Catalogue descriptions of 202 miniature books at Firts London 2024
1/ Ada [author]. Miniatuurbibliotheek voor jonge meisjes. No publisher. No place. 1896. Eight (out of ten) Dutch books in their original walnut miniature bookcase, with hinged, bevelled glass door, metal handle and glass central shelf. 1/ Onze Kamertuin [Room Garden], by Ada, 76 printed pages. OCLC 65793033. 2/ De Goede Toon [Good Show], by Ada, 46 pages. OCLC 65793023. 3/ De Bloementuin [Flower garden], by Ada, 60 pages. OCLC 65793034. 4/ Uitgeleleende Boeken [Borrowed books], unpaginated. OCLC 65793007. 5/ De Kleine Zwijnehhedr (Little Swineherd), by Ada, 64 pages. OCLC 65793017. 6/ De Vier Jaargetijden [Four Seasons. Lectures for four girls], by Ada, 62 pages. OCLC 65793012. 7/ Kas Boekje [Cashbook], unpaginated. OCLC 65793002. 8/ Practische Huishoulelijke [Household Counsellor], by Ada, 61 pages. OCLC 65793027. Missing from this collection are Albumversjes en Gedachten voor poeziealbum,OCLC 65793019, and Kookboek, OCLC 69166501. According to Pistner the German version was published in 1896 and by G. Weise in Stuttgart. Pistner also has only eight of the ten German volumes. The German version was known as Miniatur-Bibliothek fur junge Madchen. The publishing house was founded by Gustav Weise, the former co-owner of Julius Weise's court bookstore, in Stuttgart in 1863. John Marshall had published German and French translations of his 'Infant's Library' in London in 1800, and similarly, Gustav Weise probably published his original 1896 Miniatur-Bibliothek fur junge Madchen in Dutch in the same year. In 1921, A. Tuneewa referred to a copy of the German version held in the Odessa State Library, that she attributed to the writer Klara Reichner, a nom de plume for German author Klara Jochner (1843-1913). The number of pages differs in the German version. Doris Welsh subsequently refers to the Odessa copy in her reference book (reference numbers 3835, 5959, 5960, 5961, 5962, 5963, 6498). 34 x 45 mm. Bookcase 78 x 155 x 62 mm. Original harlequin card covers with titles in various differing typefaces within printer's decorative borders on the front covers; small decorative devices on the back covers. Some very mild fading. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann nor Welsh. Pistner, 235 for German version. OCLC, 65793033. WorldCat locates one sole copy worldwide (Amsterdam University). Very rare miniature library. 21 firsts2024. £3,250
2/ Almanach auf das Jahr 1834. [C.F. Müller]. Carlsruhe. 1833. [4] - blank, [4] printed pages in German, three full-page portrait plates of General Jackson, Friederich Willhelm King of Prussia, Otto King of Greece. [5-24], G.Nehrlich's 'Blumen Deutung' [Meaning of Flowers] mostly with vignette illustrations, [7] pages of poetry, [4] - blank. Complete with matching green slipcase (decoration faded). This edition/year found only in Pierpont Morgan Library & Grolier Club by WorldCat. "Almost an incunabulum of lithography- the first tiny almanac in lithography was produced in Carlsruhe in 1818...by Clement Senefelder...inventor of lithography" - Spielmann, 4. Inspiration for English Bijou Almanac series that followed. All edges gilt. 14 x 19 mm. Original card covered with lithographed green paper depicting two seated cherubs with flaming torch between them and elaborate flower urns to either side. Original card covered with lithographed green paper depicting two seated cherubs with flaming torch between them and elaborate flower urns to either side. Spine elaborately decorated in black with gilt at head and foot (minuscule wear to bottom of upper hinge, foot of spine and corners). Preserved in antique square cardboard box, 27 x 27 mm., with yellow handwritten label (minuscule wear to bottom of upper hinge, foot of spine and corners). This edition not in Bondy, nor Houghton, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. Nauroy, 12. OCLC, 244788524. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (Pierpont Morgan Library & Grolier Club). 25 firsts2024 SOLD.
3/ Atlas of the British Empire. Reproduced from the Original Made for Her Majesty Queen Mary's Dolls House. Stanford, Edward Ltd. Cartographers to the King. [London]. Circa 1924. Title page, and contents page (both printed in red and black), followed by 12 double-paged coloured maps. Edward Stanford & Co. printed circular label on verso of front free endpaper. Lithographed Dan & Co. rectangular label on recto of front free endpaper, depicting a dog within a circular frame. Original biscuit brown endpapers (slight damage to upper corner of rear free endpaper). All edges gilt. 35 x 45 mm. Original publisher's full burgundy roan binding with gilt block titling on front cover. Corners very slightly abraded. Tiny crack at top of rear hinge. Dane & Company started as a printing ink company in East London in 1853. Initially supplying the wide variety of presses in the capital city, Dane & Co. went on to earn a fine reputation as a specialist ink company of international renown. Bondy said, "To our knowledge this rare volume is the smallest miniature atlas in existence". Bondy, 153. OCLC, 1098392667. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (British Library and University of Aberdeen). 26 firsts2024 £900
4/ Aurelius, Marcus. Words of Wisdom. Selected from the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. Hills & Co. Ye St. Luke's Press. London. Circa 1918. (60) printed pages. Very slight occasional foxing. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. 53 x 70 mm. Bound in light blue calf with gilt lettering down the spine; panelled covers with blind stamped bay tree on back and celtic knot motif below titling on front cover. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann. Welsh, 338. WorldCat locates no copies worldwide. 27 firsts2024 £85
5/Bèze, Théodore de. Psalteror Psalmes of Dauid : after the translation of the great Bible, pointed as it shall be said or sung in churches: with the morning & euening praier. Company of Stationers. London. 1606. 1606. [200] printed pages. First word of title, "The", is engraved. Signatures: A-Y⁸ 2A-2C⁸. Tables. Beautifully printed and exceptionally rare miniature psalter. Lacking leaf N8. Title a little browned, some light spotting to margins, final leaf with closed tear. Lacks front free endpaper. Marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. Bookplate on front paste-down endpaper. Provenance: Fox Pointe Manor Library and Library of Dr. And Mrs. H.R. Knohl. 50 x 80 mm. Contemporary burgundy decorative morocco, gilt, Upper joint cracked and cover working loose "Pollard, A.W. Short-title catalogue of books printed in England, Scotland, & Ireland and of English books printed abroad, 1475-1640 (2nd ed.) (STC), 2406. English short title catalogue, S124383. Welsh, 623. OCLC, 56069293. WorldCat locates 3 copies worldwide (N.Carolina, Newberry and North Texas Libraries). 5 firsts2024 £2,125
6/ Bible in Miniature. Or a Concise History of Both Testaments. Harris, J., late Newbery. & for Darton & Harvey. London. Circa 1807 (Adomeit said 1802-7, Bondy said circa 1790, Welsh said 1807 and the earliest copy with a dated inscription was from 1809). A new text, unlike earlier Harris or Newbery editions, that uses the long "s". 254 printed pages plus colophon at end. 15 full-page engraved plates supposed to be opposite pages 12, 18, 27, 42, 50, 71, 74, 86, 90, 106, 111, 116, 192, 199, and 221, but most inserted incorrectly. printed by Darton & Harvey, Gracechurch Street, London. Engraved title-page. Very similar to the more common miniature Newberry Bible, except the illustrations were re-engraved and are much less crude & significantly better designed than the Newbery ones; also, the preface states "It is not a very pleasant reflection" (instead of "It is a melancholy reflection"). First few leaves slightly foxed. Original cream endpapers. Contemporary ink ownership inscription on front free endpaper. Provenance: Emma Freeman. 32 x 50 mm. Original publisher's red straight-grained morocco; covers panel mitred in blind; spine with "The Bible" in gilt and six horizontal lines in gilt. The binding is not one mentioned in Adomeit's extensive description but does resemble the bindings used for Alfred Mills' Short History of the Bible and New Testament. Adomeit, B69. Spielmann, 18. Houghton, 27. Roscoe, Thumb Bibles, 42. Welsh, 1022. OCLC, 225867303. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (in Indiana and Virginia University libraries). 22 firsts2024 £1,250
7/ Bible in Miniature or a Concise History of the Old & New Testaments. Harris, W. London. 1771. Unusual variant, having 278, [2] printed pages in gatherings of 8 (the final printed page ends with the catchword 'the' and the whole page is offset against the recto of the rear free endpaper - indicating that no pages are missing; Adomeit describes it as being complete with T4 and 279 pages. 14 plates as called for by Adomeit at pages 10, 22, 55, 61, 79, 91, 123, 129, 147, 157, 187, 235, 239 & 269. 2 title-pages, the second at page 153. Very mild browning. 34 x 40 mm. Original brown calf (upper spine reaching over to the top corner of the front cover is worn away to reveal the binding structure below; short closed split at foot of spine; minuscule hole near leading edge of front cover; front hinge cracked but holding firm). Much scarcer and rarer than the 1780 published Newbery thumb-bible. Exceedingly rare abridged children's Bible in its original binding, Hariss's "Bible in Miniature" is the second of its kind in England, preceded only by the 1727 "Biblia" printed for R. Wilkin (the date being altered by hand to 1728 in many copies). It was re-published by Harris in 1774 and in 1775. Adomeit, B19. Adomeit lists Roscoe as having located just 2 copies existing (both copies at Guildhall and Bodleian Libraries being defective) But WorldCat, OCLC number 37225541 lists three copies (Princeton, Indiana and Oxford University libraries - at least one of them being defective). Bondy, 33. Spielmann, 16 and Welsh, 1005, (but both only list a different typesetting with 255 printed pages in gatherings of 16; Adomeit 18). OCLC, 1083012063, WorldCat locates 5 copies worldwide of the more commonly surviving version - with 255 printed pages in gatherings of 16; Adomeit 18 - (British Library, Bodleian, Cambridge, N. Carolina, and Indiana). 17 firsts2024 £ 1,700
8/ Bible in Miniature; or, a concise history of the Old & New Testaments. London printed. Circa 1795. 220 printed pages. Eight full-page woodcut illustrations, the reverse images from those of 1780 Newberry edition, that depict significant figures and scenes, including Adam and Eve, Moses, and King David. Most other known copies contain seven or fewer woodcuts. Adomeit identifies this as the first iteration of at least two issues, which feature reset title pages and texts. The copy of the example owned and described by Adomeit is the only one to have previous ownership markings that posit the 1795 date. 38 x 44 mm. Original brown calf (slightly rubbed, hinges starting to split a little, and with a very small chip at the head of the spine). Adomeit, B75. Spielmann, 20. Welsh, 1015. OCLC, 6829845. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (British Library and Juniata College, Pennsylvania). 11 firsts2024 £1,850
9/ Bible in Miniature; or, a concise history of the Old & New Testaments. London printed [London]. Circa 1795. 220 printed pages. Seven full-page woodcut illustrations, the reverse images from those of 1780 Newberry edition, that depict significant figures and scenes, including Adam and Eve, Moses, and King David. Most known copies contain seven or fewer woodcuts. Adomeit identifies this as the first iteration of at least two issues, which feature reset title pages and texts. The copy of the example owned and described by Adomeit is the only one to have previous ownership markings that posit the 1795 date. Contemporary ink ownership inscription on preliminary blank page, dated 1802. Provenance: Elizabeth Watermans. 38 x 44 mm. Original full ruby calf; spine elaborately hand-tooled in gilt (slight scuffing and mild rubbing to some edges). Adomeit, B75. Spielmann, 20. Welsh, 1015. OCLC, 6829845. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (British Library and Juniata College, Pennsylvania). 35 firsts2024 £1,850
10/ Bible in minuiture or a concise history of Old & new Testaments. Newbery, E. [London]. 1780 1st state.[ii]-256 pages; two separate engraved title-pages. In this edition the page numbers are enclosed within brackets and there are no press figures and no colophon imprint. Full stop after the date on the first title-page. 2 engraved title-pages, 14 engraved plates. Marbled endpapers. Lacks rear free endpaper. All edges gilt. Complete with later buckram slip-case and red morocco titling label "Bible 1780". 34 x 40 mm. 1.2 x 1.7". Original black morocco; with a central ruby oval panel with the Christogram JHS in gilt on both covers (corners slightly bumped), spine gilt in three compartments (a trifle rubbed). The black deluxe binding is considerably the rarest variant according to Bondy (who listed 3 black, 5 green and 11 red copies, in 29 years from 1949-78). A very similar text to the J. Harris edition (Adomeit, B25). Adomeit, B26. Gumuchian, 6251. Houghton, 268. Myrvold Parmenter, 58. Spielmann, 17. Welsh, 1011. OCLC, 1264975623. WorldCat locates 7 copies worldwide. 18 firsts2024 £1,750
11/ Bible in minuiture or a concise history of Old & new Testaments Newberry, E. [London]. 1780. 1st state.[ii]-250 pages 2 engraved title-pages, 14 engraved plates. Uniformly toned pages. Plates opposite pages 10, 25, 52, 58, 74, 93, 122, 127, 143, 148, 151, 173, 218, 221, 247. Set in Brevier (8-point) Caslon Old Style, ten lines to a page. 3 x 4.5 cm. Original brown calf (very lightly rubbed, hinges with very little wear). Probably the earliest imprint of the best known miniature thumb bible & a very close copy of the J.Harris edition. Elizabeth Newberry was the widow of Francis who was nephew of John Newberry (hugely successful publisher and promoter of children's books). A charming copy of this first appearance of Elizabeth Newbery’s enormously popular Bible in Miniature. Although this is the first edition to have the Newbery name in the imprint, it was effectively a new edition of Harris’ miniature bible first printed in 1778, which in turn was based on earlier printings by W. Harris as early as 1771. Following J. Harris’ original closely, the text was entirely reset but was almost word for word the same as Harris’, with the same number of pages, a similar title and fly-title for the New Testament and with engravings of the same subjects: creation, Adam and Eve, Moses, the birth of Christ, the Epiphany etc. The print run must have been considerable as it was still listed as for sale in 1800, at the original published price of 1s, and it is one of the easiest thumb bibles to find today. It was reprinted well into the nineteenth century by the Newbery family and in collaborative editions with Harris, Darton and Harvey. This issue has the page numbers enclosed within brackets and has no imprint at the end of the text, simply concluding with the ‘Finis’ on p. 256. Some rarer issues contain the imprint ‘Crowder & Hemsted, Printers,Warwick-Square’ or simply ‘Hemsted, Printer’.This issue does have the mistake ‘miniuture’ to the title, which was later corrected; but the reworked plate of the engraving of Adam and Eve, at p. 25, with a tree bearing no apples. Copies vary in size and binding. They were issued in plain calf, crimson morocco with gilt tooling and a central onlay in black or dark green, with the sacred monogram and in green morocco with gilt tooling and crimson central onlay. Bibliography Roscoe, J28/6 (with ‘Miniature’ on the title-page and no apples on the tree with Adam and Eve, at p. 25); Bondy, Miniature Books, p. 34; ESTC t134732. Adomeit, B26. Bondy, 34. Myrvold Parmenter, 58. Neelands Joffe, 99. Spielmann, 17. Welsh, 1011. firsts2024 £750
12/ Bible in minuiture or a concise history of Old & new Testaments. Newbery, E. London]. 1780. 1st state.[ii]-256 pages 2 engraved title-pages, 14 engraved plates. The pages are generally clean with spotting and marks to some pages. Being a thumb bible the pages are splayed and front cover slightly curved. There is curling and some soiling to the page edges around page 100. Pages 123, 126, 127 & 129 have small corner losses. The front marbled page and following few pages have minor edge loss. Many pages generally well thumbed on the edges. Original marbled endpapers. 1.2 x 1.7". Original red morocco. Central oval red morocco onlay to back cover (missing from front cover). Generally well rubbed and much of the gilt faded or worn. Adomeit, B26. Bondy, 34. Gumuchian, 6251. Houghton, 268. Myrvold Parmenter, 58. Spielmann, 17. Welsh, 1011. 29 firsts2024 £700
13/ Biblia or a Practical Summary of Old & New Testaments Wilkin, R. In S.Paul's Churchyard. [London]. This particular copy has been ruled in red on every page, including title-pages, plates and blank leaves, before being bound. Adomeit records only a single copy that has been decorated in this way (Adomeit copy 1), in fact Adomeit stated that it "is the only Thumb Bible located that has been so decorated". 1727 hand corrected to 1728. Adomeit reports that other than the rare red underlining and this date alteration, "there seems to be no difference" between copies with the handwritten dates and those without them. [i-iv], [1], 2-153, [154-155], 156-278, [279-84] printed pages (worm cast in lower margin for first few leaves, not affecting the text; text block slightly thumbed; second title-page smudging of two of the 16 horizontal lines; very mild spotting). 16 copperplate engravings, including two frontispiece illustrations, one preceding the Preface and another prior to the main text, as well as two engraved title pages. Issued by printer and bookseller Richard Wilkin, this is the first English thumb Bible in prose, all earlier editions having been in verse, and was very popular with children; illustrations in the Wilkin Bible are "vastly superior" to those in the Newbery edition. Indeed, the plain but finely executed depictions of Biblical subjects, such as Noah, Joshua, and the Nativity, are striking for the boldness of their lines. It is for this and other reasons that Bondy considered the Newbery Bible to be "distinctly inferior in most respects" to Wilkin's Bible. 3 x 4 cm. Original black morocco (minuscule split on front cover; very little rubbed; inner hinges cracked but holding firm). An image of a title-page from a copy that has not been underlined in red ink is supplied for comparison. Adomeit, B16. Bondy, 33. Myrvold Parmenter, 58. Welsh, 1003. 131 firsts2024 £10,000
14/ Biblia or a Practical Summary of Old & New Testaments Wilkin, R. In S.Paul's Churchyard. [London]. This particular copy has been ruled in red on every page, including title-pages, plates and blank leaves, before being bound. Adomeit records only a single copy that has been decorated in this way (Adomeit copy 1), in fact Adomeit stated that it "is the only Thumb Bible located that has been so decorated". 1727 hand corrected to 1728. Adomeit reports that other than the rare red underlining and this date alteration, "there seems to be no difference" between copies with the handwritten dates and those without them. [i-iv], [1], 2-153, [154-155], 156-278, [279-84] printed pages. 16 copperplate engravings, including two frontispiece illustrations, one preceding the Preface and another prior to the main text, as well as two engraved title pages. Issued by printer and bookseller Richard Wilkin, this is the first English thumb Bible in prose, all earlier editions having been in verse, and was very popular with children; illustrations in the Wilkin Bible are "vastly superior" to those in the Newbery edition. Indeed, the plain but finely executed depictions of Biblical subjects, such as Noah, Joshua, and the Nativity, are striking for the boldness of their lines. It is for this and other reasons that Bondy considered the Newbery Bible to be "distinctly inferior in most respects" to Wilkin's Bible. 3 x 4 cm. Original red morocco. The spine has some damage. Inner hinge cracked and showing some weakness. An image of a title-page from a copy that has not been underlined in red ink is supplied for comparison. Adomeit, B16. Bondy, 33. Myrvold Parmenter, 58. Welsh, 1003. 2 firsts2024 £10,000
15/ Bibliotheek in miniatuur. Brederode, J.J. Van. Haarlem. 1825. Circa 1825. 10 volumes in Dutch. 1/ Geographie, 92 pages in Dutch, 5 engraved maps - 1 folding (world map by V. Baarsel and Son) ; 2/ Gewidje Geschiedenis, 95 pages, 3 engraved plates; 3/ Vaderlandsche Geschiedenis, 92 pages, 2 engraved plates; 4/ Viervoetige Dieren, 93 [2] pages, 4 engraved plates; 5/ Vogelen, 94 pages, 4 plates (last leaf has short closed tear); 6/ Insekten en Visschen, 93 pages, 4 plates; 7/ Kruidkunde, 91 pages, 4 plates; 8/ Zedelijke Verhalen, 95 pages, 3 plates; 9/ Arabische Vertellingen, 91 [1] pages, 3 plates; 10/ Mythologie, 86 [3] pages, 4 plates. Original box, no lid. New edition. 65 x 80 mm. Original blue printed light card bindings with title, author and publisher on the front cover and list of the contents of the ten volume library on the back cover - all within printer's decorative borders. Welsh (History page 74) attributed the influence of Jean Jacques Rousseau and the didactic school of philosophy in this instructional miniature library that covers a multitude of educational subjects- aimed to train childrens' intellect and morals. A first edition was published in 1823 in Amsterdam by M. Westerman and a facsimile edition was published in 1984. See Spielmann, 38-48 and Welsh, 1247, both citing earlier editions. OCLC, 558573498. WorldCat locates two copies of this edition worldwide (Bibliotheek Van Zeeland and Amsterdam University). 36 firsts2024 £1,000
16/ Bibliotheque en Miniature. Marcilly. Paris. 1835. Circa 1835. Six volumes in French: La Fontaines Fables, Varieties by Berquin, Mythologie by Demoustier, Florian's Melanges, Voltaire's Poesies and Millevoye. Each volume has 24 printed pages, an engraved vignette title page, and one engraving. Housed in a book shaped slipcase with a gilt tooled leather spine and marbled boards (entrance to housing very slightly worn). 48 x 70 mm. Original black printed paper wrappers. Bondy, 75. Welsh, 1250. OCLC, 41542943. WorldCat locates 3 copies worldwide (National Library of Australia, Indiana and Virginia University Libraries). 37 firsts2024 £700
17/ Bibliotheque en Miniature. Marcilly. Paris. 1835. Circa 1835. Six volumes in French: La Fontaines Fables, Varieties by Berquin, Mythologie by Demoustier, Florian's Melanges, Voltaire's Poesies and Millevoye. Each volume has 24 printed pages, an engraved vignette title page, and one engraving. Housed in a cartonnage box in two parts, lined with royal blue paper and with silk ribbon to ease out the books; the upper half of the box has moulded white acanthus leaves in the style of a corinthian frieze, with a pale St. Petersburg blue printed label within a gilt embossed border on top (very slightly worn; label has a small old stain in the bottom left hand corner). 48 x 70 mm. Original light pink card bindings with mitre panel printed borders with fan corner pieces; the front covers have title and author within the decorative borders. Bondy, 75. Welsh, 1250. OCLC, 41542943. WorldCat locates 3 copies worldwide (National Library of Australia, Indiana and Virginia University Libraries). 38 firsts2024 £700
18/ Bijou Picture of London, or the Gems of the Metropolis. Rock, Brothers & Payne. London. No date (but 1850). Engraved frontispiece, title and 30 plates. Bondy p.152: "... tiny but excellent views of London". Spielmann 58: "[the views] are of exceptional quality considering their tiny size"; All edges gilt. Original pale yellow endpapers. Contemporary signature on title-page and front pastedown endpaper. Provenance: A.C.Owen. 25 x 31 mm. Original dark red cloth gilt. Bondy, 152. Spielmann, 58. Welsh 1282. OCLC, 317824544. WorldCat locates 4 copies worldwide. 180 firsts2024 £450
19/ Bijou Pictures of Paris. Rock & Co. London. 1850. Circa 1850. Frontispiece and 30 engraved plates of landmarks on 32 leaves. Engraved throughout. Some light spotting. Inner hinges cracked but holding firmly. Old sewn repair to spine. Spielmann describes it as "rare". Extremely mild age-toning. Original primrose endpapers. Contemporary ink ownership inscription of "Sibermann", dated 1892, on front free endpaper. 25 x 30 mm. Original publisher's dark red leather. Stab bound. Front cover with "Bijou Picture of Paris" in gilt within diamond gilt frame and scrolling floreate corner-pieces. Spine a little rubbed. Bondy, 152. Spielmann, 59. Welsh, 1283. OCLC, 270993155. WorldCat locates 11 copies worldwide, including only one UK library (University of Oxford). 41 firsts2024 £350
20/ Boethius, Anicius Malius. De Consolatione Philosophiae Libri V. Caesius, G. J. Amsterdam. 1625. 207, [17] printed pages in Latin ('Anicii Manlii Torquati Seuerini Boethii Vita' in 17 pages at end). Engraved illustrated title page depicting an allegorical female figure holding a book in one hand and a gavel in the other. 32º. In Latin with a Roman typeface, text enclosed within double ruled border. Collation A⁸-O⁸. All edges speckled. Plain front free endpaper missing upper corner. Minuscule ink ownership inscription on verso of rear free endpaper dated 1809. 53 x 73 mm. Contemporary full vellum, damage to a 9 mm. section of top edge of rear cover. The book has a slight bow in it. Bondy describes it as a "beautiful and poetic text, much loved during the Renaissance" and the title-page of this edition as "fine". Bondy, 9. Spielmann, 62 & 299. Welsh, 1341. OCLC, 46469886. WorldCat locates 5 copies worldwide. 42 firsts2024 £650
21/ Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Holy Communion According to the Use of the Church of England. Eyre & Spottiswoode Bible Warehouse Limited. 33, Paternoster Row, E.C. London, Edinburgh and New York. [1900]. Circa 1900. Diamond 128mo. Fine India paper. 702 printed pages. Contemporary silver Mary and Jesus front plaquette. Fully hallmarked for Chester assay office, 1906. Maker David Davis, Maurice Davis (DD,MD). Rounded corners. Original black endpapers (front endpapers stuck together). All edges gilt. 47 x 57 mm. Original silver plaquette (edges worn with some creases). Original black morocco, with gilt titling on spine (rubbed and worn at spine, along hinges). Welsh, 1854. 49 firsts2024 £150
22/ Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Holy Communion According to the Use of the Church of England. Eyre & Spottiswoode Bible Warehouse Limited. 33, Paternoster Row, E.C. London, Edinburgh and New York. [1900]. Circa 1900. Diamond 128mo. Fine India paper. 702 printed pages. Contemporary silver plaquette of 'The Good Shepherd'. Fully hallmarked for Birmingham assay office, 1907/8. Maker G & C Ltd. . Rounded corners. Original black endpapers . All edges gilt. 47 x 57 mm. Original ruby morocco, with gilt titling on spine. Welsh, 1854. 58 firsts2024 £200
23/ Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Holy Communion According to the Use of the Church of England. Eyre & Spottiswoode Bible Warehouse Limited. 33, Paternoster Row, E.C. London, Edinburgh and New York. [1903]. Circa 1903. Diamond 128mo. Fine India paper. 630 printed pages (title page frayed and creased at edges). Contemporary silver plaquette of Reynold's Cherubs. Hallmarks for Birmingham, 1903/4. Maker's mark for William Comyns. All edges gilt. 47 x 57 mm. Original ruby morocco, with gilt titling on spine (very slightly rubbed). Welsh, 1862. 57 firsts2024 £80
24/ Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Holy Communion According to the Use of the Church of England. Eyre & Spottiswoode Bible Warehouse Limited. 33, Paternoster Row, E.C. London, Edinburgh and New York. [1903]. Circa 1903. Diamond 128mo. Fine India paper. 630 printed pages. Contemporary silver plaquette of holy lamb carrying crucifix. Hallmarks for Birmingham 1904/5. Maker's mark for Miller Brothers. The firm was founded in the 1870s by Charles Dew Miller, George Woodville Miller and Richard William Bentley Miller. In 1904 the firm was converted into a limited liability company under the style Miller Brothers (London) Ltd. All edges gilt. 47 x 57 mm. Original black morocco, with gilt titling on spine (very slightly rubbed and worn at spine). Welsh, 1862. 50 Firsts2024 £225
25/ Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Holy Communion According to the Use of the Church of England. Eyre & Spottiswoode Bible Warehouse Limited. 33, Paternoster Row, E.C. London, Edinburgh and New York. [1903]. Circa 1903. Diamond 128mo. Fine India paper. 630 printed pages. Contemporary silver plaquette of Lilies (minuscule black spots). Hallmarks for London, 1903/4. Maker's mark for William Comyns. All edges gilt over red. 47 x 57 mm. Original black morocco, with gilt titling on spine (rubbed and worn at spine and hinges). Welsh, 1862. 52 firsts2024 £225
