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"England-Central Books" presents a selection of fine antiquarian books for the discerning collector. You might also go to our main search facility on our homepage.

Fine Quality is something to be cherished and we aim to present fine items for your collection. Books are a object which bring the past to life and bring the past into your home. You can own items which belonged to our ancestors in previous centuries and admire the quality of the books they produced. All the items will have special interest or special bindings. We can work with you to develop your particular interest or your particular kind of book collection.

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AQ28

William Caxton, TheFirst English Printer, A biography by Charles knight 1844
LONDON: Charles knight and Co.,
BOUND WITH
The Life of Sir Thomas Gresham, Founder of the Royal Exchange, 1845
LONDON:Charles Knight & Co. 

 


Overall size 4 1/2" x 7". Fine condition overall. A life of William Caxton bound with a Life of Sir Thomas Gresham, who was a mercer at the time of Elizabeth I and founded the Exchange, the precursor to the London Stock Exchange. Tight and in good condition. A good read and it shows signs of wear to the marble board because of this.

£125.00 Caxton, Sir Thomas Gresham, 19th century, leather. A fine read concerning the first English printer and the founder of the London Stock Exchange. Perhaps a book for a financier and those interested in the Stock Exchange ?
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

AQ29
R E M A I N S of Sir Walter Raleigh: LONDON: Printed for Henry Mortlock at the Phoenix in St. Paul's Church-Yard, MDCCII.  (1702)

         
    

MAXIMS of STATE.Advice to His Son: His Son's Advice to his Father. His Sceptick. Observations concerning the Causes of the Magnificency and Opulency of Cities. Sir Walter Raleigh's Observations touching Trade and Commerce with the Hollander and other Nations; proving that our sea and Land Commodities inrich and strengthen other Countries against our own. His Letters to divers Persons of Quality.
The Prerogative of PARLIAMENTS in England, proved in a Dialogue between a Councellor of State and a Justice of Peace.
With the Addition of some LETTERS never Printed before.
In this edition, "The Speech before he was beheaded" is much enlarged, and an account of the execution has been added. Pagination, pp [2], vi, 342, + [4, adverts] [4, blank], Port. Frontis.Collation, (gathered in twleves) A-A4, B-O12, + 8, (last eight leaves are unsigned). Complete.
A very good, clean copy. Recent, very professional rebinding in speckled half calf, with contrasting label marbled boards.  Portrait frontispiece...... The Noble and Learned Knight Sr. Walter Raleigh.
PROVENANCE
There is a contemporary inscription above the frontispiece which reads, 'Frances Fitzherbert given by my Lady Harrow , Aug.st y: 31 st 1708'. There are some axioms to the rear blank end paper in the same early hand OUR RESEARCH SUGGESTS THE BOOK MAY HAVE BEEN A BIRTHDAY PRESENT (21st?) for Frances Fitzherbert (died 1765), daughter of John Fitzherbert of Somersal Herbert (Hall) in Derbyshire. We cannot guarantee this information.
History : RALEIGH, Sir Walter, Born of an old family, but of reduced estate. His great fortune dates from his arrival at court, he was to become court favourite. According to the Britannica his tall and handsome person, his caressing manners and his quick wit pleased the queen. The rewards showered on him were out of all proportion to his services in Ireland. He was granted rewards, favour and property. But of course he is famous for his expeditions, not always successful. And he is popularly reckoned to have introduced into England the potato and tobacco.

Raleigh's career was very chequered, the exact cause of Raleigh's disgrace at court is not known, but it was probably due to the Queen's habitual policy of checking one favourite by the promotion of another. The death of the Queen and the accession of James I. were ruinous to Raleigh. He unquestionably took some part in the complication of conspiracies which arose in the first months of James' reign, and was committed to the tower.
Whilst in prison he composed treatises and the first volume of his History of the world. He secured his release and set out on further adventures, the famous and unsuccessful to find a gold mine in Guiana. The Britannica describes it thus, The expedition, on which the wreck of his fortune was spent, was ill-appointed and ill-manned. It reached the mouth of the Orinoco on the last day of 1716. Raleigh was ill with fever, and remained at Trinidad. He sent five small vessels up the Orinoco under his most trusted captain, Lawrence Keymis, with whom went his son Walter and a nephew. The expedition found a Spanish settlement on the way to the supposed mine, and a fight ensued in which Sir Walter's son and several Spaniards were killed... Keymis returned to Sir Walter with the news of his son's death and his own utter ruin. Stung by Raleigh's reproach Keymis killed himself, and then after a miserable scene of recriminations, hesitations and mutiny, the expedition returned home. Raleigh was arrested, and executed under his old sentence in 1618.

