Rare books from Patrick McGahern Books, Inc. (ABAC)

London. Hodder & Stoughton. (Engraved and Printed by Henry Stone & Son, Ltd., Banbury). [1914], 1914. 1st Edition. Hardcover. 4to, 28cm, The First edition, 206p., blue cloth with gilt lettering and design. With 25 tipped in colour plates on extra stock paper mounted under captioned tissue guards, illustrated title page and 34 line drawings and chapter heading devices, decorated black and gold pictorial endpapers, in the original dark blue cloth, gilt decorated, illustrated and spine titles, with gilt panel decorations and block titles on the upper cover designed by Nielsen, slightest rub to head, tail, spine edges and corners, very faint browning to endpapers. Occasional very slight pale foxing to margins, Plates and guards perfect, expertly restored, a fine copy (cgc) One of the most sought after books from the era of great illustrated books.

New York. Selmar Hess. [Publisher]. 1898. Hardcover. folio, 32cm (12.5"), complete in 6 volumes, with 34 beautiful colour lithograph plates, 68 full page plates & 845 text illustrations from wood engravings, in the original elaborate decorated brown cloth, gilt block titles on the spine and upper covers including black stamped borders and decorations, a brilliant set, it is difficult to image one in better condition (ds1).

[Montreal]. Editions La Frgate. [1979]. Hardcover. Fine. folio, 32.5cm, 188 p., on rag paper, title and half title printed in red,with 20 colour serigraph plates, text illustrations, in full reversedcalf (suede type finish) with a colour inlaid on the upper cover inmatched slipcase, limited to 130 copies, this issue being 1 of 20 copieswith Atlas Folio Portfolio, with 2 sets of plates, being 4 plates whichare hand coloured serigraphs & 1 set of 4 plates which are colourserigraphs with 2 colour crayon (conte), each numbered, HC V, and Signedby Richard. The Portfolio is string tied full brown fabrikoid, with R.Richard stamped in gilt on the upper cover, measuring 61x 53.5cm, the 8plates are 51x 58cm. This portfolio has a limitation label in the insideback board which had been replaced leaving glue residue; presumable byanother limitation label having been removed. The original label isscuffed and inked out but limited notice is still visible. A surmisableproduction change. This label may prove helpful… Read More

London. Printed for Sherwood, Neely, and Jones. [1809]. 1st Edition. Hardcover. 16mo. 16.2cm, 2nd edition, xxviii,372p., complete with half title, in19th century half dark brown calf, double gilt ruled raised bands, crushblack morocco label, gilt titles, marbled boards, boards bit worn orfaded, some slight edge wear else very good to fine copy. An Englishtranslation of the original French first edition "Antiquite De La Nationet De La Langue Des Celtes". (1703), first translation to English in1709. The best known work of Paul-Yves Pezron, a 17th Century priest fromBrittany. A study of the connection between the Celtic origins of theBretons and the Welsh with tables of Greek, Latin and German words "takenfrom the "Celtick or Gaul-ish Language." Antiquities of Nations was avery popular book in the 18th century and even into the early 19th asevidenced by this edition published in the early 1800's but now bothfirst and second editions are very rare.

London. Sampson, Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington. 1889. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Sm4to, 25.3cm, the First Edition, xii,289, [1]p., ad., frontis & 25 plates (6 hand coloured plates), text illustrations, in the original dark olive green cloth, gilt titles and borders on the spine and upper cover, bevelled boards, t.e.g., spine cap is mainly faded, hinges slightly shaken but sound, a very good copy. Inscribed Alexander Mortimer, Esq., with the Authors' kind regards, Frederic M. Halford, April 15th, 1889." W&S. (Supp). p246. Heckscher 885, (large paper copy). Hampton p44. Cites 2nd edition, 1889; another edition 1899; 4th edition revised, 1902. - This first trade edition was preceded by a limited deluxe edition, imperial 8vo, of 100 copies.

