Antique & Collectible Books

1788 COSTUMES Dress Illustrated Clothing Persia ARABIA Tibet Java Serbia Armenia

First published in 1784, Sylvain Marechal's 'Civil Costumes' was an impressive and important work on the cultures of people groups from all over the world. It has 73 full-page, hand-colored engravings depicting clothing and costumes from Western cultures, African and Native American tribes, Pacific Islanders, and from all over the rest of the known world. These incredible illustrations were engraved by Grasset de Saint-Sauveur.
This third volume from the 1788 edition covers the clothing, cultures, and religion of the inhabitants of Arabia, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Java and Indonesia, Tibet, Eastern Slavic regions, Persia, and Armenia. The illustrations depict both men in women in formal dress including the upper bourgeoisie, Sultans, warriors, and even children.
Item number: #8605
Price: $795
MARECHAL, Sylvain
Costumes civils actuels de tous les peuples connus dessinés d'après nature gravés et coloriés accompagnés… Read More

1720 Clarendon English Civil War Rebellion Royalist Church England Dublin

'The History of the Rebellion' by Edward Hyde Clarendon is a famous, early-18th-century account of the English Civil War. It was the first full-scale history of the Civil War written by a figure with first-hand accounts! Clarendon composed this, and his other works of English history, with his own royalist view. He sought to support the Church of England and in doing so 'History'
directly influenced English politics. David Hume, Scottish philosopher, said this of Clarendon's masterpiece:
"Clarendon, however, will always be esteemed an entertaining writer, even independent of our curiosity to know the facts, which he relates… He seems perpetually anxious to apologize for the king; but his apologies are often well grounded."
This rare 1720 edition was published in Dublin.
Item number: #19409
Price: $499
CLARENDON, Edward Hyde
The Lord Clarendon's history of the grand rebellion compleated : containing the tracts, speeches, and… Read More

1690 History of Theodosius I Roman Empire Pagan v Christianity ROME Olympics 2v
Esprit Fléchier was a 17th-century French author who composed two important historical works – the histories of Cardinal Ximenes and Emperor Theodosius I – which are known to be highly accurate and insightful. While known primarily for his written sermons, spiritual memoires, and religious writings, these historical works have been Flechier's most desirable works.
This book, 'Histoire de Theodose le Grand', covers the life and political reign of Roman Emperor Theodosius I. Theodosius was the last emperor to rule the entire the Roman Empire and played a critical role in the establishment of Christianity in the Empire and banned pagan rituals which were common in both Roman and Greek cultures. Theodosius is also remembered for prohibiting the holding of Olympic Games following the games of 393 AD (for the association with pagan rituals).
This 17th-century edition is more complete and extensive than the first edition,… Read More

1857 INDIAN Tribes Schoolcraft Native American Wars Nanticoke Amer Revolution HUGE
Henry Rowe Schoolcraft was an early American ethnologist and expert on Native American culture. He was well-known for his Congress-commissioned study on United States Indian tribes beginning in 1851, of which the content was considered 'valuable scholarship' by critics.
In 1847, the United States Congress passed an act which collected the history of Native American Indian tribes, a task which Schoolcraft headed. The final volume of the work proved to be the best as it was regularly published under the title "The American Indians".
Schoolcraft's studies on Indians are considered the most extensive works on Native Americans published in the 19th-century, and, according to Field contain
"a vast mass of really valuable information and has indeed performed a very important service for Indian history, in collecting and preserving an immense amount of historic data. Vocabularies of Indian languages, grammatical analyses,… Read More

1704 Spanish Conquest of Mexico Solis Aztec Hernan Cortes Montezuma Cortez MAPS

"The fleet was destroyed at the instance of the soldiers, that Cortes alone might not be obliged to make good the payment of the ships, but the troops."
– Solis, History (Townshend translation, 1770)

A famous book on Spanish conquests – one of the most important European sources on Latin American history. Antonio de Solis's "Historia de la Conquista de Mexico" was extremely popular in both Europe and in the Americas and was known by important colonial figures in Latin and European colonies. It deals, mainly, with Hernando Cortez and his command of invading forces of Moctezuma II and the Aztecs. Specific interactions include:
· Cortez sailing from Trinidad to Havana, difficulties in voyages
· Cortez at Cozumel, organizing his troops
· Aztec opposition at the River of Grijalva
· Spanish attempts to make peace with Cazique of Tobasco
· Accounts of Moctezuma's army and troop sizes… Read More

