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Kaputt -
Curzio Malaparte
1946 - E. P. Dutton & Co., New York - First Edition in English, Second Printing (one month after the first).
A fine copy in bright dust jacket, scarce as such.
Curzio Malaparte was a disaffected supporter of Mussolini with a taste for danger and high living. Sent by an Italian paper during World War II to cover the fighting on the Eastern Front, Malaparte secretly wrote this terrifying report from the abyss, which became an international best-seller when it was published after the war. Telling of the siege of Leningrad, of glittering dinner parties with Nazi leaders, and of trains disgorging bodies in war-devastated Romania, Malaparte paints a picture of humanity at its most depraved. Kaputt is an insider's dispatch from the world of the enemy that is as hypnotically fascinating as it is disturbing.’ (description from the New York Review Books Classics)
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Price HK$ 1,000
1946 - E. P. Dutton & Co., New York - First Edition in English, Second Printing (one month after the first).
A fine copy in bright dust jacket, scarce as such. Curzio Malaparte was a disaffected supporter of Mussolini with a taste for danger and high living. Sent by an Italian paper during World War II to cover the fighting on the Eastern Front, Malaparte secretly wrote this terrifying report from the abyss, which became an international best-seller when it was published after the war. Telling of the siege of Leningrad, of glittering dinner parties with Nazi leaders, and of trains disgorging bodies in war-devastated Romania, Malaparte paints a picture of humanity at its most depraved. Kaputt is an insider's dispatch from the world of the enemy that is as hypnotically fascinating as it is disturbing.’ (description from the New York Review Books Classics)
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Price HK$ 1,000
A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland -
M. Martin
1703 - Printed for Andrew Bell and Bible, London - First Edition
Martin’s pioneering work which Dr. Johnson read before undertaking his tour with Boswell. With a large folding map and folding plate of the heathen temple.
According to Ian Buxton in his book ‘Legendary Whiskies You’re Dying to Try But (Possibly) Never Will’ Martin’s travel book is legendary for containing what is almost certainly the first tasting note on whisky. As Buxton explains -
Whilst visiting the Isle of Lewis Martin Martin ‘encountered a quadruple-distilled whisky (p3) known as ‘Usquebaugh-baul’ - the ultimate whisky. ‘which at first taste affects all the Members of the Body : two spoonfuls of this last Liquor is a sufficient Dose; and if any Man exceed this, it would presently stop his Breath and endanger his Life.’ If you think about it that is one hell of a tasting note. Three hundred years later Bruichladdich decided to recreate this ’usquebaugh-baul’ (which they translated as ‘Perilous Whisky’) as a 92% spirit, which they called X4 as they had to distil it four times, the SWA condemned it as ‘irresponsible’...
On that note, Martin also provides this description of ceremonial drinking (p106) - ‘The manner of Drinking used by the Chief Men of the Isles, is called in their Language Streah, i. e. a round, for the Company sate in a Circle, the Cup-bearer filled the Drink round to them, and all was drank out, whatever the Liquor was, whether strong, or weak ; they continued drinking sometimes twenty four, sometimes forty eight hours: It was reckon’d a piece of Manhood to drink until they became drunk, and there were two Men with a Barrow attending punctually on such Occasions. They stood at the door until some became drunk, and they carried them upon the Barrow to Bed, and returned again to their Post as long as any continued fresh, and so carried off the whole Company one by one as they became drunk.’
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Price HK$ 9,500
1703 - Printed for Andrew Bell and Bible, London - First Edition
Martin’s pioneering work which Dr. Johnson read before undertaking his tour with Boswell. With a large folding map and folding plate of the heathen temple.According to Ian Buxton in his book ‘Legendary Whiskies You’re Dying to Try But (Possibly) Never Will’ Martin’s travel book is legendary for containing what is almost certainly the first tasting note on whisky. As Buxton explains -
Whilst visiting the Isle of Lewis Martin Martin ‘encountered a quadruple-distilled whisky (p3) known as ‘Usquebaugh-baul’ - the ultimate whisky. ‘which at first taste affects all the Members of the Body : two spoonfuls of this last Liquor is a sufficient Dose; and if any Man exceed this, it would presently stop his Breath and endanger his Life.’ If you think about it that is one hell of a tasting note. Three hundred years later Bruichladdich decided to recreate this ’usquebaugh-baul’ (which they translated as ‘Perilous Whisky’) as a 92% spirit, which they called X4 as they had to distil it four times, the SWA condemned it as ‘irresponsible’...
