17th Century Literature

Butler, Samuel. "Hudibras. The First Part. Written in the time of the late Wars". [4], 268 pages. First Authorized Edition, first issue, with "Saint" in imprint spelled out in full; errata is present, lacking the imprimatur leaf (dated Nov. 11, 1662), and all textual errors uncorrected. London: Printed by J.G. for Richard Marriot, 1663. [bound with] "Hudibras. The Second Part. By the Author of the First". [4], 216 pages. Also, third part dated 1678. Bound in exceptionally fine binding and in very good condition with the bookplates of Daniel Henry Holmes, an avid book collector. This edition certainly is one of the rarest being that it is a first issue. A pirate copy came out the year before in 1662 and all proceeds from the sale of the book by the thief were recovered by Butler. Collation is as follows: [2 blank], TP, A3-8, B8-I8, K-R8, 2nd TP, B-I8, K-O8, P4, 3rd TP, A-I8, K-R8, S7, [2 Blank].Hudibras by Samuel Butler is a critique of the English Civil War and pokes at the Puritans and their military… Read More

London: Henry Eversden, 1661. First Edition . Full Calf. Very Good +. 15.2 Cm High. (32), 250, (6). Page 220 Mis-Numbered 200. Attractively Bound In Full Calf, Four Bands, Morocco Spine Label, Gilt Rules And Blindstamped Embellishments In Compartments, Gilt Rules And Blindstamped Embellishments On Covers, Watered Endpapers And Edges, Newer Free Endpapers, Complete But Without The Half-Title. Faded Ink Initials "Eb" On Title Pages With A Few Additional Mark P/7G And 10. Bookplate Of A University, Note At Rear Indicating Accession In 1923, Morocco Book Label "Ex-Libris Moncure Biddle" Overlapping The Earlier University Bookplate, Pencil Signature Dated 1952, Clipping Of Notice Of The Sale Of The Moncure Biddle Library In 1952, And Pencil Note At Rear Noting Purchase Of Book At Auction In 1952. Long Scholarly Note On Front Endpaper, In Full: "This Is An Extremely Rare, And At The Same Time Curious Work, For Which I Searched With Much Assiduity, Before I Was Lucky Enough To… Read More

London: Robert Barker...by the Assignes of John Bill, 1633. Very Early Elizabethan Printing. Tooled leather. Very Good +/Custom Case. 12mo, original tooled leather 17th century binding, engraved frontispiece, very closely cut borders, all edges gilded, original green silk page divider, [viii blank] + ~ 524 + [vi blank] pages. THE NEW TES_/ TAMENT / Of our Lord and / S A V I O V R / - Jesus Christ Newly translated out of the / Originall Grrek : and / with the former transla- / tions diligently compared / and revised , by his Maie- / sties special commande- / ment. ---------------------------- Imprinted at London / By Robert Barker, Printer / to the Kings most Excel- / lent Majesty, and by / the Assignes of John Bill, 1633. Cum privilegia. A GEM! In an original tooled leather binding, no less. Beautiful clear type. Minimal wear. Some pages so closely cropped by the printer that the chapter headings at the top have been partially excised, though not the text. In order to ensure its… Read More

Original Shakespeare leaf from FIRST FOLIO. Troylus and Cressida
This is an original leaf. It is NOT a reproduction, photocopy, poster or later impression. This leaf was salvaged from a woefully derelict copy of the First Folio, printed in London in 1623, and was part of a small collection of leaves formed in England in the early 20th century. I am offering it exactly as it was found in the collection.
This leaf was compared to the same leaf in the Brandeis copy to verify accuracy of description.
All the text is complete. There is some folding and marginal tearing as seen in the pictures but no loss of text. We have left it as found and have not unfolded or done any restoration. A bit of fingerstaining appears in the margin, especially in the corners where the actors turned the pages. Edges are frayed with some edge-browning as seen in the illustrations. This was a working volume! There is some mild soiling, mostly from ingrained dust. This leaf is entirely original as found in the collection and has… Read More

Paris: Chez Barrie Frères and George Barrie & Son, [1891]. First Thus; Astral Edition. Full leather. Very good. Louis Leloir; Maurice Leloir; Jacques Leman; Edward Heduouin. Scarce (one copy in Worldcat). A exquisitely bound, very good first thus, limited edition in full crushed Levant morocco leather with gold tooling. Number 35 of 100 copies on Japan Vellum paper that were offered by subscription only. Binding is sturdy and square. All edges in brilliant gilt. Marbled endpapers. Over 150 engravings, some colored, all with captioned tissue guards. Original title pages to each play are reproduced in French. Text in English. Heavy rubbing to all joints, with dye transferring to one's fingers from rubbed joints. Rubbed corners. Still a lovely and prestigious set, even with the flaws noted below. Quarto, 9 x 12 inches tall. Illustrations by Mm. Louis Leloir, Maurice Leloir, Jacques Leman [and] Edmond Hedouin Heavy set will require additional postage billed at actual… Read More

