Franklin, Benjamin

Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Made at Philadelphia in America, by Benjamin Franklin, L.L.D. and F.R.S. To which are added, Letters and Papers on Philosophical Subjects. The Whole corrected, methodized, improved, and now first collected into one Volume, and Illustrated with Copper Plates.

London : Printed for David Henry; and sold by Francis Newbery, at the Corner of St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1769.

First complete edition of “the most important scientific book of eighteenth-century America” (PMM), inscribed by Benjamin Franklin to prominent Pennsylvania Quaker and merchant Thomas Livezey, Jr. Quarto, bound in full contemporary calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt turn-ins. IllustratedContinue reading "Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Made at Philadelphia in America, by Benjamin Franklin, L.L.D. and F.R.S. To which are added, Letters and Papers on Philosophical Subjects. The Whole corrected, methodized, improved, and now first collected into one Volume, and Illustrated with Copper Plates."

Boccaccio, Giovanni

Novelle Ventotto.

Padua : Giuseppe Comino, 1769.

Eighteenth century edition of Giovanni Boccaccio’s twenty-eighth novella from his ‘Decameron.’ Octavo, original full vellum, engraved frontispiece portrait of Boccaccio. In very good condition with light toning to the front and rear panel, rubbing to the spine.

The Political Beacon: Or the Life and Character of Oliver Cromwell.

London : Printed for the Editor, 1770.

First edition of this historical and cautionary work about revolutionary figure Oliver Cromwell. Octavo, original calf spine with paper boards. In good condition. Contains a dedication “To the Sons of Liberty, in General, Wheresover Dispersed, and However Oppressed; and to the Free-Spirited Bostonians in Particular.” Rare.

Boccaccio, Giovanni

Del Decamerone.

Tuscany : Giovanni Ghiara, 1770.

Finely bound edition of Giovanni Boccaccio’s masterpiece. Octavo, five volumes, original full contemporary vellum with morocco labels and gilt titles to the spine, patterned endpapers, all edges marbled, original emerald silk ribbons, frontispiece portrait of Boccaccio to Vol. I. In very good condition to near fine condition with some toning to the boards, a closedContinue reading "Del Decamerone."

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.

Cambridge : Printed by John Archdeacon, 1771.

Rare 18th century Book of Common Prayer. Small octavo, bound in full contemporary calf tie gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruing and cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers. In very good condition. Ownership inscriptions. Desirable in a contemporary binding.

[Gozzi, Gasparo]

La Vittoria D’Amore Poema. Pubblicato In Occasione de Gloriosi Sponsali Dell’ Eccellenze Loro Il Signor Cavaliere Francesco Morosini P. e la Nobil Donna Loredana Grimani. [The Victory Of Love Poem].

Venezia : Presso Modesto Fenzo, 1772.

Rare 18th century Venetian printing of La Vittoria D’Amore. Quarto, bound in hand painted paper-covered wrappers, illustrated with engravings including frontispiece. In near fine condition. Small bookplate.

Scopoli, Giovanni Antonio [Carl Linnaeus]

Flora Carniolica: Exhibens Plantas Carnioliae Indigenas et Distributas in Classes, Genera, Species, Varietates, Ordine Linnaeano. Volume I.

Vienna : Johann Paul Krauss, 1772.

Second edition, enlarged and revised, of one of the most important 18th-century botanical works documenting the flora of Carniola following Carl Linnaeus’s system of plant classification. Octavo, written in Latin, bound in three quarters calf over marbled boards, rebacked with cloth labels, marbled endpapers, all edges red, illustrated throughout. In good condition, bookplate to theContinue reading "Flora Carniolica: Exhibens Plantas Carnioliae Indigenas et Distributas in Classes, Genera, Species, Varietates, Ordine Linnaeano. Volume I."

Boyle, Robert

The Works of the Honourable Robert Boyle. In Six Volumes to which is prefixed The Life of the Author.

