Search Results: 18th Century Manuscript from Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc.

Boston Massachusetts MA, 1700. On offer is a superb and important piece of Americana specifically a handwritten deed concerning the very important geographic area of Fort Warren which defends the harbor in Boston, Massachusetts, and has done so from 1861 through the end of World War II. To buffs of the Civil War, it was also the location where the famous Union marching anthem 'John Brown' was written using a tune from an old Methodist camp song 'Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!' and signed by Isaac Addington, who served on the Salem Witch Trial Grand Jury and Adam Winthrop, the son of John Winthrop, First Governor of Massachusetts. John Winthrop (1588-1649) is perhaps best remembered for the famous sermon in which he likened the Massachusetts Bay Colony to a 'city upon a hill' a model to the world of social and religious order." (Ref: Wikipedia). This manuscript document is dated Boston 27 Dec, 1700. Folded into thirds, Calligraphic initials. SIGNED BY ADAM WINTHROP, son of John… Read More

Paris, France. Fair with no dust jacket. Ephemera. On offer is a fine example of a letter to a French doctor in Paris requesting his assistance. The letter is written in English. The author was on F. Cary to a Dr. Bourre in Paris. In his letter, Cary mentions two women by name – a Mrs Giffard and a Mrs. Cary. The latter may or may not have been related to or married to the author. Cary mentions that the women as suffering from serious nose bleeds. He makes reference to an unnamed doctor who has seen them and written a report which was apparently enclosed with the letter. He requests Bourre to examine them. An excerpt of the letter follows: ...I have nothing more to add than that Mrs. Giffard tho frequently appearing ill never makes any complaint and it is with difficulty that she will own that anything is the matter owing I believe to the difficulty nervous people have of explaining what they feel. After you have looked this over I should be very glad to see you. I leave Paris early… Read More

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS: Pierre [Petrus] Schenck. Good+. 1706. Full-Leather. On offer is a remarkable testament to the art of calligraphy. An awesome manuscript book 'published' by the renowned engraver Schenck of Atlas Sanson fame. There are two [2] title pages, French and Dutch, the first being: "Tablettes Chronologiques contenant la suite des Papes, Empereurs et Roys qui ont règné depuis la naiss. de J. Chr. jusqu'à présent. Pour servir de Plan à Ceux qui lisent l'histoire profane. Présentées au Roy par G. Marcel, avocat au Parlement. Amsterdam Pierre Schenk 1706. [In Dutch: Chronologische tafelen behelzende d'achtervolging der pausen, keizers en koningen, welke geregeerd hebben federt de geboorte van I. Christus tot nu toe, dienende tot een grondbewerp aan de geenen die de wereldlijke hystorian....] A chronological atlas of the Popes and Royals from the birth of Jesus Christ. Previous owner on the fep has made a… Read More

Charenton, France: None, 1706. One page report by Doctor Bercolier on the health of the young L'Abbesse of Charenton. It appears the young woman has sustained a severe injury and her health is in serious jeopardy. Biographical Notes: SIR THOMAS PHILLIPPS (1792-1872). Born in 1792, Sir Thomas Phillipps from childhood was obsessed with the idea of obtaining virtually anything written or printed on paper, including cartloads of documents from wastepaper merchants and the entire inventories of booksellers. "I wish to have one copy of every book in the world," he declared to a friend. He very nearly succeeded. His collection ultimately grew to more than 100,000 books and at least 60,000 manuscripts. As a result of his extravagant purchases, Sir Thomas was permanently on the verge of bankruptcy and was constantly pursued by creditors. So many books arrived at his house that it was impossible to unpack his acquisitions much less keep pace with them. Visiting scholars, driven to distraction,… Read More

France. Poor with no dust jacket. 1711. Ephemera. On offer is a fascinating legal declaration made in the early years of 18th century France. The manuscript is a declaration made by one Jan d’Alencon, Sieur des Essarts. It is dated June 22nd, 1711. The manuscript references events as far back as 1700. It also mentions various amounts of money paid for different purposes. Our informal research has not turned up any biographical information about Jan d’Alencon. Historical sources have frequent references to the noble d’Alencon family and to the Seigneury of Des Essarts but our research has not confirmed a connection. The manuscript has not been translated. For a historian or genealogist, this manuscript offers a tantalizing mystery into life in this corner ofwestern France in the century before all was swept aside in the Revolution. The manuscript measures 11.25 inches by 8.0 inches. It contains 8 pages and is about 85% complete. The pages all have feathering and chipping… Read More