26/ Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Holy Communion According to the Use of the Church of England. Eyre & Spottiswoode Bible Warehouse Limited. 33, Paternoster Row, E.C. London, Edinburgh and New York. [1903]. Circa 1903. Diamond 128mo. Fine India paper. 630 printed pages. Contemporary silver plaquette of Reynold's Cherubs. Hallmarks for London, 1904/5. Maker's mark for William Comyns. All edges gilt. 47 x 57 mm. Original black morocco, with gilt titling on spine (very slightly rubbed). Welsh, 1862. 54 firsts2024 £90
27/ Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Holy Communion According to the Use of the Church of England. Oxford University Press Warehouse, Amen Corner. Henry Frowde. London. 1898. [1898]. Diamond 128mo. 688 printed pages. Thin India paper. Silver Reynold's Angels front plaquette. Fully hallmarked for Birmingham, 1909/10. Charles Penny Brown was the Birmingham Silversmith. Rounded corners. Original black endpapers (some edge wear). All edges gilt. Contemporary ink inscription on verso of front free endpaper, dated 1910. 48 x 56 mm. Original black morocco, with gilt titling on spine (slightly rubbed along hinges and at edges). Welsh, 1856. 48 firsts2024 £65
28/ Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Holy Communion According to the Use of the Church of England. Printed at Oxford University Press . Henry Frowde. London. Sold by H. Stevenson & Co. 8 Paternoster Row. [1898]. Diamond 128mo. 688 printed pages. Thin India paper. Contemporary silver plaquette J & R G, Chester, 1906/7 hallmark for silversmiths Joseph & Richard Griffin. ART NOUVEAU FOLIATE DESIGNS, with 'IHS' in the centre ( for Iesus Hominum Salvator', meaning Jesus Saviour of Men). Rounded corners. Original black endpapers . All edges gilt. 48 x 56 mm. Original black morocco, with gilt titling on spine (very slightly rubbed). Welsh, 1856. 53 firsts2024 £180
29/ Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Holy Communion According to the Use of the Church of England. Oxford University Press Warehouse, Amen Corner. Henry Frowde. London. [1898]. Diamond 128mo. 688 printed pages. Thin India paper. Silver Reynold's Angels front plaquette. Fully hallmarked for Birmingham, 1904/5. Levi Salaman was the Birmingham Silversmith. Rounded corners. Original black endpapers (some edge wear). All edges gilt. Contemporary ink inscription on verso of front free endpaper, dated 1910. 48 x 56 mm. Original ruby morocco, with gilt titling on spine (slightly rubbed along hinges and at spine). Welsh, 1856. 55 firsts2024 £65
30/ Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Holy Communion [with] Hymns Ancient and Modern Oxford University Press. Humphrey Milford Oxford. 1917. Diamond 128mo. 2 volumes in 1: 688, 861 printed pages. Frontispiece. Contemporary ink dedication on back of frontispiece, dated August 1919, stamped WS Ltd. Rounded corners. Original black endpapers. Crucifix design sterling silver plaque marked for 1918, London, stamped WS Ltd. Morning prayer mentions King George (V, ruled 1910-1936). Publication date suggested by inscription in copy at sole copy of this edition found by WorldCat (Washington University in St. Louis), dated February 6, 1917. Hymns ancient and modern includes index. 48 x 55mm. Original black morocco. In contemporary probably original blue card box. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann nor Welsh. 56 firsts2024 £180
31/ Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Holy Communion. Cambridge University Press Warehouse, Fetter Lane. E.C. London. London. No date (1905). 730 printed pages (title pagewith small stain and some edge wear; a few gatherings very slightly sprung). Diamond 128mo. All edges gilt. Lacks free black endpapers. Lacks frontispiece. Silver plaquette of simple cross on front cover, full hallmarked for London, P.W.S. (Percy Horace Arthur Whitehouse?), 1906/7. Plaque has several small dings. Rounded corners. All edges gilt over red. 4 5 x 56 mm. Original dark blue morocco (slightly rubbed); 'Common Prayer' and 'Cambridge' in gilt on spine. Spielmann, 64. Welsh, 1863. 200 firsts2024 £125
32/ Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Holy Communion According to the Use of the Church of England. Oxford University Press Warehouse, Amen Corner. Henry Frowde. London. Circa 1870. Diamond 128mo. All edges gilt. 688 printed pages, [with] Hymns Ancient and Modern. William Clowes & Sons Ltd., 13 Charing Cross, SW. 861 printed pages. Horace Hart printer to Oxford University. 50 x 62 mm. Later circa 1920 full calf with 3 raised bands; unusual front inner doublure in gilt "He shall lead them unto living fountains of waters" with four line fillets; back doublure with gilt stylised stork in circle, to denote holiness and the Annunciation to Mary (corners bumped and edges slightly rubbed; a few marks on the covers). Welsh, 1869. 189 firsts2024 £250
33/ Boreman, Thomas. Westminster Abbey. Volume 2 [of 3]. Boreman, Tho[mas], the Bookseller near the two giants in Guildhall. London. 1742. xxiv, 25-123, printed pages plus 5 pages of advertisements at the back. Frontispiece, 3 wood engraved full-page illustrations. Numerous woodcut head and tail-pieces. Including list of Boreman's juvenile subscribers. One of the series of ten 'Gigantick Histories, the first time for an English children's book to focus less on instruction and more on entertainment. Gumuchian said in 1930 "The importance of these tiny volumes for the history of children's books is evident as they are the forerunners of the 'Lilliputian Magazine' published by Newbery in 1752. There is no doubt that few of these children's treasures have survived, as they were thumbed to pieces in the long years that have elapsed since their publication". Spielmann described his odd volume as "One of the very rare volumes of the 'Gigantick Histories' printed for subscribers only, which are among the earliest English children's books dealing with non-religious matters". "The most remarkable tiny books of the century were perhaps the children's books published by Thomas Boreman in London in the early 1740's... with their lists of child subscribers and attractive woodcut illustrations, simple texts and interesting London subjects, they must have made ideal presents for young people, fashioned as they were more for pleasure and entertainment than moral improvement and instruction. It is generally assumed that Boreman was not only the publisher but also the author of these charming volumes which have of late not only become excessively rare but also very expensive" (Bondy, 21). The only complete set of Westminster Abbey that seems to have been recorded in ABPC was in 2007. Two contemporary vertical ink lines on page vi of the subscribers' list. Inner gilt dentelles. Marbled endpapers (lacking rear free endpaper). All edges gilt. Contemporary ink handwritten letters of a young child on recto of frontispiece. 46 x 62 mm. Contemporary full ruby morocco. Spine in gilt geometrically decorated compartments with raised gilt decorated bands, and the number 'two'. Covers mitre panelled with rich scrolling hand-tooled gilt floral decoration. Spine slightly worn at foot, and corners slightly worn. Bondy, 21-2. Gumuchian, 4088. Welsh, 1413. OCLC, . WorldCat locates copies worldwide. 157 firsts2024 £2,000
34/ Botanical Illustrations of the Twenty-Four Classes in the Linnaean System of Vegetables, by Select Specimens of English Plants. Darton, Harvey, and Darton London. 1813. [iv] (last blank), 96 pages plus 48 uncoloured wood-engraved plates (page 79 with very small marginal closed tear). 'A very rare [miniature] children's book on botany with very attractive and delicately coloured flower plates, including a few mosses and mushrooms' (Spielmann: 'Catalogue of the Library of Miniature Books collected by Percy Edwin Spielmann', page 23). Darton attributes authorship to Benjamin Meggott Forster, based on an advertisement in another Darton publication (Darton: 'The Dartons. An Annotated Check-list of Children's Books issued by Two Publishing Houses, 1787-1876', page 102). 69 x 81 mm. Original red morocco a little rubbed at the extremities; sides bordered with a double fillet in blind; spine lettered and ruled in gilt; sides scored and a little marked; Spielmann, 65. Welsh, 1418. OCLC, 22607015. WorldCat locates 15 copies worldwide. 165 firsts2024 £450
35/ Bradbury, Robert C. (compiler). Miniature books published by Achille J. St. Onge. St. Onge Collections, number 5. 1995. 38 unnumbered pages. 9 point Palatino type. Included are 46 books plus variant editions. Descriptions of each book were provided by Rabbi Levitan. In 1987, Monsignor Francis J. Weber wrote that he located only 10 complete sets of these miniature books. Robert E. Massmann recently said he knew of 13 complete sets. From Kalman L. Levitan's own collection with his ex-libris, book number '3502'. Provenance: from Kalman Levitan's personal miniature book collection, dispersed in 1977, with his ex libris bookplate and inscribed in his hand. 65 x 75 mm. Original black morocco with gilt blocked titling. Number one in the series of St. Onge Collections was the collection of The Robert H. Goddard Library, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts. Number three in the same series was Charlotte M. Smith's complete collection, now at the University of Iowa. This is the fifth in the series but I cannot track down the others (numbers two, four and any after five). There only appear to be a single copy of numbers one and three. It is very likely that this copy is also one of a print run of one. WorldCat locates zero copies worldwide. 44 firsts2024 £495
36/ Browning, Elizabeth Barrett Sonnets from the Portuguese. Leopold B. Hill, 2 Langham Place, W1. London. Circa 1908. 92 printed pages. Printed by R. Clay & Sons Ltd. London and Bungay. Langham Booklets number 9. Inner gilt dentelles. Marbled endpapers (light spotting). All edges gilt. 64 x 92mm. Contemporary full calf, signed Riviere & Son, London on verso of front free endpaper. Spine with gilt titling, and gilt hand-tooled decoration within ruled and pointille horizontal twin borders. Covers mitre panelled and cornered with palmette gilt hand-tooling. Riviere was the first bookbinder approached by Lutyens about the possibility of miniature bindings for Queen Mary's Dolls' House; Riviere bound 100 of the 176 bindings supplied to the Dolls' House Library, at a cost of £50 in 1924. Welsh, 1482. 137 firsts2024 £200
37/ Bryce's Thumb English Dictionary Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. Circa 1888. All edges gilt. Rounded corners. Original black endpapers. Title in gilt to upper cover. Frontispiece of Dr. Johnson. 386 printed pages across the double-page spread. Rounded corners. All edges gilt. Black endpapers (lacks front free endpaper). 45 x 55 mm. Original black morocco (slightly rubbed ). Binding signed on verso of front free endpaper, "Oxford Binding". Complete with contemporary red morocco slip-case; "Midgets" in gilt on 'spine' (very slightly rubbed; tiny split at top of inner 'sleeve'). Bondy, 104. Garbett, 14. Spielmann, 67. Welsh, 2389. 139 firsts2024 £250
38/ Burns, Robert. Cottar's Saturday Night and other poems. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1907. x, 372 printed pages. Line illustrations. More frequently found with Andersons imprint. With original brass book holder bust of Burns in very good condition. 1.75 x 2" Original full red calf; spine with gilt titling and repeated pattern of thistles in gilt; front cover has gilt titling below a stylised hearth and cooking pot in gilt (minuscule rubbing to head of spine and corners). Unusual original leather binding (similar to the Bryce edition of 'Napoleon's Book of Fate'). One of the titles in Queen Mary's Doll's House. This book and holder are rare survivors in this very good original state. Bondy, 116. Garbett, 39. Welsh, 1533. OCLC, 20137731. WorldCat locates 6 copies worldwide. 170 firsts2024 £700
39/ Burns, Robert. Poems chiefly in Scottish dialect. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1899. Original metal locket with magnifier and loop at the top. Mite Series . Facsimile of 1796 Kilmarnock edition. Illustrations. 19 x 28 mm. Original red morocco with 'Burns' Poems First Edition 1786' in gilt on front cover and 'Burns' Poems' within circle on spine (slightly rubbed on the spine). Bondy, 113. Garbett, 27. Houghton, 108. Pistner, B233:5. Spielmann, 69. Welsh, 1535. OCLC, 1027220796. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (Indiana and Iowa University Libraries). 45 firsts2024 £300
40/ Burns, Robert. Poems chiefly in Scottish dialect. Kilmarnock, Printed by John Wilson, 1796. 1899.viii, 240 printed pages on grey paper (some mild age-toning and some marks on text-block). Bryce, Mite Series & Bryce, Midget Books. Facsimile of 1796 Kilmarnock edition. Illustrations. Original metal locket with magnifier and loop at the top. 19 x 28mm. Original printed grey wrappers, reproducing title page of rare 1796 first edition, spine blank (mild age-toning). This printed binding pre-dates the later red or blue hardback bindings. Spielmann categorises this edition as "rare". Bondy, 113. Garbett, 27. Houghton, 108. Spielmann, 69. Welsh, 1535. WorldCat locates just two copies that are both in USA and one of those is described with the later hardback binding. Seller Inventory 46 firsts2024 £300
41/ Burns, Robert. Poems. A choice selection from his works, serious and comic. Bryce & Son. Glasgow. 1889. Circa 1889. 272 printed pages. Frontispiece. Binding design & title page by Jessie M King. Dainty Little Library series, 24. Original black endpapers. 60 x 90 mm. Original publisher's burgundy calf. Gilt lettering within art nouveau style decorative borders. Garbett, 49. Welsh, 4758. WorldCat locates no copies of the Dainty Little Library edition, worldwide. 47 firsts2024 £150
42/ Chatelain, Clara de. Lilliputian Library Two. Myers, Joseph & Co. 144 Leadenhall Street, E.C. London. Circa 1850. Four fairy tales with two hand-coloured lithographed plates in each volume; complete with original ribbed brown slipcase, lettered in gilt. Each page printed within a border with typographical corner ornaments. Babyland, 49 printed pages; Night Laundresses, 35 pp.; Up! Horsie!, 40 pp.; Pot-Luck, 41 pp. Spielmann suggests the books were printed in Guben, Germany, where Lilliputian Library One was printed and describes this set as "rare" in 1961. Original cream endpapers. All edges gilt. Very slight rubbing and handling marks. 52 x 84 mm. Publisher's colour cloth, blocked in blind, with titles lettered in gilt on front covers. Not in Bondy. Spielmann, 296 and 86-9. Welsh, 1745-8. See OCLC, 236121607 for similar copy (but address of publisher, 15 Berners Street, Oxford Street, London W.). WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (university Libraries of Florida and Virginia). 6 firsts2024 £2,000
43/ Concise account of the loss of the Royal George at Spithead, 1782 Charpentier, W. H. R. Ackerman. Portsmouth and London. 1840. Third edition. 105 printed pages. 5 engraved plates. Copy of Kingston Church Monument inscription on front wrapper. All edges gilt. Contemporary ink inscription on front free endpaper, dated 1841. 2.2 x 3.3". Original blue wrappers - and highly unusual, as such - normally bound in recovered timber (spine and front cover torn with minimal loss; edges nibbled; some spots and age-toned areas). Different publication from True Stories of H.M.Ship Royal George. The Royal George was a ship of the line of the Royal Navy. A first-rate with a 100 guns on three decks, she was the largest warship in the world at her launch in February 1756 and her construction at Woolwich Dockyard had taken ten years. She sank on 29 August 1782 whilst anchored at Spithead just off Portsmouth. The ship was intentionally rolled so that maintenance could be performed on the hull, but the roll became unstable and out of control; the ship took on water and sank. More than 800 lives were lost, making it one of the most fatal maritime disasters in British territorial waters. In 1839 Charles Pasley of the Royal Engineers commenced operations to break up the wreck using barrels of gunpowder. Pasley's team recovered more guns and other items between 1839 & 1842. In 1840, they destroyed the remaining structure of the wreck in an explosion, which shattered windows several miles away in Portsmouth & Gosport (a full account can be found at the site " The stories they Tell " ). Recovered materials were used to make a variety of souvenirs in the 1850s,and timber from the ship was used to make the billiard table by Thurston & Co. for the North Wing of Burghley House. A curious souvenir of one of the worst disasters in British Maritime History. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. WorldCat locates only 3 copies worldwide (National Maritime Museum is only UK holding). 188 firsts2024 £250
44/ Confucius. Words of Wisdom. Selections from the Sayings of Confucius the Sage. Hills & Co. Ye St. Luke's Press. London. Circa 1910. (61) printed pages. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. 53 x 70 mm. Bound in blue calf with gilt lettering down the spine; panelled covers with blind stamped bay tree on back and Celtic knot motif below titling on front cover. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann. Welsh, 1818. OCLC, 38645436. WorldCat locates 1 copy worldwide (Stanford University). 59 firsts2024 £85
45/ Crowther, Alice. Golden Thoughts from great authors. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. Circa 1895. 127 printed pages. All edges gilt. Original yellow endpapers. Wooden Mauchline box decorated in tartan of the Stuart clan; magnifying glass fitted in front of box and circular window at the back. Original tartan cardboard box, pictorial label. 20 x 26 mm. Original boards in tartan of the Stuart clan (some minuscule abrasions to the edges and tiny marks on the covers); spine in deep red velvet. A rare item in such vvery good condition. Pistner, B233:1. Welsh, 2087. OCLC, 558008500. WorldCat locates 7 copies worldwide. 161 firsts2024 £750
46/ Defoe, Daniel. Little Robinson Crusoe. Tilt & Bogue. Charles Tilt & David Bogue. [London]. Circa 1840. Frontispiece, vignette title & 46 full page illustrations, printed 1 side only, all hand coloured. 191, (1) printed pages. Publisher's advert listing 9 titles in series, this being last. All edges gilt. "Much sought after by collectors". 66 x 78mm. Original orange cloth; spine with gilt titling and elaborate gilt blocked decoration (slightly faded); covers elaborately mitre panelled with highly decorative corner pieces and central floral motifs - the front cove in gilt (corners very slightly worn). "This instructive and entertaining history [of Robinson Crusoe] was written about one hundred and fifty years ago, by ... Daniel De Foe ... Let us hope that this tale of wonderful adventures, bitter sufferings, and perilous escapes, will teach our young friends the advantages of a safe and quiet home, and cure them of that sad disorder of the mind, a discontented and restless disposition."-Preface. Unusual to find a coloured copy. Bondy, 67. Pistner, B232:5. Welsh, 2215. OCLC, 1229135554. WorldCat locates 18 copies worldwide. 60 firsts2024 £300
47/ Dickens, Charles Christmas Stories. Birdsall & Sons [Northampton]. Circa 1908. Complete five volume set on original oak book display shelf, marked "W.Lockwood & Co. Ltd. 67, Duke St. Grosvenor Square. W." Printed by R. Clay & Sons, London and Bungay. Possibly using original sheets from the Siegle Hill, Langham Booklets series that have the same number of pages and is the same size; but has individual title pages with Birdsall imprints and in different fonts than the rest of the works. A Christmas Carol, 254 pages, a ghost story; The Chimes, 248 pages; The Cricket on the Hearth, 222 pages; The Battle of Life, 248 pages. Grey marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. Stamped with Lockwood & Son at the foot of each paste-down endpaper. 62 x 90 mm. Emerald green full morocco Art Nouveau bindings. Gilt floral motifs on covers and spines (slightly worn at head of spines and a trifle rubbed and faded in places). Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann. See Welsh, 2352, 2356, 2361, 2366, 2369 for Siegle Hill imprints. WorldCat locates no copies of this Birdsall imprint worldwide. 40 firsts2024 £300
48/ Dickens, Charles. Christmas Books [set of 5]. Frowde, Henry, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, New York and Toronto. 1904. India Paper. Five volumes complete with oak mounted contemporary hallmarked silver stand for London 1904-5. Maker's mark G & B Sons. George Betjemann & Sons, Pentonville Road, London N1. Company purchased by Puddefoot, Bowers & Simonett Ltd, 1938. 1/ The Battle of life. 2/ The Chimes. 3/ A Christmas carol. 4/ The Cricket on the hearth. 5/The Haunted man; and, The Ghost's bargain. Rounded corners. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt over red. 40 x 52 mm. Original straight-grained red morocco. Facsimile Dickens signatures in gilt with single gilt ruled borders on front covers. Very good condition and unusual in contemporary hallmarked silver stand. Bondy, 118. Spielmann, 124. Welsh, 2358. OCLC, 58906020. WorldCat locates 7 copies worldwide. 61 firsts2024 £600
49/ Dods, Matilda Lees. Handbook of Practical Cookery Eyre & Spottiswoode [London]. 1906. Straight-grained navy blue morocco with gilt art nouveau design on spine. Fully hallmarked for Henry Matthews, Birmingham, 1905/6. India paper, 50 leaves of plates, pages: xix, 836. Matilda Lees Dods was one of the pseudonyms of Scottish author Christian Isobel Johnstone (1781-1857), a name originally used in Walter Scott's novel St Ronan's Well. Endpaper and first few pages somewhat age-toned. Slight creasing of some of the upper corners. Rounded corners. All edges gilt over red. Original marbled endpapers. Undated contemporary ink inscription on front free endpaper. 46 x 58 mm. Original navy blue morocco. Silver repoussé design of 'Cookery recipes' within art nouveau elaborately decorative borders. With contemporary fully hallmarked silver plaquette on front cover (Lion, anchor, 'F', H M). Birmingham, 1905/6. Silversmith Henry Matthews. Henry Matthews was a Birmingham based silversmith. His first mark was registered in 1894 and he is remembered for his small silver items that required great attention to detail. Spine worn at front hinge and at head. Hinges split but still holding firm. Bondy, 139. Welsh, 2511. OCLC, 13987563. WorldCat locates 22 copies worldwide. 66 firsts2024 £550
50/ Dods, Matilda Lees. Handbook of Practical Cookery. Eyre & Spottiswoode (Bible Warehouse), Limited. 33, paternoster Row, E.C. London, Edinburgh and New York. 1906. Straight-grained red morocco with gilt art nouveau design on spine. India paper, 50 leaves of plates, pages: xix, 836. Matilda Lees Dods was one of the pseudonyms of Scottish author Christian Isobel Johnstone (1781-1857), a name originally used in Walter Scott's novel St Ronan's Well. Rounded corners. 47 x 58 mm. Original red morocco. In remarkably good condition. Bondy, 139. Welsh, 2511. OCLC, 13987563. WorldCat locates 22 copies worldwide. 152 firsts2024 £450
51/ Dods, Matilda Lees. Handbook of Practical Cookery: in which special prominence is given to the preparing of new cakes, jellies, etc. ; to very simple recipes for cottage cookery ; also to various modes for preparing food for the sickroom. Eyre & Spottiswoode (Bible Warehouse), Limited. 33, paternoster Row, E.C. London, Edinburgh and New York. 1906 India paper, 50 leaves of plates, pages: lxix, 836. Matilda Lees Dods was one of the pseudonyms of Scottish author Christian Isobel Johnstone (1781-1857), a name originally used in Walter Scott's novel, St Ronan's Well. Some corners creased. Rounded corners. All edges gilt over red. Original marbled endpapers. 46 x 56 mm. Original publisher's blue cloth. Gilt titling and art nouveau stylised plant motif on spine. Panel mitred borders with corner pieces surrounding stamped image of a pudding, in gilt on front cover. Although this binding would have been cheaper than the red morocco or the silver plaquette bindings, it now appears to have survived in even fewer numbers. Old tiny pale spots on front cover and spine. Bondy, 139. Welsh, 2511. OCLC, 13987563. WorldCat locates 22 copies worldwide. 153 firsts2024 £350
52/ Emerson, Ralph Waldo. Friendship. Hill, Leopold B. 2 Langham Place, WC1. London. Circa 1908. 83 printed pages. Printed by R. Clay & Sons Ltd. London and Bungay. Inner gilt dentelles. Marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. 64 x 92mm. Contemporary full calf, signed Riviere & Son, London on verso of front free endpaper. Spine with gilt titling, and gilt hand-tooled decoration within ruled and pointille horizontal twin rules. Covers mitre panelled and cornered with palmette gilt hand-tooling (minor edge wear; small patches of fading; surface scratch on front cover). Riviere was the first bookbinder approached by Lutyens about the possibility of miniature bindings for Queen Mary's Dolls' House; Riviere bound 100 of the 176 bindings supplied to the Dolls' House Library, at a cost of £50 in 1924. Welsh, 2632. OCLC, 426488661. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (Universities of Chicago and of South Carolina). 129 firsts2024 £200
53/ Emerson, Ralph Waldo. Words of Wisdom. Selections from the Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Hills & Co. Ye St. Luke's Press. London. Circa 1910. (60) printed pages. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. Bound in burgundy calf with gilt lettering down the spine; panelled covers with blind stamped bay tree on back and Celtic knot motif below titling on front cover. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. WorldCat locates no copies worldwide. 67 firsts2024 £85
54/ English Bijou Almanac for 1839. Poetically illustrated by L.E.L. Schloss, A. [London]. 1838. [53] printed pages. Portraits of Duke of Wellington, Lady Blessington, Sir Thomas Lawrence, Beethoven & Giuditta Pasta, soprano. Contains dedicated laudatory poems by Letitia Elizabeth Landon, a historical calendar and information on royal and noble families. Engraved entirely with the burin (but not signed) by Benjamin Rees Davies on a single steel plate measuring about 223 x 147 mm; Davies engraved all the vertical parallel strokes throughout a line before turning the plate to complete the horizontal and joining curves of the letters. The type is less than 3-point and probably printed by McQueen. Each steel plate took at least 13 weeks of unremitting labour. All edges gilt. Original salmon endpapers. 13 x 20 mm. Original red morocco with black diamond onlays within elaborate gilt decorative borders. Slightly rubbed. Joffe, 43. Spielmann, 447. Welsh, 2658. OCLC, 15214467. WorldCat locates 6 copies worldwide. 68 firsts2024 £1,000
55/ English Bijou Almanac for 1839. Poetically illustrated by L.E.L. [i.e. Author: Letitia Elizabeth Landon]. Schloss, Albert. [London]. 1838. [53] printed pages. Portraits of Duke of Wellington, Lady Blessington, Sir Thomas Lawrence, Beethoven & Giuditta Pasta, soprano. Contains dedicated laudatory poems by Letitia Elizabeth Landon, a historical calendar and information on royal and noble families. All edges gilt. Original dark green endpapers. With matching leather slipcase (magnifier lacking), with white onlay, gilt date and hand-tooled floral decoration (slightly chipped). Complete with original straight-grained ruby morocco presentation case, lined with cream satin (slightly age-toned). 13 x 20 mm. Original brown straight-grained morocco, with gilt spine titling, green central onlays within elaborate gilt scrolling borders on the covers (back cover onlay slightly chipped). Engraved entirely with the burin (but not signed) by Benjamin Rees Davies on a single steel plate measuring about 223 x 147 mm; Davies engraved all the vertical parallel strokes throughout a line before turning the plate to complete the horizontal and joining curves of the letters. Each steel plate took at least 13 weeks of unremitting labour. The type is less than 3-point and the sheets were probably printed by McQueen. Joffe, 43. Spielmann, 447. Welsh, 2658. OCLC, 34961632. WorldCat locates 13 copies worldwide. 39 firsts2024 SOLD
