Below we showcase dealers taking place in events that have moved online, such as Firsts, London’s Rare Book Fair, or been postponed, like the London Map Fair, plus many more.
Les Enluminures
This 16th century protestant German prayer book, pictured above, in the form of a hybrid manuscript includes 17 engravings by Albrecht Dürer from his Engraved Passion with hand-colouring probably by Hieronymus Oertel. Dürer’s Virgin and Child Seated by a Tree (1513) appears as a prologue, hand-coloured and heightened with gold and silver. It is available for $195,000.
Palinurus Antiquarian Books
1857 broadside, $16,000 from Palinurus Antiquarian Books.
This 1857 broadside from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, measuring 2ft 3in x 3ft 5in (68cm x 1.04m), advertises an unrecorded balloon ascent by US aeronaut JH Steiner. It has a price tag of $16,000.
TP Books
Signed first edition of ‘Argle’s Oracle’, £175 from TP Books.
Offered for £175, this signed first edition of Argle’s Oracle was published in 1959 by Routledge & Kegan Paul. It is the third in a series of ‘time slip’ stories involving the Macalister children.
Wool House Autographic
Catalogue of funeral biers from manufacturer Messrs Robert Parker & Sons, £250 from Wool House Autographic.
This rare catalogue of funeral biers from manufacturer Messrs Robert Parker & Sons of Prospect Place, Hastings, was produced in 1936 with later annotations up to 1940. Offered for £250, it includes 10 postcard-sized photographs of biers.
Antiquariat Norbert Haas
‘Occidentalis Americae Partis, vel. Earum Regionum quas Christophorus Columbus...’, a map priced at €7000 from Antiquariat Norbert Haas.
This decorative map of the Florida peninsula and part of the Caribbean is from a copper engraving from Occidentalis Americae Partis, vel. Earum Regionum quas Christophorus Columbus..., a series illustrating exploration to various parts of the world begun by Theodore de Bry of Frankfurt, in 1590. This map is priced at €7000 from the German dealer, who would have exhibited at the London Map Fair.
Musinsky Rare Books
One of two samplers included in a special copy of Johann Friedrich Netto’s first two needlework pattern books for women, $32,000 from Musinsky Rare Books.
This large embroidery, 11 x 18in (28 x 46cm), showing an erupting volcano (possibly Vesuvius), is one of two samplers included in a special copy of Johann Friedrich Netto’s first two needlework pattern books for women: the Zeichen- Mahler- und Stickerbuch zur Selbstbelehrung für Damen, published in Leipzig in 1795 and 1798.
The inclusion of the samples, few of which survive, were to help readers interpret the patterns. It is offered for $32,000.
Paul Foster Books
A copy of John Betjeman’s ‘Metroland’ with bookbinding by Chris Hicks, £3750 from Paul Foster Books.
In 1977 Warren Editions released this artistic binding of Metroland, John Betjeman’s ode to suburban life in north-west London, originally written for a 1973 BBC documentary. Bookbinder Chris Hicks created a typical semi-detached house in red morocco leather, and the volume includes 16 coloured lithographs. It is available for £3750.
John Underwood Antiquarian Books
A collection of 18 miniature motoring works from the 1920s, £1200 from John Underwood Antiquarian Books.
A collection of 18 miniature motoring manuscripts from the 1920s, probably the work of an enthusiastic youngster, is offered for £1200. They are presented in a Gallagher’s tobacco tin within a purpose-made box and include works on cars of the time, help, advice, and advertisements.
Altea Gallery
17th century chart by Andreas Cellarius, ‘Corporum coelestum magnitudines’, published in Amsterdam in 1708, engraved by Jan van Loon, £1600 from Altea Gallery.
This 17th century chart by Andreas Cellarius compares the sizes of the celestial bodies. Corporum coelestum magnitudines, published in Amsterdam in 1708, was engraved by Jan van Loon and published in the Atlas Coelestis; seu Harmonia Macrocosmica, the only celestial atlas to be produced in the Netherlands before the 19th century. It is priced at £1600.
Nicholas Goodyer
First edition, first issue copy of ‘The Expressions of the Emotions in Man and Animals…with Photographic and Other Illustrations’, £1600 from Nicholas Goodyer.
Offered on AbeBooks, this first edition, first issue copy of The Expressions of the Emotions in Man and Animals…with Photographic and Other Illustrations is available for £1600.
The 1872 volume by Charles Darwin was pioneering in using photographs in pursuit of science. It is offered here in its original cloth binding.
Littera Scripta
Leaf from a Parisian Bible, c.1250, £2520 from Littera Scripta.
Offered for £2520, this leaf is from a luxurious Parisian Bible, c.1250, measuring 7½ x 5½in (19.5 x 14cm). Specifically, it is from the Book of Amos and features four initials.
Simon Beattie
First-edition copy of ‘A Complete English Pocket Dictionary, English and German, for Travellers, Merchants and Lovers of Both Languages’ by Dr Schultz, £600 from Simon Beattie.
