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Dear Friend,
If January is already too much, then Joyce Brisley's Cotswolds sketchbook will take you somewhere lovely - in fact exactly the place recalled by Robert Frost when he described himself as 'once of not far from Gloucester'.
If on the other hand the northern winter leaves you feeling combative then you can muse upon a sixteenth century account of Kett's Rebellion - or a well worn copy of The Anarchist Cookbook.
Happy New Year!
Christian
KETT’S REBELLION - PRESENTED TO ELY CATHEDRAL LIBRARY BY BISHOP SYMON: Alexandrinevilli Kettus, Sive de furoribus Norfolciensium Ketto Duce : Liber unus — Alexander Neville — 1582
A book presented to Ely Cathedral Library by Bishop Symon Patrick (1626-1707) during the 1690s as part of his drive to revive the Cathedral where he rebuilt the Bishop’s Palace and strengthened the holdings in the Cathedral library as well as supporting the Cambridge University Press and founding the S.P.C.K. On the last page of text Patrick has written a Latin address to future readers of the little volume (’Si quisquis in hunc libru[m]...’) but despite this compelling provenance the book was f…… Read more
WITH CONTEMPORARY HAND COLOURING Remaines Concerning Britaine — William Camden; John Philipot — 1637
Early edition with beautifully executed and seemingly contemporary hand colouring to initial letters, printer’s ornaments and armorials. This volume is bound in a 19th century half parchment over marbled boards with the spine hand titled in black ink. Pleasingly firm and square, a little rubbed to corners and age toned to spine. Endpapers clean, age toned as expected. Frontispiece depicts the author. Title page reveals signs of previous ownership in a contemporary hand close to foreedge although…… Read more
UNRECORDED EDITION - The Doctrine of the Beginning of Christ — Samuel Hieron — 1642?
Unrecorded Civil War printing of this popular catechism by the Devonian preacher known as the ‘star of the west’ who established himself as a proto-nonconformist of the Jacobean church. Small octavo in format (13x8.5cm); 19th century pebbled cloth over stiff boards, yellow coated endpapers. Collates A2 (title page) - B8; C7 ‘Finis’; probably lacking preliminary and terminal blanks. Browning to text but otherwise clean; printer’s ornaments to title page and head of ‘An Advertisement’ and main tex…… Read more
EXECUTION OF CHARLES I: The Papers Which Passed at New-Castle Betwixt His Sacred Majestie and Mr Alex: Henderson [with] Apophthegmata Aurea, Regia, Carolina. Apophthegms [with] Eikon Basilike, The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie — Alexander Henderson; John Gauden; Charles I — 1649
Three works that form part of the outpouring of commentary and mourning that followed the execution of Charles I in January 1649. The most famous of these works, Eikon Basilike appears first but lacks its portrait. The third text in the work, the Apophthegms, may be the version that appeared alongside this edition of the Eikon. Between the two imprints is a much scarcer work by one of the most influential churchmen in Scotland, a founder of the Kirk, Alexander Henderson (1583-1646) which contain…… Read more
Monarchy Asserted, To be the best, most Ancient and legall form of Government, in a conference had at Whitehall, with Oliver late Lord Protector & a Committee of Parliament — Nathaniel Fiennes ; Bulstrode Whitelocke; Oliver Cromwell — 1660
An excellent copy of this first edition rebound in a later addition pristine cloth, titled in gilt to spine. Beautifully clean and crisp throughout. 112 pp. collated and complete. Leaves 86 and 87 remain sealed together along a small section of fore edge noted on collation. The volume details reports from Parliament in April 1657 (during the Protectorate), debating whether the Lord Protector (Cromwell) was to take the title of King and records the speeches arguing that he should take the crown a…… 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
MARY HEBER’S COPY: Les Chef-D'Oeuvres De Corneille. Savoir, Le Cid, Horace, Cinna, Polyeucte, Pompee, Rodogune avec Le Jugement des Savans a la Suite de Chaque Piece. — Pierre Corneille — 1746
An attractively provenanced Oxford printing of the 'Nouvelle Edition' of the major works of the sixteenth-century French tragedian Pierre Corneille, once part of the Sitwell family library at Weston Hall and with an earlier ownership inscription by the artist Mary Heber (1787 -1846) half-sister of the great book collector, Richard Heber. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Contemporary calf over boards in good plus condition showing moderate surface abrasion. Lacking label to six panelled spine. Corners, edge…… Read more
George III By the Grace of God - London Legal Document with Seal — Thomas Southouse, James Shepnitt, Sir William de Grey — c.1748
Ornate 2 page legal ’Recovery’ on vellum from the reign of George III outlining an agreement made between the gentleman James Shepnitt (the demander) and the gentleman Thomas Southouse (the tenant) in relation to 160 acres of land covering numerous named parishes within London. Witnessed by lawyer and judge Sir William de Grey, Knight of Westminster on the eighth day of [July] in the twentieth year of [.....]. Also naming Thomas Francis, Tenant. Incorporates a blue 5 shilling revenue stamp and t…… Read more
A Sermon Preached before the Honourable House of Commons at St Margaret's, Westminsteer on Friday, January 30, 1795 — Reverend Thomas Hay — 1795
Presentation copy in contemporary blue card wrappers in tired condition suffering loss in parts to corners and edges both front and rear. Stitching and binding remain very sound. Text block good, corners moderately knocked, title page age toned. ‘From the Author’ written in a contemporary hand to top of title page. 30 pp. collated and complete.
