Rumpole -
John Mortimer
1995 - The Folio Society, London
A finely bound compilation of Horace Rumpole’s greatest hits and misses, selected and introduced by his creator, John Mortimer, illustrated throughout by Paul Cox.
Consisting of:- ‘Rumpole and the Younger Generation, Rumpole and the Show Folk, Rumpole and the Old Boy Net, Rumpole and the Bright Seraphim, Rumpole and the Tap End, Rumpole and the Bubble Reputation, Rumpole a la Carte, Rumpole and the Children of the Devil, Rumpole and the Family Pride, and Rumpole on Trial’.
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Price HK$ 5,000
1995 - The Folio Society, London
A finely bound compilation of Horace Rumpole’s greatest hits and misses, selected and introduced by his creator, John Mortimer, illustrated throughout by Paul Cox. Consisting of:- ‘Rumpole and the Younger Generation, Rumpole and the Show Folk, Rumpole and the Old Boy Net, Rumpole and the Bright Seraphim, Rumpole and the Tap End, Rumpole and the Bubble Reputation, Rumpole a la Carte, Rumpole and the Children of the Devil, Rumpole and the Family Pride, and Rumpole on Trial’.
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Price HK$ 5,000
The Comedies; Tragedies; Histories and Poems -
William Shakespeare, Algernon Charles Swinburne, Edward Dowden, W. J. Craig
1967 - Oxford University Press, London
A fine three volume set of Shakespeare in elegant bindings by Bayntun of Bath, housed together in a matching felt-lined slipcase.
The text prepared by W. J. Craig; with a General Introduction by Algernon Charles Swinburne; Introductory Studies of the several Plays and Poems by Edward Dowden, and full Glossaries.
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Price HK$ 10,000
1967 - Oxford University Press, London
A fine three volume set of Shakespeare in elegant bindings by Bayntun of Bath, housed together in a matching felt-lined slipcase.The text prepared by W. J. Craig; with a General Introduction by Algernon Charles Swinburne; Introductory Studies of the several Plays and Poems by Edward Dowden, and full Glossaries.
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Price HK$ 10,000
A Treatise on Cyder-Making -
Hugh Stafford, Anonymous
1753 - Printed for E. Cave, London - First Edition
Legendary and rare first edition of this anonymous work, all of which is generally but erroneously attributed to Hugh Stafford who contributed the sixteen page ‘Dissertation on Cyder and Cyder-Fruit’ at the beginning.
Covering the entire process from identifying and growing the best cider apples, collection, pressing, fermentation, racking, preserving and remedial action for a variety of issues ‘which are incident to Cyder’. With fold-out engraving of cider press (opp. p.32), in-text wood-cut diagrams to pages 43 and 68 (‘One side of the framed Press...’.) and wood-cut decorations to pages v, 47, and 61.
‘As Cyder therefore is generally allowed to be an wholesome drink, and as it is the natural product of our own country, he will surely be thought to contribute something towards the good of the public, who gives infallible directions for making it universally agreeable by varrying it so as to suit every palate, and by improving the flavour and the quality, both of the rough and the smooth, divesting it of its tendency to produce cholics, and giving it the sparkle of Champaign, without an eager and windy fermentation, and rendering it more spirituous than a small wine tho' less inflaming’. [Preface]
An influential work, Benjamin Franklin, who was partial to a drop himself, ordered three copies to be reprinted as pamphlets and distributed amongst the New England farmers after failing with their vineyards. It was plagiarised into various publications including encyclopaedias, cookbooks and later reference works related to cider.
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Price HK$ 42,000
1753 - Printed for E. Cave, London - First Edition
Legendary and rare first edition of this anonymous work, all of which is generally but erroneously attributed to Hugh Stafford who contributed the sixteen page ‘Dissertation on Cyder and Cyder-Fruit’ at the beginning.Covering the entire process from identifying and growing the best cider apples, collection, pressing, fermentation, racking, preserving and remedial action for a variety of issues ‘which are incident to Cyder’. With fold-out engraving of cider press (opp. p.32), in-text wood-cut diagrams to pages 43 and 68 (‘One side of the framed Press...’.) and wood-cut decorations to pages v, 47, and 61.
