Rare books from Argosy Book Store

New York: V.G. Audubon, 1854. hardcover. very good(+). Audubon, John James.. 3 volumes. Illustrated with 155 glorious hand-colored lithographic plates with tissue guards. viii, 383 [1]; ii, 334; viii, 348pp. Royal 8vo, wonderfully bound in contemporary red pebbled morocco; ornate gilt-decorated covers and spines; inner and outer dentelles, a.e.g. (bindings are just a bit rubbed; light scattered foxing throughout, but the plates are virtually spotless). New York: V.G. Audubon, 1852, 1854, 1854. Early edition.<br/> <br/> The folio edition containing 150 plates was published between 1845-48. A supplementary volume with only 6 plates came in 1854. These were hastily followed by the octavo in 31 parts (1849-51-54), "A miniature copy of the large edition" as the Audubons described it. The bound octavo edition has the same dates and contains 155 plates, being all those from the original folio, plus 5 of the 6 from the supplement. Bound copies of the octavo edition with the V.G.… Read More

London: Smith & Walford, 1704. First. hardcover. very good(+). Also, Two Treatises of the Species and Magnitude of Curvilinear Figures. 4 parts in 1 volume. Title page printed in red & black within a double-ruled border. Illustrated with 19 folding copperplate engravings.[4], 144, 211, [1]pp. (In the second sequence, p. 120 is marked 112, and there are blank pages between 137-8 and 138-9). Thick 4to, contemporary blind-tooled panelled calf, expertly rebacked in matching leather (contemporary signature on title dated 1704; last several pages have marginal dampstains, otherwise a remarkably clean crisp copy). London: Smith & Walford, 1704.<br/><br/> First edition, first issue - with the author not named on title page. The work contains: The First Book of Opticks, The Second Book of Opticks, The Thrid Book of Opticks (Tertii Ordinis: Enumeratio Linearum), Tractatus de Quadratura Curvarum. The main work is in English, the 2 treatises (pages 138-211) are in Latin. Babson 132; Gray… Read More

London: Laurie & James Whittle, 1795. hardcover. very good(+). 25 maps on 37 double page map sheets with original outline coloring and magnificent cartouches. 12 of the maps are large format diptychs including a beautiful map of the world. Later issue of an atlas first published in 1773 by Robert Sayer. There are no stains or tears. There are manuscript notes in red pencil on the top of plate 22, the map of Poland. Volume measures 54 x 40 cm ( 21 1/2" x 16"). Elephant folio, early calf backed marbled boards, burgundy spine label. London: Laurie & James Whittle, 1795. Very Good (+).<br/><br/> A beautiful clean copy. This edition includes the map of Europe with 72 period naval flags run along the bottom of southern sheet, with a very early depiction of the American flag, with stripes and thirteen stars, at the far right. Thomas Kitchin (1719-1784) was an English engraver and map-maker. His maps and atlases of England earned him the position of hydrographer to the… Read More

London: J. Mount, and T. Page, 1771. hardcover. very good. Folio atlas. Two parts (I and III) bound in one volume, London: 1771. Part I: 46 pp of text; 22 double page and folding maps plus 2 small maps and many additional charts and views. Ink inscription on title page reads "1774 John Hamilton Ought This Book-Bought of James Alex.(?) Stewart". Stamped name in margin of one page of text. Part III: 43 pp of text; 17 double page or folding maps, 34 half page maps and numerous topographical and panoramic views. Ink inscription "John Hamilton" on title page. Stamped name on title page and two maps. Numerous woodcut elevations and additional engraved maps throughout both volumes. Rebound in blue bukram with gilt title stamped on spine. Stamp from G.H. Crawford Co. Bookbinders, Dec. 1955 on inside back free fly page. Light scattered foxing and a few stains throughout with more toning in the final 8 pages. Small chip to title page and one map. Small wormholes to a few maps. In general,… Read More

Amsterdam. hardcover. very good(+). Atlas with 104 double page maps and title page in full original color and an index. Folio, measures 22" x 13.5". Bound in original vellum-wrapped wood with gold stamped title and spine; a.e.g. A simple de Wit binding with the Supralibros "Eberhand Nies" and the date of 1690 stamped into the vellum at a later date. Staining to the vellum has weakened the tooling. No printed date or title. Binding separating at spine. Ink notations on title page. Creasing and minor tearing to a few maps, repair to Sicily map. Minor scattered stains and foxing, mainly to margins. Maps are generally in excellent condition.<br/> <br/>

