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1880001108Unknown: Unknown 1880. First Edition . Hardcover. Very Good. 3.5" x 8.75. Date undetermined probaby 19th century / place undetermined probably Mongolia. 26 parchment leaves 3.5" tall x 8.75" long block printed on both sides except for two with some hand annotation also undated. At least one of the leaves has an embossed watermark in Cyrillic Russian characters. Marginal age-toning some leaves with moisture stains not affecting the legibility of the text. Previous owner was told they these came from a Mongolian monastery in which Buddhist Tibetan was spoken and of course written. There are four separate sets of folios leaves and at least 2 full texts among them most likely all being prayer texts used in daily liturgies read or chanted during Buddhist services. Their size and length appear to be that. Two sets of these folios may or may not be complete books - those who have looked at Tibetan numbering systems will know that difficulty - but two texts are very clearly complete books. There are 26 folios leaves in all with writing on both sides except for two hence 50 pages of actual text. There were clearly several hands at work in these; see scans. L63 <br/> <br/> Unknown hardcover
17101200341710. First Edition. SLAVERY ANONYMOUS. A True State of the Present Difference Between the Royal African Company and the Separate Traders. London: No publisher 1710. Slim octavo period-style full tan sheep gilt red morocco spine label raised bands; pp. 40. $1650.First edition of this argument against providing a monopoly over the British slave trade to the Royal African Company with tipped-in diagram of one of the Royal African Company's forts.This work attempts to highlight the irregularities of the business practices of the Royal African Company and to argue for the superiority of open trade in Africa particularly as a means of supplying slaves to the American plantations. Founded in 1660 by the royal Stuart family and the City of London the Royal African Company was founded to exploit natural resources like gold along the west coast of Africa. While the Royal African Company did participate heavily in the gold trade the majority of their income came from slave-trading. The Royal African Company was part of a concerted effortfully elaboration in the Navigation Actsto establish dominance in the slave trade since the Dutch had been the leading slave-traders prior to the Restoration. To that end the Royal African Company established a brutal and highly efficient slave-trading system eventually providing more slaves to the West Indies than any other company or state. The slaves were branded with the initials of the company or its longtime governor the Duke of York. Children were included in the transports. Between 1662 and 1731 the Company transported approximately 212000 slaves a fifth of whom died enroute. While the Company formally gave up slave-trading in 1731 they remained involved in the trade of ivory and gold dust industries dependent on labor exploitation and slavery. Goldsmiths 4605. Kress 2677. Early ink underlining and marginal notations.Small paper repair to diagram text and diagram trimmed close affecting portion of imprint and scattered catchwords not affecting readability. A very good copy. hardcover
187091296Calcutta: Fred Lewis Calcutta central press company 1870. Fine. Fred Lewis Calcutta central press company Calcutta 1870 11 x 17.5 cm Reliure de l'éditeur First edition.Publisher's full blue pebbled cloth binding smooth spine lettered in gilt to the centre of the upper cover double blind-ruled frames to covers some discoloration to covers.Leaves 2 8 12 14 16 and 18 have been interleaved.No copies traced in the CCF or WorldCat. Extremely rare.Founded in 1864 this Indo-British lodge was affiliated with the Order of Mark Master Masons established in 1769 a society connected with Freemasonry. Fred Lewis, Calcutta central press company hardcover
186288711Paris: Imprimerie Impériale 1851-1870 1862. Fine. Imprimerie Impériale 1851-1870 Paris 1862 21.4 x 27.5 cm Relié First edition of this rare and sought-after work compiling in a single volume the main legislative and regulatory provisions from Year XIV to 1857 forming the specific legal code of the island cf. Ryckebusch 6126.Some light foxing mostly at the beginning and end of the volume.Contemporary full aubergine calf spine with four raised bands decorated with gilt double fillets slight rubbing to spine and boards gilt roll-tooled head- and tailbands boards framed with gilt triple and double fillets marbled endpapers and pastedowns gilt dotted edges marbled edges contemporary binding. Imprimerie Impériale (1851-1870) hardcover
