Search Results: History from Thompson Rare Books

Gloucester: Printed For The Editor, MDCCCXXV (1825). First Edition (& 1st printing). Quarto, bound in full 20th Century brown morocco, spine panel with 5 raised bands, titled "Civil War Tracts" in gilt lettering on a red title label, "Washbourn" in gilt below this, handmade paper endpapers. ccv (Title leaf, Dedication, List of Subscribers, Address of the Editor, Historical Introduction, Notes to the Historical Introduction); [2] 328-456 pp. Originally issued to subscribers in 3 parts, 1823-25, ours is a made-up copy, printing the very long Introductory Essay by Washbourn and the tracts from part 3 only; each with their own separate title leaf. Lacking the frontispiece portrait and three plates (which were in the missing parts), the Engraved Map 'Geographical View of Gloucestershire During the Civil War' present and mounted as a frontispiece. Paper is crisp and off-white, minor rubbing, scratches & small marks to the binding; a sound very good copy. ¶ Lacking the tracts from parts 1 & 2, we have the… Read More

London: The Folio Society., 1968.. First Folio Society Edition.. Hardcover. Near Fine in slipcase. Octavo, original printed boards, blue cloth spine titled and decorated in gilt. 276 pp. Illustrated with a series of eight caricatures by James Gillray entitled "The Life of William Cobbett, - written by Himself", originally published in 1809. Spine panel a bit tanned, otherwise a near fine copy in slipcase which shows some slight stains. ¶ An anthology of works by Cobbett, taken from 'Peter Porcupine', 'Rural Rides', 'The Political Register', &c, &c. The front & rear boards are printed with a pastiche of an early nineteenth-century hand-bill or poster, set within a typographical border.

Budae: Typis Regia Universiitatis., 1778.. First Edition, First Printing. First edition. Quarto. [A2-3, 233]. Vignettes on initial pages of Parts I & II, 3 folding engraved plates inserted at rear, decorative tailpieces & intital letters. Binding quarter calf, four raised bands, marbled boards. Stamp on title page and p.119, ink notations on title page, foot of pages 186-189 and head of first folding plate. Small, neat repair to an old worm hole at foot of pp 100-125. Pages crisp, minor damp staining not affecting text. A decent and pleasing copy. Rare. ¶ Stephen Schönvisner [1738 - 1818], Hungarian Jesuit and Theologian, Archeology professor at the Royal University of Budapest, discoverer of the Roman city of Aquincum.

Oxford & London: James Parker & Co., 1868.. First Edition, First Printing. First edition. Two volumes (or, as the titles pages state, two half-volumes). Octavo, original maroon cloth decorated in blind on front & rear panels, titled and ruled in gilt on spines. xii + 472; 473-959 pp (pagination is continuous); three large folding plates in Volume One, brown coated endpapers. Blindstamped "Presented by the Publisher" on title leaf and first leaf of text in Vol. One. Cloth rubbed, scuffed and frayed, some wear along spine edges and at tips, rear outer spine hinge of Vol. One neatly repaired; a good, sound set. ¶ A Chronology and timeline of Ancient History pertaining to the Old Testament figures of Esther and Ahasuerus. Rare.

London: The Folio Society., 1981. [1997].. Hardcover. Fine in slipcase. Octavo, original pictorial cloth. 295 pp. Frontispiece plus 13 pages of plates reproducing 26 contemporary photographs, printed lithographically with the text and included in the pagination. Originally published by the Folio Society in 1981, this is the Fifth Impression, dated 1997 on the copyright page. A fine copy in slipcase. ¶ Originally published in 1929, the text of this edition follows that of the revised edition of 1957. An autobiography. "It was my bitter leave-taking of England, where I had recently broken a good many conventions". The title may also point to the passing of an old order following the cataclysm of the First World War; the supposed inadequacies of patriotism, the interest of some in atheism, feminism, socialism and pacifism, the changes to traditional married life, and not least the emergence of new styles of literary expression, all of which are treated in the work. The unsentimental and frequently… Read More

Stuttgart & Berlin: J.G. Cotta’sche Buchhandlung., 1913.. Third edition. Third Edition. Octavo, bound in contemporary half calfover marbled paper boards, gilt banding and titles on spine, marbled edges and endpapers. xxvi + 990 pp. Text in German. Covers and back lightly rubbed, old signature on front endpaper. Contents crisp, fresh and unmarked. ¶ Meyer's monumental history work. Volume 1.2 (of 5), "The oldest historical nations and cultures to the sixteenth century".

