Highlights

Each year our exhibitors bring rare, beautiful and unusual items for sale.

Here are a sample of the wide range of printed materials that were available at the 2024 Fair. If you are interested in these, please contact the exhibitor, they may still be available

2025 Highlights will be posted in June 2025


Prologue to Genesis with an Ouroboros in the illuminated initial. Paris, c.1250.
$1785
The initial ‘D’ is formed from an “ouroboros” - a circular symbol that depicts a snake or dragon devouring its own tail, representing the eternal cycle of destruction and rebirth. A bar border of Illuminations extends from the initial to the top of the page. Condition: This 770 year old leaf is very good/excellent condition. The script shows no ink loss and the illuminations retain vibrant colours. There is slight darkening of the vellum and a dozen of so small worm holes.
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The Doors of Perception
$750
HUXLEY, Aldous. The Doors of Perception London: Chatto and Windus, 1954. First U.K. Edition. Hardcover : pp. [4] 5-62 [64] : blue cloth boards lettered in gilt to spine : price clipped jacket designed by John Woodcock. Small closed tear (5mm) to head of top cover; price clipped; some offsetting to the e.p.s; some foxing to the edges of the block. Very good in very good dust-jacket. Huxley's controversial essay based on his psychedelic mescalin experience. (14319)
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Dudley’s original manuscript manual for the use and instruction of the officers of the Tuscan fleet
$951500
The only known manuscript example of any part of Robert Dudley’s magnum opus, ‘Dell’arcano del mare’ held in private hands. An astonishing survival: a working manuscript, seemingly specifically assembled for the eyes and instruction of the officers of the Tuscan Navy, the Knights of St. Stefano, rather than for a public audience. This suggestion is borne out by the wording of the first title for the work that Dudley has crossed out: ‘Compendio del Direttorio Marittimo: Il pr[im]o Tomo e intilato , Supplemento della Navigare. Nel pr[im]o libro si discorre dell ‘arte, piu Curiosa di Navigare.