A first-edition copy of A Complete English Pocket Dictionary, English and German, for Travellers, Merchants and Lovers of Both Languages by Dr Schultz is offered at Firsts for £600. It is dated 1796 in the preface where Schulz writes that compiling a dictionary is “a dry, thankless task”. The pocket-sized guide was printed in Augsburg.
simonbeattie.co.uk/bookseller/
John L Capes
First edition of George Griffith’s ‘Captain Ishmael: A Saga of the South Seas’, £250 from John L Capes.
Published by Hutchinson & Co Paternoster Row in 1901, this first edition of George Griffith’s Captain Ishmael: A Saga of the South Seas is offered on the PBFA website for £250.
Rickaro Books
2007 edition of TE Lawrence’s ‘Playground Football’ from the Reading Room Press, £100 from Rickaro Books.
Wakefield dealership Rickaro Books specialises in TE Lawrence and offers his works at a range of prices. This rare 2007 edition of his PlaygroundFootball from the Reading Room Press is on the more affordable end with a price tag of £100. It was originally published in 1904 as a humorous contribution to his school magazine.
Gordon Leete
John Speed map of Persia, c.1626, £1495 from Gordon Leete.
Gordon Leete of Market Harborough was due to show at the London Map Fair for the first time. Among the highlights he has on offer online is a John Speed map of Persia, c.1626. The hand-coloured map is offered at £1495. Leete trades via eBay account WILDLONE40 or via abebooks.co.uk
Amélie Sourget Livres et Manuscrits
First edition of ‘Explication des cent estampes’, 1715, €75,000 at Amélie Sourget Livres et Manuscrits.
This first edition of a popular 1715 book, Explication des cent estampes, illustrating Turkish dress is available for €75,000. It was commissioned by Charles de Ferriol, the French ambassador to the Porte from 1699-1709.
Kubik Fine Books
First edition of the King James Bible, $85,000 from Kubik Fine Books.
Offered for $85,000, this first edition of the King James Bible – the first English translation of the scriptures – was printed in 1611 and bound and released in 1613. It is the second state with an earlier misprint in the Book of Ruth corrected from “he” to “she”.
Robert Frew
Early series of first-edition folios of David Roberts’ works on the Middle East, The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, and Arabia, £58,000 from Robert Frew.
David Roberts’ famous work on the Middle East, The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, and Arabia was published from 1842-45. This early series of large, first-edition folios includes plates still in proof state and half-page plates issued as separate sheets. They are interspersed with descriptive text by Rev George Croly. The luxuriously bound set is offered for £58,000.
Michael Quick
First edition of ‘Dartmoor’, £35 from Michael Quick.
Published in 2009, this first edition of Dartmoor from the New Naturalist Library is offered in fine condition for £35.
Edition-Originale.com
Manuscript on vellum from 1569 concerning the rules of the brotherhood of the Holy Sacrament from Granada, €45,000 from Edition-Originale.com.
This Spanish manuscript on vellum from 1569 comprises 50 pages of text and three full-page miniatures in colour heightened with gold. It concerns the rules of the brotherhood of the Holy Sacrament from Granada and is offered for €45,000.
Brighton Antique Prints and Maps
Laurie & Whittle map, c.1794, Aus$700 from Brighton Antique Prints and Maps.
This Laurie & Whittle map, c.1794, shows all the places within 750 miles of London and is offered for Aus$700.
Colin Baker Books for the Collector
First edition from the Chalet School series, £55 from Colin Baker Books for the Collector.
This clean copy of a first edition from the Chalet School series, published in 1958, is available for £55 on the PBFA website.
White Eagle Books
‘Votes for Women’ Newspaper from 1908, £150 from White Eagle Books.
White Eagle Books offers two copies of the Votes for Women Newspaper from 1908 for £150. Editor Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence is credited as the originator of the Women’s Social and Political Union campaign colours of purple, white and green.
Trippini Studio Bibliografico
‘Hemisphere Austral ou Antartique... by Robert De Vaugondy, €1100 from Trippini Studio Bibliografico.
Italian dealership Trippini Studio is offering this map of the Hemisphere. Hemisphere Austral ou Antartique projetté sur un Horizon dont le Zenith...publié sous l'approbation de l'Académie royale des Sciences... was created by Robert De Vaugondy to be presented at the Académie des Sciences de Paris on March 24, 1773. This copy is from the third update, c.1777. The 2ft 2in x 2ft 1in (65 x 62cm) single sheet is offered at €1100.
Galleria Frati
Frontispiece to a series of four plates showing the discovery of America after Stradanus, £1500 from Galleria Frati.
From Rome, Galleria Frati offers this very rare engraving. It is the frontispiece to a series of four plates showing the discovery of America after Stradanus. The set was first published by Philips Galle, c.1598. Johannes Galle re-published the plates in 1638 and the print was made by Adriaen Collaert. This engraving is offered at £1500.
