Search Results: Antiquarian, Rare & Collectible Books from BATTLEDORE LTD

Created by Felixmüller for his sons Luca and Titus, also for children of his friends, this elaborate picture-book was printed by master craftsman Zielinski in December 1925 under the supervision of the artist. Felixmüller's glowingly hand-colored images contribute to one of the most significant artist books of German Expressionism. Partly as a result of economic decline in Germany during the early 1920s, Felixmüller took overall control of all aspects of this publication, thereby keeping costs to a minimum, but at the same time enhancing significantly its quality and harmony.

One of perhaps 10 copies hand-colored by the artist, from the total edition of 350, comprising 100 copies on Bütten paper, numbered and signed by the artist bound in cloth and 250 copies on Ingres paper bound in wrappers. This copy is from the Ingres issue, and is inscribed by the artist "Eigenhandig coloriert C. Felixmüller" on the title-page, though the few other hand-colored copies traced have all been on… Read More

Arabic Satirical Magazine
SANUA (James) [Known as Abou Naddara] Ya'qub Rufa'il Sanu' (1839-1912): Abou-Naddara (Organe de la Jeunesse d'Egypte). Paris, 1880-1882. 41 issues, 4to (27 x 21.6 cm), comprising:
Le Flûtiste, nos. 1-3 (each 2ff), 4 June – 20 June 1880, in Arabic;
La Clarinette (Aby Zammara), nos. 1-3 (each 2ff), 12 July – 27 August 1880, in Arabic;
Le Charmeur (Al-Hawi), nos. 1-4 (each 2ff), 5 February – 25 March 1881, in Arabic;
Abou Naddara 5è année [1881], nos. 1-15 (each 2ff, except nos. 6, 7 and 8 each with 4ff), in Arabic;
Abou Naddara – Abou Naddara Zarka 6è année [1882], nos. 1-6 (each 2ff), in Arabic, nos. 8-16 including translations in French.
Lithographically produced from original drawings and handwriting in both Arabic and French. The first Arabic magazine to feature cartoons, the captions for these being given in French and Arabic, as well as being the first to use colloquial… Read More

DODGSON (Charles L) "Lewis Carroll":
LAURENCIN (Marie) [1883–1956]
Alice in Wonderland. [Paris: Black Sun Press, 1930].
Complete set of six colored pastel drawings for this unusual Art Deco vision of ALICE, being the actual finished originals made by MARIE LAURENCIN inside a set of black and white outline designs printed as proofs on wove paper. Her original outlines would have been made directly on lithographic stones for printing whereas this manuscript series was prepared for the printers to create color-separation plates (which explains why the color-printed images in the book do not precisely match the published drawings).
Each picture is signed by the artist in colored pencil, with page size measuring 10-7/8 x 14-1/4 inches.
[Additional images available]
Together with: 6 canceled outline proofs from the printer E Desjobert, signed and dated "October 1930", with their printers' stamp. These measure 9-3/4 x 11-7/8 inches on tinted BFK wove paper.
This is one of the artist's most… Read More

ONE OF 250 COPIES printed on Large Paper, this 1864 first version known as the Unabridged edition, overhauled by Yale University professor Noah Porter containing 114,000 entries which replaced unsupportable etymologies based on Webster's attempt to conform Biblical interpretations to the evolution of language. James A.H. Murray, editor of the Oxford English Dictionary (1879–1928) says this edition "acquired an international fame. It was held to be superior to every other dictionary and taken as the leading authority on the meaning of words, not only in America and England, but also throughout the Far East." Historically important work in its rarest deluxe format.

(MINERVA PRESS) The Atrocities of the Corsican Dæmon; or a glance at Buonaparte. London: Minerva Press for Lane Newman and co., 1803. Engraved portrait frontispiece by S Seare captioned "Do but observe the face of Villainy". 8vo., [i] 63 pp, (advert on verso); early terracotta cloth gilt-titled on spine, top of spine chipped and edges lightly frayed. Nevertheless, a solid copy.First edition. A virulent anti-Bonaparte tract, pure propaganda. The last section of the text is titled "Republican Economy" covering the largesse handed out by Napoleon to his family. Minerva Press was a publishing house, noted for creating a lucrative market in sentimental and Gothic fiction in the late 18th century and early 19th century. In a somewhat childish hand the blank endleaf is inscribed "John Horwood was born September the fourth One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety", identifying its first reader.

