18th Century Literature

1715 Praise of Folly Erasmus of Rotterdam French Hans HOLBEIN Illustrated ART

"When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes."
― Erasmus
In 1509, Erasmus composed his famous essay 'In Praise of Folly', or
'Encomium Moraie', which was a satirical attack on superstitions and other unconventional traditions in European society. Since its inception in the early 16th-century, it is considered one of the most important works of the Renaissance and helped develop early stages of the Protestant Reformation.
Erasmus uses satire to examine doctrine and corruption within the Catholic Church, even though Erasmus was devoted deeply to Catholicism. He concludes 'In Praise of Folly' with statements of supporting Christian Protestantism.
This highly desirable 1715 Vander Aa edition was published in Leide best-recognized for the impressive Hans Holbein illustrations. One engraving is especially curious – views of satyrs and mythical creatures.
Item number: #17747
Price:… Read More

1761 In Praise of Folly ERASMUS of Rotterdam French Eisen Illustrated Encomium

"When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes."
― Erasmus
In 1509, Erasmus composed his famous essay 'In Praise of Folly', or
'Encomium Moraie', which was a satirical attack on superstitions and other unconventional traditions in European society. Since its inception in the early 16th-century, it is considered one of the most important works of the Renaissance and helped develop early stages of the Protestant Reformation.
Erasmus uses satire to examine doctrine and corruption within the Catholic Church, even though Erasmus was devoted deeply to Catholicism. He concludes 'In Praise of Folly' with statements of supporting Christian Protestantism.
This highly desirable 1761 edition was translated by Gueudeville and is noteworthy for its inclusion of 14 high quality Eisen plates depicting scenes from the story.
Item number: #20477
Price: $599
ERASMUS, Desiderius
L'eloge de la folie… Read More

1716 Art of Painting Fresnoy & Dryden ENGLISH Rubens Holbein Michelangelo 2in1

Charles Alphonse du Fresnoy was a 17th-century French painter who is best-known for his literature on art and art history. His best written work was 'De Arte Graphica' – a collection of his poetic observations on fine art and painting – was part of his greater 'The Art of Painting". Fresnoy used this book to instruct art students and many of the remarks on art still hold value to artists and art historians today.
This rare and valuable 1716 English second Dryden edition was the first issue to feature Alexander Pope's poem 'To Mr. Jervas with Frensoy's [sic] Art of Painting' translated by Dryden which contains interesting references to Pope's famed 'The Rape of the Lock'.
Item number: #21002
Price: $599
DUFRESNOY, Charles Alphonse
The art of painting
London: Printed for Bernard Lintott, 1716.

Details:

·
Collation: Complete with all pages
o
Art of Painting – [16], lxviii, [4], 237, [1]
Includes engraved… Read More

1725 John Mandeville Voyages Holy Land Egypt FAMOUS Columbus Old English 1/300

"The Travels of Sir John Mandeville" is a 14th-century travel memoir written by an unknown author, who some refer to simply as John Mandeville. This book describes the, sometimes fantastical and bizarre, voyages of a traveler in Turkey, Persia, Egypt, the Amazon, India, the Holy Land and everywhere in between. And while it is unclear if the story describes an actual voyage, it is known that Christopher Columbus was heavily influenced by this work.

Mandeville accurately describes various Asian and Middle Eastern customs, ceremonial rituals, and geographical wonders – accounts of the Egyptian pyramids, Mecca, Jerusalem, Palestinian shores, etc. – giving the sense that the writer did in fact see these locations. Other exciting topics include the sighting of giant people as well as a history of the birth of Muhammed. Still, whether a first-hand reaction or taken from other writings, this work has long been one of the… Read More

1736 TERENCE Comedies Greco-Roman Plays Italian LAVISHLY Illustrated Folio

"I am human, and I think nothing of which is human is alien to me."
– Terence, The Self-Tormentor

Terence was a 2nd-century BC Roman playwright who is most remembered for his comedies. His six plays, which all survive, were composed after he was freed from slavery. His plays were composed in simple Latin and were popular during the Middle Ages, despite having prevalent themes of paganism throughout.

This 1736 folio edition is perhaps one of the most desirable editions of Terence. In addition to its huge size, it features 150+ impressive illustrations depicting scenes from the famed plays. Brunet describes this edition as a "beautiful edition published at the expense of Cardinal Albani". It also contains both Latin and Italian translations, translated by Heinsius.

