XVIIth Century

Amsterdam: J. Ravesteyn, 1662. Hardcover. Very Good. Engraved emblematic Titlepage. . Duodecimo original leather 4 raised bands, spine compartments gilt & gilt spine title (worn with lower half of top hinge split/hinges rubbed & some ends of hinge splits/tips worn/scuffed but quite sound & firm). Engraved titlepage +[26] +388pp +[3]pp index. Small archival repair to margin of TP (no involvement of print), ownership stamp (faint & hard to read) on pastedown and nice ownership inscription of an Avignon medical doctor dated 1676 on flyleaf. *Harvey's fundamental work on embryology and endocrinology which, if he had not discovered the circulation of the blood would alone have ensured his fame. All earlier theories of reproduction were based on Aristotelian and Galenic medicinal teaching but Harvey's researches on chicken and deer embryos proved to his satisfaction that semen fertilized the ovum and that spontaneous generation was without foundation. He also explained growth and differentiation of organs… Read More

Basel: Konig printed Genathius 1st edition, 1679). Hardcover. Very Good. Copperplate map & city view of Donau + 4 full page woodcuts of plants . Quarto contemporary panelled calf (rebacked & blind-tooled with black spine label/tips worn) 336pp +(vi)index The Ae of Aquaticae & Noxae are very faintly printed on the Titlepage and there is slight paper thinning to the paper in 4 small (1cm diameter) round areas and part of 2 letters have been strengthened with ink. Wepfer was the first to analyze the pharmacological effect of hemlock and its poison. In this treatise 1679 the author also reports the discovery of the duodenal glands.

Amsterdam: Joannis Ravesteyni 1st Complete edition, a few chapters had appeared earlier, 1655. Hardcover. Very Good-. Printed by Guilielmi van der Hoeve 1655 at Gouda (to colophon) TP woodcut of Elijah fed by the Ravens + foliated headpiece & a few foliated initials. Folio (in 4's) near Contemporary English sprinked calf with blind ruled & one decor roll on 5 raised bands with burgandy gilt label (tips sl.worn/head of spine bit worn but very neat original state) Red sprinkled edges TP (2p)+737pp + (1p)=blank) +(22p)=index. About a dozen corners torn away but never near to the text, else unmarked and clean. An interesting Scottish perspective on English history by a Edinburgh scholar who came to London after the Scottish King James VI became James I of England. Deals also with Irish affairs and affairs on the continent. With an Evelyn book label to pastedown this is a lovely crisp copy.

Amsterdam: Henricus & Widow Theodor Boom, 1681. Hardcover. Very Good-. Engraved title of a surgery scene, patients waiting and examination table + 60 copperplate engravings in the text + 5 woodcuts.. Octavo old sprinkled boards with gilt spine label (recased and spine underlaid, tips bit worn, newer end-papers. Engraved title +Printed title with woodcut printer's mark Apollo & Pegasus in a landscape +[12]pp +392pp +[6]pp index & blank. Nice name C.? Michaelis to blank area of printed title. *This is the first Latin translation by the medical student Abraham Blasius of the 'Heel-en Geneeskonstige Aanmerkingen' of the Dutch physician Job van Meek'ren, illustrated by cases from his own patients. Four leaves have 2mmx10mm paper faults to fore edge and 8 leaves with marginal damp mark not touching text. An entire and particularly crisp clean copy with good margins, strong paper and no underlining/marginalia of these well illustrated medical observations.

London: Richard Chiswell, at the Rose and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard., 1694. Hardcover. Good. Folio contemporary calf, decorated panels blind-tooled, spine on 5 cords with remains of red gilt title label (edges scuffed, front cover splitting at spine but just held). Half-title, Titlepage printed in red & black and enclosed in a plain rule-border +[24]pp +168pp +219pp +[1]p catalogue. Card J.W. Bund Willis Caius Coll. On pastedown, name John Walpole Willis at head of title, endpapers browned & last few pages with marks of marginal damp, otherwise crisp & clean throughout. "Chap. X. Treachery and baseness not to be used in war" begins new pagination & register. Dedicated to King William & Queen Mary. Text in English with quotations & examples in Latin & Greek. *First edition of Dawson's only work, an interesting and scarce legal treatise (WING D459).

