17th Century Literature

London: Various Publishers, 1715-1741. Leatherbound. Very good. 15 volumes. 20 cm (quarto) full leather bindings with contemporary mottled calf boards. Respined in matching mottled calf. Minor repairs and staining in endpapers. Hinges secure but some are cracked on the interior. A touch of foxing, but most pages crisp and clean. This set is composed of rare editions printed during the author's lifetime. Most are first quarto printings. Set contains Pope's prose works as well as translations of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Please contact us for more detailed cataloguing of each volume.

London, Printed by Richard Bishop. M. DC. XL [1640]. Hard Cover. Folio: 226, [63]-668 pages, headpieces, initials, marginal notes. (A-S6, T5, G2-G6, H-Z6, Aa-Zz6, Aaa-Kkk6, Lll4); 29.5 cm. Each part has separate title-page and the above imprint except for "Poetaster", London, Printed by Robert Young. M. DC. XL. Contents: Epigrammes. I. Booke. The Author B. J.; Part Of The Kings Entertainment, In Passing To His Coronation. The Author B. J.; A Panegyre, On The Happy Entrance Of Iames, our Soveraigne, to His first high Session of Parliament in this his Kingdome, the 19 of March, 1603. The Author B. J.; A Particular Entertainment Of The Queene And Prince their Highnesse at Althrope, At The Right Honourable the Lord Spencers, on Saturday being the 25. of Iune 1603. as they came first into the Kingdom; The Author B. J.; Masques At Court. The Author B. J., incomplete: ends with catchword 'Till'; Every Man Out Of His Humour. A Comicall Satyre. First Acted in the yeere 1599. By the then Lord Chamberlaine his… Read More

Cadomi [Caen, France]: Joannem Cavelier, 1696. Hardcover. Very Good +. [2], 671, [1] p.; 13 cm. Signatures: A-2E12 (12mo). Contemporary vellum. Printer's emblem? on title page. Woodcut head piece and initial. Inscriptions on title page and final blank leaf. In Very Good+ Condition: vellum is lightly soiled; a spot of wax on pp. 202-203 has left a small amount of text of each page illegible; otherwise, clean and tight.

1664 1st ed NEW YORK George Downing Discourse on DUTCH Settlements Indians 2v
Two exceedingly rare first editions of George Downing's defense of New York!
George Downing was an Irish preacher and political apologist known for his service under Oliver Cromwell in Scotland. In 1664 he wrote a short political letter describing the details of his arrangement of the acquisition of New York from the Dutch. 'A Discourse', as it is called, was written to clear his own name from any misconduct in the exchange. One of the most notable discussions in this work is a report on the miserable interactions of the Dutch settlers with local Indian tribes, as well as business and trade in New York. It should be noted that this work is considered one of the earliest works relating to New York in English! (Stevens).
A year after his first letter was written, he wrote his own reply – a work, which according to 'Rare Americana', was
"privately printed, and relates principally to the affairs of the English and Dutch West… Read More

1696 Japanese Woodblock Chinese History Tsuzoku kanso gundan Qing Han War CHINA
A 17th century Sino-Japanese woodblock print history of the Chu-Han Contention between the Qing and Han Dynasty bound in the fukurotoji style. The Tsuzoku kanso gundan is the tale of the conflict between the chu and han after the Qing Dynasty before Liu Bang united China in 202 BC as the emperor of the Han Dynasty. It was translated into Japanese and in turn helped shape Japanese literature away from the stylized Chinese verse of scholarly attention and began considering the more mundane, as literature as well. This was done by entertaining and educating the natives of Japan about the world, specifically China, who were banned from leaving the mainland during that time period. Pastreich writes,
"Such Chinese historical novels may have appealed to Japanese readers because they covered the details of Chinese history in a lively and accessible manner, going beyond the digested and sanitized description of history to the… Read More

1611 Aelian On Animals Greek Philosophy FISH Animalia Mythology Wonders RARE

Claudius Aelianus, or more commonly known as Aelian, was a 2nd-century AD Roman rhetorician and philosopher who was well-versed in both Greek and Latin linguistics. Aelian had only two well-known works – 'On Animalia' and 'Variae Historia.'.

'Nature of Animals' is a collection of short philosophical stories about animals and other facets of natural history each with moral lessons rather than just physical descriptions of the animals themselves. According to the Loeb Classical Library, 'Nature of Animals' is
"an appealing collection of facts and fables about the animal kingdom that invites the reader to ponder contrasts between human and animal behavior."

