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The Three Voyages of Captain James Cook, with "The Death of Captain Cook" Plate -
James Cook, John Hawkesworth, James King
1773 - Strahan, London - Second Edition, First Edition, Second Edition
A complete set of the best possible editions, superbly bound in full tree calf and with the additional ‘Death of Captain Cook’ drawn by the John Weber who witnessed the dispute and ensuing fight. Eight quarto volumes and the elephant folio volume of plates. Magnificently illustrated with two hundred and five engraved charts and plates, many of which are double page or larger.
There is no greater set of travel works, Cook was the first scientific navigator, these three voyages made great contributions to numerous fields of knowledge,, and did more to clarify the geographical knowledge of the southern hemisphere than his predecessors had done together [Hill].
The first voyage is in its second and best edition, complete with the ‘Directions for placing the cuts’ and the ‘Chart of the Straights of Magellan’, and with the new Preface containing Hawkesworth's virulent eight-page reply to Dalrymple's whining reviews of the first edition, and the whole volume revised by the voyage's astronomer William Wales.
The third voyage is in its second and best edition, with the printing by Hughs (rather than Strahan who printed the first edition) with the text itself entirely re-set. Isaac Smith presenting a set on behalf of Cook's widow in 1821 noted that 'I am desired by Mrs Cook to request your acceptance of the 4 books sent herewith being her Husbands last Voyage round the World, as a mark of her respect the letter press of the second edition being much superior to the first both in paper & letter press' (quoted by Forbes, Hawaiian National Bibliography, 85). King George III's copy of the official account, preserved in the British Library, is also an example of this second edition. This particular set with variant title pages, dated correctly, but without edition statement or vignette of Royal Society medal.
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Price HK$ 430,000
1773 - Strahan, London - Second Edition, First Edition, Second Edition
A complete set of the best possible editions, superbly bound in full tree calf and with the additional ‘Death of Captain Cook’ drawn by the John Weber who witnessed the dispute and ensuing fight. Eight quarto volumes and the elephant folio volume of plates. Magnificently illustrated with two hundred and five engraved charts and plates, many of which are double page or larger.There is no greater set of travel works, Cook was the first scientific navigator, these three voyages made great contributions to numerous fields of knowledge,, and did more to clarify the geographical knowledge of the southern hemisphere than his predecessors had done together [Hill].
The first voyage is in its second and best edition, complete with the ‘Directions for placing the cuts’ and the ‘Chart of the Straights of Magellan’, and with the new Preface containing Hawkesworth's virulent eight-page reply to Dalrymple's whining reviews of the first edition, and the whole volume revised by the voyage's astronomer William Wales.
The third voyage is in its second and best edition, with the printing by Hughs (rather than Strahan who printed the first edition) with the text itself entirely re-set. Isaac Smith presenting a set on behalf of Cook's widow in 1821 noted that 'I am desired by Mrs Cook to request your acceptance of the 4 books sent herewith being her Husbands last Voyage round the World, as a mark of her respect the letter press of the second edition being much superior to the first both in paper & letter press' (quoted by Forbes, Hawaiian National Bibliography, 85). King George III's copy of the official account, preserved in the British Library, is also an example of this second edition. This particular set with variant title pages, dated correctly, but without edition statement or vignette of Royal Society medal.
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Price HK$ 430,000
The Man With Nine Lives - Signed -
James Corbett
1938 - Herbert Jenkins Limited, London - First Edition, in First Issue Dust Jacket
A near fine signed first edition, of one of Corbett’s detective novels, featuring Victor Redmayne. Rare signed and with the eye-catching dust jacket.
