DIBDIN MICHAELBiblio.com
réf. 355490714733London. First Edition. Hard Cover. Dust Jacket. Signed by Author. The set comprises: Rat King Faber 1988. First UK Edition. Page edges quite tanned due to the poor quality of paper used otherwise a fine copy in like D/W. Signed by the Author on the title page. Vendetta Faber 1990. First UK Edition. Page edges quite tanned due to the poor quality of paper used otherwise a fine copy in like D/W. Signed by the Author on the title page. Cabal Faber 1992. First UK Edition. Page edges just beginning to tan otherwise a fine copy in like D/W. Signed by the Author on the title page. Dead Lagoon Faber 1994. First UK Edition. A very fine copy in like D/W. Signed by the Author on the title page. Cosi Fan Tutti Faber 1996. First UK Edition. Page edges just beginning to tan otherwise a fine copy in like D/W. Signed by the Author on the title page. A Long Finish Faber 1998. First UK Edition. A very fine copy in like D/W. Signed by the Author on the title page. Sunday Times Review laid in. Blood Rain Faber 1999. First UK Edition. A very fine copy in like D/W. Signed by the Author on the title page. And Then You Die Faber 2002. First UK Edition. A very fine copy in like D/W. Signed by the Author on the title page. A couple of book reviews laid in. Medusa Faber 2003. First UK Edition. A very fine copy in like D/W. Signed by the Author on the title page. Back to Bologna Faber 2005. First UK Edition. A fine copy in like D/W. Signed by the Author on the title page. End Game Faber 2007. First UK Edition. A very fine copy in like D/W. Signed by the Author on a book-plate attached to the title page. Recently filmed to great acclaim by the BBC and starring Rufus Sewell as Aurelio Zen and Caterina Murino as Tania Moretti. Zen finds it difficult being the only honest cop in town surrounded by plotting politicians a stressed-out boss and vengeful gangsters. Beautifully shot in Italy. The Author Michael Dibdin died in 2007 aged 60. For the full set of 11 books: £1500. hardcover
1824réf. 164843London: N 1824. Pp. ivlii912 title page vignette index errata; thick demy 8vo; early half calf over marbled papered boards rebacked not recently with the original gilt lettered and decorated spine laid on the gilt worn away from the decorations between the raised bands the boards a trifle rubbed edges lightly worn with a few mainly small surface chips heavier below top fore-corner of upper board both joints worn with the upper joint cracking; uncut; ribbon marker; hinges cracking book label of David Levine Sydney on upper pastedown some light foxing and browning occasional slight soiling; printed for Harding Triphook and Lepard and J. Major London 1824. First edition one volume issue. 100 large paper copies were issued in two volumes. Windle & A50a. Tipped-in after the upper free endpaper is an autograph letter from Dibdin signed and dated April 15 1814 with an integral address leaf to W. Godwin Bookseller franked by Earl Spencer in Bath. George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer 1758-1834 served as Home Secretary from 1806 to 1807. He was renowned for his vast and impressive book collection and was the instigator and first President of the Roxburghe Club the oldest society of bibliophiles in the world. Thomas Frognall Dibdin 1776-1847 was also a founding member of the Roxburghe Club. Earl Spencer was Dibdin's patron for many years opening up the library at Althorp to Dibdin for cataloguing. The resulting Bibliotheca Spenceriana a Descriptive Catalogue of the Books Printed in the Fifteenth Century and of Many Valuable First Editions in the Library of George John Earl Spencer is regarded as one of the most thorough and elaborate catalogues of a private library. In 1818 Spencer commissioned Dibdin to buy books for him on the continent a trip described in Bibliographical Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour in France and Germany 1821. Dibdin also wrote Aedes Althorpianae an account of Althorp giving many details of the library. The letter to Godwin is Dibdin's response to a request for a copy of Bibliotheca Spenceriana: 'Sir I understand you have solicited for a third copy of the B S as subscribed for last July - but am sorry to add that such third copy never came to my knowledge and there must have been a mistake somewhere. It is wholly out of my power to furnish you with it. I am Sir Your undeciphered T. F. Dibdin.' It is possible that the recipient could have been the writer and political philosopher William Godwin 1756-1836 widower of Mary Wollstonecraft and father of Frankenstein author Mary Shelley. At the time of the letter 1814 Godwin was a bookseller and publisher in partnership with his second wife Mary Jane Clairmont. In 1805 Mary Jane and William Godwin opened a bookshop and publishing house M. J. Godwin & Co. Among other popular titles the firm published The Swiss Family Robinson and Charles & Mary Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare. The bookshop also known as The Juvenile Library specialised in literature for children. N unknown