Amstelodami (Amsterdam) & Trajecti Batav (Utrecht): Janssonio-Waesbergios & Jacobum a Poolsum, MDCCXXXIII (1733),. First Printing of This Edition. Quarto, contemporary full blind-stamped vellum, black leather title label on spine lettered in gilt. [48], 668, [134] pages. Engraved Frontispiece, title leaf printed in red & black with intaglio vignette, one additional full-page engraved plate [41] pp preliminaries, + 668 pp + [134] pp Index at rear; numerous coins and medals engraved intaglio within text, reproducing the portraits of the main characters in the history of Rome. Magnificent printing with diverse fonts to differentiate the texts and notes. Original binding of the period in full vellum with ornate centerpiece in blind on front and rear panels. Vellum darkened; corners knocked a bit, front hinge slightly split alone outer edge and with some signs of old repair but holding very tightly (the cords intact, the split is cosmetic); ink name dated 1852 at head of title and another in pencil on… Read More

Paris: L. Desessart et Cie., 1837.. First Edition, First Printing. First edition. Octavo, two volumes. Bound in contemporary half red calf over marbled paper boards, the spines with raised bands, ruled and decorated in gilt, gilt titles. Marbled endpapers and page edges. 450 + 440 pp. Heraldic bookplate of Samuel Eliot on front endpapers. Covers and backs slightly rubbed, scuffed, slight loss to extremities. Pencil notation on rear endpaper. Pages crisp, scattered foxing. A very good, attractive set in sound, clean bindings.

Tyrnau: Typis Academicis Societatis Jesu., 1743.. Small octavo. Three parts in one volume, bound in contemporary mottled calf, the spine with raised bands decorated gilt in compartments, red title label, marbled edges and endpapers. Attractive head- and tailpieces throughout, initial letters, title page vignette. 182 + 315 + 254 pp. Covers rubbed and scuffed with wear / slight loss at extremities, corners bumped. Back scuffed, chipped at head with minor loss. Bookplate partially removed from front pastedown. Contents crisp and fresh, old damp staining at top outside margin, not affecting text. ¶ Dissertations on Byzantian history. A further volume, 'Tomulus Posterior', exists. Francisci Keri (1702 -1768), Hungarian Jesuit and Astronomer. His main works were: panegyric de S. Ignatio (Nagyszombat 1730). Dissertatio de Cometa viso (ditto 1736). Epitomae historiae Byzantinae (ditto 1738). Dissertatio physica de corpore generatim (ditto 1762). De motu corporum (ditto 1753). De causis motuum (ditto… Read More

London: The Folio Society., 2000. [2005].. Hardcover. Fine in slipcase. Octavo, original decorated boards boards, green cloth spine blocked in white and black. 278 pp., Index at rear, Frontispiece and line drawings throughout the text by Bailey. This is the Fifth Impression, dated 2005 on the copyright page. Miniscule mark to fore-edges of leaves, a fine copy in slipcase. ¶ John Rowland Fothergill (1876 - 1957) was an English innkeeper and entrepreneur, described as a "pioneer amateur innkeeper" in Who's Who. Fothergill kept the Spreadeagle at Thame in the 1930's transforming a fairly average country pub into a venue of choice for the gentry, the dons and students of Oxford, and the glitterati. Fothergill was an incorrigible name-dropper and the great and the good adorn his pages, much as they would have done had he been a gossip columnist and there are some really great stories regailed in here. Fothergill was a kind of a forerunner of Basil Fawlty.

San Francisco: The Grabhorn Press, 1933. First Edition Thus. Hardcover. Very Good. Quarto, original green cloth titled in red "JOURNEY OF CORONADO" on spine. 550 copies printed. 134 pp + Notes, printed throughout in red & black, illustrated. Cloth at head of spine just starting to fray, otherwise a very good clean copy. ¶ An account by one of Francisco Coronado's soldiers in the 1540-42 expedition to explore the Southwest from Mexico City to the Grand Canyon and the Great Plains. Coronado explored the American Southwest, through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma and as far north as present day Kansas.

London: T. Fisher Unwin, Paternoster Square., MDCCCXCII [1892].. First Edition (& 1st printing). Octavo, original pictorial red cloth lettered in gilt on spine and front panel, decorative designs and lettering in black. 317 pp., frontispiece and 6 additional full-page black & white plates inserted within the text, plus a folding map of Greece during the War of Independence, 1821-1829 (complete, as issued). Issued as volume in the publisher's "The Adventure Series". Small stains to endpapers, a few minor tears to margins, corners slightly knocked, minor rubbing to the cloth; a very good copy, tight and sound, complete. Rare. ¶ Theodoros Kolokotronis (Greek: Te?d???? ??????t?????; 3 April 1770 – 4 February 1843) was a Greek general and the pre-eminent leader of the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829) against the Ottoman Empire.

