Search Results: Titles starting with F from Michael Laird Rare Books LLC

New York: S. Hand and H. Garson, 1796. Softcover. Very good. 12mo. 23, [1] pp. Crude title-page woodcut vignette, with caption: "I'll shave 'em like a punish'd soldier, DRY. No killing Swine shall make a sweeter cry." Collation: [A]6 B6. Complete. Modern sympathetic wrappers. Lightly toned, but the paper stock strong. Evidence of tape stain in two gutter margins. Early American imprint of a fake "Sermon for the Fast" which ridicules clerical, legal, political, and military "shavers." The text was attributed by Evans to John Macgowan, author of several works issued under the pseudonyms of "The Shaver" and "Pasquin Shaveblock." But Macgowan could not have written the present work as he had died in 1780, and the pamphlet first appeared in London in 1795. Furthermore, on the verso of the title-page are two "Testimonies in Favor of this Sermon," both of which were published fifteen years after Magowan's death. The one from the "Monthly Review" (1795, vol. XVI, no. 7, p. 357) reads in part: "This… Read More

Dublin: Printed by Alexander Thom [for H.M.S.O.], 1868. First Edition. Fair. Folio (330 x 215 mm). Uniform title-page (1 f.), Instructions (7 pp.), Addendum No. I (11 pp. + 1 plan), Addendum No. II (1 f., 20 pp., followed by stubs of 20 [?] excised plates), Addendum No. III (1 f., 3 pp. + 9 PLATES), Addendum No. IV (1 f., 3 pp.). Uniform title-page SOILED. Original printed wrappers, WORN AND SOILED, spine partially defective. RARE, UNKNOWN "BLUE BOOK" OF PROPOSED REMEDIES FOR THE AGRICULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC CRISIS IN IRELAND DURING THE FAMINE, CONTAINING COLOR-PRINTED DESIGNS FOR THE HOUSES OF IRISH AGRICULTURAL LABORERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. The articles in the present volume document the urgent programs initiated by the Irish Board of Works, allowing for the application of loans to improve lands and by extension save lives. We have found only a single copy of this remarkable book worldwide (National Library of Ireland) and only a single reference to it anywhere, namely in a contemporary… Read More

Pesaro: Amatina, 1767. First Edition. Good. 4to. 2 vols. Vol 1: [6], I-CXXXVI, 1-307 = 449 pp. Vol 2: [I-II], III-XVI, 1-465 = 481 pp. Nineteenth century quarter-calf with marbled paper covered boards, quite worn along hinges and binding extremities, foot of spine with covered with black marker which extended onto top board of vol. I, gilt spines (darkened and worn), Some foxing to title and light foxing to outer margins of a few other pages. Vol. 2 has a large dark stain on title and first 10 pages, not affecting the legibility of the text, tear at bottom on p. 23, small chip on p. 51, small water stain on foreedge of pp. 171-8. Two bookplates on front pastedowns: one from the library of Ruben Parsons ("Dom Reuben Parsons Presb. Neo Ebor") with Parsons's signature on the front endleaf dated at Rome, 1863, the other from the library of I. G. Schorsch. First edition of a famous refutation of Febronianism from the library of American Catholic theologian Rev. Reuben Parsons, D.D. (1841-1906), who… Read More

Various places, 1940. Very good. Group of 25 photographs or photo postcards of boxing women in varied states of undress, all more or less postcard- sized (some were evidently extracted from an album as there is evidence of glue or tape residue). Each example is preserved in a mylar L-sleeve and laid into a fitted cloth case. CURIOUS COLLECTION OF VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHS AND PHOTO POSTCARDS OF FEMALE BOXERS. To our shame we knew nothing about the term "Agonophilia" prior to encountering this collection, which certainly has illuminated the subject for us considerably. From Urban Dictionary: "Agonophilia covers a broad range of sexual arousal, from fighting paraphernalia (boxing gloves, protective cups, headgear, mouthpieces, satin trunks) and through the actual engagement in fighting (legitimate or fantasy). [...] Some men who ordinarily consider themselves straight clearly enjoy the combination of fighting gear and male to male contact while fighting, and of course volumes could be written about the… Read More