CLINTON (George), First Governor of New York State, 1777-1795, 1801-1804; also 4th Vice-President of the United States, 1805-1812 under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
"Kingston laid in ashes by the Enemy" ...
8vo (7-3/4 x 6-1/2 inches), 1-1/2 pages on laid paper, with integral address leaf (remnants of wax seal, some fading to text and signature, scattered minor
It should be noted that Clinton was sworn in as New York's first governor on 9th July 1777 shortly after Kingston was established as its first capitol (20th April 1777). Thus, the burning of Kingston and change of capitol to eventually Albany was a consequence of the War for Independence.
Remarkable handwritten manuscript explaining that the British troops arrived at Kingston before his own re-enforcements, whereupon 1000 men burned the town and immediately returned to their ships, warning that a similar fate awaits the settlements along the shore and that forage and property should be moved from the path of the enemy, reminding him to… Read More

CHINA: Propaganda against Western Missionaries
The Cause of the Riots in the Yangtse Valley. A "Complete Picture Gallery" by CHOU HAN. Hankow [China] 1891. With 32 full=page woodblock plates printed in color. Oblong 4to, original printed wrappers, sewn spine (soiling, minor repairs).
The author Chou Han is described by the translator Griffith John (1831-1912) as 'a gentleman of high official rank (Taotai) in Hunan', and was part of an orchestrated propaganda campaign aimed at discouraging Western Christian missionaries from working and traveling in China. This volume was perhaps his most significant and horrific attack on western culture, managing a "reptile press" in Hunan creating unrest and distrust amongst the Chinese people (see John's "A Voice from China" 1907, p. 220). Chou Han himself is probably represented in plates IX, XIII, XXVI and XXIX; the images are virulently anti-foreigner, and specifically anti-Christian. John translated and circulated the present work to draw attention to the… Read More

BRYDGES (Samuel Egerton): CENSURA LITERARIA. Containing Titles, Abstracts, and Opinions of Old English Books, With Original Disquisitions, Articles of Biography, and Other Literary Antiquities. London: Printed by T. Bensley for Longman, Hurst, Rees And Orme, and J. White, 1805-1809. Ten volumes, the start of volume IV beginning the New Series, which continues more fully: 'Censura literaria. Containing titles, extracts, and opinions of old English books, especially those which are scarce. To which are added Necrographia authorum, or memoirs of deceased authors; and the Ruminator, consisting of original, moral and critical essays, with other literary disquisitions.'
The author/editor Sir Samuel Egerton Brydges, 1st Baronet (1762-1837) was an English bibliographer and genealogist. He was also Member of Parliament for Maidstone from 1812 to 1818. He was called to the bar from the Middle Temple in 1787. He wrote some novels and poems, now forgotten, but rendered valuable service by his bibliographical… Read More

Cicero (Marcus Tullius):
Cicero cu[m] comme[n]to, commentary by Josse Badius, Nicolas Chappusius, and Francesco Maturanzio.
[Lyon], [Jacques Myt for Simon Vincent], [29 April, 1514].
4to., contemporary blind-stamped vellum over wooden boards, spine in compartments and with later ms. title label, remains of metal clasps.
Gothic letter, title printed in red and black and woodcut printer's device (repeated on final verso) within woodcut historiated border, a few woodcut vignettes, woodcut decorative initials, first few ff. rubricated, wormed, most pronounced at beginning and end, occasional spotting or light staining, lightly browned, endpapers wormed and detached, contemporary blind-stamped vellum over wooden boards, spine in compartments and with later ms. title label, remains of metal clasps, wormed, particularly wooden board of lower cover with some loss to it and vellum, some staining, soiled, [Not in Adams].
A rare edition, with only a handful of copies recorded by USTC.
Provenance: Sotheby's,… Read More

Earliest Representation of a Rare Books Auction
The Compleat Auctioneer, circa 1700,
uncolored engraving of a book auctioneer standing behind a stall of books, with two ladies and two gentlemen beside him, and a tree behind, the tree bearing a printed notice 'A Choice Collection of Books being the Library of the late famous Unborn Doctor, are to be put to Sale this Day and to continue untill all be Sold, at Mr L-GS Auction in the North West Corner of Middle Moorfields. Cattalogues may be had at most of the eminent Booksellers in the four Quarters of Moorfeilds Gratis, the Books may be Seen before or at the time of Sale', the whole set within a 19th century black and gilt moulded frame, glazed.
Rare. The earliest known representation of a book auction. The table of books on display include many bawdy titles of the restoration era, such as 'Sch: of Venus', 'Aratines Post.', 'Play of Sodom', 'Poems by the R H the E[arl] of R[ochester], alongside standard medical works of the period, 'Culp Midw',… Read More

