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Exceptionally rare first edition, presentation copy of Benjamin Franklin's Experiments and Observations on Electricity; inscribed by him to Prominent Philadelphia Merchant, Colleague, and friend Thomas Livezey
FRANKLIN, Benjamin.
Experiments and Observations on Electricity, Made at Philadelphia in America, by Benjamin Franklin, L.L.D. and F.R.S. To which are added, Letters and Papers on Philosophical Subjects. The Whole corrected, methodized, improved, and now first collected into one Volume, and Illustrated with Copper Plates.
London: Printed for David Henry; and sold by Francis Newbery, at the Corner of St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1769.
First complete edition of "the most important scientific book of eighteenth-century America" (PMM), inscribed by Benjamin Franklin to prominent Pennsylvania Quaker and merchant Thomas Livezey, Jr. Quarto, bound in full contemporary calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt turn-ins. Illustrated with 7 copper-engraved plates, 2 of which are folding. Presentation copy, inscribed by Benjamin Franklin on the front free endpaper, “To Mr. Livesy [sic] From his obliged Friend & humble Servant The Author.” With Thomas Livezey's ownership signature to the second free endpaper, "Thomas Livezey…
Price: $475,000.00 Item Number: 147283
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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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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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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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"The Greatest Work In The History of Science": Rare First Edition in English of Newtons Principia
NEWTON, Isaac.
The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. Translated into English by Andrew Motte. To which are added, the Laws of the Moon’s Motion, according to Gravity.
London: Benjamin Motte, 1729.
First edition in English of Isaac Newton’s magnum opus Principia which Einstein called, "perhaps the greatest intellectual stride that it has ever been granted to any man to make." Octavo, two volumes, bound in full contemporary calf, gilt titles to the spine, engraved frontispiece after and by A. Motte in the first volume, section-title to Machin's Laws of Motion, 47 folding engraved plates, 2 folding letterpress tables, 3 engraved headpieces by Motte, numerous woodcut head and tailpieces, historiated and ornamental woodcut initials. Translated by Andrew Motte. In very good condition. An exceptional example of this cornerstone of scientific thought, most…
Price: $82,000.00 Item Number: 140042
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"The Greatest Work In The History of Science": First Edition in English of Newtons Principia
NEWTON, Isaac.
The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. Translated into English by Andrew Motte. To which are added, the Laws of the Moon’s Motion, according to Gravity.
London: Benjamin Motte, 1729.
First edition in English of Isaac Newton’s Principia. Octavo, two volumes bound in full calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt turn-ins, illustrated with forty-six folding engraved plates and two folding charts. In near find condition. A few leaves with light foxing, pages lightly toned. Plate XXV at the end of volume one supplied in facsimile. An excellent example of this landmark work.
Price: $65,000.00 Item Number: 145081
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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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"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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"Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these": Exquisite first edition large paper set of Loddiges' Botanical Cabinet; containing 2000 numbered hand-colored botanical plates by George Cooke
LODDIGES, George. Plates by George Cook.
The Botanical Cabinet Consisting of Coloured Delineations of Plants, from all Countries.
London: John & Arthur Arch; Hackney: Conrad Loddiges & Sons, et al, 1818–1833.
Rare first edition, large paper issue set of Loddiges' renowned Botanical Cabinet with 2000 numbered hand-colored plates by George Cooke. Octavos, 20 volumes bound in three quarters morocco over marbled boards with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, all edges marbled. Illustrated with 2000 numbered hand-colored botanical plates by George Cooke. In near fine condition. Armorial bookplates. An exceptional collection, most rare and desirable in a complete set.
Price: $32,500.00 Item Number: 109061
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Exceptionally rare second edition of Ye Zipei’s complete map of the world, one of only two known copies produced by terrestrial globe expert Liu Yan
YAN, Liu (Liu Dezhi). [Ye Zipei].
Complete Map of the World with All Nations.
China: Wanguo Dadi Quantu, 1851 [Xianfeng period].
