Future shock
by TOFFLER, Alvin; TOFFLER, Heidi
New York: Random House, 1970. FIRST EDITION. Publisher’s cloth, original dust jacket; interior in excellent condition. Author’s inscription in black marker on first flyleaf. First American edition of a seminal futurist text. For Future shock, the Tofflers initially wrote an article entitled “The Future as a Way of Life” in Horizon magazine in 1965 to try to explain the disorientation people experience in the face of a rapidly changing culture. The book further developed the phenomenon. The simplest definition... Read More
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An inaugural dissertation upon the three following subjects: I. An attempt to proved that the Lues Venerea was not introduced into Europe from America. II. An experimental inquiry into the modus operandi of mercury in curing the Lues Venerea. III. Experimental proofs that the Lues Venerea, and gonorrhoea, are two distinct forms of disease
by TONGUE, James
Philadelphia: Printed for the author, 1801. FIRST EDITION. Dedication to the author’s teacher Benjamin Rush. Half cloth over marbed boards; interior excellent. Rare first edition of Tongue’s doctoral dissertation about lues venerea, or syphilis. Tongue (1779–1843), then a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania, argues against the widely held belief that indigenous Americans infected Europeans with syphilis. He uses references from the bible and historical research on venereal diseases in Europe. Tongue also describes various experiments with mercury,... Read More
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A Confederacy of Dunces
by TOOLE, John Kennedy
Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press, 1980. FIRST EDITION, SECOND PRINTING. Cloth-backed boards, original second issue dust jacket in perfect condition, very slight creased edges; overall an excellent copy. First edition, second printing of this historically significant work of fiction. Set in 1960’s New Orleans, Ignatius J. Reilly, considered one of the most memorable characters in American literature, is in search of employment while still residing with his mother. The story follows Reilly on his adventures with a cast of... Read More
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Influence de Nostradamus dans le gouvernement de la France
by TORNÉ-CHAVIGNY, Henri
Paris: the Author, 1878. ONLY EDITION. Large folding photogravure plate, one double-page, 6 full-page, and 5 text photogravures. Original printed blue wrappers (edges frayed, rear wrapper with minor loss). A remarkable survival. Only edition of this strange mystical report on 300 years of Nostradamus’ prophetic outcomes. Addressed as a missive to the French Senate, the text covers events that happened between the first publication of Nostradamus’ prophecies until the present year, 1878. Topics include royal births, events during the... Read More
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The doom of slavery in the union: its safety out of it. Second edition
by [TOWNSEND, John]
Charleston, S.C.: Evans & Cogswell, 1860. FIRST EDITION. Stapled as issued. First edition of what is an interesting perspective, being made before the 1860 election. Basically, the same old ranting, however. Howes, T-316; Sabin, 20615.
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A Further Inquiry Concerning Constitutional Irritation, and the Pathology of the Nervous System
by TRAVERS, Benjamin
London: G. Woodfall for Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, 1835. FIRST EDITION. Contemporary gilt-ruled calf, edges gilt. Ownership inscription of John Davis on the title. First edition. Part I covers inflammation and localized ailments; Part II explores the nervous system and its disorders. This work follows his 1826 An inquiry concerning that disturbed state of the vital functions usually denominated constitutional irritation. Travers (1783-1858) was an apprentice to Sir Astley Cooper, with whom he wrote Surgical essays... Read More
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Instincts of the herd in peace and war
by TROTTER, Wilfred
London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1916. FIRST EDITION. Original publisher’s cloth, worn; moderately foxed throughout, annotations on paste-downs and blanks. First edition. Trotter (1872-1939), an English neurosurgeon, was also known for his work in social psychology, specifically herd instinct. In this, his classic work on the subject, he argues that gregariousness is an instinct, based upon his study of beehives, flocks of sheep and wolf packs. His analysis of group psychology and the ability of large numbers of people to... Read More
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A treatise of dreams & visions. Wherein the causes natures and uses of nocturnal representations, and the communications both of good and evil angels, as also departed souls, to mankinde, are theosophically unfolded: that is, according to the word of God, and the harmony of created beeings. To which is added, A discourse of the causes, natures and cure of phrensie, madness or distraction ... By Philotheos Physiologus
by TRYON, Thomas
London: n.p., 1689. FIRST EDITION. Modern bonded leather; title page trimmed or repaired at top. Note in pen at bottom of title indicating the name of the author and dated 1695, engraved label of Samuel Hirst, watchmaker of Leeds, pasted on verso of title, his ownership inscription to title. First edition. The first of two parts treats the meaning and significance of dreams, initially dealing with the nature of sleep (including those who walk and talk therein), the causes... Read More