1810réf. 437London: William Miller John Murray & Longman et al. 1810. 1st Dibdin Edition. Modern calf reback over contemporary calf boards. Very Good. The first Dibdin edition of Typographical Antiquities is a seminal work in the history of printing scholarship providing a comprehensive account of early English Scottish and Irish printing and serving as a foundational reference for bibliographers and collectors. The work was highly anticipated amongst English bibliophiles booksellers and dignitaries. Subscribers included King George III prominent British Institutions like the British Museum and Cambridge University and numerous prominent publishing houses some of which bought dozens of copies. PROVENANCE From the library of Arthur Dalrymple 1808-1868 FSA Fellow Society of Antiquaries a solicitor and antiquary from Norwich England. He was a major collector of historical manuscripts books and prints. His library was well known among contemporary historians for its rare volumes and meticulously affixed armorial bookplates. Overall Condition: Very Good SET INFO Published in London by William Miller Vol I and II John Murray Vol III and Longman Hurst et al. Vol. IV. Each volume published separately between 1810-1819 and issued to subscribers: Volume I 1810 Volume II 1812 Volume III 1816 Volume IV 1819. Each volume is a preferred first Dibdin edition when his influential and impressive book scholarship greatly expanded the work. Authors: Thomas Frognall Dibdin Joseph Ames William Herbert. Bound in contemporary fine calf binding with spines rebacked in modern gilt calf. Boards with thick gilt vine-patterned roll paneling. Spines with five raised bands separating compartments ruled and tooled in gilt. All board edges with gilt rolls. All page edges gilt. Marbled endpapers and leather-turn ins tooled in blind. Quarto 11" x 8. 7/8". Each volume richly illustrated in addition to the plates - full page woodcuts within text woodcuts decorated initials head-and tail-pieces. Collated and textually complete including half-titles lacking a few binder's notes for plate placement and ads and all 38 plates: Volume I: xx 2 95 1 cxxxviii 2390 pp. 15 plates with Binder's Instructions leaf. Volume II: 4 v 1 30 2 xii 33-399 1 x 401-614 pp. 15 plates without Binder's Instructions leaf and publisher ads. Volume III: 4 iv 615 3 pp. 5 plates with Binder's instructions leaf. Volume IV: 4 ii 2 623 1 pp. 3 plates with Binder instruction's leaf. Dibdin's four-volume edition substantially built upon the earlier works of Joseph Ames and William Herbert. Descriptions of the earliest and most important English printers and publishers are described in detail including their typography genres and key works published printer devices and ornamentation devices like woodcuts head and tail pieces and decorated capitals and initials. Dibdin's edition is highly valued for several key reasons: 1. Comprehensive Documentation: It systematically covers printers from Caxton onwards tracking their known works and offering historical context; 2. Biographical Detail: Volume 1 includes lives of Ames and Herbert followed by accounts of early printers providing insight into the development of the printing profession; 3. Bibliographical Utility: By consolidating prior editions with new editorial notes it has enabled subsequent scholars and collectors to identify locate and study early printed books with greater accuracy; 4. Cultural and Historical Importance: Recognized as a work of cultural significance it serves as part of the knowledge base of civilized bibliographical scholarship preserving the history of early printing practices. ABOUT THE AUTHOR EDITIOR AND BIBLIOGRAPHER Thomas Frognall Dibdin 1776 - 1847 was an influential English bibliographer and Anglican clergyman best known for popularizing book collecting and producing landmark bibliographical works such as Bibliomania Bibliotheca Spenceriana and his revised edition of Typographical Antiquities. Dibdin was one of the founders and vice-president of the Roxburghe Club established in 1812 considered the first English bibliophile society. The club encouraged the production and reprinting of rare books stimulating a culture of book collecting that profoundly influenced English literary and bibliographical history. Dibdin's legacy lies less in his enthusiasm for books colorful writing style encouragement of book collecting and role in creating bibliophile societies that preserved rare works for future generations. His works remain referenced both for their historical contents and for their influence on the culture of bibliophilia. CONDITION REPORT The books are in Very Good antiquarian condition. Exterior and binding: firm hinges and joints tight pages. Rubbed and worn edges rubbed boards. Top edge darkened per usual. leather darkening in multiple areas particularly along the edges and board perimeters dry areas with cracking. Interiors: Flaking and darkening of leather turn-ins. Generally lightly toned pages which are clean and bright. Offsetting from plates and occasional light offsetting from woodcuts. Moderate to heavy foxing at extremities of each volume and on and near plates. Signs of handling - some smudges creases bent corners small ink spills and multiple instances of marginal reading tears and some paper repairs with tape not affecting text a few leaves with small holes or feathered edges. Armorial bookplate of Dalrymple on front pastedowns. Volume I: light oxidation of text block. Small water dampening stain at head of first few leaves and bottom fore-edge corners of pp. cvii-cxxiv. Light and scattered foxing most main text. This volume GOOD to GOOD due to the text block oxidation. Volume II: Mostly white to lightly toned pages. 