192069411Chine China 1920. Fine. Chine China s. d. 1920 24 x 250 cm autre Scroll unrolling horizontally with a title leaf of 3 ideograms Spring Dream and 11 colored prints mounted on silk actually a single print consisting of 11 scenes. When fully unrolled the ensemble reaches 250cm. The scroll is held closed by a string the paper is rolled around a piece of wood. The scroll made of relatively thick paper is covered with fine silk on the side where the engraving is mounted. The 11 scenes consist of a single long printing on 180 cm one can perceive by the presence of the lower margin that these 11 scenes were thus printed several times on a large sheet which were then cut out. This type of printing required a large press. Each scene measures approximately 16x20cm. Excellent condition. One crease on one of the prints. It is quite difficult to date this type of anonymous production with exactitude which can be situated from the end of the 19th century until the 1930s or even beyond. The 11 scenes depict amorous frolics and sexual practices with more diversity than in Japanese erotic prints shunga. The scenes take place outdoors among luxuriant nature or in richly furnished interiors. Painters had specialized in this type of paintings and it is not uncommon to find certain prints mixed with other collections. unknown
188073119s. l. Japon Japan 1880. Fine. s. l. Japon Japan s. d. circa 1880 17 x 12 cm un album contenant 12 photographies Accordion-style photographic album containing 12 portraits of geishas and views of the Tokaido road on both sides. Period albumen prints hand-colored. Red cloth binding on wooden boards. Some tissue guards slightly creased otherwise very handsome copy. All the geisha portraits were taken in studio while the views of the Tokaido road connecting Edo to Kyoto present scenes of daily life women at the entrance of a house porters men praying. hardcover
177090715n. l.: s. n. 1770. Fine. s. n. n. l. s. d. 1770 70 x 59 cm Une feuille rempliée Manuscript drawing consisting of a coloured sketch of one of the forts bastions with scale in toises.Construction of the Fort de Lamalgue situated on the hill of the same name and intended to secure the landward approaches to Toulon while also protecting Fort Saint-Louis Mourillon which had been bombarded and abandoned during the siege of 1707 began in 1764 under the direction of Milet de Monville.Works continued until 1792.Traces of folding to the sheet. s. n. unknown
177090717n. l.: s. n. 1770. Fine. s. n. n. l. 1770 57 x 67 cm Une feuille rempliée Fine contemporary manuscript plan in colour depicting the region now within the Var department extending from Le Thouar in the north to the Château Sainte-Marguerite in the south of considerable strategic importance as the eastern defensive line protecting the approaches to Toulon.Fold marks without tears or loss. s. n. unknown
177089139No Location: Sans nom d'éditeur 1770. Fine. Sans nom d'éditeur No Location s. d. ca 1770 17.5 x 23 cm Une feuille Rare first edition of one of the many promotional pamphlets extolling the virtues of the celebrated Aqua mirabilis or ""eau admirable"" invented by Giovanni Paolo Feminis and produced through the distillation of grape spirits with neroli oil bergamot lavender and rosemary.Unless of course it is one of its many imitations. Sans nom d'éditeur unknown
1803010653London: Printed For Tegg and Castleman 1803 Circa 1803. 1-3 4-72pp with a title vignette bound in plain brown paper with the binding and hinges tight occasional light foxing. Lacks endpapers and frontispiece. Chapbook being a Gothic story. In a white protective paper envelope. Printed For Tegg and Castleman paperback
18552366London c1855. 510 by 590mm 20 by 23.25 inches. Engraved plan printed in red and black on cloth key to plan below. Rare map of London printed on cloth. The plan is printed in red and black. All bridges railways public buildings squares parks and borough names are printed in red. To the left and right of the title is a note: "Below is a List of the chief Sights & Amusements of London and it's Environs worthy of notice. The Star denotes free admittance. The Figures on the left refer to the map on the right the distance in miles from London." Although the plan is not dated we can assign a date of around 1855: it depicts both Holloway Prison 'Model Prison' opened in 1852 and the Metropolitan Cattle Market 'New Cattle Market' opened in 1855. Strangely the plan fails to show King's Cross Station which was opened in 1852. Not in Hyde. hardcover