£325.00 A rare historical document. With original inscription by British aristocracy. Good rebinding. 
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**AQ14 THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON IN THREE VOLUMES.

Written by James Boswell and published by The Heritage Press in 1963. They come in a marbled slipcase. These books are clean and in Excellent shape. No writing or marks. They appear to not have been read. Books are 9 ½” X 6 ½”, vol. I has 466 pages, vol. II 486 and vol. III has 473 pages. Marginal comments by H. Piozzi. Introduction by Edward Fletcher. Samuel Johnson has works that include frequently cited political tracts, sermons, and poems. Books in fine condition.

  ......

£75.00 Samuel Johnson
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**AQ23

THE HISTORY AND SURVEY OF LONDON AND ITS ENVIRONS

FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME

I N FOUR VOLUMES BY B. LAMBERT, PUBLISHED LONDON 1806.

4 VOLUMES BOOKS MEASURE 8 1/2 X 5 1/2 INCHES. BOUND IN FULL LEATHER, ELABORATE GILT TOOLING TO SPINES, HINGE JOINTS ARE CRACKING WITH SOME WEAR,  1 BOARD DETCHED OTHER BOARDS ARE FIRMLY ATTACHED, ALTHOUGH BINDINGS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR, IT IS QUITE AN ATTRACTIVLY BOUND SET.

INTERNALLY, VOL 1: FRONTISPIECE+VI+560 PAGES, VOL 2: FRONTISPIECE+557 PAGES

VOL 3:FRONTISPIECE+536 PAGES, VOL 4: LARGE FOLDING MAP+544 PAGES+XLI INDEX

THERE ARE 44 FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS AND 1 LARGE FOLDING MAP MEASURING 29 X 16 INCHES. ABOUT 10 PLATES HAVE HEAVY FOXING, MAP WITH A COUPLE OF SHORT TEARS, OCCASIONAL FOXING OR BROWNING TO TEXT, GENERALLY TEXT AND ILLUSTRATIONS IN GOOD CLEAN CONDITION.

... ..

OVERALL A EXCELLENT INFORMATIVE SUBSTANTIAL ANTIQUARIAN WORK ON LONDON

This is a fine example of one of the finest editions available

£800.00 History, London, Lambert
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ1

John Le Carre (mint signed copy)

The Constant Gardener

 

£350.00 Le Carre, 1st edition, signed
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ2

The Life of William III,Late King of England, and Prince of Orange

...

Second Editon Corrected. LONDON Printed for S. and J. Sprint, and J Nicholson in Little Britain; James Knapton at the Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard; and Benj. Tooke at the Middle-Temple-Gate, Fleet-Street. 1703

Very detailed history of the king from birth to death, with every aspect of his life, struggles, works, accomplishments and corresponding English history. Contains many original papers, letters, speeches, treaties, etc. and a good number of illustrations, most in the form of six medallions per page, each with a portrait or scene. 640 pages with sixteen pages of appendicies. Some pages rough due to age, but clearly readable. The pages of the appendix are semi-detached and have rough wear along the spine area, only in the margin. Book covers and spine are together: the spine has been rebound with leather overleaf. A nice full page plate of the King and Queen is opposite the title page and a running time line and history accompanies the period of the Kings life (1650 to 1702) .Size 5" by 8." Early owner inscription dated 1786.

