The Ship That Sailed to Mars. A Fantasy -
William Timlin
1923 - George G. Harrap &, London - First Edition
‘I will go to Mars; sailing by way of the Moon, and the more friendly planets.’
Beware, for there is magic within this large tome. A beautiful first edition of William Timlin’s wonderful, lavishly illustrated tale of fantasy and adventure, The Ship That Sailed to Mars, featuring 48 stunning mounted colour plates accompanying 48 mounted leaves of equally gorgeous calligraphic text also by Timlin. In the publisher’s stunningly gilt decorated vellum and paper binding.
Begun as a project to distract his young son, architect William M. Timlin’s masterpiece tells the story of a courageous Old Man, who despite dissuasion from scientists and astronomers, sets about designing himself a ship to sail to Mars. With the help of the Elf King’s favourite metalworker, and a lot of fairies, he eventually completes building his vessel, launching his marvellous machine into the skies, and encountering all manner of creatures – enchanting and otherwise – on his magical journey to Mars.
One of an estimated 550 copies of the first edition [see note].
More details
Price HK$ 18,000
1923 - George G. Harrap &, London - First Edition
‘I will go to Mars; sailing by way of the Moon, and the more friendly planets.’Beware, for there is magic within this large tome. A beautiful first edition of William Timlin’s wonderful, lavishly illustrated tale of fantasy and adventure, The Ship That Sailed to Mars, featuring 48 stunning mounted colour plates accompanying 48 mounted leaves of equally gorgeous calligraphic text also by Timlin. In the publisher’s stunningly gilt decorated vellum and paper binding.
Begun as a project to distract his young son, architect William M. Timlin’s masterpiece tells the story of a courageous Old Man, who despite dissuasion from scientists and astronomers, sets about designing himself a ship to sail to Mars. With the help of the Elf King’s favourite metalworker, and a lot of fairies, he eventually completes building his vessel, launching his marvellous machine into the skies, and encountering all manner of creatures – enchanting and otherwise – on his magical journey to Mars.
One of an estimated 550 copies of the first edition [see note].
More details
Price HK$ 18,000
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Tom Sawyer's Comrade) -
Mark Twain [Samuel L. Clemens]
1885 - Charles L. Webster, New York - First Edition, first printing, in earliest state.
A finely bound first edition of a quintessential classic of 19th century American literature. Illustrated throughout. Following the classic 'boy's own' adventures of the promising young gent Tom Sawyer, Twain here attempts a more mature, somewhat darker picture of a less privileged American childhood on the mighty Mississippi. Regarded by many as a cornerstone of American literature, it confronts issues such as slavery in a sympathetic yet humorously sardonic tone which belonged to Twain alone.
‘We catched fish and talked, and we took a swim now and then to keep off sleepiness. It was kind of solemn, drifting down the big, still river, laying on our backs looking up at the stars, and we didn't ever feel like talking loud, and it warn't often that we laughed—only a little kind of a low chuckle. We had mighty good weather as a general thing, and nothing ever happened to us at all—that night, nor the next, nor the next.’
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Price HK$ 35,000
1885 - Charles L. Webster, New York - First Edition, first printing, in earliest state.
A finely bound first edition of a quintessential classic of 19th century American literature. Illustrated throughout. Following the classic 'boy's own' adventures of the promising young gent Tom Sawyer, Twain here attempts a more mature, somewhat darker picture of a less privileged American childhood on the mighty Mississippi. Regarded by many as a cornerstone of American literature, it confronts issues such as slavery in a sympathetic yet humorously sardonic tone which belonged to Twain alone.‘We catched fish and talked, and we took a swim now and then to keep off sleepiness. It was kind of solemn, drifting down the big, still river, laying on our backs looking up at the stars, and we didn't ever feel like talking loud, and it warn't often that we laughed—only a little kind of a low chuckle. We had mighty good weather as a general thing, and nothing ever happened to us at all—that night, nor the next, nor the next.’
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Price HK$ 35,000
Vile Bodies -
Evelyn Waugh
1930 - Chapman &, London - First Edition
First edition of Waugh’s second novel, with the wonderful pictorial title page.
‘In the years following the First World War a new generation emerges, wistful and vulnerable beneath the glitter. The Bright Young Things of 'twenties Mayfair, with their paradoxical mix of innocence and sophistication, exercise their inventive minds and vile bodies in every kind of capricious escapade. In a quest for treasure, a favourite party occupation, a vivid assortment of characters hunt fast and furiously for ever greater sensations and the fulfilment of unconscious desires.’ [Penguin]
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Price HK$ 2,000
1930 - Chapman &, London - First Edition
First edition of Waugh’s second novel, with the wonderful pictorial title page.‘In the years following the First World War a new generation emerges, wistful and vulnerable beneath the glitter. The Bright Young Things of 'twenties Mayfair, with their paradoxical mix of innocence and sophistication, exercise their inventive minds and vile bodies in every kind of capricious escapade. In a quest for treasure, a favourite party occupation, a vivid assortment of characters hunt fast and furiously for ever greater sensations and the fulfilment of unconscious desires.’ [Penguin]
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Price HK$ 2,000