Letters and Holographic Documents

This well-known French poet, novelist and playwright was elected member of the Académie française in 1909; his home at La Garde on the French Riviera is now a museum. AMS, 20pp (rectos only). 8" X 10 3/4", n.p., n.y. [ca. 1890]. Very good to near fine. Custom bound in half grey cloth with gilt spine lettering and marbled paper over boards. Binding is very good, showing mild edgewear. Holograph manuscript for "La Noel du petit Jean," penned boldly in black ink on heavy stock leaves and boldly signed at the conclusion. Clearly a working draft, for it contains crossouts, insertions and corrections throughout. Apparently this was a novel, for the journal "Bulletin Bibliographique" and other scholarly sources of 1890-91 list an Aicard work by this title, one even noting 754 pages -- though perhaps these are lists of works in progress, for no published novel by this title can be found. To confuse matters further, the gilt title of this bound manuscript notes "1909," although this could be an error or… Read More

She writes that she is "greatly honoured that the Circle would care to hear me, and will do my best to give some idea as to how I evolved 'Adam's Breed'. I could speak on Monday October 18th at 6.45, if that will do, but I should like you to let me know for how long you would like me to speak.....". 37 Holland Street, Kensington, W.8. 28th June 1926. 1 1/4 sides 8vo on 2 conjoined leaves, on cream paper; remains of an album leaf on the blank reverse of the second side. Very good. It was not until the following January that she addressed the Writer's Circle of the Institute of Journalists, the meeting chaired by Wilhelmina Stitch who afterwards hosted a dinner at Gatti's in her honour at which the menu consisted of dishes described in "Adam's Breed".

1939. Manuscrit. Bon. En Feuilles. Signé par l'auteur. In-4. A) 8 lettres autographes signées d'Edouard Pichon à sa belle-soeur (l'une incomplète, certaines avec ajouts autographes signés de Hélène Pichon) : 8 pp. in-4 et 6 pp. in-8, certaines datées (1937-1939) ; B) 34 lettres autographes signées de Hélène Pichon à sa soeur (certaines avec ajouts autographes signés de Edouard Pichon) : 59 pp. in-4 et 14 pp. in-8 [1938-1939]. Dans cette correspondance familiale, il est beaucoup question de la santé de l'un ou de l'autre des époux (Edouard Pichon souffrait d'un rhumatisme articulaire aigu et Hélène Pichon de la tuberculose), mais aussi des "Mélanges Pierre Janet" dont E. Pichon s'occupait de la publication (on apprend ainsi que "Bergson envoie 100 francs, mais n'écrira rien parce qu'il a des insomnies (Edouard ne comprend… Read More

1552 Bembo Letters Italian Renaissance Erasmus Rotterdam Reginald Pole Alciato

Pietro Bembo was a 15th-century Italian scholar known for his direct influence in the development of the Italian language and the revival of the works of Petrarch. As a man of letters, Bembo was well-acquainted with many political, religious, and literary leaders throughout Italy and Europe. Many of his letters were collected and published in the mid-16th-century and included dozens of letters including those of Erasmus of Rotterdam, Cosmo Gherio (Bishop of Fano), Andrea Alciato, Cardinal Reginald Pole, Alfonso II Duke of Ferrara, and many others.
Item number: #7886
Price: $750
BEMBO, Pietro
Petri Bembi Card. Epistolarum familiarium, libri VI : Eiusdem, Leonis X. Pont. Max. nomine scriptarum, lib. XVI.
Venezia: Apud G. Scottum, 1552.

Details:
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Collation: Complete with all pages;
o [16], 398
o Signatures: *⁸ A-Z⁸, Bb⁸
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References: not in Adams; USTC 813421; Edit16 5041
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Language: Latin… Read More

1642 Erasmus of Rotterdam Autobiography & Letters Dutch Renaissance Humanism
"When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes."
― Erasmus

While mostly known for involvement in the Northern Renaissance, Erasmus of Rotterdam published several works on humanism and Protestant theology. Beginning in 1642, publisher Joannis Maire sought to publish an entire series of the works of Erasmus. This work, 'Vita', was the first of this series. This work and the letters therein is a reissue of the 1615 edition that was edited by the famous Dutch scholar Pieter Schrijver. 'Vita' itself is a collection of smaller works including:
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Erasmus's 'Autobiography'
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Beatus Rhenanus 'Biography' of Erasmus
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Erasmus's last will and testament
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A plethora of letters written by Erasmus to Lambertus Grunnius, Hector Deidonanus, Christophorus Messia Hispanus, Conradus Goclenius, Mutianus Rufus, Joannes de Hondt, Oecolampadius, Petrus Vulcanius, and Helius… Read More

