Unsworth’s Antiquarian Booksellers
E-list E14
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Small and Miniature Books
1.
(A Kempis, Thomas:) De Imitatione Christi Libri Quatuor. Nova Editio. Ex typis A. Montarsolo et Socii,
Vesuntione (Besançon), n.d. (c.1828).
[51299] £50
48mo., pp. [ii], 353, [i] + frontispiece. Occasional light spots of foxing. Contemporary dark red calf, gilt spine and borders,
blind-stamped boards, a.e.g., gold ribbon bookmark bound in. Headcap a little worn, corners beginning to fray but still a
handsome copy in very good condition overall. Armorial bookplate of Selborne to front paste-down. Ownership inscription of
W. Palmer dated 1846 to ffep. We believe W. Palmer to be the theologian William Palmer (1811-1879), brother of Roundell
Palmer (1812-1895), First Earl of Selborne and twice Lord Chancellor.
2.
(Anon.:) Comic Offering: a Merry Gift, in Verse and Prose. Embellished with Engravings. London: Rock,
Brothers and Payne, n.d. (c.1830)
[51296] £75
Miniature (50 x 44mm), pp.184 + 5 plates. A little toned, some spots and smudges. Publisher’s crimson calf, spine and boards
gilt, a.e.g.. Very worn, small piece coming away at tail of spine, upper hinge a little weakened but still sound in its binding.
This miniature book is without a date of publication; we assume it to be before 1839, when the premises of the printer, J.
Unwin, in Bucklersbury, London burned down. COPAC finds only one copy, at Cambridge University Library.
3.
(Anon.:) Oliver & Boyd’s Little Warbler, A Selection of the most Valuable and Esteemed Songs of the United
Kingdom; In Three Volumes. Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd, n.d. (c.1808).
[51303] £200
3 vols in 1. 48mo.(76 x 42mm), pp. 140, 142, 142. Bound without title-pages to vols. II and III. A little grubby, particularly the
title-page, with very occasional light spots of foxing, some pages a little softened at edges, first blank leaf torn horizontally.
Contemporary very dark green calf, gilt spine and board edges, marbled endpapers. Rubbed, extremities a little worn, joints
creased, a well-used but still pleasing copy. Ownership inscription of Sarah Sophia Barnard dated 1847 to (torn) preliminary
blank. Complete at the time of publication, this book comprises Volume I. Scotch Songs, Volume II. English Songs and
Volume III. Irish Songs only. Further volumes were added to the series later: Volume IV. Comic Songs; Volume V. Love
Songs (in the case of one edition substituted with ‘Jacobite Songs’); Volume VI. Naval Songs.
4.
(Anon.:) The Christian Year, Thoughts in Verse for the Sundays and Holydays Throughout the Year. London:
Henry Frowde, n.d. (c.1907).
[51295] £95
Miniature (55 x 45mm), pp.480 + frontispiece. Frontis a little toned. Semi-limp dark blue morocco, gilt title to spine, upper
board covered by a sheet of sterling silver stamped with the faces of five cherubs encircled by a wreath, a.e.g.. Some small
dents to silver, a little worn at extremities, remains of a blue ribbon bookmark at headband, very good overall. Gift inscription
to ‘Ella’ to a preliminary blank. The silver covering on the upper board was hallmarked in Birmingham in 1907.
5.
[BCP] The Book of Common Prayer, [...] without the Calendar , Occasional Services, and Articles of Religion.
London: printed by Eyre and Spottiswoode, n.d. (c.1905),
[51297] £45
Miniature (55 x 45mm), pp. 630. A little crumpling to the edges of the final gatherings, last three leaves stuck to rear pastedown at bottom edge. Semi-limp dark brown morocco, gilt title to spine, upper board covered by a thin sheet of sterling silver
stamped with the faces of five cherubs encircled by a wreath, a.e.g.. Silver still firmly attached but a thin piece at the top edge
has come away and is sticking out slightly from the board, a few tiny dents. Gift inscription to ‘Nellie’ from her aunt, dated
Xmas 1905. The silver covering of the upper board was hallmarked in Birmingham in 1905.
6.