‘In the heart of London a man was shot at from his motorcar. The fact that the victim was not killed was of small importance to Victor Redmayne who witnessed the affair. Murder had been attempted; and as a result of his own investigations, he was involved in a highly thrilling adventure.’ (from the dust jacket)
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Price HK$ 4,800
1938 - Herbert Jenkins Limited, London - First Edition, in First Issue Dust Jacket
A near fine signed first edition, of one of Corbett’s detective novels, featuring Victor Redmayne. Rare signed and with the eye-catching dust jacket.‘In the heart of London a man was shot at from his motorcar. The fact that the victim was not killed was of small importance to Victor Redmayne who witnessed the affair. Murder had been attempted; and as a result of his own investigations, he was involved in a highly thrilling adventure.’ (from the dust jacket)
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Price HK$ 4,800
Opera Sesta -
Arcangelo Corelli da Fusignano
1711 to Circa 1745 - Walsh, London - Opus 5 - First English Edition, Opuses 1-4 & 6 early English ediitons
A complete set of the great Arcangelo Corelli’s works, Opuses 1-6, including ‘La Folia’. Opuses 1-5 finely bound in five later tan calf volumes, Opus 6 in seven 18th century volumes. Total twelve volumes.
Arcangelo Corelli da Fusignano (1653–1713) was one of the most sought-after violin teachers in Italy and his pupils included Castrucci, Gasparini, Geminiani, Bonporti and Locatelli. ‘Despite the modest size of his output, comprising six collections of instrumental music and a handful of other authentic works, and its virtual restriction to three genres – solo sonata, trio sonata and concerto – Corelli exercised an unparalleled influence during his lifetime and for a long time afterwards. This influence, which affected form, style and instrumental technique in equal measure, was most closely felt in Italy, and in particular in Rome, where he settled in early manhood, but soon spread beyond local and national confines to become a European phenomenon. As a violinist, teacher of the violin and director of instrumental ensembles Corelli imposed standards of discipline that were unusually strict for their period and helped to lay the groundwork for further progress along the same lines during the 18th century. To Corelli belong equally the distinctions of being the first composer to derive his fame exclusively from instrumental composition, the first to owe his reputation in large part to the activity of music publishers, and the first to produce 'classic' instrumental works which were admired and studied long after their idiom became outmoded.’ – Michael Talbot, Grove (online).
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Price HK$ 50,000
1711 to Circa 1745 - Walsh, London - Opus 5 - First English Edition, Opuses 1-4 & 6 early English ediitons
A complete set of the great Arcangelo Corelli’s works, Opuses 1-6, including ‘La Folia’. Opuses 1-5 finely bound in five later tan calf volumes, Opus 6 in seven 18th century volumes. Total twelve volumes.Arcangelo Corelli da Fusignano (1653–1713) was one of the most sought-after violin teachers in Italy and his pupils included Castrucci, Gasparini, Geminiani, Bonporti and Locatelli. ‘Despite the modest size of his output, comprising six collections of instrumental music and a handful of other authentic works, and its virtual restriction to three genres – solo sonata, trio sonata and concerto – Corelli exercised an unparalleled influence during his lifetime and for a long time afterwards. This influence, which affected form, style and instrumental technique in equal measure, was most closely felt in Italy, and in particular in Rome, where he settled in early manhood, but soon spread beyond local and national confines to become a European phenomenon. As a violinist, teacher of the violin and director of instrumental ensembles Corelli imposed standards of discipline that were unusually strict for their period and helped to lay the groundwork for further progress along the same lines during the 18th century. To Corelli belong equally the distinctions of being the first composer to derive his fame exclusively from instrumental composition, the first to owe his reputation in large part to the activity of music publishers, and the first to produce 'classic' instrumental works which were admired and studied long after their idiom became outmoded.’ – Michael Talbot, Grove (online).
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Price HK$ 50,000
Mating Marriage and the Status of Women -
James Corin
1910 - The Walter Scott Publishing Co. Ltd., London and Felling-on-Tyne - First Edition
‘The Object of the present treatise is to consider the development of the relations of the male and the female of the species.’ And onward Corin bravely goes. This rare treatise is still referenced today, and must of been of importance at the time, this copy was owned by the ‘Liberator League’ of Bradford.
Corin summarises his theories in the final chapter as follows:- ‘In the first period the human female rules. She dictates to the male in sexual affairs — this is free mating...
In the second period the male captures foreign females for his use, because his own are too chaste; these foreign females become his slave wives. He courts and mates with females of his own tribe at yearly festivals like Australian corroborees.