On that note, Martin also provides this description of ceremonial drinking (p106) - ‘The manner of Drinking used by the Chief Men of the Isles, is called in their Language Streah, i. e. a round, for the Company sate in a Circle, the Cup-bearer filled the Drink round to them, and all was drank out, whatever the Liquor was, whether strong, or weak ; they continued drinking sometimes twenty four, sometimes forty eight hours: It was reckon’d a piece of Manhood to drink until they became drunk, and there were two Men with a Barrow attending punctually on such Occasions. They stood at the door until some became drunk, and they carried them upon the Barrow to Bed, and returned again to their Post as long as any continued fresh, and so carried off the whole Company one by one as they became drunk.’
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Price HK$ 9,500
The Indian Alps and How We Crossed Them -
Nina Elizabeth Mazuchelli
1876 - Longmans, London - First Edition
A handsome volume of this enduring work on mountaineering, the enthusiastic and irrepressible narrative of Nina Elizabeth Mazuchelli who, together with her Army chaplain husband, Francis, and their friend ‘C’ (the District Officer) traversed the Nepal-Sikkim frontier along the Singalila Ridge – they almost reached the Tibetan border before a blizzard forced them to turn back.
Despite their retreat, Mrs Mazuchelli was the first English woman to travel so far into the eastern Himalayas.
Profusely illustrated with 10 full page chromolithographic plates and numerous in-text drawings and sketches by the author, together with a folding map of Sikkim, the travelling party’s route marked in colour.
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Price HK$ 5,000
1876 - Longmans, London - First Edition
A handsome volume of this enduring work on mountaineering, the enthusiastic and irrepressible narrative of Nina Elizabeth Mazuchelli who, together with her Army chaplain husband, Francis, and their friend ‘C’ (the District Officer) traversed the Nepal-Sikkim frontier along the Singalila Ridge – they almost reached the Tibetan border before a blizzard forced them to turn back. Despite their retreat, Mrs Mazuchelli was the first English woman to travel so far into the eastern Himalayas.
Profusely illustrated with 10 full page chromolithographic plates and numerous in-text drawings and sketches by the author, together with a folding map of Sikkim, the travelling party’s route marked in colour.
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Price HK$ 5,000
Secrets of the Great Whiskey Ring - and - Eighteen Months in the Penitentiary -
Gen. John McDonald
1880 - W. S. Bryan, St. Louis - New , revised and enlarged edition (published the same year as the first edition)
Inscribed and dated by McDonald, the central figure in Great Whiskey Ring, one of America’s greatest fraud scandals.
Two works in one, expanded from the first edition of the same year, to include the second story ‘Eighteen Months in the Penitentiary’, and illustrated with numerous portraits and engravings.
The Whiskey Ring was a scandal, exposed in 1875, involving diversion of tax revenues in a conspiracy among government agents, politicians, whiskey distillers, and distributors. The fraud took place in cities across the country, but was centered in St. Louis. The St. Louis ring was headed by John McDonald, the Treasury Department’s supervisor of internal revenue for the St. Louis area and an old army buddy of President Grant. Some of the fraudulent money went into Republican campaign coffers, but most was pocketed by the ring members for personal use. In an obvious attempt to fend off administration inquiries, McDonald gave expensive gifts to Orville Babcock, Grant’s personal secretary and close friend. McDonald also later testified to giving the president lavish gifts, but the claim was not proven in court.
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Price HK$ 1,800
1880 - W. S. Bryan, St. Louis - New , revised and enlarged edition (published the same year as the first edition)
Inscribed and dated by McDonald, the central figure in Great Whiskey Ring, one of America’s greatest fraud scandals.Two works in one, expanded from the first edition of the same year, to include the second story ‘Eighteen Months in the Penitentiary’, and illustrated with numerous portraits and engravings.
The Whiskey Ring was a scandal, exposed in 1875, involving diversion of tax revenues in a conspiracy among government agents, politicians, whiskey distillers, and distributors. The fraud took place in cities across the country, but was centered in St. Louis. The St. Louis ring was headed by John McDonald, the Treasury Department’s supervisor of internal revenue for the St. Louis area and an old army buddy of President Grant. Some of the fraudulent money went into Republican campaign coffers, but most was pocketed by the ring members for personal use. In an obvious attempt to fend off administration inquiries, McDonald gave expensive gifts to Orville Babcock, Grant’s personal secretary and close friend. McDonald also later testified to giving the president lavish gifts, but the claim was not proven in court.
