King George IV

The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments.

Oxford : Bensley, Cooke, and Collingwood, 1816.

Royal Coronation edition of The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments used at the Coronation of King George IV on July 19th, 1821. Quarto, bound in full dark blue velvet, gilt arms of George IV to both front and rear panels, all edges gilt, housed in a custom locking full morocco clamshellContinue reading "The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments."

Johnson, Samuel

A Diary of a Journey Into North Wales, In the Year 1774.

London : Printed for Robert Jennings, 1816.

First edition of Samuel Johnson’s diary of a trip to Wales in July-August of 1774, which was later incorporated into various editions of Boswell’s ‘Life of Johnson’. Octavo, original half-cloth, two engraved facsimile plates of Johnson‘s handwriting, errata slip tipped in at rear. In very good condition. Housed in a custom folding chemise and halfContinue reading "A Diary of a Journey Into North Wales, In the Year 1774."

Austen, Jane

Emma: A Novel. By the Author of “Pride and Prejudice.”

London : Printed for John Murray, 1816.

First edition of the final novel published during Austen’s lifetime, one of only 2000 copies printed. Small octavo, three volumes finely bound in three quarter leather over marbled boards by Birdsall & Son with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, topContinue reading "Emma: A Novel. By the Author of “Pride and Prejudice.”"

LORD BYRON. [GEORGE GORDON BYRON]

Poems.

London : Printed for John Murray, 1816.

First edition of this collection of poems and verses. Octavo, bound in contemporary half morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine. In near fine condition.

James, William

A Full and Correct Account of the Chief Naval Occurrences of the Late War Between Great Britain and The United States of America; Preceded by a Cursory Examination of the American Accounts of Their Naval Actions Fought Previous to That Period.

London : Printed for T. Egerton, 1817.

First edition of James’ naval history of the War of 1812, which inspired Theodore Roosevelt’s account from the American perspective: The Naval War of 1812. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt ruling to the spine and panels, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, rebacked. In very good condition.

Ricardo, David

On The Principles of Political Economy and Taxation.

London : John Murray, 1817.

First edition of David Ricardo’s most important work, a cornerstone of economic theory— one of only 750 copies printed. Octavo, bound in three quarter leather over contemporary marbled boards, morocco spine labels. In near fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.

Potter, P

The Infantry Exercise of the United States Army, Abridged For the Use of the Militia of the United States.

Poughkeepsie : P. & S. Potter, Printers, 1817.

First edition of this classic work of military instruction. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, illustrated with 13 plates. From the library of Ensign Edmond Hopkins of Penn. Service 1813 to 1821 with his ownership inscription. Accompanied by three Civil War era covers and an autograph letter signed datedContinue reading "The Infantry Exercise of the United States Army, Abridged For the Use of the Militia of the United States."

French Military Artillery and Fortification Manual.

Metz : Ecole Royale de l'Artillerie et du Genie, 1818-19.

Rare early 19th century French military manual created in manuscript for the Ecole Royale de ‘Artillerie et du Genie (School of Application of Artillery and Engineering of Metz) containing lessons and technical drawings in the mechanics of artillery and construction of temporary and permanent military fortifications. Quarto, ten volumes bound in three quarters morocco overContinue reading "French Military Artillery and Fortification Manual."

Carroll, W

The Angler’s Vade Mecum, Containing a Descriptive Account of the Water Flies, Their Seasons, and the Kind of Weather that Brings Them Most on the Water.

Edinburgh : Printed for Archibald Constable and Co, 1818.

First edition of this descriptive account on water flies. Octavo, bound in half vellum over cloth covered boards, frontispiece, illustrated with twelve hand-colored plates. Pages from the “Edinburgh Magazine”, “Edinburgh Gazetter”, and the “Encyclopedia Britannica” bound in at the front. In very good condition, signature to the top right corner of the title page andContinue reading "The Angler’s Vade Mecum, Containing a Descriptive Account of the Water Flies, Their Seasons, and the Kind of Weather that Brings Them Most on the Water."

Loddiges, George. Plates by George Cook

The Botanical Cabinet Consisting of Coloured Delineations of Plants, from all Countries.

London : John & Arthur Arch; Hackney: Conrad Loddiges & Sons, et al, 1818–1833.

Rare first edition, large paper issue set of Loddiges’ renowned Botanical Cabinet with 2000 numbered hand-colored plates by George Cooke. Octavos, 20 volumes bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, all edges marbled.Continue reading "The Botanical Cabinet Consisting of Coloured Delineations of Plants, from all Countries."

Barrington, Daines

The Possibility of Approaching the North Pole Asserted.

New York : James Eastburn & Co, 1818.

First separate American edition of this work arguing that reaching the North Pole was possible. Octavo, bound in modern half brown calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, black calf spine labels, title page vignette, with a folding frontispiece map of the North Pole.Continue reading "The Possibility of Approaching the North Pole Asserted."

Byron, George Gordon Noel. [Lord Byron]

Don Juan.

London : Thomas Davison [i.e., John Murray], 1819-1821 (Cantos I-V, Volumes I-II)/John Hunt, 1823-24 (Cantos VI-XVI, Volumes III-VI).

