Rare books from Antiquariaat Schierenberg

Amsterdam, Elsevier Science Publishers, 1972-1998. 4to (26.0 x 18.8 cm). 6,662 pp.; numerous figures, mathematical formulae, photographs and an index in each book. Uniform gilt-lettered black cloth. Niels Bohr is perhaps, together with Einstein, the most important physicist of the 20th century. His contributions to science remain of fundamental importance. His collected works consist of the following: Volume 1: Early work (1905-1911) by J.R. Nielsen; Vol. 2: Work on Atomic Physics (1912-1917) by U. Hoyer; Vol. 3: The Correspondence Principle by J.R. Nielsen; Vol 4: The Periodic System (1920-1923) by J.R. Nielsen; Vol. 5: The Emergence of Quantum Mechanics (Mainly 1924-1926) by K. Stolzenburg; Vol. 6: Foundation of Quantum Physics I (1926-1932); Vol. 7: Foundation of Quantum Physics II (1933-1958) by J. Kalckar; Vol. 8: The Penetration of Charged Particles Through Matter (1912-1954) by J. Thorsen; Vol. 9: Nuclear Physics (1929-1952) by R. Peierls; Vol. 10. (Complementarity Beyond Physics (1928-1962)… Read More

Baarn, The Escher Foundation, 2008. 16 prints, matching the original prints in shape, enlarged by 10%, all on separate sheets measuring 55.0 x 65.0 cm) and an introduction of 16 pp., and 4 pp. review (both 34.0 x 45.0 cm). In original full cloth dropbox (67.0 x 57.0 x 3.0 cm) with printed label on the front board and printed title on the spine. This special collection consists of the highest quality "Museum quality" facsimile reprints of 16 of the most famous lithographs, woodcuts and drawings by the graphic artist M.C. Escher (1898-1972). Each copyright-protected image is printed in a limited edition of only 450, individually numbered and stamped with the authentication seal of the M. C. Escher Foundation. The following prints are included, with date and reference number: Castrovalva, 1930 (Bool 132); Hand with Reflecting Sphere, 1935 (Bool 268); Sky and Water I, 1938 (Bool 306); Reptiles, 1943 (Bool 327); Other World, 1947 (Bool 348); Up and Down, 1947 (Bool 352); Relativity, 1953 (Bool… Read More

Bruxelles, J. E. Goossens, 1933. Folio (35.6 x 27.1 cm). [26] pp.; ten full colour plates. Original embossed soft boards. A sparkling, ephemeral work, published in only 350 copies, and nicely illustrated by the Belgian artist Armand Massonet (1892-1979). The single embossment has the shape of a champagne cork. A single, original watercolour drawing by Massonet, in the same style and size, has been added with a pencilled dedication, signed by the artist. "He studied at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts of Brussels and the Ecole National des Beaux-Arts in Paris (in the studio of Fernand Cormon), where he followed the steps of Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec. During World War I, Massonet served as a stretcher-bearer for the Belgian Army while working for the art section of the Army, capturing scenes of war and devastation throughout Belgium. He published an art and literary paper called Le Claque à Fond while on the front line. After the war, he taught drawing in different schools and… Read More

China, ca. 1880. Large painting on glass (85.0 x 54.0 cm) in contemporary Chinese wooden frame (91.7 x 60.7 cm). A Chinese reverse painting on glass. This method of painting has a long history in China. These kind of paintings reached Europe in the 18th century and immediately became quite popular. Many were deliberately made for export. Due to their fragility, few examples have survived until this day, and they are therefore much sought-after, fetching high prices at auction. A painting of this unusually large size is not very common. This is an example from the late Qing-dynasty. It likely depicts a ceremony, as the children's toys each carry a red ribbon and light. The toys are all animals (a dog, deer, hog, and falcon). A very decorative and amazing painting in a very good state, with bright and vivid colouring. The frame is very good, and in its original state.

Milano, P. Hugues, 1822. Two volumes in one. Large folio (45.0 x 32.5 cm). First volume with engraved title page in sepia, engraved plate "Confronti di alcuni tratti di decrescente analogia nel profilo e nelle fisica constituzione del cranio dell' uomo e delle scimie", [vi, preface and systematics]; 73 (numbered III-V, and I-LXX) fine stipple engraved plates of apes and monkeys, each with descriptive captions in Italian. Several additional half-titles; the second volume on makis is titled "Dei lemuriani ossia maki propriamente detti", and has three introductory pages numbered ii-iv, a first half-title; ten plates, a second half-title (to the loris), a one-page introduction; three plates; a third half title (to the makis), an unnumbered text leaf; another two plates, a fourth half-title (to the genus Galago), another one-page introduction; and the final two plates, for a total of 15 plates, and an index page numbered xvi, and a GRAND TOTAL - for both volumes combined - of 88… Read More