56/ English Bijou Almanac for 1839. Poetically illustrated by L.E.L. [i.e. Author: Letitia Elizabeth Landon]. Schloss, Albert. [London]. 1838. [53] printed pages. Portraits of Duke of Wellington, Lady Blessington, Sir Thomas Lawrence, Beethoven & Giuditta Pasta, soprano. Contains dedicated laudatory poems by Letitia Elizabeth Landon, a historical calendar and information on royal and noble families. All edges gilt. Original dark green endpapers. With matching leather slipcase and tortoiseshell miniature magnifying glass, with oval blue onlay, gilt date and hand-tooled floral decoration (slightly chipped). Complete with original straight-grained burgundy velvet covered presentation case, lined with cream satin (slightly worn). 13 x 20 mm. Original burgundy morocco, with gilt spine titling, blue oval central onlays within elaborate gilt scrolling borders on the covers. Engraved entirely with the burin (but not signed) by Benjamin Rees Davies on a single steel plate measuring about 223 x 147 mm; Davies engraved all the vertical parallel strokes throughout a line before turning the plate to complete the horizontal and joining curves of the letters. Each steel plate took at least 13 weeks of unremitting labour. The type is less than 3-point and the sheets were probably printed by McQueen. Joffe, 43. Spielmann, 447. Welsh, 2658. OCLC, 34961632. WorldCat locates 13 copies worldwide. 69 firsts2024 £2,300
57/ English Bijou Almanac for 1841.Poetically illustrated by Honourable Mrs. Norton. Schloss, A. [London]. 1840 [62] printed pages. All edges gilt, engraved throughout. Illustrated with 6 plates (Taglioni, Princess Marie of Hesse, Napoleon, the poetess Caroline Norton, Sheridan Knowles, an allegorical figure and a view of Caernarvon Castle). Contains dedicated laudatory poems by the Honourable Mrs. Norton, a historical calendar and information on royal and noble families. With matching leather slipcase, with white onlay, gilt date and hand-tooled floral decoration. Complete with original straight-grained ruby morocco presentation case, lined with cream velvet (slightly age-toned). Engraved by Benjamin Rees Davies on a single steel plate measuring about 223 x 147 mm. The type is less than 3-point and probably printed by McQueen. 13 x 20 mm. Original green morocco with white onlay featuring gilt titling on front and similar but with date in gilt on back. Illustrated are images from Iain Bain's 1969 'Albert Schloss's Bijou Almanacs 1839-1843' illustrating original steel palates that were used to print this copy. Joffe, 43. Spielmann, 447. Welsh, 2658. OCLC, . WorldCat locates copies worldwide. 14 firsts2024 SOLD
58/ English Bijou Almanac for 1842. Poetically illustrated by Honourable Mrs. Norton. Schloss, A. [London]. 1841. [62] printed pages. All edges gilt, engraved throughout. Illustrated with 6 plates (Charles Dickens, Mademoiselle Rachel, The Princess Royal, Ellen Tree, John Murray , and Herr Standigl. Contains dedicated laudatory poems, a historical calendar and information on royal and noble families. Matching slipcase. In original velvet covered, hinged octagonal case with brass latch at the front and gilt paper border on top and complete with miniature tortoise shell reading glass. Velvet worn in places, 5 mm. of gilt strip missing. Remains of old paper label on bottom. All edges gilt. Original light green with gilt starred endpapers. 13 x 20 mm. Original cream card covers with green onlay stamped in gilt with Prince of Wales feathers emblem. Front cover overlay minutely chipped and very slightly worn. Slipcase missing bottom section, slightly worn and faded. Bondy, 43. Bromer/Edison, 94-97. Grolier, 112. Gumuchian, 4050. Joffe, 45. Spielmann, 449. Welsh, 2661. OCLC, 45447132. WorldCat locates 5 copies worldwide. 1054 2200 70 firsts2024 £2,200
59/ Finger Prayer Book. Common Prayer. University Press London : Henry Frowde, Oxford Warehouse, Amen Corner London. 1899. Original silver cross slipcase, loop at top; British silver hallmarks, London,1899 for Harrison Fisher, Trafalgar Works, Trafalgar Street, Sheffield,reg.1362452. Rounded corners. All edges gilt over red. Original blue silk page-marker. 50 x90 mm. Original blue velvet (minuscule tear on bottom front cover; worn and faded). 72 firsts2024 £225
60/ Form Of Solemnization Of Matrimony. Eyre & Spottiswoode. His Majesty's Printers. 33, Paternoster Row. E.C. London, Edinburgh and New York. Circa 1900. 64 pages printed in red and black. Rounded corners. Original white ribbed endpapers (Lacks front free endpaper). All edges gilt over red. Contemporary silver plaquette embossed with stylised Reynolds Angels. Fully hallmarked for London, 1903 by William Comyns and Son. Original tan morocco with gilt titling down the spine (very slight wear). This Church of England miniature book is a far less common text than the Common Prayer or Hymns Ancient and Modern. Welsh, 2859. 146 Firsts2024 £120
61/ France en Miniature, La. Marcilly, aîné rue Saint Jacques, 10. [Paris]. 1825. "Circa 1825. Printed surface 56 x 96mm. Imprimerie de Rignoux. Six volumes in French in original cartonnage slipcase with costume engraving within elaborate gilt borders and corner pieces and beneath blue printed title. V.1: Normandie v. 2: Alsace et Vendée v. 3: Bretagne v. 4: Auvergne et Cévennes v. 5: Gascogne v. 6: Béarn et Languedoc. Each volume with 32 printed pages and with a vignette engraving pasted onto upper covers. 12 finely engraved regional costume plates. A box containing 6 miniature books. Each volume has 31 pp. and 2 lithographs in colours. The box is composed of a finely decorated and gilt lid bearing an engraved coloured vignette in the centre representing a regional costume. This boxed assemblage comprises six thin volumes in embossed cartonnage bindings covered in papier porcelaine, with hand-coloured engraved illustrations. Each covering is in a pastel colour: rose pink Paris, pale blue St. Petersburg, tan Vienna, lime green Rome, violet Berlin, and buff Constantinople. Each volume is bound in cased boards decorated on the front cover with gilt ornaments and a mounted engraved vignette in colours in the centre depicting a woman in traditional costume. Original box. Dimensions of the box: 194 x 139 mm. Dimensions of the volumes: 118 x 77 mm. Superb box containing 6 miniature books dedicated to the several French regions and to their traditional costumes. The 6 volumes describe Normandy, Béarn, Auvergne, Gascony, Brittany and Alsace. Each volume is illustrated with 3 lithographs depicting the traditional costumes of the regions described, one on the front cover of the volume, the other 2 inside the volume. An uncommon example of a precious box complete with its 6 (near) miniature books, in very good condition. 75 x 116 mm. Original harlequin cartonnage. Gumuchian, 2613. OCLC, 1412212345. WorldCat locates 5 copies worldwide. 73 firsts2024 £900
62/ Gems from the Poets. Tyas, Robert. 50 Cheapside : H.T. Warren, 8, Finsbury, London. 1840-1. Complete 6 volume set in original bookcase. Gems from British Poets, Sacred 3rd edition; Gems from British Poets, Falconer to Campbel 2nd edition; Gems from British Poets, Chaucer to Goldsmith 3rd edition; Gems from Shakespeare 5th thousand; Gems from the American Poets 6th edition; Gems from British Poets, Living Authors Chiefly. Engraved frontispieces. Printed by Bradbury & Evans, Whitefriars, London. All edges gilt. Original pale yellow endpapers. Mixed editions. 64 x 102 mm. Original plum publisher's cloth with gilt titling on spines and blind embossed decorative covers. Complete with publisher's morocco fronted bookcase, glazed door and check red, green and cream patterned paper interior with "Gems from the Poets" in gilt on lintel. Leather hinge sympathetically repaired; corners and edges worn. 150 x 117 x 82 mm. Joffe, 184. OCLC, 932881620, 34060088, 932880549, 78247230, 79079551, 932881615. WorldCat locates generally single didgit numbers of individual titles but no copies of complete sets worldwide. 155 firsts2024 £950
63/ Goethe, Johann Wolfgang. Words of Wisdom. Passages Selected from the Prose Writings and Conversations of Goethe. Hills & Co. Ye St. Luke's Press. London. Circa 1910. (61) printed pages. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. 53 x 70 mm. Bound in tan calf with gilt lettering down the spine; panelled covers with blind stamped bay tree on back and Celtic knot motif below titling on front cover. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann. Welsh, 3076. OCLC, 235972392. WorldCat locates 1 copy worldwide (University of Virginia Library). 74 firsts2024 £85
64/ Gracieuse, La . Pairault, P. et Cie. Paris. 1896. 8- point. Aladdin ou la Lampe Merveilleuse (57 pp.); Ali Baba ou les Quarante Voleurs (58pp.); L'Enfant Prodigue. Le Juif Errant (60pp.); Fenelon: Fables et Allegories (61pp.); La Fontaine: Quelques Fables (59pp.); Florian: Quelques Fables (61pp.); Hegesippe Moreau: Le Neveu de la Fruitiere (64pp.); Perrault: Le Petit Chaperon Rouge. Les Fees (60pp.); Chanoine Schmid: Quelques Contes (60pp.); Morel de Vinde: La Morale de l'Enfance (62pp.). The small wooden Louis XV style bookcase/cabinet (13 x 8 x 4.5 cm) with bombe-shaped sides and hinged front door with beveled glass panel, glass shelf, and brass handle, is covered with brocade tapestry and gilt braid, and contains inside ten miniature books dated 1896. The cabinet has "La Gracieuse avec ses dix volumes, Modèle déposé" on the original printed label attached to bottom of bookcase. An example of a miniature book publisher greatly enhancing the presentation of their juvenile books - seeking a more refined and wealthy audience with the addition of this beautiful miniature bookcase. Excellent condition, the set complete with original 10 miniature books. A similar, but incomplete, set was sold for £450 in Michael Garbett's Catalogue 16, item 22, January 1998, 25 years ago (as photographed in his original catalogue). Bondy, 78-80. Bromer & Edison. Miniature books, 142-145. Houghton, 72, 73, 78, 79, 85, 86, 92, 101. Welsh, 78, 79, 2647, 2796, 2846, 4238, 5143, 5145, 5524, 6175. OCLC, 1045068376. WorldCat locates 3 copies worldwide. 4 firsts2024 £2,350
65/ Gray, Thomas. Elegy in a Country Churchyard. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1911. 96 printed pages. Partially unopened and likely the only partially unopened example extant. This is perhaps among the rarest of the Bryce publications. "It's publication was advertised in a handout but it was thought not to exist until found and described in The Miniature Book Collector... One would be very lucky to find a copy of this rare book" (Garbett. NB Garbett describes this as bound in green leather). Original pale yellow endpapers. All edges gilt. ; 13 x 17 mm. Original maroon gilt stamped leather. Bondy, 113. Garbett, 47. Welsh, 3138. OCLC, 949774533. WorldCat locates six copies worldwide. 147 Firsts2024 £1,200
66/ History of the Bible. Shaw, S. Albany. 1828. 256 printed pages (spotting and foxing throughout; page-block thumbed). 15 full-page wood engraved illustrations. Caption on page 122 leaves the 'h' off 'Goliath'. Three sets of contemporary ink ownership initials rather simply written on front endpapers. 32 x 48 mm. Original full brown lattice embossed calf; spine with four lots of triple horizontal gilt rules with gilt titling and tooled ornamentation between (old stain affecting the spine lettering and part of the front and back covers; binding has a severe lean). Adomeit, A63. Welsh, 1098. Adomeit locates just three complete and four defective copies existing. OCLC, 19254848. WorldCat locates 10 copies worldwide (all in the USA). 75 firsts2024 £650
67/ Holiday and Health Resorts Guide. Official Illustrated guide. London, Midland & Scottish Railways. No publisher. [London]. 1924. About 40 pages (leaves have come loose from wrapper). Illustrations. Photographic reproduction. 12 x 20 mm. Original white printed paper wrappers. Dated on the spine. The Royal Collections Trust has the only other copy traced, RCIN 1171564. That copy is in the Library of Queen Mary's Dolls' House. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. WorldCat locates no copies worldwide. 198 firsts2024 £850
68/ Bible, English. Holy Bible containing Old and New testaments, Translated out of the Original Tongues... by His Majesty's Special Command. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1901. 876 printed pages om fine India paper. 28 full-page illustrations reduced from designs by Charles Bell Birch , A.R.A. (1832-93). Contains a facsimile of Burns Family Register in the Poet's handwriting at the start of the New Testament. Printed at the University Press, Glasgow. Original back pocket magnifier in matching brown leather. Red silk page-keeper. Original book-shaped, brass-hinged, mauchline, tartanware, sycamore box in the Clanranald clan tartan (slightly scuffed and with some surface scratches); complete with original "Smallest Bible in the World with Burns Family Register" printed label on inside . All edges yellow. Maroon silk page-keeper. 30 x 46 mm. Original full brown 'antique renaissance style' morocco. Elaborate blind embossed tooling front and back. Gilt titling on spine. A copy in very good condition. Bondy, 110. Garbett. 21. Spielmann, 24. Welsh, 562. 160 firsts2024 £600
69/ Holy Bible containing Old and New testaments, Translated out of the Original Tongues... by His Majesty's Special Command. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1901. 876 printed pages om fine India paper (lacks rear free endpaper). 28 full-page illustrations reduced from designs by Charles Bell Birch , A.R.A. (1832-93). Contains a facsimile of Burns Family Register in the Poet's handwriting at the start of the New Testament. Printed at the University Press, Glasgow. Original back pocket magnifier in matching brown leather. Original book-shaped, brass-hinged, mauchline, tartanware, sycamore box in the Fraser clan tartan (slightly scuffed and with some surface scratches); complete with original "Smallest Bible in the World with Burns Family Register" printed label on inside. All edges yellow. 30 x 46 mm. Original full brown 'antique renaissance style' morocco. Elaborate blind embossed tooling front and back. Gilt titling on spine. Bondy, 110. Garbett. 21. Spielmann, 24. Welsh, 562. 167 firsts2024 £500
70/ Holy Bible containing Old and New testaments: Translated Out Of The Original Tongues. Glasgow: David Bryce And Son. London: Henry Frowde. Oxford University Press Warehouse, Amen Corner. 1901. 2nd Edition. 876 printed pages (inner hinges split but holding firm; text block thumbed). Printed in two columns. With frontispiece & 27 engraved plates from drawings by Charles Bell Birch. The title bears the words "Printed by Authority"; and on verso is a copy of the licence granted to D. Bryce to publish this edition dated 1901, an edition of 100,000 copies (miniscule mark on Licence). Printed upon the very thinnest Oxford India Paper ever made, and with twenty-eight full-page illustrations of biblical scenes by C. B. Birch, A.R.A. Original brown leather magnifier in back pocket. 36 x 45 mm. Original full brown 'antique renaissance style' calf binding (very slightly rubbed with rich patination). Elaborate blind embossed tooling front and back. with 'Coronation Bible 1911' embossed on spine. Similar in size to the Allies Bible. Uncommon George V coronation edition. Bondy, 109. Garbett, 22. Welsh, 563. OCLC, 1008193120. WorldCat locates 4 copies worldwide (Victoria & Albert, Pierpont Morgan, Vassar and Juniata College Libraries) 192 firsts2024 £400
71/ Holy Bible containing Old and New testaments: Translated Out Of The Original Tongues. Glasgow: David Bryce And Son. London: Henry Frowde. Oxford University Press Warehouse, Amen Corner. 1901. 2nd Edition. 876 printed pages. Printed in two columns. With frontispiece & 27 engraved plates from drawings by Charles Bell Birch. The title bears the words "Printed by Authority"; and on verso is a copy of the licence granted to D. Bryce to publish this edition dated 1901, an edition of 100,000 copies (miniscule mark on Licence). Printed upon the very thinnest Oxford India Paper ever made, and with twenty-eight full-page illustrations of biblical scenes by C. B. Birch, A.R.A. All edges pale yellow. Unusual original brass magnifier held onto lacquered tin holder that neatly fits onto the text block. 36 x 45 mm. Original green cloth with black curlicue decoration. Black lettering "Souvenir of the Glasgow Exhibition. Illustrated miniature bible" on front cover (rubbed down the hinges and at corners). Extremely uncommon as such. "Rare"- Garbett. Bondy, 109. Garbett, 25. 194 firsts2024 £700
72/ Holy Bible containing Old and New testaments: Translated Out Of The Original Tongues. Glasgow: David Bryce And Son. London: Henry Frowde. Oxford University Press Warehouse, Amen Corner. 1901. 2nd Edition. 876 printed pages. Printed in two columns. With frontispiece & 27 engraved plates from drawings by Charles Bell Birch. The title bears the words "Printed by Authority"; and on verso is a copy of the licence granted to D. Bryce to publish this edition dated 1901, an edition of 100,000 copies. Printed upon the very thinnest Oxford India Paper ever made, and with twenty-eight full-page illustrations of biblical scenes by C. B. Birch, A.R.A. Complete with uncommon original box. Printed label, 'Smallest Bible in the World. Complete and Illustrated' (slightly chipped; box corners split; residue of tape around edges). All edges yellow. Original black glossy endpapers. 30 x 46 mm. Original red roan with gilt 'Holy Bible' in circle on spine. Original gold-lacquered Jahncke's Patent tin with Prince of Wales feathers and Thistles (exterior gilt layer rubbed away in spots), upper cover with removable inlaid red cloth surrounding a central magnifying glass loop (very slight wear).David Bryce & Sons of Glasgow was active around the turn of the 19th century; & took an active interest in the latest technological advances in photolithography and electroplates to allow larger volumes to be reduced to the smallest imaginable size. The result is that their miniature publications are prized for the clarity and legibility of their texts. With the aid of Glasgow University Press, the firm issued the earliest complete miniature Bible in 1896, at the time the smallest complete bible ever printed; it comprised 876 pages printed on the finest India paper, measuring just over 1 inch square and was a reduced facsimile of the Oxford sextodecimo edition. David Bryce produced these tiny Bibles and many were presented to serving soldiers throughout the British Empire, easily carried on campaigns, including The Boer War which was being waged at that time with many later carried by soldiers in the First World War. They also published a 1901 reprint and also issued it in a specific binding as a souvenir of the Glasgow International Exhibition at Kelvingrove. All copies were sold with a small magnifying glass. Bondy, 108. Spielmann, 24. Welsh, 562. A scarce little marvel of bookmaking. WorldCat lists seven UK institutional library holders. 162 firsts2024 £400
73/ Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments. Oxford University Press. American Branch. New York. 1919. Bible and Lectern in original Sampson Low box. [2], 876 printed pages on finest India paper. 28 full-page line illustrations of testament scenes reduced from designs by Charles Bell Birch, A.R.A. (1832-93) with permission of Messrs S. Bagster & Son. 'Printed in England' on verso of title-page. But on colophon, 'Glasgow : printed at the University Press'. It contains notes on the Shakespeare family records and facsimiles of the entries in the parish register, Stratford Upon Avon, included between Old & New Testaments. 'Licence' to Nimmo Hay and Mitchell, 18 Clyde Street, Edinburgh on verso title-page indicates 1919 as publication date; ; also gives permission to print 20,000 copies. Signed J.A. Clyde. All edges red (very slightly marked). 36 x 50 mm. Original brown calf in the antique style, blind-stamped in imitation of 16th century binding (a few mild scuffs). Holy Bible in gilt on spine. Magnifying glass in front cover pocket. Chained with original metal links to wooden Lectern, 8.5 x 15.4 cm. Paper printed label on shelf above pedestal, describes it as a facsimile of those chained bibles found in some English Cathedrals ("Miniature Chained Bible and Lectern: Bibles were so rare in olden times, it was necessary to chain them to Lecterns and other places. The chain is a facsimile of what may be seen in Hereford and other Cathedrals and Parish Churches all over the country. The Bible can easily be read with a magnifying glass which is supplied"). This particular example is in unusually good condition, more often found rubbed or defective. Presented here as it was originally sold, in a red cardboard box with a printed label - this original packaging rarely survives but fortunately is present here (edge worn; lid slightly faded and one edge of lid partly torn away). Bondy, 109. Bromer/Edison, 77. Spielmann, 25. Welsh, 566. OCLC, 1013974681. WorldCat locates 1 copy worldwide (Iowa University library). Seller Inventory 166 firsts2024 £600
74/ Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments; translated out of the original tongues... compared and revised. David Bryce & son Glasgow. Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press Warehouse, Amen Corner, London. 1901.Bible and lectern in original box. [2], 876 printed pages on finest India paper (final leaf marginally torn at bottom with loss of 'The End' and 'Glasgow : printed at the University Press'). 28 full-page line illustrations of testament scenes reduced from designs by Charles Bell Birch, A.R.A. (1832-93) with permission of Messrs S. Bagster & Son. Original chain attaching it to the lectern. Complete with original miniature magnifying glass in the back pocket. Lectern Height 13.63cm Width 8.12cm. Paper printed label on bottom in very good condition ('Chaining of single books in churches. The chaining of single books in churches doubtless originated in the Injunctions given by Edward vi to "the Clergie and the Laetie" in 1547 and printed by Grafton, in which they are ordered "to provide within three moneths next after visitacion one boke of the whole Bible of the largest volume in English, and within one twelve moneth after the saied visitacion, the Paraphrasis of Erasmus the same to be sette uppe in some convenient place within the churche." This Injunction was repeated by Queen Elizabeth in 1599, and, although nothing was mentioned about chains, it seems very probable that the Churchwardens would, for their own sake, adopt that plan of protecting their property. -Blades "Books in Chains".' Complete with original box (rubbed at edges, and slightly misshaped through mild historic damp that has also slightly discoloured and spotted the printed label). 30 x 46 mm. Original brown calf in the antique style, blind-stamped in imitation of 16th century binding (a few mild scuffs). 'Holy Bible' and 'D. Bryce & Son' in gilt on spine. This particular example is in good condition; more often they can be found rubbed or defective. Presented here as it was originally sold, in a red cardboard box with a printed label - this original packaging rarely survives but fortunately is present here. The Bryce version predated the Nimmo Hay and Mitchell edition by 18 years and the boxed Bryce version is now the less common survivor. Bondy, 109. Spielmann, 25. Welsh, 562. OCLC, 1112838621. WorldCat locates 4 copies worldwide. 172 firsts2024 £700
75/ Horatius Flaccus, Quintus. Opera. Mesnier, A. Paris. 1828. [4, blank], viii, 229 [7, blank] printed pages in Latin. Number 3 of 100, limited, numbered copies on Japan paper. Printer: Didot natu minor via dicta des Macons-Sorbonne, no. 13. Ornamental line on 38 different pages containing the words "Henri Didot" in both Roman and Italic letters, set in the smallest fount ever made. Microscopic, miraculously small, and exceptionally clear and beautiful 2 1/2- point typeface cut by Henri Didot (too small to be cut individually, Didot invented polyamatype, a process casting several types in a single cast). It is far more attractive a type face and far easier to read than Farina's "fly's eye" type, used for the feted "Galileo" and "Dantino". This is the third numbered copy on special paper of the second publication using this typeface after the Maximes de la Rochefoucauld, brought out by this publisher and by A.Sautelet and by Treutel & Wruts. It is extremely rare for the numbered copies to become available in commerce, particularly with such a low number as three, and I cannot trace the last time any of the 100 copies were available to buy. Some slight browning that is extremely mild. Front and rear inner leather hand tooled elaborate floral and pointille design within 6 fillet gilt ruled borders. Front and back free endpapers lined with gold leaf. All edges gilt. Contemporary ink inscription in fine hand, "Marco Ruperto Gilchrist,Scoto; Valerianus Pietkiewicz, holonus, exult, grati atque amici animi monumentum MDCCCXXXIV". Provenance: V. Pietkiewicz was on the POLISH NATIONAL COMMITTEE held at, Paris, via Taranne, 12. On 6 October 1832 ". 46 x 74mm. Contemporary tan calf, vertically scrolling stapwork motif in gilt with gilt lettering, "Horace". Covers with double fillet gilt ruled borders and floral cornerpieces. Upper hinge slightly cracked but firm. Corners bumped. Three miniscule old ink spots on lower cover. Horace wrote four different types of poems to correspond with the four ages: Odes for boys, Ars Poetica for young men, Satires for mature men, and Epistles for old men. Bondy, 91. Spielmann, 201. Nauroy, 58. Newsletter of the LXIVmos, XVI:2, XI:2-3. Welsh, 3568. OCLC numbe, 724223097r. WorldCat locates 1 copies worldwide (Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Leipzig). 20 firsts2024 £2,250
76/ Hymns, Ancient & Modern for use in the Services of the Church. Complete edition. Clowes & Sons Limited, William. Stamford St. and Great Windmill St. Publishing Office 23, Cockspur St. London. [1900]. vi, 861 printed pages. Frontispiece. Fine India paper. Diamond 4 1/2 point. Rounded corners. Original black endpapers (lacking front free endpaper). All edges gilt. Contemporary ownership inscription on slightly frayed preliminary blank page, dated 1920. Contemporary silver plaquette of stylised art nouveau flowers and an un-engraved central shield. Fully hallmarked for C.W.& S. Ltd., London, 1906/7. Original ruby morocco with gilt titling on spine (very slightly rubbed at edges). Spielmann, 208. Welsh, 3637. 51 firsts2024 £150
77/ Hymns, Ancient & Modern for use in the Services of the Church. Complete edition. Clowes & Sons Limited, William. Stamford St. and Great Windmill St. Publishing Office 23, Cockspur St. London. [1900]. vi, 861 printed pages (some gatherings very slightly sprung. Page 383 slightly torn and loose. Some corners creased. No frontispiece). Fine India paper. Diamond 4 1/2 point. Rounded corners. Original black endpapers. All edges gilt. Contemporary silver plaquette of stylised initials 'IHS' (for Iesus Hominum Salvator', meaning Jesus Saviour of Men). Fully hallmarked for C.W.& S. Ltd., London, 1908/9. Original black morocco with gilt titling on spine (rubbed at edges). Spielmann, 208. Welsh, 3637. 76 firsts2024 £150
78/ Hymns, Ancient & Modern for use in the Services of the Church. Complete edition. Clowes & Sons Limited, William. Stamford St. and Great Windmill St. Publishing Office 23, Cockspur St. London. [1900]. vi, 861 printed pages (some gatherings very slightly sprung. Page 383 slightly torn and loose. Some corners creased. No frontispiece). Fine India paper. Diamond 4 1/2 point. Rounded corners. Contemporary silver plaquette J & R G, Chester, 1906/7 hallmark for silversmiths Joseph & Richard Griffin. ART NOUVEAU FOLIATE DESIGNS, with 'IHS' in the centre ( for Iesus Hominum Salvator', meaning Jesus Saviour of Men). Original black endpapers . All edges gilt. 48 x 56 mm. Original black morocco, with gilt titling on spine (very slightly rubbed). Spielmann, 208. Welsh, 3637. 77 firsts2024 £180
79/ Hymns, Ancient & Modern for use in the Services of the Church. Complete edition. Clowes & Sons Limited, William. Stamford St. and Great Windmill St. Publishing Office 23, Cockspur St. London. [1900]. vi, 861 printed pages (No frontispiece). Fine India paper. Diamond 4 1/2 point. Rounded corners. Original black endpapers . All edges gilt. Contemporary silver plaquette of stylised Rubens Angels, fully hallmarked for Levi & Salaman, 1904/5, Birmingham. Silversmiths Phineas Harris Levi & Joseph Wolfe Salaman were taken over by Barker Brothers circa 1921. 48 x 56 mm. Original ruby morocco, with gilt titling on spine. Spielmann, 208. Welsh, 3637. 78 firsts2024 £100
80/ Hymns, Ancient & Modern for use in the Services of the Church. Complete edition. Clowes & Sons Limited, William. Stamford St. and Great Windmill St. Publishing Office 23, Cockspur St. London. [1900]. vi, 861 printed pages. Frontispiece. Fine India paper. Diamond 4 1/2 point. Rounded corners. Original black endpapers. All edges gilt. Contemporary silver plaquette of stylised Rubens Angels. Fully hallmarked for Henry Matthews, Birmingham, 1903/4. Original black morocco with gilt titling on spine (very slightly rubbed on spine and along edges). Spielmann, 208. Welsh, 3637. 148 firsts2024 £90
81/ Hymns, Ancient & Modern for use in the Services of the Church. Complete edition. Clowes, William [London]. Circa 1900. 861 printed pages. Fine India paper.