2" tear at title page foot. A few pages with small waterdrop along a margin. An occasional spot of foxing in the main text. Some charring along fore-edge of rear cover leather. Volume III: Head of margins of leaf 461-462 and adjacent plate with multiple tears and creases not affecting the plate image or text. Volume IV: Several tears and marginal wear of FFEP. Large water dampening stain at foot of frontispiece. All in all a scarce complete first Dibdin set of Typographical Antiquities: Or the History of Printing in England Scotland and Ireland in VERY GOOD antiquarian condition. . William Miller, John Murray & Longman, et al. unknown
1827réf. 107222London: Harding and Lepard 1827. Together with an account of polyglot Bibles polyglot Psalters Hebrew Bibles Greek Bibles and Greek Testaments; the Greek fathers and the Latin fathers. Fourth edition; greatly enlarged and corrected. In two volumes. Pp. ivxiv562iv580 1 engraved plate and small mounted specimen leaf Volume I corrigenda at end of Volume II; impl. 8vo; half dark green morocco the spines lettered and decorated in gilt marbled papered boards; edges slightly rubbed; t.e.g. others uncut and partly unopened; marbled endpapers; ribbon markers; bookplate on upper pastedowns small catalogue slip tipped-in after upper free endpaper Volume I large water stain to top fore-corner of the engraved plate and a couple of the surrounding leaves a little light offsetting from the bookmarkers scattered pale foxing; Harding and Lepard London 1827. Fourth edition large paper copy one of 250 thus. Windle & Pippin A3d. Contains much information not found in earlier editions. The plate is a facsimile of a page from the Complutensian Polyglot Bible and the mounted specimen leaf is from Pickering's 1826 Diamond Edition of the Greek New Testament. Harding and Lepard unknown
1817réf. 13004London: The Author. By W. Bulmer & Co. Shakespeare Press 1817. FIRST EDITION. Complete with errata colophon and half-titles. With 40 plates including the oft missing "Presentation in the Temple" in Volume I portraits illustrations and facsimiles engraved vignettes woodcut and text illustrations some printed on India paper and mounted. Contemporary full crimson crushed levant morocco bound by St. James' Duke Street London a dated binding with the elaborate gilt spine in 6 compartments and "London 1827" in gilt at the foot. From the library of Thomas Willement 1786-1871 British stained glass artist called "the father of Victorian Stained Glass" with his signature a small circular binders label and his personal bookplate from the Society of London Antiquaries. A handsome copy with an important provenance. First and only edition of one of the monuments of typographical bibliography and the most extravagant of all Dibdin's works. It was limited to under 1000 regular and 50 large paper copies. "Its publication was a financial success and doubtless marks the high-water mark of the Dibdinian bibliomania" Windle & Pippin A28. According to Bigmore & Wyman the work is written in the same dialogue manner as Dibdin's Bibliomania with the same interlocutors and may be properly described as a continuation of that work. The Author. By W. Bulmer & Co., Shakespeare Press unknown
1812réf. BIBLIO-12977Harding and Wright London first edition 1812. Limited edition of 50 copies. Slightly later half calf and marbled boards edges sprinkled 8vo. 24 pp without title-page as issued several blank leaves bound in at end. Very scarce: Fifty copies were printed but it is rarely seen in the market: our copy sold at Swann in 2006 US $ 1320 and this seems to have been the last solo auction appearance subsequently there has been only a copy included in a bound volume of Dibdin rarities in the 2015 Pirie sale US $15000. Before that there were auction appearances in 1992 and 1939 making just four copies assuming no duplication in the salerooms in 85 years. Dibdin wrote the work "in five morning-sittings' while on holiday in Ramsgate in September 1812 taking a break from his labours on the Bibliotheca Spenseriana. The poem has some 554 lines of Dibdin's bibliographical advice and opinions in what he calls 'mongrel-blank' verse and it appears as 'Book 1' Dibdin had intended there to be a total of six books with the verse serving as a peg on which to hang 'such elaborate notes that the reader could disregard the verse' Jackson. Wise friends who saw this first canto