56903Tokyo circa 1942. Japanese War Photography ORIGINAL COMMEMORATIVE COLLECTION. Small quarto portfolio containing 40 loose black and white photographs backed onto card with descriptions tipped onto verso. Also with a loose introductory leaf and publishing information to the inside of the portfolio. Publisher's blue cloth chemise portfolio with plain card flaps and gilt titles to front cover. Recent repairs to worn flap joints ribbon-tie broken. Sunning to portfolio edges. Browning and spotting throughout. Very good. A collection of photographs produced to celebrate the first anniversary of the beginning of Dai Toa Senso or the Greater East Asia War in December 1941. The collection is entirely military in character showing successful Japanese operations on land at sea and in the air. Including images of Admiral Yamamoto the attack on Pearl Harbour the occupation of Hong Kong and Singapore Japanese paratroopers a flame-thrower in action the surrender of Allied forces and prisoners of war naval engagements with British and American war ships and the bombing of Rangoon. A rare collection. Tokyo, [circa 1942] unknown
180217663Paris L'An XI de la Republique 1802. 355 by 515mm 14 by 20.25 inches. A manuscript medley featuring a map of Sicily Original pen and ink and colour wash. This design for a printer's trade card takes the form of the popular "medley" print in which as many examples of the kinds of printing that the firm is able to produce are displayed in ordered chaos spread out as if on a table for viewing. It includes quite a detailed map of Sicily the lyrics to the popular chansons 'Il pleut il pleut bergere' and 'Regne heureux' a rendering of Watteau's painting 'Pierrot' and a calendar for "L'An XI" i.e. 1802. unknown
188015229Shanghai 1880. 400 by 530mm. 15.75 by 20.75 inches. The Chinese-Russian frontiers Three lithograph maps. The growing number of expatriates servicemen and foreign workers based in China during the late-nineteenth century prompted numerous publishers to set up foreign-language periodicals to cater to the international community. Several English newspapers appeared including the 'Evening Gazette' the 'Shanghai Courier' the 'China Gazette' the 'Mercury' and 'The Celestial Empire'. These publications documented an important period in Chinese history as incursions from Japanese Russian British and Ottoman forces each took their toll. During the mid-nineteenth century the Chinese and Russian empires expanded into what is now Kazakhstan and Western Xinjiang. Upon meeting the powers both signed the Treaty of Kulka in 1851 which legalised trade between both countries in the region. During the Second Opium War however Russia took advantage of China's weakened position and annexed the north back of the Amur River and the coast down to the Korean border while also gaining control of Sakhalin Island alongside Japan. Tensions remained high throughout the 1860s and 1870s. In 1868 Russia launched its first attempt to expel the Chinese from the territory resulting in the Manza War in which they were ultimately unsuccessful. The Chinese General Zuo Zongtang called for war against Russia and in 1878 began to amass troops causing his opponents to retreat from the city of Kuldja which they were besieging and demonstrating that the Chinese had built up a modernised arsenal of weaponry since their last conflict. In fact in 1880 huge quantities of military equipment were shipped to China from Europe. It is this period of tension shown on the present maps which were included with editions of 'The Celestial Empire' and the 'Shanghai Courier' in 1880 as noted in red beneath the images. The first is a map of the Chinese-Russian frontiers with Mongolia and Manchuria clearly identified in the centre and many other important cities rivers mountains and roads represented. The second shows the Kuldja Triangle in modern-day Kazakhstan which was the centre of the conflict in which Chinese troops forced out the occupying Russians. The contemporary frontier according to Russia sources is contrasted against the frontier of ten years earlier. The final map focuses on "The Russian Province of Fergana and the Pamir Plateau showing the adjacent Chinese Territory and Indian Frontier according to Russian Surveys in 1878 and 1879". Mountains cities rivers roads and lakes are represented with elevation given in feet. unknown