Rounded corners. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. Contemporary ink inscription on verso of front free endpaper, dated December 1905. Provenance: Edward Crozier Creasy (1888–1936) a Major in WW1, Commander and Senior Liaison Officer of the Inter Allied Detachment during the Upper Silesia Plebiscite. Creasy was given this book months before he began his military career in the Royal Garrison Artillery. 45 x 60 mm. Contemporary black calf, elaborately hand-tooled in gilt with flower and leaf decorations and scrolling inner gilt dentelles. Spielmann, 207. Welsh, 3637. 191 firsts2024 £165
82/ Imitation of Christ, with Preface by W.J.Knox-Little. Eyre & Spottiswoode [London]. 1906. lxx,570 printed pages. 12 plates. Contemporary silver plaquette on front cover, fully hallmarked for London, William Comyns & Sons, 1905. Engine turned ground with bold cross to the fore and 12 fleurs-de-lys to the sides. Rounded corners. All edges gilt over red. Original marbled paper endpapers. Contemporary ink inscription on front free endpaper, dated 1917. 49 x 57 mm. Original black straight-grained morocco; spine with stamped gilt lettering within elaborate pointille art nouveau design of 'IHS' and three crosses. Unusually good condition. Welsh, 3716. OCLC, 42306690. WorldCat locates 4 copies worldwide. 183 firsts2024 £300
83/ Infant's Library. Marshall, John. No. 4 Aldermary Churchyard in Watling Street. London. 1800. Circa 1800. 16 volumes. Complete with original sycamore bookcase box divided into four compartments with original faded red paper lining. The front design depicts a glazed bookcase containing books above a scene of two children, a girl and a female adult with a book and a boy with a globe - a copy of the Infant's Library itself is on the left foreground. Original label on the back of the box, ""Sold by John Harris, successor to E.Newberry, at the corner of St. Paul's Churchyard..."" overlaying Marshall's own original printed label. With ink ownership inscription ""SM."" dated 1806.; later inscription dated September 26th 1861 ""E.A. Curteis from her Papa"" and initials ""E.A.C. 1861"" This may be the Curteis family from Tenterden in Kent. Also original invoice for this set from R.A. Brimmell ABA, of Hastings to his customer Mrs Michel in the 1960s for £400. Provenance: verso of box lid and front pastedown endpapers all have printed labels for General Catalogue of Sydney Roscoe with hand written volume numbers in each book. Roscoe wrote the first Bewick bibliography in 1953 and published an extensive article "John Marshall and the Infant's Library" in The Book Collector, Summer, 1955; the copy he describes is slightly different to this copy that he may have acquired as an upgrade. VOLUMES: All in (32)printed pages, except where stated,1. (Alphabets). 64pp. Pink boards, green labels. 2. (Syllabary - combinations of letters & simple words). Text starts on A2, p.3. 64pp.Marbled boards, yellow labels. 3. (Scenes of Everyday Life). 13 simple engraved views with descriptions. 2pp. ads for Picture Magazine & the 16th no. of the Childrens's Magazine at end. Yellow boards, pink labels. 4. (Everyday Objects). 13 woodcuts with descriptions. 2pp. ads for Picture Magazine and the 14th no. of the Children's Magazine; 1p. ad. at end for 'A Dissected Map of England Upon a New Plan', price 7s. 6d, Green boards, pink labels. 5. (Animals). 13 woodcuts with descriptions. 2pp. ads for Picture Magazine and the 16th no. of the Children's Magazine; 1p. at end for the Dissected map. Light green boards, pink labels, lower half of spine defective. 6. (Scenes of Everyday Life). 12 views. Ads. as (5), but advertising the 15th no. Yellow boards, pink labels. 7. (Flowers). 12 woodcuts. Ads. as (5). Light green boards, pink labels. 8. (Birds). 12 woodcuts. 2pp. ads at front, both for the 26th no. of the Children's Magazine, 1page at end for the Dissected Map. Glazed orange boards, white labels. 9. (Boys' Games). 12 woodcuts. Ads. as (5). Light green boards, pink labels. 10. (Objects - Household Items). 14 woodcuts. Ads. as (9). Pink boards, light blue labels.11. (Scenes of Everyday Life - Architecture). 13 views. Ads. as (9) but for the 26th no. Cream boards, yellow labels. 12. (Scenes of Everyday Life). 13 views. Ads. as 11. Light Light green boards, pink label. 13. (Girls' Games). 12 woodcuts. Ads. as 11. Light green boards, cream label.14. (Scenes of Everyday Life - Rural). 13 views. Ads as 11. Pink boards, cream labels.15. (Scenes of Everyday Life - Rural II). 13 views. Ads as 11. Black glazed boards, yellow labels. 16. A Short History of England for the Infant's Library. Woodcuts of sovereigns in text. (64)pp. Lilac boards, yellow labels. An exceptional collection. in original bookcase box, in exceptional condition1800-1801. Five volumes with neatly executed contemporary sewed repairs to the spines. 47 x 60 mm. Original harlequin paper covered boards with oval hand coloured labels on the front and back covers, many with ornately cut edges. Lower half of spine defective on volume five. Welsh (History, page 74) attributed the influence of Jean Jacques Rousseau and the didactic school of philosophy in this publication - aimed to train childrens' intellect and morals. Bondy, 59-60. Spielmann, 209-224. OCLC, 8837332. WorldCat locates 15 sets worldwide. 1 firsts2024. £11,000
84/ Jesus of Nazareth. Words of Wisdom. Counsels of Jesus of Nazareth. Hills & Co. Ye St. Luke's Press. London. Circa 1910. (60) printed pages. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. 53 x 70 mm. Bound in light blue calf with gilt lettering down the spine; panelled covers with blind stamped bay tree on back and Celtic knot motif below titling on front cover. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. WorldCat locates no copies worldwide. 142 firsts2024 £85
85/ Jesus son of Sirach. Words of Wisdom. Selections from the Wisdom of Jesus, Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus. Hills & Co. Ye St. Luke's Press. London. Circa 1909. (64) printed pages. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. 53 x 70 mm. Bound in light blue calf with gilt lettering down the spine; panelled covers with blind stamped bay tree on back and Celtic knot motif below titling on front cover. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. OCLC, 1335178151. WorldCat locates 1 copy worldwide (Lloyd Library & Museum). 145 firsts2024 £85
86/ Johnson, Helen Kendrick [editor]. Nutshell Series. Putnams, G.P. Sons. New York. 1884-5. Six miniature books presented in one giant walnut shell-shaped 'bookcase', that was almost certainly a specially commissioned retail display unit, since the books were sold individually or in sets (but not with an oversize carved walnut shell' bookcase'). The compartment in the nut case may have been sympathetically refurbished. Each volume has an index. "These little books contain only prose, and make no selections from the Bible, or from Shakspere [sic]...but rather a gathering of the best thoughts of the writers from whom selections have been made"-P.iii ([v.4] Philosophy). 1/Wit and Humor. 2/Wisdom. 3/Epigram and Epitaph. 4/Philosophy. 5/Proverbs. In original Walnut shaped, painted wooden case on stand. WorldCat locates only two copies and these do not have the carved walnut shell 'bookcase' (Yale and Indiana University Libraries)." 10 x 6cm. Original black leather, gilt titling on spines; gilt titling and nutshells on front covers. Spines refurbished sympathetically. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. OCLC, 82498067. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide but in boxes (not nutshell-like bookcases). 21 firsts2024 SOLD
87/ Jones Diamond Poets and Classics Travelling Library. Jones and Company. Wm. S. Orr & Co. London. 1825 1825-1851. 46 volumes. 10 volumes have title pages for Jones & Co. 36 have Wm.S. Orr imprints on title pages; 16 volumes undated, 17 volumes dated 1848, 13 volumes dated beteen 1825 and 1851. An early reprint of the Jones Diamond Classics and Poets series by Orr, Jones having stopped publishing in 1841. Original bookcase with some cracks to the rear wood panel, and some slight wear to the edges commensurate with a piece of furniture 172 years old. Original creamy yellow endpapers. All edges gilt. Label on the back dating to 1915. 62 x 92 mm. Uniformly bound in cobalt blue grained cloth; spines in compartments with gilt floral embossed decoration with titles and "Diamond Classics" lettered in gilt; spines panelled, mitred and cornered in blind, Borghese Vase in blind on back covers and in gilt on front covers (a monumental bell-shaped urn sculpted in Athens from Pentelic marble in the second half of the 1st century B.C. as a garden ornament for the Roman market, now in the Louvre Museum). Collection of miniature volumes of poetry, essays, novels, stories, etc., all but 4 volumes housed in original oak case with sliding glass door. Jones published a Diamond Poets series and a Diamond Classics series. This and most known sets combine the two series and are commonly called "Jones Diamond Classics." Bondy, 84 -6, "a most impressive and splendid English travelling library". Bromer & Edison, 179.OCLC, 1053087157. WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (University Library of North Texas). 3 firsts2024 £3,500
88/ Kleinste Kochbuch der Welt, Das. Vienna. Circa 1905. Published by Ohne Ort (Wien), Ohne Verlag, O. J. 136 printed pages in German (text block slightly loose at back of binding). All edges red. 22 x 24mm. Original silver plate hinged metal binding with art-nouveau style flowers on upper cover and title "Wiener Kochbuch". Loop on top, clasp on side. Contains over 100 tried and tested recipes from Soups, meat and flour dishes, fish, vegetables, sauces, salads. First and only edition of one of the few "miniature cookbooks" (Weiss). Weiss, 4184. Löchner/Oberle, 708. Schraemli, Vom Werden eines Sammlungs, p. 10 (with illustration) Schraemli (Sotheby's), 354. Bondy, 139, "it is extremely rare and a copy fetched £110 at a London auction sale in 1972 [nearly £2,000 in today's equivalent]". OCLC locates only five copies worldwide, three in Germany and two in American collections of miniature books (Morgan Library, University of Virginia). Bondy139. OCLC, . OCLC, 1057898130. WorldCat locates only five copies worldwide, three in Germany and two in American collections of miniature books (Morgan Library, University of Virginia). Seller Inventory 79 firsts2024 £1,000
89/ Koran or Qur’an. David Bryce & Son. 1896. Circa 800 printed pages. Fine India paper, supplied by Henry Frowde. Lithographed text and marginal decoration, printed in Arabic within ruled borders (minuscule marginal tear in gutter of title page) . Original marbled endpapers. 1906 date suggested by D.V. Welsh. But Myrvold and Parmenter state that the Korans were first published in 1896, with reprints in 1899 and 1907. 19 x 26 mm. Original red and elaborately stamped gilt morocco, with lotus motifs and scrolling curlicue decoration. Original pressed brass locket shaped and embossed to resemble a miniature book (straight-grained with ruled corner-pieces and a spine with raised bands and star motif decorations) with a loop at the top, magnifier on the front and Registration number at the bottom (528948). Bryce's miniature Qur'ans are photolithographic reductions of 19th-century Ottoman editions of famous calligrapher Hafiz Osman's Qur'ans: they were based on the 1871 edition, complete with the signatures and seal impressions of the ten Islamic scholars at back and an 1884 edition from Istanbul that provided the Imperial press colophon reproduced here in full. The Sultan and scholar-backed certificate was a legal assertion of the accuracy of the text. Usually offered by the publisher in oblong tin, brass or silver lockets with hinged door and inset magnifier. Occasionally issued as one of a twelve-volume set in a metal shelved glass case with the heading "Midget Library," accompanied by separate miniature magnifying glass; case then fits into an angled wooden stand. Many copies with lockets were supplied to Indian and other Muslim soldiers fighting for the British in the Second Boer War and later World War I, where they were worn as pendants and objects of fascination that carried talismanic properties, as well as serving as functional Qur'ans for reading with the help of the magnifying glass . The Indian Soldiers' Fund (in 1914, the British Indian Army was as much as one third of the entire British fighting force, and over half - more than 150,000 - were Muslims) were instrumental in obtaining and distributing miniature Qur’ans at hospitals (but not packed in boxes with signs for the Red Cross) and the front lines. At least 3,000 copies of this Koran were also bought and distributed by Jewish benefactor, Alfred Ezra, who wrote to Bryce "On receiving one. the man will stand up, put the book over his head and touch each eye with it, and then kiss the book with reverence. They nearly all wear them round their necks, and say that this protects them from all harm". This book shaped brass container is highly unusual and very scarce. An "almost legendary title published by Bryce … The bindings vary from richly gilt-stamped red or black morocco with gilt edges to plain stiff wrappers and yellow edges . . .[and] increasingly difficult to find copies" (Bondy, Miniature Books [1981] 111–2). In The Seven Pillars of Wisdom (Book 4, Chapter 53) T. E. Lawrence wrote: "[Auda] told me later, in strict confidence, that thirteen years before he had bought an amulet Koran for one hundred and twenty pounds and had not since been wounded. . . . The book was a Glasgow reproduction, costing eighteen pence; but Auda’s deadliness did not let people laugh at his superstition." A similar edition is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. Bondy, 111-2. Garbett, 29. Pistner, B233:6. Spielmann, 28. Welsh, 4174. OCLC, 1053056481. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (Washington and North Texas University Libraries). 7 firsts2024 £2,000
90/ Koran or Qur'an. David Bryce & Son. 1896. Circa 800 printed pages. Fine India paper, supplied by Henry Frowde. Lithographed text and marginal decoration, printed in Arabic within ruled borders (minuscule marginal closed tear to one corner of title page) . Original marbled endpapers.1906 date suggested by D.V. Welsh. But Myrvold and Parmenter state that the Korans were first published in 1896, with reprints in 1899 and 1907.19 x 26 mm. Original red and elaborately stamped gilt morocco with lotus motifs, and scrolling curlicue decoration. Original pressed gilded metal locket with a loop at the top, and a magnifier on the front (tin very slightly rubbed and tarnished). Bondy, 111-2. Garbett, 29. Pistner, B233:6. Spielmann, 28. Welsh, 4174. 151 firsts2024 £1,800
91/ Koran, Qur'an. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. Circa 1907. Circa 800 printed pages in Arabic (a couple of leaves minutely frayed at the edges). Fine India paper, supplied by Henry Frowde. Lithographed text and marginal decoration, printed in Arabic within ruled borders (minuscule marginal tear in gutter of title page) . Lacks endpapers. Marked 'Koran' in ink on text block. Near contemporary ink inscription on final blank page "Koran in Arabic, E.L.A.R. 1920".1906 date suggested by D.V. Welsh. But Myrvold and Parmenter state that the Korans were first published in 1896, with reprints in 1899 and 1907. 19 x 26 mm. Original plain blue stiff wrappers (the outer wrappersare rubbed and have historic marks from the tarnishing of the inside of the locket). Original pressed silvered metal locket with a loop at the top, and a magnifier on the front. The plain stiff wrappers are less commonly found binding than the red leather examples -they were deemed more disposable and less of a treasured item over the last hundred years. Bondy, 111-2. Garbett, 29. Pistner, B233:6. Spielmann, 28. Welsh, 4174. OCLC, 1053056481. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (Washington and North Texas University Libraries). 81 firsts2024 £1,250
92/ Koran, Qur'an. Steinbrener, Hans. Vimperk (or Winterberg), Czech Republic. Circa 1900. About 800 printed pages in Arabic. Fine India paper. Lithographed text and marginal decoration, printed in Arabic within ruled borders. Original patterned endpapers; flower and leaf pattern in gilt on black ground. An early Steinbrener edition, following on from the success of Bryce's 1896 edition that was reprinted in 1899 and 1907. Hans Steinbrener was established in 1855, and held a Royal warrant to publish almanacs and religious texts in different European languages. Taking advantage of the new technique of photo-reduction Steinbrenner printed these qu'rans from the late 1890s-1960s in Vimperk, or Winterberg, Czech Republic. The text, endpapers and bindings differ from the equivalent Bryce Koran. They became widely distributed across America and Europe but the early examples are far less common. 22 x 34 mm. Original red and elaborately stamped gilt morocco with lotus motifs, and scrolling curlicue decoration. Larger than the Bryce Koran (20 x 28 mm.) Original engine turned, un-hallmarked silver metal locket incorporating magnifying glass on the front and loop at the top (in base metal); tarnished inside. 82 firsts2024 £800
93/ Koran, Qur'an. Steinbrener, Hans. Vimperk, or Winterberg, Czech Republic. Circa 1930. About 800 printed pages in Arabic. Fine India paper. Lithographed text and marginal decoration, printed in Arabic within ruled borders. Original patterned endpapers; white flower pattern on a yellow ground (slightly damp marked). Text block has some dark mould spotting. 24 x 34 mm. Original red leatherette decorated with gilt curlicue design. Complete with original protective transparent paper covering. Historic damp has rendered large parts of the semi-transparent paper covering attached to the binding underneath. It is quite unusual to see a copy in such original and unread state, but there are a few condition considerations. Original book-shaped, embossed aluminium metal locket incorporating magnifying glass at the front, circular 'window' at the back and loop (unusually) on the side. With removable locking piece that is manufactured to resemble the edges of a book - this is not of a type typically found. 80 firsts2024 £400
94/ Levitan, Kalman. Miniature Books relating to Postage Stamps. Two volumes. 1983. Together with, Soliloquy of a Postage Stamp by Ernest W. Brady. Keepsake for Friends. 6 printed pages. Interleaved with 10 postage stamps on glassine leaves. Black Cat Press. Skokie. Illinois. Dos-a-dos-a-dos binding. Red card slipcase with printed stamp design label "Miniature Books relating to Postage Stamps". 3 volumes in total. From, Kalman Levitan's own collection with his ex libris in his own hand,'1717'. Six sets of green marbled endpapers. 54 x 64 mm. Original red leather with identical printed label on front cover (not the gilt red cloth by Bela Blau). The original Levitan cloth binding was in an edition of 250 - no numbers attributed to the edition by Brady. This example is possibly unique."This miniature edition has been printed in a limited edition for the author and private distribution... Composed in Linotype Melior and printed on Coronado Text paper by the Schori Press, Inc... Hand bound by Bela Blau... Design, typography and production by Norman W. Forgue"--Colophon. Volume one features tipped-in frontispiece, "First experimental mini-stamp issued by the United States Postal Service, January 11, 1978." Volume two features Soliloquy of a postage stamp / by Ernest W. Brady, on yellow paper, inserted between pages 88 and 89. First issued as a "Keepsake for Friends, Black Cat Press ... 1978." Bradbury, 1821 (Levitan) and 492 (Brady). OCLC, 45831817. WorldCat locates 16 copies worldwide. 83 firsts2024 £750
95/ Little Budget of wit and humour : a collection of bon mots, repartees, &c. Oliver & Boyd. Edinburgh. Circa 1840. 142 printed pages, engraved title-page and frontispiece included in pagination (ink stains to many margins; two leaves torn to the bottom corners, affecting just a few letters; lacks front free endpaper). 42 x 74 mm. Contemporary full calf. Double gilt fillet borders. Spine with hand tooling within five compartments- decorated with lettering, sunbursts, circles and three gilt zigzag lines at the bottom (corners worn; some light cracking and wear). Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann nor Welsh. OCLC, 703880033. WorldCat locates 4 copies worldwide. 168 firsts2024 £200
96/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1722. Company of Stationers [London]. 1721. Red duty stamp, table of King's & Queen's reigns, Lord Mayors & Sheriffs, interest tables. Allegorical and symbolic engravings (London views were not incorporated until about 1736). Published in the same year as the first edition of Daniel Defoe's Journal of a Plague Year. An exceptionally early and very rare London Almanac. A similar edition is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. Title page with tear at top corner leaving small loss. Some leaves slightly worn due to the clasp. Age-toning throughout. Original marbled endpapers. Near contemporary ownership inscriptions dated 1757 and 1807. Provenance: Isaac Pendlebury. 30 x 58 mm. Contemporary black morocco, with brass clasp and gilt panelled, mitred and cornered covers. Wonderful patina. Slightly rubbed with areas of wear at the corners. Not in Spielmann, nor Welsh. WorldCat locates no copies worldwide. 84 firsts2024 £1,025
97/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1780 Company of Stationers [London]. 1779. Red duty stamp, table of King's & Queen's reigns, Lord Mayors & Sheriffs, holidays, gold & silver coins. Engraving of Somerset House in the Strand. A similar edition is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. 35 x 59mm. Original maroon leather, venetian mosaic binding and matching vertical slipcase. Slipcase slightly rubbed with minuscule areas of wear and some miniscule ink spots. Spielmann, 311A. Welsh, 4570. OCLC, 221358868. WorldCat locates 3 copies worldwide. 85 firsts2024 £1,150
98/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1782 Company of Stationers [London]. 1781. Red duty stamp, table of King's & Queen's reigns, Lord Mayors & Sheriffs, holidays, gold & silver coins. Engraving of Pantheon. A similar edition is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. Original marbled endpapers. 35 x 61mm Original maroon venetian mosaic binding and slipcase. Slipcase features a female portrait in oval onlays in the centre of the covers; slightly rubbed with minuscule areas of wear. Spielmann, 311A. Welsh, 4572. OCLC, not available. WorldCat locates zero copies worldwide. 86 firsts2024 £1,100
99/ Red duty stamp, table of King's & Queen's reigns, Lord Mayors & Sheriffs, holidays, gold & silver coins Small format. 30 x 30 mm. Original venetian maroon mosaic style binding. 5 mm. split top of spine and 1cm. section missing, covers worn. Variant size and format from Welsh, 4586 and from OCLC, 39209028. WorldCat locates no copies worldwide of this variant. 87 firsts2024 £450
100/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1795. Company of Stationers [London]. 1794. Red duty stamp. Engraving of Drury Lane. London views became regularly incorporated into these annual almanacs from about 1736. A similar edition is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. This example was and is without endpapers and without the Kings' and Queens', Sheriffs' and coinage information - just the engravings and the monthly calendars. 34 x 57mm. Original maroon leather, venetian mosaic binding and slipcase. Slipcase with oval onlays stylised stars of the garter motifs; slightly rubbed with minuscule areas of wear. Not in Spielmann. Welsh, 4589. OCLC, 643635540 WorldCat locates 6 copies worldwide. 88 firsts2024 £995
101/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1796 Company of Stationers [London]. 1795. Red duty stamp. Original marbled endpapers. The calendar shows changes of the moon, days of the month, Saints days, time of high water at London Bridge; includes "A table of Kings & Queens reigns", list of "Lord mayors and sheriffs from the year 1775 to the year 1796", "List of holidays kept at the Exchequer, Bank, Stamp and Excise Offices ... in 1796" & "Of the current coins". Panoramic "View of the ... Hall at Carlton House." A similar edition is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. 1.5 x 2.3" Original maroon leather venetian mosaic binding and slipcase with oval onlay scene of river fishing on one side and a portrait of a high society lady wearing an ostrich plume hat on the other (mildly rubbed). Spielmann, 318. OCLC, 17636962. WorldCat locates 6 copies worldwide. 89 firsts2024 £995
102/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1808. Company of Stationers [London]. 1807. 24 unnumbered leaves (inner hinge split but holding firmly). Red duty stamp, table of King's & Queen's reigns, Lord Mayors & Sheriffs, holidays, gold & silver coins. House of Lords folding frontispiece. A similar edition is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. 1.5 x 2.3" Original cream gilt and red leather oval inlay binding and matching slipcase (bumped corners and age-toned).. Bondy, 164. Not in Spielmann. Welsh, 4607. OCLC, 913420671. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (at the Victoria and Albert Museum and British Library) . 90 firsts2024 £695
103/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1813. Company of Stationers [London]. 1812. 24 unnumbered leaves. Folding frontispiece view of Drury Lane Theatre. Red duty stamp, and crimson endpapers; table of King's & Queen's reigns, Lord Mayors & Sheriffs, holidays, gold & silver coins. A similar edition is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. 1.5 x 2.3". Original maroon leather venetian mosaic binding with stylised chevron motifs and matching slipcase. Some small loss to spine . Slipcase slightly rubbed with minuscule areas of wear. Bondy, 164. Not in Spielmann. Welsh, 4615. OCLC, 225464278. WorldCat locates 3 copies worldwide (Toronto and Michigan State University Libraries) . 91 firsts2024 £900
