The Universal Bible: or, Every Christian Family's Best Treasure. Containing the Sacred Text of the Old and New Testament at Large. Illustrated with Notes and Comments; Whereby the difficult passages are explained; the mistranslations corrected; and the seeming contradictions found in the oracles of truth, reconciled. - , Samuel Nelson (notes, comments, and explanations)

1758 - J. Coote, London
A large folio eighteenth century Bible, in a contemporary binding, with title page in red and black.

Magnificently illustrated with forty-six engraved plates including three maps, separate titles dated 1759 for the New Testament and 'Apocrypha'. With a twenty-six page index.
 
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Price HK$ 10,000



The Morals of Confucius - Confucius

Circa 1760-80 - Printed for Randal Taylor, London - First Thus
A rare later 18th century reprint of this work and the first to include the folding frontispiece engraving of Confucius (often missing). First published in 1691 and scarce in any early edition, more so this edition with the engraving. In contemporary binding, and with decorations to title page, six headpieces, and three tailpieces.

Beginning with a ‘
Preface’ introducing this translation and its sources, followed by ‘Part First’ titled ‘Of the Antiquity and Philosophy of the Chinese’, then ‘Part II’ which offers selected translations from the three books, and ends with 80 ‘Maxims’.

‘The great Chinese teacher Confucius (551 BC–479 BC) articulated a philosophy based on the concepts of ren (‘benevolence’ or ‘compassion’) and li (‘ritual’ or ‘propriety’). He hoped to create the ideal, superior man (junzi) and thereby facilitate a just society.

Confucius’s teachings were highly influential across China and large areas of east Asia for almost two millennia before this 1691 work offered English readers their first introduction to his philosophical approach. It provides an account of Confucius’s life and times, as well as 80 of his maxims.
 
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Price HK$ 21,000



Moonchild. A Prologue - Aleister Crowley

1929 - The Mandrake Press, London - First Edition
Moonchild remains Aleister Crowley’s most famous fictional work, an entertaining tale of rival magickal lodges with numerous derogatory, (and often thinly disguised) pen portraits of colleagues, friends and enemies, many of whom were based on the members of Crowley’s fascinating inner circle during the 1920s, such as Mahatera Phang, largely thought to represent dancer and artist Isadora Duncan. 
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Price HK$ 4,000



Robertson of Irvine - Poet-Preacher - Arthur Guthrie

1890 - Ardrossan, London - Second Edition
A finely bound copy, illustrated with engraved frontispiece portrait and calotype plate of Trinity Church, Irvine from a photograph.

William Bruce Robertson (1820-86), Scottish divine, was born at Greenhill, St. Ninians, Stirling, 24 May, 1820, and was educated at the University of Glasgow and at the Secession Theological Hall, Edinburgh, where he made the acquaintance of Thomas de Quincey, and on his recommendation went to the University of Halle and studied under Friedrich Tholuck.

After travelling in Italy and Switzerland he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Stirling and Falkirk in 1843, and was soon after ordained at the United Secession Church (after 1847, the United Presbyterian Church) in Irvine, Ayrshire. In this charge he remained for 35 years, exercising from his pulpit a truly magnetic influence.’
 
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Price HK$ 1,500



The Ancient Sun Kingdoms of the Americas - Victor Wolfgang von Hagen, Alberto Beltr

1961 - The World Publishing Company, Cleveland & - First Edition
A large Aztec history handsomely bound by Bayntun, with delightful illustrations throughout by Alberto Beltrán, and four examples of Nikolas Murray’s creative colour photography (each with loose tissue guard).

Featuring art and architecture from Pre-Columbian Mexico, Meso and South America. Aztec, Maya, Inca, Teotihuacan and other cultures. The illustrations include pyramids, temples, sculpture, textiles, masks, terra cotta, jade, gold, metal work, architecture. TO the rear is a detailed chronology and bibliography.
 
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Price HK$ 6,000



Popular Romances of the West of England; or, The Drolls, Traditions, and Superstitions of Old Cornwall - Robert Hunt (editor)

1865 - John Camden Hotten, London - First Edition
Two finely bound volumes of these magnificent collections of Cornish fairy tales, superstitions and traditions, 117 in the first series and 220 in the second series, to be read by firelight on a cold winter evening, or actually even in the height of summer...

What makes this set unique are the additional engraved plates that have been stunningly bound in by Bayntun of Bath, originally containing two engravings by Cruikshank, this set adds another 108 relevant older engravings (18 of which are hand-coloured) and two maps (one of which is hand-coloured).
 
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Price HK$ 11,000



Voodoo Fire in Haiti - Richard A. Loederer

1935 - Jarrolds Publishers London Limited, London - First Edition in English
‘The drums took on a different rhythm, rattling out a sharp staccato message, accompanied by the heavy pounding of the bass. Faster and faster flew the feet of the dancers as they whirled round the fire. Their smooth muscles writhed and cramped as under the blows of an invisible whip.’

From his steamer voyage from Jazz Age New York to Cap Haitien to his punishing trek through the island's interior jungle to a rapt, yet fearful, attendance at an authentic voodoo ceremony, Loederer captures the sights, sounds, and sensations of this mysterious Caribbean republic.

A selection of the magnificent chapter headings tell all... Congo Bean Stew; Massacre River; Jungle Magic; Tropical Fever; Polychromata; Black Magic; Voodoo Fire.

Illustrated by fifty one of the author's own art deco-style woodcuts, and his wonderful piratical map of Haiti used for the endpapers, which only add to the exotic appeal.
 
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Price HK$ 3,000



The Masonic Offering, A Gift for All Seasons. Faith, Hope, Charity. - Rev. John Perry, Paschal Donaldson (editors)

1854 - Lamport, New York - First Edition
An ornately bound first edition of thus remarkable book featuring a selection of Masonic stories, histories, poems, and guidance, illustrated with eight full page lithographic pates and wonderful chromolithograph (colour) title page.

Scarce in such nice condition.
 
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Price HK$ 7,500