Tales and Novels in Verse by J. de la Fontaine by Jean de la Fontaine

This is a complete 19 Volume set of "HOUSEHOLD WORDS" - A Weekly Journal by Charles Dickens. The volumes span the years 1850 (Volume I) to 1859 (Volume XIX). The significance of this set is that Volume IX contains the 1st appearance of the Dickens classic "HARD TIMES" (please see photos). "Hard Times was first published serially in "Household Words" in the April 1, 1854 issue (volume IX), followed shortly thereafter by the 1st edition in book form in the same year. Seldom found complete in 19 Volumes."Household Words" was an English weekly magazine edited by Charles Dickens and was published every Saturday from March 1850 to May 1859. This set contains 19 hardcover volumes which contain the complete run of individual issues. To boost slumping sales, Dickens serialized his classic novel "Hard Times" in weekly parts between April 1st and August 12th 1854. It had the desired effect, more than doubling the journal's circulation and encouraging Dickens, who remarked that he was "three parts mad, and the… Read More

"Speeches and Forensic Arguments" by DANIEL WEBSTER, complete in 3 volumes. 1846; Charles Tappan, Publisher; Boston. Affixed to the frontispiece portrait of Webster in Volume I is the stem of a flower taken from Webster's grave in 1891. Additionally, a remark has been made in pencil below his portrait stating that "The above picture does not bear the slightest resemblance to Mr. Webster - it is a libel." Volume I contains 26 speeches; Volume II contains 22 speeches; Volume III contains 39 speeches.From the Preface:"...several of the speeches and addresses contained in this volume, possessing a character of more permanent and general interest, have been translated and published in most of the languages of Europe. And we are not without authority for saying, that they have been regarded, by men of elightened judgments and cultivated taste, as fine examples of forensic and popular eloquence. In the language of one of the most eminent statesmen of England, some of these speeches have been read in that… Read More

This is a complete 5-volume set of art history books from Germany (the volumes are written entirely in German) - "Kunstgeschichte in Bildern" (Art History in Pictures) published in 1900 by E.A. Seemann in Leipzig and Berlin. "The systematic presentation of the development of fine art from classical antiquity to the end of the 18th century." Each volume is profusely illustrated. The contents of the volumes are as follows (translated): VOLUME I - Das Altertum (Antiquity) * Precursors * The Classical Art * Architecture * Plastic * Painting VOLUME II - Das Mittelalter (The Middle Ages) * Early Christian Art * Byzantine Art * The Architecture of the Roman Style * Plastic and Painting in the High Middle Ages * The Architecture of Gothic Style * Plastic and Painting in the Late Middle Ages VOLUME III - Die Renaissance in Italien (The Renaissance in Italy) * Architecture * Churches * Halls and Courtyards * Palaces * Villas of the High Renaissance * Decoration * Plastic * Painting * Early Renaissance * High… Read More

This is a historically significant lot of 11 volumes (of 12) from the 1819 3rd edition of "STATE PAPERS AND PUBLICK DOCUMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES" - From the Accession of George Washington to the Presidency, Exhibiting a Complete View of Our Foreign Relations since that Time"; "Including Confidential Documents." Published in 1819 by Thomas B. Wait in Boston. Some of the volumes feature a presidential frontispiece portrait. Volume IX contains an Index of contents for volumes I-IX; Volume XII contains an Index of contents for volumes XI and XII. The collection contains important and interesting papers and letters from the first few decades of the early United States government from George Washington's administration up to the administration of James Monroe (to the year 1818), including the inaugural addresses of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and James Madison, George Washington's letter to Congress regarding the death of Benjamin Franklin, the "Louisiana Acquisition" (Louisiana Purchase),… Read More

"The History of the Puritans in England" (by W.H. Stowell) and "The Pilgrim Fathers" (by D. Wilson) - complete in one volume. Three-quarter leather binding with marbled boards and marbled end papers; gilt top edge. The red ribbon page marker is present (but detached). With 2 frontispiece illustrations. Please see the photos for the complete list of contents.From the Preface:"This volume is intended to compress, within narrow limits, the story of the English Puritans, by weaving into the tissue of the general narrative some biographical details respecting the men who bore that name. The writer has spared no pains in consulting the best authorities on both sides of the great controversy of which Puritanism was the result. He can conscientiously present the history to the public as authentic; and he hopes it will not be condemned by any intelligent and candid reader as wanting in fairness towards the opponents of the Puritans."Condition:Some rubbing and light scratches to the marbled boards; scuffs to… Read More

