USA Nackt! Bilddokumente aus Gottes eigenem Land. by BERGHAUS, Erwin (Editor) - 1943

The label to the back of this black and white image states " Original-Graphik von Ernst Barlach" The image is clearly of Barlach. But it appears to be a lithograph of an ink original, rather than an actual ink drawing. It is difficult to be certain, as the paper has been secured to the glass at the edges, and could not neatly be removed (So we have left it secured). Although the image has marked similarities with other drawn works of Barlach, we have been unable to locate another copy of this image. There is possibly an artist's initials to the lower right of the frame (see pics). Underneath the frame, to the rear of the image, is written "6 abels wie ist 883" It is on heavy art paper, and in very good clean condition. Held in a white glazed frame. The frame has a few tiny nicks to the edges, but overall an attractive and striking portrait. Image area 53cm wide by 35 cm high (13¾ by 20¾ inches). Frame area 67cm x 52.5cm. Ernst Heinrich Barlach (1870-1978) was a German expressionist sculptor,… Read More

Metz: P. Didion, [1870]. Wonderful military certificate of competency in the art of cane fighting. Soldiers were expected to pass many different competencies. This particular diploma was awarded to Monsieur Joseph Franc of the 115th French Infantry Regiment. Complete with the ink signatures of attending instructors. Undated, but circa 1870. 325 x 490 mm (12¾ x 19¼ inches). Has some stains and closed tears, but generally in a good condition. In the 1800s carrying a walking stick / cane was a symbol of a gentleman who was fashion conscious, but one who was also ready to defend himself. Whilst fencing was still practiced, it did not enjoy the same popularity with the newly empowered bourgeoisie. Enterprising fencing masters soon translated their skills to the use of the walking stick or la canne. Fascinatingly, 'la canne de combat' is still a sport practiced today by thousands of cannistes around the world. Magnifique certificat militaire de compétence dans l'art du combat à la canne. Les soldats… Read More

Paris: Furne, 1850. First edition. Half leather binding, with gilt titles and decoration to burgundy labels. Blue marbled boards. Gathered together, are 84 engravings, from a variety of works. Most of the plates were published by Furne, but other publishers are also represented. The are listed in manuscript to the front of the collection. They include 54 by Alfred & Tony Johannot, 3 by Raffet, Others by Schoeder, Pourvoyeur, Nyon, Lemaitre, Auber, & Perrot. Each is protected by a tissue guard. 174 pages, 84 engraved images to recto only. The engravings come from a variety of works, several are from Sir Walter Scott's work, (which has given dating) others from the Histoire de la Marine Francaise. The binding is clean, but has the beginnings of splitting to the top edge. Slight rubbing to the edges of the binding. The engravings are in good, clean condition, with a touch of foxing to them. 250 by 175mm (9¾ by 7 inches). Reliure demi-cuir, avec titres et décors dorés aux étiquettes bordeaux. Plats… Read More

London: Smith, Elder & Co, 1869. First Edition. In an attractive Zaehnsdorf binding. Three quarters blue calf and marbled boards. Raised bands and gilt to spine. Bookplate of Lord Battersea (Cyril Flower) to front pastedown. This book of social and political criticism was, at its time, seen as quite controversial. Binding is a little rubbed. Foxing to front/rear pages, but body of book mostly clean and not foxed. lx + 272pp. 21 x 15 cm. Cyril Flower, first Baron Battersea (30 August 1843 – 27 November 1907) was a British Liberal politician and patron of art. His bookplate shows his favourite motto: Flores curat Deus (God cares for the flowers).

London: The Illustrated London News, 1876. A bound collection of issues of The Illustrated London Almanack. This was published annually by The Illustrated London News from 1845 to 1895. The full title states that this "contains astronomical diagrams of remarkable phenomena, printed in tints, under the superintendence of James Breen. Ferns and Butterflies of the months, printed in colours by Leighton Brothers with descriptive letterpress by Mrs Lankester, fine art engravings, original designs heading the calendar and a variety of useful information." The illustrations show the Victorian obsession with the rural idyll. Half brown leather, with gilt decoration and titles. Brown buckram boards. Boards are a little faded and rubbed, but still attractive. Marbled end papers. Internally in good, if slightly darkened condition. Pagination is: 1865, 58 pages; 1866, 54 pages; All volumes from 1867 to 1874 have 56 pages in each; 1875, 48 pages, 1876, 48 pages. Each year is complete - apart from 1876, which… Read More