Marengo or the Campaign of Italy by the Army of Reserve under the command of the Chief Consul Bonaparte. — Joseph Petit; Citizen Foudras — 1801
Second edition rebound in a vernacular style within card wrappers titled in a contemporary hand to front. Binding remains entirely sound. Front wrapper is lacking top right hand corner leaving only a glimpse of previous ownership. Title page is browned to top and lacking a 1cm square section to top left corner where again a previous ownership inscription has been redacted. ‘W.H. Chamberlain’ printed in red ink to tail of title page. Map in very good condition bound in titled ‘The North West Part…… Read more
Papers Presented to the House Of Commons Relating to the Building A New Infirmary and Leasing of Ground, at Chelsea Hospital — House of Commons; Sir John Soane — 1809
Architectural drawings and designs for Chelsea Hospital by Clerk of the Works Sir John Soane who is the signatory to several of the letters and reports within this volume of parliamentary publications. DESCRIPTION: Tall folio within vibrantly marbled boards in very good condition. Endpapers, additional blank leaves, papers and drawings bound within are likewise in very good condition. All maps crisp and vibrant with no damage to folds and printed by Luke Hammond & Sons, J Basire sculp. Included…… Read more
Early Prose Romances by William J Thoms — William J Thoms — 1827; 1828
A scarce complete first edition set of William Thoms's collection of early prose romances composed of eleven tales divided into three volumes published in 1827 and 1828. Rebacked, probably in the late 19th century in half red roan over bright pink cloth, in good condition throughout the three. Volume 1 a little more faded than the others and nicked to the spine top. Smart gold text block edges and vibrant marbled endpapers clean and crisp. Each title page with a vignette. Text blocks fresh. Prev…… Read more
CHARLES ROACH-SMITH’S COPY The Etymological Compendium or Portfolio of Origins and Inventions — William Pulleyn [Charles Roach-Smith] — 1830
Archaeologist Charles Roach-Smith’s copy of this second edition, in very good condition, with a few combative annotations correcting the author’s assertions about the Roman world. Roach-Smith strongly disagrees in his annotation with Pulleyn’s stated view of the origins of pottery and the use of glass in the ancient world. ‘Window glass is often found in Roman villas’ is how he counters Pulleyn’s statement on the matter (p21) and is equally assertive on the Roman use of knives. A few years befor…… Read more
THE MERCURY – Camberwell Collegiate Schoolboys’ Handwritten Periodical circa. 1840 — P Manlon, Frederick Bankard, W W Brown, J T Nanson, — c.1840
Opening issue of this handmade periodical by a group of Camberwell (south London) school boys, written on 4 pages in the style of a newspaper dated Sept 3rd and titled ‘The Mercury’. The editors in their opening address declare politics to be a ‘fertile source of strife’ and chose to concentrate instead on the miscellaneous, arts and literature. Incorporated are a variety of hand written articles including, ‘Advertisements’, ‘Miscellaneous Information’, a ‘Police Notice’, ‘Griffins’ poetry, news…… Read more
Wuthering Heights By Ellis Bell; and Agnes Grey, by Acton Bell with a Preface, and Memoir of Both Authors, by Currer Bell — Ellis Bell, Acton Bell, Currer Bell: Emily Bronte, Anne Bronte, Charlotte Bronte — 1858
xx, pp 1-446 [4] adverts. The third edition of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights in the original orange, printed cloth binding. The binding is sound with bright boards, darkened to edges and dulled to the spine which has been relaid. A small stain is visible to the top edge. Internally the endpapers, complete with their all important advertisements are present as required. The text is complete and clean, with Charlotte Bronte's foreword that set the tone for Bronte biography for a century. The te…… Read more
The Life and Campaign of Garibaldi in the Two Sicilies A Personal Narrative - AUTHOR INSCRIBED — Captain Charles Stuart Forbes — 1862
Scarce First Edition in near very good condition inscribed by the author Charles Stuart Forbes, a Royal Navy captain who had served with Garibaldi during the Risorgimento. This valuable first-hand account details Garibaldi's 1860 expedition to unify southern Italy, offering insights into battles and the political climate. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Publisher’s blue cloth boards with embossing and faded gilt illustration to front and rear. Spine darkened. Binding firm exhibiting moderate spine lean. T…… Read more