104/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1816. Company of Stationers [London]. 1815. 24 unnumbered leaves (inner gutter split at 'January' but holding firm. Folding frontispiece view of New Bethlem Hospital, St. George's Fields. Duty stamp; including saints days, calendar, table of Kings and Queens, Lord mayors & sheriffs, holidays and current coins. Original marbled endpapers. Complete with matching slipcase. A similar edition is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. 1.5 x 2.3". Original maroon leather venetian mosaic binding with stylised polecat motifs in gilt in the central panels and matching slipcase. Slipcase slightly rubbed with minuscule areas of wear. Spielmann, 325. Welsh, 4590. OCLC, 869427399. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide. 92 firsts2024 £900
105/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1819. Company of Stationers [London]. 1818. 24 unnumbered leaves ; engraved throughout, printed on one side only on a single sheet, cut into bifolia, pasted back to back with first recto and last verso pasted to original pink free endpapers. 4-page dismembered engraving of Vauxhall Bridge with a view of the penitentiary at Millbank. Duty stamp; including saints days, calendar, table of Kings and Queens, Lord mayors & sheriffs, holidays and current coins. Complete with original matching slipcase venetian mosaic red morocco, gilt, with cream & black inlays. First produced in 1749 -that first edition surviving in a unique copy at the British Library, London Almanac continued annually until 1889. Vauxhall Bridge had been built in 1809-16 and the Millbank penitentiary had opened in 1816.A similar edition is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. Spielmann, 328. Welsh, 4620. OCLC, 1100791585. WorldCat locates 4 copies worldwide (British Library, Vassar College, Huntington Library and National Library of Australia). 93 firsts2024 £800
106/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1821. Company of Stationers [London]. 1820. slipcase, 24 unnumbered leaves ; engraved throughout, printed on one side only on a single sheet, cut into bifolia, pasted back to back with first recto and last verso pasted to original pink free endpapers. 4-page dismembered engraving of a view of the Southwark Bridge. Duty stamp; including saints days, calendar, table of Kings and Queens, Lord mayors & sheriffs, holidays and current coins. 1.5 x 2.3". Original maroon leather venetian mosaic binding with stylised hourglass motifs in gilt in the oval red central panels. Un-matching vertical slipcase with stylised star of the garter motif and with 1830 in a contemporary ink hand added. Slipcase slightly rubbed with minuscule areas of wear. First produced in 1749 -that first edition surviving in a unique copy at the British Library - the London Almanac continued annually until 1889. A similar edition is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. Not in Spielmann. Welsh 4622 OCLC, 964581356. WorldCat locates 4 copies worldwide. 94 firsts2024 £995
107/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1829. Company of Stationers [London]. 1828. 38 printed pages, duty stamp, including saints days, calendar, table of Kings and Queens, Lord mayors & sheriffs, holidays and current coins. All edges gilt. Watered pale lemon green silk endpapers and expandable front pocket. 35 x 32mm. Wallet black style binding. Contemporary unmarked engraved gold mounted, straight-grained black morocco (some relatively small, minor blemishes); gold escutcheon finely engraved with sunburst motif and dogtooth borders in a shield motif. Lacks the catch for the lock. "This tiny volume has been produced by folding the sheets of the almanacs in the middle, in a similar way to that resulting in the 'finger' type format, where the centre fold is vertical instead of - as is the case here - horizontal" (Spielmann). Spielmann, 331. Welsh, 4633. WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (British Library). 96 firsts2024 £600
108/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1847. Company of Stationers [London]. 1846. 24 unnumbered leaves ; engraved throughout, printed on one side only on a single sheet, cut into bifolia, pasted back to back with first recto and last verso pasted to original pink free endpapers. With a engraving of Infant Orphan Asylum, Wanstead; no duty stamp; including saints days, calendar, table of Kings and Queens, Lord mayors & sheriffs, holidays and current coins. 6 x 3.5". Original emerald leather venetian mosaic binding with stylised diamond and flower motifs in gilt in the central panels. Matching vertical slipcase. Slipcase very slightly rubbed. First produced in 1749 -that first edition surviving in a unique copy at the British Library - the London Almanac continued annually until 1889. A similar edition is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. Bondy, 164. Spielmann, 340. Welsh, 4656 OCLC, 1141259729. WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (Virginia University Library). 97 firsts2024 £995
109/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1847. Company of Stationers [London]. 1846. 17 double pages with stamps, transfer days at the bank, calendar, table of Kings and Queens, the Cabinet and the Court. Original pale yellow endpapers. Corners and edges lightly rubbed. This is a fine example of the even smaller edition, half the size of the normal edition. Bondy calls this the "curious finger format resulting from the leaf being folded vertically... with no frontispiece illustrations". 18 x 60mm. Original emerald morocco with plain matching slipcase (slightly darker with patina). Bondy, 39-41 & 164. Spielmann, 340 and Welsh, 4656 for larger sized version. WorldCat locates no copies worldwide of this edition in this format. 98 firsts2024 £195
110/ London Almanac for the Year of Christ 1850 Company of Stationers [London]. 1849. 24 unnumbered leaves ; engraved throughout, printed on one side only on a single sheet, cut into bifolia, pasted back to back with first recto and last verso pasted to original pale yellow free endpapers. With a engraving of the Fishmongerers and Poulterers Institution, Wood Green, Tottenham, by J. Brown after W.Webbe. 6 x 3.5". Original grey green morocco binding with matching vertical slipcase (very slightly rubbed at edges) . Spielmann, 342. Welsh, 4661. OCLC, 950614680. WorldCat locates a single copy worldwide (Pierpont Morgan Library). 99 firsts2024 £200
111/ London Almanac for the Year of Christ 1861 Company of Stationers [London]. 1860. 22 unnumbered pages with transfer days at the bank, calendar, table of Kings and Queens, the Cabinet and the Court. Original pale yellow endpapers. his is a fine example of the even smaller edition, half the size of the normal edition. Bondy calls this the "curious finger format resulting from the leaf being folded vertically... with no frontispiece illustrations". 18 x 60mm. Original matching ribbed dark blue calf slipcase. Original dark blue ribbed calf (slight abrasion at corners). Not in Spielmann. Welsh, 4676. WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (British Library). 100 firsts2024 £185
112/ London Almanac for the Year of Christ 1862. Company of Stationers [London]. 1861. 24 unnumbered leaves ; engraved throughout, printed on one side only on a single sheet, cut into bifolia, pasted back to back with first recto and last verso pasted to original pale yellow free endpapers . With a engraving of the Temperate House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (some splitting in the gutter around the engraving, but still holding firm). 17 x 58 mm. Original diced brown calf and matching vertical slipcase, both with single gilt borders (very slight rubbing). See Spielmann, 346 and Welsh, 4677 for the smaller square edition only. WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (British Library). 101 firsts2024 £200
113/ London Almanac for the Year of Christ 1863. Company of Stationers [London]. 1862. 24 unnumbered leaves ; engraved throughout, printed on one side only on a single sheet, cut into bifolia, pasted back to back with first recto and last verso pasted to original pale yellow free endpapers . With an engraving of Royal Humane Society's Receiving House, Hyde Park. Original matching diced brown calf slipcase. 17 x 58 mm. Original diced brown calf and matching vertical slipcase, (minuscule damage at top of spine, very slight rubbing and slight abrasion at gripping points). Not in Spielmann. Welsh, 4678. WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (British Library). 102 firsts2024 £185
114/ London Almanac for the Year of Christ 1864. Company of Stationers [London]. 1863. 22 unnumbered pages with transfer days at the bank, calendar, table of Kings and Queens, the Cabinet and the Court. Original pale yellow endpapers. This is a fine example of the even smaller edition, half the size of the normal edition. Bondy calls this the "curious finger format resulting from the leaf being folded vertically... with no frontispiece illustrations". 17 x 58 mm. Original matching ribbed dark blue calf slipcase. Original brown diced calf (slight rubbing at edges). Original matching diced brown calf slipcase. Original brown diced calf (slight abrasion at gripping points). Not in Spielmann nor Welsh. WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (British Library). 95 firsts2024 £185
115/ London Almanac for the Year of Christ 1867. Company of Stationers [London]. 1866. 24 unnumbered leaves ; engraved throughout, printed on one side only on a single sheet, cut into bifolia, pasted back to back with first recto and last verso pasted to original pale yellow free endpapers (inner hinge split in the gutter but still holding firm) . With an engraving of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys, Wood Green, Tottenham. 17 x 58 mm. Original brown diced calf with matching vertical slipcase. Bondy, 164. Not in Spielmann nor Welsh. WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (British Library). 103 firsts2024 £200
116/ London Almanac for the Year of Christ 1872. Company of Stationers [London]. 1871. 24 unnumbered leaves ; engraved throughout, printed on one side only on a single sheet, cut into bifolia, pasted back to back with first recto and last verso pasted to original pale yellow free endpapers. With an engraving of the Albert hall and International Exhibition [sic] . 17 x 58 mm. Original black morocco (slightly rubbed at edges) with matching vertical slipcase. The London International Exhibition of 1871 attracted 1,142,154 visitors with 35 nations and British colonies exhibiting. The 1871 exhibition was divided into four divisions: Fine Arts, Manufactures, Scientific Inventions and New Discoveries of All Kinds, and Horticulture. The manufacturing division focused itself mainly upon the manufacture of pottery and terracotta and woollen and worsted goods. There were no prizes but each exhibitor was given a certificate for their display at the exhibition. Following this exhibition the idea was that an exhibition should be given annually with different classes of goods being displayed each year until the 11th year when the order began again. However, these annual exhibitions only ran from 1871-1874. The event was held in the South Kensington Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) gardens (to the south of the Royal Albert Hall), the Royal Albert Hall and permanent exhibition buildings paid for by the 1851 Commissioners and designed by Colonel Henry Young Darracott Scott RE. The exhibition site took up 100 acres of land to the south of the Royal Albert Hall. Some sources indicate that the acreage used, likely for the structures themselves, was between six and twelve acres. Season tickets for the 22 week-long exhibition were available. Daily tickets cost 2 shilling 6d (Wednesday) and 1 shilling (other days). The Exhibition was open every day except Sundays from 8am (Season ticket holders) or 10am (Regular ticket holders).Bondy, 164. Not in Spielmann nor Welsh. WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (British Library). 104 firsts2024 £200
117/ London Almanac for the Year of Christ 1881. Company of Stationers [London]. 1880. 24 unnumbered leaves ; engraved throughout, printed on one side only on a single sheet, cut into bifolia, pasted back to back with first recto and last verso pasted to original pale yellow free endpapers. With an engraving of the New Barracks, Knightsbridge. 17 x 58 mm. With original matching red morocco slipcase (with contemporary ownership initials and date. 1.3 x 2.3" Original red morocco Bondy, 164. Not in Spielmann nor Welsh. OCLC, . WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (British Library). 105 firsts2024 £200
118/ London Almanac for the year of Christ 1882. Company of Stationers [London]. 1881. 38 printed pages, duty stamp, including saints days, calendar, table of Kings and Queens, Lord mayors & sheriffs, holidays and current coins. All edges gilt. Watered fuchsia silk endpapers and expandable front pocket. All edges gilt. 38 x 35 mm. Bound in folding pocket style in full dark green straight grain morocco wallet style binding. Contemporary unmarked engraved gold mounts; gold escutcheon finely engraved with decorations and borders. "This tiny volume has been produced by folding the sheets of the almanacs in the middle, in a similar way to that resulting in the 'finger' type format, where the centre fold is vertical instead of - as is the case here - horizontal" (Spielmann). See Welsh, 4688 for larger 1882 edition. WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (British Library). 106 firsts2024 £700
119/ Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. Poetry of Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. Eyre & Spottiswoode, Downs Park Road, Hackney N.E. [London]. Circa 1905. xv, 1103 printed pages. All edges gilt over red. Marbled endpapers (inner hinge split but holding firm; A couple of gatherings slightly sprung). Art nouveau spine. Un-hallmarked, silver plaque with Longfellow, a lyre and a spread-winged bird with foliage. 48 x 56 mm. Original blue morocco spine with art nouveau gilt titling and design (rather rubbed and worn). Welsh, 4710. Not found in WorldCat. 107 firsts2024 £200
120/ Luft Gärtlein Einer Betrübten Seelen täglich zu gebrauchen. Hein, I. Ebersbach. 1705. 127 printed pages in German Gothic typeface (a few bottom corners torn, not affecting the text - apart from the last letter of a catchword; many corners creased; text-block thumbed). Original marbled endpapers (front free endpaper partially pasted down). On recto of final blank and of back free endpaper, ink ownership inscriptions in the same hand, dated 1800. Provenance: Joseph Anton Vinaker. 27 x 40 mm. Original brown calf; spine with gilt decoration (rubbed) ; covers with central lozenge-shaped gilt tooling with ten asterisks within single fillet and scrolling decorative boders (gilt rubbed; bottom edges worn). A German prayer book, morning and evening devotions. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. Not found in WorldCat. 199 firsts2024 £450
121/ Macaulay, Thomas Babington, 1st Baron. Lays of Ancient Rome. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. Circa 1889. 128 printed pages. Binding design & title page by Jessie M King. Dainty Little Library series, 35. Original black endpaper. 60 x 90 mm. Original publisher's cream calf. Gilt lettering within art nouveau style decorative borders. Tiny area of loss on front cover. Garbett, 49. Welsh, 4758. OCLC, 561631546. WorldCat locates 3 copies worldwide. 108 firsts2024 £125
122/ Marot, Clément, and Théodore de Bèze. With Petrum Dathenus. Les C.L. Pseaumes de David Mis en Rime Françoise. [Bound with] La forme des prières ecclésiastiques. Le catéchisme, c'est à dire, le formulaire d'instruire les enfans en la Chrétienté, fait en manière de dialogue, òu le ministre interrogue, & l'enfant respond. Autre petit catéchisme / par Théodore de Bèze. Confession de foy faite d'un commun accord, par les Eglises réformées du royaume de France. [Bound with] De C.L. Psalmen Dauids: wt den fransoyschen dichte in Nederlandtschen ouer-gheset door Petrum Dathenum. Midtsgaders oock den Christelijcken catechismo, ceremonien ende ghebeden [with] Catechismvs: ofte Onderwijsinghe inde christelicke leere, & den diecken troost. Haultin, Hierosyme [and] Bruyn Harmansz Schinckel. La Rochelle. [and] Delf[t]. 1593. 308 printed pages in French [and] 294 printed pages in Dutch. French Psalms Sig. : A⁸, B 4, C-Pp⁸, Dutch Psalms in 8s. With letterpress music. Woodcut illustrative typographic ornaments on title pages and several woodcut head and tail pieces. These two works, printed in the same year and bound together, the dutch imprint in full is "Bruyn Harmansz Schinckel, woonende aent Derct-velt, in de druckerije". Lacks endpapers. In the Haultin, two pages have historic brown stains that do not effect legibility. The Schinckel lacks leaf B1; leaf E1 has a closed tear; from Q2 to the end there are old worm holes, largely marginal; lacks final leaf n8. Contemporary ink initials on first title page. 48 x 85 mm. Contemporary full calf embossed binding. Spine largely worn away. Front bottom corner missing. Straps and one brass catch missing. Cracks and worm holes alongside notable wear. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. WorldCat locates no copies worldwide of either work in this edition. 158 firsts2024 £1,000
123/ Martialis, Marcus Valerius (38-104 AD). Martialis, ex novissima viri cuiusdam sane eruditissimi recognitione castigatior quam unquam antea factus. Stagnini , Bernardini de Tridino Montisferrati. Venice. 1531. 152 printed pages in Latin. Woodblock illustration on the title page of throned ruler, two courtiers and author, kneelingand reading his book open in his hands. 14 historiated initials. Title page with old marginal repair at bottom. Slight worming on first three leaves. Very tiny hole on leaf viii. Page x defective with some loss to text. 58 x 100 mm. Late nineteenth full parchment binding. The printer belonged to the Giolito de’ Ferrari da Trino family of printers, yet seldom used the family name, preferring the nickname “Stagnino” (”tinsmith”). Around 1483, he moved from Trino (Piedmont) to Venice, where he established a press under the sign of San Bernardino, and began to publish juridical and medical textbooks for the university of Padua. With the decline of the university after 1550, Stagnino shifted his focus, and issued liturgical, devotional, and literary works (including four editions of the Divine Comedy, five editions of Petrarch’s Canzoniere and Trionfi); altogether, he was responsible for 193 editions. After Stagnino’s death in 1538, most of his typographical equipment passed to Giovanni Giolito, and was eventually inherited by his son Gabriele. This is a miniature edition of Martial's Epigrams that shed a revealing light on day-to-day life in Imperial Rome. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. WorldCat locates no copies worldwide. 109 firsts2024 £750
124/ Beautiful antique book box. No publisher. [London ?]. Circa 1820. Marbled front pastedown endpaper. Red morocco scrolling gilt decorated interior. 78 x 112 mm. Original red and green morocco box in the form of a book, concealing a secret compartment. Pointille engraved brass clasps, green straight morocco, red onlay borders with hand-tooled gilt decoration and floral gilt corner-pieces. Spine with three red onlay bands (one onlay lacking), with gilt floral tooling, corner pieces and double fillet horizontal gilt ruling. This would be a fitting case as a keep-safe for a prized miniature book. 43 firsts2024 £425
125/ Twenty-four near miniature hardback volumes in wooden oak case and original black hand-stencilled title "Miniature Library of the Poets". This complete set comprises of the works of Shakespeare in 12 volumes and the poems of Burns, Byron, Longfellow, Milton, Scott, Sheridan & Goldsmith, each in two volumes. Some minor offsetting to preliminary pages, else pages all clean bright and tight. Book sizes each approx 7.5 x 10.5 cm. Uniformly bound in original full blue cloth with gilt lettering to spines. Single embossed border to front and back covers. All edges gilt. Decorative floral patterned endpapers. Books all clean and smart. Some minor rubbing to cloth on ends of spines. Housed in the original roll-front wooden miniature bookcase (326 x 239 x 123 mm). Polished oak wood case with single shelf and rolling tambour front shutter. Pedestal base and top, with original black lettering. In very good condition with very good wooden case (case in very good condition, door moves freely open and closed). An enchanting presentation set in its functional and attractive cabinet. It is believed that a quarter of a million of Kent's Miniature Library of the Poets were bought in five years in the 1880's; but most of those were bought in smaller sets and only a slim proportion were sold in their own presentation oak bookcases with tambour shuttered doors. Few of these beautiful miniature libraries have survived in such original condition. Seller Inventory 154 firsts2024 £1,000
126/ Mite Robinson, E[rnest] A., Grimsby. Grimsby. 1896. 28 printed pages (slightly thumbed). 5 illustrations (including Gutenberg, Fust and Schoeffer) and coat of arms opposite leaf that states "Copy accepted by Her Majesty" - a similar copy is in Queen Mary's Dolls' House Library (E.V. Lucas, 381). In 1981 Louis Bondy said" for many years the smallest English book printed from moveable type and may in fact still deserve that distinction". It covers the invention of printing, the Eiffel Tower, the annual consumption of steel for pins, and various significant dates. Originally published in 1891, "This book is issued as a curiosity and is the smallest ever printed from type in the world. The type used is Brilliant, 20 lines to the inch"-Preface. 18 x 21mm. Original sewn, blue-green, printed paper wrappers; 'The Mite' printed on front cover with elaborate border ((some of the letterpress has been rubbed; some small brown patches on both covers). Bondy, 99. Spielmann, 376. Welsh, 5069. OCLC, 53403802. WorldCat locates 4 copies worldwide (Iowa, Indiana, and Virginia University Libraries and the Library of Congress). 174 firsts2024 £500
127/ Moodie, William, editor. Old English, Scotch and Irish songs with music : a favourite selection with 24 sketches by A.S. Boyd. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1895. 127 printed pages including frontispiece and title. Yellow edges and endpapers (some browning; endpapers slightly stained; some corners slightly creased). Owner's inscription on rear endpaper dated 1895. 16 x 28mm. Uncommon original green morocco binding (spine rubbed, hinges partly split but holding firm; corners bumped; front cover abraded). Complete with engraved, silver gilt, book-shaped locket with loop on top and (loose) magnifier in front. Bondy, 113. Garbett, 27. Pistner, B233:3. Spielmann, 377. Welsh, 5113. OCLC, 270900229. WorldCat locates 5 copies worldwide. 111 firsts2024 £375
128/ Moodie, William, editor. Old English, Scotch and Irish songs with music : a favourite selection with 24 sketches by A.S. Boyd. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1895. Complete with original locket with loop on top and magnifier in front (slightly tarnished on the outside). Original cream endpapers. All edges yellow. 16 x 28mm. Original red morocco binding; 'Songs' in gilt on spine; 'English, Scotch and Irish Songs' in gilt on front cover. Bondy, 113. Garbett, 27. Pistner, B233:3. Spielmann, 377. Welsh, 5113. OCLC, 270900229. WorldCat locates 5 copies worldwide. 150 firsts2024 £300
129/ Moore, Thomas. Irish Melodies. Bryce & Son. Glasgow. Circa 1889. 128 printed pages. Binding design & title page by Jessie M King. Dainty Little Library series, 32. Original black endpapers. 60 x 90 mm. Original publisher's light blue calf. Gilt lettering within art nouveau style decorative borders. Tiny area of loss on bottom of spine and covers. Garbett, 49. Welsh, 4758. OCLC, 562028946. WorldCat locates copies 3 worldwide (British Library, National Library of Scotland & Indiana University).112 firsts2024 £110
130/ Mosaique Des Dames. Fabuliste du Jeune Age. Marcilly. Rue St. Jacques No. 10. Imp. Firmin Didot frères, Paris. 1837. Calendar dated 1838, but published in late 1837. 124 printed pages in French. Engraved title-page, 4 engraved plates. Contemporary inscription on front free endpaper. Contents: Conté: La grande chartreuse / Henri de Colombier. Rose et laure / Auguste de Flaguais. Le moulalik / Vte. de Marquessac. Le cimetière de Brest ; Veillée de novembre / P. Hédouin. Le tombeau de Charles le Chauve / Gabriel de Moyria. Jeune et laide / Émile Saladin. L'homme heureux / Jules Raimbault. Suis-je un enfant? / Charles Malo. Les danses espagnoles ; J'ai revé / Émile Deschamps. Gonne mère, soyez tranquille ; L'amitié d'une femme / Le baron Jonathas. Le mont Saint-Michel ; Un gal ; Le poëte / Éveline Desormery. Calendar for 1838. Complete with original card slipcase (slightly soiled and split at edges). All edges gilt. 56 x 84 mm. 'St. Petersburg' pale blue embossed cartonnage binding covered in papier porcelaine; gilt titling in centre of front cover (slightly rubbed and thumbed at the top middle). Houghton, 94. Welsh, 5154. OCLC, 1412230926. WorldCat locates 3 copies worldwide. 181 firsts2024 £400
131/ My Tiny Alphabet Book. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1896. Undated (but 1896). 2 volumes in one. 64 and 62 unnumbered chromolithographed pages. Tiny alphabet of animals and Tiny alphabet of birds. Midget Series. The only book published by Bryce in colour and the smallest colour printed book in 1900. Usually bound in pictorial paper covers. Listed at number nine in Ruth Adomeit's '32 BASIC BOOKS FOR THE Serious Collector'. Original brown endpapers. All edges gilt. 22 x 29 mm. Original red morocco; front cover with gilt 'My Tiny Alphabet book' and image of young boy and girl. Bondy, 72. Bromer, 131. Garbett, 46. Pistner, B233:9-10. Spielmann, 489. Welsh, 5200. OCLC, . WorldCat locates copies worldwide. 169 firsts2024 £500
