Rare books from Wadard Books PBFA

London: Thomas McLean, 1828 It is most unusual that we should have two copies of such a scarce title in stock at the same time. Georgian humour at its worst but never-the-less a rare opportunity for any serious collector of English caricature.This copy is bright and clean throughout and the sheets have no defects. 40 hand coloured plates with variations to the running order above. The front pastedown bears the small circular label of H&M Massey By Appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales 41 Park Street Grosvenor Square W.

London: C.Cooke, 1793 Undated circa 1793. The content based on information received up until 1793. 6+990pp+2 - 88 plates, 22 maps. Whilst the scope purports to be the genuine history and description of the Whole World, such was the importance of Cook's discoveries that the first 106pp incorporating 25 plates and three maps is taken up with Cook's voyages. To this is included a particular description of the improved state of the New Colony formed at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island, where the convicts are now settled, and an account of the excursions and discoveries made in the interior parts of New Holland. Altogether this is a gargantuan production with stunning plates and maps. Contemporary full calf, superbly rebacked with the original spine relaid. Photographs available on request.

London: Whitmore and Fenn, 1820 The Naval Chronology of Great Britain or an historical account of the Naval and Maritime events from the commencement of the War in 1803, to the end of the year 1816. Also particulars of the most inportant Courts-Martial, votes of Parliament, Lists of Flag Officers in Commission and of promotions for each year. A work of invaluable reference on the British Navy during the period of the Napoleonic Wars, and remarkably detailed, using, amongst others, the first hand accounts of officers and sailors involved in the engagements. Many of the plates record events based on the drawings of officers participating in the battles depicted. "The object of this work is, more particularly, to perpetuate the names of those individuals who have, by their talents, courage, and professional abilities, increased the honour and reputation of the British Navy, and secured the peace and independence of the country." 60 coloured plates with plate list at the end of volume three,… Read More

Canterbury: Printed for the Author By Simmons, Kirkby and Jones, 1792 (10) viii, 877pp+6. Two parts bound in one volume as requested in the introduction to the preliminary list of subscribers. Includes also the second and full list of subscribers. All plates present, two only of which misplaced in the binding. A remarkably clean copy with only nominal light foxing to some of the plates.Relatively modern speckled calf and marbled boards by Atkinsons of Salisbury. A first class and complete copy. Included at no extra cost the Foyles receipt showing the sale price in July 1949.

William Faden, 1813 "For the purposes of rendering this new edition of Mr Horwood's Plan of London etc complete and correct as far as the nature of the work would admit, the whole extent of the Plan has been carefully re-surveyed throughout from which examination all the New Buildings, Alterations & other Improvements are now inserted to the present time. This edition has likewise been augmented with eight new copper plates, extending the Plan eastward to the River Lea, thereby comprehending those important commercial objects the London, West India and East India Docks" All 40 sheets A1-K4 plus the index spread housed in cloth hardcovers. Some offsetting otherwise very good throughout. Available to view at our shop premises in Farningham Kent.

London: R.Ackermann, 1828 Picturesque tour of the River Thames illustrated by William Westall and Samuel Owen from original drawings taken on the spot. vi, 172pp gilt edged. 24 full page hand coloured aquatints, 2 vignettes and a folding map of the Thames from Oxford to the mouth, uncoloured. The plates throughout are in fine condition. The blind embossed covers are lightly sunned and the front pastedown carries a withdrawn label from the Essex Institute to whom it was presnted by Mrs Martha Peabody. The Essex Institute is now merged with the Peabody Museum of Salem to form the Peabody Essex Museum. The front end paper bares a Peabody signature.

Canterbury: W.Bristow, 1797 The County of Kent containing the antient and present state of it, civil and ecclesiastical, collected from public records and other authorities. Illustrated with maps, views, antiquities. The second edition, improved , corrected and continued to the present time. 12 volumes 1797-1801 text and plates complete.
Supplied together with a copy of A Scholar and a Gentleman, Shirley Burgoyne Blacks biography of Edward Hasted.

