Rare, extra-illustrated second edition of an artist’s drawing manual based on the “most celebrated heads” from Raphael’s Sistine Chapel tapestry cartoons, which William and Mary had Sir Christopher Wren install in their own gallery at Hampton Court (later transferred to V & A.) Although eagerly studied by 18th century British..... More

Extremely rare 18th-century pamphlet listing and describing 13 machines recently invented by Carlo Castelli (active 1780-1810s), emeritus professor of physics, member of several learned scientific academies, and Provost of the Collegiata della Sta. Maria Fulcorina in Milan. The 4-page prospectus notes that these inventions are available for order from the..... More

Extremely rare first edition of a medical case study on a severe case of osteomalacia, or bone softening, in the skull, thorax and pelvis of a young woman.  The report briefly outlines the history of the case and the acquisition of the cadaver before launching into a highly detailed, technical..... More

First edition, first issue of this monumental work, here in a rare example with fine contemporary hand-colouring. An “indispensable supplement to Humboldt’s Voyage dans l’Amerique” (Sabin), Dupaix’s arduous work represents in many cases the first glimpses – and first published records - of untouched Mayan ruins emerging from the jungle..... More

Rare manuscript detailing the protocol of the Imperial court in Mexico City, written in 1867, apparently weeks before Maximilian left the city for Querétaro and a mere months before his execution by firing squad. The manuscript lays out the power structures governing the day-to-day running of the palace from security..... More