132/ Narrative of the loss of the Mary Rose, at Spithead, July 20th 1545. Horsey, S., 43 Queen Street, Portsea. 1849. 99 printed pages. On the final page (99), the text states that this is the ninth edition; the text was reset from the first edition but is the same except for the final paragraph of the book that adds a little more about the marine salvage performed under the command of General Pasley. The book has wood salvaged from the Mary Rose as front and back covers and a label pasted onto the front paste-down endpaper states , "The wood from which the covers of this book are made was purchased Nov 12, 1840 at Mr Dean's public sale of articles recovered by him from the Mary Rose. A certificate of which may be seen on application to the publisher. The public may confide on its being a genuine relic of that unfortunate ship". Original blue endpapers with paper label certifying originality of origin of boards on front free paste-down endpaper. 54 x 90mm. Original navy blue calf spine with gilt lettering. Original boards from wood salvaged from 16th century wreck. Welsh, 5215. OCLC, 560487673. WorldCat locates 3 copies worldwide (National Maritime Museum, British Library and Indiana University). 113 firsts2024 £300
133/ Narrative of the loss of the Mary Rose, at Spithead, July20th 1545. Horsey, S. 43 Queen Street Portsea. 1844. [1-4], v, blank, [iii], iv-vi, [7], 8-96 printed pages. First edition. The book has wood from the Mary Rose as front and back covers and a plate within the book states , "The wood from which the covers of this book are made was purchased Nov 12, 1840 at Mr Dean's public sale of articles recovered from the Mary Rose. A certificate of which may be seen on application to the publisher. The public may confide of its being a genuine relic of that unfortunate ship". Original lime green endpapers with paper label certifying originality of origin of boards on front free paste-down endpaper. Contemporary ink inscription on verso of front free endpaper. 54 x 90mm. Original navy blue calf spine with gilt lettering. Original boards from wood salvaged from 16th century wreck. Foot of spine chipped. This shipwreck book proved popular and ran to at least nine editions within five years. Welsh, 5215. OCLC, 560487673. WorldCat locates 3 copies worldwide (National Maritime Museum, British Library and Indiana University). 130 firsts2024 £350
134/ New Testament of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1895. 5 unnumbered pages, 4-220 printed pages. Printer's statement: "The publishers beg to thank the Oxford University Press for enabling them to produce in this tiny form a facsimile of their Pica 16mo New Testament, printed on the very thinnest Oxford India paper ever made" - printed on the verso of half-title. In original mauchline tartanware wooden McFarlane clan tartan case with magnifier built in. One of the smallest of all Bryce miniature books and the smallest New Testament ever printed. "Staggeringly small"-Bondy. Facsimile of Oxford Pica 16mo and printed on the "very thinnest Oxford Paper ever made". 16 x 18 mm. Original blue morocco (somewhat rubbed from insertion into and removal from the case). Also issued by publisher as one of a twelve-volume set in a metal shelved glass case with the heading "Midget Library," accompanied by miniature magnifying glass; case then fits into an angled wooden stand. Bondy, 111. Pistner, B233:2. Spielmann, 388. Welsh, 787. OCLC, 256915722. WorldCat locates 5 copies worldwide. 32 firsts2024 £595
135/ New Testament of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1895. 5 unnumbered pages, 4-220 printed pages. Printer's statement: "The publishers beg to thank the Oxford University Press for enabling them to produce in this tiny form a facsimile of their Pica 16mo New Testament, printed on the very thinnest Oxford India paper ever made" - printed on the verso of half-title. In floral engraved silver-plated solid case with magnifier & with loop. One of the smallest of all Bryce miniature books and the smallest New Testament ever printed. "Staggeringly small"-Bondy. Facsimile of Oxford Pica 16mo and printed on the "very thinnest Oxford Paper ever made". 16 x 18 mm. Original blue morocco (somewhat rubbed from insertion into and removal from the case). Also issued by publisher as one of a twelve-volume set in a metal shelved glass case with the heading "Midget Library," accompanied by miniature magnifying glass; case then fits into an angled wooden stand. Bondy, 111. Pistner, B233:2. Spielmann, 388. Welsh, 787. OCLC, 256915722. WorldCat locates 5 copies worldwide. 33 firsts2024 £400
136/ New Testament of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1895. 5 unnumbered pages, 4-220 printed pages. Printer's statement: "The publishers beg to thank the Oxford University Press for enabling them to produce in this tiny form a facsimile of their Pica 16mo New Testament, printed on the very thinnest Oxford India paper ever made" - printed on the verso of half-title. Original black endpapers. All edges red. One or two gatherings slightly sprung. Some leaves with corners creased and some marginal bleeding from red page edges. In original pressed tin locket/ case with magnifier & with loop. One of the smallest of all Bryce miniature books and the smallest New Testament ever printed. "Staggeringly small"-Bondy. Facsimile of Oxford Pica 16mo and printed on the "very thinnest Oxford Paper ever made". 16 x 18 mm. Original blue morocco, gilt titling to spine (somewhat rubbed from insertion into and removal from the case). Also issued by publisher as one of a twelve-volume set in a metal shelved glass case with the heading "Midget Library," accompanied by miniature magnifying glass; case then fits into an angled wooden stand. Bondy, 111. Pistner, B233:2. Spielmann, 388. Welsh, 787. OCLC, 256915722. WorldCat locates 5 copies worldwide. 34 firsts2024 £240
137/ New Testament of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1895. In extremely rare small un-hallmarked white metal case with magnifier & with loop. One of the smallest of all Bryce miniature books and the smallest New Testament ever printed. Bondy, wrote "Most of the metal cases with inset magnifying glasses are of the same size as those used to house the tiny dictionaries, and are therefore slightly too large. Only once did we see a case in sterling silver of exactly the right size for this the smallest complete New Testament in existence". My last photograph includes a New Testament in the normal sized tin locket , as an illustration of the size difference with the rare locket for sale here (but the second copy in the larger locket is not included in this sale). "Staggeringly small"-Bondy. Facsimile of Oxford Pica 16mo and printed on the "very thinnest Oxford Paper ever made". Tiny defect on front free endpaper and slight split near centre of text. 16 x 18 mm. Original blue morocco (somewhat rubbed and worn, particularly on the spine). Bondy, 111. Pistner, B233:2. Spielmann, 388. Welsh, 787. OCLC, 877427799. WorldCat locates 12 copies worldwide. 31 firsts2024 £695
138/ Norman Forgue Award. Sanford, Donn W. Miniature Book Society. 2000. Presented to Kalman L. Levitan [and to Miriam Owen Irwin]. Complete with signed printed letter of award that reads "Dear Kal: I was so disappointed that you couldn't attend the recent MBS Conclave in Rutland, Vermont. I really wanted to be able to present to you personally the enclosed Norman Forgue Award for 2000. This honour, arguably the Society's most prestigious, was jointly awarded to you and Miriam Owen Irwin for your respective roles in launching the Miniature Book Society. You demonstrated great vision in perceiving the need for, and great leadership in helping to create, the Miniature Book Society. We are all the richer for it, and we sincerely hope this expression of our appreciation will serve as a constant reminder of all your MBS friends. You have been a mentor to many budding collectors, including me, and the collecting world is stronger and better educated because of your efforts....". Marbled paste-down endpaper. 5.5 x 6.5 mm. Original blue crushed Niger morocco. Levitan spent 30 years active duty in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, retiring with the rank of Colonel. He was a member of the Department of Defence Armed Forces Chaplains Board and served nine years as Senior Jewish Chaplain as advisor on Jewish activities to the Chief of Air Force Chaplains. He was Founder and first Chairman of the Miniature Book Society of America. He was an active teacher of Judaism. He received his BA from Yeshiva University, Master of Hebrew Letters from the Jewish Institute of Religion and Doctor of Divinity from Hebrew Union College. He did graduate study at Harvard Law School and Columbia University. In addition he published his own miniature books and wrote and edited volumes about miniature books. In 1983 he was instrumental in bringing together the collectors and publishers from around the United States that eventually formed the basis for the Miniature Book Society. Elected the Society’s first “Chairman” he helped draft bylaws and began an informal newsletters. As a child, Rabbi Levitan’s father gave him a pocket-sized Hebrew prayer book printed in Warsaw in 1903. That was the beginning of a 2,000 volume collection that David Bromer (Bromer Booksellers, Boston) said was considered one of the most important collections. It spanned five centuries and included many rare and precious volumes. Levitan died less than two years after receiving this award. 179 firsts2024 £500
139/ Omar Khayyam. Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Anderson. Edinburgh. [No date but] 1920. 64 unnumbered double pages. Decorative woodcut borders. Almost identical to unusual oblong-format Bryce (Welsh, 5534) with page one containing both the title-page, printed in the plain text of the later issue, and the first page of the preface. 80 x 57mm. Bound in blue cloth with cream celluloid plaquette with title and author printed in red and gold (minuscule damage at bottom edge of front cover). This imprint not found by Garbett, pp. 18, 40; nor by Bondy, p. 106. Nor mentioned in Newsletter of LXiMos 16, 5 . WorldCat locates just two copies worldwide (Laurence McKinley Gould Library & Indiana University). Original blue cloth OCLC, . WorldCat locates copies worldwide. 187 firsts2024 £250
140/ Omar Khayyam Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1904. 59 double pages. Fine India paper. Title page text surrounded by decorative border. Decorative woodcut headings with running head title; illustrations printed on each side of text. Short sketch of the translator, Edward Fitzgerald, at front. 35 x 55 mm. Original green morocco; front cover with elaborate gilt decoration and Arabic script; spine with 'Omar Khayyam' in gilt with dense gilt decoration above and below. Spielmann, 395. Bondy, 106. Welsh, 5353. OCLC, 5427892. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (national Library of Scotland and Iowa University). Bondy, 106. Spielmann, 395. Welsh, 5353. Garbett, 18, 40. News-Letters of the LXIVMOS, No. 16, p. 5. OCLC, 5427892. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (national Library of Scotland and Iowa University). 110 firsts2024 £450
141/ Omar Khayyam Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1904. 59 double pages. Fine India paper. Title page text surrounded by decorative border. Decorative woodcut headings with running head title; illustrations printed on each side of text. Short sketch of the translator, Edward Fitzgerald, at front. 35 x 55 mm. Original red morocco; front cover with elaborate gilt decoration and Arabic script; spine with 'Omar Khayyam' in gilt with dense gilt decoration above and below. Complete with rare printed grey dust jacket that is identical in design to the book covers (worn at corners, and edges chipped inner front flap missing). Bondy, 106. Spielmann, 395. Welsh, 5353. Garbett, 18, 40. News-Letters of the LXIVMOS, No. 16, p. 5. OCLC, 5427892. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (national Library of Scotland and Iowa University). 164 firsts2024 £750
142/ Order of the administration of the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion. Eyre & Spottiswoode Bible Warehouse Ltd.33 Paternoster Row, E.C. Edinburgh and New York. [London]. Circa 1901. Publication date is during the reign of King Edward VII (1901-10), since he is mentioned as being king on page 25. 138 printed pages in red and black. Owners inscription on blank preliminary, dated 1917. Welsh guesses at a date of 1895, incorrectly. 50 x 55mm. Contemporary tan calf; spine with gilt titling and ten horizontal gilt rules; front cover with four brown onlays with 'corpus meum, quod pro vobis datur' - my body that I give to you - in gilt with crosses at each corner and a gilt holy grail chalice in the centre; on the back cover 'sanguis meus novi testamenti qui pro vobis effindetur' - my blood of the new testament which will be shed for you(slightly rubbed with a few very small marks). Welsh, 1876. WorldCat locates just one copy of this edition worldwide (Virginia). 185 firsts2024 £200
143/ Penn, William. Words of Wisdom. Selections from some Fruits of Solitude in Reflections and Maxims relating to the Conduct of Human Life. Hills & Co. Ye St. Luke's Press. London. Circa 1910. (60) printed pages. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. 53 x 70 mm. Bound in black calf with gilt lettering down the spine; panelled covers with blind stamped bay tree on back and Celtic knot motif below titling on front cover. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. WorldCat locates no copies worldwide. 114 firsts2024 £85
144/ Petit Anacreon, Le. Marcilly, Rue St. Jacques, No. 21. Paris. 1832. Circa 1832. 96 printed pages in French. Engraved title page, and four engraved plates at pages 16, 48, 64, 80. Some copies have five plates and a folding calendar. Mild foxing. Original cream endpapers. All edges gilt. 36 x 56 mm. Original publisher's green paper covered boards. Covers depict angel holding a lyre within ornately floral and decorative borders. Similar decoration on spine with titling in black. Hinges very slightly rubbed, but overall in very good condition. Not in Bondy. Spielmann, 10. Welsh, 234. OCLC, 38254032. WorldCat locates 4 copies worldwide (Indiana, and Oxford Universities, Pierpont Morgan and grolier Club Libraries). 23 firsts2024 £400
145/ Petit Chansonnier de l'Enfance. 1830. Marcilly. Rue St Jacques, No. 21. Paris. 1829. 63, [1], printed pages in French (a few corners creased and occasional slight browning). Entirely engraved with 8 full-page engraved plates. All edges gilt. Pink pasted0wn endpapers. 18 x 28 mm. Original red morocco; covers panel mitred with pointillé and single line fillets and central decorative gilt motifs; spine with gilt stars (corners slightly worn; richly patinated). Welsh and Grand-Carteret both name Porlier as publisher. Grand-Carteret, 2121. Houghton, Lot 105; 394. Pistner, B228:10. Welsh, 5552. OCLC, . WorldCat locates copies worldwide. 115 firsts2024 £1,000
146/ Le Petit Echo de Momus. 1816. Le Fuel. Paris. 1815. 64 printed pages in French (some pages slightly thumbed). Engraved throughout. Illustrated with 12 stipple-engraved full-page plates. Calendar inserted at the centre of the volume. 20 x 30 mm. Original red morocco; covers with scrolling floral gilt borders and central gilt eight- flowered circular motif; spine with same floral scrolls borders (spine slightly worn and with minuscule historic repair at top). Not in Spielmann, nor Bondy. Grand-Carteret, 1780. Houghton, 337. Welsh, 5567. Not found in WorldCat. 175 firsts2024 £800
147/ Le Petit Naturaliste. Marcilly. Rue St. Jacques, no. 10. Paris. 1829. No date but 1829. 128 printed pages in French (extremely light spotting). 12 plates. Printed by A. Firmin Didot. All edges gilt. Contemporary ink inscription on front paste-down endpaper. Provenance: Isabella Newcombe. 68 x 50mm. Original purple card; printed in black with 'Le Petit Naturaliste' on spine below anthemion and above foliage motifs; front cover with image of an eagle above the tree-line on a mountain top, within elaborate scrolling border; back cover with two pairs of beavers (very slightly worn down the spine). Complete with original matching printed slipcase; printed with black design of a fox on the front and an elephant on the back; faded, rubbed and a little worn at edges. Gumuchian, 4127. Houghton, 118. Nauroy, 74. Welsh, 5582. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann. WorldCat locates a total of 6 complete and one imperfect copies, none in the UK. OCLC, 460828770. 116 firsts2024 £895
148/ Petit Paroissien de la Jeunesse Marcilly. Rue St. Jacques, 10. Paris. Circa 1840. Original slipcase, magnifying glass and case. 94 printed pages in French. Five fine copper engraved plates. Printed by Eberhart, rue du Foin, n.12. All edges gilt. Complete with original matching slipcase (a trifle worn at corners), red leather bound magnifier, and satin lined hinged box in faux turtle leather with single gilt rule and brass clasp and hinges (slightly rubbed). 32 x 45 mm. Original red cartonnage binding; spine with scrolling gilt floral roll; covers with gilt vine leaves within gilt mitred panels. Bondy, 77. Spielmann, 404. Welsh, 5605. 196 firsts2024 £700
149/ Petit Paroissien de la Jeunesse. Marcilly. Rue St. Jacques, no. 10. Paris. Circa 1840. 96 printed pages in French. 5 engraved plates. Printed by Rignoux. Some marginal light stains, occasional creases at top corners, and slightly frayed page edges; light foxing. All edges gilt. Original purple watered silk endpapers (very slightly marked). 32 x 45 mm. Original blue velvet spine. Lacquered black boards with central hand-painted gold cross and floral corner pieces in silver and gold. Uncommon binding. Very slightly scratched on back cover. Bond, 77. Spielmann, 404. Welsh, 5605. 117 firsts2024 £400
150/ Petit Poucet, Le. Annee 1818. Dediee a L'enfance. Perot. Paris. 1817. 64 printed pages in French (some pages slightly thumbed). Engraved throughout. Illustrated with 8 stipple-engraved full-page plates. Calendar inserted at the centre of the volume. Some red ink underlining. All edges gilt. 17 x 28 mm. Original burgundy morocco; covers with scrolling dogtooth and floral gilt borders and central gilt lyre motifs; spine with gilt clover leaf scrolls (slightly patinated). Not in Bondy. Not in Spielmann. OCLC, 177765230. WorldCat locates copies 6 worldwide. 176 firsts2024 £980
151/ Petit Souvenir. Le Fuel Paris. 1819. [8], engraved title page, 12 printed pages in French, 4 glossy pages for notes in the middle, [6], calendar folded in half, [4]. Calendrier Portatif pour l'Annee Bisextile, 1820. Rue St. Jacques, no. 34, pres celle du foin. 12 printed pages with names of each month below circular vignette engravings depicting rural pastimes e.g. dancing, making cider, playing skittles, shooting birds and harvesting wheat. Some mild wrinkling from historic damp. Ivory silk endpapers. All edges gilt. Feint pencil marks on central leaves for note taking. 60 x 95 mm. Contemporary ornate mother-of-pearl and ormolu binding. Scrolling elaborate floral ormolu design over horizontally patterned ground; covers of white metal hand marbled, with chased mother-of-pearl oval plaques within very fine ormolu patterned borders and with ornate floral ormolu corner-pieces. Lacking the upper/outer back ormolu corner-piece. Some of the marbling worn in minuscule patches. Lacking the original pencil. French miniature almanac and notebook published by Le Fuel. It is a flamboyantly elaborate binding and was almost certainly retailed in Paris at the Palais-Royal, beautifully crafted in Mother-of-Pearl & ormolu gilt bronze, with "Souvenir" engraved on front panel. Lined with cream silk endpapers and dated 1820 - the year Louis XVIII was King of France, Napoleon Bonaparte was in exile on St. Helena, and there was a plot to overthrow the Bourbon monarchy. I recently sold a similar miniature book that was originally bought by a Lady-in-waiting to Caroline of Brunswick, Princess of Wales – expensive and luxurious gems of book even two hundred years ago. Not in Bondy, nor Grand-Carteret, nor, Spielmann. Welsh, 5625. WorldCat locates zero copies worldwide. 12 firsts2024 £1,850
152/ Petite Bibliotheque de la Jeunesse. Marcilly. Paris. 1835. 6 volumes in French in original oriental/ Chioiserie style teak bookcase. Original metal ring and bronzed retailer's plaque on the back for Alph[onse] Giroux et C[ompagn]ie, Rue du Coq St. Honore, Paris that indicates that this particular bookcase was manufactured in or after 1838. Harlequin bindings. Printed by A.Pinard. 1/Contes a mes Jeunes Amis, [viii], 118. 2/ Les Feeries Morales, [iv], 127. 3/ L'Historien du Jeune Age, [iv], 125. 4/ Le Petit Conteur, [iv], 126. 5/ Le Petit Fabuliste, [iv], 126. 6/ Souvenirs d'un Petit Voyageur, [iv], 122 printed pages. 55 x 83mm. Original harlequin half morocco bindings with gilt rules, gilt titling and flower motif gilt stamped spines. The Giroux company began in 1799, under ébéniste, art restorer, cabinet and toymaker (and patent holder for the kaleidoscope) Francois-Simon-Alphonse Giroux, at 7, Rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré in Paris. The business retailed artist’s supplies, and their own cabinetmaking work and quickly increased manufacturing, selling other luxury goods and fine art. Kings Louis XVIII and then Charles X were both supplied with gifts for « The Children of France » by Giroux. Sons, André and Alphonse-Gustave joined the business in 1834 and took over when Francois-Simon-Alphonse retired in 1838. Under his son's direction, the business won a silver medal at the 1839 Exposition des Produits de L’industrie Française. In 1839, the company signed one (of two) exclusive contracts with Louis-Jacques-Mande Daguerre, to manufacture and retail the Daguerrotype and its associated camera through his premises. Gumuchian, 4082-4, 4124. Houghton, 274, 280, 423. Nauroy, 43, 52, 56, 74, 96. Pistner, 231. Spielmann, 468. Welsh, 2012, 2788, 3313, 5558, 5569, 6481. OCLC, 177757052. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (Princeton University Library and the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris). 15 firsts2024 £2,000
153/ Petite Bibliotheque de la Jeunesse. Marcilly. Paris. 1835. 6 volumes in French in original cartonnage and strong card bookcase with glass window in outer casing that manually lifts up to reveal the books in their inner casing. Pale St. Petersburg blue paper interior. Original retailer's round printed ticket on the back for [Alphonse] Giroux et C[ompagn]ie, Rue du Coq, St. honore, Paris (partly torn away but enough still visible). Harlequin bindings. Printed by A.Pinard. 1/Contes a mes Jeunes Amis, [viii], 118. 2/ Les Feeries Morales, [iv], 127. 3/ L'Historien du Jeune Age, [iv], 125. 4/ Le Petit Conteur, [iv], 126. 5/ Le Petit Fabuliste, [iv], 126. 6/ Souvenirs d'un Petit Voyageur, [iv], 122 printed pages. 55 x 83mm. Original harlequin half morocco bindings with gilt rules, gilt titling and flower motif gilt stamped spines. Alphonse Giroux begun in 1799 under art restorer, cabinet maker and one of the official restorers for the Notre Dame Cathedral, Francois-Simon-Alphonse Giroux, at 7, Rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré in Paris, the business retailed artist’s supplies, and their own cabinetmaking work. The business increased manufacturing and sold other luxury goods and fine art, under the patronage of french kings and members of royal families. Sons, André and Alphonse-Gustave joined the business in 1834 and took over when Francois-Simon-Alphonse retired in 1838. Under his son's direction, the business won a silver medal at the 1839 Exposition des Produits de L’industrie Française. In 1839, the company signed one (of two) exclusive contracts with Louis-Jacques-Mande Daguerre, to manufacture and retail the Daguerrotype and its associated camera through his premises. Gumuchian, 4082-4, 4124. Houghton, 274, 280, 423. Nauroy, 43, 52, 56, 74, 96. Pistner, 231. Spielmann, 468. Welsh, 2012, 2788, 3313, 5558, 5569, 6481. OCLC, 177757052. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (Princeton University Library and the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris). 16 firsts2024 £1,950
154/ Petite Excursion en France. Marcilly. Rue St. Jacques, 10. Paris. 1836. Undated (but 1836). 128 printed pages in French (extremely light spotting). Engraved title page and 11 provincial costume plates. Printed by A.Pinard, Quai Voltaire, 15 [Paris]. In the series 'Petite bibliothèque de la jeunesse'. All edges gilt. 54x 78 mm. Original 'Rome' lime green embossed cartonnage binding covered in papier porcelaine. Slightly rubbed and corners bumped; spine slightly faded. Nauroy, 76. Welsh, 5633. OCLC, 44027154. WorldCat locates 6 copies worldwide. 163 firsts2024 £400
155/ Petites heures à Jesus Christ. Dédiées aux jeunes fidelea. Janet, Francois. Libraire. Rue de la Harpe, 50. Paris. Circa 1818. 190 printed pages in French, each page with scrolling border. Finely engraved frontispiece and 4 plates with elaborate engraved borders and captions. Printed by Didot L'Aîné. Complete with gilt decorated original scarlet straight-grained morocco slipcase (lacking bottom; slightly bumped at corners). 52 x 80 mm. Original scarlet silk; cover with elaborate gilt motifs of Greek urns and honeysuckle; gilt panel mitred with scrolling foliate borders; rather faded and a touch worn). Not in Bondy,Spielmann nor Welsh. Not found in WorldCat. 71 firsts2024 £350
156/ Petits Souvenirs de la Suisse. No publisher. Circa 1850. Miniature souvenir from Switzerland. 14 panels, accordion fold format, each a mere 37 by 25mm or so, of hand-coloured views of Switzlerland, including the Staubbach, Grindelwald Glacier, Wengen, the bridge in Fribourg, the Pont de Diable (Devil's Bridge), Chamouny, Chinon, the Chapel of William Tell. The illustrations are printed and mounted onto card with hand-inked black borders. The captions are not printed, but rather written in ink onto the card leaves in French. 26 x 26mm (folded) Original black morocco fold over covers with blue silk pull. Complete with matching black straight-grained morocco slipcase; 'Petits Souvenirs de la Sisse' in gilt within gilt frame on front and gilt bordered rococo motif on back. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. OCLC, 950884199. WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (Pierpont Morgan Library). 118 firsts2024 £900