In the third period the institution of marriage has become the dominant form . . . so much so that mating unions become regularised as marriages or are condemned as illicit. Of females, wives are more honoured than free mates — in fact the latter become infamous except in a few cases of royal princesses...
In the fourth period the female recognises and revolts against her inferior position; restrictions on dissolution of marriage are relaxed, and by easy divorce, conditions nearly approaching those of free-mating are again evolved...
In the fifth period, social disruption occurs, conquest by a lower type takes place. The male seizes the opportunity to reinstate the fetters of matrimony and to rivet the links more tightly on the female. so that something of the third period is entered into again.’
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Price HK$ 1,900
1910 - The Walter Scott Publishing Co. Ltd., London and Felling-on-Tyne - First Edition
‘The Object of the present treatise is to consider the development of the relations of the male and the female of the species.’ And onward Corin bravely goes. This rare treatise is still referenced today, and must of been of importance at the time, this copy was owned by the ‘Liberator League’ of Bradford.Corin summarises his theories in the final chapter as follows:- ‘In the first period the human female rules. She dictates to the male in sexual affairs — this is free mating...
In the second period the male captures foreign females for his use, because his own are too chaste; these foreign females become his slave wives. He courts and mates with females of his own tribe at yearly festivals like Australian corroborees.
In the third period the institution of marriage has become the dominant form . . . so much so that mating unions become regularised as marriages or are condemned as illicit. Of females, wives are more honoured than free mates — in fact the latter become infamous except in a few cases of royal princesses...
In the fourth period the female recognises and revolts against her inferior position; restrictions on dissolution of marriage are relaxed, and by easy divorce, conditions nearly approaching those of free-mating are again evolved...
In the fifth period, social disruption occurs, conquest by a lower type takes place. The male seizes the opportunity to reinstate the fetters of matrimony and to rivet the links more tightly on the female. so that something of the third period is entered into again.’
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Price HK$ 1,900
The House of Lost Identity - and - The Haunted Jester -
Donald Corley
1927 - Robert M. McBride & Company, New York - First Editions
“Far away on some dark road, the young man rode, in pouring rain, and often cold and penniless, eagerly asking of every one he passed where the Elixir of youth might be found...”
Two volumes adorned in the scarce and stunning gold dust jackets. Corley’s tales of mystery and wonder have become celebrated for their spin on traditional fairy-tale motifs, amplifying them with darker, sinister elements... along with occasional comedy.
Drawing influences famed myths and legends from Persia, Ireland, China and Greece, both volumes are profusely illustrated throughout with the author’s own Harry Clarke-esque illustrations, and include a foreword by American sci-fi writer, James Branch Cabell.
From the library of the infamous Joseph Alexander Sadony, philosopher-scientist, inventor and poet, whose Michigan based ‘Educational Research Laboratories’ at ‘Valley of the Pines’ studied the power of the mind...
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Price HK$ 5,000
1927 - Robert M. McBride & Company, New York - First Editions
“Far away on some dark road, the young man rode, in pouring rain, and often cold and penniless, eagerly asking of every one he passed where the Elixir of youth might be found...”Two volumes adorned in the scarce and stunning gold dust jackets. Corley’s tales of mystery and wonder have become celebrated for their spin on traditional fairy-tale motifs, amplifying them with darker, sinister elements... along with occasional comedy.
Drawing influences famed myths and legends from Persia, Ireland, China and Greece, both volumes are profusely illustrated throughout with the author’s own Harry Clarke-esque illustrations, and include a foreword by American sci-fi writer, James Branch Cabell.
From the library of the infamous Joseph Alexander Sadony, philosopher-scientist, inventor and poet, whose Michigan based ‘Educational Research Laboratories’ at ‘Valley of the Pines’ studied the power of the mind...
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Price HK$ 5,000
One Cried Murder. A Murray Hill Mystery -
S. H. Courtier
1954 - Rinehart & Company, New York - First Edition
A fine first edition of Australian author Courtier’s second Crime novel with superb and bright example of the dust jacket designed by L. Kamp, a review copy with publisher’s review slip laid in at front of book.
Featuring ‘the amiable Dr. Fabian Honeychurch and the distinctly waspish Inspector Burnivel of Scotland Yard’.
