Item 4 is a first edition of Thomas Blount's Nomo Lexicon: A Law-Dictionary. Published in 1670, it is one of England's earlier law dictionaries, defining words and terms both modern and old. Blount was prohibited from practicing at the Bar because he was a Catholic, so he took to legal scholarship instead. His work was very successful, supplanting earlier works, and being repeatedly republished through the 18th century. Priced at $2,000.
Item 2 is Beeton's Dictionary of Industries and Commerce by Samuel Orchart Beeton. Beeton was a publisher, but if he is recognized at all today, it is as the husband of Mrs. Beeton. Isabella Mary Beeton, better known simply as "Mrs. Beeton," was the author/editor of articles on management of the household, originally published serially in a magazine, later combined into a book. It provided guidance on running a proper household and was filled with recipes. Mrs. Beeton is one of the most recognized authorities ever in such subjects, while her husband is...well...Mr. Beeton. His book is priced at $200.
Item 42 is the scarce first edition of Vocabularium Juris Utriusque by B. Philippe Vicat, published in 1759. Vicat compiled abridged listings from many previous sources and then filled in the gaps himself, to provide a more complete dictionary. He also provided references to the authority. $1,500.
Giles Jacob produced one of the most important of law dictionaries, The Law-Dictionary. It would be reprinted many times through the 18th century, and then again beginning in 1797 after it was updated by Sir Thomas Tomlins. Item 23 is a second edition from 1732. $1,200. Item 24 is a fifth edition from 1744. $850. Item 25 is a sixth edition from 1750. $850. Item 26 is the first Tomlins edition from 1797. $1,000. Item 27 is the second Tomlins from 1809. $900. Item 28 is the first American edition from 1811. $2,500.
The website for the Clark, New Jersey, based Lawbook Exchange may be found at www.lawbookexchange.com. They may be reached 732-382-1800.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Jerry Thomas. How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion, Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Beverages Used in the United States…
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Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Hooke, Robert. Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses. London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Chappuzeau, Samuel. The history of jewels, first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Sowerby, James. Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions, London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.
![<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/8caddaea-4c1f-47a7-9455-62f53af36e3f.jpg "<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.")