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“Solvable and unsolvable problems.” In Science News, 31, pp. 7-23
by TURING, Alan
Melbourne, London, Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1954. FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING. Original printed wrappers. First printing. This article constitutes a summary of Turing’s most theoretical work in computer science to date (a year before his death). He here expounds the ideas used in proofs of unsolvability since 1936 and enumerates some of the results and open problems. These include proof of the existence of mathematical problems that cannot be solved by the universal Turing machine. This is a turnabout from... Read More
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Liber fluviorum; or, river scenery of France
by TURNER, J.M.W.; RITCHIE, Leitch; WATTS, Alaric
London: Henry G. Bohn, 1853. FIRST EDITION. Added engraved title page. With 61 steel-engraved plates by J.M.W. Turner. Contemporary blind-stamped pebbled cloth over thick boards, spine and edges a bit worn; marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. A beautiful, clean copy. First edition of the full version of Liber fluviorum. Turner’s illustrations and Ritchie’s text first appeared in slightly different forms between 1833 and 1835 in three volumes that came to be known as Turner's Annual Tours; the plates were... Read More
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Life on the Mississippi
by TWAIN, Mark
London: Chatto & Windus, 1883. FIRST ENGLISH EDITION, FIRST STATE. Frontispiece engraving of a New Orleans steamboat with tissue guard and over 300 black and white illustrations throughout. Original illustrated red publisher’s cloth with title in gilt on front and illustration of a steamboat captain on the spine; brown floral endpapers, spine a bit faded but otherwise a very good copy with the ownership signature of Catherine L. Paton dated 6th June 1883 on the fly-leaf. First English edition,... Read More
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The American claimant
by TWAIN, Mark
New York: Charles L. Webster, 1892. FIRST EDITION. No jacketWith frontispiece and 25 text illustrations. Publisher’s decorated cloth; overall in perfect condition. First edition of Twain’s comedy of mistaken identities and multiple role switches between British and American characters. Of particular interest is Twain’s attempt to write a story without ever once mentioning weather, which is fully detailed both in a page of explanation before the book and in the appendix.
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Eve’s diary
by TWAIN, Mark (CLEMENS, Samuel)
London & New York: Harpers, 1906. With frontispiece and 55 full-page illustrations by Lester Ralph. Original publisher’s red pictorial cloth, dust jacket in separated panels laid in but complete. First edition. One of Twain’s ironically humorous works, it is written in the style of a diary kept by Eve, supposedly translated from her original manuscript. She regales us with life in the Garden of Eden, everything from her hooking up with Adam to her expulsion. Twain’s Extracts from... Read More
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The million pound bank-note
by TWAIN, Mark
New York: Charles Webster & Co, 1893. FIRST EDITION, FIRST STATE. Frontispiece by Dan Beard. Original tan publisher’s cloth with pictorial decoration on the front board in gilt, brown, and black, and gilt title on spine. An excellent copy. First edition, first printing, with the frontispiece inserted, of this group of short stories from Twain. The title story features a bet brought to life by Henry Adams, as he is the subject of two brothers’ consideration on how an... Read More
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The adventures of Tom Sawyer
by TWAIN, Mark
Hartford: The American Publishing Co, 1876. FIRST EDITION. Wood-engraved frontispiece and half title printed on separate leaves, and numerous wood engravings by True Williams and others. An excellent, near-perfect copy in the original decorated publisher’s cloth, and preserved in a folding half-morocco clamshell case. First printing, first issue, with all issue points noted. Featuring one of the best-loved characters in American fiction, we join Tom with his well-known incidents of the whitewashed fence, his love affair with Becky Thatcher,... Read More
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Address delivered before the British Association assembled at Belfast
by TYNDALL, John
London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1874. FIRST EDITION. Blue publisher’s cloth, author and title in gilt on front cover; some rubbing on cloth boards, hinges starting but otherwise a very good copy from the library of Chichester Fortescue, Baron Carlingford, with his bookplate and ownership signature dated 1874. First edition. The eminent physicist Tyndall lambasted religion in this inflammatory address, given at the 1874 annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. In vivid descriptive language,... Read More
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A treatise on the disorders of childhood, and management of infants from the birth, adapted to domestic use
by UNDERWOOD, Michael
London: J. Mathews, 1801. SECOND EDITION. Some lovely woodcut vignettes and tailpieces. Contemporary tree calf, rebacked, marbled edges; interior generally excellent. Second edition, expanded from the first printing of 1797. A somewhat abridged edition of his Treatise on the diseases of children (London, 1784) which was considered the authoritative standard on pediatrics. This book not only includes the latest discoveries and methods of treatment but is a more focused work covering any and all potential health issues that may... Read More
