Search Results: Titles starting with I from Hordern House Rare Books

Paris: at the author's expense, and Strasbourg, Amand Koenig; [part 2 also Turin and Frankfurt; part 3 Paris, Huzard, only], 1809. Uncut edges dusty, a few plates loose; overall very good.. Three parts bound together, quarto, pp. 22, 18, 16, with 30 engraved plates. ten to each part; uncut, stitched in contemporary plain wrappers. Rare and important early work by the notable French naturalist and explorer. Publication of this fundamental work, begun in 1791, would not be completed until two final parts appeared in 1812, the delay a direct result of Labillardière's involvement in the D'Entrecasteaux expedition in search of La Pérouse, and his commitment to writing the narrative of the voyage. Labillardière published three major floras: this botany of Syria, published in five parts over the 21 years between 1791 and 1812, bookended his magnificent Novae Hollandiae plantarum specimen (Paris, two volumes, 1804-06), the highly important first general flora of Australia. He also published a flora of… Read More

Padova: Tipografia e Fonderia, 1819-, 1820. 12 volumes, octavo, a fresh fine set in the original printed blue paper wrappers, some wear at spines and evidence of earlier tape repairs, early Milanese bookseller's advertisement to front, very good. A most appealing set of the uncommon Italian translation of Dumont de Courset's important work of botanical instruction. The existence of an Italian edition is firm evidence of the centrality of Le Botaniste Cultivateur in European practice, and shows clearly the enduring impact of the Parisian gardens, notably Malmaison and Dumont de Courset's own garden at Boulogne-sur-Mer. Le Botaniste Cultivateur was de Courset's magnum opus, a sweeping study of the subject which, among much of interest, included a long account of the gardens at Malmaison, a discussion of the latest news from London, right through to comments on the cost of exotic plants and hints on how to grow them. Particularly noteworthy is his extensive list of plants, which gives the best and most… Read More

A Londra, 1770. Rather worn and stained but nonetheless attractive.. Octavo, xvi, 104 pp.; a fine uncut copy in original soft boards, owner's inscription 'Girolamo Gherardini' on title. Extremely rare Italian translation of Bricaire de la Dixmerie's fictional letter, purporting to be written by the Tahitian Aoutourou to his friends in France. Aoutourou had sailed to France in 1769 with Bougainville where he became a sensation, in much the same way that Omai would become a lion of British society a few years later: not only was Bricaire de la Dixmerie's book the first full publication on Tahiti ever published, but its subject (and supposed author) Aoutourou was still living in Paris as it came off the presses. Bricaire de la Dixmerie (1731-1791) published on everything from his friend Voltaire to life in Spain, but took a particular interest in fantastic travel. Well-connected and well-regarded, he was also a member of the famous Les Neufs Sœurs, the Masonic Lodge where he would have met everyone… Read More

Paris, 1822. Engraving, 240 x 320mm (proof state before plates numbered). Weapons and armour recorded by French explorers from inhabitants of the north coat of Timor, bordered by the Ombai Strait; this is a rare example of a proof impression, printed before plate number has been added, of an engraving from the Louis de Freycinet account of the voyage of the Uranie. It was ultimately published as plate no. 35 in the Atlas Historique, Voyage autour du monde. .

Paris: Arthus Bertrand, 1843. Some moderate foxing, binding a little rubbed and bumped.. Octavo, with four maps (two folding); contemporary green quarter roan. Scarce and important work on the Marquesas by Vincendon-Dumoulin, the eminent French scientist who travelled as hydrographer on Dumont d'Urville's second expedition to the Pacific and was responsible for much of the published narrative of the expedition following d'Urville's premature death. Vincendon-Dumoulin's book is usually cited as one of the chief sources for our history of the Marquesas in the post-discovery period, especially valuable since it is at least partly based on direct personal observation. Dumont d'Urville's secretary, César Desgraz, helped him with the compilation and is credited as co-author on the title-page. Additional information, including ethnological updates, is included in the sub-chapter titled 'Notice phrenologique et ethnologique sur les naturels de l'archipel Nouka-Hiva' by Pierre Marie Dumoutier, a… Read More

