Brunt, Samuel

A Voyage to Cacklogallinia: with a Description of the Religion, Policy, Customs and Manners of that Country.

London : J. Watson, 1727.

First edition of this early 18th century satire published in imitation of Jonathan Swift’s masterpiece Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World, or, Gulliver’s Travels. Octavo, bound in full brown morocco by Charles Thurman, Binder. Raised bands, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, embossed front and rear panels, engraved frontispiece. From the libraryContinue reading "A Voyage to Cacklogallinia: with a Description of the Religion, Policy, Customs and Manners of that Country."

Newton, Sir Isaac

The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended.

London : Printed for J. Tonson in the Strand, and J. Osborn and T. Longman in Pater-noster Row, 1728.

First edition of Newton’s ambitious attempt to reconstruct and rationalize the timelines of ancient history. Quarto, bound in full contemporary Cambridge calf, ruled and tooled in blind with speckled panels, gilt turn-ins, ordinary paper issue, illustrated with 3 folding engravings. From the library of Harvard University professor Owen Gingerich. Owen Gingerich (1930–2023) was an AmericanContinue reading "The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended."

Ebülgâzî Bahadir Han, Khan of Khorezm

A General History of the Turks, Moguls, and Tatars, Vulgarly called Tartars. Together With a Description of the Countries They Inhabit.

London : Printed for J. and J. Knapton, J. Darby, A. Bettesworth, et. al., 1729-1730.

Rare first edition in English of one of the earliest sources on the Turks, Moguls, and Tartars. Octavos, two volumes. Bound in full polished calf with red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spines in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt turn-ins, all edges speckled red, engraved headpieces and tailpieces,Continue reading "A General History of the Turks, Moguls, and Tatars, Vulgarly called Tartars. Together With a Description of the Countries They Inhabit."

Ovid

Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Latin and English Translated by the Most Eminent Hands.

Amsterdam : Printed for the Wetsteins and Smith, 1732.

First English edition of Ovid’s Metamorphoses with Picart’s illustrations. Folio, two volumes in one, bound in full in early mottled calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in seven compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins, engraved title vignette. Illustrated with a copper-engraved frontispiece, 130Continue reading "Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Latin and English Translated by the Most Eminent Hands."

Bland, James

An Essay in Praise of Women: Or, A Looking-glass for Ladies to See Their Perfections In.

London : Printed for the Author, and Sold by J. Batley, 1733.

First edition of the English physician’s immensely popular early 18th century essay. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with a burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, elaborate woodcut initials, headpieces and tailpieces. There wereContinue reading "An Essay in Praise of Women: Or, A Looking-glass for Ladies to See Their Perfections In."

Horatius Flaccus, Quintus (Alexis de Tocqueville)

Horatii Opera (The Complete Works of Horace).

John Pine : London, 1733-37.

First Pine edition of the collected works of ancient Roman poet and political figure Quintus Horatius Flaccus (Horace), “the most elegant of English eighteenth-century books in which text and illustrations alike are entirely engraved” (Ray). French statesman Alexis de Tocqueville’s copy, inscribed to him by his father in Volume I, “Donné à mon fils AlexisContinue reading "Horatii Opera (The Complete Works of Horace)."

Palladio, Andrea. Translated out of Italian by Pierre Le Muet. Translated into English by Godfrey Richards

The First Book of Architecture.

London : Printed for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, and J. Osborn in Pater-noster-Row, 1733.

Finely bound eighteenth century example of Godfrey Richards’ English translation of the first book in Palladio’s monumental work. Octavo, bound in full contemporary polished calf with a morocco spine label lettered in gilt, front and rear panels decoratively stamped in blind, title page printed in red and black, additional engraved pictorial title page, illustrated withContinue reading "The First Book of Architecture."

Du Fresne, Rafaelle. [Leonardo Da Vinci]

Trattato Della Pittura Di Lionardo Da Vinci Nuovamente Dato In Luce, Colla Vita Dell’ Istesso Autore, Scritta Da Rafaelle Du Fresne. Si sono giunti i tre libri della Pittura, ed il trattato della Statua di Leon Battista Alberti, colla vita del medesimo, E di nuovo ristampato, corretto, ed a maggior perfezione concotto.

In Parigi ed in Napoli : Giacomo Langlois ed Francesco Ricciardo a spese di Niccola, e Vicenzo Rispoli, 1733.

Rare third augmented edition of the preferred work in Italian of da Vinci’s work on painting. Folio, bound in stiff paper wrappers, illustrated with text engravings throughout, with two full-paged portraits of da Vinci and Alberti, lacking the final two text leaves: H1 & H2. The true date of the Parisian edition, as in allContinue reading "Trattato Della Pittura Di Lionardo Da Vinci Nuovamente Dato In Luce, Colla Vita Dell’ Istesso Autore, Scritta Da Rafaelle Du Fresne. Si sono giunti i tre libri della Pittura, ed il trattato della Statua di Leon Battista Alberti, colla vita del medesimo, E di nuovo ristampato, corretto, ed a maggior perfezione concotto."

Translated by George Sale

The Koran, Commonly Called the Alcoran of Mohammed, Translated into English Immediately from the Original Arabic; with Explanatory Notes, Taken from the Most Approved Commentators.

London : Printed by C. Ackers for J. Wilcox, 1734.

First edition of George Sale’s important translation of the Koran, the first to translate the original text directly from the Arabic into English. Quarto, bound in full contemporary calf, rebacked, morocco spine label within five raised bands, folding engraved map with inset view of Mecca, engraved folding plate with plan and view of Mecca, 3Continue reading "The Koran, Commonly Called the Alcoran of Mohammed, Translated into English Immediately from the Original Arabic; with Explanatory Notes, Taken from the Most Approved Commentators."