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A body of divinitie, or the summe and substance of Christian religion … Whereunto is adjoyned a tract, intituled Immanuel, or the mystery of the incarnation of God …
by USSHER, Bishop
London: Printed by M.F. [Miles Flesher], 1645. FIRST EDITION. Two separate titles, both within ruled border, table of contents and errata, woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces. Contemporary calf, front cover a bit stained, interior generally excellent with minor browning. Inscriptions from 4 possible early hands on the first title, and though most are crossed-out, abbreviated, or illegible, the name “Griffith” can be read. A Latin phrase “servivir deo regnare est” in a contemporary hand also on the title page.... Read More
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Travels into the Interior Parts of Africa, by the way of the Cape of Good Hope…
by VAILLANT, M. Francois Le
Dublin: Chamberlain & Rice, P. Byrne, J. Moore, B.Dornin, Grueber & M’Allister, G. Draper, W. Jones, R. White, J. Milliken, 1790. FIRST IRISH EDITION. Contemporary full calf, worn, rebacked with title in gilt on spine; minor browning throughout. Ex libris, with the bookplate of the Troy Library. First Irish edition. French author, explorer and naturalist Francois Le Vaillant (1753-1824), who was born in Dutch Guiana, recounts his travels throughout Africa from 1780-1785. The author originally published his work in... Read More
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Description de l’aimant, qui s’est formé à la pointe du Clocher neuf de N. Dame de Chartres
by VALLEMONT, Pierre Le Lorrain de
Paris, 1692. Engraved headpiece and engraved vignette. Contemporary mottled calf (hinges repaired), spine and label gilt, edges sprinkled red. Ownership inscription “Marelle fils ainé.” In excellent condition. First edition of this important and occult-leaning treatise on magnetism. In October 1690, a powerful storm damaged the cross-topped steeple of the Cathedral de Notre Dame in Chartres such that it had to be demolished and rebuilt. When it was taken down, the iron cross was observed to be coated in rust,... Read More
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La Physique occulte, ou traité de la baguette divinatoire
by VALLEMONT, Pierre le Lorrain de
The Hague, 1747. Engraved frontispiece and 23 full-page engraved plates. Contemporary mottled calf, spine and labels gilt, edges marbled blue. Old signatures on the titles. A very nice set. A mechanistic and scientific approach to dowsing and magnetism, the first French book published on the subject. Here the author attempts to remove occultism from the practice by posturing that the circulating corpuscles of the human body communicate with underground water sources through the divining rod as an extension of... Read More
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Considerazioni ed esperienze intorno al creduto cervello di bue impietrito; Considerazioni ed esperienze intorno all generazione de’vermi nel corpo umano...;
by VALLISNIERI, Antonio
Padua: Nella stamperia del Seminario, 1710. FIRST EDITIONS. Each work with separate title. With 14 folding plates (10 in the first volume, 4 in the second volume). Contemporary vellum in fine condition; from the library of Antonio Pacchioni (1665-1726), famous anatomist and physician. First editions of Vallisnieri's first two books. In the first work, the author describes the brain of an ox, which supposedly contained some curious stones, petrified during the lifetime of the animal. However, he denies that... Read More
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Oeconomia Catechesis Palatinae. Praemisso prologo, de Catecheticis institutionibus in genere; & Catechesios, in specie, Palatinae origine & fatis. . .
by VAN ALPHEN, Hieronymi
Trajecti ad Rhenum [Utrecht, Netherlands]: Apud Guilielmum Kroon, 1729. FIRST EDITION. Title in red and black with engraved vignette, woodcut initials and tailpiece. Contemporary vellum, spine worn; interior excellent. . First edition of this fascinating group of sermons. The book contains outlines for a year-long cycle of sermons (52 Sundays) dealing with questions regarding the Heidelberg Catechism. “The Heidelberg Catechism (also known as the Palatinate Catechism) was composed in Heidelberg at the request of Elector Frederick III, who ruled the... Read More
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Document signed. 1 page (256 x 410 mm.)
by VAN BUREN, Martin
Washington, 1838. Folded, small hole in 1 fold not affecting any printing or manuscript. Seal intact. Land grant of eight acres to John Jarret (?) Johnson of a parcel located in Shawneetown, Illinois. Public lands were allowed to be sold pursuant to an act of Congress of April 24, 1820. As such, this grant was signed by the President as well as the (acting) Recorder of the General Land Office. Van Buren (1782-1862) was the eight president of... Read More
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Ontleedkundig onderzoek vn den potto van bosman
by VAN CAMPEN, F.A.W.
Amsterdam: C.G. van der Post, 1859. With 3 engraved plates. Original printed wrappers, taped (front becoming detached). Unopened. Ownership inscription dated 1859 on cover. An informative, illustrated study of the potto. The potto, also known as Bosman’s potto (after its discoverer), is an African primate, largest member of the Loris family. According to Van Campen, the small, wooly-furred animal has flexible ankle and wrist joints, opposable thumbs, a vestigial index finger and special blood vessels in their limbs, allowing... Read More
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