Istanbul: Selamet Matbaas, 1928. First Edition in Turkish. Good. 8vo. [2], v, [1], 395 pp. illustrated with line drawings by the author herself. Original wrappers with illustrated cover by JEAN HEE (text evenly browned on account of the paper stock, marginal water staining in last half of the text, most pronounced on lower wrapper which is chipped, spine strengthened with Japanese tissue). Preserved in a four-flap lig-free chemise with paper label. AMERICAN FEMINIST LITERATURE IN TURKISH WHICH -- WITH ITS YOUNG FEMALE PROTAGONIST WHO COMES OF AGE MORALLY, SOCIALLY, AND PROFESSIONALLY -- INSPIRED TURKISH WOMEN IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE REPUBLIC. THE NOVEL HAS BECOME INFAMOUS FOR ITS SUPPORT OF THE EUGENICS MOVEMENT WHICH WAS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO THE TURKISH ELITE AND MEDICAL COMMUNITIES. Originally published in 1915, "Dear Enemy" is set in Dutchess County, New York; in letters written by the protagonist Sallie McBride, the novel describes the life of a decidedly "modern" American woman who… Read More

Paris: Guillaume et Companie, Libraire, rue Hautefeuille, no. 14, 1817. Good. 2 vols., small 12mo. 233, [3]; 250, [4] pp. With 2 engraved frontispieces. Contemporary French mottled sheep (extremities worn and bumped; back cover of vol. 2 abraided with loss, leather on front hinge quite worn but the board is quite attached), marbled pastedowns and endpapers, all edges marbled. Text with minor foxing but completely unmarked and unspoiled. NOT ex-library! No copy of this edition has been located, despite extensive searching. KVK and FirstSearch list a digital surrogate (only), but the link wrongly points to a completely different edition (Ledentu) which consists of 288 + 332 pages. The two frontispieces in our edition appear to be reverse copies of the illustrations executed by J.M. Moreau le jeune for Lacombe's 1777 edition (the first illustrated). The political, philosophical, and theological significance of this novel is very considerable, and Marmontel's text was quickly translated into German,… Read More

London: Gul. Sandby, 1749. 2 vols., 8vo. Title-pages in red and black (both with large engraved portrait of the Horace), [x], 166; [2], 167-353 pp. With engraved dedication to George, Prince of Wales (later George III), and 35 full-page engraved plates (including frontispiece). Contemporary French red morocco, triple gilt rule around sides, small flower ornament at the corners, smooth spine gilt with seven compartments, olive morocco lettering pieces, comb-marbled endpapers, all edges gilt (corners a bit bumped and with some wear; small circular booklabel removed from front pastedown of both volumes; text at front and back a little browned). Overall in very good condition. Sandby's very handsome edition of Horace, illustrated with 35 engraved plates. Uncommon in contemporary French red morocco, as here. Our copy appears to have been printed on thick paper. The bindings are indeed French: the watermark on the final blank of vol. 2 is "raisin" dated "17[?]" type of Gaudriault 956. That Sandby's… Read More

Philadelphia and London: J.B. Lippencott Company, 1904. Very good. 22 vols., COMPLETE. 8vo., frontispieces in each volume protected by tissue guards as are the numerous illustrations throughout. Contemporary full green morocco, all spines uniformly faded to chestnut brown, five raised bands on spines, lettered direct, compartments and turn-ins DELICATELY GOLD-TOOLED (not crudely stamped as commonly), decorated endpapers, t.e.g., others untrimmed. Some foxing in the text, and very occasional, unimportant abrasions to binding extremities. THE CONDITION OF THIS MONTEZUMA EDITION SET OF PRESCOTT IS FAR SUPERIOR TO ANY OTHER CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET, AND LIKELY RIVALS THE BEST COPIES PRESERVED IN PUBLIC OR PRIVATE COLLECTIONS. Prescott (1796-1859) is now recognized as the first American scientific historian; as a Hispanist his preeminence was unsurpassed and his very readable works have retained scholarly value to the present day. "During his lifetime, he was upheld as one of the greatest living… Read More

