Smith, Adam

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

London : A. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1799.

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

Missale Romanum.

Madrid : Typis Societatis, 1799.

Rare 18th century Spanish printing of the Roman Missal. Folio, bound in full velvet with silver cornerpieces and central ornament bearing the Sacred Heart, silver clasps, ribbons bound in, printed in red and black, engraved illustration to the title page. In very good condition.

Volney, Constantin Francois. [Napoleon Bonaparte: His Copy]

Voyage en Syrie et en Egypte, Pendant Les Annees 1783, 84, et 85. [Travel to Syria and Egypt, During the Years 1783, 84, and 85].

A Paris : Chez Dugour et Durand, Libraires, Rue et Hotel Serpente, 1799.

Volney’s important work on Egypt and Syria, from the library in exile of Napoleon Bonaparte with his annotations and corrections throughout, several made as he was dictating details from the Egyptian Campaign for his own Memoirs. This copy may also have accompanied him during his Egyptian Campaigns; it is known that Napoleon brought along aContinue reading "Voyage en Syrie et en Egypte, Pendant Les Annees 1783, 84, et 85. [Travel to Syria and Egypt, During the Years 1783, 84, and 85]."

Fourcroy, Antoine-Francois De

Systeme des Connaissances Chimiques, et de leurs applications aux phénomènes de la nature et de l’art..

: Paris, An IX-X, 1800-01..

First Octavo edition, published simultaneously with an edition in quarto format. Contemporary vellum, gilt lettered spine-labels, 10 volumes in 5. With the stamped signatures of Fourcroy and the publisher on verso of titles for authentication purposes, and the publisher’s voucher for the separately published index tipped in Volume I. Institutional stamps on titles, generally veryContinue reading "Systeme des Connaissances Chimiques, et de leurs applications aux phénomènes de la nature et de l’art.."

Rowson, Susanna Haswell

The History of Charlotte Temple. Founded on Fact.

Hartford : Printed by John Babcock, 1801.

Early American printing of the first American bestseller, first published in 1794. 16mo, bound in one quarter contemporary leather over paper-covered boards. In good condition. Period ownership inscription, “Mary More Her Book Bought in the year 1802 Price 2/0 If this Book you Chance to Borrow and it should get lost it would fill myContinue reading "The History of Charlotte Temple. Founded on Fact."

Shakespeare, William. Revised by George Steevens

The Dramatic Works of Shakespeare.

London : Printed by W. Bulmer and Co. for John and Josiah Boydell, George and W. Nicol., 1802.

Rare finely bound complete set of “by far the largest single engraving enterprise ever undertaken in England”, John Boydell’s magnificent illustrated folio edition of the dramatic works of Shakespeare. Folio, 9 volumes. Bound in three quarters morocco with gilt titles to the spine, all edges marbled. Elaborately illustrated with 96 plates engraved by the mostContinue reading "The Dramatic Works of Shakespeare."

Franklin, Dr. Benjamin

Chess Made Easy. New and Comprehensive Rules for Playing the Game of Chess.

Philadelphia : James Humphrey, 1802.

First edition of the earliest known book on chess printed in America. 32mo,bound in half leather over marbled boards, illustrated with engraved frontispiece. In very good condition with some rubbing to the extremities, frontispiece repaired, title-page repaired and dampstained. An exceptional rarity, with only one example appearing at auction in the last 75 years.

Dante Alighieri; Translated by Henry Boyd

The Divina Commedia of Dante Alighieri: Consisting of the Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso. [The Divine Comedy].

London : Printed by A. Strahan for T. Cadell Jun. and W. Davies, in the Strand, 1802.

First edition of the first full translation of Dante’s Divine Comedy into English, translated with preliminary essays, notes, and illustrations by the Rev. Henry Boyd. Octavo, three volumes, bound in full diced calf with gilt titles and stamping to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt scrolling and central motif to theContinue reading "The Divina Commedia of Dante Alighieri: Consisting of the Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso. [The Divine Comedy]."

Hamilton, Alexander. [James Kent]

The Examination of the President’s Message at the Opening of Congress December 7, 1801.

Printed and Published at the Office of the New York Evening Post : New York, 1802.

