Search Results: Authors starting with D from Harrison-Hiett Rare Books

New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1996. After the acquisition of the "Codex Leicester" by Bill Gates in 1994, it was first shown in an exhibition held at the American Museum of Natural History, New York. Named after Thomas Coke - once Earl of Leicester who purchased it in 1717 - this became the most expensive manuscript ever sold. 178 pages - including numerous facsimiles. Still in the publisher's shrinkwrap so has never been opened. 280 x 250 mm (11 x 9¾ inches). .

London: J.M. Dent & Sons, 1930. Very nice copy of this first edition. Clean and tidy pale grey boards, with illustration to the front board. Beautiful black and white cuts throughout. viii, 236. pp 200 by 140mm (7¾ by 5½ inches).

London: Jonathan Cape, 1989. First edition hard back binding in publisher's original blue paper covers, gilt title and author lettering to the spine. Contains 80 printed pages of text with monochrome illustrations throughout. 78 pp. 245 x 195 mm (9¾ x 7¾ inches). Small gift inscription to the front free end paper. Very good condition book, in good condition unclipped dust jacket. In archive acetate film protection.

London,: Harper Collins, 1997. First edition. Signed by author on the title page. In near fine unclipped dust jacket. Decorative endpapers. Under dust jacket the cloth boards are spotless and the gilt title is bright. No foxing. Internally too everything is clean and bright. "It is a rich and gripping blend of history and spirituality, adventure and politics, laced with a thread of black comedy." The author retraces the footsteps of monks John Moschos and his pupil Sophronius the Sophist through eastern Turkey, the ruins of Beirut, the West Bank and southern Egypt. x, 484 pp.

London: Geor. Routledge & Co., 1858. Scarce First edition. Undated, but circa 1858. Colour illustrated softback, the binding of which has been skilfully restrung. The title page has a vignette, and there is one page for each letter of the alphabet with its matching trade or occupation described in a simple rhyme. Lovely wood engravings to suit each profession. For example: D for draper, Q for quarryman, U for upholsterer. Frontispiece to inside of soft cover is signed Dalziel in the plate; remaining woodcuts appear also to be by the Dalziel Brothers, but are unsigned. The back cover has an advertisement for other books in the Aunt Mavor's Little Library series. Covers are age toned, and lightly soiled - but unmarked and tidy inside. One or two signs of tape repair, but carefully done. Overall a good and rare item. [30] uncoloured pages. 175 x 135 mm (7 x 5¼ inches).

Paris / Amsterdam: Simon BENARD / Pierre MORTIER, 1691. Two volumes bound as one. A second edition of the "Voiage du Monde de Descartes" bound in with a First Thus (Amsterdam) copy of the "Suite du voyage du Monde". Unfortunately the First volume lacks the double plate of the Moon. It contains the 18 woodcuts showing celestial systems. The second volume contains 12 woodcuts. Original full leather binding with gilt details to the spine. (Somewhat faded to the spine). The binding is cracking to the hinges with some nicking, but is still holding together. Internally the books are clean and tidy with a little darkening and a couple of isolated foxing spots only. A couple of contemporary inked notes to the inside board. [xiv], 308., [viii], 248. pp. 160 x 100 mm (6¼ x 4 inches). The first volume is scarce in early editions. At the time of writing this description, there are no copies of the "Suite du voyage" available. These works were the written by the Jesuit Priest, Father Gabriel Daniel… Read More

London: Daniell, 1823. The aquatint has been mounted on a board (presumably it was once framed), the bottom right corner has been damaged (perhaps whilst being removed from the frame). Actual scope of image remains clean and bright, . Engraving showing the valley down to the sea at Brighton. Men on horseback are in the foreground, with the buildings along the Grand Parade and the Pavilion and Dome in the centre, showing how very important they were. There are many boats out at sea in the distance. Scope of image: 240 x 170 mm (9½ x 6¾ inches). Entire item: 315 x 245 mm (12½ x 9¾ inches). Taken from 'A Voyage Round Great Britain undertaken in the Summer of the Year 1813, and Commencing from Land's-End, Cornwall, with a Series of Views, Illustrative of the Character and Prominent Features of the Coast,' drawn and engraved by William Daniell. The earlier works of Daniell, and his brother Thomas, are credited with giving the English public their first accurate look at the exotic sub-continent of… Read More

Sydney: Angus & Robertson Ltd, 1954. Some handling and small closed tears / chips to the dust jacket edges, and some soiling to back. Book is rubbed at edges. Gift inscription to front pastedown. Pages show some signs of age, overall a good copy of a scarce work. . Limited edition. Unnumbered, only 1,000 copies. Signed in blue ink on limitation page by Bennett. With 23 tipped-in colour reproductions, in its original dust jacket. With an introduction by William Dargie. Unpaginated. 290 x 220 mm (11½ x 8¾ inches). William Rubery Bennett was an Australian landscape artist whose work is still in high demand.

Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore & Yokohama: Kelly and Walsh Limited, 1904. First edition, printed in 1904, of this important early guide book. With numerous photos and period advertisements. It was the first city guide on Shanghai published in a foreign language, and - at the time - was a very useful source of information about Shanghai, though mostly focussed on the foreign settlements. Black ink mark to front cover. Light wear to spine ends but tight and clean copy. The inside is clean and in a very good condition. Lacks the original map to the back pocket. [x], xx, 221, [xxiv] pp. A fascinating insight in to China at that time - with everything from guidance on the price of hiring a sampan or a rickshaw, to 'handy' phrases in Pidgin-English! It represents a certain view of the city; through the eyes of a Western resident in the early 20th century.

London: Thomas Tegg, 1840. First edition. Complete two volumes, with engraved frontis to each. Signed Morrell of London binding. Three quarters tan calf, with waxed cloth boards. Gilt to spine and boards still clean and bright. Very light rubbing to corners. Top edges gilt. Marbled endpapers. Fresh and without foxing inside. A very nice set. Contents include essays on the Duchess of Berry, Charles II, the escape of the Earl of Nithsdale, The Black Hole of Calcutta, The escape of Casanova, Daring enterprises of Spanish troops etc. etc. vi [i] 424; iv, 459 pp. 160 x 105 mm (6¼ x 4¼ inches).

London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2005. Very nice copy of this first edition, signed and dated) by the author to the title page. Spotless cloth. Clean and tidy dust wrapper, now held in archival protection. 230 by 140mm (9 by 5½ inches). 309 pages.

London: Lockwood and Co., Stationers' Hall Court, 1860. First edition. Hardback binding is an embossed library one; a little bumped and nicked at spine, but still quite attractive. Internally, the book has some library stamps and tags to front, small stamp on bottom of title page, and security tag to rear. Overall in good shape. xxxii, 231 pp. 175 x 115 mm (7 x 4½ inches). Babrius was the reputed author of a collection of more than 125 fables based on Aesop's Greek fables.

Paris: Jean Mariette, 1720. A beautiful copy of this classic of French architecture. 140 fabulous engravings including two frontis - many folding. Gilt titles and decoration to spine. Volume II is an explication of the terms of architecture. The boards are a little rubbed and speckled, but still holding well. blank front end paper to the first volume is a touch loose. The rest of the pages and the plates are all in lovely condition. The collation of the plates is very confusing. Frontis, +, A, B, C, 1-12, 14-43, 43b, 43a, 44-51, 51a, 52-59, 59a, 59b, 60-62, 62A-I, 62K-T, 64a, 64b, 65a-65d, 65bb, 66a, 66b, 67-94, 95-98, 98a, 60-62, 99, 99a-99d, 100-103. Plates conform to index. VII frontis. Une belle copie de ce classique de l'architecture française. 140 fabuleuses gravures dont deux frontis - nombreux dépliants. Titres et décor dorés au dos. Le tome II est une explication des termes de l'architecture. Les planches sont un peu frottées et mouchetées, mais tiennent toujours bien. papier avant… Read More

London: Vernor, Hood, and Sharpe, 1807. First Edition. Half leather with 6 raised bands to spine. Gilt decorations and title to spine. Marbled end papers. Rough cut pages. This volume often caused confusion as regards the plates. In addition to the Frontis and the engraved title, this copy has 6 plates. The "Directions for placing the plates" at first glance suggests 3 plates (as 3 pages mentioned) In fact, where it states "Landscapes" (note plural) two landscape engravings are placed, and at "Sea Views" (again, note plural) are three engravings with a Sea View. Consequently, we offer this as a complete edition, with no suggestion of being "Extra Illustrated". The binding is probably fairly recent, and both the leather and marbled boards are in excellent condition. There is a stain across the front board. The frontis and engraved title are moderately to heavily foxed. The rest of the book is in very good, clean condition, with light foxing / darkening to the plates. viii, 238, [ii]. pp 250 x 160 mm… Read More