Scarce complete first edition set of Byron’s great work which was widely criticized as immoral upon publication and is now considered one of the greatest poems of the Romantics; from the library of American writer Erica Jong. Volume one was produced in quarto format and the subsequent 5 volumes in octavo (Davison abandoned the quartoContinue reading "Don Juan."

Dewees, William P

An Essay on the Means of Lessening Pain, and Facilitating Certain Cases of Difficult Parturition.

Philadelphia : Published by Thomas Dobson and Son, 1819.

Second edition of Dewees’ inaugural dissertation for M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania. Octavo, original boards. In good condition.

[Lord Byron]

Don Juan. [Cantos I & II].

Philadelphia : Published by M. Thomas, 1819.

Scarce first American edition, first printing of Byron’s great work which was widely criticized as immoral upon publication and is now considered one of the greatest poems of the Romantics. Duodecimo, original publisher’s boards and printed paper spine label, half-title page. In good condition, stamp to the verso of the title page. Light dampstaining toContinue reading "Don Juan. [Cantos I & II]."

Hazlitt, William

Political Essays, with Sketches of Public Characters.

London : Printed for William Hone, 1819.

First edition of one of Hazlitt’s most interesting collections, including his estimates and reviews of Southey as Laureate, of Coleridge, Burke, and Malthus (at length). Octavo, bound in three quarter morocco with gilt titles and ruling to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, marbled endpapers. From the library of William Safire with hisContinue reading "Political Essays, with Sketches of Public Characters."

Monroe, James

Message From the President of the United States Stating the Interpretation Which Has Been Given To The Act Entitled “An Act in Addition to the Acts Prohibiting the Slave Trade. [with] A Report of the Committee to Whom was Referred So Much of the President’s Message, of the 7th of December last, as relates to the Suppression of the Slave Trade.

Washington, D.C : Printed by Gales & Seaton, 1819-1826.

Two rare printed pamphlets regarding President James Monroe’s position on the prohibition of the Slave Trade. Octavo. In very good condition. Rare.

Smith, Adam

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

London : Printed for William Allison & J. Maynard; Edinburgh: W. Blair, 1819.

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

[Temple, Henry J.]

The New Whig Guide.

London : W. Wright, 1819.

First edition of this collection of 19th century British political pasquinades. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with with gilt ruling to the spine, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. From the library of William Safire with his bookplate to the pastedown. William Safire was an important American author, columnist, journalist, and presidential speechwriter.Continue reading "The New Whig Guide."

Malthus, Thomas R. [T.R.}

Principles of Political Economy Considered With a View to Their Practical Application.

London : John Murray, 1820.

Rare first edition of Malthus’ classic work. Octavo, bound in full diced morocco, raised bands, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, front and rear panels, marbled endpapers. In near fine condition. An exceptional presentation.

Malthus, Thomas Robert

Principles of Political Economy, Considered With a View to their Practical Application.

London : John Murray, 1820.

First edition of this classic work regarding nature of labor, demand and profit. Octavo, original boards, retaining the original paper spine label. In very good condition. Ownership inscription from the African Society and stamp to the title page. Rare in the original boards.

Burn, Richard and George Chetwynd

The Justice of the Peace, and Parish Officer.

London : Printed by A. Strahan , 1820.

Finely bound set of this monumental work. Octavo, 5 volumes, bound in contemporary full calf, morocco spine labels. In near fine condition.

Acts of the First General Assembly of the State of Missouri; Passed at the First Session, which was Begun and Held at the Town of Saint Louis…1820. [and] Acts of the First General Assembly of the State of Missouri; Passed at the Special Session, Began and Held at the Town of St. Charles…1821.

St. Louis / St. Charles : Isaac N. Henry / St. Charles, 1820-1821.

First editions of the first official printing of the Acts of Missouri’s 1820 First General Assembly and 1821 Special Session, two rare works marking a turning point in the constitutional and sectional fury over slavery that triggered the First Missouri Compromise and the Second Missouri Compromise (1820-21). Octavo, two volumes, bound in full modern brownContinue reading "Acts of the First General Assembly of the State of Missouri; Passed at the First Session, which was Begun and Held at the Town of Saint Louis…1820. [and] Acts of the First General Assembly of the State of Missouri; Passed at the Special Session, Began and Held at the Town of St. Charles…1821."

Thornton, Alfred

Don Juan. Volume the First and Don Juan; Volume the Second: Containing His Life in London, Or, A True Picture of the British Metropolis.

London : Printed for Thomas Kelly, 1821-1822.

First edition of Thornton’s satirical reinterpretation of the famous libertine legend. Octavo, two volumes bound in full crushed levant morocco by Lloyd with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt scrolling and cornerpieces to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles stamp-signed by Lloyd,Continue reading "Don Juan. Volume the First and Don Juan; Volume the Second: Containing His Life in London, Or, A True Picture of the British Metropolis."

Byron, Lord George Gordon

Marino Faliero, Doge of Venice. An Historical Tragedy. In Five Acts. With Notes. The Prophecy of Dante, a Poem.

London : John Murray, 1821.

First edition, first issue of Byron’s posthumously published tragedy with the Doge’s speech on p. 151 that begins “What crimes ?” Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with a black morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine and panels, marbled endpapers. In very good condition.