£50.00........ SOLD............. Kings of England, William, Prince of Orange, histories
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ3

Blacks Antique Guide to England

Published 1884, Edinburgh

One in a series of Guide books published in the late 19th century by Black's of Edinburgh. Popular tourist guide for the time, listing plans of towns,tourist attractions and popular train routes. 544 pages, with additional 102 pages of advertisements from the era. Cloth binding is separating from the spine but otherwise it provides a fascinating look into Victorian life in England. Binding loose, but a fascinating books for anyone interested in Victorian railway England.

£30.00 Tourism, tourist guides, town plans, England.
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ4A

National Portrait Gallery of Illustrious and Eminent Personages of the Nineteenth Century; With Memoirs by William Jerdan

Vol 3 of 4, London: Fisher, Son, & Jackson, 1832

Size 4to. (10 3/4" x 7 1/2") Half calf, marbled boards and edges. A bit scuffed and bumped, but sound. Consisting of 36 finely engraved portraits each with tissue guard, and an accompanying biographical sketch, varying from 4-14 pages. A few plates are lightly foxed, but the majority are clean

£50.00 portraits, famous people, paintings, London
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ4B

National Portrait Gallery of Illustrious and Eminent Personages of the Nineteenth Century; With Memoirs by William Jerdan

Vol 4 of 4, London: Fisher, Son, & Jackson, 1833

Size 4to. (10 3/4" x 7 1/2") Half calf, marbled boards and edges. A bit scuffed and bumped, but sound. Consisting of 36 finely engraved portraits each with tissue guard, and an accompanying biographical sketch, varying from 4-14 pages. A few plates are lightly foxed, but the majority are clean

£50.00 portraits, famous people, paintings, London
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ5

Works of Ben Johnson in 6 Volumes (vol 1)

Printed by J Walthoe et.al., London

Charles Hutt, Bookseller, Clement's Inn Gateway, London, W.C., 1716 reprint of 1692 original.

512 pages. Leather calf, gilt edging. Pasted reference in the front also that describes a 1640 work by Ben Johnson and item #444 the Works published in 1716, valued at 8 pounds at the time. Interior condition of the book is good with woodcuts. Exterior cover spine has been rebound many years ago in a musline cloth and partial leather. Rubbing to all edges, corners, etc.. Otherwise a fascinating and important early work by Johnson. A fascinating look at the playwrite who was a contemporary of Shakespeare. The book shows its age but is a piece of history.

£85.00 Ben Johnson
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**AQ6

Death is a Lonely Business BY Ray Bradbury

Signed 1st Edition by the well-known Sci-Fi author

This handsome leather bound volume is a limited first edition that has been privately printed and personally signed by RAY BRADBURY exclusively for members of The Signed First Edition Society; MINT CONDITION; All gilt edges; Gilt design & lettering; Raised Hubs; Silk ribbon page-marker; A Two-Page Frontispiece illustration, marbled endpapers;

This signed limited first edition has been published by special arrangement with Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. and GRAFTON BOOKS; C. 1983 By RAY BRADBURY; Published by Franklin Library; Under the small illustration on the Title Page are the words 'FIRST EDITION' : a very nice collector's copy

£120.00 Sci-fi First Edition, signed.
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ7

A. M. Stirling

Coke of Norfolk and his Friends. Published in London and New York by the John Lane Company 1912.

Contains an account of the life of Thomas William Coke (1754-1842), First Earl of Leicester of Holkham , including accounts of his ancestry, surroundings, public services and private friendships including many unpublished letters from noted men of his day,both English and American. Twenty-two illustrations are included from portraits , prints and other sources.

Marble inner front cover, Title page complete with portrait of the Earl by Gainsborough with tissue guard.Red cloth binding, spine slightly worn at corners.Pages showing age, but in good condition overall. A definite biography of one of the prime political movers of the 19th Century both in the United Kingdom and the United States.

£45.00 Politics,19th Century, Leicester, Holkham,Coke of Norfolk
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ8

The Court of King James The First, (Vol II)

by Dr. Godfrey Goodman, Bishop of Gloucester; (1583-1655)

London: Printed by Samuel Bentley, Bangor House, Shoe Lane.

to Which are added, Letters Illustrative of the Personal History Of The Most Distinguished Characters In The Court of That Monarch And His Predecesors. Now first Published From The Original Manuscripts. By John S. Brewer, M.A. of Queen's College, Oxford. In Two Volumes, Vol. II, London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, Publisher Ordinary to Her Majesty, 1839.

