Woodblock-printed. 56 folding leaves. Two juan in one vol. Large 8vo (310 x 210 mm.), orig. yellow patterned semi-stiff wrappers, orig. stitching. [Yŏngch’ŏn]: 1854.

First edition of this collection, including the life and writings of Cho Sang-ch’i or Jo Sang-chi 曺尙治 (fl. 1419-55), a prominent official in the early Chosŏn period. From an early age, Cho studied “writings on human nature and principle” (sŏngni chi sŏ 性理之書) — that is, Neo-Confucianism. As one text on his life put it, he “took this [Confucian] culture of ours as his personal duty.” Cho’s life was tied up with the factional... More

Title within typographical border (shaved at foot). 2 p.l., 14 pp., one blank leaf. Small 4to, attractive antique panelled calf (some shaving to bottom line or catchwords on several pages), spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece on spine. London: Printed by J.C., 1651.

First edition. “The Reformed Husbandman…is sometimes attributed to Speed, although it was probably written by Cressy Dymock…It is a pamphlet of some 16 pages and full of moral reflections, a melodious exhortation to industry.”–Fussell, I, p. 45.

“The most visible impact of Hartlib’s circle lay in the numerous pamphlets that he published…They comprised letters and treatises solicited... More

Numerous full-page woodblock color-printed illus., some with delicate embossing. 16 vols. 8vo in orihon (accordion) format, orig. gray semi-stiff wrappers with orig. title slips. [Japan]: [1760-72].

A fine and rare Japanese edition of this Chinese “masterpiece of color printing and design” (Robert T. Paine Jr., “The Ten Bamboo Studio,” Bulletin of the Museum of Fine Arts 48.274 [1950]: p. 72). The Ten Bamboo Studio Collection of Calligraphy and Painting is a book of finely printed images of rocks, birds, plants, and other motifs, along with poetry reproduced in calligraphy. The book is most famous for its use of... More

Six vols. Small 8vo, orig. wrappers, orig. stitching. [China]: 1925.

Five works by the same editor containing information on historical sources, with original texts, from the Liao period.

The Liao empire was ruled by the Mongolic-speaking Khitan people between 916 and 1125. They controlled much of what is now northern China, Mongolia, and surrounding territories. The empire had its own written language, but its ethnically diverse population also wrote extensively in Chinese. The works included deal with the Chinese texts left behind by the Liao. The collection includes:

1. Liao dai nian biao 遼代年表 [Chronology of the... More

Engraved vignette on each title (three different vignettes), 37 folding engraved plates, & numerous printed folding tables. 13 vols. 8vo, cont. half-calf & paste-paper boards (light foxing & dampstaining here & there), final six spines decorated in gilt with red & green leather lettering pieces on spines. Dresden: Walther, 1785-99.

A complete run of the oldest German periodical concerned with mining, mineralogy, geology, and metallurgy; it was one of the leading journals of its kind and the chief mouthpiece for the teachings of A.G. Werner. The articles contain descriptions of the latest developments in mining machinery, local geologies and mineralogies... More

Many black & white illus. 168 pp. 4to, printed softcover, title on spine. Norwich: Norwich Gallery, Norwich School of Art and Design, & Article Press, 2001.

Scarce and important exhibition catalogue on conceptual art, edition of 1000 copies. Curated by Moseley, the show gathered an exceptional group of documents and works of conceptual art from 1968 to 1972. It was first staged in Norwich then travelled to Leeds and Vancouver. Moseley also conducted interviews with some of the protagonists of that period: Keith Arnatt, Daniel Buren, Herman Daled, Anny de Decker, Jan Dibbets, Nigel Greenwood, David Lamelas, Seth Siegelaub, and... More

Many black & white illus. [80] pp. 8vo, pictorial upper cover, metal spiral-bound. Toronto: Self-published, 2000.

An amusing pastiche of Ruscha’s Royal Road Test, this time with a Macintosh Plus (Model “X”) Computer. Corinne Carlson, Karen Henderson, and Marla Hlady published this in an edition of 100 copies “in response to Knock-off, An Or Gallery Fundraiser” in Vancouver. In fine condition. More

13 folding leaves. 8vo, orig. wrappers, title-slip (a little defective), orig. stitching. Tokyo: Suzuki shi sankikuken 鈴木氏餐菊軒, 1935.

An edition of the Chinese text of the Kül-Tigin inscription along with related texts. The Kül-Tigin inscription is one of the Khöshöö Tsaidam or Orchon inscriptions, thus named after the location where they were found. These bilingual inscriptions are in ancient Turkic and classical Chinese. The stele with the inscription covered in our book was erected in 732 CE by Bilge qaγan (d. 734) to commemorate his brother Kül-Tigin. The stele was discovered in 1889.

In addition to the... More

12 folding leaves. 8vo, orig. patterned wrappers, orig. block-printed title label on upper cover, new stitching. Tokyo: Shosanodo shoten, 1909.

First edition of the catalogue of a part of the library of the famous Shoheizaka Gakumonjo school, which was located in what is today Ueno Park. The school had its origins as a private Confucian temple, constructed by Razan Hayashi (1583-1657), but was turned into a state-run school under the direct control of the bakufu in 1797, following the Kansei Edict. The school, an official academy of the Tokugawa shogunate, produced many outstanding leaders.

The catalogue describes 64 titles printed... More