[DICKENS] - PLESHCHEEV, Aleksei Nikolaevich, Zhizn Dikkensa,Skt. Peterburg, I. N. Skorokhodov , 1891 (but censor auth. 17 Nov. 1890).
Rare first significant biography of the great Victorian author in Russian, written by an active (and politically engaged) man of letters. First book edition. Apparently no copy in Britain, only at the NYPL and in Sidney outside Russia. Read More
[PUSHKIN] – Alexandre POUCHKINE, Véra STARKOFF (transl.) and Marie EGOROFF (artist)
Rouslane et Ludmile
[PUSHKIN] - Alexandre POUCHKINE, Véra STARKOFF (transl.) and Marie EGOROFF (artist), Rouslane et Ludmile,Lafoyer, Vannes, for Librairie de l'art indépendant, Paris , 1898.
The first complete poetic French translation of Pushkin's celebrated work. Strikingly illustrated by an original Russian female artist, and this copy inscribed by the translator: a politically-engaged playwright and one of the main figures of the feminist theatre movement in France. Rarely found, and only 500 copies printed. Read More
Il Prigioniero del Caucaso
[together with]
I Quattro Poemi maggiori di Alessandro Pouschkine
[PUSHKIN] - Alessandro POUSCHKINE, Alessandro ROCCHIGIANI (translator) [and] Cesare BOCCELLA (translator), Il Prigioniero del Caucaso
[together with]
I Quattro Poemi maggiori di Alessandro Pouschkine,Napoli, Stamperia e Cartiera del Fibreno, 1834 [and] Pisa, Didot , 1841.
The first two Italian translations of Russia's greatest poet, both examples in lovely condition, bound in plain wrappers. Both books are very rare. Read More
LOTI, Pierre, Pêcheur d'Islande,Paris, Ph. Bosc for Calmann Lévy , 1886.
Loti's most celebrated novel: a fine example of the first edition, here with a record number of states of the plates, bound in full green morocco retaining the original bright orange publisher's wrappers. Read More
The Travels and Memoirs of Sir John Reresby... The Former (now First Published) Exhibiting a View of the Governments and Society in the Principal States and Courts of Europe, during the Time of Cromwell's Usurpation; the Latter Containing Anecdotes, and Secret History of the Courts of Charles II. and James II
RERESBY, Sir John, Bt, The Travels and Memoirs of Sir John Reresby... The Former (now First Published) Exhibiting a View of the Governments and Society in the Principal States and Courts of Europe, during the Time of Cromwell's Usurpation; the Latter Containing Anecdotes, and Secret History of the Courts of Charles II. and James II,B. McMillan for Edward Jeffery, Sherwood, Neely and Jones, and J. Rodwell, London , 1813.
The preferred, large-paper issue attractively bound in full red morocco richly gilt. This edition contains the very first publication of the Travels; and the first illustrated edition of the Memoirs: overall with almost 40 plates including 11 hand-coloured, some with gilt highlights. A great example. Read More
SHAKESPEARE, William and Charles KNIGHT (editor)
The Works of William Shakspere, Imperial Edition
SHAKESPEARE, William and Charles KNIGHT (editor), The Works of William Shakspere, Imperial Edition,Virtue & Co, London , [circa 1875].
One of the most impressive editions of Shakespeare in an unusual example, fresh and bound in striking full red morocco richly gilt. Read More
The Works by Lord Byron, including the suppressed poems. Complete in one volume
BYRON, George Gordon Lord, The Works by Lord Byron, including the suppressed poems. Complete in one volume,Didot for Galignani, Paris , 1831.
Fine Didot edition of Byron in a Bauzonnet binding, 'doublée', with the binder's receipt bound in. Read More
[PUSHKIN] – DUPRÉ DE SAINT-MAURE, Jean-Pierre-Émile (editor)
Anthologie russe, suivie de poésies originales
[PUSHKIN] - DUPRÉ DE SAINT-MAURE, Jean-Pierre-Émile (editor), Anthologie russe, suivie de poésies originales,Paris, C. J. Trouvé , 1823.
A great work: the first European publication of Russia's greatest poet, and the first French anthology of Russian poetry. A fresh example of the first edition, inscribed by the author Read More
Les Fables d'Esope Phrygien, avec Celles de Philelphe
AESOP, PHILELPHUS and others, Les Fables d'Esope Phrygien, avec Celles de Philelphe,Heritiers de Rothe et Proft, Copenhagen , 1773.
Aesop's fables in red morocco with the arms of the Russian Empress: a fine imperial copy of this lovely edition, illustrated with 60 engraved plates. Read More
HERVEY, James, and Elizaveta NILOVA (transl.)
Nadgrobnyia razmyshlenia
HERVEY, James, and Elizaveta NILOVA (transl.), Nadgrobnyia razmyshlenia,Moskva, N. Novikov , 1782.
First Russian edition of an English 'graveyard' literary work: by a female translator, dedicated to a woman, and later confiscated by Catherine the Great. Very rare. Read More