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First edition of Alhazen's fundamental Book of Optics
ALHAZEN (HASAN IBN AL-HAYTHAM),.
Opticae Thesaurus Alhazeni Arabis. [Alhazen’s Book of Optics].
Basel: Eusebius Episcopius , 1572.
First edition of Alhazen's fundamental work on optics and vision, which influenced Galileo and Kepler and paved the way for the modern science of physical optics. Folio, bound in full contemporary Basel vellum with central arabesques blind-stamped to the front and rear panels, titles stamped in black and five raised bands to the spine, woodcut printer's device to the title page, woodcut initials, diagrams and full page illustration to the verso of the title page. Translated from Arabic into Latin by Gerard of Cremona. In very good condition. From the library of American physician Chester Tilton Stone with his bookplate…
Price: $142,000.00 Item Number: 90395
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Rare early 16th century Venetian printing of ARISTOTLE'S INFLUENTIAL WORK ON ZOOLOGY: THE HISTORY OF ANIMALS
ARISTOTLE,.
Aristoteles de Animalibus.
Venetiis: Octaviani Scoticiuis, 1525.
Rare early 16th century Venetian printing of Aristotle's pioneering work on zoology which had a powerful influence on zoology for over two thousand years. Folio, bound in full vellum, illustrated with woodcut initials. In very good condition. Deaccessioned from the Harvard College Library with their stamps and bookplate.
Price: $4,000.00 Item Number: 133419
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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit": One of Only 50 sets of The Works of Aristotle; Signed by Translator Thomas Taylor in volumes 1 and 4.
ARISTOTLE; TRANSLATED BY THOMAS TAYLOR,.
The Works of Aristotle.
London: Robert Wilks, 1806-12.
Exceptionally rare complete set of the first edition in English of the works of Aristotle, limited to only 50 sets, signed by the translator Thomas Taylor in volumes one and four. Quarto, 11 volumes, bound in full contemporary calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, morocco spine labels, ribbon book marks bound in, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled. The set composes of the following: Volume 1: The Organon, 1807, signed at the end by the translator Thomas Taylor, and with A Brief Notice of Mr. Thomas Taylor, the Celebrated Platonist, with a Complete List of his Published Works, by…
Price: $55,000.00 Item Number: 138648
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FIRST SCALIGERO EDITION OF ARISTOTLE'S INFLUENTIAL WORK OF ZOOLOGY: THE HISTORY OF ANIMALS
ARISTOTLE. TRANSLATED BY JULIUS CAESAR SCALIGER,.
Aristotelis Historia de Animalibus, Ivlio Caesare Scaligero Interprete, cum Ejusdem Commentariis.
Tolosae [Toulouse]: Apud Dominicum & Petrum Bosc, 1619.
First Scaliger edition of Aristotle’s pioneering work on zoology which had a powerful influence on zoology for over two thousand years. Folio, bound in full contemporary vellum-covered boards, engraved vignette title page, in-text woodcut illustrations, and numerous woodcut initials throughout. Julius Caesar Scaliger was an Italian scholar and physician, who spent a major part of his career in France. He employed the techniques and discoveries of Renaissance humanism to defend Aristotelianism against the New Learning. In spite of his contentious disposition, his contemporary reputation was high. Jacques Auguste de Thou claimed that none of the ancients could be placed above him…
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 133054
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Rare 16th century French printing of Aristotle's influential work of zoology: The History of Animals
ARISTOTLE. TRANSLATED BY THEODORO GAZA,.
Aristotelis De Historia Animalium Libri. IX. [Bound with] De Partibus Animalium, & Earu Causis, Libri IIII; De Generatione Animalium Libri V; Hoc Volumine Continentur.
Parisiis: Ex officina Prigentii Caluarini ad Geminas Cyppas in Clauso Brunello, 1542.
Rare 16th century French printing of Aristotle's pioneering work on zoology which had a powerful influence on zoology for over two thousand years. Octavo, bound in full polished calf, engraved title pages. Rebacked. In very good condition.
Price: $2,000.00 Item Number: 133014
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First octavo edition, presentation copy of John James Audubon's The Birds of America; warmly inscribed by him in both volumes I and II to Lydia E. E. Greene
AUDUBON, John James.
The Birds of America, From Drawings Made In The United States And Their Territories.
New York: Published by J. J. Audubon. Philadelphia: J. B. Chevalier, 1840-1844.