The page opposite the title page has an engraving of Queen Elizabeth. The picture itself is in very good condition. There is discoloration around the picture, but not on the actual picture itself. Below the picture in faint script it reads: Queen Elizabeth, From the Original by N. Hilliard in the popelsion (??) of Rev. R. Newcomer of Ruthin Denbighshire. This book has 424 pages and ends with the words "THE END". The spine cover is loose and torn in places. There is age spotting throughout the book but all the pages are still easily readable. Topics covered include the death of Queen Elizabeth I and the Gunpowder Plot (Guy Fawkes).

The spine reads: BP Goodman's Memoirs of His Own Times. This book is has a reddish colored leather cover with floral scroll border design.

 

£30.00 Kings of England, James I, histories,
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ9

Irwin's Travels

RARE AND HISTORIC EAST INDIA COMPANY JOURNAL TO EGYPT AND ARABIA, 1780,
FIRST EDITION !

From a notable Maine collection of historic books, this rare FIRST PRINTING of the scarce "A SERIES OF ADVENTURES in the course of A VOYAGE UP THE RED SEA"

Printed in 1780, this desirable book documents the travels of Eyles Irwin through his letters "to a lady", in a journal style. According to research, he was in India in 1773, at the age of 19, working for the famous "East India Company". A published poet at that young age and a favorite of the East India Company, Irwin was sent from Madras to Africa in 1777, when he was 25. This FIRST EDITION contains 4 steel engraved views of his travels and folding maps, all in excellent condition. There is some foxing, although slight. The covers are detached but with overall condition good for its age. In the main, the detailed text is an account of Irwin's Red Sea voyage which came to an abrupt halt when his ship was captured by pirates. He and the passengers were then forced to cross the desert between the Red Sea coast to the Nile River. Along the way he encountered maurauding tribes, bandits and had other harrowing experiences.

This is a rare 1st edition of this book.

£499.00 First editions, adventures, voyages, travels
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ10

Edition du Louvre - The Works of Alexandre Dumas.

Number 810 of 1000 sets. Published in 1895 by Metropolitan Publishing Co.

Incomplete set includes 13 volumes:

1- "The Three Guardsmen (aka The Three Musketeers)"

2- "Ten Years Later".....3- "Twenty Years After"

4- "The Vicomte De Bragelonne"......5- "The Countess De Charny"

6- "The Queen's Necklace"......7- "Louise De La Valliere"

8- "Beau Tancrede".......9- "Joseph Balsamo"

10- "The Man in the Iron Mask".....

11- "The Chevalier De Maison Rouge and Masaniello"

12- "Andre De Taverney".......13- "Memoirs of a Physician"

Dark blue hardcover books have black & white illustrations, gilt-topped pages and are in very good condition. Each book measures 6" x 8.5" and has approximately 400 pages.  

For sale separately Dumas, adventure stories, Iron Mask, Three Musketeers, Three Guardsmen authors
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ11

The Birds of the West of Scotland 1871 - First Edition

...

By Robert Gray , Glasgow: Thomas Muray & Son 520 Pages. 8.00 inches x 6.00 inches. Leather Spine & Corners. Marbled Sides. A Rare Book of Birds of Scotland . This rare first-edition showcases the ornithology of Scotland in 1871.
The author was the secretary to the Natural History Society of Glasgow and a member of the British Ornithologists' Union.

There are 15 excellent tinted lithograph illustrations, including scenes of Scottish landscapes and of Scottish birds.

The text presents full details of the birds of western Scotland and the Hebrides, including eagles, falcons, owls, gulls, geese, etc. The book is handsomely crafted. The cover's marbled design is repeated on the endpapers. The top edge of the pages is gold. The spine is decorated in gold, with 5 raised bands. There is a full index. The title page, preface page, and dedication page all list the 1871 publication date. This is the first edition.

