Thucydides

The Hystory, Writtone by Thucidides the Athenyan, of the Warre, Whiche was Betwene the Peloponesians and the Athenyans [The History of the Peloponnesian War].

London : William Tylle, 1550.

First edition of one one of the greatest of classic historical works. Folio, bound in 19th century full vellum, morocco spine label, marbled endpapers, title-page with elaboarate historiated woodcut border. In very good condition with light toning to the text. Rare and desirable in this condition.

Ptolomaeus, Claudius. Edited and with Commentary by Federico Commandino

Ptolemaei Planisphaerium. Iordani Planisphaerium. Federici Commandini Urbrinatis in Ptolemaei Planisphaerium Commentarius.

Venice : Paulus Manutius (Aldine Press), 1558.

First separate edition and first edition of Commandino’s commentary of Ptolemy’s Planisphaerium, the original Greek text of which is no longer extant. Octavo, two volumes bound into one in eighteenth century vellum, all edges speckled red, Aldine device on both titles and both final pages, woodcut initials, numerous woodcut diagrams. The Ptolemaei is printed inContinue reading "Ptolemaei Planisphaerium. Iordani Planisphaerium. Federici Commandini Urbrinatis in Ptolemaei Planisphaerium Commentarius."

Stadius, Joannes. [Edmond Halley]

Ephemeris Anno Christi 1554.

Cologne : Apud haeredes Arnoldi Birckmanni, 1570.

Edmond Halley’s sixteenth-century copy of Flemish mathematician Joannes Stadius’ widely consulted astronomical almanac, first published in 1554. Quarto, bound in full English calf with an elaborate gilt lozenge to the center of each panel, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, printer’s device to the title page. From theContinue reading "Ephemeris Anno Christi 1554."

Alhazen (Hasan Ibn al-Haytham)

Opticae Thesaurus Alhazeni Arabis. [Alhazen’s Book of Optics].

Basel : Eusebius Episcopius , 1572.

First edition of Alhazen’s fundamental work on optics and vision, which influenced Galileo and Kepler and paved the way for the modern science of physical optics. Folio, bound in full contemporary Basel vellum with central arabesques blind-stamped to the front and rear panels, titles stamped in black and five raised bands to the spine, woodcutContinue reading "Opticae Thesaurus Alhazeni Arabis. [Alhazen’s Book of Optics]."

The Thirde Parte of the Bible, Conteining These Bookes. The Psalter. The Proverbes. Ecclesiastes. Cantica Canticorum. The Prophetes.

London : Henry Bynneman and Richard Jugge for William Norton, 1575.

Rare 16th century English printing of a portion of the Bishop’s Bible. Quarto, bound in 18th century half calf over marbled boards, gilt ruling to the spine, paper titular label to the front panel, title page printed within a wide woodcut compartmental border featuring and angel above the date of publication in the upper compartmentContinue reading "The Thirde Parte of the Bible, Conteining These Bookes. The Psalter. The Proverbes. Ecclesiastes. Cantica Canticorum. The Prophetes."

Calvin, John. Translated from the French by Thomas Stocker

Two and twentie Sermons of Maister John Calvin. In which Sermons is most religiously handled, the hundredth and nineteenth Psalme of David, by eight verses aparte according to the Hebrewe alphabet.

London : [Printed by Thomas Dawson] For John Harison and Thomas Man, 1580.

Scarce first edition in English of this collection of John Calvin’s sermons. Octavo, bound in full levant morocco with gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling and central gilt arabesques to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins, wide typographical borderContinue reading "Two and twentie Sermons of Maister John Calvin. In which Sermons is most religiously handled, the hundredth and nineteenth Psalme of David, by eight verses aparte according to the Hebrewe alphabet."

Foxe, John

Acts and Monuments of matters of most speciall and memorable happenyng in the Church, with an Universall history of the same…Newly revised and recognized. [Foxe’s Book of Martyrs].

London : John Daye, 1583.

Fourth edition of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (as it was later known), and the last to be published in his lifetime. The first English edition was published in 1563. Folio, 2 volumes bound into one in full near contemporary full brown calf over beveled boards elaborately stamped and paneled in blind, rebacked, seven raised bandsContinue reading "Acts and Monuments of matters of most speciall and memorable happenyng in the Church, with an Universall history of the same…Newly revised and recognized. [Foxe’s Book of Martyrs]."

Machiavelli, Niccolò

Discorsi Di Nicolo Machiavelli Pra La Prima Deca Di Tito Livio [bound with] Il Prencipe di Nicolo Machiavelli. [Machiavelli’s Discourses bound with The Prince].

Palermo : Apresso gli heredi d'Antoniello degli Antonielli , 1584 [London: John Wolfe].