David Whittaker
‘Beautiful Leaved Plants’ by Frances Perry, 1979 edition from Scolar Press, £15 from David Whittaker.
Frances Perry’s book about indoor plants was first published in the 19th century by Benjamin Fawcett. This 1979 edition from Scolar Press is available for £15 on the PBFA website.
Michael Kemp
'Voyages of the HMS Adventure and Beagle' by Charles Darwin, £15,000 from Michael Kemp.
Now known for being Charles Darwin’s first published work, this account of the voyages of the HMS Adventure and Beagle was written with Phillip Parker King and Robert Fitzroy. The three volumes – published in 1839 in four volumes – contain illustrations, maps and plans. This set is offered for £15,000.
Kingsbridge Books
First edition account of Captain John Ross’s 1819 book on his voyage exploring Baffin Bay, £3250 from Kingsbridge Books.
Polar exploration books are a speciality of this Devon dealership, which offers a rare first edition account of Captain John Ross’s 1819 book on his voyage exploring Baffin Bay and searching for a North-West Passage.
Published by John Murray, it contains a full set aquatints and charts, including this image of Royal Navy officers in full dress meeting Inuit people for the first time. The book is priced at £3250.
Goodsir & Young
Volume published by the Religious Tract Society, c.1884, £40 from Goodsir & Young.
Bound in original gilt illustrated brown cloth, this volume was published by the Religious Tract Society, c.1884, and is offered for £40.
Hinck & Wall Rare Books
French trade poster from 1870 for Lefranc Frères, £1800 from Hinck & Wall Rare Books.
Offered for £1800, this French trade poster from 1870 features 156 hand-applied watercolour paint tint samples for the venerable firm Lefranc Frères. The single broadsheet measures 23 x 17in (59 x 44cm).
Edmund Pollinger Rare Books
French trade poster from 1870 for Lefranc Frères, £1800 from Hinck & Wall Rare Books.
Count Joseph Potocki’s Sport in Somaliland is a rare work on African big-game hunting. This first-edition copy, released in 1900, is signed by the publisher Rowland Ward who is believed to have called the volume “the nicest sporting book I ever published”. It is offered for £16,000.
Bookvica Russian Antiquarian Books
Manuscript scroll from Upper Armenia, 1680, $30,000 at Bookvica Russian Antiquarian Books.
This 43ft (14m) long complete manuscript scroll from Upper Armenia dates to 1680. Known as hmail amulets, these scrolls were completed for travellers and consisted of prayers and spells with some elements of ‘folk’ Christianity. Most measure only up to 23ft (7m), and preservation at this length is rare. It is offered for $30,000.
The Philip Sharpe Gallery
1934 station poster of the London Underground Map, £24,000 from The Philip Sharpe Gallery.
Harry Beck’s famous London Underground ‘diagram’ was first issued in pocket map format in January 1933. This 1934 station poster of the London Underground Map is a 2ft 6in x 2in (76 x 61cm) colour lithograph on paper and is offered at £24,000.
Lucius Books
First edition, first issue of Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’, 1892, inscribed by the author, £85,000 from Lucius Books.
This is the first edition, first issue in book form of Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, published by George Newnes in 1892. It was inscribed by the author on the title page in 1915, making it a rare find. The book is priced at £85,000 and is available at the Firsts online fair.
Ashton Rare Books
First UK printing of ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe, 1958, £3500 from Ashton Rare Books.
Another highlight coming up at Firsts is this first UK printing of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. Released by Heinemann, London, in 1958, it features wrapper artwork by CW Bacon and is available for £3500.
Hereward Books
‘The strange adventures of a carp’, c.1884, £240 from Hereward Books.
This humorous verse on the life and death of a carp ends tragically “I gave him to the cook and she boiled him without delay!” The 19-page volume, c.1884, was published by Dean & Son of Fleet Street and is now offered for £240.
Kiki Werth Original Vintage Posters
Alitalia poster by Lemoine, £500 from Kiki Werth Original Vintage Posters.
Kiki Werth is a regular exhibitor at Etc Fairs’ regular books, ephemera and manuscripts events, and offers items such as this c.1950 Alitalia poster by Lemoine for £500 online.
Daniel Crouch Rare Books
‘A new Mapp of the Whole World’ by Henry Overton, published in London, 1738, £116,000 from Daniel Crouch Rare Books.
Also on offer at the Firsts virtual edition is A new Mapp of the Whole World by Henry Overton, published in London, 1738. Printed over four sheets with original hand colour, it includes significant omissions and errors. The Pacific is labelled The Chinesian Ocean and the Great Lakes are part of a sea. It is available for £116,000.
HM Fletcher
Original watercolour drawing of Rip Van Winkle, signed ‘Arthur Rackham 05’, £95,000 from HM Fletcher.
This original watercolour drawing, 13 x 10in (33 x 27cm), of Rip Van Winkle, returning from 20 years asleep in the Catskills, is signed bottom left Arthur Rackham ‘05 and offered in the original Leicester Galleries frame for £95,000.