London: John Streater, James Flesher, and Henry Twyford, 1667. First Edition. . Hardcover. See Description. Folio. pp. [16], 325, [7]. Including large woodcut of British coat of arms opposite the title. Printed in English black letter. Re-backed preserving original calf boards; well rubbed; old burn mark or darkened area on front cover. The re-backing extends part way onto the original boards and blends nicely with the old leather; some spots of careful restoration are present on the board edges. A faded early shelf number is hand printed on the fore-edge. The interior is generally clean with occasional brief marginalia in an early hand. A name - "John Byeith" - is neatly written (in the same hand) near the upper edge of the title page. End sheets are renewed in marbled paper. Carefully sealed tear at the bottom of p. 277. The outer edge of some leaves show spots of wear. An interesting compilation of laws and private acts of the English Parliament. [ESTC R232104].

London: T. Garthwait, 1667. 1st Edition . Very Good. 5 x 7.5 inches (12.5 x 19 cm). Full calf leather binding with slight damage to foot of spine. Variant vignette to title page depicting burning of St. Pauls (by W. Hollar and dated 1666). Lacking the two plates and front endpaper, chipping to outside margin of first leaf. Title page has stain to outside edge and old inked initials to verso. ESTC: R9180. Overall condition is Very Good. Size: 5 x 7.5 inches (12.5 x 19 cm). Hardback. Printed pages: 8vo. [18], 439, [1], (blank)

London: Printed by M[ary] C[larke] for Jos. Hindmarsh, Bookseller to his Royal Highness., 1684. Hardcover. Very Good-. Octavo (11x17cm) speckled brown leather on 4 raised bands with orange gilt spine title label (neat small repair to head of spine, tips rubbed) All edges marbled but darkened, [14]pp (titlepage, dedication & contents) + 272pp + errata leaf tipped in, collated complete except lacks blank leaf A8. Side notes and good margins, monogram engraved bookplate by W.G.R., pages crisp and clean throughout. *Supports the succession to Charles II of his brother James Duke of York, in spite of (p 236) "the moral impossibility of introducing the Romish Religion, tho the Prince were of that Persuasion". Very rare (Wing W2921, ESTC R27078).

Lyon : Andre Perisse, 1686. Two volumes bound in contemporary mottled calf, backs ornately gilt, marbled end papers, ribbon marker in Vol. II only. Volume I with frontis engraved title, 24 unnumbered pp. including title page, fold out map ( Near Fine, with 1 small fore edge tear), 508 pp, with 2 fold-out engravings and 1 engraving in text, 95 pages with Permission at verso p. 95 dated 19 Dec., 1686. Vol Ii with 617 pages and one engraving in text. Very Good, Vol. II lacking marbled end papers at front, light rubbing at edges. Overall a quite handsome set, interiors clean and lovely. . New Edition. Mottled Calf. Very Good. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.

Moses Pitt, 1681. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Very Good/No Jacket. Folio - over 12 - 15" tall. A SHORT VIEW OF THE LATE TROUBLES IN ENGLAND; briefly setting forth, Their Rise, Growth, and Tragical Conclusion. As also, some Parallel thereof with the Barons-Wars in the time of King Henry III. But chiefly with that in France, called the Holy League, in the reign of Henry III and Henry IV, late Kings of that realm. To which is added a Perfect Narrative of the Treaty at Uxbridge in an. 1644 A first edition of this history of the Civil War from the Royalist perspective. Full contemporary leather, blind stamped. This is a clean copy in very good condition with no bookplate or names and no markings in text. Spine is tooled and gilt decorated with six compartments. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Charles I, title page with a vignette of the Oxford Sheldonian Theater. Pagination is complete but numbering is irregular. Includes Index, Appendix and Catalog of Books. Faint pencil marks to inside cover and… Read More

