Rare books from David Brass Rare Books, Inc.

[n.p.]: , 1922. A Superb Original Arthur Rackham Watercolor Drawing for Nathaniel Hawthorne's "A Wonder Book" RACKHAM, Arthur (1867-1939). "The Paradise of Children." London: 1922. Original pen-and-ink and watercolor drawing for the tinted line drawing illustrating "The Paradise of Children" ("Pandora's Box") in Nathaniel Hawthorne's A Wonder Book (London: [n.d., 1922]). Signed and dated at lower right. Image size: 15 x 11 inches (381 x 279 mm.). Matted, framed, and glazed. "Long, long ago, when this old world was in its tender infancy, there was a child, who never had either a father or a mother; and, that he might not be lonely, another child, fatherless and motherless like himself, was sent from a far country, to live with him, and be his playfellow and helpmate. Her name was Pandora. The first thing that Pandora saw, when she entered the cottage where Epimetheus dwelt, was a great box. And almost the first question which she put to him, after crossing the threshold, was this,— ‘Epimetheus,… Read More

[London]: , 1926. Ariel, Iris, Ceres & Juno The Title-Page Design for Arthur Rackham's Illustrated Version of William Shakespeare's Play "The Tempest" RACKHAM, Arthur, artist. "Ariel, Iris, Ceres & Juno" [London, 1926]. Original pen-and-ink and watercolor drawing, signed "Arthur Rackham" on lower right-hand corner. The design for the title-page in the Rackham-illustrated edition of The Tempest. London: William Heinemann, Ltd. [1926]. Image and board size: 15 1/8 x 10 7/8 inches; 384 x 276 mm. Matted, framed and glazed (frame size: 25 3/4 x 20 3/4 inches; 654 x 526 mm.). The title-page drawing appeared in the book uncolored. As was often the case, Arthur Rackham has added background and full watercolor to the image in order to enhance its salability. This exquisite ethereal watercolor from Shakespeare's Tempest, depicts a pastoral scene with the airy spirit Ariel in a pale blue smock looking like it is spun from melody and fragrance. He is dancing by the side of a wispy, highly detailed tree… Read More

London: Rodwell and Martin, 1821. Thirty Magnificent Hand Colored Aquatint Plates One of a Few Copies with the Plates Mounted on Card DODWELL, Edward. Views in Greece, From Drawings by Edward Dodwell, Esq. F.S.A. & c., London: Rodwell and Martin, 1821. First edition. Large folio (20 7/8 x 14 1/2 inches; 530 x 368 mm.). [vi], [60] pp. Thirty hand colored aquatint plates. One of a very few copies with each mounted on card with printed captions on verso. Text printed in English and French. Title with aquatint vignette, list of plates, introduction and 30 hand-colored aquatint plates by R. Havell, T. Fielding, F.C. Lewis and others after Dodwell and Pomardi, on guards, all mounted on card in imitation of drawings, mounts tinted in gray on upper surface, complete with the original printed 'prospectus' bound-in before the title-page and all of the printed title-slips on the back of the mounts (five with the title trimmed-off). Some leaves of text with mainly marginal foxing and or offsetting. The… Read More

London: Ward, Lock and Co., , 1888. I consider that a man's brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose." A Great Detective's Debut, or The Case of The Missing Rare Book DOYLE, Arthur Conan. A Study in Scarlet. London: Ward, Lock and Co., 1888 [i.e. March 1889]. First edition in book form of the first Sherlock Holmes story (preceded only by the story's appearance in Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887). Second impression with mis-spelling "youuger" for younger in the second paragraph of the publishers' preface. Octavo (7 1/4 x 4 3/4 inches; 185 x 121 mm.). [iii] title; [iv] blank; [v] publisher's preface (with paragraph 2, line 3: youuger); [vi] blank; [vii] contents; [viii] blank [1]- [169]; [170] blank; advertisements; [171- 182] pp. With six line drawings within the text by Charles Doyle, the author's father, on pp. 32, 57, 64, 98, 124, 158. The title-page has been very neatly repaired at the edges and pp. 75-78 with very slight fore… Read More

