Catalogue Twenty One - Absolute Graphics

Alastor Rare Books
69. Thomas, Robert.
[Illustrated Manuscript Travel Journal].
[England], [1840-1845].
12mo, 130 x 85mm, c.90 ff. (54 blank), pencil on paper, original chocolate ribbed morocco (extremities lightly rubbed), flat
spine, brass clasp. This succinct little manuscript travel journal of some 2000 words and with 10 brief pencil sketches covers
the fortunes of one Robert Thomas as he journeys North from London to Scotland with three companions (Mr Quart?, Mr
Alex Milne & James) via the Duke of Wellington steamer (which later seems to have been involved in transporting emigrants
to Australia & New Zeland), arrival in Aberdeen, visit to Stonehaven & Dunnotar castle, Banchory & Ballater. The second
section covers “A Tour Into Northern Germany” leaving on the 5th May 1844 on the steamer Neptune, description of visiting
St. Petersburg including the cathedral where he saw paintings from the 15th century including a “Dance of Death”, visiting
Danzig and viewing churches & castle and St. Jacobi [uncompleted]. There are named pencil sketches of Aboyne, Ballater & the
Duke of Wellington steamer and various others including several ships & town scenes (presumably St. Petersburgh). Composed
with quite an aesthetic eye and although quite hard to read gives the impression of a keen enquiring mind with a keen eye
for the beautiful.
£150.00
70. Tornieri, Lorenzo.
Il Ragno Poemetto.
Vicenza: Nella Stamperia Turra, 1794.
8vo, 17cm, 51, [1 blank] p., crown & bicephalic eagle watermarked paper, contemporary marbled wrappers. Only edition
of this work by the Italian pastoral poet Lorenzo Tornieri. Drawing his inspiration from the rural countryside, animals and
hunting, Tornieri, returned to his native Vicenza after travels further South as a young man to produce a corpus of delicate
verse and celebratory poetry celebrating the Italian countryside and rural way of life until his death in 1834. Il Ragno gives in
elegant verse a poetic hymn in praise of the beauty, work and ingenuity of the spider. Not in COPAC, Worldcat, KVK. Di Tipaldo
p.307; Passano p. 275
£220.00
71. Van Winter, Nicolaas & Van Merken, Lucretia.
Tooneelpoëzy [Vol 1: Het Beleg Der Stad Leyden; Jacob 17 Simonzoon De Ryk;
Monzongo, Of De Koningklyke Slaff; De Camisards, Maria Van Bourgondien, Gravinne
Van Hollande & Artemines. Vol II: Menzikoff, Louise D’Arlac. Sebille Van Anjou,
Gemaaline Van Gui Van Lusignan, Koningginne Van Jerusalem, Gelonide].
Amsterdam: Pieter Meijer & Izaak Duim, 1745-1786.
8vo, 2 vols, Vol I. [3], 83 p.+ [8], 87, [1 blank] p.+ [2], 86 p.+ [2], 85, [1 blank] p. + [2], 82 p. + [8], 67 p.; vol II. [4], 94 p. + [4],107, [1
blank] p.+ [4], 92 p.+ [4], 90 p.. Tipped in AUTOGRAPH SIGNATURES OF NICOLAAS VAN WINTER & LUCRETIA VAN MERKEN, AN
AUTOGRAPH NOTE IN LATIN CONCERNING HENRICUS MOON 19th May 1577 & 11 PLATES BY REINER WINKELES (6 engraved
& 5 etched) AND 4 PLATES BY HOUBRAKEN. Contemporary half-speckled calf & speckled paper sides (rubbed, vol I fore
edge worn & joints cracking), flat spine, triple gilt ruled compartments, central gilt lozenge in flower and scrollwork design,
morocco label with titling within gilt chain work & rule frame, blue & white striped linen markers. This unique GRAINGERIZED
BOOK by a Dutch theatre devotee includes 4 additional portrait plates in the first play (signed I.Houbraken 1777), Het Beleg
Der Stad Leyden, concerning the splendid tale of the events during the 16th century Spanish siege of Leiden and the marriage
of Magdalena Moons, the daughter of a local justice of the peace, to the Spanish commander, Francisco De Valdez to prevent
further attacks on the town. The first volume includes an additional play, Artemines. Izaak Duim. 1745, not included in the list.