First octavo edition of Audubon's landmark work; one of the most spectacular collections of ornithological prints ever produced. Royal octavo, 7 volumes bound in full 19th-century morocco by P. Low of Boston with their ticket, gilt titles and ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers, ribbons bound in. Illustrated with 500 hand-colored lithographed plates after Audubon by W. E. Hitchcock, R. Trembly and others, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen, wood-engraved anatomical diagrams in text. Presentation copy, inscribed by John James Audubon on…
Price: $200,000.00 Item Number: 143567
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“THE MOST NATURALISTIC DEPICTION OF AMERICAN MAMMALS EVER DONE”: FIRST OCTAVO EDITION OF AUDUBON’S QUADRUPEDS
AUDUBON, John James and John Bachman .
The Quadrupeds of North America.
New York: V.G. Audubon, 1849, 1851, 1854.
Rare first octavo edition of Audubon’s Quadrupeds, illustrated with 155 magnificent hand-colored lithographic plates. Tall octavos, three volumes, bound in full straight red morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, gilt stamped bear on front board, rear board with blind stamped bear, marbled endpapers. In near fine condition. An exceptional example, rare and desirable in this condition.
Price: $17,500.00 Item Number: 139368
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The Works of Francis Bacon In Ten Volumes; From the Library of Elmer Holmes Bopst
BACON, Francis.
The Works of Francis Bacon, Baron of Verulam, Viscount St. Albans, and Lord High Chancellor of England.
London: J. Johnson, 1803.
Large octavo, 10 volumes. Bound in full contemporary calf. Gilt titles and tooling to the spine, edges speckled. Frontispiece of Francis Bacon in volume one. With the early armorial bookplate of J. Lawson Whalley and the modern bookplate of Elmer Holmes Bopst, namesake of New York University's Bopst Library. In very good condition.
Price: $1,500.00 Item Number: 43014
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"The greatest and finest atlas ever published": Willem and Joan Blaeu's magnificent Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, or, Le Theatre du Monde
BLAEU, Willem and Joan.
Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. [Le Theatre du Monde].
Amsterdam: Chez Jean Blaeu/Apud Guiljelmum et Johannem Blaeu, 1643-1645.
A fine French-text copy in a presentation binding. Folio, 4 volumes, contemporary Dutch vellum likely from the Blaeu workshop with gilt tooling to the spine in eight compartments within gilt bands, central gilt arabesques and fleuron corner pieces within double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, all edges gilt. Gilt presentation inscription to the front panel of vol. I dated July 3, 1646 dedicating the set to Omer Talon, avocat-général to the French Parliament with the compliments of François du Monstier, rector of the University of Paris. Illustrated with 335 magnificent hand-colored engraved maps of the world and…
Price: $300,000.00 Item Number: 126307
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"Madam, you inrich the very cloaths and jewels you wear! You brighten all the Hemisphere about you, like the dazling sun in its full meridian!": Exceptionally rare first edition of James Bland's An Essay in Praise of Women
BLAND, James.
An Essay in Praise of Women: Or, A Looking-glass for Ladies to See Their Perfections In.
London: Printed for the Author, and Sold by J. Batley, 1733.
First edition of the English physician's immensely popular early 18th century essay. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with a burgundy morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, elaborate woodcut initials, headpieces and tailpieces. There were two issues of the first edition of Bland's Essay published in 1733, one sold by J. Batley adn the other by J. Roberts. Both issues are scarce, with no copies appearing in auction records. The work proved so popular upon publication in 1733 that a second edition…
Price: $40,000.00 Item Number: 139649
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Rare first edition of James Bolton's magnificently illustrated Harmonia Ruralis; containing eighty copper-plates of life-size male and female songbirds drawn, engraved, and coloured by the author
BOLTON, James.
Harmonia Ruralis; or, An Essay Towards A Natural History of British Songbirds.
London: Printed For and Sold By the Author, 1794.
Rare first edition of Bolton's magnificently illustrated work on British songbirds. First issue with the original plates 7 and 13 which differ in later issues. Quarto, two volumes bound into one in three quarters morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, illustrated with eighty copper-plates of life-size male and female songbirds drawn, engraved and colored by the author, index. In near fine condition. First editions are rare, with only a handful appearing at auction in the last 100 years.
Price: $12,500.00 Item Number: 111071
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First edition in English of Charles Bossut's A General History of Mathematics; finely bound in full contemporary calf
BOSSUT, John.
A General History of Mathematics From the Earliest Times, to the Middle of the Eighteenth Century.
London: Printed for J. Johnson, 1803.
First edition in English of Bossut's fundamental history of mathematics. Octavo, bound in full contemporary polished diced calf with gilt tooling to the spine, black morocco spine label lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panel, marbled endpapers and all edges marbled, ribbon bound in. Translated from the French by John Bossut. In near fine condition. Contemporary ownership inscription. A very attractive 19th century binding.
