Search Results: early printed books from Riverrun Books & Manuscripts

Amsterdam: Elzevir, 1638. Covers somewhat bowed, several internal leaves with careful pen underlining, a handsome, well-preserved copy. 12mo (144 x 85 mm). [12], 518, [1] pages. Woodcut vignette on title, full-page engraved portrait of Badius on **6v. Contemporary vellum over pasteboard. Provenance: Arthur Atherly (1772-1844), English Member of Parliament (bookplate); Edward Heron-Allen (1861-1943), English polymath, writer, scientist and Persian scholar who translated the works of Omar Khayyam (Bibliotheca Elzeviriana bookplate with manuscript notes on the book). The collection includes works by Badius, Thomas More, Desiderius Erasmus, Pieter Schrijver, and other authors. "This collection is more curious than the title suggests: the volume opens, it is true, by a series of letters and poems, in which Baudius ingeniously narrates his amorous misadventures" (translating Willems). Also issued in Leiden, with imprint "Apud Franciscos Hereum & Hackium". Brunet I, 703; Willems 961. A fine copy with fine… Read More

Vicenza: Giacomo Amadio, 1668. 2 parts in one volume, thick 8vo (215 x 158 mm; 81/2 x 61/4 in.). [16], 466, [6] pages; [12], 376 pages. Two etched and engraved titles and 15 folding plates by Jacopo Ruffoni. Contemporary vellum. An entirely original copy, unrestored, the binding worn and with losses; intermittent dampstaining throughout, several closed tears to folding plates. The plates clean and fresh. Scarce expanded edition of this important genealogical work, unusual to find especially with the second part. First published in Venice by Pinelli in 1652, and with a final 17th-century edition published in 1694 in Bologna by Longhi. The text is an authoritative history of the dynasties and events linked to the kingdoms and republics of France, Spain, Austria, Great Britain, Flanders, Italy (Republic of Venice, Genoa, the Medici, the Estensi, the Savoy, Gonzaga, Farnesi, Alerami, Paleologhi, Montefeltri, Della Rovere, Dukes of Mirandola, and other families). Not mentioned in any of the standard… Read More

Amsterdam: Elzevir, 1656. Modern ink gift inscription on verso of title, lacks front free endpaper. 12mo. 404pp. Engraved title. Contemporary vellum, manuscript lettering on spine. Provenance: Princes of Liechtenstein (bookplate). Willems 1193; Copinger 186; Brunet I, 633; Berghman 1408; Berghman Supplement 332; Rahir 1216; Tchemerzine I, 427.

Coloniae: Prostant apud Iacobum à Meurs Amstelodami, 1655. Binding with wear at extremites; pale dampstain throughout the text. Volume 1 only: 12mo (15 x 8.8 cm). [8], 683, [29] pages. Text in double-columns. Engraved title signed I.v. Meaurs and 52 engraved emblems in text. COntemporary mottled calf, spine gilt. Provenance: early shelfmark of S. Maurity in manuscript on upper sheet edges. Jacobus van de Walle's laudetory poem is at the beginning on pages [6-10]. The second volume contained an additional 52 engraved emblems. Engelgrave was a Belgian theologian, brother of the preceding, was born at Antwerp in 1610. He joined the society of Jesus in 1628; became successively director and then prefect of the lower classes; directed for fifteen years several convents; became rector of the colleges of Oudenarde, Cassel, and Bruges. The present work was put on the Index at Rome on 27 July 1686, but it was reprinted several times.

London: Printed by E. Everingham at the Author's Expences, and sold by James Round, Joseph Archez, and by the Bookseller in St Tames's Street, 1709. Slightly browned, marginal wormtrack at the end, touching a few words; several lines scratched out on p. 69, perhaps where the content ('Expressions of Kindness') was deemed inappropriate; else a very good copy, the binding rubbed, joints cracked. 8vo. [2], iv, [2], 102 pages. Contemporary panelled calf. Provenance: ownership inscription of Edw. Chamberlayne. First and only edition, very rare, the only publication by Casotti, 'Italian Minister, and Professor', dedicated to Henry Petty, Baron Shelburne, (1675-1751) but printed at the author's expense. A pronunciation guide and simplified grammar is followed by Familiar Words and Phrases (pp. 63-72), fifteen Dialogues (pp. 72-97) and twelve 'pleasant and facetious stories' (pp. 98-102). The Dialogues includes one between and Italian gentleman and an English coachman ('Will you take Eighteen Pence? /… Read More