‘As Cyder therefore is generally allowed to be an wholesome drink, and as it is the natural product of our own country, he will surely be thought to contribute something towards the good of the public, who gives infallible directions for making it universally agreeable by varrying it so as to suit every palate, and by improving the flavour and the quality, both of the rough and the smooth, divesting it of its tendency to produce cholics, and giving it the sparkle of Champaign, without an eager and windy fermentation, and rendering it more spirituous than a small wine tho' less inflaming’. [Preface]
An influential work, Benjamin Franklin, who was partial to a drop himself, ordered three copies to be reprinted as pamphlets and distributed amongst the New England farmers after failing with their vineyards. It was plagiarised into various publications including encyclopaedias, cookbooks and later reference works related to cider.
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Price HK$ 42,000
How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion -
Jerry Thomas, Christian Shultz
1862 - Dick & Fitzgerald, New York - First Edition
An extremely rare first edition of the legendary first and seminal book on mixology and bartenders' guide to include cocktail recipes, by the great Professor Jerry Thomas, referred to as ‘The Best Bartender of the Past’ by Harry Craddock in the ‘Savoy Cocktail Book’ of 1930.
Illustrated and containing 236 recipes by Jerry Thomas and 463 recipes by Christian Schultz. In addition to listings of recipes for Punches, Sours, Slings, Cobblers, Shrubs, Toddies, Flips, and a variety of other types of mixed drinks were ten recipes for drinks referred to as ‘Cocktails’. A key ingredient which differentiated ‘cocktails’ from other drinks in this compendium was the use of bitters as an ingredient, although it is not used in many modern cocktail recipes.
‘‘Professor’ Jerry Thomas, principal bartender at the Metropolitan Hotel, New York and the Planter’s House, St. Louis, a pioneer cocktail exponent, who helped to spread the fashion for the mixed drink during the Victorian era. Thomas, at the height of his fame in the ‘Roaring Fifties’, toured Europe in 1859 with a set of sterling silver cups, standard mixing practice at the time, trailing a stream of liquid flame as he compounded his legendary Blue Blazer cocktail’ - a powerful concoction of whiskey and water ignited and passed between two glasses so that, "if well done this will have the appearance of a continued stream of liquid fire." ‘(for the novice, practice with cold water was recommended).’ – Simon Khachadourian, The Cocktail Shaker [2000].
Jerry Thomas’ New York Times obituary noted that he was "at one time better known to club men and men about town than any other bartender in this city, and he was popular among all classes." The introduction to the present volume characterizes Thomas, "his very name is synonymous, in the lexicon of mixed drinks, with all that is rare and original." That reputation endures today, more than a century after this guide first appeared in print.
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Price HK$ 140,000
1862 - Dick & Fitzgerald, New York - First Edition
An extremely rare first edition of the legendary first and seminal book on mixology and bartenders' guide to include cocktail recipes, by the great Professor Jerry Thomas, referred to as ‘The Best Bartender of the Past’ by Harry Craddock in the ‘Savoy Cocktail Book’ of 1930.Illustrated and containing 236 recipes by Jerry Thomas and 463 recipes by Christian Schultz. In addition to listings of recipes for Punches, Sours, Slings, Cobblers, Shrubs, Toddies, Flips, and a variety of other types of mixed drinks were ten recipes for drinks referred to as ‘Cocktails’. A key ingredient which differentiated ‘cocktails’ from other drinks in this compendium was the use of bitters as an ingredient, although it is not used in many modern cocktail recipes.
‘‘Professor’ Jerry Thomas, principal bartender at the Metropolitan Hotel, New York and the Planter’s House, St. Louis, a pioneer cocktail exponent, who helped to spread the fashion for the mixed drink during the Victorian era. Thomas, at the height of his fame in the ‘Roaring Fifties’, toured Europe in 1859 with a set of sterling silver cups, standard mixing practice at the time, trailing a stream of liquid flame as he compounded his legendary Blue Blazer cocktail’ - a powerful concoction of whiskey and water ignited and passed between two glasses so that, "if well done this will have the appearance of a continued stream of liquid fire." ‘(for the novice, practice with cold water was recommended).’ – Simon Khachadourian, The Cocktail Shaker [2000].