London: James Knapton, 1728. hardcover. Two parts in one volume. Illustrated with 53 of 54 fine uncolored copper plate maps, (last celestial chart is missing with a full size facsimile version provided from the British Library edition), and 5 fold-out diagrams tipped into the second text. Title page printed in black and red, foreword, preface, list of subscribers, and list of charts. Dedication page has a repair to the margin. "Atlas maritimus & commercialis," 340 pp. plus index. "General Coasting Pilot," 195 pp. plus maps. Page numbers written in ink. Elephant folio (21.25" x 13"), scuffing and corner wear to original brown leather binding, gilt spine in 8 compartments. Some toning and light scattered foxing to text and maps. Repairs to World Chart, North America chart and Celestial map along bottom fold out, small abrasion in margin of China map. Bookplate pasted down with Coat of Arms of Verney.<br/><br/> This commercial sea atlas was published in 1728… Read More

Paris: various, 1819. First. hardcover. very good. The titles are: (1.) (L'Heritier, Louis Francois). Le Champ-D'Asile, Tableau Topographique et Historique du Texas...folding map of Texas and Louisiana. viii, 247 pages, 8vo, handsomely rebound in new full blue morocco; (some light foxing). Paris: Ladvocat, 1819. Second Edition. (2.) Le Champ-D'Asile au Texas. Par C.D. folding plate of colony. 107 pages, 18mo, handsomely rebound in new full blue morocco, uncut. Paris: Tiger, no date, (circa 1820). (3.). Hartmann, (L.). et Millard, Le Texas, ou Notice Historique sur Le Champ D'Asile. folding plate of colony's fortifications. [10], 135 pages, 8vo, disbound, and laid in a new handsome green cloth folding case with tan morocco label; (light foxing throughout). Paris: Beguin, 1819. First Edition. Le Texas is signed by L. Hartmann. Sold together as a collection.<br/><br/> Charles Lallemand founded Champ d'Asile "...in a grand scheme to establish in Texas a French… Read More

Amsterdam: Doornick, 1676. First. hardcover. near fine. Engraved allegorical title-page, and illustrated with two garden plans, 13 plates of fruit and flowers (each in two parts), and 16 plates of garden plans, parterres, mazes, etc. 224 pages. Amsterdam: Marcus Doornick, [1656]. <br /> [Bound with:] COMMELIN, Jan (1629-1692). Nederlantze Hesperides, dat is, Oeffening en Gebruik van de Limoen en Oranje-Boomen, gestelt na den Aardt, en Climaat der Nederlanden. Amsterdam: Marcus Doornik, 1676. Engraved allegorical title and 26 engraved plates, 21 of citrus fruit and 5 of orangeries. Folio, (320 x 210 mm). Contemporary vellum, a bit soiled. Amsterdam: Marcus Doornick, [1656]. FIRST EDITIONS of two of the most attractive of the seventeenth-century Dutch gardening books from the Golden Age, with plates reminiscent of de Passe. The book depicts Vranckryck's garden at Saint-Germain en Laye and that of Nassau, Prince of Orange. The cultivation of 420 plants is described, of which Cause… Read More

Munich: Hesperos, 1919. First. hardcover. fine. Rabus, Carl. Illustrated with 18 etched plates and also 18 original color drawings. Afterword by Curt Moreck. 243 pages.Thick 4to, magnificently bound by Koellner in full tan pigskin with ornate blind-tooled floral and geometrical designs on covers; inner and outer denteles; and doublures of fuschia satin, top edge gilt. Preserved in a simple cloth clamshell case with padded linen interior. Munchen: Hesperos Verlag, no date [1919]. A very fine copy of a unique book.<br/><br/> A UNIQUE COPY SPECIALLY PRINTED AND BOUND, with each etching signed by Rabus, and having inserted the 18 ORIGINAL HAND-COLORED PENCIL DRAWINGS BY RABUS, from which he created the etchings. The very special binding was also designed by Rabus, and executed by A. Koellner of Leipzig. MUST BE SEEN. The epic romantic poem first appeared in 1780 and went through seven rewrites before its final form was published in 1796. Legend has it that Goethe read the entire epic in one… Read More

Berlin: In der Realschulbuchhandlung, 1812. First. hardcover. good. [2], 384, lx pages. Short thick 12mo, bound in 20th century gray boards with paper spine label. The text block has extensive expert repairs at margins and Japanese tissue overlays to re-enforce the numerous torn and chipped pages; approximately 12 leaves have actual loss of text, although some pages are missing [lacking the entire 23 page prologue and last 4 pages of text which contain half of tale 84 and all of tales 85-86], and the errata leaf. Some occasional staining and light penciling. Berlin: In der Realschulbuchhandlung, 1812. First edition.<br/> <br/> The first volume only (others followed in 1815 & 1822) of the first edition of Grimm's Fairy Tales. A flawed copy, but extraordinarily scarce nonetheless and containing classics such as Hansel & Gretel, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and Snow White.<br/> <br/>