The works of Terence include:
· Andria (The Girl from Andros)
· Hecyra (The Mother-in-Law)
· Heauton Timorumenos (The Self-Tormentor)… Read More

1749 Forbidden Books Damnatorum Thesium Catholic Heresy Bulls Pope Alexander VII
Domenico Viva was a 17th-century Jesuit theologian who is best remembered for his famous work 'Trutina Theologica Damnatarum Thesium'. First published in 1708, this book was a report on the various propositions that were condemned by popes Alexander VII, Innocent XI, and Alexander VIII. It covers the popes' laws on papal bulls, mass ceremonies, heresies, punishments of adultery, and much more.
Item number: #23265
Price: $499
VIVA, Domenico
Damnatae Theses Ab Alexandro VII., Innocentio XI. & Alexandro VIII. Necnon Iansenii Ad Theologicam trutinam revocatae iuxta pondu Sanctuarii
Patavii: Ex Typographia Seminarii, 1749.
Details:
· Collation: Complete with all pages
o Damnatae Theses – [20], 679, [1]
Part I - De xlv thesibus proscriptis ab Alexandro VII
Part II - De lxv thesibus proscriptis ab Innocentio XI
Part III - De xxxiii thesibus proscriptis ab Alexandro VIII
o De jubilaeo praesertim anni sancti – [12], 103,… Read More

1789 RARE Cavalry Regulations Spanish Army Portugal Seven Years War Spain Lippe
General William Schaumburg Lippe was an 18th-century German military officer known for his command during the Seven Years War. In 1762, Lippe was requested to serve in Portugal against Spain where he employed his superior defensive-minded tactics – tactics that proved dissuade Spain and ultimately lead to the peace in 1763. Lippe composed an important military treatise written to instruct on the cavalry regulations, disciplines, and exercises. This book was published into Portuguese and became an important work in the development of 18th-century Portuguese military operations.
Item number: #23282
Price: $599
SCHAUMBURG-LIPPE, William of
Regulamento para o exercicio, e disciplina dos regimentos de cavalleria dos exercitos de Sua Magestade fidelissima
Lisboa: Na Regia Officina Typografica, 1789.
Details:
· Collation: Complete with all pages
o Regulamento – [4], 236
3 leaves of plates
o Instruccoens Geraes – 53, [3]
o… Read More

1727 Julius Caesar WAR Commentaries Military Tactics MAPS Bellum Hirtius Davies

"If you must break the law, do it to seize power: in all other cases observe it!"
– Julius Caesar

A rare collection of civil war histories and Julius Caesar war commentaries!

Julius Caesar's war commentaries are some of the most prolific military writings! While not specifically known for his writing, Julius Caesar wrote this book which would become a mainstay in the Latin literature canon. It focuses on first-hand account of Julius Caesar in the Callic wars, but it was written as though from a third-person view.

This 1727 edition was published in Cambridge and includes notes and commentary by Joannes Brantius, Pedro Chacon, Francis Hotman and John Davies. It should be noted that included in this edition is Aulus Hirtius' Bellum Alexandrinum and his continuation of Caesar's De bello Gallico.

Item number: #23647
Price: $750

CAESAR, Julius

C. Iulii Caesaris et Auli Hirtii quae exstant omnia.

Cantabrigiae: Typ.… Read More

1779 World Displayed Columbus Voyages Illustrated 120 Plates & MAPS Inca TORTURE

"Navigation, like other arts, has been perfected by degrees. It is not easy to conceive that any age or nation was without some vessel, in which rivers might be passed by travelers…but we have no knowledge of any ship that could endure the violence of the ocean before the ark of Noah."
― Samuel Johnson, "The World Displayed," Introduction.

An incredible set. Collected by John Newbery, "The World Displayed" is a collection of essays and writings from various writers on voyages from around the world. Samuel Johnson wrote an introductory essay to this work. This 15-volume set features 120 plates including a scene of Christopher Columbus describing the countries he had visited. The illustrations are impressive – especially those found in the first volume: views of Columbus's arrival in the New World, meetings with Spanish royalty, and views and descriptions of the indigenous tribes in America!

Item number: #23550… Read More

1724 Rene DESCARTES Letters of Philosophy Geometry Physics Science Optics Math

"It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well."
– René Descartes

René Descartes was a 17th-century French philosopher whose theories and discoveries spawned an influx of commentary and responsive writings from western philosophers. Many of his most famous works include 'La Geometrie', 'Music Compendium', 'Principles of Philosophy', and 'Passions of the Soul'. However, he also wrote countless letters, many of which were published during his lifetime.

This 1724, six-volume edition of the letters of Descartes includes much of his correspondence with figures such as philosopher Henry More, Guez de Balzac, and even Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia. These letters included studies in moral philosophy, physics, geometry, mechanics, and many other scientific topics.