Exceptionally rare second edition of Ye Zipei’s complete map of the world, one of only two known copies produced by terrestrial globe expert Liu Yan. The terrestrial map is comprised of six accordion-style albums bound in handmade paper with white titular labels lettered in hand to each front panel. A woodblock print in red and black ink, the map features two hemispheres defined by straight meridian and circular parallel lines and a ground of red grids. The left hemisphere centers on the south pole, while the right one on the north pole; both are bordered by the equator, adopting the…
Price: $30,000.00 Item Number: 131424
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The most important work on the early history of microscopes and telescopes: Rare first edition of Johann Zahn's Oculus Artificialis Teledioptricus
ZAHN, Johann.
Oculus Artificialis Teledioptricus, Sive Telescopium: Ex Abditis Rerum Naturalium Et Artificialium Principiis Protractum Novâ Methodo, Eâque Solidâ Explicatum ac Comprimis e Triplici Fundamento Physico Seu Naturali, Mathematico Dioptrico Et Mechanico, Seu Practico Stabilitum.
Quirini Heyl: Herbipoli [Würzburg], 1685-1686.
First edition of the most important work on the early history and manufacture of microscopes and telescopes; particularly valuable for its illustrations of both simple and compound microscopes of the period, including the type of compound instrument used by Robert Hooke. Folio, three volumes bound into in one in full contemporary vellum, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, with extra engraved title and over 200 engraved or woodcut illustrations, many full-page and some folding tables.
Price: $18,000.00 Item Number: 125830
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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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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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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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"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
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First Editions of Shackletons Classic Account The Heart of the Antarctic; Inscribed by Ernest H. Shackleton
SHACKLETON, Ernest H.
The Heart of the Antarctic: Being the Story of the British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909.
London: William Heinemann, 1909.
First editions of Shackleton’s fascinating account of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1907-1909. Large octavos, 2 volumes, original blue cloth, photogravure frontispiece to each volume, 12 captioned tissue-guarded colored, and 255 black and white other plates in all, 3 maps, panorama in end-pocket of volume II, and numerous illustrations and diagrams throughout. Presentation copy, inscribed by Ernest Shackleton on the front free endpaper. In very good condition. Trade editions signed by Shackleton are rare.
Price: $14,000.00 Item Number: 141414
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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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"Keep close to Nature’s heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean": Finely Bound Set of The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir; With Eight Original Photographs
MUIR, John.
The Writings of John Muir: The Manuscript Edition.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1916-24.
The Manuscript edition of The Writings of John Muir. Octavo, 10 volumes, bound in original special deluxe three quarters morocco over marbled boards, leather edges ruled in gilt, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, matching endpapers, top edges gilt. With volumes 1 through 8 of this set each containing an original gelatin silver photograph at the front, each with a printed tissue guard. Kimes does not describe an edition with these additional real photo frontispieces. The binding matches that of Kimes 342. The scenes depicted in the inserted photographs are: The House of John Muir, Martinez, California;…
Price: $12,000.00 Item Number: 76020
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"you see stretching from the spurs of Ritter a row of exceedingly sharp and slender spires": The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir; with an original autograph manuscript page from Muir's The Mountains of California
MUIR, John.
The Writings of John Muir: The Manuscript Edition.
Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1916-24.
The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir, one of 750 numbered sets produced with an original autograph manuscript page bound into the first volume. Octavo, 10 volumes in the publisher's deluxe three quarter crushed levant morocco over cloth boards with gilt titles and tulip stamping to the spine in five compartments within raised bands, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt with others untrimmed, ribbons bound in, illustrated with 69 photogravures, including colored frontispiece, 34 halftone plates of the author's sketches, 7 maps, and 2 plates of his drawings. One of 750 numbered sets with an original manuscript page bound…
Price: $10,000.00 Item Number: 143457
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Rare First Edition of Edmond Halley's Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets
HALLEY, Edmond.
Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets.
London: Printed for William Innys, 1752.
First edition in English of Halley's classic work. Quarto, bound in contemporary full calf, gilt titles to the spine, gilt embossed stamp of The Society of Writers to the Signet on the front and rear panel, copper-engraved frontispiece portrait. Edited by John Bevis. In very good condition with light rubbing and wear.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 70038
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FIRST EDITION OF CHARLES DARWIN'S THE DESCENT OF MAN; IN THE ORIGINAL CLOTH
DARWIN, Charles.
The Descent of Man.
London: John Murray, 1871.