This book is an excellent addition to any bookshelf . Very Nice Condition. Text pages are bright, fresh and clean. The illustrations have some light foxing, primarily to the margins and to the blank backs of the illustrations. No page tears. Hinges are excellent. Pages are securely bound. Canada goose bookplate on front pastedown endpaper

- Howard H. Davis with the small inscribed date 25/11/1943. Cover is bright, with no fading or stains. Cover's marbled sides have light rubbing. Spine's title label has a tiny chip off the edge. Book in very nice condition throughout. Leather Spine. Decorated in Gold. With 15 Full-Page Tinted Lithographs.

£140.00 First editions, Gray, birds, Scotland, engravings
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ12

HEADLEY, J.T.: STANLEY'S ADVENTURES IN THE WILDS OF AFRICA

Empire Pub. Co. No ed. stated. 1882 copyright. HB No dj. 483 pages. VG. A lovely old book with gold stamped titles and decorations on leather spine, wear to top and bottom. Illustrated. Covers have corner and edge wear but inside is clean and tight. Decorated endpapers. The full account of two famous expeditions of Henry Stanley including Stanley's final journey down the Congo.

£155.00 Stanley, expeditions, Africa, Congo
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ13

ON THE OLD ROAD, Two volumes, by JOHN RUSKIN..
Published by The Society of French and English Literature...No publication date is given, but it appears to be in the late 1800's...Limited Edition of 1000 copies, this being number 318. These are Volumes 27 - 28 from a set of RUSKIN'S WORKS. A collection of Ruskin's essays and articles on ART and LITERATURE. Books are bound in leather with marbled boards, and gold letterin' on spines. Very ornately decorated spines, and tops of pages tipped in gold. Illustrated. Books are in very good condition. Leather on one volume has a small minor tear. A very nice and beautiful set.

£125.00 (2 vol) John Ruskin, philosophy, art, literature
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The Chronicles of Scotland, by Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie

Published from Several Old Manuscripts, Two Vols. LEATHER (Robert Lindsay) Dalyell, John Graham (Editor)

CONDITION: VG/ no DJs PUBLISHER: Arnold Constable et al. PLACE: Edinburgh and London DATE PUB: 1814

EDITION: 1st SIZE/TYPE: Large 8vo PAGES: xxxi; 639p (LEATHER)

Chronicles of James II to James VI of SCOTLAND and First of GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. TWO VOLUMES, 3/4 LEATHER, UNIFORMLY BOUND, 5" by 8", marbeled paper boards, dark-green leather corners and spine. SPINES with gilt lettering, raised bands, and emblems. Top fore-edge tinted brown .Ribbon place-markers. Boards are rubbed with moderate edge wear, spines are faded. Two small nicks at edge of spine of Vol. One and small spot at top of Vol. Two. Brown end-papers with heraldic book-plates on front paste downs; ex libris (same surname) on front free end papers. FROM THE PREFACE BY JOHN GRAHAM DALYELL, 1813: "Several manuscripts have been employed in preparing these Volumes (which belong) to the early 17th century; a third (terminating in 1598) is somewhat more recent; and a fourth...is scarce above a century old....We can hardly affirm...who was the real author." AN INTRODUCTION OF OVER 25 PAGES presumably by "ROBERT LINDSAY OF PITSCOTTIE" (Aberdeen) in OLD ENGLISH type face, relates the Chronicles. An "INDEX" conveys EVERY event, including "QUEINE MARIE OF SCOTLAND BEHEADIT."(page 576). The last entry is the marriage of James 1st to Anne. daughter of the King of Denmark who

"ressaived the ordour of the Garter (at) Elsenore." TITLE PAGE READS: EDINBURGH, PRINTED BY GEORGE RAMSAY & CO. for Archibald Constable & Co., Edinburgh; and Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, LONDON. The two leather volumes are superbly printed and bound, and very well preserved.

