18th Century Books

Silva: or, a Discourse of Forest-Trees, and the propagation of timber in His Majesty's Dominions; As it was delivered in the Royal Society on the 15th day of October, 1662, upon Occa...

A Dictionary of the English Language; In Which the Words are Deduced From Their Originals and Illustrated In Their Different Significant By Examples From the Best Writers. To Which are Prefixed a History of the Language and an English Grammar London: printed by John Jarvis and sold by John Fielding...

4th Edition of the magnum opus of the Scottish economist and moral philosopher Adam Smith. Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations London: A. Strahan and T. Cade...

A lovely example of an intimate 19th century memorabilia album illustrating the era's sensibilities for nature and antiquities, and bound in an exquisite blank album with miniature v...

An exceedingly rare and beautifully-illustrated work by Carl Gustav Jablonsky and JFW Herbst, whose Natursystem is one of the first attempts at a complete survey of exotic and European butterflies, and edited following the system of Carl Linnaeus (1707 – 1778), the father of modern taxonomy, as stated in the subtitle of the work. Jablonsky, Carl Gustav & J.F.W. Herbst. Natursystem aller bekannten in- und ausländischen Insekten: Schmetterlinge; Nach dem System des Ritters Carl von Linné...

A hardback book with original dust jacket. Chinoiserie is one of the strongest, mostt consistent strains in western taste. It has affected every area of decor and design from Chippen...

Inverary set of fifteen leather bound books. The Annual Register or A View of the History, Politics, and Literature for the year comprising the years 1765-1792: volume 8, 9, 10, 11,...

Aesop (S. Croxall transl.) The Fables of Aesop; With a Life of the Author; and Embellished with one Hundred & twelve Plates London: John Stockdale, 1793. FIRST EDITION - 2 vol., La...

A precursor of Benjamin Franklin's famous and popular POOR RICHARD's ALMANAC Rider, Cardanus Rider's (1726) British Merlin; Adorned with many delightful Varieties and Useful Veritie...

A rare example of a first edition Candide, published in Geneva by Cramer, 1759. 299pp. Woodcut ornaments and Voltaire's corrected pages (pp. 31...

Journals of Congress. Containing the Proceedings From Sept. 5. 1774. to Jan. 1. 1776. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by R. Aitken, 1777. Volume I. First Edition. 8vo. Rebound in ¼ br...

Montagu, Mrs. (Elizabeth), 1718-1800 An Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespeare; An essay on the writings and genius of Shakespeare, compared with the Greek and French dramat...

Published London, 1788, John Bell. Nicely leather bound in brown with fine tan, brown and gilt spines. Watery green inside the boards. 5 3/4" H x 3 7/8" W x 1" D Condition: the spi...

These are the now very scarce set of two catalogues produced by Christie's for the sale of the contents of Dumfries House which contained a large collec...

Thomas, Antoine Jean-Baptiste Un an à Rome et dans ses environs; Recueil de dessins lithographiés, représentant les costumes, les usages et le cérémonies c...

AUTHOR: (SWIFT, Jonathan). TITLE: The Hibernian Patriot: Being a Collection of Drapier's Letters to the People of Ireland, Concerning Mr. Wood's Brass Half-Pence. Together with Con...

PRESENTING AN EXTREMELY RARE FIRST US EDITION hardback copy of “Enquiry Concerning Political Justice and Its Influence on Morals and Happiness by William Godwin, First American from ...

Persian Manuscript Page depicting a garden scene. Circa 18th century. Hand painted scene depicts a hilly outdoor landscape where people are congre...

Goldsmith, John An Almanack for the Year of Our Lord God M.DCC.LXXXIV. 1784 London: Company of Stationers, 1784 48mo, 4 x 2 1/2 in. (113 x 53 mm); pp. 48 + blank pages for each mont...

Two leather bound volumes published in Dublin, Ireland in the mid 1700's. The Journals of the House of Commons of the Kingdom of Ireland from the Eleventh Year of King James the Fir...

Holbein, Hans the Younger (after) Chrétien de Méchel Recueil de XII costumes suisses civils et militaires, hommes et femmes, du seizième siècle. Gravés d'après les dessins originaux ...