Rare 16th century printing of John Wolfe’s famed fictitious Italian editions of Machiavelli’s fundamental works of political history and philosophy. Octavo, elaborately bound in full crushed morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling and central motifs to the front and rear panels, giltContinue reading "Discorsi Di Nicolo Machiavelli Pra La Prima Deca Di Tito Livio [bound with] Il Prencipe di Nicolo Machiavelli. [Machiavelli’s Discourses bound with The Prince]."

Holinshed, Raphael

The First and Second Volumes of Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland With: The Third volume of Chronicles, beginning at Duke William the Norman [Holinshed Chronicles].

London : John Harrison, George Bishop, Rafe Newberie, Henrie Denham, and Thomas Woodcocke, 1587.

Preferred second edition of the greatest Elizabethan repository of English history which served as an important source for Shakespeare’s plays. Folios, 3 volumes bound into 2, bound in full calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, red morocco spine labels, gilt ruled, woodcut initials and title pages. Separate title pages and pagination forContinue reading "The First and Second Volumes of Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland With: The Third volume of Chronicles, beginning at Duke William the Norman [Holinshed Chronicles]."

Machiavelli, Niccolo

The Florentine Historie. Written in the Italian tongue, by Nicholo Macchiavelli, Citizen and Secretarie of Florence. And translated into English by Thomas Bedingfield Esquire.

London : Printed by T. C. [Thomas Creede] for W. P. [William Ponsonby], 1595.

Rare first edition in English of this classic work. Quarto, bound in full calf, decorated with woodcut engraved ornamental title page and engraved head and tailpieces. In near fine condition with some light browning and wear, title trimmed and laid down. Translated by Thomas Bedingfeld. First editions are scarce, especially in this condition.

Aristotle

Politiques, or Discourses of Government.

London : Adam Islip, 1598.

Rare first edition in English of one of the world’s most important and influential political texts, “the most valuable work on that branch of philosophy that has descended to us from antiquity.” Small folio, bound in full leather, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front and rear panels. In near fine condition, bookplate, smallContinue reading "Politiques, or Discourses of Government."

[The Bible. Translated according to the Ebrew and Greeke].

London : Robert Barker, 1605.

Rare early 17th century printing of Robert Barker’s Geneva Bible. Small quarto, bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, text in black letter, double column, lacking general title-page, New Testament title-page with woodcut border, Concordances and Psalms bound in at rear [Herbert 280]. Period family ownership inscriptions andContinue reading "[The Bible. Translated according to the Ebrew and Greeke]."

Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de

El Ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha. Segunda Parte del Ingenioso Cavallero Don Quixote de la Mancha.

Madrid : Por Juan de La Cuesta, vendese en casa de Francisco de Robles, librero del Rey, 1608-1615.

Exceedingly rare and spectacular 17th century editions of both volumes of Cervantes’ prized work, the remarkable Beilby Thompson-Maggs-Ortiz Linares copy with a shared provenance spanning over 320 years, this is among the oldest known sets of both parts paired and uniformly bound in the 18th century, comprising one of the most desirable pairings of theContinue reading "El Ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha. Segunda Parte del Ingenioso Cavallero Don Quixote de la Mancha."

Saint Augustine

Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives. [The City of God].

London : George Eld, 1610.

Rare first edition in English of Augustine’s monumental work. Translated by John Healey. Folio, bound in full brown calf, gilt titles to the spine, morocco spine label, raised bands. Large woodcut printer’s device on title (McKerrow 375). Decorative woodcut head-pieces and decorative and woodcut initials, including three twelve-line initials. In very good condition, ownership signatureContinue reading "Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives. [The City of God]."

Foxe, John

[Foxe’s Book of Martyrs]. Actes And Monuments Of Matters Most Speciall And Memorable, Happening in the Church, with an Universall Historie of the Same.

London : Printed for the Company of Stationers [Henry Lownes], 1610.

Rare sixth edition of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (as it was later known), a foundational text for English Protestant identity first published in 1563. Under Elizabeth I, copies of this work were placed in cathedrals alongside the Bible, and the dedication at front (to Elizabeth) includes a large woodcut initial depicting Queen Elizabeth on theContinue reading "[Foxe’s Book of Martyrs]. Actes And Monuments Of Matters Most Speciall And Memorable, Happening in the Church, with an Universall Historie of the Same."

Saint Augustine

Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives.

London : George Eld, 1610.

First edition in English of Augustine’s monumental work. Translated by John Healey. Folio, bound in full contemporary English panelled calf with gilt titles to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, central ornament tooled in gold to the front and rear panels, rebacked. Decorative woodcut head-pieces and decorative and woodcut initials, including three twelve-lineContinue reading "Of the Citie of God: With the Learned Comments of Jo. Lod. Vives."

