Catalogue Twenty One - Absolute Graphics

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
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