157/ Plaisirs de la Campagne, Les. Marcilly. Rue St Jacques, 10. Paris. Circa 1825. [2], 96 printed pages in French. 7 engraved plates. Original paper covers bound in. Printed by 3880, Ves. Renou, Maulde & Cock. Marbled endpapers. With silver metal Lilliput of Tokyo collector's label on rear paste-down endpaper '#00972 Marcilly' and a price of 650,000 Yen (provenance: sale 603, Miniature Books, Rico Onuma Memorial Auction from Lilliput Oval Saloon, owned by Kazushige Onuma, Tokyo. Part II 12/08/2016). 55 x 70 mm. Later full green crushed Niger morocco binding; two raised bands and gilt decorations to spine and covers. Gumuchian, 4133. Mikrobiblion, 193. Nauroy, 86. Spielmann, 416. Welsh, 5726. OCLC, 958426034. WorldCat locates 7 copies worldwide. 171 firsts2024 £600
158/ Playing cards. [Wust, C.L. Frankfurt]. Circa 1920. An exquisite and complete set of miniature playing cards. Each card measures approximately 12 x 17 mm. or 1/2" x 3/4". The set is complete, 52 in total. They are in very good condition. The matching box is original and in good condition, holding together well but a little scuffed on the corners. The design on the backs is reminiscent of a William Morris influence. This set have no makers mark but match similar sets made in Germany by card maker C.L. Wust of Frankfurt, maker of playing cards between 1811 and 1927. 197 firsts2024 £250
159/ Poete de l'enfance, Le. 1839. Marcilly. Paris. 1838. 64 printed pages in French (some pages slightly thumbed, creased and frayed). Engraved throughout. Illustrated with 6 stipple-engraved full-page plates. Calendar inserted at the centre of the volume. Light green crayon on plates. Lacks free endpapers. All edges gilt. 17 x 28 mm. Original burgundy morocco; covers with scrolling dogstooth and floral gilt borders and central gilt wheat sheaf motifs; spine with gilt star scrolls (slightly patinated and a little rubbed). Not in Bondy. Not in Spielmann. Welsh, 5572. OCLC, 949697604. WorldCat locates 3 copies worldwide (University of Virginia, Pierpont Morgan and Bibliothèque Nationale).177 firsts2024 £600
160/ Quarles, Francis. Words of Wisdom. Selections from the Writings of Francis Quarles. Hills & Co. Ye St. Luke's Press. London. 1910 Circa 1910. (60) printed pages. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. 53 x 70 mm. Bound in ruby calf with gilt lettering down the spine; panelled covers with blind stamped bay tree on back and celtic knot motif below titling on front cover. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. OCLC, 960458095. WorldCat locates1 copy worldwide (Pierpont Morgan Library). 119 firsts2024 £85
161/ Resbecq, Adolphe Charles Thédore Fontaine de. Le Portefeuille de Polichinelle. Marcilly, A. Rue St. Jacques, 10. Paris. Undated but 1843. 95, (1) printed pages in French (a little foxing throughout). Engraved vignette title page and 26 charming vignette steel engraved illustrations + one full page. Printed by Imp. de Maulde et Renou, rue Bailleul, 9 et 11. (Paris). Complete with original pink slipcase (slightly faded). 54 x 86mm. Original 'Paris' rose pink embossed cartonnage binding covered in papier porcelaine with Polinichelle depicted in gilt with border and fleur-de lys corner-pieces. Grand-Carteret notes a copy in the Collection Gabriel Cottreau and was aware of more than one copy bound with a calendar. Grand-Carteret, 3517 Houghton, 288. Welsh, 5803. OCLC, 458091634. WorldCat locates two copies worldwide (Bibliothèque Nationale and in the New York Public Library system) .178 firsts2024 £550
162/ Revolving Bookcase. Slim, revolving, sycamore bookcase for miniature books. 1904. The bookcase was originally built by pieceworkers for David Bryce & Son of Glasgow in 1904. It was intended to house and retail the Ellen Terry edition of William Shakespeare's Complete Works in forty miniature volumes printed on very fine India paper (paper produced by Henry Frowde of the Oxford University Press Warehouse, Amen Corner). The bookcase is 158 mm. tall and 110 mm. square. Each shelf is 46 mm. wide and has a 'headroom' of 56 mm. It has eight compartments (two on each side), that are wide enough to house up to five volumes on each of the eight shelves. The revolving case sits on the original matching circular solid sycamore base with the original green baize on the very bottom. One corner of the 'pediment' has been slightly chipped. The top surface has the original eight brass screws visible and a patinated crackle effect in the glaze. All books shown in the photographs are to illustrate the functionality of the bookcase. No books are included in this sale. The bookcase shown here is offered by itself and without any books. The books shown are not for sale. 201 firsts2024 £300
163/ Royal Bijou Birthday Book: a selection from the poetical works of Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Hood, Tennyson, Moore, Burns, Cowper, Scott, Goldsmith, Hemans, Byron, Milton. Eyre & Spottiswoode, His Majesty's Printers, Downs Park Road, N.E. London. Circa 1901. 377, [1] printed pages. Printed in red and black throughout; red is used for dates and black for text. Two dates are listed on each page. Left page contains poems for dates; right page contains blank space for writing under each date. A small number of ink and pencil contemporary name entries dotted throughout. Complete with fully hallmarked silver plaquette on front cover, for Birmingham, 1905-6, S. Blackensee & Son Limited. Registration mark Rd. 455929. With 'Birthdays' and an art nouveau background of a flower, leaves and stems. Front free endpapers stuck together. A few spots throughout. Rear paste-down endpaper slightly damp stained. Some slight marginal 'bleeding' of the red edges. Some leaves with some minuscule damage on the fore-edge. Rounded corners. All edges gilt over red. 50 x 56 mm. Original red straight-grained morocco; spine with gilt titling and an art nouveau design in gilt with 'London' at the foot (slight rubbing to head and tail of spine; a minuscule old ink stain on the back cover). Welsh, 6075. OCLC, 256077070. WorldCat locates copies 6 worldwide. 121 firsts2024 £275
164/ Scott, Sir Walter. Poetical Works Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. Scott's Works in Six Volumes. Circa 1890. Printed by Robert Maclehose, 153 West Nile Street, Glasgow. Doom of Devorgoil, Harold the Dauntless and Minor Poems, 192 pages; Lady of the Lake, 191 pages; Rokeby and the Field of Waterloo, 158 pages; Marmion: A Tale of Dlodden Field, 305 pages; Lord of the Isles and the Vision of Don Roderick, 165 pages; Lay of the Last Minstrel and the Bridal of Triermain, 408 pages. Appears in 1902 Bryce catalogue. Housed in original sycamore Mauchline Prince Charlie tartan box with a double hinged lid that is tartan covered and has a sepia portrait of Scott on upper half and a view of Melrose Abbey on lower half (small split above Scott's portrait; some minor edge-wear and scratching. Gilt title on the hinged lids 'Scott's Poetical Works'. All edges red. Original floral endpapers. 63 x 87mm. Original pale tan cloth. Black decoration to front and rear. The front cover having a round shield and 'pikes' with Scott's motto 'Watch Weel' on a sash threading through. Garbett, 47. Welsh, 6203. Not found in WorldCat. Very scarce. 156 firsts2024 £800
165/ Seneca. Words of Wisdom. Selections from Rules for a Happy Life. Seneca. Hills & Co. Ye St. Luke's Press. London. Circa 1909. (60) printed pages. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. 53 x 70 mm. Bound in tan calf with gilt lettering down the spine; panelled covers with blind stamped bay tree on back and Celtic knot motif below titling on front cover. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. OCLC, 1335178173. WorldCat locates 1 copy worldwide (Lloyd Library & Museum). 143 firsts2024 £85
166/ Sermon in [sic] the Mount. Matthew, Ch. 5,6,7. Longman and co. London. 1854. First edition (second edition published in 1855). 160 printed pages (very minor browning on a few leaves). Printed by Charles Whittingham, London. The text and teachings found in Matthew 5, 6, and 7, with occasional summations in italics. Catchwords and running headers. All edges yellow. Original nonpareil (peigné droit, or kamm) marbled endpapers. 50 x 55 mm. Original brown full calf, elaborately blind embossed, with the title containing the more customary "on" rather than the somewhat confusing "in" of the title page (lacks clasp; slightly rubbed at edges). Welsh, 985. OCLC, 48199862 for the 1855 second edition (WorldCat locates 6 copies worldwide). WorldCat does not list this 1854 first edition. 184 firsts2024 £300
167/ Shakespeare, William. Comedies, Histories and Tragedies of Mr. William Shakespeare together with his Poems and Sonnets with Introductions and Footnotes by W. J. Craig in Forty Volumes. Methuen & Co. 36 Essex Street, W.C. London. 1905. Complete in 40 volumes printed by the Aberdeen University Press Ltd. Title pages printed in red and black. This revolving bookcase is less common than the smaller David Bryce Ellen Terry Shakespeare version of a very similar wooden unit. Complete with original oak revolving bookcase with eight shelves each taking five volumes, on original circular stand . " Top edges gilt. Gold and blue decorated endpapers. Original blue silk place-markers. Some volumes have a contemporary ink ownership signature on the top margin of the series title page. Provenance: Irene Masler. 77 x 96 mm. Original publisher's blue calf with gilt titling down the spines and a single ruled border on the covers. Heads and tails of spines slightly 'pushed'; some gentle rubbing; many spines faded; at some stage the 'Sonnets' volume has been lost and then replaced with the same edition bound in cloth but with cream endpapers and no place-marker. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. OCLC, 48247086. WorldCat locates 4 copies worldwide (British Library, National Library of Scotland, Folger and Michigan University Libraries). 125 firsts2024 £1,600
168/ Shakespeare, William. Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare, with illustrations on steel and wood. Chidley, I.J. 123 Aldersgate Street. London. 1843. All edges gilt. Original primrose endpapers. Volume one strengthened along the inner front hinge. Volume four's inner hinge splitting but still holding firm. Each play paged separately, with an engraved half-title. Volume title pages printed in red and black. Engraved plates by W.H Lizars after works by Fuseli, Anga. Kauffman, Durno, Ramberg, Smirke, Hamilton, Downman, Rigaud, Wheatley, Sir J. Reynolds, J. Northcote, Brown, Opie, Westall, Tresham, J. Hoppner, Kirk, and Thos. Stothard. v. 1. Tempest ; Two gentlemen of Verona ; Merry wives of Windsor ; Twelfth night ; Measure for measure ; Much ado about nothing ; Midsummer night's dream ; Love's labour's lost. v. 2. Merchant of Venice ; As you like it ; All's well that ends well ; Taming of the shrew ; Winter's tale ; Comedy of errors ; Macbeth ; King John. v. 3. King Richard II ; King Henry IV ; Henry V ; King Henry VI. v. 4. King Richard III ; King Henry VIII ; Troilus and Cressida ; Timon of Athens ; Coriolanus ; Julius Caesar ; Antony and Cleopatra. v. 5. Cymbeline ; Titus Andronicus ; Pericles ; King Lear ; Romeo and Juliet ; Hamlet ; Othello. Original full burgundy morocco; spines with gilt titling/volume numbers and blind curlicue embossed motifs; covers with similar embossed decoration (spines and some covers slightly faded). Not in Bondy,Spielmann. Welsh, 6262. Welsh only notes incomplete set/odd volumes. OCLC, 770120614. WorldCat locates two copies worldwide (Victoria & Albert Museum and the Folger Shakespeare Library). 180 firsts2024 £1,250
169/ Shakespeare, William. Ellen Terry Complete Works of William Shakespeare, in 40 volumes. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1904. Large revolving bookcase. Complete 40-volume miniature book set of Shakespeare's works. Complete with frontispieces and portraits. Edited by J.Talfourd Blair. Dedicated to the actress Ellen Terry and printed in 1904 in Glasgow by David Bryce and Son and published jointly in New York by Frederick A. Stokes Company. Red silk place markers. Original black endpapers. All edges red. Contemporary ink inscription on verso of front free endpaper, dated 1906. The books measure 38 x 55 mm. Original red cloth with gilt triple rose motif decoration on the spines (some minor rubbing to the edges of the spine and some cover edges (some spines slightly sunned). A couple of the books have front hinges starting to crack or a small crack in the text block, but still holding firmly). Housed in the original light stained 8-compartment revolving wooden sycamore bookcase (four sides with two compartments in each side, each holding 5 books; minor slight chipping to some edges, one shelf cracked and old repair to one shelf upright). It is on a matching small wooden pedestal and rotates to imitate a full-size version of such a bookcase. Of the Ellen Terry series, Louis Bondy wrote that these volumes are "Bryce's greatest achievement as a leading promoter of miniature books," and, in particular, he describes the Shakespeare as "the most prodigious of these sets" (Bondy, p.114). Most of the sets were printed in 1904. Included are all the plays, the sonnets, a biographical sketch, and glossary. A beautiful and sought after Shakespeare set that is more commonly found in reverse calf or ivorine bindings. Bromer, 51. Garbett, 41. Spielmann, 459. Welsh, 6264. American Art Association, 182. This is an uncommon complete miniature book set, meticulously printed and bound for the David Bryce Company in Glasgow, noted for their miniature book production. Bromer, 51.Garbett41. Spielmann, 459. Welsh, 6264. OCLC, . WorldCat locates copies worldwide. 9 firsts2024 £2,000
170/ Shakespeare, William. Ellen Terry Complete Works of William Shakespeare, in 40 volumes. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1904. Large revolving bookcase. Complete 40-volume miniature book set of Shakespeare's works. Complete with frontispieces and portraits. Edited by J.Talfourd Blair. Dedicated to the actress Ellen Terry and printed in 1904 in Glasgow by David Bryce and Son and published jointly in New York by Frederick A. Stokes Company. Red silk place markers. Original black endpapers. All edges red. Contemporary ink inscription on verso of front free endpaper, dated 1906. The books measure 38 x 55 mm. Original royal blue cloth with gilt triple rose motif decoration on the spines (some minor rubbing to the edges of the spine and some cover edges. A couple of the books have front hinges starting to crack or a small crack in the text block, but still holding firmly). Housed in the original light stained 8-compartment revolving wooden sycamore bookcase - four sides with two compartments in each side, each holding 5 books (minor slight chipping to some edges). It is on a matching small wooden pedestal and rotates to imitate a full-size version of such a bookcase. Bromer, 51.Garbett41. Spielmann, 459. Welsh, 6264. OCLC, . WorldCat locates copies worldwide. 8 firsts2024 £2,000
171/ Shakespeare, William. Ellen Terry Complete Works of William Shakespeare, in 40 volumes. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1904. Large revolving bookcase. Complete 40-volume miniature book set of Shakespeare's works. Complete with frontispieces and portraits. Edited by J.Talfourd Blair. Dedicated to the actress Ellen Terry and printed in 1904 in Glasgow by David Bryce and Son and published jointly in New York by Frederick A. Stokes Company. Red silk place markers. Original black endpapers. All edges red. Contemporary ink inscription on verso of front free endpaper, dated 1906. Henry V has indentations and wear to the cover and spine; all 39 other volumes are in very good condition or better. The books measure 38 x 55 mm. Original pale green cloth with gilt triple rose motif decoration on the spines (some minor rubbing to the edges of the spine and some cover edges. A couple of the books have front hinges starting to crack or a small crack in the text block, but still holding firmly). Housed in the original light stained 8-compartment revolving wooden sycamore bookcase - four sides with two compartments in each side, each holding 5 books (minor slight chipping to some edges). It is on a matching small wooden pedestal and rotates to imitate a full-size version of such a bookcase. Bromer, 51.Garbett41. Spielmann, 459. Welsh, 6264. OCLC, . WorldCat locates copies worldwide. 10 firsts2024 £2,000
172/ Shakespeare, William. Ellen Terry Complete Works of William Shakespeare, in 40 volumes. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1904. Complete Works. [Slimmer revolving bookcase with square stand]Complete 40-volume miniature book set of Shakespeare's works. Complete with frontispieces and portraits. Edited by J.Talfourd Blair. Dedicated to the actress Ellen Terry and printed in 1904 in Glasgow by David Bryce and Son and published jointly with Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press Warehouse, Amen Corner. Rounded corners. Marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. On original spinning mahogany revolving bookcase with filled in sides returns and a square base (four sides with two compartments in each side, each holding 5 books; no obvious chipping to edges but minor scratches on the top surface). The books measure 38 x 55 mm. The bookcase is 100 x 100x 150 mm. Original full green reverse calf with gilt titling on the spines and single blind ruled borders on the covers (spines faded; various amounts of rubbing to the tops and bottoms of the spines and some cover edges - some damage from over-eager removal from the shelves). A similar set of the same edition, rebound by Riviere, is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. Bondy, 114. Spielmann, 459. Welsh, 6264. 123 firsts2024 £1,250
173/ Shakespeare, William. Ellen Terry Complete Works of William Shakespeare, in 40 volumes. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1904. Complete Works. [Slimmer revolving bookcase].Complete 40-volume miniature book set of Shakespeare's works. Complete with frontispieces and portraits. Edited by J.Talfourd Blair. Dedicated to the actress Ellen Terry and printed in 1904 in Glasgow by David Bryce and Son and published jointly with Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press Warehouse, Amen Corner. Rounded corners. Marbled endpapers. All edges gilt over red. Original ivory silk place-markers. The books measure 38 x 55 mm. The bookcase is 100 x 100x 160 mm. Original full dark blue calf with gilt titling on the spines (minuscule amount of rubbing to the edges of the spines and some cover edges). Housed in the original light stained 8-compartment revolving wooden sycamore bookcase (four sides with two compartments in each side, each holding 5 books; no obvious chipping to edges). It is on a matching small wooden pedestal and rotates to imitate a full-size version of such a bookcase but the books have finer India paper, are slimmer and the bookcase is also the slimmer version of two sizes issued for Bryce Shakespeare sets. Of the Ellen Terry series, Louis Bondy wrote that these volumes are "Bryce's greatest achievement as a leading promoter of miniature books," and, in particular, he describes the Shakespeare as "the most prodigious of these sets" (Bondy, p.114). Most of the sets were printed in 1904. Included are all the plays, the sonnets, a biographical sketch, and glossary. A beautiful and sought after Shakespeare set that is more commonly found in reverse calf or ivorine bindings. Bromer, 51. Garbett, 41. Spielmann, 459. Welsh, 6264. American Art Association, 182. This is an uncommon complete miniature book set, meticulously printed and bound for the David Bryce Company in Glasgow, noted for their miniature book production. Bromer, 51.Garbett41. Spielmann, 459. Welsh, 6264. OCLC, . WorldCat locates copies worldwide. 124 firsts2024 £2,000
174/ Shakespeare, William. Ellen Terry Shakespeare (complete set of 40). This edition is carefully edited and compared with the best texts by J Talfourd Blair. Bryce, David & Son Glasgow. 1904. Lettering labels on spine. In miniature old fashioned antique oak dower chest with hinged top and drop-front, measures 23 x 14.5 x 10 cm., housing 40 volumes (complete). Very slight mark to top of wooden lid. Fine India paper. Rounded corners. 32 x 49 mm. Brown reverse calf slim bindings - original brown suede, yapp edges (one or two labels slightly chipped at edges). A similar set of the same edition, rebound by Riviere, is in the Queen Mary's Dolls' House in Windsor Castle. Bondy, 114. Spielmann, 459. Welsh, 6264. 201 firsts2024 £2,000
175/ Shakespeare, William. Ellen Terry Shakespeare (complete set of 40). This edition is carefully edited and compared with the best texts by J Talfourd Blair. Bryce, David & Son Glasgow. 1904. India paper. Original dark blue or decorated endpapers. Each volume has a frontispiece. Each volume is 32 x 49 mm. Original harlequin slim calf bindings. Lettering on spine and upper cover in gilt with elaborate leaf decoration on spines and floral title borders (very minor degrees of slight rubbing to the top of the spines). Complete with original three-shelved carved gated hanging wooden bookcase with hinged doors; the back has its original metal eyes for hanging up with string (very minor damage to top and bottom of wooden carvings). Garbett said, "The only example I have been able to locate is in the National Library of Scotland. I have seen an advertisement for a Wall Bracket Bookcase, with carved decoration above and below double doors for 45 shillings, and this could well be the same item". Bondy, 114. Garbett, 44. Spielmann, 459. Welsh, 6264. 13 firsts2024 £2,450
176/ Shakespeare, William. A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Merchant Of Venice, Twelfth Night, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Bryce, David & Son Glasgow. 1905 Five matching volumes of miniature Shakespearean comedies. Contemporary straight grained morocco. All edges gilt over red. Original marbled endpapers. Contemporary silver stand. Hallmarked for John Collard Vickery. and for Chester, 1905. Garbett - "There were short combinations of Shakespeare titles sold. Bondy describes a set of five books: Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Merchant of Venice, Midsummer Night's Dream and the Tempest, issued in a wooden rack with silver ends. I have had the same item and also one with a rack made completely of silver, and in both cases the titles were different. Perhaps they used whatever books were to hand." Original burgundy morocco, gilt titling on front covers and spines, with single gilt fillet border. A beautiful set on a fully hallmarked contemporary silver stand. Bondy, 114. Garbett, 42. Spielmann, 459. Welsh, 6264. 62 firsts2024 £700
177/ Shakespeare, William. Hamlet, Macbeth, Measure for Measure, Othello, Romeo and Juliet. Bryce, David & Son Glasgow. 1905 Five matching volume of miniature Shakespearean tragedies. Contemporary straight grained morocco. All edges gilt over red. Original marbled endpapers. Contemporary and unusual Edwardian Art Nouveau silver book stand. Full English silver hallmarks for 1904, maker George Betjemann & Sons, also marked Lizzie in cursive engraving, and registration number 438219, 60 grams. Garbett - "There were short combinations of Shakespeare titles sold. Bondy describes a set of five books: Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Merchant of Venice, Midsummer Night's Dream and the Tempest, issued in a wooden rack with silver ends. I have had the same item and also one with a rack made completely of silver, and in both cases the titles were different. Perhaps they used whatever books were to hand." Original burgundy morocco, gilt titling on front covers and spines, with single gilt fillet border. A beautiful set on a fully hallmarked contemporary silver stand. Bondy, 114. Garbett, 42. Spielmann, 459. Welsh, 6264. 126 firsts2024 £700
178/ Shakespeare, William. Illustrated Pocket Shakespeare. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1886. Date from British Museum acquisition stamp in 1886. 8 volumes edited by Talfourd Blair. Each volume with frontispiece. 516; 534; 482; 490; 496; 508; 499 and 523 printed pages including glossary at end. Printed by Robert Maclehose, Glasgow. Very uncommon. A few volumes with the odd slightly sprung gathering. Volume 1 with split at page 32/3 but still holding. Decorated endpapers. All edges red. Contemporary pencil ownership inscription on front free endpaper of volume one. Case 14 x 10 x 7.5 cm. Each volume, 67 x 93 mm. Original brown embossed cloth; spine with bust of Shakespeare surmounting list of plays and publisher all in gilt and with gilt titling cartouche above and scrolling greek key pattern in gilt at the head and tail; plain back covers but blind embossed front covers with three various decorative scenes. Box in matching cloth; lid gilt embossed "Shakespeare" and with theatrical emblems within scrolling key border. Lacks original ribbons. Volume one with some light scratch marks, volume two with minor scattered light spots; otherwise barely any significant handling or wear. Box rather worn and split at the top hinge; slight wrinkling, rubbing all over with mild spotting at the front lower left corner. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. OCLC, 829710418. WorldCat locates 7 copies worldwide. 202 firsts2024 £850