London : Printed for J. and F. Rivington, L. Davis, E. Johnston, S. Crowder, et al., 1772.

New edition of the complete works of the first modern chemist and pioneer in modern experimental scientific method. Quarto, six volumes, bound in full calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, illustrated with 24 engraved plates (most folding), frontispiece portrait of Boyle to volumeContinue reading "The Works of the Honourable Robert Boyle. In Six Volumes to which is prefixed The Life of the Author."

Dana, James (Jonathan Edwards)

The “Examination of the Late Rev’d President Edwards’s Enquiry on Freedom of Will,” Continued.

New Haven : Printed for Thomas and Samuel Green, 1773.

First edition of American Protestant clergyman James Dana’s second published response to Jonathan Edwards’ Inquiry into the Modern Prevailing Notions of the Freedom of the Will, preceded by Dana’s prior examination of the same subject published anonymously in 1770. Octavo, original three-quarter period calf over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine, morocco spine labels,Continue reading "The “Examination of the Late Rev’d President Edwards’s Enquiry on Freedom of Will,” Continued."

Franklin, Benjamin

Oeuvres.

Paris : Chez Quillau, Esprit, et l'Auteur, 1773.

First French edition of Franklin’s complete works on electricity, based on the fourth and best British edition. Quarto, two volumes bound in one, contemporary calf, illustrated with engraved frontispiece portrait of Franklin in his study and twelve full-page plates. In very good condition. Uncommon.

Stanhope, Eugenia

Letters Written by the Late Right Honourable Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, to His Son, Philip Stanhope, Esq; Together with Several Other Pieces on Various Subjects.

London : Printed for J. Dodsley, 1774.

First edition of one of the great classics of English letters. Quarto, period quarter calf over marbled boards with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, engraved portrait frontispiece. Second state of volume one, page 55 (line 16 corrected to “qui auroit”). From the library of Sir Edwyn Francis Stanhope with his bookplate to the pastedownContinue reading "Letters Written by the Late Right Honourable Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, to His Son, Philip Stanhope, Esq; Together with Several Other Pieces on Various Subjects."

Cook, James

Carte d’une Partie de la Côte de la Nle. Galles Meridle…from: Relation des voyages entrepris par ordre de sa majesté britannique, et successivement exécutés par le Commodore Byron, le Capitaine Carteret, le Capitaine Wallis & le Capitaine Cook, dans les vaisseaux le Dauphin, le Swallow & l’Endeavour.

Paris 1774.

First French printing of this well-known first map of the east coast of Australia. The map measures 13.25 inches by 12 inches. Matted. The entire piece measures 29 inches by 18 inches. One of the first detailed maps of this part of Australia’s east coast and The Great Barrier Reef.

Edwards, Jonathan

A History of the Work of Redemption.

Edinburgh 1774.

Rare first edition of this work by the famed philosopher and theologian. Octavo, bound in contemporary calf. In very good condition, contemporary name to the front free endpaper. Rare with only one appearing at auction in the last 100 years.

Johann Salomo Semler

Institutio Ad Doctrinam Christianam Liberaliter Discendam.

: Halae Magdebvrgicae, 1774.

First edition. Octavo, three quarters leather over marbled boards. In very good condition.

Campbell, John

A Political Survey of Britain: Being a Series of Reflections on the Situation, Lands, Inhabitants, Revenues, Colonies, and Commerce of This Island.

Dublin : T. Ewing and C. Jenkin, 1775.

Rare second edition of John Campbell’s classic survey of late sixteenth century Britain. Octavo, four volumes, bound in full contemporary calf, raised bands, red and green morocco spine labels, gilt titles. In good condition.    

Jones, John

Plain Concise Practical Remarks, on the Treatment of Wounds and Fractures.

Philadelphia : Robert Bell, 1776.