First separate edition of Hamilton’s analysis of Jefferson’s first Annual Message to Congress which first appeared in the Evening Post, under the signature of Lucius Crassus. Howes H112. Octavo, bound in quarter morocco. Association copy, from the library of American jurist James Kent with his ownership signature to the title page. American jurist, New YorkContinue reading "The Examination of the President’s Message at the Opening of Congress December 7, 1801."

Rigaud, John Francis. [Leonardo Da Vinci]

A Treatise on Painting, by Leonardo Da Vinci. Faithfully Translated from the Original Italian, and Now First Digested Under Proper Heads.

London : Printed for J. Taylor, 1802.

First edition thus of English painter and Royal Academician John Francis Rigaud’s English translation of Leonardo da Vinci’s Treatise on Painting, compiled from manuscripts written during his lifetime, but only first published in Italian in 1651. Octavo, bound in three quarter contemporary calf over marbled boards with gilt ruling to the spine, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, illustratedContinue reading "A Treatise on Painting, by Leonardo Da Vinci. Faithfully Translated from the Original Italian, and Now First Digested Under Proper Heads."

Buchan, William [William Safire]

Domestic Medicine: Or, A Treatise on the Prevention and Cure of Diseases by Regimen and Simple Medicines.

London : Printed for A. Strahan; T. Caldwell and W. Davies, Strand; and J. Balfour, and W. Creech, Edinburgh, 1803.

Early printing of the book that brought detailed descriptions of the causes and prevention of diseases to the domestic home for the first time. Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco with gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Title page, advertisement and prefaceContinue reading "Domestic Medicine: Or, A Treatise on the Prevention and Cure of Diseases by Regimen and Simple Medicines."

Burney, Capt. James

A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. Illustrated with Charts.

London : Printed by Luke Hansard, 1803.

Rare first edition of “the most important general history of early South Seas discoveries, containing practically everything of importance on the subject; collected from all sources, with the most important remarks concerning them. Many of the early voyages to California would be inaccessible were they not collected herein” (Hill). Quarto, 5 volumes bound in fullContinue reading "A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. Illustrated with Charts."

Malthus, Thomas Robert [T.R.]

An Essay on the Principle of Population, as It Affects the Future Improvement of Society.

London : T. Bensley, 1803.

Rare second edition of this cornerstone text of modern economics. Quarto, bound in full diced morocco, raised bands, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front and rear panels, marbled endpapers. In very good condition. An exceptional presentation.

Bacon, Francis

The Works of Francis Bacon, Baron of Verulam, Viscount St. Albans, and Lord High Chancellor of England.

London : J. Johnson, 1803.

Large octavo, 10 volumes. Bound in full contemporary calf. Gilt titles and tooling to the spine, edges speckled. Frontispiece of Francis Bacon in volume one. With the early armorial bookplate of J. Lawson Whalley and the modern bookplate of Elmer Holmes Bopst, namesake of New York University’s Bopst Library. In very good condition.

Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de

The History and Adventures of the Renowned Don Quixote.

Philadelphia : John Conrad & Co, 1803.

Rare first American edition of Cervantes’ masterpiece, translated from the original Spanish by Tobias Smollett and published as part of John Conrad & Co.’s Select Novels series (Vols. X-XIII). Duodecimo, 4 volumes, bound in full contemporary speckled calf, gilt numbers to the spine, modern morocco spine labels lettered in gilt. Translated by T. Smollett. InContinue reading "The History and Adventures of the Renowned Don Quixote."

Bossut, John

A General History of Mathematics From the Earliest Times, to the Middle of the Eighteenth Century.

London : Printed for J. Johnson, 1803.

First edition in English of Bossut’s fundamental history of mathematics. Octavo, bound in full contemporary polished diced calf with gilt tooling to the spine, black morocco spine label lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panel, marbled endpapers and all edges marbled, ribbon bound in. Translated from the French by JohnContinue reading "A General History of Mathematics From the Earliest Times, to the Middle of the Eighteenth Century."

[Hamilton, Alexander]

The Speeches at Full Length of Mr. Van Ness, Mr. Caines, The Attorney-General, Mr. Harrison, and General Hamilton, in the Great Cause of the People, Against Harry Croswell, on an Indictment of Libel on Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States.

New York : Printed by G. & R. Waite, No. 64 Maiden-Lane, 1804.

First edition of this landmark case in the history of the First Amendment. Octavo, disbound. In very good condition. Rare with only a handful appearing in auction records.

