Highlights

This charming astronomical manuscript by Henry Ferdinand Pelerin (c.1772-1825) epitomises the strong intellectual interest in natural sciences in the later Enlightenment. The intricate presentation of manuscript data, the expertise in illustration, and the intellectual rigour shown in the composition of this Album, display Pelerin’s advanced understanding of astronomy.

The tank engine illustrated started the railway age in Japan. Artists were fascinated by the technological marvel and it was a popular subject for many, including the great Hiroshige. Fair/good condition, darkened paper, small edge tears, slight creases, but strong colours. Kuniteru's signature is in the left margin under the round censor seal.

A fine set of works by Cicero, assembled by the collector Henry Drury, uniformly bound for him, each work collated by him with his typically neat note, in slightly differing words in each volume, “Charta maxima [i.e. Large Paper]”, dated at Harrow in 1819. In one volume Drury notes that they were acquired “from Mr Williams’s collection, at Hendon”. In each volume he identifies its binding as being by Lewis, that is the famous English binder Charles Lewis, who worked from 1807.

An exquisite suite of watercolours, including a beautiful series of scenes documenting a Venetian commedia dell'arte troupe, by the Italian artist Francesco Novelli. Francesco Novelli (1767-1836), one of the preeminent artists of his generation, lived in Venice where he was best known for his outstanding book illustration. He enjoyed a long and successful career that culminated in the landmark editions of Don Quixote (1819) and Gil Blas (1820). Novelli is also known for illustrating works such as the Fasti Veneziani (1794), hinting at his abiding interest in the theatre and performing arts.

A most attractive set of Pickwick in original parts, well-preserved by a series of owners, and in unsophisticated condition. Nowadays, as it should be, as much attention is paid to the coherence of a set and to be able to show, as with this one, that there has been no sophistication attempted. The set is as issued, as purchased serially by its first owner, and in original condition.

Melbourne, Printed at the Herald Office, 1862. 'The "Firefly", chartered by the Government of Victoria to convey stores, &c., for the exploration party sent in search of the ill-fated explorers, Burke and Wills, left Melbourne on July 29th, 1861 ... The "Firefly" encountered heavy weather and was eventually totally wrecked on Sir Charles Hardy's Island. This narrative is the captain's justification of his conduct' (Ferguson 11202).

Hobart, John Vail, circa 1930. Small quarto, old fold, 48pp., map, illustrations, advertisements, near fine in original colour pictorial wrappers. Tasmanian Government Tourist Department brochure with striking cover art by Dennis Colbron Pearse, and fishing references &c. including regulations. Ephemeral and very scarce.

Colour linocut from multiple blocks. Editioned 3/28,titled, signed and dated '51' in pencil below the image. 225mm by 150mm (platemark).

The rare first printing of one of Alfred Russel Wallace’s most significant papers: his important text on butterfly variation on the Malay Peninsula, illustrated with eight full-page lithographic plates. Of this paper Darwin wrote, “I cannot conceive that the most firm believer in species could read it without being staggered. Such papers will make many more converts among naturalists than long-winded books such as I shall write if I have the strength” (Epsilon WCP1868).

Very rare, a pioneering foundation work of Australian science and important in the history of world astronomy: the first Australian star catalogue, this copy inscribed by the author and first Government Astronomer, to Alexander Dallas Bache (1806–1867), scientist and educator, the great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin. This elusive book was probably printed in very small numbers for a specialist audience; just two copies are recorded in Australian libraries (NLA and SLNSW).

Unknown man in the robes of a learned scholar, this painting shows a gentleman with an enquiring gaze with a beautiful collar and gold embroidered over jacket. On his head is a small cap and he has long flowing locks and a goatee beard. His had is delicately rendered and is typical of the period.

A leaf from the 1497 edition by de Olpe with Dürer's woodcut perfectly complementing Brant's verse lampooning the foibles and follies of human nature. An English version of the verse reads: "In shrewdness women lead the van, Not matched are they by any men, His words she never will obey, She heeds not what he'd teach or say, For man's misfortune's often sprung, From women's loose and babbling tongue". Excellent condition on watermarked, laid paper.