Middlemarch: A Study of Provincial Life — George Eliot — 1871
Four volume first edition, first state, of Eliot's masterpiece described by Virginia Woolf as 'one of the few English novels written for grown-up people'. Bound in good looking half red morocco over marbled boards, the spines having been renewed in the 20th century; the corners of the boards probably 19th century, the colour of the two well-matched. Speckled edges to the text block. Internally the books are clean; a little spotting to early leaves. Each volume has its half title; the errata shee…… Read more
Exhibition Catalogues at Dudley Gallery, Dudley Notes; Pictures at South Kensington, The Raphael Cartoons; Illustrated Catalogue to The National Gallery; Notes to the Exhibition of the Works of Modern Artists at the Royal Manchester Institution; Brazenose Club, Manchester. Catalogue of the Exhibition of the Works of JD Watson — Henry Blackburn; George R Halkett — 1877; 1878
Six art gallery catalogues, 1877-1878, for exhibitions in London and Manchester, in a good contemporary half binding of calf over lightly scuffed roan boards in sound condition. Spine panel chipped to top and tail with loss to edge of title panel. Endpapers clean. Light foxing to preliminary and final few leaves. Text block in very good condition throughout. Bound in are 6 individual exhibition catalogues including: London: Egyptian Hall, 1878. ‘Dudley Notes 1878. With Facsimiles of Sketches by…… Read more
Negotiations to print 5,760,000 banks notes for the Brazilian & Colombian National Banks by the London Stationers, Charles Skipper and East Limited — Charles Skipper & East Limited; Banco da Republica dos Estados Unidos du Brazil; Banco Nacional de la Republica de Colombia — 1891
A small archive from Charles Skipper & East Limited, the London bank note printers including 2 hand written letters on company headed paper which divulge negotiations regarding the potential supply of new bank notes to the Banco da Republica dos Estados Unidos du Brazil and Banco Nacional de la Republica de Colombia. The letters are dated March and April 1891 and penned by an agent working on behalf of Charles Skipper & East, sent from an address on Rue de Soutay, Paris. Details of potential ord…… Read more
CLIMBING IN THE OGWEN DISTRICT OF WALES — JM Archer Thomson — 1910
A Climber’s Club handbook to the climbs in the Ogwen district including The Gylder Fawr, The Gribin, The Gylder Fach, Tryfan, Twll Du and Creigiau. With connections to the Rucksack Club Library – a club at the forefront of British mountaineering, rock climbing, long-distance walking and other challenging outdoor activities since 1902. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Small octavo in good condition. Blue cloth binding with embossed gilt text to front and to brown spine. Lightly shelf worn. Endpapers clean,…… Read more
FIRST EDITIONS : The Book of the Motor Car — Rankin Kennedy C.E. — 1913
Very crisp near fine dust jacketed first editions of this three volume work, the sparkling boards protected by the jackets. The books deliver technical insights into motoring at the start of the twentieth century, detailing the engineering and technology of the motor car. Written by Rankin Kennedy, an engineering author and inventor. Each volume is in the publisher's original full cloth decorative binding complete with a pop-up frontispiece to front paste-downs and richly illustrated with vignet…… Read more
Cotswold Tour Sketch Book with a Trip to Norway: By the Creator of the Milly Molly Mandy stories — Joyce Lancaster Brisley — 1931
Beautifully executed sketch book with 82 pages of fine sketches and diary entries for a tour of Cotswolds villages that Joyce Lancaster Brisley made with a nicely spoken woman friend named ‘O’ in June 1931. Brisley made 43 sketches of the Cotswolds and west Sussex along with 15 pages of diary entries in which she records her pleasure in the English landscape in summer, as at Laverton where the two women ‘Went up onto hills with gorgeous view, for tea; then watched cows driven home’ and at Cutsde…… Read more
Murder in a Road Gang — Maurice Cresswell — 1936
Very good first edition murder mystery in a bright dust jacket. Bright blue boards, pages crisp and clean in creased, chipped jacket.