£550.00
Catalogue Twenty One
72. Visconti, Pietro.
Le Iscrizione Poste Nel Vestibolo Della Casa Del Charissimmo Sig. Abbate Francesco
Cancellieri. Illustrate dal Cav. Pietro Visconti.
Nella Stamperia Di Antonio Boulaler., 1826.
8vo, 21cm, 22, [1] p., engraved text illustrations, original card covers, title within typographic frame, tiny stamp of Harvard
college library to title page verso and “class files” to cover. First edition of this description of Francesco Cancelleri’s collection
of latin inscriptions produced by his friend, Pietro Visconti. Fifteen numbered examples are illustrated and in total 20 text
illustrations are present. Cat Accademia Potaniena p.56; Techener, Raoul-Rochette & Paulin 2163. Catalogo de’ libri esistenti
nella biblioteca dell’ Accademia Pontaniana: 21 . By Accademia Pontaniana Catalogue des livres composant la bibliothèque
artistique, archéologique . By Jacques Techener, Raoul- Rochette, Paulin Paris.
£210.00
73. Whiston, James.
England’s calamities discover’d with the proper remedy to restore her ancient grandeur.
London: Printed for the Author and sold by Joseph Fox, R.Clavel and T.Minton., 1696.
4to, 20cm, 40 p., printed in roman & italic type, disbound (two leaves lacking an outer marginal corner). Whiston, who wrote
several tracts on trade and economics, here puts a passionate and compelling argument against the sale of public offices, and
is particularly concerned with gaolers and the poor. He concludes that vice leads to the perpetuation of vice. The pamphlet
produced such a reaction that it was investigated at parliamentary level. Wing W.1686
£380.00
74. Whitelock, Bulstrode.
Memorials Of The English Affairs.
London: J.Tonson, 1732.
Folio, 41cm, [8], 702, [13], [1 blank], p., title in double rule frame, woodcut headpieces and initial letters, contemporary calf
(worn, joints cracking & held by cords), banded spine (later partial reback & corner restoration in sheep), tan label, boards alike
with double gilt rule outer border. Third edition of this history and chronology of the reign of Charles the First. A fair copy
(crude inner hinge strengthening). Book plate of G.W.F.Gregor. ESTC t144860.
£200.00
75. Winchilsea, Anne Kingsmill Finch, Countess of The Spleen : A
Pindarique Ode.
By A Lady. Together With A Prospect Of Death: A Pindarique Essay.
London: Printed and sold by H. Hills, 1709.
8vo, 17.5cm, 16p., roman and italic typefaces, disbound, top edge trimmed touching page numbering, manuscript identification
of the author on title page. Anne Kingsmill Finch (1661-1720) was one of the earliest published English women poets. She
was born into the aristocratic Kingsmill family, which held progressive ideas about educating its daughters. She married the
courtier Heneage Finch (later made Earl of Winchelsea) in 1684. Following the political upheavals of 1688, the Finches lived
in exile in the countryside for a number of years, returning to London about 1710. Admired by the likes of Jonathan Swift
and Alexander Pope, Anne Finch received encouragement to publish under her own name. “The Spleen” is a reflection on
depression: “The secret and mysterious ways/By which thou dost destroy and prey upon the Mind....” It was first published
anonymously in 1701 and became the most popular of Finch’s poems during her lifetime. It is included in her Miscellany
Poems.... (1713), though “A Prospect of Death” is not. Her poems have been republished throughout the 20th century and
several book-length studies have appeared, recognising the Countess of Winchelsea as a writer of conviction, directness, and
humour. ESTC T049768; Foxon F141.
£220.00
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