4452n.d. n.d. Two round white cotton mats with silk fringes 190mm in diameter. In the centre of each mat is a drawing. The first shows a simian heavily bearded man carrying a large folio volume under his arm and removing his top hat. The frame around the image is in the form of a heraldic garter on which is written "A specimen of the Darwinian race". The other mat has a drawing of a naval officer in contemporary tail-coat standing in front of a shaving mirror brandishing a cut-throat razor. Written on the garter is "A native trimming his beard". The officer bears a striking resemblance to John Lort Stokes who was Darwin's cabin companion on the first voyage of The Beagle. These mats appear to be unrecorded and unique. We have found no trace of anything similar nor can we with any confidence suggest a maker. If the naval officer is John Stokes then this does offer the tantalising possibility of someone close to Darwin himself - after all Darwin would have seen Stokes shave. The mats came from the collection of Eric Korn the legendary bookseller scientist polymath and expert on Darwin. He was unable to discover their maker which makes us feel a bit better. n.d. n.d. unknown
1912804R30London: His Majesty's Stationery Office 1912. Cloth. Good. 13" by 9". None. A scarce complete 1911 census of the United Kingdom from Nottingham Public Reference Library. The United Kingdom Census 1911 was the twelfth census of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. For the first time the census asked questions regarding nationality marriage and children; it was also the first to record details regarding British Army personnel stationed outside of the U.K.A scarce and complete original source for Britain in the early twentieth century. Volume I is regarding administrative areas.Volume II is regarding registration areas.Volume III is regarding parliamentary areas; volume IV is bound in this volume and details ecclesiastical areas. Volume VI is on buildings of various kinds; volume VII is bound in this volume as well and details ages and condition as to marriage.Volume VIII is on tenements in administrative counties and urban and rural districts. Volume X on occupations and industries is in two volumes.The final volume is four volumes bound in one: it contains a preliminary report with tables of the population in England and Wales volume V an index to the population tables for England and Wales volume IX on birthplaces volume XI on infirmities and volume XII on language spoken in Wales and Monmouthshire. From Nottingham Public Library; with their bookplates and labels to the front pastedown and endpapers and stamps occasionally throughout. In a full cloth binding; three are contemporary with the remaining five by the library. Externally generally smart. More recent volumes have just slight bumping to the head and tail of the spine and extremities with some residue from a removed spine label to the tail. The three volumes in an older binding are worn to the joints with bumping to the extremities and the head of the spine and labels to the front boards. Library bookplates and labels to the front endpapers and pastedown with stamps on occasion throughout. Internally generally firmly bound. Front hinge is strained to volume III. Pages are occasionally torn but generally bright and clean. Good His Majesty's Stationery Office hardcover
1820991F4Not Stated: None c1820 . Leather. Very Good Indeed. 5" by 7.5". Not Stated. A delightful sketch book of pencil landscape illustrations beautifully bound in full straight grain morocco with a metal clasp. Including a depiction of Lake Windermere. A wonderful illustrated anonymously produced early 19th century sketch book.In a full straight grain morocco binding with gilt detailing to board perimeters blind tooling to board perimeters and back strip and metal clasp in full working order.With thirteen beautiful pencil landscape illustrations of valleys mountains lakes hills and rural towns of the Lake district with sketches of Lake Windermere and Glenridding.With the bookplate of James S. Dearden to the front free endpaper. He was a Ruskin enthusiast credited with launching the Ruskin revival and with advising three generations of Ruskin scholars.With a charming illustrated floral bookplate to the front pastedown. In a straight grain morocco binding with blind tooling to back strip and board perimeters with metal clasp to fore edge in full working order. Externally excellent with light rubbing to joints and back strip head and tail. Bookplates to front pastedown and front free endpaper. Internally firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Very Good Indeed None hardcover