Cowper, William: Poems. London: Jones & Company, 1824.
[51288]
£160
2 vols. 48mo. (92 x 50), pp. xv, [i], 224; [vii], 228-428 + engraved portrait frontispiece and additional title-page to vol.I. A
little foxing to first and final few leaves of each volume. Later (post-1880) red calf binding by Riviere & Son (signed to ffep
verso), spines heavily gilt with tan morocco labels to second and third compartments, gilt borders and dentelles, a.e.g.,
marbled endpapers. Extremities a little rubbed, a few tiny marks, slight toning to edges endpapers. A very attractive, finelybound set. ‘1910’ inked to each ffep verso, with ‘Sunday’ added to vol.I. ‘While the majority of the binding of Riviere, like that
of most binders of this period, is deficient in originality, it is in all other respects—in the quality of the materials, the
forwarding, and in the delicacy of the tooling—deserving of much commendation.’ (ODNB)
7.
Homer: (Pope, Alexander:) Homer’s Iliad. London: Alan Bell and Co., 1837.
[51270]
£80
2 vols. bound as 1. 48mo. (105 x 60mm), pp. xii, 296; xii, 280. Title pages in red and black, illustrations in the text. Very
occasional light spotting. Contemporary black treated leather, heavily gilt-stamped to spine and boards, a.e.g.. A bit rubbed,
tiny chip to top edge of lower board, very good.
8.
Homer: Odyssey Madrid: Del Prado, 2004.
[51314]
£15
2 vols., 64mo. (65 x 50mm), pp.639, [i]; 639, [i]. Publisher’s faux-leather bindings, vol.I in red and vol.II in blue. Near fine.
Two volumes in Del Prado’s ‘Miniature Classics Library’.
9.
Meibom, Johann Heinrich: De Flagrorum Usu in re Veneria. Londini [London]: s.n., 1770.
[51307]
£500
Small 8vo. (97 x 65mm), pp. 78, [ii]. Wide margins, Latin text. Title page a little dusty, code inked to verso, occasional very
light spots. 20th-century quarter red morocco with red buckram boards, gilt title to spine, edges uncut and dusty, endpapers
renewed. Lightly rubbed, joints a little creased but a very good copy. We believe that this edition of Meibom’s ‘Treatise on
the Use of Flogging in Venery’ has appeared at auction only twice in the last 40 years. The imprint is false; publication most
likely took place on the continent.
ESTC N31606
10.
Moore, Thomas: Irish Melodies and Other Poems, with a Melologue Upon National Music. To which are
appended, the original advertisements to the melodies, and the prefatory letter on music. Dublin: J. Cumming,
n.d.(c.1845).
[51290] £45
48mo. (85 x 51mm), pp. xii, 202 + engraved portrait frontispiece and additional engraved title-page. Plates lightly toned, final
leaf a bit dusty. Contemporary dark green cross-grain morocco, gilt spine and borders, a.e.g.. A little rubbed with some light
wear to extremities, short closed tear to ffep at fore-edge; an attractive copy. Gift inscription to Cecilia Baring from Maria
dated 1845 to front endpapers. ‘Moore withdrew to Dublin, where he spent the winter of 1806–7. His letters at the time were
depressed, describing the city as ‘desperately vulgar and dreary’ (Letters, 2.111), but it was at this time that he was approached
by two music publishers, William and James Power, to take part in a venture which proved astonishingly successful: the series
of Irish Melodies (1808–34). He was to write words for characteristic Irish airs arranged by Sir John Stevenson, and Moore's
splendid performances were more than enough to recommend the songs to fashionable society.’ (ODNB)
11.
Pindar: [Ta tou Pindarou Nemea] Olympia, Pythia, Nemea, Isthmia. Ex editione Oxoniensi. Glasguae [Glasgow]
Excudebant R. & A. Foulis, 1754, 1754, 1757, 1758.