1844 Sportsmen Instructions Guns Shooting Hawker Game BEAUTIFUL Leather Binding

"Instructions to Young Sportsmen in All That Relates to Guns and Shooting" by Lieut. Col. Peter Hawker serves as an essential guide for the 19th-century novice in the realm of shooting and game pursuit. Originally penned in 1814 for a close circle of Hawker's sporting companions, the book focuses on practical insights drawn from years of the author's hands-on experiences. Hawker prioritizes conveying the intricacies of approaching wild birds, a topic he believed was less commonly addressed. Moreover, he delves into the specifics of guns and other related subjects, strictly relying on his own experiments and findings rather than leaning on other publications. The work stands out for its authentic content, shunning embellishments or borrowed anecdotes. Written in a direct, conversational tone, Hawker hoped to impart invaluable knowledge to his readers while seeking understanding for any perceived stylistic shortcomings.… Read More

1677 Sallust Catiline Conspiracy Jugurthine War + 1708 Alexander the Great Rufus
A rare pairing of two printings of ancient literature from Sallust and Curtius. Curtius Rufus is primarily remembered for his commentary on the life of Alexander the Great, perhaps the best early account of Alexander the Great's reign. In addition to Curtius, this two-volume lot includes the works on the Catiline Conspiracy of Sallust with commentary by numerous contributions such as Johann Rivius, Janus Palmerius, and perhaps most famously Aldus Manutius.
Item number: #23342
Price: $750
SALLUST
C. Crispi Sallustii Opera omnia quae exstant, cum commentariis integris Joh. Rivii, Aldi Manutii, Petri Ciacconii, Fulvii Ursini, & Heliae Putschii, et selectia Jani Gruteri
Lugd. Batavorum: Ex officina Hackiana, 1677.
**WITH**
RUFUS, Quintus Curtius
Q. Curtii Rufi Alexander Magnus, et in illum commentarius Samuelis Pitisci, quo antiquitates Persarum, Macedonum, Phoenicum, Carthaginensium, Romanorum… tomus ii
Hagae Comitum: apud… Read More

1794 Hooper Paradox Rational Recreations MAGIC TRICK Conjuring SECRETS Optics
William Hooper's "Rational Recreations" is a collection of 18th-century science experiment findings and reports. Hooper, a self-proclaimed natural philosopher, looked to expose many of the visual illusion scams that were prevalent throughout England at the time, exposing them through science. According to Bellion, Hooper's famed treatise,
"revealed the hidden workings of illusionistic devices and instructing readers in do-it-yourself gadgetry"
The most famous of these exposures was, what is now called 'Hooper's Paradox', which can be found on page 286 of the 4th volume of this edition. It did not appear to this degree in the earlier editions, making this 1794 edition all the more valuable. Other notable topics found in this work include the secrets of magician's magic mirrors, creating apparitions, a harpsichord that plays itself, and much more!
Item number: #23733
Price: $599
HOOPER, William
Rational recreations : in which… Read More

1760 Antiquity of Herculaneum Vesuvius Bayardi Pompeii Illustrated HUGE FOLIO

Ottavio Antonio Bayardi was an important 18th-century Italian scholar who composed a detailed list of artifacts found in the ancient city of Herculaneum. 'Prodromo dell Antichita d'Ercolano' or 'Catalogue of the Antiquities of Herculaneum', lists and illustrates coins, vases, heads and busts of satyrs, mythological figures, faunas, paintings, statues, and mosaics and frescoes. Following the rediscovery of Herculaneum and Pompeii after being buried in the ashes of Vesuvius, the European public became fascinated with the antiquities of these ancient cities. Bayardi delivered at the approval of Charles III of Spain.

