Newark, DE: Press of Kells, 1933. Hardcover. Biography of Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours (1739-1817). Du Pont was a French-American writer, economist, publisher and government official. During the French Revolution, he, his two sons and their families fled France and immigrated to the United States. His son Éleuthère Irénée du Pont was the founder of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company [Wikipedia]. Bound in dark blue pebbled leather with gilt rulings to covers and titling to spines. Some rubbing and light bumping to corners. Illustrations and facsimiles throughout. Ribbon bookmarks. t.e.g. No slipcase. Very good condition. Octavo. Volume I: 179 pages; Volume II: 235 pages including index. AMERBIO/071221. Very Good. More

London: J. Debrett, 1795. Hardcover. First edition of this detailed and conversational book on Este's travels. The author is probably Charles Este (1753-1829), an English clergyman, editor, and writer. He writes about everything in the regions he traveled from scenery to government, to trade, to the clergy, libraries, art, and history. At the end of his book he appends sections titled "Familiar and Friendly Letters between Lord Baltimore and C. Linnaeus, on the Subject of Lord Baltimore's Works" and "Spallanzani's Tour to Vesuvius, Aetna, Grotte Del Cane, etc etc etc." There is also an index that in fact serves as the table of contents. Bound in contemporary brown leather with red title label to spine. Leather is chipped and rubbed. Hinge of front cover is cracked and rear hinge is tender. Free front endpaper torn along gutter. Scattered foxing and browning throughout, and pages 72-79 have a dampstain along tops of pages. The text is still quite clear and readable. A library label from the Lansingburgh Library dated 1820 lists the rules for borrowers. Ownership signature dated 1827 on first text page. About very good. Small octavo. Errata page; 381 pages; Index with publisher advertisement. Very Good. More

Philadelphia: William S. Martien, 1850. Hardcover. Scarce first edition of this Presbyterian history of Virginia. William Henry Foote (1794 – 1869) was an American Presbyterian minister in Virginia and North Carolina. He served as a Confederate chaplain during the American Civil War. He wrote several books about the history of Presbyterians in the American South. Foote received a Doctorate of Divinity (D.D.) from Hampden–Sydney College (H–SC) in 1847.[1] He served on its Board of Trustees from 1851 to 1870, and Board President from 1864 to 1866. While he was at H–SC, he wrote a two-volume history of Presbyterians in Virginia; Sketches of Virginia, Historical and Biographical (1850) and Sketches of Virginia, Historical and Biographical, Second Series (1855). Bound in tan three quarter leather with marbled boards, page edges, and endpapers. Leather is faded, rubbed, and bumped, and paper boards are scuffed. Light scattered foxing and but text remains quite legible. Ownership signature on ffep and apparent acquisition number on next ffep. Very good copy. Measures 5.75 x 9.25 inches. 568 pages. AMERSTATE/050621. Very Good. More

Montreal: Les Amis de l'Histoire, 1969. Hardcover. François-Xavier Garneau (1809 – 1866) was a nineteenth-century French Canadian notary, poet, civil servant and liberal who wrote a history between 1845-1848 of the French Canadian nation titled Histoire du Canada [Wikipedia]. A handsome set bound in red leatherette with a white maple leaf ornament on the front covers. Gilt titling to spine and gilt top edges. Black and white illustrations throughout and red ribbon bookmarks. Some of the white maple leaves have light soiling as does the fore-edge of Volume I, otherwise in very good condition. Volume I: 402 pages; Volume II: 344 pages; Volume III: 297 pages; Volume IV: 300 pages; Volume V: 296 pages; Volume VI: 350 pages; CANADA/072121. Very Good. More

London: A. Bettersworth and C. Hitch, W. Innys and R. Manby, J. and P. Knapton, 1738. Hardcover. Scarce second edition of this important book on architectural drawing. The work explained how to draw the Classical orders and related details and was used well into the 19th century. James Gibbs (1682 –1754) was one of Britain's most influential architects. Born in Scotland, he trained as an architect in Rome, and practiced mainly in England. He is an important figure whose work spanned the transition between English Baroque architecture and Georgian architecture heavily influenced by Andrea Palladio. Among his most important works are St Martin-in-the-Fields, the cylindrical, domed Radcliffe Camera at Oxford University, and the Senate House at Cambridge University. His architectural style did incorporate Palladian elements, as well as forms from Italian Baroque and Inigo Jones, but was most strongly influenced by the work of Sir Christopher Wren, who was an early supporter of Gibbs. Overall, Gibbs was an individual who formed his own style independently of current fashions. Architectural historian John Summerson describes his work as the fulfillment of Wren's architectural ideas, which were not fully developed in his own buildings. Despite the influence of his books, Gibbs, as a stylistic outsider, had little effect on the later direction of British architecture, which saw the rise of Neoclassicism shortly after his death [Wikipedia]. Folio volume bound in brown leather with red title label to spine. Leather is rubbed and bumped, and spine is chipped. Pastedowns are stained and free endpapers are torn. Interior pages are clean but there is light dampstaining throughout along the upper and lower right of the pages. The drawings are affected but the stains do not detract from their legibility and usefulness. With 40 text pages and sixty-four numbered plates. Bookplate of James Jackson affixed to front pastedown. Very good minus. Very Good -. More