London. 1846. folio. 32x 20cm, 5p. ribbon tied, in fine condition in clamshell case. (cgc) ". Her Majesty's Government are desirous that the Militia of the whole of Her Majesty's North American Provinces be placed on a footing to enable it to render efficient services, if required. It cannot be long before I receive an account of the measures which the Legislature of Nova Scotia shall have adopted with respect to its own Militia; and your Lordship had better apprise Lord Cathcart of the amount of the Force which you can expect to be able to raise. .The general principle applicable to this matter is, that during Peace each Colony bears the charge of its local force. I am led to suppose that so far as regards Nova Scotia, the clothing would be supplied by the parties forming the Militia Force.But arms and accouterments will be sent from this Country, and the cost of them will not be charged to the Province only. As regards the expense of training, I trust, of course, that you will arrange that they… Read More

Buffalo. Geo. H. Derby & Co., Publishers. 1849. Hardcover. 12mo.19cm, 456p., 4 plates including 2 portrait frontispieces, appendices, rebound in modern half buckram & marbled boards, new spine title label, leaf edges toned, occasional foxing, near fine. (wst) Reprint of Fremont's Reports of his U.S. Army. exploring expeditions of 1842 and 1843/44 through the American West. The Reports are directed to Col. J.J.Albert, Chief of the Corps. of Topographical Engineers (the frontis portraits are of Fremont & Col. Albert). This "new edition" was timed to coincide with the great California Gold Rush and to encourage the "forty-niners" with added articles on the gold regions of California including Colonel Mason's "Official Report", routes to and physical geography of California. "In Upper California - may be found the modern Canaan, a land 'flowing with milk and honey,' its mountains studded and its rivers lined and choked, with gold!

Toronto. Cererus Publishing Co. 1977. Hardcover. Atlas Folio, 45cm, 300p., the edition islimited to 300 numbered and signed copies by the artist and the author,this being #225, the non-acidic paper was created specifically for thisbook, is 280m stock and is 100% rag paper, - containing 80 printed colourlitho & 28 in black white, with a separate 36 colour original lithograph,entitled "BISON, 1976", 43.2x 31.3cm (17"x 12 1/4"), limited to 325 ,this being #224/300, Signed by the Artist and the Author. - thethirty-six colour lithograph was printed in oil-based inks, hand-mixedat the press. The artist applied a sequence of colours which added minutedetails to highlight the grandeur and beauty of the Bison. In a whitelinen portfolio, gilt titles on the upper cover, in mylar sleeve, withfold over titles flaps, and the same marbled endpapers, Signed on thesheet by the artist. No Artist's proofs, Copper Plates Destroyed. Theproofs, trial proofs, copper plates, and supportive materials for thebook, were… Read More

A Paris. Printed by E. Groulleau pour Iean Longis & Nober6t le Mangnyer. 1559. 1st Edition. Hardcover. 8vo, in8's, 16.5cm, [xxiv],279,[1]p., printer's vignette on the title page and author's portrait vignette on final colophon leaf, decorated initial letters, in 18th century full mottled calf, floral gilt decorated spine panels, crushed dark crimson label, marbled endpapers, edges stained red, name crossed out in ink on the bottom title margin, a fine clean sound copy of the first French edition and the first foreign translation of any language, only one copy (this one) located in the auctions records, very rare. (cgc). No copies of this edition listed on WorldCat. Title translation: The Speeches of the State of Peace and War, Niccol di Bernardo dei Machiavelli (Italian:[nikko'l? mmakja'v?lli]; 3 May 1469 21 June 1527) was an Italian diplomat, politician, historian, philosopher, humanist, and writer of the Renaissance period.[1][2] He has often been called the father of modern political science.[3]… Read More

London. Marcus Ward & Co. 1878. Imperial folio, 48x33cm The British Expedition 1875-76: H.M.S. Alert, commanded by Captain G. S. Nares (the Expedition leader) and H.M.S. Discovery (Captain H. F. Stephenson) entered Smith's Sound at the end of July 1875 and after much difficulty with pack ice both ships reached Lady Franklin's Bay where H.M.S. Discovery was established in Winter Quarters whilst the Alert pressed on northwards and reached the edge of the heavy ice named the "Paleocrystic Sea" by Nares, the ice floes being 80-100 feet thick. Leaving Robeson Channel the vessel made progress between the land and the grounded floe pieces and passed the Winter off the open coast and facing the great polar pack, in 82' 27' North. Autumn parties were despatched in September and October to lay out depots and during the Winter plans were laid to explore as much of the unknown area as possible by the combined efforts of sledging parties from both ships in the ensuing Spring, The parties set out at the beginning… Read More

New York. Printed for the Society, 1884-85. Hardcover. 24cm, in two volumes, 626 & 472pp., colour folding map, index, original full green pebbled cloth, gilt spine titles, a fine bright set. (mt) The Journals of Colonel Stephen Kemble while Deputy Adjutant-General of the British army in North America. - I. - Journals of Lieut.-Col. Stephen Kemble, 1773-1778. II. - Order Books of Lieut-Col. Stephen Kemble, Adjutant General and Deputy Adjutant General of the British Forces in America, 1775-1778. Vol. 2. - Journals of Lieut.-Col. Stephen Kemble, 1780-1781. Sir Henry Clinton succeed Kemble.

