Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - June - 2011 Issue

A New Miscellany from Kenneth Karmiole, Bookseller

A new miscellany.

Kenneth Karmiole, Bookseller, has issued another selection of varied material. This one is New Miscellany #31. It contains primarily a mix of very old European works, with old, though not quite as old, American books. The older items are frequently in Latin and continental languages, the less ancient in English. Subjects vary. Here are just a few.

 

We start with an antiquarian look at ancient history:  Antiquae Romae Topographia, by Bartolomeo Marliani, published in 1534. This consists of seven "books" Marliani wrote about the topography and archeology of ancient Rome. Ancient Rome had been mostly forgotten until the invention of the printing press allowed for publication of research about the ruins that were little understood at the time. The quality of research might be found wanting by today's standards. No one was participating in archeological digs and careful examination at the time. Nonetheless, Marliani was able to bring some basic understanding of the ancient past to his readers. Offered is a first edition of a book that was reprinted numerous times during the 16th century. Item 62. Priced at $2,500.

 

Item 3 is a report on the Ives expedition up the Colorado River in 1857 by the artist and naturalist Heinrich Balduin (Baldwin) Mollhausen. Mollhausen was a German who befriended the great, now older German explorer of America, Alexander von Humboldt. He had already made two journeys to the American West when Joseph Christmas Ives asked him to participate in his exploration of the Colorado. They began at the mouth of the river and worked their way north as far as the Grand Canyon. Mollhausen's illustrations, some of the earliest of the great canyon, were used in Ives' official report as well as some of Mollhausen's own books. After returning to Germany, Mollhausen became a prolific writer, creating both historical accounts and fiction based on the places he had seen. Item 3 is his Resor I Norra Amerikas Klippberg… This is the first Swedish edition (1867) of a book never translated to English. It was published only in German and Swedish. $600.

 

Item 68 is the first English translation of a major work on the conquest of Mexico. Author Bernal Diaz de Castillo accompanied the conquistador Hernan Cortes on his mission to conquer Mexico, and destroy the Aztec empire in the process. Diaz kept a detailed narrative of the events, both from his own experiences and interviewing others. However, he never published his manuscript. Diaz died in 1585, but his manuscript languished in a Madrid library until finally published in 1632. This first edition in English, titled The True History of the Conquest of Mexico…Written in the Year 1568, was published in 1800. $1,000.

 

Item 85 is a work that sounds like it would still be useful today:  The Universal Directory for Taking Alive and Destroying Rats, and all other Kinds of Four-Footed and Winged Vermin… This is a third edition from 1786 by Robert Smith, self-described as "Late Rat-Catcther [sic] to the Princess Amelia." Based on the date and London imprint, this must be the Princess Amelia who was daughter of King George II. Born in 1711, this Amelia died the year this edition was published at the age of 75. She never married, though she was once mentioned as potential wife for the future Prussian King Frederick the Great. His father said no, and Amelia may have suffered a broken heart. At least she didn't suffer from rats. $475.

 

Item 59 is a long-ago look at linguistics:  Remains of Japhet:  Being Historical Enquiries into the Affinity and Origin of the European Languages. James Parsons' treatise was published in 1767. It was once believed that different languages had descended from the sons of Noah, with the precursor to European languages arising from his son Japheth. $450.

 

For almost as long as there have been books, there has been somebody trying to stop you from reading them. The Catholic Church particularly went into the banned book business in the 16th century, after the Reformation. It began publishing lists of books that could not be read without dispensation. Item 19 is one of those Index Librorum Prohibitorum, this the first list published during the papacy of Innocent XI (1681). Then, as now, getting on a banned books list was the best way to get your book read. $1,250.

 

Kenneth Karmiole, Bookseller, Inc., may be reached at 310-451-4342 or Karmbooks@aol.com.

 