Rome: Tipografia delle Scienze Mathematiche e Fisiche, 1862. Very good. 2 vols., folio. Numerous diagrams; occasional light spotting and foxing. Modern brown morocco, uncut. In slipcases. EDITIO PRINCEPS OF THE WRITINGS OF FIBONACCI, THE GREATEST MATHEMATICIAN OF THE MIDDLE AGES, STILL THE ONLY COMPLETE EDITION PUBLISHED. IN THE HISTORY OF MATHEMATICS THIS UNABRIDGED EDITION OF THE LATIN TEXT IS ESSENTIAL, AND WAS THE VEHICLE BY WHICH FIBONACCI'S WORKS WERE DISSEMINATED THROUGHOUT MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY CULTURE. Rare in private ownership. Sold at Sotheby's forty years ago, ours is ONLY copy that has ever appeared at auction according to Rare Book Hub which currently lists more than 13 million records in the Rare Book Transactions database; furthermore, it is the only copy currently available on the market. Leonardo of Pisa (ca. 1170-1250), a.k.a. Fibonacci, is justly considered to be the most important mathematician of the Middle Ages, if only for being the first Christian mathematician to… Read More

Madrid: Ruiz de Murga, 1700. First Edition. Small 4to (204 x 146 mm). Bound in contemporary Spanish sprinkled calf, red spine label (extremities somewhat rubbed but perfectly sound). 71 ff. including title-page printed in red and black + 210 pp. + 3 ff. Signatures: [pi]² [par.]⁴ 2[par.]⁴ 2[par.]⁴ 3[par.]⁴ 4[par.]⁴ 5[par.]⁴ 6[par.]⁴ a-c⁴ 7[par.]⁴ 8[par.]⁴ 9[par.]⁴ 10[par.]⁴ *⁴ 2*⁴ 3*⁴ 4*⁴ (+ 1 f. Advertensia, as in the Princeton copy) A-Z⁴ Aa-Dd⁴. (H2 wrongly signed "H3"). Title in red and black; initials; head and tail pieces. The engraved portrait of Sor Juana is here present in facsimile on old paper, OTHERWISE COMPLETE. Faint waterstaining to pp. 121-160 in outer fore-margin (not objectionable), the paper stock strong and clean. Preserved in a protective blue cloth case, leather label. FIRST EDITION of "the first statement in this hemisphere to argue a woman's right to study and teach and learn." (Peden / Stavans). This is, of course, Sor Juana's magisterial… Read More

Faenza: Archi, 1726. First Edition. 8vo (227-172 mm). 185, [1] pp. Collation: A-Y4 Z6. With a printer's mark on title-page and p. 76 (Apollo with lyre) plus a large woodcut of Hercules and the Nemean Lion on final page. Contemporary "carta rustica" covered with brocade paper (somewhat chipped along the joints along with a few short tears, spine somewhat discolored). Completely unsophisticated and suitable for exhibition and study. Preserved in a linen cloth protective case. First Edition of Conti's "Il Cesare," a play which Gamba pronounces as "One of the best Italian tragedies," and which is further distinguished by containing THE FIRST ITALIAN REFERENCE TO SHAKESPEARE, and is at the same time "THE FIRST OPINION ON SHAKESPEARE EVER TO BE PRINTED OUTSIDE ENGLAND" (Petrone Fresco). Included also is a fascinating discussion of the Bard's "unruly genius" and the nature of the tragic drama itself. This Italian imprint was likely in Germany at a very early date: covering the original boards is an Augsburg… Read More

s.l., 20th century. On paper (585 x 460 mm), mounted to what is no doubt acidic board, formerly matted and framed (drawing paper browned along matte lines). Preserved in a mylar sleeve. LARGE, ACCOMPLISHED AMERICAN FOLK ART CALLIGRAPHY BY AN OBSCURE (NORTH TEXAS?) WOMAN CALLIGRAPHER. The artist incorporated the initials of her name into the leaves and grass at the lower left corner: "Executed by S.E.H." Fortunately there is a faint penciled inscription on the outer edge of the paper drawing sheet, formerly covered by the matte, and almost certainly written by the Sherman, TX framer: "2 white Sallie Hayburn old frame." It is almost certain that Sallie E. Hayburn and/or her family resided in North Texas: The present specimen had formerly been matted and placed in an "old frame" manufactured by Noel R. Chapin Co. of Dallas, TX (established 1947). A label was attached to the frame's backing (which we removed); this label stated that the frame was sent to Murrin's Paint and Wallpaper of Sherman, TX.… Read More