London: Printed and Sold By D.Midwinter, at the Three Crowns in St.Paul's Church-yard, 1719 Dedication, Preface, Ode in praise of Kent, Subcribers list + 592pp. + index xl. Illustrated in total with 44 plates comprising the large folding engraved map of the county with heraldic border together with maps of Thanet x 2, Beacons of Kent and Romney Marsh. 33 surperb double page depictions of the grand houses of Kent by Kip and Badeslade together with a view of Tunbridge Wells all shown as aerial projections. Extra fold outs for the panorama of Rochester plus five singles including the frontis portrait of the author. Early full diced calf binding with the armorial crest of Sir Simon R.B.Taylor (1783-1815) in gilt to the cover and his library plate to the front pastedown. Sometime rebacked with the original spine relaid and the internal hinges strengthened. The edges and corners lightly worn. A handsome volume, scarce, complete and in good order.

London: Printed by William Godbid, 1659 xx, 401pp, folding map. Original boards, sometime rebacked. Modern ex Libris plate to front pastedown but more interesting is a full page in an early calligraphic and very neat hand to the lower pastedown, as yet undeciphered.
Some early but worthy repairs.
Book size 290x190mm

Gravesend: R.Pocock, 1797 A compilation by Pocock selected with accuracy from Topographical Writers and enriched from Manuscripts hitherto un-noticed recording every event that has occurred in the aforesaid town and parishes from the Norman Conquest to the present time (1797)
A bold claim for this very scarce title which should have a place in any comprehensive Kentish collection.
Rebound at some time in half calf with marbled boards.
248pp plus index and subscribers list. 90 subscribers, one with 20 copies = 110
Five plates all of which are aged in various degree, text pages are clean
Size 205x160mm.

London: Edm.Bollifant, 1596 The first English County History written in the year 1570 and first published in 1576. This the second edition increased and altered after the authors own last copy and considered to be the best.
7+588+6 with both the map of England and the folding map of the Beacons in Kent.
Full calf binding sometime, but not recently, nicely rebacked together with marbled end papers. Size 190x145mm.
William Lambarde (1536-1601) was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1556, was a writer on legal subjects but is best known for the Perambulations. He lived in the Manor of St. Clere in Ighham and is buried in the Church of St. Nicolas in Sevenoaks.

Canterbury: Printed for the Author by Simmons and Kirby, 1778 Volumes 1-4, 1778-1799, All maps and plates complete as called for.
Burgundy roan with marbled boards. A really fine set and one of the jewels in the crown for any Kentish collection.
Supplied together with a complimentary copy of A Scholar and a Gentleman, Edward Hasted the Historian of Kent, the biography by Shirley Burgoyne Black published in 2001.
Shipping free in the UK, overseas by quotation.

See also Wadard Books entry in this section for the second edition, Octavo, in twelve volumes

Oxford in the High Street: W. Jackson, 1754 xvi, 413pp. 24 full page engraved plates, one folding inclusive of the frontis and a map of the County of Cornwall and the Scilly Islands.
The content consisting of several essays on the first inhabitants, Druid superstition, customs, and remains of the most remote antiquity, in Britain and the British Isles: exemplify'd and prov'd by monuments now extant in Cornwall and the Scilly Islands, faithfully drawn on the spot, and engraved according to their scales annex'd.
A summery of the Religious, Civil and Military State of Cornwall before the Norman Conquest illustrated by the plans and elevations of several ancient castles, an eastern view of the Monastery and site of St. Michael's Mount and a vocabulary of the Cornu-British language.

A good quality half calf and marbled rebind sometime in the mid 20th century.
Book size 355x230mm

B.Benson Bensons Library, D. Bogue London & R.Innes Funchal Madeira, 1844 A very accomplished panoramic drawing by this gifted and well connected lady executed in the tinted style of lithography by L.Haghe Esq. Lithographer to the Queen. Linen backed with two folds measuring 294x1154mm. Dedicated to Adelaide, Queen Dowager. Text describing the island and its people and products together with an impressive list of subscribers. Cover size 313x428mm landscape

1588 Number four in a series of twenty depicting technology of the time and published in Antwerp between 1580 and 1605. Number four dated circa 1588. Shows the skills at work in book production with compositors to the foreground flanked by the proof reader with spectacles.To the right is the press man supported by the inker behind him.Although they were not 'gentlemen' compositors were literate and therefore allowed to bear arms.A sword and dagger are displayed in the foreground. The British Library copy of this print was presented by Sir Hans Sloane in 1753. Print size 198x262mm The print at some time has been lightly tacked to a stiffer undersheet showing small stains to the lower corners and small closed tears to the top. Interesting and scarce