New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1970. Hardcover. Reproduction of this 1929 catalog. Bound in red cloth boards with blue title to spine and blue illustration to front board. Minor fading to spine. Clean, bright interior filled with product descriptions and illustrations. In red paper covered slipcase with illustrated side panels. The case is split along two edges. Wear, rubbing, and minor soiling to the panels of the case. 768 pages. CHILD/060321. Very Good. More

New York: The Grolier Club, 1995. Softcover. One of 1000 copies. From the collection of book seller William S. Reese, with his compliments slip laid in. Reese formed an important Graves collection that included first editions, manuscripts, and letters. Green softcover in self wrappers with title label to front cover. Light signs of handling but near fine. Octavo. 35 pages. BOB/090721. Near Fine. More

Basel: Romano Hänni, 2021. Hardcover. Number 22 of the 54 copies of the standard edition. There are 10 additional copies of the deluxe edition. Each copy of the book comes with a pamphlet with photos of the manufacturing process and a soft cover book with Romano's explanation of this new work. Swiss book artist and typographer Romano Hänni (1956 - ) has been experimenting with unusual compositions of letter forms and symbols since the early 1980s. His designs can seem somewhat whimsical but often are reactions to society, politics, and traumatic events. Creating things manually with the participation of all of the senses is very important to him. A master of visual poetry, he enjoys teaching to pass on his knowledge and skill. In this book, Romano states that he is reprinting the original text of the Iti Amotytoma Muxum that arrived in England from Utopia in 1535. The book was purportedly soon "lost in the darkness of history" until 2019, when it was revealed to be in the Vatican Secret Archives. The book artist says that he was able to get possession of the book for a few weeks. Although not able to translate the mysterious lost language of Utopia, he was able to recreate the harmonious overall impression of the book with its deliberately used proportions and its classical and elementary typography. According to his book of explanation, Romano created this work in response to his own ethical, moral, and political beliefs about our modern world. The book is an intriguing production that beautifully displays his mastery of symbols and letter forms. It was hand set in lead type with brass lines and letterpress printed in black and four-colors. There were approximately 52 printing forms. The book is bound in green linen with gilt titling to front cover. It is housed in a grey paper covered slipcase along with the pamphlet of photos. In fine condition. Measures 5 x 7.5 inches. Book: 56 pages; Explanation volume: 23 pages. ARTB/090321. Fine. More

Basel: Romano Hänni, 2021. Hardcover. Number 10 of 10 copies of the deluxe edition. Each copy of the book comes with a pamphlet with photos of the manufacturing process and a soft cover book with Romano's explanation of this new work. Swiss book artist and typographer Romano Hänni (1956 - ) has been experimenting with unusual compositions of letter forms and symbols since the early 1980s. His designs can seem somewhat whimsical but often are reactions to society, politics, and traumatic events. Creating things manually with the participation of all of the senses is very important to him. A master of visual poetry, he enjoys teaching to pass on his knowledge and skill. In this book, Romano states that he is reprinting the original text of the Iti Amotytoma Muxum that arrived in England from Utopia in 1535. The book was purportedly soon "lost in the darkness of history" until 2019, when it was revealed to be in the Vatican Secret Archives. The book artist says that he was able to get possession of the book for a few weeks. Although not able to translate the mysterious lost language of Utopia, he was able to recreate the harmonious overall impression of the book with its deliberately used proportions and its classical and elementary typography. According to his book of explanation, Romano created this work in response to his own ethical, moral, and political beliefs about our modern world. The resulting book is an intriguing production that beautifully displays his mastery of symbols and letter forms. It was hand set in lead type with brass lines and letterpress printed in black and four-colors. There were approximately 52 printing forms. The book is bound in handsome embossed brown leather. It is housed in a slipcase along with the pamphlet of photos. In fine condition. Measures 5 x 7.5 inches. Book: 56 pages; Explanation volume: 23 pages. ARTB/090321. Fine. More