The black leather binding in faux shark skin, with silver fittings, unmarked, front and back centrally with a VOC ship within a symmetrical rococo cartouche, the two clasps with VOC ...

These four books printed in Latin are covered in beautiful old vellum covers and spines. Each book contains text, margin commentary and pictorial illustration to the fronts pages. All but one is from the same library with like beautifully embossed bindings and like blue colored paper borders. These three had at one point clasp binders now gone or in a damaged state. The final book is vellum bound but not in embossed covers and spines. Condition Disclosure: While we do our best to carefully inspect and give a full report on the condition of any item we sell, pointing out any repairs or alterations that may have been done to the best of our knowledge, as is the case with any antique and vintage item, there is a possibility that at some point in the life of the piece that there may have been damaged which has been professionally repaired and as such a repair undetectable, it is therefore impossible for us to disclose... we recommend that you also read and agree to the 1st dibs user agreement...

Rider, Cardanus Rider's British Merlin 1774 + The Court and City Register London: R. and M. Brown / Company of Stationers & J. Jolliffe, G. Woodfall, an...

15 Volumes. William Shakespeare. The Plays. With corrections & Illustrations of various commentators to which are added notes by Samuel Johnson and George Steevens. Fourth Edition Wi...

Publisher: Buffon, Georges-Louis Leclerc de Place / Date: Dordrecht, Abraham Blussé, 1766-1799 Size: 38 parts in 21 volumes. Large 4to. With more than 1100 hand-coloured engraved ...

18th Century Rare European Vellum book found in Germany.  This book has aged beautifully with exquisite patina. Vellum (derived from the Latin word vitulinum meaning "made fro...

Defoe, Daniel. The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner: Who lived eight & twenty years all alone in an un-inhabited Island on the Coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but himself. With An Account how he was at last as strangely deliver’d by Pyrates. Written by himself. Vol I. [With:] The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; being The Second and Last Part of his Life, And of the Strange Surprizing Account of his Travels Round three parts of the Globe. Written by Himself. Vol II. [With:] George Chalmer's "Life of Daniel Defoe". London: John Stockdale, 1790. First (Thus) Edition. Two Volumes, Octavo. Illustrated with engraved frontispieces, vignette title pages, and full-page illustrations by Thomas Stothard, engraved by Meland. Rebound in full calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, blind embossing to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, and a new archival slipcase. Presented is the first (thus) edition of John Stockdale’s 1790 edition of Daniel Defoe’s classic tale of adventure. This two volume edition is beautifully illustrated with engraved frontispieces, vignette title pages, and twelve full-page illustrations by Thomas Stothard and engraved by Meland. It is presented here rebound in full brown and tan calf, with intricate blind embossing to the front and back panels, raised bands, gilt tooling and gilt titles to the spine. Defoe’s first long work of fiction, The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe introduced two of the most-enduring characters in English literature, Robinson Crusoe and Friday. Defoe based part of Robinson Crusoe on the real-life experiences of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor...

THE MOST COMPLETE COMPENDIUM ON THE TECHNICAL SCIENCES OF THE ERA Leupold, Jacob Theatri statici universalis, sive Theatrum staticum, Das ist: Schau-Platz der Gewicht-Kunst und Waag...

The most complete compendium on the technical sciences of the era. Leupold, Jacob Theatrum Machinarum Generale. Schau-Platz des Grundes Mechanischer Wissenschaften, das ist: Deutlich...

Bible,, Biblia Sacra, dat is, de H. Schriftuer van het Oude, en het Nieuwe Testament, Naar de laetste Roomsche Keure der gemeine Latijnsche Overzettinge, in nederduitsch Vertaeld, me...

4 vols.; 8vo, 6 1/2 x 4 in. (165 x 102 mm) , vol. 1: (6), xl, 293; vol. 2: (1), 314; vol. 3: 910, xi, 331; vol. 4: 91), 322. With 28 copperplate engravings designed by F. Hayman and engraved by G. V. Neist; all are signed by both artist and engraver; all have “Vol” and “p.” indications, except those for Vol. I., which have “p." indications only. Three-quarter tan calf binding with marbled paper, all edges stained yellow, gilt title, decorations and raised bands on spine. The antique bindings...