Los Angeles: DeVorss & Co, 1940. First Edition. Hardcover. Very good. Small 8vo. [6], 13-43 pp. Limitation not stated but this copy is numbered "948." Original dark maroon pebbled cloth. Loosely inserted promotional leaf for "The Trowel" and Chela's "The Way to Civilization." Forgotten Freemasonry for Women. The author of this curious work, writing pseudonomymously as "The Chela," was the Director and head of the now-unknown Order of Ancient Active Masons; it is very possible that she was the sole member. From the introduction: "This little book contains the first seven of the thirty-three degrees of Ancient Active Masonry. It is the foundation of "The Order," and is now presented to become the foundation of World Peace and real Brotherhood." It would appear that the Order of Ancient Active Masonry was an unacknowledged Masonic Order that allowed women to join. By 1942 The Chela was giving lectures "by request" at the Masonic Hall in Coronado (see: Coronado Eagle and Journal, no. 21, p. 4, May 28,… Read More

S.l. (Germany), n.d. (19th-century). Very good. A pair of professionally framed book covers, being the front boards of two publisher's bindings (brown cloth embossed and gilt) lettered "FAUST VON GOETHE I" and "FAUST VON GOETHE II." Frame size 46 x 37 cm. Cloth with some minor blemishes and signs of age, but overall an attractive and desirable set, framed by Logos of Lockhart. TWO REMARKABLE 19TH-CENTURY GERMAN "SOMBRE" PUBLISHER'S BINDINGS, ADMIRABLY FRAMED AND SUITABLE FOR DISPLAY IN AN ELEGANT ENVIRONMENT. The publisher of this particular edition of Faust has resisted identification; nonetheless, we have greatly enjoyed having these framed "book objects" adorn our parlor; it is now time to pass them along to a future owner who admires Goethe as much as we do.

Paris and Lille: Delarue / Castiaux, 1820. Very good. 12mo. 1 f. ("garde"), 1 f. (colored frontispiece), 1 f. (title-page), [5]-178 pp., 1 f. ("garde"). With 8 color woodcut plates, all depicting two scenes identified in cursive lettering. Modern sturdy half morocco over comb-marbled boards. Portion of text torn away from p. 35/6 with loss. Unstudied children's morality stories, some of which are incredibly harsh; for instance, "La petite gourmande" (The Little Greedy Girl) presents the account of Julie who is often punished for stealing. One day her parents left her alone for only a few moments: the greedy girl placed a chair on top of a table to steal some sugar. Tragically, the sugar was meant for rats and mice and was laced with arsenic. When she was discovered by her mother she was administered milk to diminish the effects of the poison. A doctor was sent for, and evidently he saved her life, but the little greedy girl became an "imbicile," and suffered acutely from gastro-intestinal pains for… Read More

Paris: L. Giraud Badin, 1929. Softcover. Very good. 16.5 x 25 cm. 8vo. 2 vols. I: xvi, 320 pp.; II: 355 pp. Uncut and largely unopened. Original pale blue printed wrappers (spines faded to brown, otherwise excellent). Beautiful copy, largely unopened, of the foremost bibliography on the subject of French "Keepsakes" of Gift Books, still unsurpassed. Our copy is completely free of all library labels, markings, foxing, etc. which disfigures most copies currently available. KEEPSAKES: These were small annual or "gift" volumes designed primarily for the Christmas and New Year market, popular in many countries in the first half of the 19th-century. These "Forget-Me-Not" volumes consisted primarily of poetry and short pieces of prose. The main emphasis was on the wood- and steel-engraved illustrations, and indeed some of the leading artists of the day produced illustrations for Keepsakes. Of additional interest are the ornate publishers' bindings in cloth, silk, and leather, frequently with extravagant… Read More