Exceptionally rare edition of the first surgical work by an American and printed in North America. Octavo, bound in nineteenth century three quarters morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, frontispiece. Jones’ work was the accepted guide to surgical practice during the American Revolutionary War” G&M 2155; Austin 1843; Evans 15100Continue reading "Plain Concise Practical Remarks, on the Treatment of Wounds and Fractures."

Aristotle; Translated by William Ellis

A Treatise on Government. Translated From The Greek of Aristotle.

London : T. Payne, 1776.

First edition in English of this important work on government by Aristotle. Quarto, bound in three quarters leather over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands. In very good condition with light toning to the text and wear. Bookseller plate of George Gregory, Bath, Sept. 22, 1936 on the front pastedown. Translated byContinue reading "A Treatise on Government. Translated From The Greek of Aristotle."

Gibbon, Edward

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

London : Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, 1776-1788.

Rare full first edition set, first state of volume one, of Gibbon’s landmark work of historiography with three engraved folding maps by Kitchin of the Western and Eastern Roman Empire and of Constantinople and frontispiece portrait of Gibbon. Quarto, 6 volumes bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling toContinue reading "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."

Aristotle. Translated by William Ellis

A Treatise on Government. Translated From The Greek of Aristotle.

London : Printed for T. Payne, at the Mew Gate; B. White, in Fleet-street; and T. Cadell, in the Strand, 1776.

First edition in English of Aristotle’s’ enormously influential work on government, the only edition in the English language published during the 18th century. Quarto, bound in full contemporary calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt turn-ins. In good condition. AContinue reading "A Treatise on Government. Translated From The Greek of Aristotle."

[Tucker, Josiah]

A Series of Answers to Certain Popular Objections, Against Separating from the Colonies, and Discarding Them Entirely: Being the Concluding Tract of the Dean of Glocester, on the Subject of American Affairs.

London : Printed by R. Raikes and Sold by T. Cadell, 1776.

First and only edition of this important Revolutionary tract in which Tucker advocates granting the colonies independence. Octavo, bound in paper wrappers. Sabin 97360. In very good condition with restoration to the extremities of the first few leaves.

Gibbon, Edward

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

London : Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, In The Strand, 1776-1788.

First edition, first state of Gibbon’s “masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style” (PMM). Quarto, six volumes, bound in modern half calf over marbled boards by Bayntun-Riviere with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, all edges speckled red, engraved frontispiece portrait of Gibbon byContinue reading "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."

Paine, Thomas

Common Sense: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America, Plain Truth, Rights of Man Parts I & II, and An Answer to Pain’s Rights of Man.

J. Almon, J.S. Jordan, and J. Stockdale : London, 1776-1793.

Finely bound collection of the works of Thomas Paine, including the rare first British editions of Common Sense and Plain Truth (London: J. Almon, 1776), second editions of Rights of Man Parts I & II (London: J.S. Jordan, 1791-1792), complete with half-titles present, and a rare early printing of John Quincy Adams’ response to Paine’sContinue reading "Common Sense: Addressed to the Inhabitants of America, Plain Truth, Rights of Man Parts I & II, and An Answer to Pain’s Rights of Man."

Paine, Thomas

Large Additions to Common Sense; Addressed to the Inhabitants of America.

Philadelphia : Printed and sold, by R. Bell in Third-Street, 1776.

Scarce 1776 separate edition of the Large Additions to Common Sense. The title reads in full: Large Additions To Common Sense: Addressed To The Inhabitants Of America On The Following Interesting Subjects. I. The American Patriot’s Prayer. II. American Independancy, defended by Candidus. III. The Propriety of Independancy, by Demophilus The dread of Tyrants, andContinue reading "Large Additions to Common Sense; Addressed to the Inhabitants of America."

Aristotle; Translated by William Ellis

A Treatise on Government. Translated From The Greek of Aristotle.

London : T. Payne, 1776.

First edition in English of this important work on government by Aristotle. Quarto, bound in contemporary half calf over marbled boards, full, morocco spine label, raised bands. In very good condition. Translated by William Ellis. An exceptional example of this cornerstone work.