First edition of both volumes (with "transmitted" the first word on p. 297 in the first volume; in the second, the printer's note on the verso of the half-title, errata on title verso, and the postscript leaf after p. viii. both volumes have the January ads). Octavo, two volumes, original green cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine. In excellent condition with light rubbing and wear to the extremities. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 140397
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Rare First Edition of Edmond Halley's Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets
HALLEY, Edmond.
Astronomical Tables with Precepts both in English and Latin for Computing the Places of the Sun, Moon, Planets, and Comets.
London: Printed for William Innys in Pater-noster Row, 1752.
First edition in English of Halley's classic work. Quarto, bound in full morocco with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, copper-engraved frontispiece portrait of Halley, illustrated with numerous charts. Edited by John Bevis. Complete with the half-title, license to print, errata and index. In very good condition with light rubbing and wear. Very rare with only 9 copies appearing at auction over the past century.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 130557
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FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE OF CHARLES DARWIN'S THE DESCENT OF MAN; IN THE ORIGINAL CLOTH
DARWIN, Charles.
The Descent of Man.
London: John Murray, 1871.
First edition, first issue of both volumes (with "transmitted" the first word on p. 297 in the first volume; in the second, the printer's note on the verso of the half-title, errata on title verso, and the postscript leaf after p. viii. Both volumes have the January ads). Octavo, two volumes, original green cloth with gilt titles and tooling to the spine. In excellent condition with rubbing to the extremities with the spine gilt bright.
Price: $9,800.00 Item Number: 142104
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Scarce First edition of Commandino's commentary of Ptolemy's Planisphaerium; one of the few extant examples from the Aldine Press in Roman type
PTOLOMAEUS, Claudius. Edited and with Commentary by Federico Commandino.
Ptolemaei Planisphaerium. Iordani Planisphaerium. Federici Commandini Urbrinatis in Ptolemaei Planisphaerium Commentarius.
Venice: Paulus Manutius (Aldine Press), 1558.
First separate edition and first edition of Commandino's commentary of Ptolemy's Planisphaerium, the original Greek text of which is no longer extant. Octavo, two volumes bound into one in eighteenth century vellum, all edges speckled red, Aldine device on both titles and both final pages, woodcut initials, numerous woodcut diagrams. The Ptolemaei is printed in Roman type and the Planisphaerium in Italics; examples from the Aldine Press in Roman type are scarce as the press's founder, Aldus Manutius, invented the Italic type which he used almost exclusively. The Aldine press was also the first to issue printed books in the small…
Price: $8,800.00 Item Number: 95289
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"One of the classics in pharmacology": First edition of William Withering's An Account of the Foxglove and Some of its Medical Uses
WITHERING, William.
An Account of the Foxglove, and Some of its Medical Uses: With Practical Remarks on Dropsy, and Other Diseases.
Birmingham: Printed by M. Swinney, 1785.
Rare first edition of this classic work in pharmacology. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, folding frontispiece of hand-colored folding frontispiece plate of a foxglove plant. In very good condition with the plate in fine condition. Rebacked.
Price: $8,200.00 Item Number: 131940
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First edition in English of Johann Jacob Wecker's Eighteen Book of the Secrets of Art & Nature
WECKER, Johannes Jacob.
Eighteen Books of the Secrets of Art & Nature, Being The Summe and Substance of Naturall Philosophy, Methodically Digested. First designed by John Wecker Dr in Physick, and now much Augmented and Inlarged by Dr. R. Read. A like work never before in the English tongue.
1660: Printed for Simon Miller at the Starre in St. Pauls Church-yard, London.
First edition in English of Reade's 17th century adaptation of Johann Jacob Wecker's De secreti libri xvii [Book of Secrets] of 1582. Folio, bound in three quarter polished calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and ruling to the spine, woodcut printer's device to the title, woodcut head and tailpieces and initials, numerous woodcut diagrams in the text. In near fine condition. Lacking the engraved frontispiece, title page supplied. Exceptionally rare.
Price: $7,500.00 Item Number: 127083
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"one of the greatest works of science ever published"; Rare Second Edition of Sir Isaac Newton's Opticks
NEWTON, Sir Isaac.
Opticks: or a Treatise of the Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions and Colours of Light. Also Two Treatises of the Species and Magnitude of Curvilinear Figures.
