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Ausonius, Decimus Magnus: (Fleury, Julien, ed,; Souchay, Jean Baptiste, ed.:) Opera [?]. Parisiis: typis Jacobi Guerin, ad Ripam Augustinianorum, 1730. Delphin edition. 2 vols. bound as 1. 4to., pp.[iii], iv-lxvii, [i], 432; [iii], 434-684, [ii], 16, [clii] + 2 plates (engraved title-page by Mathey and 1 further numismatic plate opposite p.667). "Obscoena e textu Ausoniano resecta" and indices at rear. Very clean internally. Later (c.1800) tan sheep neatly rebacked, marbled edges and endpapers. Corners a little worn but a very good copy indeed. Blind embossed coat of arms to each board, of John Bligh, 4th Earl of Darnley (1767-1831) with the motto 'Finem Respice'. Bligh was a British peer and noted amateur cricketer. According to Brunet, a highly regarded edition. Schweiger I, 22; Moss I, 216 and Brunet I, 574.   Ref: 52049  show full image..
£350
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[Autores Rei Venaticae] Vliet, Jan van: Autores rei venaticae antiqui cum commentarijs Jani Vlitii; ad Christinam Augustam. Lugd. Bat. [Leiden]: apud Elsevirios, 1653 12mo., pp.[xxiv], 491, [xxiii], 48. Elaborate engraved title-page, woodcut head- and tail-pieces, initials. Usual errors in pagination. Small intermittent damp-stain to head margin, 11* with closed tear to bottom corner not affecting text. Contemporary brown calf, raised bands, red morocco gilt title label to spine, blind-tooled borders, edges sprinkled red. Headcap worn, joints rubbed, a few small chips and scratches, endpapers lifted and a little toned around the edges but still very good indeed. First published in 1645 as Venatio Novantiqua, this volume of poems on the subject of hunting was the first publication of the Dutch philologist and great friend of Junius, Jan Van Vliet (1622-1666). Contains contributions from Faliscus Gratius, Nemesianus and Calpurnius Siculus. Willems 719; Rahir 716.   Ref: 54542  show full image..
£350
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Bartoli, Pietro Santi (illus.): Picturae Antiquissimi Virgiliani Codicis Bibliothecae Vaticanae [?] accedunt ex insignioribus pinacothecis picturae aliae veteres gemmae et anaglypha, quibus celebriora Virgilii loca illustrantur: compendiaria explanatione apposita ad singulas tabulas. Romae [Rome]: Apud Venantium Monaldini Bibliopolam in Via Cursus, 1782. 4to., pp. 31, [I] + 127 engraved plates including frontispiece, title-page and dedication. Some library stamps, pencil notes to front endpapers and title-page verso, light foxing, some plates slightly toned. Recent library binding, half deep red morocco with red cloth boards, gilt title and shelf mark to spine, cloth hinges. A little rubbed at edges but very sound, very good. Bookplate of Warrington Municipal Library to front pastedown, library ink stamps to frontispiece verso, p.1, p.7 and plate V verso. Pietro Santi Bartoli (1635-1700) was an Italian engraver, draughtsman and painter best known for his depictions of antique subjects. During his lifetime he was famous for producing volumes of such prints, many of which ran into several editions. This volume includes six miniatures from the Codex Romanus (Cod. Vat. 3867).   Ref: 54171  show full image..
£750
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Battely, John: Opera Posthuma. viz. Antiquitates Rutupinae et Antiquitates S. Edmundi Burgi ad Annum 1272 Perductae. Oxonii [Oxford]: E Theatro Sheldoniano, 1745. 2 parts in 1 vol., 4to., pp.(xii), 138, (iv); (iv), 164 +16 plates, some folding (in part one 12 numbered & 1 unnumbered, in part two 3 numbered). Engraved head- and tail-piece and initials. Small abraded area to centre of title-page nearly forming a hole but not affecting text, occasional light spots but very clean internally. Contemporary speckled calf, raised bands, spine gilt with label, edges sprinkled red. Head and tail of spine and joints repaired in a lighter colour, corners worn, very good. To front paste-down, ownership inscription of J. Fleming, Coll: Oriel Soc. 1774 (according to Alumni Oxonienses of Thorner, Yorkshire, who began his M.A. at Oriel College in 1770). Also later book label of James Hobbs. The 'Antiquitates Rutupinae' is the second edition, having been previously published in 1711; Battely's nephew Oliver inherited his papers and arranged for this complete publication with Sir James Burrough. The works treat the antiquities of Richborough, rich in Roman remains, near where Battely had been Rector of Adisham, and the history of Bury St Edmunds, where Battely had grown up. "An elegant posthumous discourse, says Bishop Nicolson" (Lowndes). ESTC T91281. Lowndes 130.   Ref: 54566  show full image..