£350.00 SOLD Kings of Scotland, Scottish history, James II, James III, James IV, James V, James VI, James I of England
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**AQ15

THE FENLAND, PAST AND PRESENT,

BY MILLER & SKERTCHY Wisbech: Leach & Son, London: Longmans, 1878. Tall thick 8vo., original green cloth pictorially decorated in gilt and black on upper cover, xxxil, (650)pp. "Illustrated with Engravings, maps and diagrams." Including a frontis in color, folding plates and a folding map. Professionally rebacked with the original spine laid down, new e/papers, o/w a near fine copy. This work is divided into the following sections; geographical sketch; prehistoric inhabitants of Britain; the Fens; The Wash; climate, botany; fauna; modern fauna; sanitary conditions of the Fens; antiquarian relics and geology. In the preface the authors state that they "have conducted extensive meteorological observation and travelled over every acre of the Fenland.". A big book (2kg) and scholarly detailed text for the local history collector.

£175.00 botany, biology, plants, plantlife, fauna, flora, flowers, climate, the Fenland, geology.
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ16

John Tillotson : Complete Works



 

The works of the late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: containing fifty four sermons and discourses on several occasions. Together with the rule of faith, being all that were published by his Grace himself, and now collected into one volume. To which is added, an alphabetical table of the principal matters. London: Printed for T. Woodward. 1704. Thick Folio. Lightly rubbed at extremities, else fine condition. Contemp. full polished blue leather, elaborate French-style gilt-decorations on the covers, a.e.g. Rebacked in matching leather, spine gilt, with decorated brown spine label. Very good and clean internally. Collates complete. 

PROVENANCE
This book carries a book plate with the name Edward Miller Mundy. This gentleman was a member of the family living at Markeaton Hall in Derby in England. Their daughter was Georgiana Elizabeth Mundy (dec 20 Sept 1822). In 1922, Georgiana married Henry Pelham-Clinton, the 4th Duke of Newcastle. She died of childbirth in 1822.

Thus: this book was owned by the father-in-law of the 4th Duke of Newcastle.

£550.00 Archbishop of Canterbury, religion
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ17

The history of the NORMAN CONQUEST
by Edward A Freeman 2nd edition 1870

...

6 large volumes : Oxford Clarendon Press. In fair to good condition.

A definitive scholarly study of the history surrounding the Norman Conquest by William I. The accounts consider the period from 449AD to the death of King Stephen in 1154 + historical analysis. Important reading for the scholar or history enthusiast. Brown cloth faded covers. Some chipping to edges of spines. Otherwise in good condition. Each volume of around 800 pages with volume 6 as index. Quality of content far exceeds appearance.

£250.00 for all 6 volumes
History, Normans,Norman,Conquest,William the Conqueror,England.
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ18

Customs of London
Harding and Wright Printers , St. Johns Square, London 1811



Otherwise called Arnold's Chronicle,containing a account of the charters,liberties,laws,constitutions and customs of the City of London in and around the early 16th Century.A fascinating historical document, the book also has listings of the sherrifs and bailiffs of the capital since the reign of King Richard the First some three hundred years previous along with major births, deaths, executions,hangings and other royal and political events.
The book is an EX-LIBRIS copy from City of Leeds Public Libraries but in excellent condition being an early 20th century solid rebind. Library stickers on front and rear inner cover and faint library seal can be seen on some pages towards front and rear. Green cloth cover with black rebound spine. Very solid binding. Large at 25x 30cm , 352 pages. An essential record of historical London.

£375.00
History,London,Sherriffs,Bailiffs,Richard Lionheart,Edward Longshanks etc..
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

**AQ19

A.R Bramston and A.C.Leroy

Historic Winchester - England's First Capital

Published by Longmans, Green and Co, London, 1882. Contains a complete history of the ancient city from its foundings by the celtic Britons through to publication date. Would appeal to local historians as the historical detail is very throrough and runs in chronological date order. Owner inscription on inner page reads 'Juryford School July 1883' with several owners names- the volume is dedicated to the then Bishop of Winchester , Edward Harold. In excellent condition and a fine addition to any city historians' collection. 14cm by 19cm, 380 pages.

£85.00 Winchester, captal cities, England, Anglo-Saxons, Norman conquest.
Purchase: please e-mail using the information to the left.