Molière. [Poquelin, Jean-Baptiste]

Oeuvres de Moliere. Nouvelle Edition.

Paris : [Pierre Prault], 1734.

First edition, first issue of one of the greatest French illustrated books of the first half of the eighteenth century. First issue with “Comteese” in vol. VI, p. 360, line 12. Quarto, six volumes bound in full calf with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, morocco spine labelsContinue reading "Oeuvres de Moliere. Nouvelle Edition."

Sale, George. [Translator]

The Koran: Commonly Called The Alcoran of Mohammed: Translated From The Original Arabic. With Explanatory Notes, Taken From the Most Approved Commentators. To Which is Prefixed, A Preliminary Discourse.

London : Printed by C. Ackers for J. Wilcox, 1734.

First edition in English of George Sale’s important translation of the Koran, the first to translate directly from the Arabic into English. Quarto, bound in full contemporary speckled calf with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, sympathetically rebacked, gilt turn-ins, all edgesContinue reading "The Koran: Commonly Called The Alcoran of Mohammed: Translated From The Original Arabic. With Explanatory Notes, Taken From the Most Approved Commentators. To Which is Prefixed, A Preliminary Discourse."

Voltaire

La Henriade avec des Variantes et des Notes. Et l’Effai sur le Poëme Epique.

London : Jacob Tonsen, 1734.

Finely bound example of Voltaire’s epic poem La Henriade. Small octavo, original leather, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, marbled endpapers. In good condition. Text in French.

Atkins, Robert. [Robert Atkyns]

Parliamentary and Political Tracts, Written by Sir Robert Atkins, Knight of the Bath, and late One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas.

London : Printed for R. Gosling, at the Crown and Mitre, against Fetter-Lane, in Fleet-street, 1734.

First edition of this exceptionally rare collection of Atkyn’s political tracts. Octavo, bound in full paneled calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt turn-ins, all edges speckled red. In near fine condition. Scarce.

Villeray, Le Coq de [Voltaire]

Reponse ou Critique des Lettres Philosophiques De Monsieur de Voltaire (Response and Critique of the Philosophical Letters of Mr. Voltaire).

Basle : Chez Christophe Revis, 1735.

First edition of Le Coq de Villeray’s response to Voltaire’s Letters Concerning the English Nation, published in 1733. Octavo, bound in contemporary calf, gilt title to the spine, raised bands, marbled endpapers. In very good condition. Rare.

Smith, E

The Compleat Housewife: or, Accomplish’d Gentlewoman’s Companion.

London : Printed for J. and J. Pemberton, 1739.

Early edition of this book of over six hundred recipes and medicines, with very large additions not in any of the former impressions. Octavo, original full speckled calf, with gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, rebacked, decorated borders stamped in blind, gilt turn-ins, all edges speckled red, engraved frontispiece, illustratedContinue reading "The Compleat Housewife: or, Accomplish’d Gentlewoman’s Companion."

Missale Romanum, ex Decreto Sacrosancti Concilii Tridentini Restitutum S.PIIV. Pontificis Maximi Jussu Editum: Clementis VII. Et Urbani PP. VII.

Augsburg : Philippi Jacobi Veith, 1739.

Rare 18th century printing of the Roman Missal. Folio, bound in full contemporary black morocco with gilt tooling to the spine in seven compartments within raised gilt bands, elaborate triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, brass edges and engraved clasps, gauffered edges, marbled pastedowns and green, blue, and purple silk ribbons laidContinue reading "Missale Romanum, ex Decreto Sacrosancti Concilii Tridentini Restitutum S.PIIV. Pontificis Maximi Jussu Editum: Clementis VII. Et Urbani PP. VII."

Stephani, Roberti. [Robert Estienne]

Lexicographorum Principis Thesaurus Linguae Latinae in IV. Tomos Divisus.

Basileae : Typis & Impensis E. & J.R. Thurnisiorum, 1740.

Rare 1740 edition of Robert Estienne’s “greatest monument of Latin scholarship.” Folio, four volumes bound in full vellum with spine labels decorated and titled in gilt, woodcut printer’s device portrait of Estienne to each title page. In very good condition.

Estienne, Robert and Henri

Thesaurus Linguae Latinae.

Basel : E. & J.R. Thurnis, 1740.

Folios, 4 volumes. Bound in contemporary vellum. In very good condition. Presents nicely.

Bayle, Pierre

Dictionaire Historique Et Critique, Par Mr. Pierre Bayle.

Amsterdam : Chez P. Brunel, P. Humbert, J. Wetstein & G. Smith, et al, 1740.

18th century printing of the author’s magnum opus. Folio, four volumes bound in full contemporary vellum with gilt titles to the spine, engraved vignette to each title page, text in two columns. Fifth edition. Text in French. With a Life of the Author by Des Maizeaux. Bookplates of Howard Robinson and Norman J. Sondheim toContinue reading "Dictionaire Historique Et Critique, Par Mr. Pierre Bayle."

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."

An Essay on Civil Government In Two Parts: Part I: An Enquiry into the Ends of Government, and the Means of Attaining Them. Part II: On the Government and Commerce of England; with Reflections on Liberty, and the Method of Preserving the present Constitution.

London : Printed for R. Willock, At Sir Isaac Newton's Head, 1743.

First edition of this bold attack on the Whig administration of Robert Walpole. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt tooling to the spine, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, all edges speckled red, rebacked. In very good condition. Armorial and contemporary bookplates to the pastedown. Exceedingly rare.

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."