£400
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Bernard of Clairvaux: (Horstius, Jakob Merlo ed.): [...] Opera omnia: nunc demum in V tomos [...]. Coloniae Agrippinae [Cologne]: apud Ioannem Kinchivm sub Monocerote veteri, 1641. 6 parts in 1 vol. Folio, pp.[xx], 120, 59, [i]; 143, [i]; [iv], 272; [iv], 139, [i]; [xii], 140; [viii], 384; [iv], 92, 16, [84] + additional engraved frontispiece. Half-title, title-page in red and black with woodcut device, woodcut headpieces and initials. Some light toning, occasional foxing with Part I especially foxed, a few wax spots, some dampstaining to fore-edge margin at rear. Small piece missing from lower margin Part 2 leaf A3, not affecting text, a few small paper repairs. Contemporary vellum over wooden boards, faint ink title and remains of paper labels to spine, blind-tooled borders, frames and centrepiece, recent metal clasps. Cloth reinforcement to front hinge, small repair at tail of spine, a little grubby but very good overall. To title-page: illegible ex libris inscription at head, and library ink stamp 'Studiehuis Minderbroeders Nijmegen'. Saint Bernard (1090-1153) was Abbot of Clairvaux, one of the most prominent centres of the Cistercian Order. In the General Preface to his Life and Works of St Bernard, Abbott of Clairvaux (1889), John Mabillon writes: "?in 1641 appeared the best and most accurate [edition] of all, that of James Merlon Horst, a most pious and learned man. That edition threw all others into the shade, and was reprinted frequently. [?] He had submitted the whole of the works to exact and severe criticism, and divided them into six volumes, of which the first contained the Letters; the second the Sermons de Tempore and de Sanctis; the third the sermons in Cantica; the fourth various Treatises; the fifth whose writings which are not by S. Bernard; and the sixth, those of the two disciples of the Holy Doctor, Gilbert and Guerric. It is he, also, who divided the Treatises into chapters and sections, and has prefixed analytical summaries to each Letter and Treatise. He spared neither labour nor expense to procure all the editions of S. Bernard which he could find in the libraries of different countries, although he was not successful in obtaining some of the works of that Father, of which Possevin and others have given a list. Besides these a great many introductions are added, the life of S. Bernard in seven books, with various Elogia of the Saint, and a chronology. Finally, he has inserted lengthy Notes, besides those shorter ones which are inserted in the margin throughout the work, with very full Indexes of the places of Scripture, of subjects, and of the names mentioned by S. Bernard. The reader cannot help recognising the immense labour with which he has endeavoured to make this edition absolutely accurate. Unfortunately the work of the printer has not altogether corresponded to his wishes. This learned man was preparing an edition more complete and more careful still when he died, on the 20th April, 1644." (p.8).   Ref: 54272 
£450
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Bernard of Clairvaux: (Mabillon, Jean, ed.:) [?] Opera Genuina videlicet in primo et secundo volumine; spuria, dubiaque in tertio comprehensa Horsti et Mabillionii notis, aliisque permultis aucta, juxta ?ditionem Parisiensis Anni MDCCXIX; adjecta appendice Edmundi Martene, ex veterum scriptorum, & monumentorum c Venetiis [Venice]: Ex typographia Balleoniana, 1781. 3 vols., 4to., pp. [iv], VII-LXXX, 602, cvii, [I]; xxiv,752, XXXV, [I]; VIII, 806, [iv], 809-1206. The text of St Bernard is complete but vol.III lacks the 48-page section of apparatus usually found at the rear. Half-title misbound in vol.I, not present in vol.II and correctly bound in vol.III. Engraved frontispiece to vol.I and its title-page in red and black, woodcut initials and endpieces. Foxed, sporadic toning more pronounced in a few places, eg. vol.III 2Q7. Contemporary or slightly later brown cat's-paw calf, spines gilt with red and black morocco labels, arms of Balliol College, Oxford to centre of each board, all edges red. Vols. I and III very neatly rebacked, spines and edges a little rubbed, some corners a bit frayed but still a handsome set. Armorial bookplate to each front paste-down of Edmund R.P. Bastard (1758?1816), Tory politician. Based on the edition by Jean Mabillon (1632-1707), the renowned Maurist scholar, which was produced after Mabillon's death by Massuet and Tixier. Originally published in 1667, it was improved and enlarged by Mabillon in 1690, and then again for the 1719 edition.   Ref: 54630  show full image..