Normandy, France. Poor with no dust jacket. 1713. Ephemera. On offer is a financial document dating from the early 18th century in France. The document was drafted in Normandy. There are references to the city of Caen. Although not expressly stated (possibly due to missing text) , the context seems to suggest a marriage agreement between several parties. There are a number of names mentioned in the document with light underlining added some time later. Those names appear on a separate included list. The document refers to some amounts of money, as evidenced by the quote from the document below: “avec la somme de l'aise livres en argent les quelles meubles avec la dite somme ont ete estimees entre le dite parties a la somme de quatre vingt huit livres”. [Translation: “with the comfortable sum of pounds in silver which pieces of furniture with the saidsum were estimated between the said parties to the sum of eighty eight pounds…”]. For a social historian, this is… Read More

LIEPZIG, 1718. On offer is a super relic of Christian Doctrine being a 1718 original 4 page manuscript letter handwritten by author and theologian Romanus Teller [1703-1750] pastor at Leipzig, and afterwards became professor of theology in the University. He was father of the very famous theologian Wilhelm Abraham Teller. This 8 x 6.5 inch Latin letter, signed by Teller, is written to another well known Lutheran Theologian, Johann Christian Biel and the title suggest Teller is offering a formal clarification on points of Doctrine. General light soiling from age but overall G+.. Good+. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Latin.

SCHLOSS ZEIL WALDBURG-ZEIL LEUTKIRCH IM ALLGÄU GDR. Good+. 1722. On offer is a super, original 18th Century manuscript relic related to the physical art of war. Thirty hand drawn pages, many with copious, meticulous notes detailing what in 1772 would have been the state of the critical art of moving and parading masses of armed men into and during battle. Napoleon would likely have been trained to the standards or the like in this very handsome German volume. There is a rubber stamped inscription 'Archivrat Dr. R. Rauh Schloss Zeil (Wrtrag)' identifying the book as having been part of the Library of the famed residence of the Princes of Waldburg-Zeil in Leutkirch im Allgäu in southern Germany. The 7 x 5 inch book still has some of the gilt filigree over the leather and marbleized free endpapers attest to the value of this manuscript and was likely a ranking officers though we can only speculate. The binding is rubbed, some damage to the tips but the internal is very good… Read More

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1727. Ephemera. On offer is a fascinating example of both a legal document and the handwriting script of 18th century France involving an Admiral of the French Navy. This legal note appears to have been folded and perhaps served as a cover note to a file. It references a legal action between Jean-Baptiste Barthélémy Thomas, Comte d’Orves and one Francis Balthayard Balalard Bourg. The specifics of the case are not detailed. Jean-Baptiste Barthélémy Thomas, Comte d’Orves was born to the d’Estienne family, a noble house of Provence. He served in the French Navy, rising to the rank of Captain. D’Estienne d'Orves took part in the Battle of Ushant on 27 July 1778, captaining the 74-gun Actif. In 1778, d’Estienne d'Orves took command of the 80-gun Orient. Leading a French naval squadron in the Indian Ocean, he was given the authority, but not the rank, of a Rear Admiral. He died at sea in 1782.The… Read More

Fremersheim, Germany, 1734. On offer: ORIGINAL CONTRACT TO BORROW MONEY FROM A JEWISH MONEYLENDER IN 1734 as such VERY RARE loan agreement (debt-letter) for money provided by a Jew, "David von Büdesheim" in 1734. Very Fine Judaica, manuscript in ink on thick paper from Germany. Folio double leaf, all 4 pages written: Page 1: loan contract between Christoph Schröder (and wife) and "Schutz Juden David von Büdesheim", Page 2: condition and terms for repayment, Page 3: court confirmation with witnesses-repayment has to be made until 1735, page 4: hebrew notes probably made by the lender. Manuscript is dated on March 26, 1734 at Fremersheim, Germany. Condition: clear cuts (no text lost) in center because of devaluation (loan repayment). Some spots and darkening, folded, otherwise good+. Thick Paper has huge watermark. David von Büdesheim lent 21 Reichthaler to Christoph Schröder and his wife. As security, Schröder provided 4 parts of his land. An extremely… Read More