Aelian wrote much of this work based on the observations of other writers including Plutarch and Pliny the Elder. However, the most thorough sections of this work deal with fish and fishermen, which scholars believe to be because Aelian himself enjoyed fishing. In fact,… Read More

1647 1ed Presbyterian Nathaniel Hardy Bible Sermon Licentious Libertie English

Nathaniel Hardy was a 17th-century English preacher who notably preached his sermons in front of Presbyterian congregations. One such sermon, 'Arraignment of Licentious Liberty', was a sermon given in 1646, and happened to be the first of his sermons published into book form. In this sermon, Hardy relates freedom from oppression of worldly tyrants to freedom through Christ.
Item number: #8803
Price: $599
HARDY, Nathaniel
The arraignment of licentious libertie, and oppressing tyrannie. In a sermon preached before the right honourable House of Peeres, in the Abbey-church at Westminster, on the day of their solemn monethly fast, Febr. 24. 1646.
London: Printed by T.R. and E.M. for Nat. Webb and Wil. Grantham, at the signe of the Greyhound in Pauls church-yard., 1647. First edition.

Details:
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Collation: Complete with all pages
o
[8], 42, [2]
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References: Wing H 709; Thomason E.377
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Language:… Read More

1653 Papal Bull Pope Innocent X Catholic Church France Louis XIV English Latin
A short, 1653 printing of one of Pope Innocent X's papal bulls. Many of the papal decrees made throughout the 17th-century dealt with political aspects of the Catholic Church, roles of the clergy, or direction for laymen in the faith. This bull was given to discuss the matters of faith in conjunction with the king of France, Louis XIV.

This edition includes both Latin and English printings, the English printed in Paris Sebastian Cramoisy.
Item number: #9481
Price: $599
Catholic Church
Sanctissimi in Christo Patris, ac D.N.D. Innocentii divina providentia Papae X. constitutio: qua declarantur & definiuntur quinque propositiones in materia fidei
Romae: Ex typographia Rever. Camera Apost., M. DC. LIII. [1653]

Details:
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Collation: Complete with all pages
o [2], 21, [1]
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Language: Latin / English
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Binding: Leather; tight & secure
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Size: ~8.5in X 6in (21.5cm x 15.5cm)
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Quite rare
Our… Read More

1685 1ed Assassination King Charles II England Rye House Plot 2in1 Thomas Sprat

A first-hand account of the plot to assassinate King Charles II!

Thomas Sprat was involved with one of the most controversial conspiracies in 17th-century Britain. The Rye House Plot was a plan, in 1683, to assassinate King Charles II and his brother James II. This book includes two works, and the two were intended to be published together. According to Lowndes,
"This [work] is always considered a discreditable production, and the author himself completely destroyed all its pretensions to authenticity; for in letters which he wrote after the Revolution, he admits that James II altered the papers in divers passages, and then caused them to be printed."

Item number: #9351
Price: $950
SPRAT, Thomas
A true account and declaration of the horrid conspiracy against the late king, His present Majesty, and the government: as it was order'd to be published by His late Majesty…
'Copies of the Informations and Original Papers… Read More

1681 Synod of Diocese of Alba ITALY Decrees Catholic Church Turin Saluzzo

A rare and rather obscure 17th-century treatise on the decrees of the third Synod of the Diocese of Alba. This work includes constitutions made by the synod for the Catholic Church along with epigrams in verse.

Item number: #9798
Price: $550
Catholic Church
Decreta synodalia Diæcesis Albensis
Saluzzo (Italy): typis Nicolai Valuarij, 1681.
Details:
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Collation: Complete with all pages
o
[8], 106, [2]
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Language: Latin
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Binding: Vellum; tight & secure
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Size: ~7.5in X 5.5in (19cm x 14cm)
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9798Photos available upon request.

1677 Cicero Epistolae Familiar Letters ROME Paulus Manutius Commentary Elzevier

"A room without books is like a body without a soul."
― Marcus Tullius Cicero

'Familiarium Epistolarum' or
'Familiar Letters' is a series of letters by Cicero to Roman public figures. They are considered the most reliable source of information for the period leading up the fall of the Roman Republic. It includes history of Rome, Julius Caesar, Brutus, and other important influences.
This 1677 Hackium and Elzevier edition was published in Amsterdam and is notable for including one of the best and most important commentaries on Cicero – those of Paulus Manutius and Gerolamo Ragazzoni.
Item number: #13784
Price: $599
CICERO, Marcus Tullius
M. Tullii Ciceronis epistolarum libri XVI ad familiares ... ex recensione Ioannis Georgii Grævii cum ejusdem animadversionibus, et notis integris P. Victorii, P. Manutii, H. Ragazonii, D. Lambini, F. Ursini, nec non selectis I.F. Gronovii, et aliorum.

