Here is an irresistible item for Shakespeare collectors: Miscellaneous Papers and Legal Instruments under the seal of William Shakspear: including the tragedy of King Lear, and a small fragment of Hamlet, from the original mss. in the possession of Samuel Ireland... This must have seemed unbelievable - an actual fragment of Shakeseare's Hamlet manuscript. It was. Samuel Ireland was a fraud. He even "discovered" a new Shakespeare play never seen before (not even by Shakespeare). Ireland still had his share of believers at the time this book was published (1796), but many were beginning to question the authenticity of his finds. In time, Ireland would be forced by the evidence to admit his fraud. Item 3. £225 (US $440).

Among those who have, over the ages, devoted themselves to building a better mouse trap was Robert Smith. You can read all about it in The Universal Directory for taking alive and destroying Rats, and all other Kinds of four-footed and winged Vermin... For a look at his contraption, pictured inside his 1786 book, click the thumbnail image at the top of this page. Item 302. £350 (US $684).

Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers may be reached at 020-7631-4220 or books@jarndyce.co.uk. Their website is www.jarndyce.co.uk.