London: J. Hogarth, [1849]. Of the three works, The Kaffirs Illustrated is the most uncommon" (Tooley). With Thirty Beautiful Hand-Colored Plates ANGAS, George French. The Kafirs Illustrated, in a Series of Drawings taken among the Amazulu, Amaponda, and Amakosa Tribes; also, Portraits of the Hottentot, Malay, Fingo, and other races inhabiting Southern Africa: Together with Sketches of Landscape Scenery in the Zulu Country, Natal, and the Cape Colony. London: G. Barclay for J. Hogarth, [1849]. First Edition. Large folio (19 9/16 x 14 1/8 inches; 497 x 359 mm.). [ii], [i]-viii, [9-52] pp. Lithographed frontispiece portrait on India proof paper mounted, lithographed title-page, lithographed dedication leaf, and thirty finely hand-colored lithographed plates drawn on stone by G.F. Angas, M. & N. Hanhart, B.W. Hawkins, A. Laby, J. Needham, and W. Wing, after Angas. Eleven wood-engraved illustrations in the text. Small closed tear repaired to margin of plate 17, not affecting illustration. Plate number… Read More

London: Printed by J. Smeeton, 1802. M'Cringer's Treatise on Modern Education With Eight Superb Hand Colored Plates Etched by Thomas Rowlandson ROWLANDSON, Thomas. M'CRINGER, Joel [aka J[ames]B[rydges]. WILLYAMS. A Compendious Treatise on Modern Education, in which the following interesting subjects are liberally discussed: The Nursery, Private Schools, Public Schools, Universities, Gallantry, Duelling, Gaming, Suicide. By the late Joel M'Cringer, D.D. F.R.S. A.S.S. Rector of the United Parishes of Pigworth, Goosebridge, and Honeytown, in Middlesex ; Vicar of Cornsteadcum-Haybury, in the same county ; Prebendary of St. Glebemore ; Whitehall preacher, and domestic chaplain to the Right Honourable Lord Trainwell; to which also are added, coloured designs both characteristic and illustrative, delineated by J.B. W******* Esq. and etched by Thomas Rowlandson. London: Printed by J. Smeeton, 1802. First edition. Oblong folio (10 1/2 x 13 1/2 inches; 267 x 343 mm.). [ii, title, verso blank], [i]-viii,… Read More

London: Published by Thomas McLean... Printed by W. Lewis, 1821. Considered the Most Comprehensive and Most Famous Work by Henry Alken" (Dixon) With the Hand Colored Frontispiece dated 1820 ALKEN, Henry. The National Sports of Great Britain. By Henry Alken. With Descriptions, in English and French. London: Published by Thomas McLean... Printed by W. Lewis, 1821 [-1820]. First edition. Large folio (19 x 12 inches; 482 x 305 mm.). [2, title in English, verso title in French], [2, preface in English], [2, preface in French], [2, contents in English, verso contents in French], 50 leaves of text with English on recto and French on verso. Hand-colored aquatint frontispiece dated 1820 with small and inoffensive 1/8 inch wide marginal stain just extending into the image; Hand-colored aquatint frontispiece dated 1821, and fifty superb hand colored aquatint plates, each with a corresponding leaf of text with English on the recto and French on the verso. Contemporary full green straight-grain morocco gilt.… Read More

[London]: , [1907]. Witches and Warlocks, Ghosts, Goblins and Ghouls RACKHAM, Arthur, artist. "The Lay of St. Aloys" or, Witches and Warlocks, Ghosts Goblins and Ghouls. London, [1907]. A fine, pen ink and watercolor (9 x 6 inches; 228 x 15 mm.) depicting Witches and Warlocks, Ghosts, Goblins and Ghouls with a cat and other characters, with a mountain view in the background. Signed in the lower right-hand corner "A. Rackham". Matted, framed and glazed. First published as a black and white drawing, in the 1898 edition of The Ingoldsby Legends, page 465. Now reworked and colored and used as one of the 24 color plates in the 1907 edition (see note below). The tale of The Lay of St Aloys. A Legend of Blois appeared on pages 391-401 of the 1907 second and best edition of The Ingoldsby Legends or, Mirth & Marvels. Rackham had recently developed his gift for drawing witches, gnomes, fairies, and anthropomorphized trees and brought them to a pitch of vivid characterization, sometimes with an unsettling… Read More