Paris: H. Remy, 1821. 8 volumes of the Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène and 2 volumes of the Suite au Mémorial de Sainte-Hélène. Complete. First Thus - H. Remy of Bruxelles edition. The ten volumes are in uniform red cloth, with blind stamped design to the boards and gilt decoration and titles to the spine. Unfortunately the final volume (V2. of the suite) has lost its spine. Each volume is 17cm x 10 cm. Generally, there is some cracking to the hinges, a little nicking to the head and tail of the spine. Moderate foxing to each volume. There are a few other flaws, itemised in the collation below. (1). Memorial Tome premier. 1822. Frontis engraving: floor plan of Longwood. 350 pages. (2). Memorial Tome Second. 1822. 330 pages. (3). Memorial Tome Troisieme. 1823. 320 pages. folding engraved map of the Campagne d'Italie (moderate foxing to map.) (4). Memorial Tome Quatrieme. 1823. 324 pages. (5). Memorial Tome Cinquieme. 1823. 332 pages. (6). Memorial Tome Sixieme. 1823. 326 pages. Slight weakness to the… Read More

London: John Walthoe, 1723. First edition thus. Full leather binding with six raised bands to the spine (no titles). Two thin gilt lines to the edge of the boards. The front board is detached. It has been lightly reattached with archival tape, but needs a permanent repair. Title page has an owner's name to the top edge. Internally clean and tidy with a little marking / foxing only. a scarce book with text in both Latin and English on facing pages, decorated head and tailpieces. The dedication of this edition is to Robert Walpole. He was de facto the first British Prime Minister from 1721. At the beginning of his time in office were Jacobite risings, and anti Catholic sentiment was strong. vi [6] i-v, 6-127. The book is complete, but lacks a 12 page publisher's catalogue that is often attached to the rear. 155 by 95 mm (6 by 3¾ inches). The Monita Secreta was a guide allegedly written by the Jesuits explaining how to gain riches and make influential friends; bibliographers often attribute it to a… Read More

Norimbergæ [Nürnberg]: Jo. Baptist Homann, 1716. Copper engraving by Johann Baptist Homann, with contemporary hand colouring. The cartouche has a scene of Gods watching the fighting on a battlefield. The map covers the Dauphiné in southeastern France. In the west is the Rhône, and in the east Piemont in Italy. 505 x 580 mm (20 x 22¾ inches). One central fold. The colours are strong and edges are a little delicate. Blank verso. Gravure sur cuivre de Johann Baptist Homann, avec coloration à la main contemporaine. Le cartouche a une scène de dieux regardant les combats sur un champ de bataille. La carte couvre le Dauphiné dans le sud-est de la France. A l'ouest se trouve le Rhône, et à l'est le Piémont en Italie. 505 x 580 mm (20 x 22¾ pouces). Un pli central. Les couleurs sont fortes et les bords sont un peu délicats. Verso vierge.

London: Frederick Warne & Co, 1904. An attractive copy of this scarce first edition. Undated but 1904. The text is by Farrow, but beauty of the book lies in the beautiful red and black illustrations by Harry B. Nielson (1861-1941). Red spine, and illustrated front board. The illustration is bright, but there is a little staining to the front and rear board. Illustrations throughout. The text and illustrations are clean and bright, but the binding has split to the title page. Although still holding, the binding is a little shaken throughout as a result and the text block is threatening to break free. Very small closed tear to the edge of the title page and illustrations leaf. 19 full page illustrations. 325 x 260 mm.

London & New York: Frederick Warne & Co., 1892. Scarce First Edition. Victorian illustrated children's verse book [1892]. In pictorial boards, with cloth spine. Beautiful colour and duo tone illustrations by the author - including a half title page, and a frontispiece entitled 'Good Morning'. Has a neat 1894 owner's name in ink to the front endpaper. Some fading to the spine cloth, and some rubbing / light soiling to the boards. Minimal foxing to inside pages, mostly to prelims. Overall a very nice copy. [32] pp. 230 x 185 mm (9 x 7¼ inches).