London Almanack for the Year of Christ 1783 London: Printed for the Company of Stationers, 1783. 64mo, 1 1/4 x 1 3/8 in. (57 x 33 mm), 24pp. Original cream morocco elaborately gilt...

Bowles's New Collection of English Moths and Butterflies; In Twelve Prints, All Drawn from Life Representing near 300 different Species of those Beautiful Insects. Elegantly and accurately Engraved and disposed in an Ornamental Order To each Print is added:-A Description of their Names, Food, and times of Change, By Benjamin Wilkes. London: Carington Bowles, 1764. Second Edition. Folio, (15 1/2 x 11 3/4 in, 394 x 300mm) Second edition, 1 title page and 12 plates engraved and hand-colored, trimmed to plate-mark at fore-edge, lightly browned, some spotting, later 3/4 red morocco with title and fillets in gilt, rubbed and a little stained, rebacked, corners worn. The plates were engraved by Henry Roberts as evidenced in the markings of each plate the first edition, but omitted in the second edition. [Nissen 4411; Linsey 183]. EXTREMELY RARE, COMPLETE BOUND SET of...

Collectible antique German Luther Bible, also known as " Lutherbibel " in Germany. The Lutherbibel is a German translation by the Protestant reformer Martin Luther, a New Testament t...

Carracci's frescoes at Palazzo Farnese in Rome Rome: Venantius Monaldinus, 1753. First Edition. Oversized folio, 17 1/4 x 12 inches (438 x 304 mm); half title, engraved portrait o...

Set of Three 18th Century Vellum Sunday Sermon Books. 1.) Sermoni Per Tutte Le Domeniche Dell' Anno (Sermons for all the Sundays in a Year) by Monsignore Alfonso Maria De Liguori. Na...

A New System of Modern Geography; or, a Geographical, Historical, and Commercial Grammar; and Present State of the Kingdoms of the World. Maps engraved by Mr. Kitchin, C. Dilly and G...

AUTHOR: BLACKSTONE, William. TITLE: Commentaries on the Laws of England. In Four Books. PUBLISHER: London: At The Clarendon Press, 1770. DESCRIPTION: FOURTH EDITION. 4 vols., squ...

A beautifully photographed 2 volume box set of books which presents this prestigious collection of furniture in a way that cannot be seen by visitors to the palace. Versailles was th...

A beautiful and scarce 'Bell's Edition of Shakespeare', the vanishingly scarce large paper variant, illustrated with engraved plates. The very scarce complete twenty volume set. A large paper edition, uniformly bound in full morocco. In 1785, John Bell began to issue the 36 separate plays of Shakespeare individually, collecting them here in twenty volumes in 1788 as the 'Dramatick writings of Will. Shakspere'. The set is scarcely found complete. The first two volumes here are a remarkably comprehensive and broad 'Prolegomena' to Shakespeare's works, and offer interesting analysis of Shakespeare from an era where many of his plays were often interpreted differently, both in their production and in their critical reception. The subsequent eighteen volumes consist of the plays themselves, along with notes from Samuel Johnson and George Stevens, a highlight of this particular edition. Volumes I & II: Prolegomena To The Dramatick Writings of Will. Shakespeare. Nine plates to volume I, and eight to volume II. Volume III: The Tempest and Two Gentlemen of Verona. Four plates. Volume IV: The Merry Wives of Windsor and Much Ado About Nothing. Four plates. Volume V: Measure for Measure and A Comedy of Errors. Four plates. Volume VI: Love's Labour's Lost and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Four plates. Volume VII: The Merchant of Venice and As You Like It. Four plates. Volume VIII: The Taming of The Shrew and All's Well That End's Well. Four plates. Volume IX: Twelfth Night and Winter's Tale. Four plates. Volume X: Macbeth and King John. Four plates. Volume XI: King Richard The Second...

These are a wonderful addition to a library or study! The two books date to 1777 or the era of George III. At first glance, I thought they were Italian, but upon further study, they ...

This is the FIRST EDITION of COLERIDGE'S FIRST BOOK OF POEMS. A. S. W. Rosenbach deemed it "An important literary volume." (Rosenbach 29:108). It includes four sonnets by Charles Lam...