London, John van Voorst, 1855. 4to (27.5 x 18.0 cm). vii, 147 pp.; 24 chromolithographed plates (XI and XIII acting as frontispieces) with fine hand-colouring. Early 20th-century dark green half morocco over linen boards. Spine with five raised bands; compartments with gilt ornithological vignettes and title. Marbled endpapers. Top edge gilt. Original embossed limp cloth boards with large gilt vignette and gilt on the front board, bound in the rear. First edition. According to Schwerdt, this is "...the best English book on falconry and a very attractive publication". The fine plates were drawn and engraved by the second author, William Brodrick of Chudleigh (1814-1888). Francis Henry Salvin (1817-1904) was a writer on falconry and hawking. "Salvin was also the first to revive successfully in England the old sport of fishing with cormorants." (Wikipedia). Plates XXII-XXIV (last) show equipment used in falconry - all others show falcons and hawks. Provenance: with armorial bookplate… Read More

Great Britain, [John Cooper and Sons?], ca. 1900. Taxidermy bow-fronted cased (41 x 39 x 20 cm) in naturalistic winter setting. Case with three glass panels (bow front and two side panels) and hanger. An excellent Victorian taxidermy case - if not a small diorama - of a female common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus. (German: Turmfalke; French: faucon crécerelles; Dutch: torenvalk) catching a siskin, Spinus spinus (Linnaeus) (German: Erlenzeisig; French: tarin des aulnes; Dutch: sijs). Two fine, wonderfully preserved taxidermy cased specimens. This falcon is one of the most successful birds-of-prey in the temperate regions of the Old World, occurring in a wide variety of landscapes. It preys on mice and other small animals. "The kestrel was once used to drive and keep away pigeons" (Wikipedia). The siskin is a common European bird, more often seen during winter times. The case differs from most such cases because oif its more detailed and naturalistic setting. Case paint cover… Read More

Paris, Louis Janet, ca. 1825. Oblong 8vo (19.0 x 12.3 cm). iv, 146, [i] pp.; title page with large, engraved and finely hand-coloured vignette, 12 finely engraved, tissue-guarded plates with contemporary hand-colouring. Contemporary quarter polished calf over marbled boards. Spine with gilt bands and title, and blind tooled vignettes. A wonderfully preserved copy of a very rare, delightfully illustrated satire on human behaviour, humorously compared with the behaviour of monkeys. The author is unknown, and, given the satire hidden behind the jolly illustrations, perhaps wisely remained anonymous. However, it seems reasonable to assume that the publisher, [Pierre Claude] Louis Janet (1788-1840) was the author, as he was known as a writer, in particular of works published by himself. Former owner's name pencilled in an old hand on the front free endpaper recto. Some (mostly light) rubbing to the boards, occasional light, marginal thumbing, a few small smudges, but generally very clean. The… Read More

Leiden, S. Luchtmans and J. Luchtmans, 1839-1844. Three volumes in five, including a matching drop box. Folio (42.6 x 29.1 cm). 1379 pp.; 258 plates on 257 sheets (and one double, not counted), of which all but 81 finely hand-coloured, and four maps, of which one double-sized, and all but one partly hand-coloured. Uniform contemporary dark green half morocco over grained boards. Spines with five raised bands; gilt ornaments at head and foot, and gilt title. Speckled edges. An unusually well-preserved set - without the usual brittleness, toning and foxing. Carefully bound in five, contemporary, equal-sized volumes; the zoology in two parts, and the ethnography plates as issued, in a drop box. This is by far the most extensive and detailed work on the rich and diverse fauna, flora, and ethnology of the former Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). Edited by the Dutch ornithologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck (1778-1858), this is largely the work of the German - later Dutch - zoologist Salomon Müller… Read More

Amsterdam, Weduwe Gijsbert De Groot, [1696-]1711-1721. Three parts in one. 4to (20.1 x 15.3 cm cm). Engraved title (or frontispiece, with "consent en privilegie" printed on verso), dated 1696; letterpress title page with wood-engraved vignette (dated 1721); [xxvii], 103, [iii] pp., including 69 full-page engraved plates (mainly garden designs, pergolas, etc.), and a few text engravings [AND] Engraved frontispiece, letterpress title page with engraved vignette (dated 1711), [v], 84, [iv] pp., including one engraved plate. [AND] Title page with large copper engraving (dated 1711), pp. [2]-38; half-title Den naerstigen byen-houder, with large copper engraving (verso blank), pp. 41-53, [54-56]; half-title De verstandige kok (dated 1711) with large copper engraving and "Privilegie" on verso, pp. [59-60], 61-88. Contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Spine with five raised bands, and morocco label with gilt ornamental borders and title. A rare complete edition, with all the plates… Read More