Coloniae Agrippinae (Cologne): Sumptibus Bernardi Gualtheri, 1620. 5" x 3 1/4". (42), 454, 161 pages. Woodcut initials and decorations. No maps or folding plates present. Very Good, early marginal notations and underlining throughout, leather at bottom of spine torn, with a small piece missing, scattered light toning, text in Latin. Franciscus Schott was mayor of Antwerp and author of several travelogues from Germany, France, Spain and Italy. The first edition of his "Itinerarium", printed several times, appeared in 1600. Uncommon in current commerce in any early edition. . Leather. Very Good/No Jacket, As Issued. 24mo - over 5" - 5¾" tall.

Amstelodami: Apud Ludovicum Elzevirium, 1650. Illustrated title page, 22 preliminary leaves, 786 pages : 4 folded tables, 1 folded diagrams, two illus. in text. 12.7 cm. (5" x 3") Very Good Minus, in contemporary calf, front joint opening at both ends, rear joint just starting, gift inscription dated 1931 at front end page to noted Indiana geologist Henry J. Gray, interior clean and bright, foldouts are Fine. Bernhardus Varenius (1622-1650) developed a new geography based on empirical discovery and measurement. His Geographia Generalis was disseminated and translated by Isaac Newton, among others and is a classic of geographical literature. . First Edition. Calf. Very Good Minus/No Jacket, As Issued. 24mo - over 5" - 5¾" tall.

Venetia (Venice): Presso Gio : Pietro Brigonci, 1661. [24], 514, [2], 239, [11], (2), 67, [5] pages : illustrations, portraits. Added engraved title page signed: Gio: Merlo. Title continues: Del Padre Horatio Torsellini Della Compagnia di Giesu`: col Supplemento Del Signor Lodouico Aurelij Perugino Traduttore dell'Opera. Con la Seconda Parte del Signor Bernardo Oldoini Genouese sino all'Anno MDCL. Accresciuto in quest'vltima Impressione della Terza parte sino all'Anno MDCLXI. Bound in contemporary vellum, manuscript title at spine in flowing hand, Very Good, small hole first and last blank end pages, vellum aged and soiled, interior clean and tight. Orazio Torsellino (1545-1599), known in Latin as Horatius Torsellinus, was an Italian historian and man of letters. (Wikipedia). Vellum. Very Good/No Jacket, As Issued. 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall.

Argenis
By John Barclay
"Argenis," a timeless literary masterpiece penned by the renowned Scottish author John Barclay, is a beacon of classical eloquence and intellectual prowess. Printed in the historic city of Leiden in 1627, this antique book is a testament to the enduring allure of Baroque literature.
Within the pages of "Argenis," Barclay weaves an intricate tapestry of political intrigue, romance, and philosophical contemplation. The typography, characteristic of early 17th-century printing, reveals the craftsmanship of a bygone era. The meticulous attention to detail in each letter and the occasional ornamental flourish speak to the dedication of the artisans who brought this literary treasure to life. The paper, bearing the delicate imprints of age, adds a tactile dimension to the reading experience, connecting present-day readers with the hands that turned these pages centuries ago.
The significance
This antique edition of "Argenis" is not merely a book but a tangible link to the… Read More

London: London: printed for Tho. Basset, Ric. Chiswell, Tho. Sawbridge, Charles Mearn, and Charles Brome., 1686. 1st Edition . Full leather. Very Good. First edition; folio; [16], 316, [26], 102, [8], 52, [6], 68, 99-103, [5] pp. In full nineteenth century period-style panelled calf with five raised spine bands, gilt-lettered title label to second compartment, other compartments gilt, gilt tooling to outer margins of boards (binding worn and rubbed at extremities, loss of top inch of leather at head of spine, hinges worn, weak and internally reinforced). Complete with portrait frontispiece and plates of urns and quincunx. Internally a very clean, bright and fresh example, with three early heraldic ownership labels to opening endpapers. Despite binding wear, an attractive copy. R19807