Scott, Sir Walter

Scott’s Waverly Novels. [Waverley: or ‘Tis Sixty Years Since, Guy Mannering, The Antiquary, Rob Roy, Ivanhoe, Kenilworth, The Pirate, The Fortunes of Nigel, Peveril of the Peak, Quentin Durward, St. Ronan’s Well, Redgauntlet, The Betrothed, Talisman, Woodstock, or, the Cavalier, Chronicles of the Canongate, The Fair Maid Of Perth, Anne of Geierstein].

Edinburgh : Printed for Archibald Constable and Co.; and John Ballantyne; And Hurst, Robinson, and Co., London, 1816-1821.

Complete first edition set of Scott’s Waverly Novels. Octavo, 74 volumes uniformly bound in full morocco by Morrell, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. An exceptional set.

Austen, Jane

Emma: A Novel. By the Author of “Pride and Prejudice.”

London : Printed for John Murray, 1816.

First edition of the final novel published during Austen’s lifetime, one of only 2000 copies printed. Small octavo, three volumes finely bound in three quarter leather over marbled boards by Birdsall & Son with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, topContinue reading "Emma: A Novel. By the Author of “Pride and Prejudice.”"

James, William

A Full and Correct Account of the Chief Naval Occurrences of the Late War Between Great Britain and The United States of America; Preceded by a Cursory Examination of the American Accounts of Their Naval Actions Fought Previous to That Period.

London : Printed for T. Egerton, 1817.

First edition of James’ naval history of the War of 1812, which inspired Theodore Roosevelt’s account from the American perspective: The Naval War of 1812. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt ruling to the spine and panels, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, rebacked. In very good condition.

Paine, Thomas

Dissertations on Government, the Affairs of the Bank, and Paper Money.

London : Printed by W.T. Sherwin , 1817.

First British edition of Paine’s defense of the Bank of North America. Small octavo, bound in modern wrappers. In near fine condition with light toning to the extremities.

Barrington, Daines

The Possibility of Approaching the North Pole Asserted.

New York : James Eastburn & Co, 1818.

First separate American edition of this work arguing that reaching the North Pole was possible. Octavo, bound in modern half brown calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, black calf spine labels, title page vignette, with a folding frontispiece map of the North Pole.Continue reading "The Possibility of Approaching the North Pole Asserted."

French Military Artillery and Fortification Manual.

Metz : Ecole Royale de l'Artillerie et du Genie, 1818-19.

Rare early 19th century French military manual created in manuscript for the Ecole Royale de ‘Artillerie et du Genie (School of Application of Artillery and Engineering of Metz) containing lessons and technical drawings in the mechanics of artillery and construction of temporary and permanent military fortifications. Quarto, ten volumes bound in three quarters morocco overContinue reading "French Military Artillery and Fortification Manual."

Loddiges, George. Plates by George Cook

The Botanical Cabinet Consisting of Coloured Delineations of Plants, from all Countries.

London : John & Arthur Arch; Hackney: Conrad Loddiges & Sons, et al, 1818–1833.

Rare first edition, large paper issue set of Loddiges’ renowned Botanical Cabinet with 2000 numbered hand-colored plates by George Cooke. Octavos, 20 volumes bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, all edges marbled.Continue reading "The Botanical Cabinet Consisting of Coloured Delineations of Plants, from all Countries."

[Temple, Henry J.]

The New Whig Guide.

London : W. Wright, 1819.

First edition of this collection of 19th century British political pasquinades. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with with gilt ruling to the spine, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. From the library of William Safire with his bookplate to the pastedown. William Safire was an important American author, columnist, journalist, and presidential speechwriter.Continue reading "The New Whig Guide."

Hazlitt, William

Political Essays, with Sketches of Public Characters.

London : Printed for William Hone, 1819.

First edition of one of Hazlitt’s most interesting collections, including his estimates and reviews of Southey as Laureate, of Coleridge, Burke, and Malthus (at length). Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, marbled endpapers. From the library of William Safire with hisContinue reading "Political Essays, with Sketches of Public Characters."