London, 1796. 64mo, 1 1/4 x 1 3/8 in. (57 x 33 mm), 24pp. Very beautiful publisher's Venetian style mosaic style inlaid morocco in green, red, and blue, with gilt decorations, centr...

"D’Erven Stichter’s Comptoir Almanach, Op ’t Jaar onzes Heeren Jesu Christi, 1785. Voorzien met alle de Jaar-, Paarden-, Beesten-, en Leermarkten, alsmede de Vacantien, het Varen der...

Presenting a fabulously rare antiquarian book from 1791, namely, Demosthenis Selectae Orationes by Richard Mounteney 1791 7th Edition. Leather Spine in very good condition. Leathe...

The Chinese Pavilion at Drottningholm is one of the most remarkable "chinoiseries" anywhere in the North of Europe-not because of its size and the splendour of its collections, but b...

Author: Robinson, Mary. Title: Hubert de Sevrac, a Romance of the Eighteenth Century. Publisher: London: for the Author by Hookham and Carpenter, 1796. Description: First edition. 3 vols., 6-13/16" x 4-7/16", errata at the end of each vol., advertisement leaf at the end of vol. 3, vol. 2 M6 with early repaired tear at foot, without the half-titles, bound in fine contemporary full speckled calf, floral gilt decorated spines, gilt lettered red and green spine labels, covers ruled in gilt. Condition: Internally clean and bright, armorial bookplate of Sir John Eden to front pastedowns, extremely minor foxing to first and last leaves, inner and outer hinges fine, head and foot of spines fine, a handsom set. Additional information: An exceedingly rare gothic novel by Robinson (known as "the English Sappho") set during the French Revolution. In her lifetime Robinson was better known as an actress and lady of fashion as well as for a string of prominent affairs, including with George IV whilst he was still Prince of Wales whose portrait she wore encrusted with diamonds throughout her life but who she did not hesitate to blackmail for £5000 pounds when he cast her off. Her literary output, though derided at the time, has since been reassessed and Robinson herself now seen as a proto-feminist. Mary Robinson was one of those independent 'viragos' who upset so many conventional men at the end of the eighteenth century. She was admired by Mary Wollstonecraft...

Voyage to the Cape of Good Hope, towards the Antarctic polar circle, and round the world, but chiefly into the country of the Caffres, from the year ...

Decorate a library or office with this set of large antique books. Dated from 1727 to 1748, and printed in Paris during the reign of King Louis XV, these important leather bound books features the following: French book titled Remarques Critiques sur le Dictionnaire de Bayle, "Première Partie: A-F," published in 1748. The book was printed in Paris by Hyppolite-Louis Guerin and in Dijon by Hermil-Andrea. It includes decorative typography and a royal privilege. 1- Oeuvres Diverses de Mr. Pierre Bayle, published in 1727 in The Hague (La Haye). The book is the third volume of Bayle’s works, focused on historical and critical topics. It was printed by multiple publishers, including P. Husson, T. Johnson, P. Gosse, and others, with a decorative vignette illustration. It bears the privilege of the States of Holland and West-Friesland. 2- Oeuvres Diverses de Mr. Pierre Bayle, the fourth volume (Tome Quatrième), published in 1731. The book includes a collection of Bayle’s works on theology, philosophy, criticism, history, and literature. It was printed in The Hague (La Haye) by multiple publishers, including P. Husson, J. Swart, H. Scheurleer, and others. A vignette featuring the figure of Minerva, symbolizing wisdom, adorns the page. The publication bears the privilege of the States of Holland and West-Friesland. 3- Oeuvres Diverses de Mr. Pierre Bayle, the fourth volume (Tome Troisieme), published in 1727. The book includes a collection of Bayle’s works on theology, philosophy, criticism, history, and literature. It was printed in The Hague (La Haye) by multiple publishers, including P. Husson, J. Swart, H. Scheurleer, and others. A vignette featuring the figure of Minerva, symbolizing wisdom, adorns the page. The publication bears the privilege of the States of Holland and West-Friesland. 4- Oeuvres Diverses de Mr. Pierre Bayle, the second volume (Tome Second), published in 1727. The page highlights Bayle's work on theology, philosophy, criticism, history, and literature. Printed in The Hague (La Haye) by several publishers including P. Husson, T. Johnson, P. Gosse, and others, it features a detailed vignette of Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, along with scholarly and architectural motifs. The publication is authorized by the States of Holland and West-Friesland. 5- Dictionaire Historique et Critique by Pierre Bayle, fifth edition, published in 1734 in Amsterdam by the Compagnie des Libraires. It is the fifth volume (Tome Cinquième), covering entries S-Z. The edition is revised, corrected, and expanded with critical remarks, and includes the biography of the author by Mr. Des Maizeaux. The page features an illustrative vignette depicting a classical figure, possibly representing history or wisdom, teaching young students. 6- Dictionaire Historique et Critique by Pierre Bayle, fifth edition, published in 1734 by the Compagnie des Libraires in Amsterdam. It is the third volume (Tome Troisième), covering entries G-L. The edition is revised, corrected, and expanded with critical remarks and includes Bayle's biography by Mr. Des Maizeaux. The page also features an illustration of a classical figure seated with children, symbolizing education or wisdom, surrounded by books. The publication includes the privilege of the publisher. 7- Dictionaire Historique et Critique by Pierre Bayle, fifth edition, published in 1734 by the Compagnie des Libraires in Amsterdam. It is the second volume (Tome Second), covering entries B-F. The edition has been revised, corrected, and expanded with critical remarks, and includes Bayle's biography by Mr. Des Maizeaux. The page also features an engraved vignette of a seated classical figure, symbolizing knowledge or wisdom, teaching children with books...