MARLBOROUGH MASSACHUSETTS MASS MA, 1736. On offer is a charming relic of Marlborough Massachusetts ephemera being a manuscript dated 1736 detailing the specifics of a new road in the town. "A way laid out beginning near the dwelling house of Jeremiah Barstow & so running along between the land of Col Thomas How & the land of Simon Gates & is bounded by said Gates land by boundry mark't trees & it is Eight rods wide until it comes to that which is called the Indian land & then running across the County road along by the house of Zachariah Maynard four rods wide & still extends four rod wide along between land of Daniel Rice & land of Eliazer Rice & along through the land of Thomas Martin down where the path now goeth. Down that which is called Sandy Hill & then it is tow rods wide & then turning & then running through the land of Joshua Rice through a corner of Rice's land and then through Daniel Rice's land & the land of Thomas Martin… Read More

Alecon, Normandy, France, 1737. Stamped with the archival seal of the Order of Malta in Normandy, May 21st, 1737 - this 44 page document was penned, and duly noted, at exactly 10am in the morning. Signed by the lawyers charged with the last will and testament of Mr. Jean Baptistes Lignes (Royal Sergeant). The lawyers in this matter are Lamperire, Combault, Jouen, Ossemont, Lignel, de la Riviere, Ermenouth, de Tanville and Normandie. The document is in poor shape, some pages damaged but still readable and presentable. . Manuscript. Poor. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Bourges, France. Good in Good dust jacket. 1738. Ephemera. On offer is an interesting note dating from early 18th century France. The note is dated June, 1738 and begins: A la requeste d'une favour du nom procureur...[Translation: At the request of a favour in the name of prosecutor…]. The note was signed ‘Dubrelle”. Our informal research has not found any biographical information about “Dubrelle”. From research, we know that one Francoise Dumont was a lawyer in Bourges and years later was appointed as King’s attorney in the finance office of Bourges. However, we do not have conclusive proof that this is the same person. As noted above, the note bears a seal that refers to the city of Bourges. For a collector of correspondence or for a historian of this period in France, this little note would make an interesting addition to a collection. This small, 1-page note measures 7.25 inches by 4.75 inches. It is in good condition with wear marks along all edges.… Read More

London, England, 1738. ON OFFER AN AUTOGRAPHED MANUSCRIPT LETTER HANDWRITTEN AND SIGNED, DATED LONDON, MARCH 30, 1738 BY LIEUTENANT H. HOP, ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY TO ENGLAND FROM THE STATES-GENERAL. IT READS AS FOLLOWS.MY LORD, I DO MYSELF THE HONOUR TO LAY BEFORE YOUR EXCELLENCY THE COPY OF A LETTER WHICH I RECEIVED LAST NIGHT MENTIONING GREAT VIOLENCE COMMITTED TOWARD A DUTCH VESSEL THAT HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO BE CASTAWAY ON THESE COASTS. THESE ARE MY LORD CRUELTIES AND INHUMANITY UNHEARD EVEN AMONGST THE MOST BARBAROUS NATIONS; I TAKE THEREFORE THE LIBERTY TO DECLINE YOUR EXCELLENCY TO BE PLEASED TO EMPLOY HIS GOOD OFFICER THAT READY AND EFFICACIOUS ORDER MAY BE GIVEN THAT WHAT HAVE BEEN ROBBED BE RESTORED TO THE PROPRIETARY (TO THE OWNER) AND THAT THE AUTHOR OF SUCH EXCESSES AND VIOLENCE BE PUNISHED IN AN EXEMPLARY MANNER TO THAT FOR THE FUTURE THOSE THAT SHALL HAVE THE MISFORTURN TO BE CAST ON THESE COASTS MAY FIND THE NECESSARY AID AND ASSISTANCE AND WHICH ONE IS TO EXPECT FROM SUCH A CHARITABLE AND… Read More

Very Good. 1739. On offer is a fascinating document of the Europe’s Scientific Revolution, a long and detailed notebook on Physics, written entirely in Latin and dated 1739. Simply titled, “Physica,” the book is many hundreds of pages in length. It contains, undoubtedly, an extraordinary and immense amount of knowledge pertaining to the study of Physics (and much, much more) in the first half of the 18th century. This includes lengthy sections on: mathematics; geometry; atmospheric and meteorological elements; navigation and sailing science; the discoveries of Newton including his Three Laws of Motion and Law of Universal Gravitation; Energy, motion, speed and acceleration; early theories of thermodynamics; the physics of light, reflection and refraction; fluid dynamics; human anatomy; cosmography (the science that deals with the general features of the universe, including the earth) including various signs and attributes of the Zodiac and constellations, and features of… Read More