Smith, Adam

An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.

London : Printed for William Allison & J. Maynard; Edinburgh: W. Blair, 1819.

Early edition of Adam Smith’s magnum opus and cornerstone of economic thought. Octavo, 3 volumes, bound in contemporary full calf, gilt titles to the spine, red and green spine labels. In near fine condition. An exceptional set of this classic work.

Byron, George Gordon Noel. [Lord Byron]

Don Juan.

London : Thomas Davison [i.e., John Murray], 1819-1821 (Cantos I-V, Volumes I-II)/John Hunt, 1823-24 (Cantos VI-XVI, Volumes III-VI).

Scarce complete first edition set of Byron’s great work which was widely criticized as immoral upon publication and is now considered one of the greatest poems of the Romantics; from the library of American writer Erica Jong. Volume one was produced in quarto format and the subsequent 5 volumes in octavo (Davison abandoned the quartoContinue reading "Don Juan."

Burn, Richard and George Chetwynd

The Justice of the Peace, and Parish Officer.

London : Printed by A. Strahan , 1820.

Finely bound set of this monumental work. Octavo, 5 volumes, bound in contemporary full calf, morocco spine labels. In near fine condition.

Malthus, Thomas R. [T.R.}

Principles of Political Economy Considered With a View to Their Practical Application.

London : John Murray, 1820.

Rare first edition of Malthus’ classic work. Octavo, bound in full diced morocco, raised bands, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front and rear panels, marbled endpapers. In near fine condition. An exceptional presentation.

Acts of the First General Assembly of the State of Missouri; Passed at the First Session, which was Begun and Held at the Town of Saint Louis…1820. [and] Acts of the First General Assembly of the State of Missouri; Passed at the Special Session, Began and Held at the Town of St. Charles…1821.

St. Louis / St. Charles : Isaac N. Henry / St. Charles, 1820-1821.

First editions of the first official printing of the Acts of Missouri’s 1820 First General Assembly and 1821 Special Session, two rare works marking a turning point in the constitutional and sectional fury over slavery that triggered the First Missouri Compromise and the Second Missouri Compromise (1820-21). Octavo, two volumes, bound in full modern brownContinue reading "Acts of the First General Assembly of the State of Missouri; Passed at the First Session, which was Begun and Held at the Town of Saint Louis…1820. [and] Acts of the First General Assembly of the State of Missouri; Passed at the Special Session, Began and Held at the Town of St. Charles…1821."

Thornton, Alfred

Don Juan. Volume the First and Don Juan; Volume the Second: Containing His Life in London, Or, A True Picture of the British Metropolis.

London : Printed for Thomas Kelly, 1821-1822.

First edition of Thornton’s satirical reinterpretation of the famous libertine legend. Octavo, two volumes bound in full crushed levant morocco by Lloyd with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt scrolling and cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles stamp-signed by Lloyd,Continue reading "Don Juan. Volume the First and Don Juan; Volume the Second: Containing His Life in London, Or, A True Picture of the British Metropolis."

James, William

The Naval History of Great Britain, From the Declaration of War by France, in February 1793; to the Accession of George IV. In January 1820; With An Account of the Origin and Progressive Increase of The British Navy; Illustrated, From the Commencement of the Year 1793, by A Series of Tabular Abstracts, Contained in a Separate Quarto Volume.

London : Printed for Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy, 1822.

First edition of James’ naval history of Great Britain. Five octavo volumes and one quarto volume of tables bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, folding plate in volume I. Sabin 35720. In near fine condition. Uncommon.

Franklin, Captain John

Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of The Polar Sea, In the Years 1819, 20, 21, and 22. [with] Narrative of a Second Expedition to the Shores of the Polar Sea, in the Years 1825, 1826, and 1827.

London : John Murray, Albemarle-Street, 1823.

