Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám. Rendered into English Verse by Edward Fitzgerald -
Omar Khayyám, Edmund Dulac (illustrator)
Circa 1909 - Hodder and Stoughton, London - First Dulac Illustrated Edition
An exquisite Bayntun-Riviére binding of this large and intricately decorated edition of the Persian poem of life by the renowned 11th century philosopher, poet, mathematician, and astronomer Omar Khayyám, beautifully illustrated with twenty tipped-in colour plates by Edmund Dulac. Housed in a bespoke clamshell case.
Come fill the cup, and in the fire of spring
Your winter garment of repentance fling:
The bird of time has but a little way
To flutter – and the bird is on the wing.
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Price HK$ 20,000
Circa 1909 - Hodder and Stoughton, London - First Dulac Illustrated Edition
An exquisite Bayntun-Riviére binding of this large and intricately decorated edition of the Persian poem of life by the renowned 11th century philosopher, poet, mathematician, and astronomer Omar Khayyám, beautifully illustrated with twenty tipped-in colour plates by Edmund Dulac. Housed in a bespoke clamshell case.Come fill the cup, and in the fire of spring
Your winter garment of repentance fling:
The bird of time has but a little way
To flutter – and the bird is on the wing.
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Price HK$ 20,000
The Jungle Book – with – The Second Jungle Book -
Rudyard Kipling, J. Lockwood Kipling, W. H. Drake, and P. Frenzery (illustrators)
1894 - Macmillan & Co., London - First Edition of ‘Jungle Book’, First English Edition of ‘Second Jungle Book‘
A finely bound first edition set of Kipling’s classic collection of short stories. Beautifully illustrated throughout, mostly by Kipling’s father John Lockwood Kipling.
Best-known for the three tales revolving around the adventures of the abandoned 'man cub' Mowgli who is raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, but Kipling’s genius as a story teller shines throughout, eloquently weaving morals together with his subtle, multilayered characters to produce some of the most well loved stories of childhood fantasy such as 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi', the story of a heroic mongoose, 'Toomai of the Elephants', the tale of a young elephant-handler, and Kotick the ‘White Seal’.
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Price HK$ 16,000
1894 - Macmillan & Co., London - First Edition of ‘Jungle Book’, First English Edition of ‘Second Jungle Book‘
A finely bound first edition set of Kipling’s classic collection of short stories. Beautifully illustrated throughout, mostly by Kipling’s father John Lockwood Kipling.Best-known for the three tales revolving around the adventures of the abandoned 'man cub' Mowgli who is raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, but Kipling’s genius as a story teller shines throughout, eloquently weaving morals together with his subtle, multilayered characters to produce some of the most well loved stories of childhood fantasy such as 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi', the story of a heroic mongoose, 'Toomai of the Elephants', the tale of a young elephant-handler, and Kotick the ‘White Seal’.
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Price HK$ 16,000
The Jungle Book – with – The Second Jungle Book -
Rudyard Kipling, J. Lockwood Kipling, W. H. Drake, and P. Frenzery (illustrators)
1894 - Macmillan & Co., London - First Edition of ‘Jungle Book’, First English Edition of ‘Second Jungle Book‘
A superb set of Kipling’s classic collection of short stories. First editions in their original fine gilt decorated blue cloth, housed in custom cloth chemises and quarter morocco divided slipcase, with matching navy morocco spine and gilt lettering.
Beautifully illustrated throughout, mostly by Kipling’s father John Lockwood Kipling.
Best-known for the three tales revolving around the adventures of the abandoned 'man cub' Mowgli who is raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, but Kipling’s genius as a story teller shines throughout, eloquently weaving morals together with his subtle, multilayered characters to produce some of the most well loved stories of childhood fantasy such as 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi', the story of a heroic mongoose, 'Toomai of the Elephants', the tale of a young elephant-handler, and Kotick the ‘White Seal’.
