London: Robert Clavel and James Knaplock in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1704. First edition. Later Vellum with titles stamped to spine. Overall a decent copy. The vellum is clean and tidy, with a little foxing / marking only. A large, uncut copy. Lower corner of leaf D4 torn away, with loss of a few words from six lines of text. Paper flaw to leaves H-H2, with loss of a single word to recto and verso of each.ESTC T75521. 64p pages.
Samuel Wesley (1663-1735), Anglican clergyman and poet. Public outcry to the criticism of dissenting education in his 'Letter from a Country Divine' to his friend in London concerning the education of dissenters in their private academies (London, 1702) led Wesley to respond voraciously, firstly with this work, and then again in A Reply to Mr. Palmer's Vindication (1707).

Wellington: Halsgrove, 2009. First Edition copy of this very limited signed book (exact limitation is unknown). With the signatures of the author and ten surviving pilots who flew in The Battle of Britain. This book was originally created to raise funds for 'The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust'. Hardback.
160 pp. 310 x 220mm (12¼ x 8¾ inches)'The Few' were 2,353 young men from Great Britain and 574 from overseas (pilots and other aircrew) who were officially recognised as having taken part in The Battle of Britain. 544 lost their lives during the battle. In a very good unclipped dust jacket; internally in an as new condition. Signed by the author, and the following ten pilots:
Squadron Leader Michael J. Wainwright (Spitfires / 64 Sq)
Flight Lieutenant Keith A. Lawrence (Spitfires / 234 & 603 Sq)
Wing Commander Terrence Kane (Spitfires / 234 Sq)
Squadron Leader Bob Foster (Hurricanes / 605 Sq)
Flying Officer Kenneth A. Wilkinson (Spitfires / I 616 Sq)
Flight Lieutenant Owen V. Burns (Blenheims / 235 Sq)
Wing Commander Tom F. Neil (Hurricanes / I 249 Sq)
Flight Sergeant John Keating (Blenheims / 219 Sq)
Pilot Officer Nigel (S. N.) Rose (Spitfires / 602 Sq)
Pilot Officer Walker (Spitfires / 616 Sq)

London: F. & C. Rivington, J. Walker, et al, 1810. Full leather bindings with burgundy and black labels to spine. Gilt titles and decoration. The labels are rubbed and chipped to the edges. Front board to volume two is cracked to the hinge, but still holding in place. Handled but attractive. Frontis portrait to volume one. (clean and tidy) The title page tp volume one is a little darkened with a corner mark, otherwise the text block is in excellent condition. Volume two is still in very good condition, but with a few foxing spots. A little worm damage to the last few pages of volume 2. with slight impact upon text. Unpaginated quarto edition. Also enclosed are a copy of Canon John Willis's address to the Johnson Society "Dr Johnson and his English Dictionary" 1948 24pp. And an advertising postcard from Scolar Press for a facsimile of the Journey to the Western Isles. 280 x 220 mm (11 x 8¾ inches).

London: Printed by S. Roycroft for R. Blome, 1679. "The Fifth Edition, much enlarged with great variety of Bearings. To Which is added a Treatise of Honour, Military and Civil, According to the Laws and Customs of England, collected out of the most Authentick Authors, both Ancient and Modern by Capt. John Logan."
A very nice copy - recently bound in quarter calf with burgundy label and marbled boards. Recent end papers. The rest of the book is original and complete. This is an ex library copy, but the stamps are not too disfiguring. A stamp and a couple of location records to the title page. Otherwise some small stamps to the verso of plates. A few of the pages have minor nicking to the edges - but well away from the text. Slight browning to the pages. Overall though, a good clean copy, with nice clear and well pressed engravings in a flawless binding. The first part of the work (Guillim's) contains hundreds of examples of Arms throughout the text. The second part (the Analogia Honorum) contains two engraved dedications, 9 full page portraits and 105 engraved plates containing hundreds of Arms and honours. All uncoloured.
[xiv], 1-317, [ix]. [ii], 3-181, [ix]. pp + plates and engraved portraits. 380 x 250mm (15 x 9¾ inches).