‘Robert Frost once of not far from Gloucester’ - Recognition of Robert Frost: Twenty fifth Anniversary — Robert Frost - Norman Douglas, Edward Thomas, Ezra Pound, Edward Garnett, W H Auden, — 1937
Elaborately inscribed by Frost to an ‘old old friend’ from his time in England with the Dymock Poets in rural Gloucestershire just before the First World War. Writing on the first flyleaf Frost has inscribed the book ‘For Robin Haines of Gloucester from his old old friend Robert Frost once of not far from Gloucester, Amherst Mass, November 27 1937’. Robin Haines was the son of the Gloucester solicitor John W Haines who was became close to Frost during his Gloucestershire years - Haines’ son Robi…… Read more
FIRST EDITION: Speckled Virtue — Eliot Crawshay-Williams — 1942
First edition. John Long: London; 1942. Near very good copy in good pictorial, unclipped dust jacket. Dark blue boards titled in gilt to spine. Damp mark to tail of rear board, slight spine lean. Endpapers and text block clean, lightly age toned throughout. Dust jacket chipped to edges top and tail. Small repair visible to small clean tear to top of front. Finger marked to rear. 303 pp.
The Church of St Mary the Great The University Church at Cambridge - WITH LETTERS FROM NIKOLAUS PEVSNER & W D BUSHELL — W D Bushell; G M trevelyan, Nikolaus Pevsner, W H Holdsworth, Frank Haywood — 1948
An inscribed association copy connecting the church of Great St Mary in Cambridge with that at Orton Waterville and including a little group of research letters by the author, Cambridge historian W D Bushell, and the architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner. The book’s flyleaf offers a grateful inscription from the author to the Rev W H Holdsworh ‘with thanks for showing him the pulpit and the church’ dated November 14 1948 (the pulpit came from Great St Mary’s) and an additional inscription fro…… Read more
My Old Man's a Dustman - ALAN COREN’S COPY — Wolf Mankowitz — 1964
Previously owned by Alan Coren, writer, humorist, broadcaster and satirist. The inscription in black ink to the front flyleaf reads, ‘Alan Coren St. John’s Wood 1964’. Alan Coren (1938 – 2007) was a regular panellist on the BBC Radio quiz The News Quiz and a team captain on BBC television's Call My Bluff. He was also the editor of Punch for almost a decade and later edited The Listener magazine. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Very good copy in very good unclipped dust jacket. Brown cloth boards titled in…… Read more
For Lizzie and Harriet; Notebook; The Old Glory; Prometheus Bound; Day by Day; Near the Ocean — Robert Lowell — 1966 -1978
An appealing collection of 7 UK first editions by the Boston born Pulitzer Prize winning poet Robert Lowell. All in excellent and very good conditions including: For Lizzie and Harriet. Faber and Faber: London, 1973. First UK edition. Boards pristine. Original unclipped dust jacket in excellent condition. Prometheus Bound. Faber and Faber: London, 1970. First UK edition. Boards pristine. Unclipped dust jacket in excellent condition. The Old Glory. Faber and Faber: London, 1966. First UK edition.…… Read more
The Anarchist Cookbook — William Powell, P M Bergman — 1971
Second Impression of this controversial 1971 book promoting counter-cultural resistance, containing instructions on explosives, weapons, sabotage, survival techniques and including recipes for home-made devices, napalm, and tear gas along with guides on hacking, surveillance evasion, and guerrilla tactics. The book also discusses anarchist philosophy, advocating resistance to government control. It’s author William Powell later renounced its contents acknowledging its bizarrer unintended consequ…… Read more
Legends of the Fall — Jim Harrison — 1980
A first UK edition of ‘Legends of the Fall’ by Jim Harrison published by Collins in 1980. An epic tale of three brothers and their lives of passion, madness, exploration and danger at the beginning of the Great War. A near fine copy in a very good unclipped dust jacket which is nicked very slightly to top front corner and rear top edge. Endpapers clean. Text block entirely fresh, clean and sound throughout. 276 pp. A lovely copy.
Choral Evensong with the Dedication of new Stained Glass Windows Commemorating Thomas Traherne with a Small Archive — Thomas Traherne; Anne Ridler; Sylvia Plath; Edward Thomas — 2007
A small archive which celebrates the life of Anglican clergyman and mystical poet Thomas Traherne who was born circa 1636 in Hereford, England. Following study at Brasenose College, Oxford he became the rector of Credenhill in 1657. In his lifetime he published only one book, Roman Forgeries (1673) and the rediscovery of his work is considered one of the great stories of modern 20th century literary scholarship. The archive includes: 1. Choral Evensong held at The Cathedral Church of St Mary the…… 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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