Amstelodami : Apud D.… Read More

1693 CHINA 1ed Avril Travels Asia Arabia Voyages Syria Iraq Iran Russia Poland
Philippe Avril was a 17th-century Jesuit French explorer who spent numerous years in China, Tartary, and the Middle East. While on his voyages, Avril wrote an incredible historical account of his discoveries and experiences. 'Travels in the Divers Parts of Europe and Asia' covers the entirety of his voyages giving attention to each country he visited including Syria, Kurdistan (Iraq and Iran), Armenia, Persia, Russia, Moldovia, Poland, and of course China.
This 1693 first English edition, like the original French, has regular anti-Catholic and anti-Jewish undertones throughout, highlighting cultural superstitions and marking the differences between Christianity and other religious views.
Item number: #14946
Price: $1500
AVRIL, Philippe
Travels into divers parts of Europe and Asia: undertaken by the French King's order to discover a new way by land into China. Containing many curious remarks in natural philosophy, geography,… Read More

1688 Bibliotheque Universelle Aquinas Francis Bacon Charlemagne St Augustine 8v

'Bibliotheque Universelle et Historique' is a rare, 17th-century set of historical books covering a wide variety of topics from Greco-Roman philosophy, science, Catholic popes, philosophical literature, mythology, Bible stories, saints and martyrs, and much more.
Notable names and works featured in these tomes include:
· Thomas Aquinas
· Saint Augustine
· Gregory of Tours
· Francis Bacon
· Queen Elizabeth
· Chrysostom
· Charlemagne
· Many, many others
Item number: #16848
Price: $950
Le CLERC, Jean
Bibliotheque Universelle et Historique de l'annee…
Amsterdam: chez Wolfgang Waesberge, 1688-1693.

Details:

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Collation: Complete with all pages; 8 volumes
o Vol. XIV – [8], 476, [18]
1 folding plate
o Vol. XV – [8], 412, [12]
o Vol. XVI – [8], 304
o Vol. XVIII – [4], 307, [1]
o Vol. XIX – [8], 309-593, [19]
o Vol. XX – [10], 332
1… Read More

Paris: Chez Barrie Frères and George Barrie & Son, [1891]. First Thus; Astral Edition. Full leather. Very good. Louis Leloir; Maurice Leloir; Jacques Leman; Edward Heduouin. Scarce (one copy in Worldcat). A exquisitely bound, very good first thus, limited edition in full crushed Levant morocco leather with gold tooling. Number 35 of 100 copies on Japan Vellum paper that were offered by subscription only. Binding is sturdy and square. All edges in brilliant gilt. Marbled endpapers. Over 150 engravings, some colored, all with captioned tissue guards. Original title pages to each play are reproduced in French. Text in English. Heavy rubbing to all joints, with dye transferring to one's fingers from rubbed joints. Rubbed corners. Still a lovely and prestigious set, even with the flaws noted below. Quarto, 9 x 12 inches tall. Illustrations by Mm. Louis Leloir, Maurice Leloir, Jacques Leman [and] Edmond Hedouin Heavy set will require additional postage billed at actual… Read More

1691 ENGLISH 1ed Essays Thomas Pope Blount Philosophy Education Humanism Deism
Sir Thomas Pope Blount was a 17th-century was an English author known for his essays and collection biographical sketches and bibliographical repertoire lists. One of Blount's many works was his collection of essays, published under the title "Essays on Several Subjects". In these essays, Blount writes on good and effective education, on the interests of priests, being 'slaved' to the opinions of the ancients, on humane knowledge, and much more.
Item number: #22666
Price: $2500
BLOUNT, Thomas Pope
Essays on several subjects
London: printed for Richard Bently, 1691. First edition.
Details:
· Collation: Complete with all pages
o [6], 179, [1]
· References: Wing B 3348
· Provenance: Armorial bookplate – Sr. Richard Grosvenor
o Richard Grosvenor, 1st Earl Grosvenor (1731–1802), known as Sir Richard Grosvenor, 7th Baronet was a British peer, racehorse owner and art collector. He is remembered for his shifting allegiances… Read More