1807. At the foot is written 'we three, fools be.' The character on the left seems to have a jester's hat on.
On May 13th, 1807, William Wilberforce, Lord Milton, the Hon. Henry Lascelles (afterwards Earl of Harewood), and Mr. Walter Fawkes were nominated as parliamentary candidates in the Castle-Yard at York. This was the first contested election in the seat for 66 years. The struggle was also memorable on account of the vast expense that Lascelles incurred.
William Wilberforce, whose party almost entirely lacked organization, was head of the poll. There were concerns that Wilberforce allied himself with a candidate whose wealth was based on the slave trade, and he was forced to write to the electors to explain himself. Perhaps it is Lascelles and Wilberforce who are mocked as the electors here.
The caricature has been drawn onto the reverse of a scarce caricature engraving, of "Mr Riley in Solomon". This is most probably Samuel William Ryley (1759-1837), actor, and author of The Itinerant, or Memoirs of an Actor, 1808. 208mm x 248mm. Wilberforce, William (1759–1833), politician, philanthropist, and slavery abolitionist. Following the abolition of the slave trade, the Tories called an election. for the first and only time in his career he faced a poll for Yorkshire. Confronting as he did the great wealth and influence of both the Fitzwilliam and the Harewood interests, it was a testimony to the personal esteem in which he was held, and to his effectiveness in representing the county over the previous quarter-century, that he was returned at the head of the poll. It was alleged, however, that Wilberforce had compromised his independence by a coalition with Henry Lascelles, the Tory candidate. Wilberforce denied the charge and defended himself in a published letter to the electors.
He acknowledged that some of his supporters had indeed also solicited votes for Lascelles, but this was without his sanction, and it would have been improper for him to constrain their actions.
Lascelles, Henry, second earl of Harewood (1767–1841), Politician. His family wealth came from the slave trade in Barbados. After being elected twice as MP for Yorkshire, he stood again in 1807 - Lascelles, who was opposed by clothiers threatened by the removal of protection for their trade, and subjected to polemic about his family's slavery interests, was beaten by Lord Milton.
Ryley [formerly Romney], Samuel William (1759–1837), Actor and author.
Educated in Kensington & Fulham, although apprenticed to the woollen trade in Yorkshire, he eloped with his master's daughter and the married at Gretna Green. He was a jobbing actor, who later won a little more fame with his autobiography. "Ryley's life exhibits, with painful clarity, the precarious existence of the supporting actor of his day—snatching, at one moment, at dreams of fame and, at the next, facing the reality of poor shelter and meagre rations" (ODNB). This caricature seems true to life, as he was described as being very thin.

na, 1870. First edition. A beautifully executed water colour of a peasant wearing a bonnet and clogs. The colours are vibrant, and the artist demonstrates an obvious skill. The peasant reminds me of how my grandfather would have looked in a dress and bonnet. Held in a green and gold passe partout behind class, and in a contemporary frame with attractive leaf motif around the black frame. There is some chipping and handling to the edges of the frame. The clothes are typical of a mid to late Nineteenth century peasants clothing. The clogs in particular, are the distinctive French style with the leather strap across. Image size 135 x 90 mm. Passe partout size 190 x 140 mm. Frame size 240 x 190 mm.

. Première édition. Une aquarelle magnifiquement exécutée représentant un paysan portant un bonnet et des sabots. Les couleurs sont éclatantes et l'artiste fait preuve d'un talent évident. Le paysan me rappelle l'allure qu'aurait eue mon grand-père en robe et bonnet. Le tableau est présenté dans un passe partout vert et or derrière la classe, et dans un cadre contemporain avec un joli motif de feuilles autour du cadre noir. Les bords du cadre sont un peu écaillés et manipulés. Les vêtements sont typiques d'une tenue de paysan du milieu ou de la fin du XIXe siècle. Les sabots, en particulier, sont de style français, avec une lanière de cuir. Taille de l'image 135 x 90 mm. Passe partout de 190 x 140 mm. Taille du cadre 240 x 190 mm.