London: Printed for W. and J. Innys, 1718.
Second edition of one of the greatest works of science ever published. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with five raised bands and red morocco spine label lettered in gilt to the spine, blindstamped ruling and cornerpieces to the panels, nineteen folding engravings, rebacked. In very good condition.
Price: $7,200.00 Item Number: 129821
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"Keep close to Nature’s heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean": Finely Bound Set of The Manuscript Edition of The Writings of John Muir; With Eight Original Photographs
MUIR, John.
The Writings of John Muir: The Manuscript Edition.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1916-24.
The Manuscript edition of The Writings of John Muir. One of only 750 numbered copies, this is number 461. Octavo, 10 volumes, bound in the original green with morocco spine labels with gilt titles, containing the original gelatin silver photographic frontispiece to each volume with tissue guards present, illustrated with numerous photogravure and halftone plates; folding map in volume two. Edited by William Frederic Badè. The scenes depicted in the inserted photographs are: The House of John Muir, Martinez, California; The Cathedral Spires, Yosemite National Park; Eucalyptus on Muir's Ranch, Martinez, California; An Orange Tree in Front of Muir's House,…
Price: $6,200.00 Item Number: 96258
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Rare First Edition of Des Ballons Aérostatiques, de la maniere de les construire, de les faire elever
Des Ballons Aérostatiques, de la maniere de les construire, de les faire elever [Of Balloons aerostatic, the way to build them, elevate them].
Lausanne: J.P. Heubach & Cie, 1784.
First edition of this work, translated as, Of Balloons Aerostatic, the Way to Build Them, Elevate Them. Octavo, bound in contemporary three quarters calf over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine and gilt balloon tooling in 4 compartments, marbled endpapers. This work is often wrongly attributed to Faujas de Saint-Fond, as it reprints his "Discours preliminaire" and the first chapter of Description des Experiences de la Machine Aerostatique… (1783), with plates re-engraved from or similar to those printed in 1783. However, the remainder of the work is made up reports of the most recent experiments and findings on aerial flight, and…
Price: $5,500.00 Item Number: 111835
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Rare first edition in English of A General History of the Turks, Moguls, and Tatars, Vulgarly called Tartars
EBÜLGÂZÎ BAHADIR HAN, Khan of Khorezm.
A General History of the Turks, Moguls, and Tatars, Vulgarly called Tartars. Together With a Description of the Countries They Inhabit.
London: Printed for J. and J. Knapton, J. Darby, A. Bettesworth, et. al., 1729-1730.
Rare first edition in English of one of the earliest sources on the Turks, Moguls, and Tartars. Octavos, two volumes. Bound in full polished calf with red morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt tooling to the spines in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt turn-ins, all edges speckled red, engraved headpieces and tailpieces, folding map to each volume. From the library of Reginald C.L. Powys-Lybbe with his bookplates to the pastedowns. In very good condition.
Price: $4,800.00 Item Number: 109632
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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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"SURGICAL ANATOMY IS, TO THE STUDENT OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY, THE MOST ESSENTIAL BRANCH OF ANATOMICAL SCIENCE": Gray's Anatomy
GRAY, Henry.
Anatomy, Descriptive and Surgical [Gray’s Anatomy].
Philadelphia: Blanchard and Lea, 1862.
Rare second edition of this influential work on Anatomy. Quarto, bound in contemporary wrappers, possibly original, illustrated with wood-engravings after the drawings by H. V. Carter. In good condition.
Price: $3,600.00 Item Number: 137096
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"SURGICAL ANATOMY IS, TO THE STUDENT OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY, THE MOST ESSENTIAL BRANCH OF ANATOMICAL SCIENCE": Gray's Anatomy
GRAY, Henry.
Anatomy, Descriptive and Surgical [Gray’s Anatomy].
Philadelphia: Blanchard and Lea, 1862.
Rare second edition of this influential work on Anatomy. Quarto, bound in full black morocco, gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, raised bands, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers, illustrated with wood-engravings after the drawings by H. V. Carter. In near fine condition.
Price: $3,500.00 Item Number: 129536
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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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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 EXPLORER TO REACH THE NORTH POLE: Deluxe signed limited edition of Robert Peary’s The North Pole; one of only 500 copies
PEARY, Robert E. Introduction by Theodore Roosevelt.
