Rare books from Kerkhoff Books Div KSI

New York: Appleton, 1864 "A new edition, revised and augmented by the author" on title page, three quotes on page facing title page.. Internally a fresh clean copy with two small fox spots on each of the first few leaves and gone by page ix, mostly unread. Respined with new spine covering, retaining the original title. [i] -xi, [4]-440, 2 pp ads.

Archibold Constable & Co., 1814 Three volume set bound in full period calf, covers with gilt double borders and dentelles, blind stamped floral borders, spine compartments elaborate gilt and black decorations, marbled endpapers. Mixed state with volume 1 being the third edition 2 and 3 being the fourth, all produced in 1814. Volume 1 is missing the half title and title pages, starts with the Preface to the third edition [v]-x, [1]-358; Vol 2 with two half title pages, title page [1]-370; Vol 3 with title and two half title pages, [1] -369. Each volume with bumped corners, front cover of volume 1 starting to crack at the gutter.1 sig proud in volume 2, lower half of one sig proud in volume 3. Each volume is inscribed on the front endpaper: The Gift of John Mair Esq. to James L'Anson Darlington 1815 and has the bookplate of James L'Anson. A brief search of the internet finds a James L'Anson of Darlington in htis time period as having fought in the Battle of Waterloo. An attractive and… Read More

London: John Martyn & James Allestry, 1670 Sylva or a Discourse of Forest Trees, and the Propagation of Timber in his Majesties Dominions, as It was delivered to the Royal Society the XVth of October, 1662, upon occasion of certain queries propounded to that illustrious assembly by the honourable the principal officers, and commisioners of the navy to which is annexed Pomona, or an appendix concerning fruit trees in relation to cider; the making and severall wayes of ordering it; published by expresse order of the Royal Society. Also Kalendarum Hortense; or the Gardners' Almanak; directing what he is to do monthly throughout the year. All which several treatises are in this second edition much enlarged and improved. [4]. 247, [4], 67,33, plus errata.Five copper plate engravings plus engraved title page. Bound in period leather with five raised bands, later black spine label with gilt titles and borders. Front hinge with old repair, half title with old repair of a closed tear, intermittent… Read More

New York: M J Ivers & C0., 1891 Paper back book bound in dark and light blue and white, Ivers' American Series # 253. Cover states published on July 24th, 1891 and as such this copy predates the first English edition by three months. This copy with 334 pp and text of last page being identical to the first edition. Green and Gibson in their bibliography note this pirated edition and date but their comment on this date it on July 25, not the 24th as on the cover. Their hypothesis is that only the covers were dated as such to escape the new copyright laws. This copy with both covers chipped and the rear being detached. Pages are tanned but supple. Covers rather frail. An interesting dilemma, is this, a pirate, the true first? Could it be unique?

Paris: Charpentier, Libraire-Editeur, 1865 Bound in 3/4 red morocco over marbled boards, five raised bands with elaborate gilt panels, two spine labels, top edge gilt, this number 572 of a limited edition [Exlempaire No 572]..The first and last two volumes are dated 1866 with the rest dated 1865. Leather rubbed in spots. Quite occasional foxing, some bumped corners, bump at the top edge of text block volume 1. Contents overall fine, books overall very good. tres bien etat.

R Martin, 1847 This a two volume set beautifully bound in full black morocco with elaborate gilt decorations, aeg, Vol 1 280 pp, Vol 2 dated 1849 281-382, erratum plus extra illustration; Ladies Botany [i]-[viii], Modern Botany for Ladies and modern Horticulture [1]-152, extra illustrated. Spines laid down with repairs to extremities, tips with modest wear, quite occasional marks, corner of first end paper in Vol 2 scissored, name on title page in small fine hand, largely unread.

London : His Majesty's Stationary Office, 1919 Complete run of three issues, 1918 and 1919 bound in blue wraps. Issues contain articles and poetry of many of the leading authors and poets along with military leaders. Authors include Rudyard Kipling, J M Barrie, Thomas Hardy, John Masefield, Edith Wharton and others, with illustrations by Max Beerbohm, William Nicholson, etc. Also, first publication by C. S. Lewis under the pseudonym Clive Hamilton, a poem entitled "Death in Battle". Volumes 2 and 3 retain the publishers listing of the contributors tipped onto the front covers, making these issues quite rare. Issues are well preserved in a chemise slipcase. Case is unevenly sun faded. Periodicals are very good or better.