1696 Thevenot Voyages Curious CHINA Ethiopia MAPS Jeronimo Lobo MEXICO Spain
Malechisedech Thevenot was a 17th-century French historian, known for an extensive list of scholarship. One of his best works was 'Relations de Divers Voyages Curieux' – a collection of descriptions of various world discoveries.
Notable contents found in this book include:
·
Chinese Empires: Xanxi, Xangtung, Honan, Sushuen, Kiangsi, Kinagnan, Quangtung,
·
Japanese Empires
·
Ethiopian history, lower and upper Ethiopia
·
Giovanni Grueber in China
·
Life of Confucius
·
Voyages of Jerónimo Lobo
·
History of Mexico and Spanish voyages in Central America
·
Portuguese conquests in the orient
This highly valuable and extremely desirable volume contains 15 full-page and double-page engravings, illustrations that are known to be extracted and framed. It is incredibly rare to find these illustrations still intact in the book itself.
Item number: #21339
Price: $3500… Read More

1691 ENGLISH 1ed Essays Thomas Pope Blount Philosophy Education Humanism Deism
Sir Thomas Pope Blount was a 17th-century was an English author known for his essays and collection biographical sketches and bibliographical repertoire lists. One of Blount's many works was his collection of essays, published under the title "Essays on Several Subjects". In these essays, Blount writes on good and effective education, on the interests of priests, being 'slaved' to the opinions of the ancients, on humane knowledge, and much more.
Item number: #22666
Price: $2500
BLOUNT, Thomas Pope
Essays on several subjects
London: printed for Richard Bently, 1691. First edition.
Details:
· Collation: Complete with all pages
o [6], 179, [1]
· References: Wing B 3348
· Provenance: Armorial bookplate – Sr. Richard Grosvenor
o Richard Grosvenor, 1st Earl Grosvenor (1731–1802), known as Sir Richard Grosvenor, 7th Baronet was a British peer, racehorse owner and art collector. He is remembered for his shifting allegiances… Read More

1639 Architecture ROMAN RUINS Engravings Duperac Colosseum Vestigi Roma RARE
Étienne Dupérac was a famous 16th-century French engraver who is primarily remembered for his illustrated portrayals of ancient Roman ruins. "Ì vestigi dell'antichita di Roma" is a collection of engravings depicting iconic buildings and ruins from ancient Rome including:
· Arch of Constantine
· The Colosseum
· The Baths of Titus
· Pyramid of Cestius
· Castrense Amphitheatre
· Acqua Marcia fountain
· Mausoleum of Augustus
· Castel Sant'Angelo
· Bridge of St Bartholomew
These folio engravings are some of the most desirable illustrations of Roman ruins!
Item number: #24150
Price: $3500
PERAC, Etienne du
Ì vestigi dell'antichita di Roma
In Roma: Appresso Giombatistà de Rossi in Piazza Nauona., 1639.
Details:
· Collation:
o 37 of 40 engravings
Wanting #21, 29, and 40
Includes engraved title page
· Provenance: Bookplate – Francisco Guasch Homs
o Francisco Guasch Homs (or Francesc Guasch, 1861-1923) was a… Read More

1677 FAMED 1ed Raphael ART Vatican Frescoes Pope Sixtus Renaissance Woodcuts
Raphael was one of the most famous and important Italian painters of the Renaissance. Most of his work is still regularly appreciated and studied in museums all over the world. Though, perhaps the most famous collection of Raphael paintings is in the Vatican museum, where spaces now known as the Raphael Rooms feature exquisite full-wall frescoes of his artwork.
Italian engraver Pietro Saint Bartoli published a series of engravings of Raphael's frescoes in the 17th-century. The plates themselves feature the text 'Vaticani Palatii Xystis', referring to the Vatican palace under Pope Sixtus IV who constructed portions of the Vatican for art such as the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Library.
Bartoli's collection of Raphael engravings was dedicated to Cardinal Carlo Massimo following his death in 1677 – a collection of 43 stunning oblong folio illustrations!
Item number: #24140
Price: $3500
RAPHAEL Urbino
Eminentissimo Ac… Read More

1697 ART Albrecht DURER Human Anatomy Proportion Drawing Illustrated ENGLISH

Albrecht Durer was a famous 15th-century painter and humanist. His engravings have become some of the most desirable Renaissance illustrations and have been repeatedly analyzed and studied by landscape and human-form artists. One of Durer's best written works was his instructional treatise on human proportion. This work provided direction on how to accurate draw the human form, both male and female figures and all parts of the body. "On Human Proportion" was one of the leading works of its kind even into the 18th-century.

This 1697 edition of Durer's "Human Proportion" was published in London and features 19 impressive full-page engravings, each with dozens of figures and examples. This particular edition is exceedingly rare! A must have!