London: Collins, 1936. A decent copy of this first edition. Green cloth boards, with some fading and a little staining to the covers. Faded spine and slight bumping. A little foxing throughout, but the plates, on shiny art paper are in good condition. 6 colour plates and 6 monochrome illustrations. By sport, Edwards mainly means horse riding and hunting. Owner's inscription to the front end paper, for Darjeeling in August 1943 - in the midst of war! 98 pages. 320 by 255mm (12½ by 10 inches). . Bel exemplaire de cette première édition. Planches en tissu vert, avec quelques décolorations et quelques taches sur les couvertures. Dos délavé et légers coups. Un peu de rousseur partout, mais les planches, sur papier d'art brillant sont en bon état. 6 planches couleurs et 6 illustrations monochromes. Par sport, Edwards entend principalement l'équitation et la chasse. Inscription du propriétaire sur le papier avant, pour Darjeeling en août 1943 - en pleine guerre ! 98 pages. 320 par 255 mm

London: Mitchell Beazley Publishers Limited, 1979. First Edition. In original unclipped colour illustrated dust jacket. Here, David day lucidly has identified, analysed and described 129 separate imaginary beasts from J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy worlds. Cream cloth covered boards in good clean state. Dust jacket clean, but has closed tear to spine. There is no loss, and now the book is under a clear protective cover it is almost imperceptible. Book inside is clean and full of colour and b/w illustrations and explanatory text. 287 pages. 285 x 215 mm (11¼ x 8½ inches). .

Paris: : Chez Nyon, Fils, Quay del Augustins, 1725. First Edition. Contemporary full leather binding, with six raised bands to the spine. Five panels decorated with gilt devices, and the 6th with a burgundy and gilt label. Marbled end papers. Complete with 34 folding plates. There is a curious vandalism to the title page and dedication page. An early owner has crossed out the name of Le Duc du Maine, who the book was dedicated to, and has coloured in portions of the Duc's crest. In the same ink is written "La livre ma coute 15 denier" (my book which cost 15 denier). To the following page (the dedication) again the Duc's crest has been defaced, along with his name, and several of the titles which pertained to him. The Duc was the legitimised son of Louis XIV, but despite this, was disliked by many who still considered him a bastard. The boards and spine are clean, A little bumping to the head and tail of the spine, with a touch of the cover rubbed. Inside, the book and plates are clean and tidy… Read More

Paris: E. Plon, 1893. First Edition. First Edition. Black cloth spine and marbled card boards. Frontis engraving of Marquise de Palaiseau. 8vo. ix, [i], 1-344 pages. The tale of a Royalist family during the Revolution and empire. Première édition. Dos en toile noire et plats en carton marbré. Gravure Frontis de la Marquise de Palaiseau. 8vo. ix, [i], 1-344 pages. L'histoire d'une famille royaliste pendant la Révolution et l'empire.

Leiden : P. Somerwil, 1887. Eerste editie. Gebonden in rood linnen met vergulde en zwarte versieringen. Alle paginaranden verguld. In zeer goede staat. 80 pagina's. 230 x 150 mm.

Amsterdam et Leipzig: Chez Arkstée et Merkus, 1743. Although entitled a new edition, this is a first edition thus. A scarce Dutch counterfeit edition of this scandalous work. Text in French. Issued under the title "L'Ecumoire" whilst the original was Tansaï et Neadarné. Bizarrely, the original title was used at the head of each page - so if this was an attempt to disguise the work, it was a fairly thin disguise. The original text only edition - published 1734 - was addressed to Beijing. In this edition, a frontispiece engraving is repeated in each volume. This shows the Emperor of China and his Court with monkeys in the trees. The preface claims that this is a classic work of Chinese antiquity. Title pages both in red and black. Bound in full speckled leather, with contemporary designs in gilt to the spine, and burgundy title label. Very slight rubbing to the binding only, in very presentable condition. Internally, a fresh work, with just a touch of marking to the pages. The recto of the rear… Read More