Rare books from Harrison-Hiett Rare Books

Amstelveen: AMO, 1997. First Edition. First edition. Folded sheets, loose as issued in original cloth cardboard box by Phoenix and printed by Rob Cox. This is # 4 of 10 Arabic numbered deluxe copies signed by Claus and Reinhoud with extra suit, all signed with poems. The leporello etchings are in black and white, all signed, with autograph note 'dit is nummer 4, Reinhoud' on title page of the suite. First edition with 8 signed etchings on Hahnemühle by Reinhoud D'Haese, printed by Imprimerie Viverlot Incorporated. In excellent condition throughout. No significant flaws. (72) pp. 380 x 280 mm (15 x 11 inches).

London: The Cresset Press, 1931. Two volumes. Folio. One of 195 copies on Batchelor's handmade paper. (This copy #105). Set in type from a copy of the Revised 1674 edition (Paradise Lost) and the first edition of 1671 (Paradise Regained). Twenty wood-engravings (16 full-page, plus head- and tail-pieces in each volume) were designed and engraved on wood by Demitrios Galanis. Title page and Initial letters designed by Anna Simmons. The copies were printed Bernard Newdigate at Shakespeare Head Press, in Oxford. Volume I, (i)-xii, (1)-442, colophon; Volume II, (i-vi), (1)-88, colophon. 370 x 260 mm (14¾ x 10½ inches). Sold with this item, is a prospectus for this work, dated 1930, by Cresset Press, New York. This is printed in red and black 720 mm x 500 mm. Folded. Contains two engravings (one full page) and a leaf of the text. To the rear, is an apology to the Golden Cockerel Press for publishing a Milton at the same time that they are. "The last and most beautiful book issued by the Cresset Press"… Read More

Beijing: Rong Bao Zhai, 1952. This is a faithful reproduction of the seventeenth century edition, made from re-cut blocks and even incorporating the blind-stamping technique of gauffrage (gonghua - embossed design). The original was first published in 1633. This edition was published in 1952 by the historian Zheng Zhenduo and the author Lu Xun. Complete work in 4 volumes with over 280 images. Wonderful woodblock prints and gonghua embossing on Xuan paper. Chinese text. In its original silk tapestry folding outer case, held together by bone clasps. Four soft back books in sandstone-coloured paper binding with gold flecks. The books and case are all in very good condition. One label has a tiny tear, and there is some very minor light spotting to a few pages. The label and silk to the outer shows minimal handling. 315 x 210 mm (12½ x 8¼ inches). Hu Zhengyan (胡正言) (c. 1584 – 1674) was a Chinese artist, printmaker and publisher. He worked in calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, and… Read More

Antwerpiae [Antwerp] : Filios Martini Nutij, 1620. Folio. Two vols in 1. first edition of the second part by Sacchini; the first part, by Orlandini, was first published in 1614. These first two parts cover the history of the Jesuits until 1564; a further three parts were published later.With engraved title showing Ignatius and early members of the order. Carved woodcarving printer's mark at the end of part 1. There is a small library stamp to the title page for "Bibliotheca Historica A. Hamy." There is an ink annotation to the bottom edge of the title page dated 1657. (It would suggest that this volume was owned by a Franciscan monastery in France). Another stamp to the first leaf for "Collegium Angiense Societis Jesus" (Jesuits founded schools established on the principles of Ignatius and called them Collegium). Period (possibly contemporary) full leather. Six raised bands to the spine. Gilt titles and decorations to the spine. The binding is a little rubbed to the edges, with cracking to the… Read More

Paris: Denys Ianot, [Janot], 1540. First Edition. Transl. from Spanish by "le Seigneur des Essarts", Nicolas de Herberay. (1540)-1542, 3 parts in 1 vol. 150; (4), 86; (3), 94 leaves., repeated woodcut printer's mark on 2 title-pages, 43 (some repeated) woodcut illustrations within borders. 65 historiated/ decorated initials (including Janot's white alphabet with thistle especially designed for the Amadis), 18th century calf with gilt spine and two contrasting leather labels. folio. - First part lacks the first two preliminary leaves (incl. title) So begins at aiii); Remaining prelims one leaf with tear in text and one leaf lacks upper outer blank corner; first part partly wormholed in lower margin; title-page. to second part some soiling and old owner's entries; title-page. to third part slightly. dust stained; lower corner of final three leaves of third part restored and small inkstain in outer margin; All three parts occasionally. finger soiled / stained; engraved heraldic bookplate of Ham Court… Read More