[51285] £250
4 vols. bound as 3. 48mo. (80 x 50mm), pp.158; 128; 128; 79, [i]. Vol. II defective, lacking pp.129-186. Each volume with its
own title-page, apart from vol. I. which lacks its individual leaf and has the series title-page only. Title-pages a little grubby
with short closed tear to volII, occasional ink spots and smudges. Uniformly bound in contemporary brown calf, gilt spines
with red and black labels, gilt borders, edges sprinkled blue. Rubbed, spines and joints creased, black spine label (vol. number)
to vol. I lost and red label (author) to vol. II lost, a few marks, extremities worn, still an attractive set. Inscription to
preliminary blank vol.I: ‘Ex dono. Mri. Joannis Stevenson. 1800.’ First words of title transliterated from Greek. Though he
neglects to comment directly on this edition, Dibdin notes Harwood’s observation on the first Foulis edition of 1744, that he
has ‘read this edition twice through and affirm it to be one of the most accurate of the Glasgow editions of the Greek classics.’
He also notes that the later edition of 1770 is less accurate, according to Harles. ESTC T134377; Gaskell ‘Foulis’ 274;
Dibdin II. 4th Edn. 290
12.
Shakespeare, William: (Blair, J. Talfourd, ed.:) Julius Caesar.
Edinburgh: Andersons, n.d. (c.1907).
[51302] £15
Miniature (55 x 37mm), pp. 340, including frontispiece. Tan reverse calf, black and gilt label to spine, marbled endpapers. A
few tiny marks, very good. Label of ‘The Tudor House, Stratford-upon-Avon’ to front paste-down.
13.
Shakespeare, William: (Blair, J. Talfourd, ed.:) Midsummer Night’s Dream. Glasgow: David Bryce and Son,
1904.
[51301] £15
Miniature (53 x 35mm), pp. 285, [i], including frontispiece. Some pages a little creased at edges. Semi-limp binding in kidskin,
gilt spine and title to upper board, top edge gilt. A few tiny marks but still a very attractive copy. Gift inscription to preliminary
blank, illegible except for, ‘Many happy returns’.
Pickering’s Diamond Classics
William Pickering’s (1796-1854) origins are obscure, and little is known of him until he was apprenticed to the booksellers and publishers John and
Arthur Arch at the age of 14. His father was strongly rumoured to be Earl Spencer, to whom the Diamond Classics series is dedicated and whose coat of
arms appears on its title-pages. He left the Arches in 1818 and after a short spell at Longman’s set up as a bookseller and publisher in his own right in
1820. The Diamond Classics were his first major project, mostly printed by Charles Corrall who was skilled with the tiny diamond type. Pickering’s
main innovation however was not in the series’ typography but in their bindings: in 1821 he offered Baxter’s Poetical Fragments for sale bound in dyed
cotton cloth and went on the use this method for the Diamond Classics, making him the first publisher to issue cloth-bound books.
14.
[Bible, NT] Novum Testamentum Graecum. Londini [London]: Gulielmus Pickering, 1828.
[51306]
£175
48mo. (82 x 48mm), pp.[viii], 511, [v] + engraved frontispiece depicting The Last Supper. Greek text in a single column
without notes, four-page publisher’s catalogue to rear. Frontis and title a little dusty, sporadic light foxing. Vellum, brown
morocco and gilt labels to spine, gilt dentelles and corner-pieces to both paste-downs, top edge gilt. Vellum a little greyed with
some smudgy marks, very good indeed. Some initialled inscriptions to ffep, including one dated 1913. ‘The smallest Greek
Testament ever published. Reuss places the text among Editiones Stephano-Elzevirianæ, i.e. the class represented by Buck's
edition of 1632 and similar Testaments.’ (D&M) Darlow & Moule 4816
15.
Another copy.
[51289]
£150
48mo. (82 x 48mm), pp.[viii], 511, [i] + engraved frontispiece depicting The Last Supper. Greek text in a single column,
without notes. Bound without the publisher’s catalogue sometimes found at rear, a little toning to frontis and title but
pleasingly clean otherwise. Contemporary deep blue morocco, gilt spine, borders and dentelles, a.e.g., green ribbon bookmark
bound in. Spine slightly darkened, a little dust to top edge; a handsome copy in very good condition. Tiny label printed with the
code number ‘3428’ to front paste-down. Darlow & Moule 4816
16.