Paris, 1828. A little rubbed and toned, two small closed tears affect one blank margin (image entirely unaffected); yet a very good copy overall.. Engraved plate measuring 320 x 235 mm. (plate size). Early proof version (before number) of a splendid engraving made for the official publication of the Uranie voyage: it would appear in the Atlas Historique of Louis de Freycinet's Voyage autour du monde. Duperrey, who would later command his own voyage, travelled as marine hydrologist under Freycinet's command. The image shows tools, sandals, outrigger canoes and blades for everyday use from the Marianas group of Islands (including Guam), a part of the present-day Micronesian Federation. It also illustrates the famous Flying Proa and Galadie, two outriggers of the region. .

Rouen, 1500. Illuminated leaf, 166 x 112 mm., panel border on each side of the leaf composed of blue and gold acanthus, coloured flowers on hair-line stems; 4-line initial in dark red and heightened in grey and white on a liquid gold panel enclosing a coloured flower, three 1-line initials in liquid gold on blue or red grounds; 20 lines of text in an accomplished lettre bâtarde, ruled in red; outer edge of border trimmed. A fine leaf from a French Book of Hours with illumination typical of the Rouen scriptoria of this period. The text of the prayers is in French, indicating that this Book of Hours was produced for the local market and not intended for export. The exquisite 4-line initial 'D', which is intricately worked with white tracery and a red rose, introduces Les Sept Requestes. .

Rouen, 1480. Illuminated leaf, 182 x 116 mm., with an exquisite panel border on both sides of blue and gold acanthus leaves with unusual orange and red flowers on the verso and red and white flowers on the recto, with ten 1-line initials and two 2-line initials in red and blue, 18 lines of text in a lettre bâtarde; small stain in upper right margin of vers,o slight perforation in fourth line of text from the bottom, else very good. A delightfully decorated leaf from a French Book with fine panel borders, typical of the work of the Rouen illumination workshops of the late fifteenth century. The leaf comes from the Matins service in the "Hours of the Virgin"; the illuminated 'Q' on the recto begins the hymn 'Quen terra ponthus...'. .

Melbourne, 1885. Light spotting to the certificate and moiré silk doublure; well preserved in fine condition.. Large folio-sized presentation album framing lithographed and hand-painted illuminated manuscript address, 435 x 315 mm, ink and watercolour, two large initials gilt with red and blue foliate decoration, and initials alternating red and blue, with moiré silk doublure, by Charles Troedel; dark tan grained morocco with four perforated brass corner fittings and a medallion metal centerpiece. This handsome illuminated address was commissioned by the Deutscher Verein or German Association of Victoria on behalf of the German population of "we Germans who live abroad", to pay homage to the "Iron Chancellor", Otto von Bismarck, on his 70th birthday (on the 1st April 1885) and for 50 years "in service of the Fatherland". Dedicated to His Highness Prince Otto von Bismarck, the address is signed by Hermann William Puttmann (1840-1914), as President of the Association and by the Secretary Ernest… Read More

Northern France: probably Rouen, c., 1480. Illuminated leaf on vellum, 200 x 140 mm., 23 1-line initials, decorative side panel on each side of the page; 15 lines of text in a liturgical gothic hand; in excellent condition, preserved in a folding case. A fine illuminated leaf in excellent condition, with an attractive border with roses and acanthus leaves. The delicacy and style of the decoration indicates that it was created in a Rouen illumination workshop. Rouen was one of the leading centres of illumination in Europe in the fifteenth century. .