London: 1813. An Anti-Catholic pamphlet, printed by J.J. Stockdale. An examination of the Claims of Roman Catholics, particularly those in Ireland, and concluding that "Too much is already conceded to the Papists." The initials W.L.J. appear in ink to the top of the title page. There are some annotations in ink throughout the text. These are in a contemporary hand, and appear to be proofing corrections - changing the grammar, correcting errors, and altering some footnotes. Perhaps this copy was being prepared for a second publication? If so, it came to nothing, as Copac cites only two holdings of this issue, with no others cited.Good clean, but with no wrappers (if any). This was once part of a larger work, and has been removed from this - but was published alone (with price, printers details and colophon here). There is a touch of darkening to the outside pages. Internally clean, with the annotations as described above. This work was published anonymously, and there is no reference on Copac or in bibliographies of anonymous literature to any author. However, the name Richard Mence Esq. is written in a contemporary hand alongside the stated "Country Gentleman" This would certainly fit well. Richard Mence was a Barrister, at Middle Temple, who went on to write about the Law of Libel. He was active in writing at this time, and his dedication in the Law of Libel, was to those who oppose "Disloyal and Seditious Principles" These almost certainly included Catholic Emancipation. With his awareness of Libel laws, he was perhaps wise to remain anonymous! 49 [i]. pp

New York / London: Caliban Press / Mark McMurray, 2017. A new edition of A Christmas Carol. The complete text from the first edition of 1843 with minor corrections. Contains: Marley's ghost; The first of the three spirits; The second of the three spirits; The last of the spirits; The end of it. Textual advisor: Robert DeGraaff. Images: Guy Berard, Greg Lago, Melissa Schulenberg and Gregory McMurray. Type: 12 point monotype Bell cast: Michael & Winifred Bixler in Skaneateles, New York. Plus numerous 19th century foundry and wood types. Printed entirely from metal and wood. Printed on a variety of handmade and mould-made papers, including Zekral Ingres and the ever ghostly handmade papers from La Papeterie St-Armand on the banks of the Lachine Canal in Montreal. Sewn by Anastasia Osolin, Saranac Lake, New York. Red morocco leather spine, black ribbed flexible covers and slipcase. McMurray & Marley, printers. Colophon reads: Somewhere around 110 copies have been printed by your faithful friend & servant Mark McMurray, Canton, New York, Christmas, 2017. It seems there were actually 104 numbered and signed copies. Signed to colophon by Mark McMurray, this is copy 36 of 104. Errata slip laid in. All in fine condition. 107 pages: illustrations include collages, wood engravings and pochoirs. 270 x 200 mm (10¾ x 7¾ inches).

In the detailed prospectus McMurray writes: We know the story, we know the characters, but the language of the text offers new rewards with each reading. This edition of Dickens' classic returns to the dark, sleep-deprived angst of the original complete text. Who among us has not experienced sleepless nights, peopled with regrets about past choices made and unmade; unwillingly recalling a thousand hurts bestowed and incurred: a lifetime of karmic wheels sent spinning off through Time.

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London: Luke Meredith at The King's Head, 1685. Full title reads: "A loyal tear dropt on the vault of the high and mighty Prince Charles II. Of glorious and happy memory. By Henry Anderson, M.A. vicar of Kingsumborne in Hampshire."
The original funeral oration for Charles II. Now bound in faux leather boards with gilt titles to the front board. End papers from time of binding. Bound in to the rear are two additional leaves, printed in Circa 1816 and each offering a hymn composed by Joseph Wiggins. He was a member of Stretton Friendly Society (Quakers). The faux leather cover is clean and bright. The text is mainly clean, with a touch of marking / foxing to it. small number 19 to title suggests that this has been abstracted from a larger collection at some point. [6], 26, [4] p. ; 4⁰. Signatures: A-D⁴ +2 leaves. 200 x 150 mm (7¾ x 6 inches).
Conforms to Wing A3091. Bibliography - Wing (2nd ed.), A3091

Berkeley: Counterpoint, 2007. First edition. Hardback black boards under original unclipped dust jacket. Neat author's dedication to fellow author Fay Weldon; as this was once Ms Weldon's copy. Beginning in post war Rome, the novel follows the story of a successful writer and his relationship with two American film actress sisters, as they struggle to make sense of life, and love. Both the book and dust jacket are in fine, almost unread, condition. 271 pages. 220 x 150 mm (8¾ x 6 inches).

. Première édition. Couverture rigide en carton noir sous jaquette d'origine non fermée. Belle dédicace de l'auteur à sa consœur Fay Weldon, car il s'agissait autrefois de l'exemplaire de Mme Weldon. Commençant dans la Rome d'après-guerre, le roman suit l'histoire d'un écrivain à succès et sa relation avec deux sœurs actrices de cinéma américaines, alors qu'elles luttent pour donner un sens à la vie et à l'amour. Le livre et la jaquette sont en parfait état, presque sans avoir été lus. 271 pages. 220 x 150 mm