London: Ric. Chiswell at the Rose and Crown in St Paul's Church Yard: 1688. pamphlet, disbound. Title, text, adverts (for Chiswell). "A Clear Proof" although written as through from a Protestant, was in fact a Catholic work, trying to disprove the certainty of Protestantism. This work is a rebuttal of that work. Apart from a little light foxing in a few places, the text is clean and crisp throughout and well bound together. John Williams (C1633–1709), was a Church of England minister, and later Bishop of Chichester (not to be confused with the Jesuit priest of the same period). He was very anti-Catholic and wrote a large number of pamphlets attacking Rome. He argued that the Popish plot was genuine, and was firmly opposed to the accession of James. His preferment as Bishop had to wait until the time of William and Mary. [ii], 1-41, [iii]. pp. Wing W2739 [ii], 1-41, [iii]. pp. Wing W2739

Geneva / Geneve: N/A, 1820. Undated, but likely from 1818-1822, this fine watercolour of Mary in the style of Raphaël, although unsigned has a contemporary paper attribution / provenance lightly tipped to it. This states that it was painted by Schenker and came from a collection. It was given by Ferdinand Dupon (?) as a souvenir of his two little brothers. Edged in gilt, the painting is in very good condition, with just a couple of tiny marks to it. 110 by 80mm (4¼ by 3¼ inches).

Schenker (1760-1848) was primarily an engraver, born in Geneva, worked Paris. Pupil of Saint-Ours and Macret, he studied intaglio printing. Worked for Bartolozzi in England and France. Director of the 'Ecole de gravure de Genève' (1817-1822). He engraved with Gâtine the illustrations for the series 'Le Bon Genre' published by La Mésangère. He was also clearly a skilled water colourist. Non datée, mais probablement de 1818-1822, cette belle aquarelle de Marie dans le style de Raphaël, bien que non signée a une attribution/provenance sur papier de l'époque légèrement inclinée. Cela indique qu'il a été peint par Schenker et provient d'une collection. Il fut offert par Ferdinand Dupon (?) en souvenir de ses deux petits frères. Bordée de dorure, la peinture est en très bon état, avec seulement quelques petites marques. 110 par 80 mm.

Schenker (1760-1848) était avant tout un graveur, né à Genève, a travaillé à Paris. Elève de Saint-Ours et de Macret, il étudie la taille-douce. A travaillé pour Bartolozzi en Angleterre et en France. Directeur de l'Ecole de gravure de Genève (1817-1822). Il grave avec Gâtine les illustrations de la série 'Le Bon Genre' éditée par La Mésangère. Il était aussi manifestement un aquarelliste de talent.

Romae: Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis. First edition. Volumes 1-5 of the Acta Apostolicae*. Vol.1 : 1909 (21 issue: Annus 1) - 20 December 1909 num. 21) / Vol 2 : 1910 (21 issues: Annus 2 20 Jan 1910 num. 1 - 19 December 1910 num. 23) / Vol 3 : 1911 (17 issues: Annus 3 - 16 Jan 1911 num. 1 - 20 December 1911 num. 17 / Vol 4 : 1912 (22 issues: Annus 4 - 15 January 1912 num. 1 - 30 December 1912 num. 22) / Vol. 5 : 1913 (19 Issues: Annus 5 - 25 Jan 1913 issue 1 - 31 December 1913 num. 19) Vol 1 & 2 have White 3/4 cloth with green boards. Vol 3-5 have white vellum. black leather labels with gilt titles. Internally mainly clean and tidy, with a little darkening to the page edges. Volume one has a little rubbing to the spine edges. Frontis portrait of Pope Pius X to volume 1.

These volumes came from the St Birgittae de Sion (Bridgettine) monastery at Chudleigh in Devon. They were donated to the Abbey (and each has an inscription stating this) by the Rev. Benedict Williamson. Wiliamson was a prominent Catholic Architect, and supporter of the Bridgetinnes. He was ordained a priest in 1909 and was behind many of the finest early 20th Century Catholic Churches.

*Acta Apostolicae Sedis (Latin for "Acts of the Apostolic See"), often cited as AAS, is the official gazette of the Holy See, appearing about twelve times a year. It was established by Pope Pius X on 29 September 1908 with the decree Promulgandi Pontificias Constitutiones, and publication began in January 1909. It contains all the principal decrees, encyclical letters, decisions of Roman congregations, and notices of ecclesiastical appointments. The laws contained in it are to be considered promulgated when published, and effective three months from date of issue, unless a shorter or longer time is specified in the law

London: R. W. for Henry Mortlock: 1673. Contemporary full leather, strengthened at some point. Recent burgundy label with gilt titles. The book has no end papers, and begins with the imprimatur pasted down to the front board. The final page is pasted to the rear board. The work begins with the title page. The book is in three parts. There is a lengthy "General preface", followed by the Contents, and "An examination of the pamphlet entituled Dr. Stillingfleet against Dr Stilllingfleet". The third part is "An answer to the book entitled, Dr Stillingfleet's Principles Considered". [LXXXVI], 1-12, 13-73,[i], 75-291. pp

The original boards are a little rubbed and bumped, but still holding well. The spine has been strengthened and although the leather appears cracked, it is holding well. The label is bright. Inside, the binding is quite cracked to the front hinge, but still secure. A contemporary hand has practiced it's writing of "imprimatur" to the inside board. The rest of the book is in good clean condition, with only moderate darkening. A tiny amount of edge wear to the title page, but nothing significant.

