Catalogue Twenty One - Absolute Graphics

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Alastor Rare Books 34. [Hope, Thomas]. [Manuscript Style Book]. [England], [c.182-]. 4to, 26cm, 55 ff. [21 blank & several stubs], watermarked J.Whatman 1817, contemporary half plum morocco & marbled boards (corners worn, spine defective, lower board almost detached). This fascinating hand drawn manuscript book of designs which seems to be the work of the neo-classicist, furniture designer & interior decorator, Thomas Hope, presumably is the substance of a further unpublished style book for interior design. The work contains some 130 designs in pen & ink, additional pencil designs and sketches, and some designs COLOURED IN WATERCOLOUR. The designs and design source material run across the range of Hope’s interests from Bacchanalian vases, to candelabra, jardinieres, decorative mouldings, ceramic tiling, ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs & architecture and classical costume. Particularly notable are a number of designs in the Chinoiserie style, a style which was enjoying a resurgence of interest at this time. An unusual survival (includes several cruder designs possibly in another later hand?). £3,300.00 35. [Italian Tour Manuscript Sketchbook]. [Italy], [1873-1874]. 4to, 130 x 95mm, 37ff (a couple of stubs present, contemporary black morocco & grey cloth boards (lightly rubbed), blind stamped floral roll along spine leather edge, flat spine, gilt ruled compartments, pencil holder (pencil not present), remains of cloth fastening strap. This hand-drawn sketch book is a nice example of later 19th century tourism with echoes of the earlier fashion of European Grand Tours. It reflects an extensive four month tour at the end of the third quarter of the 19th century throughout Italy from Ravenna, Firenze, Perugia, Rome, Farnese, Pompeii, Castellamare, San Remo and Bordighera. Over some 36 pen, ink and water-colour pictures and brief sketches, the unknown traveller depicts his experiences through views of gatehouses, town squares, bridges, views from his hotels, ruins, classical monuments such as the palace of the caesars and Colosseum, pastoral & sea scapes. Whilst not of the highest technical ability, the artist is able to convey an interesting emotional tone and choice of subject matter. An interesting survival. £250.00 36. [Kaye, Amy?]. [Manuscript Shorthand Transcription Of The Books Of The Old Testament]. [England], [1795]. 2 vols, 8vo, I-320 p.; II-336, [1] p., contemporary sheep (joints cracking, rubbed, corners worn), banded spine, gilt ruled compartments and spine volume numbering. This transcription of the a selection of books from the Old Testament appears to be in what seems likely to be a NEW SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND with a key for shorthand symbols and corresponding English letters tipped into the free endpaper of volume one. Volume one contains transcriptions of the books Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel & 2 Samuel. Volume Tow contains I Kings, 2 Kings, I Chronicles & 2 Chronicles. Text is within a divided ruled frame. The transcription does not correspond to the any of the prominent 18th century systems such as Gurney, Tailor, Byrom, Mitchell or Gregg. Ownership signature of Amy Kaye, Liverpool. 37. [Lamberti, Antonio]. Sie Fiabe Veneziane. Venezia: Dalle Stampe del Cittadino Gio[vanni] Antonio Perlini, Anno I. della liberta italiana [1796]. Catalogue Twenty One 8vo. 15, [1] p., contemporary plain wrappers, untrimmed, central leaf was never sewn in, creased, small tears to wrapper, later small blue privilegiata ticket tipped in beneath last line of text showing lion and ass. Only edition of these Six fables in poetic form, in Venetian dialect: I Cazzadori, La Scala, El Medico, El Limon, El Fumo, El Lion e L’Aseno. They are possibly of a satirical, political nature following the appointment of Napoleon as the commander of the French army in Italy and the subsequent military action and negotiations with Austria leading to the surrender of Venetian territorial possessions in Northern Italy under the Treaty of Campo Fornio in 1797. ICCU Sole copy (Turin), not in COPAC, Worldcat or KVK. Melzi III p.66. £320.00 38. The Last C------ Of Heybridge. A Parody of Moore’s “Last Rose of Summer.” . Great Totham: Printed at Charles Clark’s Private Press, 1838. Single sheet, 230 x 140mm, printed on recto only. This rare broadside three-stanza poem from the private press of Charles Clark closely follows the famous 1805 work of Irishman Thomas Moore, which begins: ‘Tis the last rose of summer/Left blooming alone/All her lovely companions/Are faded and gone...’ Clark’s version: ‘TIS the last C---- of Heybridge,/Left wand’ring alone,/ All his once gay ancestors /Are vanish’d and gone....’ laments the end of his family line. Though written when Clark was only 32, he in fact never married and was (according to the DNB) a “self-styled Malthusian.” Charles Clark (1806-1880) of Great Totham Hall, Essex, was a gentleman farmer, printer, antiquarian and book collector who left a his press and a library of 2500 volumes upon his death. Born at Heybridge, and returning there late in life, he wrote and printed at Great Totham numerous mainly playful and satirical works--brochures and broadsides--over a 30-year period. A very good copy (two short closed tears along lower edge). Not in COPAC, Worldcat, KVK. £220.00 39. [Le Mesurier Controversy] Mr LE MESURIER is under necessity of correcting a mistake... Durham: Printed by E. Humble, March 22, 1820. [And] MR. LE MESURIER, having seen the Letter of Mr. STORY.... Darlington: Atkinson’s Office, 25th March, 1820. [And] A Copy of a Letter intended for the Durham Chronicle. Stockton: Jennett’s Office, March 29th, 1820. i. Wove paper, 145 x 185mm, (slight soiling & creasing, lacking one corner). II. Wove paper, 285 x 210mm, creased, small tear to top edge, (corners trimmed from previous mounting) . III. Wove paper, 270 x 200mm, (slight creasing & fraying). Tantalising snippets of a rather public row between two clergymen in County Durham during the election season of 1820. The protagonists in this tempest in a local teapot were the prominent Anglican Thomas Le Mesurier (1756-1822), Rector of Haughton-le-Skerne, and his Roman Catholic opposite number, Reverend Thomas Story (d. 1822), of St. Mary’s Chapel, £350.00 16 17
Alastor Rare Books Stockton-on-Tees. Le Mesurier was known to hold anti-Catholic views, which he had published on several occasions, possibly contributing to the skirmish. Other figures in the drama were a Mr Lambton and a Mr Witham, as well as “Mr Meynell’s band.” Mr Lambton (John George Lambton [1792-1840], a Catholic, later First Earl of Durham) was standing for re-election to Parliament. Mr Witham, probably was Henry Witham (1779-1844), botanist and founding member of the Royal Geological Society. Mr Meynell surely was a member of the prominent family that dwelt at The Friarage at Yarm and may even have been the Thomas Meynell (d. 1854) who laid the first section of track for the Darlington & Stockton Railroad in 1822. In any case, no one seems to have behaved with much dignity: Mr Meynell’s band attracted “the lowest rabble of Darlington, having flags, drunken women, and boys with turnips on sticks.” Mr Story may even have waved his hat and shouted! The date of this incident seems very likely to coincide with the event that later had Le Mesurier defending himself in court, as reported in The Times of 3 August 1820. In the heat of that day in March, Le Mesurier, “forgetting his own character and the temper of his profession had struck a blow which had brought blood from the mouth of the plaintiff”-- a 14-year-old Lambton supporter--and caused the loss of a tooth. Le Mesurier was sentenced only to pay damages “as a fair remuneration to the plaintiff.” No copies of the broadsides have been located in libraries via the usual online sources. £320.00 40. [Le Prince De Beaumont, Jeanne Marie]. Le Prince Desir. [France], [180-]. 12mo, 12 p., stitched as issued, , woodcut headpiece of stars & portrait medallion, original self-wrappers, upper wrapper with title within border of woodcut typographic ornaments, lower wrapper with woodcut illustration of Mercury appearing before ladies outside a temple and a handled jug with foliage sprays with decorative border. Better known as the attributed author of Beauty and the Beast, Jeanne Marie Le Prince De Beaumont penned this chapbook, which first appeared in the author’s collection of fairy tales Le Magasin des Enfants in London in 1757 and appears here as the first stand alone printing. FRBNF35218462. Gumuchian Les livres de l’enfance du XVe au XIXe siècle p.271. £280.00 41. Libri, Guiglemo. Catalogue Of The Reserved & Most Valuable Portion Of The Libri Collection, Containing One Of The Most Extraordinary Assemblages Of Ancient Manuscripts & Printed Books Ever Submitted For Sale. Large 8vo, [4], 185, [2] p., original wrappers. Lacroix, Paul Lettres A M. Hatton... Sur Au Sujet De L’incroyable Accusation Intentee Contre M.Libri. Paris. Paulin. 1849. 8vo, 64 p. disbound. [And] Jubinal, Achille. Lettre M.Paul Lacroix Contenant Un Curieux episode de l’histoire des Bibliotheques publiques, avec quelques faits relatifs a M.Libri et l’objet. This sale catalogue from the series of Sotheby Libri sales held between 1859 and 1866 runs to some 713 lots and is rich in ornamental bindings, Americana, calligraphy, manuscripts, the classics and early manuscripts. It is accompanied by two pamphlets issued in support of Libri when the original accusations of library theft began to emerge. Born in 1803 in Florence, Italy, Libri showed early interest in law which he studied at the University of Pisa before changing to mathematics. He evidently had considerable aptitude for the subject as he was appointed professor of mathematical physics at Pisa after he graduated. After a sabbatical period in France where he met prominent French mathematicians, he returned to Italy and became involved in politics and an attempt to introduce a liberal constitution in Tuscany which led to official displeasure, so under threat of arrest he departed again for France and took up French citizenship in 1833. A friendship with the mathematician, Francois Arago, led to academic work and in 1834 became assistant professor in the calculus of probabilities at the Sorbonne. A further friendship with the Chief of Police Francois Guizot led to appointment as Chief