dissuaded the author from proceeding with this very Dibdinesque plan so Book 1 is all that saw the light of day in a small private printing from which copies were sold 'at the mere sum which it had cost'. Provenance: Jean-Sylvain Van de Weyer 1802 -1874 an Anglophile served briefly as Prime Minister of Belgium in 1845-6 but is better known in bibliophilic circles as a distinguished book collector and grandfather of Oliver Brett Viscount Esher another such and as co-founder with Richard Monckton Miles of the Philobiblon Society and Vice-President of the London Library 1848-1874. Three bookplates on front endpapers: of Sylvain van de Weyer Harvard College Library Samuel Shapleigh bequest released stamp and Francis J. Gagliardi small Harvard College stamps on title-page and blindstamps on advertisement leaf and first text leaf small bookseller label of Phillip. C. Duschnes on rear pastedown endpaper. Spine scuffed joints worn but firm slight edgewear to boards some foxing to endpapers and blank leaves but text-leaves very clean with slight agetoning. Harding and Wright, London, first edition, 1812 hardcover
1800réf. 131Charles Dibdin 1800. Good. All 5 volumes have been rebound in half leather with purple marbled paper and are housed in a custom slipcase. There is some foxing and stains to the text throughout the volumes and the print quality is fairly poor. Mr. Dibdin was a bit of a musical theater prodigy and polymath who ended up building his own theater to perform in. In addition to multiple songs and plays he also wrote a 4 volume memoir and a couple of 3 volume novels. Unusual to see a complete set in hardcover that is not print on demand. Charles Dibdin unknown
1821réf. 1227501821. London: Printed For The Author By W.Bulmer And W.Nicol Shakespeare Press And Sold By Payne And Foss Longman Hurst And Co. 1821. 3 vols. royal 8vo. pp. 2 p.l. xxv 3 leaves 462 lxxix 1 errata; 2 p.l. 555; 2 p.l. 622 lxii. without half-titles. 83 plates incl. portraits; 1 color 2 sepia & 5 double-page & 63 smaller illus. in the text some on India paper mounted. Early half dark green morocco marbled boards gilt-lettered backstrips a tall untrimmed set with usual occasional foxing or spotting. Bookplates of James Whatman and Charles Sebag-Montefiore. § First edition regular paper issue. One of a very few books by Dibdin that went into a second edition. "The collation is very irregular by reason of the fact that all illustrations in the text being printed on India paper pasted-in are on separately inserted leaves . This Voyage Pittoresque is lavishly illustrated mainly with copperplates after drawings by G.R. Lewis and others. Dibdin says he spent over 7000 pounds on the book being the first patron to pay 100 guineas for a plate . It has been unkindly said of this book that it would have been better without any text. However it does contain a modicum of bibliographical information that is still useful if used with due caution" Jackson. Lowndes notes that it "contains much useful and curious information" on the libraries and private collections of Europe. The second edition of 1829 is abridged and omits all but 5 of the original plates. Jackson 48; Lowndes I 641; Windle & Pippin A38a. Provenance: James Whatman; Lister; Colin Franklin; Charles Sebag-Montefiore. Windle and Pippin A38a. unknown
1814réf. 1067671814. London: Printed for the Author by W. Bulmer Shakspeare Press and published by Longman Hurst etc. 1814-15. 4 vols. 8vo ix lii i 383; 503; 509 3; vii 509 lxxvii pp. with 22 plates including one double-page as called for and numerous additional woodcuts some in red in the text of all four volumes. These woodcut facsimiles are by the Byfield family. Full red morocco gilt dentelles. Bookplate of Ross Winans on the front pastedown of vol. one. Some occasional spotting or foxing especially in vol. 4 upper joint of vol. 4 beginning to split at head generally a very good set complete as issued. § First edition of Dibdin's great work. Loosely inserted at the front of vol. 1 is a manuscript note from Dibdin: "Subscription for copy of the Bibliotheca Spenceriana herewith sent £8.8. T.F. Dibdin Mar. 31." 500 copies were printed according to the prospectus and most nineteenth-century sources though A.N.L. Munby states that there were 550 copies; the prospectus states 50 copies on large-paper but Dibdin Bibliographical Decameron vol.II p.392 says: 'There were only 55 copies struck off on Large Paper.'. Regular and large-paper copies collate and paginate identically. In vol.I leaf M4 pp.87-88 occurs in two states both usually found together with and without the engraved facsimile of Polish type; the text of the bottom nine lines of p.87 is reset with the headline in a different type face; and there are minor changes in p.88. Ross Winans 1796-1877 was an American inventor mechanic and builder of locomotives and railroad machinery. He was one of the United States' first multimillionaires. His "small but choice" library Dickinson was bought en bloc by G.D. Smith and sold through various auctions though his copy of the First Folio was last recorded by Lee in the Census and is now unlocated. Windle and Pippin A25. unknown