Jerry Thomas’ New York Times obituary noted that he was "at one time better known to club men and men about town than any other bartender in this city, and he was popular among all classes." The introduction to the present volume characterizes Thomas, "his very name is synonymous, in the lexicon of mixed drinks, with all that is rare and original." That reputation endures today, more than a century after this guide first appeared in print.
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Price HK$ 140,000
The Lawson History of the America's Cup. A Record of Fifty Years -
Winfield. M. Thompson, Thomas W. Lawson
1902 - Privately Printed, Boston - First and Limited Edition, of which this is number 1033
A handsomely bound example of this large and splendid work, over 400 pages illustrated with eighty-nine full page plates of which sixteen are colour and two are maps outlined in colour.
Detailing the history of the America’s Cup from 1851 to 1902, its challenges, yachts, protests, characters and an appendix of press articles. There is nothing finer.
Privately printed for private distribution only, and limited to 3,000 copies most of which were presented to prominent members of the yachting community and to rather special libraries this particular copy was presented to ‘The Cumberland Mills Library’ which was founded in 1879 and was based in Westbrook, Maine.
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Price HK$ 18,000
1902 - Privately Printed, Boston - First and Limited Edition, of which this is number 1033
A handsomely bound example of this large and splendid work, over 400 pages illustrated with eighty-nine full page plates of which sixteen are colour and two are maps outlined in colour.Detailing the history of the America’s Cup from 1851 to 1902, its challenges, yachts, protests, characters and an appendix of press articles. There is nothing finer.
Privately printed for private distribution only, and limited to 3,000 copies most of which were presented to prominent members of the yachting community and to rather special libraries this particular copy was presented to ‘The Cumberland Mills Library’ which was founded in 1879 and was based in Westbrook, Maine.
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Price HK$ 18,000
Travers' Golf Book -
Jerome D. Travers
1913 - The Macmillan Company, New York - First Edition
A fine first edition of the first book by this golfing legend, illustrated with a colour frontispiece and 46 black and white photographic plates. A combination of autobiography and instructional.
‘Although he was of slight stature, Travers dominated golf in the decade before World War I with his stunning iron shots and expert putting. He won many tournaments because of his calm temperament, patience, and ability to make precise shots. He won the United States Amateur in 1907, 1908, 1912, and 1913, and was runner-up in 1914. His victory in 1913 set a record for that tournament – not broken until Bobby Jones won it five times. He was among the first members of the Golf Hall of Fame established by the United States Golf Association’. [DAB]
‘Some of the words used to describe Jerry Travers have not been kind – cold, somber, ruthless – yet these were the qualities that made him the most feared golfer of his time. In a nine-year stretch from 1906-1915, Travers won four U.S. Amateurs, five Metropolitan Amateurs and a U.S. Open. Only Bob Jones won more amateur titles and Travers was one of only five amateurs to win the Open. And his battles with Walter Travis, in the words of Herbert Warren Wind, “formed the crucible in which a talented young golfer was made into the greatest match player of his decade”‘. [World Golf Hall of Fame]
And in 1915 at the age of 28, Travers ended his championship career.
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Price HK$ 7,000
1913 - The Macmillan Company, New York - First Edition
A fine first edition of the first book by this golfing legend, illustrated with a colour frontispiece and 46 black and white photographic plates. A combination of autobiography and instructional.‘Although he was of slight stature, Travers dominated golf in the decade before World War I with his stunning iron shots and expert putting. He won many tournaments because of his calm temperament, patience, and ability to make precise shots. He won the United States Amateur in 1907, 1908, 1912, and 1913, and was runner-up in 1914. His victory in 1913 set a record for that tournament – not broken until Bobby Jones won it five times. He was among the first members of the Golf Hall of Fame established by the United States Golf Association’. [DAB]
‘Some of the words used to describe Jerry Travers have not been kind – cold, somber, ruthless – yet these were the qualities that made him the most feared golfer of his time. In a nine-year stretch from 1906-1915, Travers won four U.S. Amateurs, five Metropolitan Amateurs and a U.S. Open. Only Bob Jones won more amateur titles and Travers was one of only five amateurs to win the Open. And his battles with Walter Travis, in the words of Herbert Warren Wind, “formed the crucible in which a talented young golfer was made into the greatest match player of his decade”‘. [World Golf Hall of Fame]
And in 1915 at the age of 28, Travers ended his championship career.