Inspector of French Libraries in 1841. During his tenure as Inspector of Libraries, Libri, a keen bibliophile, is said to have stolen a large quantity of rare books and manuscripts to feed his passion. It appears that he was under suspicion for some time but not formally investigated. This situation continued until 1848 when a warrant was issued for his arrest. The resourceful Libri, however, had received a tipoff and fled to London. He left everything apart from the book collection of some 30,000 books which he subsequently sold to finance his lifestyle in a series of spectacular sales, such as the one for which the catalogue is offered here. Many were convinced of Libri’s innocence, such as Paul Lacroix and the writer Prosper Merimee. The printed letters offered here describe the affair in more depth, providing information on the investigations and arguments for and against his guilt. He was convicted in 1850 in absentia and sentenced to ten years imprisonment. He remained in England until failing health led him to return to Italy in 1868 and died in 1869. £650.00 42. [Manuscript liturgical & Devotional Book]. [France], 1772. Catalogue Twenty One 8vo, [2], 426 p., original mottled calf (worn, loss of leather to corners, joints cracking, upper board almost detached), banded spine (worn), gilt decorative compartments, boards alike with triple gilt filet outer border, all edges gilt. This handwritten devotional manuscript in French contains 39 spiritual exercises concerning exercises for the development of the interior spirit, preparation for mass, penitence, celebration of Christmas. In very good internal condition. £220.00 43. Mazzuchelli, Conte Giammaria. La Vita Di Pietro Aretino. In Padova: Giuseppe Comino, 1741. FLAGELLO DE PRINCIPI 8vo, [viii], 303, [1] + 4 p. publishers catalogue, engraved portrait frontispiece within oval medallion on a wolf skin with head & paws, engraved rectangular title vignette of a citizen digging amongst ancient ruins with quotation from Horace “Quidquid sub terra est in Apricum proferet aetas” (Whatever is under the earth, time will bring to light), engraved headpiece of flowers and foliage, large decorative initial letters off oliage & mythical beasts, endpiece of crossed pipes & laurel wreaths, engraved in Italic and Roman types with shoulder notes, 6 engraved plates of portrait medallions, contemporary laced cartonatura (small split head of lower joint. First edition of this important biography of the Italian Renaissance writer, satirist and serial moral disrupter, Pietro Aretino. It includes an annotated bibliography of both his printed works and works attributed to him. Ownership signature of Juan Mosa?. £350.00 44. Monteiro, [Joao] Franco. Mais Factos Para a vida mora, da Eschola Medico-Cirurguca de Lisboa. Lisbon: Typographia de J.B de Gouveia. Rua do Carvalho no.95, [c.1843]. 8vo, 19.5cm, 29 p., partially unopened, AUTHOR’S SIGNATURE ON TITLE PAGE, disbound, spine strengthened. Only edition of this author’s signed copy of this description and memoir of the surgical-medical school in Lisbon by a former student. The school was founded 0by Government decree in 1836 by the transformation of the Royal School of Surgery. A very good copy (two short tears to upper blank edge of title page). £320.00 45. Moore, Thomas. The Loves Of The Angels, A Poem. London: Dugdale, 1823. 12mo, vi, 100 p., BESPOKE BINDING WITH DOUBLE RULED MOROCCO LEATHER SPINE WITH CARVED OAK BOARDS WITH DOG ROSE & FOLIAGE SPRAY DESIGN TO UPPER BOARD AND SUNFLOWER & FOLIAGE DESIGN TO LOWER BOARD, gothic initials G.H to upper board (spine endcap lightly rubbed at head). Originally issued in a standard trade binding by Longmans in the same year, Dugdale issued a pirate edition as offered here.A fair copy (first four leaves spotted, occasional ms ink numbering) £320.00 46. [Notarial Document Appointing Robert Blake of Essex Street, Clements Dane as Steward of the Manor of Coulsdon]. [London], [1794]. This manuscript English legal document in the name of Thomas Byron, Lord of the Manor of Coulsden, Surrey [South London] appoints Robert Blake as steward of his manorial courts with rights to receive such fines, amercements and profits as are generated and exercise the collection of the same as are required. The manor court was the lowest court of English law and had jurisdiction only over the geographic area of the said manor. The court had authority in settling matters of land transfer, settling disputes, collection of fines, etc.. A further special sitting of the manorial court, the court leet, addressed matters such as the election of graves, constables and the presentment of offences. The court steward presided over by the steward in the name of the lord of the manor. The document is signed and sealed by Thomas Byron and countersigned by Joseph Sparkey. At the bottom of the document is a typed note pasted to the blank margin identifying that Robert Blake became a partner in the practice on the death of his Father in 1805 and continued as steward until his death in 1823. Embossed payment stamp for VI pence to upper left corner. £240.00 18 19
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Catalogue Twenty One - Absolute Graphics

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