114 folding pages (many split along fore-edge). Large 4to (295 x 225 mm.), orig. wrappers (somewhat frail & frayed), orig. stitching. [China]: 1867 (date of Preface).

A Mongolian translation of a Chinese religious text dedicated to Guandi, or Lord Guan. “Guandi, Chinese god of war whose immense popularity with the common people rests on the firm belief that his control over evil spirits is so great that even actors who play his part in dramas share his power over demons. Guandi is not only a natural favourite of soldiers but has been chosen patron of numerous trades and professions. This... More

One sheet of paper (318 x 465 mm.), woodblock printed on both sides. [Japan]: ca. 1764-85.

In Edo-period Japan, bansho (small buildings or huts for security and surveillance guards) were placed in central locations. There were several types of bansho, and the present document was printed as an instructional legal guide for security men in tsuji-bansho (neighborhood guard stations), located in the streets of samurai residences, especially in Edo.

The guards needed to know what to do and how to proceed in the unusual situations they might confront: deserted children (a child under three is “deserted” but an older child... More

Issues 1-8 (of 9?). Several black & white photographs. Eight vols. 8vo, orig. wrappers, orig. block-printed title labels on upper covers, orig. stitching. Beijing: Beijing guxue yuan 北京古學院, 1939-40.

A good run, apparently lacking only the final volume, of the serial publication of Beijing guxue yuan, the Beijing Academy for Ancient Studies, was founded in 1937 following the Japanese occupation of northern China, including Beijing. The Academy was a conservative institution dedicated to teaching and publishing in a traditional Confucian vein. Its history is described in the first issue of the series, and its bylaws are included in... More

Three finely illustrated handscrolls (emakimono) on fine smooth torinoko gold-sprinkled paper, with 16 finely executed brush & polychrome paintings, accompanying text in a fine calligraphic cursive hand, rich “golden mud” borders at top & bottom of each painting, speckled with cut gold leaf on reverse side. Three scrolls (323 x 11,640, 12,760, & 17,925 mm.), outer front endpaper covered with blue silk brocade with gold motifs, inner front endpapers of scored gold paper, manuscript label on outside of each scroll on fine decorated paper with nature motifs, entitled “Iwaya monogatari,” modern core rollers with finely decorated colored enamel caps. [Japan]... More

73; 67; 57; 70; 69; 56; 52; 74; 73 folding leaves. Ten juan in nine vols. Large 8vo, orig. wrappers, new stitching. [Japan]: from final leaf of final volume (in trans.): “ninth month September 1619.”

First movable type edition printed in Japan, and a very rare book; there is apparently no copy in WorldCat. There is an example in the National Diet Library.

The book is of unknown authorship, but both its contents and the extant editions suggest that it was written in the Yuan period (1271-1368). It lists the family names of prominent Chinese lineages arranged by pronunciation. The... More

46; 45; 46; 45.5 folding leaves. Four vols. Large 8vo, orig. patterned brown semi-stiff wrappers (wrappers somewhat soiled & stained), orig. stitching. [Korea]: probably 19th century.

Undated edition of this collection of lists giving biographical data for notable personages from Korea, the “Eastern Kingdom.” The individuals are divided into categories, such as “high officials,” “famous servants of the throne,” and “scholars.” The last chapter of the book contains a list of institutions. The chapter on scholars opens with a brief biography of the famous medieval scholar Sŏl Chong 薛聰, who “explained the nine classics in the local language and... More

Wood-engraved frontis. [3]-106, [1] pp. Small 8vo (150 x 94 mm.), orig. printed wrappers (a little worn), title on spine, leaves uncut. Paris: Giroux & Vialat, 1848.

First edition, in its original printed wrappers, of a scarce account of the 1848 Revolution, published several months after the uprising’s turbulent events. This staunchly Republican work commemorates the sacrifices of generals and troops who died during the worker revolt in Paris. There are accounts of the deaths of Generals Bréa, Négrier, Duvivier, Damesme, Bourgon, Regnault, and François. The final 30 pages concern the life and tragic death of Denys Auguste Affre, archbishop... More

Unpaginated. Small 4to, illustrated wrappers, staple-bound. Fen Ditton, UK: n.d.

Scarce bookseller’s catalogue with 358 items offered. Fine copy. More

Unpaginated. Small 4to, pictorial wrappers, staple-bound. Fen Ditton, UK: [1995].

A scarce bookseller’s catalogue, with a choice selection of artists’ books and publications, 268 nos. Among the highlights, we note a complete set of Art-Rite; Gilbert & George’s Dark Shadow (1974); most of the issues of Interfunktionen, Richard Long’s River Avon Book (1979); a nice run of Ruschas; a sizable group of Siegelaub catalogues, etc.

A fine copy.

❧ A. Desjardin, The Book on Books on Artists Books (2nd ed.: 2013) 503. More

Typographical device on title. Printed throughout in black letter. 11, [1] leaves. Small 4to, fine modern blue morocco, dentelles gilt, a.e.g. London: T. Purfoote, the assigne of R. Tottill, 1588.

Fourth edition of one of the earliest English books of "secrets," or manual of practical arts; this text appears to be entirely of English origins. It was first published in 1573 and reprinted in 1581 and 1583; there were also editions of 1596 and 1605. All editions are very scarce; of this printing the NSTC (24255) records five copies: L18, O; F, PN, NY Metropolitan Museum.

This is a very early... More

Many illus., mostly in black but some in red, pink, gray, green, yellow, blue, etc. Ca. 1821 folding leaves of text. 1083 chapters in 50 parts in 54 vols. (parts 14 & 15 in one vol., parts 24, 34, 42, & 47 in two vols. each, plus one vol. of table of contents). 8vo (266 x 188 mm.), orig. blue wrappers, orig. manuscript labels on each upper wrapper, new stitching. [Probably Kyoto: written in 1690 & this is a mid-Edo copy].

A rare and extremely important text, finely illustrated and complete in 50 parts; it remained unpublished until 1936. WorldCat... More

Color illus. on recto, details to verso. Eindhoven: Van Abbemuseum, 1985.

Illustrated postcard invitation for the duo’s 1985 exhibition in Eindhoven. In fine condition. More