HOLLAND THE NETHERLANDS GERMANY. Very Good. 1739. Leather Spine. On offer is a superb, original historical early 18th Century travel journal of three [3] Dutch men, Daniel van Alphen, P. van Dorp and the writer of the journal Hendrik van Alphen (1708-1764) who travel from Holland to Germany from April 9th 1739 through late summer. Hendrik is listed on Dutch genealogical sites as a 'koopman' or in English a merchant and given the many references that include numbers the approximately 8 x 10 inch very full 133 hand numbered page book is unlike diaries there is little detail of the daily doings but rather Hendrik described landscape and the community, where they were, how long the journey from one city to another city took and why in some cases the trip took longer than planned. The influence of Daniel van Alphen, whom was probably a registrar during the journey, is very clear in the journal. On every location that the authors arrived a specific attention is paid to the religious… Read More

France. Good with no dust jacket. 1741. Ephemera. On offer is an excellent example of a bill of goods dating from the first half of 18th century France. The document describes the products being purchased including 40 rolls of stamp paper (quarante rolles de papier timbres) and a payment schedule for the various items. The bill is signed by Lawrence de Ploesquellec. Our informal research has not been able to find any biographical information about him. However, the family surname is from the Brittany region of France. For a historian, this bill of lading gives an accurate look at the costs of some common goods that were for sale as well as the manner in which these transactions were carried out. The document is single-side sheet measuring 11.0 inches by 6.25 inches. The page is completely full of details. It is in reasonable condition with frayed edges on 3 sides and several wrinkles. The ink has faded somewhat but the handwriting is legible. ; Manuscripts; 11"x6.25"; 1 pages;… Read More

Alençon, Normandy, France, 1742. Dated 1742 by notary, M. Laurent Françoise Develoger, (first president of the office of Finance of the generality of Alençon) signs the will and testament of Monsieur Vathoy du Metz, son-in-law of Madame la Comtesse de Bao, who is to be the executor of the last will and testament of Mme Bao. The document is stamped with the blue achival seal of the Order of Malta. It also has at various agreements signatures of all concerned parties. The 4 page document is elegantly and densely written and in good shape save for a tear to the back leave not affect text.. Manuscript. Fair+. Folio - over 12" - 15" tall.

NAPLES ITALY. Good+. 1744. Original Vellum. On offer is a super manuscript relic of 18th Century religious devotion being a vellum covered notebook titled 'Memoria' handwritten by Carlo Antonio Di Cesare, a Jesuit in Naples between 1744 and 1764. Superbly intimate look into the life of this Catholic man using the book as a 'vade mecum' or catchall thusly a diary of notes detailing the life of this Jesuit scholar: it begins with his graduation into the Congregazione de' studenti sotto la protezzione dell'Annunciata of the Jesuit College Gesù Vecchio in Naples to study 'Logic' under Professore Giuseppe Guidone. On 24 November 1744, he passes his exam Confessione generale di tutta la vita and joins a Rosicrucian Brotherhood. What follows are his notes comprised of various lists: financials such as receipts and expenditures; what appears to be an inventory of a Library "Nota de' libri che tengo in Napoli 30. lugl. 1749" [or a reading… Read More

Toulon, France. Good. 1745. Hardcover. On offer is a stunning look into the the mind, finances and economy of Rudelle Dalzon a landlord, caterer and food supplier in pre Revolutionary France on the French Riviera. Many layered, very thick, elephant folio list many, many hundreds of transactions for rents, properties listed, supplies purchased, traded, sums loaned and paid plus many pieces of ephemera stuffed inside. Unpaginated, in original boards on thick paper there are at least 200 pages at two inches thick. Rudelle begins in 1745 and writes well into 1780s. There are at least two businesses running and ancilliary loans with corresponding notes. Mentions of trade with members of the King's staff. Many years of research in this ancient ledger. Rudelle diarizes his thoughts regarding most years in a special middle section of the book. Truly fascinating pre-Revolution manuscript and a delight for historians of the French Riviera. This journal boasts a very discreet Ex Libris HPK label… Read More