New York: Brooklyn Fire Department, 1890. Hardcover. Very Good. 400 p.; 36 cm. Half calf with morocco-grain cloth over boards. The handwritten daily record book of Engine Co. No. 12 of the Brooklyn Fire Department. The list of members, with street addresses, attached to the front free endpaper names Stephen Allen as the foreman. Allen was born in 1853 and became a fireman in 1880, assistant foreman in 1887, and foreman in 1889. It provided a daily record of the activities of the fire engine company from Oct. 25, 1890, through June 8, 1891. A heavy book; for international shipping, it will have to be sent by priority international. In Very Good Condition: loss of leather from spine; edges rubbed; cocked; cover is soiled; front free endpaper is detached but present; some page corners creased; internally clean and solid.

1898. Near Fine. 1 handwritten letter on both sides of a piece of Naval and Military Club stationery with the club emblem and a black border, dated 13 July 1898. General Bindon Blood (1842-1940), a British Army commander who served in India, Southern Africa, and Afghanistan, is responding to an invitation. He was in London briefly in the summer of 1898 after being appointed major general and before returning, as he references here, to the Meerut district of India, "which is one of the very best commands in India." He was appointed in command of that district in September 1898. Although he spend part of 1901 fighting in the Second Boer War, he returned to India later that year. In 1907 he retired to London. Winston Churchill served under Blood in 1897 and dedicated The Story of the Malakand Field Force to him. In Near Fine Condition: small discoloration on the first side; otherwise, clean and crisp.

Paris: Felix Alcan, Editeur, 1893. RARE in the First Editions and RARER yet with ALS.. Premiere Serie published 1893, Seconde Serie, 1898. With one page Autograph Letter Signed on Place de L'Ecole stationery dated 1901, roughly 40 words in French, SIGNED A. Aulard. Bound in period quarter brown pebbled morocco over marbled boards, gilt backs, marbled end papers, ribbon markers. Near Fine, slight toning at edges, corners lightly rubbed, small labels front paste downs. Each volume with fold-out facsimiles. François Victor Alphonse Aulard (1849-1928) was the 1st professional French historian of Napoleon and of the French Revolution. . Autograph Letter Signed. First Edition. Quarter Morocco. Near Fine. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.

London, 1837. Addressed to an unidentified recipient, this signed letter concerns the appointment of an officer with hearing loss, which the Duke relates to his own experience of deafness. Like many exposed to the sound of artillery fire, the Duke of Wellington suffered from noise-related hearing loss. Subsequently he underwent a botched treatment which resulted in permanent deafness in one ear. This ALS is dated London, 16 April 1837. This was the year that Queen Victoria ascended the throne, and was written when the Duke was in his late 60s. Expected fold marks. Whole written in brown ink. 2pp. with integral blank leaf. 185 x 118 mm (7¼ by 4¾ inches)

1857 Letters of Horace Walpole Noble English History Satire Horace Mann 9v

"The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think."
― Horace Walpole
Horace Walpole was an English historian during the 18th-century, known for his letters, his collection of writings on noble authors, art commentary, and philosophical novels. According to the 1819 'London Monthly Review' on Walpole's 'Letters',
"every page presents a lively anecdote of the fashionable and high characters of the day, a sneer, a satire, or a song."


Several of the letters provide the reader with insight to the kind of man Horace Walpole was – self-indulgent who saw others as a means to further his agendas. He was a cynic towards almost all living authors, and he was always conscious of his own favorite pursuits. (Monthly, p.13).
Item number: #20766
Price: $599
WALPOLE, Horace
The letters of Horace Walpole, Earl of Orford:
London: Richard Bentley, 1857-59. 1st edition

Details:

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Collation: Complete with… Read More

1561 Italian Renaissance Letters of Illustrious Men Caro Manuzio Sadoleto Giovio
'Letters of Illustrious Men' is a gathering of letters written by notable Italian figures including poets, bishops, and humanists. This collection includes works by some of the following: Annibal Caro, Paolo Manuzio, Giovanni Matteo, Francesco Torre, Jacopo Sadoleto, Nicolo Ardinghelli, Paolo Giovio, Glaudio Tolomei, Paulo Sadoleto, and many, many others.
Item number: #21126
Price: $750
various
Lettere di XIII huomini illustri. Nellequali sono due libri di diversi altri auttori, et il fiore di quante belle lettere, che sin'hora si sono vedute
Venetia: per Comin da Trino di Monferrato, 1561.