£400
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Bertramus, Bonaventura Cornelius: De Republica Ebraeorum, recensitus commentarioque illustratus opera Constant. L'Empereur ab Oppijck. Lugduni Batavorum [Leiden]: Ex officina Ioannis Maire, 1641. 16mo., pp. [xlviii], 452, [xxiv]. Title-page in red and black with printer's device, woodcut initials. With final blank. Small ink smudge to title-page, internally very good. Contemporary vellum, title inked to spine, board edges slightly overlapped, all edges red. Vellum a little yellowed and spine darkened, but very good. 'Cornwell House' inkstamp to ffep. Originally published as 'De politia Iudaica, tam civili quam ecclesiastica' in Geneva in 1580, this popular work on Hebrew history and traditions was often reissued. The author, Bonaventure Corneille Bertram(1531-1594), originally from Thouars in France, was professor of Hebrew at Geneva and Lausanne.   Ref: 54523  show full image..
£250
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Blackmore, Richard: Prince Arthur. An Heroick Poem. In ten books; [bound with] King Arthur. An heroick poem in twelve books. London: Printed for Awnsham and John Churchil; [ditto] and Jacob Tonson, 1696; 1697. Third edition; first edition. 2 works bound as 1. Folio, pp. [xx], 296, [iv]; [ii], xvii, [i], 343, [ix]. Publisher's catalogue at end of Preface (i.e. p.xx), index at the end of each work. Intermittent damp-staining toward gutter especially to the second work, occasional light foxing, a few faint smudgy marks. Contemporary brown calf, raised bands with recent red Morocco gilt spine label added, blind-tooled borders and frames to boards, edges faintly sprinkled red, endpapers renewed. Spine repaired at head and tail, joints split but cords holding firm, scuffs and scrapes, edges worn, corners frayed, still a good, sound copy. To the title-page, inscriptions of Ed. Southcott and Charles (D?) Sharpe both in old hands. Third edition of Prince Arthur, Richard Blackmore's celebration of William III in the form of an epic based on The Aeneid and using historical material from Geoffrey of Monmouth. (The first edition appeared in 1695 and the second in the same year with an added index). It is found here bound with King Arthur in its first edition of 1697. Two variants exist, this copy having "near the Inner-Temple-gate" in the imprint. Physician and epic poetry enthusiast Blackmore (1654-1729) is now primarily remembered as an object of satire. In 1700 he was accused by John Dryden of being not only a plagiarist but also a poet whose work read to the rhythm of wagon wheels because it had been written in the back of hackney cabs on journeys between patients (The Pilgrim, prologue). Having used Virgil as his model for Prince Arthur and Milton for King Arthur, Blackmore was less successful in his emulation of other poets in subsequent works. He became the target of particular scorn from Pope in The Dunciad (1728), which immortalised him as 'Neverending Blackmore', a poet so boring he could send even lawyers to sleep. ESTC R23258; Wing B 3082.   Ref: 54534  show full image..