179/ Shakespeare, William. Little Shakespeare. Complete with Glossary. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1908. 1024 printed pages. Oxford India paper. Death mask, 8 portraits, 40 text Illustrations. Portrait notes by W.S.Brassington [former librarian at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre and author of local subjects]. Title-page within decorative border. Printed in double columns. Decorative head- and tail-pieces. "Smallest complete Shakespeare in one volume in the world". “Dear Mr. Brassington, I have pleasure in sending you a couple of copies of ‘The Little Shakespeare, William’ it is a curiosity & will I daresay find its own clientele of purchases, it has been a most troublesome book to produce – some of the plates not coming up so clearly, as the others but on the whole it looks fairly well. " (David Bryce). Slightly age-toned margins. 70 x 92 mm. Original brown cloth with elaborate gilt blocked decoration on spine and gilt lettering within art nouveau stylised cartouche. Complete with original printed dust-jacket stating "Shakespeare's Complete Works. The Smallest Edition in the World. Formerly published by David Bryce and Son, and now procurable from any Bookseller, or from Gownas & Gray Ltd., 58 Cadogan Street, Glasgow". Dust-jacket slightly torn at head and tail of spine with slight losses, very slight browning and some minimal edge-wear. Publisher David Bryce & Son "got into financial difficulties just prior to the Great War and was eventually taken over by the firm of Gowans and Gray who had shared the same building with them since about 1911" (Garbett, 11). Mr Adam L. Gowans was one of David Bryce's "earliest correspondents in minibibliophily". This 1908 Bryce book has a Gowans dustjacket, presumably added later to unsold Bryce stock after the take-over. As such this is a rare item. Welsh, 6310. OCLC, 48273185. WorldCat locates 6 copies worldwide. 127 firsts2024 £500
180/ Shakespeare, William. Little Shakespeare. Complete with Glossary. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1908. 1024 printed pages (occasional light spotting). Oxford India paper. Death mask, 8 portraits, 40 text Illustrations. Portrait notes by W.S.Brassington [former librarian at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre and author of local subjects]. Title-page within decorative border. Printed in double columns. Decorative head- and tail-pieces. Original matching silk place-keeper. Marbled endpapers (foxed). Ownership inscriptions in ink and in pencil on verso of front free endpaper dated to 1921. All edges gilt. "Smallest complete Shakespeare in one volume in the world". “Dear Mr. Brassington, I have pleasure in sending you a couple of copies of ‘The Little Shakespeare, William’ it is a curiosity & will I daresay find its own clientele of purchases, it has been a most troublesome book to produce – some of the plates not coming up so clearly, as the others but on the whole it looks fairly well. " (David Bryce). 70 x 92 mm. Original plum reverse calf yapp style binding; spine with gilt titling and art nouveau stylised decoration; front cover with embossed arms of Shakespeare (corners and edges slightly rubbed; minuscule marks on back cover). Welsh, 6310. OCLC, . WorldCat locates copies worldwide. 159 firsts 2024 £250
181/ Shakespeare, William Plays of Shakespeare. Pickering, William [publisher]. London. 1825. 9 volumes. From the text of Johnson, Steevens, & Reed. Printer's name from colophon, volume 9. This collected set in 9 volumes was originally issued in several bindings -"1) in red cloth, paper labels, at £2 17s, or 2) in morocco at, £4 7s. Also issued without the engravings"-Keynes. This set issued without engravings. With the individual volume pagination and title pages. Decorated endpapers in green with pattern of gilt asterisks or stars. All edges gilt. 47 x 84mm. Original brown morocco. Sumptuous, contemporary and uniform bindings with Shakespeare's bust on upper cover, mitre panelled with corner pieces in gilt and his initials in the form of an intaglio signet ring, similarly mitre panelled with corner pieces in gilt on the back cover. Spines in compartments with gilt titling, volume numbers and rich decoration (gilt on spine faded). Bondy, 88. Edison, 50. Nauroy, 95. Spielmann, 456. Welsh, 6309. OCLC, 960073302. WorldCat locates 52 copies worldwide. 19 firsts2024. Not part of the sale is the photographed antique wooden lacquered box decorated with cranes and foliage; it was not originally retailed with the books but remains a beautiful contemporary display box and available for an additional £100 if required. £1,200
182/ Shakespeare, William. Pocket Portrait Shakespeare. Complete with glossary. Bryce, David & Sons. Glasgow. Circa 1899. India paper. Title pages printed in red and black. With an essay, Notes on some portraits of William Shakespeare by W.S. Brassington. Printed by Robert MacLehose & Co. University Press, Glasgow. Eight volumes in four, housed in a book-shaped box. Each book with its own compartment. Vols.i & ii : 516, 534 printed pages - Tempest; Two Gentlemen Of Verona; Merry Wives Of Windsor; Comedy Of Errors; Much Ado About Nothing; Love's Labour Lost; Midsummer Night's Dream; As You Like It; Taming Of The Shrew; All's Well That Ends Well. Vols. iii & iv : 482, 496 printed pages - Twelfth Night; Winter's Tale; King John; King Richard II; King Henry IV, First Part; King Henry IV, Second Part; King Henry VI, First Part; King Henry VI, Second Part; King Henry VI, Third Part. Vols. v & vi : 490, 508 printed pages - King Henry VI, Third Part (Continued); King Richard III; King Henry VIII; Troilus And Cressida; Titus Andronicus; Coriolanus; Macbeth; Cymbeline; Timon Of Athens; Julius Caesar. Vols. vii & viii : 499, 521 printed pages - Hamlet; King Lear; Othello; Antony and Cleopatra; Romeo and Juliet; Pericles; Miscellaneous Poems; Index to Current Shakespearian Phrases; Glossary. Original black endpapers. All edges gilt. 70 x 100 mm. Original polished green calf. Gilt titles and decoration to each front board and spine ( light rubbing to edges and a few small blemishes). The book box measures: 6.5 x 9.0 x 1.0. Maroon straight-grained morocco with early reback, preserving the original spine. Gilt title and decoration to both the front board and spine. Marbled side panels (impersonating the paged edges of a book). Inner hinges carefully strengthened. Late prize label: Girls High School. Awarded to Amelia Williams Dec. 20 1900. Not in Bondy, nor Garbett, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. OCLC, 54361151. WorldCat locates 4 copies worldwide including only one in the UK (National Library of Scotland). 128 firsts2024 £1,150
183/ Shakespeare, William. Works. Andersons, Edinburgh Ltd. for Allied Newspapers. [London]. 1932. Circa 1932. Deluxe red full leather bindings. Complete set of 40 volumes. Comprising: the tempest; The two gentlemen of Verona; The merry wives of Windsor; Measure for measure; The comedy of errors; Much ado about nothing; Love's labour's lost; A midsummer night's dream; The merchant of Venice; As you like it; The taming of the shrew; All's well that ends well; Twelfth night; The winter's tale; King John; Richard II; Henry IV, part 1; Henry IV, part 2; Henry V; Henry VI, part 1; Henry VI, part 2; Henry VI, part 3; Richard III; Henry VIII; Troilus and Cressida; Coriolanus; Titus Andronicus; Romeo and Juliet; Timon of Athens; Julius Caesar; Macbeth; Hamlet; King Lear; Othello; Antony and Cleopatra; Cymbeline; Pericles [Prince of Tyre];Venus and Adonis; Rape of Lucrece; Sonnets and poems; Glossary. Original plywood 3 shelf free-standing bookshelf. Printed in Scotland and published by Allied Newspapers to commemorate the opening of The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon opened on 23 April, 1932 on the site adjacent to the original Shakespeare Memorial Theatre (opened 19 April 1879), which had been destroyed by fire on 6 March 1926. Usually found in rexine (imitation black morocco), often with a simple 3 tier oak bookshelf, this deluxe edition in red leather with superior gilt work to spine. Original red calf (some slight rubbing). The text and the design for the spines was formerly created and published by David Bryce & Son, Glasgow, who went out of business just before the advent of World War One in 1914. Andersons acquired many of the publishing assets of Bryce and re-published them in the following decades. Bondy, 123. OCLC, 43008884. WorldCat locates 13 copies in the black rexine binding worldwide. 149 Firsts2024 £995
184/ Smallest English Dictionary in the World Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. Circa 1894. 384 pages. Engraved portrait of Dr. Samuel Johnson. Set in 1-1/2 point type. Printed by Robert Maclehose, Glasgow. ""Dedicated by the publishers to Mrs Kendal in appreciation of kindly encouragement given to the production of tiny articles, of which she, has a unique- collection." All edges yellow. 19 x 28 mm. Original red leather (very minor edge rubbing). "Bryce’s English Dictionary" printed in gilt on front cover and "Pears" in gilt on rear cover. The books were sold in different types of locket, priced to suit different pockets. There was the tin, brass and sterling silver versions. The brass locket was squarer, with a motif of a bird engraved on it and was also hinged, while the more expensive silver case actually had a front plate that swivelled round horizontally to reveal the book. This copy, however, is housed in the original metal case with magnifier and loop at top. Complete with original tartan paper covered cardboard box, with printed label on removable lid, showing an image of the metal case or locket and 'The Smallest Dictionary in the World with Magnifying Glass'. Very good condition and rare as such. Bondy, 106. Garbett, 25. Pistner, B233:7. Spielmann, 464. Welsh, 2406. OCLC, . WorldCat locates copies worldwide. 173 firsts2024 £675
185/ Smallest English Dictionary in the World. Comprising: besides the ordinary and newest words in the language, short explanations of a large number of scientific, philosophical, literary and technical terms. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1893. [SOLID SILVER LOCKET] 384 pages. Printed on finest India paper. Portrait frontispiece of Dr. Johnson. Mite series. Set in 1-1/2 point type. Printed by Robert Maclehose, Glasgow. ""Dedicated by the publishers to Mrs Kendal in appreciation of kindly encouragement given to the production of tiny articles, of which she, has a unique- collection."All edges gilt. 19 x 28 mm. Original red morocco."English Dictionary" front cover and blank rear cover. Complete with scarce and desirable solid silver locket , fully hallmarked in two places for Sampson Mordan & Co,1893/4 London. built in magnifying glass (scratched) and original silver loop. Bryce offered their dictionaries in a choice of Metal cases (1s.3d.), Tartan (1s.6d.), Yapped leather (2s.0d.), Silver gilt (2s.6d.), Gilt or engraved (3s.6d.) & Silver hallmarked locket (7s.6d.) -this example was the most costly and by far the hardest of these to find. This is one of a number of minuscule books published by Bryce by the process of photographic reduction. They are all legible with a magnifying glass and the equivalent of 1 1/2-point. This is number 18 in Ruth Adomeit's List of 32 Basic Books for the Serious Collector. Although "thousands of these dictionaries were published, they are now becoming distinctly scarce and command steadily rising prices" [Bondy]. Bondy, 106. Garbett, 25. Spielmann, 464. Welsh, 2408. Seller Inventory 64 firsts2024 £475
186/ Smallest English Dictionary in the World. Comprising: besides the ordinary and newest words in the language, short explanations of a large number of scientific, philosophical, literary and technical terms. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1893. 384 pages. Printed on finest India paper. Portrait frontispiece of Dr. Johnson. Mite series. Set in 1-1/2 point type. Printed by Robert Maclehose, Glasgow. ""Dedicated by the publishers to Mrs Kendal in appreciation of kindly encouragement given to the production of tiny articles, of which she, has a unique- collection."All edges yellow. Contemporary in ownership signature on front free endpaper, dated 1909. 19 x 28 mm. Original red morocco."English Dictionary" front cover and 'Pears' on back cover. Fully hallmarked silver locket, hallmarks in 2 places Sampson Mordan & Co,1894 . Magnifying Glass and original silver loop (some mild scratches and a little tarnished). 19 x 28 mm. Original red morocco (slightly thumbed). Bryce offered their dictionaries in a choice of Metal cases (1s.3d.), Tartan (1s.6d.), Yapped leather (2s.0d.), Silver gilt (2s.6d.), Gilt or engraved (3s.6d.) & Silver hallmarked locket (7s.6d.) -this example was the most costly and by far the hardest to find. This is one of a number of minuscule books published by Bryce by the process of photographic reduction. They are all legible with a magnifying glass and the equivalent of 1 1/2-point. This is number 18 in Ruth Adomeit's List of 32 Basic Books for the Serious Collector. Although "thousands of these dictionaries were published, they are now becoming distinctly scarce and command steadily rising prices" [Bondy]. Bondy, 106. Garbett, 25. Pistner, B233:7. Spielmann, 464. Welsh, 2406. 63 firsts2024 £475
187/ Smallest English Dictionary in the World Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. Circa 1894. 384 pages. Engraved portrait of Dr. Samuel Johnson. Set in 1-1/2 point type. Printed by Robert Maclehose, Glasgow. ""Dedicated by the publishers to Mrs Kendal in appreciation of kindly encouragement given to the production of tiny articles, of which she, has a unique- collection." 19 x 28 mm. Original red leather. "Bryce’s English Dictionary" printed in gilt on front cover and "Pears" in gilt on rear cover. The books were sold in different types of locket, priced to suit different pockets. There was the tin, brass and sterling silver versions. The brass locket was squarer, with a motif of a bird engraved on it and was also hinged, while the more expensive silver case actually had a front plate that swivelled round horizontally to reveal the book. This copy, however, is housed in a contemporary gold bookmark with magnifying glass inset to the front and a circular window to the back, fully hallmarked for 1894 by renowned gold & silversmiths Sampson Mordan & Co Ltd. In 9 carat gold. The silver bookmarks by this maker are uncommon and sought after, but I have never seen or heard of another example than this one, fabricated in gold. Considering the size of the print, it is unexpectedly readable with the magnifier. This famous publishing firm was started in 1832 in Glasgow, Scotland and went into miniature books from 1876 until 1913, when it permanently closed down. The Pears (manufacturers of soap products) connection with the publisher, Bryce, was a very substantial sponsorship deal. Bondy, 106. Garbett, 25. Pistner, B233:7. Spielmann, 464. Welsh, 2406. 65 firsts2024 £1,300
188/ Stevenson, Robert Louis. Pentland Rising: A page of history. 1666. With Memorials of Robert Louis Stevenson. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. Circa 1905. 128 printed pages. Portariat frontispiece, map, facsimile title page and 16 full-page illustrations. 16 page illustrated Bryce catalogue at the end. Printed at the University Press, Glasgow. [Thistle Library. no. 26.] Very minor wear to foot of replacement frontispiece. Top edge gilt. Pictorial endpapers. Pencil inscription on reverese of frontispiece dated 1921. 64 x 87 mm. Original verdant green leather; spine with gilt lettering above elaborate decorative armorial motif. Front cover with blocked gilt titling. Complete with printed and rare dust wrapper, with bibliographical note on the back (short closed tears at top and bottom of hinges; rather thumbed with marks to lower covers). Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. Garbett, 52. OCLC, 504699348. WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (British Library). 133 firsts2024 £300
189/ Stevenson, Robert Louis. Pentland Rising: A page of history. 1666. With Memorials of Robert Louis Stevenson. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. Circa 1905. 128 printed pages. Portrait frontispiece, map, facsimile title page and 16 full-page illustrations. 16 page illustrated Bryce catalogue at the end. Printed at the University Press, Glasgow. [Thistle Library. no. 26.] Complete with original bust of Robert Louis Stevenson, cast in brass. This is rare and no other example has been tracked down. Very minor wear to foot of frontispiece. Top edge gilt. Pictorial endpapers. 64 x 87 mm. Original verdant green leather; spine with gilt lettering above elaborate decorative armorial motif. Front cover with blocked gilt titling. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. Garbett, 52. OCLC, 504699348. WorldCat locates one copy worldwide (British Library). 132 firsts2024 £700
190/ Sydney Royal Agricultural Society Show (The Royal Show), in a walnut shell. Unknown. [Sydney]. 1920. Antique Miniature Postcard Photograph Souvenir in a Real Walnut. Concertina strip of 11 different views together with good well wishes rhymes etc opposite. Lacking very first tiny printed segment that should read, ‘With Best Wishes from Sydney Australia.’ Photographs each measure approx 1 inch x 0.75"". Real walnut measures approx 4cm 1.5"" max. Remnants of a contemporary attached brown luggage label and printed on one side is “Cole’s P…” and on the verso “[Copyr]ight”. It looks like an advert for a contemporary commercial sponsor but not Coles Emporium, Melbourne, in its self a major tourist attraction and associated with various novelties at the time. Possibly made as a souvenir for the Royal Agricultural Society Show (The Royal Show), a major event held in Sydney in the same year this object is said to have been made – 1920. Illawarra Historical Society has the only other copy I can trace https://tinyurl.com/5x4wy2ph .A rare surviving souvenir/tourism item from a exhibition event or agricultural show in the 1920 original walnut shell. 134 firsts2024 £400
191/ Tennyson, Alfred Lord. Early poems. Bryce & Son. Glasgow. Circa 1889. 184 printed pages (inner hinge cracked but holds firmly). Frontispiece. Binding design & title page by Jessie M King. Dainty Little Library series, 74. Original black endpaper. 60 x 90 mm. Original publisher's tan calf. Gilt lettering within art nouveau style decorative borders. Tiny area of loss on front cover. Garbett, 49. Welsh, 4758. OCLC, 38887629. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (British Library and Worcester). 135 firsts2024 £145
192/ Tennyson, Alfred Lord. Idylls of the King, and other poems. Bryce, David & Son Glasgow. 1905. vi, 1091-1471, [1] printed pages. Frontispiece, Printed at the University Press, Glasgow. India paper. Rounded corners. All edges gilt. 40 x 59 mm. Original peach silk wrap-around wallet style binding (slightly dulled). Final individual volume of rare four volume set. Unusual, especially in this wallet-style pink silk binding. OCLC, 298256838. WorldCat locates 3 copies worldwide (Brian Sutton-Smith, Virginia and Indiana Universities). 193 firsts2024 £200
193/ Tennyson, Alfred Lord. In Memoriam. Bryce, David & Son Glasgow. Circa 1905. With dustjacket. 365 printed pages. Printed at the University Press, Glasgow. All edges gilt. Original marbled endpapers. This copy has the original dust jacket in plain paper with 'In Memoriam-Tennyson Miniature Edition printed on the cover and ""In Memoriam' printed on the spine (central panels and all edges age-toned; edges worn particularly at head and tail of spine). 1.5 x 2" Original black morocco with gilt title to cover and spine with single fillet gilt border (rear hinge split but holding firmly). Spielmann, 475. Bondy, 115. Welsh, 6645. This edition not found in WorldCat. 195 firsts2024 £350
194/ Tennyson, Alfred Lord. Princess, The. Bryce & Son. Glasgow. Circa 1889. 215 printed pages (Pages numbered 369-583). Frontispiece. Binding design & title page by Jessie M King. Dainty Little Library series, 75. Original black endpaper. 60 x 90 mm. Original publisher's burgundy calf. Gilt lettering within art nouveau style decorative borders. Tiny area of loss on front cover. Garbett, 49. Welsh, 4758. OCLC, 1394583887. WorldCat locates two copies worldwide (british Library and National Library of Scotland). 138 firsts2024 £145
195/ Tennyson, Alfred Lord. Poetical Works. Eyre and Spottiswoode, (Bible Warehouse), Ltd., 33, Paternoster Row. [London]. Circa 1906. 1035 [2, blank] , printed pages. Title printed in black and red with poet's name in red. Some marginal and minor historic water stain in the top corner not affecting the text in the last few leaves. Fine India paper. Original silk place-marker. Original marbled endpapers (slightly foxed). All edges gilt over red. 47 x 55mm. Contemporary burgundy morocco. Unusual (for this edition) gilt art nouveau design on spine with gilt lettering, "Tennyson's Poetical Works". Original silver plaquette on front cover, fully hallmarked for William Comyns [of Harrogate], London, 1906 (small fixing hole near hallmark; a few tiny dents and some tarnishing). Bondy, 120. Welsh, 6655. OCLC, 3407116 . WorldCat locates 11 copies worldwide. 136 firsts2024 £240
196/ Thomas à Kempis. Words of Wisdom. Selections from the "Little Garden of Roses" by Thomas a Kempis. Hills & Co. Ye St. Luke's Press. London. Circa 1906. (60) printed pages. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. 53 x 70 mm. Bound in black calf with gilt lettering down the spine; panelled covers with blind stamped bay tree on back and Celtic knot motif below titling on front cover. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann. Welsh, 6687. OCLC, 81630114. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (Harvard University and Lloyd Library & Museum). 141 firsts2024 £85
197/ Thumb Birthday Text Book of short verses from the bible. Bryce, David & Son Glasgow. 1894. [4 + 2 blanks], 366 printed pages. 5 printed pages adverts at end. Printed horizontally with one Bible quotation per page, and space left for autograph collecting. Number 7 in Thumb Series. All edges gilt. Contemporary ink ownership inscription on verso of front free endpaper. Provenance: [2nd Lieutenant] James Herbert Seabrook, Boreham, Essex and dated 1894 when he was 9 years old (died in France 10th September 1914, aged 29). Multiple contemporary names entered, some with their years of birth. Contemporary fully hallmarked silver plaquette on front cover with 'Birthdays' and art deco stylised flower, stems and leaves. Made by S. Blackensee & Son Limited in 1904 with a Birmingham assay mark and a registration number 455929. Rounded corners. Original black endpapers. All edges gilt over red. 45 x 60 mm. Original burgundy roan with single blind ruled border. Bondy, 105. Garbett, 14. Welsh, 6708. OCLC, 262293008. WorldCat locates 5 copies worldwide (British Library, Library of Congress and Indiana, Virginia, & Cambridge Universities). 182 firsts2024 £325
198/ Holy Bible containing Old and New testaments. Bryce, David & Son. Glasgow. 1912. Memento of Ulster Day 28 September 1912. Printed on front endpapers is 'Ulster's Solemn League and Covenant' with a Red Hand in Shield, to top left. Complete with magnifier in back pocket and complete with rare printed dust-jacket (unrepaired and in good condition with slight edge-wear). All edges yellow. 32 x 45 mm. Original dark blue embossed calf (I believe this is the only edition of this particular bible that Bryce had bound in this blue). Spine has two horizontal ruled lines embossed with Holy Bible above and 1912 below. Between is written 'A Memento of Ulster day 28 September. The Covenant was signed by Sir Edward Carson (leader of the Irish Unionist Alliance) - his facsimile signature is printed here on the front free endpaper - and more than half a million other Protestants, in protest against the Third Home Rule Bill introduced by Asquith's British Government that year. Out of the Covenant, the Ulster Volunteer Force was born and, after Ireland's post World War One partition, sectarian attacks grew more widespread. The UVF lasted several years before being absorbed into the Ulster Special Constabulary in the 1920s. This edition was not mentioned by Garbett and nor has it been documented elsewhere, to my knowledge. I have only ever seen this and two other examples for sale, both without the exceptionally rare dust-jacket. WorldCat locates zero copies of this edition worldwide. 28 firsts2024 £1,300
199/ Walton, Izaak. Compleat Angler or the Contemplative Man's Recreation. Being a Discourse of Rivers, Fish-ponds, Fish and Fishing. Frowde, Henry. Oxford University Press Warehouse, Amen Corner, E.C. London. Circa 1900. xix, 587 printed pages (text block shows a few slightly creased edges). Portrait frontispiece. Horace Hart, printer to Oxford University. India paper. All edges red. 48 x 53 mm. Original tan card, titled in red with black decorative borders minuscule edge wear; a few minor spots on back cover). From the fifth edition, 1676 - much corrected and enlarged. Scarcest Oxford miniature. Particularly uncommon in paper wrappers. Bondy, 117. Spielmann, 504-5. Welsh, 7030. OCLC, 10991384. WorldCat locates 15 copies worldwide (3 in the UK). 186 firsts2024 £300
200/ Words of Wisdom. Selections from the Book of Proverbs. Hills & Co. Ye St. Luke's Press. London. Circa 1910. (61) printed pages. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. 53 x 70 mm. Bound in ruby calf with gilt lettering down the spine; panelled covers with blind stamped bay tree on back and Celtic knot motif below titling on front cover. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. OCLC, 235415558. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (Lloyd Library and Museum and Virginia University Libraries). 144 firsts2024 £85
201/ Words of Wisdom. Selections from the Code of Manu, &c. Hills & Co. Ye St. Luke's Press. London. Circa 1920. (60) printed pages. Original marbled endpapers. All edges gilt. 67 x 50 mm. Bound in blue calf with gilt lettering down the spine; panelled covers with blind stamped bay tree on back and Celtic knot motif below titling on front cover. Not in Bondy, nor Spielmann, nor Welsh. OCLC, 235968817. WorldCat locates 2 copies worldwide (Indiana and Virginia University Libraries). 122 firsts2024 £85
202/ World's Fair in a Nutshell. A Century of Progress. Gale Specialty Co. Chicago. 1932. Concertina strip of 40, alternating photographs and text, printed to one side only (‘a pull-out accordion booklet of pictures and descriptions of important architectural works from the fair’). 25 x 20 mm. Oily spot for about 10 pages in the middle but just a bit discolouring the paper. Housed in a real walnut shell, measures approx 40 mm., sewn on one side, with red wire closure. With the original colour-printed paper mailing tag, filled out. This thing was mailed from Chicago to New York, today it would just get lost in the mail. Illawarra Historical Society mentions the only other copies I can trace https://tinyurl.com/5x4wy2ph . A rare surviving souvenir/tourism item from a exhibition event or agricultural show in the early 1932 original walnut shell. 140 firsts2024 £380