(Lyon or Paris), 1570. The coffret measures (in mm) ca. 280 (long) x 190 (wide) x 115 (high): around sides are four looped metal fittings for leather straps, all five original hinges on back, on front the original iron hasp facade with forged "pine leaf" decoration, keyhole & lock mechanism; on slightly dome top nine iron reinforcements, the whole fixed with original nails; original linen lined interior. This artifact has many serious condition problems: the left side of the lid is present but detached; many areas of the wood are chipped, wormed, and/or defective, but there are no signs of restoration whatsoever. Affixed to the inside of the lid is a large woodcut (ca. 250 x 170 mm) of two lovers (see below). The woodcut is torn, chipped and damaged, with evidence of old insect activity; there is loss of considerable portions of text and image, including the left portion of the man, the banderole above him, and the dog at his feet. With many significant faults, and priced accordingly. Preserved in a… Read More

Avignon (and Lyon): Jehan de Channey (and reissued in Lyon by Thibaud Payen), 1540. Good. Small 4to. Collation: A-T6 (lacking two leaves at end, including colophon on T6v). Foliation: cv, [7] (of 9) ff. Woodcut title-border and initials throughout (see below). Bound in modern (Italian?) full vellum, title in calligraphic manuscript on spine in red and black, marbled endpapers, edges (at one time) stained red. Title-page with two small worm tracks in lower blank margin, diminishing through first two gatherings; verso of title with contemporary MS title and early ownership inscription (abrasions suggest the removal of something that had been pasted down at one time); upper and outer margins closely cropped, with frequent loss of headlines and shoulder notes; foxing and blemishes throughout; fol. K6 with large tear. A washed copy, and strongly (and inexplicably) pungent. Preserved in a marbled slipcase tipped with citron morocco. With stated faults, and priced accordingly. VERY EARLY FRENCH PROVENCAL… Read More

Paris: Jacob (Jacques) Bogard, 1549. 8vo (175 x 67 mm). [8], 112 ff., ruled in red. Collation: *8 A-O8, COMPLETE. Contemporary Paris binding by the Cupid's Bow Binder: smooth polished calf, gold-tooled (rebacked with new spine, corners and extremities refurbished, modern pastedowns and endpapers), a.e.g. Contemporary French Renaissance binding by the "Cupid's Bow Binder" who was active from 1545-1556 and was responsible for some of the finest bindings of that age. Among his great patrons were Jean Grolier, Catherine de' Medici, Anne de Montmorency (Constable of France), Louis de Sainte-Maure, Marc Lauryn, and the King of France. It is curious that the name of the Cupid's Bow Binder has so far eluded researchers, especially considering that no less than 46 bindings by him for Jean Grolier survive according to Anthony Hobson. Following that of Gommar Estienne (reliure du roi) he was the most important binder to the King (see Lafitte and Le Bars). Our binding, while comparatively modest, is… Read More

Birmingham (England): Printed for T. Groom, 1832. Fourth edition. Very good. 32mo. 32pp. With an engraved frontispiece. Original publisher's red wrappers, lettered and decorated in gilt. A trifle rubbed and marked. Early ink gift inscription inside upper wrapper (bottom corner of lower wrapper stained). DREARY JUVENILE CONDUCT OF LIFE TALE. Our colleague Tom Lintern-Mole informs us that "the narrative concerns the exceptionally intelligent and nauseatingly pious eponymous heroine, who, when stricken by a mysterious illness, remains unwaveringly devout in her final hours, gladly embracing the prospect of death and salvation. The moral is less than comforting: 'My dear young readers, do you calculate upon a long life? - look at Maria, and be taught you may die soon. Do you shrink from the gloom and coldness of the grave? - look at Maria and learn how to smile upon it. Do you wish to die peacefully? - apply to that Jesus who took the sting out of her death, and he will take it out of yours.'" We have… Read More