Search Results: Early Printed Books from Charles Agvent

Halle: Johann Justinus Gebauer, 1752 - 1753. First Edition. Hardcover. Text and plates very clean. Tasteful early twentieth century bookplate on front pastedowns. Near Fine. Two quarto (7-3/4" x 10") volumes bound in early full vellum with gilt lettering and rules on the spine. Illustrated with 8 maps (5 folding) and 59 full-page engravings (6 folding), many of which depict early Native Americans. Most of the first volume contains German translations of Lafiteau's MOEURS DES SAUVAGES AMERICAINS COMPARES AUX MOEURS DES PREMIERS TEMPS (Paris, 1723). The second volume is compiled from various sources and includes German translations of passages from Charlevoix's HISTOIRE ET DESCRIPTION GENERALE DE LA NOUVELLE FRANCE (Paris, 1744). Baumgarten's "Vorrede" contains a bibliography of the New World. The social life and customs of Native Americans of both North and South America are described and illustrated in detail, with chapters on individual areas including Florida, New England, Virginia, Peru, Brazil,… Read More

Paris: Petit-Pas, 1619. Third Edition. Hardcover. Margins trimmed close occasionally affecting a running head or page number but not the text; small stain on two facing pages. Slight cracking to joints. Near Fine and scarce. Duodecimo (3-1/8" x 5-1/4") bound in full 18th century calf with the insignia of Montgomery stamped in blind to the front board, recent gilt-lettered black morocco spine label; 360, 70, (23, [1]) pages. Contains the first issue of the "Portraict racourcy d'une femme mondaine pour le friant dessert des courtizans et partizans," with separate pagination. First appearing in 1617, this wildly misogynistic work caused quite a reaction in its day. The woodcut figure on the title-page is believed to represent Marguerite de Valois, to whom the work is dedicated ("la plus mauvaise du monde"), shown full-length with snakes for hair, suckling a cat on each breast, holding a headless chicken, and with talons for feet. "Jacques Olivier" was the pseudonym of the Cordelier Alexis Trousset.… Read More

London: Henry Cripps, 1628. Third Edition. Hardcover. Small chip to one text page; small library stamp to front pastedown and sticker to verso of dedication leaf; generally clean with occasional stain; few pages at beginning and end splitting from binding. Joints split, covers held by cords; minor chipping to spine. Overall a Very Good example of this important book. Quarto (7-1/4" x 11") in early calf leather, the spine with 5 raised bands and a gilt-lettered burgundy morocco spine label. Text complete but for the colophon and errata leaf, unevenly paginated: [8], 79, 78-208. [4], 209-374, [2], 375-584, 583-646, [8, table], [2, errata with verso blank], [2, colophon with blank verso] pages; [3], *2, **2, a4-k4, &2, A4-Z4, Aa4-Zz4,Aaa4-Zzz4,Aaaa4-Oooo4. Third edition of Burton's important work and the first edition to contain the engraved title page by Christoffel Le Bron, illustrated with figures representing the effects of Melancholy from Love, Hypochondriasis, Superstition, and Solitude, which… Read More

London: John Macock for Michael Spark senior, at the sign of the Blue Bible in Green Arbour, 1646. First Edition. Hardcover. Other than the frontispiece, often lacking, this is a complete copy in Near Fine condition with light browning of the text and occasional minor paper repairs. Quarto (7-1/4" x 11") in contemporary calf leather with cloth string ties, the spine with 5 raised bands and a gilt-lettered black morocco spine label. Text complete with errata leaf, unevenly paginated: [22], 17-128, 131-134, 141-142, 151-154, 147-404, 408-409, 407-488, 491-565, [15] pages; [3], a-b4,C-L4, M6, N-R4, S2, V-Z4, Aa4-Zz4, Aaa4-Fff4, Ggg2, Hhh4-Mmm4, Nnn6, Ooo4-Ppp4, Qqq2, Rrr4-Zzz4, Aaaa4-Bbbb4, Cccc6, B2, C4, D1. Wing P3917. Engraved portrait of Laud, engraved portrait of Prynne, and full-page engraving on page 122, plus woodcut headpieces and initials. Lacking the frontispiece engraving of the room setup. William Prynne was a contentious Puritan attorney remembered for his numerous books and pamphlets and… Read More

