The Smoker’s Guide, Philosopher and Friend; What to Smoke, What to Smoke With, and the Whole “What’s What” of Tobacco, Historical, Botanical, Manufactural, Anecdotal, Social, Medical, &c., &c., &c. -
1876 - Hardwicke & BogueFirst Edition
“The invention of smoking is one of the most remarkable events in the history of mankind. It seems to be more or less connected with man’s religious instincts. Smoke, Fume, or Perfume of some sort, from the earliest times was an emblem of divine satisfaction. The pagan gods were supposed to sniff and delight in the fume of sacrifice ... and not only was the fume of something burnt offered up in order to please the god whom he worshipped, but man also burnt it to please himself ... one fact is certain - Tobacco came upon civilised man as a conquering hero.” - from the preface.
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The Funny Side of Golf -
c 1909 - “Punch” Office, London - First Edition
A magnificent, large format ( 11" x 9"), compilation of over one hundred and fifty full or half page Punch cartoons. A great gift, and something to amuse should the weather hamper attempts to reach or even find the links.
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Henley Royal Regatta 1939-1968 -
1969 - Stewards of Henley Royal RegattaFirst Edition
A beautifully presented, large format two volume limited edition work. The complete record of Henley for the past thirty years, with notes on its history, constitution and rules. There is also a list of stewards and index of competitors. Illustrated with black and white frontis, 16 photographic plates & diagram of enclosures. A fine set of this important work.
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The Aero Manual -
1909 - Temple Press Limited, London - First Edition
A fascinating look at early flight, including cycloplanes, a list of 11 ‘modern’ aeroplanes, and a fabulous full page frontispiece showing what flight will look like 50 years hence, and explained in detail after the introduction - ‘Broad roads for Motor Traffic bordered with great green swards which serve as landing places for flying machines. the Aero Hotel at Norman Cross has made ample provision in the way of landing space and machine storage. With 150 illustrations, ads to front and rear for flying apparatus from such companies as North British Aeroplane & Balloon Fabrics, John Gaunt’s Cycloplanes, and Handley Page Aeronautical Experts.
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Almanach du Masque d'Or -
1920 - chez Devambez, 23 - Premiere Année
A fine copy of this delightful Almanach. Only 1000 copies were printed and this is numbered 68. There is no copy recorded on the Bibliotheque Nationale online catalogue, though it does have the Almanach for the second and final year, 1922. The illustrations are by Edouard Halouze and include the four plates of the seasons and a series of advertisements for the smartest of shops, including Cartier, and other places of entertainment or indulgence.
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‘A Cruise in an Opium Clipper’ - & - ‘Among Typhoons and Pirate Craft’ - Captain Lindsay Anderson [Alexander Christie]
1891 & 1892 - Chapman and Hall Limited, London - First Editions
‘I take service on board an opium clipper at Shanghai’ -a gripping tale, through the heart of the China Seas in the beautiful and fast opium clipper ‘Eamont’, owned by Dent & Co. Typhoons, wreckers, burning and looting, pirates, escape from hostile natives..... A fascinating picture of the tougher side of trading in the 1800’s and the close competition between the three main Hong Kong trading companies during this period. An extremely scarce pair, in stunning condition.
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Pride And Prejudice - Jane Austen
1894 - George Allen, London - First thus
With a preface by George Saintsbury. Illustrated by Hugh Thomson with 160 drawings.
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Peter Pan and Wendy - J. M. Barrie
1933 - Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York
‘All Children except one, grow up.’ A very pretty larger format production of Peter Pan, with charming illustrations, 9 colour plates and 19 black and white in-text, by Mabel Lucie Attwell.
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