by an Irishman obliged to attend university - the Irish College - in France in the 1770s. Bound in dyed Irish green vellum with the remnants of an inscription in black ink to the upper cover and an old spine label. Splitting along outer hinges does not affect the soundness of the binding. To the first flyleaf the inscription: ‘This Book was bestowed to me by the Right Rev.d O Connor Bishop of Achonry’…… Read more
++SALE ITEM++ LETTERS & PERSONAL PAPERS RELATING TO CHRONICLES OF ANCIENT SUNLIGHT & TARKA THE OTTER — Henry Williamson — 1940s onwards
A substantial archive - c600 items - of Henry Williamson’s incoming letters and his replies in the form of notes, typescripts and annotated letters relating to his creative work in the 1950s and 1960s, in particular his extended sequence of novels about his experience in the First World War. Among the collection is a fan letter from Len Deighton and 500 returned cheques signed by Williamson. CHRONICLES OF ANCIENT SUNLIGHT Some 190 items (c300 pages) of mixed typed, hand-written and telegram corr…… Read more
++SALE ITEM++ THE DEDICATION COPY INSCRIBED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY - Advice to a Young Scientist — Peter Medawar — 1979
Inscribed from one Nobel Prize winner to another - from Peter Medawar to his friend and Royal Society President Alexander Todd on the first flyleaf: ‘To Alex Todd who started all this by inviting me to give a Charles [C P] Snow Lecture at Christ’s. With all good wishes from Peter Medawar Nov. 1979’. First edition in black publisher’s cloth, near fine in very good jacket, scuffing to lower panel. The printed dedication is ‘To the Royal Society of London’ - but there is no record of an inscribed c…… 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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