Basil: Ludovici Regis, 1621. Third Latin Edition. Hardcover. Very Good in a serviceable binding. Folio (8" x 12-1/2") bound in library buckram; irregularly paginated: [10], 502, [58] pages. Illustrated with 270 woodcuts, many full and half page, some signed with the monogram "RMD," and generally attributed to Hans Rudolf Manuel Deutsch (fl.1525-1572) or, less commonly, Blasius Weffring. Previously published in 1556 and 1561, this edition seems scarcer than either of the previous. PRINTING & THE MIND OF MAN 79: "The first systematic treatise on mining and metallurgy and one of the first technological books of modern times." Herbert Hoover, who first translated this book into English, described this title in his autobiography as "the first important attempt to assemble systematically in print the world-knowledge on mining, metallurgy, and industrial chemistry. It was the great textbook of those industries for two centuries and had dominated thought and practice all that time. In many mining regions… Read More

The Hague: Gerard Vander Poel, 1731. First Edition. Hardcover. Some light toning throughout; upper joint split, covers bowed and soiled. Very Good. Two folio (7-3/4" x 12") volumes bound in one in contemporary full Dutch vellum, covers tooled in blind with large central blocked arabesque, spine in eight compartments with raised bands, early manuscript titling to the second compartment. Titles in red and black with engraved vignettes. Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece, a map, and 41 plates. First Dutch Edition of a key work on Native American peoples. Lafitau was assigned as a Jesuit missionary to Canada from 1711-1718 and was based for much of that period among the Iroquois at Sault Saint-Louis. His work, written in an attempt to prove that the native American peoples were descended from Tartar stock, provides a wealth of information on the customs, religious beliefs, and social organization of the Iroquois and the other northern tribes. Field 851: "a grand cyclopaedia of Indian history, and… Read More

Paris: Claude Barbin and Simon Benard, 1676 & 1677. First Edition. Hardcover. Library stamp on title and first page of dedication, no other markings; binding a bit worn, spine chipped with partial loss of spine label. Good example of a scarce book. Small octavo (3-3/4" x 6-1/4") in calf; [xxxviii], 341, [17]; [xvi], 71pages. In the 1670s, there was a heated debate among Paris intellectuals concerning whether inscriptions for a proposed triumphal arch in honor of Louis XIV should be in Latin or French. In the first work the author, one of the first members of the Academy of Inscriptions, argues in favor of the use of French for the inscription. Lucas, in his work, argues for Latin to be used. In the end, the arguments were for naught. While there are four triumphal arches still standing in Paris, this particular arch was never constructed.

London: J[ohn] L[egat] to be sold by George Hutton, 1639. First Edition. Hardcover. Small catalog sticker on spine, trimmed along fore-edge with minor loss to title page, some soiling, else Very Good. Small quarto (5-1/8" x 7") in later polished blue morocco leather-backed boards; A4, a4, B-P4, Q2. [2, blank], 33, [1], 92, [1 errata], [1 blank] pages. Complete with the original first blank. Woodcut initials and head-pieces. An important early treatise on agriculture by one of the earliest advocates in England of an improved system of husbandry who devoted much time and money to practical experiments. Among his references are mention of the newly founded plantations in America and new agricultural machines. This copy has the cancel title page with "ver." in the Biblical quote and with the errata leaf. It is occasionally listed as a variant edition of his DISCOVERY OF SUBTERRANEALL TREASURE, but that is an error. Ferguson notes that this is a completely different work of "an original genius in… Read More

London: Simon Miller, 1659. First Edition. Hardcover. Minor foxing, pencil notes on endpapers; small chip to head of spine. Near Fine and very scarce. Small duodecimo (3-1/8" x 5-1/2") bound in early calf with gilt-ruled covers and gilt decoration and lettering on the spine; [xii], 51, [7 - ads] pages. First separate printing and First English Edition of Roger Bacon's letter to William of Paris that first appeared in Dee's BACON'S EPISTOLAE, published in Hamburg in 1618. Bacon begins this long essay denying the existence of magic, but concludes showing how to create a "Philosophers Egg." He writes about optics, gunpowder (Bacon is believed to have introduced gunpowder--a Chinese invention--to the West), and petroleum in warfare. Bacon makes some bold futurist statements such as “admirable Artificial Instruments” of locomotion (“It's possible to make a Chariot move with an inestimable swiftnesse and this motion to be without the help of any living creature”), of flight (“It's possible to make… Read More

(New York): Scholars' Facsimiles & Reprints, [1939]. Facsimile Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine. Parchment over boards imitating vellum. "This facsimile was made from the original now owned by Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach." Originally published in 1577.