Price: $300.00 Item Number: 137152
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The Works of the Honourable Robert Boyle; finely bound and illustrated
BOYLE, Robert.
The Works of the Honourable Robert Boyle. In Six Volumes to which is prefixed The Life of the Author.
London: Printed for J. and F. Rivington, L. Davis, E. Johnston, S. Crowder, et al., 1772.
New edition of the complete works of the first modern chemist and pioneer in modern experimental scientific method. Quarto, six volumes, bound in full calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, illustrated with 24 engraved plates (most folding), frontispiece portrait of Boyle to volume one. In near fine condition. Rebacked.
Price: $2,800.00 Item Number: 131348
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"The First Angling Book Written in America": First Edition of the John J. Brown's The American Angler's Guide
BROWN, John J.
The American Angler’s Guide.
New York: Burgess, Stringer & Co, 1845.
First edition of the first angling book written in America. Small octavo, original brown cloth, gilt titles and tooling to the spin and front panel. In very good condition. Period name to the front free end paper. A rare piece of American angling literature.
Price: $2,150.00 Item Number: 88015
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First Edition of Burney's Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean
BURNEY, Capt. James.
A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. Illustrated with Charts.
London: Printed by Luke Hansard, 1803.
Rare first edition of "the most important general history of early South Seas discoveries, containing practically everything of importance on the subject; collected from all sources, with the most important remarks concerning them. Many of the early voyages to California would be inaccessible were they not collected herein" (Hill). Quarto, 5 volumes bound in full calf with red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, botanical ruling stamped in blind to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers. Containing 28 engraved maps (15 folding), 13 plates (1 folding), woodcut…
Price: $15,000.00 Item Number: 117105
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"The contemplation of a magnificent structure and of an extensive work are objects exceedingly pleasing to the imagination": John Campbell's A Political Survey of Britain
CAMPBELL, John.
A Political Survey of Britain: Being a Series of Reflections on the Situation, Lands, Inhabitants, Revenues, Colonies, and Commerce of This Island.
Dublin: T. Ewing and C. Jenkin, 1775.
Rare second edition of John Campbell's classic survey of late sixteenth century Britain. Octavo, four volumes, bound in full contemporary calf, raised bands, red and green morocco spine labels, gilt titles. In good condition.
Price: $600.00 Item Number: 81166
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"In nature nothing exists alone": First Edition of Rachel Carsons Silent Spring; Finely Bound
CARSON, Rachel.
Silent Spring.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1962.
First edition of Carson's landmark work. Octavo, bound in half morocco, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands. Drawings by Lois and Louis Darling. In fine condition.
Price: $1,750.00 Item Number: 140434
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"Wishing him the best of clear waters": Jacques Cousteau's The Silent World; Finely Bound by The Harcourt Bindery
COUSTEAU, Jacques Yves with Frederic Dumas.
The Silent World.
New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1953.
First edition, early printing of this classic work. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt bindery, illustrated, gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition.
Price: $1,400.00 Item Number: 143178
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Rare First Edition of Leonardo Da Vinci's Trattato della Pittura di Lionardo da Vinci
DA VINCI, Leonardo.
Trattato della Pittura di Lionardo da Vinci. [Leonardo da Vinci].
Paris: Jacques Langlois, 1651.
Rare first edition of this classic treatise of da Vinci's work on painting, two parts in one volume. Folio, bound in full contemporary calf, gilt titles, engraved portrait of da Vinci in each part, engraved vignette on title, engraved initials, head and tail pieces, engraved text illustrations. In very good condition, marginalia, rebacked. Compiled from his original notes by his pupil Francesco Melzi. First editions are rare.
Price: $16,000.00 Item Number: 130267
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"In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed": The Authorized Edition of The Works of Charles Darwin; Finely Bound
DARWIN, Charles.
The Works of Charles Darwin. Including: The Origin of Species; The Descent of Man; Variation of Plants and Animals Under Domestication; Formation of Vegetable Mould; The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom; The Movement and Habits of Climbing Plants; The Various Contrivances by Which Orchids are Fertilised by Insects. Second Edition, Revised. A Naturalist’s Voyage. Journal of Researches into the Natural History and Geology of Countries Visited During the Voyage of the H.M.S Beagle; The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species.
New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1896-97.
The Authorized edition of the works of Charles Darwin. Octavo, 15 volumes, bound in original three quarters morocco, gilt titles to the spine, top edge gilt, illustrated with in-text drawings and plates, some volumes with frontispieces. In near fine condition. An exceptional set.
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 133260