London: Privately printed at G. Polidori's..., 1847. A Fine Association Copy of Christina Rossetti's First Book Privately Printed by her Grandfather Inscribed by Christina Rossetti to her Aunt E.H. Polidori The Bibliographer Charles Plumtre Johnson's Copy ROSSETTI, Christina G. Verses by Christina G. Rossetti Dedicated to her Mother. London: Privately printed at G. Polidori's..., 1847. First edition of the author's rare first book, comprising poems written when she was between twelve and sixteen years of age, and printed at the private press of her grandfather: inscribed by Christina Rossetti to her aunt, Eliza Harriet Polidori. Inscribed on front blank "E.H. Polidori / from Christina Rossetti / July 1847." Small octavo (6 1/4 x 3 7/8 inches; 159 x 98 mm.). [iv], 66, [2, blank] pp. A superb exhibition binding by Zaehnsdorf ca. 1900. Full green morocco, covers with an elaborate floral decoration in gilt with red morocco inlays. Spine with five raised bands elaborately gilt with red morocco… Read More

London: , 1919. Ride You Naked Through the Town, And I Repeal it" "Then She Rode Back Clothed on with Chastity" [SANGORSKI, Alberto, calligrapher]. [COSWAY-STYLE BINDING]. TENNYSON, Alfred, Lord. The Lady Godiva and Other Poems. [Sonnet - O Beauty, passing beauty! sweetest Sweet!] & [The Sea-Fairies]. [London: 1919]. A Very Fine Alberto Sangorski Illuminated manuscript on vellum. Large quarto (10 1/16 x 7 11/16 inches; 255 x 195 mm.). Eighteen vellum leaves, mounted on guards, including three blank leaves at front and one at back. [6, blank], 25, [1, blank], [1, colophon], [3, blank] pp. Interleaved with white silk. Written in black and red, with title in burnished gold, red, and purple. Two full-page miniatures of Lady Godiva (on pages 4 & 17). Three-half-page miniatures of Lady Godiva, and The Sea Fairies (on pages 7, 20 & 25) and two small miniatures of Tennyson, and Lady Godiva (on pages 1 & 12). Twenty-two pages with elaborate borders in gold and colors incorporating large illuminated… Read More

Paris: Chez Aubert, 1838. Daumier's Most Celebrated Work Les Robert Macaire [Caricaturana] Complete with 100 Spectacular Hand-Colored Plates, All Heightened with Gum Arabic A Remarkable Example in the Original Publisher's Blue Cloth DAUMIER, Honoré and Charles Philipon. Les Robert Macaire [Caricaturana]. Paris: 1838. First edition. Folio (13 3/16 x 10 3/8 inches; 338 x 263 mm.). One hundred [and one] hand-colored lithographed plates (complete) heightened with gum arabic. In this copy plate 96 "A tous les coeurs bien nés que le patrie est chère!!" (DR-451 published 10/28/1838) has been substituted by the insertion of "Robert Macaire 2e. Sèrie 7. Nouveautés philantropiques." (DR-872 published 04/04/1841) - The plate number has been changed in old ink to "96" - most likely by the publisher prior to binding - see note below. [An original hand colored example of plate 96 "A tous les coeurs bien nés que le patrie est chère!!" (DR-451 published 10/28/1838) has now been inserted after plate 95].… Read More

