Linnaeus, Carl

Oratio, qua Peregrinationum Intra Patriam Asseritur Necessitas. [An Oration on the Necessity of Travels within One’s Own Country].

Uppsala : Carolino Majori, 1741.

First edition of Linnaeus’s inaugural oration at Uppsala. Octavo, written in Latin, bound in half morocco over marbled boards with gilt titles and elaborate tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, top edge marbled, marbled endpapers. In very good condition. Rare with only a handful of copies appearing at auction since 1950.

Cervantes, Miguel de. Translated by Charles Jarvis

The Adventures of Don Quixote De La Mancha; Translated From the Spanish of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.

London : J. & R. Tonson and R. Dodsley, 1742.

First edition of Jarvis’ translation of Cervantes’ masterpiece, with the eight page translator’s preface present in volume one. Quarto, two volumes, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in seven compartments within raised gilt bands, all edges stained red, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panel. IllustratedContinue reading "The Adventures of Don Quixote De La Mancha; Translated From the Spanish of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra."

Butler, Samuel

Hudibras, In Three Parts, Written in the Time of The Late Wars: Corrected and Amended. With Large Annotations, and a Preface, by Zachary Grey, L.L.D. Adorn’d with a new Set of Cuts.

Cambridge : Printed by J. Bentham, Printer to the University, for W. Innys, A. Ward, Mess. J. and P. Knapton, D. Browne, S. Birt, et al, 1744.

18th century large annotated edition of Butler’s acclaimed mock romance, the “best edition” according to Lowndes. Octavo, two volumes bound in full calf with red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt turn-ins illustrated with 16 engraved plates by J. Mynde after William Hogarth including frontispiece portrait of Butler to Vol. I., errata, index, andContinue reading "Hudibras, In Three Parts, Written in the Time of The Late Wars: Corrected and Amended. With Large Annotations, and a Preface, by Zachary Grey, L.L.D. Adorn’d with a new Set of Cuts."

Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de

Vida Y Hechos Del Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote De La Mancha: Con Muy Bellas Estampas Gravadas Sobre Los Dibujos de Coypel, Primer Pinto de el Rey de Francia.

En Haia [The Hague] : Por P. Gosse y A. Moetjens, 1744.

Rare early printing and one of the most highly coveted editions of Cervantes’ masterpiece. Octavo, 4 volumes, bound in full calf, gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, burgundy spine labels, triple gilt ruled, marbled endpapers, all edges red, ribbons bound in, with numerous engravings after the drawings of Antoine Coypel, renowned forContinue reading "Vida Y Hechos Del Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote De La Mancha: Con Muy Bellas Estampas Gravadas Sobre Los Dibujos de Coypel, Primer Pinto de el Rey de Francia."

Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de

Vida Y Hechos Del Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote De La Mancha: Con Muy Bellas Estampas Gravadas Sobre Los Dibujos de Coypel, Primer Pinto de el Rey de Francia.

En Haia [The Hague] : Por P. Gosse y A. Moetjens, 1744.

Rare early printing and one of the most highly coveted editions of Cervantes’ masterpiece. Octavo, 4 volumes, bound in full calf, gilt titles and  tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, burgundy spine labels, triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edgesContinue reading "Vida Y Hechos Del Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote De La Mancha: Con Muy Bellas Estampas Gravadas Sobre Los Dibujos de Coypel, Primer Pinto de el Rey de Francia."

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of The Church of England: Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

Cambridge : Printed by Joseph Bentham, Printer to the University, 1745.

Rare 18th century Book of Common Prayer, formerly used in the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court. Folio, bound in full contemporary black morocco with gilt royal cyphers of King George II to the spine in seven compartments within raised gilt bands, double gilt ruling and elaborate gilt scrolling to the front and rear panels, giltContinue reading "The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of The Church of England: Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons."

Edited by William Oldys

Biographia Britannica: Or, the Lives of the Most Eminent Persons Who Have Flourished In Great Britain and Ireland, From the Earliest Ages, Down to the Present Times: Collected from the Best Authorities, both Printed an Manuscript, and Digested in a Manner of Mr. Bayle’s Historical and Critical Dictionary.