1841réf. 666609John Murray 1841. First Edition. Leather Binding. Near Fine. Beautiful inlaid binding by Kelliegram ca. 1920s signed at rear. Near fine in full dark blue crushed Levant morrocco spine with raised bands gilt shell devices and three small gilt balls at corners of gilt-ruled compartments covers bordered with a single gilt fillet front cover features an elaborate inlaid and tooled ship under sail composed of ca. a dozen inlays in red three shades of brown and two grays transfixed by a trident edges of boards and inner dentelles tooled in gilt red silk endpapers slight wear. Illustrated with 12 plates by George Cruikshank. John Murray unknown
1838réf. ST17640fLondon: Printed for the author by C. Richards 1838. FIRST EDITION. 251 x 156 mm. 9 7/8 x 6 1/8". With the list of subscribers in volume I. Two volumes. HANDSOME EARLY 20TH CENTURY RED MOROCCO GILT BY MATTHEWS stamp-signed on front turn-in covers with gilt French fillet border enclosing a simple lobed panel raised bands spines very attractively gilt in compartments with spiral cornerpieces and centerpiece featuring either a fleur-de-lys a manuscript scroll and quill or Dibdin's cipher gilt inner dentelles marbled endpapers all edges gilt. With numerous engravings in the text and 44 ENGRAVED PLATES as called for including portraits views antiquities and manuscript facsimiles. Jackson 89; Windle & Pippin A-65; Lowndes I 641. ◆Plates with occasional minor foxing otherwise A VERY PLEASING SET IN ESPECIALLY FINE CONDITION the text clean and bright and the decorative bindings unworn and remarkably lustrous. This charming bibliographical travelogue takes us from Peterborough to London and on to Lincoln York Durham Newcastle Carlisle Dumfries Edinburgh Glasgow St. Andrews and the border lands of Sir Walter Scott with many stops along the way at libraries cathedrals castles and ruins. Dibdin 1776-1847 was perhaps the most visible figure among the bibliophiles and bibliographers of the first half of the 19th century. His "Bibliomania" 1809 was an amusing account of the then-current craze of book collecting among wealthy English aristocrats and the book while cynical did much to encourage the mania. And it was at his suggestion that the Roxburghe Club was founded in 1812. Our binding is typical of the elegant work produced by William Matthews a Scot who became the leading binder in America during the second half of the 19th century. He was head of the bindery at D. Appleton and Company was an early member of the Grolier Club and was an important advisor in the formation of the Club Bindery a firm organized with the generally realized intention of executing fine American bindings that rivalled the best being produced in Europe. Printed for the author by C. Richards unknown
réf. 38324London: Printed for the Author by W. Bulmer and Co. Shakspeare Press 1817. First edition 3 vols. 4to 270 x 185 mm 6 vi 2 ccxxv 1 410 2; 4 535 3; 4 544 4pp. with half-titles ONE OF 50 LARGE PAPER COPIES 37 engraved plates without the 'Presentation in the Temple' plate which was not ready at publication and occurs in only a very few copies and the 'Portrait of Los Rios' which Windle & Pippin suggest is an extra-illustration also without the engraved portrait of Dibdin by Henry Mayer numerous woodcuts engraved vignettes several printed in red or blue some mounted some light spotting and offsetting as usual marbled endpapers contemporary full blue-green morocco decorated in gilt with interlacing geometrical design on the covers richly tooled gilt morocco doublures flat spines lettered in gilt direct all edges gilt spine slightly faded corner of lower board of vol. II bumped some slight edge-wear to bindings otherwise a handsome set. A fine copy of the rare large paper issue of the author's most lavish publication and the high water of Dibdinian Bibliomania. Jackson 40; Windle & Pippin A28. London: Printed for the Author, by W. Bulmer and Co. Shakspeare Press, 1817 unknown
1821réf. 21259London: Printed For The Author By W. Bulmer And W. Nicol 1821. First edition. leather_bound. Contemporary calf ruled in gilt raised bands black leather backstrip title and volume labels lettered in gilt rebacked with original spines laid-down. Aeg gilt. 3 Vols. Very good. 462 lxxIx 555 621 lxii. 28 x 19 cm. 83 engraved plates one hand-colored two double-page engraved vignettes many on India paper woodcuts within text. Index bound in Vol. I with printed ticket and Supplement at end of Vol. III. Dibdin's most extravagant work which went a long way toward ruining him plates alone purported to cost 5000 pounds. This copy with the rare "Diane of Poictiers" plate inserted which was supposedly destroyed after only 50 copies were printed LOWNDES II p. 641. With manuscript letter in ink signed by Bernard Quaritch June 17 1890 attesting to the genuineness of the Poicters engraving with another Quaritch letter dated Jan. 28 1881 letter attesting to the collation noting where three plates were misplaced by the binder. Text very clean plate offsetting to text with marginal toning to some plates bookplates of Charles Williston McAlpin joints repaired lacks black leather spine label Vol. II. DIBDIN Vol. II p. 682. "De toutes les productions de Dibdin celle-ci nous parait etre le plus origninale." calling it his most original work. Printed For The Author By W. Bulmer And W. Nicol unknown