The North Pole.
London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1910.
Deluxe signed limited edition of Peary’s illustrated account of his journey to the North Pole, number 4 of only 500 copies signed by Peary and Captain R. A. Bartlett. Thick quarto, publisher's original full vellum decorated in gilt, top edge gilt, illustrated with a large folding map printed in color, four black-and-white mounted photogravures and 112 tipped-in photographic plates. Introduction by Theodore Roosevelt. In very good condition.
Price: $2,450.00 Item Number: 125090
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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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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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"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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FOURCROY, Antoine-Francois De.
Systeme des Connaissances Chimiques, et de leurs applications aux phénomènes de la nature et de l’art..
Paris, An IX-X, 1800-01..
First Octavo edition, published simultaneously with an edition in quarto format. Contemporary vellum, gilt lettered spine-labels, 10 volumes in 5. With the stamped signatures of Fourcroy and the publisher on verso of titles for authentication purposes, and the publisher's voucher for the separately published index tipped in Volume I. Institutional stamps on titles, generally very clean. Fourcroy's magnum opus.
Price: $1,700.00 Item Number: 1835
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"THE BOOK THAT INTRODUCED FRANCE TO NEWTONIAN PHYSICS": RARE FIRST EDITION OF VOLTAIRE'S ELEMENS DE LA PHILOSOPHIE DE NEUTON
VOLTAIRE. [AROUET, François-Marie].
Elemens de la Philosophie de Neuton. [Elements of the Philosophy of Newton].
Amsterdam: Chez Jacques Desbordes, 1738.
First edition of one of the most elegantly illustrated science books ever printed and the book that introduced France to Newtonian physics. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, illustrated seven folding engraved plates, headpieces and tailpieces and 60 in-text illustrations. In good condition, lacking the frontispiece.
Price: $1,600.00 Item Number: 128559
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"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new": First edition of Out of My Later Years; Finely Bound by the Harcourt Bindery
EINSTEIN, Albert.
Out of My Later Years.
New York: Philosophical Library, 1950.
First edition of Einstein's collection of social science-related articles, addresses and speeches. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece of Einstein. Octavo, bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery, gilt titles and ruling to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In fine condition. An exceptional presentation.
Price: $1,500.00 Item Number: 142361
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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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"Dreams are real as long as they last. Can we say more of life?": Finely Bound Set of Havelock Ellis' Studies in the Psychology of Sex
ELLIS, Havelock.
Studies in the Psychology of Sex.
Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company, 1905-1910.
Finely bound set of Havelock Ellis' landmark work Studies in the Psychology of Sex. Octavo, 6 volumes. Bound in three quarters levant morocco by Stikeman and Company, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, gilt topstain, marbled endpapers. In fine condition.
Price: $1,500.00 Item Number: 28043
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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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First Edition of Samuel Kneeland's The Wonders of the Yosemite Valley, and of California; finely bound
KNEELAND, Samuel.
The Wonders of the Yosemite Valley, and of California.
Boston: Alexander Moore, 1871.
First edition of Kneeland's historic guide to Yosemite; "one of the better early guide books to the Yosemite Valley" (Cowan, 333). Quarto, bound in full dark blue morocco with gilt titles and ruling to the spine, illustrated with 10 tissue-guarded mounted albumen photographs by John P. Soule. In near fine condition.
Price: $1,250.00 Item Number: 101328
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"An accomplishment in the field of anthropology on par with Charles Darwin's On The Origin of Species": First edition of Margaret Mead's Coming of Age In Samoa
MEAD, Margaret .
Coming of Age In Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilisation.
New York: William Morrow & Company, 1928.
First edition of Mead's pioneering work which, upon publication, established her as the most famous anthropologist in the world. Octavo, Octavo, bound in full leather, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, illustrated. In fine condition.
Price: $1,250.00 Item Number: 127605
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"The main object is to render the state of the river as favourable as possible for sport": First signed limited edition of Frederic M. Halford's Making a Fishery
HALFORD, Frederic M.
Making a Fishery.
London: Horace Cox, 1895.