London: John Bevis, 1786. hardcover. Celestial Atlas. Oblong folio (19 1/4" x 14 7/8"), leather spine over marble boards. "Table of the Stars" in gilt on spine. 51 uncolored engraved celestial charts. No frontispiece, title or index page. Individual charts with printed arms of the dedicatees (either academic institution or nobleman) beneath each image. Each annotated with pencil, possibly by Richard Alexander, the previous owner. Plates are generally in good condition with foxing and minor staining. First and last plates exhibit comparatively more foxing. First fly leaf and plate I detached from binding with tape residue. Includes signature and embossed seal of the possible previous owner, Richard Alexander, Madison Square Post Office, New York City and the 'Philosopher's Library of New York', possibly his own private library. Pasted book plate with engraved shield for Bateman and another pasted book plate with a globe. Faded pencil markings read "John Bevis 1745… Read More

1930. Oil on canvas with artist made frame, 24 x 18 inches. Unsigned, wear to finish as expected, some chips to frame but otherwise in good condition.<br/> <br/> Dynamic painting of a woman catching a baseball painted for the July 1930 issue of Film Fun magazine. Enoch Bolles (1883-1976) was born in Boardman, Florida. He studied at National Academy of Design, and at the Art Student's League in New York City. His first magazine assignments appeared in 1914 on the covers of Judge and Puck. He went on to establish a reputation for his distinctive cover paintings for spicy magazines, such as Film Fun, Stolen Sweets, Gay Book, Titter, Tattle Tales. Due to overwork and malnutrition, Bolles suffered a mental collapse in 1938. He entered a New Jersey mental institution, Greystone Hospital, where he remained for most of his life. He eventually recovered enough to paint landscapes and portraits of hospital workers, family and friends. He had access to a small art studio in the hospital. Enoch… Read More

1928. Oil on canvas with artist made frame, 24 x 18 inches. Unsigned, wear to finish as expected, some chips to frame but otherwise in good condition.<br/> <br/> Accomplished portrait by American artist Enoch Bolles of a woman swinging a baseball bat. It was painted for the October 1928 issue of Film Fun magazine. Green piping on her sleeves, belt and socks tie together the composition. Enoch Bolles (1883-1976) was born in Boardman, Florida. He studied at National Academy of Design, and at the Art Student's League in New York City. His first magazine assignments appeared in 1914 on the covers of Judge and Puck. He went on to establish a reputation for his distinctive cover paintings for spicy magazines, such as Film Fun, Stolen Sweets, Gay Book, Titter, Tattle Tales. Due to overwork and malnutrition, Bolles suffered a mental collapse in 1938. He entered a New Jersey mental institution, Greystone Hospital, where he remained for most of his life. He eventually recovered enough to paint… Read More

Paris, 1730. Folio atlas. 20 1/2 x 15 inches. Undated, 97 double-page hand-colored maps throughout, manuscript title, and index 2pp., with page numbers in manuscript. [Italiae missing, 4 maps, 1 chart not listed in the index by Philippe Buache - possibly tipped in later]. Full contemporary brown leather, gilt-decorated spine with tooled cover; corners lightly bumped, with some scuffs and chipping. Paris: Delisle, Circa 1730. Very good (+).<br/> <br/> A wonderful rare composite atlas. First several maps are split along centerfold with upper corners toned and chipped. Mappe Monde quite toned, Hemisphere Septentrionale and Meridionale stained, and the Italy map has split in two with stains. All of the important Americas maps are in good condition. Hemisphere Occidental, 1st issue 1724; Carte d'Amerique, 1st issue, 2nd state 1722; Carte du Canada, 2nd issue 1703-1708; Carte de la Louisiane, 1st issue, 1718 (without New Orleans), Carte du Mexique et de la Floride, 3rd issue; Carte de… Read More

New York: Crafton Collection, 1931. Drypoint. 9 7/8 x 6 7/8 inches. Edition of 75. Signed in pencil, lower right. In archival silver leaf frame, 17 x 13 3/4 inches. Crafton Collection, New York: 1931<br/> <br/> New York City at night. A richly-inked impression with luminous highlights and shadows. Martin Lewis (1881-1962) was born in Victoria, Australia. He is known for his scenes of urban life in New York during the 1920s and 1930s. A seminal figure in the graphic arts of the 1930s, Lewis is regarded as one of the best printmakers of the 20th century,<br/> <br/>