1841réf. 1034London: John Murray 1841. First Edition. Fine Leather Kelliegram Binding. Fine. George Cruikshank. DIBDIN Charles; CRUIKSHANK George Illustrator Songs Naval and National of the Late Charles Dibdin; with a Memoir and Addenda. London: John Murray 1841. First Edition. The Binding An exceptional and striking mid-19th-century nautical binding stamped "Kelliegram Binding" to the rear. Bound in full navy crushed morocco. The upper board features a magnificent large gilt-tooled vignette of a fully rigged galleon in full sail cresting stylized turbulent waves. The lower board is centered with a brilliant gilt trident. The spine is divided into six compartments by five raised bands lettered in gilt in the second compartment with the remaining compartments featuring distinct gilt nautical motifs: a pennant a camp tent a ship an anchor and a leaping dolphin. Finished with gilt-ruled edges intricate gilt inner dentelles solid endpapers and a gilt top edge. The absolute precision lavish tooling and premium materials are characteristic of the famed Kelliegram style produced by Kelly & Sons placing this remarkable piece firmly alongside the finest work of Golden Age peers like Riviere Zaehnsdorf and Bayntun. The Work & Maritime Significance This volume represents the definitive collection of Charles Dibdin 1745-1814 the undisputed master of the sea song whose music forms the absolute bedrock of the traditional sea shanty. For collectors interested in the tall ships era the Golden Age of Piracy and naval history Dibdin's works offer the authentic rugged soundtrack of that world-the very drinking songs working chants and tavern ballads sung by sailors privateers and smugglers below decks. Notably this text features Dibdin's wildly famous sea ballad "Poor Jack" the genuine 18th-century archetype that inspired centuries of maritime folklore and modern cinematic characters. In the era of sail "Jack Tar" or simply "Jack" was the universal moniker for the fearless and fatalistic British sailor. "Poor Jack" perfectly encapsulates the adventurous spirit of the men who lived and died by the unforgiving ocean dealing heavily in shipwrecks naval battles grog and tavern brawls. The Illustrations The volume is vastly elevated by the etchings of George Cruikshank one of the most important British illustrators of the 19th century. Cruikshank's brilliant style perfectly captures the grit and humor of naval life. Plates such as "Saturday Night at Sea"-depicting sailors drinking smoking and carousing below decks-offer incredible visual appeal and provide exactly the kind of authentic maritime aesthetic sought after by discerning collectors. Finding a highly thematic heavily gilt nautical Kelliegram binding in such a brilliant state of preservation is highly uncommon. The magnificent gilt galleon on the upper cover makes this an undeniable shelf-piece and a cornerstone acquisition for any fine maritime library. A book in fine condition. Measures 6.5"x4.25". Internally bright and clean with very little foxing. Extra illustrated. . John Murray unknown
1827réf. ST12282London: Printed for Harding & Lepard 1827. Fourth Edition. 292 x 197 mm. 11 1/2 x 7 3/4". Two volumes. HANDSOME EARLY 20TH CENTURY BROWN STRAIGHT-GRAIN MOROCCO covers with gilt double fillet border fleuron cornerpieces raised bands spines richly gilt with panels dominated by a bold and complex quatrefoil incorporating spade-like tools and with palmette cornerpieces turn-ins with two gilt fillets marbled endpapers all edges gilt. With a facsimile of Greek and Latin text from the Complutensian Polyglot and volume I with a specimen leaf laid down as called for the leaf taken from the 1826 Pickering Diamond miniature edition of the New Testament. A Large Paper Copy. Front pastedowns with engraved armorial bookplate of John William Pease; rear pastedown with vellum armorial bookplate of Lord Wardington. Lowndes I 639; Brunet II 684 "Édition la plus complète et la meilleure"; Graesse I 382. ◆A touch of rubbing to tail edge of boards one leaf with a thin band of soiling along four inches of the fore edge light glue stain at lower corner of specimen leaf endpapers with faint fox spots isolated minor foxing elsewhere other trivial imperfections but generally A VERY FINE COPY the text clean and fresh with vast margins and the decorative bindings with no significant wear. This is the extremely attractive Wardington copy of the fourth and best edition of this quotable bibliographical classic. It is more heavily weighted than the earlier printings toward the Bible and the early Church Fathers and because of the presence of the Pickering specimen leaf it also qualifies as the earliest example