Catalogue Twenty One - Absolute Graphics

Alastor Rare Books
The Adventurer Deceived,” apparently translated from the original French by Elvervelt, and printed by the noted actor and
bookseller Duim (1696-1782). The original French version, if it existed, has not been located. Very clean copy with negligible
tear to title page.
VII. Rossum, Pieter van (?) Aelius Seianus, Treur-Spel. Gorinchemi [Gorinchem]: By Paulus
Vink, Boeckverkooper, 1667.
4to, 200mm, [2], 42p., (lacks dedication page), [many blank leaves of later date bound in at end], partial watermark visible,
roman and italic type. Title page engraving within a border, shows crest with portcullis, crown, rampant lions and motto
“Sidunt ipso pondere magna, Ceditq. oneri Fortuna suo. --Senec. Agam.” 3/4 vellum with marbled boards, manuscript spine
title, pencilled shelf marks to front pastedown and endpaper. Text block very clean and tidy, faint water stains to lower edge
at gutter, boards slightly warped with very slight scuffing. This tragedy in five acts concerns Lucius Aelius Sejanus (d. AD 31),
who was a once-trusted Praetorian Prefect under the Roman Emperor Tiberius, but who was put to death after betraying that
trust. Sejanus has been the subject of various literary works including a 1603 play of Ben Jonson. Authorship of this Dutch
play is not certain; most often attributed to van Rossum based on initials following the dedication--a leaf that is missing in this
copy--but sometimes assigned to Jan Lemmers. Also issued in 1666 at Dordrecht.
VIII. Lope de Vega, Felix Jaloersche Studenten, Bly-Epodende-Spel. [Translated from the
Spanish by Theodore Rodenburgh] Amsterdam: Gedruckt by Nicolaes van Ravensteyn
Voor Dirck Cornelisz Hout-baeck... 1644
4to, mm, A-G[2], [52]p., partial watermark visible, untrimmed. Gothic, roman, and italic typefaces. Title page vignette inside
double border shows [oops, didn’t finish].... and motto “Nobilitas sola est atque vinca virtus.” Decorative initial letter.. Later
wove glossy paper wrappers, overall 3-colour floral pattern. A Dutch translation of “La escolástica celosa” (The Jealous
Student) was first published at Leiden in 1617. This “happily-ending play” is in three acts, in verse. Lope de Vega (1562-1635)
was a key literary figure of the Spanish Baroque, a prolific poet and playwright. Rodenburgh (1574-1644), Dutch diplomat
and merchant, was also wrote plays and poems. He became familiar with Spanish literature via his diplomatic travels to Spain,
where he met Lope de Vega and translated several of his plays. Water stains to gutter and edges; edges curled; small tears and
creases to wrapper, with one back corner lacking.
IX. J. V. Vondels Salmoneus. Treuspel Amsterdam: Voor de Weduwe van Abraham
de Wees, op den Middeldam, in ‘t jaer MDCLVII (1657). Colophon: Amsterdam: Ter
Druckerye van Thomas Fontein, op de Voorburghwal, by de Deventer-houtmerckt, 1657.
4to, 200mm, [8], 60p. *4 A-H [2], partial watermark visible, roman and italic type, decorative initial letters, title page vignette of
a decorative well and motto “Discite iustitiam moniti, & non temnere divos.” Red edges, later, very clean wove paper wrappers
with repeated motif in red. slight tears to edges with tiny loss to one corner. Text very good, last two signatures loose, smudges
to gutter and faint water stains on several pages Vondel (1587-1679) was the most prominent Dutch playwright and poet of
the 17th century. He moved in literary circles and studied French, German, Latin, and Greek writers. He wrote 32 plays and
translated many others from several languages into Dutch. Salmoneus, in Greek mythology, was king of Elis. This copy has
slight tears to edges with tiny loss to one corner; last two signatures loose, smudges to gutter and faint water stains on several
pages.
X. J. v. Vondels Ifigenie In Tauren. Uit Euripedes. Treurspel. Amsterdam : Voor de
weduwe van Abraham de Wees, op den Middeldam, in ‘t Nieuwe Testament, 1666.
4to, 200mm, *4 A-F 4, [8], 48p., title page with printer’s device of well with motto “Elck zyn beurt” [each his turn]. Also
Latin motto “Hic labor extremus, longarum haec meta viarum.” Decorative initial letters, floral printer’s device on last page,
speckled edges, very faint water stains to lower edge, else very clean. Later glossy blue wove paper wrappers with repeated
design in black, slightly scuffed, small losses to head and tail of spine, penciled notes and shelf marks to inside cover, bookseller
label pasted in, printed bookplate of V. Delamontagne in Art Nouveau style, also older tiny bookplate “Ex Libris A. Ch.” Joost
van den Vondel (1587-1679) was the most prominent Dutch playwright and poet of the 17th century. He moved in literary
circles and studied French, German, Latin, and Greek writers. He wrote 32 plays and translated many others from several
languages into Dutch. The large Vondelpark in Amsterdam is named for him. This translation of Euripedes’ Iphigenia in Tauris
is in verse.
£450.00
15. Copies Of The Settlements Made By Edward Colston, Esq.,
For The Maintaince [sic] Of His Almshouse On St. Michael’s-Hill, & c. And Of His Hospital
For The Maintainance [sic] And Education Of Poor Boys On St. Augustine’s Back, Bristol.
Bristol: Printed at the Mirror Office, 1839.
Large 8vo, 25cm, [2], 65, [1 blank] p., title within rule frame, decorative engraved cornerpieces, contemporary marbled boards,
rebacked with recent tan morocco spine and brown label. This scarce collection of printed social welfare early records makes
available the 1696 settlement and will of Edward Coulson and relates to the establishment of almshouses and schools in the
town of Bristol. COPAC Sole copy LSE.
£120.00
16. Corporal Violette.
London: R.Pratt 12, Broad Street, Golden Square, [1815].
Catalogue Twenty One
Single sheet, 380 x230mm, hand-coloured illustration (signed Radcliffe sc. 213 Picadilly). This fabulous broadside and optical
illusion was issued presumably as a curiosity following his imprisonment & exile. The violet seems to have become a symbol
of Napoleon prior to his departure for Elba and in his despair he requested a some violets from a child who had been picking
a bunch and pronounced them to be a symbol of his quiet resignation to his fate. The violet also became a symbol of his
resistance and resolve both for him and for supporters, for subsequent to this he is recorded to have said that he would return
from Elba when the violets bloom again. The broadside is of particular note as it includes AN OPTICAL ILLUSION WITH THE
FACES OF NAPOLEON, MARIA LOUISA & THE KING OF ROME within the petals & foliage of the print. OCLC returns 2 records
(BNF & McGill); Not in COPAC.
£500.00
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