Glasguae [Glasgow]: Robert and Andrew Foulis, 1756-1758. Hardcover. This edition of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey was published in Greek by the Foulis Press, founded by Robert and Andrew Foulis, and is widely considered to be its most famous production. Robert Foulis was born the son of a maltman. He was apprenticed to a barber, but was encouraged to become a publisher by Francis Hutcheson who was impressed by his ability. After spending 1738 and 1739 in England and France in company with his brother, Andrew, Robert set up a publishing business in 1741 in Glasgow, and in 1742 acquired his own press. He bought type from the renowned type-maker and punch-cutter Alexander Wilson. In 1743 he was appointed printer to the Glasgow University. As printers and publishers, the Foulis brothers were famous for their magnificent editions of the classics, such as their splendid folio editions of the Iliad and Odyssey (1756-58). Though relatively small, the Foulis Press turned out almost 600 editions in the years between 1742 and 1776. Using quality paper and fine typefaces made locally by Alexander Wilson, an expert in the field, Robert and his brother Andrew, who had joined the firm towards the end of 1746, quickly established a Europe-wide reputation as “the Elzevirs of Britain” for their well designed and immaculately executed editions of ancient classical texts. In one of the rare studies devoted to the brothers and their press, it is claimed that Winckelmann never travelled without Homer, “his companion at every instant of his life,” according to the Life of Winckelmann, and that “the edition he had with him on his last journey (in the course of which he died) was that of Foulis, ‘very elegantly printed at Glasgow in 1756-58’” [Wikipedia and The Victorian Web]. The two folio volumes are bound in contemporary mottled brown leather. The bindings are quite scuffed, bumped, and rubbed. The spine of volume I has a large chip at the top and cracking to the joint. The spine of volume II has a crack from top to bottom and cracked joint. Both volumes have weak hinges. Interior pages have light browning and spotting throughout, particularly in volume I. Despite this, the beauty of the typography is still evident. Splitting to some gutters from books being opened flat. The Iliad: Volume I: 312 pages; Volume II: 336 pages. The Odyssey: Volume I: 297 pages; Volume II: 336 pages. CLASSICAL/072921. Good. More

London: Whittaker & Co., 1835. Henry David Inglis, (1795–1835) who used the pseudonym Derwent Conway,was a Scottish travel writer and journalist. Under the name of Derwent Conway, Inglis published his first work, Tales of the Ardennes (1825), which was well received. There followed in quick succession Narrative of a Journey through Norway, part of Sweden, and the Islands and States of Denmark (1826), Solitary Walks through many Lands (1828), and A Tour through Switzerland and the South of France and the Pyrenees (1830 and 1831). Of his journeys through Spain and the Tyrol in 1830 and following years, he published accounts, Spain in 1830 appearing in 1831, and The Tyrol, with a Glance at Bavaria, in 1833 [Wikipedia]. This is a reprint of Inglis's book on Norway that first appeared in Constable's Miscellany and is the first to be published using his real name. Bound in dark blue leather with gilt rulings and gilt titling labels to spine. Scuffed and rubbed along joints and edges of covers. Interior pages are generally clean with occasional spotting. Fold out map of region is intact with some light browning and offsetting to facing page. A plate of Specimens of Norwegian Music is quite foxed and has offsetting to facing page. Book plate of Richard Shuttleworth Streatfield. Very good condition. 7.5 inches. 335 pages. TRAVEL/071421. More

Boston: Milford House, 1971. Hardcover. An unabridge reproduction of the 1928 edition. Maroon buckram cloth boards with gilt title to spine. Small stain to top edge of textblock (and top margins) of last hundred pages, else clean and bright. 1364 pages. MED/040921. Very Good. More

Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, 1872. Hardcover. First edition of this engaging account by King of his experiences climbing and exploring in the Sierra Nevada [Howes K- 148]. Clarence Rivers King (1842 – 1901) was an American geologist, mountaineer and author. He was the first director of the United States Geological Survey from 1879 to 1881. He is well known for his organization of one of the principal post–Civil War geological surveys of the American West, the Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel. The fact that, at the age of 25, he was given complete command of a five-year mapping project from the Sierra Nevada across the Rocky Mountains attests to a remarkable personality. His survey volume, Systematic Geology, ranks as one of the great scientific works of the late nineteenth century. His popular classic, Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada, begins with a summary of the geological history of the Sierras and then recounts King’s experiences between 1864-1870 in the range, both as a member of the Whitney expedition and as a mountain climber. Highlights include his ascents of Mount Tyndall, Mount Shasta, and Mount Whitney; survey of Yosemite Valley; and field trips in the Merced Valley. King provides anecdotes of the mountains’ people and natural history along the way [Wikipedia, Geological Society]. Bound in publisher's brown beveled cloth covers with gilt titling to spine. Covers are bumped, with wear to spine edges and slight abrasion to rear cover. Hinges are quite tender and front free endpaper detached. Rear free endpaper partially torn along hinge. Interior pages are tight and clean. Small illegible signature on title page.Evidence of label removed from front pastedown, and a handwritten label in its place states: "This book belonged to Carl Schurz whose library I acquired September 5th 1924. Paul Steinbrecker." This is perhaps the Carl Schurz who was a senator and Secretary of the Interior in the nineteenth century. Despite flaws still very good. Small octavo. 292 pages. TRAVEL/083021. Very Good. More