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Price HK$ 7,000
The Luck of the Bodkins -
P. G. Wodehouse
1935 - Herbert Jenkins, London - First Edition, first state, in early issue dust jacket
Things on board the R. M. S. Atlantic are terribly, terribly, complicated.
Monty Bodkin loves Gertrude, who thinks he likes Lotus Blossom, a starlet, who definitely adores Ambrose, who thinks that she has a thing for his brother, Reggie, who is struck by Mabel Spence, sister-in-law of Ikey Llewellyn (movie mogul, Ambrose's prospective employer and reluctant smuggler), but hasn't the means to marry her. With well-meaning but unhelpful ship's steward Albert Peasemarch and a toy mouse with a screw-top head thrown in for good measure, it will, indeed, take the luck of the Bodkins to sort it all out.
A lovely bright copy of the first edition, in scarce later issue dust jacket (matching the first issue jacket, with the exception of the text to the flaps and price to spine).
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Price HK$ 3,000
1935 - Herbert Jenkins, London - First Edition, first state, in early issue dust jacket
Things on board the R. M. S. Atlantic are terribly, terribly, complicated.Monty Bodkin loves Gertrude, who thinks he likes Lotus Blossom, a starlet, who definitely adores Ambrose, who thinks that she has a thing for his brother, Reggie, who is struck by Mabel Spence, sister-in-law of Ikey Llewellyn (movie mogul, Ambrose's prospective employer and reluctant smuggler), but hasn't the means to marry her. With well-meaning but unhelpful ship's steward Albert Peasemarch and a toy mouse with a screw-top head thrown in for good measure, it will, indeed, take the luck of the Bodkins to sort it all out.
A lovely bright copy of the first edition, in scarce later issue dust jacket (matching the first issue jacket, with the exception of the text to the flaps and price to spine).
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Price HK$ 3,000
The Education Of A Poker Player -
Herbert O. Yardley, Ian Fleming (introduction)
1959 - Jonathan Cape, London - First English Edition
The preferred first English edition of Yardley's masterwork of poker lore and advice, with a suitably acerbic introduction from Mr. Fleming, in fine sarcastic form. Fleming was drawn to Yardley not not only for his gaming and high living, but as an icon in U.S. intelligence. After reading the American edition of this book in 1957, Fleming was so taken with it, that he urged his publisher, Jonathan Cape, to issue the book in Britain. Cape agreed, but on the condition that Fleming pen an introduction
‘Assume the worst, believe no one, and make your move only when you are certain that you are unbeatable or have, at worst, exceptionally good odds in your favor.’ - “Yardley’s Law” as Al Alvarez describes it in Big Deal: Confessions of a Poker Player.
Both an autobiography and a poker-playing manual which seeks to expose the cynical reality behind the "American Dream". Yardley describes many poker games and characters who include railroad men, travelling salesmen, speculators, drunks and no-hopers. Described by gambling specialist Cult Jones as "probably the best poker book ever written"
‘The book’s importance in the history of poker literature is unquestioned.’ - Poker News.
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Price HK$ 4,500
1959 - Jonathan Cape, London - First English Edition
The preferred first English edition of Yardley's masterwork of poker lore and advice, with a suitably acerbic introduction from Mr. Fleming, in fine sarcastic form. Fleming was drawn to Yardley not not only for his gaming and high living, but as an icon in U.S. intelligence. After reading the American edition of this book in 1957, Fleming was so taken with it, that he urged his publisher, Jonathan Cape, to issue the book in Britain. Cape agreed, but on the condition that Fleming pen an introduction‘Assume the worst, believe no one, and make your move only when you are certain that you are unbeatable or have, at worst, exceptionally good odds in your favor.’ - “Yardley’s Law” as Al Alvarez describes it in Big Deal: Confessions of a Poker Player.
Both an autobiography and a poker-playing manual which seeks to expose the cynical reality behind the "American Dream". Yardley describes many poker games and characters who include railroad men, travelling salesmen, speculators, drunks and no-hopers. Described by gambling specialist Cult Jones as "probably the best poker book ever written"
‘The book’s importance in the history of poker literature is unquestioned.’ - Poker News.
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Price HK$ 4,500