More details
Price HK$ 45,000
1894 - Macmillan & Co., London - First Edition of ‘Jungle Book’, First English Edition of ‘Second Jungle Book‘
A superb set of Kipling’s classic collection of short stories. First editions in their original fine gilt decorated blue cloth, housed in custom cloth chemises and quarter morocco divided slipcase, with matching navy morocco spine and gilt lettering.Beautifully illustrated throughout, mostly by Kipling’s father John Lockwood Kipling.
Best-known for the three tales revolving around the adventures of the abandoned 'man cub' Mowgli who is raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, but Kipling’s genius as a story teller shines throughout, eloquently weaving morals together with his subtle, multilayered characters to produce some of the most well loved stories of childhood fantasy such as 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi', the story of a heroic mongoose, 'Toomai of the Elephants', the tale of a young elephant-handler, and Kotick the ‘White Seal’.
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Price HK$ 45,000
Seven Pillars of Wisdom. A Triumph -
T. E. Lawrence
1935 - Jonathan Cape, London - First Trade Edition Limited to 750 copies
‘I drew these tides of men into my hands, and wrote my will across the sky in stars.’
A superlative unopened first and limited edition, number 341 of 750 copies, in original and delicate quarter pigskin binding which is usually found it much poorer condition. The limited edition contains an extra four colour plates, making a total of 54 plates and illustrations, four folding maps, and three facsimiles.
The autobiographical and legendary account of the experiences of T. E. Lawrence ('Lawrence of Arabia') while serving as a liaison officer with rebel forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks of 1916 to 1918.
Winston Churchill stated that this ‘ranks with the greatest books ever written in the European Language’.
‘With its richly detailed evocation of the land and the people Lawrence passionately believed in, its incisive portraits of key players, from Faisal ibn Hussein, the future Hashemite king of Syria and Iraq, to General Sir Edmund Allenby and other members of the British imperial forces, Seven Pillars of Wisdom is an indispensable primary historical source. It helps us to understand today’s Middle East, while giving us thrilling accounts of military exploits (including the liberation of Aqaba and Damascus), clandestine activities, and human foibles.’ [P]
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Price HK$ 28,000
1935 - Jonathan Cape, London - First Trade Edition Limited to 750 copies
‘I drew these tides of men into my hands, and wrote my will across the sky in stars.’A superlative unopened first and limited edition, number 341 of 750 copies, in original and delicate quarter pigskin binding which is usually found it much poorer condition. The limited edition contains an extra four colour plates, making a total of 54 plates and illustrations, four folding maps, and three facsimiles.
The autobiographical and legendary account of the experiences of T. E. Lawrence ('Lawrence of Arabia') while serving as a liaison officer with rebel forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks of 1916 to 1918.
Winston Churchill stated that this ‘ranks with the greatest books ever written in the European Language’.
‘With its richly detailed evocation of the land and the people Lawrence passionately believed in, its incisive portraits of key players, from Faisal ibn Hussein, the future Hashemite king of Syria and Iraq, to General Sir Edmund Allenby and other members of the British imperial forces, Seven Pillars of Wisdom is an indispensable primary historical source. It helps us to understand today’s Middle East, while giving us thrilling accounts of military exploits (including the liberation of Aqaba and Damascus), clandestine activities, and human foibles.’ [P]
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Price HK$ 28,000
Crusader Castles - I. The Thesis & II. The Letters -
T. E. Lawrence
1936 - The Golden Cockerel Press, London - Number 924 of 1000 copies
‘I will have such difficulty in becoming English again: here I am Arab in habits, and slip in talking from English to French and Arabic unnoticing.'
T. E. Lawrence travelled through Britain, France, Syria and Palestine to research his undergraduate thesis on ‘The Influence of the Crusades on European Military Architecture to the End of the Twelfth Century’. Lawrence’s brilliant observations have since been confirmed by modern research. Moreover, the thesis and correspondence that make up Crusader Castles give us an insight into both Lawrence’s fascination with the Crusades and his origins as an adventurer.