to our knowledge of a leaf book. This was Dibdin's first work as a bibliographer and it quickly became the standard guide in English to editions of the classics. Its favorable notice brought him a position as Lord Spencer's librarian along with ecclesiastical preferment and he was consequently allowed to pursue his bibliographic career without financial worries. Spencer invited him not only to catalogue but also to add to the library at Althorp and Dibdin 1776-1847 turned it into the finest library in private hands in England. Our impressive Large Paper Copy comes from another of England's fine private libraries the collection of Lord Wardington 1924-2005 who was successively Chairman Vice-President and then President of the Friends of the British Library. His grandfather John William Pease was a member of the Northumberland banking and business family who amassed a substantial library and Lord Wardington added greatly to it particularly important Bibles and atlases. The Wardington sales at Sotheby's in London were major bibliophilic events in 2005 and 2006. Printed for Harding & Lepard unknown
1838réf. 979F3DLondon: For the Author by C. Richards 1838. First edition. Leather. Fine. 11" by 8". Not Stated. The very scarce three volume extra-illustrated large paper edition of Dibdin's final work illustrated throughout with engraved plates and in sumptuous Riviere morocco bindings. The first edition of English bibliographer Thomas Frognall Dibdin's final work a richly illustrated travel narrative that records his visits to libraries book collections historic sites and landscapes in the North of England and Scotland.The very scarce large paper edition of this work one of only 100 unnumbered copies of this large paper edition produced bound in three volumes rather than two; volume II Scotland is spread over two volumes rather than the single volume of the trade first.In vibrant full morocco bindings by Riviere.Volume I concerned with the North of England is illustrated with a frontispiece eleven plates and extra-illustrated with fourteen further mounted vignettes on India paper.Volume II being the first part of the Scotland volume is illustrated with a frontispiece and forty four plates and mounted vignettes.Volume III being the second part of the Scotland volume is illustrated with a frontispiece and seventeen plates and mounted vignettes.These three volumes are extra-illustrated with thirty-one mounted vignettes and plates.Collated complete. In full morocco signed bindings with extensive gilt detailing to back strips. Externally exceptional. Light fading to back strips as is common with deep shades of morocco. Internally firmly bound. Pages exceptionally clean and bright with only the odd light handling mark to page perimeters. Fine For the Author by C. Richards hardcover
réf. 06432London: Published by the Author at His Music-Warehouse. 1803. Sixty Aquatint Plates Illustrating Charles Dibdin's Songs Delicately Designed Etched and Hand-Colored by Dibdin's daughter DIBDIN Charles. The Professional Life of Mr. Dibdin Written by Himself. Together with the Words of Six Hundred Songs Selected from His Works and Sixty Small Prints Taken from the Subjects of the Songs. And Invented Etched and Prepared for the Aqua Tinta by Miss Dibdin. Embellished Also with an Elegant Engraving by Mr. Smith from a Portrait of Mr. Dibdin a Striking Likeness and an Admirable Picture Painted by Mr. Devis. In Four Volumes. London: Published by the Author at His Music-Warehouse.And may be had of Longman and Rees. 1803. First edition. Four octavo volumes 8 3/16 x 5 1/8 inches; 208 x 130 mm. xxv 1 blank 229 1 printer's imprint 5 index 1 blank; 2 303 1 blank 7 index 1 blank; 2 387 1 blank 7 index 1 blank; 2 328 8 index pp. Volumes II-IV bound without half-titles. Added engraved title in Volume I with hand-colored portrait by Mr. Smith after Mr. Devis and sixty circular hand-colored aquatint plates. Early to mid twentieth-century full tan scored calf by Bayntun of Bath stamp-signed on the verso of the front free endpaper. Expertly rebacked with original spines laid down. Covers decoratively bordered in gilt and blind spines decoratively tooled in gilt in compartments with maroon morocco gilt lettering labels board edges and turn-ins decoratively tooled in gilt all edges gilt marbled endpapers. An excellent copy of this very rare color-plate book. A lively and highly important account of Georgian theatrical and musical life by "our great sea-song writer" whose patriotic songs - Tom Bowling Poor Jack and others - became synonymous with the British naval spirit during the Napoleonic era. More than a memoir the work preserves the words of some 600 songs and offers a vivid firsthand record of the late eighteenth-century stage. Particularly appealing are the sixty charming circular aquatint plates delicately hand-colored and designed and etched by Miss Ann Dibdin his daughter a rare early example of female participation in English color-plate production. These small scenes of sailors taverns and domestic life - perfectly complement