Catullus, Gaius Valerius; Tibullus, Albius & Propertius, Sextus: (Opera). Londini [London]: G. Pickering, 57
Chancery Lane (colophon: Excudebat C. Corrall, Charing Cross), 1824.
[51292] £125
48mo. (87 x 48mm), pp. [iv], 61, [i], 46, 93, [i] + engraved frontispiece by Stothard, engraved title-page and a single-leaf
catalogue for the ‘Diamond’ series at rear. Engraved headpiece of cherubs to first page of Catullus. Frontis and added titlepage a bit toned, a few spots of foxing to first leaf but otherwise clean within. Contemporary dark green straight-grain calf, gilt
spine and borders, ornate dentelles, a.e.g., pink ribbon bookmark. A few slight scratches, a little light foxing to endpapers, a
handsome copy.
17.
Another copy.
[49759]
£100
48mo. (90 x 53mm), pp. [iv], 61, [i], 46, 93, [i] + engraved frontispiece by Stothard, engraved title-page and a single-leaf
catalogue for the ‘Diamond’ series at rear. A little light foxing to frontispiece and engraved title-page, old pencilled stock code
to r.f.e.p.. Publisher’s dark blue buckram, slightly toned paper label to spine. A bit rubbed, spine faded, top corner of upper
board lightly bumped, very good overall.
18.
Another copy.
[51304]
£100
48mo. (93 x 50mm), pp. [iv], 61, [i], 46, 93, [i] + engraved frontispiece by Stothard, engraved title-page and a single-leaf
catalogue for the ‘Diamond’ series at rear. Engraved headpiece of cherubs to first page of Catullus. A little toning to added
frontispiece and engraved title-page. Publisher’s red cloth, paper label to spine. A bit rubbed, endcaps creased, spine label
browned with some chipping, text-block unevenly trimmed but not affecting text, still very good.
19.
Another copy.
[51300]
£50
48mo. (87 x 48mm), pp. pp. [iv], 61, [i], 46, 93, [i]. Bound without engraved frontispiece, additional engraved title-page, and
single-leaf catalogue. Engraved headpiece of cherubs to first page of Catullus. Title-page lightly toned, a few light spots of
foxing to first and final leaves. Contemporary dark green straight-grain calf, gilt spine, borders and dentelles, a.e.g.. Spine
faded to brown, some wear to endcaps, a bit rubbed, endpapers a little toned.
20.
Homer: Ilias et Odyssea. Londini [London]: Gulielmus Pickering, 1831.
[51311]
£250
LARGE PAPER copy. 2 vols. bound as 1, 32mo., pp. [iv], 351, [i] + frontispiece; [iv], 272. Beautifully printed with wide
margins. Frontispiece a little foxed, a handful of light spots here and there but generally clean within, few booksellers’ notes to
preliminary blanks and frontis verso. Late 19th- or early 20th-century vellum, gilt title to spine and upper board with
additional small stylised flower symbol in black to upper board, top edge gilt and others uncut. A few smudges and light
scratches, boards very slightly splayed at fore-edge but still a very good copy in an attractive later binding. The last in the
famous ‘Diamond Classics’ series of miniature books, and possibly the smallest ever printed Homer, but here printed on
(relatively!) large paper (108 x 70 mm). Lowndes 1098.
21.
[Horace] Horatius Flaccus, Quintus: (Opera). Londini [London]: Gulielmus Pickering, 1826 (from colophon;
title dated 1824).
[51305] £50
48mo. (93 x 52), pp. 192. Lacks frontispiece. Engraved headpieces. Publisher’s red cloth, paper label to spine. Rubbed
endcaps a bit creased and worn, cloth a little darkened, free endpapers toned, a good sound copy. The second edition of
Horace (the only author to see two editions) from Pickering’s ‘Diamond Classics’ series. “This is the SMALLEST edition of
Horace in the world. It is also among the most accurate; indeed I believe that not one single error in the second edition has yet
been detected.” (Dibdin). Dibdin (4th ed.) II 122.
22.
[Horace] Horatius Flaccus, Quintus: (Opera). Londini [London]: Gulielmus [William] Pickering, 1828 (from
frontispiece; colophon dated 1826; title-page dated 1824.).