AUTHOR: [MISSAL]. TITLE: The Office of Holy Week, According to the Messel & Roman Breviary;... PUBLISHER: Paris: By the Company of Booksellers assigned to the Book of Holy Week, 1...

This is the FIRST EDITION OF ROBERT FERGUSSON'S POEMS in a very attractive binding. It presents poems in both English (1-84) and Scots (80-121) and includes a Glossary of Scots words...

This is a complete folio with 34 loose plates in colour and black and white showing elegant 18th century decorative wall panels, wall hangings and arabesques. An excellent design res...

This is Gilpin's third in his series of works tracing picturesque beauty in British natural landscapes. In it he portrays the landscapes of Scottish Highlands, and describes them lyrically in his text. Prefacing the list of Prints at the end of the second volume, the author says "With regards to the prints, which adorn these volumes, I can only say..... that few of them pretend to be 'exact portraits.' They in general 'only characterize the countries,' through which the reader is carried." The illustrations, based on Gilpin's sketches, were etched by his nephew William Sawrey Gilpin using the newly invented aquatint process. This volume also includes a technical discourse about drawing and the mixing of colors, including a chart (vol. 1, p. 131-134) William Gilpin (1724 – 1804) was an English artist, Church of England cleric, schoolmaster and author. He is best known as a travel writer and as one of those who originated the idea of the picturesque. Gilpin's tour journals circulated in manuscript to friends such as the poet William Mason and a wider circle including Thomas Gray...

A beautiful facsimile copy of what is probably the most famous book ever on the subject of furniture. This book is a facsimile of the Chippendale society's own fine copy. Despite i...

The Dictionary of English Furniture from the Middle Ages to the late Georgian Period, by Percy Macquoid & Ralph Edwards. This is the first edition from 1927 and can be regarded as th...

Set of 2 Books Laques Venitiennes du Dix-Huitieme Siecle" by Saul Levy. This is a scholarly and lavishly illustrated account of Venetian 18th century lacquer furniture published in 1968 in two volumes, with 496 color illustrations - text is in French. Both volumes have their original dust jackets. Volume 1 includes an introduction of 26 pages and plates showing: armchairs, sofas, seats and benches...

Magnificent, tall floor lectern of outstanding quality, superbly carved and detailed. Double sided lectern supported by a finely detailed eagle, on carved stem and tripod base ending...

Two brown cloth covered volumes in similar slipcase with gilt titles which was published to mark the bicentennial of Thomas Chippendale's death. Volume 1 is the text and covers - Chi...

Set of 8 large, 18th Century leather bound books having a beautiful patina, comprising the “Dictionnaire de Trevoux” a French dictionary th...