London : Printed for W. Innys, W. Meadows, J. Walthoe, T. Cox, A. Ward, J. and P. Knapton, T. Osborne, et al, 1747.

First edition of the Biographia Britannica. Folio, 7 volumes bound in contemporary full calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, engraved headpieces and tailpieces. In very good condition. Armorial bookplates to the pastedowns.

Linnaeus, Carl

Flora Zeylanica. [The Flora of Ceylon: Being a Description of the Indian plants of the Island of Ceylon].

Amsterdam : J. Wetstenium, 1748.

Early edition of this cornerstone in the history of early modern botany and colonial natural history. Octavo, written in Latin, bound in full speckled calf  with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments with raised bands, all edges speckled red, illustrated. In very good condition.

Anson, George. Compiled by Richard Walter

A Voyage Round the World, In the Years MDCCXL, I, II, II, IV. By George Anson, Esq; Commander in Chief of a Squadron of His Majesty’s Ships, sent upon an Expedition to the South-Seas.

London : Printed for the Author, 1748.

First edition, first issue of the highly anticipated, best-selling official account of Anson’s voyages which went through numerous editions and was translated into several European languages. Quarto, three volumes bound in three quarter crushed levant morocco over pebbled boards with gilt titles and five raised bands to the spine, marbled endpapers, illustrated with forty-two foldingContinue reading "A Voyage Round the World, In the Years MDCCXL, I, II, II, IV. By George Anson, Esq; Commander in Chief of a Squadron of His Majesty’s Ships, sent upon an Expedition to the South-Seas."

Fielding, Henry

The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling.

London : Printed for A. Millar, 1749.

First edition, first issue, one of a first printing run of only 2,000 copies with errata leaf in volume one, the errata uncorrected, and all cancels and final blanks, K12 in volume one and R12 in volume three (Rothschild 850). Octavo, 6 volumes, bound in full crushed morocco by Bayntun, red and black morocco spineContinue reading "The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling."

Fielding, Henry

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, in Six Volumes.

London : Printed for A. Millar, 1749.

First edition, first issue of one of the most influential English novels, one only 2,000 copies printed. Octavo, bound in full contemporary mottled calf with gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels. Armorial bookplates. In veryContinue reading "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, in Six Volumes."

Cervantes, Miguel de

Comedias y Entremeses.

Madrid : En la Imprenta de Antonio Marin, 1749.

Finely bound example of this collection of plays from the author of “Don Quixote”. Octavo, two volumes, written in Spanish, bound in full contemporary Spanish limp parchment with alum-tawed knot-and-loop closures, woodcut title page vignettes, illustrated with woodcut head- and tail-pieces throughout. In good condition with chipping to the extremities. With a prologue about theContinue reading "Comedias y Entremeses."

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

London : Printed by Thomas Baskett, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty, 1751.

Elegantly bound 18th century English Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, printed by Thomas Baskett and from the library of John Bird Sumner (1780-1862), Archbishop of Canterbury from 1848 to 1862. Folio, bound in full contemporary dark green grain morocco with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in seven compartments within raisedContinue reading "The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Church of England: Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: And the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons."

Sarpi, Fra-Paolo; Courayer, Pierre-François Le

Histoire Du Concile De Trente, écrite en italienne par Fra-Paolo Sarpi, de l’Ordre des Servites; et trauit de nouveau en français, avces des notes critiques, historiques et theologiques, par Pierre-François Le Courayer.

Amsterdam : J. Wetstein et G. Smith, 1751.

Two volumes, original leather, gilt tooling to the spine. In good condition. Text in French.

Gordon, Thomas [George Washington]

Another Cordial for Low-Spirits. [George Washington’s Copy].

London : R. Griffiths, 1751.

From the library of George Washington of this compilation of political and religious essays regarding contemporary issues in Great Britain. Small octavo, volume two, bound in full contemporary brown calf with a gilt number two and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels,Continue reading "Another Cordial for Low-Spirits. [George Washington’s Copy]."

Hume, David

An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals.

London : Printed for A. Millar, 1751.