After visiting the major sites in England and Wales, Lawrence crossed Ottoman-controlled Syria on foot and by bicycle. He wanted to prove that, contrary to the received wisdom of the time, the castles built by the Normans during their campaigns were not influenced by Byzantine architecture, but conformed to a purely Western model. In 1909, Syria and the Holy Land were remote and dangerous destinations, and few historians had actually seen a crusader castle. His 1,100-mile journey was arduous in the extreme, but Lawrence succeeded in seeing 36 of the 50 castles on his itinerary.
Finely bound first editions, number 924 of a limited 1,000 copies, illustrated throughout with numerous plates, and facsimiles, maps and plans, including two large loose maps in separate sleeve.
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Price HK$ 20,000
1936 - The Golden Cockerel Press, London - Number 924 of 1000 copies
‘I will have such difficulty in becoming English again: here I am Arab in habits, and slip in talking from English to French and Arabic unnoticing.'T. E. Lawrence travelled through Britain, France, Syria and Palestine to research his undergraduate thesis on ‘The Influence of the Crusades on European Military Architecture to the End of the Twelfth Century’. Lawrence’s brilliant observations have since been confirmed by modern research. Moreover, the thesis and correspondence that make up Crusader Castles give us an insight into both Lawrence’s fascination with the Crusades and his origins as an adventurer.
After visiting the major sites in England and Wales, Lawrence crossed Ottoman-controlled Syria on foot and by bicycle. He wanted to prove that, contrary to the received wisdom of the time, the castles built by the Normans during their campaigns were not influenced by Byzantine architecture, but conformed to a purely Western model. In 1909, Syria and the Holy Land were remote and dangerous destinations, and few historians had actually seen a crusader castle. His 1,100-mile journey was arduous in the extreme, but Lawrence succeeded in seeing 36 of the 50 castles on his itinerary.
Finely bound first editions, number 924 of a limited 1,000 copies, illustrated throughout with numerous plates, and facsimiles, maps and plans, including two large loose maps in separate sleeve.
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Price HK$ 20,000
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold -
John le Carré
1963 - Victor Gollancz Ltd, London - First Edition
A fine first edition of ‘the best spy story I have ever read’ according to Graham Greene.
With a signed card from John le Carré ‘with my very best wishes and please don’t include me among Famous People, who are either dead or boring : just read me’.
‘An icon of the anti-hero spy’ – United States Central Intelligence Agency.
The British Cold War spy novel, famous for its portrayal of Western espionage methods as being morally inconsistent with Western democracy and values.
‘One of the All-Time 100 Novels’ – TIME Magazine.
‘Best spy novel of all-time’ – Publishers Weekly.
With a signed note by the author loosely enclosed, dated 29 January, 1990, and signed on the front endpaper by the recipient, Graham Harvey Evers.
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Price HK$ 30,000
1963 - Victor Gollancz Ltd, London - First Edition
A fine first edition of ‘the best spy story I have ever read’ according to Graham Greene.With a signed card from John le Carré ‘with my very best wishes and please don’t include me among Famous People, who are either dead or boring : just read me’.
‘An icon of the anti-hero spy’ – United States Central Intelligence Agency.
The British Cold War spy novel, famous for its portrayal of Western espionage methods as being morally inconsistent with Western democracy and values.
‘One of the All-Time 100 Novels’ – TIME Magazine.
‘Best spy novel of all-time’ – Publishers Weekly.
With a signed note by the author loosely enclosed, dated 29 January, 1990, and signed on the front endpaper by the recipient, Graham Harvey Evers.
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Price HK$ 30,000
Whisky Galore -
Compton MacKenzie
1947 - Chatto and Windus, London - First Edition
A finely bound first edition of this whisky highlight.