This is an antique directory for the city of Hartford, CT - "Geer's Hartford Directory" for July 1883 to July 1884. This edition contains listings for "Samuel Clemens" as well as his pen name, "Mark Twain"; he is listed as "author" with his address. A unique item for the Twain collector!The directory contains beautifully illustrated ads (printed on a variety of colored paper) with an Index, an Index to Illustrations, a Calendar, a Guide to Location and Numbers of Streets and Avenues, a fold-out Map of Connecticut, Abbreviations and Explanations, Geer's Hartford City Directory (containing the listings for both "Samuel Clemens" and "Mark Twain"), a "List of Persons who have Removed," Necrology of Hartford, Geer's Comprehensive Business Directory, Geer's History of Hartford...and much, much more.Condition:Pea-sized stain spot on the front cover; a few tiny white stain spots on the back cover; bright gilt lettering on the spine; sharp corners. Tight binding. No cracks. No loose pages. The interior of the… Read More

This is a very rare bound volume of the 1st 66 issues of the publication "YOUTH'S TEMPERANCE ADVOCATE" from 1839 to the 1840's. The "magazine" was first published in 1839 (issues 1 and 2) and continued into the 1860's. The issues contain wonderful woodcuts throughout. In addition to the articles, the issues also include songs, cartoons and poems aimed at steering youth away from the consumption of alcohol, and pointing out the dangers and pitfalls of drinking. It is rare to find a single issue of this publication, let alone a complete run of 66 issues beginning with issue No. 1. Published monthly in New York by the American Temperance Union.Here are a few examples of article, song and poem titles:* A Plea with All Youth for Total Abstinence from Intoxicating Liquors* To the Keeper of the Grog Shop and the Bar* Death and the Wine-Bibber* The Devil and His Victim* The Ship Te-Totaler* How to Avoid Ever Being Lame* Spirits in Ireland* A True Passage from the Life of a Drunkard* Thrilling Narrative of a… Read More

This is a complete 5-volume set of art history books from Germany (the volumes are written entirely in German) - "Kunstgeschichte in Bildern" (Art History in Pictures) published in 1900 by E.A. Seemann in Leipzig and Berlin. "The systematic presentation of the development of fine art from classical antiquity to the end of the 18th century." Each volume is profusely illustrated. The contents of the volumes are as follows (translated): VOLUME I - Das Altertum (Antiquity) * Precursors * The Classical Art * Architecture * Plastic * Painting VOLUME II - Das Mittelalter (The Middle Ages) * Early Christian Art * Byzantine Art * The Architecture of the Roman Style * Plastic and Painting in the High Middle Ages * The Architecture of Gothic Style * Plastic and Painting in the Late Middle Ages VOLUME III - Die Renaissance in Italien (The Renaissance in Italy) * Architecture * Churches * Halls and Courtyards * Palaces * Villas of the High Renaissance * Decoration * Plastic * Painting * Early Renaissance * High… Read More

Early, softcover copy of "THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH" - A Fairy Tale of Home by Charles Dickens. Though there is no date of publication stated, this copy was likely printed in 1846, the same year as the publication of the 1st American edition. Published by Jordan and Wiley in Boston. "The Cricket on the Hearth" is the third of Dickens's five Christmas books; its chapters are referred to as "chirps."THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTHJohn Peerybingle, a carrier, lives with his young wife Dot, their baby boy and their nanny Tilly Slowboy. A cricket chirps on the hearth and acts as a guardian angel to the family. One day a mysterious elderly stranger comes to visit and takes up lodging at Peerybingle's house for a few days.Condition:Note - this copy is incomplete...the back cover and a few pages at the end are not present (the last page ends with page number 36 [of 42]). Light soiling to the front cover; creases at the outer corners; there are 2 names written in pen at the upper-right corner; tear at the base of… Read More

"The History of the Puritans in England" (by W.H. Stowell) and "The Pilgrim Fathers" (by D. Wilson) - complete in one volume. Three-quarter leather binding with marbled boards and marbled end papers; gilt top edge. The red ribbon page marker is present (but detached). With 2 frontispiece illustrations. Please see the photos for the complete list of contents.From the Preface:"This volume is intended to compress, within narrow limits, the story of the English Puritans, by weaving into the tissue of the general narrative some biographical details respecting the men who bore that name. The writer has spared no pains in consulting the best authorities on both sides of the great controversy of which Puritanism was the result. He can conscientiously present the history to the public as authentic; and he hopes it will not be condemned by any intelligent and candid reader as wanting in fairness towards the opponents of the Puritans."Condition:Some rubbing and light scratches to the marbled boards; scuffs to… Read More