18th Century Books

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

18th First Edition of "New Art of Cooking" in Spanish with skin flap. Traditional recipes of Spanish gastronomy

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 ...

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

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

2 Volumes. Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe. Bound by Morrell in full marbled calf. The covers and raised band spines display gilt-tooling with brown morocco labels. All the edges are g...

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 ...

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...

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...

Chambers, Sir William. Designs of Chinese buildings, furniture, dresses etc. Designs of Chinese buildings, furniture, dresses, machines, and utensils. London: for the Author, Messrs....

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...

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,...

A wonderful collection of antique tattered French books discovered in France, representing The Encyclopédie méthodique par ordre des matières ("Methodical Encyclopedia by Order of Su...

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...

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...

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...

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...

It is rare to find a set of twenty of these volumes, which were published between 1920 and 1930. Each volume contains a title page and varying amounts of text in French - up to 24 pa...

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...

Mémoires et Observations Géographiques et Critiques sur la Situation des Pays Septentrionaux de l’Asie et del'Amérique d'après les relations les plus récentes; Auxquelles on a joint ...

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 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...

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...

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...

This is a RARE first limited edition of Watson's poems, printed on deluxe japon and bound in vellum. Unwin's Cameo series of poetry was a distinctively packaged sequence of books tha...

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...

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...

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...

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...

AUTHOR: REEVE, Clara. TITLE: The Old English Baron: A Gothic Story. PUBLISHER: London: For Edward and Charles Dilly, 1778. DESCRIPTION: SECOND EDITION (FIRST EDITION THUS). 1 vol...

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: HOUSE OF LORDS. TITLE: Remembrances for Order and decency to be kept in the Upper house of Parliament by the Lords, when His Majesty is not there. PUBLISHER: London, May 7...

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...

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...

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 ...

"inhuman Cannibals of Florida" AUTHOR: DICKENSON, Jonathan. TITLE: God's Protecting Providence, Man's Surest Help and Defence, in Times of Greatest Difficulty, and most eminent Danger, evidenced in the remarkable Deliverance of Robert Barrow,.. & the cruel devouring Jaws of the inhuman Cannibals of Florida. PUBLISHER: London: by James Phillips, 1790. DESCRIPTION: SEVENTH EDITION. 1 vol., 136pp., 12mo., 6-3/8" x 4-3/16", bound in 1/2 brown morocco, gilt decorated spine, blind stamp to front blank endleaf of "D Hicks & Co. Book Binders...

This report brings together two separate but stylistically linked manuscript leaves, written in Classical Persian (Farsi) with Sufi-inspired texts. Both feature flowing Nasta'liq cal...

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...

This is a delicate antique book, Compendium of Farriery. An English language, Georgian guide to equestrian care, published in London, 1796. Full title: Taplin Improved; or a Compend...

This antique book titled "A Voyage to the South Atlantic and Round Cape Horn into the Pacific Ocean", and authored by W. Bennett, on the work of James Colnet...

A fine FIRST EDITION ELEPHANT FOLIO of Jame's Paine monumental work: Plans, Elevations and Section of Noblemen and Gentlemen's Houses, and also of Stabling, Bridges, Public and Priv...

by Cyril Connolly and Jerome Zerbe A first edition copy from 1962 of this fascinating book which is beautifully illustrated with photographs taken by Jerome Zerbe and also with an i...

The Most Popular Book of Maritime Adventure of the Eighteenth Century Anson, Lord George and Richard Walter A Voyage Round the World, In the Years MDCCXI, I, II, III, IV, By George ...

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 ...

Vol XV 'The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure' by John Hinton, published 1754. The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure was a per...