[51287] £100
48mo. (83 x 47mm), pp.192 + engraved frontispiece. Frontis and title a little toned but otherwise bright within. Dark green
straight-grain calf, gilt spine, borders and dentelles, a.e.g., pink ribbon bookmark bound in. A few light marks, a very good
copy in a handsome binding. Tiny label with the code ‘3426’ to front paste-down. As above. Dibdin II 4th edn. 122
23.
[Petrarch:] Petrarca, Francesco: Le Rime [...]. Londra [London]: G. Pickering, 1822.
[51298]
£100
48mo. (85 x 47mm), pp. [iv] 237 [xi] + engraved frontispiece portrait and additional title-page, both with decorated borders.
Ornate engraved headpieces. Some foxing to plates but otherwise clean. Contemporary dark red straight grain morocco, gilt
spine, borders and lyre centrepiece to both boards, a.e.g.. Spine and corners a bit worn but still very good.
24.
Tasso, Torquato: La Gerusalemme Liberata. Londra [London]: G. Pickering, 1822.
[51294]
£125
2 vols. bound as 1. 48mo. (87 x 47mm), pp. [iv], 405 [i] + engraved portrait frontispiece and additional title-page. Text in
Italian, publisher’s advertisement to final page. A few very light smudges to title page, otherwise good and bright within.
Contemporary dark purplish-brown straight-grain calf, gilt spine, borders and dentelles, a.e.g. Headcap a little scuffed, a
couple to tiny chips to lower board, very good indeed. Tiny printed label with the code ‘3438’ to front paste-down.
25.
[Terence] Terentius Afer, Publius: (Comoediae). Londini [London]: William Pickering, 1822.
[49760]
£75
48mo. (92 x 53mm), pp.(viii), 220 including portrait frontispiece, engraved title-page and additional title-page. Very lightly
toned, head edge and some edges unopened. Publisher’s crimson silk, small printed paper label to spine, powder blue
endpapers. Silk covering perished at spine but binding sound, a few smudgy marks, edges a little worn, very good .
26.
[Terence] Terentius Afer, Publius: (Comoediae). Londini [London]: G. Pickering, typis C. Corrall, 1823 (from
title-page and colophon; additional title-page dated 1822).
[51286] £100
48mo. (86 x 47mm), pp. (ii), 220 + engraved frontispiece and additional engraved title-page with printer’s device. Frontis and
additional title toned, a little foxing to first leaf but otherwise interally bright and clean. Contemporary dark green straightgrain calf, gilt spine, borders and dentelles, a.e.g., pink ribbon bookmark bound in. A few tiny marks and a little dust to top
edge, very good indeed. Tiny label with the printed code ‘3439’ to front paste-down.
27.
[Virgil] Vergilius Maro, Publius: [Opera].
Londini [London]: G. Pickering, typis C. Corrall, 1821.
[51291] £300
48mo. (82 x 46), pp. [ii], 283, [i] + engraved portrait frontispiece and additional title-page, publisher’s advertisement to final
page. Bound without final corrigenda leaf. Title-page a little dusty, very occasional light spots of foxing but clean overall.
Contemporary dark green straight-grain calf, gilt spine, borders and dentelles, a.e.g.. A few tiny marks, a little dust to top
edge, endpapers lightly toned, very good indeed. The second book to be issued in Pickering’s ‘Diamond Classics’ series, and
reputedly the rarest as all but 100 copies were destroyed by a fire in Corral’s warehouse. Spielman 502, Bondy p.87.
28.
Walton, Izaak: The Lives of Donne, Wotton, Hooker, Herbert and Sanderson. London: William Pickering, 1827.
[51293] £140
48mo. (86 x 48mm), pp. [vi], xix, [i], 442 + engraved frontispiece. Frontis trimmed a little close at fore-edge, but only just
touching the engraving. A little foxing to frontis and first two leaves but otherwise clean. Scarlet straight-grain calf, gilt title,
borders and dentelles, a.e.g., pink ribbon bookmark bound in. Very lightly rubbed, top edge a bit dusty, a lovely copy. Tiny
printed label with the code ‘3442’ to front paste-down.