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Price HK$ 1,800
Across East African Glaciers -
Hans Meyer
1891 - George Philip & Son, London - First Edition in English
A superb example of the first edition, in the publisher’s original and first state illustrated cover highlighting the snow in white and additional colour to the tents and clearing, described by Neate as ‘a most handsome volume’. With mounted chromolithographed frontispiece, three folding colour maps, eight mounted photographic plates, and twelve photogravures
‘Hans Meyer was a geologist and experienced climber who made four trips to the Kilimanjaro region in 1887-1889 culminating in his successful ascent – the first undisputed summit of Kibo, 19,340 feet, the highest of the mountain's three peaks – in 1889. In an earlier attempt, Meyer and his companion Oscar Baumann had the misfortune to arrive in the midst of an Arab revolt against German traders on the East African coast. They were captured and held hostage until a substantial ransom was paid. Meyer's ultimate success has been attributed to his recognition that the greatest obstacle to achieving the summit was the lack of food in the upper regions. He brought a sizeable and well organized party and established several camps on the mountain, allowing him to make multiple attempts at the summit without descending to the base. His lively and highly readable account of the expedition is arguably the most important work on African mountaineering.’ - Walkabout Books.
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Price HK$ 40,000
1891 - George Philip & Son, London - First Edition in English
A superb example of the first edition, in the publisher’s original and first state illustrated cover highlighting the snow in white and additional colour to the tents and clearing, described by Neate as ‘a most handsome volume’. With mounted chromolithographed frontispiece, three folding colour maps, eight mounted photographic plates, and twelve photogravures‘Hans Meyer was a geologist and experienced climber who made four trips to the Kilimanjaro region in 1887-1889 culminating in his successful ascent – the first undisputed summit of Kibo, 19,340 feet, the highest of the mountain's three peaks – in 1889. In an earlier attempt, Meyer and his companion Oscar Baumann had the misfortune to arrive in the midst of an Arab revolt against German traders on the East African coast. They were captured and held hostage until a substantial ransom was paid. Meyer's ultimate success has been attributed to his recognition that the greatest obstacle to achieving the summit was the lack of food in the upper regions. He brought a sizeable and well organized party and established several camps on the mountain, allowing him to make multiple attempts at the summit without descending to the base. His lively and highly readable account of the expedition is arguably the most important work on African mountaineering.’ - Walkabout Books.
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Price HK$ 40,000
A Literary History of Scotland -
John Hepburn Millar
1903 - T. Fisher Unwin, London - Number 6 of 25 copies.
A finely bound limited edition of this detailed work. Over 700 pages with chapters covering Scottish poetry, prose, reviews, histories and novels.
‘Miller’s scholarly A Literary History of Scotland was for many years the standard work on Scottish Literature and remains a useful work of reference. In it he maintained his attack on the then fashionable Kailyard writers (late 19th-century movement in Scottish fiction characterised by a sentimental idealisation of humble village life), whom he had first criticised in the April 1895 issue of The New Review.’ - Famous Scots
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Price HK$ 3,000
1903 - T. Fisher Unwin, London - Number 6 of 25 copies.
A finely bound limited edition of this detailed work. Over 700 pages with chapters covering Scottish poetry, prose, reviews, histories and novels.‘Miller’s scholarly A Literary History of Scotland was for many years the standard work on Scottish Literature and remains a useful work of reference. In it he maintained his attack on the then fashionable Kailyard writers (late 19th-century movement in Scottish fiction characterised by a sentimental idealisation of humble village life), whom he had first criticised in the April 1895 issue of The New Review.’ - Famous Scots
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Price HK$ 3,000
Hadrian’s Wall -
Jessie Mothersole, F. G Simpson
1924 - John Lane The Bodley Head Limited, London - Third Edition
A nicely bound copy of this descriptive history, with fourteen charming illustrations (six in colour) by the author, and maps and plans.