This work was the first published by Stamperia and was the first official book dedicated to the study of Herculaneum. Charles III of Spain, (or Carlo VII, Kingdom of Two Sicilies) ordered the excavation of Herculaneum in 1738 and the Regale Stamperia was formed for the express purpose of publishing the… Read More

1777 Cookbook MENON French Cuisine Cooking for Women Wine Liquor Food Recipes

The Menon Cookbook is perhaps one of the most famous 18th-century cookbooks ever published. While the identity of the author is never revealed, he is generally referred to as Menon. 'La Cuisiniere Bourgeoise' is one of the best-known and oft reprinted cookbooks and features hundreds of recipes and food preparations along with beer and wine making, ingredients, and strategies for cooking. Menon is known to include fewer seasonings and ingredients that are cheaper thus creating a sense of 'lower-class' food; even though Menon focuses on beautiful and eye-appealing dishes.

This cookbook was also known to be the very first cookbook devoted specifically to a woman cook. Menon himself said that the title could be read as either 'cuisine' or 'woman cook'. Either way, it answered a real need in France of female home-cooks along with recipes acceptable for the bourgeois. (Willan, 218-225). It was also the only cookbook to be… Read More

1678 FAMED Blaise Pascal PENSEES Apologetics Pascal's Wager French Philosophy

"Men despise religion. They hate it and are afraid it may be true. The cure for this is first to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect. Next make it attractive, make good men wish it were true, and then show that it is."
– Pascal, Pensees

Blaise Pascal's thoughts, organized as "Pensees," were written as a collection of writings on theology and philosophy. 'Pensees' was a culmination of all of Pascal's non-mathematic discoveries and ideas which ultimately led him to a life of religious asceticism. He defended Christianity in this work. In doing so, it 'became one of the most famous Christian books in history.' (Keller, Gospel Coalition). 'Pascal was aware that, very often, we see only what we want to see' (Morris, 145) and because of that, he hoped to be able to 'convince man to overcome the natural reluctance many feel toward religion.' The concept of "Pascal's Wager" stems… Read More

1790. Fine. 15 22 3.5. Rebound. Tan calf spine and corners with black title plates and gilt titles. Blue and tan marbled boards. Dimensions are for one volume.

F.B.A. provides an in-depth photographic presentation of this item to stimulate your feel and touch. More traditional book descriptions are immediately available

Just magnificent: the finely rebound by Brian Cole revamped 1790 Edition: a masterpiece!

Robinson Crusoe   is a novel by Daniel Defoe, first published on 25 April 1719. The first edition credited the work's protagonist Robinson Crusoe as its author, leading many readers to believe he was a real person and the book a travelogue of true incidents.

Epistolary, confessional, and didactic in form, the book is presented as an autobiography of the title character (whose birth name is Robinson Kreutznaer) – a castaway who spends 28 years on a remote tropical desert island near the coasts of Venezuela and Trinidad (roughly resembling Tobago), encountering cannibals,… Read More

Tan spine with gilt banding and title on the spine. faded blue marbled boards.

Los Angeles, CA: Ehret Literature Publishing Co., 1926. First Edition. Softcover. Good+. 64pp; Ex-Library (Private) with stamp to inside cover & surface tears to inside back cover, wear to spine ends, covers clean & bright with slightly edgewear, previous owner's name to inside cover, text unmarked, binding is tight, Good+ condition. Ehret of Mucusless Diet Healing System elaborates on fasting, rejuvenation, the preservation of hair, fasting for spiritual rebirth, the non-breakfast plan, and more.

Tan cloth binding with gilt title on the spine. Gilt crossed swords on the front board.Ephemera greatly interesting
Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the autobiographical account of the experiences of British Army Colonel T. E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia"), of serving as a military advisor to Bedouin forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks of 1916 to 1918. It was completed in February 1922, but first published in December 1926.
Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence CB DSO (16 August 1888 – 19 May 1935) was a British archaeologist, army officer, diplomat, and writer, who became renowned for his role in the Arab Revolt (1916–1918) and the Sinai and Palestine Campaign (1915–1918) against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. The breadth and variety of his activities and associations, and his ability to describe them vividly in writing, earned him international fame as Lawrence of Arabia, a title used for the 1962 film based on his wartime activities. He was born out of wedlock in… Read More