Norton, Thomas. [John Calvin]

The Institution Of Christian Religion, Written In Latin By M. John Calvine, Translated Into English According To The Authors Last Edition; With Sundry Tables To Finde The Principall Matters Intreated Of In This Booke.

London : John Norton, 1611.

Rare 1611 edition of Calvin’s seminal work on systematic theology, regarded as one of the most influential works of Protestant theology. Quarto, bound in three quarter calf with five raised bands to the spine, elaborate architectural borders to the title page, woodcut headpieces and tailpieces. In good condition. Upper portion of title page removed.

Philip III, King of Spain

Carta Executoria of King Philip III of Spain for Juan and Alonso de Rivera de la Cerda.

Valladolid, Spain 1612.

Rare 17th century elaborately illuminated nobility patent of King Philip III of Spain for the brothers Juan and Alonso de Rivera de la Cerda. Quarto, bound in full leather with gilt detailing, the patent is comprised of 100 leaves numbered 1-99 in contemporary Arabic numerals, written in round Spanish script within a frame ruled inContinue reading "Carta Executoria of King Philip III of Spain for Juan and Alonso de Rivera de la Cerda."

The Holy Bible, Conteining the Old Testament and the New. Newly Translated out ot the Originall Tongues: and with the former Translation diligently compared and revised By his Majesties Special commandement. Appointed to be read in Churches.

Imprinted at London : Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie, 1613 [-1612].

Exceptionally rare 1613 printing of Robert Barker’s Geneva Bible. Quarto, bound in full contemporary calf with elaborate gilt decorations to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, gilt ruling and panelling to the front and rear panels with flueron cornerpieces, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, ribbon bound in. Two title pages withinContinue reading "The Holy Bible, Conteining the Old Testament and the New. Newly Translated out ot the Originall Tongues: and with the former Translation diligently compared and revised By his Majesties Special commandement. Appointed to be read in Churches."

[Bible]

[The King James “She” Bible]. The Holy Bible: Conteyning the Old Testament, and the New: Newly translated out of the Originall Tongues: and with the former Translations diligently compared and reuised by his Maiesties speciall Comandement. Appointed to be Read in Churches.

London : Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings Most Excellent Majestie, 1613.

Rare 1613 folio edition of the great King James “She” Bible”, “the true 1613 folio edition of King James’ Bible; easily distinguishable from the other large folio editions by its smaller type… The preliminary leaves are set up as in the other large folio editions, but the text is printed in smaller type with 72 instead of 59 lines to the full column” (Herbert; DarlowContinue reading "[The King James “She” Bible]. The Holy Bible: Conteyning the Old Testament, and the New: Newly translated out of the Originall Tongues: and with the former Translations diligently compared and reuised by his Maiesties speciall Comandement. Appointed to be Read in Churches."

Carrera, Pietro

Il Gioco De Gli Scacchi Di D. Pietro Carrera Diviso in Otto Libri. (The Game of Chess).

Militello : Giovanni de' Rossi, 1617.

Rare first edition of one of the early chess manuals, and the first book printed in Militello at Prince Francesco Branciforte’s private press. Octavo, bound in full contemporary vellum with ink titles to the spine, large engraving of the Branciforte coat of arms opposite the dedication page, woodcut illustrations throughout the text. In near fine condition.Continue reading "Il Gioco De Gli Scacchi Di D. Pietro Carrera Diviso in Otto Libri. (The Game of Chess)."

Boccaccio, Giovanni

The Decameron.

London : Isaac Jaggard, 1620.

First edition in English of Boccaccio’s masterpiece, published by Jaggard published three years prior to his printing of the Shakespeare First Folio. Boccaccio’s masterpiece. Folio, 2 volumes, bound in full morocco by Riviere, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, all edges gilt, errata leaf at end of volume one, B1 is a cancellans, woodcutContinue reading "The Decameron."

de'Medici, Cosimo II

Statuti dell’Ordine De’ Cavalieri di S.to Stefano.

Florence : Pietro Cecconcelli, 1620.

Rare early 17th century printing of the Statutes of the The Order of Saint Stephen; founded by Cosimo I de’ Medici in 1561. Octavo, bound in full contemporary vellum, engraved title page by Jacques Callot, engraved portrait of Cosimo II de Medici, printer’s woodcut vignette on colophon, woodcut initials. From the library of Italian editor andContinue reading "Statuti dell’Ordine De’ Cavalieri di S.to Stefano."

Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de

Second Part of The History of the Valorous and Witty Knight-Errant, Don Quixote of the Mancha.

London : Printed for Edward Blount, 1620.

First edition of the second part of Cervantes’ masterpiece in English. Oblong duodecimo, bound in half leather over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, black and green morocco spine labels. In near fine condition, lacking the engraved title with several words faintly missing on p.Continue reading "Second Part of The History of the Valorous and Witty Knight-Errant, Don Quixote of the Mancha."