Item 135 is an invitation to an election of officers for the Masons to be held at Fishmongers Hall in London on April 24, 1737. The invitation curtly warns, "No brother to be admitted uncloath'd, or arm'd." Did they really need to be warned to wear clothes? No wonder those meetings were so secretive. £650 (US $1,203).

If you collect books about peat moss, item 125 is a must. After all, how many books about peat moss can there be? This one is Essays on the natural history and origin of peat moss... by Robert Rennie, two volumes published from 1807-1810. Despite the age, it is probably fairly up to date, as not much has changed about peat moss in the past couple of centuries. £140 (US $259).

Now for some more serious subject matter: Dying behavior, &c of those six unfortunate malefactors, who were executed this morning... That was a morning around 1790, and the six had committed crimes such as malicious shooting, burglary, and highway robbery. Not only are their deaths described, but also brief biographies of the lives of these "unfortunates" who followed the wrong road, and paid dearly for their mistakes, are recounted in this broadside. Item 47. £650 (US $1,203).

Bernard J. Shapero Rare Books may be reached at +44 (0)20 7493 0876 or rarebooks@shapero.com. Their website is found at www.shapero.com. Don't forget your 40% discount.