 

AQ20

The Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy (signed copy)

The cloth edition is signed in the front by Leo Tolstoy. We have independent verification of his signature.  Front cloth cover has slight corner bumping and slight mark. Otherwise good. Title page missing


.


We can provide evidence of Tolstoy's signature to verify the inside inscription.

 £125 Signed copy

 

**AQ21

Our English Cathedrals BY Rev.James Sibree

Volume 2 - The Southern Cathedrals

Lippincott, Philadelphia. Inscribed Katherine van Allen

Our English Cathedrals: Their Architectural beauties and Characteristics and Their Historical Associations, Popularly described (vol. 2): Southern Regions accomplishes precisely what it aims to do: provide comprehensive compendium of the Cathedrals of Southern UK (England, Wales). Cathedrals covered include the aforementioned St. Paul's (London) and Canterbury, and the cathedrals of York, Durham, Oxford, Carlisle, Ripon, Lincoln, Southwell, Gloucester, Worcester, Norwich, Chester, Liverpool, St. Albans, Exeter and many more.

There are detailed pictures of the outside and inside of every cathedral, taken from many different angles and views. Careful attention is paid to the history of each cathedral, the manner in which it is constructed and the style of architecture (there is a glossary of arch. terms in the back). Other chapter discuss the grouping of cathedrals in geographic categories, its evolution from Saxon influence, and its mindspring from medieval genius, There is also a discussion of the relevance in cathedrals "now and then," as well of English poetry and prose. Maps, plans and illustrations (vintage photos on glossy pages) are included. Book is hardbound in cloth boards with gold lettering on the spine. The ridges on the spine are bent slightly and there is some fading, as well as some staining of the cover. The corners are bumped slightly. Front hinge is slightly shaken, but far from coming apart. Pages are hand cut and in good condition. Published by JB Lippincott of Philadelphia in 1910. 286pgs. Overall in very good condition. An excellent addition to any fine collection of architecture or religious history books.

£25.00 cathedrals, England
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Edward Wedlake Brayley, John Britton.

THE LATE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT AND PALATIAL EDIFICES OF WESTMINSTER.

... ...

London, John Weale, 1835. Measures 5 1/2" x 8 3/4". Hardcover. 362 pages.

Black & white frontispiece. Numerous black & white illustrations. Bound in original half leather with raised bands and gilt titles and decorations. Cover condition : has corners bumped and rubbed, wear to top, fore and bottom edges. Spine worn at top and bottom edges as shown. Front hinge cracked between front free endpaper and half-title page.Light foxing to first 6 pages as seen below. Text and illustrations generally clean throughout. Early British architecture book featuring Westminster. The last 36 pages are full page black & white architectural plates. From the introduction: "The design of this work is to develop the genuine history of the Palatial and Parliamentary Buildings of Westminster, by a diligent inquiry into their origin, appropriation, and architectural characteristics, and by an earnest endeavour to furnish an insight into the relative states of courtly and national society at different periods. Towards effecting this desiarable end, it will be neccesary to resort to every available source of authentic record, both manuscript and printed, and to place before the reader such a distinct narrative of essential facts, as may at once to awaken his curiousity, inform his mind, and satisfy his judgement. In the first place, it will be expedient to adduce such evidence, and narrate such particulars, relating to Westminster generally, and its monastery in particular, as may tend to elucidate, or at least indicate, its original and progressive occupancy as the National seat of Royalty. For this purpose, we shall have occasion to lay before the reader many passages from ancient records, and from the Monastic Chronicles, and these will be given with the most scrupulous attention to names, dates, and references, as the only specific mode of satisfying the critical antiquary and historian."

£85.00 SOLD London, England, Westminster, engravings,history
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**AQ23

Arthur Bryant

English Saga (1840 to 1940), The Years of Endurance (1793-1802),

Years of Victory (1802-1812), The Age of Elegance (1812-1822)

4 Vol set published by Heron Books. Each vol 15cm x 22cm. red leatherette with fine gold decoration on front face and spine.A little fading to spine but otherwise fine set of attractive books. Better than the usual versions of Bryant books. they look good on the shelf.