Rare Book Monthly

  • Forum Auctions
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    30th November, 2023
    Forum Auctions, Nov. 30: Saint Jerome penitent, woodcut with contemporary hand-colouring and letterpress text beneath, [Augsburg], [Johann Froschauer], [c.1498]. £15,000 to £20,000.
    Forum Auctions, Nov. 30: Elimithar (Elluchasem) "Ibn Butlan". Tacuini sanitatis, first edition, Strasbourg, Johann Schott, 1531. £15,000 to £20,000.
    Forum Auctions, Nov. 30: [Missale Romanum], Latin, Incipit ordo missalis secundum consuetudinem Curiae Romani, manuscript in Latin, on vellum, 234ff. [c. 1400]. £15,000 to £20,000.
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    Forum Auctions, Nov. 30: Foyle copy.- [Shakespeare (William)]. Macbeth. A Tragedy: With all the Alterations, Amendments, Additions, and New Songs. As it is now Acted at the Theatre Royal, for Hen. Herringman, 1687. £5,000 to £7,000.
    Forum Auctions, Nov. 30: Dickens (Charles). A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, first edition, first impression, first issue, Chapman & Hall, 1843. £12,000 to £18,000.
    Forum Auctions, Nov. 30: Lawrence (T.E.) Revolt in the Desert, working draft typescript, 1927. £10,000 to £15,000.
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    Forum Auctions, Nov. 30: Hampstead Bindery.- Phillips (Stephen). Marpessa, exquisitely bound by The Hampstead Bindery, almost certainly P.A. Savoldelli, 1900. £6,000 to £8,000.
    Forum Auctions, Nov. 30: Matisse (Henri).- Joyce (James). Ulysses, one of 1500 copies, this one of 250 signed by the author and artist, New York, The Limited Editions Club, 1935. £8,000 to £12,000.
    Forum Auctions, Nov. 30: Burroughs (Edgar Rice). Tarzan at the Earth's Core, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to his son, New York, 1930. £5,000 to £7,000.
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    Forum Auctions, Nov. 30: Fitzgerald (F. Scott). Tender is the Night, first edition, first printing, signed by the author, New York, 1934. £15,000 to £20,000.
    Forum Auctions, Nov. 30: Fleming (Ian).- Hooks (Mitchell) and David Chasman. Dr. No, British film poster, Stafford & Co Ltd, [1962]. £10,000 to £15,000.
    Forum Auctions, Nov. 30: America.- California.- Palou (Francisco). Relacion Historica de la Vida Y Apostolicas Tareas delVenerable Padre Fray Junipero Serra..., first edition, second issue, 1787. £6,000 to £8,000.
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    Swann, Dec. 7: 17th–19th-century case maps of various locations. $1,500 to $2,000.
    Swann, Dec. 7: Andreas Cellarius, Haemisphaerium Stellatum Boreale Cum Subiecto Haemisphaerio Terrestri, celestial chart, Amsterdam, 1708. $2,500 to $3,500.
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    Swann, Dec. 7: Vincenzo Coronelli, Set of engraved gores for Coronelli’s monumental 42-inch terrestrial globe, Venice, circa 1688–97. $18,000 to $22,000.
    Swann, Dec. 7: Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer, group of four navigational charts, Antwerp, 1580s. $2,000 to $3,000.
    Swann, Dec. 7: Thomas Bros, Block Book of Berkeley, Oakland, 1920s. $800 to $1,200.
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    Swann, Dec. 7: John Nieuhoff & John Ogilby, An Embassy from the East-India Company of the United Provinces, map of China, plan of Canton, London, 1673. $1,200 to $1,800.
    Swann, Dec. 7: Frederick Sander, Reichenbachia, St. Albans, 1888-1894. $5,000 to $7,000.
    Swann, Dec. 7: Two early illustrated works on horsemanship and breeding, Nuremberg, early 18th century. $700 to $800.
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    Swann, Dec. 7: John Gould, A Monograph of the Ramphastidae, or Family of Toucans. Supplement to the First Edition, London, 1834; 1855. $40,000 to $60,000.
    Swann, Dec. 7: John Pinkerton, A General Collection of the Best and Most Interesting Voyages and Travels in All Parts of the World, London, 1808–14. $1,500 to $2,500.
    Swann, Dec. 7: Oakley Hoopes Bailey, Hackensack, New Jersey, Boston, 1896. $800 to $1,200.
  • Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Roberts (David) & Croly (George). The Holy Land, Syria, Idumae, Arabia, Egypt and Nubia. Lond. 1842 - 1843 [-49]. First Edn. €10,000 to €15,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Incunabula: O'Fihily (Maurice). Duns Scotus Joannes: O'Fihely, Maurice Abp… Venice, 20th November 1497. €8,000 to €12,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: An important file of documents with provenance to G.A. Newsom, manager of the Jacob’s Factory in Dublin, occupied by insurgents during Easter Week 1916. €6,000 to €9,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: WILDE (Oscar), 1854-1900, playwright, aesthete and wit. A lock of Wilde’s Hair, presented by his son to the distinguished Irish actor Mícheál MacLiammóir. €6,000 to €8,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Heaney (Seamus). Bog Poems, London, 1975. Special Limited Edition, No. 33 of 150 Copies, Signed by Author. Illus. by Barrie Cooke. €4,000 to €6,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Binding: Burke, Thomas O.P. (de Burgo). Hibernia Dominicana, Sive Historia Provinciae Hiberniae Ordinis Praedicatorum, ... 1762. First Edition. €4,000 to €6,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: COLLINS, Michael. An important TL, 29 July 1922, addressed to GOVERNMENT on ‘suggested Proclamation warning all concerned that troops have orders to shoot prisoners found sniping, ambushing etc.’. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Scott Fitzgerald (F.) The Great Gatsby, New York (Charles Scribner's Sons) 1925, First Edn. €2,000 to €3,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Yeats (W.B.) The Poems of W.B. Yeats, 2 vols. Lond. (MacMillan & Co.) 1949. Limited Edition, No. 46 of 375 Copies Only, Signed by W.B. Yeats. €1,500 to €2,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Miller (William) Publisher. The Costume of the Russian Empire, Description in English and French, Lg. folio London (S. Gosnell) 1803. First Edn. €1,000 to €1,500.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Miller (William) Publisher. The Costume of Turkey, Illustrated by a Series of Engravings. Lg. folio Lond.(T. Bensley) 1802. First Edn. €800 to €1,200.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Mason (Geo. Henry). The Costume of China, Illustrated with Sixty Engravings. Lg. folio London (for W. Miller) 1800. First Edn. €1,400 to €1,800
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    ABAA VBF: Holiday Edition
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    ABAA VBF: Holiday Edition
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    ABAA VBF: Holiday Edition
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    ABAA VBF: Holiday Edition
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    ABAA VBF: Holiday Edition
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    ABAA VBF: Holiday Edition
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    ABAA VBF: Holiday Edition
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    ABAA VBF: Holiday Edition
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  • Sotheby’s
    Fine Books from a Distinguished Private Library
    28 November 2023
    Sotheby’s, Nov. 28: Captain Thomas Brown | Illustrations of the American ornithology. £80000-120000
    Sotheby’s, Nov. 28: William Hamilton | Campi phlegraei. £40000-60000
    Sotheby’s, Nov. 28: Nicola Zabaglia and Domenico Fontana | Castelli, e ponti con alcune ingegnose pratiche. £6000-8000
    Sotheby’s, Nov. 28: Bible, German | Nuremberg: Koberger, 1483. £40000-60000
    Sotheby’s, Nov. 28: Bible, English | King James version. £8000-12000

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