Bononiae: ex Typographia Lelii a Vulpe , 1748. The first five full volumes in this series, containing: Volume 1) Printed 1748 (reprint) [viii], 1-645pp Contains engraved title and 9 full page or folding plates. In two parts. The Commentaria (p1-297) and the Opuscula (301-645). This second part includes the important treatise by Eustachii Manfredd (p599-641 and 2 of the plates) entitled 'De novissimis circa fixorum siderum errores observationibus'. This confirmed James Bradley's hypothesis about astronomical phenomena, and together they provided the first evidence of the Earth's movement around the Sun (Ie the first scientific confirmation of Copernicus' work). (2) Vol. II Part I. printed 1745 (1st edition - possibly later impression as errate shows amendments to August 1745). [vi], 1-506 [ii]. pp Engraved title. Commentaria. No plates (none called for). (3) Vol. II part II. Printed 1746. (1st edition errata to July 27th 1746). Viii, 1-406 [ii]. pp Engraved title and 24 engraved plates (complete),… Read More

London: T. Warner, 1727. First edition, second issue without the words "Conjugal Lewdness" in the main title. Daniel Defoe (ca. 1660-1731) published this essay under the original title of "Conjugal Lewdness or Matrimonial Whoredom" (1717) before being asked to rename it for the sake of propriety. This copy shows the cancel title mounted to a stub (as it should be!) Contemporary full calf, gold-tooled filets, fleurons on boards and coat of arms of Earl Stanley on upper board, ribbed spine with gold-tooling, inner filets in gold-tooling, all edged gilt. Boards have been repaired and the spine re-laid onto the back. Internally clean and tidy throughout, with just a touch of foxing to the pages. vi, [2], 406 pp. 195 x 125mm (7¾ x 5 inches). Despite changing the title, Defoe's text is unchanged. In this essay "concerning the Use and Abuse of the marriage bed", Defoe deals with contraception and compares it with infanticide, "the diabolical practice of attempting to prevent childbearing by physical… Read More

Paris: Le Journal des Dames et des Modes, 1820. A lovely collection of 131 beautifully hand coloured fashion engravings from "‎Le Journal des Dames et des Modes de l'Empire..." Without any explanatory text. Each plate is entitled "Costumes Parisiens." The first plate is dated 12 (1803) the last is from 1830. The contemporary quarter leather binding has a deep red spine with gilt design and titles. red cloth boards. A little rubbing to both. Inside the plates are in good, clean condition, with a few foxing spots here and there. A very nice collection. Each plate is hand coloured. They measure 110 by 118mm (4¼ by 4¾ inches) The "Journal des dames et des modes" was inspired by the "Revue de La Mésangère". (Colas 1565; Lipperheide, zb 15; Hiler, 486). "Begun in June 1797, this journal was continued without interruption until the end of 1829. Every five days an issue appeared with a beautiful colored figure representing a costume, and the issue for the 15th of each month even contained two… Read More

München / Monachii: Leysserius / Apud Cornelium Leysserium , 1631. 3rd Edition of this graphic account of Hell. München : Leysserius / Monachii : Apud Cornelium Leysserium Engraved title and 9 full-page engravings in text depicting the torments of the damned in Hell by Philipp Sadeler. Contemporary vellum with two brass and vellum clasps to close (one of the clasps is lacking). A quarter (2 cm) of the vellum to the spine is lost, with cracking to the spine edge. Some stains to boards. Ownership inscription on the front end paper and to the title page. Text is in Latin. Text block is clean and presentable. Some offsetting from the engraved plates. The plates appear to have been trimmed quite tightly but with minimal (if any) loss. This third edition seems to be a pocket edition, so that you are able to consult the torments at any time! The plates and typesetting seem to have been slightly re-worked from other (including later) editions by Leysserius. The dedication addresses the apostolic… Read More

London: Coutts & Company, 1860. A signed cheque, presented by Charles Dickens, pay to "House" for £5.10.0 drawn against Coutts & Co. Dicken's signature is clear, and has his usual flourish. The cheque is slightly darkened, but in very good condition, and embossed with a "one penny" device over the word "Bearer" The cheque is mounted behind glass, with a gilt border of 22cm x 11.5cm This in turn is within a much larger frame of 41cm x 35.5cm which also holds an attractive engraved portrait of Dickens, and a brass plaque, bearing the title "Charles Dickens 1812-1870." The background is a dark brown felt / baize. To the rear of the frame is a paper label for the Heritage Collectors' Society of Pennsylvania.