53184<p>London J. Harris and Son 1819. SECOND EDITION 1819 HAND COLOURED COPY 12mo approximately 170 x 100 mm 6¾ x 4 inches hand coloured floral frontispiece with Greek key border title page dated 1819 24 jolly half page hand coloured illustrations for each letter of the alphabet XYZ on 1 illustration tongue-twister in verse below each image using appropriate letter of the ABC pages: 1-6 7-35 1 Conundrums on pages 31-35 35v is blank. LACKING ORIGINAL PRINTED WRAPPERS rebound in full black calf neatly rebacked more recently gilt rules to spine and next to spine gilt title marbled endpapers inner hinges strengthened with similar marbled paper. Covers and corners just slightly worn ink name on front endpaper faint browning to verso frontispiece tiny pale stain on frontispiece faint offsetting onto title page some slight show through due to thin paper some light thumbing to margins an occasional tiny pale stain tiny closed tear to inner edge of page 25/26 another to upper edge of final page 35 both neatly repaired not affecting text original needle holes of old repair just showing on Conundrums page. A good plus copy lacking wrappers as noted. First published in 1813 in slightly smaller format. Moon page 90 No.629 2. The 1819 edition listed in Moon lacks the Conundrums nor are they announced on the title page instead she mentions a 4 page booklist. Our copy which is complete is printed by J. Swan 76 Fleet Street. See also Osborne I 103 1820 edition. MORE IMAGES ATTACHED TO THIS LISTING ALL ZOOMABLE FURTHER IMAGES ON REQUEST. POSTAGE AT COST AND ALL PARCELS SENT FULLY TRACKED AND FULLY INSURED.</p> London, J. Harris and Son, 1819.
1792985F30London: J. Debrett; S. Crowder et al 1792 . Leather. Very Good Indeed. 6.5" by 4". None. An attractively bound example of the scarce 1792 edition of this popular work of British history and genealogy providing the annual register for England Scotland Ireland and the Colonies. The scarce 1792 edition of this work handsomely bound in vibrant morocco with metal clasps in full working order.'The Royal Kalendar' played an important role in providing in great detail information on those in influential positions across England and includes 'a complete and correct list of the 17th Imperial Parliament of Great Britain'. Further detailed are the peers public officials and notable individuals of Scotland and Ireland and the governors and law officials of the colonies.With 'Rider's British Merlin for 1792' present as called for.With the armorial bookplate of Michael Lord Sandys to the verso of the front free endpaper.ESTC T45340 In a full morocco binding with gilt detailing to back strip and board perimeters and metal clasps in full working order. Externally excellent with a touch of rubbing to back strip head. Armorial bookplate to verso of front free endpaper. Internally firmly bound. Pages lightly age toned with the odd handling mark. Very Good Indeed J. Debrett; S. Crowder et al hardcover
168252894<p>Paris chez Jean Ribou 1682. FOURTH EDITION 1682. Quatrieme Edition corrigee & augmentee. FRENCH TEXT. 12mo approximately 155 x 90 mm 6 x 3½ inches 42 woodcut text illustrations pages: 8 1-480 28 bound in full vellum 3 bookplates of well known cookery book collectors to first pastedown: Westbury Collection Elizabeth David and John Hodgkin. Binding soiled with wear to upper joint and foot of spine still firmly bound no loose pages old ink lettering and date to spine mostly rubbed off pale foxing to title page pale age-browning throughout minor worming to lower outer corners of pages 165-190 and 385-396 not affecting text the worming confirms this as the Westbury copy lot 332 sold by Sotheby's in 1965 3 leaves slightly ragged at lower margins not affecting text occasional tiny nick to outer margins otherwise a good copy. See: Sotheby & Co Catalogue of the Westbury Collection of Cookery Books 1965 page 67 No. 332; Gerard Oberl Les Fastes de Bacchus et de Comus page 72 No. 88; G. Vicaire Bibliographie Gastronomique column 339; William Cagle A Matter of Taste A Bibliographical Catalogue of International Books on Food and Drink page 136 No.180; Katherine Bitting Gastronomic Bibliography page 547; Sotheby & Co. Catalogue of Books on Food and Wine from The Library of Harry Schraemli 1971 page 96 No. 323. MORE IMAGES ATTACHED TO THIS LISTING ALL ZOOMABLE FURTHER IMAGES ON REQUEST. POSTAGE AT COST.</p> Paris, chez Jean Ribou, 1682. hardcover
31071S. e. Cuir S. l.