Details:
· Collation: Complete with all pages
o
[16], 768
o
Signatures: A-Z8 2A-2Z8 3A-3C8
· References: USTC 804150
· Language: Italian
· Binding: Vellum; tight and secure
· Size: ~6.25in X 4in (15.5cm x 10cm)
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1691 ENGLISH 1ed Present State of Christendom Louis XIV Alexander Duke Tuscany

'The Present State of Christendom' is a collection of nine dialogues between notable figures of 17th-century Europe including Pope Alexander VIII, King Louix XIV, dukes of Savoy and Tuscany, the Duke of Lorrain, Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, Prince Abasti, and others. Each of these works of correspondence discuss the effects of Protestant and Catholic theology on politics, royal crowns, and on churches themselves.

Item number: #22214
Price: $599

various

The present state of Christendom consider'd : in nine dialogues

London : Printed for R. Baldwin ..., 1691. First edition.

Details:
· Collation: Complete with all pages
o [4], 95, [1]
· Language: English
· Binding: Leather; tight and secure
· Size: ~6in X 4.25in (15cm x 10.5cm)

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Customer satisfaction is our priority! Notify us with 7 days of receiving, and we will offer a full… Read More

1687 1ed Antonio Chagas Letters MYSTICISM Franciscan Monk Portuguese Lisbon

Antonio das Chagas was a 17th-century Portuguese mystic known for his ascetical writings. Following his return to Portugal from exile in Brazil, he dedicated his life to Catholic doctrine, living as a Franciscan monk instructing Catholics to live upright and devout lives. His spiritual letters were collected and published in 1684, shortly after his death in 1682. In fact, hundreds of letters found and published, so much so that a second volume of letters was published in 1687. This first edition of Chagas's letters was printed in Lisbon in Portuguese and contains 268 letters!

Item number: #22869
Price: $750

CHAGAS, Antonio das

Cartas espirituaes do veneravel padre Fr. Antonio das Chagas : con suas notas, observadas por hum seu amigo, segunda parte

Lisboa: officina de Miguel Deslandes, 1687. First edition.

Details:
· Collation: Complete with all pages;
o [20], 487, [1]
· Language: Portuguese
·… Read More

1657 Blaise PASCAL 1ed ENGLISH Provincial Letters Witchcraft Magic Provinciales
"I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter."
― Blaise Pascal, The Provincial Letters
The "Provincial Letters" by Blaise Pascal are a collection of letters in defense of Antoine Arnauld, a Jansenist who was condemned for heresy. Because of the content and nature of the letters, Pascal wrote them under a pseudonym of Louis de Montalte and added satire, humor, and wit to them to further himself from the letters. Pascal addresses controversial subject matter including witchcraft, magic, sorcery, and justification of assassinations.
This 1657 first edition is an incredibly rare and valuable English edition – in fact, it was the very first English printing of Pascal's most famous work!
Item number: #23758
Price: $750
PASCAL, Blaise
Les provinciales: or, The mysterie of Jesuitisme, discover'd in certain letters
London: printed by J.G. for R. Royston, 1657. First edition.
Details:… Read More

1734 Marie of Sevigne FAMOUS Letters French Society Salons Beautiful 6v SET

Marie of Sevigne was a 17th-century French woman of letters, each of which were addressed to her daughter. These letters offer a thorough view into life in the 17th-century, those regarding public spas and bath houses are the most popular. Other letters deal with notable French political events such as the execution of Madame de Brinvilliers.

This rare 1734 six-volume edition is complete in all regards, published in Paris by Simart.

Item number: #25440
Price: $599

SEVIGNE, Marie de Rabutin-Chantal

Recueil des lettres

A Paris: Chez Nicolas Simart, 1734-37.

Details:
· Collation: Complete with all pages; 6 tomes
o Vol. I – xxxi, [1], 452
o Vol. II – [2], 483, [1]
o Vol. III – [2], 479, [3]
o Vol. IV – [2], 441, [39]
o Vol. V – xiv, 482, [2]
o Vol. VI – [2], 504, [38]
o Portrait frontispiece engravings in Vols. I and V
· Provenance: Handwritten – Janet Drummond
· Language:… Read More