Esquisse d’un Tableau Historique des Progres de L’Esprit Humain. Paris: Agasse, 1795

A distinguished mathematician and friend of Voltaire, d Alembert, and Turgot, Condorcet played a major role in promoting the Revolution s democratic principles. In the Esquisse (An Historical Outline of the Progress of the Human Mind), he traces the history of man through ten epochs.

$2,800

A Compendious Exercise for the Garrison and Field Ordnance, as Practised in the United States. Washington City: Weightman, 1810

FIRST EDITION of “the first official drill manual for either the American regular or militia artillery” (Graves). This manual constrains detailed instructions on procedures in firing and handling artillery and training soldiers in its use.

$2,200

OLD PLAYS; being a continuation of Dodsley’s collection, with notes, critical and explanatory. London: Rodwell and Martin, 1816

Contains the following:  Christopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus and Lust’s Dominion; John Lyly, Mother Bombie, Endymion, and Midas; Middleton, Women Beware Women, A Trick to Catch the Old One, The Spanish Gypsy, The Changeling, More Dissemblers Besides Women; Dekker, Wonder of a Kingdom, Old Fortunatus; Rowley, A New Wonder, a Woman Never Vext; Webster, Appius and Virginia; Chapman, May Day, Monsieur D’Olive, Bussy D’Ambois; Webster and Rowley, Thracian Wonder; Marston’s Antonio and Mellida, What you Will, and Parasitaster: or, the Fawn; Heywood, The English Traveller, The Royal King and Loyal Subject, A Challenge for Beauty.  According to the title-page, this is a continuation of Dodsley’s Collection of Old Plays (1744).

$750

The Works. With Notes Critical and Explanatory and a Biographical Memoir by W. Gifford Esq. London: for Nicol et al, 1816

Gifford’s edition of Jonson’s works played an important role in the Jonson revival.

$900

A collection of four printed and manuscript items relating to the end of slavery in New York. New York, 1816-1840

This collection documents the struggle to end slavery in New York in the early nineteenth century.

4 items: $12,500

Map of Beijing, painted on silk. [China, Daoguang Period], (1820-1850)

This splendid, enormous hand-painted map of Beijing shows and names the main streets, official residences of imperial family members, important buildings, temples, geographical features, fortifications and garrisons of the Forbidden, Imperial and Inner Cities.

$250,000

The Vocal Standard, or, Star Spangled Banner: being the latest and best selection ever offered to the public, particularly of American patriotic songs. Richmond: Nash and White, 1824

RARE AMERICAN PATRIOTIC SONGSTER. The Star-Spangled Banner appears at pp 15-16. The song’s great fame at this early date is reflected in its inclusion in the book’s title and its use as the running headline in every page

$1,200

Two book auction catalogues: (DENT, JOHN.) Catalogue of the Splendid, Curious, and Extensive Library of the Late John Dent, Esq. … sold by auction by Mr. Evans (1827). [bound with] (WILLIAMS, THEODORE.) A Catalogue of the Splendid and Valuable Library of the Rev. Theodore Williams … sold by auction, by Messrs. Stewart, Wheatley, and Adlard (1827). London: Evans [and Stewart, Wheatley, and Adlard], 1827

These catalogues from the golden age of English book collecting are filled with landmark early printed books, books printed on vellum, illuminated manuscripts, and more. The Dent library contained “numerous volumes of the greatest beauty, several illuminated manuscripts, … other books printed on vellum” (De Ricci, English Collectors of Books and Manuscripts). Both auction catalogues are fully priced in manuscript with prices realized and buyer names.

$900

Autograph manuscript notebook, the working notebook for the verses later published in The Seraphim, and Other Poems.. No Place, 1835-1837

This extraordinary manuscript is Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s heavily revised autograph working notebook for The Seraphim, and Other Poems, the book that first brought her fame.

$550,000

The French Revolution, a History. Boston: Little & Brown, 1838

First American edition. A splendid presentation copy inscribed by Ralph Waldo Emerson to his brother: “Wm. Emerson from his brother Waldo.” The inscription is in pencil in the second volume. Emerson used this intimate signature only with his immediate family. Page 270 of the first volume bears a pencil correction apparently in Emerson’s hand.

$30,000