GREENAWAY (Kate) and LOCKER (Frederick):
Cradle Verses. 1880. Illuminated Manuscript of Four Poems by Frederick Locker, written by his own hand, with extensive illustrations in watercolors by Kate Greenaway. This charming book was prepared on commission for presentation on the birthday of Frederick Locker's wife, Jane. 24mo., [48] pages; presentation vellum binding with full watercolors on corners, titled: "Babies and Blossoms", all edges green. Housed in custom green morocco leather box, gilt-lettered: "Hannah Jane Locker | 1880", with hand-made velvet pouch.
Unique and extremely charming miniature book.
Reference: Spielman and Layard p.96, illustrated pp 280-281.
Provenance: Jane Locker Lampson, thence by descent; acquired by Mrs. Robert S. Pirie from Seven Gables bookshop circa 1961.

MERCURIALE, Girolamo. DE ARTE GYMNASTICA LIBRI SEX. Editio novissima, aucta, emendata, et figuris authenticis Christophori Coriolani exornata. Amsterdam: Andreas Frisius, 1672. Six engraved plates (5 folding, 1 double-page), also newly added engraved title and many additional woodcut plates (some full-page) not present in earlier versions, from the work of Justus Lipsius. Square 4to, [viii] 387pp + [41] index and errata; 20th-century paneled calf, unobtrusive ex-library stamp throughout, inserted plates with neat repairs to inner folds verso, title with old ink-stain and 18th-century ownership signed 'Henry Tonge Junr'. "First illustrated book on gymnastics. It is the foundation-stone of later work on the subjects and it is important for the study of the gymnastics among the ancients, especially significant in discussing the therapeutic value of gymnastics and sports generally for the cure of disease and disability, The pictures show gymnasiums, baths, wrestling, discus hurling, fighting, and… Read More

DARWIN (Charles): THE DESCENT OF MAN, and Selection in Relation to Sex. London: John Murray, 1890. With 78 text illustrations. 8vo., (approx. 19.5 x 13.5cm), xvi + 693 pp.; dark green cloth with gilt spine, impressed line borders to upper and lower covers, slightest rubbing at corners but overall a fine copy. Second Edition, Revised and Augmented: Twenty-Ninth Thousand; the first edition in two volumes was published 1871 and contained the word 'evolution' (p.2) for the first time in any of Darwin's works. (Freeman 959, p. 128-132). The text exerted a vast influence over scientific and religious thinking in the 19th century, disturbing widely-held views on the origin of the human species, the age of the earth, and humans' supposedly superior role in the universe. Darwin's objective in Descent was threefold: to consider whether humans were descended from a pre-existing form; to consider the nature of human development; and to consider the differences between the "human races". Revisiting this… Read More

This classic WAR OF THE WORLDS story was originally serialized in nine issues of Pearson's Magazine (1897/98) with pictures by Warwick Goble; these got reprinted in the first American book version (1898), but the original first edition (London 1898) is unillustrated as is also the 1899 second edition. Our Dutch translation is thus the first illustrated book version. The artist Jacobus Hendrik Speenhoff (1869-1945) is known as a poet, singer and artist, a somewhat radical cabaret performer whose degenerate lyrics made him a pioneer legend. He created very few illustrated books or pictorial bindings (mostly on piano music and satire). This version is quite rare, especially one can imagine in this high-grade condition.

(COPYRIGHT LAW)BOSWELL, James (1740-1795). The Decision of the Court of Session, Upon the Question of Literary Property; in the cause John Hinton of London, Bookseller, Pursuer; against Alexander Donaldson and John Wood, Booksellers in Edinburgh. Edinburgh: printed by James Donaldson for Alexander Donaldson, 1774.The Decision of the Court of Session upon the Question of Literary Property, in the cause of John Hinton of London, Bookseller, Pursuer; against Alexander Donaldson and John Wood, Booksellers in Edinburgh and James Meurose, Bookseller in Kilmarnock, Defenders. Published by James Boswell, Esq., Advocate. Edinburgh: for James Donaldson, Alexander Donaldson, 1774. 4to, pp. [2], iv, 37; modern half morocco over marbled boards, minor soiling to lower margins of most leaves.st leaves.) First edition, 2nd state, with "Shop" in imprint Initially the costs of processing amounting to £119-16-6, whereby each defender payed £38, but on 22nd February 1774 the House of Lords reversed the Chancery… Read More