Signed limited first edition of Frederick Halford's extensive guide on the creation of river and stream fisheries for sport. One of 150 numbered copies signed by Halford, this is number 35. Large octavo, original publisher's full green morocco, gilt titles to the spine, gilt ruled, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, frontispiece portrait of Halford with tissue guard present, four engraved plates of netting methodology, index at rear. In near fine condition, from the library of Noel B. Spurway with his bookplate to the front panel and library stamp of the Aquatic Research Institute to the title page. A very nice example.
Price: $1,050.00 Item Number: 88001
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First Edition of Edward Hamilton's The River-side Naturalist; finely bound in full contemporary polished calf
HAMILTON, Edward.
The River-Side Naturalist: Notes of the Various Forms of Life Met With Either In, On, or By The Water, or In Its Immediate Vicinity.
London: Sampson, Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, Limited, 1890.
First edition of Hamilton's work on riverside flora and fauna. Octavo, bound in full polished calf with elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, morocco spine label lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling and fleuron cornerpieces to the front and rear panel, central gilt insignia of Haileybury College, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, illustrated with numerous wood-cuts. In near fine condition with light rubbing to the extremities. Bookplate.
Price: $975.00 Item Number: 129542
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First edition of Jules Michelet's The Insect; finely bound in full morocco with a double fore-edge painting
MICHELET, Jules. Illustrated by Giacomelli.
The Insect. [Fore-Edge Painting].
London: T. Nelson and Sons, 1875.
First edition of this elaborately illustrated work. Octavo, bound in full morocco with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine and panels, inner dentelles, all edges gilt, with 140 illustrations by Giacomelli. Decorated with a hidden double fore-edge painting displaying landscapes of Boston and Philadelphia. In very good condition.
Price: $975.00 Item Number: 136458
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First Edition of Elijah Walton's Flowers From the Upper Alps, with Glimpses of Their Homes
WALTON, Elijah.
Flowers From the Upper Alps, with Glimpses of Their Homes.
London: W. M. Thompson, 1869.
First edition of Walton's finely illustrated work on the flowers of the Alps. Octavo, original publisher's deluxe cloth decorated in gilt, illustrated with 12 chromolithographs after Walton's drawings in color. In very good condition.
Price: $950.00 Item Number: 137146
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“Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability": Rare Second Edition of William Osler's The Principles and Practice of Medicine
OSLER, William.
The Principles and Practice of Medicine.
New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1895.
Rare first printing of the second edition of Osler's magnum opus. Thick octavo, bound in contemporary leatherette. In very good condition.
Price: $850.00 Item Number: 140471
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First edition of James Jackson's Cases of Cholera Collected at Paris; in the original publisher's boards
JACKSON, James.
Cases of Cholera Collected at Paris, in the Month of April, 1832, in the Wards of MM. Andral and Louis at the Hospital La Pitie.
Boston: Carter, Hendee, and Co, 1832.
First edition of Jackson's work detailing six cases of Cholera collected at the Hospital de la Pitie at Paris. Octavo, original publisher's boards and paper spine label. In very good condition. Ownership inscription.
Price: $750.00 Item Number: 137121
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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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First edition of John Torrey's A Flora of North America
TORREY, John and Asa Gray.
A Flora of North America: Containing Abridged Descriptions of All the Known Indigenous and Naturalized Plants Growing North of Mexico: Arranged According to The Natural System.
New York: Wiley & Putnam, 1838-1840.
First edition of Torrey's renowned work. Octavo, two volumes bound in full contemporary calf with morocco spine labels letters in gilt. From the library of botanist Edward Read Memminger with his ownership signature. In very good condition.
Price: $450.00 Item Number: 137134
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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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Limited First edition of Aiden Lassell Ripley's Sporting Etchings; one of 500 numbered copies
RIPLEY, Aiden Lassell.
Sporting Etchings.
Barre, Massachusetts: Barre Publishers, 1970.
Limited first edition of this collection of Aiden Lassell Ripley's sporting etchings. Oblong octavo, original publisher's cloth, illustrated with forty etchings including tissue-guarded frontispiece. One of 500 numbered copies with a print of 'Woodcock' pulled from Ripley's plate by Anderson & Lamb, this is number 79. Commentary by Dana S. Lamb. Introduction by Guido Perera. Fine in the original slipcase which is in very good condition.
Price: $200.00 Item Number: 112315