£49.00 (4 vol) Bryant,history,England
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**AQ24

Robert Chambers

WALKS IN EDINBURGH - A Guide To The Scottish Capital.

...

Edinburgh, William Hunter, 1829. Hardcover. 315 pages.

Black & white frontispiece. Bound in original half leather with raised bands, gilt titles and decorations. Marbled endpapers,Pages uncut. Corners are slightly bumped and rubbed and the front and rear joint is cracked, however the binding is tight. A few pages have some damp staining, otherwise text is clean throughout. From the Preface, "The present Work will be found to contain a considerable quantity of information, not formerly embodied in books descriptive of Edinburgh, - part of which has the merit of being derived from credible oral sources; whilst a greater portion is the result of a diligent research amongst origina and recondite documents. Whilst the originality in point of matter lays considerable claims to the attention of the citizen, the whole manner of the Book is calculated for the stranger. In a series of walks, radiating from a central spot, the visitor of our Northern Metropolis is conducted through all parts of the Town worthy of his notice." Contents includes; Outline of the City, Walk to the Castle, The Court End of Town, Walk Through the New Town, The South Side, Leith, Edinburgh and Athens, Hotels. Very well detailed fold out map included and index.Measures 4 1/2X 6 3/4 inches.

£125.00 British Isles, 19th century, Old town map, maps, New town,St. Marys,Gabriels Road, Edinburgh, tourist guide
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**AQ25

The Practical Preacher Consisting of Selected Discourses. Vol III

LONDON, Printed by T Becket & PA Dehondt at Tully's Head in the Strand, 1762 Leather bound volume. Fascinating report of church sermons delivered between the late 15th and early 16th century. A fascinating insite into life in London at that time, by a reportof what was being preached from the pulpit. Slight splitting to joint of front cover, but otherwise in good condition for age.

£55.00 London,preachers, 17th century
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**AQ26

Hubbard, Elbert.A William Morris Book

East Aurora, New York: The Roycrofters. 1907. First Trade Edition. Octavo (8.5" X 5.5"), 67 pages and [1], colophon. Original one quarter maroon suede and gray paper covered boards (hardcover) with gilt lettered leather spine label. Top edge gilt, ribbon marker sewn in. Condition: Covers moderately soiled, suede backstrip slightly faded at the upper extremities, three corners just rubbed through, otherwise Very Good.

£75.00........Art & Crafts
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**AQ27

William Blake. SONGS OF INNOCENCE.

London: The Trianon Press for the William Blake Trust. Undated (1954). Full orangish-brown nmorocco leather, slipcased.. One of 1600 copies printed, this copy being one of 800 copies reserved for distribution in the United States, being copy Number 1004. A facsimile of one of the earleiest copies coloured and issued by Blake. The illuminated pages were reproduced by Messrs. Beaufume and Duval, master printers in Paris, by collotype and stencil process. Printed on Arches pure rag paper made to match that used by Blake.

The Trianon Press archive has been sold, the stock distributed, and all titles are out-of-print. The production of these books involved a great amount of hand work and stencil-making, it was heavily subsidized and publication prices did not reflect the cost of manufacture. These are the finest collotype facsimiles possible of William Blake's Illuminated books. Nothing like these books is ever likely to appear again.

 Marbled paper slipcase slightly rubbed. Previous owner's name in ink on front endpaper,

otherwise, a fine copy.

£255.00William Blake
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Sir William Jardine

The Naturalist's Library. Ornithology. Vol. VII. Birds of Western Africa.

1837 1st edition, Edinburgh. Published by Lizars.

Overall size 4 1/2" x 7". Fine condition overall. 32 meticulously hand colored engravings of tropical birds in fine condition, engraved and hand colored title page, and engraved portrait of Bruce. This is the 1st edition (title pages dated 1837) which has superior coloring to the later editions. Tissue guards present. 287 pages of text substantially UNCUT (text and plates untrimmed for the tallest possible state) including the memoir of Bruce, as well as an advertisement from the publisher. Bound in the publisher's original plum colored cloth. A very nice example of the 1st edition - as good as it gets.

£165.00 SOLD Jardine, birds, Africa, engravings.
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