£750
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Blomefield, Francis: [Parkin, Charles:] An Essay towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk, containing a Description of the Towns, Villages, and Hamlets, with the Foundations of Monasteries, Churches, Chapels, Chantries, and other Religious Buildings [...] London: Printed for William Miller [...] by W. Bulmer [...], 1805[-10]. Second edition. 11 vols, 8vo, pp. [5], [viii-xvi], 548 [iv] + illustrated frontispiece, 4 folding tables, 5 plates (2 folding); [4] 559 [5] + 3 folding tables and 1 folding plate; [viii] 671 [1]; [viii] 580 + 7 plates, 1 folding map and 2 folding tables; [4] 527 [5]; [4] [ii-vii] [1] 521 [3] + 5 plates and 1 folding table; [4] 520 [4] + 4 plates (2 folding) and 2 folding tables; [4] 548 [iv] + 7 plates (4 folding) and 3 folding table; [2] 527 [5] + 4 plate (2 folding) and 1 folding map; [4] 479 [5] + 3 folding tables; [6] 402 [2], 83 [1] [18] + 1 plate, with engraved headpieces and woodcut text illustrations. Edges uncut, a little dusty, slight yellowing, occasional light marginal foxing, I: half-title a little torn at gutter, II: small stain affecting two words to L4, III: lower outer blank corner of 3C4 and 3G2 torn, IV: plates slightly browned, couple of small tears along folds of 2 folding plates, 1 with small repair, V: 1 plate somewhat browned, VIII: small paper flaw to lower outer blank corner of N1, crude repair to upper outer corner of 2A2 just touching text, bifolium 2N2-3 loose at lower gutter, IX: last gathering loosening, X: small marginal tears, XI: bifolium b*2-3 loosening. Contemporary publisher's blue boards, later endpapers, publisher's paper label to spine, boards sympathetically cleaned, corners a little rubbed, I: joints partly split at head and foot but firm, II: upper hinge starting at head but firm, V: lower hinge starting at foot but firm, publisher's advertisements to front pastedown of vols I, VII: upper joint minimally split at foot, X: lower hinge loosening. Inscription to half-titles: 'Lucy Jane Davey Given by her Aunt Lydia Jan 7 1827'. Second edition of this illustrated topographical survey of Norfolk and its ancient families. The Rev. Francis Blomefield (1705-1752) initially issued the book in parts from a private press at his ecclesiastical living in Fersfield. The work was continued after his death by the Reverend Charles Parkin (1689-1765), and finished by a hack writer employed by the printer. A remarkably unsophisticated copy internally, rarely found in its original publisher's blue boards, with paper labels specifying 'Price Eighteenth Shillings, Boards' on each volume. It includes the plate 'A Map of Marsh land by Sir William Dugdale' (Vol. IX, p. 166) often lacking. Vols I and III feature on the front pastedown a publisher's advertisement, the first advertising the possibility to add the author's portrait to the copy (as here) for an extra 5 shillings, as well as the publication of vols II-IV, the second apologising for not including the plan of Norwich with the city seals, as promised (here present in vol. IV), due to 'the Engraver having disappointed him [the publisher]'. The last few pages of vol. XI include a list of subscribers and 'Directions to the binder' divided by volume, separating plates and pedigrees. Upcott 950 ff.   Ref: 53547  show full image..
£1375
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Boethius, Anicius Manlius Severinus; (Bernaerts, Jean, com; Oudaert, Nicolaus, ed.:) De Consolatione Philosophiae, Libri Quinque. Antverpiae [Antwerp]: ex officina Plantiniana, apud Ioannem Moretum, 1607. 8vo., pp.[xvi], 394, [vi]. Printer's device to title page, to I8 recto and on leaf b8 recto at end; printed marginal notes; tail-pieces; woodcut initials. Colophon at end of 'De consolation philosophiae' (p. [142]) dated 1604. Dampstaining to edges, especially bottom fore-edge corner. Occasional wax spots, worming to bottom fore-edge corner of gatherings F-I, tiny worm trail to fore-edge margin of final gathering, small patch of final leaf stuck to rear paste-down. Contemporary vellum, title inked to spine, board edges slightly overlapped, edges red. Vellum a bit grubby, some stains, good sound copy. Inscription of William Fleming(?) dated Feb. 18th 1827 to front paste-down. Considered by Dibdin 'an elegant and correct edition'. The second, larger part of the volume contains Bernaert's commentary with separate half title: 'Ioh. BernartI ad AnicI ManlI SeverinI BoetI De Consolatione philosophiae libros V. commentarius. Dedication signed by the editor: Nicolaus Oudaert. Dibdin I (4th edn.), 352; Schweiger II.i. 32-33.   Ref: 54590  show full image..
£450
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