London: Chapman & Hall, 1843. Third Edition in Original Cloth. Printed in the same month as the first edition. This copy bears all of the issue points of the first issue- with the exception of the title page, which clearly states 3rd Edition. It is likely that this was bound up from 1st issue sheets, when the demand for more copies was realised. Please see photographs from Walter E. Smith for the issue points. To highlight one example - ps 42 line 17. The W in Was is printed in Italic. Smith states that this was corrected in the second edition - but it still appears here as an italic. In particular - all of the changes that Smith states occured between the 1st and 3rd editions and in this copy, in the 1st state (see pic of table 1). Original brown buckram / cloth with blind stamped decoration to boards, and gilt titles to spine and front board. The cloth is somewhat darkened,There is a little splitting to the spine and a chip to the top edge of the spine (1cm) this has been re-glued in place, but… Read More

Paris: H.J. Jansen, 1800. 8 l'an (the 8th Revolutionary year) 1800. First edition, where the author is anonymous, but the preface is signed Baert. 4 volumes. in-8vo, Contemporary half calf, mottled paper covers, corners bumped and the gilt titles and decoration are significantly rubbed. Complete with 4 folding maps (England, Scotland, Ireland, India)& folding plan of Gibraltar by J.-D. Barbier de Bocage, 3 views incl. Fingal's Cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa, Giant's Causeway located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland and Gibraltar, the 2 portraits engr. by A.J. Hulk of William Pitt (after William Owen) and Charles Fox (after K.A. Heckel), a folding plate "Combat de boxers à Odiham" and 14 folded tables. The information and tables show the concerns of the Commune in Paris - how much the monarchy costs England, the number of prisoners etc. Text is entirely in French. Vo1 1. Fingal's cave; Giant's Causeway; View of Gibraltar; Map of England, with vignette of… Read More

London: Howlett and Brimmer, 1816. First edition. A majestic work, showing the renewed Paris of Napoleon in all its glory. Complete. Illustrated with 12 double-page engravings. Panoramic views include: the Military School and the Church of the Invalides; View of Paris from the South Boulevard; View of Paris from Montmartre; South View of the Old and New Louvre; The Mint and The Façade of the Louvre; View of La Place de la Concorde; The Garden of the West Front of the Tuileries; Palace of the Tuileries Facing La Place du Carrousel; Garden of the Tuileries; The Luxembourg or Palais du Senat with the Gardens; The Elysian Fields, Distant Gardens of the Tuileries; Entrance to Les Champs Élysées and La Place de la Concorde. There appear to have been two versions printed. This version - which was the engravings only, There was also another version, printed simultaneously, with letterpress text to one leaf to accompany the smaller engravings (they are about half the size of our engravings). This latter… Read More

London: Unpublished, 1850. A section of envelope, addressed and signed by Dickens to his schoolboy son Charles Culliford Boz Dickens (1837–1896) known as Charley, whilst he was a student at Eton. The Eton address is via his son's tutor William Evans Esquire. Signed 'Charles Dickens' to the lower left corner. The envelope bears a Penny Red postage stamp and postmark of Strand in London, circa 1850. The segment has been mounted on a piece of card, which also has another address behind. That of a Mrs Walker. Blank to verso. 85 by 130mm (3¼ by 5 inches).

1828. These fabulous illustrations, were created by Lesueur and Alaux between 1826 and 1828. Lithography by Godefroy Engelmann. They were originally gathered in a portfolio of 14 plates (according to FirstSearch - some sources state 15 but may be including a title). They seem to have been issued uncoloured, and we have seen no original plates offered with hand colouring. Each plate was presented with an engraved view of a roman antiquity or scene, and then several lines of small text in French below. (There was a 20th Century uncoloured reproduction but this is without the text). Here we offer five of the plates. Each has the contemporary hand colouring, and is framed and glazed with passe partout and a more recent simple gilt frame. Here the views have a visible area of 47cm x 31cm, beneath a passe partout of 49cm x 59cm, and held within a frame of 53cm x 62cm. The passe partout has a very slight wave to each plate, otherwise they are in fine condition. The five views are: Colonne élevée á… Read More