Charles Scribners Sons, 1913 An exceptional copy of this beautifully illustrated book with the rare front and back boards from the original slipcase. In my 35+ years of handling books. I have on occasion come across this book, but rarely if ever in this condition and had never seen an original slipcase before acquiring this beauty and its companion, listed separately.Pages are quite nice. Front cover has light foxing [not internally] and the lower corners are bumped. Slipcase cover is unevenly faded and worn at the edges.

Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co, 1853 Original early printing of Schoolcrat's monumental work, these volumes published in 1853-56, complete in five volumes. Volume I xxiii, 13-568; 76 plates and maps including color artifact plates: Vol II; xxiv, 17-608, 80 plates: vol III;xviii, 19-635, 45 plates: Vol IV; xxvi, 19-668:Vol V; xx1v, 25-712, 34 plates [missing plates 6 and 23]. Volumes are 11" tall, each with gilt spine titles and one decoration on the front cover. Volumes 1, 2 and 4 each with some spine repair, 1 with spots filled, 3 with a small closed tear at head of spine, and minor touch up, 4 with two small fills. Volume 2 with chips at head and tail of spine, Volume 5 with a piece missing at the head of spine. : Each volume with some foxing with volume 5 having some sporadic damp stains. Minor spotting to the covers. Howes S-183 Still all in all a rather handsome set.

New York : Pratt, Robinson, and Co., 1838 Bound in blue cloth with paper spine label, an exceptionally rare copy of a rare emigrant guide in that this has its original blue stiff wrap covers, titled "Sketches of the Upper Wabash Valley" bound in. The original map with its hand colored outlines and published by Augustus Mitchell is present and in fine condition. It does have a small closed tear near where it is attached to the book. The two plates are sharp and clean with the Page's Banking and Ditching machine with a few light fox spots. Light foxing to the end papers. Blue hardcover binding unevenly faded with its paper spine label chipped. An exceptional copy, especially with its original covers. This must be a larger version of this guide as the leaf measures 8 13/16" while another copy I have measures 7 3/4". In hardcover binding this copy measures 9 1/16". Truly a rare item with the last copy to sell at auction was in 1999.

Charles Webster, 1886 Nice 2 volume set in the deluxe binding of brown pebbled morocco over boards. This set with contents mostly unread. A previous owner's name is written on the front end paper of Volume 1. There is minor rubbing to the extremities and moreso to the cloth and the medallions are darkened. A nice set.

Alex Hogg, 1795 Early 20th century rebind in brown quarter morocco over cloth, c 1795. Frontis of volume 1 dated Dec 13th, 1794, no other date. Overall fine set on criminals of the 18th century current to the time of publication. Illustrated with copperplate engravings. Spines of three volumes show minor chipping, title page of volume 6 has the faintest bit of foxing, Touches of rubbing to other spines, top edge of one board bumped. All volumes largely unread. A superior set of this elusive epoch on crime of the eighteenth century.

London: J Johnson, 1814 Bound in later signed 3/4 green morocco over marbled boards, aeg, 368 pp., 5 plates fine.Magnificent copy, quite unlikely to come up at auction again.Rare Book Hub records the last copy at auction in 1945.WorldCat locates no copies held.This copy with some spine fade and touch of wear at tips.

Calcutta: Unitarian Press, 1826 This is an 140 page book printed in wraps and bound into hardcover of black over blue cloth. The title page is laid down, worm hole in top margin not affecting text from page 61 to 114. Pencil underlining and notations throughout. WorldCat locates four copies and there is a fifth in the Library of Congress. A complete copy of a rare book.

Blanchard & Lea, 1862 Bound in full calf with black morocco spine label, 816 pp., stated Second American Edition, "I trust that I have corrected any inaccuracies contained in the previous one [first American]; every page has been carefully revised; much additional matter has been added to the text; and several new Illustrations, executed with great care and fideity...".Leather binding exhibits show nice patina, presents quite well, has wear around the edges, first endpaper foxed, rear endpapers folded with one starting to split, two internal leaves detached but present, small marginal tear on last page. A good, serviceable copy.