Taylor, Thomas. [Plato]

The Works of Plato, Viz. His Fifty-Five Dialogues, and Twelve Epistles, Translated From the Greek; Nine of the Dialogues by the Late Floyer Sydenham, and the Remainder by Thomas Taylor: With Occasional Annotations on the Nine Dialogues Translated by Sydenham, and Copious Notes, by the Latter Translator.

London : Printed for Thomas Taylor, By R. Wilks, Chancery-Lane, 1804.

First edition of the first complete English translation of the works of Plato. Quarto, five volumes bound in full pebbled cloth retaining contemporary black morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, half-titles, engraved frontispiece to volume I. In the words of the Prometheus Trust, “Taylor’s Works of Plato, has two outstanding features which make it anContinue reading "The Works of Plato, Viz. His Fifty-Five Dialogues, and Twelve Epistles, Translated From the Greek; Nine of the Dialogues by the Late Floyer Sydenham, and the Remainder by Thomas Taylor: With Occasional Annotations on the Nine Dialogues Translated by Sydenham, and Copious Notes, by the Latter Translator."

Rainsford, Marcus

An Historical Account of the Black Empire of Hayti: Comprehending a View of The Principal Transactions in the Revolution of Saint Domingo; With Its Antient and Modern State.

[London] : Albion Press Printed: Published by James Cundee, Ivy-Lane, Paternoster-Row, 1805.

First edition of this important turn-of-the-19th century work on the inhabitants of Haiti and St. Domingo which discusses at length the struggle for independence among the black colonies, slavery, and the relationship with America. Quarto, bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine, marbled endpapersContinue reading "An Historical Account of the Black Empire of Hayti: Comprehending a View of The Principal Transactions in the Revolution of Saint Domingo; With Its Antient and Modern State."

Aristotle; Translated by Thomas Taylor

The Works of Aristotle.

London : Robert Wilks, 1806-12.

Exceptionally rare complete set of the first edition in English of the works of Aristotle, limited to only 50 sets, signed by the translator Thomas Taylor in volumes one and four. Quarto, 11 volumes, bound in full contemporary calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels, ribbon book marks bound in, marbledContinue reading "The Works of Aristotle."

Schola Italica Artis Pictoriae sive Tabulae insigniores in Romanis Pinacothecis Adservatae.

Rome : Petri Pauli Montagnani-Mirabili, 1806.

Rare first edition of Schola Italica Artis Pictoriae sive Tabulae insigniores in Romanis Pinacothecis Adservatae. Folio, bound in three quarters morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, fine engraved pictorial title and 39 plates. In very good condition. Rare.

Wilkins, William

The Antiquities of Magna Graecia.

Cambridge : Printed at the University Press by Richard Watts for Longman, Hurst, Orme and Rees, 1807.

First edition of this ambitious and influential work on the classical architecture of the Magna Graecia by one of the leading figures of the English Greek Revival movement of the early 19th century. Folio, bound in full green buckram, engraved vignette to the title page, illustrated with 73 full-page engraved plates including 20 aquatint views,Continue reading "The Antiquities of Magna Graecia."

Beethoven, Ludwig van; Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

A Compleat Collection of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven’s Symphonies, in Score, Most Respectfully Dedicated, by Permission, to H.R.H The Prince of Wales.

London : Lavenu, Cianchettini & Sperati, 1808-1810.

First editions of the first printings of the full orchestral scores of the complete symphonies of Beethoven, Mozart, and Hadyn. Quarto, two volumes bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards wit gilt titles and tooling to the spine, including A Complete Collection of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven’s Symphonies (Cianchettini and Sperati) and A Complete CollectionContinue reading "A Compleat Collection of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven’s Symphonies, in Score, Most Respectfully Dedicated, by Permission, to H.R.H The Prince of Wales."

Noah, Mordecai Manuel

The Fortress of Sorrento: A Petit Historical Drama, in Two Acts.

New York : D. Longworth, 1808.

First edition of “the most important Jewish lay leader of the early 19th century” Mordecai Noah’s early play, published when he was only 23 years old. 12mo, bound in modern calf, gilt titles to the spine, lacking the 2 advertisement leaves called for by Singerman. In near fine condition. Rare.