Nuremberg: Jacobum de Sandrart Pictorem, n.d. [1690s]. First Edition. Hardcover. Bookplate on front pastedown and small bookseller's label to rear pastedown, some markings in pencil in various places, moderate foxing throughout though mostly confined to margins. Boards rather toned and rubbed with spine portion lacking, exposing the backing which is comprised of a fragment from an early vellum manuscript leaf. Still a Very Good copy of a lovely, scarce book. Salvator Rosa. Small quarto (6-1/2" x 8-3/4") bound in early marbled boards. Famous series of exquisite etchings by Salvatore Rosa (1615-1673) of soldiers and people of other occupations drawn with lively gestures and expressive facial expressions. There are 60 numbered etchings (of 62?), including the title page, all signed mostly with the monogram "SR" within the etching. This series, made in 1656-57 and dedicated to his friend and supporter, the Roman publisher Carlo Rossi, achieved great popularity among contemporaries: "They were copied,… Read More

London: Th. Dawks, 1681 (1684). Second Edition. Hardcover. The portrait and two title pages (one dated 1681, the other 1684) expertly extended at the inner margin; endpapers renewed. Five pages with small tears and no loss except for one page number. Fine, attractive copy with minor defects only. Quarto (7-1/8" x 9-1/4") bound in contemporary calf with modern sympathetic and expert restoration at the spine and corners, one original brass clasp with remains of the other; gilt-lettered red morocco spine label. Engraved portrait frontispiece of Salmon; [xx], 762, [14] pages. Of the first edition of 1681, Wing S432 notes only one location. The reason for this might be found in the Preface which states that the work is to be issued in weekly parts. Salmon treated all diseases, sold prescriptions of his own device, cast horoscopes, and professed alchemy. In this work Salmon offers treatments for nightmares, drunkenness, palsy, epilepsy, convulsions, headaches, vertigo, falling-sickness, etc. HEIRS OF… Read More

Lugduni [Lyons]: Apud Seb. Gryphium, 1554. Early Edition. Hardcover. Lacks original endpapers and final two blanks; slight aging of text, faint water stains to margins of some pages at end. Near Fine. Small octavo (2-7/8" x 5") in 19th century vellum-backed and cornered marbled boards, gilt-ruled spine, gilt-lettered morocco spine label, all edges gilt; woodcut on title page and two woodcut initials, all pages ruled in red; 112 pages; a-g8 h5. Adams, F 654. Part of Florus's work on LivyÂ’s history of Rome.

London: Moses Pitt, 1670. First Edition. Hardcover. Small stains to title page; spine lightly chipped at tips, front joint partly split but covers tight. Very Good. Small quarto (5-1/4" x 7") bound in 19th Century 3/4 calf leather with gilt-lettered and decorated spine, housed in a modern cloth clamshell box with a gilt-lettered spine label; 36 pages. WING L61. "Henry Howard, Sixth Duke of Norfolk, went out to Morocco as Ambassador in 1669. The writer gives an interesting account of the voyage to Tangiers, of a great storm they experienced and of seeing a water-spout, also of seeing a Hamburg merchantman chased by a Turkish pirate. Then follows an account of Tangiers and of the Massacre of Andrew Rutherford, Lord Teviot and six hundred English soldiers who had gone to cut wood about three miles from the city, in 1664. A long account is given of the journey to Fez, of the manners and customs of the people and of recent happenings in the country. At the close is a separate section on the Native… Read More

Lyons: Matthiam Bonhomme, 1554/1555. First Edition. Hardcover. Woodcut of fish on page 238 of first part pasted over with another woodcut, Y4 in first part and g2 & n3 in second all slightly defective at fore-edge (repaired with loss of a few letters, some supplied in manuscript), H1 of second part defective at foot (no loss) and H6 (final leaf) stained at edges and defective (no loss, laid down), small ink monogram stamped on verso of first title, very light water-staining to upper half, otherwise very clean. A Near Fine copy of this scarce title with wonderful woodcuts. Folio (8" x 13") bound in recent full calf with five raised bands, gilt-lettered spine label, and some blind tooling. Two parts in one volume: (16), 583, (25); (12), 242, (10) pages. Titles with woodcut device, each part with privilege leaf and woodcut portrait of the author, woodcut initials, ornaments and over 400 woodcut illustrations of fish and other forms of aquatic life throughout. Adams R 746 & 757; Casey Wood, 541: "this… Read More