Northern France (probably Paris), 1500. In excellent condition.. Illuminated leaf, 215 x 139 mm., with an illuminated panel border on each side of the leaf, one 2-line initial, eleven 1-line initial and nine line-fillers, 18 lines of neat gothic bookhand. A beautifully illuminated leaf from a French Book of Hours with all the hallmarks of Paris- or Rouen work at the end of the 1400s. On the verso, the decorative panel border features a spikey-haired grotesque with a ruddy snout, happily playing a flute and a drum. The panel border on the recto is composed of blue and gold acanthus and coloured flowers and leaves in roundels of liquid gold. .

Paris or Rouen, 1495. Illuminated leaf, 215 x 152 mm., with a panel border on both sides of the leaf composed of blue and gold acanthus leaves and coloured flowers and leaves on diagonal grounds of liquid gold, illuminated initials in white tracery on pink grounds, and numerous 1-line initials in gold alternately on red and blue grounds, naturalistic branch line fillers; 27 lines of text in gothic script. A beautifully illuminated leaf from a luxurious fifteenth-century French Book of Hours. This leaf is from the shorter version of the central text of the Book of Hours, modelled on the Divine Office and performed at the eight canonical hours of the day and which was called the "Little Office of the Blessed Virgin" (or Hours of the Virgin). The panel border on each side of the leaf is composed of fields of blue and gold acanthus leaves interspersed with mauve, red, blue and white flowers on zig-zag grounds of liquid gold. Additionally, there are four 2-line initials in white on pink grounds; five… Read More

France, 1480. In very good condition.. Illuminated leaf, 182 x 118 mm., with a panel border of liquid gold on one side and red ground on the other, nine 1-line and two 2-line initials in red and blue and gold, eighteen lines of text;. A well-illuminated leaf from a French Book of Hours with an unusual panel border of red, blue and pink flowers on a liquid gold ground on one side and on a red ochre ground on the other. The leaf is from the Book of the Virgin, the Hour of Sext (the sixth hour), which was recited around noon. The illuminated initial 'N' begins Psalm 123 which appears here in full, 'Nisi quia dominus erat in nobis, dicat nunc Israel: nisi quia dominus erat in nobis' ('But that our Lord was in us, let Israel now say: but that our Lord was in us'). On the verso is the commencement of Psalm 124, 'Qui confidunt in Domino...' ('They that trust in the Lord...'). .

Paris or Rouen, 1500. Slight marginal stain otherwise in fine condition.. Illuminated leaf, 215 x 139 mm., with a panel border on both sides of the leaf composed of blue and gold acanthus and coloured flowers and leaves on shaped grounds of liquid gold, three 2-line initials in pink with white tracery, naturalistic branch line fillers, 24 lines of text in gothic script. A beautifully illuminated leaf from a luxurious fifteenth-century French Book of Hours. This leaf is from the central text of the Book of Hours, the "Little Office of the Blessed Virgin" (or Hours of the Virgin), which was modelled on the Divine Office and represents a shorter version of the devotions performed at the eight canonical hours of the day. The panel border on each face of the page is composed of blue and gold acanthus leaves alternating with mauve, red, blue and white flowers on shaped grounds of liquid gold. The text contains three 2-line initials in white on pink grounds, one single-line initial in liquid gold on red… Read More

Rouen, 1500. Outer edge of border slightly trimmed, otherwise in very good condition.. Illuminated leaf, 166 x 112 mm., panel border on each side of the leaf composed of blue and gold acanthus, coloured flowers, fruits and leaves; 15 1-line initials in dark red and blue alternately. Fine leaf from a French Book of Hours with a typical Rouen decorative border of acanthus leaves, flowers and fruits, on both sides of the leaf. .