Item number: #24117
Price: $950

DESCARTES, René

Lettres De Mr Descartes, Qui Traitent De Plusieurs belles questions concernant la… Read More

1770 Pernety Bougainville VOYAGES in Patagonia GIANTS Falkland Islands MAPS 2v
Antoine-Joseph Pernety was an 18th-century French author who is best-remembered for his voyage to the Falkland Islands with comte de Bougainville. This voyage became famous for being the first expedition to make records of the Falkland Islands and other islands in South America, as well as founding a French colony in the Falkland Islands. The published account of the voyage describes the natural history of the Falkland Islands, Uruguay, and the southern half of South America. This 1770 two-volume edition contains 17 engravings – illustrations, maps and plans including:
· Isle of Saint Catherine
· Strait of Magellan
· Montevideo, Uruguay
· Ascension Island
· Patagonian Giants
· Animals, birds, fish, and plants
Item number: #24307
Price: $795
PERNETY, Antoine-Joseph
Histoire d'un voyage aux isles Malouines fait en 1763 & 1764 : avec des Observations sur le detroit de Magellan et sur les Patagons
Paris: Chez Saillant &… Read More

1713 Tavernier VOYAGES Persia India Golconda DIAMONDS Bezoar Batavia Surat RARE

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier was an important 17th-century voyager known for his six voyages to Persia and India in which he bought, sold, and traded rare gems and precious metals. The events of these journeys were recorded in his "Les Six Voyages". This highly desirable book has become one of the most important references for gemologists and gem historians. Tavernier introduces his findings and arrivals at Japan, Persia, India, East Indies, Tonkin Kingdom (Vietnam), and reports on the Dutch excursions in Asia.

This volume from the 1713 edition covers voyages and discovers in India and the Mogul Empire including:
· Diamond and precious stone and metal mining
o Golconda diamonds, mines and hunting
o Pearls
o Yellow and coral ambers
o Bezoar stones and its medicinal properties
o Gold mining in Africa and Asia
· Voyages and discoveries in Batavia, Surat, Siam
o Idol worship, pagan rites
o Pagodas
o… Read More

1748 ENGLISH Vauban FORTS Military Engineering Fortifications Illustrated War

Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban was a 17th-century French engineer who, after serving as the Marshal of France, became known as the greatest engineer of his time. It was from his surveys and developments in fortifications that propelled him to engineering fame. In fact, his fortification philosophies were used for nearly a century after his life. Vauban understood that at some point, all forts would fall, no matter how powerful. From this, Vauban sought to improve fort designs to absorb as much of the attack force as possible, even including house and structures to support fortification walls.

This 1748 English edition of Vauban's famous "Method of Fortification" contains each of the highly desirable 32 engravings – views of forts, walls, and common attack strategies.

Item number: #24981
Price: $750

VAUBAN, Sebastien Le Prestre de

The new method of fortification

London: Printed for S. and E. Ballard, 1748… Read More

1711 Paradise Lost John Milton Poetry Tonson English Thomas Newton Illustrated

"The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven."
― John Milton, Paradise Lost

'Paradise Lost' follows the biblical story of the Fall of Man and the temptation of Adam and Eve. Milton himself states that purpose for this book was to "Justify the ways of God to Men". It covers the characters Adam, Eve, and Satan, and the roles each played in the development of religious culture and idolatry.

It was critically acclaimed and well-received by many famed personalities, including Samuel Johnson who states.
"[Paradise Lost shows] Milton's peculiar power to astonish…and he seems to have been well acquainted with his own genius, and to know what it was the Nature had bestowed upon him more bountifully than upon others: the power of displaying the vast, illuminating the splendid, enforcing the awful, darkening the gloomy, and aggravating the dreadful.

This 1711 edition was published… Read More

1797 BOTANY Carl Linnaeus Systema Vegetabilium Andrea Murray Plants Medicine

"If a tree dies, plant another in its place."
― Carl Linnaeus

Known as the Father of Modern Taxonomy, Carl Linnaeus was an important 18th-century botanist who helped organize a system of naming living organisms. This research and studies were first published in a work entitled 'Systema Natura' in which he covers the naming of animals, plants, and minerals. This work went through many editions and is one of the most important works of zoological studies.

In 1774, another Swedish scientist named Andreas Murray edited, corrected, and published part of 'Systema Natura' focusing on the vegetable kingdom. It was because of Murray's edition of 'Systema Vegetabilium' that Linnaeus became widely popular throughout Europe.

Item number: #25135
Price: $599

LINNEAUS, Carl

Caroli a Linné eqvitis Systema vegetabilivm : secvndvm classes ordines genera species cvm characteribvs et differentiis.

Gottingae : Typis et impensis Jo.… Read More