Venice: F. Valgrisi and N. Moretti, 1603. Early Printing. Hardcover. Some of the impressions are weak, but most are quite presentable. Trimmed at the top close to the text and plate lines, affecting one line of text in the dedication; other margins quite adequate. Vellum soiled. Very Good or better. Large octavo (7" x 10") bound in early full vellum, [16] 654 [32] pages. The complete and corrected ORLANDO FURIOSO, with Ruscelli's dedication to the Duke of Ferrara dated 1556 and an account of the life of Ariosto by Battista Pigna. Illustrated with an engraved title page, 51 full-page woodcuts, ornamental headpieces, and initial letters. The woodcuts, within decorative borders, are after the designs of Dossa Dossi, the Ferrarese painter, and are printed from the blocks of the first Valgrisi quarto editon of 1556. First published in 1516, this classic Italian romantic epic influenced many later works including Spenser's THE FAERIE QUEENE and Shakespeare's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. The action takes place… Read More

(Oxford): Clarendon Press, 1906. Facsimile Edition. Hardcover. Light soiling to covers. Very Good. Parchment over boards imitating vellum. Part of the Tudor and Stuart Library. Originally published in 1690, this edition has an introduction by Tanner.

Herbipoli (Wurzburg), 1697. Hardcover. Browning throughout both volumes, mostly affecting the text only in the first volume but to the plates as well in the second. Circular spot about the size of a silver dollar on the front cover of the first volume where the vellum is lacking; otherwise, the binding is in very good shape. Overall, Very Good. Two quarto (7" x 8-5/8") volumes bound in contemporary vellum with titles in ink on the spines; [xl], 676; [677]-1389 [21] pages. With the half-title page, engraved title page, and 60 engraved plates, 6 of them folding. Considered to be one of SchottÂ’s most comprehensive works, with in-depth discussions on angels, demons, witchcraft, satyrs, as well as animals and physical deformities in human beings. Striking plates including many depicting imagined beings. Gaspar Schott (1608-1666) joined the Society of Jesus in 1627 and began his studies at the University of Wurzburg. The 30-Years War forced him out of Germany, and he eventually traveled to Rome and… Read More

London: by J[ames]. C[otrell]. for Thomas Basset, 1674. First Edition. Hardcover. Title page darkened with some wear at the edges, rest of text just a tad darkened; preface lacking. Light rubbing to spine tips but binding Near Fine. Overall Very Good and uncommon. Octavo (4-1/4" x 6-3/4") bound in 3/4 brown morocco leather and brown boards with a gilt-stamped spine; [1], 250 pages. Engraving on verso of title page; lacking the 12-page preface. Wing M75. An appendix was included in the Second Edition published in 1677 though retaining the 1674 date on the title page. The online ENCYCLOPÆDIA BRITANNICA gives the background on Manley's subject matter: "False Dmitry, also called Pseudo-demetrius, Russian Lzhedmitry, or Dmitry Samozvanets, any of three different pretenders to the Muscovite throne who, during the Time of Troubles (1598-1613), claimed to be Dmitry Ivanovich, the son of Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible (reigned 1533-1584) who had died mysteriously in 1591 while still a child." Leo Loewenson in… Read More

Nuremberg: [Typis Voegelinianis], 1590 [1605]. Hardcover. Minor dampstaining at the upper gutter extending toward the center of the page in some instances but usually quite light and never touching any emblem. Near Fine example of this lovely book. Small quarto (5-1/4" x 7-3/4") bound in full recent antique calf with four raised bands and gilt lettering. Bound with Camerarius. Symbolorum & emblematum ex animalibus.... Nuremberg, 1595. And: Camerarius. Symbolorum & emblematum ex volitatibus et insectis.... Nuremberg, 1596. And: Camerarius. Symbolorum & emblematum ex aquatilibus et reptilibus.... [Nuremberg?], 1604. Edited by the renowned German physician and naturalist J. Camerarius's son, Ludwig Camerarius. First Collected Edition of the four volumes, this copy lacking the general title page and five pages of preliminary matter but retaining the blanks at the end of the third and fourth parts. 102 ff.; 103 ff. [1]; [2] 102 ff. [2]; [4] 100 ff. [1]. Each volume contains an original engraved title… Read More