the tone of the songs and give the work a distinctive visual character. Rare: OCLC/RLIN locate just six copies in libraries and institutions worldwide: University of Illinois IL USA; University of Miami FL USA; Toronto Public Library ON CA; British Library UK; University of Aberdeen Scotland; Bibliotheque Nationale de France France. Charles Dibdin 1745-1814 "our great sea-song writer. In addition to his musical gifts he possessed considerable as a comedian and was also a successful dramatic writer" English Theatrical Literature. Song-writer dramatist and actor Charles Dibdin Dibdin the elder "is best known for his popular songs about the sea and his dramatic monologues. He also wrote an autobiography The Professional Life of Mr Dibdin 1803 which contains interesting details about life in the theatre at the time and which includes transcriptions of 600 fashionable songs. One of his sons followed him into the world of entertainment Charles Dibdin 1768-1833 who became a dramatist. His nephew Thomas Dibdin was the renowned bibliographer" Marion Wynne-Davies Dictionary of English Literature Abbey Life 413; English Theatrical Literature 2677. London: Published by the Author, at His Music-Warehouse..., 1803 unknown
réf. 249363London Printed W. Nicol. Shakespeare Press 1822. VIII 2 2 LXII 279 1; 6 322 pp. 2 engraved frontispieces 29 engraved plates of which one plate with two illustrations and one double-page plan. Text-illustrations. Contemporary full calf spine gilt and blind tooled. Covers gilt. All edges gilt.Rebacked. Covers restored. Rubbed. Provenence: Bookplate to front pastedown Lord Batterssea Two bookplates to front endpaper. Occasional foxing in places. Some offsetting. . unknown
1812réf. 007048London: Harding and Wright 1812. First Edition . Leather. Very Good. Tall Octavo. Three-quarter red morocco over marbled boards five raised bands gilt title marbled endpapers 9.5 x 6 inches. First Edition; limited one of only 50 copies. 24 pages without title page as issued book I of only book published. An exceedingly rare bibliophilic poem and unique artifact of early 19th century book culture. Laid-in is a significant AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ASL signed by Didbin and dated 5 September 1817 addressed to publisher Rudolph Ackerman in which the author reflects on the limited commercial success of the poem. The letter is written in a neat and legible hand with a fold and preserved bound in the book. Also present is a discreet 19th centuryt manuscript note on the front flyleaf offering context on the poem and its publication. Provenance: Armoral bookplate of Thomas Westwook on front fly; bookplate of "The Rowfant Club" on front pastedown. Only a handful of institutional holdings are recorded with no copies with an autograph letter known in commerce or auction records. Showing some general wear and rubbing a highly desirable copy of a rare book with ALS Harding and Wright hardcover
1817réf. 153987London: Printed for the author by W. Bulmer and Co. 1817. A splendid copy First edition of the book which defined a golden age of book collecting epitomising an era of aristocratic collectors and great libraries focused on black-letter and early printing large paper and vellum copies. Dibdin's classic remains eminently readable and is held in high regard by modern collectors even those collecting in areas alien to Dibdin. 3 vols royal octavo 238 x 151 mm. With 37 plates as called for; an additional plate "Presentation in the Temple" was not ready at time of publication and is aset usual not present here. Contemporary green straight-grain morocco spines gilt in compartments wide gilt border to covers broad gilt turn-ins pink endpapers gilt edges. Scattered minor rubbing skilfully retouched contents clean save for occasional light foxing bound without terminal imprint leaf in vol. I. An excellent copy. Lowndes p. 640; Windle and Pippin A28. hardcover
1822réf. 24494London: printed by W. Nicol successor to W. Bulmer and Co. Shakespeare Press 1822. First edition this one of 55 large paper copies; 2 volumes large 4to pp. viii 1 lxii 279 1; 6 322; volume II occasionally printed in red and with liberal use of gothic letter; engraved frontispieces in each volume double-page plan and 30 engraved plates on 29 sheets plus 6 other engravings and 71 facsimiles in the text; beautiful copy in full brown morocco gilt extra by Bedford a.e.g. gilt decorated spines red morocco labels; fine and impressive. "The work is intended as a supplement to the Bibliotheca Spenceriana forming vols. 5 and 6. It contains an account of the ancestors of Earl Spencer a history of the mansion with an account of the pictures and 32 engravings of the most important in the gallery a systematic catalogue of editions of the Scriptures an account of the Aldine editions not contained in the former volumes and a supplement to the works printed in the fifteenth century. An additional plate of Lady Camden was afterwards published" Lowndes. Jackson 37. printed by W. Nicol, successor to W. Bulmer and Co., Shakespeare Press unknown