Paris: Aubert & Cie,, 1851. 'Pastorales' or The Romance of Country Life Fifty highly amusing hand-colored Lithographs by Honoré Daumier Depicting the trials and tribulations of Country Life Exceptionally Rare with no other Examples Located DAUMIER, Honoré. Pastorales. [Romance of Country Life]. Paris: Aubert & Cie, [1851]. First Collected Edition, Complete. Folio. 13 x 10 inches; 330 x 254 mm.). Fifty highly amusing hand colored lithographs, stitched as issued, all heightened with gum arabic. Fourteen page Aubert et Cie. catalog bound in at end (a little foxed). Plate no. 1 has a 1/2 inch neatly repaired closed tear to upper blank margin. Plate no 10 has a 2 1/2 inch neatly repaired closed tear to lower blank margin. Plate no 23 is 'toned'. Plate no 25 is 'slightly toned' and has a 1 1/4 inch neatly repaired closed tear to lower blank margin. Plate no 26 is 'slightly toned' and has a 5 inch neatly repaired closed tear to lower margin affecting lower part of image. Plate no 27 is 'slightly… Read More

London: S. and J. Fuller, 1822. William Pyne's The Social Club The Pyne Family Copy in the Original Parts Most Likely the Finest Copy Extant PYNE, William Henry. The Social Club: Consisting of a Series of Stories; and Accompanied by Humourous Prints of each Subject, Engraved and Coloured in Imitation of the Original Drawings, Made Expressly for the Work. The Drawings by W.H. Pyne, Esq. [Parts 1 - 4, all published]. London: S. and J. Fuller, 1822. First edition. Title from front wrapper. Parts I-IV only (all published). Large quarto (14 x 11 5/8 inches; 355 x 295 mm.). 26 pp. Twelve fine hand-colored aquatint plates by Smart & Hunt after W.H. Pyne. Text watermarked 1821. At head of title: "To be completed in twelve monthly numbers, forming one handsome volume." Uncut in the original tan printed wrappers. Stabbed and sewn. With four copies of the original prospectus bound in (each one octavo page). Spines expertly repaired, front wrapper of Part I and rear wrapper of Part IV neatly repaired,… Read More

Paris: Chez J.F. Ostervald, Editeur, 1833. The Ports and Coasts of France from Dunkirk to Le Havre Deluxe Watercolor Issue with Fifty Superb Hand Colored Aquatint Plates LEFEBVRE-DURUFLÉ, N[oël Jacques]. Ports et Cotes de France de Dunkerque au Havre par N. Lefebvre-Duruflé. Paris: Chez J.F. Ostervald, Editeur, 1833. First edition, thus. Folio (14 1/14 x 10 5/8 inches; 362 x 270 mm.). [iv], [88] pp. Fifty superb aquatint views finely enhanced with watercolor and gouache, which actually look like original watercolors, measuring an average of 8 1/4 x 5 5/8 inches; 210 x 150 mm., all finished with gum arabic and mounted on full size leaves. All plates with original tissue-guards. Some mild marginal foxing to some leaves of text. Full contemporary dark blue morocco, covers elaborately tooled in blind and bordered in gilt. Smooth spine decoratively tooled and lettered in gilt,marbled endpapers. A superb copy. Note: The SPL copy (with rather different, and somewhat inferior coloring) has only 42 of… Read More

London: G. Humphrey, [1821]. Queen Caroline Sliced And Diced By Satirists' Blade Fifty Devastating Hand-Colored Caricatures Directed Against the British Monarchy CRUIKSHANK, George, illustrator. CRUIKSHANK, I.R., illustrator. LANE, Theodore, illustrator. The Attorney-General's Charges Against The Late Queen, brought forward in the House of Peers, on Saturday, August 19, 1820. Illustrated with Fifty Coloured Engravings. London: G. Humphrey, [1821]. First edition. Folio (18 13/16 x 13 inches; 478 x 330 mm.). [2, title, imprint on verso]. 20 pp. by Robert Gifford, Attorney-General. Hand colored frontispiece and forty-nine hand colored etched plates, the majority being by Theodore Lane. Six of the plates are by George Cruikshank; one is after George Cruikshank; two are by Isaac Robert Cruikshank and one is by George & Isaac Cruikshank. All plates with interleaves. The text & plates are watermarked "J. Whatman 1821" Handsomely bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe ca. 1960 in three-quarter dark blue… Read More