London: The Folio Society., 1965.. First Folio Society Edition.. Hardcover. Very Good in slipcase. Octavo, bound in full dark green buckram with a gilt design based on a binding by Samuel Mearne from the library of Charles II, now in the British Library. 256 pp. Frontispiece plus fiftenn additional full-page black & white lithographed plates which are reproductions of etchings from the 1793 edition of Walpole's translation. Toning to spine, light stains, a very good copy in the cardboard slipcase which has small splits and stains. ¶ "...the most entertaining of contemporary memoirs, and in no other book is there a description so vivid, truthful, and graceful of the licentious court of Charles II."

Sheffield: Leader and Sons, Printers, "Independent" Office., 1876. First Edition (& 1st printing). Octavo, original grey fine-diaper cloth, front panel bordered and lettered in blind, pale yellow endpapers. 208 pp. Previous owner's ink name & address stamp on front free endpaper, hairline crack to inner rear hinge. Small worn spot to cloth near base of spine, a few small marks to the cloth; a very good clean copy. ¶ Frederick John Falding, (1818-1892), English independent minister; professor of divinity. Sometime Principal and Professor of Divinity in the Theological College, Rotherham, Yorkshire; afterwards Principal of Yorkshire United College, Bradford. "The following rough notes of travel were written, many of them hastily and all of them under difficulties, mostly in steamboats and hotels, with no other purpose than to interest personal friends and readers of the Sheffield and Rotherham Independent." Chapter 1: England to Cairo Chapter 2: Cairo to Jerusalem Chapter 3: The Pyramids - Suez -… Read More

Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia Press., [1975]. First Edition (& 1st printing). Octavo, original cloth, 373 pp., Illustrated, Index. Signed by the Editor Blakey on the title leaf, inscribed by Dr Helmcken's grandson Ainslee J. Helmcken on the half-title leaf "All members of the Helmcken family are very pleased with the beautiful production of this work and thank all who participated most sincerely / Ainslee J. Helmcken". At the head of the same leaf is the signature of Anthony Blicq, Director, UBC Press, as this was his personal copy. Included with the book is a typed Letter Signed from Dorothy Blakey Smith to Mr. A.N. Blicq, UBC Press Vancouver, dated 21 December 1977, which states in part: "Dear Tony: Herewith the Helmcken Reminiscences, duly signed. Actually, since you wouldn't let me thank you in the printed 'Acknowledgements', I really wanted to inscribe the book "To the perfect Director, who left me strictly to my own devices." I refrained, lest I offend your sense of fitness;… Read More

London: The Folio Society., 2010.. First Folio Society Edition.. Hardcover. Fine in slipcase. Royal Octavo, original pictorial cloth, map endpapers. 502 pp. Frontispiece plus twenty additional full-page black & white plates, plus cover design, all by McLaren. Indexes at rear. A fine copy in slipcase. ¶ First published in 1830. A masterpiece of description and political journalism, deservedly the best known of Cobbett's works. In the 1820's Cobbett embarked on a series of journeys by horseback through the countryside of Southeast England and the English Midlands. He wrote down what he saw from the points of view both of a farmer and a social reformer. The result documents the early 19th-century countryside and its people as well as giving free vent to Cobbett's opinions.

London: The Folio Society., 1962.. First Edition.. Hardcover. Very Good in slipcase. Royal Octavo, bound in quarter dark blue leather over blue cloth boards. 159 pp. Frontispiece plus thirty-nine additional full-page black & white plates showing facsimiles of various manuscripts, printed books, portraits, paintings and etchings illustrating the progress of English Literature. A fine copy in red cardboard slipcase (tiny splits, light fading). ¶ This was the Folio Society Presentation Volume for 1963, the text was specially commissioned for this publication.

London: The Folio Society., 1970.. First Folio Society Edition.. Hardcover. Very Good in slipcase. Royal Octavo, bound in quarter black leather over wood veneer boards with a design in gold and blue, map endpapers. 310 pp. Frontispiece plus nine additional full-page black & white plates, plus two double-page reproductions of antique engraved maps; in addition, there are nine smaller maps within the text. A near fine copy in cardboard slipcase with black paperedges and caps, the slipcase with some light, minor wear at the tips. ¶ The text is edited from Hakluyt's 'The Principal Navigations, Voyages and Discoveries of the English Nation', which was first published in London in 1589, and appeared in an enlarged edition between 1598 and 1600.

No Place [Tokyo]: No Publisher [The Japan Times?], No Date [1925]. First Edition. Original wrappers.. Poor. Octavo, original printed wrappers. 618 pp. With a card glued to a preliminary blank "With the Compliments of The Japanese Consul Vancouver B.C." Complete, but in poor condition, the sewing is hlding but split in a few sections, about the top 1/3rd of the spine panel is torn off, long closed tear to rear cover. Despite the condition, this is a rare book.