1921189766New York: The Society 1921. Hardcover. VG- scuffing and light soiling to boards signed presentation copy age toned end pages text and bw illustrations are clean and clear binding is secure. Peach paper over boards; white title block with black lettering on front cover; 50 pp illustrated in bw throughout. Contents include: Certificate of Incorporation; Members of the Societe Anonyme Inc.; Annual Report; Exhibitions; Lectures; Publication of Pamphlets; Report on Newspaper and Magazine Publicity; Treasurer's Report; Program of the Work for the Season 1921-1922; Committees and Membership; By-Laws; Reference Library. The Society hardcover
1688022060Paris Chez Pierre Le Petit. Et se vendent presentement Chez Antoine Dezallier, ruë S. Jacques à la Couronne d' Or. 1688 un volume in-8° (128 x 195mm), [1] ff. blanc [1] ff. (frontispice) [3] ff. (titre + epistre) XXXII pp. (préface) 629 pp. [1] ff. (extrait privilège+ extrait des registres) [1] ff. blanc. Reliure en plein maroquin rouge, plats constitués en compartiments quadrilobés dessinés en pointillés dorés encadrés d'un double filet or, le tout entourant un compartiment central en forme d'étoile à huit branches flanqué en haut et en bas de compartiments rectangulaires, dos à nerfs orné de caissons constitués de torsades et petits fers dorés avec fleur de lys en médaillon central, tranches dorées, roulette sur les coupes, gardes peignées (reliure de l' époque). (reliure légèrement frottée, deux pertes de cuir à la coiffe de tête, traces de restauration ancienne au niveau des colins au second plat, un coin pincé, un autre émoussé, coupures et un manque angulaire à l'ex-libris, frontispice détaché, fine bande de salissure en marge intérieure à quelques feuillets, nombreux ressauts de cahier, fente et petite perte de papier au bas du feuillet 63-64, IL MANQUE LE FEUILLET 191-192 qui a été maladroitement retiré, présence d'une cerne claire en marge intérieure en partant du début de l'ouvrage et va en s'amenuisant jusqu'au feuillet 103-104, petite cerne claire de la page 530 à la page 545). Ce type de décor ne se rencontre pratiquement que sur des Semaines Saintes ou des Almanachs Royaux. Exemplaire entièrement réglé. Frontispice de L. MOREAU. Une gravure en hors-texte de Peier Paul. Lettrines et cul-de lampes. Provenance : de la Bibliothèque de la Maison Royale de St. Louis ; La Maison royale de Saint-Louis est un pensionnat pour jeunes filles créé en 1686 à Saint-Cyr, par le roi Louis XIV à la demande de Madame de Maintenon qui souhaitait la création d'une école destinée aux jeunes filles de la noblesse pauvre. Cet établissement, bien qu'il perdît sa place de premier rang à la suite de la disparition de Louis XIV puis de sa fondatrice, marqua une évolution certaine de l'éducation des jeunes filles sous l'Ancien régime. Précieux exemplaire contenant sur le titre un ex-dono de Madame de Maintenon. Annotations manuscrites anciennes au premier feuillet blanc. IL MANQUE LE FEUILLET 191-192. RARE.