London, William Day, Lithographer to the Queen, and Queen Dowager, 1838. Tall folio (40.7 x 25.9 cm). Half-title, title page, [vii]-xii, 106, [i] pp.; nine double-sized, partially hand-coloured tables; a few hand-coloured text figures; mounted tabs. Contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Spine with triple gilt bands; front board with rectangular ruled morocco label with gilt ornamental borders and title. Edges speckled red. An important work by the British mathematician Oliver Byrne (1810-1880). He "... was a civil engineer and prolific author of works on subjects including mathematics, geometry, and engineering. He is best known for his 'coloured' book of Euclid's Elements." (Wikipedia). The latter work (first published in 1847), renowned for its brightly coloured Mondrian-like illustrations, finds a predecessor in this work, which, although on an altogether very different, practical mathematical subject, already contains tables with typical hand-coloured squares.… Read More

Prague, Musée Bohême, 1881. Four parts in four. Large 4to (32.8 x 26.0 cm). xxiv, 342 pp.; 361 lithographed plates with explanatory text leaves. Original uniform blind-tooled black cloth with gilt title on the spines. Part of an enormous series on all aspects of Bohemian Silurian fossils, complete for the group covered. It was privately printed in only 250 copies. See Zittel, and DSB: "From 1840 to his death Barrande collected, described and drew the fossils of the central Bohemian Basin - this area has been called the Barrandian ever since. The strata of this basin are Proterozoic - early Paleozoic in age. At that time 'Silurian' might be applied to strata that today are in the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian or Devonian system. The results formed the outstanding monograph Système silurien du centre de la Bohème, which appeared in eight parts forming 28 quarto volumes". Because this work is so comprehensive, its drawings so accurate and its descriptions so… Read More

London, J. Sowerby, 1812-1818. Two volumes in two. 8vo (23.2 x 15.5 cm). 482 pp. [I: 234, x; II: 235, iii]. 205 hand-coloured engravings (eight larger, folded), numbered 1-203, A (between 184 and 185). Number 33 used twice; no. 177 also numbered 173[bis]. Contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Spines with gilt ornamental bands, blind-tooled compartments and two black morocco labels with gilt title. Green endpapers. Edges speckled red. The first two volumes of a series that would end, rather than be completed, with seven volumes and 648 plates. This set contains the first 205 plates, with their accompanying text. This set contains the first 205, with their accompanying text. It includes the A-plate, and the second plate 33 (Emarginula). This may be regarded as the conchological magnum opus of the British naturalist, artist and publisher James Sowerby (1757-1822), the first of a dynasty of conchological authors and illustrators. Although not a complete set, these two complete volumes, with their… Read More

Lugduni (Lyon), Delamollière, 1789-1796. In ten volumes. 8vo (21.0 x 13.1 cm). 6,309 pp. [xii, 4120; 1661; xl, 476]; Three large, folded, engraved plates. Uniform contemporary quarter calf over marbled boards. Spines with gilt bands and title. The much expanded thirteenth edition of the Systema naturae, written by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin (1748-1804). Beginning ten years after Linnaeus's death, Gmelin was the first to greatly augment the number of new species, especially in Aves, Insecta and Mollusca. There were two reasons for this: new voyages brought back many new species (e.g. the Cook voyages); and Gmelin could make use of many new non-binominal works (e.g., Martini-Chemnitz's work on shells). Seven volumes deal with zoology, two with botany, and one with mineralogy. There are two editions of this work, viz., one published in Leipzig (Soulsby 117), the other (this one) in Lyon. The zoology parts were published near-simultaneously; the botany and minerals a few… Read More

Oxford, Oxford University Press; London: Humphrey Milford, 1932. Large 8vo (24.7 x 15.5 cm). Two frontispiece photos; xvi, 331 pp.; 70 plates. Original green cloth with gilt title on front board and spine. A unique dedication copy - with additional letter - of a rare work on the marine molluscs found in the immediate vicinity of the South African town of Port Alfred, and Port Alfred itself. The author, Lieutenant-Colonel William Harry Turton (1856-1938], a great-nephew of the British malacologist William Turton, had sent shells to E. A. Smith of the British Museum and, later, to Paul Bartsch of the United States National Museum (Smithsonian) but was quite dissatisfied with both men's treatment of his material. Finally he decided to publish a great number of new species himself. Turton was convinced that many species were endemic to the area covered. The total print run of this work must have been low as the work is quite rare. This copy is very well preserved, with hardly any shelf wear, except… Read More