Item number: #23260
Price: $2500

DURER, Albrecht

Albert Durer revived: or, a book of drawing, limning, washing or colouring of maps and prints: and the art of painting

London: Printed… Read More

London: London: Printed by J. Macock [and H. Hills], for John Martyn, Henry Herringman, Richard Marriot, 1679. Full leather. Very Good. Marshall, William. First edition thus; folio; [10], 280, 279-578, 557, [1]pp. In period style nineteenth century full panelled calf (with only the lightest of wear), spine with five raised spine bands, gilt lettered red morocco spine label to second compartment, blind decoration to remaining compartments. Complete with portrait frontispiece. Catalogue of Plays on A4 with early ink page numbers added, short closed tear to leaf 3C1 not affecting text and leaf 3N1 touching a few letters without loss, small burn hole on leaf 3O3 not affecting text, small and mainly marginal wormhole to final few leaves just touching the odd letter, very occasional light spots and stains with unobtrusive feint damp stain to inner margin of final few quires, without 4A4 (blank leaf). Overall a very attractive example. The first collection of Beaumont and Fletcher's plays appeared in 1647;… Read More

1627 Soldiers Grammar 1ed Markham WAR Battle Formation Weapons Military Tactics

Gervase Markham, a 17th-century English poet, was a well-known horse trainer and breeder. However, aside from his poems and books on horses, Markham published a military training manual for soldiers – 'The Soldiers Grammar'. This work provided instructions for soldiers and officers alike with specific direction given on:
· Military surgeons and medical operations
· Drummers and musicians in military bands
· Directions for quarter-masters
· Army treasurers on finances
· Politics of battle
· Battle formation – varieties and shapes, purposes
o The windmill battle formation for 50,000 men and horses
· Understanding opinions of new soldiers and old soldiers
· Battle ground observations

This 1627 first edition of Markham's "Second part of the Soldiers Grammar" is considerably valuable, much in part to the exquisite folding plates and woodcut illustrations of… Read More

1649 ELEPHANT FOLIO Martin Luther BIBLE German Biblia Illustrated MAPS Noah Ark
A rare ENORMOUS 17th-century Martin Luther German Holy Bible printed in Nurnberg. Luther Bibles have always maintained their popularity throughout the centuries both in German and non-German speaking areas, and this particular example is no exception. This Nurnberg edition was published by Christoph Endters and features both the Old and New Testaments along with the Apocryphal books. Though, it should be noted that aside from the size of this tome, the stunning full-page engravings make this edition highly desirable!
Item number: #24290
Price: $2950
LUTHER, Martin [Holy Bible transl.]
Biblia, Das ist, Die gantze H. Schrifft, Altes und Newes Testaments Teutsch, D. Martin Luthers: Auff gnädige Verordnung deß
Nürnberg: Christoph Endters, 1649.
Details:
· Collation: Complete with all pages
o Old Testament/Apocrypha – [38], 11 leaves, [66], 1118
o New Testament – [2], 416, [28]
o Illustrated throughout
5 double-page… Read More

1676 Dapper CHINA Hong Kong Spanish Portuguese JESUIT Missions Illustrated RARE
Olfert Dapper was an important 17th-century Dutch physician who made his name from his geography books, even though he never left the Netherlands. He published important histories of Asia and Africa, with the most important perhaps being his description of Kangxi Emperor and the Qing Dynasty. It includes information on 17th-century Portuguese and Spanish Jesuit missions in China and Hong Kong including Alvaro Semedo in Guangzhou. The impressive illustrations throughout this work make it highly desirable.
Item number: #24409
Price: $2,950
DAPPER, Olfert
Gedenkwürdige Verrichtung Der Niederländischen Ost-Indischen Gesellschaft in dem Käiserreich Taising oder Sina, durch ihre Zweyte Gesandtschaft An den Unter-könig Singlamong Und Feld-herrn Taising Lipoui Ausgeführet durch Joan van Kampen, und Constantin Nobel
Amsterdam: Jacob von Meurs, 1676. 1st Dutch edition
Details:
· Collation:
o Gedenkwürdige Verrichtung… Read More

1676 Henry Coley ASTROLOGY Kepler Rudolphine Tables Brahe Star Charts Astronomy
Henry Coley was a 17th-century English astrologer who is remembered for his book "Clavis Astrologiae Elimata" – a survey of the entirety of astrology. As might be expected from a 17th-century astrology text, this book covers:
· aspects and behaviors of the planets
o names, characters, orbs, latitudes, natures, signs, etc.
· adding and subtracting astronomical fractions
· the 12 divisions of the heavens
· astrological axioms and rational experiences
· using astrology to answer fortune telling and prophecy
o on marriage, on being bewitched, etc
· Trigonometry – direction and doctrine
· Johannes Kepler's "Rudolphine Tables"
o Star catalogues, planetary tables, used to identify the position of the planets and other heavenly bodies in the solar system. Taken from Tycho Brahe.
Item number: #24967
Price: $2500
COLEY, Henry
Clavis astrologiae elimata : or A key to the whole art of astrology new filed and polished. In… Read More