London: George Routledge and Sons, 1868-, 1876. A fine set in the original bindiungs. Four volumes, quarto, each with numerous wood engraving; a finely bound set in contemporary half calf, marbled boards, gilt. This is an attractively bound and profusely illustrated work illustrated throughout with original woodcuts intended for a wide reading audience in the Victorian period. John George Wood (1827-1889) an ordained priest was from the 1850's an active and popular natural historian; The Illustrated Natural History was his first book originally published in 1851. Wood's appeal as a populariser of natural history was spotted by the publisher George Routledge who promoted his work throughout the second half of the nineteenth century including this set of The Illustrated Natural History, which appeared in a number of editions. Future naturalists were said to have been inspired by reading these books at an early age. Many of the entries cover Australia and the Pacific region. .

Parramatta: 29 April, 1831. Very good.. Two-page autograph letter by Marsden, on watermarked paper, 325 x 200 mm., original red wax seal, old folds; stamp for the Parramatta post office. A letter from the ageing but indefatigable Marsden to the pastoralists' agent George Ranken, agreeing to terms, presumably for the leasing of a property. In his tenure as Chaplain to the Colony and incumbent of St John's Parramatta, Marsden had become a wealthy man and a considerable landowner. A controversial figure in New South Wales, he had answered his sharpest critics, Governor Macquarie and William Wentworth, in his An Answer to Certain Calumnies in the Late Governor Macquarie's Pamphlet, and the Third Edition of Mr. Wentworth's Account of Australasia (London, 1826). In New Zealand, Marsden was not such a polarising figure: although stern and pious he had shown great energy in the establishment of the first school and opposing trade in arms. This letter is written after his sixth and penultimate visit there… Read More

Cologne: Eucharius Cervicornus, 1521. A very attractive copy; a few leaves with a single small wormhole.. Folio, title within an ornate woodcut border; fine woodcut map of the world and several woodcut diagrams, woodcut initials; nineteenth-century continental binding of half calf, flat spine gilt in compartments. An important early edition of Macrobius, the first to be edited by Arnoldus Vesaliensis (the classicist Arnold Haldrein of Wesel). This is a handsome edition, folio in size with an illustrated title-page and with many fine woodcuts and initials throughout, including a large and further developed, version of the famous Macrobian world map. One of the very earliest world maps, this half-page woodcut depicts a world split into two - Europe and the balancing Antipodes - and surrounded by ocean at the edges. This remarkable image, which survived by manuscript transmission from the fifth century into the age of printing, had a strong and lingering effect on post-Renaissance and pre-discovery… Read More

Brescia: Boninus de Boninis, 1483. Closed marginal tear to gutter of ai, closed marginal tear to lower margin aii, aiv-aviii with neat marginal annotations in an early hand in Greek and Latin.. Small folio (302 x 198mm), 191 leaves (initial blank leaf discarded), with seven diagrams and a world map within the text; capital spaces blank; a fine, large copy in handsome Regency russia leather, sides richly tooled in gilt and blind with anthemion and scroll motifs, spine lettered in gilt and stamped in blind and gilt in compartments, all edges gilt, with lavender endpapers, by S. Ridge, of Grantham, with his ticket; Syston Park bookplates (see below). A superb copy of this great and rare book, from the library at Syston Park, with the first appearance in print of the famous Macrobian world map, the most influential of all pre-Renaissance views of the world, including an antipodean, southern continent. Printed in Brescia, in the first decade of printing there, this strikingly handsome production is the… Read More

Paris: Chamerot et Renouard, 1893. Some edge wear.. Quarto, 64 pp.; a very good unopened copy in the original grey titling wrappers. Publication commemorating the inauguration of the statue erected to honour the eminent French physicist and astronomer François Jean Dominique Arago (1786-1853). The bronze statue was built on the meridian line of the Paris Observatory, of which he had been director, but sadly it was melted down for the war effort in 1942. This collection of seven articles discusses not only Arago's scientific discoveries but also his political and humanitarian achievements which included the abolition of slavery in French colonies. François Arago was one of nine children. His younger brother Jacques Étienne Victor Arago (1799-1855) was the official artist on the French circumnavigation in the Uranie under the command of Louis de Freycinet, which spent considerable time in Hawaii as well as New South Wales and Western Australia. .