19154227France Belgium England 1915. Good. Oblong 8vo. Small "Walker's Service Notebook" 154 x 94 mm lined 26 pages filled with neat entries in pencil and pen final page of diary loose the remaining portion of the notebook i.e. about 2/3 blank. Original limp cloth covers worn. § Extraordinary manuscript diary of an anonymous British soldier beginning April 12th 1915 and ENDING ABRUPTLY IN THE TRENCHES AFTER A GAS ATTACK. The final entry was dated December 19th 1915 which was THE FIRST DAY PHOSGENE GAS WAS USED AGAINST BRITISH SOLDIERS. The short diary is rich in detail of life at the front. The anonymous soldier belonged to the 49th West Riding Division which had a large number of gas casualties when soldiers in reserve lines did not receive a warning in time to put on their helmets. A study by British medical authorities arrived at a figure of 1069 gas casualties 120 of which were fatal. It is very possible that the present manuscript was written by one of those men. It seems probable that with access to the right regimental records the identity and fate of the soldier could be learned and his story told in full; however even as an anonymous diary the interest and poignancy of this personal record is clear.<br /> <br /> The events recorded span just nine months. On April 12th the soldier leaves Edenthorpe near Doncaster and crosses the channel to Le Havre that evening "packed like herrings" and accompanying horses and wagons. Over the next few months he records laying lines opening signal offices handling horses towns and villages visited billets and meals injuries regiments encountered names of comrades and O.C.s shelling rain and mud. He sees the Northumberland Hussars the Indian Corps and Royal Horse Artillery. On May 9th he records the Battle of Aubers Ridge: "Off duty at 7am. Attack began at 5am by Artillery. Signal thro' during day showed heavy losses in E. Lancs Lincolns. 13th London and other Batts. Had coffee in Fleurbaix and then to bed in barn. Off duty 3pm. Attack still proceeding without much impression on our line. French said to be doing well. At night we have the two windows in our Signal Office made up with corrugated iron & sandbags."<br /> <br /> For the entry dated May 12th our author notes that the name of the Division has been "altered to the 49th" thereby confirming the identity of his Division. On May 24th: "The Allamands dropped about 6 shrapnel in our vicinity."<br /> <br /> From a period of steady work and periodic pleasures "had tea & cakes at a patisserie & and then back after buying some books" "glorious day" the situation deteriorates with the weather "torrential rain dugouts leaking & 18" water on my floor".<br /> <br /> They move to Chateau de Trois Tours and on July 13th there is "rather an exciting night" with a bombardment from 7.30 to 10.30. On the 14th "The whole place is being encircled by barbed wire & trenches & the furniture is being moved out of the chateau." On the 15th "At 12.45pm about 12 shells fell round the chateau made a dive for the Signal Office Billy Edwards & Gus Harris wounded in thigh and ankle." They were shelled again on the 16th.<br /> <br /> On December 1st he travels back to Sheffield on leave returning on December 8th. The company are now holed up near Ypres at Hospital Farm the name given to a farm building used as a dressing station. The final entry reads "Dec 19th 'S.O.S.' Gas attack 5.30 am things lively until 8.30am. 146 & 148 des. 148 soon repaired from chateau". The cemetery at Hospital Farm contains 115 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.<br /> <br /> On the significance of the 19 Dec. 1915 battle at Wieltje Belgium northeast of Ypres see the long Wikipedia entry "German Phosgene Attack of 19 December 1915." <br /> <br /> The diary contains many clues that could help identify our writer in military records. It is not certain that he was one of the first British casualties to Phosgene gas but it seems tragically likely. As it stands the final entry in the diary marks an important milestone in the war: phosgene gas would eventually be responsible for about 85% of the 90000 deaths caused by chemical weapons during World War I. unknown
182314740POPULAR TALES AND ROMANCES OF THE NORTHERN NATIONS Simpkin Marshall & Bohte 1823 first edition 3 volumes near fine bound in 3/4 leather and marbled boards with matching marbled page edges and raised gold-gilt decorated spines. Seventeen tales of the supernatural taken from European sources apparently mostly German. Contains the well known female vampire story WAKE NOT THE DEAD as well as the tales THE BOTTLE IMP THE SORCERORS THE ENCHANTED CASTLE ELFIN-LAND THE HOARD OF THE NIBELUNGEN THE VICTIM OF PRIESTCRAFT et.al. An important early grouping. Illustrated. Simpkin, Marshall & Bohte hardcover