This work was the culmination of an attack on Catholicism which began with the Discourse in 1671. Edward Meredith and the recusant Catholic Thomas Godden replied on the Catholic side, and here he continues his attack. His attack is wide ranging, from objecting to the Pope's decrees and the Council of Trent, through to accusing Ignatius Loyola of fanaticism. Edward Stillingfleet (1635-1699) was an Anglican theologian from Cranborne in Dorset. He was known as "The beauty of Holiness" for his good looks. He preached at St Margaret's, Westminster, on the day after the Great Fire in 1666. He was a leader amongst the "Latitudinarians" a group of young Anglicans, named pejoratively as "men of latitude" for the ease in which they switched side from the Parliamentary to the Royalist position after the Restoration. He was predominantly low church, and wanted reconciliation with Presbyterians - but certainly not with Catholics. Later he became the Bishop of Worcester (1689)

Boston: Apollo Press Joseph Belknap, 1795. A very nice copy of this scarce first edition. Recently rebound in half calf, with black marbled boards. Author's name and date in gilt to the spine. Binding is spotless. Internally complete, with some darkening to the initial pages. The page edges are rather chipped - but not affecting text. 43 pages. 250 by 160mm (9¾ by 6¼ inches).

John Clarke (1755–1798) was a minister of the First Church in Boston, Massachusetts. Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, he was educated at the Boston Public Latin School and Harvard University He joined the ministry of Boston's First Church in January 1778, and remained there until his death at age 42. He was a charter member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1780. & was associated with the Boston Library Society; the Humane Society of Massachusetts; and the Massachusetts Historical Society.
Joseph Belknap was a Boston publisher. He was the son of a noted Congregationalist minister Jeremy Belknap, and a member of his "long lane" church in Boston. Here he had been involved with the ratifying of the Confederating Constitution of America. He involved in the foundation of, and printer to the Massachusetts Historical Society in 1791

London: Ezerel Tonge, 1678. A disbound tract / pamphlet. no covers. Advertisement for further works published by Tonge. Title and 22 pages. A Protestant pamphlet denouncing the Romish Church for their "Rebellious Doctrines". Tonge claimed in the adverts that he was to have been killed following the Popish plot for publishing anti-Catholic books. The first leaf [adverts] is partially detached and has some grubby marks on the blank side. The title has an ink annotation (showing Morton's authorship). The text is loosely bound together, has some foxing, and has been cropped with a slight loss to some of the running titles. Ezerel (Israel) Tonge was one of the informants of the Popish plot. He was a Church of England Divine, and virulent anti-Catholic, who met and was influenced by Titus Oates. He arranged with Oates to "discover" his original narrative. Although he had a reputation for madness, and was sidelined as a witness early on in the history of the Popish plot, [iv], 1-22 pp.e was seemingly (if naively) honest in his belief in Oates lies. He was granted a pension by the King. Wing M2839 [iv], 1-22 pp.

London: Association for the Propagation of the Faith: 1849. A Periodical Collection of Letters from the Bishops and Missionaries Employed in the Missions of the Old and New. Pale blue paper covers. Uncut pages. The bulk of this issue is dealing with the missions to China. There is also included a spotless loose gather with half title and title page for Volume IX, with a small attractive vignette to the title page - intended for the binder but not used. A very nice copy of this individual issue of the Annals. Clean and tidy pale blue paper covers. Internally clean and tidy throughout. Uncut pages. The Association for the Propagation of the Faith is a Roman Catholic institution which is dedicated to supporting with prayer and funds the Catholic Missionaries who work overseas (I.e. not in the United Kingdom). pp. [1]-77.

London: Association for the Propagation of the Faith: 1850. A Periodical Collection of Letters from the Bishops and Missionaries Employed in the Missions of the Old and New. Pale blue paper covers. Uncut pages. The bulk of this issue is dealing with the missions to America and China. It also contains several letters from Pope Pius IX. A quite reasonable copy of this individual issue of the Annals. sound, but somewhat darkened and dusty pale blue paper covers. Internally clean and tidy throughout, although there is a little darkening to the first page. Uncut pages. The Association for the Propagation of the Faith is a Roman Catholic institution which is dedicated to supporting with prayer and funds the Catholic Missionaries who work overseas (I.e. not in the United Kingdom). pp. [vi], 253-306

London: Association for the Propagation of the Faith: 1849. A Periodical Collection of Letters from the Bishops and Missionaries Employed in the Missions of the Old and New. Pale blue paper covers. Uncut pages. This issue is largely dealing with the missions in China. There is also a loose gather with a half title and title page (and small vignette) to volume IX for the binder to use (unused). A very nice copy of this individual issue of the Annals. Clean and tidy pale blue paper covers. Internally clean and tidy throughout. Uncut pages. A tiny amount of foxing to the front cover of the wrapper and first page. The Association for the Propagation of the Faith is a Roman Catholic institution which is dedicated to supporting with prayer and funds the Catholic Missionaries who work overseas (I.e. not in the United Kingdom). [ii], [1]-79pp.