Jessie Mothersole was ‘a landscape-painter who can claim the rare distinction of having traversed on foot the entire distance from Wallsend to Bowness, as well as spending much time at places on the line. Few antiquaries have repeated the famous journey of Hutton, and Miss Mothersole is an avowed disciple of that genial old gentleman, whose quaintly sententious style - solitary walking fosters a philosophical habit of mind - has left its mark on her own. She resembles her guide both in his enthusiasm and in his comparative ignorance of archaeological detail. For she is no antiquary. She is a pilgrim, with an artist’s eye for the line of the Wall, the country over which it runs, and the character of the people who live about it. All these things she observes lovingly and truthfully and sets down without reserve. Consequently her book goes straight to the heart of all who love the Wall and the Wall country; to read her is to see distant views and to hear the wind again. But though no antiquary, she has taken trouble with this side of her work and made full use of a great opportunity; for Mr. F. G. Simpson has generously supplied her with much information which has never before reached the general public, and this gives the book a real archaeological value. Where Mr. Simpson’s hand is withdrawn, her archaeology wavers or comes abruptly to an end. But taking it all round, the book is to be heartily recommended to all prospective visitors or others who want a readable account of the Wall, and is, for the passages in which the voice is the voice of Mr. Simpson, worthy of notice by those who wish to keep abreast of the latest research. The colour plates are charming and we wish there were more of them.’ - Journal of Roman Studies, 1921.
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Price HK$ 900
1924 - John Lane The Bodley Head Limited, London - Third Edition
A nicely bound copy of this descriptive history, with fourteen charming illustrations (six in colour) by the author, and maps and plans.Jessie Mothersole was ‘a landscape-painter who can claim the rare distinction of having traversed on foot the entire distance from Wallsend to Bowness, as well as spending much time at places on the line. Few antiquaries have repeated the famous journey of Hutton, and Miss Mothersole is an avowed disciple of that genial old gentleman, whose quaintly sententious style - solitary walking fosters a philosophical habit of mind - has left its mark on her own. She resembles her guide both in his enthusiasm and in his comparative ignorance of archaeological detail. For she is no antiquary. She is a pilgrim, with an artist’s eye for the line of the Wall, the country over which it runs, and the character of the people who live about it. All these things she observes lovingly and truthfully and sets down without reserve. Consequently her book goes straight to the heart of all who love the Wall and the Wall country; to read her is to see distant views and to hear the wind again. But though no antiquary, she has taken trouble with this side of her work and made full use of a great opportunity; for Mr. F. G. Simpson has generously supplied her with much information which has never before reached the general public, and this gives the book a real archaeological value. Where Mr. Simpson’s hand is withdrawn, her archaeology wavers or comes abruptly to an end. But taking it all round, the book is to be heartily recommended to all prospective visitors or others who want a readable account of the Wall, and is, for the passages in which the voice is the voice of Mr. Simpson, worthy of notice by those who wish to keep abreast of the latest research. The colour plates are charming and we wish there were more of them.’ - Journal of Roman Studies, 1921.
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Price HK$ 900
The Private Life of Catherine the Great of Russia -
Princess Lucien Murat, Garnett Saffery (translator)
1928 - Louis Carrier & Co, New York - Limited Collectors’ Edition, Number 214 of 500 copies.
A limited edition of this biography by Princess Lucien Murat, and part of the ‘Love Lives of the Great’ series, elegantly bound by Rivière & Son, in contemporary full calf, and printed on Utopian laid paper.
Illustrated with engraved colour frontispiece portrait of Catherine the Great.
Bound for Anna Eugenia Clark and then gifted to her daughter, Huguette Marcelle Clark (1906-2011). Huguette inherited the vast wealth built up by her father William A. Clark, she became well known again late in life as a recluse, living in a hospital for more than 20 years while her mansions remained empty. She was an accomplished artist and musician, having studied under famous portrait painter Tadeusz Styka, and her paintings were exhibited at the Corcoran Gallery, Washington in 1925.
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Price HK$ 6,000
1928 - Louis Carrier & Co, New York - Limited Collectors’ Edition, Number 214 of 500 copies.
A limited edition of this biography by Princess Lucien Murat, and part of the ‘Love Lives of the Great’ series, elegantly bound by Rivière & Son, in contemporary full calf, and printed on Utopian laid paper.Illustrated with engraved colour frontispiece portrait of Catherine the Great.
Bound for Anna Eugenia Clark and then gifted to her daughter, Huguette Marcelle Clark (1906-2011). Huguette inherited the vast wealth built up by her father William A. Clark, she became well known again late in life as a recluse, living in a hospital for more than 20 years while her mansions remained empty. She was an accomplished artist and musician, having studied under famous portrait painter Tadeusz Styka, and her paintings were exhibited at the Corcoran Gallery, Washington in 1925.
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Price HK$ 6,000