London, Lion and Unicorn Press, 1973. 1st Edition. Hardcover. First edition. No. 9 of 100 copies printed. Large folio; pp. [I12]; engraved frontispiece and 29 engraved plates, all with tissue guards. Original black Nigerian morocco back, Japanese black silk paper-covered boards, with black morocco fore-edges by Zaehnsdorf, lettered in gilt on upper board; in original felt-lined black linenn covered solander box; slightly scuffed. Broadsheet of "List of Subscribers to Captain Cook's Florilegium" laid in, fine condition.(ewc) "Captain Cook's Florilegium" is one of the finest botanical productions of all time. The Lion and Unicorn Press' printing of these original eighteenth-century copper plates appeared in an edition of only 100 copies. The beautiful plates are after finished drawings by F. P. Nodder, J.F. Miller, James Miller and J Cleveley from Sydney Parkinson's sketches, printed by Thomas Ross and Son and Michael Rand. When Cook's first voyage returned to London, the original botanical drawings… Read More

London. Printed for Richard Phillips. 1807. 4to. 26.5cm, the First Edition, xii,602,[ii]p., with 27 aquatint plates by Stadler and Lewis after Heriot (6 being double folding) and a folding coloured map, in full contemporary tree calf, gilt ruled raised bands, gilt border and center device decorations and spine titles, gilt decorated borders on the boards, brown marbled endpapers, some transfer from most plates but less than usual, a fine copy, in attractive antique binding. (cgc). One of the most important books about Canada, the fine aquatint plates are printed in sepia. Waterston. The Travellers. Canada to 1900. P25. T.P.L. 805. Lande 433. Sabin31489. Hillp142-3. cf. Abbey 618. "Attractive aquatints match the light personal style of this first-rate travel account. Heriot unrolls the full chart of Canadian regions and of the potential tourist routes. Past Newfoundland up the St. Lawrence, noting Prince Edward Island; beyond Quebec, up the Restigouche to "Camarouska"; up the Ottawa to Lake Huron;… Read More

London. John Murray. 1836. 8vo. 21cm, The First Edition, x,[1], 663,p., with 16 engraved plates and a rear folding map, bound in the publishers original brown grain cloth with gilt spine titles, some foxing, some pages uncut, a very good copy. (cgc). Hill 42. A.B. 851. T.P.L. 477. Lande 935. Sabin 2613. Wagner- Camp 58b:1. Streeter 3705. Back, who had been on both Franklin expeditions, was sent out to locate Ross, who had been unreported through three winters. News of Ross's safe return reached Back in April 1833 and he then pursued the expedition's secondary objectives. These were, firstly, to navigate the length of a river supposedly arising in the neighbourhood of the Great Slave Lake and running north to the Arctic Sea, and then, secondly, to map as much as possible of the sea-coast. He was successful in both objectives, travelling 7,500 miles in total and traversing the full 440-mile length of the river (known as Thlueetessy' by the First Nations). The Great Fish River, as Back named it, has… Read More

Quebec. A. Cote. 1858. sm4to, 25cm, in 3 volumes, printed in double columns, in the original half dark blue green calf, gilt decorated raised bands, gilt device decorations in the panels, double crimson and black crushed morocco lables, fine pebbled grain green cloth boards, top edge stained red rest untrimmed, bookplate, a very good to fine set. (cgc). T.P.L. 71. Gagnon 1-2971. Field 1277. A reprint of all of the Jesuit Relations, including those of 1611 and 1626, as well as the annual relations published by Cramoisy between 1632 and 1672. The Jesuit Relations are the single most important source of information about the Indians of North America in the 17th Century. In many cases they are the only source. The originals are so rare that even with unlimited resources it would be unlikely to build a complete set. This is the first collected edition of these invaluable works, and was commissioned by the Dominion Government after the set in the Quebec Legislative Library was destroyed by the great fire… Read More