‘Love makes the world go round? Not at all. Whisky makes it go round twice as fast’
It's 1943, and the war has brought rationing to the Hebridean Islands of Great and Little Todday. When food is in short supply, it is bad enough, but when the whisky runs out, it looks like the end of the world. Morale is at rock bottom. George Campbell needs a wee dram to give him the courage to stand up to his mother and marry Catriona. The priest, the doctor, and, of course, the landlord at the inn are all having a very thin time of it. There's no conversation, no jollity, no fun, until a ship-wreck off the coast brings a piece of extraordinary good fortune.
‘The genre of Scotch whisky fiction is not an expansive one, and would barely make a credible Mastermind specialist subject, but one title stands out above all others in terms of its profile with both aficionados and the general public. That title is Whisky Galore’ – Gavin D. Smith, Famous Whisky Drinkers, (ScotchWhisky.com).
‘Compton Mackenzie's timeless text is a triumph. Inspired by the real events of 1941, when a cargo ship ran aground in the channel between Eriskay and South Uist, Whisky Galore is the gentle, comical story of how the booty on board became appropriated by a group of Scottish islanders. ‘ - 100 Best Scottish Books of All Time, The List.
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Price HK$ 4,500
1947 - Chatto and Windus, London - First Edition
A finely bound first edition of this whisky highlight. ‘Love makes the world go round? Not at all. Whisky makes it go round twice as fast’
It's 1943, and the war has brought rationing to the Hebridean Islands of Great and Little Todday. When food is in short supply, it is bad enough, but when the whisky runs out, it looks like the end of the world. Morale is at rock bottom. George Campbell needs a wee dram to give him the courage to stand up to his mother and marry Catriona. The priest, the doctor, and, of course, the landlord at the inn are all having a very thin time of it. There's no conversation, no jollity, no fun, until a ship-wreck off the coast brings a piece of extraordinary good fortune.
‘The genre of Scotch whisky fiction is not an expansive one, and would barely make a credible Mastermind specialist subject, but one title stands out above all others in terms of its profile with both aficionados and the general public. That title is Whisky Galore’ – Gavin D. Smith, Famous Whisky Drinkers, (ScotchWhisky.com).
‘Compton Mackenzie's timeless text is a triumph. Inspired by the real events of 1941, when a cargo ship ran aground in the channel between Eriskay and South Uist, Whisky Galore is the gentle, comical story of how the booty on board became appropriated by a group of Scottish islanders. ‘ - 100 Best Scottish Books of All Time, The List.
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Price HK$ 4,500
The Gentleman in the Parlour: A Record of a Journey from Rangoon to Haiphong -
William Somerset Maugham
1930 - William Heinemann Ltd., London - First Edition
A superior first edition of ‘Maugham's finest travel book’.
‘As the urbane novelist wends his way through tropic climes, he reads Proust under the mosquito netting, listens to stories of passion and madness from British colonials gone to seed, and bears up under the merciless sun, sipping at a gin and bitters and laying out a hand of solitaire’ - Washington Post
An account of the author's trip through what was then Burma and Siam, ending in Haiphong, Vietnam. Whether by river to Mandalay, on horse through the mountains and forests of the Shan States to Bangkok, or onwards by sea, Maugham's vivid descriptions bring a lost world to life. [Random House]
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Price HK$ 6,000
1930 - William Heinemann Ltd., London - First Edition
A superior first edition of ‘Maugham's finest travel book’. ‘As the urbane novelist wends his way through tropic climes, he reads Proust under the mosquito netting, listens to stories of passion and madness from British colonials gone to seed, and bears up under the merciless sun, sipping at a gin and bitters and laying out a hand of solitaire’ - Washington Post
An account of the author's trip through what was then Burma and Siam, ending in Haiphong, Vietnam. Whether by river to Mandalay, on horse through the mountains and forests of the Shan States to Bangkok, or onwards by sea, Maugham's vivid descriptions bring a lost world to life. [Random House]
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Price HK$ 6,000