Highlights

Set in Havana, Cuba, this satirical black comedy draws on Greene’s own experiences in MI6. The novel humorously critiques the British Intelligence Service through the protagonist, a vacuum cleaner salesman turned spy. This first edition of “Our Man in Havana” by Graham Greene, published by William Heinemann Ltd in 1958, is a highly collectible item.

Spectacular very large wall size format Alphonse Mucha Art Nouveau vintage poster made for the ‘8th Sokol Festival Prague.

Very rare and important c.18th map of Australia based on Cook’s first voyage observations and one of only a handful of maps to be solely devoted to the Australia continent.

Uncommon work that appears to have ended up consisting of at least 14 volumes published over a few years from 1901. The book, in oblong format with decorative covers, contains 30 very nice, woodblock printed kimono designs with tissue interleaves numbered 151-180. Honda Kinnosuke of Unkindō in Kyoto published some of the most beautiful books in this genre. Kyoto. Honda Kinnosuke. 1902. 30 leaves of prints. 17.8 x 25cm. In very good condition with only minor wear. Tissue interleaves a bit darkened as expected and a couple with creases. Otherwise very good.

A bifolium fragment (1075-1125 CE, Southern Germany) from one of the most important documentary collections to have survived from the Middle Ages - Pope Gregory the First’s collection of letters. Comprehensive research notes and a full translation of the Latin included with the document.

A very handsome example of George Newenham Wright's influential work, richly illustrated by Thomas Allom.

Hugh McCrae. The Du Poissey Anecdotes An inscribed presentation copy to his father with pages of manuscript

First edition, first printing, in the attractive dust jacket designed by Cleonike Damianakes (1895-1979), renowned for her classical-style designs favoured by the Lost Generation writers. The first printing is distinguished by the lack of the legal disclaimer which appeared on p. x in the second and third printings.

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.

Complete set of six lithographic views of colonial South Australia, by Edward Castle who came to South Australia in 1839 on board the Moffatt and took up land in the colony.

Eric Stewart was a self-taught artist. His paintings were inspired by books on indigenous culture including Myths and Legends of the Australian Aborigines by W. Ramsay Smith, 1930; Brown Men and Red Sand by Charles P. Mountford, 1948 and Aboriginal Myths and Legends by Roland Robinson, 1966.

Tokyo. Okawa Jokichi. 1895. 56pp. 21.3 x 12.1cm. Good to very good. Covers a bit worn. Some darkening to edges. A few pages with slightly more darkening and one page with some staining. A couple of pages with minor separation at fold but only a couple of cm.