First edition, first state of what Hume, himself, considered his masterpiece with leaf L3 uncancelled and with the catchword “than” on recto. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with five raised bands to the spine, burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt-turn ins. Half-title, errata, and advertisements at rear. In very good condition. OwnershipContinue reading "An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals."

Halley, Edmond

Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets.

London : Printed for William Innys in Pater-noster Row, 1752.

First edition in English of Halley’s classic work. Quarto, bound in full morocco with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, copper-engraved frontispiece portrait of Halley, illustrated with numerous charts. Edited by John Bevis.Continue reading "Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets."

Halley, Edmond [Philip Schuyler]

Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets.

London : Printed for William Innys in Pater-noster Row, 1752.

First edition in English of Halley’s classic work, from the library of American Revolutionary War General Philip Schuyler and subsequently Harvard University professor Owen Gingerich. Quarto, bound in full polished calf, rebacked, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, rebacked, gilt ruling to theContinue reading "Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets."

Halley, Edmond

Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets.

London : Printed for William Innys, 1752.

First edition in English of Halley’s classic work. Quarto, bound in contemporary full calf, gilt titles to the spine, gilt embossed stamp of The Society of Writers to the Signet on the front and rear panel, copper-engraved frontispiece portrait. Edited by John Bevis. In very good condition with light rubbing and wear.

Goldoni, Carlo

Nuovo Teatro Comico Dell’Avvocato Carlo Goldoni Poeta Di S. A. R. Il Serenissimo Infante di Spagna Don Filippo Duca Di Parma, Piacenza, Guastalla, ec. [New Comic Theater of the Lawyer Carlo Goldoni].

Venezi : Francesco Pitteri, 1753-1755.

Rare complete set of Pitteri’s 1757 printing of Goldoni’s works of comic theater. Octavo, ten volumes bound in full vellum with gilt tooling to the spine, engraved frontispiece portrait of Goldoni by Pitteri after Piazetta. In good condition. Armorial bookplates. A rare complete set of this scarce printing published during the author’s lifetime.

[Caesar, Julius]. William Duncan

The Commentaries of Caesar, Translated into English. To Which is Prefixed a Discourse Concerning The Roman Art of War.

London : Printed for J. and R. Tonson, et al, 1753.

First edition of Duncan’s famous translation of Caesar’s Commentaries, sumptuously illustrated with frontispiece portrait of Caesar, six double-page maps, and 78 splendid plans and plates (most double-page). This copy with the famed double-page bull plate, often not present. Thick folio, contemporary full brown calf rebacked with elaborately gilt-decorated calf spine, raised bands. In very good condition.Continue reading "The Commentaries of Caesar, Translated into English. To Which is Prefixed a Discourse Concerning The Roman Art of War."

Goldoni, Carlo

Le Commedie Del Dottore Carlo Goldoni Avvocato Veneziano Fra Gli Arcadi Polisseno Fegejo Prima Edizione Fiorentina Dell’ Autore correta, riveduta, ed ampliata.

Firenze : Eredi Paperini, 1753-1755.

First corrected Florentine edition of Goldoni’s comedic works. Octavo, 12 volumes, bound in full vellum, frontispiece portrait of Goldoni by Pitteri after Piazetta. In good condition. Armorial bookplates and ownership inscription. A rare set published during Goldoni’s lifetime.

Homer

Homeri Opera. [The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer].

Glasgow : Robert & Andrew Foulis, 1756-1758.

First edition of the Foulis Homer; the typographic masterpiece of the Foulis Press, and one of the finest editions of Homer. Folio, 4 volumes bound in full tree calf, rebacked with gilt titles and Greek key ruling to the spine, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, Greek key ruling to the front and rear panels,Continue reading "Homeri Opera. [The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer]."

Edwards, Jonathan

Historisch Verhaal: An Account of the Life of the Late Reverend David Brainerd.

The Netherlands : T'Utrecht, 1756.

Early example of “one of America’s most important and original philosophical theologians” American theologian Jonathan Edwards’ biography of Reverend David Brainerd. Title reads in full: An Account of the Life of the Late Reverend Mr. David Brainerd, Missionary to the Indians, from the Honorable Society in Scotland, for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, and PastorContinue reading "Historisch Verhaal: An Account of the Life of the Late Reverend David Brainerd."