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Price HK$ 1,800
1954 - Rinehart & Company, New York - First Edition
A fine first edition of Australian author Courtier’s second Crime novel with superb and bright example of the dust jacket designed by L. Kamp, a review copy with publisher’s review slip laid in at front of book.Featuring ‘the amiable Dr. Fabian Honeychurch and the distinctly waspish Inspector Burnivel of Scotland Yard’.
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Price HK$ 1,800
A Descriptive Inventory of the Several Exquisite and Magnificent Pieces of Mechanism and Jewellery -
James Cox
1773 - for Mr. Cox, Printed by H. Hart - First Edition
A ban on Cox's shipment to China of luxury goods, led to the establishment in 1772 of the short-lived Spring Gardens Museum in London. A year later, Cox planned to dispose of the museum's contents by lottery, and in anticipation of the sale Cod published this 46 page pamphlet.
The Metropolitan Museum's miniature secretary incorporating a watch (46.184a–c) is perhaps a surviving fragment of a larger work described in the 1773 Descriptive Inventory as ‘Piece, the Seventeenth: A superb Cabinet’. If so, the Museum's miniature has lost the revolving sphere on its top described in the inventory, and it has been parted from a stand consisting of a ‘gilt rock, in front of which is a cascade and running stream of artificial water, where swans are seen swimming in contrary directions; at the corners of the rocks are Dragons with extended wings.’ This extravagant assemblage was in turn displayed on a crimson velvet pedestal with a silver-mounted glass cover to keep out the dust. The inventory goes on to describe the eighteenth object as a duplicate of the seventeenth. A comparable miniature cabinet exists in the collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing, as well as at least one other, more elaborately decorated, example in the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. It is possible, therefore, to suggest that, like the nearly identical jewelled automaton in the Cox watch (1977.436.4) and nécessaire (57.128a–o), these delightful secretaries may have belonged to a series of items that were sold separately or inserted into a larger assemblage.
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Price HK$ 6,000
1773 - for Mr. Cox, Printed by H. Hart - First Edition
A ban on Cox's shipment to China of luxury goods, led to the establishment in 1772 of the short-lived Spring Gardens Museum in London. A year later, Cox planned to dispose of the museum's contents by lottery, and in anticipation of the sale Cod published this 46 page pamphlet.The Metropolitan Museum's miniature secretary incorporating a watch (46.184a–c) is perhaps a surviving fragment of a larger work described in the 1773 Descriptive Inventory as ‘Piece, the Seventeenth: A superb Cabinet’. If so, the Museum's miniature has lost the revolving sphere on its top described in the inventory, and it has been parted from a stand consisting of a ‘gilt rock, in front of which is a cascade and running stream of artificial water, where swans are seen swimming in contrary directions; at the corners of the rocks are Dragons with extended wings.’ This extravagant assemblage was in turn displayed on a crimson velvet pedestal with a silver-mounted glass cover to keep out the dust. The inventory goes on to describe the eighteenth object as a duplicate of the seventeenth. A comparable miniature cabinet exists in the collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing, as well as at least one other, more elaborately decorated, example in the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. It is possible, therefore, to suggest that, like the nearly identical jewelled automaton in the Cox watch (1977.436.4) and nécessaire (57.128a–o), these delightful secretaries may have belonged to a series of items that were sold separately or inserted into a larger assemblage.
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Price HK$ 6,000
The Indigo Necklace -
Frances Crane
1945 - Random House, New York - First Edition
A fine example of the rubbing-prone dust jacket with a very good book which appears to have been matched to the dust jacket, would benefit from a better book.
Featuring crime solving couple Lieutenant Pat and Jean Abbot, the locationn isis New Orleans and the famous French quarter.
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Price HK$ 1,600
1945 - Random House, New York - First Edition
A fine example of the rubbing-prone dust jacket with a very good book which appears to have been matched to the dust jacket, would benefit from a better book.Featuring crime solving couple Lieutenant Pat and Jean Abbot, the locationn isis New Orleans and the famous French quarter.
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Price HK$ 1,600