First editions of the official narratives of Franklin‘s first and second voyages to the Polar Sea. Quarto, two volumes uniformly bound in full period-style speckled calf with morocco gilt-lettered labels and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, gilt turn-ins. First Narrative: First edition, first issue with the Errata slip, illustrated with 30 plates 11 of whichContinue reading "Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of The Polar Sea, In the Years 1819, 20, 21, and 22. [with] Narrative of a Second Expedition to the Shores of the Polar Sea, in the Years 1825, 1826, and 1827."

Gault de Saint-Germain, Pierre-Marie. [Marie de Rabutin-Chantal]

Lettres de Madame de Sevigne, De Sa Famille, Et De Ses Amie. [The Letters of Madame de Sevigne].

A Paris : Chez Dalibon Libraire, 1823.

Finely bound 19th century French printing of the Letters of Madame De Sevigne. Octavo, twelve volumes bound in full contemporary calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt stamping and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling and blind-stamping to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins, marbledContinue reading "Lettres de Madame de Sevigne, De Sa Famille, Et De Ses Amie. [The Letters of Madame de Sevigne]."

The New Whole Duty of Man, Containing the Faith as well as Practice of A Christian: Made Easy For the Practice of the Present Age, AS the Old Whole Duty of Man was design’d for those unhappy Times in which it was written: And Supplying the Articles of the Christian Faith, Which are Wanting in that Book. Though Essentially Necessary to Salvation. [Fore-Edge Painting].

London : Printed for W. Bent, 1823.

Finely bound example of this classic Protestant devotional work. Octavo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, elaborate gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, decorated with a concealed fore-edge painting of a maritime view, engraved frontispiece. In goodContinue reading "The New Whole Duty of Man, Containing the Faith as well as Practice of A Christian: Made Easy For the Practice of the Present Age, AS the Old Whole Duty of Man was design’d for those unhappy Times in which it was written: And Supplying the Articles of the Christian Faith, Which are Wanting in that Book. Though Essentially Necessary to Salvation. [Fore-Edge Painting]."

Walton, Izaak and Charles Cotton

The Complete Angler of Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton: Extensively Embellished with Engravings on Copper and Wood, From Original Paintings and Drawings, by First-Rate Artists.

London : John Major, Fleet Street, 1823.

First Major edition, large paper copy of this classic of English literature. Octavo, bound in full crushed levant forest green morocco by Zaehnsdorf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt spine ornaments and cornerpieces of fish and tackle, quadruple gilt ruling to the front and rearContinue reading "The Complete Angler of Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton: Extensively Embellished with Engravings on Copper and Wood, From Original Paintings and Drawings, by First-Rate Artists."

Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft

Valperga: or, the Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca. By the Author of ‘Frankenstein’.

London : G. and W.B. Whittaker, 1823.

Rare first edition of Shelley’s second novel, which has been called “a meditation on political, psychological, and sexual power” and is considered by many to be her finest work.  12mo., bound in 19th century three quarter calf over marbled boards by Bumpus, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels, raised bands. InContinue reading "Valperga: or, the Life and Adventures of Castruccio, Prince of Lucca. By the Author of ‘Frankenstein’."

Horace

Quintus Horatius Flaccus.

London : Gulielmus Pickering, 1824.

Rare second Pickering Diamond edition, large paper issue, with an additional engraved title page. 12 mo, bound in full morocco, gilt titles to the front panel, raised bands, marbled endpapers. In very good condition. Housed in a custom chemise and half morocco slipcase.

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von

Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship.

London : Oliver & Boyd, 1824.

First edition in English of Goethe’s masterpiece. Octavo, 3 volumes, bound in original boards, pages uncut. In near fine condition. Exceptionally rare in the original boards, we have not seen another example.

Heeren, Arnold Hermann Ludwig. [Translated by George Bancroft]

Reflections on the Politics of Ancient Greece.

Boston : Cummings, Hilliard & Co, 1824.

First American edition of Bancroft’s translation of Heeren’s monumental work on politics in Ancient Greece. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt ruling to the spine and a red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, all edges marbled. From the library of William Safire with his bookplate to the pastedown. William Safire was anContinue reading "Reflections on the Politics of Ancient Greece."