CRYSTAL PALACE (aka GREAT EXHIBITION) Descriptions of the Egyptian Court erected in the Crystal Palace by Owen Jones and Joseph Bonomi with an historical notice of the monuments of Egypt by Samuel Sharpe, 71pp * The Greek Court. 113pp * An Apology for the Colouring of the Greek Court, 56pp * The Roman Court, ii 86pp * The Alhambra Court, 119pp, * The Nineveh Court, 80pp * The Byzantine and Romanesque Court, 116pp * The Mediæval Court, 123pp * The Renaissance Court, 108pp * The Italian Court, 91pp * The Pompeian Court, 73pp * Guide to the Crystal Palace and Park by Samuel Phillips, 193pp. London: Bradbury & Evans, 1854 (the last volume 1856). TWELVE volumes bound as three, each of the dozen titles with a colored pictorial printed front wrapper, folding frontispiece, and profusely illustrated (including additional folding plates). 8vo, 3/4 leather (scuffed), marbled boards (exterior worn, internally near-fine). Individually issued as part of the Crystal Palace Library series,… Read More

(Folklore)English Folk-Lore by T. F. Thiselton Dyer.London: Hardwicke & Bogue, with a rare announcement slip at the front endpaper dated 1 July 1879 with change of address and business name, 1878.8vo, viii 290pp, [vi] adverts + 32pp catalogue dated November 1878; original brown cloth gilt-titled on front cover and spine.First edition of this fascinating history and discussion on English folklore, created and published in response to the formation of the Folk-Lore Society (U.K.) earlier this same year. It includes an interesting look into English folklore: plants, the moon, birds, animals, charms, birth, death, marriage, and more. Written by T. F. Thiselton-Dyer, a curate who was known for his popular non-fiction works, including 'British Customs: Past and Present', and 'Strange Papes From Family Papers'.

Shakespeareana]. Whalley, Peter.An Enquiry into the Learning of Shakespeare. With Remarks on Several Passages of his Plays. In a Conversation between eugenius and Neander. London: Printed for T. Waller, 1748. Engraved portrait frontispiece of the author. Slim 8vo, 84pp lightly soiled; 3/4 calf-backed marbled boards, spine scuffed.First and only edition, proving that Shakespeare had a good deal more knowledge than Ben Jonson thought. Whalley also analyzes Shakespeare's imaginative use of this knowledge. Consequently, this short essay is one of the more innovative expositions on or about Shakespeare produced in the eighteenth century. Provenance: Rugby School Library, part of the original bequest of its major donor M H Bloxam (with two bookplates). On both the title-page and underneath the portrait of Whalley, there is an early ink notation that the author was a native of Rugby, Warwickshire.

[CRAIK (Dinah Maria Mulock)]: THE FAIRY BOOK. The Best Popular Fairy Stories selected and rendered anew. London: Macmillan, 1863. Circular title=page vignette by J Noel Paton showing a prince discovering a sleeping princess. Square 8vo, xi 368pp + [8] advert catalogue; original gilt pictorial green cloth, small fraying to upper right spine but overall a FINE COPY. First edition comprising 36 fairy tales retold from the writings of Perrault, Mme d'Aulnoy, the Bros Grimm, &c. The editor is best remembered for her John Halifax, Gentleman (1856) but she also wrote several children's books of her own: Adventures of a Brownie, The Little Lame Prince, &c. Her husband was George Lillie Craik, a partner in Macmillan's publishing company and Lewis Carroll's editor. An inscribed copy of the rarefied 1865 Alice's Adventures In Wonderland was given through her husband and is now in the rare books collection of Princeton University.

(Mother Goose)
Father Gander's Tales or Youth's Moral Companion… Vol I
London: H Robert, I Wilkinson and L Tomlinson, circa 1770s
Frontispiece, Engraved Title-page + 12 engraved Plates
16mo., 79 [1] pp.; Dutch floral boards (spine re-backed)
Provenance: Sidney Roscoe, Cat. 230Extremely Rare
Reference: OCLC lists one copy, PML, this copy